NBC Transmitter (Jan-Nov 1942)

14 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC WAR CUNIC Gratifying Response from Affiliates # Nation-wide NBC-RED Network solidarity in aiding America’s victory effort is the result of a series of “war clinics” recently held by NBC officials with affdiated station executives on their own home grounds. The “mountain-to-Mohammed” sessions were attended by more than 500 representatives of the 134 NBCRED stations from coast to coast. Dissimilar as local conditions and problems were in various sections of the country visited by the convention caravan, every NBC affiliate was found united in the common purpose to serve the Government and protect public interest in wartime to the maximum degree. William S. Hedges, vice-president in charge of stations, reported ; “In no section did we find a dissenting voice. And because of this steadfast loyalty and determination on the part of our affiliates, the NBC Network today is ready and fully prepared, along a common, united front stretching across the nation, to meet all new emergencies as they arise as a result of the war.” Hedges remarked that NBC realized the need for such a convention even before “Pearl Harbor.” This awareness took shape back in October, 1941, when NBC organized a Stations Planning and Advisory Board to deal with matters relative to national defense. Composed of members elected by affiliated stations in each district, this committee was to meet every three months for joint disposition of current problems affecting the industry. America’s entrance into the war brought the plan of a traveling convention to the fore much sooner. Three chief problems were on the agenda of the two-day war clinics held in each of the following cities: New York, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago and San Francisco. The problems were: ( 1 ) How best to serve the Government and the nation in time of war. (2) How best to fulfill its moral obligation to entertaining the nation. (3) How to retain its revenue in order to assure continuation of the industry as a free enterprise, without Government support and })0ssible restrictions. WILLIAM S. HEDGES Frank E. Mullen, NBC executive vice-president and general manager, gave the keynote address in New' York and Chicago. Hedges was the keynoter at the other district sessions. The other speakers included Clarence L. Menser, national program manager; Roy C. Witmer, vice-president in charge of sales; Ken R. Dyke, director of promotion; Charles B. Brown, sales promotion manager; Albert E. Dale, director of information; A. L. Ashby, vice-president and legal counsel, and Dr. James Rowland Angell, public service counselor. The second day of each conference was turned over to affiliates for an open forum conducted by Sheldon B. Hickox, Jr., manager of the NBC station relations department. Each two-day session was presided over by station executives on the network’s planning and advisory hoard. Paul W. Morency, of WTIC, headed the New York meeting. Other chairmen included Robert Dunville, WLW, at the sessions in Cincinnati; Harry Stone, WSM, at the Atlanta booking; O. L. Taylor, KGNC, at the Dallas assemblage; Stanley Hubbard, KSTP, at the Chicago “clinic” and Arden X. Panghorn, KG\^ , and Ed Yocum, KGYL— as joint chairmen— at the San Francisco finale. CONVENTION QUOTES Roy C. Witmer: ‘ ‘Re can be proud of the record of broadcasting over the past two decades. In a very few years we have built a great industry and a great service, ffe can be thankful to all those .scientists, engineers and bu.siness leaders of vision who have contributed to the greatest mass communication system in the world. It is fortunate for our country and our people that we have available these vital broadcasting facilities. Let us accept with courage and enthusiasm the challenge of our times.” A. L. Ashby: ”The industry is es.sential not only to public morale, but also to the Armed Forces and it must be supported by private enterprise if it is to survive in the form we know it today— the form that the American people admire, respect and believe in. The alternative is (governmental support ivith its related problems and dangers. Broadcasting as u.sual has gone the way of 'bu.siness as usual.’ The needs of the Government come first.”