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CURRENT
EVENING
THE 1951 FLOOD is one they'll talk about in Kansas City for years to come — and WHB talked about it almost continuously for 91'/2 consecutive hours, July 13-14'15'16th.
From the moment the onrushing waters of the Kansas (Kaw) River threatened to surround and top the dikes on that memorable morning, July 13th, until 1 a. m. Tuesday, July 17th, WHB's transmitter remained on the air continuously to bring listeners news of the flood, the great fire, and the water shortage; and to broadcast emergency bulletins and instructions from all the agencies which co-operated in magnificent fashion to handle the situation, prevent panic and direct the city in orderly effort to confront disaster.
The task was complicated because of the several municipalities involved, as well as surrounding suburban regions: Flood Headquarters at City Hall, and Fire and Police Headquarters, Kansas City, Missouri. Civil Defense Headquarters, Kansas City, Kansas, through which all Kansas bulletins were cleared. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office. The Red Cross. The various Reserve units: Navy, Army, Engineers. The Civil Air Patrol. Almost everybody was in the act!
Total air time devoted to "flood programs"— in newscasts, interviews, on-thescene reports, emergency bulletins, instructions and announcements consumed 23 hours and 55 minutes in the four days and three nights of continuous broadcasting.
WHB Newsbureau was caught with Dick Smith, director, on vacation. Ken Hartley, Genii Willock and John Thornberry organized our emergency reporting and flood coverage under the leadership of general manager John T. Schilling — with capable assists from Lou Kemper, Owen Bush, Earl Wells, Bruce Grant, Phyl Birr (Sandra Lea), Larry Ray, Peter Robinson, Bob Arbogast and Paul Sully.
With the eyes of the nation on Kansas City, Mutual wanted flood news coverage with "on the spot" authenticity. WHB originated and fed its network four programs:
TIME
SUNDAY
MONDAY
A °°
h
n 30
45
Mysterious Traveler Mysterious Traveler Wild Bill Hickok Wild Bill Hickok
Fulton Lewis, Jr. Lorry Ray, Sports Gobriel Heattef Guy Lombordo
-« 00
1 30 ■ 45
55
Murder by Experts Murder by Experts The Shadow The Shadow The Shadow
Hashknife Hartley Hashknife Hartley Crime Fighters Crime Fighters Bill Henry, News
0 °°
0 30
45
Air Force Hour Air Force Hour Lombardo-Lond, U.S.A. LoRibordo-Land, U.S.A.
Today's Hits K. C. Blues Boseboll K. C. Blues Baseball K. C. Blues Baseball
I] 15
n 30
^ 45
i. Steele, Adventurer J. Steele, Adventurer Dance Orch, Dance Orch.
K. C. Blues Boseball K. C. Blues Baseball K. C. Blues Boseboll K. C. Blues Baseball
101
Serenade in the Night Serenade In the Night Serenade in the Night Serenade — News
K. C. Blues Baseball K. C. Blues Baseball Frank Edwards, Nem Serenade in the Night
in
I 1 30 ■ ■ 45
Swing Session Swing Session Swing Session Midnight News
Arbogast Show Arbegast Show Arbegast Show Arbogost Show
121
Swing Session Swing Session Swing Session Swing Session
Arbogast Show Arbogast Show Arbogast Show Arbogost Show
^ 00
WHB SIGNS OFF
WHB SIGNS OFF
TIME
SUNDAY
MONDAY
July 13 — Lou Kemper in an on-thescene report of flood conditions, including "Operation Pig" and the actual sound effects as hundreds of hogs were removed alive from the Kansas City Stockyards.
July 1 6 — Ken Hartley's summary of flood conditions and review of incidents.
(These two originations were used on Mutual's "News Reel.")
July 1 7 — President Truman's statement at Grandview Airport following his trip by air over the devastated area.
July 18 — John Thornberry's aerial observations of the devastated area were broadcast on Mutual's "News Reel."
ONE bit of WHB reporting turned into a minor classic of the flood broadcasts: John Thornberry's account, and his "editorial comment," regarding a flight over the city with the Mayor and City Council. Hundreds of requests were received for the script; and a number