Variety (Apr 1939)

86 VASIETY RADIO Wednesday, April 19, 1939 Background Buzz EAST Charlie Stuart added to warble staff at WCAU, Philly, for early morning spot formerly handled-by Don Bovay. WPEN, Philly, airing the wisdom of the Municipal Court's domestic relations and minor misdemeanors departments in a new series tabbed The Court Speaks.' Alan Scott, commentator. on WCAU, Philly, named new public relations head. Will not overlap into work of Ken Stowman, press department head. Norman Benson, 19, grad of ° WCAU's Children Hour, has been . added to outlet's regular gab crew. Had been doing vocals since he got too old for the kid stanza three years ago. ■ „ Lillian Slater, p.& for WPEN, Philly, will become Mrs. Harold B. Pressman on Jime 18. Fiance'^ in the printing biz. Course in radio technique in edu- cation, begun in February at West Chester, Pa., State Teachers' College, will advance next week to the . lab- oratory stage with the production of the first of a series of shows on WDEIi, Wilmington, by the students. Tom Smith; grad of the college in 1936 and now program director of WPEN, PhUly, IS instructor. Harold O^den, Hartford Times, airin g 15-mmute sportscast over WTHT. Clifton Fadlman, questlon-asker of Information Please,' has located in Weston, ConUq near home of Frank- lin. P. Adams, regular expert on pro- gram. John Kieran, other staff an- swerer, spends much time in nearby Westport at home of his sister, Helen RelUy, flctioneer. Bill Dyer forced to give up his long-time stand in the 7 p. m. spot at WCAU, Philly, to make way for Amos 'n' Andy. Moves up half an hour. Powers Gouraud leaves WCAU, PhlUy, in mid-April for a month in London and 'Paris. Not certain yet whether he'll return to the Yellow Cab 'Night Owl' show. Norman Benson joined WCAU, Philly, gab staff. WHAT, Philly, 100-watter in the Public Ledger building, celebrated its ninth anni. Robert M. Kent, formerly of KFH, Wichita, Kan., for four years, has been placed in charge of the local studio of Station WMMN, of Fair- mont, W. Va. George Shackley, orig- inator of the Moonbeam Trio, has a new girl swing trio which he's audi- tioning. Composed of Doris Drake, Kay Holley and Sunny May. Robert Glaenzer, formerly with the Myron Selznick agency, has been appointed sales contact with agencies and clients of the WMCA ertists' bureau.. Charles Wilshin will continue as representative on theatres, pictures and personal ap- pearances. John (Tex) Howard, announcer at KQV, Pittsburgh, made pubUcity director for the station. Harriet Engle, former Pittsburgh actress, now has vocal quarter-hour on KGB, San Diego. Beckley Smith, news commentator on WJAS, PitUburgh, off the air for two weeks to ■ have his appendix clipped. Jack Orrlson, who resigned from KDKA, Pittsburgh, dramatic staff, few weeks ago, member of 'Circus' cast over CBS chain. Hope Day doing quarter-hour song session over KQV, Pittsburgh. Bernie Armstrong, KDKA, Pitts- burgh, organist, had his career dra- matized on station's 'Footnotes of Famous Feet' show last week. Jack Craddock will assist Rosey Rowswell again this year in airing ' Pirates baseball games over KDKA and WWSW, Pittsburgh. Daily sportcast over' WHAM, Rochester, switched to joint spou' sor.<!hip of Avalon cigarete and Ken dall Refining Co, each getting three nights a week. Bill Rogers, staff announcer, replaces Harry McTigue. now in Florida, who will devote full time-to broadcasts of Rochester Red Wings baseball games. Al Zlnk, from WBRK, Plttsfleld, Mass., has joined the newsbroadcast- fng staff of WGY, Schenectady. Bob Mahaney returned to Utlca. Neil Collins, publicizer for WHK, Cleveland, resigned. John Vorpe su- pervising department until appoint- ment of successor. Willia m K ennedy,' formerly of De- r- troil's 'WWJ, new annotmcer at WT'^M, Cleveland. Bob Dailey, blurber for WTAM, getting up with chickens for new commercial of his own tagged 'Daily News With Dalley.*^ Quarter-hour dt 7:30 a. m. set six times weekly for year's period by Peter Hall Mounds' Candy Bars, . Jack 'Lo^n subbing for Beckley Smith on WJAS, Pittsburgh, news- cas't^ while latter is recovering from an npoendix operation. Writlnc! iin'der the name of his far miliar 'Doctor Simshlne/ Russell Pratt, of KDKA, Pittsburgh, has just ?ubl{shed a new book called 'Cheery houKhtA.' Jimidy TbdmpsOn, announcer tX VfJAS, Pittsburgh, and Maria Den- more, singer with Tommy Carlyn's band, have announced their engage- ment. Kenny Baker's 'Poem ior My Mother' used on the Jack Benny program last Sunday night is the product of Robert Sutherland, 12- year-old Buffalo schoolboy. WEST Clarence H. Talbot, formerly' with KHQ, Spokane, and KIRO, Seattle, at KOIN, Portland^ on announcing staff.. KALE added Robert Harris to its announcers. Fred Aiken is new KOIN engineer. KWG-KEX, PorUand, added two spielers, Ralph Rogers from KFPY, Snokane, ana Tommy Franklin. RoUie Truitt is again set at KEX, Portland, Ore„ for another season of baseball announcing. It's Wheaties. 'Vie Hurley, continuity director of KOMO-KJR, SeatUe, added Ruth Glasscot, who writes and acts. Bryant Washburn «t KIRO, Seat- tle, checking yoimg screen and radio aspirants for Jesse I<asky's 'Gateway of Hollywood. Mrs. Earl T. Irwin, prez. KVI, Ta- coma-Seattle, en route to Honolulu. She's recovering from severe flu siege and is accompanied by her mother, Mrs. L. Doembeche'r. Jim Foster, new mlker on payroll of K'VI, Tacoma-Seattle. New salesman at KFRC is Ed Woods, who has been assigned to Treasure Island to gamer business for the station from Golden Gate In- ternational Exposition concession- aires and exhibitors. Harry W. Bucknell is the new net- work sales representative at KGO- KPO, San Francisco,' succeeding Chet Blomsness,. now with KYA. Ray Rhodes has been upped from junior to senior salesman and Edward E. Ulrich, former, supervisor of. pages, has become a junior.salesman. New supervisor of pages is Stanley Smith. Addition to the KGO-KPO Frisco sound effects department is Cal .Edgerton, previously on the guest relations staff. SOUTH Out to catch the farmers and fac- tory workers before- they hie off to their chores, 'WLVA, Lynchburg, 'Va., will hit the air an hour sooner with 'Don Patrol' m.c. ed by Don O'Con- nor, recently with WEED, Rocky Mt^ N. C. Albert N. Snook, formerly with Barron G. Collier, to sales staff of KOMA, Oklahoma City. Marie Green. KOMA, ill at St An- thony's hospital, Oklahoma City. Red Woodward, Ann Shlpp, Jimmy Petty ''and Dave Singletary have formed saxophone quartet for Mel- Good News for RCA NBC Grosses Spurting—Amos V Andy Spot Sold- Big Second Quarter Due odic Moments on WBAF, Fort Worth. 'Glenn Condon, KOME, Tulsa Okla,, manager, running banquet anc reception for the Oklahoma Press Association. BUI Butterfleld, KCRC, Enid, Okla, announcer, married Alina Butter, field of Pbnca City. Howard Carraway, chief an- nouncer for KGKO, Fort Worth, teaching courses in radio at the Myr- tle Dockery School of Fine Arts, Fort Worth. Arthur B. Church, of KMBC, Kan sas City, visited his son-in-law, Tom Morris, in the isales-continuify de partment of KG KO. F ort Worlii. Kleve Kirby; WWl, New Orleans, announcer, has taken up aviation and made his first solo flight Waymohd Ramsey named produc. tlon manager of KTOK, Oklahoma City. Frank J. Keegan, sales representa. Uve of KLRA, LitUe Rock, has re signed his position, to open a record.- ing studio in Little Rock. He 'was also publicity director of KLRA for the last year and a haU. F. C. Cs WASHINGTON DOCKET ♦♦♦ f ♦♦♦♦♦♦«♦♦♦«♦♦«« M ««««4♦♦♦«♦♦«>♦♦♦« <»♦♦»♦«♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ furnish tbe beat service and the loneest hours to the com munlty. -Winner was the Citizens Voice & Air Show, headed by Clifton A. Tolbos, bulldlngr contractor who showed ample funds for the proposed venture. Provo Broadcastlns Co., capitalized at tlS.OOO, lost out, chiefly because It' would utilise only 96 hours of the week, In contrast to Tolboe's Intention to use 136 hours, and because It failed to make arransement for remote lines to oiitlylns communltlei In line with the rival company's proposal.' Elmer W. Pratt appeared for Tolboe. Prove BroadcasUnr Co. retained Ben S, Fisher and John W. KendalL lyiseonsln-LonlaiaBa-TeBnessee: Triple nix for three ap, plications In as many states—aeeklns assignment changes and power boosts—delivered by the Commlsh. Several Canadian and U. S. transmitters would receive Interference from WI9N, Hearst Radio, Inc., Milwaukee, it station were permitted to boost Its night power from 260 watts to 1 kw, Commlsh decided, even though an improved service would result to the city and metropolitan district of the city In terms of signal strength. Station now operates on 1120 with 260 watts night and 1 kw days. BSorts of WJBO, Baton Rouge, La., to protect Itself from curtailment which would be imposed it WISN were granted additional night power nullifled by WISN turndown. No need shown for additional or enlarged service area, it was stated, as' transmitter operates satisfactorily with Its present ag, slgnment of 1120 ko with 600 watts (except B and 0 p.m. Mondays) and does not need a boost to 1 kw. Application of. WAPO Chattanooga, for a switch from the local frequency of 1420 ko to the regional ribbon of 1126 ko, with a boost from 100 watts nights, 2(0 watts days, to 600 watts nights, 1 kw days, unnecessary and undesirable, ac- cording to the decision. Station would be limited to Its ap- jrroxlmately 4.3 mllllvoits per meter contour nights and "sub- stantial curtailment' would occur to WAPO's listening area. John M. Littlepage, William A. Porter and T. P. Little- page, Jr., appeared for Hearst interests. John W. Guider, Karl A; Smith and Lester Cohen represented WJBO, and Ben S. Fisher, Charles V. Wayland and John Kendall ap, peered on behalf of the Cattanooga transmitter. MAJOR DECISIONS Wsshlngton, April 18. Callfonila: Topping last week's family shuttle of KT09, Merced—divorcing newspaper company from the station but keeping .control In the McClung family—Qoiden Empire Broadcasting Co. has passed Into the hands of Ray McCIung, Horace E. Thomas and Stanley B. Pratt, Jr. Sale Involves KHSL, Chlco, and KVCV, Redding. Stations, which oper- ated at a net loss, prior to Federal Income tax, of $3,609 from May 1, 1937, to April 30, 1933, will be taken over with the Idea of developing programs of local Interest. Cost of Improvements to be approximately 31,000 per month at Chlco and $200 per month at Bedding, with equipment changes and Improvements set at 112,600. Transmitters have been supplying a. valuable service to the area, Commlsh determined, and a 'higher grade per- sonnel' will be employed nnder the new proposal. Signal strength of both stations will be Increased and studios will be built at Marysvllle and Orovllle to which remote control' lines will be extended. Transmitters furnish oiily primary service now available In the areas where they are located. Sale of the stations by present owners—William Shield, Harold Smlthson and Sydney R. Lewis—will add to radio holdings of Ray HcClnng. Third-Interest in KTOS, Merced, and chunk of KWLK, Long View, Wash., already held by McClung, who will receive one-half of the 300 shares com- mon stock of Golden Empire Broadcasting Co. Sale involvea 366,000, of which 120,000 haa been paid to an escrow agent, the remaining 136,000 to be plunked down with the same agent within 30 days. Current assets and depreciated value . of the plant amount to 327,220, according to the decision. Elmer W. Pratt appeared tor transferors, with Clarence C. Dill and James W. Gum representing transferees. Colorado; Turndown, tor Mountain Top Trans Radio Corp., Denver, delivered because of failure of Ita president and prin- cipal stockholders . to furnish . 'satisfactory evidence' that he Is a citizen of. the "U. 8. Request of Meyer Meusteter. Aaatrlan-lwrn millionaire who claimed derivative citizenship through naturalization ot his fattier, thrown down because of Sec. 310 of the Communications Act and failure to show real need for service proposed. Organization was authorized to Issue 10.000 shares ot capital stock, with a par value of '10 each, ot which only 2,600 shares have been issued. Neusteter—^who paid for all ot the stock issued—holds 2,408 shares, while his son, Myron D, Nsusteter, and B. C Bartow each own one share. No need for the proposed transmitter, .which asked opera- tion on 1310 kc with 100 watts nights, 260 watts days, Com- mlsh decided. Primary service, already received from.a half.' dozen Colorado stations in the vicinity. Some evidence, how- ever, that local business and sducatlobal interests would like to sign up with the transmitter because ot its proposed low rates ((46 per hour; 326.26 per halt-hour; $16 for a quarter-hour, etc.). Applicants were represented by Watson, King & Brode and James W. Gum. SllsalsslppI: Ups and downs of McComb Broadcasting Corp., McGomb, Anally settled by an okay on Its application tor daytime smallle to be operated on 1200 kc. Approxi- mately a year from the date when an examiner turned In an unfavorable report on the plea, Commlsh decided proposed service would beneflt the community.' Rehearing was held last November, after which same examiner recommended a grant. . Corporation has an authorized capitalization of 116,000, divided Into. 1600 shares common stock valued at 310 par per share. Robert Louis Sanders, proxy and director of the concern, owns 1,100 shares, while 800 shares were taken by George Blumenstook, Jr., director, v.-p. and secretary, and 60 by O. W. Phillips, a director. Remaining 60 tickets held by Kramer Service, Inc., as consideration Cor a tract of land on which transmitter will be constructed. Station will be In the hands ot comparative newcomers, since Sanuors moved to McComb only a year ago and Blumenstock Is a resident of Berkeley, CallL O. W. Phillips lives at Magnolia, Miss. ' No primary service' exists at present In the area to be served though surrounding territory receives from WWL, New Orleans. National rate will be $26 and local rate 316.^6 per halt-hour, with discounts for broadcasts on a long-term contract basis. Applicants were represented by Frank Stollenwerck. Texas: (1) Overturning a favorable examiner's report of last October, Commlsh put Ita foot down on application ot Radio Enterprlees, Ino., for a station to be operated on 1310 ko with 100 watts nights, 260 watts days, at Victoria. Numerous reasons why plea should be ash-cannod, according to the decision, with one ot the-principal stun^bllng blocks apparent Intention ot the Victoria Chamber ot Commerce to dominate the station's operation. Skimpy bankroll, failure ot Uiree members of the applicant corporation to submit personal financial statements and fact that all three are non- residents ot Victoria also taken Into consideration. Charles C. Shea, president of the corporation, Intended to move to Victoria and manage the transmitter. 'However, his management thereof Is to be subject to and under the direction of the Chamber of Commerce of that city, and ' the policies formulated by the station manngement, under whioli the statloh will be operated, are to be subject to the' approval ot the Chamber of—Com iuu i c e,^ Commlsh said • severely. Melvin D. Hlldreth appeared on behalf of the appllcanL (2) Revocation of construction permit Issued to the Hunt Broadcasting Association ot Greenville, for a daytime smallle on 1200 kc, made poaltlve by Commlsh finding that tha com- mon law partnership originally formed for the purpose ot erecting the station had been dissolved by the death ot one of the throe partners. Refused to o)iay a plea for modifica- tion of. the', construction permit filed. In ' 1037 because the grant 'terminated. on the data of dissolutloir of said As- sociation.' Utah: Scrap between two Provo establishments over the Identical assignment of 1210 k« with 100 watts nights, 260 w^tts dayib- settled by Commlsh on » basis ot which could MINOR DECISIONS Oallfomla: Martin K. Calaway t Harry S. Hooper, Uaryi- Tllle, granted motion to dismiss without prejudice application for new station to be operated on 1420 kc with 100 watts nights, 260 watts daya Georgia: WAGA, Atlanta, denied petition to reconsider and grant without hearing the application for assignment of 'WAGA's license to the Liberty Broadcasting Corp. Hearing • skedded for Thursday (20). . Indiana: WIBC; Indianapolis, granted motion to diemlsa without prejudice application for change of hours ot operation from days to limited (eunset at Eau Claire, Wis.). New York: W2XS, RCA- Communlcatlone, Inc., Rocky Point, granted extension of special temporary authority to operate on 31420, 86380 kc, for the purpose ot determining the ef- fectiveness of the ultra-high frequencies for long distance communication, to July 13. . . Vermont: WDEV, Watorbury, granted Involuntary assign- ment of license from Charles E. Adams, Administrator ot Harry C. Whltehlll Estate and Executor ot Kary M. Whitehlll Eatate, to Lloyd B. Squire and William O. RIcker, doing business as Radio Station WDEV. SET FOR HEARING Iowa: WSUI, State University of Iowa, Iowa City, Jump juice from 600 watts nights, 1 kw days, to 1 kw nights, 6 kw days, using directional antenna all times, move transmitter site locally and Install new equipment and directional an- tenna, . Oregon: KOAC, Oregon State Agricultural College, Corval- lla, boost power from 1 to 6 kw, install new equipment and vertical radiator, move transmitter locally (to be heard before S"^1S.*"'". hearing because request violates Rule N. 120, and question of Interference Is involved. NEW APPUCATIONS Alabama: Roy B. Martin, Opelika, new station to be op- •'?»'.*'J-.'*!?^5*2, IJ" watts nights, 260 watts days. District of Colombia: Allen B. Dumont, Washington, new •"■o'dosat station.to be operated on 42000-66000. 60000-86000 ko with aural aind visual power, 1 kw. lAOIslana: WBNO, Coliseum Place Baptist Church, New O'Jjans, voluntary assignment of license to WBNO, Inc. Missouri: KW09, Jelterson City, Jump night power from 100 watts to 860 watts. ■ ' Mew Jeirny: Atlantic City Broadcasting Co., application ror new station amended to be operated on 1100 kc with 6 kw sharing with WBIL, New York, (facilities ot WPG, Atlantic SKr*;r.J!1f'""*, DuMont Laboratories, Inc., W2XVT, Passaic, add frequencies 60000-36000 kc and Increase aural and visual power to 6 kw; Kolorama Laboratories, Inc., irvlpvton, new television sUtloh on 2000-21000 ko'wlth 600 wattf, visual only, 1 kw. ?• DoMont Laboratories, Inc., New York, broadcast sUtlon to be operated on tOOOO^ 86000 kc. aural and-vlsual, 1 kw, emission Ail and AeTwENY S,IL ^ S'«f-aazetle, modification 6t construction pori£lt for now station, to change- hours ot operation and power from WNEw"w5?rr*°J'?.' '-S' '^''t* n'sht. 260 ^itti day" WNBW, WODAAM Corp., New York, Jump power from 1 to fn^"svs'.'.™'"Zi'^'=' ^"'L'" ^"^ Mu"nl??pal BroJicU- lI'.Slini2'^or'', change hours ot operation, from days Br»^ufvS * i* " WCNW, Arthur Faske, Brooklyn, change tro m sp ecified hours to unlimited time M WMBO».'A'i'i'''?'»»' WRU Woodslde, In aSSmon to th^S^ ?w« ^.S^Li^'^L"' New York, Municipal Broadcasting System, kc w"?h 60 watts. ■'»«•«>• on 1622, 2068, 2160 anJt 2790 JoS"'^^"' s:'"oi!r4.ss''«ri4r^ s?8"oo"a';5 iri^wa't"ti';r.VuJ.!JS: respectlvIS; With the inclusion of the Chester* field contract NBC has since Jan. 1 taken in $11,519,141 in new and re- newed business, or an increase of $5,067,361 over what It had been for th. like period of 1938, This repre- sents an increase of 78.5% over what V...S the biggest year (1938) for any one network. Of the former amount $4,471,552 lines up as new business and $7,041,489 as renewals. The ac- counts taken awy. from CBS (Chesterfield, Old Gold and General Mills) figure $2,953,170. Chesterfield has contracted for 82 stations, whereas Amos 'n' Andy used but 46 outlets. Sleet Kayoes Week-Old WBBM Tower in Chi Chicago, April 18. Sleet broke down stations WBBM and WGN last Thursday (13) night, with WBBM getting the worst ot It when ita 490-f(jot tower crashed to the ground. WGN (Tribune station) was off the air for littl* more than an "hour, while WBBM was stilled from 8:52 p.m. until 1:30 In the morn- ing. WBBM tower ynd erected only four weeks ago at a cost of inor* than $30,000 and was In service less than a week when It did Its nip-up. Engineers of WBBM and the Publia Service Co. of Northern Illinois hur> riedly erected two 60-foot wooden poles as' emergency antenna with which the station operated over the week-end. Deal has been made by WBBM for the use of the old 'WENR transmitter until another 'WBBM tower is erected, which Is flgiired to take about three monttis. Luckily for WBBM, tha WENB tower became available, for its use only a few days before, the WENR transmitter having been used for several weeks by WGN, while the K'ibune was building Its new trans- mitting tower. MYRON KIRK JOINING ELLIS Myron Kirk will join the Sherman K. EUis agency as an executive in the radio department May 1. Kirk was for two years v.p. and radio director of Ruthrauft & Ryan, later becoming sales head of Famous Artists, Inc., Hollywood talent com- bine. ADdio-Scriptions h Protest of Perry BiH As RestrictiTe, Reactionary Audlo-Scrlptions, Inc., has circu- lated members of the New York state legislature with a protest against the Perry bill, which seeks to bar all oB the air recording with- out permission of the artists. The bill passed the state senate a couple weeks ago. Protest letter charges that the law will serve to drive independent ofl- the-air recorders out of the business and concentrate this work in the hands of a "powerful monopoly.'. JUso. that it's reactionary. In that It re- stricts freedom of the air and cur- tails 'the tremendous educational possibilities that can be developed in connection with recordings.' Lioin Oil Refining Co., through Radcliffe-Scott Associates, four five- minute newscasts daily for one year' on KARK, LitUe Rock.