Broadcasting (July - Dec 1938)

Sawyer Leads Ohio Governorship Vote; Other Radio Men in Political Races FCC Is Quiescent Daring Vacations Chain Probe Likely to Begin In October; IRNA Meets WITH Independent Radio Network Affiliates scheduled to decide the extent of its participation in the FCC's forthcoming "chain-monopoly" probe during its convention at the Hotel Stevens, Chicago, Aug. 16-17, practically no progress was reported at FCC headquarters on plans for the investigation. This was due largely to the absence on vacation of most of the commissioners and many of their staff during the first two weeks in August. From official sources Broadcasting learned it is a "good guess" that the chain-monopoly hearings will start "some time in October". It is expected at least 30 days noice will be given the participants. The major networks will be represented by executive and counsel [Broadcasting, Aug. 1] and the IRNA convention in Chicago will determine whether and how network affiliates shall be represented. IRNA comprises some 275 stations affiliated with networks other than those owned or operated by the chains, and was originally formed a year ago to handle the musicians' union demands. McNinch to Return William J. Dempsey, special assistant to Chairman McNinch, who has been assigned as special counsel for the Chain-Monopoly Committee — Commissioners McNinch, Sykes, Brown and Walker — was vacationing in Maryland the second week in August but was expected back in Washington by Aug. 15. Also expected back early the week of Aug. 15 was Chairman McNinch, who spent July under observation at Naval Hospital in Washington and then went to an unnamed seashore resort for a two-week rest. Commissioners Craven, Case and Payne, away the week of Aug. 8, also were expected back the week of Aug. 15. However, no oral arguments are scheduled for the remainder of August nor are examiners' hearings due to resume until the first week in September, so that vacations will continue to deplete the Commission's personnel the remainder of this month. Reports that Chairman McNinch was seriously ill were again denied by his office. After leaving the hospital, he spent part of one day at his office before going to the seashore. He is not now ill at all, it was stated. Lorillard Baseball P. LORILLARD Co., New York, has begun sponsoring broadcasts of the baseball games of the Sacramento, Cal., team on KFBK, Sacramento. Broadcasts, which will continue through the remainder of the season are in the nature of a test, according to Blayne Butcher, time buyer for Lennen & Mitchell, New York, Lorillard agency. If they prove successful and if there are any desirable baseball broadcasts available for 1939 the company may go in for this type of broadcasting on a national scale next year. A network program starring Robert Benchley is being planned for this fall, probably on CBS, although the details have not been completed. ANOTHER figure prominently identified with radio won high political honors in the early August primaries when Charles Sawyer, vice-president of Crosley Radio Corp., operating WLW, won the Democratic nomination for Governor Aug. 9 by defeating Gov. Martin Davey by about 30,000 votes. Mr. Sawyer will face John W. Bricker, Republican nominee, in the November elections. With endorsements by both AFL and CIO and in view of the large vote he polled, political observers give him a good chance to win. Mr. Sawyer is Democratic National Committeeman from Ohio and was formerly Lieutenant Governor. He has long been counsel for and a member of the board of directors of the Crosley company. In Nebraska, Karl Stefan, Republican member of Congress from Norfolk and formerly with WJAG there, was renominated without opposition, but Foster May, news editor of WOW, Omaha, seeking the Democratic nomination for Congress with CIO endorsement, was defeated by Congressman Charles McLaughlin by slightly over 2,000 votes. Mr. May conducted a "front porch" campaign via radio, chiefly using the facilities of WAAW, Omaha. Election of W. Lee O'Daniel, the Texas flour salesman who introduced himself as a candidate for governor during his sponsored broadcasts on WBAP and the Texas Quality Network, is assured next November due to the overwhelming Democratic vote in that state [Broadcasting, Aug. 1]. A runoff will be required in latter August in the Wichita Falls district where Congressman McFarlane was topped for the Democratic nomination by Edward Gossett, young Wichita Falls attorney, but Gossett's nomination and election seems assured in view of his wide margin of votes and the report that K. C. Spell, who ran third, is throwing his support to Gossett. In South Dakota, Chandler Gur CHARLES SAWYER ney, onetime manager of WNAX, Yankton, still owned and operated by his family, is the Republican nominee for U. S. Senator and will be pitted against Tom Berry, Democratic nominee, in the November elections. Having come within a few votes of defeating Senator Bulow in 1936 for the Senatorship, young Mr. Gurney is also given a good chance by political prognosticators to win the office this year. Fruit Cake Lists 10 JONES GRAIN MILLS, Los Angeles (fruit cake), a seasonal user of radio time, has reappointed Lisle Sheldon Adv. Agency, that city, to direct its advertising, and in October starts a three-month campaign, using five-minute transcribed commercials on 10 California and Arizona stations. List is now being made up. KNOX GELATINE Co., Johnstown, N. Y., on Sept. 16 starts participation in Women's Magazine of the Air, on 5 NBC-Pacific stations, Fridays, 2 :30-2 :45 p. m. Agency is Kenyon & Eekhardt, New York. Alleged Radio Prejudice In Tennessee Is Probed ACTION by the Senate Campaign Expenditures Committee on a complaint charging denial of radio time "to Senatorial candidates and others", filed July 29 by John R. Neal, will be withheld pending a recommendation by the FCC, according to Senator Sheppard (DTex.) , chairman of the Senate committee. In the first recrimination reported during the current political season, Mr. Neal, one of the defeated candidates for U. S. Senator in the Aug. 4 Tennessee primaries, declared in his complaint that "a ranking Tennessee Federal office holder has endeavored to close various radio stations to Senatorial candidates and others whom he suspects would criticize the Memphis situation over radio stations." Although no names were mentioned in his first communication with the special Senate committee, the complaint arose from the refusal of radio time to W. M. Fuqua, Nashville attorney directing a Shelby county vote probe, according to Tennessee newspapers. The Senate committee immediately turned over the complaint to the FCC and asked for a recommendation. The FCC is studying the situation and intends to make a report to the committee, Acting Chairman Sykes told Broadcasting Aug. 12, although it is not yet known how soon the study will be finished. Jessel May Return PLANS for returning the Sunday evening program featuring George Jessel to the air on MBS again this winter are under way, according to B. L. Rottenberg, vice-president of Redfield-Johnstone, New York agency which last winter successfully presented the program under the sponsorship of a number of individual advertisers, each of whom inserted his own commercials locally. Mr. Rottenberg said that the agency was also planning a weekly musical program to be called Show of the Week and to feature a different name orchestra each week which would also be broadcast over MBS under the local sponsorship system. No Academy Sponsor NO "BIG MONEY"' sponsor will be permitted to have a hand in the proposed radio series of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the membership of the organization in Hollywood voted on Aug. 8. It was pointed out that the program idea was originated in order that the picture industry might be presented to the public in the best light. It was felt a sponsor might attempt to dictate policy. Therefore, the Academy concocting a program that will represent the cultural aims of the film industry, will carry on its proposed series without a sponsor. The program will go either CBS or NBC and purely on its entertainment value. It is reported that both networks are negotiating for the series to start in fall. COLGATE PALMOLIVE PEET Corp., Jersey City (dental cream), will sponsor a quiz show with Jim Williams on CBS, Wednesdays, 7 :30-8 p. m., preceding its Gangbusters program on CBS. Agency is Benton & Bowles, New York. Drawn tor Bkoaduastinu by Sid Hix "Better Get Rid of That Tenor, Mr. O'Baniel — He's Costing You Votes!" Page 14 • August 15, 1938 BROADCASTING • Broadcast Advertising