Broadcasting (Oct 1931-Dec 1932)

The Other Fellow's Viewpoint . . . Radio Fairness Praised (Continued from page 9) the major parties are spending another $500,000 or $750,000 for speeches over sectional networks, state-wide networks and independent station broadcasts not connected with the chain. At this time I have been unable to collect any data as to the amount spent by local candidates, but probably that would amount to $250,000 or more make a total of $2,000,000 spent by committees and candidates for the radio. Thus far, I have spoken of those speeches over the radio which are paid for by committees or candidates, but both of the big chain systems have broadcast many programs without cost to anybody. They broadcast the proceedings of the national conventions. They broadcast the presidential acceptance speeches of both Governor Roosevelt and President Hoover. They broadcast many . other speeches; in fact they have broadcast more than 71 hours of political programs over the NBC and 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. Situations Wanted Head of radio department with leading advertising agency desires connection with a radio station in a capacity of manager or commercial manager, having had years of experience in broadcasting stations. Box 63, Broadcasting. Microphone Service Guaranteed Microphone Repairs — Any make or Model — 24-hour service. Stretched diaphragm double button repairs, $7.50. Others, $3.00. Single button repairs, $1.50. Write for 1933 Catalog with diagrams. Universal Microphone Company, Ltd., Inglewood, California. PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY JANSKY and BAILEY Consulting Radio Engineers Commercial Coverage Surveys Allocation Engineering Station and Studio Installations Engineering Management National Press Bldg. Wash., D. C. . J. C. McNARY (Nonsuiting 'Radio Engineer Directional and Non-Directional Antenna Installation. Field Intensity Surveys. 9420 JONES MILL ROAD Phone Wisconsin 3181 CHEVY CHASE MARYLAND GLENN D. GILLETT Consulting 'Radio Engineer Synchronization Equipment Design. Field Strength and Station Location Surveys Antenna Design Wire Line Problems National Press Bldg. Washington, D. C. N. Y. Office: Englewood, N. J. Page 38 Inquiring Radio ADOPTING the role of the Inquiring Reporter WCKY, Covington, Ky., and the RKO theaters of Cincinnati conducted a unique pre-election series twice daily from Oct. 24. Patrons of the theaters and WCKY listeners were invited to express their political views over the air. Questionnaires regarding the election were also distributed, and the results were read over WCKY. The broadcasts were handled by George T. Case and James S. Alderman, staff announcers. 56 hours over the CBS. This means that the political programs contributed by these big chains deprive them of selling advertising to the amount of $2,500,000, in addition to the cost of the leased wires and the operation of their stations. Grand Total of $5,000,000 THE PROGRAMS of public addresses, which radio stations both on the chain and off the chains contributed, in addition, must have been worth at least $1,000,000 more. Adding these amounts spent for political s p e e ch e s and the amounts contributed by radio stations in the last four months, we have a grand total of approximately $5,000,000 worth of radio broadcasting during this campaign. Now the radio station owners have made their part of this contribution of their own free will, without any requirement of law, and tomorrow night, they will hook up their great chain systems without expense to anybody, contributed by them as a public service. Now, my friends, what has been the result? Of the 40,000,000 people who will probably vote tomorrow, at least 30,000,00 and probably 35,000,000 have actually heard the voices of both Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Hoover. They have heard those candidates speaking for themselves. They have heard them criticized and praised. * * * I predict they will go to the polls tomorrow with a greater feeling of confidence in their own judgment as to how they should vote than in any previous election. This, largely, because of the contribution that radio has made in applying political information without comment or prejudice. Announcers Restricted On Programs at WCAU AN EXPERIMENT in restricting announcers to the single mention of their names at the close of programs in which they take important parts has proved successful at WCAU, Philadelphia, after three months trial, according to Stan Lee Broza, program director. No announcer is permitted to use his name when the continuity calls for only an opening and closing announcement. When an announcer introduces all musical numbers, for instance, and reads the entire continuity, he is allowed to tag his name on the end of the program. Well Endorsed To the Editor of Broadcasting: On page 38 of your issue for Nov. 1, you have been kind enough to mention the fact that Vice President Curtis and Senator Nye are urging my appoiontment as Radio Commissioner from the Fourth District. Needless to say, this notice in your magazine is very much appreciated. I regret, however, that you found it necessary to make reference to the National Committee on Education by Radio by stating that "it is understood" that I have the endorsement of this Committee, which you state is opposed to commercial broadcasting, etc. To the best of my knowledge, I do not have the official endorsement of that committee. I do have endorsements from a considerable number of university chancellors, presidents, deans, and faculty members; also of several state superintendents of public instruction. The Association of College and University Broadcasting Stations through its president, Joseph F. Wright, of WILL at the University of Illinois, has given me its official endorsement, but that organization, with which I have been intimately connected since its beginning, cannot truely be said "opposed to commercial broadcasting." Incidentally, you will be interested to know that my nomination was sent to the White House on July 21 by Senator Howell of Nebraska. Mr. Loucks of the NAB or Mr. Orson Stiles, director of WOW, Omaha, can give you further information regarding some of the points raised in the second paragraph of your article. Sincerely yours, J. C. Jensen, Director and Engineer, Nebraska Wesleyan University, WCAJ, Lincoln, Neb. Nov. 2, 1932. Radio Aids Safety To the Editor of Broadcasting: Some time ago Acting Chairman Lafount of the Federal Radio Commission very kindly called the attention of radio broadcasting stations to their opportunity to render public service by utlizing their facilities in cooperation with the national efforts to reduce accidents on the streets and highways. Their response has been most gratifying and it occurred to me that your magazine would be interested in the results attained. Numerous letters from our affiliated A. A. A. motor clubs in all parts of the country indicate that the public generally is appreciative of the way in which radio stations are helping to promote safety. While there are, of course, many factors involved in the downward trend of motor fatalities during the first six months of 1932 — the first drop in the history of the automobile— there can be no doubt but that the broadcasting of safety messages by radio has been most helpful in encouraging careful driving. Station WSAR at Fall River, Mass., offers an excellent examp of radio cooperation. This statk devotes fifteen minutes each Tue day night to a safety program as feature of its civic service to tl community and surrounding ten tory. Hundreds of similar ii stances could be cited. In view of the above, it is neec less to say that the America Automobile Association, represen ing a million organized car owner has been pleased to commend 1 the Federal Radio Commission tl way in which radio stations undt its control are helping to stem tr tide of motor accidents. This accomplished by calling the attei tion of individual listeners, moto: ists and pedestrians alike, to the responsibility in the cause of n; tional safety. Very truly yours, Ernest M. Smith, Executive Vice President, American Automobile Ass'r Washington, D. C. Oct. 13, 1932. "Myrt and Marge" (Continued from page 10) chewing gum helps to keep a mois healthy mouth," or "It's a fac that, due to the modern, soft die people do not get a sufficiei amount of daily chewing exercise et cetera, et cetera. And the; wound off quickly with the sugge:, tion, "Chew Wrigley's Spearmii Gum not only for pleasure but fc health. Inexpensive. Satisfying Whether so little advertisin rings up the cash sales, I cannc definitely say. One thing is certaii I and that is that the Wrigley stat< I ment at the end of the year we ; most satisfactory. Another thing is certain — the Wrigley's Myrt and Marge prci gram could never be said to grv people the jitters by boring thei to death with advertising. An still a third thing is certain — th£ everyone knows, even with so li ! tie mention of Wrigley's, th? Myrt and Marge is the Wrigle program. If "reminded copy" cr< ates sales — and we must all fac the fact that it is a very poteri form of advertising — Myrt an Marge could not help but be a gooj thing for the Wrigley Compan; which is investing in it to tb length and breadth of seven fi^i ures. Advertising Increased THIS YEAR a little bit more aboi the delicious Spearmint flavour i being put in at both the beginnin and the close of the fifteen mir utes. But in all, the time take for the commercial announcemer is not much more than from a mir ute to a minute and one-half. An this even includes part of th theme song. The Wrigley Company very cleai \ ly recognizes their Myrt and Marg radio program as out-and-out er tertainment. And as such, they di not expect nor desire more adve it tising to be associated with it. 1 And it is our belief, as an advei tising agency, that it is a wis sponsor who lets the advertisin fit the medium. BROADCASTING • November 15, 1931