Variety (Oct 1937)

RADIO Wednesday, October 6, 1937 RADIO MARKS TIME; QAR IDEA FOCUSED; WEBER IRONS OUT NET WORK BUMPS Stations Worried—Southern Broadcasters Reported Incensed at Unionization Wave Going Through Dixie—Other Factors Broadcasting is marking time un- til the special N.A.B. convention in New York, next week, is over and the Musicians-Union matter settled. Mental attitiide of many station Qwners is very unsettled. While some stations have gotten used to the prospective increase or have comfortably discovered that their present disbursements for music will probably more than cover their quota, others are uncertain and un^. happy. Stations in the South are said to be among the most vitriolic in their denunciations (mostly private) of the American Federation of 'Musi- cians. This is because the aggressive outcropping in Dixie of C.I.O.-in- spired unionization has sent shivers through the business community down therie. South is notably not mentally conditioned to labor groups and is bitter. Southern stations have been es- pecially loath to reveal, even to their trade association, any facts^ statistics or payroll percentages as affecting talent, musicians or sustaining poll- . pies. ' Joe Weber, American Federation of Musicians prez, was trying hard at press time yesterday (Tuesday) to arrive at a compromise with NBC on the new originating-station con- tract and also put the finishing touches to the uniform indie sta- tion agreement so that he could leave New York to attend the clos- ing sessions of the American Fed- eration of Labor convention in Den- ver. If thesis matters. weren't closed by this morning Weber in- tended to call off the Denver trip. Columbia had readily agreed to accept the AFM's proposition that the network increase their musi- cians expenditures at each of the originating stations by $60,000, but NBC insisted that the International give it credit out of this'amount for the extra money it was spending jfor the 51 men added for the Arturo Toscanira programs, all of whom are to collect above, scale. - With either major network it would be a new two-year contract, becoming effective immediately and replacing any previous, commit- ments. With the $60,000 increase per year, CBS' annual bjU for staff -musicians in New York would go over the $550,000 mark, while NBC's would be appreciably over $1,000,000. Boost is also to apply to the webs' musical payrolls in Chicago and Los Angeles. Weber said yesterday (Tuesday) . that his board had not decided just what increase it would ask of the three chief Mutual originating sta- tions, WOR, New York; WGN, Chi- cago, and KHJ, Los Angeles. In- dications are that it will be between $25,000 and $30,000 a year. James Petrillo, Iicad of the Chicago local, is slated to discuss the matter with WGN when he returns home next week, while the KHJ situation will be .taken up with tewis Allen %eiss, Don Lee gen. mgr., when he ar- rives in. Now York next week for- the general broadcasters' convention at the Waldoi'f Astoria. Stations affiliated with NBC and ColuiTibia are set to meet the day bafore the general broadcasting con- '^cntion opens at the Waldorf-As- toria to listen to the report of the specinl committee which negotiated the contract with the American Fed- eration of Musicians. . Time of the IRNA's gathering at the same hotel will bo 't p. m. Monday (11), One thing lh;it this committee has io decide in the meanwhile what effect the resignation of William S, Atlas Huddle Due Hedges as gen; mgr. of WLW, Cin- cinnati, will have on his services as chairman of the negotiating group. Despite the peace pact" signed last weekend between the Philly music union and WCAU there, the Penna, State commercial program which re- sumes over CBS next Sunday (10) night will originate at WABC, New York, at least for the present. When the show debuted several months ago it ozoned from WCAU, Philly, May return there later, although re- sentment of the sponsors and agency men^over the union situash there is hurdle to 'that move. Tentative plan is to take the show to WHP, Harrisburg, for permanent origina- tion. ARTHUR B. CHURCH KMBC, KANSAS CITT Understand N. A. B. board of di- rectors to shortly consider further problem of obtaining counsel to represent broadcasting industry. Meanwhile, therefore; I prefer to make.no personal statement. I plan to attend special" N. A. B. conven- tion. According to my understanding of A, F. M. demands and reported negotiations of committee for in- dependently owned network af- flUated KMBC would be little af- fected either as to minimum num- ber of men or salaries paid mu- sicians as we have for many years employed staff of imion musicians. Unquestionably musicians generally have some causes. for complaint which should be rectified but A. F. M. demands appear excessive and, in some cases, would seem to work extreme hardships on some small independently owned stations. I am confident majority broad- casters appreciate problems and wish to co-operate with musicians in every way possible to reach rea- sonable imderstanding. body to give his undivided attention to his own business. At this time we do not expect to have anbody present at the conven- tion. We've got lots of work to do right here. BIRTF.nSHER KJRp-KMO, SEATTLE Stations KJR and KMO will have representative at broadcasters meet- ing in New York next week but prefer not to comment on issues in advance. LEO FITZPATRICK WJR, DETROIT . Personally I halve always been in favor of having a representative citizen to represent the broadcasting industry. I believe that the musicians' union has a just cause for asking some kind of readjustment of present conditions. and have littlei fear but that it will be worked out amicably. I shall be at the convratioh. JOSEPH 0. MALAND WHO, DES MOINES any Congressional investigation. Our building a trade association that will need now is for association repre- inspire confidence and respect both sentative of entire industry without inside and outside the industry, politics and clique control. Only in- ;.If that is accomplished and N. A. dependents owned stations should B. is truly representative of the in- be members of such an association, dustry witH sufficient dues—paying We need networks as much as they members the appomtment of a co- need us, however, there should be ordinator might be warranted, closer cooperation. Such association Will certainly attend New York should be headed by an outstanding meeting and have personally written individual who has respect of nation, two letters to every American radio 'station xirging 100% attendance. Have always, been on record fa- voring more local programs by radio stations but thus far have always found that newscasts, special fea- tures, sports coverage get better Czar for radio broadcasting is a I audience acceptance than use of great idea theoretically but wonder local musicians, how we can find man big enough If musicians., have something to for job to work for an association sell us that will improve our service with inadequate funds on yearly and please our listeners we are ready basis. It cannot be done unless net- to buy it but don't think any or- works or small group of stations un- ganization should be granted the derwrite proposition for three to five privilege of forcing us to uise its ycaxs. I service regardless of merit. Regarding Musicians Union prob- lem we think that Advisory Com- mittee of IRNA has done wonder- ful job in handling almost insolvable problem and will approve any rec- ommendations made by them even though we may not agree in every particular. EUGENE PULLIAM WIRE, INDIANAPOLIS CLUR M'COLLOUGH MASON-DIXON GROUP FARM STATION IOWA (Name withheld by request) HUGHA.LHALFF WOAI, SAN ANTONIO In my opinion appointment of so- called czar to represent broadcast ing industry in manner of Will Hays office for motion pictures is not only desirable but almost nec- essary provided that one selected is of the highest character and great- est ability commanding the respect of all. Anything short of that, in my opinion, would be a waste of time and money. Expiect to' attend New York con- vention accompanied by" Beeman Fisher, new general manager; of WOAL Without having the latest infor- mation or angles not in position to express opinion of musicians imion problem. HERB HOLUSTER KANS, WICHITA Will attends convention in New York. Have not formed an opinion regarding a czar for the radio in- dustry. Think there is something to be We have been busy here for a great many years, trying to give our listeners worthy entertainment and information, and trying to give enough service to bur advertisers to pay expenses. Frankly, we don't believe that any 'so-called Czar could run our business any better than we can; neither do we believe that any mu- sicians* union can or will do any- thing but make trouble for them- selves and for us, by dictating as to how many entertainers we shall have, and what we shall pay them, I don't care to influence anybody else, any more than I care to have them influence us in the conduct of our business. Seems to me there is a great and crying need for every Believe appointment of proper outstanding personality to represent broadcasting industry will solve many of our problems and. favor prompt action in this direction. Will attend New York convention, which I think is essential due to necessity of submitting all angles of Musicians' Union situation to all stations. Hope othets realize this..meeting of »tran^ scendent importance. A conference in Now York (I!ity is scheduled for later il)!.<; week be- twocji the members ol . the group pvcmcting the Atlas transcription fu'M. Laticr has hitcmplod to set up a t\nrji,crjyjtion hiz on a fihri ex- clion.'.:c bJccl: booking theory but has not rch'firrt;! far to date, T.T.inc,VMi:in Hopper of Cinema Mercanliic Credits, Hollywood is due a^. ccnfevcnco along, with Herb Eber.EtcIn, Leu Winston and Leon Lcc. STANLEY HUBBARD KSTP, ST. PAUL-MINNEAPOLIS Musicians have justifiable com- plaint against some stations, hoW' ever, consider it unfair to penalize those who have used musicians since inception of radio at great financial loss. Am opposed to czar on basis of possible investigation of industry, Stations such as ours will welcome What radio heeds is not a czar, but a closely knit association with a pliblic relations department that wiU effectively interpret the industry to the public, generedly, and to the gov- ernment specifically. The frequently heard, but inadequately challenged statement that radio is a bonanza must be. specifically answered in the very near futiure if irirepairable harm to ^the industry is to be avoided. The recent- demand of the musicians union is only additional evidence ART MOSBY KGVO, MISSOULA, MONT. sqid for all sides m the controversy credehce given this bonanza between the radio industry, as a l^^y^j^^ ^^^^ minded broadcaster whole, and as ^groups, and . the 1 ^ ^^^^^^ ^ collective bargaining, American Federation of Musicians Lig^i^^g ^ ^nion contract, or having Believe all this can and will be ^^.^^^^^ relations with organized straightened out in a satisfactory L^^^^. However,'the economics of manner to all parties and factions. | ^^^.^ operation must be taken into accoimt if a workable agreement is to be effected. The facts in this question and in other problems con- fronting the industry must be pre- sented with such frankness and sin- Feel appointment of radio czar 1 cerity that the public will under- very important to hold together a stand just how absurd this radio very disorganized broadcasting bonanza myth really is. I don't be- group. - lieve a czar is the answer. Having already made two trips to The very appointment of a czar New York this summer doubt I will would be prima-facie admission that personally attend next week's con- the industry needs policing, which, fab. . of course, is not the case. The radio WPA has no musicians on relief industry has blazed the trail for a in Montana. Problem is local rather great new vehicle- of information and than national. Feel Petrillo activity entertainment. With few exceptions has forced Weber to adopt unusual its record is clean, not corrupt. The tactics which should have been di- public generally and Government rected at theatres and night clubs specifically will be fair and reason- rather than radio which has helped able in appraising this record if it rather than injured musicians. CHARLES W. MYERS KOIN, PORTLAND Regarding so-called czar, or bet- ter called counsel, for radio indus- try I would first have to know the man* before answering."I Tie not be- lieve in magic. ■ Musicians controversy partly caused by a few greedy operators within the industry. KOIN has al- ways employed musicians. My at- tendance at meeting undecided. is properly presented and honestly interpreted. Radio is certain to hav» more regulation, but it should be ad- ministered with a sympathetic un- derstanding of the industry's prob- lems,- and this can be accomplished if the industry is organized and united for its objective development as well as for InteiUigent defense of its record of highly creditable service. LLOYD THOMAS WROK, ROCKFORD, ILL. GENE OTALLON KFEL, DENVER I do not consider radio industry ready for a czar. Consider it morg important to strengthen present I '""^ N. A. B, by departmentalizing and ' ^'^^ How ^Czar' Idea Works in Film Biz By ROY CHy^RTIER Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America, Inc, was founded in March, 1922, at which time Will H. Hays resigned as Postmaster-General from Harding cabinet to head it. UNDERLYING MOTIVES: A trade association representing all major producer- distributors as a group was ielt. to be imperative. Pro- ducers were running wild and it was felt that co- ordination was needed for the benefit of all, curbing those of the prod-distrib group which might be en- dangering others by their actions. This has been im- portant at times when certain producers have gone too. far with 'censorable' material on the screen, in adver- tising or otherwise. With legislative troubles back in '22 becoming more and more a nuisance and relations between distribs and independents becoming more strained, it was felt an organization was also needed which would be of a protective nature. ANNUAL COST OF MAINTENANCE: Variously estimated from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 a year, cost of operating the 'Czar' set-up in filmdom is largely dependent on what work comes before the association in any particular year including lobbying, legislative, litigation, etc. Hays' personal salary is prob- ably around $300,000 yearly with liberal expense ac- count added, ACTIVITIES: " MPPDA has fought adverse tax and other legislative action every year both in Congress and in the various states, maintaining close legislative connections at all times and close checks on bills affecting the industry as they come up. Has been very successful, in co- operation with producer-distributors and theatre oper- ators in keeping adverse legislation and other State or Federal moves aimed at the industry at a minimum. MEMBERSHIP: Members, including Paramount, MGM, 20th-Fox, United Artists, Warners, Universal, Columbia, Republic, Educational and various individual producing units such as Sam Goldwyn, are assessed- a percentage of their annual gross business to help maintain the MPPDA. INDEPENDENTS' ATTITUDE: Attitude of indies toward the Hays office is mixed, some always having regarded it as representative of the 'tyranny' major producer-distribs have over indies while others seek and do cooperate with MPPDA on various matters vital to the whole industry, such as leg- islation. In its work against legislation, the MPPDA is always effecting results which are just as beneficial to the indie as to the big producer or chain operator. What radio broadcasting needs is better coordination and closer co- operation between stations in differ- ent groups, namely national high powered network and independent regional and local. Poorest organ- ized are the independent regional N,A,B. will only do its job properly when it is so organized that it gives help to all classes con- cerned. Radio does not want and does not need a czar. It is not comparable with motion picture industry and is not suffering from same evils. We are strongly and definitely opposed to a radio czar. Will be represented at New York N,A,B. convention. District organizations of broadcasters plus proper departmental setup in N.A.B, will help solve problems. We believe musicians' union deal- ings with independent local stations will be fair and demands equitable, taking their financial limitations and resources into consideration. WROK has union musician's payroll now equivalent to that requested by mu- sicians' union. If local stations were properly organized in groups with proper representation such prob- lems could be handled much more easily and satisfactorily. S. C, VINSONHALER KLRA, LITTLE ROCK I belieye the proper man to rep- resent broadcasting industry would be splendid thing. At present time I will be unable to attend . New York convention. However, plans may change.