Broadcasting (July - Dec 1938)

Ninch asserted this is so "even if now and then it costs them money". He said he understood the three national networks are studying children's program and bedtime stories to preserve or build up their entertainment value and at the same time improve their quality. "If this effort succeeds and I believe it will, the regional networks and the local stations are likely to follow their examples." Questions to which the FCC seeks the answer in the network inquiry, Mr. McNinch said, include station control, either legal or practical. Charges of monopoly have been made and it is the FCC purpose to ascertain whether they are true, he said. When the investigation is completed, he added, the FCC will know the essential facts about network broadcasting and monopoly, and upon the facts vail base any necessary regulations and rules and recommendations to Congress, if they are needed. "This impending investigation, possible new regulations, possible new legislation by Congress, our strengthened Federal regulation without censorship, and a greater or lesser degree of self-regulation by the industry, are bound to affect radio in important ways," Mr. McNinch concluded. No Vested Interest In his address before the Fourth District broadcasters Nov. 19, Chairman McNinch restated his views on the investigation in even stronger fashion, extemporizing for a portion of the time. After reciting the obligation of the broadcaster, and pointing out that he has no vested interest in the frequency he uses, Mr. McNinch said the FCC wants to cooperate with the industry. He said the investigation already has developed considerable information of value and he felt sure it would develop more. "It is betraying no confidence, however," he continued, "nor being unfair to anyone to say that we are not entirely satisfied with some of the information we are getting." Then he condemned prepared statements, as against question-answer testimony, and statements chiefly laudatory of the policies of the industry. He emphasized the FCC did not intend to allow the hearings to be used as a "sounding board" and that it was not going to listen to "after dinner speeches". Declaring it is the duty of the Commission to prevent the development of a monopoly, Mr. McNinch said that if one exists, it will "set about promptly to utterly destroy it". If there is no monopoly, the Commission "shall examine nevertheless the extent to which there may be developing, if at all, a centralization of control. Our actions will be shaped to the end that there may be no centralization of control but that you and your stations retain autonomy within the industry and an adequate measure of self-control in relation to government." The Chairman boldly struck at dictatorships, asserting that one prospective gain from investigating the possibilities of monopoly, is "help in guarding against any such condition as had arisen in Germany, for example. In that unhappy country, it is understood that the strongest control is exercised over all information that goes over the air. God forbid, as He will forbid, through the sovereign voice of the people of this tions will appear in a different light." The chairman again referred to bedtime or children's programs. There has been increasing criticism, of certain types of children's programs, he said, and commended to broadcasters the careful consideration of all suggestions and criticism which may come to their attention. NEWLY ORGANIZED CBS Hollywood, field hockey team, in new uniforms, poses with mascot Donald W. Thornburgh, Pacific Coast vicepresident, who never misses a game, Back row (1 to r), Richard Turner, transcriptions; Sterling Tracy, transcription; Maurie Webster, announcer; Herb May, announcer; Donald W. Thornburgh, Pacific Coast vice-president; Thomas Freebain-Smith, producer; George F. Johnston, tours; Bill Gay, announcer. Bottom row, Don Sanford, mail room; Richard Hazel, engineering; Norman McDonnel, tours; Al Span, sound effects director; Bud Larkin, tours; George Boone, continuity; and Bill Van, publicity. Morton Using 6 MORTON SALT Co., Chicago, on Nov. 15 began a thrice weekly quarter-hour news program on WHO called Herb Plambeck's Farm News and a series of daily early morning spot announcements on WLS WFAA WSM WBT WCCO. Klau-Van Pietersom-Dunlap Associates, Milwaukee, is agency. democracy that we shall ever live here under any such or similar conditions. An Instrument of Democracy "We have every reason to believe that there is much false propaganda, and horrible as it is to think of, nevertheless, it appears clearly to be a fact that no Jewish or Christian group is allowed any representation on the Nazi-controlled radio. Such a condition in the United States is utterly unthinkable. * * * Any such; assault as that upon the political and social fabric of America would mean wrack and ruin to it, and all of us, I am sure, being unafraid that it may even happen, will be on our guard, lest even the suggestion that it might happen in America be made. "Should there ever be, however, any attempt by anyone to so debase radio as to use it as an instrument of racial or religious persecution, the Communications Commission would employ every resource it has to prevent any such shocking offense. President Roosevelt would, of course, support us to the limit in such a stand for he has consistently sought to safeguard the radio as an instrument of democracy never to be used to injure any racial, religious or other group. "I am dedicated to that principle and to that policy. And under no circumstances will I sacrifice my conviction that radio must be kept RESULT 7U)V€ S777X-1 MEMPHIS SELLS THE HIDSOUTH O-ned and operated by THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL "The South's Greatest Newspaper NBC RED NETWORK REPRESENTED BY: THE BRANHAM COMPANY free and never be permitted to become the instrument in the designing hand of any who would lift it against the minorities, against the Jew, the Gentile, the Roman Catholic, or any group that is a part of us. The radio must be kept free, and free from abuse, that even the humblest and the least influential group in our community may not feel its heavy hand in persecution." Returning to the investigation, Mr. McNinch said there is every reason to believe that when stockholdings and other interests are tracked "the actual or ultimate ownership or control of some sta I WSYR Lowest Cost per Listener -Both RED aBlueNBC shows SYRACUSE i -THAT WINCHESTER, VA., CHANGED HANDS 68 TIMES DURING THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES HOKTM CAROLINA \ SOUT44 -THAT WPTF, AT RALEIGH, COVERS ALMOST ALL of NORTH CAROL! NA^ PLUS LARGE SECTIONS OF ^CAROLINA / VIRGINIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA? "RALEIGH, NX. 5,000 WATTS-CLEAR CHANNEL FREE & PETERS, INC, NATL REPRESENTATIVES BROADCASTING • Broadcast Advertising December J, 1938 • Page 71