Broadcasting (Apr - June 1950)

COMMERCIALS Maschmeier Defends Radio A NEWSPAPER story by Columnist Robert C. Ruark approvingly speculating about a new "advertiser killer" — a gadget designed to tune out commercials — last week aroused WPTR Albany's Program Director H. W. Maschmeier to retort that Mr. Ruark should take a look at his own medium before talking about radio. "Yes, Mr. Ruark," he said, "and all you other scribes of press, magazines and other printed media, don't crow about over-commercialism in radio (or TV for that matter)— not until you have a much smaller ratio of 'commercial' to news space in your own media." Mr. Maschmeier's answer, sent to Broadcasting, suggested that "as a matter of fact, it might not be a half-bad idea for all of us in radio to plug the fact that radio is 'less commercial' than practically any other medium of mass communication." Why The Victim? "While we're on the subject," he said, "let's think of all the swipes taken by press and magazines in the immediate postwar period on the so-called 'over-commercialism' of American radio. On that one, ask the millions of GI's who had to listen to the dull programming of the BBC during the war, and [who] sent, many, many letters to those of us with the American Forces Network in the ETO, asking us to put in some of the commercials they missed from USA radio. "Radio, without the right to editorialize (until recently, then in half-fashion only) has been unable to answer these attacks. This, of course, has been the good fortune of press and magazines, since where do you find more over-commercialism than in those fields (have you tried reading Time or Life lately?). "For that matter, thanks to the listing of columnists and news departments on the front of the World Telegram, I can sometimes, with the aid of my tri-focals and three lamps, find the news and columns in among the mountains of ads and commercials." 1873 Jfranfe EamSap jWcJ^mcf) 1950 Ziv Moves N. Y. Office FREDERIC W. ZIV Co.'s New York offices effective today (May 1) will move to 488 Madison Ave. The company will occupy a 20-office suite on the fifth floor of the building. RCA INSTITUTES, INC. One of the leadinR and oldest schools of Radio Technology In America, offers Its trained Radio and Television technicians to the Broadcaatlne Industry. Address inquiries to Placement Director RCA INSTITUTES, INC. A Service of Radio Corporation of A meriea 360 W. 4th St., New York 14, N. T. FUNERAL services for Frank Ramsay McNinch, chairman of the FCC from 1937 to 1939, were conducted Sunday, April 23, at Second Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, N. C, with burial in Charlotte's Elmwood Cemetery. Mr. McNinch, who would have been 77 last week, died in a Washington hospital on April 20 [Broadcasting, April 24]. He had been in ill health and his condition worsened the preceding day when he developed pneumonia. Drafted by President to "clean up the mess" at the FCC, Mr. McNinch initiated a reorganization of the agency after he assumed office on Oct. 1, 1937. He was named to fill the vacancy created by the death of Chairman Anning Prall on July 2 that year. Under his direction the division system of organization was abandoned, the posts of division directors were abolished, and the examiners division was eliminated. He was frequently accused of planning a strict censorship, but denied the charges. Mr. McNinch joined the Commission with a wide reputation as an administrator, having served as a member of the Federal Power Commission since 1930 and as its chairman since 1933. When his FCC nomination was first announced in August 1937 as an answer to Congressional demands for an FCC investigation, it was thought he would take a leave of absence from the power agency and return upon completion of the FCC assignment. He subsequently decided to resign the FPC post, however. Went To Justice Dept He left the FCC on Aug. 31, 1939, to become a special assistant to the Attorney General. He continued as a special advisor to the Justice Dept. until his retirement in 1946. His home was in Westmoreland Hills, Md. Mr. McNinch was born in Charlotte on April 27, 1873. In 1900 he began the practice of law in Charlotte and five years later entered polities, winning election to the North Carolina House. He later served two terms — 1917-21 — as Charlotte's mayor and finance commissioner, and then returned to private law practice. Although a Democrat, he supported Herbert Hoover against Alfred E. Smith in the 1928 Presidential election. As leader of the anti-Smith forces in North Carolina he figured prominently in that state's going Republican for the first time since Civil War days. He accepted President Hoover's appointment to FPC in 1930, after once rejecting it. His liberal views on control and use of electric power — he advocated Government ownership of power sites, and strict regulations on private power procedures — also won Mr. McNINCH the approval of President Roosevelt, who promoted him to FPC chairman in 1933. FCC Resolution Following his death, the present FCC members adopted a resolution expressing "deep sorrow" at his passing and paying tribute to his service as FCC chairman until his health forced him to resign. "His tenure as Chairman of the FCC for two years was a brief but important part of a lifetime almost exclusively devoted to the service of his state and his nation," the Commission declared. "He brought a high standard to the performance of his public functions and was most exacting of himself in the conscientious performance of his duties. We mourn his loss as one who has fruitfully devoted his life to the public service." Mr. McNinch leaves his wife, Huldah Groome McNinch, and two sons and three daughters. FCC Roundup (Continued from page 83) 10, p. 88), in addition she has extensive ranching interests. Mrs. Brophy will retain about 25% interest in station. KRUX operates with 250 w unlimited on 1340 kc. Filed April 26. KXLO Lewistown, Mont. — Assignment of license from William G. Kelley and Victor J. Morgan d/b as Montana Bcstg. Co., to William G. Kelley tr/as Montana Bcstg. Co. for consideration of $8,500. KXLO operates with 250 w unlimited on 1240 kc. Filed April 5. WGTN Georgetown, S. C. — Assignment of license from John T. Assey, Helen M. Assey and Harmon L. Duncan a partnership to a new corporation Georgetown Bcstg. Co. New members include J. B. Delzel, Sylvan L. Rosen, Lewis F. Freeman and Carol Eve Witt who provided necessary funds and made advances for construction and operation of station to the effect that a corporation would be formed. WGTN operates with 250 w unlimited on 1400 kc. Filed April 5. TRANSFER REQUESTS KBRL McCook, Neb. — Assignment of license from The McCook Bcstg. Co., NAB's Manager (Continued from page 2U) is higher in the upper brackets. The surplus is now building up again." Judge Miller said Mr. Ryan's job will be an "inside position," having been created so the day-to-day operating functions could be handled while the president is out of Washington on high-level association business. This will leave him free to take part in a large number of functions in which NAB is active and carry the broadcasting industry's case to all corners and all elements of the political and economic life of the nation. He will repeat to the board next June an offer he made in February, 1949, at New Orleans, and has repeated at subsequent meetings, to register as a lobbyist. As in past years Judge Miller will attend the autumn district meetings if individual district directors desire his participation. This will not affect management of the association since Mr. Ryan will remain on the job in Washington. Judge Miller has been asked by the U. S. Advisory Commission on Information and the State Dept. to inspect U. S. information services in Latin American nations but the matter was deferred by the board at its Chicago session. The trip would prevent his attendance at district meetings. To Name Field Director One of Mr. Ryan's earlier chores will be selection of a field director. The job was set up by the board last fall and carries a $10,000 salary ceiling. The field man will be expected to solicit memberships and contact present members. Among names already mentioned, it is understood, are Robert Enoch, retiring board member and formerly of KTOK Oklahoma City, and Edward M. Kirby, at one time NAB public relations director. A few changes in the NAB staff are occurring, though Mr. Ryan is not exepected to make a sweeping overhaul [Closed Circuit, April 24.] C. Meryl Sullivan, assistant director of research, has resigned effective May 1. Robert M. McGredy, assistant director of BAB, is understood to be leaving to accept a key post at WCAU-TV Philadelphia. Dr. Kenneth H. Baker, NAB research director, will start spending two or three days a week at NAB headquarters now that the BMB Study No. 2 has been completed (See separate BMB story page 23). These are some of the items facing the new general manager, as he takes to NAB headquarters well over a decade of broadcast management experience. ■ ; Page 84 • May 1, 1950 licensee, a partnership composed of William J. Cox, LeRoy W. Lenwell, Edward Cooper and Arthur V. Henri to a corporation The McCook Bcstg. Co. Inc. New corporation involves no money transaction or change of stockholders. KBRL is assigned 250 w unlimited on 1450 kc. Filed March 30. BROADCASTING • Telecasting ) : 1 It ". T. I ! :