Broadcasting (Jan-June 1933)

Educational Program Sources (Continued from page 12) ing local programs, whose unsold or sustaining programs he seeks to improve, and by so doing, put to beneficial use already existing facilities, "thus eliminating waste and providing educational programs to all our people." Regarding his plan, Mr. Lafount said: "Educational programs could, and I believe in the near future will, be broadcast by the government itself over a few powerful short wave stations and rebroadcast by existing stations. This would not interfere with local educational programs, and would provide all broadcasters with the finest possible sustaining programs. The whole nation would be taught by one teacher instead of hundreds, and would be thinking together on one subject of national importance. Tyson Explains Financing "PERSONALLY, I believe such a plan would be more effective than a standing army. I shall not undertake a description of the mechanics of this proposed plan, other than to say it would be very flexible and inexpensive. I do not consider this a step towards government ownership or operation of radio broadcasting stations. The government's activities would be confined to the transmission and wholesale distribution of educational material and discussions of subjects of national importance to all the stations in the United States, and not to the maintenance of any particular station." In opening the assembly with his report, Mr. Tyson explained that the council was created through appropriations provided originally by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., personally, and by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Since then, funds for specific purposes have been made available by Mrs. C. Cary Rumsey, by the American Political Science Association and by the Carnegie Corporation. The corporation, he explained, also has made appropriations for maintenance which will permit continuation through 1934. "This means", he declared, "that the work begun so auspiciously, although hsilted somewhat by general conditions, can continue for a further period during which, it is hoped, there will be some indication of the ultimate place broadcasting will have in American education." Prior to the disclosure of his plan for formation of a National Radio Institute, Mr. Tyson brought out that there is much conflict among educational groups concerning radio. Educators, he said, will have to make up their minds how they can use radio, since there is certain to be serious consideration in the years ahead as to the disposition of broadcasting facilities. Change of Front Needed "MERELY finding fault with current programs or practices is a popular and easily conducted enterprise, but fruitless," he said. "The approach to the whole problem of educational broadcasting has been negative. Until we have an entire right-about-face, with the educational world solidly presenting constructive and positive suggestions, the present unsatisfying conditions will continue indefinitely." Mr. Tyson pointed to the plight of purely educational stations, declaring the determined attempts to halt their mortality evidently have not been successful. He said reports are heard repeatedly that these stations have relatively small audiences. The fact is, he said, that money to conduct educational broadcasting, under any auspices and by means of any facilities, must be secured and it is increasingly hard to secure. In the course of his report, Mr. Tyson declared that "if the American radio system continues as it has been going recently, with commercialism rampant, nothing can save it." Leaders of the industry realize this, he said. The alternative to the present system is government operation and control requiring taxation support, he added. Raps Useless Controversy WHETHER educators will get together to support a concerted effort for good programs is the most important question, Mr. Tyson declared. The last few years, he said, have not been ones to which educators can point with pride. "There has been undignified and unfruitful controversy. There has been disappointment and dissatisfaction with developments in a young industry that is feeling its way and little credit for remarkable accomplishments. Selfishness and lack of foresight have characterized the activities of ill-advised persons in and out of broadcasting. There has been a minimum of imagination displayed and little that smacks of scientific approach to the whole problem on the part of educators and broadcasters alike. This does credit to neither. * * * "There is no definite desire to institute a system of government control such as that which submerges European populations. But opinions are increasing to the general effect that even that system is preferable to blatant and nauseating commercialism which some unthinking and ill-advised broadcasters persist in inflicting upon the American public and which leaders in the industry deplore as steadily as anyone else." WRVA's New Studios RADIO Commissioner Thad H. Brown, Senator Byrd and Governor Pollard were among the officials who participated in the opening of the new studios of WRVA, Richmond, Va., May 23. NBC carried part of the program and other Virginia stations assisted in the celebration. The renovized studios in the Hotel Richmond are among the most modern and handsome in the south. On May 24 the weekly Corn Pipe Club broadcast on NBC started coming from the new studios. The program is sponsored by the Larus & Bro. Co., Inc. (Edgeworth tobacco) Richmond, which also owns WRVA. SHADOW (ell on WHAM's tiadino area: . . . and brought Results to its Sponsor "Should I 'spot' Rochester?" you ask. "Yes! Use WHAM!" says the H. H. Babcock Company, Blue Coal distributor for the Rochester area. "The Shadow" has long held its audience on the NBC Red Network, but limited Red Network coverage in Rochester convinced the H. H. Babcock Company that a "Spot" broadcast was imperative to bring business to Blue Coal Dealers in the Rochester area. Logical show was "The Shadow", but the H. H. Babcock Company questioned the possibility of duplicating the original production outside New York City. WHAM had no doubts. Neither had the sponsor after the show went on — thirty successive weeks through fall, winter and spring. Only restricted guest space limited the size of the curious crowds who wished to "sit in" on the broadcast. Hundreds wrote without the incentive of a gift offer . . . Blue Coal dealers did a thriving business. WHAM covers Central, Western and Southern New York, Northern Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, within a 250 mile radius of Rochester ... an area in which are found: 59.37% of the nation's manufacturing, and 53.2 % of the tax returns showing incomes in excess of $5,000. "Spot" this prosperous market. WHAM has the audience, and would appreciate the opportunity to do the job for you. STATION WHAM SAGAMORE HOTEL ROCHESTER, N. Y. Owned and Operated by the Stromberg-Carlson Telephone Manufacturing Company Clear Channel Full Time Associated NBC Western Electric Double Turntable 33 1/3 R.P.M. lateral and vertical pick-up equipment June 1, 1933 • BROADCASTING Page 33