Broadcasting (July - Dec 1941)

Siilova's Stations Oil Companies Utilize Radio Programs To Promote Program for Conservation signed by ASCAP rCAE, KOAM and KSAN Are ►ther New Signatories IGNING of the Bulova group of ve stations, plus three others, nee July 1 was announced last eek by ASCAP, as the battle of ords continued between the Soety and Broadcast Music Inc. ASCAP announced that WOV, ew York; WORL and WCOP, oston; WPEN, Philadelphia, and ''ELI, New Haven, all identified lith the Bulova-Lafount interests, ad negotiated contracts. Other aticns signed since July 1, it was ated, are WCAE, Pittsburgh; 0AM, Pittsburg, Kan., and jSAN, San Francisco. ]No further word was forthcomig either from ASCAP or NBC ['■ CBS regarding negotiations oking toward return of ASCAP usic to these networks, to ter|,inate the break that has existed i|hce Jan. 1, during which time j) ASCAP music has been perJrmed. i Confer in Capital *vTop officials of NBC and CBS Isre in Washington virtually durfjg the entire week, in connection [ith conferences on the FCC's (' ain-monopoly report and there*Te were not in a position per["nally to carry on negotiations p;th ASCAP. iJlAnother exchange between BMI d ASCAP over the former's royy payments to composers develed during the week. After John Paine, ASCAP general manager, d echoed "sweatshop" charges ainst BMI and quoted figures rportedly showing that its writwere being paid miserly iounts, BMI rejoined that ASCAP made several "vicious and ally uncalled for attacks on ^11" and had pi-esented a list of estions for it to answer. It anded these questions as the p,ve you stopped beating your fe?" variety and said it had no ention of answering them. The 5CAP release of July 14, BMI ted, quoted the figures in regard BMI's financial life and it was URGING consumers to make more efficient use of dwindling oil supplies along the East Coast, petroleum companies and marketers serving the seaboard are revamping their commercial radio continuity in cooperation with conservation efforts of Federal Petroleum Coordinator Harold L. Ickes. The move stax'ted several weeks ago, but has gathered speed as the shortage has become increasingly acute. For some time plans have been afoot to eliminate straight selling copy in favor of institutional continuity designed to dramatize the petroleum industry's role in national defense. However, this idea has been dropped to a large extent and oil companies, particularly those whose sales areas are restricted to the Eastern Seabord and contiguous territory, are substit u t i n g non-selling conservation copy. To date no accounts have curtailed radio expenditures. Esse Advice Esso Marketers, sponsoring the Esso Reporter newscasts and the first company to preach conservation, is using commercial time on the programs to advise drivers on how to care for their cars to reduce gas consumption, as well as recommending doubling up in use of cars for pleasure driving and domestic errands. Socony-Vacuum Oil Co. for about a month also has included similar copy. Richfield Oil Co., starting July found that "without exception the figures are inaccurate". Mr. Paine's July 14 statement, among other things, alleged that of approximately .$4,000,000 invested in BMI by radio (industry figures show only a total of $1,500,000 paid in) "not more than $35,100 has been paid to composers and authors up to this date". Alluding to the $4,000,000 figure. Mr. Paine asked how much of "those millions were spent and still are being spent on propaganda aimed to destroy the rights of creators?" He inquired further "how much money was spent and is still being spent on legal fees in litigation aimed to rob the writers of the rights vested in them by the copyright laws?" As the coup de grace, Mr. Paine referred to the "dead mackerel in the moonlight" observation of FCC Chairman James Lawrence Fly during the NAB convention in St. Louis. The ASCAP board Friday announced election of 33 new members, including 26 writers and seven publishers, bringing the Society's total to 1,192 writer members and 146 publisher members. New publisher members include Brown & Henderson Inc., Coslow Music Co., Dash, Connelly Inc., Edition Musicus New York, Ensemble Music Press, Charles E. King, Pan-American Music Co. 15 on its MBS program Confidentially Yours, carries helpful hints to motorists on how to conserve fuel and has published a booklet, "14 Ways to Save Gasoline", to be distributed through local dealers up and down the Atlantic Coast. No changes have been announced by several of the large national oil companies. Gulf Oil Corp. will resume its Screen Guild Shojv on CBS Sept. 28, and apparently will not change the selling style of the commercial continuity. Neither has it switched from selling copy on the CBS A^ews Roundup it sponsors each Sunday on the regular Screen Guild spot during the summer. Texas Co., which has turned over its 9-10 p. in. spot to the Treasury Department this summer, also has no policy change in mind, it was indicated. Shell Oil Co., which has virtually nationwide distribution, is continuing its national transcribed spot campaign without change. Press Hearings (Continued from page 8) sons, citizens of the United States, for the purpose of disqualifying any persons belonging to a particular class because of their belonging to that ehiss from holding radio broadcast licenses or receiving approv;,! of their applications for such licenses or receiving approval of applications foi* the transfer of such licenses from others to them. 6. The Commission, being without authority to adopt a policy or rules concerning the matters specified in its Order No. 79. as elaborated in its Order No. 79-A, it is without authority to conduct any inquiry into the subject to determine what statement of policy or rules, if any, should be issued concerning applications for highfrequency broadcast stations (FM) with which are associated pei-sons also associated with the publication of one or more newspapers or to determine what statement of policy or rules, if any, should be issued concerning future acquisition of standard broadcast stations by newspapers. Argument Asked 7. The Commission is without authority to conduct a general inquiry into the newspaper publishing business pursuant to its Order No. 79, as elaborated in its Order No. 79-A. and as propelled in its questionnaire dated June 28, 1941, sent out to stations licensed by the Commission. It is further moved that this motion be calendared for argument at the Commission's earliest convenience, argument heard thereon and consideration be given to a brief to be filed in support thereof and. It is still further mo^ed that the proceeding instituted by Order No. 79 be stayed until the Commission shall have considered and passed upon the points raised in this motion and. It is still further moved that the motion be granted, that Orders No. 70 and 79-A be vacated and the proceeding instituted thereunder terminated. KBKR Sold for $12,000 THE SALE for $12,000 of KBKR. Ore., a 250-watt outlet on 1500 kc. was authorized by the FCC July Iti. Purchaser from Louis P. Thornton, who established the station in December, 1939, is the Baker Broadcasting Co.. in which Paul V. MeElwain, auto dealer of Marshfield, Ore., witli his wife own 65V2 shares of stock ; Glenn E. McCormick, Eugene. Ore.. 10 shares ; Lulu C. McCormick, 1 share. REX DAVIS THREE TIMES DAILY **WE BUILD 'EM24 HOURS A DAY!" AND TEXAS' BOOMING GULF COAST INDUSTRIAL AREA IS REACHED THROUGH . . . 560KC FULL TIME \ looo WATTS NBC BLUE \ Represented by HOWARD H. WILSON COMPANY , I5D00 WArrs7 MUTUAL neT^vS; NEWS and VIEWS by JOHN B. HUGHES A.M. Monday Thru Friday Sponsored by Aspertane IROADCASTING • Broadcast Advertising July 21, 1941 • Page 51