NBC Transmitter (Jan-Dec 1939)

14 NBC TRANSMITTER KYW PHILADELPHIA by J. A. Aull Now that the National Open Golf Championship is a thing of the past for this year, it might be noted that the work tent erected by NBC as field headquarters just off the 18th fairway was not without its social side. During the course of the matches it also served as a resting spot for Mrs. Gager, Mrs. Begley, Mrs. Sloan, and Mrs. Cushing who took an active interest in the play. We would also like to record here from one who had personal experience in those five days that Lawson Little, NBC’s golf expert, is one swell guy to work with. AAA The effective organ music that accompanies the weird lighting effects and volcanic eruptions that feature the Rocket Room exhibits of the General Electric Utilities display in the Forward March of America Building at the New York World’s Fair, is the work of Wallace Heaton and Harry Grier of KYW. Both men have just returned to the station after making the records in New York. The music is obtained by the unusual combination of a pipe and electric organ playing at the same time. AAA Leroy Miller, KYW’s Musical docker, has been doing the “nice” thing again. Some weeks ago he learned that one of his ardent listeners was a little 7-year-old boy, hopelessly crippled with infantile paralysis and now confined to the Shriners Hospital. Miller learned ihe boy’s birthday and asked his listeners to send along a greeting. When the day arrived the boy received more than 1200 cards and a Philadelphia bank presented him with a radio. Since then Studio Attendant George Wood became the father of a baby girl, and Miller promptly ordered a new crib sent out to the house. AAA Our operatives tell us that Jack Hammann took the marathon talk prize the other eve when the Esso employees and dealers sailed down the Delaware on a moonlight cruise. This may be slander. At any rate everybody seems to have had a good time. NBC’s contribution to the Greater New York Fund was $1916.47. Traffic Division came through 100% — with credit to Margaret Hadley, captain. NBC TELLS ALL IN NEW BROCHURE In a handsome booklet, “Broadcasting in the Public Interest,” NBC has recently outlined its history, restated its general policies and program standards, and described its manifold services. The brochure’s section on development includes some of NBC’s original problems and explains its network structure and operations. A section is devoted to NBC’s social structure — its relationship to the public and the responsibilities imposed on it by law as well as by itself through the formation of an Advisory Council. With this is included the latest Council policies on religious, political, and controversial programs. Other policies are analyzed in detail, and the purpose and scope of NBC’s International Division is explained. NAMES IN THE NEWS (Continued from page 5) tising agencies and sponsors before a children’s program is even submitted to the radio stations. Stressing the need of well written programs (style, language, and story ideal, always remembering that interest in the thrilling and dramatic must be capitalized. Miss Cuthbert expressed great confidence in the constructive criticism and cooperation which the committee will offer the agencies and the radio industry. Another feature of the meetings was a radio hour, “presented through the courtesy of the National Broadcasting Company.” One of the speakers on the question. “Can Women Resist Propaganda?” was Melvvn Douglas of movie fame. Miss Cuthbert reports that he gave an excellent talk on the affirmative and made a big hit with the women. AAA Dr. John Curtis of First Aid underwent an acute appendectomy June 1 at the Presbyterian Hospital. He had returned to his home when this went to press, and was coming along well. AAA Here’s a late flash from our old friend, the stork. Says that at 3:30 on the morning of June 21 he brought a seven-pound, seven-ounce baby boy to the Physicians Hospital in Jackson Heights — a gift to Announcer and Mrs. Jack Fraser. Mrs. Fraser is the former Betty Glenn, ex NBC Press. WTAM CLEVELAND by Bob Dailey Jane Weaver, WTAM’s director of women’s activities, has launched a campaign on her Health and Home programs to interest more women in playing golf as a recreational exercise. Every Wednesday she interviews a well-known woman golfer in the northern Ohio area on how she first started to patrol the fairways and on her interesting experiences as a golfer. The series is designed to acquaint the housewife with how she can sandwich in a few hours of golf every week between her household duties. AAA Speaking about golf. Gene Carroll of the comedy team, “Gene and Glenn.” is very amiable these days. Reason is that he carded a 75 on a difficult Cleveland course. His partner, Glenn Rowell recorded his usual 83. Tom Manning was another member of the foursome. But Tom was evidently off his game that day — he wouldn't even tell us how many golf balls he lost. AAA Staff members extended their sympathies to Engineer-in-Charge S. E. Leonard and Production Manager Fred Wilson whose respective fathers died late last month. Mr. Leonard’s father died suddenly of a heart attack while on his way to visit his son, and Mr. Wilson’s father died in Mansfield. Ohio, after a long illness. AAA Studio Notes: Program Director Hal Metzger moving to Gates Mills and becoming a “gentleman farmer” . . . Russell B. Wise getting the call to announce a new RCA series of morning programs . . . Theresa Sabo, local sales secretary, winning $64 at a golf club party . . . Jack Starr, sports announcer, addressing convicts at the Ohio Penitentiary . . . Information Clerk Olga Nichols off to Virginia Beach on a vacation . . . Cal DeVol, writer for Gene and Glenn, back from his home in Texas . . . Office Manager Pearl Hummell moving into her new home in Bay Village . . . Traffic Manager Edith Wheeler giving her two Scotties their summer haircut . . . Seim Schuller. of Music Rights, singing nights with an orchestra at Chippewa Park . . . Porter John Finlavson adding to his duties the care of two canaries whose musical notes brighten up the Traffic Office . . . Announcer Ranee Valentine buying a new car.