Broadcasting (July - Sep 1950)

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF INFORMATION WASHINGTON 25, D. C. EDITOR, BROADCASTING: My attention has been called to your thoughtfulness in printing the entire text of the "Code of Wartime Pracices for American Broadcasters" as well as to other informative and patriotic articles on the Korean war and the relationship of broadcasters to this war effort. Such support of the military effort is timely and patriotic and certainly is a good example of the public support we are now receiving. I want you and your staff to know how much the Department of the Army appreciates your efforts and work and how helpful it has been to us in a particularly difficult period. I hope we can continue to merit your interest and support and that we can work together on problems and projects of mutual concern. With best wishes. F. L. PARKS MAJOR GENERAL, GSC CHIEF OF INFORMATION NAB '51 MEET Chicago Favore In Survey INCOMPLETE returns on NAB's postcard survey of membership indicai Chicago a top-heavy choice as a site for the 1951 NAB annual convei tion, with New York and Washington running second and third in tl poll. Out of 520 ballots filed, as of * — last Monday, Chicago drew 167 first choices, 96 seconds, and 65 thirds, for a total of 328 votes, accordin.^f to the NAB Research Dept. New York drew 90, 96, and 52 respectively, for 238 votes, while Washington came up with 47, 28, and 34 for 109 ballots. Other cities in the running, in the order of votes drawn, were New Orleans, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Cleveland and San DEfENSi MEET Radio-TV Talks Underway EXPLORATORY discussions contemplating participation of radiotelevision forces in government mobilization planning — and looking toward formation of an all-embracing Broadcasters Defense Council — commanded the attention of NAB, network and station executives in a luncheon session held last Tuesday in Washington. Meeting was called by NAB General Manager William B. Ryan following formal request by John R. Steelman, special Presidential assistant, that such a group be formed in pursuance of NAB's offer to assist the government "in any feasible way" in the present emergency [BROADCASTING, July 24]. Outline of the proposed plan was presented informally to officials of CBS, NBC, Radio-Television Mfrs. Assn., DuMont Television, MBS and NAB board members. The session was described as "preliminary and informal" and reportedly touched only generally on such topics as civil defense, mobilization, censorship, methods of cooperation which the industry could offer the government, production and information. A second meeting was slated for this week, with date undetermined. Out of this and succeeding sessions are expected to evolve appointment of members (by NAB President Justin Miller) to serve on committees, each dealing with a specific area of activity, and plans for participation of industry groups. It was expected that eventually such groups as Radio-Television Mfrs. Assn., Television Broadcasters Assn., The Advertising Council and many others would be invited to take part. And it was understood that NAB would carry the story of its role in government planning to its membership in the upcoming series of district meetings. Attending the Tuesday session were Earl Gammons and Ted Koop, for CBS; Frank M. (Scoop) Russell and Ed Wheeler, NBC; James Secrest, RTMA; Richard Noel, Du Page 20 • July 31, 1950 Mont; Edgar Kobak, WTWA Thomson, Ga.; Hollis Seavey, MBS; Ben Strouse, WWDC Washington, and Eugene Thomas, WOR New York, NAB board members; and Robert K. Richards, NAB public affairs director, and Mr. Ryan. Frank Fletcher, WARL Arlington, Va., another board member, did not attend. ABC was not represented, although Robert Hinckley, vice president, had been invited. Council Idea The proposed council idea developed out of discussions between Mr. Steelman and Ralph Hardy, NAB government relations director, at the White House. NAB had been considering such a plan, covering various phases of activity, over a period of months and, when the Korean situation developed, was among the first industry groups to offer its services, according to Mr. Hardy. Specifically, it had mulled the idea of setting up a broadcasters' committee to advise on military planning [Closed Circuit, July 17]. Mr. Hardy is expected to work with Charles Jackson, in Mr. Steelman's office, on the various ways in which the industry may be of assistance to the government. Mr. Jackson also serves as liaison between the government and the Advertising Council, which is making available its services for information aids. NAB presumably would be expected to support government requests for recruiting and public services announcements on stations, to cooperate in addition of new defense programs (such as possible revival of the Army Hour) and in general to lend cooperation of the industry on Presidential addresses dealing with important subjects to the American taxpayer. Mr. Steelman extended hearty approval of NAB's coopei-ation and thought formation of the council, which he said arose from his discussions with Mr. Hardy, "the best way" to render service to the government as required. Members of the broadcasters' council committees are expected to confer, along with Mr. Hardy, with military and other government officials, including National Security Resources Board and Munitions Board. As an example, NAB already has given the industry stand before the military on television's impor and now we come to oii Drawn for Broadcasting by Sid Hix r summer saturation package!" Francisco. Over 40 other cities rceived votes ranging from one i 26 each. Scattered votes also wei recorded for McMinnville, Or(' Quincy, Fla., Montpelier, Vt., ar Pinehurst, N. C. Chicago, convention headquartei for NAB conclaves in 1949 ar 1950, corralled a greater total < first, second and third place ballothan any other city, and dre nearly double the first place numb< recorded for New York. Returns are to be compile shortly, possibly this week, for rport to NAB's Convention Sites ar Policy Committee, headed by Ei gene Thomas, newly-appointed telr vision operations manager of TeL radio Inc., licensee of WOR st; tions in New York, and former! of WOIC (TV) Washington. Othe members are James D. Shous' WLW Cincinnati, and Haroh Wheelahan, WSMB New Orlean Committee will select the site. Preference Stated The month of April was the pre erence of the majority of tl membership reporting, with 2.? ballots. May and March were ney in order with 145 and 107, r( spectively. NAB's Research Dept. plans t distribute another survey shortlyin the next fortnight — dealing witl^ its proposed 1951 conventio agenda. 1 tance, touching particulai-ly o construction of additional networ cable and relay facilities. NA was understood to have stresse the value of television as a traii'f^ ing medium in civil defense. Full text of Mr. Steelman's le ter to Mr. Hardy: May I take this opportunity thank you for the cooperation tl radio stations and networks in tl^ United States gave us on that pa: of the President's address which er plained that no food shotages exi: at the present time. The fact that ya people initiated this without recei^ ing a request from the governmei is especially gratifying. All of us ai deeply appreciative. Doubtless there will be other 0(' casions in the near future when you cooperation will be extremely usefu I hope you will not consider it pni s'jmptious if I ask that the (NAB take immediate steps to organize tli entire broadcasting industry in soitv manner in which it would be instantl available to the government as r« quired. I have asked (Charles Jackson) < my office to work closely with yo and may you feel free to call upo him for any cooperation you ma need. The problems facing us now ai somewhat diflferent than they ha> been in the past because of the grov ing importance of television. We w i be especially interested in a progra (Continued on page 36) BROADCASTING • Telecastin