Variety (Jun 1943)

so WedBCfldaj, Jnae 30, 1943 NAB s Public GoodwiD Campaign Starts in Reverse as Qii Confab Hears Attack on Gov t FCC Davis CbicaKO. JuiiP 29. Tl'c public relatiiins ctimmitlce ol 1hi> National Associution of Broad- faslcvs. (Uii'inK a meclini! Iiejo lasi veelc. put itself in a mood for iiiulcr- takinii a constriicttvo job at winniiic public favor for tlie iiutuslry by listonioR lo a nueA spcakirr excorrale the Adnilnislralioii and the FCC and fharRi- Elmer Davis with adoi)(inR •Gopbl>cl"s Nazi technique.' At tho end of a two-day session the com- initli'o let it be known that it had adopted u 'tirasa roots-,pi.TS:y" as a infan<^ of overconiing the industry's lack of sound public relations. The responsibility of Rond public rcla- linns for the itiduslry.' the committee concluded, "rests heavily on station aciivity in lociii fields.' Tho Rue.st speaker was James W. Irwin, former radio exec and now a.o»i.-tunt to the president of the Mon>an1o Chemical Co.. of St. Louis. Irwin urged broadcasters to defy and flrsht the FCC: argued that the in- dustry was being taken tor a ride by the Administration; took Davia to task for u.^ing a 13-minute period of all networks weekly and de.scribed him as on 'ordained minister ot propaitanda; asserted that radio (should not accept any suggestions from the OWI on the treatment of Ihe news and claimed that 'Holly- wood, too, has sold out to the Ad- ministration.' 'Shametar FropafUida Continuing in the same vein, Irwin said that the 'propaganda being fdislorvd on the public In motion pictures theatres is absolutely shame- ful.' Ot what he termed the three 'great' avenues ot Information (ra- dio. pre.^s, flbnsi, the press, Irwin Buid, had 'held on longest to free' dom of action' and had not 'prosli' tuied it.self nearly as much as the otlK-r two. ■ Following these reflections on the state of public functionaries and two other industries, the committee got down to the business of finding out why radio has no public relations policy and what'can be done about it. The 'grass roots' |>olicy, it was said when the conference ended, should ro.'sult in a closely coordinated unit n[ public relations building within the industry. Public relations chair- man will tje apiKiintcd from each of the 17 di.<tricts in the N.AB and once this unit Is crystallized, opinion will be centralized and it will be ca.sy fur the NAB's national hoad- riuartci-s to s|}eak for the indii.^try as a whole. There was also talk about enuasiiiR some export on public re- a lalioMS to mastermind tlie entire I Inh. f Tho cnmmiltoo also dccidod that tho l)o.<it approach to the public on Midio's own problems would be tliroimh the medium of public tor- iim.« dealing with current controver- siiil subjects. The committee like- wivo had .something to say regard infi news proRrammine "from the viewpoinni of public relations. It reconmicndcd that the NAB board of diieclors appoint a radio news com mitsce. coinpo.<'C(i of radio news edi- tors and station managers, to Insure •' proper handlioR of news. The U. S. Supreme Court's deci- sion on tho FCC's regulatory powers over chain broadcasting werf dis cussed and the committee disclosed that it wt)uld continue to operate on this ls.suo with the legistlative com miiiec. Televisioii'i* Future By CILBERT SKLDKS An Analytit Etpeeislly AVrittan for tht Radio Talent PREVIEW AND PREVIEW of Ihe 1943-44 Seiuon to Be Publhhed July 14 DUMONTWDITELEVI^ WOR SHOWS ONCE WKLY. Dumont television station W2XWV will leleviie WOR programs onre a week beginning Tuesday, July 12: Idea is to give technical and pro- gram jjtHlTs opportunity to experi- ment with television problems as posl-war preparation. WOR spon- ."or.s will be invited to experiment with their present shows in the siRht-ai'id-.sound medium, and the written announcement vs. the .spoken one will be compared. Fly Phiises OWI; IfoFOC Takeover Washington, June 29. The Federal Communications Com- mission has no desir« to tak* over any ot tht radio function ot the Office ot War Information, Chair- man James L. Fly, told his press conference.Monday (28). He com- mended the OWl for the job it has done and attacked 'people in the ra- dio Industry and their parasites' for asserting that the FCC was anxious to assume certain OWI activities. 'It would be an inappropriate line of work tor the Commission at a lime when there are so many false and malicious rumors and statements about the Commis.sion undertaking to run the programs ot radio sta- tions." Fly pointed out. Toledo Station Buys News-Bee Building Toledo. June 29. The Community Broadcasting Co operator of WTOL, has pmchased the two-story brick building here formerly occupied by. the Toledo N'cws-Bcc. suspended Scripps-How- ard ncwsjjapers. BuildinH-wUi be modernized when priorities can be obtained. Sinuiltancnusly. the Community Broadcasting Co. completed a new five-year lease on Its quarters in tho Bell Building where it Is new a tenant. Stations Can Use (Km Discretion For DrugV Plugs Montholatum. a J. Waller Thomp- son account, has mot Washington objections again the linking of me- dicinal commercials to news pro- grams by extending to local broad- casters the privilege of using their own judgment when the occasion warrants. It the news preceding oi* following the Menlholatum blurb Is pt such 'bigness' as to raise the ques- tion ot taste, the station may cut the copy or eliminate it altogether. This policy on the part ot Men- tholalum comes on practically the eve. ot its launching of a news spot announcement campaign, Tho ac- count la buying a schedule of three to five daytime chainbretks a week for 13 weeks. The contract takes effect July 9. Margard Speab Siys Slw Had No rrff WHh Sponsor OD Song Choice Washington, June 39. Margaret Speaks, who did a one- night stand at the Water Gate open air concerts here Sunday (27). also did a little speaking about the trade reports which she claims done her wrong regarding the cancellation of hec radio program. Story in 'Variety,' she explained to newsmen, was that she was dropped from the Firestone program after nine years for refusing to sing spon- sor's request for 'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling' on a St. Patrick's Day program. Here's the way she tells it: *Whyi I sang 'Mother Machree' and 'Believe Me If All These Endear- ing Young Charms* and 'Where the River Shannon Flows' and 'Oh, Shamrock.' I was asked to sing 'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.' and I said I thought it was more of a man's song. Someone must have overheard it and made a story from the incident. ■The reason I am not presently on the radio was that Richard Crooks was available.' Veteran Bill Ray Named irector Hollywood. June 29. Bill Hay. one of the earliest radio ni.c.s. who has held various produc- tion. Jobs at KFWB in the pa.st 15 years. la.^t week was given Ihe post of program director at Warners sta- tion by Headman Harry Maizlish. He lakes over the duties of Manning Osuoff, who Joined Eddie Cantor as production associate in radio and pictures. Neil Reagan, announcer, also takes on the added burden of production manager. McDonald in Post-War Advisory Post at Blue *"Mark Woods, Blue prez. has named Jnmcs C. MacDonalrl adviser to Blue on post-war problems. McDonald, who is a diplomat, jour- nalist and radio newM aiiitly.<i. will 8tud> problems ot cobidination. ' I By JERRY DEVINE (Author of '!Hr. Dutrict Attorney') This year Ihere are no cars to take people to far-fiin>g places The Government discourages pleasure rail travel. Tho.se who a.e foilui«ite enough o own summer homes or cottages at the seashore or in the m" "*! lams stick pretty close to home by the ocean or in the hill" because they haven't the gas with which to go anywhere oecausc Radio then becomes even more important as a lop .entertainment me- dium this summer of 1943. What excuse can be offered this year for The sunimwr teplacenicni? ' In previous years I have always felt that the so-colled summer show was a fallacy. True, the daytime serials suffered. People ivrfuMd to re- main Indoors of a hot summer's day. But the evening shows were listened l^avelZonrng.'*'""''- ot gas a^ The sponsor of 'Mr. District Attorney.' ViialLs. believes that there Is no such thing as a seasonal radio campaign. In this I concur heartily . r.L'5i Ti** ''*'='' '■'•cd Allen, Bob Hope. Red Skel- ton Eddie Cantor and other topnotchers need to be .spelled from their b':?."'iZ'*T-" Tl'-V"^ ^r''' ■ '"""h ""^d I win admT But jook at Bing Crosby's show. His sponsor permits Bing to take a certain number erf weeks during'the year. Bing splits them up In any rro^v ."'n 2!" '■'fil o'.»>«.P«>Pl« •'•'""""e on the air. The resiHriJ that Crosby will be on the air all summer—and listeners will be grateful. Labor Leaders, New Dealers ^inie •SUBSTITUTION' OSVS I do not belittle the calibre ot the summer replacement. Some of them are excellent shows that stand up on their own merit regardless ot the season. But the inference, 'substitution.' is always therei Letjis assume for a minute that- the replacement Is even bettor than th^Bw it Is minds " "'"aj* remaiiWteople-s I've never been successful in tracking down the real rea.sons for the summer roplacement. A multitude ol idea.s have been olTored The one idea al<ont the summer -show—and it predominates above all the olher cxcusos-is: People don't listen to thoir radios in the warm month.. My an.^v.ri that i^ 'Why do yon think so." ab far I ha'v'cn't been able to del "an answer. Passage of Antf-Strike Measure Ciiest-Shot at SaiikIowii >y .CEORCE JESSEL In the Radio Talent PREVIEW AND PRE\IEW' of Ihe 1943-44 Seaton lo Be Publhhed July 14 Radio Honwed For Bond Work Washington, June 39. Nation's broadcast stations and newspapers were honored here yes- terday Monday (28) by the United Slates Flag Association for their work in aiding the sale ot war bqnda during the Flag Week. War Bond Campaign, Jur.e 8-14. Presentation ot the Flag Association Cross ot Honor was.made during a lunche6n at the National Press Club, with the Treasury Department cooperating. Medal for the radio industry was received by Neville Miller, NAB president: and for Ihe newspapei;s, by Linwood I. Noyes. president ot the American Newspaper Publish ers As.sociation. Presentations w:.re by Waller D. Fuller, president ot the Curtis Publishing Co. Citation to Ihe radio indu.stry road: 'In recognition of distinguished service by this agency of public in- formation, education and entertain- ment whose high ethical standards and conduct give to the American people further reasoiv to be proud of the efficacy of our Con.stitutional guarantee ot freedom of speech' as exercised by a private industry under our demnoralic system of free entorpri.se. The contribution of America's radio broadcasting sta- tions to ihc succo.-:s of the Flag Week War Bond Campaign ot 1943 is an additional compliment to their mag- nificent record of unselflsh service to the ido:ds and iiislilntions symbol- ized by the fing of the United States.' FM STRICTLY FOR CITIES SAYS NBC ENGINEER Cleveland, June 29. Frequency modulation will be re- stricted to urban centers and will never be the standby ot the rural community. Raymond Guym: radio facilities engineer ol NBC. told the Cleveland Section of the Institute of Radio Engineers at a .session <24i of the Electrical Engineers Convention at Hotel Cleveland. He predicted an elaborate system of television stnlion.s, by frequency modulation, and said that high-fre- quency wireless relays, instead of wires. In transmitting network pro- grams from the point ot origin also are a likely fiiliu-e development. Make a Radio Program Out of Looking Ahead San Francisco, June 29. A new twist in susiainer programs has been launched by KPO in the form of 'News in Advertising,' relat- ing the 'story of the world of tomor- row as it is being told today in ad-, vorlising.' Program, a brainchild of John W. El wood, KPO manager, is made up of exoerpis from ads having news or odiicnlion.ll value in rolalion lo the future. - Washington, June 29. New Dealers and organized labor attribute the quick passage ot the ConnaIl.T-Sinlth ahti-strllce bill to the barrage ot mialnformation thrust Intq the air by radio commentators. They propose to light back. Leaders of the AFL and CIO have long been irked at the conservative trend of those who have the free- dom ot the air to expound their own opinions. A dozen ot these com- mentators have been monitored and transcriptions show that a number ot these microphone experts had not ■read the terms of the bill. They were definitely anti-labor and said so. The subsidy program has also been the topic for the whiplash of scorn by these air pundits, who, labor claims, have detoured from the field ot straight news to become inter- preters ot political thought and opinion. Usually they follow the straight party line ot the Repub- licans, and labor leaders think it is significant that none have any sym- pathy tor liberal views, ' A. meeting ot labor's supporters was held Saturday (26) with 'Con- gressional leaders, and radio stations which, feature these pleaders are go. ing to be confronted soon with a de- mand tor time to offset their argu- ments. Labor contends that there is signlflcance in the nation-wide bally- hoo tor the RumI plan, followed hy the steady propaganda against price rollbacks and against subsidies. If the air is to be ftlled with political propaganda against the movement lo hold down the cost ot living then labor proposes to take a hand in the aerial mcIee. Qabbers Preasarlng After the meeting, one of the AFf. meml>ers said: 'Freedom of the air does not include the right of com- mentators to become special pleaders for special causes. The right to give the news does not carry with it the license to propagandize tor pre.ssure groups. "These commentators lay themselves open to suspicion of being subsidized, since they usually, follow the National Association of Manufacturers line and argue fur controlled Inflation. 'Commentators will either stick to objective news facts or face the oi)eii opposition of organized labor, We neutralized. Boake Carter and we shall fight to the bitter end those who figure the privilege of the air is synonymous with the right to blow off their political arguments. If the radio stations reject our pleas for ^ime we shall take our case to the Federal Communications Comniis- sion. Our objection is not so much to, that foghorn of conservatism, H.'V. kaltenborn, who is the soun<l- ing board ot entrenched wealth and gets paid accordingly. Some ot these pip-squeak imitators e:ivy Kalten- born, and under the floak of impar- tiality are spreading their poisonous political opinions from one end ot the country to the other. To this we have no objection once they have-been exposed as the slimy ser- vants of pressure groups witli, a cause to, serve that is inimioal wiih of the wage earner.' SkehonVArmy Fotore May Mean mef arde's Permanence in NBC Spot Hildegarde's summer substitution for Red Skelton on tlie Brown & Williamson 'Beat the Band' stanza is reportedly in the nature of- a tryoui for a permanent replacement. Skol- ton's draft board. It Is understoixl. has set November as the limit foit ihe. comic's determent. In that case, new tall series hardly would be rolling before Skelton left tor ca'hip. Cm - rent show employs Bob Grant's or- chestra and is heard on NBC, 10:30 Tuesdays. Recent divorce of Skelton and his wife, Edna (who still acts as hisbu.<-i- ness manager), Is said lo have af- fected the comedian's draft staltVs .«nd upped the date for Joining Uncle Sam, hence the HIldcgardegroomiiiK- Seeds agency (Chi) meantime has renewed Hildegarde for another i:i weeks before she had consummated her third week ot the initial series. KXOK, St. Louis, has appointcil John Blair tt Co. a< its. exclusive national representative.