Variety (Sep 1938)

VARIETY RADIO Wednesday, September 28, 1938 Non-Network Stations Sign Contract With AM; 1,500 Jobs Created Musicians employment question has been amicably settled between the committee representing non-net- work stations and the American Federation of Musicians. The two factions last week exchanged the final contracts although some 40 sta- tions in the group have yet to com- plete agreements with local AFM unions. It is estimated that the cove- nant, effective for two years, will cause the employment of around 1,500 additional musicians. Last week's act brought to a suc- cessful close the AFM's drive to ob- tain a higher ratio of musician em- ployment in the broadcasting indus- try. The drive started in the sum- mer of 1937, and the agreement with network affiliated stations and NBC and CBS-owned outlets was com- pleted the early part of this year. Subject of increased rate for musicians used by recording com- panies did not come up at last week's meeting between Joseph N. Weber, AFM prez, and the non-network sta- tions' committee. Latter assured Weber that it had not been respon- sible for the charges circulated that this increased scale constituted a breach of good faith in the federa- tion's dealings with the broadcasters. New rates apply to recording, said Weber, are final and there is nothing that he or the AFM execu- tive board can do about changing them. The phonograph companies, in protest against the upped rates, have declared that they will tend to re- duce the amount of... musician em- ployment. Don Wilson narrating a series of travelogs at Universal Pictures. Stroud Twins, off Chase a San- born, p.a.ing through the east. Union Agent Murdered; St. Louis Stations Await Word on New Contract St. Louis, Sept. 27. St. Louis radio stations whose con- tract with Local No. 1, Intl. Brother- hood of Electrical Workers expires Nov. 15, are awaiting word from the union for the preliminary meeting which had been set by Arthur C. Schading, business agent who was slain by two unidentified .gunmen as he was leaving the union hall Mon- day (18). On the afternoon of the day Schading was assassinated he set a group meeting with executives of the local stations for today at the Missouri Athletic Club, downtown. Schading made the appointment by phone and promised to start negotia- tions for a new contract. Some 12 hours later he lay dead in the morgue. His slayers have not been apprehended although gen- darmes have recovered the two auto- matics with which he was riddled with nine bullets near the scene of the crime. Picket Line Around WPEN, Philly Music Quota Cut Refused by Union, Orchestra Fired —C.I.O. Panelmen Cooperate Philadelphia, Sept. 27, Battle between WPEN and the Musicians' Local over the station's demand for a cut in its music quota almost culminated on Sunday (25) in a complete shutdown. Picket line was ordered for 7 a. m., with engi- neers refusing to go through it, as a result of the firing by the outlet of the entire house band, according to tooter execs. Orchestra members were notified a few days in advance, it was said at union headquarters, that they would be through on Saturday night. As a result the picket line was or- dered for Sunday and co-operation ot the panelmen, who are members of the American Communications As- sociation, CIO, was obtained. Tom Smith, program director; Ralph Bor- elli, announcer, and Horace Hustler Wl w WW WW THE NATION'S STATION SAVE PRODUCTION COSTS LOW! Because with independent talent and operations free of high overhead WLW is the ROCK BOTTOM ECONOMICAL POINT OF ORIGINATION if glamour names are not needed. Bright talent in its ascendency, seek- ing reputation rather than dollars at WLW, fur- nishes many fresh voices—new dramatic and infectious > personalities. Directed by a large staff of experienced producers any agency can O N E Y in show production and thereby fortify and Increase station appropriations! A staff and spot dramatic cast of 50 are ably supported by 53 musicians under direction of nationally known and experienced con- ductors. Added to these are a competent staff of writers, arrangers and directors. Every production facility is available at WLW, yet costs will figure as low as HALF of New York or coast production expense.- NOW 10 fall commercial network originations already scheduled on WLW Indicate how prominent agencies are finding WLW point of origin economical and satisfactory. Several WLW sustaining strip shows with built-up audiences NOW available if you act at once. BUY MORE STATIONS with what you save. Add more listeners. Increase client's audience,—improve response possibilities! Many large agencies are finding WLW originations feasible, practical and economical. Send your script to us. Let us cast it—produce—audition. Then you listen, study oost—decide. Check what we promise, and what big New York and Chicago agencies have found in our FREE AUDITION LARGEST INDEPENDENT SOURCE OF TALENT CINCINNATI WLW Send us your script. ^We'U have a recording ready for audition promptly AT NO COST TO YOU. WLW for NEW IDEAS Several sustaining strip shows with ready built audiences are now avail- able for your fall campaigns. Listen to "Midstream" 4:15 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and the "Mad Hatterfields" 4:45 p.m. Mondays through Fridays—examples of WLW'g complete production service of 10 PRODUCERS - - - 10 WRITERS 53 MUSICIANS -- - 50 STAFF AND SPOT DRAMATIC CAST and Andy Arcari, musicians who play on the stat'?n, but are not in the band, were instructed not to cross the picket line. They are all members of the Musicians Local. Picket line was called off, how- ever, late Saturday night, after a call to Rex Riccardi, Union secre- tary, from WPEN's attorneys. Sta- tion agreed to continue temporarily under last year's contract, subject to a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) Over 5%% Union is demanding quota of $30,- 853. This is about $10,000 less than las year, but sonsiderably above the 5%% of the gross set in the national agreement between non-affiliates and the AFM. Local is demanding it, however, under a clause which declares a station shall not spend less than it aid previously, even if this is beyond the percentage set. Outlet would like to spend only be- tween $25,000 and $27,000. Riccardi said the quota would be cut only on instructions from Joe Weber, AFM prez. Weber wired him, suggesting the local take less, he said, but jtlll allowed final judg- ment to be. a local matter. Later he phoned, and again suggested that a smaller sum b.> acecpted because of bad economic conditions and ^the fear that the tation may be forced to shut down entirely. Riccardi said he won't give in until actually forced' to do so by Weber, as he thinks there is no likelihood of the outlet folding. Columbus, Sept, 27. With 10 musicians on the pay-roll for the fall season, WBNS has juggled the talent to make three staff musical organizations. Groups in- clude seven-piece swing crew, a string ensemble and a larger orches- tra combining both outfits. All un- der direction of Paul Neal. Various combinations are working total of 12 programs a week. Among sustainers getting the musical treat- ment are Fran Harmon's 'Fashion Parade/ backed by the strings; Ray Roese, tenor, with;the string ensem- ble, and Mary lj,ou Miller's song session with the swing band, Lowell Riley is musical director of WBNS. SAN FRANCISCO UNION DICKERS San Francisco, Sept. 27. Negotiations with local indie sta- tions not yet signed with the Ameri- can Federation of Radio Artists and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers are now being carried on jointly by the two unions. Decision to work together was made last week following IBEW's charge that KSAN, formerly KGGC, is now employing licensed graduates of a local radio school as technicians at small salaries. Station's regular technicians, of whom there were three or four, were discharged sev- eral months ago, it is claimed by IBEW, and eleven of the school's graduates were hired. Situation was discovered when IBEW submitted contracts to the station, according to assistant business manager Melville Larsen of KBEW. Vic Connors, local AFRA secretary, is holding up further confabs with KSAN pending outcome of the IBEW discussions with the station. Differ- ences in wages for performers and announcers have delayed signing of contracts between AFRA and KSAN. New AFRA ruling made last week will require payment of regular $7.50 audition fee by KSFO, local affiliate of CBS. Rate is the same as that paid by KPO and KGO, the NBC local outlets, and by KFRCA, Mutual affiliate, under AFRA contracts. It was felt that KSFO, because of its classification as an indie station, had an unfair advantage over the other three stations in the matter of audi- tions. Petry Adds Cartwright Chicago, Sept. 27. William Cartwright, who hai been chief salesman here for the William G. Rambeau station rep firm, joins the local Ed Petry sales staff. Starts new affiliation on Oct. 1.