NBC Transmitter (Dec 1945-Jan 1947)

March 1946 3 KTSM MEN SUPERVISE MAJOR COURSE IN RADIO AT TEXAS COLLEGE OF MINES AND METALLURGY S. Carolina Public Service Programs Launched by WIS COLUMBIA, S. C.-Station WIS has inaugurated several new programs of an informative nature, according to an announcement by G. Richard Shafto. the NBC affiliate’s manager. “Palmetto Landmarks” is a new sustaining series dealing with places and persons of note in the Palmetto State. Written by Jean Brabham. WIS program department, and supervised by Ray A. Furr, program director, “Palmetto Landmarks” each week tells three separate stories about a site of interest, or a person of note. Civic leaders of the capital city have made frequent appearances on the program recently. Designed for group listening in the high schools of the state, “Your State Government at Work" tells listeners about the latest happenings in the State Legislature. Here again political leaders often appear on the program to discuss topics before the State Assembly. “Assembly Report” is presented as a weekly feature, and many state speakers of note appear on the new WIS series. Governor Ransome J. Williams and several senators and representatives were scheduled for one program in the series, which was designed to serve as “an educational feature dedicated to the WIS listening public.” Jack Knott. WIS newscaster currently conducts a program restricted to news of the Palmetto State. “Today’s News,” at 2:45 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Taking brief quips from editorials in South Carolina dailies and weeklies, Knott s commentaries sometimes agree, sometimes disagree with the local press. Much enthusiasm has arisen over the program throughout the WIS listening area, since the listeners like comment on their hometown newspapers’ editorial policies. CHICAGO.— William Ray, director of the NBC Central division news and special events department, has been elected president of the new Chicago Radio Correspondents formed on January 9. EL PASO. TEX. — Under the supervision of Virgil Hicks, director of extension service of KTSM, the Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy— a branch of the University of Texas— now offers a major course in radio. In order to make the course wellrounded and complete, the school built its own radio studio with Hicks supervising its construction as well as instructing the classes. The idea for developing the radio branch of journalism at Mines was conceived just before the outbreak of World War II and the development of it is due largely to the efforts of J. F. Williams, dean of student life at the college and head of the journalism department. Also prominent in civic activities, Williams realized the value of such a department and went to Karl Wyler, vice-president and general manager of KTSM. for suggestions and advice. Wyler immediately appreciated Williams' thought and the next major development found him completing arrangements to take Dr. D. M. Wiggins, president of the college, and Joseph Bennis, prominent El Paso attorney, to New York to study the future of such a plan with National Broadcasting Compam officials. NBC had at that time recently appointed Dr. James Angell, president emeritus of Yale l niversity, as publicservice counselor. Consultations with NBC officials and prominent educators of Eastern schools were held. Returning to El Paso, thoroughly convinced about the idea. Wyler appointed Hicks to begin lay ing the groundwork of the radio department at the college. Lecture classes began at once and due to an immediate manpower shortage in the vicinity of El Paso, caused by conscription. KTSM found radio students efficiently filling those positions left vacant. Auditions were held at the college for both men and women, and out of them came student announcers, continuity writers, newscasters and publicity assistants. Radio had taken the campus by storm. ( Continued on pope 12) SPAC SESSION— The recently elected 1946 NBC Stations Planning and Advisory Committee met in New York on January 24 and 25. Clair R. McCoIlough, of W GAL, Lancaster, Pa., was elected chairman. Standing, left to right: Karl 0. Wyler, KTSM, El Paso, Tex.; ff illiam B. W ay, KV 00 , Tulsa, Okla.; W alter Damm, WTM], Milwaukee, IT is.; Campbell Arnoux, W TAR, Norfolk, Va., and W illiam B. Ryan , of KFl, Los Angeles. Seated: Nathan Lord, of Station WAVE, Louisville, Ky. ; Chairman McCoIlough ; and llc.rcld IT hechhcn. of St tion W SMB. New Orleans, La.