Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1950)

Stations (Continued from page 57) ■ though automotive, appliance and TV set accounts may drop. Dale Drake, managing director of WRR Dallas, looks for a surge near the end of the tax year on the basis of an excess profits levy. Otherwise a continuing inflation would raise revenues as well as operating costs. R. W. Welpott, assistant stations manager, WGY-WRGB (TV) Schenectady, N. Y., said business prospects for 1951 are "excellent" in that industrial area. Personal income is up with multi-shift operations and longer working hours. "Prudent advertisers will take advantage of this increased market potential and expand their advertising and publicity accordingly," he said. Ben Ludy, general manager of WIBW Topeka: "Looks bigger than ever." William T. Kemp, president and general manager of KVER Albuquerque, said newsprint shortage and taxes will encourage many newspaper advertisers and nonadvertisers to turn to radio. "Our faith in the future of radio in general and in the West in particular is shown by our application for a new standard broadcast station at Cheyenne, Wyo.," he declared. Patt Statement John F. Patt, president of the G. A. Richards stations : "The stepup in war production will be accompanied by a comparatively small decrease in consumer goods production, in my opinion. Radio should benefit from higher taxes, from war manufacturers wanting to keep their trade names alive, from newsprint shortages, and from generally fair retail business." John M. Rivers, president of WCSC Charleston, S. C, estimates radio will be good, particularly at the local level and national spot is steady and headed upward. "The weak spot is network sales and here we have men who should be thinking big things becoming prisoners of their own environment," K U G N Eugene, Ore. NEW PT63-A Unit Construction permits portable or rack mount operation. 3 separate heads to nonitor from the tope I Prevents record ing errors I New 3 heod unit also available to convert present PT6 Magnecorder. he said. "They look at television and think everybody else only looks at television. . . . This temporary 'blind spot' will begin to disappear when logic and reason once more assert themselves in the proper appraisal of network radio." John J. Hurley, general manager of WNEB Worcester, Mass., said payrolls are up, reflected in better local business, but government controls and return to a seller's market will change this situation. Pill's Views Howard E. Pill, president and general manager of WSFA Montgomery, Ala., comments on "the ridiculous numbers of stations in practically all markets," with the increasing income "cut thinner." He said local merchants have to see so many radio salesmen that some are placing their business with newspapers, usually under single ownership, because they only have to talk to one salesman. Claude Frazier, sales director of WAGA Atlanta, said the station expects to continue increasing its volume, particularly at the retail level, by a more thorough presentation of radio and its stature as an advertising medium. Recent newspaper merger in Atlanta places radio in a stronger position, he contends. K. K. Hackathorn, general manager of WHK Cleveland, is optimistic but concerned over the war crisis. Plants are at full capacity, he said, which is reflected in good retail business. George D. Coleman, general manager of WGBI Scranton, Pa., predicted radio in Northeastern Pennsylvania would hold the high level of 1950. Competition for audience will increase, he said, as programming techniques improve. H. W. Cassill, president and general manager of WEOK Poughkeepsie, N. Y., said radio "has only scratched the surface of the business available to it." He advocated constructive radio selling instead of selling on "alleged demerits of other stations." Frank R. Smith, president of WBVP Beaver Falls, Pa., said limited retail operation may affect radio business and advised stations to adjust operations to meet the situation in the local communities. Greg Rouleau, manager of WEDC Duluth, Minn., said development of the area's resources will be to the advantage of radio and general business conditions. George Cranston, manager of WRAP Fort Worth, expects local, national spot and network to increase. Willard Schroeder, general manager of WOOD Grand Rapids, Mich., expects the local "sellers market to continue for all goods and services." He indicated the current business pace indicates "radio will continue to compete successfully with newspapers, billboard space and TV." Ernest C. Sanders, manager of WOC-AM-FM-TV Davenport, Iowa, declared 1951 "looks good" as industrial activity increases. FCC Change STATE-Local Government and Amateur Division of FCC's newly established Safety and Special Radio Services Bureau has been changed to Public Safety and Amateur Division, it was announced last week by the Commission. HADACOL'S GROWTH Sen. LeBlanc Cites 'Tremendous' Radio Role "TREMENDOUS" growth of Hadacol, a dietary supplement, can be traced largely to use of radio as a basic selling medium. State Sen. Dudley J. LeBlanc said Dec. 14 at at testimonial dinner given in his honor at Lafayette, La. "If it had not been for advertising, Hadacol would not have attained the success it has in such a short period of time," Sen. LeBlanc said, noting that his corporation assets had increased to $7 million in 2V2 years. "Radio has done a tremendous job for me in that respect," he told James Gordon, WNOE New Orleans, in a statewide radio network carrying the event. Net profit of his LeBlanc Corp. this year will be approximately $6 million on a $20 million gross, the Senator said. He hopes to gross between $75 million and $80 million next year if he can obtain enough materials, and expand his payroll from 800 to 1,500 by spring. Sen. LeBlanc added that he had purchased $500,000 worth of toys for Christmas parties to be con Sen. LeBlanc (I) tells Mr. Gordon and a statewide radio audience how use of spot radio for Hadacol helped build a near $20 million gross for LeBlanc Corp. during 1950. ducted by over 570 stations in theatres throughout the product's market area. He j?eceived a $1,500 solid gold plaque at the dinner, given by public, business and civic leaders throughout the state. SMILES indicate satisfoction o Worth Kramer (r), WJR Detroit vie president and general manager, an Boaz Siegel, secretary of Detroit' AFRA local, as they put their signj tures to the first WJR-AFRA contrae a fortnight ago. ROSE BOWL CBS Warns on Right SHARP REMINDER to Los Ar geles area theatre exhibitors tha CBS holds exclusive rights to th|A radio and television broadcast the annual New Year's Day Pasa dena Rose Bowl football game wa given recently in letter sent b Howard S. Meighan, CBS vie president and chief executive office on the West Coast. The letter, similar to those ser in the past by the network befoi the event, read in part: By agreement dated Sept. 28, 194i between ourselves, the Pacific Coas Intercollegiate Athletic Conferenc and the Pasadena Tournament Roses Assn., we were granted the es elusive radio and television rights fo the Rose Bowl Game to be playe Jan. 1, 1951. Under this agreemen we are not permitted to authorize grant permission to anyone to us the television broadcast of the gam in any theatre (auditorium) or oth« establishment for a commercial puj pose or where an admission charged. The right to make any sue use of the television broadcast ca be granted only by agreement wit the three parties to the contract Sept. 28, 1949, and it is not the pres ent plan to make such a grant. Mr. Meighan's letter stated ths "legal proceedings" would be us€ against any individual or fin who attempted such exhibition. WTIC Hartford recently received le ter of appreciation from Suffiel( Conn., board of Police Commissionej for work in locating persons sough by police. Letter cited case of bo; seriously injured and station ccj operation in locating injured youth parents. RCA INSTITUTES, INC. One of the leading and oldest schools of Radio Technologry in America, offers its trained Radio and Television technicians to the Broadcasting Industry. Address inquiries to Placement Director RCA INSTITUTES, INC. A Service of Radio Corporation of America 350 W. 4th St., New York 14, N. T. Page 58 • December 25, 1950 BROADCASTING • Telecastin