NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1942)

response to hearing one of the ‘‘What Can I Do" announcements over WMEX, Boston. After requesting a copy of the book Mrs. Dodge wrote: ‘‘I know there must be something I could do. I am 84 years old and not as able to do as I did in the last war, but how I wish I could find something. My sight is going fast but 1 have been told not to give up doing all I can. Not to rest my eyes as the backs of them are hardening. Do you think I am too old to have my blood given for future use?” BOSTON W. S. Pote, WMEX Director, wrote that 15 to 18 announce¬ ments per day is producing a "ton" of mail. That kind of promotion throughout the country should get rid of ten million books in short order. VISALIA .And on the Pacific Coast comes word from Charles Niete, defense reporter, KTKC. A’isalia, Calif., that “What Can I Do” is exactly what we have been looking for.” IPEAT PALM BEACH WJNO, West Palm Beach, Florida, has put its first special promotion behind the distribution of What Can I Do by arranging lor a complete discussion of the booklet on "Forum of Civic Progress” show. Mayor J. O. Bowen, vice chairman of the Palm Beach CountyDefense Council, launched the promotion. Since the distribution of these books is distinctly a sales job which stations themselves know how to do best, there has been released only a very small quantity of promotion material from Washington. The only seeming possibility of running into temporary diffi¬ culty is through exhaustion of supplies of copies of "What Can I Do”. But this can be overcome almost instantly by having the local Civilian Defense Council communicate with the State Office. Books are printed and stacked in Chicago, awaiting orders. Mass Induction in 2 Florida Cities Norman McKa\ of WQAM, Miami, and Larry Roller of WJNO, West Palm Beach, have completed arrangements for a joint program of a mass induction service taking place in both cities. The program is scheduled for today 5:15 to 5:45 P. M. Mayor C. H. Reeder of Miami, Captain FI. H. J. Benson, Chief of Staff, Seventh Naval District, the .American Legion Band, and Mayor J. O. Bowen of West Palm Beach will [participate. KMBC Collects Million Pounds Scrap More than one million pounds of scrap metal were collected in KMBC’s $200 "Scrap Metal Collection Contest,” Contestants’ [poundage was proven by receipts from junk dealers. Here are the prize winners together with the amounts of their collection: Troop 240, Flarrisonville, Missouri, collected 59,590 pounds of scrap. Won first prize of $50 in Boy Scouts contest. Troo[) 120. Kansas City, Missouri, collected 38,515 pounds and won second prize of ,S25. Patrol leader Tom Erwin of this troo|i personally collected 9,500 pounds of scra|i and iron and won $25 for the job. Powhattan 4-H Club, of Browne Count)', Kansas, collected 190,465 [)ound.s of scrap and took first place in the contest arranged for Future Farmers and 4-H hoys and girls. Receivetl $50 in [■)rize money. Second place and $25 went to Lexington, Missouri, Future Farmers chapter. This chapter collected 91,444 pounds. The individual award of $25 for the farm youth turning in the most scrap metal went to Walter Skinner, Fairview, Kansas, FFA Chapter, who collected 19,880 pounds. 562 — September 18, 1942 Sell $157,000 Bonds in Hour It looks as if Jack Mitchell of KTSA staff, San Antonio, has set up some kind of record in selling War Bonds. Lew Lacey, station promotion director, is authority for the statement that "Mitchell sold $157,000 in Bonds to an audience of 2,500 in less than one hour’s time and without any advance commitments of any kind.” This occurred during a special showing of “Wake Island” and in assisting the local picture industry. Total bond sales for the evening were $309,000. WHO Sells $400,225 in Bonds A red, white and blue membership certificate in WHO’s U. S. War Savings Bond Club, for pasting on windows of members, was received at NAB headquarters this week. Woody Woods, WHO, director of public relations, said that sales through September 12, 1942, were $400,225. WCBI Sells $10,000 in Bonds During a short campaign over WCBI, Columbus, Miss., staff announcers sold $10,000 worth of bonds, according to General Manager Bob McRaney. Announcer Billy Shackleford topped all participating announcers in the campaign by selling .$4,000 worth of bonds. As first place winner he was presented with a $25 bond by the Chairman of the Lowndes County bond sales committee. TREASURY SPOTS MAY BE SOLD .A folio of announcements which may be sponsored locally have been mailed all stations by the Treasury Department War Savings Staff. They are known as the “Sponsored Authors Announcements,” since each has been written by a nationally known writer. Included in the list of eleven writers are; Louis Bloomfield Faith Baldwin Granville Hicks Walter 1). Edmonds Clvde Brion Davis Hi' Phillips Dr. Charles Beard Robert Ripley Walter Duranty Robert Nathan Dale Carnegie “GOD’S MINUTE” W. C. Alcorn, Vice President and General Manager of WBNX. submits a most interesting program suggestion. It calls for a 1 -minute program under the title, "God’s Minute,” to be broadcast each day from 11:59 a. m. to high noon. The in¬ dividual station would enlist the cooperation of the clergy within the community and of prominent laymen to broadcast 1 minute of prayer, the prayer to be uttered in behalf of the safety of our boys in the service and the success of our military enterprise. The title. “God’s Minute,” is a copyrighted one belonging to the John C. Winston Company, publishers of a book by that name. That Company has been kind enough to release the title for use by any radio station provided the program is not com¬ mercially sponsored and that no direct quotation from the book is made. This is a program suggestion worthy of consideration of all station managers. If further details are desired, we shall bg very glad to provide them. Listener Activities CLEVELAND COUNCIL REGIONAL CONFERENCE The Radio Council of Greater Cleveland will hold its second regional conference on radio Thursday, September 24, at the