Broadcasting (Jan - Mar 1950)

WFBM Indianapolis was one of three stations to receive top awards for "outstanding skill and ingenuity" in exploiting The Kroger Co.'s daytime serials in connection with Kroger's recent "$65,000 Brand Name Hunt" national contest. At award presentation ceremony are (I to r): J. B. Hall, president, Kroger Co.; Gene Vaughn, promotion director, WFBM; W. F. Kiley, business manager, WFBM; Harry M. Bitner Jr., general manager, WFBM, and C. M. Robertson Jr., president. The Ralph H. Jones Co., agency for Kroger. Also sharing top honors were WCHS Charleston, W. Va., and WAGA Atlanta, Ga. COMBINATION WORK STUDY NAB Finds Most Use Single Crew for AM-FM NEARLY all stations operating joint AM and FM transmitters use a single technician or single crew for the transmitters, where this is physically possible, according to a study of combination work conducted by Richard P. Doherty, NAB director of employe-employer relations. With 1,400-odd replies to a staj tion questionnaire covering combination work, Mr. Doherty has comj piled a detailed analysis of this subj ject, broken down into the five major areas used in station operating I cost studies made available during NAB district meetings last autumn. This new material, the first exhaustive study ever made by NAB I; in the field of combination work, is II submitted along with an analysis jof National Labor Relations Board cases. A week ago the department sent the membership an analysis of wage-hour regulations covering overtime pay [Broadcasting, Jan. 80]. Regional Breakdown In breaking down the combinai tion work data, Mr. Doherty found [ that combination work is more prev\ alent in the Southeast, Southwest jand West although small stations in the Northeast use combination men extensively. As expected, the data reveal that ji combination work is more prfevaflent at small stations, fairly com[mon at medium and almost an ex . ception at large stations. About one out of five small stations pay premium wages for combination work, the station ratio ; ranging from 8% to 30% depending on locality. About one out of 10 medium stations pays a premium, the ratio being from 4% to 1 21%. In the case of the few large ijstations using combination men, BROADCASTING • Telecasting there is scarcely any evidence that they receive premium work. Accompanying the survey data is a discussion of arbitration decisions affecting management's right to integrate jobs. IN CHICAGO United Sales Mulled PROPOSED sale of time on member-stations of the PM Broadcasters of Chicagoland individually and/or collectively by one person will be discussed by a committee representing the commercial membership, it was decided at a meeting of the group Tuesday in WFJL Chicago offices. Five non-member stations attended the session and expressed interest in its objectives. They included Miss Wanda Mitchell of Evanston Township High School, Evanston, 111., which plans to construct a 10 w educational station; WEPS Elgin; WBEZ, Chicago Board of Education station; WBIK Chicago, FM affiliate of WBKB(TV), and WMBI-FM, Chicago. Robert Miller, manager of WSBC and WXRT(FM) Chicago, was elected a member of the board. He submitted a detailed report on proposed purchase of time on his FM station by the newly-organized Better Music Committee of Chicago (see story page 87). Group also decided to issue a monthly listing of FM highlights in the area. COMBINED facilities of WAAT and WATV (TV), both Newark, N. J., were used in coverage of Solemn Pontifical Mass in celebration of golden jubilee of Archbishop Thomas J. Walsh of Newark. SCHOOL FM Meet Is Held At DePauw U. TERMED a "grass-roots" movement, what is claimed to be the first conference on low-power educational FM in the country was held Jan. 27-28 at Greencastle, Ind., where DePauw U. was host to a group of educators interested in the problems of low-power FM. The conference was called by schools now operating 10 w FM educational stations or those contemplating such operation. Featured speaker was Franklin Dunham, chief of radio, U. S. Office of Education, who spoke on the topic, "The Wider Use of Our FM Facilities." He advised those interested in low-power educational stations to operate the school-owned station as a community project. He suggested an advisory council composed of community leaders to help in adjusting the program to town needs. Also discussed were problems relating to the goals, the programming and the equipment of the station. Aids in programming were suggested by representatives from Indiana and Purdue U.'s. The conference urged the FCC to authorize third class licensing for low-power FM engineers as soon as possible. City school stations were represented at the conference by Vernon McKown, WNAS New Albany, Ind.; McCabe Day, WVSH Huntington, Ind; and John V. Maier of Muncie, Ind., which has a station application pending. Other conferees included: Dr. H. T. Ross, Elizabeth Turnell and Charles Aschmann, WGRE DePauw U.; James Miles of Purdue U., delegate from, NAEB, and Martin Williams, engineering consultant, of Indianapolis. Other guests included Blanche Young, AER treasurer, Indianapolis; Dr. Harry Skornia, director of radio, Indiana U., and Dr. L. C. Larson, audio-visual department, Indiana U. FM RADIO STATUS Wheeler Says Best Ever EDWARD A. WHEELER, president and general manager, WEAW (FM) Evanston, 111., finds the FM broadcasting industry "in the best shape it has ever been." His declaration was voiced before the FM Broadcasters of Chicagoland, of which he was elected president a few weeks ago. Vigorously defending FM radio, Mr. Wheeler said it is rapidly establishing itself as the preferred medium for aural broadcasting. He pointed out that there were 733 FM stations on the air as of the date of his talk — the total being 30 more than there were at the same time a year ago. EIGHT week nationwide contest, to stimulate sales and shipments of Hunt Foods by its sales managers and salesmen, launched by company. FOR HIRE 2 Super Salesmen If you're prospecting for sales in the North Country's rich farming and industrial area. 1000 w 960 Kc Plattsburgf N. Y. ABC More than $16,000,000 a year is spent in the Gloversville-Johnstown area. To sell the 11,000 homes in the world's leading glove center Use 250 W 1340 Kc Gloversvill e Johnstown CBS Take a look at these two markets — then make up your mind to get your share by using WEAV and WENT. For availabilities, rates and other information, wire, write or phone Joseph Hershey McGillvra National Representative February 13, 1950 • Page 71