Broadcasting (July - Dec 1940)

HOUR RULE DRAWS INDEPENDENTS' IRE PROTEST against the June 4 change in FCC rules requii'ing broadcast stations to operate twothirds of their total authorized hours between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and midnight, was filed with the FCC June 27 by National Independent Broadcasters. Andrew W. Bennett, NIB counsel, contended that the June 4 amendment will work substantial hardship on about 100 fulltime locals in small communities where a large portion of the population retires at an early hour. The rule as amended requires a minimum operating schedule each night except Sunday at least until 10 p.m., Mr. Bennett asserted. He said that practically all of the stations in this category find they can best serve their communities by operating fulltime from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but many in the smaller cities and more sparsely settled areas close down for the night at 8 or 9 p.m., thus operating more than the two-thirds requirement. Yet, he declared, under the amended rules they must either reduce the "much needed daytime operation or increase their operating expense beyond that which present income can absorb." THE human and material resources of the United States now being marshalled in a vast defense program will be dramatized on NBCBlue in a series titled This Our America, starting July 3, and presented in cooperation with the National Resources Planning Board. WOODSTOCK TYPEWRITERS L. A. Scale Stands LOS ANGELES Musicians Mutual Protective Assn., Local 47, AFM, has abandoned plans to increase its radio performance scale and indications are that the present wage list will continue at least until woi'ld-wide conditions are improved. Local 47 executives have been conferring with Southern California radio executives for several months and in one or two instances had worked out higher compensation for radio musicians, particularly as applying to network stations. Board executives, however, have been lukewarm to the scale increase and from all indications there will be no further attempt at this time to secure additional compensation for union members employed by local stations. Union donated the full services of its membership to the special Red Cross broadcast of June 22, which was staged under auspices of the Southern California Broadcasters Assn. STAFF PICKS BOSS WBAL Salesmen Elect Peard Sales Manager AFRA Agent Ruling AMERICAN Federation of Radio Artists, planning to licen.se all West Coast radio talent agencies and brokers, has notified its membership that no new contracts can be entered into with agents after Aug. 15 when the organization plans to put the pact into effect. Hollywood members were notified in mid-June to file current agent contracts with AFRA. deadline being set at June 1.5. Copies of all future contracts, it was said, must be filed within one week after being signed. Ruling, now in effect, provides that no member can make a contract unless it stipulates that the agent will agree, in writing, to abide by any AFRA regulation. It further states that the agent will attempt to .secure a license within 30 days after AFRA sets up its licensing plan. In the event the agent fails to agree to this stipulation, the contract must specify that it becomes void. AFRA states. Corwin to Hollywood NORMAN CORWIN. CBS writer-director, on .lune 19 left for Hollywood to assist in the preparation of the RKO picture "Two on an Island." and to handle some CBS Coast radio pro5 ductions this summer. CBS also announced that "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas", written by Mr. Corwin for broadcast on Words Without Music, CBS sustaining series, on Christmas Day, 1938, will be published this fall in a special limited 'edition by the Peter Pauper Press. Two other Corwin dramas have also been issued in book form, "They Fly Through the Air With the Greatest of Base," and '"Seems Radio Is Here to Stay." FOUND: $348 LOST SENDING TELEGRAMS! Last year a certain firm (name on request) saved $348 on telegrams by having Postal Telegraph survey telegraph costs! Let this free telegraph cost analysis work for you. It uncovers huge waste, and provides easy-tofollow plan to stop it! For information about free telegraph cost analysis — wire collect: J. J. O'Donnell, Postal Telegraph, 253 Broadway, N. Y. C. No obligation. THE UNUSUAL procedure of permitting his sales staff to elect their own "boss" was followed by Harold Burke, manager and commercial manager of WBAL, who has announced that Leslie H. Peard Jr. has been named the station's sales manager, effective July 1. Mr. Peard has been a member of the WBAL sales staff since ]y|^ Peard Deciding to relieve himself of the duties of commercial manager and to promote one of the station's salesmen to the post, Mr. Burke called in salesmen Peard, R. C. Embry, James Kennedy and Chauncy Brooks and told them he would be willing to accept any one of them for the job. Peard was the unanimous choice of the other three. A native Baltimorean, Peard was educated in the local schools and at Princeton. After leaving college he served 2V2 years on the promotion staff of WFBR. Then he joined the advertising departments of Gunther Brewing Co. and McCormick & Co., Baltimore spice wholesalers, before joining WBAL. He is the originator of the Treasure Hunt program idea introduced on WBAL and then sponsored on various stations by American Tobacco Co. and other advertisers. He also originated the plan of displaying WBAL's newsroom in actual operation in downtown store windows, which has been done since 1938 and which many other stations have emulated. Cummer's Plans CUMMER PRODUCTS, Bedford, 0., which last April was purchased by Sterling Products Co., New York [Broadcasting, April 1], on July 24 is planning to replace its What Woidd You Have Done? quiz program with a dramatic series titled Metropolitan Airport on NBC-Blue, Wednesdays, 8:30-9 p.m. Also effective July 24, Young & Rubicam, New York, has been appointed to handle advertising for Cummer Products for both Energine and Molle shaving cream, it is understood. The new program would be heard in the interests of Energine, while the Molle program on NBC-Red, Battle of the Sexes, would continue Tuesdays, 9-9:30 p. m. The ONLY Riiio Tnimitterofth'K or greater power wHhii 75 miles of Sioux City LADY ESTHER GETS CITATION BY FTC STRIKING directly at the firm's radio advertising continuities as well as its advertising in other media, the Federal Trade Commission in early June issued an order against Lady Esther Ltd., Chicago cosmetic manufacturer and heavy user of radio time, banning certain representations for Lady Esther cleansing cream. The order, banning 24 separate representations for the product, was regarded as a virtual "bible" for all future permissible claims for such products. Lady Esther at present sponsors Guy Lombardo in the Lady Esther Serenade on CBS. For several previous years the company sponsored Wayne King on NBC. The FTC on June 27 announced acceptance of stipulations from Peter Paul Inc., Naugatuck, Conn., and Platt-Forbes Agency, New York, in which each agreed to discontinue certain representations in advertising for Ten Crown Charcoal Gum, advertised via radio. Other stipulations accepted in late June include: Detrola Corp., Detroit radio and camera manufacturer, agreeing to cease certain representations for the Detrola candid camera; O'Dea, Sheldon & Canaday. New York advertising agency, agreeing to cease certain representations in advertising for Hires RJ Root Beer; Editors & Publishers Service Co., New York, agreeing to discontinue certain representations for its slogan service. The FCC has issued a complaint against R. E. Engineers, Cincinnati, alleging misrepresentation of an "Add-A-Tube" device purported to give longer life to radio tubes and improve reception. In hospitality, charm and dignity as v/ell as service and cuisine, the Hoy-Adams House perpetuates these two great names. An ideal location, directly opposite the White House, overlooking beautiful LaFayette Park. Write for free "Guide to Washington." From '3." Single *5. 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