NBC Transmitter (Jan-Nov 1945)

12 NBC Transmitter WTIC AND NEWSPAPER AGAIN COMBINE FORCES FOR SUCCESSFUL MILE 0’ DIMES CAMPAIGN HARTFORD, CONN.— Once again the people of Hartford have put the 1945 WTIC-Hartford Courant Mile O’ Dimes over in a manner reminiscent of the four previous years when Connecticut’s capital led the cities of the country on a per capita basis. With a quota of five miles of dimes or $44,936, the campaign which closed on January 31 reached an all-time high of over seven miles of dimes aggregating more than $63,000. This result was accomplished in the face of a falling off in employment of almost 20,000 workers in the Hartford area since the 1944 Mile O’ Dimes campaign. The success of the drive to aid sufferers of infantile paralysis was due not only to the generosity of Hartford’s citizens but to the concerted work of school children and factory workers. The latter devised many unique methods for the presentation of their contributions to the Mile O’ Dimes stand in the center of downtown Hartford. The city saw its first helicopter plane in flight when the United Aircraft Corporation flew its contribution of $6,971.47 from its East Hartford plant, landing in the snow at Bushnell Park adjacent to the Connecticut State Capitol. Workers and management of Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company brought a 50 mm. aircraft cannon loaded with 18,240 dimes. When the gun was deflected, the coins poured onto the Mile O’ Dimes stand/ There were many other spectacular features embodying all of the essentials of good showmanship presented every day with descriptive broadcasts. The idea for conducting a Mile O’ Dimes campaign in Hartford was conceived in 1941 by Paul W. Morency, general manager of WTIC, after it had been successfully tried in Washington, D. C. In order that WTIC’s promotion would be greatly amplified by a cooperative newspaper campaign, Morency invited Jhe Hartford Courant to join with the station in stimulating public interest for the need of funds. Each year about a week prior to the campaign approximately 1,500 personally written letters directed to industry, retail establishments, labor unions, fraternal or ganizations and schools are mailed by the station and signed by J. F. Clancy, WTIC’s sales promotion manager, who is the director of the campaign. When the campaign was started in 1941 the modest goal of one mile of dimes was set, but actually two miles of dimes were received. The sights were raised to two miles the following year and nearlv four were received. Fifty per cent of the funds gathered through this campaign is sent to the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The other half is turned over to the Hartford County Chapter and this contribution represents the bulk of the funds for carrying on the work of furnishing medical aid to all local victims of polio. Largely through this campaign Hartford has been able to send doctors and nurses each year to Minneapolis to study the Kenny Method. In 1944— up to December 15— according to the records of the Hartford County Chapter, 68 persons were stricken with poliomyelitis. The local chapter reports that 42 are now home minus anv trace of residual paralysis. F. E. Mullen One of 4 Network Men Nominateil to CAB Board NEW YORK.— Frank E. Mullen, NBC vice-president and general manager, has, with officials of the three other major networks, been nominated to the board of governors of the Cooperative Analysis of Broadcasting, Inc. The announcement was made in February by Dr. D. P. Smelser, chairman of the CAB board of governors. The other network members named to the board with Mullen are Edgar Kobak, president of the Mutual Broadcasting System; Chester J. LaRoche, vice-chairman of the board of the Blue Network, and Frank Stanton, vice-president of the Columbia Broadcasting System. Prior to the above nominations the board was composed solely of representatives of advertisers and agencies. In making the announcement Dr. Smelser said: “The significance of this step cannot be overestimated for it is a definite indication that the radio industry, its advertisers and agencies are cooperating in their efforts to prepare for largescale postwar developments. The unification of the three elements of advertising on the board will insure all members more complete, comprehensive and effective service.” AIDING A BIG GAUSE— Theodore Buell, of United Aircraft Corporation, with microphone in hand, presents J. F. Clancy, director of W TIC-Hartford Courant Mile O' Dimes, with the contribution of his firm's employees. The donation was flown to Hartford in a helicopter plane. To Clancy's right is Bob Steele, WTIC announcer, and directly behind him the pilot of the plane. Three men in uniform with boxes are an armored car crew which transported the money to the Mile O' Dimes stand.