NBC Transmitter (Jan 1943-Sept 1944)

4 NBC TRANSMITTER MARINES ASK FOR HELP AND KDKA COMES THROUGH WITH FLYING COLORS • PITTSBURGH, PA. — It happens but once in a lifetime— a request by the United States Marines for help. But when the call came during the week of February 15, KDKA found itself in the enviable position of being able to give complete service to the famous Devil Dogs of Uncle Sam. An Act of Congress enabling women to enlist as members of the Marine Corps Reserve, gave KDKA its opportunity to serve. When Pittsburgh Marine officials discovered they were faced with an enlistment campaign they came to the office of James B. Rock, station manager, and said in effect: “We have a big job ahead of us. We want to enlist women in the Marine Corps Reserve. We’re here to get your help in handling the drive and we are willing to do anything you suggest within reason.’’ The challenge was quickly accepted by Rock, who called in members of the program, promotion and publicity departments for counsel and suggestions. Out of that first meeting it was decided to hold a “Marine Day’’ in Pittsburgh on February 20. It was designed as a oneday drive to he climaxed with a “Free-AMarine Party” in the William Penn Hotel. The program was planned as a tribute to Major Ruth Cheney Streeter, head of the Marine Corps Reserve, who would be in the city that day. The Marines said “Great!"’ and agreed to go along with the station 100 per cent. From that stage, KDKA invited a prominent Pittsburgh woman. Mrs. John M. Phillips, a member of the Board of Education and a leader in many women's organizations, to serve as general chairman. Mrs. Phillips went to work wholeheartedly, and with her cooperation it was a comparatively easy matter for KDKA to secure free of charge the use of the hotel ballroom for the patriotic partv, to have special invitations printed gratis, and to arrange press conferences and other special meetings. Mrs. Phillips, too, was mainly instrumental in scheduling a luncheon at the Duquesne Club, Pittsburgh, that was attended by civic leaders, outstanding club women and feminine leaders in war work. All Pittsburgh responded impressively ! However, the cooperation didn’t stop at this stage. KDKA did the preliminary publicity work announcing Marine Day, secured the cooperation of other broadcasting stations in Pittsburgh and climaxed the day by an NBC special event broadcast of the mass induction of 38 women who enlisted in the Marines during the first week of the drive. In addition, KDKA sent a great portion of the staff talent to the hotel for the “Free-A-Marine” party, which was attended by some 500 women eligible to join the corps. As a result of the drive, the Marines now have enough enlistees to more than fill their first month’s quota. That the Marines are appreciative, is evidenced by the letter from Major A. E. Simon who said: “The Marines will be forever grateful to KDKA. The station gave us the finest type of cooperation.” Home Shelves Cleared As Books Galore Go to War • NEW ^ ORK.— Uncle Sam’s men in the armed forces will have some pretty good reading, judging by the big stacks of books collected from NBC employees in New York. When the request went out for books that soldiers would like to read, the men and women of NBC brought in their favorites. Mysteries and current popular fiction dominated by far, because that’s the way the soldiers wanted it. There was also a number of books on current events, science and other non-fiction headings. Several Bibles were also contributed. The general service and press departments turned in the largest number of books in the drive. The lightning drive lasted only a few days, but was carefully carried out under the direction of Marjorie Castimore of the personnel department. When the books are arranged on shelves, they w ill resemble a popular lending library. After the drive was officially over, books continued to trickle in and wTere forwarded to America’s fighting lads. “A SITUATION WELL IN HAND”— Climax of KDKA’s promotion of Marine Day in Pittsburgh— a broadcast over NBC highlighting the mass induction of 38 enlistees into the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. “Finest cooperation . ’ said the Marines.