NBC Transmitter (Jan 1943-Sept 1944)

SEPTEMBER 1943 11 BACK TO CELEBRATE— There were uniforms galore at the WRC twentieth anniversary. Partaking in the “ WRC in Uniform" broadcast were (left to right): Captain Hugh M. Higgins, Lieutenant John Gaunt, Lieutenant W alter Godwin, Lieutenant W illiam Simmons, Steve Douglas, Lieutenant John Dodge, Chief Radio Man Clyde Clarke, Captain L. A. McClelland and Lieutenant John Hogan. WRC's 20 Years on Air Celebrated in Capital • WASHING I ON. The Capital City’s WRC celebrated its twentieth anniversary on Sunday, August 1. It wasn't a big pretentious affair, but it had grace, dignity and it impressed listeners that the capital’s oldest station is still “First in Washington.” The public rejoicing centered around two broadcasts, built under the supervision of Carleton Smith, WRC’s general manager. One was “WRC In Uniform,” featuring the men who have gone into the armed forces from WRC. The other. “When Hearts Are Young,” was a dramatic panorama of what practically amounted to the history of radio in the nation’s capital. The latter broadcast started off with recollections of the station’s first days on the air, when it was located away up on Fourteenth Street. Studio and transmitter were both in a sort of annex to a bank building and the transmitter was perched atop the building. As Fred Guthrie, the station’s first manager put it. “Everybody said it was a wonderful location because it was so far out in the country.” There were eight persons on the staff. Then the broadcast covered the glorious days of expansion until 1928 when NBC and WRC moved into the National Press Building, and there were two studios. One was the Green Room, the other the Gold Room, both ornate enough to dazzle goggle-eyed visitors. And then the names of some of WRC’s former announcers were read off— Ted Husing, Norman Brokenshire, John B. Daniel, Hugh James and George Hicks— all of whom have gone on to radio glory. And some of WRC’s radio “firsts” were listed, starting with the inaugural program. That one had the United States Marine Band and speeches by RCA President David Sarnoff. Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt. Major General John U. Hines, U.S.A., and Fred Guthrie. Another was Frederic William Wile, the first political and news commentator. And still another the first Presidential inaugural broadcast in 1925 when Calvin Coolidge took the oath of office on the Capitol steps and two microphones picked up the whole show. "When Hearts Are Young” wound up with a dramatic salute to WRC’s “yesterday” by Carleton Smith and an earnest pledge to keep the NBC station “First in Washington.” The other broadcast, “WRC In Uniform,” was highlighted by a transcribed message from Captain Thomas E. Knode, former newsroom chief and radio’s first war hero. Knode, now’ recovering in a Michigan military hospital, won his Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart at Buna, fighting the Japs. In the studio with Steve Douglas, announcer, were: Captain Hugh M. Higgins, Lieutenant John Gaunt. Lieutenant Walter Godwin, Lieutenant William Simmons. Lieutenant John Dodge, Chief Radio Man Clyde Clarke, Captain L. A. McClelland and Lieutenant John Hogan. “BEST Ik ISHES"— Carleton Smith (left), WRCs general manager, receives the congratulations of Fred Guthrie, the station s first manager, during the anniversary show. Five Laundries Cooperate On Public Service Program • PENSACOLA, LLA.— As the laundry situation becomes more and more acute in cities throughout the country, it is noteworthy that as early as June of this year, Station WCOA developed a public service program for the five leading laundry companies of Pensacola. Llorida. This program, “Say It With Song,” is a 15-minute interlude of transcribed music broadcast twice weekly and sponsored cooperatively by these five firms. Main features are the two public service messages included in each program. These are designed to inform the public of the difficulties which local laundries must overcome in order to take care of the needs of a doubled population. Individual messages outline a variety of ways in which housewives can actively cooperate with their particular laundry. The five sponsors are enthusiastic about the results. They feel that this program has been a definite help in keeping the laundry situation in Pensacola as nearly normal as possible. According to Gene Kirby, program director of WCOA. this is the first program of its kind on the air, and, to his knowledge, the only one. The results of this public service venture have won applause from sponsors and listeners alike.