NBC Transmitter (Jan-Nov 1942)

8 NBC TRANSMITTER RADIO CITY'^' NEW YORK War came to NBC with the ringing of a bell on an AP teletype. Leaving the scattered communiques of a dull Sunday afternoon, Robert Eisenbach walked over to the Associated Press machine. Above him the News Room clock read 2:27, New York Time, as the AP machine tapped out: “Bulletin — the White House has just announced that the Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor.” Ripping the copy from the machine, Eisenbach grabbed the emergency phone connecting News to Master Control. “Send it down,” he commanded and, seconds later, two hundred and forty-six stations, with an estimated listening audience of fifteen million Americans, heard NBC, through the voice of Robert Eisenbach, tell America that war had struck. Two minutes later the 2:30 station break rang four instead of the usual three NBC chimes. All NBC personnel listening in instantly recognized the code signal to phone for instructions immediately. One hour later, NBC New York had a full strength “crisis” staff on hand. Short wave broadcasts began coming in from Hong Kong, Manila and Hawaii as Engineering reached out to the ends of the sea and air for news. The following Tuesday, NBC cleared the way for Bert Silen in Manila to describe, blast by blast, an eye-witness account of a major bombing attack on Manila. Back in New York, while the News Room swept the teletypes clear of copy, the rest of NBC tightened up. Where once any person might walk and peer and touch, overnight uniformed men became suddenly very solicitous of strangers. NBC Tours received a limit of 1 4 people when once 40 was the top. The Master Control Room disappeared behind newly-created walls. The Power Room was no longer a “fishbowl.” Artists spent a bewildered first day establishing their identi ties in the main hall. The Guest Relations staff received its first instruction in air raid precaution and plans were quietly consolidated for blacking out the thousand windows of Radio City. A new division appeared in NBC: A Protective Division under George Monohan, formerly with the New York City Police Department and specialist in industrial protection. All NBC employes were photographed and fingerprinted for the The following telegram was received Christmas week at Radio City from Major Lenox R. Lohr, former President of the National Broadcasting Company, and addressed to all employes : THE STAFF OF THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMPANY 30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA AS YOU GATHER TODAY FOR THE TRADITIONAL GHRISTMAS PARTY I WANT TO TELL YOU AGAIN OF THE DEEP AFFECTION IN WHICH I HOLD YOU AND SEND YOU GOOD WISHES FOR THE YEAR AHEAD. LENOX R. LOHR The employes of NBC, through the TRANSMITTER, extend to Major Lohr our very best wishes for his personal well-being in the New Year and our sincerest thanks for his thoughtfulness. Here, at this emergency microphone in the NBC News Room, word first went to America that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. NBC’s bearded commentator, Robert St. John, awaits the signal from Master Control to air the latest bulletins. Transmitter editor, Roy Pascal, holds copy for him. 1942 passes, which bear a picture, signature and number. Vincent Cilcher, Manager of General Service, voiced the hope that, within a few months, NBG employes will assume a large portion of the responsibility in guarding NBG premises. Any person appearing to be in the wrong part of the building should be questioned; any suspicious strangers reported immediately. NBG tightened up that a gigantic public servant might remain on the alert. PERSONALITIES William Eliscu, of News and Special Events, has had an unusual honor bestowed upon him. At the nation-wide meeting of the American Indian, Eliscu was inducted into the Gherokee Indian Tribe by the Father of the Indians, Chief Red Fox. Not many NBC folk knew that Bill Eliscu was an authority on totem poles, having traveled all over the country studying and carving the famous Indian symbols. Eliscu, in recognition of his totem pole skill, now bears the Cherokee name of “Otoman.” NAMES IN THE NEWS Albert Dale is taking Vice President Frank Mason’s place as Director of Information while Mr. Mason is in Washington with the Navy Department. . . . Noran T. Kersta is Manager of Television now that Vice President Morton has left NBC for the National Concert and Artist Corporation. . . . John McKay (CONTINUED ON PAGE 15)