Broadcasting (Oct 1931-Dec 1932)

Thad H. Brown Lottery Law Seen At Next Congress Commission Counsel Predicts Introduction of Measure LEG ISLATION to prohibit the broadcasting o f lotteries or games of chance will be introduced at the next session of Congress, in the opinion of Thad H. Brown, general counsel of the Federal Radio Commission. In an address on radio and the press before the Ohio Select List of Dailies, at Columbus, on Oct. 19, Col. Brown recalled the activities of the Commission only a few months ago with respect to lotteries. These were a direct outgrowth of the action of the American Newspaper Association, which at its convention last April adopted a resolution favoring the bringing of broadcasting under federal lotterylaws. "Undoubtedly, legislation will be proposed to Congress at the coming session making illegal the transmission by radio broadcast stations of any lottery or game of chance," he declared. Similar legislation has been introduced during the past several years but failed of enactment. Because of the pressure brought to bear by newspapers, particularly those in rural areas which in former days derived a substantial revenue from lottery advertisements but which now are prohibited from accepting them by the postal laws, it is generally believed that such a bill could be enacted at the next session with only negligible opposition. The Commission, Col. Brown brought out, was informed by its legal division that the radio act does not give it the authority to prohibit by regulation the advertisement of lottery over radio and that the subject is a matter for legislation by Congress. The division has been called upon, he said, to make an examination of a lottery bill which will be introduced at the forthcoming session. Col. Brown said that the legal division maintains a close check of station programs, and that while the radio act specifically prohibits the Commission from exercising censorship, the courts have upheld it in the consideration of programs as a means of determining whether public interest would be served by the continued operation of the station. He cited the case of Dr. John R. Brinkley, whose KFKB, Milford, Kans., was removed as clearly establishing that principle. "This case is of tremendous importance," he declared, "in that it recognizes the right of the United States Government, through the Federal Radio Commission, to determine whether or not a particular type of program is in the public interest." Col. Brown discussed also the manner in which radio communication facilities are being employed by press groups for the gathering and dissemination of news. He said there are 614 broadcasting stations in this country, of which yl are "owned by newspapers." Westinghouse Will Hold Stations, Says Merrick PRESS reports that the Westinghouse Company will soon turn over the operation and management of its broadcasting stations to NBC are emphatically denied in a statement by F. A. Merrick, Westinghouse president. The statement says : "Certain rumors which have been brought to my attention have been to the effect that the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company is contemplating disposing of its interest in radio stations KDKA in Pittsburgh, WBZ in Boston, WBZA in Springfield, and KYW in Chicago. Westinghouse Company has no intention of divesting itself of ownership, operation or control of its broadcasting stations or any one of them. These stations have been and we expect to continue them as pioneers in the business of broadcasting and its continued development and progress." Our Fun -Magnate MAJOR-Domo S. L. (Roxy) Rothafel's recent visit to Savoy Hill, home of the British Broadcasting Corporation, in the interests of the Radio City project, led Wireless World of London to describe him as "one of the big funmagnates of the United States." Continued the British periodical: "What he and his 'gang' don't know about broadcasting could be sandwiched between the pips of the Greenwich time signal . . . I am glad to think that Americans can pick up ideas over here." May Go Commercial KSMR, Santa Maria, Cal., owned by the Santa Maria Valley R. R. of the Capt. Allen Hancock interests and hitherto operating as a non-commercial station, may go commercial in December, an option to purchase having been granted to certain interests. Combination Discounts TEN per cent discount from card rates is offered sponsors taking KSEI, Pocatello, Ida., and KTFI, Twin Falls, Ida., affiliated stations, if both stations are used and the contract is handled through KSEI. Robert E. Lee, Jr., is KSEI manager. A combination rate is also being offered over KFPY, Spokane, and KGIR, Butte, through a cooperative arrangement between those stations. In addition, a Washington state hookup can be arranged by adding KOL, Seattle, and KOIN, Portland. Wrigley vs. Amos 'n' Andy Battle Looms for Eastern Following as Chorus Girl Skit Takes Competing Time Over CBS THE radio world — listening public as well as production interests — is sitting back with eager anticipation to watch the result of what it considers the audacious challenge flung out by William Wrigley, Jr. Company in introducing its much-advertised million dollar skit, "Myrt and Marge," in direct competition in time with the already established and ever popular Amos 'n' Andy. To be sure, the conflict occurs during only one broadcast — that on the eastern seaboard between 7 and 7:15 p.m. E.S.T., but the market reached by that network is one of the most vital in radio's order of things. The feature will be heard five nights a week, beginning Nov. 2. Since those lovable stars, Correll and Gosden, skyrocketed to radio heights with their Amos 'n' Andy, that 15 minutes has been a drug on any station except that carrying the skit. But now comes the Wrigley feature over CBS at the same time to challenge the idea that the world agrees on an identical radio menu. The feature, the adventures of two chorus girls, written and acted by a team of ex-show beauties, is the biggest one coming out of the Chicago studios of CBS and covers the country from coast to coast, including the Don Lee network at the Pacific end. Besides the 7 o'clock eastern show, there is a second broadcast going to the middle and far west from 10:45 to 11 o'clock E.S.T. This period immediately precedes Amos 'n' Andy in those territories. The skit runs five nights a week. The show itself, and the fact of its existence, is a story in itself. For many moons almost everyone that had any idea for a radio production has approached P. K. Wrigley or his father, William Wrigley, Jr. But all has been to no avail. Not so with Myrtle Vail, an exshow girl. This young lady had an idea. She got it one evening while listening to radio programs. Writing out three or four suggested episodes, she obtained a letter of introduction to P. K. Wrigley from a friend, interviewed the Wrigley president in his office, gave an impromptu audition reading all the parts herself, and landed a contract then and there. The act is to run for 52 weeks, and, though both girls taking the leads are new to radio, CBS and Wrigley officials are confident of its success. The continuity combines heartthrobs and wise-cracks. It opens at a rehearsal for a show and takes place for the most part back-stage with full theatrical effects including orchestra and extras. As the plot progresses an aspiring attorney, a scheming and black-mailing brother of one of the girls, and other characters are woven into the drama. But with the opening of the program, the mystery that has surrounded the subject matter of the skit must take second place in public interest to the outcome of the battle for the listening public on the eastern stations between Pepsodent's Amos 'n' Andy and Wrigley's "Myrt and Marge." KYW Boasts Model Newspaper Tie-up Herald and Examiner Offers Advertisers Radio Time WESTINGHOUSE'S KWY, Chicago, and the Chicago Herald and Examiner, its full-time lessee, have worked out a tie-up between newspaper and radio that has proved very satisfactory and offers an example to the numerous stations and newspapers throughout the country that have been attempting to solve this problem. The tie-up is an advertising one pure and simple — although, of course, certain times during the day are set aside for Herald and Examiner editorial features and promotion. KYW contracts state that any local advertiser using 5,000 or more lines in the Herald and Examiner annually is entitled to a 15 per cent discount in rates over and above all other standard discounts. Not only that, but a definite tieup has been established in several daily features on the air. For instance, there is a program called "State Street Tomorrow," which appears each day from 10 to 10.20 p. m. except Sunday, when it is moved up to 10.15 to 10.35. For this broadcast eight large State Street stores contract with the Herald and Examiner for a certain amount of space annually. Then each of the eight stores gets one advertising mention during the "State Street Tomorrow" program with the orchestra. The stores are rotated in orderof-mention alphabetically so there is no conflict or preference shown. The announcements may touch upon the store directly, any special offering, and may refer to the advertisements in the Herald and Examiner. The "Marshall Field and Company Musical Clock" runs from 7 to 9 o'clock each morning. A girl gives a correct time announcement every five minutes. The commercial announcements every 15 or 20 minutes are by a male announcer. The program consists of phonograph records and includes every variety of recording. "The Musical Clock" was originated many years ago as a station sustaining feature. It became so popular that Marshall Field and Company became interested. They contracted for a week's test, were satisfied and contracted for six months, renewed this contract for another six months and at the end of the year contracted for the feature for an unannounced period. Producer Loses Attempt To End Song Broadcast PETITION of George White, New York theatrical producer, to enjoin three radio organizations from broadcasting songs from the current "Scandals," has been denied by Justice John E. McGeehan in the State Supreme Court. Defendants were the NBC, CBS and WOR. Mr. White contended he held ownership rights on songs that were being sung on the air and that he had not sanctioned their use on radio. The defendants pointed out that they had obtained permission to broadcast the songs from DeSilva, Brown and Henderson, publishers of sheet music. Page 16 BROADCASTING • November 1, 1931