Broadcasting (Oct 1931-Dec 1932)

Record Details:

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Group photograph taken at one of the luncheons of NAB St. Louis convention, which had record attendance of nearly 400. continued, "they are 'selling their birthrights for a mess of pottage' and their judgment day will come. Already an irate public is besieging their representatives in Congress for drastic action." Another practice frowned upon Stanley F. Northcott, WBCM by the Commissioner was that of permitting advertisers to build their own programs without censorship or review by the licensee. This, he asserted, is not countenanced by the Radio Act, and the licensee alone is held responsible by the Commission and the public for whatever goes out over his facilities. Sustaining Programs: IMPROVEMENT of sustaining programs, which occupy from 50 to 75 per cent of the program day, was advocated by Mr. Lafount. While the playing of phonograph records may bridge the gap between sponsored programs and may entertain the listener, he said public interest should not be construed to mean entertainment only. Intelligent presentation of educational material is imperative, he added, and will increase the listening audience and therefore the demand for time by advertisers. A strong advocate of the clear channel as a means of serving rural and remote listeners, Mr. Lafount, however, envisioned their end on the two coasts, through ultimate duplicate operation. Mr. Lafount said he believed in the present plan of local, regional and clear channel stations. "I am convinced, however, that the day of clear channel stations on either the Atlantic or Pacific Coast has about gone, regrettable as it is to me," he stated. Trafficking in radio licenses was called "illegal commercialism" by the commissioner. Likewise he condemned the practice of selling out to "high powered salesmen," who resell or retail time. Violations of Commission regulations, particularly that governing announcements of recorded programs, were deprecated. Mr. Lafount pointed out that it is "amazing how many stations strain and pull to get around this rule." They insist, he said, upon using language that is "anything but clear and in terms calculated to deceive rather than to be understood by the general public." Longer licenses for broadcasting stations, proposed by the Actine; Chairman several weeks ago, will be considered as soon as the Commission acquires its full membership or when Vice Chairman E. 0. Sykes returns from Madrid, where he is heading the Amei'ican delegation to the International Radio Conference, Mr. Lafount said. While the law permits issuance of licenses for three years, the Commission now issues them for six months. The Lafount proposal is for doubling this period. Radio's Finances: "INDICATIONS," the acting chairman concluded, "are that the broadcasting industry is in a sound, Arthur B. Church, KMBC TRAPSHOOTING CHAMP— Surviving all eliminations, L. L. Jaquier, WFIW, was the winner of the contest on the estate of "Pat" Convey, defeating a field of several dozen in the finals. if not entirely satisfactory, financial condition. Although hundreds of banks, financial institutions, and various enterprises in the United States closed their doors during the past three years, the number of Lambdin Kay, WSB broadcasting stations actually increased. During the period of depression only a few broadcasters were obliged to discontinue operations due to financial difficulties, and many new applications were immediately made for their facilities." Immediately following Mr. Lafount's address, President Shaw raised the question of nominations, which opened discussion on the possibility of a paid executive for the industry. A dozen broadcasters participated in the discussion, which finally resulted in a ruling on the following day that such an executive would be obtained and that election of all officers would be by ballot from the floor. The Rev. James A. Wagner, WHBY, Green Bay, Wis., was named judge of the committee on elections, and Martin Campbell, WFAA, Dallas, and H. J. Brennan, WJAS, Pittsburgh, were chosen tellers. A resolutions committee of five, headed by Mr. Shepard, also was designated. President's Address: OPENING the afternoon session Nov. 14, President Shaw sounded a call for "firm and united action, under vigorous and aggressive leadership." Declaring the NAB must be partially rebuilt, he urged the action subsequently taken, ordering consideration of necessary revisions of the by-laws and NAB reorganization. Praise for the work done by the legislative committee under the leadership of Mr. Bellows, in sue December 1, 1932 • BROADCASTING Page 7