Variety (Dec 1944)

WcdncBtUj, December 20, .1944 'No Condemnation Report on Flannn Deal Seen in Probe's Dead Duck Finish Washiiifilon, Dec. 19. -♦ The gieat FCC piobe came to a lame end Saturday night (10) atler more thaii 18 months of intermittent hearings, and the Lea Committee has nothing to do iiow except turn over « report in the next couple-ot \veeks. Work on the report has been under way lor some lime. The best opinion here is that, ex- cept for occasional charges on the House flooi- in llic future, the in- vestigations are now a dead duck, and that while ihe vepprl will prob- ably condemn ccr(;iin FCC practice.-!. It will not be the rip-snorler it started out to look like. A hint from one member of the committee, indicated that the sale of WMCA from Donald Flamm to Edward J. Noble will not be a sub- ject of condemnation uiiless Rep. Richard Wigglesworlh (R., Mass.) turns in a one-man minority report. With the hearings over, it is note- worthy that FCC was never given the opportunity it ^requested to an.swer many ot the charges made against it, particularly iFlhe earlier stages when Rep. Eugene E. Cox <D., Ga.) was ' its chairman, and Eugene L. Garey. of New York, was the chief counsel. Bulk, of the Wind-up weci\. was de- voted to executive sessions on the WMCA deal, with Tommy ithe Cork) Corcoran, erstwhile White House advisor, and Noble as the star witnesses. Denlex-Pressure Corcoran denied any White Hou.<;e pressure in the sale and said that Noble had phoned him to ask whether William ,T. Deinpsey, former FCC chief counsel, would be a good, lawyer to handle the transaction. Corcoran claimed he was in Mexico, the end of 1940, when the deal was swun^ and said that: "On: my return, I learned that Noble.' had bought the station and was surprised at the $850,000 price. Thaf is three and one-half limes the valife of its physical asset.s, and 30 times the station's earnings. I was surprised the high price was allowed by FCC." Noble also>denled before the Com- mittee that he had called Corcorar. to obtain White House pressure for the deal. He said it was true that he bought the Station for $850,000 and sold it for $1,225,000, but said he had substantially incrieased WMdA's earnings in the meantime. The final session, Saturday'night, had Arde Bulova before the com- mittee. Buiova denied any secret ^ deals In -violation of the FCC reg- B ulatiohs. He said, he was a friend of H James Lawrence Fly, former FCC r chairman, and then was asked whether he had destroyed a con- tract of alleged "concealed owner ship'' deals in broadcast stations on the advice of his lawyers. Bulova said he did not remember doing so. Questions on his income and lack of records weic chok-d oil by tlic committee as not appropriate. Earlier . Saturday. Rev. Edward Lodge Curran, of Brooklyn, presi- dent of the International Catholic Truth Society, charged that FCC "went along" with Bulova on deals of "concealing, ownership." Father Curran appeared for the Faullst Fathers: who.<>e station was sold to Bulova. This wa? the former ^WLWL, New York, which is now WNEW. The priest claimed that PauU • 1st Fathers would never have sold the station unless they kiiew they could buy ^another one, but that the other was also bought by Bulova. ^ Arch Oholer foundt a Requiem for Radio' In 39th Amuvrrsury l»»ue Chi WLB Nixes AFRAV 'Pay Within Pay'Clause, Would Sub 157, Raises Chicago, Dec. 19. AFRAs. demands ..on . Chicago's, seven class "B" stations for program fees in addition to staff salaries for announcers, referred to by broad- casters as the "pay within pay*' clause, has been denied by the Chi- cago regional War Labor Board, but they recommend a 15% flat increase retroactive to Nov. 1, 1943. Case now goes to the WLB in Washington. Operators of "B" stations hijd olTered AFRA a 30% sliaight increase for announcers and a XO'n increase for aictors and singers which AFRA turned down. Arrangements were, concluded to- day between Ray Jones, AFRA local exec, sec, and the. major stations granting soundmen a $10 weekly in- crease subject to WLB okay included was a 10-hour day. Top CU Editors StiD Cold to Radio Columns, Blame Newsprint Famine Chicago, Dec. 19. Newsprint shortages, with no end , in view, niakc the prospect bf devot- i ing more space in dailies here to radio columns an impo.ssibilil.v, ac- ■ cording to bo.<«cs on Herald-Amori- oiin. Tribune and other paper.s. Daily I New.s, which lias just added a radio, j sossip column by Carl Gulda(jer,.who I also does movie reviews, did so ex- I pcrimcnlaliy, as part of its program • to include more iio\v,s space by cut- j ting down on ads, but other .sheets j are deflnilcly liol broadening their . scope. i Louis Ruppol. former CBS press I dept. boss and recently made Herald-, i American executive editor, denied he has told Harry Munzel, H-A radio ed, that liis. daily column of radio news will be resunicd, as reported., ■•We extended and made more read- able our radio listings and did throw out such things as FM listings, whlcli look up too much space." Riippel said, "but we haye no immediate plans for a column because of space limitations. , "There's no basis to the conjecture at all," Was the remark bf Larry Wel- ters, radio ed of the Trib. Daily Times and Sun eds also reported they'll go along status quo. 3 Chi U. Profs Quit'Round Table.' Gaim Bill Benton Ignored Them CBC Ridding Air Of the Horrors Also EDDY TOO TOUGH FOR BARITONE TO FOLLOW Because .the sponsor doesn't figure it's smart showmanship to follow Nelson Eddy with another baritone, Reed Kennedy is being dropped fror" the Prudential CBS. musical show at the end of this month. Ken- nedy does his last stint Dec. 31. A guest star policy, using tenors main- ly, is being substituted, leadoff man being Bob Shaefer, from the legit musical, "Song of Norway." Eddy, sponsored by a public uiili- .ties cbmbine, moved' nito the CBS 4:30 Sunday afternoon spot Sum (17) taking over the time abandoned by Coca-Cola because of Andre Koste- laiietz' overseas Irek. Prudential show follows, running from 5 to -5:45. Both Prudential and its agency, Benton & Bowles, figured tliat it's too tough ?n a'.-.-iyi-'.meixl for any U. S. shortinin' brcadcr to follow Eddy. Montreal. Dec. 19. "Superman" and "The Green Hornet" are named by Dr. Augustin Frigon. Canadian Broadcasting Cor- poration g.m., among a ^erieral flay- ing ot horror programs, soap operas and medicine shows, and he added that the CBC is urging private radio stations in Canada not to reiiew pro gram contracts for these airings. "We have the power to direct the private stations to drop horror broadcasts but we haven't u.sed the ban since we have found that the \isc of persuasion, rather than force is achieving the same result al though more slowly," said Dr. Fvi gon. He added that should the CBC exert its full power and impose an out-and-out ban against horror and medicine programs on private sta tions, "petitions signed by thousands of intelligent people protesting against such dictation," would be re ceived. The House of. Commons Radio (;ommiltce expressed belief during the last session of the Hoiise that horror programs, soap operas and medicine shows were in "bad taste and suggested that the CBC elimi nate them'. Alan Lipscott HMmefemly DlM«iir*M oa ''Aspirin and Old Gags'* U Hw F«rtkceiiilH 39lh Anniverttiry hme •f Streibert Ascendancy At WOR Seen Cueing Kobak Co-op Parlay Election' of Ted Streibert as presi- dent of WOR, N.Y., is held to augur well for Edgar Kobak's 'expansion plans for Mutual. Regarded within the trade as a highly capable oper- ator, Streibert is believed to be thinking along network lines and,- since he's exec veepee of Mutual in addition to headman at WOR, a Kobak-Streibert parlay Is regarded as a natural; Streibert succeeded Jack I. Straus (Macy's dept. store) as WOR's pie/, at a directors' meeting Monday .U8) when Straus resigned as chairman of the board, to be succeeded by Al McCosker. Latter had been pre.si- dent, having been with WOR virtue ally since its start. Streibert for- merly was .veepet and gen. mgr. Straus remains- as a board member. ■ Chicago, Dec, 19. Following resignations of three U, ot Chicago facility members Inst week in a protest vs, the handling of the NBC "Round Table" pro- grams, Robert M, Hutchins, (prexy) of the University, appointed a new radio advisory: committee befora departing for Arizona on a vacation last Saturday (16). Richard P. McKeon, dean ot the Humanities di- vision; A.very O. Craven, pi'otessbr of. American lUstory, and Bernard M. Loomer, profiessor of theology, had asked to be relieved after ex- pressing displeasure at the way Wil- liaiii Benton, tv.p.) in charge of radio, was directing the program, claiming they were "consistently ig- nored" in determining, policy, topics and speakers for the broadcasts. Members of the . new advi.sory committee are Ralph Bculs, library director, chairman, -and Leon Car- novsky, - Theodore Schultz, - 6. . J. Jolles, Dr. E. Eileen Hite, Jeroinc Kerwin, Herman Blumer, Cyrus O, Houle, Virgil Herrick and Everett C. Olson, all profs,- associate profs or instructors at the School. Dedsh on Successor To McKay at NBC Due; Eiges, Hat Bock in Race NBC is expected to decide this w««k on a successor for John McKay, who quit his spot as .pl-ess dept. manager Mon. ('18) to be^o.me manager of advertisinjg and-pronio- : tlon for King Fcatiires' .syndicate. .Cas Adam§ continues with King han- dling publicity, the Banshees, etc; Report Is that NBC toppers will decide whether to promote Sid Eiges, who has been McKay's assistant, Into the spot, or brmg Hal Bock' in from the Coast. Bock has becQ handling MBCa'Holly wood publicity tor son^ie years .and waa due to arrive in N. Y. ' over the past'W;>ckend, Dr. Walsh, Labor Expert, For J. Steel on WMCA WMCA, N. Y., has signed Dr. J. Raymond Walsh, research director pf the Congress of Industrial Organ- izatioiis (CIO), as news commentator to replace Johannes Steel, who leaves the station at the end of this month. Walsh goes in across the board at 7:30 p.m. starting Jan. 3. CIO exec will keep his connection with the labor, organization while doubling as a news analyst. He also holds positions ,with the NLRB. OPA and Labor Dept. Steel this week was signed by WHN, N. Y., starting Jah. 1 in the 7:45 . p.m.- slot. WHN, in turn,, re- cently lost William Gailmor.. Delay on Paul Porter .: . Washington, .bee. 19. Looks like Paul A. Porter will not be able to take his seat -as . FCC chairman until some time in Januai-y at the earliest. Porter's nomination has not; even been considered by the Senate In- terstate Conimercc Committee, and the 73th Co'ngress is about to throvy up the sponge. This means that the President will have to resubmit the nominAi/oii v.earfy. ..In January and have .it acte(3( on at!that time. White Owl to Sponsor Eari Wilson in Sunday Series, Drops Gladstone' A SmtOty •ii-;2ti-t-Broiii;..a:(-i->-rtrHcr .series featuring Earl Wil.son. N. Y. Post columnist, tecs off on Mutual Jan. 7 (Sun.) In the 10-10:15 p.m. spot under sponsorship of White Owl cigars. Latter is dropping the Henry Gladstone ncwsca.sts, now heard on Mutual twice weekly in 15-minute parcels, effective Jan. 4. J. Walter Thompson agency has the account Wilson will do verbal crossfire with Paul Douglas' on the Sunday night series, using marquee name guests, one on each broadcast Re- corded audition -.that clinched the deal last week had Gertrude Niesen as guestar for interview only, no .singing. New White Owl show will be all chatter, no music. Den Kampcl, Gale Assoc., set 'Wilson deal. CHL TYRO CLIX WITH CANTOR ASSCRn>TER Chicago, Dec. 19. Comedy material written for Eddie Cantor's stint for Navy's Sixth War Loan pitch three weeks agb re- sulted last week in- five-year pact for the writer, Leonard Soil, head of Chi Daily Times' amusement ad- vertising dept Soil resigns from Times Dec, 29, to join Cantor's staff in Hollywood Jan. 1. A Timesman for the past eight years. Soil, was introduced to Cantor by Irv Kupcinet Tirnes Columnist, and was asked to turn out some gags tor Cantor'; Navy airer, following Ktipcinet's recommendation. Despite limited script experience, which has included only college and other amateur skits, Cantor considered Soil good enough for an on-the-spo\ bid, wrapping up the deal with a contract la.st Thursday (14). WENR, Chi, Joins Growing List of Outlets Using Sapolio on Spot Plugs Chicigo, Dec. 19. Close on the heels of similar rulei laid down in. the past couple of weeks by WWJ. Detroit, and WJZ, N.Y., Roy . McLjnughlin. WENR sta- tion mgr., has announced a new sta- tion break policy to take effect Jan. 1.' On that date WENR will accept no more, chain breaks or ohe-niinute announcements advertising laxative.^ deodoronts, etc., during any hour of its .operation. Furthermore, station break periods between 7 and 9 p.m. (CWT) will be unavailable for. any con-imercial use, except time signals. Commercial station breaks will be colitinued at all other times during the daytime and evening hours. WENR is the fir.^t local outlet to take this stand. • In a letter la.st week directed to agencies and sponsors, McLaughlin pointed out that all chain break announcements will be scrutinized by the program department to build better and greater audience accept- ance, must be in .harmony with ad- jacent programs, must be short and pleasant to hear and may be re-, moved or dropped at any time in the interests of good programming. Electrical transcriptions wilf con- tinue to be accepted but the station will encourage use of live copy. McLaughlin further added that sing- ing commercials will not be banned but' will be required to meet very stringent standards. KOA's 2Qth Amii . Denver, pec. 19. , KOA celebrated its'20th anniver- sary Friday (15) with a half-hour "remember when" broadcast . Three, still connected with the station, were on the. first as well as the 20th yearly broadcast. They are Robert J. Owen, original station Engineer, now asst. mgr.; C. A. Peregrine, now control, supervisor, and Charles J. Schucrman, orch director. Fifteen ■of the staff ot 65, including Mgr. James R.' MacPhcrson, are members of the NBC 10-year club. The station is owned by NBC, and was built in 1924 by General Elec- tric, Bhie Ack-Ack Men to Branch Out on Own Blue network will have its own separate staff of sound effects men .shortly after the first o' the year. Exact date depends on availability of new thunder-and-lightning ma- chines, rtc. Because of the equipment short- age, Blue has been using NBC door slammers. New AFRA 'contract be- ing negotiated for NBC's soundmen will be made applicabte to the Blue staffers, when, the split becomes ef-. fective. • AFRA is conducting talks on new sound contracts with. NBC and CBS simultaneously. Understood that, a 10% pay hike has been agreed on, with other points.likely to be settled this week. Repeat Slate for AFRA Seems in the Bageroo :Mail voting on new ofAcets of the N. Y, AFRA local is now taking place, balloting closing Dec, 26. Figured to be a walk-in for the nominees listed, there being n<r op- position slate. Ballots, however, in- clude write-in spaces. . Candidates are House; Jameson for 'prez; Ben Grauer, Eric bressler, Alex McKeei. Margaret Speaks end Ned Wever for veepees; Alan Buncer lor treasiirer and '^velyn Mac Gregor for recording secretary. ROY WiNSOrS NEW .JMRECXQRIAL5EIUL Chicago, Dec. 19. Roy W. Winsor, who has been di- rector of the "Ma Perkins" strip for several years, has been appointed 8U« pervisory director of all radio showe produced out of the local Dancer, Fitzgerald & Sample office. Winsor has been with the DFS out> fit since its organization, com.ing oyer from Blackett, Sample &- Hummei-t when the agency split up. Phil Bow- man now direct* the "Perkins" show. Don Ameche Vice Corey Don Ameche^returhcd to the Chase & Sanborn, show Sunday* (17) as regular emcee after appearing In- termittently .in guest -shots. Edgar Bergen has- long been dissatisfied' with the program's middle spot and while in New York jigned Irwin Corey, N.Y, nitery monologist. He came west with the sho'w but failed to work out to the client's satisfac- tion and after several huddles at the J. Waller Thompson' agency it was decided to make a change to strengthen the spot,; • ' Deal was closed last week lor Amethe to resume his former duties as emcee and participate in other elements of the show.' He drawe second billing to Bergen and NBC has.requited that the newspaper logs . read: Bergen-Ameche. Guest star policy .will continue.