Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1949)

AFRA TERMS Skinnell Sees Censor Danger RIGID contract terms between stations and the American Federation of Radio Artists conceivably could bar a U. S. Senator or Representative from making broadcasts of program nature, Julian P. Skinnell, WLRB Lebanon, Pa., operations manager, has charged in a letter to NAB's Employe-Employer Relations Dept. Content of the letter was disclosed to Broadcasting last week by Mr. Skinnell who contested "the power of censorship" which he declared was implied in terms of the station's previous APRA contract. The contract has been re negotiated since and corrected because of union recognition of the implications, he said. Kunkel Incident Mr. Skinnell explained that Rep. John C. Kunkel (R. Pa.) had been presenting weekly news reports from the nation's capital to people of the Ninth Congressional District, which includes Lebanon, over WLRB. But in the face of the contract provision "reserving exclusive jurisdiction over persons delivering news reports," Mr. Skinnell's letter continued, "it was necessary for the station to contact the union for clarification. "When I first approached the union about this specific case, I was told that the Congressman should join AFRA. On second thought, the union agreed to make an exception in this case," the letter said. Recently, Mr. Skinnell told Broadcasting, the AFRA local and WLRB renegotiated the contract to permit "any outside person" to make broadcasts but prohibiting any station employe, other than an AFRA member, from the air. However, he said, "the issue is still whether APRA shall have the power of censorship." Equivalent Power While acknowledging AFRA did not wish to bar the Congressman from the microphone, Mr. Skinnell told the NAB "the power to waive this jurisdiction is tantamount to the power to enforce it, (and the latter) is tantamount to the power of censorship." The station, he said, was willing to assign an AFRA staff announcer to every program to protect AFRA's rights. To this the NAB agreed but said this arrangement does not preclude that program personalities must belong to the union. And on the principle of censorship, the NAB gave its position as resisting the infringement whether from the FCC, the union or any other source. RCA Victor announces its first portable-styled 45-rpm phonograph, which houses automatic record changer and storage compartments for records and albums. Suggested Eastern retail price is $49.95. A LAINS £»TA AGREEMENT for sale of KXXX Colby, Kan., by John B. Hughes and associates to KMMJ Grand Island, Neb., [Broadcasting, Nov. 21], Is completed by (I to r): Ray V. Hamilton, Blackburn-Hamilton Co., station broker; H. A. Searle Jr., vice president KMMJ; George L. Nickson, KXXX manager; Don Searle, chief owner and president KMMJ; Wick Heath, KMMJ general manager; James A. McKenna, Washington counsel, and Clyde A. Blanchard, president. State Savings Bank, Council Bluffs, Iowa, whose wife is part owner of KMMJ. WBT LIBEL SUIT CIO Is Charged LIBEL suit for $500,000 damages v/as filed last week by WBT-AMPM-TV Charlotte, N. C, against the CIO [Closed Circuit, Nov. 21]. The action culminates several months of union activities in which efforts have allegedly been made to drive business away from WBT [Broadcasting, Oct. 17]. In the suit filed in Superior Court, Mecklenburg County, WBT charges that since Oct. 27 the CIO "has wilfully and maliciously slandered and libeled" it by writing and publishing, through its North Carolina directors, letters charging suppression of free speech and anti-union activities. WBT states in its suit that it "has been zealous and careful" to give labor groups, including CIO, fair chance to present their views on the air. The station brands as false the charge that it has not shown good faith in dealing with IBEW (AFL). It said it had never broadcast a single word as to its views in the labor dispute with technicians. This answers an inference that the station can "propagandize" its views on its own facilities without giving the union a chance to Allen Speech OFF THE CUFF speech by newly-appointed U. S. Ambassador to Yugoslavia George V. Allen made in the Old Dominion state Nov. 10 was recorded by WMBG Richmond, Va. Allan Phaup, WMBG newsman, presented an exclusive account for NBC's News of the World program that night at 7:15 p.m. Ambassador Allen formerly was Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs charged with supervision of the State Dept.'s Voice of America unit. give the other side. WBT has not made a "vicious attack" on IBEW, as claimed by CIO, according to the suit. The station said 10 of its technicians were discharged last Sept. 4 because they "were doing all within their power wrongfully to injure and destroy" WBT's business. CIO is alleged to have charged the station discharged the technicians for "peaceful picketing." The suit asks $250,000 damages CORN HUSKING WMT Revives Old Cusfom AN OLD American custom, National Com Picking Contest, has been unwrapped and revived successfully this autumn by WMT Cadar Rapids with modern modifications. Mechanical corn pickers replaced traditionally famous handhusking events. The stat'on reports more than 20,000 spectators swarmed the fields of the Riley Slocum farm to watch 24 contestants from four Midwest states compete for $350 prize money. Contest was divided into four sections, one 20-minute period allowed for each of the four different types of mechanical pickers. Contestants were judged on their total load, less deductions for corn left in the field, shelled corn and husks in the load and improper safety measures. Chuck Worcester, WMT farm service director, says the contest — first in which mechanical pickers were used — was a hit both in value and interest. He adds that plans are underway for a contest to be held next year with six states scheduling preliminary state contests prior to the national finals. plus $250,000 in punitive damages. Suit was filed for the station by Cochran, McCleneghan & Miller and Pierce & Blakeney, counsel. IS EAR^^ ^5 EARl •*fADERS*»*^ This is ACUSE AM • FM • TV NBC Affiliate in Central New York 2i rich Central New York. Counties 205,000 it Mil Station Audience Families Headley-Reed, National Representatives IS EARiv EADER •*EADERS***^ BROADCASTING • Telecasting November 28, 1949 • Page 59