Broadcasting Telecasting (July - Sept 1952)

Politico Outlay (Continued from page 29) (cratic National Committee, is serving as advance man, making necessary arrangements for major iradio-TV speeches. John Alexander, producer-director at WBKB (TV) Chicago for T four years, has been loaned to Gov. Stevenson at the latter 's re°'|lquest for the duration of his Presi^['dential campaign. Mr. Alexander, l:ie|who will serve as a radio-TV ad^•(viser and director, begins his tour abwith the Governor this week. Servlerswces of another staff man were ofiii fered to Gen. Eisenhower, but no emjireply had been received late last 63;; week. Pow-wow Tomorrow Democratic powwow in Springfield tomorrow (Tuesday) should provide a better weather vane on wj the party's radio-TV plans. Wilson an'Wyatt, Gov. Stevenson's personal campaign manager, Stephen Mitbepchell, national committee chairman, and Mr. Fry will air strategy. The Democrats are expected to spend around $2 million for radio-TV, matching GOP expenditures on .timebuying. The party's Radio-TV Victory th^Chest has been described as successful thus far, but Mr. Mitchell again has called on party supporters to get in their contributions. The expense of buying TV time is Zjgreatly emphasized. j Of course, allied groups will be expected to do their part — groups tlike the Stevenson-Sparkman clubs, Volunteers for Stevenson and 'others being set up nationally, not to mention help from CIO and AFL, among others. An example is the New Jersey "^'Democratic organization which last amilWednesday sponsored television ^coverage of Gov. Stevenson's speech on WOR-TV New York (6-6:30 p.m.) and on WNJR Newttalfark — from the state Democratic (PGlrally at Asbury Park, N. J. Public service time also was afforded the Governor for his American Legion speech Wednesday, with coverage by WNYC New York, as was given to Gen. Eisenhower last Monday. WMCA carried his talk before the state convention and WJZ-TV his speech to na the Liberal Party Thursday. A similar Democratic rally in Baltimore last Tuesday was carried by CBS-TV, 9:30-10 p.m., and also given radio coverage. It was presumed coverage was purchased by lWj, local Democrats. Sen. Nixon, meanwhile, has promised to campaign without letup throughout the U. S. starting iin New England Sept. 2. Broadcast speeches have been scheduled /'for that date in Bangor, Me.; Sept. 3 in Rockland, Me. (reboardi cast); Sept. 4 in Hartford, Conn.; Sept. 7 in Boston. Radio and/or TV dates or networks are being set by Mr. Rogers, Hollywood advertising executive. NEW OWNERS of KOIN Portland, Ore., comprising Mt. Hood Radio and Television Broadcasting Corp., confer on station plans following approval by FCC of purchase for $700,000 from Marshall Field's KOIN Inc. [B*T, Aug. 18]. Officers and stockholders in Mt. Hood include Theodore R. Gamble (seated), chairman of board, and (I to r, standing): Harry H. Kahn, assistant secretary; Harvey S. Benson, director; Edward G. Burke Jr. (rear, dark suit), vice president; Harry H. Buckendahl (front, light suit), vice president; Sherrill C. Corwin; Ralph E. Stolkin, vice president; C. E. Phillips, secretarytreasurer; C. Howard Lane, president, and Theodore W. Cooke, director. Paul A. O'Bryan, Washington counsel, is at right. Same group, through different firm, also received approval for purchase of Mr. Field's KJR Seattle for $800,000. CONSUMMATING sale of KJR Seattle Aug. 23 by Marshall Field to Mount Rainier Radio & Television Broadcasting Corp. for $800,000, companion transfer to that of KOIN Portland (see picture above), are these representatives of buyer and seller. Seated is J. Archie Morton, Mount Rainier vice president, who continues as KJR general manager. Standing (I to r): Harry H. Kahn, attorney; Edward G. Burke Jr., Mt. Rainier; Theodore R. Gamble, Mt. Rainier board chairman; W. Byron Lane, Seattle attorney and Mt. Rainier director; Carl J. Weitxel, vice president of Field Enterprises Inc., Chicago; Ralph E. Stolkin, Mt. Rainier; Sherrill C. Corwin, Mt. Rainier secretary, and C. Howard Lane, Mt. Rainier president. Mr. Kahn represents Messrs. Stolkin, Burke, Corwin and Gamble. W. Byron Lane continues as local KJR counsel under new owner. DEMOS TV USE May Rise to Counter Press "PRESS opposition" to Gov. Adlai Stevenson and Sen. John Sparkman (D-Ala.), Democratic Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees, may turn their supporters to greater use of television, according to a District of Columbia party official. Melvin D. Hildreth, Democratic national committeeman for the District, claims 87% of the newspapers, representing "the controlled press," are aligned editorially with Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, GOP Presidential candidate. Sufficient money to "use the expensive medium of television" was offered as the answer "so our candidate can show his superiority." 'McCallV Awards JUDGES for the second annual McCall's "Awards to Women in Radio and Television," announced last week, include: Elizabeth E. Marshall, winner of last year's award and vice president of the Central Area of American Women in Radio and Television; Irene Dunne, motion picture and TV actress; Dr. Earl J. McGrath, U. S. Commissioner of Education; Mrs. Oscar A. Ahlgren, president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. EDWARD R. MURROW, CBS Radio and Television news commentator, received the annual Arts and Letters Award of Air Force Assn. for 1952 at a banquet in Detroit last Saturday. ROADCASTING • Telecasting NETWORK SHOWS Chi. Meet Set Sept. 9 CHICAGO residents of radio and television row, long concerned over the decline in network originations there, plan a mass organizational meeting in the Civic Opera House the night of Sept. 9. Called by the recently organized Chicago-area industry promotion group, Chicago Unlimited, the meeting will bring together all elements in both industries at ABC's Civic Theatre Studio. Chicago Unlimited was established earlier this year as a nonprofit organization to promote Chicago as a broadcast center and exploit its production facilities and talent to network headquarters, agencies and advertisers. The group hopes for help from civic groups, such as Chicago Assn. of Commerce and Industry and the State Street Council. The latter includes merchants of stores on that street. The original program, overlyambitious in concept, reportedly has been cut down, with emphasis now on a more generalized public relations campaign. A financial goal of $25,000 was set by organizers to pay an executive director $10,000 yearly, the remainder to maintain his office and costs of promotion. By last week, more than $10,000 had been subscribed by individuals and companies, with Wilding Pictures, for example, donating $1,000, and Television Forecast and American Federation of Radio Artists, $500 each. RADIO TALKATHON Schmitt Invades Milwaukee LEONARD SCHMITT, vying for the seat of Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-Wis.) in the upcoming Wisconsin primaries Sept. 9, last week carried his radio Talkathon campaign into Milwaukee. Initially, Mr. Schmitt, an attorney, started in Appleton, using facilities of WHBY, plus four other stations. Last Wednesday, at 8 p.m. CST, he undertook a 26-hour marathon on six of Milwaukee's seven radio outlets, talking himself out and setting a new Talkathon record. He also appeared on WTMJ-TV. So successful was Mr. Schmitt's campaign, which he launched in Madison a fortnight ago [B*T, Aug. 18], that Sen. McCarthy hastily called a strategy meeting among his advisors. Result: The Senator said he would not change his campaign plans. There were reports, however, that Sen. McCarthy had laid plans for a major radio address on 31 Wisconsin stations Sept. 3 (Wednesday) — just to play it safe. MAJOR shipment of electronic tubes by air being used by Louis M. Herman Co., Boston, distributor, to help dramatize expected fall boom in New England replacement tube sales. September 1, 1952 • Page 89