NBC Transmitter (Jan-Dec 1938)

8 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC WASHINGTON by Tom Knode Hittenmark Wins Regatta At 2:30 P.M. Saturday, September 24, Washington radio listeners heard a description of the strangest motorboat race in the history of the President’s Cup Regatta — the so-called do-or-die contest between Lee Everett and Gordon Hittenmark, WMAL and WRC announcers. The race, born of an ill-advised challenge and predicated upon absolutely nothing, was run over a five-mile, wellmarked course on the warm waters of the Potomac. The two contestants were nattily dressed in the very latest nautical costumes and seated in two of the most “powerful” sea going machines available in the nation’s capital. With Lee Everett in his entry were the owner and Engineer Walter Godwin wrapped up in a shortwave receiving and sending set. In the Hittenmark boat was Engineer John Hogan similarly enshrouded. On a Coast Guard Cutter not far removed were Announcer Jim McGrath and Engineer Keith Williams. The starter’s gun barked and away went the boats, beating up into the wind, pounding around buoys and smashing down the stretches at speeds sometimes reaching five or six knots. Our radio listener clutched his receiver feverishly as Everett, Hittenmark and McGrath described the contest. Everett was never more nor less than twenty boat-lengths behind. Hittenmark crossed the finish line with a burst of terrific speed as Everett closed his valiant effort with an attempt to arrive in circles. The winner, it was heard, received a crocheted wine jug. It was a great day for NBC. And the largest amount of credit goes to the Engineering Department for arranging that elaborate short-wave set-up which brought the race to a “breathless” public. On the Ball Bill Crago, who is “Your Man About Hollywood” for fifteen minutes three times a week, was entertaining the fair sex in groups of four several days ago. In the studios, Bill had three sets of “Four Daughters,” winners of a contest he conducted in co-operation with a local theatre featuring a picture of the same name. Bill was never at a loss for words when he interviewed the charmers, for, after all, who could be at a loss for words with twelve different individuals? Bon Voyage The Washington staff stayed up late the night before General Manager Berkeley sailed for Europe thinking up “appropriate” bon voyage gifts. Among them were the usual cures for mal de mer, a history of modern Europe with provisions for easy map revision, telegrams and a good deal of cooperating with the New York News and Special Events Division in arranging presentation of a “portable” bomb-proof shelter. Mr. Berkeley sailed September 21. Mrs. Berkeley accompanied him. They will meet Max Jordan, NBC European representative, on their arrival. For Public Service With local staffs already run ragged with extra duty in connection with the European crisis, New England’s flood and hurricane drove the News and Special Events personnel still harder last week. Ordinary interest in the storm was tripled due to the number of New Englanders working in the Capital whose families and friends were in the stricken area. With telephone and telegraph facilities either out or taxed beyond capacity, WRCWMAL were swamped with inquiries for unheard from relatives. NBC news staff here prepared frequent flood summaries to acquaint listeners with general conditions and referred more pressing calls to official agencies. News that the Federal government and the Red Cross were mobilizing to aid the injured was carried on the NBC Blue Network the night of the storm (Sept. 21) when Charles L. Mitchell, chief meterologist of the United States Weather Bureau, and Richard Allen of the American Red Cross spoke. H. R. Baukhage, Washington newspaperman and NBC commentator, interviewed Coast Guard Officials and relayed latest information from them. Radio Debut Little Jane Rogers, five-year-old daughter of Ed Rogers, announcer, made her radio debut the other day on the National Children s Frolic Hour over WRC. Little Jane sang I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen. Incidentally, Ed completed seven years with NBC in Washington on September 28. Farm Service Commentator Earl Godwin, president of the White House Correspondents Association and NBC commentator in Washington, is now being heard throughout the southeastern and south central states as a part of the new Farm Service program. Announcers Lee Everett and Gordon Hittenmark fill up their boats with Esso before their sensational race on the Potomac. In the front boat are, left to right, Hittenmark, M. E. Tyrell, owner of boat, and Engineer Keith Williams. Back boat: Everett, Ben Hall, boat owner, and Engineer John Hogan. To the left is an Esso attendant. Both boats were equipped with portable NBC transmitters.