Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1957)

PROGRAM SERVICES PERSONNEL RELATIONS Derel Buys 'Crime Club' Novels Plans Mystery Series Package RIGHTS to 1,500 novels in the "Crime Club" series have been acquired from Doubleday & Co., by Derel Producing Assoc., which now is talking with prospective stars for a packaged mystery series for tv. The Crime Club imprint, running since 1928, has appeared on thrillers by such authors as Georges Simenon and the Gordons. The contract with Doubleday was negotiated by Derel Executive Producer Gene Feldman for an unrevealed price. Mr. Derel's last package, Exclusive, a half-hour dramatic series based on great newspaper stories by members of the Overseas Press Club, is to be distributed by ABC Film Syndication Division. C-C Demonstrations Scheduled A SERIES of large-screen, color closedcircuit television demonstrations will be held in Detroit March 13, 14, and 15 by Closedcircuit Telecasting Systems Inc., largely for nation's major automobile manufacturers and their agencies. Other advertisers and agencies in area will be invited to attend demonstrations to be held at studios of WWJ-TV Detroit. PROGRAM SERVICE PEOPLE Lawrence Conti, western manager of BMI's non-broadcast license department, father of boy, William Lawrence, Feb. 20. WNBF-AM-FM-TV File For NABET Damages A SUIT seeking $100,000 in damages was brought against the National Assn. of Broadcast Employes & Technicans (NABET) last week by Triangle Publications Inc., Philadelphia. The complaint filed in New York State Supreme Court by Triangle, on behalf of its owned and operated WNBF-AM-FMTV Binghamton, charges Local 26 and NABET with conducting a secondary boycott against stations "as well as with threats, interference and numerous other acts calculated to impair the business of sponsors and to destroy the goodwill of the stations." The stations, which have been struck since last December 1, also asked the court to enjoin the union from "further such acts." Specifically cited in the complaint were NABET President George Smith, Local 26 resident Arthur M. Ferrare, as well as the following unidentified individuals: James Ennis, Robert Vosbury, James Sturges, Peter Capani Jr., James Brown, Earl Castine, Cecil Giunipero and Bernard Comisar. In the complaint, filed by the stations' attorneys, Harrison, Coughlin, Dermody & Ingalls, both Local 26 and the union are charged, among other things, with "circulating an 'unfair list' of station sponsors, monopolizing sponsors' telephone lines, disseminating untrue and scurrilous reports of the controversy between WNBF and the union, threatening sponsors with destruction of their businesses and, in general, seeking to damage the business of the stations and their clients." In Chicago George W. Smith, NABET international president, accused management of WNBF-AM-TV of "attempting to make use of union-busting tactics that went out of vogue years ago." Mr. Smith asserted that "this imperialistic approach of management has prevented any reasonable settlement of the dispute." The NABET president noted that the union placed the case before the New York State Labor Relations Board earlier this year and charged that station management refused to meet in the same building with the state mediator and union negotiators. WGA Contract for Newsmen Approved by CBS, WOR New York WRITERS Guild of America East announced last week that an agreement has been reached on new contracts covering eight news editors at CBS and nine staff news writers at WOR New York. Both contracts are for approximately one year, running to March 31, 1958, when 12 staff and freelance bargaining agreements held by the Guild expire. The minimum salary for CBS editors has been set at $208 per week, with overtime beyond 40 hours per week and night differentials. The WOR contract, said to be the first covering staff newsmen, provides for a base minimum of $135 per week and a top of $170 per week after three years. Spokesmen for CBS and WOR confirmed the contract details. AFTRA Chicago Accord Near AMERICAN Federation of Television & Radio Artists was near agreement Thursday with all Chicago independent radio stations on new local contracts. The union was und2rstood to have agreed to compromise on pay increases for staff announcers at WAAF, WAIT, WCFL, WIND, WGES, WHFC, WJJD and WSBC. Another feature is the extension of pension and welfare benefits to freelance announcers. ASCAP Pays Over $4 Million ASCAP distribution to writer members was $4,770,020 in third quarter of 1956, and $4,838,285 in fourth quarter, Saul H. Bourne, treasurer, reported a fortnight ago at dinner meeting of west coast ASCAP members at Beverly Hills Hotel. Total for the year was not disclosed, but was estimated at over $18 million. Mr. Bourne also reported that increased income from foreign rights, which produced total revenue of $2,706,834 last year, against $2,036,211 in 1955. Writers to Meet March 21 IMPENDING negotiations on re-opening of the live tv contract and reports on recently negotiated contracts will highlight the membership meeting of the television and radio writers branches of the Writers Guild of America East March 21 in New York. Proposed changes in dues structure also will be on agenda. B»T's annual Blind Bogey Golf Tournament will be held Sunday, April 7, at the 27-hole Midwest Country Club (above), Hinsdale, 111. Over 20 prizes, including B»T's silver trophies for low gross and low net, will be awarded. Tee-off time is 9:30. MAIL THIS RESERVATION TODAY, TO: BROADCASTING • TELECASTING 1735 DeSales St., N.W., Wash., D. C. Name Address Firm I will want a ride to the club □ April 7 Tee-off time: 9:30 a.m. Page 96 • March 11, 1957 Broadcasting • Telecasting