NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1944)

If democracy is worth fighting and dying for, it’s worth voting for. Make use of your voting power this Fall. Mil¬ lions of American men are fighting to preserve that power for you. Kee p faith with them by voting ... so they may come home to the democratic way of life they fought for. It is a duty and a privilege to vote. KMBC-FM MAKES COMMERCIAL BOW IN KANSAS CITY KMBC sends the following release: One of America’s pioneer radio stations, KMBC, basic affiliate of the Columbia Broadcasting System in Kansas City, went on the air June 24th with a commercial FM outlet operating under the call letters of KMBC-FM. Rated power is 1500 watts, and antenna system is located atop the tallest building in Kansas City, that of the Power and Light building. Appearing on the first program originating through the new station were prominent officials from CBS in New York and Chicago and network affiliates from the North Central district. Those included were William Lodge, chief engineer of CBS; Howard Lane, director oi public relations; Craig Lawrence, then general manager of KRNT of Des Moines; Hugh B. Terry, manager of KLZ in Denver, and Hugh Feltis, general manager of KFAB at Lincoln, Nebraska. Arthur B. Church, president of the Midland Broad¬ casting Company, announced that KMBC-FM is now op¬ erating from noon to KMBC signoff weekdays and through¬ out the regular broadcast day on Sunday, synchronizing programming with that of KMBC. DR. DEFOREST ON TELEVISION MEXICO CITY — Mexico may soon be the scene of one of the world’s first regular television broadcasts in color, according to a promise made here recently by Dr. Lee De Forest, famed scientist and inventor of the vacuum tube. Dr. De Forest came to this city early in June at the invitation of the Mexican Government to discuss plans for a proposed television station and the manufacture of in¬ expensive radio and television receivers in this country. The distinguished scientist, whose genius made pos¬ sible such modern miracles as long-distance radio commu¬ nication, sound-pictures, television, short-wave diathermy and countless other applications of electronics, spent a month here conferring with government officials and leaders of the Mexican radio and motion-picture indus¬ tries. Before leaving for the United States at the be¬ ginning of July, Dr. De Forest announced that he expected to return to Mexico in September, ready to begin work. Foremost among his projects are a powerful television transmitter and a large plant for the production of radio and television sets which reportedly would be sold for 600 to 700 pesos apiece — approximately $120 to $140, respec¬ tively. Almost $500,000 was pledged for the building of television installations by members of the National Cinematographic Chamber at a recent banquent here in honor of Dr. De Forest, the money to be used to supple¬ ment government aid where necessary. Also included in Dr. De Forest’s plans is a great educa¬ tional center in Mexico for study and research in elec¬ tronics. The center would cost in the neighborhood of $1,000,000 and would serve as a scientific laboratory for almost 5,000 students from all the American republics, according to Dr. De Forest. Moreover, it would serve as a central clearing house for translating all literature on electronics into Spanish and Portuguese, for publication and distribution in Latin American countries. Preliminary conversationse with Dr. Jaime Torres Bodet, Secretary of Public Education here, have resulted in an announcement that a technical commission is being July 28, 1944-254 formed to study plans for establishing the electronics center in the near future. Present plans call for the center to be directed by Dr. De Forest. McGEE LEAVES WPB Charlie H. McGee, Sr., of the Domestic and Foreign Branch of the Radio and Radar Division of the War Pro¬ duction Board, has resigned effective August 1 to return to private activity as a manufacturers’ representative in Washington. Mr. McGee, who is Chief of the Orders and Appeals Sec¬ tion of the Domestic and Foreign Branch, entered Govern¬ ment service in November 1941, in the Contract Distribu¬ tion Branch of the Office of Production Management, which preceded WPB. In October, 1942, he became associated with the Aircraft Production Division of WPB and trans¬ ferred to the Radio and Radar Division when it was formed in January, 1943. Before entering Government, Mr. McGee was connected with several national organizations on production and or¬ ganization problems, including General Motors, the Demo¬ cratic National Committee and Hurtz Engineering Cor¬ poration. He was secretary and treasurer of the latter firm for a number of years. FCC EDUCATIONAL RADIO COMMITTEE The FCC has appointed a committee on educational radio, with Commissioner Durr, chairman; and Chief En¬ gineer Adair and Edward Becker as the other members. Federal Communications Commission Docket HEARINGS No broadcast hearings are scheduled to be heard before the Commission during the week beginning Monday, July 24. Federal Communications Commission Action APPLICATIONS GRANTED WHOM-WBAC — Paul F. Harron, Joseph Lang, Margaret Harron and Helen R. Lang (transferors), Iowa Broadcasting Co. (transferee), New Jersey Broadcasting Corp. (Licensee), Jersey City, N. J. — Granted voluntary transfer of control of New jersey Broadcasting Corp., licensee of Station WHOM and relay station WBAC, by transfer of 2,500 shares, or 100 per cent, of issued and outstanding capital stock from Paul F. Harron, Joseph Lang, Margaret Har¬ ron and Helen R. Lang to Iowa Broadcasting Company for a consideration of approximately $403,528.63 (Com¬ missioner Durr dissented). (Bl-TC-389) KSO — Iowa Broadcasting Co. (assignor), Kingsley H. Murphy (assignee), Des Moines, Iowa— Granted consent to voluntary assignment of license of Station KSO from Iowa Broad¬ casting Co. to Kingsley H. Murphy, for total consideration of $275,000. (B4-AL-418) KFJI — George Kincaid. Executor of Estate of John A. Kincaid, deceased (transferor), George Kincaid (transferee), KFJI Broadcasters, Inc. (Licensee), Klamath Falls, OregonGranted consent to transfer of control of licensee corpora