NAB reports (Mar-Dec 1933)

NAB CODE COMMITTEE MEETS The Committee of the NAB charged with drafting a code for broadcasters will hold a meeting at Hotel St. Regis, New York, Monday, August 14. The Committee meeting will be open to all broadcasters who desire to present facts and figures which will be helpful in develop¬ ing a code. Through questionnaires sent out from NAB Head¬ quarters much detailed information on hours of labor and wages has been collected and this will be presented to the committee for its consideration. President McCosker is chairman of the Committee which is being expanded to include representatives from all classes of sta¬ tions and all sections of the country. It is the plan of the Committee to work as speedily as possible and to have the code in shape for submission at the earliest possible date. The procedure to be followed in obtaining approval of all broadcasters will be decided upon at the meeting. Just as soon as the code is submitted a deputy administrator will be designated to handle the code for the NRA. MEXICAN CONFERENCE BREAKS UP The North American Radio Conference broke up this week with¬ out having arrived at an agreement with respect to the allocation of frequencies between 550 kc. and 1500 kc. The conference began its deliberations on July 10. The Delegates of the United States left Mexico City on Friday and will return to Washington early next week. The only agreement affecting broadcasting involves a promise on the part of Mexico to adhere to the ten kilocycle separation be¬ tween channels and to enforce a fifty cycle deviation tolerance. Information from the conference has been meager and it is not known at this time whether or not the basis has been laid for further discussions between this country and Mexico with respect to problems common to both countries. LAFOUNT CRITICIZES PRICE CUTTING Rate chiseling practices were condemned by Commissioner Harold A. Lafount upon his return to Washington this week from an extended inspection trip. “New contracts for the sale of time already signed insure the successful operation of almost all Western radio broadcasting sta¬ tions during the coming fall and winter,” Commissioner Harold A. Lafount said. Mr. Lafount sounded a loud note of optimism regarding the financial outlook for radio stations, and expressed gratification over the disposition of licensees to cooperate willingly and anxiously in the work of the NRA. During the period of unsatisfactory business conditions, Mr. Lafount observed, broadcasters in the Western and Pacific Coast states have suffered financially, although generally speaking they have maintained a high standard of programs. The sacrifices on the part of broadcasters are keenly appreciated by the listening public. He added: “The general trend, particularly on the part of the smaller sta¬ tions, has been towards transcriptions, and high class recorded pro¬ grams, although many stations present ‘live talent’ programs almost exclusively.” Mr. Lafount denounced price cutting which he said is engaged in by only a few stations he visited and severely criticized the practice of stations selling time on the basis of payment per inquiry. This, he declared, in his personal opinion, to be unethical, and un¬ fair competition and engaging by stations in business other than that of advertising by radio and broadcasting. Mr. Lafount also commented upon the fact that in a number of states, the smaller stations are organizing state units. In referring to long sales talks by advertisers, Mr. Lafount said: “It is an exception rather than the rule and many stations will not permit lengthy sales talks.” Mr. Lafount was loud in his praise of the equipment used by Western stations, saying: “It is interesting to note the trend towards improved antennae. Everywhere stations are studying this question with a view to making such changes in antennae as may increase their signals and service areas. Station owners generally are so pleased with the results of their new monitoring equipment that they are now seeking improvements along other lines, and the trend at the moment is towards improved antennae.” Mr. Lafount is more enthusiastic than ever before over the American radio system and is convinced it is far superior to that of any other country. SECURITIES ACT REGISTRATIONS The following companies have filed registration statements with • Page the Federal Trade Commission under the Securities Act during the current week: Arizona Comstock Corporation, Virginia City, Nev. (2-112-1). Black’s Gold Mining Company, Inc., Tacoma, Wash. (2-118-1). Columbia Systems, Inc., Washington, D. C. (2-123-1). Consolidated Mines Syndicate, Boise, Ida. (2-127-1). Fulton Industrial Securities Corp., Atlanta, Ga. (2-121-1). Itep Corporation, New York City (2-119-1). Investors Independence Corp., Denver, Colo. (2-125-1). Le Roi Cinnabar Mines, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn. (2-115-1). Mt. Kelso Consolidated Mining Co., Georgetown, Colo. (2-122-1). Northwestern Ceramic Corporation, Seattle, Wash. (2-124-1). Premier Shares, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa. (2-128-1). Redemption Gold Corp., Denver, Colo. (2-116-1). Spencer Trask Fund, Inc., New York City (2-120-1). State Loan Company, Mt. Rainier, Md. (2-126-1). E. H. Thiell, Trustee, El Paso, Texas (2-117-1). Washington Bar Gold Mining Co., Butte, Mont. (2-114-1). Yuba Oil Company, New York City (2-113-1). American Manufacturing & Mining Corp., Torrington, Wyo. (2-131-1). Bankers Mortgage Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pa. (2-129-1). The Mountain States Oil Corp., Denver, Colo. (2-130-1). Transport Refining Company, Beverly Hills, Cal. (2-131-1). RECOMMENDS NEW PUERTO RICO STATION Application was filed by Juan Piza for a construction permit for a new broadcasting station at San Juan, Puerto Rico, to use a frequency of 1290 kilocycles, 500 watts power, unlimited hours of operation. This application was granted by the Radio Commission when station WKAQ, only existing broadcasting station in Puerto Rico, protested. The case was set for hearing. Report No. 501 (Hill, e.). Recommends that Commission affirm its grant to the applicant. The Examiner found that Puerto Rico is greatly under quota and that there is need for additional broadcasting service on the Island. There is sufficient local talent available for a broadcasting service and “the applicant has made such tentative business ar¬ rangements as would insure the successful operation of his station.” It is further stated by the Examiner that “no substantial evidence is offered in support of the protest which would, under Rule 46, warrant modification or revocation of the Commission’s grant of applicant’s application for construction permit.” STAY OF MANDATE IN WLOE CASE The Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia this week granted a 30-day stay of mandate in the appeal of Station WLOE, Boston. The Court also this week granted the motion of the Radio Com¬ mission to file a single record in the appeals of Stations WLAP and WHAS, both of Louisville, Ky. NEW CLEARING HOUSE PROGRAMS The following programs are offered to member stations by the NAB Program Clearing House at this time: (CH 2:3) “JUNGLE EXPLORERS.” Fifteen minutes. Man, and boy and girl, 12-15 years of age, required. Program centers about explorer who brings various jungle animals to city. Later finds two children and tells them his experiences. All settings in Africa. There is little fantastic or hokum in program. Program has been sponsored by prominent baking company six days a week for past 18 months. Capable of merchandising tie-ups with badges, clubs, contests, parties, et cetera. About 500 episodes available. Price, $5.00 each. (CH2:4) “CIRCUS DAYS.” Fifteen minutes. One boy, one girl and two men. Principal characters are two orphans who visit their uncle, the owner of the Mammoth Circus, the greatest show on earth. Their adventures with the circus constitute the material for the various episodes. Sponsored by an ice cream company six days a week, and has produced excellent results in short time on the air. Approximately 150 episodes are available. Price per episode is $5.00. (Dlbrl) “SCREWY MOVIE.” Five to ten minutes. Two people. These continuities are in dialogue or narrative form and burlesque the usual types of motion picture themes. They serve either as comedy feature for a regular program or as the basis around which to build a fifteen-minute program. Twenty-five epi¬ sodes available at $2.50 each. (D lb :2) “HOMER BENCHBOTTOM.” Ten minutes. This program at present is put on ten minutes before the baseball score broadcasts. It relates the adventures of the hero, an ex-umpire, 115*