NBC Transmitter (Jan-Nov 1945)

February 1945 5 INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE lOIN HANDS Labor, Farm and Business Combine Forces for “America United" Roundtable Series STARTING THE SERI ES— Seated (1. to r.l: Eduard A. O'Seal, American Eartn Hureaii Eederation president ; II illiam Green, AEE president; Philip Murray. (AO president; Albert S. Goss, master of National Grange. Standing: E rank E. Mullen, NRG vice-jjresident and general manager; Eric Johnston. V. S. Ghamber of Gommerce jrresident ; Niles Trammell, NRG president, and Dr. James Roicland .Jngell, NRG public service counselor. NEW YORK.— Details of NBC's si^nifiranl new |)iil)lic service program. ‘"America United." which for the first time has made available the facilities of a national network at a regular period each week to major labor, agricultural, and business groups for the discussion of cooperative efforts and mutual objectives, were announced January 16 by Niles Trammell, NBC president. The American Federation of Labor, the Congress of Industrial Organizations, the National Grange, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Chamber of Commerce of the United States will participate in the series with each organization building its own program for the discussion of national issues and problems. “NBC. in another move to promote discussion of national problems in tlie fields of labor, agriculture and business, and feeling that each of the segments of our economv is interested in the other and that cooperation is the solution to these national problems, has invited these representative groups to use our facilities for the purpose." Trammell declared. “I am happy to announce also, he added, “that the heads of these organizations have acce})ted an invitation to constitute an advisory committee of the National Broadcasting Company in their scope of broadcasting so that our public service w ill reflect the views and needs of those important segments." The A. F. of L. opened the jnogram schedule on January 7 and is continuing to select ])articipants at the roundtable for a period of 13 weeks. For 10 weeks thereafter the A.F.B.F. and the National Grange will alternate in preparing the programs and naming the speakers. The Chamber of Commerce w ill then take over for three weeks, followed by the C.I.O. for 13. The two farm groups ^^■ill alternate for another 10 and the Chamber of Commerce will conclude the series with three additional programs. Each organization is inviting representatives of the other groups to participate on its programs. The entire series is under the auspices of NBC’s public service department and the companv’s public service counselor. Dr. James Rowland Angell. On January 16, at the first meeting of the advisory committee with NBC officials, heads of the grouj)s which will take |)art in tlie series voiced their enthusiastic approval of “America I nited. ’ Here are their comments: Philip Murray, president of the C.I.O. : ‘"We appreciate this great o])jK)rtunity to give to the people of the I nited States of America the jroint of view of the C.I.O. on issues and affairs affecting the peojffe, especially the problems of labor.” William Green, president of the A. F. of L.: “No one can adecpiately appraise the value of the public service rendered by NBC through its presentation of ‘America United.’ ” Eric Johnston, president of the I . S. Chamber of Commerce: “The people of America want management, labor and agriculture to get along. This program will do much to bring peace at home by bringing these groups together. By sitting down at the table, on the air, we can solve many of our problems and difficulties.’' Edward A. O’Neal, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation: “It is only by getting together and talking things out across a conference table that any one group can reach an intelligent understanding of the problems, hopes, and objectives of the other groups. 1 feel that better understanding among groups will surely lead to coordination of all grou|) activities in the public interest." .\lbert S. Goss, master of the National Grange: “Discussioti of cpiestions of public interest over tlie air by these groups representing such widely diversified interests is sure to have a most wholesome effect. J he jmhlic w ill get a broader view point on many (juestions than could be possible otherwise." Heath Heads NBC Information NEW NORK.— Horton H. Heath was appointed director of information for NBC on February 20. He succeeds Albert E. Dale who resigned. The announcement was made by Frank E. Mullen, NBC vicepresident and general manager. Heath came to NBC in Januaiw of last \ear as assistant to Mullen. He had been associated with the Radio Corporation of America since 1936. He joined RC.\ as assistant manager of the department of information, becoming manager in 1939 and director of advertising and publicitv in 1940. Mrs. Irene C. Kuhn, assistant director of information and Anita L. Barnard, manager of the correspondence division, w ill report to Mr. Heath.