NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1945)

Record Details:

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“As is often true, the public gets few details on which to base sound judgment. Negotiations between the two companies and the National Association of Broadcast En¬ gineers and Technicians stopped suddenly with what the union spokesmen call a rejection of their demands. These are described only in general terms as requests for higher wages, an eight-hour day and better employment condi¬ tions — the companies say the wage increases sought range from 40 to 60 per cent. Shortly thereafter the companies received a thirty-day strike notice under the provisions of the Smith-Connally act. Half an hour after the receipt of that notice technicians and engineers in many studios throughout the country walked out. Back of the recessed negotiations was controversy between the technicians’ union and James Caesar Petrillo’s powerful Federation of Musicians. This had even reached the courts, which made the technicians bargaining agents for the “platter turners,” who operate the recorded broadcasts. The union argues that the broadcasters were not bargaining in good faith because of their fear of what Petrillo, in spite of a court order, might do to them. The public is hardly likely to find this a justification for the sudden walkout, they will feel themselves, like the companies, caught in the middle and it will increase their impatience with a system which makes a fetish of the right to strike but does little to see that that right is not abused.” UNION COMMENDS RADIO STATION In a letter to the manager of KSD, the president of the St. Louis Newspaper Guild and spokesman for the Inter-union Conciliation Committee, which was created during the recent newspaper strike in St. Louis, com¬ mended the station as follows: “May I express the sincere appreciation of the St. Louis Newspaper Guild and the Inter-union Conciliation Com¬ mittee for the fair and objective manner in which your station presented the news arising from the carriers’ strike, and the lock-out of other employees of the Pulitzer Publishing Company during the period from August 16 to September 7, 1945. “Despite the terrific handicap under which your news gathering forces had to operate during this period, the presentation of news on KSD was fair, accurate and impartial. “May I congratulate you and the members of your staff upon the attainment of such a high degree of journalistic objectivity.” TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAM URGED Lee B. Wailes, Manager of Westinghouse Radio Sta¬ tions, Inc., in a letter to President Ryan suggests a public service activity which should interest all radio station operators. Mr. Wailes points out in his letter that one of the most serious problems that will be facing the country in the near future is that of traffic accidents involving serious injury and fatalities. The end of gaso¬ line rationing and the removal of restrictions upon speed, coupled with the fact that new tires have not been avail¬ able, introduces very dangerous elements. The prospect that new tires and new cars will be some time in coming suggests that accidents may reach alarming figures. “This.” says Mr. Wailes, “seems to me to afford a splendid opportunity for broadcasters of the nation to render a valuable service to the public. In cooperation with the various local traffic safety commissions, broadcasters might well be able to contribute to the saving of lives and prop¬ erty through broadcasts stressing safe driving.” In reply to Mr. Wailes, President Ryan indicated that some informal conferences will be held with officials of the National Safety Council to explore the possibility of working out a co-ordinated program. Meantime station management should give some thought to this matter and if any have suggestions to offer, they will be welcomed by NAB. In this connection the following editorial from the Seattle (Wash.) Sunday Times (16) is pertinent: “The National Safety Council, which jogs our conscience at intervals on the nation’s accident toll, gives new warn¬ ing to postwar motorists. “Total registration of motor vehicles in 1944 decreased 1.3 per cent, compared with 1943. Deaths from motor vehicle accidents increased 2 per cent. The toll in 1944 was 24,300. Even with all wartime restrictions in force, and the number of automobiles in use declining, the death rate went up. “Our cars were getting older last year. They are older still in 1945, and they are being driven harder. From present indications, the National Safety Council will have worse, not better, news for us in 1946.” FCC SETS TELEVISION HEARING The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday (20) announced that hearings on proposed television rules and regulations have been scheduled to open on October 4. NARBA MEETING SET FOR WASHINGTON IN DECEMBER According to reports reaching NAB from Rio de Janeiro, where the Third Inter-American Radio Conference has been in session since September 3, there will be a meeting of the signatory countries to the agreement in Washington during December of 1945. This meeting has become nec¬ essary due to the refusal of the Cuban delegation to con¬ sider extension of the present North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement for an additional year. It is reported that Cuban dissatisfaction with the pres¬ ent treaty is due to a desire to provide for the establish¬ ment of class II stations within the present protective zone of 650 miles. The Cuban delegation also claims that more than seventy per cent of the channels assigned to that country are not satisfactory for use at night. Repre¬ sentatives of the Canadian government at Rio proposed a two-year extension of the present treaty which expires in March 1946 and the U. S. delegation was reported agree¬ able to a one-year extension of the present treaty. According to our information, the Cuban delegation desired immediate discussion of the NARBA treaty at Rio de Janeiro. This proposal was countered by the sug¬ gestion of the United States representatives that a sepa¬ rate conference be held in the Northern Zone for the purpose of working out a compromise satisfactory to Cuba and the other signatory nations in order that the life of the treaty may be extended. Many of the delegates and observers in attendance at Rio now believe it will be possible to extend the treaty for one year, with slight modifications, during the course of the Washington Conference. ADVERTISING COUNCIL TO CONTINUE The organization which came into being early in the war, and of which NAB was an integral part, known as the War Advertising Council, which has done such an outstanding job in co-ordinating the activities of adver¬ tisers and media in co-operating in the war effort, has announced plans for peace time continuation. A booklet entitled “From War to Peace,” issued by the Council, will be sent shortly to all NAB member stations. It outlines future plans. ELMER DAVIS RESIGNS-DALTON TO LIQUIDATE OWI OWI domestic branch will be completely liquidated by October 6, according to Elmer Davis, who incorporated (Continued on next page) September 21, 1945—416