Variety (Oct 1939)

26 VARIETY RADIO Wednesday, October 18, 1939 E. ROOSEVELT MUST CONFORM TO CODE OR N.A.B. LOSES FACE, LEADERS AGREE Father Coughlin and Townsendites Would Make Capital of Exception—Mutual In Delicate Spot —Awaiting President's Son's Answer Washington, Oct. 17. Spanking of Elliott Roosevelt •ven If he does typify the constant threat or political revenge, Is planned by the National Association of Broadcasters code enforcers as a demonstration that the new pact is not a one-way proposition. After the ban was raised against further Bales of time to the Townsend old- age pension lobbyists, N.A.B. officials decided that Roosevelt's deft could not go unchallenged and promptly called attention of Mutual executives to the conflict between his news comment and the Impartiality re- quirement to which the web has subscribed. Matter is in the lap of Theodore R. Streibert of WOR, the Mutual voice on the code administra- tion body. Streibert was advised that N.A.B. expects Mutual to put its own house In order, via a letter from Neville Miller Friday (13) after discussions •whether -to let 'Roosevelt get away with it.* While young Roosevelt was in town last week, he made no. move toward the N.A.B. and couldn't be bothered to drop around at WOL, the local MBS headquarters and outlet. But he did promise to fly to New York this week for a huddle with Streibert concerning his inten- tion to go on taking sides In his microphone discussions and the re- straining effect of the code. Action against the President's son ttecame imperative when friends of Father Coughlin sounded off about the refusal to permit the Detroit priest to go on buying time for his political harangues. Code enforcers are aware that if they wink at Roosevelt fils they'll be wide open to charges of discrimination and without a reply to assertions that they lack courage to apply the penal- ties to spielers with Intimidating political connections. Taunts of this kind would be intensely humiliating and compliance by other gabbers could not be expected if such favor- itism imbalanced enforcement of the code. ^^Warninr on Townsendites Formal warning against sale of time to the Townsendites was pro- voked by inquiries from agents of the pension movement which has mapped elaborate plans for a vote- rallying campaign in the hope of putting over the $200-a-month scheme In the next Congress. Al- though slow in getting rolling, the pensioners are collecting a slush fund to finance daily talks, with an ambition to expand gradually until the broadcast operations are on transcontinental scale. During political campaigns, the Townsendites can purchase periods In order to support or fight 'qualified candidates for public office,' which they intend to do, the N.A.B. com- mittee remarked. But otherwise, discussion of the pension formula would constitute debate on a 'public controversial issue,' allowed only on a sustaining basis with equal oppor- tunity for all factions. The action caused little comment here, where hosts of legislators are terrified of the Townsendites and not likely to be displeased by any development which tends to mini- mize the ballot-box influence of pension-seekers. Senator Sheridan Downey of California, who is close to Dr. Francis E. Townsend and the new one-man strategy board for the outfit, remarked that N.A.B.'s stand had been expected and he was con fldent that 'we will be able to work something out.' No threats were issued locally, although more rabid Townsendites probably will harbor resentment and wait for a chance to pay off grudges. Possibility that Townsend will go over the border, a la Brinkley, and try to drum up dimes and votes through a Mexican transmitter seems remote. With the United States applying pressure to get the American-owned plants oft the air, operators below the Rio Grande are not believed likely to Incur more American wratb. Up-to-Date Scripts San Antonio, Oct. 17. "The Adventures of Gary and jiir heard daily over the Texas State Network may be the only radio program incorpoirating day-by-day developments in the present war zone in a fiction yarn. Writing the script only a short time before it goes on the air, Jimmy McClain, author-actor, writes in allusions to latest war bulletins. KYSER AIRS FROM FILM SET AT RKO Hollywood, Oct. 17. Kay Kyser's program next Wednes- day (25) will come from a broad- casting set in his picture, 'That's Right, You're Wrong,' at the RKO studio. Regular ducat holders will be admitted. Kyser guests with Jack Benny on his program Sunday (22) to swap quips end get in a plug for his pic- ture. Wynn Neely, formerly with WISN and WEMP, Milwaukee, has Joined the sales staff of WROK, Rockford, 111. Network Premieres WEDNESDAY, OCT. I« CHARLES GULDEN, INC. WJZ-NBC, Wednesday and Friday, 6:30 to 6:45 p.m. 'Gulden Serenaders,' with Red Latham, Wamp Carlson, Guy Bonham, Peg La Centra, Johnny Gart. Charles W. Hoyt. Pro- ducers, Frank Chase and Richard Pratt Announcer, Hjerluff Pro- vensen. Originates from New York. Hookup, 5 stations. FRIDAY, OCT. 20 MENNEN CO. (Shaving Cream). WOR-Mutual, 8 to 8:30 p.m. 'Quixia Doodle Contest,' with Colonel Lemuel Q. Stoopnagle, contestants. H. M. Kiesewetter. Producer, Sam S. Baker. Originates from New York. Hookup, 10 stations. SATURDAY, OCT. 21 COLCATE-PALMOLIVE-PEET CO. (Cue Liquid Dentriflce). WABC- CBS, 8 to 8:30 p.m. 'Gang Busters,' with Col. Norman H. Schwartz- kopf, dramatic cast Benton & Bowles. Announcer, Frank Gallop. Originates from New York. Hookup, 61 stations. COLGATE-PALMOLIVE-PEET CO. (Cashmere Bouquet Products, Halo). WABC-GBS, 8:30 to 9 p.m. Wayne King's Orchestra, with Buddy Clark. Benton & Bowles of Chicago. Originates from Chicago. Hookup, 66 stations. SUNDAY, OCT. 22 CO-OPERATIVE. WOR-Mutual, Sunday, 6 to 6:30 p.m. 'Calling America', with Drew Pearson, Bob Allen, Erno Rapee, Mary Small, Tunetwisters. Announcer Arthur Hale. Originates from New York and Washington. NOT ONLY 1HE * Big or small, the local firms whose business depends; on selling Cincinnatians, are switching to the new WSAI,, o The significance of their changing to WSAI is fully ex- plained by merely listing them—the who^s who of radio sponsors in Cincinnati. Included are: Cincinnati's su-; per-merchandisers, ALBERS SUPER MRKETS; also Cin- cinnati's greatest /^mutual as- sociation,^* the 800 food deal- ers making up the WHITE VILLA GROCERS. Included, too, is Cincinnati\s biggest drug chain, THE DOW DRUG COMPANY. And the entire GREATER CINCINNATI MEAT DEALERSV ASSOCIA- TION...Not to mention THE CINCINNATI GAS & ELEC TRIG COMPANY ... Nor the 34 OTHER LOCAL FIRMS, WHICH, REALIZING WHAT CINCINNATI'S NEW RADIO SITUATION MEANS TO AD* VERTISERS, ARE PLACINfi THEIR BUSINESS WHERE \t