Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1950)

Record Details:

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I N ! / / Vol. 39, No. 18 WASHINGTON, D. C, OCTOBER 30, 1950 .00 A YEAR— 25c A COPY DEFENSE CUTBACKS Put Manufacturers in Quandary CUTBACKS in the nation's civilian radio TV phonograph appliance supply designed to meet defense needs left manufacturers in a state of mingled concern and confusion last week as the government prepared to clamp down on the flow of vital metals into electronics channels. National Production Authority officials flatly told manufacturers that they may expect certain "limitations";— ranging up to 20% or 30% on the consumption of raw materials, with Dec. 1 as probable effective date. The government's proposed order, expected officially sometime this week, provides that set-makers may not consume more than a certain percentage of material (copper, aluminum, nickel and cobalt) utilized during a base period, probably the fiscal year ended June 30. Future uses will be governed by average use of each manufacturer during that period. Thus all four metals — and rubber and steel as well — ^used in varying degrees in broadcast receiving and transmission equipment appeared destined to become critical highpriority items, underscoring the manufatcurers' dilemma of balancing supply and demand. Construction Ban NPA last week also announced a ban on construction of new buildings for "amusement, recreational or entertainment purposes." Government officials explained that the prohibition would not apply to radio and television buildings or studios, or plants engaged in manufacture of electronics equipment— ^for the present, at least. They warned, however, that anyone starting construction which is not on the prohibited list, but which "does not further the defense effort, either directly or indirectly, and does not increase the nation's productive capacity," runs the risk of being unable to complete the building. The scarce materials regulation, revealed at a radio-TV representatives' meeting last Thursday with NPA authorities, is expected to accentuate civilian demand for radioTV sets and phonographs. Materials used in end products and component parts already are acutely scarce, authorities pointed out. Not the least controversial question posed by NPA's ruling is FCC's decision favoring the CBS color TV system as well as problems related to black-and-white television. Manufacturers brought up the TV question at Thursday's meeting, but were lightly brushed aside by NPA officials who felt the issue was not their concern. The manufacturers and FCC will have to puzzle that out themselves, they indicated. They also intimated that set ^ou/^ Metal Gutlfaclc5 -O^^^ct Seti . . . CUTBACKS in scarce metals used by radio and television set manufacturers will affect number of sets produced and perhaps quality of performance, according to views of production engineers. Even so, manufacturers already are considering means of making available supplies go as far as possible by means of substitutes and efficiency methods. The two key metals, copper and aluminum, are used in many portions of television sets, with the pound ratio for television from three to five times as high as for radio sets. Size of the radio chassis has been greatly cut in recent years. Copper is used frequently to plate the steel chassis, but cadmium also is popular and satisfactory. Largest amount of copper is used in the AC power transformer, which must have this metal. It also appears in filter chokes. Almost all coils have copper wire. During World War II some silver was substituted for copper wire but in most cases it was not as satisfactory and the cost was hig'h. Aluminum is used in TV electrolytic condensers and indoor aerials. There is no substitute in the case of condensers but other metals can be used for aerials. Including can and foil, condensers are 90% aluminum, with perhaps a pound in each television set. Cobalt and nickel are used in permanent magnet loudspeakers, focus coils and ion traps. Earlier models used electromagnets and soft iron to some degree. The industry can go back to substitutes in all magnetic uses though performance might not be as good. Some nickel is used in the gun assembly of the cathode ray tube. There are better magnetic materials than the popular nickelcobalt combination but these magnetic alloy steels are extremely expensive and in short supply. makers should decide among themselves as to how they will meet the pinch on raw materials — whether to concentrate on radio or TV production, while adopting a plan of standardization on certain existing models, how best to utilize "substitute" materials, and whether to re evaluate current allocations among their distributors. Emphasizing the military's claims for a substantial portion of electronics parts and equipment, NPA stressed that the 20% to 30% was flexible and no base percentage has been established. Cite Increase Demand Manufacturers also were quick to point out at the meeting, presided over by William Henry Harrison, NPA administrator, that the military is making increasing demands on its trained electronics and communications specialists. It was felt, however, that the Defense Dept.'s new policy requiring each service to estimate manpower needs six months in advance of recall may alleviate the growing drain on such services, if only to spread it all over longer periods of time. NPA officials quoted industry representatives as resigned to the "unpleasant fact" of curtailment of (Continued on page 20) WIS. Giyik}NICtS AM 'Stop The Music' Stays DEVELOPMENTS in the antigiveaway opinion delivered by Wisconsin's attorney general were manifold last -^yeek. Stop the Music remained on nine ABC AM stations in the state, the TV version was cancelled by WTMJ-TV Milwaukee, which also dropped four other network shows with giveaway elements, and Tello-Test was restored after a technical modification in format by the packager [Broadcasting, Oct. 23]. Stop the Music, on WMAW Milwaukee, was restored to that station after agreement by station officials that Wisconsin listeners would be warned they could not participate actively in the program. (Listeners are telephoned, and winners chosen for answering questions correctly.) Other ABC affil iates in the state were puzzled as to the legality of the broadcast. ABC disclosed that none of its Wisconsin affiliates had dropped the show despite WTMJ-TV cancellation of the TV version. An ABC spokesman said _the network will take legal action in the matter but the exact nature has not been decided. Lottery Issue Thomas Fairchild and William A. Platz, Wisconsin's attorney general and his assistant, said the program would not be in viQlation of the state's -rgstrictive anti-lottery laws if the'element of lottery was removed. The show, without possible quiz participation by Wisconsin listeners, becomes an entertainment feature, he said. Although WMAW went along with the clarification, WTMJ-TV, Wisconsin's only video station, declined to do so. In addition, WTMJTV took four other network shows off the air — Break the Bank (NBC), Arthur Godfrey and Toni Twin Time (CBS), What's My Name (NBC) and Chance of a Lifetime (ABC). Messrs. Fairchild and Platz conferred Wednesday with Walter Schwimmer, president of Radio Features, Chicago, which syndicates Tello-Test on 275 stations. At that time, Mr. Schwimmer agreed to a "slight technical modification in the handling of the question," which eliminated the lottery feature and enables the show to return to WISN Milwaukee. Mr. Schwimmer expects Tello-Test to return today or tomorrow. Because (Continued on page SI) BROADCASTING • Telecasting October 30, 1950 • Page 19