Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct - Dec 1951)

WSKB PLIGHT Competitors Charged In FCC Complaint Advertisement From where I sit 6y Joe Marsh Sign of a Nice Guy Got so around these parts that everywhere a hunter went this fall, he came up against signs saying "private PROPERTY, NO HUNTING, KEEP OFF." But not out at Happy Preston's place! Happy's signs say "private property, GOOD HUNTING, BUT BE CAREFUL." "Don't hunt myself," Happy says, "but there's plenty of game on my property. I tell the hunters where the best spots are likely to be — away from where Tm working and where nobody else is hunting. It works out pretty well all-around." From where I sit, Happy has once again shown why he gets along with everyone and why everyone respects him. Happy's likes and dislikes might not be the same as his neighbors', but that doesn't stop him from understanding. When it comes to opinions on hunting, fishing, politics, ways of farming, or whether your favorite beverage is beer or cider, try to be like Happy and the chances are you'll be really happy! Copyright, 1951, United States Brewers Foundation CHARGES that a conspiracy among Mississippi interests forced WSKB McComb, MisS., off the air after 13 years of operation have been filed with the FCC by Julia D. and George Blumenstock, directors and officers of McComb Broadcasting Corp. Named in the complaint are Louis Alford, president and manager of WAPF McComb, and described as attorney for the First National Bank and Kramer Service Inc., of McComb; Southwest Broadcasting Co., operating WAPF and WGLC Centerville, Miss., and applicant for a 250-w daytime station on 1200 kc at Hazelhurst, Miss.; the First National Bank and Kramer Service Inc., McComb. WSKB charges that the parties cited planned for two years "to obtain control of WSKB — or destroy it and obtain its frequency 1250 kc on 5000 w power." The defunct station claims the First National Bank obtained a one-fourth interest in WAPF by a foreclosure and delivered this to Mr. Alford as its attorney. WSKB was banking at First National, it claims, with the bank carrying $10,000 in short-term notes. Mr. Alford also was attorney for Kramer Service Inc., owning the Hotel McColgan in which WSKB studios have been located, it is charged. Recites Rent Troubles music copyright firm "was planning a big suit against WSKB." The station contends Mr. Alford loaned recording equipment to permit a check on WSKB music but "nothing was found." The ministers were driven away from investing in WSKB stock, it is claimed. Finally, WSKB charges, WAPF "under Mr. Alford's management directed his salesmen to undersell WSKB accounts. In many cases they gave time free, all to drive WSKB off the air. Today WSKB is off the air — in bankruptcy. On July 2 Louis Alford through his associate attorney applied for the WSKB frequency." First, WSKB says, in reciting its story, the hotel raised its rent from $50 a month to $75, and then without 60 days' notice to $100. With two months rent past due, WSKB charges, the hotel through Mr. Alford padlocked WSKB's studios and had sheriff's notices posted on the doors and around city and county offices, "all without due process or notice to the McComb Broadcasting Corp." This destroyed WSKB's business and credit, according to the complaint. Next, the station charges, the bank refused to renew its notes though there was no mortgage on any properties or equipment and despite the fact that it previously had agreed to give a $25,000 mortgage on the $150,000 property. However, WSKB continues, the bank reduced the mortgage to $20,000 at the last minute and included a clause that it could take over the station if additional security was not supplied in 24 hours. Besides, Mr. Alford was named as trustee for WSKB, the station contends, adding that it refused to sign for such a loan. WSKB claims the bank and Mr. Alford blocked its efforts to obtain outside financial aid so it went off the air last Feb. 17 because its electric bill was so high. FCC three times granted 30-day periods of silence, the station says, but "every effort was made to frustrate each plan." The station came back on the air last June 3, with a group of local churches subscribing $28,000 in stock, it is stated. At that point, the complaint continues, ministers and others were notified that a STERLING DRUG Reports on Radio-TV STERLING DRUG Inc., N. Y., again is issuing "accountings" of its business with wholesalers — including a booklet Where You Can See and Hear the Advertising of Sterling Drug Inc. — to members of the National Wholesale Druggists Assn. when it convenes this week in Houston. This advertising booklet, with coverage broken down by city, state and media, identifies Sterling with "the world's largest drug advertising budget . . . advertising that is truly effective because it's local." Network radio programs sponsored by Sterling include My True Story and Mystery Theatre over 212 and 291 stations, respectively, of the ABC network; Pursuit on 141 CBS stations; Stella Dallas and Young Widder Brown both on 146 NBC outlets; and Ladies Fair on 535 Mutual stations. The drug concern also has radio spots on 473 stations throughout the country. Television programs are Songs for Sale on 12 stations of CBS-TV and Mystery Theatre on 21 ABCTV outlets. Page 52 • October 15, 1951 NEW NEVADA AM KORK to Take Air With NBC KORK Las Vegas, Nev., announced last week that it was scheduled to go into regular operation "within a few days." KORK is the new NBC affiliate in Las Vegas, replacing KRAM. The new station will operate on 1340 kc with 250 w fulltime. KORK is located on the grounds of the Hotel Thunderbird. David McKay, president of the new station, is also president of KOLO Reno and KGYW Vallejo, Calif. Manager Jack Kehoe is former sales manager of KOLO. Chief Engineer is Bill Binford. BROADCASTING • Telecasting