NAB reports (Mar-Dec 1933)

Record Details:

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sides of controversial questions. For station owners to stamp an address in favor of repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment as a “political talk,” and to allow “sermons” opposing repeal to be de¬ livered without such a designation, of course, is rank discrimination and should not be countenanced. “As Mr. LaDue points out in a postscript, the opinion of the wets is of no more value, perhaps, than the opinion of the drys, but they should argue over the air under exactly the same rules. “Nor should speakers over the air be allowed to argue a contro¬ versial matter deftly and subtly while discussing another topic. In such cases, in my judgment, the licensee would be justified in cutting the speaker off the air. “In the Radio Law, specific instructions are laid down relative to the use by candidates for public office of radio stations in their campaign. It is set forth that if the licensee of a radio station per¬ mits one candidate to use its facilities, the same privilege must be extended to other candidates for the same office, but the licensee is not obliged to allow the use of its station by any candidate. That section of the law is eminently fair and just and should be a guide for all broadcasters in handling controversial matters. “While the law says the licensee has no power of censorship over material broadcast under the clause relative to the use of a station by candidates, it is the solemn obligation and duty of broadcasters to scan carefully all other material used over their stations, for the Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia, in a celebrated de¬ cision in a radio case, recently quoted the Biblical injunction, “By their fruits ye shall know them,” for the guidance of the Commis¬ sion in evaluating stations and in determining whether they are operating in the public interest, convenience and necessity.” STATUS OF STATE LEGISLATURES The number of legislatures actually in session continues at a minimum. California, Colorado (special session), New York (spe¬ cial session), South Dakota (special session), and Utah (second special session) are, or were, scheduled to be in session. Iowa is scheduled to meet September 15th, and Virginia August 17th, in special sessions. New Jersey is recessed until August 29th. Ken¬ tucky and Mississippi continue to stand out as the only two not having met, and not being scheduled to meet this year. Massachu¬ setts, Michigan. Vermont, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma adjourned this month. UNIFORM NEWSPAPER CONTRACT A revision of the Standard Order Blank for Publications has been adopted by the American Newspaper Publishers Association, Pe¬ riodical Publishers’ Association, Associated Business Publications, and the Agricultural Publishers’ Association in cooperation with the American Association of Advertising Agencies. The original Stand¬ ard Order Blank was adopted by the same organizations in 1920 and has been in use since then without change. AFA OFFERS NRA COOPERATION Edgar Kobak, President of the Advertising Federation of Amer¬ ica and Vice President of the McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, today tendered the services of the organized advertising interests of the nation to the National Recovery Administration. Full co¬ operation to publicize and advertise the President’s Industrial Recovery program was pledged. The Advertising Federation is the representative body of all ad¬ vertising interests, having affiliated with it advertising clubs in most major cities as well as many advertising associations of national character. These groups will assist the Washington head¬ quarters staff in copy preparation, as well as other matters. The local advertising clubs will tie-in with the Chamber of Commerce in each city and help develop the local campaigns now under way. The Federation’s speakers’ bureau was also made available to Recovery Administration. The NAB holds membership in the AFA. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY AFA The following resolutions were adopted by the Advertising Fed¬ eration of America at its convention held at Grand Rapids, Mich., last month: 1. The Advertising Federation of America reaffirms its deep faith in the efficacy of organized effort, with all related interests working together to improve advertising and to curb destructive competition, especially in times of abrupt and far-reaching changes like the present. It offers to cooperate with all other organized bodies representing special interests in advertising, such as are included in the Federation’s broad membership, to the end that they may mutually assist one another in this common cause. 2. In keeping with its principle of “Truth in Advertising,” adopted twenty years ago, the Advertising Federation of America is in hearty accord with the aim of the Federal Administration to prohibit false, misleading, and unfair advertising, and it stands ready to cooperate with the Government in carrying into effect any constructive legislation to his end, which is broadly applicable to all lines of advertised industry and does not in itself, or by its method of enforcement, hamper legitimate advertising nor prevent a reasonably persuasive advertising appeal. In this connection, it commends to the consideration of the Government the Declaration of Ideals and Principles adopted by the Federation at its last annual convention and the following advertising codes covering the national field and the local retail field. A. For the national field — The Code of Advertising Practices adopted jointly a year ago by the Association of National Adver¬ tisers, Inc., and the American Association of Advertising Agencies, and also an Advertising Review Committee to interpret and apply the code. This National code classified the following practices as unfair to the public and tending to discredit advertising: 1. False statements or misleading exaggerations. 2. Indirect misrepresentation of a product or service through distortion of details, either editorially or pictorially. 3. Statements or suggestions offensive to public decency. 4. Statements which tend to undermine an industry by attribut¬ ing to its products, generally, faults and weaknesses true only of a few. 5. Price claims that are misleading. 6. Pseudo -scientific advertising, including claims insufficiently supported by accepted authority, or that distort the true meaning or application of a statement made by professional or scientific authority. 7. Testimonials which do not reflect the real choice of a com¬ petent witness. B. For the local retail field — The Fair Practice Code for Adver¬ tising and Selling, adopted a year ago by the Affiliated Better Business Bureaus, Inc., which declares unfair and against the public interest the following practices: 1. Misleading advertising. 2. Unfair competitive claims. 3. Disparagement of competitors. 4. Underselling claims. 5. “Bait” offers. 6. Deceptive statements accompanying cut prices. 3. The Advertising Federation of America wishes to assert its confidence in the immediate future of American business and to express its belief in cooperative effort by Government and busi¬ ness, as a means of reducing destructive and unfair competition, to the end that merit may prevail, purchasing power be improved, and profits be made on legitimate business effort. The Federation believes that the policy of a fair price for a good product will give advertising a better opportunity than ever before to appeal to consumers on a quality and service basis, and thus lessen wasteful sales effort by creating a more active con¬ sumer demand. It also believes that any effort made by the Government to prevent over-production will not operate to restrict the volume of advertised goods produced to satisfy an augmented consumer demand. MRS. HOWELL OPENS OFFICE Radio research work is now being done by Mrs. Fina M. Howell, attached to the Federal Radio Commission for several years. Mrs. Howell was official translator for the American dele¬ gates at both the International Radio Conference at Madrid and the 1931 Copenhagen C. C. I. R. Conference. FEDERAL RADIO COMMISSION ACTION APPLICATIONS GRANTED First Zone WABI — First Universalist Society of Bangor, Bangor, Maine. — Granted authority to remain silent for a period of three days in order to move transmitter to another room. Second Zone WSEN — The Columbus Broadcasting Corp., Columbus, Ohio — Granted license authorizing local move of transmitter; 1210 kc., 100 watts, unlimited time. Page 1 03