Broadcasting (Jan - June 1945)

PEORIA MARCHES ON WMBD Answers 'Time' Article With Program STINGING REBUKE in the form of a radio program went to Tivie Magazine from WMBD Peoria on May 24 in response to an article on that city in Time, deeply resented by Peorians. The 25-minute program, an "open letter to Time Magazine", started in the belittling, "leg-pulling" style of the original article, then changed when a citizen came on in defense of the city. From there on, the script dramatized the writing of a letter to Time from the citizens, telling of Peoria's industries, war record, reihabilitation plans, farming, education, civic programming, music, and various other featui-es of which Peorians are proud. Done with musical backgrounds and bridging, program was transcribed and u copy was sent to Tiwie. WRECKAGE caused by Jap kamikaze suicide plane which attacked the hospital ship USS Comfort off Okinawa, is described in a wire recording for the Army Hour by Maj. Henry Putnam, (r) formerly of KGMB and KHBC Honolulu, and S/Sgt. Mike Cassidy, ex-KUTA Salt Lake City. This was once the ship's surgery, where 29 persons died in the attack. THE BRANHAM COMPANY KTHS Hot Springs, Ark. KFMB .... San Diego, Calif. KWKH Shreveport, Lo. WCPO Cincinnati, Ohio WTJS Jackson, Tenn. WNOX .... Knoxviile, Tenn. WMC Memphis, Tenn. KTBC Austin, Texas KRIC Beaumont, Texas KWBU . . . Corpus Christi, Texas KRLD Dallas, Texas WCHS . . . Charleston, W. Va. WBLK .... Clarksburg, W. Va. WSAZ . . . Huntington, W. Va. WPAR . . . Parkersburg, W. Va. KRLD Renewal Hit By Texas Cleric Liquor Ads to Be Fought to High Court Says Minister THREATENING to carry his fight for time on the air to oppose beer and wine commercials to the U. S. Supreme Court if necessary, Rev. Sam Morris, Texas Baptist minister and prohibitionist, has filed petition with the FCC protesting renewal of the license of KRLD Dallas. Joining Mr. Morris in the petition was Henry M. Johnson, Louisville attorney and president of the Kentucky Sunday School Assn. A news release from Mr. Johnson stated that he and Rev. Morris were chosen by the National Temperance & Prohibition Council at a meeting in Washington to "test out the legality of the complained of practices" and that the test, "if necessary, will be carried through the courts to the Supreme Court of the United States". Motions Denied Rev. Morris vainly attempted last year to protest the license renewals of WFAA Dallas, WBAP Fort Worth and KGKO DallasFort Worth, which had been designated for hearing under the duopoly regulation. His motions to intervene and to enlarge the hearing issues were denied. A subsequent petition for rehearing also was denied. Using the same method of pro cedure, except on a more elaborate scale, that he used in the WFAA, WBAP, KGKO cases. Mr. Morris charged that KRLD sells its choice time to beer and wine interests tc present the most "glamorous ap peal" to buy and drink alcoholic beverages. He alleged, too, that KRLD has refused to sell prohibition elements time to oppose the commercials. Eliot Lovett, Washington coun sel for KRLD, in a reply brief filed last week, generally denied the allegations, pointed out that the Morris petition was aimed largely at interests other than KRLD, anc asked the Commission to disregard the complaint. The Morris petitior complained against CBS, Mutual Blue, the NAB and several stations and charged that radio generally sells time to breweries and win( makers but refuses time to prohi bitionists. WHAS Louisville wa set out as a "good example" inas much as that station had sold tim^ to the Morris interests. KRLD was one of more than 6( stations placed on temporary li cense in late April while the Com mission investigated its operation under the FCC new commercial-vs sustaining renewal policy. The lij cense was continued temporarily t( July 1. Page ?0 • June 4. 194') RCA COMMUNICATIONS Inc.. Ne^ York, May 18 resumed radlotelegrapnl" service between United States and Den mark and Norway. Circuit Is now opei for personal and "non-transactlonal b-uslness messages. BROADCASTING • Broadcast AdverHsin