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7/2/35
SUGGESTS WE SIGN OFF WITH U. S. ANTHEM
That we adopt the custom of other nations who sign off with their national anthems and that we play the "Star Spangled Banner11 at the conclusion of our international broadcasts is the suggestion made by Representative Virginia E. Jencks, of Indiana, to Anning S. Prall, Chairman of the Federal Communica¬ tions Commission.
"A big thrill which one gets, listening to short-wave radio broadcasts, is hearing the various countries conclude with their nationsl anthems’5, Mrs. Jenckes said in a letter to Chairman Prall.
"It is most impressive, for instance, at the end of a broadcast from Great Britain to hear the majestic rendition of 5 God Save the King*. The British broadcasting stations are so punctilious about this and so particular that the national anthem is heard after every program that recently even on the experi¬ mental broadcasts which England engaged in with Western Canada, Station GSL, London, at four o'clock in the morning, concluded just the same with ’God Save the King1.
"Likewise the ’Marseillaise’ thunders through from Paris, and the German National anthem from Berlin.
"My object in turning to you is to ask that you suggest, if they are not already doing it, to our own American short-wave stations that in broadcasting international programs they sign off with 5 The Star Spangled Banner’. This would include the Westinghouse, the General Electric, the National Broadcasting Company, the Columbia Broadcasting System, the Crosley stations and possibly others.
"I understand, of course, that these short-wave sta¬ tions are privately owned, whereas those abroad are operated by the governments. Nevertheless, I feel certain that the operators of our stations, being patriotic Americans, would readily respond to the suggestion.
"It is a regrettable fact that ’The Star Spangled Banner’ is seldom heard even over our own domestic networks dur¬ ing the evening hours when everyone is listening. When radio broad¬ casting first came into our homes we joyously heard the National Anthem opening and closing the program.
"Is it not rare today except, possibly, by the service bands of the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps to hear our National Anthem over the radio?
"I think, nevertheless, that it is even more important to 5 show our colors' on foreign broadcasts. Knowing your own patriotism, I feel confident you wall acquiesce in the suggestion herein made. "
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