Broadcasting (July - Dec 1943)

Station Managers Included in Listing Revisions Effected Of 149 Critical Occupations, Says NAB In Essential List STATION MANAGERS come under the title of Foreman or Supervisor in a list of classification suggestions compiled by the NAB, based on titles as defined in the War Manpower Commission's new list of 149 critical occupations. The titles are interchangeable on the WMC list, Supervisor being the term common to the broadcasting industry. These classifications, based on four titles in the critical list, are designed to guide broadcasters in submitting requests for deferment of essential personnel. The interpretations were worked out by the NAB after conversations with official sources. The inclusion of station managers and other executive personnel in the category of Foreman is justified, in the NAB view, by the definition of Foreman in the WMC "List of Critical Occupations", which characterizes a Foreman, in part, as an individual who uses in his supervisory job "the knowledge and skills of one or more of the occupations included in the List of Critical Occupations, and (2) those who supervise directly or through subordinate foremen and supervisors, production, technical, or scientific work in essential activities, although the occupations of the workers supervised may not be listed. ... In some plants, the supervisory personnel may be designated by other than supervisory titles, and where they meet the requirements outlined above they are included." Following are the NAB suggested classifications: 1. Electrician, installation and maintenance : all round electricians employed in the broadcast industry for electrical installation and maintenance. 2. Foreman and supervisor : station managers, supervisors and other executives engaged in occupations appearing in "Activity and Occupation Bulletin No. 29" issued March 1, 19J3 (NAB Selective Service Handbook, Supplement No. 7). 3. Mechanician, communications equipment: under this title may be included personnel who devote all, or a substantial portion, of their duties to the maintenance of broadcast station technical facilities. 4. Radio Engineer : this title includes broadcast station chief engineers and technical supervisors whose duties and responsibilities are in accordance with the definition. The duties of an installation and maintenance electrician do not necessarily include those relating to the technical operation of a radio station, as this latter function is included in the duties of Radio Engineer as defined in the USES Dictionary of Occupational Titles. The Mechanician classification, the NAB pointed out, might include employes of smaller stations which do not, as do larger stations, employ a fulltime maintenance man, but who do such work in addition to regular duties. The WMC list used the phrase "technical broadcast equipment" in defining duties of a Mechanician, indicating the specific intention of including radio broadcasting personnel, said the NAB. The new "critical" list, in the NAB view, makes an even stronger case for occupational deferment. It is pointed out that Maj. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, Director of Selective Serevice, recommended in Local Board Memorandum No. 115 that registrants in critical occupations should be given "grave consideration" for deferment so as not to impair war production or vital civilian functions. As an aid to broadcasters in seeking deferment of essential personnel, the NAB is mailing on Aug. 20 to all broadcasting stations the NAB Selective Service Supplement No. 13, regulations and suggested classifications. WMC Adds Sound Equipment, Vinylite Transcriptions REVISING its list of essential activities, the War Manpower Commission last week included production of electrical sound equipment and vinylite transcriptions as industries in which employers are entitled to preference in the hiring of workers. The list continues radio broadcasting, radio communications and television as essential services; radios and radio equipment, and radar as essential repair services. The Commission stated that the list is identical to the original list of 35 essential activities except for the inclusion of amendments which have been previously communicated to the industries affected. The reissuance was necessitated, it was Kosta in New Post WILLIAM KOSTA, former publicity director of NBC and the Institute of Public Relations, and former managing director of Fawcett Publications, has been appointed assistant to Daniel D. Mich, executive editor of Look magazine. "STEAMBOAT" Johnson and his band have taken over the daily hillbilly program on WXEW, New York, formerly conducted by Zeke Manners, who was inducted six months ago. The hour-long program is sponsored by Howard Clothes, Charms Candy Co., and Canadian Fur Trappers, on a cooperative basis. explained, by the revision of Regulation 4 issued simultaneously with the new list of 149 critical occupations [Broadcasting, Aug. 16]. This regulation delegated additional powers to WMC regional officers in setting up stabilization plans. 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