Variety (May 1946)

Wednesday, May 1, 1946 KABIO 47 Air Scribes Sign New Base Ticket Hollywood, April 30. New minimum of $100 per 30 min- ute script has been reached' by Radio Writers Guild via agreement with C P MacGregor. Deal was signed ' this week establishing new minimum which more than doubles previous -minimum of |45. Minimum on quar- - ter hours is $50. Union had sought * 1150. Under terms of new ticket Mac r Gregor promises to pay writers within 10 days after stories are etched on transcriptions. Agreement marks elimination of a five-year Guild headache. Unable to alter the minimum during the war, the old figure stood for five years. It was established back in days when writers took what they could get. So, in fear of return to leaner days, Guild wanted 1 to get new minimum that will be'used as pattern on all new contracts. Press Wireless Permit For Point-Point Tests Opens DX Use Inside U.S. Washington, April 30. FCC has opened the door for ex- perimentation with shortwave trans- missions of radio broadcasts within the U. S., in line with a proposal by Press Wireless to use its point- to-point frequencies to transmit re- ports of the United Nations meet- ings in New York lo stations throughout the country. However, the FCC grant last Fri- day (26) gives PW only a "special temporary authority" for a two- month period to test the new serv- ice, and hedges, the grant with num- erous engineering and other condi- tions. For one thing, stations may not pick up the transmissions for ,rebroadcast. For another, company may use only its Hicksville, N. Y., and Los Angeles stations as origi- nating points, and no charge may be made for the service. The tests will be checked by FCC monitoring stations throughout the U. S. And individual broadcast sta- tions on the receiving end are urged, to report their observations on the good and bad features of this type of wireless transmission. FCC earlier denied the company's application to inaugurate a commer- cial domestic shortwave service, with reports on the UN meetings to be picked up by stations at charge of $40 for first ten minutes. The proposal won support from several regional nets and independent sta- tions who hoped thereby lo increase their local news coverage of the UN meetings without paying sky- high prices for a direct wireline to the New York parleys. FCC's reluctance to give the new service its full support, according to Commission spokesmen, stems from concern over this use of valuable shortwave frequencies and possible engineering difficulties as yet un covered. The PW transmissions will consist ol 15-minute programs, with ten minutes of voice broadcasts and five o( music. Press Wireless proposed to use the service only for voice broadcasts, since it was considered not up to scratch for high-fidelity music transmission. Vovincial Premier Protests CBC's Ban On Plan to Bay CHAB Reglna, Sask., April 30. Decision of the federal govern- ment at Ottawa to refuse a transfer of the license of CHAB, Moose Jaw., to the Saskatchewan government was an infringement of free speech and an invasion of provincial rights "which we cannot tolerate," said Saskatchewan's Premier T. C. Doug- las in a statement. A radio corporation formed by the provincial government had been dickering for some time to buy CHAB. The government, it was understood, planned to increase the strength of the station, now 1,000 watts. It was learned that the board of governors of the CBC had studied the matter of a transfer at length, and had advised against a go-ahead signal. Basis of the decision was government policy that regional net- works of radio stations should not be established in competition with the two national CBC networks; and that, since private corporations have MP QUESTIONS COMM'L RADIO BEAMED TO ENG London. April 30. Edward Kelling, Conservative member of Parliament, drew atten tion of the House on Tuesday (30 to the existence of American com rnercial broadcasts to Britain from Iceland, Ireland, and the continent, and asked what the government in tended to do about it. Herbert Morrison, Labor cabinet minister, replied that the govern ment would take all the nece.ssar; steps to prevent direction of com mercial broadcasting to Britain fro abroad. been refused permission to establish such networks, no discrimination should be made In favor of provin- cial governments. Premier Douglas termed the gov- ernment's decision "the type of cen- tralized dictatorship which must, be fought at every turn." He said the provincial government would not drop its negotiations with the owners of CHAB. The govern- ment held an option on the Moose Jaw station, he said, and would con- tinue to hold this until it was def- inite a transfer of license could not be obtained. Hugh Rnsdfs New Post Chicago, April 30. Hugh L. Rusch, veepee over the radio listener research division of the A. C. Nielsen Co., has resigned from that position to join Public Opinion Index for Industry, a divi- sion of Opinion Research Corp. He was with Neilsen for 12 years. Rusch is replaced by Henry Rah- mel' who formerly headed research and development for the group, and who will continue to handle that department in addition to his new radio activities. Someone in Chi to Hook With ABC But Nipup Making for Tough Guess Dignifying the Westerns Larry Hammond and Martin Sterne have packaged a 15-minute show, which they're also writing and producing, tabbed "Scarlet Horse- man," based on upcoming Universal pic of same name. Air show, how- ever, is being tailored to meet con- structive criticism of parent-teacher and educational groups that have usually frowned, on western strips, idea being to incorporate educational motif via saga of opening of the west, etc. Undecided yet whether show will be live or transcribed. Matt Crow- ley will be narrator, with Jackson Beck in the lead. . San Antonio—Three distaff mem- bers added to KABC staff: Rosemary L. Giaanetta, Australian war bride, Jane Lester and Roberta Steger. Chicago, April 30. Network, network, and who's gon- na get it? That seems to be the question in indie radio circles here. Fact that someone is going to get fulltime ABC outlet seems to be a foregone conclusion with radio in- siders here, but where it's going to go is_ something else again. Recently approved was application of Marshall Field-owned WJJD for 50,000 watts, and outlet is now mull- ing fulltime operation, pending end of FCC clear channel hearings. Once on fulltime, WJJD would be a. likely candidate for net outlet, if there were ho other competitors. However, application for 50.000w has gone into the commission from WCFL, 10,000 watter here, which si- ready has an affiliation with the net. Well-known in local radio is the pe- riodic mix-up which occurs with ABC and the arrangement under (Continued on page 48) 30,000 LETTERS WEEKLY? Nat at all anlikaly aa a aatwark with Hill amazing Htrla thaw. In * k*Uw far what h did aa aaly aaa lacal ttattaa Peters Adieus KIEV Hollywood, April 30. L. W. Peters, manager of KIEV, "as resigned. He will'officially quit station tomorrow (1) after 13 years. °ave Cannon and Reed Callister, at- torney owners,.will supervise opera- tions until a new manager is named. Peters was at one time manager of KMTR (now KLAC) here. "LANNY AND GINGER" GREY. Recording Artlitt rocently heard aver rha Matool Iroadcasting System—20J itatiom—far Faar Way CaM Tablet* aad Defender Vitamin*. M44-4S. ara naw ■Mug ap a high rating, for the ANGOS- TURA SHOW. WOR. Satnrdayt. S:4S-*:0O f.M.—40th weak. Wrlta. wire ar .afcaaa TED ASHLEY. WM. MORRIS AGENCY. N. Y.