Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1937)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY RADIO Broadcasters Call Meeting Here Sept. 10 (Continued from paije 1) R. Rosenbaum, WFIL, Philadelphia; Emile Gough, vice-president of Hearst Radio, Inc. ; Edward W. Craig, WSM, Nashville; and John J. Gillin, Jr., WOW, Omaha, and Mark Ethridge, WSAM, St. Louis. The complete text of the letter follows : "You are, of course, familiar with the demands served by the American Federation of Musicians on the broadcasting industry July 30. They have been published in the trade journals although not delivered directly to the stations. The industry is faced with the likelihood of a general strike of musicians in all branches of radio production unless, before Sept. 16, satisfactory progress has been made toward the adoption of a program of increased employment of members of the Federation by the radio industry generally. Decreased Employment Cited "It is not necessary to review in detail the history behind these demands. The Federation's complaint arises from the alleged decreased employment of musicians in the whole industry, due to increased use by the stations of service from the networks, electrical transcriptions and records, and especially the widely prevailing use of remote controls by which dance music from hotels and restaurants is broadcast by stations which do not maintain staff musicians. The Federation's convention at Louisville, in June, ordered the Executive Council of the Federation to obtain prompt action from the broadcasting and recording industries or call a general strike of musicians, the date for which has been tentatively set for Sept. 16, 1937. "In conferences between the Executive Council of the Federation and representatives of the national networks and the NAB, it was pointed out that neither the networks nor the NAB had any authority to commit individual station owners to any agreement with the Federation or any local. Nevertheless, the Federation's position was unchanged that it is up to the industry to find a solution, and a strike will be called unless the industry gets together. Recordings Would Be Affected "Withdrawal of union musicians from all stations, including the key stations of the networks, and from the recording factories would obviously have the result of depriving all stations, no matter how operated, of network service involving music and of any other recordings and transcriptions than those already fabricated. "Being faced with this situation, invitations were sent to all the radio stations independently owned which are affiliated with the three nationwide networks: NBC, Columbia and Mutual. There are 271 such stations. The invitations were sent by a group of 13 station owners at the suggestion of Barry Bingham, WHS, Louisville. Acceptances were received from owners or representatives of 16'. stations, who met in New York Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 23 and 24. "On Aug. 23 the meeting heard full reports of the discussions which had taken place to that date with Mr. Weber and his associates from Mark Woods, of NBC; Herbert Akerberg, of Columbia ; Fred Weber, of Mutual, and James W. Baldwin, of NAB. The demands were fully discussed. As a result, the unanimous action of the meeting was to elect a representative committee to confer with the executive officers of the Federation and bring back a report to the meeting with recommendations to the industry. The committee elected are as follows : William S. Hedges, WLW, Cincinnati, chairman ; Samuel R. Rosenbaum, WFIL, Philadelphia; Edwin M. Craig, WSM, Nashville; E. J. Gough, Hearst Radio, Inc. ; John J. Gillin, Jr., WOW, Omaha, and Mark Ethridge, WHS, Louisville, ex officio, as permanent chairman of the meeting. Hope to Draft Formula "The committee conferred with Joseph Weber and executive officials of the Federation on Tuesday, Aug. 24. This conference was opened with a statement from the committee to the Federation, of which a copy is enclosed to inform you of the attitude and approach which the committee regarded as covered by its instructions. "The Federation officials definitely informed the committee that they were under a mandate from the Louisville convention to see to it that prompt measures are taken by the radio industry to find employment for a large number of musicians on a permanent basis. The committee had no authority to negotiate and, therefore, after this preliminary conference, the committee reported back to the meeting that evening. The session expressed its confidence in the committee, and adjourned after adopting a resolution to continue the committee with instructions to negotiate with the Federation, although without power to conclude an agreement, and to report back to a further session of the representatives to be called during the week before Sept. 16, 1937. Suggests a "Yard-stick" "It is the hope of the committee, in further conferences with the officials of the Federation and as a result of factual investigations to be conducted by it, to be able to arrive at a formula or yard-stick which will be agreed upon between the committee and the Federation officials as setting forth a program of expenditure by each station which will be regarded as fair. This yard-stick will in all likelihood be based upon agreement by the station to expend for union musicians, weekly, a sum of money which is a factor of the station's maximum quarter-hour national rate, as published in the standard rate books. To Be Recommended to Networks "If such a formula can be arrived at, the committee will recommend it to the network affiliates and to all broadcasters in the industry. The national networks have indicated their willingness to cooperate with the committee in its investigations and further discussions with the Federation. The network representatives also pledged themselves not to make any deal for themselves with the Federation without notice to this committee. "It must be pointed out that the committee was not given, and will not accept, authority to bind any station. The most the committee will undertake to do is to define a formula of fair dealing between the industry and the Federation. Thereafter it will be Points to CBS Gains Hugh K. Boice, CBS vicepresident in charge of sales, points impressively to the additions and improvements made in the network since the first of the year. They are: 14 additional stations have joined CBS. 10 CBS stations increased their power. 48 CBS stations made major improvements in their broadcasting facilities. optional with every station whether to adopt or reject a contract with its respective local, based on the formula. "The committee hopes to be able to agree with the Federation on standard clauses for such contracts, making uniform the general outline for all stations and all locals, leaving, however, to further negotiation between stations and locals, the detailed rates of pay and hours of employment for each man within the framework of the amount of money to be agreed upon for weekly or annual expenditure. The committee believes the Federation officials will be willing to make provision for exceptional situations which may exist with individual stations. Committee to Be Authorized "If such a formula can be arrived at, it will be up to the industry to decide whether it chooses to bear the cost and interruption of service caused by a strike, or to accept the burden imposed by the agreement and avoid hostilities. There will be no solution unless a substantial majority of network affiliates accept the agreement. Network service will not be possible unless this is done. It is for this reason the committee has been authorized, in pursuance of its duties, to negotiate between the stations and the networks, if necessary, regarding the burden of any settlement before it is accepted. "It is the hope of the committee that network and non-network stations will, for the good of the industry, recognize that an effort has been made to solve an economic problem which is facing the entire industry as well as union musicians, and will be willing to adopt the solution, if any, recommended by the committee. In this connection it might be added that the committee was informed by the Federation officials that the transcription companies have already tentatively agreed to the terms required by the Federation. If these are carried out no station will be able to receive further transcription or recording service unless it is on the Federation's fair list. Seeks Cooperation of Broadcasters "The committee calls upon all broadcasters to cooperate with the committee in the solution of this difficult problem. Promptness in answering requests for information from the committee is essential. Please answer fully, accurately and immediately the NAB questionnaire. The facts to be collected are essential to the conduct of our negotiations. The committee will give prompt notice to the industry of developments as they occur. "The committee hereby notifies the network affiliated stations to attend a meeting in New York City at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel at 9 :30 A. M., Sept. 10. It is essential that your Friday, August 27, 1937 i Radio Personals ► SAM ("Schlepperman") HEARN has been signed to return to the Jello series beginning Oct. 3, at which date Jack Benny also returns. . . Arthur Wright has been added to the cast of the Scheaffer Pen Co.'s "Life Time Revue," which bows in over Mutual tonight . . . Sammy Kaye has added a glee club to his ensemble . . . Laurette Peterson, secretary to Jerry Danzig at Mutual, has returned from vacation . . . Helene Daniels and Morton Gould have been granted contract renewals by the WOR artist service bureau . . . Walter Ahrens and Joan Merrill, WOR vocalists, are home ill . . . George Fischer's "Hollywood Whispers" guests include Wayne Morris this Saturday, Wendie Barrie Sept. 4, Mary Carlisle Sept. 11, and Dolores Del Rio Sept. 18 . . . + The postponed Louis-Farr fight will be broadcast over NBC Blue and Red for Buick Monday night at 10 P. M. . . . Ozzie Nelson's orchestra will be heard over WNEW weekly from the Astor beginning tomorrow night at 11 P. M. Other well-known orchestras heard over WNEW by remote are George Hall's and Mitchell Ayres . . . Ann Richardson, assistant to Charles E. Green, president of Consolidated Radio, left on vacation yesterday . . . Don Bestor underwent a minor operation in a Pittsburgh hospital yesterday . . . Alfred Hitchcock, GB director, will be interviewed on the WHN "Movie Club" tonight . . . CBS Heads Continue Talks with A F of M Owners and managers of CBS affiliated stations remained in closed session all day yesterday discussing the A. F. of M. demand. They would not disclose, however, what progress was being made toward an amicable settlement of the problem. Those who attended yesterday's confab included: Herbert and Abe Redmond of Harrisburg, Pa. ; John Patt, Cleveland; Leo Fitzpatrick. Detroit; John Calkins, Elmira; Norman Thomas, Chattanooga ; Mrs. Jessie Jacobson, Great Falls, Mont. ; Walter Klauer, Dubuque ; W. T. Dumm, San Francisco ; J. C. Bell, Birmingham, and Hoyt Wooten, Memphis. The discussions will continue tomorrow and Monday. Expect A F of L to Appeal WHN Ruling The A. F. of L. is expected to appeal the decision handed down by the National Labor Relations Board in Washington certifying the American Communications Ass'n, C.I.O. affiliate as the sole bargaining agent for WHN engineers. Loew's, of which WHN is a subsidiary, has not decided what action will be taken on its part. station be represented by a person with full authority to act immediately."