NAB reports (Mar-Dec 1933)

There was no discussion on the section relating to the Radio Commission except by Representative Ludlow of Indiana, who spoke on the Press Division of the Commission, urging that it be retained under the directorship of Frank Wisner. There has been much talk that the Division would be closed in the interest of economy. No official action has yet been taken on the Press Division abolishment. EXAMINER FAVORS KMBC MOVE Application of Station KMBC, Kansas City, Mo., to move to Kansas City, Kans. (Report No. 478, Hyde, e.). Recommends that application be granted. The Examiner recommended that the Commission affirm its original action of September IS, 1932, allowing the station to make the move. He states that the evidence shows that the proposed change in location would improve the service of the station in the metropolitan area of Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri. Mr. Hyde states that the testimony offered in support of the contention that the proposed change would have an adverse effect on other stations “is considered as too conjectural to sustain the position of the protesting parties.” RECOMMENDS NEW N. C. STATION William A. Wynne, of Greenville, N. C., applied to the Com¬ mission for a construction permit for a new station at Greenville to use 1420 kilocycles, 100 watts power, and daytime operation (Report No. 477, Yost, e.). The Examiner recommends that the application be granted. The Examiner found that the applicant is qualified to construct and operate such a station as proposed, and that there is a need for such a station at Greenville. The new station would not cause any interference, the Examiner found, and it is in an under-quota state. RECOMMENDS DENIAL TELEVISION LICENSE Dr. George W. Young asks for construction permit for visual broadcast station at Minneapolis, Minn.','to use 2000-2100 kilo¬ cycles, 500 watts power, and unlimited time on the air (Report No. 476, Yost, e.). Recommended that application be denied. While admitting the research and ability of the applicant the Examiner states that “the applicant has shown no program of research which it is believed will improve the art of television in the band of 2000-2100 kilocycles.” The report says further that “the applicant states that the frequency band 2000-2100 kilocycles cannot be expected to be final frequencies on which television can operate but that quasi optical frequencies must be used.” The Chief Examiner therefore found that the granting of the applica¬ tion would not be in the public interest. THERONOID ADVERTISING BARRED The Federal Trade Commission has ordered Theronoid, Inc., of New York, Philadelphia, Trenton, Cleveland, Detroit and Wash¬ ington to cease advertising that the use of its appliance, a solenoid belt having magnetic properties, produces a physical-therapeutic effect on the human body or is likely to aid in treating diseases. By means of extensive newspaper advertising, as well as radio broadcasting over 19 stations and the circulation of pamphlets, testimonials, and other literature, Theronoid advertised its ap¬ pliance as, among other things, a relief, prevention or cure for the following diseases: Asthma, arthritis, bladder trouble, bronchitis, catarrh, constipation, diabetes, eczema, heart trouble, hemorrhoids, indigestion, insomnia, lumbago, nervous disorders, neuralgia, neu¬ ritis, rheumatism, sciatica, stomach trouble, varicose veins, and high blood pressure. Specifically, the Commission orders the company, in connection with advertising or offering for sale its device, to cease “representing in any manner whatsoever that the said belt or device or any similar device or appliance designed or intended to operate through exposure of a human subject to a low-frequency alternating mag¬ netic field, without any physical conductive connection of such subject in the circuit, has any physical-therapeutic effect upon such subject, or that it is calculated or likely to aid in the prevention, treatment or cure of any human ailment, sickness or disease.” NAB PROGRAM IS UP TO YOU Following the St. Louis Convention last November, under the leadership of President Alfred J. McCosker, WOR, Newark, N. J., a comprehensive program for the NAB was worked out. Vir¬ tually all of the recommendations of the Managing Director were adopted and will be put into operation if the Association obtains the requisite financial support from the industry. The new NAB administration is ready and willing to serve; but the industry controls the measure of that service. The program will be carried into execution just as rapidly as funds are available for the work. Only lack of interest on the part of the industry as a whole can retard it. As an example of what is meant by this program of action, the Association has retained Hon. Newton D. Baker as copyright counsel; the Radio Program Foundation has been organized and Oswald F. Schuette named as president; James W. Baldwin, former secretary of the Federal Radio Commission, has been retained to represent the broadcasters at the forthcoming North American Conference; J. C. McNary, prominent young radio engineer, has been employed as chief of the new NAB Engineering Department; plans are now on foot to create Commercial and Program De¬ partments; scores of conferences have been held at which the broad¬ casters were represented by the NAB ; several dozen bills in State Legislatures have been opposed; all bills in the Federal Congress have been studied and where inimical to the interests of the industry as a whole, the NAB has interposed opposition: counsel has been retained to carry the KFAB case to the Supreme Court of the United States. These are only a few of the activities of the NAB. The thousands of routine matters, correspondence, etc., obviously cannot be summarized. But this should be sufficient to demonstrate that the NAB is ready and willing to serve; that it is working every day for your interests; that it is your Association; and that it can accomplish much more if you will help your 230 fellow broadcasters to support it. SEND IN THE ATTACHED BLANK This issue of NAB Reports is being sent to all broadcast stations licensed by the United States Government. A blank for applying for membership is attached. The NAB Code of Ethics is printed on the reverse side. Dues of the NAB are fixed by the Constitution and By-laws. At the St. Louis Convention a resolution was adopted authorizing the Managing Director to accept membership applications from stations whose gross business during the 12-month period im¬ mediately preceding December 1, 1932, did not exceed $30,000. This rule applies regardless of the power of the station applying, but a statement setting forth the fact that the station is eligible for admission under the rule must accompany the application. For stations whose gross business during the year ended De¬ cember 1, 1932, exceeded $30,000 the rates of dues are as follows: Up to and including 100 watts, $125 a year; from 100 watts to 250 watts, $250 a year; 250 watts to 1,000 watts, $300 a year; above 1,000 watts, $500 a year. The schedule is based upon night-time power in all cases. All dues are payable quarterly in advance. Regular quarters commence on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Send in the application blank today. “SCHOOL BROADCASTING” VOLUME READY Broadcasting is an invaluable auxiliary instrument for the teaching of modern languages, history, geography, literature, natural sciences and other school subjects, the Federal Office of Education reported this week in announcing findings of an investigation of school broad¬ casting in 25 countries of the world. The complete report, “School Broadcasting,” published by the International Institute of Intellectual Cooperation, in Paris, gives practical suggestions regarding methods of presentation best suited to instruction by radio in the classroom, planning of programs, and means of encouraging pupils to make use of radio lessons. A special chapter in the 200-page publication is based upon a conference called by the Federal Office of Education in which repre¬ sentatives of the Federal Radio Commission, Department of Agri¬ culture, National Association of Broadcasters, National Committee on Education by Radio, National Advisory Council on Radio in Education, American Council on Education, National Broadcasting Company, and the Columbia Broadcasting System participated. Supplementing the work of the classroom teacher, broadcasting widens the intellectual horizons of children by bringing outstanding world events into the classroom, permitting children to receive occasional instruction of master teachers in almost every subject taught in the school, the study points out. ■ Page 45 •