Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1949)

FIRST 15 PACIFIC HOOPERS — September 1949 No. of Sta Program tions Adv. of Sam Spade 6 The Whistler 6 Truth or Conse 6 quences Radio Theatre 6 F.B.I. In Peace & 6 War (Indicative Only) Crime Photographer My Friend Irma (Indicative Only) Curtain Time Let George Do It Inner Sanctum Horace Heidt Dennis Day What's Name of That Song? Bob Hawk (Indicative Only) Suspense (Indicative Only) Godfrey's Talent Scouts (Indicative Only) Evening Sponsor & Agency Wildroot Co. (BBDO) Signal Oil (Stebbins) Procter & Gamble (Compton) Lever Bros. (JWT) Procter & Gamble (Blow) Philip Morris (Blow) Pepsodent Div., Lever Bros. (FC&B) Mars Inc. (Grant) Standard Oil Co. (BBDO) Emerson Drug (BBDO) Philip Morris (Blow) Colgote-Palm.-Peet (Bates) Wildroot Co. (BBDO) R. J. Reynolds Tobacco (Esty) Electric Auto-Lite Co. (N-E) Thomas J. Lipton Co. Div., Lever 9.9 Bros. (Y&R) YEAR AGO Hooper Hooper + OP — Pos. 15.3 14.6 -f-0.7 2 14.5 11.7 +2.8 10 14.2 7.3 + 6.9 33 13.8 12.5 + 1.3 7 12.8 13.7 — 0.9 4 12.3 7.6 +4.7 29 12.2 11.8 1.6 + 10.2 97 11 7 9.9 + 1.8 15 11.5 12.9 —1.4 5 10.9 14.4 —3.5 3 10.7 8.1 +2.6 27 10.6 10.0 +0.6 14 10.4 8.9 + 1.S 20 9.9 7.1 +2.8 34 1 1 .9 —2.0 How's Business? (Continued from page 29) noted in the Census Bureau's figures for September was reflected in reports from the Dept. of Labor's Bureau of Employment Security. The bureau reported that unemployment insurance continued claims, representing the number of claimants who had been unemployed for a full week, declined to 1,806,073 during the week ended Oct. 1. This is the lowest level reached since the second week in February. Although continued claims declined, Robert C. Goodwin, bureau director, said that initial claims, indicating new unemployment, increased. Some of these new initial claims were caused by lay-offs due to coal shortages in localized areas and others were attributed to lay-offs in anticipation of the then impending steel strike. With the steel and coal strikes now in full swing, and the lay-offs which have resulted from material shortages in other industries, a sharp upswing in initial claims is anticipated. With a relatively stable volume of employment and income experienced during August, sales of retail stores showed little fluctuation from July, according to the Dept. of Commerce. Preliminary figures on retail sales indicate a volume of $10,575,000,000 for August compared to $10,242,000,000 in July. August sales were about 3% below last year's figure after allowance for trading day differences. Total sales have indicated unusual stability since the first of the year, fluctuating within an exceptionally narrow range. Department store sales in August followed this trend — increasing from July but remaining below the same period of a year ago, according to figures of the Federal Reserve Board. With an index base figure of 100 (1935-39 average), the preliminary seasonally adjusted August index stood at 282. July figure was 279 and for August 1948, 309. Consumer credit outstanding in creased from July to August to an estimated total of $16,452,000,000 at the end of the month. The increase was $265 million for the month and reflected a gain in all major types of credit except charge accounts, according to Federal Reserve Board figures. Total amount outstanding at the end of August was approximately one-tenth larger than a year ago. Installment credit outstanding Aug. 31 is estimated at $9,613,000,000, $282 million above the July 31 figure. Charge account^ declined 2% in August, a movement similar to that occurring in each of the two preceding years. The agricultural outlook is bright for this year with the Dept. of Agriculture predicting the second largest crop production on record. Aggregate all-crop production is now indicated at 131% of the 1923-32 base. This huge agricultural output is due to fairly large production of most individual crops, the Dept. of Agriculture reports, rather than record-breaking production of a few. The general economic health of the nation continued strong in August and September, gaining in most cases from the preceding month but continuing to remain slightly below the level of a year ago. With between one and two million people idle as a result of the coal and steel strikes, and the threat of strikes in the steel fabrication and aluminum industries, the overall effect on the nation's economy is not yet set. If the present strikes are settled shortly, their effect will probably not be felt too serious on a nationwide basis. Certain areas are now being hit hard by local conditions but should be able to look toward a resumption of normal conditions with a settlement of current labor problems. Waltham Signs Show WALTHAM WATCH Co., New York, through its agency, HirshonGarfield, New York, will sponsor Share the Wealth [Closed Circuit, Oct. 10] effective Oct. 17 on ABC. The show will be heard Monday, 8-8:25 p.m. Contract is for 13 weeks. NAB Membership (Continued from page 29) them what you want and need, it is not surprising that your voice is not heard." Judge Miller's address marked the Thursday afternoon session which also featured a talk by Dr. Kenneth Baker, NAB director of research and acting president of the Broadcast Measurement Bureau. Henry P. Johnston, WSGN Birmingham, Ala., district employeemployer relations chairman, presided over the morning program. Speakers included Richard P. Doherty, director of NAB's Employe-Employer Relations Dept., who led a discussion period on costs, profits and labor problems. Mr. Doherty hammered home the theme that a careful time study of employes and the work they do could in many instances cut operating expenses and improve efficiency. "Intelligent, legitimate job integration is the key to cutting costs," he stated. "Management has lackadaisically allowed jobs to balloon themselves beyond reason." Carl Haverlin, president of Broadcast Mus^c Inc., told delegates that the current success of his organization was based upon three key points: (1) composers and publishers; (2) recording and transcription library, and (3) use of BMI music, live and recorded, by stations on an ascending scale. "BMI average performance," he added, "continues up, with the first seven months of 1949 showing approximately 10% increase over a similar period last year. BMI, competitive spirited, does some 40% of ASCAP performances now. Our slogan is '50-50 by '59' and we are pushing hard toward that goal." The district banquet was held Thursday night in the Hotel Roosevelt, convention headquarters. Speakers on the Friday program (see late story, page 4) included W. Wright Esch, WMFJ Daytona Beach, Fla., Fifth District sales managers chairman, who presided, and Maurice B. Mitchell, director of BAB, who spoke and also led discussion sessions on the theme, "Increasing Radio's Share of the Advertising Dollar." Sharing as hosts in the two-day three-state district meeting were Mr. Esch, president of the Florida Assn. of Broadcasters; Edwin Mullinax, WLAG La Grange Ga. ; Georgia Assn. of Broadcasters head. Howard E. Pill, WSFA Mongomery, president of the Alabama Broadcasters Assn., was unable to attend because of illness in the family. nteanS StUineSi BINDERS AT REDUCED PRICES ... to keep your weekly issues of BROADCASTING handy; instantly available for reference ancJ research. HOLDS 6 MONTHS' ISSUES Pictured here, this 9'/2"xl3" binder is of sturdy blue leathercloth, kivar lining, canvas joints, constructed to last for years. Send coupon today. Orders filled promptly. $4 ea. (5 or more $3.50 ea.) ORDER TODAY > ^ Broadcasting Magazine 870 NATIONAL PRESS BLDG. 9 WASHINGTON 4, D. C. ^ Gentlemen: Enclosed please find □ check ^ □ money order □ bill me for □ binders to be sent direct # ^ NAME ^ FIRM ADDRESS CITY STATE Page 60 • October 17, 1949 BROADCASTING • Telecasting