Broadcasting (Oct 1931-Dec 1932)

Judge Ira E. Robinson Resigns (Continued from page 6) named a Lieutenant Colonel in the pgserves. In Feb., 1929, Col. Brown was appointed a member of the Ohio State Civil Service Commission, serving as member and chairman until December, 1922. He was elected secretary of state of Ohio in 1922 and reelected two years later. A candidate for governor of the state in 1926, he was defeated in the Republican primaries. Resignation No Surprise JUDGE ROBINSON had indicated during recent weeks that he would not be a candidate for reappointment. He began his term on March 29, 1928, having been appointed by President Coolidge. Elected chairman April 5 of that year, he headed the Commission until Feb. 28, 1930, when he reverted to commissioner, and Maj. Gen. Charles McK. Saltzman, retired, became chairman. One of radio's most picturesque figures, Judge Robinson was the center of many controversies within that agency during the trying days of 1928 and 1929. His reappointment to the Commission in February, 1930, came only after a Congressional delegation, headed by Senator Couzens, Republican chairman of the Interstate Commerce Committee, informed President Hoover that the whole slate of appointments on the Commission would be held up unless the West Virginian was renamed. It is known that he incurred political disfavor on Capitol Hill because of his vote in the "Section 13" case of the RCA which involved renewal of more than 1,400 licenses, covering broadcasting, television, ship and other stations held by RCA subsidiaries. Always an opponent of RCA and NBC on the question of monopoly, Judge Robinson in this case submitted an opinion in which he held that the Commission legally had not the power to cancel those licenses under the anti-monopoly provisions of the law, despite the tube clause case in which the RCA had been held by the Federal Courts to have violated the Clayton Act. Foe of High Power OPPOSED to the extension of high power and clear channels, Judge Robinson has been subjected to much criticism by some of his colleagues and other figures in broadcasting. These views and his stout defense of the "little fellow" in radio, however, made for him many friends. Many times he predicted that the advertising feature of broadcasting was getting out of bounds and that a war against it impended. Mr. Patrick, who appears a likely choice for the general counselship, should Col. Brown receive the second zone assignment, was appointed assistant general counsel, along with Mr. Fisher, Jan. 27, 1930. Detailed to handle litigation, he has established a brilliant record in the courts, notably in the court of appeals. Mr. Patrick, now 32 years old, was born on a farm in Morgan County, Ind., and received his preliminary education in country schools. In 1921 he was graduated from Purdue, having specialized in chemistry and physics. Four years later he received his law degree from the law school of the University of Michigan. For about a year he practiced law in Lafayette, Ind., and until his appointment to the Commission had practiced in Indianapolis, specializing in public utilities. Although a native of Indiana, Mr. Fisher for the 15 years prior to his appointment to the Commission practiced law in Marshfield, Ore. Now in his forty-second year, Mr. Fisher is a graduate of the law school of the University of Illinois. For two years during the World War he served as a commissioned officer in the Field Artillery. From 1922 to 1924 he was District Attorney at Marshfield, and in 1924 was president of the District Attorney's State Association of Oregon. He is prominent in the affairs of the American Legion and is a past commander of the Oregon Department. WGAL Presents Drama of Serial in Newspaper A RADIO version of a newspaper serial story is being broadcast twice weekly over WGAL, Lancaster, Pa. The story, "Sunset Pass," by Zane Grey, is appearing daily in the Lancaster New Era, and the radio version is broadcast every Wednesday and Saturday night. Three chapters are combined into one broadcast. The chapters dramatized over WGAL are published in the New Era the three days following the broadcast. The dramatization of a newspaper serial story has created more interest in the story and gained more readers for the newspaper. The novel was adapted for radio by Hines Hatchette, WGAL continuity writer. The serial is presented by the WGAL Players. WGAL is affiliated with the Lancaster New Era, Intelligencer Journal and Sunday News (Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.) Small Stations Measured by Friends (Continued from page 9) to the organization and has his own work to do. Another station broadcasts daily to local city and county schools in which loud speakers have been installed. The result? The station's listeners become the station's friends. They listen in preference to larger stations, because they feel, rightly, that the station belongs to them. Pleasing Advertisers BUT WHAT about the advertisers, the financial backbone of a station ? They too should feel that the station belongs to them, and they should know that every staff member will go out of his way to perform some individual service. Again here is an example drawn from actual station experience — a case where an advertiser came out with a new product several days earlier than he had planned. Station routine was temporarily laid aside, while everyone worked desperately to give him a special program. Work on the program was begun just three hours before it was broadcast, and while it was being prepared, special announcements were broadcast every halfhour. The result in this case was that the advertiser signed a contract to replace his original weekly 15 minutes with a daily 15 minutes. But localizing the small station does not mean that the station can get away with slip-shod programs and third-rate talent. On the contrary, it must always present its best. Staff members must be given the opportunity to develop broadcast personalities. Programs must be carefully planned, rehearsed and presented. Script material, sustaining and commercial continuity must be the best that can be written. Finally, the station must keep in close contact with what is going on in other stations, since radio is not only the newest industry but the most progressive. What conclusions can be drawn from all this ? While the small station may be handicapped by limited talent and money, and while it may not be able to present a symphony orchestra and nationally known artists, it can and must present the very best within its reach, it must always keep in mind its responsibility to the community, and it must make an intimate friend of every listener, by a friendly, personal attitude. The measurement of a small station ? It's area ? Its power ? Its budget? No! A station is no bigger than its friends. Broadcast Where Business is GOOD! Business is always good in the rich tobacco belt of North Carolina — the primary coverage of WPTF. The people who work in these famous tobacco manufacturing centers have steady jobs and money to spend. WPTF is the logical station for reaching them because: 1 — No other station within 80 miles — an area in which more than 1.500,000 people live. 2 — WPTF is an Associated NBC Station. Nearest other NBC outlet is Richmond, Va. 3 — Constant listening audience built up by general excellency of WPTF programs. WESTERN ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT Power 1.000 Watts — Frequency 680 Kc. Double Western Electric 78's and 33 1/3's. H. K. CARPENTER, Mgr. R. L. BRIDGER, Commercial Mgr. WPTF — RALEIGH, N. C. New York Office — Lincoln Bldg., 60 E. 42nd Street Modernize for PROFITS »» YOU DON'T expect a 1929 car to compare in performance with the new models now being exhibited. You shouldn't expect an old transmitter to command the attention of the 1932 audience. New and more rigid regulations have been made by the Federal Radio Commission with a view to better service to the public. It is, therefore, to the interest and profit of the broadcast station that the transmitter equipment be adjusted or modified to 1932 standards of performance. In nearly all cases this may be accomplished by minor changes in equipment plus adjustments by a trained broadcast engineer aided by necessary instruments. Radio J Research Company, Inc. 1204 Irving Street N. E. Washington, D. C. Page 28 BROADCASTING • January 15, 193