Variety (Dec 1939)

Wednesday, December 13, 1939 RADIO VARIETY SI BRMLEY COUP REPORTED Columbia Shifts Station Managers Broadcasting Doctors (Baker Also Involved) Reported Ready to Jeopardize WOR, WGN, WJR and Other Yankee Wavelengths IMPROVES RELATIONS WPTF Finds Out What Local News- papers Will Print MEXICANS STALL Raleigh, N. C, Dec. 12. WPTF estimates that it boosted its list of co-operative newspapers by 350% as the result of a scries of let- ters and a questionnaire that it ad- dressed to these sources. In the first letter WPTF cited the recent Fortune survey which showed that 31.7% of newspaper readers interviewed stated they found the radio columns useful. Through the letter-and-question- naire process the station in due time found out what materials the papers in its broadcast area would use if WPTF furnished them gratis. Instead of Coffee Nashville, Dec. 11. WLAC's 'Air Traveler Airs His Views' is only special events pro- gram in country where an an- nouncer goes into passenger compartment of sleeper plane to greet passengers, asleep or awake. Tim Sanders, interview- ing passengers on their business, hobby or profession, has, in two years, never been 'stumped' or unable to chat on any subject. The locally sponsored plane broadcast attracts hundreds of visitors to airport, hoping to see and hear celebrities over public address system. Howard Meighan New Sales Mgr. of Radio Sales, Inc.—^Jocelyn to WBT, Dellar to Frisco Columbia has reshuffled its sta- tion management and Radio Sales, Inc., staffs. A. E. Joseclyn, sales manager of Radio Sales, is becoming manager of WBT, Charlotte, reliev- ing Lincoln Dellar, who leaves CBS to take over the privately owned CBS station, KSFO, San Francisco. Howard S. Meighan, now on Radio Sales' N. Y. staff, moves into Josce- lyn's spot. Bill Schudt, who up until recently managed WKRC, steps into a newly created post, sales manager of the transcription division of the Columbia Phonograph Corp. Frisco move affects Phil Lasky, who has managed KSFO for its own- ers during the past five years.. Lasky has a stock interest in KROW, Oak- land, and hoId3 the title of v.p. and general manager. Washington, Dec. 12. Threatened invasion of American radio wavelengths by Mexican bor- der stations (now Canadian head- aches) alarmed and perplexed Fed- eral authorities this week despite continued hopie that the North American radio agreement event- ually will win ratification below the Rio Grande. Use of two channels earmarked for United States plants has been reported unolTicially as un- der study by the Mexicans, who have been very dilatory about carrying out pledges given at Havana two years back. There was no information avail- able here to confirm the report, but wheels were set in motion to check tips that the Mexicans are liable to muscle in on one or more of four stripes earmarked for Class I and II outlets in this country. Both the FCC and the Stale Department dis- played interest, particularly since latest diplomatic reports were that the outlook for Mexican adherence has improved in recent months. The alarming report was that XERA, Dr. John Brinkley's juice giant at Villa Acuna, and the Nor- man Baker plant, KENT, at Neuvo Laredo are to be shifted. At pres- ent these use 840 and 910 kc. respec- tively. Gossip is that the Mexican BUtkorities are ogling 710; 720, 750 ana 1170, thus endangering WOR. KIRO, KMPC, WGN, WJR and WCAU. Mystiflcation resulted when the grapevine dispatch reached here. For the Havana formula gave the Mexicans 15 ribbons — presumably enough considering their population and industrial status—for Glass I and H outlets. Why they should muscle In on any of the four U. S. stripes is beyond imagination. Unfounded Optimism? If the report about prospective shifts for the super-power border plants is correct, the optimism—even though it has been diminished with lAssage of time—about eventual rati- fication seems wholly withouut foundation. For the Mexican dele- gation at Havana gave this country pretty strong assurance that the bor- derites would not be protected and that Mexico would use the ribbons assigned to it for its own nationals If Baker and Brinkley have pulled some wires to get Mexico City I authorities thinking about allowing them to use the U. S. ribbons, the situation is far worse than had been feared. The following stripes were tagged toT Mexican Use in the treaty: Class I-A—730, 800, 900, 1050. 1220 •nd 1570. Class I-B—940, 1000, 1060, 1090, 1140, 1190 and 1550. Class 11—810 and 1110. Paul Law Joined KFRU, Columbia, Mo., as newscaster, vice Ernie Rea Who departed to Join WHAS, Louis- ville. IN n 's f 1^ !*JOI'«.RIPM$[HIMIWS ON THE NBC RED NETWORK MELODY GROVE—featur- ing William Stocsa Singer* and Sylvia Rhodes in bril' liant vocal arrangemcnta of popular music* WLW IS ATTUNED TO THE TIMES Director Jocef Chcrni'avcky. Producer Harold Carr and SongitrcM Sylvia Rhodes re- hearsing a WLW commercial network origination, MARATHON ZvlBLODlES. WLW has built and holds its envi- able place in the minds and hearts of its millions of listeners because it keeps attuned to the lives and times of WLW-Land. With the highest standard in pro- gramming—over three quarters of a million dollars is being spent on local programs in 1939—WLW alw^ays en- deavors to give listeners the best whether it is a service of informa- tion to farmers, a report of the news or a show purely for entertainment. WLW's own originations, programs like EVERYBODY'S FARM HOUR, BOONE CXDUNTY JAM- BOREE, TRULY AlvIERICAN, plus the best of NBC Red-Blue, and Mutual shows, have made WLW a part of the daily Hves of a commu- nity of over 27,000,000 consumers. WLW THE NATION'S mo^i "Merchandise-Able*' STATION