Radio broadcast .. (1922-30)

294 MISBRANDING Laboratory tests on the battery bearing this label disclosed the fact that its capacity did not actually exceed 75 ampere-hours 8. That the trustworthy retailer is eager to show the rating or identification on the battery and in the maker's catalog. HELPING THE CONSUMER HELP HIMSELF "THE reception accorded these bulletins * by the battery trade and the radio trade will be interesting to radio users. As an indication that many of those who serve the radio public take this subject seriously, we can record that the original edition of the first bulletin was snapped up inside of a week by battery makers, local Better Business Bureaus, and radio retailers in New York City. Sample copies of this bulletin were sent to battery service stations. Do you think the service station man is not interested in straightforward radio battery business? The number of these men who ordered quantities of the bulletin "Buy Battery Capacity!" for distribution to their customers was so large that the second edition did not last much longer than the first. Local battery dealers in Boston, Massachusetts, became sufficiently interested in the proposal to give the radio user an A RADIO BROADCAST battery which will deliver the ampere-hour capacity claimed for it for them to apply to the Boston Better Business Bureau and the Associated Industries of Massachusetts for a meeting on this subject, which was held with the representatives of seventeen concerns in attendance. Resolutions were passed pledging the adherence of those represented to the code, and urging the Boston Better Business Bureau to mop up any local misrepresentations which might remain. Philadelphia con AUGUST, 1926 a Philadelphia battery manufacturer whose career of misrepresentation had as its sequel an offer to his creditors to settle for twentyfive cents on the dollar. The significant subtitle of this bulletin is "Fair Play Has A Cash-Drawer Value." Both bulletins are written in simple and understandable language. They are intended as a guide to the battery user in obtaining products of the desired ampere-bonr capacity, and as a warning to the trade that the apparent gains of "gyp" selling do not build permanent profits for any business. The National Better Business Bureau has not concluded its service to the trade and to the public with the issuance of these bulletins. It expects to stay on the job until the radio public runs substantially no risk of encountering further deception of this type. It has the cooperation of the better publishers (both magazine and news cerns in this field requested a similar meeting, which was held not long ago with like results. As this issue of RADIO BROADCAST goes to press, battery and radio companies in Chicago are urging a similar procedure there. A' '"• • HOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION NY reader of RADIO BROADCAST who is interested in the subject may obtain a copy of "Buy Battery Capacity" without cost, by writing to the National Better Business Bureau at 383 Madison Avenue, New York City, and mentioning this magazine. The Bureau Will also supply such inquiries with a copy of its May bulletin concerning ROOM TO SPARE IN THIS "HOPE CHEST" From the outside, this battery looked quite all right, but the space for the proper number of plates was not completely filled. Note that an inch of space remains unused. Some manufacturers have followed this practice, which is hard for the layman to detect ——OPEN EVENIKOS TILL I F. .!/„ a Ctuarnnttt Soni ll'ilh <fbtrt> Jlunli PERFECTION •UOUIWRVSr. SMVSWKUt 1^ =T GREENHUTS '3he Radio Hub of JVeio Tork' •J9 CORTLANDTST. 'V Perfection Leads as Always St. Will Be Open Saturday. BATTERIES The Famous ATLAS ORNELL, ICO Amp., Rubber CORNELL 140 Amp. Rubber . . 10.*"™'... . $5.00 WILLARD, 100 Amp., Rubber Cast R4DIO SHOPS 172 Washington St. 176 Greenwich St. 100 Amp. NEIDICH STORAGE $O 25 BATTERY O== NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS How unbranded, oversize box batteries were represented in advertising. In the advertisement at the left the first and the last batteries in the list were not subject to investigation paper) in the form of effective selfcensorship of their advertising columns and in the publication of such articles as this. (Editor's Nt.tc. Bat teries, dishonestly marked, as explained by Mr. Shinn.have not been recommended by RADIO BROADCAST and would not, of course, pass the tests of our Laboratory). It invites the cooperation of the radio public. If you have found your A battery of suspiciouslv low amperehour capacity, notify the National Better Business Bureau, giving the maker's name and the time and place of purchase. In so doing, you are rendering a service to the thousands of new radio fans who purchase battery equipment every day.