Broadcasting (Jan - Jun 1944)

Radio 4tli Loan Aid Winchell Sues Hoffman for $250,000 For Article in Michigan Newspaper Tops Other Media §12,800,000 Contribution Is Estimate of NAB Research CONTRIBUTIONS totaling $12,800,000 in time, talent and promotions were made by radio and radio advertisers on behalf of the Fourth War Loan Drive, according to data released last week by the research department of the NAB. This figure tops the combined Fourth Loan contribution of all other advertising media by a million dollars. The NAB figure is based on the war effort broadcast reports submitted monthly to the NAB and the report of OWI covering network allocations, network advertisers and national spot advertisers. The estimate made by OWI was adjusted to place the figure on a gross basis and to include the talent involved. Included in the tabulation of individual station reports on war effort contributions was detailed information on all efforts originated by each station in Fourth Loan promotion. These included contributions over and above time and talent— special rallies, mass meetings, traveling bond troups and other unique bond promotion activities. The NAB figure is without duplication since the station reports of network, network advertiser or national spot advertiser contribution to the Loan are contained in the OWI report. The estimate of $12,800,000 was furnished by the NAB to the Treasury on April 8, but through some misunderstanding the Treasury Dept. assumed the NAB figure did not included the OWI figure released in February [Broadcasting, Feb. 28] and issued a report that the total radio contribution was $15,000,000. This figure, of course, was an overstatement. BOB HOPE, star of NBC series bearing his name, is author of a book, / Never Left Home, dealing with his entertainment tour overseas. Published by Simon & Schuster, New Tork, volume will be released in June. WOW Omaha has purchased the Associated Press leased wire service. WALTER WINCHELL, Blue commentator, last week filed suit in U. S. District Court in New York against Rep. Clare E. Hoffman (R-Mich.), charging that Rep. Hoffman "maliciously composed, published and furnished" to the Marcelhis (Mich.) News an article conveying the impression that Mr. Winchell is "un-American, unreliable and a party to a conspiracy to undermine the confidence of the general public in the U. S. Government". The commentator asks $250,000 damages. Black Files Complaint The article in question, according to a copy attached to the complaint, appeared in the Marcellus News March 16 under the caption, "Statements of Fact from Washington" over the signature of "Clare E. Hoffman, Your Representative." Quoting one sentence: "It is about time the Navy, having stripped Winchell of his uniform, his pay and his duties, ousted him from his position as a Reserve Officer of the Navy," the complaint charges that the article gave the impression that Mr. Winchell was "guilty of some improper, unbecoming and disgraceful conduct by reason of which the U. S. Navy deprived the plaintiff of his right to wear the uniform of a lieutenant commander in the U. S. Naval Reserve." The complaint, filed by Loring L. Black, former New York congressman, alleges that the article held Mr. Winchell up to public scorn to his injury and personal damage in his reputation as a radio commentator and newspaper columnist. In Washington last Thursday Rep. Hoffman said he had not been served with any papers and that he wasn't aware the New York federal court had jurisdiction in Michigan. "If Winchell wanted to sue me," said the Congressman, "he should have gone to the federal court in the Western District of Michigan." Rep. Hoffman said he sent a copy of the Congressional Record, A Proven Sales Medium WBNX broadcasts daily to Metropoli an New York's racial groups which '.emprise 70% of the population. These millions, with millions to spend, have rheir own churches, newspapers and radio stations. They respond to WBNX programming and public service, the reason why many of the country's largest advertisers today are using WBNX consistently. If your products are merchandised in Greater New York, WBNX should be on your list. Write WBNX, New York 51, N. Y. for availabilities. Or call Melrose 5-0333. IN WBNX SERVICE AREA THERE ARE: 2,450,000 Jewish Speaking Persons 1,522,946 Italian Speaking Persons 1,236,758 German Speaking Persons 661,170 Polish Speaking Persons 200,000 Spanish Speaking Persons 5000 WATTS DIRECTIONAL OVER NEW YORK containing a speech about Mr. Winchell, to "Michigan newspapers". On March 13 Rep. Hoffman is quoted in the Record as saying: "The Navy has stripped Winchell of his uniform, of any duties he might have had ; they have stripped him of his pay, but he is still, to the disgrace of the Navy and every decent man in it, carried on the rolls as a reserve officer. He is carried there according to my understanding by virtue of White House influence. How long are they going to carry that man?" Meantime investigators and analysts of the House Special Committee on Un-American Activities, of which Rep. Martin Dies (D-Tex.) is chairman, are continuing a study of Mr. Winchell's broadcasts and columns of the last two years, according to Robert E. Stripling, chief investigator, with a view to beginning hearings in the near future. Rep. Dies had not returned to the capital from Texas as Broadcasting went to press, but before leaving he had said his Committee would investigate alleged "unAmerican" writings and utterances of the columnist-commentator. STROMBERG-CARLSON Co., Rochester, N. Y., manufacturers of communications equipment for the armed forces, has received a second star for its Army-Navy "E" pennant. Miss Mary Dunlavy Ruthrauff & Ryan N. Y., N. Y. Dear Mary: Things are sure humming in West Virginia, as far as the monthly earnings of employees in the state's six major industries are concerned. The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce has juat reported that the avera g e monthly earnings for these employees during the first months of 19H averaged $2H per capita. This compares with an ave rage o f $168 for workers in the same industries for the same periods in 191,3. That's a pretty good increase, isn't it, Mary? Guess maybe that's one of the reasons why West Virginians buy so many war bonds. It's also a mighty good reason why this state is a good bet for any advertiser who wants to sell something. Regards, Yours, Algy WCHS Charleston, W. Va. ROADCASTING • Broadcast Advertising THE W. E. LONG CO. *«u* Se»*e 155 NORTH CLARK STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS April 17, 1944 • Page 61