Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

16 RADIO MOTION PICTURE DAILY Friday, July 29, 1938 WLW Selling Methods Get FCC Scrutiny Washington, July 28. — Selling methods of WLW today came under the scrutiny of the Federal Communications Commission when Myron Elgees, formerly connected with TransAmerica Broadcasting & Television Corp., representative of the Crosley Co., testified that he had solicited advertising for the station on the claim that it was capable, with 500 kilowatts, of fully covering its vast territory, making it unnecessary for sponsors to buy time on other outlets. Claims Deception Official Mr. Elgees, now with the William G. Rambeau Co., was with TransAmerica for a year and, he testified, made his solicitations at the instruction and in the presence of the acting general manager of the station, who accompanied him on some of his visits to advertisers. Newspaper advertising in Indianapolis, of radio programs over WLW, during one week in which a survey was made, was about 300 lines greater than advertising of programs over the two local stations, the commission was told by Robert Bausman of WIRE. The "witness could not say, however, whether the heavier WLW advertising: was due to the fact that that station considered itself more important in Indianapolis than the two local stations or was because the Cincinnati station was at a distance and it was felt" necessary to call attention to the features. Probing Super-Power The witnesses presented yesterday and today were subpoenaed by the commission apparently to provide evidence in substantiation of allegations that the effect of super-power operation by WLW was to deprive broadcasters over a wide area of important advertising revenues. The situation was summed up yesterday, from the broadcasters' point of view, by John A. Kennedy, owner of three West Virginia stations, who contended that it was unfair to limit the use of super-power to one station and that if 500 kilowatts was to be used it should be permitted several stations so that there might be some competition on a basis of equality. The commission will continue the presentation of its evidence tomorrow, with indications that the hearings on WLW's application for extention of its super-power permit will not be concluded before late next week. Air Hearings Are Ordered by F.C.C. Washington, July 28. — Examiners' hearings have been ordered by the Federal Communications Commission on applications of Coastal Broadcasting Co. for a new 1,420-kilocycle station at Brunswick, Ga., with 100 watts power night, 250 watts day, and WOLS, Florence, S. C, for increase of time from day to unlimited; KSEI, Pocatello, Idaho, for change of frequency from 900 to 600 kilocycles and increase of night power from 250 to 1,000 watts; and WHK, Cleveland, for increase of power from 1,000 watts night, 2,500 watts day, to 5,000 watts. The commission has received a number of examiners' reports in which favorable action was recommended on the applications of WPRA, Mayaguez, P. R., for change of frequency from 1,370 to 780 kilocycles and increase of power from 100 watts night, 250 watts day to 1,000 watts night, 2,500 watts day ; Pinellas Broadcasting Co. for a 1,370-kilocycle station at St. Petersburg, Fla., with 100 watts night, 250 watts day ; WGNY, Newburgh, N. Y., for change of frequency from 1,210 to 1220 kilocycles and increase of power from 100 to 250 watts ; Garden Island Publishing Co., Ltd., for a 1,500-kilocycle station at Lihue, Hawaii, with 100 watts night, 250 watts day ; Vancouver Radio Corp. for an 880-kilocycle, 250-watt daytime station at Vancouver, Wash., and Nathan Frank for a 1,500-kilocycle, 100-watt station at New Bern, N. C. Seven Denials Asktd Other reports recommended denial of applications of Greater Greenwood Broadcasting Station for a 1,420-kilocycle station at Greenwood, S. C. ; W. A. Barnette for a 610-kilocycle station at Greenwood, S. C. ; WAIR, Winston-Salem, N. C„ for increase of time from day to unlimited ; George W. Taylor Co., Inc., for a 1,370-kilocycle station at Williamson W. Va. ; WNEW, New York, for increase of day power from 2,500 to 5,000 watts ; WRSP, Inc., for a 1,500-kilocycle station at Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. ; and Greenville Broadcasting Co. for a 1,500-kilocycle station at Greenville, N. C. Deems Taylor to Italy Deems Taylor sailed yesterday on the lie de France to arrange for the broadcast of an Italian version of his opera, "Peter Ibbetson," from Turin. He said that arrangements are being made with E. A. I. R., the Italian broadcasting commission. He will be gone six weeks. Name Petrie WHN Agent Edward Petrie & Co. have been appointed special agents to represent WHN as national sales agency. The station has been operating without a special agent since last year, when the E. Katz agency service was discontinued. To Air Tribute to Ford Detroit, July 28.— WXYZ and the seven stations of the Michigan network will present a special program in tribute to Henry Ford on his 75th birthday tomorrow. Brusiloff to Quit WMCA Nat Brusiloff, musical director for WMCA, will leave the station next month, with his plans for the future unannounced. It is reported his successor as musical director will be Lee Grant, currently conducting orchestras at the station. Ameche's Return Delayed Don Ameche, whose return to the Chase and Sanborn hour was scheduled for Aug. 21, will not return until Sept. 4. The singer recently un derwent an emergency operation while vacationing in Europe. Fox Players Due to Air "Band" Opening Players and executives of 20th Century-Fox are en route here to participate in the broadcast and attend the premiere at the Roxy of "Alexander's Ragtime Band," Aug. 5. Tyrone Power and Jack Haley will arrive here Monday, as will Darryl Zanuck and Joseph Moscowitz, who are now aboard the Normandie. Already in town are Ethel Merman and William Dover, personnel manager of the studio. Alice Faye, who was expected to attend the premiere, will not come east because she is now engaged in making another picture. She will participate in the broadcast, however, by coming on the air from Hollywood. Fitch Planning New Program on NBC Net C. W. Fitch Co., now sponsoring "Interesting Neighbors" on the NBCRed, will place a new program on the air starting Sept. 18, a week following the close of the present series, it has been learned. The new series will be a rotating band affair, with a different orchestra featured each week. Music Corp. of America set the deal and is now booking bands for the show. The same time and network will be used as at present, Sundays from 7 :30 to 8 P. M. on the NBC-Red. L. W. Ramsey of Davenport, la., is the cgency handling the Fitch account. Asks Increase in Power Washington, July 26. — An increase in night power from 1,000 to 5,000 watts has been asked of the Federal Communications Commission by WJAR, Providence. The commission also received an application from WSJS, Winston Salem, N. C, for an increase of day power from 100 to 250 watts, an amended application from M. C. Reese, seeking a new station at Phoenix, Ariz., for change of requested frequency from 1,500 to 1,200 'cilocycles, and a resubmitted application from WMBC, Detroit, for a change of frequency from 1,420 to 600 kilocycles and increase of night power from 100 to 250 watts. Talk Fletcher for Films Tex Fletcher, WOR's "Singing Cowboy," is being considered for a series of western pictures by two major companies. Dave Mountan, manager of the singer, is conducting the negotiations. Mr. Fletcher will celebrate his sixth year on WORMutual on Monday. Carter Sails to Europe John Carver of the radio department of Pedlar & Ryan sailed yesterday for Europe. While on the Continent he will study British and French television progress. Sponsoring "Song Week" Ascap, to promote the sale of old musical compositions, is sponsoring "Old Song Week," beginning tomorrow with the networks and radio stations participating. Vallee Flies to Chicago Rudy Vallee and company of 17 took off for Chicago via United Airlines last night immediately following the Vallee broadcast. ► Radio Personals j| A J. McCOSKER, president of WOR and Mutual board * chairman, will sail for Europe Aug. 6, and William S. Paley, CBS, president, is expected to sail on the, same day. . . . Dave Driscoll will leave this morning for Minnesota,, to be! gone two weeks. . . . Bill^Sjicher, who is handling production Jkr the "Alexander's Ragtime Band" broadcast, flew in from Hollywood yesterday. . . . Fred Weber, ill for the past week, is expected back at work Monday. Herb Pettey, manager of WHN, will leave for Boston Monday on station business. . . . Al Simon, of the press department, Sam Faust of sales, and Cy Morgan, sports commentator, all of WHN, will leave for Saratoga tomorrow on vacation. + Oklahoma City Joe Bernard, WKY advertising salesman, finally got away to Kansas City and St. Louis for a two-week vacation, after handling the station's political advertising for the primary election. . . . Evelyn Huff, secretary to Gayle Grubb,* WKY manager, is 1 spending a two-week vacation in California. . . . Lester Tucker, WKY engineer, is spending his vacation in . Dallas. . . . Charles Walker, WKY' engineer, has just returned from southeastern Arkansas. . . . Earl Hull, WKY chief engineer, has left for three weeks in Colorado. . . . Tom Johnson, commercial manager of KTOK, is on vacation. NBC to Air 2 Major August Sport Events Two important sporting events are on the NBC-Blue network schedule for next month. On Aug. 10 the Lou Ambers-Henry Armstrong prizefight for the lightweight title will be broadcast. On Aug. 31 a curtain-raiser for the fall football season will be offered with the broadcast of a description of a professional game in Chicago between the Washington Redskins and a picked team of colored players. The Ambers-Armstrong match will be sponsored by RCA Victor. Clem McCarthy and Bill Stern will handle the blow by blow description and ringside comment, respectively. Mr. Sten. will also handle the football game. CBC Planning a Special Toronto, July 28. — Short wave radio facilities will link Canada with Great Britain, Aug. 2, when CBC will present a special variety program for British listeners called "Canadian Fantasy." It will be produced here and also will be aired over the Canadian network. The program was written by John Kannawin. It will feature Percy Faith and an orchestra of 30. CBS Program to Return "Dr. Christian of River's End," CBS program sponsored by the Cheseborough Co., will return to the network on Oct. 18. The program, featuring Jean Hersholt, is heard on Tuesdays from 10 to 10:30 P. M.