Broadcasting (Oct 1931-Dec 1932)

Wednesday read the address prepared by the chairman dealing with problems of mutual concern to broadcasters and to the Commission. The official declared that broadcasters, if they are wise, will correct complaints now prevalent concerning sales talks and will otherwise improve their programs. The advisability of widening the broadcast band, to be considered at the Madrid conference, and television were among the variety of subjects Chairman Saltzman's paper discussed. The industry should not mislead the public about television development and its status, he said, pointing out that the Commission still regards the visual art as highly experimental and that it "cannot be commercialized at this time." The Davis amendment, General Saltzman went on record for the first time, "today does not look so good." When it was enacted, he stated, there was undoubtedly a need for a legal yardstick to guide the Commission in its work. But changes and improvements made in the radio art during the last few years make it relatively unnecessary. Replying to Mr. Caldwell, Dr. Jolliffe said it was his personal opinion that the original provisions of the law which called for an equitable distribution are preferable to the ironclad terms of the Davis amendment. Called upon by President Damm, Mr. Caldwell spoke about the "Mexican situation" and the urgent need for action. Declaring it a "delicate subject," he said he believed the association faced no more serious problem. Recently Mexico has awakened to the value of broadcasting, and a number of stations now being built near the international border, operating on frequencies being used by the United States or Canada, Mr. Caldwell said. Were it not for the fact that Mexico, like all other countries, is suffering from a financial depression, conditions might be much worse, he stated, since unquestionably a greater number of stations would have been built. Mr. Caldwell said widening of the broadcast band presented a possible way out of this situation, and that the situation had been met in this way by European nations. Those nations will go to Madrid with a united front for enlargement of their broadcast band, he said. Pleads for Local Stations: A PLEA in behalf of local stations was made by Roy Thompson, WFBG, Altoona, Pa., chairman of the local committee, which presented its first report to the association. Problems which are seldom encountered by stations connected with the networks or stations of appreciable power confront the local station, he said. Considerable good could be accomplished, Mr. Thompson suggested, by having the association designate a chairman from each state to call a state meeting of local managers at regular intervals to discuss local station problems. Each such conference could appoint a delegate to attend the annual session of the NAB. Every local station should become affiliated with the organization, he said, for its own good. The further recommendation was made that the association, in any manner which it sees fit, have Sec tion 3 of General Order No. 105 amended, to make special provisions in the case of local stations, which would not make mandatory full broadcasts of 12 hours per day. Basic principles which are held to govern any consideration of broadcast regulation were formulated by the engineering committee, and presented in a report read by Joe A. Chambers, chief engineer of WLW, Cincinnati, acting chairman. The contention that there is no substantial difference in the utility, importance or value of the various broadcast channels between 550 and 1500 kc. insofar as their capacity to render broadcast service is concerned, was challenged from the floor by Mr. Convey, who insisted that the engineering fraternity always has held that the lower frequencies are desirable. The committee also analyzed, page by page, the proposal for the improvement of broadcasting in the United States as set forth in the brief prepared by Lieut. Comdr. T. A. M. Craven. The committee concurred in many of these recommendations, but took issue with others. Closing Session: AT ITS closed session just prior to adjournment, the association considered individually the various resolutions offered during the preceding sessions. With a single exception, all resolutions offered, as well as several proposed from the floor, were adopted. The only exception was in the proposal that a committee be appointed on agency recognition. When Chairman Bellows said the resolutions committee was unable to report out this resolution, Mr. Hedges moved that the matter be referred to the commercial committee. The motion carried. Following the election of officers and the installation of Mr. Shaw as president, the chair heard requests from a number of cities seeking the 1932 annual convention. Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Louisville, St. Louis, Chicago, Atlantic City, Washington and other cities made bids, all of which were referred to the board of directors. With the disposal of other organization business, such as the amendment of the constitution and bylaws, the convention was declared adjourned by President Damm, and hailed by him as the most successful annual meeting in the association's history CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS Classified advertisements in Broadcasting cost 7c per word for each insertion. Cash must accompany order. Forms close 28th and 13th of month preceding issue. Wanted To Buy Wanted — 500 watt transmitter. Mosby's, Inc., Missoula, Montana. Position Wanted Managing Director of regional station in New York area contemplates change. Possesses five years experience in studio, program, continuity, production, commercial, executive departments. "Available anywhere — any time — any department except engineering. Has no exaggerated ideas of remuneration. Details and satisfactory references on request. Box 1, Broadcasting. Assets of CBS Adjunct Reported $897,224.58 ASSETS of the Atlantic Broadcasting Corporation, engineering adjunct of CBS and the licensee of WABC, New York City, were 897,224.58 on Aug. 29, 1931, it is disclosed in the corporation's financial statement presented to the Federal Radio Commission in connection with the Washington booster hearing Oct. 19. The largest single item was represented by the transmitter, studio and control equipment, which minus depreciation, amounted to $829,719.94. Cash in banks totaled $12,690.62; accounts receivable, $21,134.55, and deferred charges, $3,679.47. Total liabilities and capital balanced the assets, and were made up of $557,132.46 in capital stock and surplus, $300,111.64 charged to CBS and $39,980.38 representing accounts payable. Drops WEAF Wave Plea THE APPLICATION of Louis Reis, New York City, for the facilities of WEAF has been erased from the records. 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