Radio age (Jan-Dec 1925)

38 RADIO AGE for March, 1925 What the Broadcasters are Doing "Whit 1 1 The Mystery MAN of Boston By Oliver JENKINS STATION WEEI, the Friendly Glow, Boston. The next feature on our program will be a radio interview by 'Whit'." And forgetting all about the DX records for the time, the million and a half listeners which WEEI figures as its average unseen audience at any given time when its program is on the air, settle back comfortably, whether in chairs of mohair or pine, anticipating a half hour of unadulterated enjoyment. Needless to say, their anticipations are always realized. The radio interview originated with "Whit." It is a popular feature, for although the Boston station has been on the air only four months, stations all over the country have grasped at the idea and the radio interview is now a prominent attraction on many programs. "Whit" has interviewed statesmen, actors, editors, cartoonists, radio experts and big business magnates — and even a ghost! Readers of RADIO AGE havealready read something about this extraordinary event, but the subject simply can't be passed by without the mention of an interesting incident in connection with it. Who's the Ghost? THE "Ghost" was impersonated by no other than Charles Burton, the superintendent of the station. It isn't a simple matter to play the part of a ghost; it requires a little thought. But no problem, however difficult, can baffle "Burt" and "Whit" when they put their heads together. A handkerchief was thrown over the "mike" and the rest was easy. Telegrams poured into the studio all the night of Hallowe'en and many of the senders apparently thought the ghost might have been real, even in this Twentieth Century! "Whit's" — we are going to shatter the secret now — "Whit's" real name is Lewis S. Whitcomb, and before entering the radio field, he was a newspaper man in Boston. He is today Assistant Superintendent of WEEI. How such a change took place within a few days is unusual, to say the least. Who wouldn't be an interviewer if he could have such charming ladies to interview as Betty Bronson? "Whit" is here shown prying all sorts of secrets from the popular movie star. How Station WEEI is Putting the Friendly Glow Into Its Broadcasting by The Simple Process of Interviewing "Celebrities" for Its Million And a Half Enthusiastic Listener -Admirers. Six months ago "Whit" was getting along very nicely as radio editor of the Boston Post, and within a few blocks of him was his old friend, Charlie Burton, radio editor of the Boston Herald. The two met frequently, quite often spending the lunch hour together, during which time they would exchange stories of radio and news interest. The men on the Pes/ and the men on the Herald are supposed to be bitter rivals, but these two refused to be. One day a rumor went the rounds of a possible new radio station which was being planned by the Edison Company of Boston. The next day, both of the friends went around to the office of the company and applied for the job of announcer. Neither one knew that the other had done so. Meeting a few days later, Burton casually mentioned the fact to "Whit" and "Whit" mentioned that he had done the same thing. "There 's not much chance of both of us getting the job," said Burton. "One of us is going to be out of luck." So "Whit" attempted to withdraw his application, but the company refused to allow it. "I'll tell you, Charlie," said "Whit." "I've got an idea. It's been running around loose in my mind for days. We newspaper fellows interview people, don't we? Then, why not try the same thing over the radio? Interview interesting people. It ought to go over big." The Problem Solved "TT'S a humdinger of an idea," agreed ■*■ Charlie, "and that solves the problem. If I get the job, I'll spring the idea and let you do the interviews. If you get the job, you do the same with me." The agreement was made on the spot. Everything was fine, after all. Neither guessed that things were going to be even finer. Two days later both of them received letters offering them positions with the new station. Burton went on as superintendent and "Whit" as assistant. The station had been running only a week when "Whit" put his interview idea into action. As the theatre people say, it was a "riot." Some people are swamped with ideas. "Whit" is one of these people. The interview notion did not end things. "Whit" has decided that radio can pay. That, of course, is one of the big questions of the hour. Well, can it? "Whit" saysyes. He'sgoingtoproveit. Within the pastfew weeks he has already put the station on a partially paying basis. His venture is just in its infancy, however, and the time has not yet come to tell whether it is practical or not. But, knowing "Whit," we haven't any fears. One of the newest stunts to be tried by him is "Moving-pictures in relation to the radio station." The pictures show the workings of the station, the various studios hooked up with it, and some of the millions of people who listen in. The picture is woven around a charming story of love and adventure, and will be shown soon in Boston theatres. Of course, this is in a way an advertising stunt, but it is one that any station might use profitably, and after all it ia interesting as well as educational. (Turn to page 72)