Radio and television today (Jan-Nov 1941)

RADIO'S TRENDS Retailers' Role in Defense "Retailers for Defense" is the theme of this year's National Retail Demonstration Week, Sept. 15 to 20, sponsored by the National Retail Dry Goods Association, 101 W. 31st St., New York City. The retailer's role in the present crisis will be emphasized via broadcasts, sound movies, posters, etc., according to the Week chairman, Major Benjamin H. Namm. The program is planned to strengthen public confidence in the retailing industry. It is suggested that dealers use the "Retailers for Defense" theme in window displays, open house events, advertisements, local broadcasts, etc., working with local chairman. A feature of the Week will be the selection of a national "Mrs. Typical Consumer," from those nominated locally in communities participating in the event. Melville Clark of Clark Music Co., Syracuse, N. Y., is the new president of National Ass'n. of Music Merchants, elected at recent NY convention. Mr. Clark is a nationally known harpist, inventor, lecturer and author. Radio Excise Tax Increased to 70%? The radio excise tax was increased from 5% to 10 per cent and also the basic law changed to cause an extra tax burden in the new 3V2 billion dollar general revenue law reported out by the House Ways and Means Committee on July 25. A similar increase from 5^2 to 10 per cent on refrigerators and parts was ordered, together with much stiffer levies on corporations and individual incomes. The radio tax, originally scheduled to expire June 30, 1945, is made permanent in the new bill and is estimated to raise $9,400,000 this year. Under the previous law the tax had applied only to certain radio components and accessories, but will now be "expanded to include completed radio sets, phonographs, phonograph records, automobile radios and musical instruments." Heretofore automobile sets were taxable only at the automotive accessory rate of 2V2 per cent, so the proposed new law will substantially increase the tax burden on auto radio. Also, the 10 per cent tax will apply to the principal set components when sold separately, but apparently will exempt parts, components and accessories (when sold separately) not specifically named in the new legislation. This also restores the tax on phonograph records, at a rate of 10 per cent. ASCAP Music Back to NBC Nets The return of ASCAP music to the NBC networks was seen in the announcement on Aug. 2 by the NBC president, Niles Trammell, that the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers had. approved an NBC proposal ending the music dispute. Pinal agreement awaits the reaction of affiliated stations, but indications are that the works of such composers as Victor Herbert, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter will shortly be heard again on the Red and Blue webs. Proposed new contracts run to the end of 1949. ASCAP controlled music went off all network stations on Jan. 1 of this year, but returned to MBS stations later when Mutual Broadcasting System concluded an agreement with the Society. Radio Magic, Fridays, 7:75 and 6:75 p.m. Radio Magic programs over the NBC Blue network, with WJZ as key station, are now nearing the hundred mark, and continue every Friday at 7:15 p.m. EDST (6:15 p.m. CDST). Editor Caldwell of Radio Today conducts these weekly broadcasts to inform radio listeners concerning' latest discoveries in radio and in uses of radio tubes, and how listeners can get the best reception from their own receivers. Topics ahead are : — Aug. 22— Silent Sound. Aug. 29 — Shortwave Listening. Sept. 5 — Tubes Aid Telegraphy. Sept. 12 — Magic of Recording. Sept. 19 — Electronics in Defense. Sept. 26— Music by Wire. Significantly, a Stromberg-Carlson official, Lloyd L. Spencer, points out FM features for a prominent dealer, E. K. Andrews, J. L. Hudson & Co., Detroit. At the Music Show in New York City. OPM Allocates Nickel for PM Speakers The OPM Priorities Division is making special allocations of nickel, extending through December, for permanent-magnet speakers to match the previous OPM aluminum allocations for magnets. Special nickel allocations for alnico magnet material were announced Aug. 6, by Nickel Administrator David A. IJebelacker and, like the aluminum allocations for the radio industry, result from months of effort by the RMA Priorities Committee of which Paul V. Galvin of Chicago is Octave Blake, Cornell-Dubilier president, who has been appointed chairman of the RMA Wage-Hour Administration Committee. 70 RADIO TODAY