Education by Radio (1933)

Wisconsin State Radio Chain Wire lines now connect the two state-owned broadcasting stations in Wisconsin, WHA, the university station at Madison, and WLBL, the station of the Department of Agri¬ culture and Markets at Stevens Point. This is the culmination of the move started in 1930 to merge the two stations. At that time the state’s petition for a single 5000-watt station to be located near the center of the state, was denied. Since then, both of the existing stations have been rebuilt and improved. WHA increased its power from 750 to 1000 watts, acquired new antenna masts and installed a new transmitter. WLBL put in a modern 2 000watt transmitter and built new masts. Both stations now have efficient equip¬ ment and together are capable of reaching effectively an esti¬ mated ninety percent of the people of the state. Each station retains its identity and all of the same programs are not heard over both stations. WHA, being located in Madi¬ son, the seat of the government and center of education, has available a wealth of talent. Consequently most of the pro¬ grams used by both stations originate in its studios. Special market reports are heard only over WLBL, “The official agri¬ cultural voice of Wisconsin.” These are believed to be the first state-owned linked stations in the country and the move marks another accomplishment for a state long known as a leader in developments in the common interest. Among the features used by both stations are the Wisconsin school of the air [two daily classroom programs], farm pro¬ gram, Homemakers' Hour, On Wisconsin series, health pro¬ grams, news, safety club, music appreciation course, Spanish lessons, foreign language programs [German, French, Spanish, and Scandinavian], farm institutes, drama institutes, and some programs in music, drama, and literature which will be enter¬ taining as well as educational in nature. Among the features to attract the most attention is a daily program broadcast directly from a studio in the dome of the state capitol building. Prominent state officials and depart¬ mental workers come before the microphone and tell the people of their activities. Measures which are before the legislature are explained by those who understand the problems involved. The first program to be presented over the hookup was the inauguration of the new governor and other state officials on January 2. During the primary and regular election campaigns, in the fall of 1932, both WHA and WLBL carried on an impar¬ tial program of political education. Wisconsin people seem to be political-minded and hailed the move as a real service. Each recognized party, regardless of financial backing or power, had an equal opportunity to be heard by the citizens. In this combination of stations Wisconsin controls the most efficient hookup now existing for covering the state. Listeners report that in certain of the northern areas WLBL is the only Wisconsin station which they can hear satisfactorily. The northwestern tip of the state still will not be covered effectively. These stations are on regional channels and are authorized to operate during daylight hours only, a handicap which greatly limits adult education. Wisconsin people are looking forward to the day when both stations will have the privilege of using evening hours so as to make possible a more extensive program of adult education. — Harold A. Engel, assistant pro¬ gram director, station WHA. Canada Reduces Radio Advertising Radio stations in the United States would devote, on the average, 19.51 minutes to advertising sales talk during an entire eighteen-hour broadcasting day if the new Canadian radio plan were adopted here. Writing to the National Com¬ mittee on Education by Radio, Hector Charlesworth, chairman of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission, describes the plan as follows: The intention of the Act of Parliament with regard to radio advertising as I interpret it is that the advertising sales talk must not exceed five percent of the time occupied by the sponsored program. On the programs which our Commission proposes to sponsor on its own account there will be no advertising except in some special instance that might arise, like a government bond issue. We have, under the Act, the power to increase the allotment of adver¬ tising time beyond five percent, but I am adverse to doing this. We cannot put this rule into effect earlier than April next because all Cana¬ dian stations are licensed until March 31st. The figure, 19.51 minutes, was arrived at by taking the average percent of commercial programs given by United States radio stations, to be 36.14, as reported by the Federal Radio Commission, on page 14 of Senate Document No. 137, SeventySecond Congress, first session. Canada is extremely anxious to eliminate advertising en¬ tirely, but does not feel like doing so at present. With broad¬ casting stations in the United States, bombarding Canadians with sales talks about American products, it would place Canadian manufacturers at a serious disadvantage. Would it not be a delightful change, if in this country as a first step toward eliminating advertising completely, the radio advertising talks would be limited to five percent of the com¬ mercial programs? Education by radio is published by the National Committee on Education by Radio at 1201 Sixteenth Street, Northwest, Washington, D. C. The members of this Committee and the national groups with which they are associated are as follows: Charles T. Corcoran, S. J., director, radio station WEW, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, The Jesuit Educational Association. Arthur G. Crane, president, the University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, National Association of State Universities. J. O. Keller, head of engineering extension, Pennsylvania State College, State College, Pa., National University Extension Association. Charles N. Lischka, 1312 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, D. C., National Catholic Educational Association. John Henry MacCracken, vicechairman, 744 Jackson Place, Washington D. C., American Council on Education. Joy Elmer Morgan, chairman, 1201 Sixteenth Street, Northwest, Washington, D. C., National Education Association. James N. Rule, state superintendent of public instruction, Harrisburg Pennsylvania, National Council of State Superintendents. H. Umberger, Kansas State College of Agriculture, Manhattan, Kansas, Association of Land-Grant Colleges and Universities. Jos. F. Wright, director, radio station WILL, Univ. of Illinois, Urbana, HI., Association of College and Univ. Broadcasting Stations. Everyone who receives a copy of this bulletin is invited to send in suggestions and comments. Save the bulletins for reference or pass them on to your local library or to a friend. Education by radio is a pioneering movement. These bulletins are, therefore, valuable. Earlier numbers will be supplied free on request while the supply lasts. Radio is an extension of the home. Let’s keep it clean and free. [12]