Variety (Oct 1937)

42 VARIETY RADIO Wednesday, October 20, 1937 C.I.O. Openly, A.F.L Privately Behind Investigation Moves Washington, Oct, 19. Before appreciable results can be achieved in the Administration's pro- jected purge, movement to blast both the broadcasting industry and the Federal Communications Com- mission received another boost last week. Rock-throwing tactics were re- sumed in spectacular manner when the Committee for Industrial Organ- ization chieftains led by President John L. Lewis of the United Mine Workers adopted a resolution at their Atlantic City conference urging Congress to make a thorough probe of the radio situation. Did not specifically back any of the mis- cellaneous Inquiry measures pending in the House and Senate. The CIO action, which was pre- faced by compaints about F.C.C.'s 'star-chamber'', attitude, and the existence of'?i 'powerful lobby,' h^s deep significance since it means that both of the rival union groups, with combined strength of about 7.,000,000 persons, are now working shoulder to shoulder to upset present govern- ment policies and win more facilities for labor. Previously American Federation . of Labor . executives, working obscurely in the back- ground, have been energetic in try- ing to get Congress to turn the heat oh the Commish and the business. ; While-A.F. -of L. spokesmen on vari.ous occasions have voiced dis- satisfaction with the way the F.C.C. operates, the-C.I.O. resolution is the first formal, action by any unionists to lift-the lid on regulatory actions and the industry's tionduct. Federa- tion has been cautious, as a body, about making, any declarations ex- cept in favor of giving WCFL, the Chicago union transmitter, a cleiir channel and more juice. , Reason for this Lewis group's at- tack was not apparent. Resolution was presented without warning and passed without prolonged discussion at the Atlantic City pow-woW. Since none "of the C.I.O. forces have any direct interest in either existing sta- tions or proposed transmitter?, so far as 13 known, the demand for better breaks for labor caused considerable surprise. . In strong condemnation of F.C.C. policies, the laborites charged the Commi§h has been willing to 'abrogate' its own rules in favor of big boys in the radio biz. Pressure Diminishing? , If the C.I.O. bosses carry out the Implied instructions to work for an investigation, the fumigation move- ment may not be easily checked this winter. New Dieal is hoping that Under Chairman Frank R. McNinch conditions at the F.C.C. will be im- proved so much that the inquiry pressure will diminish. But with the Lewis crowd now on record as favoring a probe, the Congressional bloc wanting to scalp the industry has a strong ally, since the C.I.O. can exert a. great deal of influence in Capitol lobbies and committee- rooms. A.F. of L. never backed an inquiry move as an institution, although various members of the . high com- mand have bieen pulling legislative wires. ((Continued from page 39) EDUCATIONAL MEET; BELLOWS CHAIRMAN St. Paul, Oct. 19. Henry A. Bellows," General Mills exec and> former CBS vice prexy and member of the original iFederal Radio Commission, opened KSTP'is first northwest educational broiad- casting conference, which got under way Saturday (16), with an attend- ance of 300. Purpose of the huddle is to aid educational- and civic groups in better program planning, to raise the level of free-time broad- casts. Bellows, acted as general chairrrian of a discussion panel on 'New Ob- jectives and Techniques ' in Educa- tional Broadcasting.' Other gabbers included Judith Waller, educational director of NBC's Central division: Dr. Malcolm MacLean, director of University of Minnesota's general college, and Guy Fxaser Harrison, baton-waver for the, Rochester Civic ork and guest conductor last, season of the Minneapolis Symph. WFIL's 2 A.M. Sign-Off Philadelphia, Oct. 19. After week, of .experimental exten- sion, of sigri-ofi from midnight to 1 a.m., WFIL has decided to make change permanent. Response so favorable to extra hour, Don Withy- comb, g.m. declared, that another hour will shortly be added, so sign- off won't come until two. Extra hour being used for big- name dance orchs pumped by Mutual. \ Eighty per cent of the accounts huying evening time on the Columbia Broadcasting System are scheduled over WItlO. !JTie remaining 20 per cent were under contract at the time WHIO joined this great network. THE TEST STATION OF THE NATION DAYTON. OHIO It.v.. lOHN HI.AIR ^ C'^ sion and two other producers, Phil Cohan and George Zachary, are his assistants. Margaret Lewerth is also a writer and Max Wylie is continu ity chief. Others are occasionally given producer status for particular specialties. A prequisite of all directors is that they be capable of script-dbctoring. They need not be writers on their own, although they often are, but it is demanded that the director must be able to edit, correct, tie together and generally rearrange action and dialog. Directors now attached to the New York, department include Nila Mack, Tevis Huhn, Irving Reis, Martin Gosch, Earl McGill, Bill Robson. Radio also borrows the film clas- sification of 'assistant director.' Du- ties are limited to stop-watch patrol- ling and routine matters. Where an advertising agency production ex- ecutive is in charge of a commercial the network customarily assigns an assistant director as service and liai- son representative. Columbia network program statis- tics cite the annual employment of actors, large and small, for around 1,500 assignments. Leads get $30 for sustainers, $20 goes to non-leads, and extras get,$10 per program. Extras provide the dramatic background crosstalk. One morning show, 'Dear Columbia,' which is unrehearsed, reading (of letters) pays $10 straight. Five of some 20 CBS sustainers now on the schedule for the new season are in the 'not for sale' class. They are Major Bowes' 'Capitol Fam- ily, Columbia Worksh6p, School of the Air, Broadway Matinee and Brave New World.. KNX, Hollywood, feeds in 'HoUy^ wood Showcase.' Other network sustaining efforts of the moment in- clude: 'Sunday at Aimt Susan's,' 'Yovur Birthday Party,' 'Headlines and Bylines,' 'Morning Almanac,' 'Children's Corner,' 'Song Time,' 'Your Teacher,' 'Tish,' 'Essays in Music,' 'Let's Pretend' and 'Swing Session.' Farming: Out CBS has put into practice a policy designed to up the standard of the dramatic shows put on locally by its affiliated stations, by farming out talent from the 'Columbia Work-. shop' to develop troupers on broad- casters in the sticks. The CBS offer is to send any of its affiliates an ex- perienced radio director from its own payroll, and have the specific station hire him to whip up an act- ing company for local ozoning. First affiliate to take advantage of the offer is WCAO, Baltimore, to which 'Workshop' has sent Sidney Paul to assemble and direct the first actual dramatic company the 15- year-old station has ever had. Paul, before coming to New York, lived in Baltimore, where he was active in little theatres. WCAO, in building up a dramatic group, is t*oing out to compete with WBAL, its Hearst-owned rival, which has been enlarging its scope in this field. Paul gets paid by WCAO. 5 WSB Lads at Game Atlanta, Oct. 19. Coverage of Tech-Duke clash for Atlantic Refining Co. over WSB Sat- urday (16) was nothing if not com- plete. Station had five men on job. Marcus Bartlett, station's musical director who turns football expert when grid seaspn opens, handled running accoun^t of clash in good style, while John Tillman miked the plugs at start, quarters, half and end of game. Comniersh stuff was brief and snappy. Walter Paschall, WSB newscaster, was on hand to give scores of other games, while John M. Outler, pres station's commercial mgr, was present to summarize and give Bart- lett a breather whenever teams took time out. Fifth voice heard during broadcast was that of Lambdin Kay, general mgr of station, who introed celebs gathered for game in field box of Dr. M. L. Brittain, prez of Tech. Atlantic Refining has time engaged for broadcast of all Georgia U. games except one played in Boston Saturday with Holy Cross. Disbannent Trial of Smith-Segal Starts with Ouster of Payne WOR BOOSTS RATES First Since 1929 — Grossed $1,200,000 So Far This Tear WOR, New York, hikes its rate card on Nov. 14, and move^ nearer the charges made by its" big net work-feeding, rivals in the New York area. Bamberger-owned broadcaster tilts its one-hour night-time take tp $1,100 from current $925 for a rise of approximately 19%; daytime lift is from $500 to $600 for a flat 20% It's the first day-time uppage at WOR since A'ug.V'29/and the first night-time' soar since May, '35. On Sundays the rate for an hour be- tween noon and 6 p.m. will be jumped from present $667 to $825. " Only stations in the country with rates steeper than WOR's are WABC ($1,250 per hpur, night), WLW,. WJZ, WEAF ($1,200 each). WOR is enjoying its biggest gross year in history. First six months ot 1937 waved in a grab of $1,200,000. For same stretchy in '36, the gross was around $1,000^000. DUCAT SALE MELTING RADIO PROHIBITION Lincoln, Neb., Oct.. 19. Football attendance has been so good with the University of, Ne- braska that the ban oh broadcasting may be lifted completely before the current season is over. Only game still under . taboo is the one with Kansas University (Nov. 6) but the advance sale is strong enough to make it a likely addition to the air- ing list. Nebraska shut down on the mike- sters when the grid business slumped badly in 1930. Bars were down un- til last season. . Indications are that they will stay up what with the ticket sales booin experienced after Nebraska's beating of Minnesota and the Grade A rating held by the local team. Spencer Heads Rep Firm Office; Mrs. Craig Active F. Edward Spencer, .Jr., has as- sumed charge of the New York of- fice of the station rep firm, Craig & Hollingberry; Mrs. Jeanne Craig, widow of Norman Ctaig, who died last summer, has been bossing the N. Y. front since her husband's death, and will remain with the firm as controlling stockholder. George P. Hollingberry handles the Chicago of- fice. Before joining the station rep out- fit last July as general manager. Spencer was in charge of spot sales at NBC. Frances Brewer to WJJD, Chicago, as assistant to Earl Withrow, con- tinuity editor. Miss Brewer, fornierly of WCCO, Minneapolis. Washington, Oct. 19. Attorneys Paul Segal and George Smith threw George Henry Payne for a big loss today (Tuesday) as their trial for disbarment got under way. Raising the question of malice and prejudice the attorneys demand- ed" that Commissioner Payne step out of the probe. They were sustained. Commission voted 5—0 that Payne should not. sit in on the trial with Commissioner Walker refusing to vote" and Payne himself also silent. Walker had previously been the dis- senter in a 5—1 vote on a question of jurisdiction also, brought up. .Promise to conduct vigorous search for the. truth touching charges Of grave character was made by Chairman Frank McNihch at outset of proceedings, which are expected to. consume a week. Emphasizing hearing is not criminal case, Mc- Ninch said commish will do utmost to reach just and righteous con- clusion. Efforts of respondents to wriggle out of charges without presenting testimony were blocked at outset when McNinch announced commish has overruled challenge of its juris- diction and has . denied dismissal motion. Chairman declared there is no question of jurisdiction to insti- tute, hear, and, determine soundness of accusations.- Attack on Payne consumed entire morning session after commissioner declared there was no reason for voluntary withdrawal, and asserted his connection with proceedings were in line of official duty. Oral motion to disqualify Payne was re- jected by McNinch after Lawrence Koenigsberger, associate defense counsel, arjued that commish mem- ber is incapable of rendering impar- tial decision because of personal animus. Emphasis placed on Payne's libel suit against broadcasting mag- azine, for which Segil and Smith are attorneys. Commish witnesses include several Segal-Smith clients who are among disappointed applicants for broad- cast franchises, two radio lawyers and one former commish employee subpoenated to bulwark government charges. Milwaukee Pays Expenses For Chicagoan Interviews Chicago, Oct. 19. Ed Thompson, radio editor Mil- waukee Journal calling, on Chicago NBC people regularly for appear- ances on his WTMJ gossip program. So far Earabar Luddy, Bruce Cameron, Les Tremayne, Joe DuMond and Bill Tliompson have been set. Milwaukee pays the expenses. Denver Mercfiants Know KLZ HAS A WAY WITH WOMEN • Ladies' ready-to-wear stores in Den- ver . . . department stores, furnitqre, men's clothing and jewelry stores all spend more money with KLZ than with any other station. Take YOUR sales story over the same route which big suc- cessful stores in the Denver - Rocky Mountain region have found most eco- nomical'and restful. John Sherman, former northwest inspector for F.C.C. and now techni- cal director for WTCN, Minneapolis- St. Paul newspaper-downed station, received notice last week of reap- pointment as member of the en- gineering committee of the N.A.B. i i DENVER Uncyer/Management Affiliated with WKY, OUahoma Cty and the Oklahoma Publishing Company • Representative - E. Kati Special Advertising Agency