Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

NEW RADIO CIRCUIT OPENS Presidents Kocseut'lt ami liel Rio. Commiinications Lenders Exchange Greetincfs As KCAC Begins Telegraphic Service Betmeen U. S.. Ecuador AN EXCHANGE of messages by /v. President Roosevelt of the United States and President del Rio of Ecuador on May 1 marked the opening by R.C.A. Communications, Inc., of the first direct radiotele- graph service between the two countries. Several other messages transmit- ted in observance of the opening included exchanges of greetings by Senor Alberto Wright, Ecuador's Minister of Communications and Public Works, and James Lawrence Fly, Chairman of the Federal Com- munications Commission, Washing- ton, D. C; Lieut. Gen. James G. Harbord, Chairman of the Board, Radio Corporation of America; David Sarnoff, President of RCA, and William A. Winterbottom, Vice President and General Manager, R.C.A. Communications, Inc. In reply to Senor Wright, who said that radiotelegraph service be- tween the two countries "is a new link which no doubt will make even closer the bonds of friendship which unite the Ecuadorean and North American peoples," Mr. Sarnoff said: "I fully share the sentiments ex- pressed in your kind message that the new radiotelegraph circuit link- ing the sister Republics of Ecuador and the United States will bring our peoples even closer together in tightened bonds of friendship, and have full confidence that the im- proved and more economical com- munication service inaugurated to- day and made possible by the friendly cooperation of your Gov- ernment will also further enhance the cultural and commercial rela- tions between our two countries." Said General Harbord, in reply to Senor Wright: "In behalf of the officers and di- rectors of the RCA organization, I wish to thank you for your kind felicitations upon the opening of direct radiotelegraph service be- tween Ecuador and the United States and to express my gratifica- tion that through the miracle of modern radio, the voice of Ecuador may now be heard around the world." The new service operates over a direct radio circuit between New York and Quito, capital of Ecuador. It was pointed out by Mr. Winter- bottom that until now, a cable monopoly in Ecuador has prevented that country from engaging in ra- diotelegraph operations with other nations. Critics Select Symphony The cause of the modern com- poser got a substantial boost on Sundays, May 30 and June 6, when the NBC Summer Symphony Or- chestra, under the baton of Frank Black, cooperated with the Jlusic Critics Circle of New York in the presentation of two broadcasts em- bracing five new works nominated by members of the circle for the designation of "best American or- chestral composition of the 1942- 1943 season." This was the second annual quest conducted by the Critics Circle—an organization of music reviewers of New York newspapers and several magazines—for the topnotch new work of a season. The total play- ing time of the five nominations made it necessary to allot two full- hour broadcasts of the NBC Sum- mer Symphony to the official "re- hearing" of the works by the full roster of the Critics Circle. Olin Downes, critic of the Neiv York Times and chairman of the Circle, spoke on the first broadcast. The first program included Mor- ton Gould's "Spirituals for String Choir and Orchestra," William Schuman's "Prayer —1943" and Paul Creston's "Symphony No. 1." The second broadcast presented Aaron Copland's "A Lincoln Por- trait" and Roy Harris's "Symphony No. 5." Winning composition, de- termined by the final balloting, was the Creston symphony. RCA TO SPONSOR RADIO SHOW "WHAT'S NEW?" Sarnoff Announces New Wecfcly Progrntn Starting September 4 On Blue Network ANEW one-hour radio program headlined "What's New?" will be sponsored by the Radio Corpo- ration of America, it was announced July 20 by David Sarnoff, President of RCA, who said that the contract has been signed with the Blue Net- work for the premiere on Septem- ber 4 over 158 stations from Maine to Hawaii. The show will be broad- cast on Saturdays from 7 to 8 P.M. EWT. Don Ameche, star of radio and screen, will be master of cere- monies. The theme of the performance will be a weekly kaleidoscopic broad- cast of "What's New" throughout the world—in news, science, sports, theatre, films, music, art, educa- tion, books, agriculture and the home. In fact, anything new and important will qualify for a place on this program designed to keep listeners up-to-the-minute on the world's latest developments in all activities. Eye-witness and first-hand re- ports will be featured. New songs, new artists, new heroes, new won- ders will qualify to give the pro- gram a fast pace. Timeliness will be the keynote of the sixty minutes, as radio skips from New York to Hollywood, and to other places at home and abroad where something new is to be microphoned. "This program covering a broad scope and possessing a challenging theme will afford splendid oppor- tunity from week to week to reveal radio as a new and modern art form at its best," said Mr. Sarnoff. "With variety in talent and always something new, the aim in show- manship will be to present a timely performance of interest to listeners of all ages. We will draw upon the latest in radio art technique and in science to make this a program of high quality entertainment for Americans in all walks of life." Buy War Bonds RADIO AGE 35]