NAB reports (Mar-Dec 1933)

PROGRAM CLEARING HOUSE The following programs are offered to member stations by the NAB Program Clearing House: (D8:4) ‘‘GOOD LIKKER.” Two voices. Fifteen minutes. Program deals with humorous happenings in the hill-billy country. Is available for six-month period, and can be extended for longer series. Price upon request. (D 3:4) “PIONEERS OF PROGRESS.” Fifteen minutes. From three to ten voices required for various episodes. Program revolves around various periods in American pioneer history. Is available in any number of episodes desired. Price upon request. (D 1:6) “THE MAN FROM MARS.” A phantasy monologue suitable for sponsorship by some concern dealing either in electrical fixtures or a light and power company. Is available in as many episodes as may be desired. Fifteen minutes in length. Price upon) request. (Mis 6) “MEMORY LANE.” A series of continuities suitable for use with a program reviving old favorites. Continuities are designed for a half-hour program and can be adapted to use with either records or live talent. Program has been well received over the station broadcasting it. Price $4.50 for one full week’s pro¬ gram. Station is also willing to trade script for some other suitable type of program. LAFOUNT MOVES TO RESCIND PARAGRAPH 118 Commissioner Lafount made a motion this week to rescind Paragraph 118 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations which limits the number of 50 KW stations to four per zone. This motion was referred to the Legal and Engineering Divisions of the Com¬ mission for study. In presenting the motion Commissioner Lafount expressed the opinion the Commission should consider the merits of each applica¬ tion and render a decision based on public interest, convenience and necessity. Under the allocation of November 11, 1928, eight cleared channels were assigned to each of the five zones. PROSECUTE TEXAS “AIR PIRATES” Col. Thad H. Brown, Vice Chairman of the Federal Radio Com¬ mission, has returned to his desk after an extended inspection trip of the field forces, and important conferences with several Federal district attorneys, during which he outlined plans for the prosecution of numerous “air pirates,” notably in Texas. Colonel Brown referred to the Federal district attorneys 12 cases charging individuals with the operation of radio broadcasting sta¬ tions without a license from the Federal Radio Commission. Seven of these alleged violators will be prosecuted by the district attorney at Fort Worth, two in Federal courts in San Antonio, two in Hous¬ ton, and one at Beaumont. Realizing the seriousness of the offenses, the district attorneys assured Colonel Brown that they will vigorously prosecute all these cases to a final determination. Colonel Brown has just been informed that the first Texas case is to be presented to a Federal grand jury at Amarillo on Sep¬ tember 18, and the other cases will follow in short order. The district attorney at San Antonio expects to present his cases to the Federal grand jury the latter part of this month, and the district attorneys at Houston and Beaumont plan to present their cases to the jury the first week in October. The Department of Justice has assigned an investigator from the Bureau of Investigation to assist the district attorneys and the radio inspectors in obtaining evidence for the successful prosecution of these cases. Colonel Brown has just received a telegram from an inspector informing him that all but four of the unlicensed radio stations in west Texas have ceased operation as a result of the mobilization of the government forces in its campaign to clear the atmosphere of all “air pirates.” As the Commissioner who has supervision over the field force, Colonel Brown intends to continue relentlessly the fight against un¬ licensed stations, and points out that the Radio Act provides a fine of $5,000 or imprisonment of five years, or both, as the penalty for the operation of an unlicensed radio station. Already the De¬ partment of Justice, with the cooperation of the Commission, has obtained several convictions on charges of operating unlicensed stations, a notable case being that of George W. Fellowes, of St. Louis, Mo. Fellowes was sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in prison. When it developed he was an alien he was deported. Colonel Brown is much gratified over the results of his trip, as he feels it is absolutely essential to stamp out, by drastic measures if necessary, all unlicensed radio stations to eliminate interference and provide good reception for listeners of duly authorized stations. Colonel Brown also inspected several monitoring stations and conferred with inspectors in charge of a number of radio districts. He is convinced that the economy program recently inaugurated by the Commission has not reduced the efficiency of the field force. He says there is to be no let-up in the fight against the unauthorized use of radio waves and in the reporting of broadcasters who violate the rules and regulations of the Commission under the reorganiza¬ tion plan. To obtain first-hand information concerning radio problems, Colonel Brown visited officials and stations in Chicago, Kansas City, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston, Galveston, Beau¬ mont, New Orleans, and Atlanta. He found broadcasters are most optimistic over the outlook for business recovery. Colonel Brown was accompanied by John B. Reynolds, Assistant Secretary, who was formerly connected with the Department of Justice. Both were highly pleased at the cordial receptions extended to them and the fine spirit of cooperation manifested by those en¬ gaged in radio activities, licensed by the Commission. MICROPHONE TECHNIQUE DISCUSSED Educators making use of the radio should make more serious attempts to catch the interest of the listener at the outset of the broadcast, should restrict their vocabularies to words commonly used and rich in associations, and should amply illustrate their points, if they are to be really effective in their broadcasts, is the opinion of Dr. Koon, Senior Specialist on Radio in Education, of the U. S. Bureau of Education. Dr. Koon has recently completed a study of “The Art of Teach¬ ing by Radio,” which, because of its grasp of the fundamentals of all broadcasting and its practical suggestions for the effective presentation of radio programs, should be on the desk of every broadcaster. Copies of the booklet can be secured from the Super¬ intendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washing¬ ton, D. C. SECURITIES ACT REGISTRATIONS The following companies filed registration statements with the Federal Trade Commission under the Securities Act during the current week: Advance Aluminum Castings Corp., Chicago, Ill. (2-164) Artemisa Mines, Ltd., Bisbee, Ariz. (2-166) Bagdad Copper Products, Inc., New York City. (2-165) California-Mother Lode Gold Mines, Inc., Wilmington, Del. (2-172) Enderly Corporation, New York City (2-163) Gold Hill Mines, Inc., Pocatello, Idaho. (2-169) Humphreys Gold Corp., Denver, Colo. (2-162) Liberty Brewing Company, Baltimore, Md. (2-168) Magnus Automatic Machine Company, Waynesboro, Pa. (2-170) Peckham Hill Gold Mines, Inc., Reno, Nev. (2-171) Van Nostrand Brewing Company, Charlestown, Mass. (2-167) JAPANESE ADVERTISING DEVICE A novel burglar alarm which may also be used as an adver¬ tising device is claimed to have been developed by a Japanese firm, according to Assistant Trade Commissioner Donald W. Smith, Tokyo, in a report to the Department of Commerce. The new device which is called the “Radio Alarm,” operates from the electric capacity contained in the human body. The delicate apparatus of the machine immediately starts an alarm ringing, switches on the electric lighting system or automatically fires a gun when a person comes within the range of the device. The “Radio Alarm” may also be used in connection with adver¬ tising displays in shop windows. A dark window may be suddenly illuminated when a pedestrian approaches. The merchandise within the shop window may be caused to move, and advertising signs made to flash on and off. • Page 1 32 •