Radio today (Sept 1935-Dec 1936)

He Proposed 'Em. He Disposes of 'Em. Here are two top figures in metal tubes today. W. C. White, GE engineer who developed the new tubes {left) and R. J. Cordiner, radio sales manager of General Electric (right) who has made merchandising history with them. free) time believed behind the movement. Similarly instigated is Eudd Bill (Rep. Rudd, D, New York) which calls for reallocation of all wavelengths, with one-quarter of facilities reserved for non-profit organizations of the type mentioned above. Typical of the anti-radio viewpoint in Washington is recent blast by Commissioner Payne, condemning radio as "battling for no rights" and "dangerous of becoming too influential politically;" and the Sept. 2nd complaint by Rep. Fish (R., New York) that KOA had "censored" his talk and demanding a Washington investigation. With radio at mercy of selfishly interested politicians, future of broadcast set-up needs jealous guarding by those who want to see radio expand and progress, rather than become football for political oligarchies that are liable to change every four years. curiosity will bring unusually large store traffic this season. With larger than normal number of prospects coming in to see what metal tubes are all about, most dealers lean to belief that good selling will result in sales of sets carried, whether metal or glass tubes are used. Increased store traffic due to new-tube curiosity is seen as biggest sales advantage this year. Broadcast stations seek to increase power * Forty-two million people living in the United States are still outside of the primary service range of any broadcasting station. Such listeners can get only "secondary service" — occasional fortuitous listening when conditions are good — not steady, strong signals overriding static. Only solution is, of course, higher power all-round. Recognizing this, Federal Communication Commission now turns more sympathetic ear toward more kilowatts. Report is FCC may demand all clear-channel stations to go to 50 kw., at least. Commish also looking more favorably on 500 kw. applications, which it formerly regarded with horror! Several of these aspirants to "match Crosley" are known to be getting quotations on giant transmitters — among them WGN, WSM, WHAS. Regional stations are seeking increases to 5 kw., raising the whole power level on a channel without altering the interference pattern. Congressional meddling * Are dangers of political control of radio, feared since formation of the first Radio Commission in 1927, now becoming apparent? Rep. Scott (D., California) just before Congress adjourned, introduced bill to set up Broadcasting Committee to investigate radio; demands of political, religious and social reform groups for more (and incidentally Tragic irony * Ironical and pathetic were the circumstances under which the parents of Wiley Post learned of the death of their famous son. Radio flashed the tragic news of the crash to countless millions the nation over; but sympathetic friends, calling on the senior Posts, were the first to bring them the news. Their set was out of order; and no newspapers reached the remote village for hours. Life is a song — but only as long as the good old volume curve points upward. Happy harmony here is being supplied by Judson Sayre (center) newly appointed assistant to RCA-Victor's president — with words and music by Ray Rosen, Philly distributor (left) and E. T. Cunningham, RCA-Victor chief. 8 Radio Today