Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1950)

TOWER BLAST LOOKING pleased on the occasion of the first anniversary of Desert Bonk, Cathedral City, Calif., are (I to r): Harry Davis, account executive, KCMJ Palm Springs; O. A. Torgerson, president. Desert Bonk; Alta Weede, bank cashier; Roland Voile, general manager, KCMJ. A purchaser of time on KCMJ during the year, the bank marked the celebration by buying time for the entire anniversary day (July 11) running spots, interviews with bank directors, tape-recorded comments on the bank's progress, and a repeat of the original taped broadcast done by the station when the bank opened. Rep. Elston Blames Reds THE BLAST which wrecked the Voice of America transmitter tower of Crosley Broadcasting Corp. in Bethany, Ohio, is "clearly the work of agents of Moscow," and is "but a sample of what can be expected in the event of an all-out war with Russia," Rep. Charles H. Elston (R-Ohio) charged in a statement issued Sept. 22. "It is striking evidence that sabotage is part of the plan of the Reds to block all efforts to bring about world peace . . . and points up the urgent necessity of legislation to regulate the activities not only of the Communists but also of the pinkos and fellow travelers who belong to Communist-front organizations," Rep. Elston told House colleagues. The FBI already has begun a probe of the explosion [Broadcasting, Sept. 25] which destroyed a 165-ft. tower supporting one of the government's Voice antennas in the Cincinnati area. Plant is used to beam Voice broadcasts to Europe and Latin America. James D. Shouse, chairman of the board of Crosley, which leases the plant to the government under contract, characterized the blast as a "professional job." Editorials Cited Rep. Elston described the explosion as one of "international significance," and included in the Congressional Record editorials from three Cincinnati newspapers to support his sabotage charge. Excerpts from the editorials: Cincinnati Enquirer — . . . For some unexplained reason . . . the State Dept. has not felt it necessary to place guards around the group of big antennae. The surrounding cyclone fence had been cut, apparently to allow entrance for the supposed saboteur . . . It is new evidence of the need for putting every Communist in this country "under wraps". . . . Guards should be placed at Bethany immediately. . . Times-Star [WKRC WCTS (FM) WKRC-TV]— . . . This was the second explosion at Bethany this summer. Radio towers don't just blow up. Nor do they get struck by lightning on a perfectly clear night . . . What more obvious target for sabotage than a radio tower which is beaming programs to the countries behind the Iron Curtain?. . . An attempt to cripple the Voice of America is proof that this program is having an effect . . . Post [WCPO-AM-FM-TVl— . . . It seems surprising to the average man that no steps were taken after the previous explosion last May . . . Now, according to the official in charge of telling America's story to the world, steps will be taken ... All that one can add to that is — it's about time. Allen, Hodges Cited MEL ALLEN, who announced this season's Yankee games, and Russ Hodges, for the Giants, have received The Sporting News awards as the outstanding play-by-play broadcasters for 1950 in the American and National leagues, respectively. Winner of the award for the fifth successive time, Mr. Allen joined CBS in 1937. Mr. Hodges, first-time winner, broadcasts the Giants games on WMCA and a network of several stations. NBC Cass Daley Shoiv moves to Sat., 5-5:30 p.m., PST, time slot. Formerly heard Thurs., 7-7:30 p.m., PST. 'SHOP' CLINIC Agency Holds Ad Sessions WHEN an advertising agency closes its doors for an entire day, it could mean a holiday, but 59 members of VanSant, Dugdale & Co. of Baltimore did just that, convening at the Sheraton-Belvedere Hotel to talk shop. Occasion was the agency's third annual one-day convention-clinic Sept. 15 on the subject of "Successful Advertising in 1951." Concentrating major emphasis on creative aspects of advertising, organization members reviewed and analyzed various ways of approaching the agency's objective. A presentation on television, covering specific aspects of the medium, markets, potentials and production techniques was given by Bob Walsh, VanSant radio and TV director, during the one-day session. Panels were held on research planning, copy techniques, layouts and art, and consumer advertising. Keynote address was delivered by President Wilbur VanSant, who reviewed current activities and appraised the outlook for the future. ANTENNA CONTROL RCA Announces New System RCA ENGINEERING Products Dept. has announced a new system for remote control of microwave parabolic antennas in the field at distances up to 1,500 ft. The company pointed out that control of the saucer-shaped reflectors from greater distances, if required, may be achieved with the use of additional equipment. RCA further stated that the new system permits rigid, accurate positioning of the microwave parabola from a remote location and consists essentially of a rotatable field mount and a remote control unit equipped with switches and indicating devices. The design of the field mount provides for both azimuth and tilt positioning of the parabola, the company added. WGNR TAKES AIR Joins FM Affiliate A NEW independent station, WGNR New Rochelle, N. Y., made its inaugural broadcast fortnight ago with Frank Moore, New York state comptroller and Republican candidate for governor, as featured speaker. WGNR broadcasts simultaneously with WGNR-FM, which has been on the air since September 1948. Both stations are owned and operated by the New Rochelle Broadcasting Service Inc., with main offices and studios at 524 North Ave., New Rochelle, telephone (dial in N. Y.) NE 6-8220. Julian Gins is president and general manager; Kenneth Joseph is vice president and station manager, and Arthur Simon is sales manager of the organization. WGNR is on 1460 kc with 500 w. WGNR-FM is assigned to 93.5 mc with power of 1 kw. The WGNR staff includes Announcers Dean Howard, Art Elmonn, Jack Jordan, and Steve Fisher; News Editor Ray La Polla, Continuity Director Alan Glass and Chief Engineer Edward Voss. The sales staff, in addition to Mr. Simon, includes Irwin Bibro and Robert Mazur. FARM RADIO Improved Service Urged A PLEA for improved radio service in farm areas was inserted in the Congressional Record Sept. 15 by Sen. Allen J. Ellender (D-La.). The Senator had reprinted an article from the Farm and Ranch which called upon rural residents "to fight for the continuance of clear-channel stations which reach into many rural regions." It referred to the bill (S 491) introduced in the first session of the 81st Congress in January 1949 by Sen. Ed C. Johnson, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, which would break down clear channels. The measure has been pigeon-holed in committee ever since. For Sale WW MM MB 9 Gardner, Massachusetts (Identified at request of owner) $47,500.00 Due to owner's interest on the west coast, Blackburn-Hamilton Company is authorized to sell this fulltime, 250 watt station on 1490 kc at the very realistic price of $47,500.00. Gardner has retail sales in excess of $27,000,000.00 and is one of the east's most desirable single-station markets. WHOB is operating profitably, but has never had the benefit of owner-management. Here is an outstanding opportunity for one operator or two partners. CONTACT THE NEAREST OFFICE OF THE EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVES BLACKBURN -HAMILTON COMPANY RADIO STATION AND NEWSPAPER BROKERS WASHINGTON, D. C. CHICAGO SAN FRANCISCO James W. Blackburn Harold R. Murphy Ray V. Hamilton Washington Bldg. 360 N. Mich. Ave. 235 Montgomery St. Sterling 4341-2 Randolph 6-4550 Exbrook 2-5672 NORTHWEST BROADCASTING SCHOOL S3I S. W. 12th • PORTLAND, OREGON Page 90 • October 2, 1950 BROADCASTING • Telecasting