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Education by Radio
Volume Seven
lumbers 1-12 lueliii«ive
•laniiar.v - lleceiiiber 1937
A Bulletin to I'roinute the
Use of Radio for Ediieational,
Uiiltural, and Civic Purposes
National Committee on Education by Radio
One Madison Avenue
New York, N. Y.
1937
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2017 with funding from
Media History Digital Library
https://archive.org/details/educationbyradio07nati
VOLUME VII TABLE OF CONTEXTS 15L*I7
Number Date Page
1 January — The Educational Broadcasting Conference . 1
2 February — Is Radio Living up to its Promise? . 5
Dr. Tyson Retires from the Radio Field . 8
3 March — Social Values in Broadcasting . 9
4 April — So They Don’t Want Educational Programs? . 13
Radio at the New Orleans Convention . 14
Guideposts for Producing Educational Programs . 16
5 May — Government and Radio . 17
6 June — Eighth Institute for Education by Radio 23
California Experiments with Radio Education . 26
7 July — The Radio Panorama . 29
8 August — Detroit’s Plan for Educational Broadcasts . 35
The Contribution of School Broadcasting 37
Radio as a Classroom Device . 38
9 September — Another Perspective on Broadcasting . 39
10 October — How Much Clean Up? . 45
1 1 November — ■ A Public Broadcasting Service . 49
12 December — A Report of Stewardship . 55
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A Bulletin to Promote the
Use of Radio for Educational,
Cultural, and Civic Purposes
Volume 7
JANUARY 1937
Number I
The Educational Broadcasting Conference
The first national conference on educational broad¬
casting, held in Washington, D. C., December 10-12, was
definitely successful as an overview of current practises in educa¬
tional broadcasting. It reflected what seems to be a general appro¬
bation of the present system of broadcasting, but introduced enough
criticism to indicate that room for much improvement still exists.
It avoided, in accordance with the wishes of the eighteen sponsoring
organizations, any attempt to pass resolutions or to agree upon
conclusions. It moved with a smoothness which reflected great credit
upon its managers.
During the course of the conference two separate and distinct
areas of interest developed. One included the general sessions, which
dealt with subjects of widespread interest. The second was composed
of section meetings devoted to specialized interests.
The general sessions were designed to create a broad background
of information and understanding about radio. One meeting was
given over to a description of basic engineering facts and an inter¬
pretation of their importance. Other meetings took up questions of
the use of radio in politics and in education. Certain speeches dealt
with the social significance of this new medium of mass communi¬
cation. It may be said that the conference came to a climax around
the great topic assigned to the banquet evening, “The Influence of
Radio on the Comity of Nations.”
Several of the speeches at the general sessions were thought-pro¬
voking and -highly worthwhile. A number of the others were largely
descriptive rather than analytical. These related what was happening,
with apparent acceptance of the assumption that current practise
is a satisfactory answer to problems for which some people are still
seeking a solution. In one or two instances speakers raised straw men
which had been felled for years.
The only one of the general sessions in which interest lagged was
that dealing with engineering facts. Four highly reputable radio tech¬
nicians failed to simplify sufficiently for a lay audience the compli¬
cated charts and mathematical formulas of their profession. This
should not be taken to indicate that engineering facts cannot be
simplified for public consumption. In this particular instance, how¬
ever, that very desirable contribution to public understanding fell
short of accomplishment.
The general sessions, taken as a whole, contributed little towards
a solution of the problems which sooner or later must be faced in
broadcasting. This suggests that whether another conference is to
grow out of the recent one or is called de nouveau at some future
time more emphasis might well be placed on analyzing specifically
the remaining problems. In this connection it might be suggested
[ 1 ]
Any educational system on the air
- would be but a hollow thing if it were not
fundamental in it that those participating in the
program were free at all times to seek the truth
wherever it might be found, and, having found it,
to proclaim it. Unless the people in their might
stand firm to protect educational broadcasting
from the witchhunters, then it had better not be
undertaken at all. Freedom of the press, freedom
of assemblage, freedom of speech, and that aca¬
demic freedom which is implicit in freedom of
speech, constitute the piles driver to bedrock
upon which our institutions securely stand.
These rights must, as a matter of course, extend
to and be inseparable from any program of edu¬
cational broadcasting that is worth the snap of a
finger. While the radio should not be subjected to
abuse, neither should it suffer from the stran¬
gulation of either standardization or censorship.
— -Harold L. Ickes, U. S. Secretary of the In¬
terior.
Educational broadcasting, like
commercial broadcasting, must not only
obtain the halls and classrooms, that is, the time
on the air; it must also induce people to come,
as a voluntary audience, to the programs given in
these classrooms. In neither field does it follow
that, given a powerful station and a favorable
hour, a large audience automatically tunes in.- —
Henry C. Link, secretary. Psychological Corpo¬
ration.
Title page, Table of Contents, and Index
for Education by Radio, Volume VI, 1936,
will be supplied free on request for the use of
persons who wish to bind or preserve perma¬
nently sets of this publication. Please send
stamped, self-addressed envelope to Room 308,
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y. Missing
issues to use in completing sets for binding or
filing will be supplied free while they last.
•
All quotations given in this issue of
. Education by Radio are from addresses
made before the First National Conference on
Educational Broadcasting held in Washington,
D. C., December 10, 11, and 12, 1936. Complete
proceedings of the conference will be published
in book form by the University of Chicago Press.
VOL. 7 JANUARY 1937 No. 1
EDUCATION BY RADIO
is published monthly by
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION BY RADIO
S. Howard Evans, secretary
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Committee Members and Organizations They
Represent
Arthur G. Crane, chairman, president. University of
VVyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, National Association
of State Universities.
James E. Cummings, department of education, Na¬
tional Catholic Welfare Conference, 1312 Massa¬
chusetts Avenue, Washington, D. C., National
Catholic Educational Association.
J. 0. Keller, assistant to the president, in charge of
extension, Pennsylvania State College, State College,
Pennsylvania, National University Extension Asso¬
ciation.
Harold B. McCarty, program director, state broad¬
casting station WHA, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, National Association of Edu¬
cational Broadcasters.
Charles A. Robinson, S. J., St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri, The Jesuit Educational Asso¬
ciation.
Agnes Samuelson, state superintendent of public in¬
struction, Des Moines, Iowa, National Council of
State Superintendents.
Willis A. Sutton, superintendent of schools, Atlanta,
Georgia, National Education Association.
H. J. Umberger, vicechairman, Kansas State College
of Agriculture and Applied Science, Manhattan,
Kansas, Association of Land-Grant Colleges and
U niversities.
George F. Zook, president, American Council on Edu¬
cation, 744 Jackson Place, Washington, D. C.,
American Council on Education.
MEMBER EDUCATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
My prediction is that the major future
developments in broadcasting lie with local
broadcasting service rather than in the field of
national broadcasting service. National broad¬
casting thru chains of stations is well advanced
toward saturation. . . Obviously national pro¬
gram service either by telephone, wire, or by
transcription will turn to national sources for
educational programs. . . On the other hand, sta¬
tions with predominantly local service objectives
will turn to local educational and other civic
agencies for public service programs. . . . Here
is the opportunity for educational institutions!
If the present American plan of radio is main¬
tained by the Federal Communications Commis¬
sion then there will be ample opportunity for
schools to use these local outlets. Then the prob¬
lem becomes one of whether educational institu¬
tions can build programs able to compete with
national programs for listener interest. — William
Dow Boutwell, director. Educational Radio
Project, U. S. Office of Education.
•
Greater safeguards for the freedom
of the air are desirable. No abuses have
developed which would justify an effort at this
time to take control of the broadcasting business
out of the hands of the broadcasting companies
and station licensees, but arrangements should be
devised by means of which the radio listeners of
the country may be better protected against un¬
wise use of the power of editorial supervision by
the managers of the great chains and the pro¬
prietors of local stations. — Arthur N. Hol¬
combe, Harvard University.
that the fruitfulness of such a conference could be enhanced by apply¬
ing the recognized forum procedure and allowing the immediate and
direct questioning of speakers.
This point of view could scarcely be accommodated within the
limitations under which the recent conference was planned. Its
primary design was to secure for the program maximum prestige
thru outstanding personalities in the fields both of scholarship and
of practical experience in broadcasting and its uses. It is an accepted
custom that distinguished speakers such as these are accorded wide
latitude in the matter of speech preparation. It was unavoidable,
therefore, that a sharply contrasting program built around current
radio issues which might have been discussed with timely advantage
should have to wait its turn at some later date.
None of the comments so far made are particularly applicable to
the second area of the conference’s interest, namely, the special sec¬
tions dealing with specific problems. In this area there was more
sureness of touch and more definite accomplishment. Indeed, the
general impression gained from attending a number of the section
meetings was that these gave a true reflection of the extent to which
a mastery of radio had been achieved by the educators. They fol¬
lowed very closely the pattern of the Institute for Education by
Radio conducted annually at the Ohio State University.
If there are such things as stages of development in the mastery of
a subject, the educators, judging from the frequency with which they
used the word, were in the stage of “technics.” “Technic” seemed to
be on the lips of everyone. It made its appearance under one guise or
another in most of the sessions. It seemed to reflect a fixed conviction
on the part of a large majority of conferees that the important thing
in educational broadcasting at present is the development of special
skills which have a practical application to the specific business of
broadcasting.
In the first of the conference sections listed on the program,
namely, “Broadcasting as a Community Enterprise,” the discussion
centered around technics by which the broadcasting station could
make itself more a part of its community. A representative of a
local commercial radio station in Peoria, Illinois, outlined what is
perhaps the outstanding example of successful technic for this pur¬
pose. In Peoria several years ago the local station found itself with
a very small listening audience and with little acceptance as a
community institution. Its managers decided to make the station a
champion of certain local reforms, being careful both to avoid
questions of political controversy around which prejudices had
become established and to select problems having a rather obvious
solution. They began to editorialize on the air. In a surprisingly
short time they had made their station a vital force in their com¬
munity and had won a growing public support which, incidentally,
meant an audience highly salable to advertisers. '
Another device of the same station was to have its news commen¬
tator break into any program which might be on the- air whenever
he received news of particular interest to the listeners. The result
has been that people leave their radio sets tuned to that particular
station lest they miss some especially interesting item of local news.
Since no other station is in a position to supply the same kind of in¬
formation, the local station in Peoria has a definite advantage over
its most severe competitors, the chain broadcasting stations.
By applying these technics this particular station has convinced
its listeners that it is operating in their public interest. It no longer
has to court the favor of public officials or to beg for the support of
educators and other leaders whose names will make a “front” for
[2]
the renewal of its license. It has made a place for itself not only in
its community but also in the broadcasting spectrum.
In some of the other sessions such as those dealing with the radio
workshop, measuring the audience, and labor’s experience in radio,
other special technics with which to achieve specific purposes were
discussed. The judgment seemed to be that if the proper technics
could be developed, almost any purpose could be achieved.
In the section on radio workshops the technics discussed became
so numerous as to be confusing. If it was not clear at the beginning
just what constituted a radio workshop, it was even less clear when
the session ended. This was not surprising because both the name
and the concept are very new. In this discussion the term was
stretched to include everything from the preparation of radio pro¬
grams within a single department of a college or university to the
radio project of the U. S. Office of Education, which gives full-time
occupation to many people and puts out a considerable variety of
scripts and broadcasting materials. However, in spite of all the
confusion it was evident that radio workshops have become a vital
part of educational broadcasting and that no agency can afford to
undertake putting programs on the air without benefit of the tech¬
nics which they represent.
The emphasis on technics was so completely dominant in the
various sections that almost for the first time it overshadowed the
complaints of educators about the lack of money with which to take
advantage of the opportunity offered by radio. The lack of money
still exists. Educational stations are struggling along on budgets
totally inadequate to the proportions of their task. Special educa¬
tional projects in broadcasting are suffering from the scarcity of
funds. But in this conference there was evidence of a definite con¬
viction that with the development of technics and the increased
application of intelligence much more effective educational broad¬
casting could be done within the limits of present finance.
In the section on labor and radio there was a particularly inter¬
esting contribution. This group represented what was admittedly a
special economic interest. Those present emphasized that radio
is no more than a medium of communication and that its effective¬
ness depends first and last upon the program any particular group
can prepare to further its purposes. The speakers emphasized the
need for a sequence of steps, viz: first, preparing a program which
would tell the labor story; second, reshaping that program until its
script had the qualities of intrinsic excellence; third, selling the
program to its own supporters; and, finally, seeking the opportunity
to put the message on the air in the best radio form.
Two rather definite conclusions seemed to represent the con¬
sensus of opinion in the section on classroom broadcasting. One was
that broadcasting for classroom use must be more closely integrated
with the curriculum. This seemed to imply that the broadcasting
must be done by local stations for particular school systems and
could not be done effectively by national broadcasting systems for
general school use. The second conclusion seemed to be that class¬
room broadcasts should be more carefully controled and more
exactly evaluated. Technics for this purpose appeared to involve
a more careful formulation of objectives, a more precise determi¬
nation of changes induced in pupils by the broadcasts, and a
scientific evaluation of the results achieved in terms of the accepted
objectives.
The impression must be avoided that every section was concerned
primarily with technics. In some sections, indeed, the thinking of
the participants had not advanced to the point where they had devel-
I OFFER for your consideration six goals for
the use of radio in the service of education
during the next ten years:
First: the vigorous development of educational
radio producing groups. I should like to see sev¬
eral thousand competent school and college stu¬
dent radio producing groups by 1946. I should
like to see them presenting highgrade programs
regularly on both local commercial and educa¬
tional stations.
Second: Further cooperation between educators
and broadcasters thru the Federal Radio Educa¬
tion Committee. This will require faith on the
part of all concerned and adequate finances for
investigation and research definitely planned to
clear away the obstacles which now thwart our
progress in the development of education by
radio.
Third: Further experimentation and demon¬
stration in educational radio by the Office of
Education and expansion of its service to aid
national, state, and local agencies interested in
the problem.
Fourth: Development of practical training fa¬
cilities for educators responsible for creating
educational radio programs or in using such pro¬
grams for instructional purposes.
Fifth: Establishment of shortwave stations by
many local school systems to serve rural areas as
well as urban centers.
Sixth: More adequate support for existing edu¬
cational radio stations with an increase in their
power and time to enable them to serve a large
clientele. — John W. Studebaker, U. S. Commis¬
sioner of Education.
•
I AM ADVOCATING no lessening in the effort
to make the finest and best of classical music
an actual and necessary part of the daily lives of
all kinds of people. I am simply presenting to you
as a problem the necessity of awakening in our
people such a sense of discrimination and appre¬
ciation of workmanship that, whatever the music
— classical, semi-classical, or purely popular, they
will demand the most careful preparation and im¬
peccable performance as the price of their listen¬
ing and praise. Given this as an accomplished fact,
an increase in the national interest in the highest
and noblest treasures of music must follow.—
Julius F. Seebach, program director. Mutual
Broadcasting System.
The commission is sincerely interested
in and is wholeheartedly supporting the
movement looking toward the development of a
comprehensible plan for education by radio. We
believe it can be done. — Anning S. Prall,
chairman. Federal Communications Commission.
Requests for the special supplement to
Education by Radio, which was published
in connection with the First National Conference
on Educational Broadcasting, have been so nu¬
merous that it is being included in the January
mailing.
[3]
IT WOULD PROBABLY BE good counsel to
the educators of the United States to advise
them to keep fully informed on the technical and
industrial developments in the ultra-high-fre¬
quency domain and to study carefully in advance
what may probably be accomplished by the use
of the radio and visual broadcasting services
which can be established in this domain. It would
also be well if carefully planned broadcasting of
educational material were carried out using these
new frequencies and the novel forms of transmis¬
sion such as facsimile and television which they
render possible. However, if education is to derive
its full benefit from these new instrumentalities
of science it will involve much sober thought,
cooperative effort, and systematic planning on
the part of educators. — Alfred N. Goldsmith,
consulting industrial engineer.
IN DISCUSSING the results of radio research,
may I start with a statement that has become
almost axiomatic in the radio industry; namely,
“The program makes the audience.” This basic
fact regarding programs, early discovered, holds
true to the present, and it must be borne in mind
that any data presented in studies of listening
time, ebb and flow of audience at different hours,
variation in listening habits among income classes
and various inconsistencies of the radio audience,
result from, and are not the cause of, listener
reaction to various programs. In short, the pro¬
gram is the key to radio’s success. Good programs
build audiences and popularity; poor programs
deflate the audience and the effectiveness of radio
as a social and economic force. — Samuel E.
Gill, director of research, Crossley, Inc.
May I URGE the consideration of one more
problem. In some respects it is the most
important of all, and yet it seems to have received
the least attention. That is the problem of how to
use the programs that are broadcast. Of what
avail is it to devise better educational broadcasts
if the schools are not prepared to *take full ad¬
vantage of them? Program presentation is a prob¬
lem that broadcasters and educators both can
grapple with, but program reception in the class¬
room is one with which broadcasters are not
competent to deal. So we toss it hopefully into
the lap of the educators. — Ernest LaPrade, Na¬
tional Broadcasting Company.
Government operation ot a neces¬
sary enterprise should exist only where pri¬
vate management has shown an absolute inability
to give the public satisfactory service. It is
unthinkable that in the matter of education in
broadcasting, the professional educators and the
radio interests have not the ability to work out
policies adequate to the situations. All that is
needed is a spirit of cooperation, of mutual
confidence and concerted approach. — William
Mather Lewis, president, Lafayette College.
oped technics which they could discuss. This seemed to be particu¬
larly true in the sections on listening groups and propaganda.
There were some splendid reports on listening groups showing
that great achievement could be wrought by mere enthusiasm and
much effort. But no formulas had been developed on the basis of
which the successful organization of additional listening groups
could be predicated. Rather, the impression seemed to be that at
present no formula is possible. It may be, as was suggested in the
report on the labor section, that the effective organization of listen¬
ing groups must wait until programs more specifically designed for
the service of such groups are being produced. It may be that when
such special programs have been developed they will constitute the
best impetus toward organizing listening groups and maintaining
the interest of participants.
In the section on propaganda the failure to reach any considera¬
tion of specific technics was not that technics were lacking but that
limitations of time prevented the discussion from getting down to
them. The discussion started with questions and definitions as
to what was education and what was propaganda. From that it
progressed to a recognition that there can be no complete freedom
of the air so long as radio stations have to be licensed, and that,
inevitably, certain individuals must exercise control as to what is
or is not to be allowed on the air. The question was raised as to who
should exercise this control. Before the possible answers to that ques¬
tion could be explored the audience began deserting the conference
room to listen to the abdication speech of King Edward VIII and the
meeting had to be adjourned.
In contrast to the majority of the sections, which were concerned
with technics or did not reach the stage of discussing them, there
were some sections which seemed to be pointing the way to the next
and future stage of radio development. These sections accepted the
inevitability and, no less, the desirability of the widespread use of
technics. Indeed, most of those in attendance upon these sections
were already successful users of many of the technics. They had
reached the stage where they were faced with the problem of
creating a framework of organized cooperation within which the
various technics and the people interested in using them could func¬
tion with maximum effectiveness.
This was particularly true in the section on state planning for
radio. There the representatives of a number of states reported on
the devices already being used in an effort to secure cooperation.
While the details of these reports differed considerably, they indi¬
cated that the trend was toward some version of state boards or
their equivalent. Attention was more or less focussed around the
public radio board plan which has been described at various times in
these columns.^ Certainly the plan gained new acceptance, which
seems to promise that it will be an increasingly important factor
in future discussions of cooperative enterprise in radio.
Thruout the conference friendliness and good will prevailed.
Representatives of government, commercial broadcasting interests,
and educational groups recognized their common responsibility for
the improvement of broadcasting. They saw together the social values
of this great instrument of communication. They realized that its
potentialities are yet to be achieved. Many of them were convinced
anew of the necessity of closer collaboration to the end that broad¬
casting may attain its widest social usefulness.
' “New Mexico Plans State Radio Service.” Education by Radio 6: 2-3, January-February 1936.
“An American Public Radio Board Plan.” Education by Radio 6: 13-15. May 1936.
“A Basis for Cooperation.” Education by Radio 6: 45-48, December 1936 Supplement.
[4]
Lan
A Bulletin to Promote the
Use of Radio for Educational,
Cultural, and Civic Purposes
L R A D I O
Volume 7
FEBRUARY 1937
Number 2
Is Radio Living up to its Promise?
The fifth inaugural program of the WEVD University of
the Air, broadcast from the auditorium of the College of the
City of New York on December 18, 1936, suggested a new per¬
spective from which to view the problems of educational broadcast¬
ing. Its point of departure was the question of whether or not radio
was living up to its promise. It led to a consideration of fundamental
social values in broadcasting, with a minimum of disturbance to those
ancient issues which have been the cause of endless controversy.
The program consisted of a series of four addresses followed by
a panel discussion. The addresses were delivered by Dr. John W.
Studebaker, U. S. Commissioner of Education, Hon. George Henry
Payne, member of the Federal Communications Commission, and
S. Howard Evans, secretary. National Committee on Education by
Radio. Hendrik Willem Van Loon, historian and author, acted as
chairman and master of ceremonies.
The panel was composed of: Dean Ned H. Dearborn, New York
University; Mark Eisner, assistant superintendent of schools. New
York, N. Y.; Dr. Henry Pratt Fairchild, New York University;
Dr. Frank Kingdon, president. University of Newark; Dr. Sandor
Lorand; Prof. Robert Morss Lovett, University of Chicago; and
Dr. Levering Tyson, director. National Advisory Council on Radio
in Education.
The discussion started with a narrowing of the subject and a defi¬
nition of terms. It was readily accepted that the speakers were to
be concerned only about broadcasting. While there was not so much
agreement when it came to determining the promise by which broad¬
casting was to be judged, most of the speakers seemed to feel that
there was a promise of social service inherent in the public nature
of this great medium of mass communication. However, one panel
member expressed the opinion that radio had made no promise to
him and that he had no right to make demands upon the program
makers.
What is the promise of radio broadcasting? There is no definition
upon which people commonly agree. That may be one of the reasons
why so much misunderstanding is rampant and why, in the past, so
much suspicion has existed.
It would be very interesting to have their interpretations of the
promise of radio written by representatives of the different factions
within the governmental regulatory body, by the broadcasting indus¬
try, including both the independent stations and the chain systems,
and by different citizens’ groups. Such a procedure might pave the
way for a rapprochement and for the establishment of a real basis of
cooperation between the different groups.
None of the speakers at the WEVD Inaugural attempted to make
CARLTON H. LARRABEE, in an address
before the National Council of Teachers of
English in Boston on November 28, 1936, re¬
minded English teachers that listening to the radio
is one of the chief interests of high school children
and that many phases of English work can be
vitalized by correlating them with the radio. He
suggested :
“Take letter writing for example. A study of
over three thousand New York City school chil¬
dren by I. L. Eisenberg disclosed that 73 percent
of them had at some time voluntarily written to a
radio station. Ask your pupils to write such a
letter, and they will gladly write and rewrite until
their letters are perfect.
“A renewed interest in composition writing will
result from an assignment like this; ‘Listen to¬
night to such and such a program. Pretend you’re
a radio critic for a newspaper. After the drama
has been given, write a review of it.’
“Original material for pretended radio presenta¬
tion can take the form of plays, forum talks, book
reviews, dialogs, and news items, and many scenes
from literature can be dramatized and vitalized
by adaptation to broadcasting. If your school has
a portable loudspeaker system, or if your pupils
can borrow or even construct one, you have an
excellent means for motivating good speech. If
high school pupils stand before a real microphone
connected to a loudspeaker, they will take all the
pains they would if actually broadcasting.
“According to a doctor’s dissertation recently
submitted to the University of Michigan by Paul
T. Rankin, listening constitutes 45 percent of our
life communication but receives only 8 percent of
school emphasis. This leads to the conclusion that
schools should provide more training in systematic
listening, and radio may be one of the chief means.
Pupils can be encouraged to build well-rounded
vocabularies thru the addition of words heard over
the radio.
“Even outside reading will take on a new in¬
terest if pupils are encouraged or allowed to read
and report on radio books and periodicals.”
'^HE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY broad-
casts daily, Monday thru Friday, over sta¬
tion WHAS, Louisville, a 50,000 watt dear-
channel station which can be heard over a large
midwestern territory. The University publishes a
free booklet giving a complete list of its programs.
For copies of the booklet write to Elmer G.
Sulzer, director, publicity bureau. University of
Kentucky, Lexington, Ky.
[5]
VOL. 7
FEBRUARY 1937
No. 2
EDUCATION BY RADIO
is published monthly by
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION BY RADIO
S. Howakd Evans, secretary
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Committee Members and Organizations They
Represent
Arthur G. Crane, chairman, president, University of
Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, National Association
of State Universities.
James E. Cummings, department of education. Na¬
tional Catholic Welfare Conference, 1312 Massa¬
chusetts Avenue, Washington, D. C., National
Catholic Educational Association.
J. 0. Keller, assistant to the president, in charge of
extension, Pennsylvania State College, State College,
Pennsylvania, National University Extension Asso¬
ciation.
Harold B. McCarty, program director, state broad¬
casting station WHA, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, National Association oj Edu¬
cational Broadcasters.
Charles A. Robinson, S. J., St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri, The Jesuit Educational Asso¬
ciation.
Agnes Samuelson, state superintendent of public in¬
struction, Des Moines, Iowa, National Council of
State Superintendents.
Willis A. Sutton, superintendent of schools, Atlanta,
Georgia, National Education Association.
H. J. Umberger, vicechairman, Kansas State College
of Agriculture^ and Applied Science, Manhattan,
Kansas, Association oj Land-Grant Colleges and
U niversities.
George F. Zook, president, American Council on Edu¬
cation, 744 Jackson Place, Washington, D. C.,
American Council on Education.
MEMBER EDUCATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
AT IOWA STATE COLLEGE a course in
radio is being presented, sponsored jointly
by the department of technical journalism and
the department of public speaking. Special at¬
tention is paid to continuity writing and the
young people enroled in the class, insofar as their
voices will warrant using them, are having some
experience in broadcasting news items over the
college radio station, WOI. The course is being
administered by Prof. Blair Converse, head of the
department of technical journalism.
WHEREAS radio offers such vital oppor¬
tunities for serving parents, teachers, and
pupils, and the country at large, therefore
Be it resolved that the Texas Congress of
Parents and Teachers urge that definite plans for
educational broadcasting for the public school
system of Texas be further developed;
Be it further resolved that they cooperate with
other agencies in education by radio. — Adopted by
the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers, Fort
Worth, Texas, November 1936.
•
The MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE OF
THE AIR, broadcast over WKAR, Michi¬
gan State College station, reports that its enrol¬
ment during the present term is more than double
that of the comparable period last year. Seven
courses are being offered, including a weekly
period from the Michigan State Capitol in which
the various departments of state government are
visited.
any thoro analysis of the promise of broadcasting. They chose rather
to rest upon the clause in the Radio Act of 1927 which says that all
radio stations licensed by the federal government must operate in
the “public interest, convenience, and necessity.” Then they pro¬
ceeded to discuss the questions of whether or not stations were oper¬
ating in the public interest and what ought to be done about their
present practises.
Commissioner Payne was very frank in admitting that from his
point of view broadcasting had not fulfilled its promise. He indicated
a willingness to join his fellow members of the Commission in accept¬
ing their share of the blame. He seemed to feel, however, that the
lion’s share of guilt rested with the so-called radio lobby. He said:
A more disagreeable aspect, and a more sinister one, deterring radio from
living up to its promise, is the fact that the radio lobby in Washington has filled
the radio “industry” with the novel idea that they control the government.
For two and a half years I have watched the operations of this lobby which has
endeavored to dictate the actions of the Federal Communications Commission.
When I speak of its contemptuous attitude toward educational and cultural
matters I am not hazarding any guess. I am speaking from facts. An important
broadcaster, a man who has acted as an official of an organization, sat in my office
one day arguing about the perfectability of the radio program. We were naturally
at different ends of the question — he declaring that the programs as given today
were perfect. Finally I drew out some letters and extracts from letters of many
college presidents thruout the country and showed him that they were far from
satisfied with the present set-up.
His answer was, “What the hell do them college presidents know!”
Other speakers' took up different aspects of the problem but none
of them spoke with the directness of Commissioner Payne. Likewise,
none of them saw fit to specify reasons why radio had not fulfilled
its promise with anything like the exactness of a report, 4 Years oj
Network Broadcasting,^ made public recently by the Committee on
Civic Education by Radio of the National Advisory Council on
Radio in Education and the American Political Science Association.
Dr. Thomas H. Reed, chairman of that committee, announced the
report at the First National Conference on Educational Broadcast¬
ing held in Washington, D. C., last December. While that report has
nothing to do with the WEVD Inaugural Program, it so effectively
tells the story of the difficulties encountered by Dr. Reed’s com¬
mittee in its efforts to cooperate with commercial broadcasters that
it merits inclusion at this point. The two passages which probably
will be most widely quoted and which will have the most bearing on
the future of educational broadcasting are as follows:
Nevertheless the relations of the Committee with the NBC have not been
entirely satisfactory, and we are about to recite them in some detail because to do
so will shed considerable light on the whole relation of educational broadcasting
and the radio industry. Our experience has demonstrated a conflict between the
commercial interests of the broadcasting company and the educational uses of
radio which threatens to become almost fatal to the latter. Educational broadcast¬
ing has become the poor relation of commercial broadcasting, and the pauperiza¬
tion of the latter has increased in direct proportion to the growing affluence of the
former. . . .
It is our contention, therefore, that the NBC had neither the will nor the power
to provide the “You and Your Government” thirteenth series with a satisfactory
network. Nor did it seem able to tell us just what network it had provided so that
we might adjust our merchandising to it. In the case of an educational program of
long duration it is not so important to have a long list of stations as it is to have
an accurate and permanent list. Twenty stations, if you knew what they were and
could rely on them, might prove as profitable a field for promotional activity as
forty shifting and uncertain stations. Imagine the devastating effect on the useful¬
ness of radio in education when classes which have begun listening to a series in
good faith are cut off because the time is sold.
During the discussion at the WEVD Inaugural the question was
directly raised as to whether or not government ownership and opera-
^4 Years of Network Broadcasting will be reproduced in full in the proceedings of the First National
Conference on Educational Broadcasting, to be published by the University of Chicago Press.
[6]
tion of broadcasting facilities would insure a greater degree of ful¬
fillment of the promise of radio. Dr. Studebaker gave an answer
which is one of the most complete and probably one of the most
acceptable to educators which has ever been given. Because of its
great significance it is quoted at length. He said ;
The greatest danger inherent in the present system of broadcasting is the
tendency to lose sight of the fact that ownership of the air waves is vested in the
people themselves and not in the hands of those who have the financial means
necessary to the control of the daily use of these air waves. To quote from the
Federal Radio Commission’s views as formally expressed in 1928, “While it is
true that broadcasting stations in this country are for the most part supported or
partially supported by advertisers, broadcasting stations are not given these great
privileges by the United States Government for the primary benefit of advertisers.
Such benefit as is derived by advertisers must be incidental and entirely secondary
to the interests of the public. Since the number of channels is limited and the
number of persons desiring to broadcast is far greater than can be accommodated,
the Commission must determine from among the applicants before it which of
them will, if licensed, best serve the public. In a measure perhaps, all of them
give more or less service. Those who give the least, however, must be sacrificed
for those who give the most. The emphasis must be first and foremost on the
interest, the convenience, and the necessity of the listening public and not on the
interest, convenience, or necessity of the individual broadcaster or the advertiser.”
Imagine for an instant the howls of indignation that would have gone up from
the public if the New York Times on the morning of December 11 had come out
with the entire front page devoted to an advertisement of a department store while
the story of Edward’s abdication was buried, say, on page 15. This may be an
extreme example, but to a degree it parallels some radio programs which obviously
devote more time to the advertiser’s story than to the presentation of the program
itself. Indeed the financial life of the Thnes is just as dependent upon classified
and display advertising as is the life of the commercial station dependent upon
sponsors for its programs.
In radio as in the press, the program and the story are the sought-for objectives,
while the advertising is but the means to these ends. Once we begin shoving our
ads further and further toward the front page in radio we compel the people to
protest, and thru their voice — the government — eventually to bar advertising
altogether. If broadcasting ever becomes too largely a soliloquy of merchandising
ballyhoo, the Federal Communications Commission may be forced to deny addi¬
tional commercial licenses on the grounds that the public interest, convenience,
and necessity are not being properly served by commercial stations. Should this
occur, then the government must assume the responsibility of serving the public
interest, convenience, and necessity. Once the profit motive is discredited thru
poor management, then government ownership and operation become the more
favorable alternative.
I think it is true that the great majority of educators do not now want govern¬
ment ownership and operation of radio. They want to work out their problem with
the broadcaster under the present system. This problem can be worked out. It is
inconceivable that we cannot sit down together and work out our plans in harmony
for the greatest benefit to all concerned. If this problem is not solved, and I think
a failure to solve it is a remote possibility, then the educator will be forced to
favor operation by a government which would recognize the duties of the educator
to disseminate knowledge and develop civic enlightenment over the air.
There was no discussion of the kind of cooperation which might
be effected. However, there was mention of the Federal Radio Edu¬
cation Committee as a means for bringing together the different
groups concerned. This occurred in the address of Mr. Evans, who
concluded his remarks with the following words ;
At present there is no satisfactory basis for cooperation between these two
groups [broadcasters and educators], A sincere effort to secure such cooperation
is being made thru the Federal Radio Education Committee, of which Dr. John
W. Studebaker, U. S. Commissioner of Education, is chairman. If that committee
receives the unqualified support of the Federal Communications Commission and
can maintain the confidence of both the commercial broadcasters and the educa¬
tional and cultural interests, it will become the greatest single factor in the con¬
structive evolution of broadcasting.
I am not implying that even the Federal Radio Education Committee can make
radio fulfill its promise overnight. Should that committee be able to secure com¬
plete cooperation of all the agencies concerned, there are still so many difficulties
to be overcome and so many problems to be solved that only as those of us
interested in making radio a culturally constructive force maintain an eternal
vigilance, can we have any real hope for the future.
Evaluation is an important and necessary
part of the whole process of school broad¬
casting. If the radio is to become a generally ac¬
cepted educational tool, and if the methods and
materials of school broadcasting are to be im¬
proved, it is clear that there must be abundant
evidence of its effectiveness in accomplishing
educational purposes. The present dearth of such
data is one major cause for the reluctance of
teachers in adopting this new instrument. Those
interested in radio education can address them¬
selves to no more important task than that of
developing a careful program of evaluation. . . .
Expressing in clear terms the variety of changes
to occur in boys and girls as a result of listening
to a school broadcast series is the first and indis¬
pensable step in a program of evaluation.
The second step consists in gathering evidence
which wall indicate whether the anticipated
changes are actually taking place. . . .
The third step in a program of evaluation con¬
sists in the interpretation of the data. . . .
There are three observations which can be made
regarding a practicable plan for carrying on a pro¬
gram of evaluation. First of all, the formulation
of objectives and their clarification will have to be
a cooperative effort among the schools, the broad¬
casters, and the radio educator. . . .
A second observation is this. The gathering
of evidence of the changes taking place in boys
and girls as a result of school broadcasts will,
like the foregoing, be a cooperative venture. . . .
The third observation is that this program of
evaluation requires a central staff to administer
it. — I. Keith Tyler, in an address before the First
National Conference on Educational Broadcast¬
ing, Washington, D. C., December 11, 1936.
•
The educational radio script
EXCHANGE, a new project of the U. S.
Office of Education, is a long step in the direction
of coordinating the creative efforts of educational
institutions and radio stations. The Exchange
is collecting, editing, and duplicating for distribu¬
tion scripts collected from all parts of the country.
Single copies of the scripts and aids to production
will be sent free of charge to any producing unit,
providing the material is to be used for non¬
commercial purposes. A free catalog listing S3
scripts is now available. Address your requests
to the Educational Radio Project, U. S. Office of
Education, Washington, D. C.
•
Mound junior high school, Colum¬
bus, Ohio publishes a weekly Radio Pro¬
gram News announcing to teachers and students
the worthwhile programs during the coming week.
Kenneth W. Povenmire, chairman of the depart¬
ment of history and civics, is in charge of radio
education for the school. A careful study re¬
vealed that 82 percent of the students have
receivingsets in their homes. Mr. Povenmire is
attempting to develop in the students a critical
sense of discrimination regarding the programs to
which they listen. Credit is given in history and
civics classes for well written reports on approved
programs.
[7]
YYT' AYNE UNIVERSITY, Detroit, Mich., is
’ ^ instituting during the spring semester a
radio technics course, “Principles Underlying
Effective Radio Broadcasting.” Garnet Garrison,
director of the radio division, department of
speech, will be the instructor.
Analytical studies of modern programs thru
examination of the actual scripts; critical reviews
of programs as presented on the air; audience
surveys of program popularity; and reports of
current radio research will be some of the topics
considered.
“Radio Technics,” a survey of the broadcast¬
ing field, was held the first semester and will be
repeated again this spring. Two additional courses,
“Preparation of Radio Programs,” and “Radio
Speech,” are planned for the following school
year. Actual work in program planning and
participation is given the students thru the Wayne
University broadcasts over Detroit stations.
Mayor F. H. LAGUARDIA of New York
City, at the annual meeting of his Munic¬
ipal Art Committee on January 12, announced
his plan for a national chain of noncommercial
radio stations. According to Mayor LaGuardia’s
plan, the stations would be connected by short-
w’ave radio, thus avoiding the excessive wire
charges which heretofore have prevented such
cooperation.
The Mayor’s public announcement calls atten¬
tion to a project in w'hich educational broadcasting
stations have been interested for some time.
However, it does not mean that all difficulties
have been overcome or that the project has
received the final approval of the National Asso¬
ciation of Educational Broadcasters. Until the
plan has passed muster with this body, it has no
prospect of immediate and widespread application.
Beginning in January, the thousands
of listeners to the Smithsonian Institution’s
radio program, “The World Is Yours,” receive
each month The World Is Yours magazine, an
innovation in educational broadcasting. The
magazine contains maps, drawings, and other
visual aids to complement the scientific articles
written by Smithsonian authorities ; a rotogravure
section; a Smithsonian scientific story-of-the
month; and other valuable material to supple¬
ment the weekly programs. “The World Is Yours”
is one of the five educational programs presented
regularly over national networks by the Educa¬
tional Radio Project of the U. S. Office of Edu¬
cation.
The institute of pacific rela¬
tions has completed arrangements with sta¬
tion WIXAL, Boston, operated by the World¬
wide Broadcasting Foundation, to present a series
of broadcasts on Pacific affairs which will be
heard not only in this country but also in the
Orient. Preparations have already been made
for listening groups in China and other parts of
the East.
Dr. Tyson Retires from the Radio Field
ON JANUARY 19 the Board of Trustees of Muhlenberg College,
Allentown, Pa., elected Dr. Levering Tyson to the presidency
01 that institution. Dr. Tyson will retire from his present position as
director of the National Advisory Council on Radio in Education
and will assume his new duties about July 1.
Muhlenberg is indeed fortunate in securing Dr. Tyson. Born in
Reading, Pa., in 1889, he received an A.B. degree from Gettysburg
College in 1910 and an A.M. from Columbia University in 1911. In
1930 Gettysburg College conferred upon him the honorary degree of
Litt.D. Who’s Who in America reviews his career from 1912 to 1930:
Gazetteer editor. New International Encyclopedia, 1912-15; alumni secretary
and managing editor, Columbia Alumni ISews, 1914-20, editor, 1920-30; also
served as secretary and president. Association of Alumni Secretaries; organizer,
1919, and first president. Alumni Magazines, Associated; appointed fellow, 1927,
American Alumni Council [combination of Association of Alumni Secretaries and
Alumni Magazines, Associated], also chairman, aims and policies commission;
associate director university extension, Columbia University, 1920-30, organizing
home study department; conducted study of radio broadcasting in adult educa¬
tion, 1929, for American Association for Adult Education and Carnegie Corpora¬
tion of New York.
In 1930 Dr. Tyson became director of the National Advisory
Council on Radio in Education. One of the principal purposes of that
organization was to cooperate with commercial broadcasters in bring¬
ing to the American people the best educational programs obtainable.
To this end Dr. Tyson organized committees of outstanding indi¬
viduals in various areas of educational experience. Programs were
prepared and broadcast without sponsorship on both chain and inde¬
pendent radio stations. This experiment was highly significant. If
successful it would have done much to solve the problems of edu¬
cation on the air.
In spite of all Dr. Tyson’s efforts, the experiment failed. The story
is dramatically told in the report, 4 Years oj Network Broadcasting^
Altho the outcome was disappointing to most educators, the experi¬
ment was eminently worthwhile. All those connected with it are to
be congratulated for the sincerity of their efforts and the frankness
with which they stated the reasons why it failed.
Quite apart from his efforts to cooperate with commercial broad¬
casters, Dr. Tyson made notable contributions to education by radio.
Thru the Advisory Council he published numerous pamphlets on
many aspects of broadcasting, held annual meetings which consti¬
tuted a public forum on radio problems and which were reported in
a series of volumes entitled Radio and Education, and organized
committees to canvass special areas of educational interest.
He was liberal in the time he gave to cooperation with other
agencies. He held a conspicuous place, which it is hoped he may
retain, in the Institute for Education by Radio, conducted each year
at the Ohio State University, and in the Federal Radio Education
Committee. He was one of the organizers of the First National Con¬
ference on Educational Broadcasting, held recently in Washington.
Dr. Tyson’s retirement marks the end of an epoch in broadcasting.
Had any way existed for education to cooperate with commercial
broadcasters on the latter’s terms, he would have found it. To many
people his withdrawal can mean only that, if the cooperation in
radio so much desired by educators is to be achieved, a new basis for
it must be found. While the way out is not yet apparent. Dr. Tyson’s
efforts have done much to clear the path.
The National Advisory Council has not yet determined how its
program will be affected by Dr. Tyson’s retirement.
^Education by Radio 7:6, February 1937.
[8]
A Bulletin to Promote the
Use of Radio for Educational,
Cultural, and Civic Purposes
R A D 1 O
(L^^Ll4.catia^t
Volume 7
MARCH 1937
Number 3
Social Values in Broadcasting
WHAT DO THE EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL INTERESTS of the
nation want from broadcasting? This question is asked fre¬
quently by commercial broadcasters, and with reason. Many radio
station owners are sincere in their desire to cooperate with educa¬
tional groups and are eager to learn the basis on which cooperation
will be forthcoming. So far they have had no complete answer.
Perhaps there is no complete answer. However, some kind of a
response to the question has to be made as a matter of common
courtesy. Therefore this effort. While it does not represent an opinion
with which all educators will be in agreement, it constitutes a chal¬
lenge for those who take exception to it to formulate a more compre¬
hensive statement.
To break the subject wide open at the outset, it is suggested that
the educational and cultural interests must be concerned in seeing
to it that the total program output of all the broadcasting stations
in the United States constitutes a socially constructive force. This
assertion will cause surprise in many quarters and will raise imme¬
diately many questions, such as: “Why should educators be con¬
cerned with programs which are not designed to be educational?”
and “What is the meaning of ‘socially constructive force’?”
The only reason for this broad concern on the part of educators
is the fact that, regardless of the intent of their producers, all radio
programs have some educational effect. They impart information.
They tend to condition attitudes and influence judgments. This fact
has been proven to the satisfaction of advertisers, else they would
not continue to sponsor programs in the hope of financial gain. As
the cultural implication of the situation is driven home to educators,
they recognize that they must be vitally concerned.
The extent of educational influence of present day radio programs
has never been determined. That must wait until some agency comes
forward to finance scientific studies such as those made a few years
ago in the field of motion pictures. In that area a group of eminent
scientists, working in universities from Yale to Iowa State, did a
piece of cooperative research in which they analyzed thoroly the in¬
fluence of motion pictures on children and youth. The results, pub¬
lished in eight volumes, summarized under the title. Motion Pictures
and Youth, ^ indicated that this great medium of communication ac¬
tually affected children in the following ways: physically, as re¬
flected in sleep; emotionally, as recorded by the psychogalvanic
technic; mentally, as shown by records of learning from movies and
by changes in attitude brought about by them; and behavioristically,
thru patterns of conduct molded by movies.
It is likely that when equally comprehensive radio studies are
1 Charters, W. W. Motion Pictures and Youth. New York: The Macmillan Co., 1933.
[9]
"^TEW radio bills introduced into the
^ House of Representatives include the
legislation proposed by Representative Celler of
New York for a government-owned shortwave sta¬
tion, a resolution by Representative Connery
of Massachusetts, and a bill by Representative
Wearin of Iowa. Mr. Connery’s resolution calls
for the appointment of a committee of seven to
investigate monopoly in radio broadcasting and
the effect of such monopoly on radio programs,
advertising rates, and the public in general. Mr.
Wearin’s bill calls for the complete separation of
radio and newspapers. See page 11 for a more
detailed statement of Mr. Celler’s bill.
While little important radio legislation has been
introduced into the Senate to date, it is expected
that Senator Wheeler will soon introduce a bill
to separate newspapers from radio stations.
Men who made history, a weekly ed¬
ucational series designed for schoolroom
listeners, was inaugurated over the NBC Blue
Network on February 4 and may be heard every
Thursday at 2pm, EST. This series was originally
developed as part of the Ohio School of the Air
by Meredith Page, supervisor of the Radio Work¬
shop at the Ohio State University. Network ac¬
ceptance of this program constitutes another rec¬
ognition of the quality of some of the educational
broadcasting now being done by school groups.
The civic leader, a publication of the
Civic Education Service, 744 Jackson Place,
Washington, D. C., recently contained a series of
three articles which should be very helpful to
teachers and others desiring to make use of the
radio for educational purposes. The articles and
the issues in which they appeared are as follows:
“The Use of Radio in the Schools,” January 18,
1937; “The Use of Radio by the Schools,” Feb¬
ruary 1, 1937; and “Sources of Information on
Radio,” February 8, 1937.
STATION WHA, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, is conducting a short course for
“mike-shy” legislators. H. B. McCarty, program
director of WHA is in charge of the course, which
includes “Radio Speaking,” “Radio Writing,” and
“Your Voice in Wax!”
VOL. 7 March 1937 No. 3
EDUCATION BY RADIO
is published monthly by
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION BY RADIO
S. Howard Evans, secretary
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Committee Members and Organizations They
Represent
Arthur G. Crane, chairman, president. University of
Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, National Association
oj State Universities.
James E. Cummings, department of education, Na¬
tional Catholic Welfare Conference, 1312 Massa¬
chusetts Avenue, Washington, D. C., National
Catholic Educational Association.
J. 0. Keller, assistant to the president, in charge of
extension, Pennsylvania State College, State College,
Pennsylvania, National University Extension Asso¬
ciation.
Harold B. McCarty, program director, state broad¬
casting station WHA, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, National Association oj Edu¬
cational Broadcasters.
Charles A. Robinson, S. J., St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri, The Jesuit Educational Asso¬
ciation.
Agnes Samuelson, state superintendent of public in¬
struction, Des Moines, Iowa, National Council oj
State Superintendents.
WtLLis A. Sutton, superintendent of schools, Atlanta,
Georgia, National Education Association.
H. J. Umberger, vicechairman, Kansas State College
of Agriculture and Applied Science, Manhattan,
Kansas, Association oj Land-Grant Colleges and
Universities.
George F. Zook, president. American Council on Edu¬
cation, 744 Jackson Place, Washington, D. C.,
American Council on Education.
member EDUCATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
The WISCONSIN college of the air,
thru the facilities of state radio stations WHA
and WLBL and the National Youth Administra¬
tion, inaugurated on August 26, 1936, a radio
group listening project. Since the project was or¬
ganized there have been established 118 listening
centers consisting of 306 listening groups with a
total of more than 8,500 listeners. Of this number
about 5000 are located in school centers, 2,500
among the youth of the NYA projects, and 1000
in community centers.
While the specific or central objective of the
group listening project is to bring a high grade,
educational opportunity to thousands of out-of-
school youth who cannot continue their prepara¬
tion, and to the adult population who desire to
form listening groups, the educational possibilities
for the classroom are not neglected, and a large
number of schools thruout the state are receiving
helpful assistance from the broadcasts.
The procedure for organizing radio listening
groups is quite definitely set forth in two bulletins,
which are sent to the organizer or sponsor where-
ever a listening group is being established. Where
the groups are large enough to warrant it, an
instructor is appointed from the list of available
teachers in the Emergency Educational Division.
In addition to the information given thru the
bulletins regarding procedures for organizing and
conducting radio listening groups, carefully pre¬
pared study aids or lesson previews of all the
College of the Air lectures are mailed to the group
sponsors each week to guide them and their teach¬
ers in directing the discussions. At the end of
the course an examination is provided for those
who care to qualify for the certificate of achieve¬
ment which is granted for satisfactory work.
made, the influence of this medium will be found similar to that of
motion pictures. If so, parents will have to be especially concerned
about it because of the unique way it enters the home. In motion
pictures the child has to leave home, go to the theater, and pay
a price of admission. In many states there are laws which prevent
children’s attending theaters unless additional conditions are met.
In radio there are no such barriers. A child in any home with a radio
need only turn a switch to become a member of the audience, regard¬
less of whether or not the program deals with experiences for which
he is prepared. Against the expressed wishes of his parents he can
listen in on conversations never intended for his ears.
It would be easier to ignore this influence. Parents, educators, and
socially-conscious persons in general would find their problems
simpler if they could be concerned only with those segments of
human experience which bear the formal labels of education. Such
an avoidance of reality is now impossible. Exploratory studies have
gone far enough to indicate that certain out-of-school influences, of
which radio is one, have a tendency to undermine and interfere with
the results which schools are striving to achieve.
Dr. Vierling Kersey, director of education for the state of Cali¬
fornia, authorized a study in 1931 of the out-of-school influences
in the lives of children. As a result of this study, it was pointed
out that the chief of such influences were motion pictures, radio,
books, magazines and newspapers, playgrounds, and comic strips. It
was suggested that the combined influence of these media was prob¬
ably equal to the influence of the schools themselves. In the face of
such findings there can be no substantial support for the argument
that those interested in education and culture are going outside their
field when they give voice to their concern over the sum total of
radio programs available in this country.
Unfortunately the evidence of need for concern about programs
does not give any equally clear indication of what should be done
about them. Of course, certain types of programs are clearly accept¬
able, while others are obviously not desirable. There is a great middle
ground, however, where programs are neither good nor bad and where
no one can be sure of what should be done about them. There is no
possibility of securing educational scrutiny in advance for these pro¬
grams because a word which is perfectly innocent in the script may
be given an emphasis in its delivery over the air which changes its
meaning entirely. There is no possibility of eliminating this condi¬
tion by giving prizes for excellent programs because many of the
users of radio are more interested in financial returns than in win¬
ning medals of merit.
The uncertainty as to the course of procedure does not mean that
nothing should be done. Educators rightly look to government to
develop program standards which will take into account the educa¬
tional influence of radio as one of the factors which determine
whether or not a station is operating in the “public interest, con¬
venience, and necessity.” They look to frequent conferences among
those interested in educational and cultural affairs as a fertile source
for ideas of what should be done. To the extent that they can dem¬
onstrate their competence, they also look to an increasing share in
the preparation and production of the programs which constitute the
output of this great educational instrumentality.
This expressed intention to prepare and present programs should
not be confused with the question of who should own and operate
broadcast transmission stations. The so-called American system of
commercial radio has demonstrated its value and is apparently here
to stay. Educators want to improve, not undermine, that system.
[ 10]
They want to make their contribution to it in a way which will
leaven the whole and make it more socially constructive.
As part of the present system of broadcasting there are stations
owned and operated by educational institutions. These are used
largely in the extension services of colleges and universities. They
bring to extension education an increased effectiveness and a wider
range of serviceability.
It is the purpose of education to keep these stations and to secure
new ones whenever opportunity offers. Dr. John W. Studebaker,
U. S. Commissioner of Education, has requested already that a por¬
tion of the shortwave bands, which are now being made available, be
reserved by the Federal Communications Commission for the exclu¬
sive use of educational institutions. This is an outstanding recogni¬
tion of the social value of broadcasting to schools. In addition to
Dr. Studebaker’s blanket request, there are at frequent intervals
requests by educational institutions for facilities with which to
accomplish specific purposes. The number of these requests may
be expected to increase with the growth in appreciation of radio’s
possibilities and with the removal of education’s present financial
stringencies.
Quite apart from any question of educational ownership and use
of station facilities for specific educational purposes, there is the
great problem of what share educational and cultural interests should
have in the general program service of the nation. That they should
have a share is a matter of common agreement. The Communica¬
tions Commission has accepted them as an important factor in de¬
termining the extent to which commercial stations are meeting the
requirements of “public interest.” Commercial stations proudly
declare the amount of time given to education. Audience reactions
have justified this interest.
A careful distinction should be made between a program designed
for specific educational use such as broadcasting to schools and a
program of informative or cultural content designed for a general
audience. It is probably to be expected that programs on commercial
stations, particularly those with chain affiliations, will be predom¬
inately of the latter character.
Perhaps, with these understandings, it may be easier to return
to the question of what the educational and cultural interests of the
nation want from broadcasting. It may now be possible to list a
few of the safeguards which seem essential if the total program
output of all the stations in the United States is to represent a
socially constructive force.
In the first place, educators want some assurance that radio pro¬
grams will be planned to serve a broad social purpose. Up to now
they have been largely haphazard. Some subjects have been greatly
overemphasized. Others have been ignored. There needs to be some
comprehensive planning to avoid the present excessive duplication,
to insure that, so far as possible, all subjects are given consideration
in accordance with their importance, and to maintain the oppor¬
tunity for the continuing use of radio in the service of education.
In all fairness it must be said that many aspects of the present
general program service have been improved. Thru the self-interest
of advertisers, the evening’s program on almost any important sta¬
tion represents a carefully planned and varied program. There is
no consideration, however, of the educational effect of such a pro¬
gram and cultural considerations are for the most part subordinated
to commercial ends. Indeed, there is a real scarcity of periods among
the more salable hours of the day when anything can be heard which
is not primarily commercial.
Representative emanuel celler
of New York has introduced a bill authoriz¬
ing the construction in Washington, D. C., of a
high-power shortwave government broadcasting
station to be known as the Pan-American Radio
Station. In connection with his bill, Mr. Celler
made the' following statement: “The U. S. Com¬
missioner of Education is instructed to provide
programs of national and international interest.
There is to be appropriated $750,000 for the con¬
struction of such station. . . .
“The plan and purpose of such legislation has
had the approval and encouragement of respon¬
sible officials of the Department of State, Depart¬
ment of the Interior, Department of Agriculture,
Federal Communications Commission, National
Committee on Education by Radio, and the Pan-
American Union. Also, such project has already
had the approval specifically of President Roose¬
velt, Secretary of State Hull, and Secretary of the
Navy Swanson. It grows out of the radio resolu¬
tion adopted January 1932 at Montevideo by the
Seventh International Conference of the North,
Central, and South American countries forming
the twenty-one sister republics of the Pan-Amer¬
ican Union.
“Each American nation participating at the
Conference agreed to set up shortwave broad¬
casting stations and to broadcast such programs
as to cement bonds of friendship and cultural
understanding between the peoples of the twenty-
one countries of the Pan-American Union. . . .
In all the world there are no more unassigned or
‘empty’ channels for new shortwave broadcasting
stations — except one; that is the channel pre¬
empted at the Montevideo Conference for exclu¬
sive use of Pan-American republics.
“President Roosevelt, in pursuance of such pre¬
emption, and in accord with our sister nations,
issued Executive Order No. 6472, dated Decem¬
ber 2, 1933, making available for the U. S. Gov¬
ernment the following frequencies: 6120 kc., 9550
kc., 11730 kc., 15130 kc., and 21500 kc.
“In pursuance of such Executive Order, a sta¬
tion was to be set up in Washington, D. C., under
the joint control and auspices of the State Depart¬
ment and Navy Department. The station was
never set up. Many obstacles were thrown across
the path of this much needed reform by mis¬
guided and selfish persons. It is feared that this
would be the entering wedge into governmental
control of radio. That is ridiculous. . . . One Pan-
American shortwave station, set up in pursuance
of the treaty in an unassigned channel on a non¬
competitive basis, will not in the slightest militate
against private initiative. It will not lead to
government monopoly. . . .
“Because of the pressure against carrying out
the President’s Executive Order I have introduced
my bill. . . . Every nation in the world has a
broadcasting station except the United States.
. . . There are two million shortwave receiving-
sets in this country and the number is mounting
daily by leaps and bounds. Such increasing short¬
wave receptivity might well command a federal
station.
“Such a federal-controled station could be used
[1] to create good will between this and other
nations, [2] to eradicate international misun¬
derstandings, and [3] to develop two-way trade
between the United States and other nations.”
[ n 1
BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPO-
RATION, according to The Listener for Jan¬
uary 20, 1937, is making an experiment to see if
it is possible to find out what the listening public
thinks of radio dramatic productions. Two hun¬
dred people have been asked to listen with special
care for about two months. They are being sent a
list of questions about each production and an
analysis of the answers will be made. The listen¬
ers chosen are of all types and from all parts of
the country and it is hoped that the replies will
reflect the ordinary man’s reasons for enjoying
or not enjoying a radio play.
* I ^HE COMMITTEE has on hand a limited
supply of the following free publications:
Tyler, Tracy F. An Appraisal of Radio Broad¬
casting in the Land-Grant Colleges and State Uni¬
versities.
Tyler, Tracy F. Some Interpretations and Con¬
clusions of the Land-Grant Radio Survey.
Requests will be honored in the order in which
they are received. Address them to the National
Committee on Education by Radio, Room 308,
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
'Y\/’ALD0 abbot, director of broadcasting
’ ' service. University of Michigan, is the
author of a Handbook of Radio Broadcasting, to
be published this month by the McGraw-Hill
Publishing Company, New York, N. Y. This hand¬
book is written for students and teachers of
speech and of broadcasting, for the teacher receiv¬
ing educational programs in the classroom, for
those who are in the radio profession, for the
radio listener, and for the person who is or who
may be a radio speaker or writer.
COMMANDER T. A. M. CRAVEN, chief en¬
gineer of the Federal Communications Com¬
mission, who has already made a report on the
engineering aspects of the reallocation hearings
held last October, is expected to report soon on
the testimony concerning the economic and social
aspects of broadcasting which was developed in
the same hearing. This report will be the first of
its kind to be prepared within the Commission.
Let freedom ring, a new series of weekly
educational radio programs dramatizing the
struggle of the human race to win civil liberties,
is being presented by the Educational Radio Proj¬
ect of the U. S. Office of Education. “Let Free¬
dom Ring,” the seventh series to be presented
over the networks by the Educational Radio Proj¬
ect, began on February 22.
Allen miller, director of the University
- Broadcasting Council of Chicago, has been
granted a fellowship by the Rockefeller Founda¬
tion for observation and training in network pro¬
cedure at the NBC studios in New York.
In the second place, education, when it goes on the air, wants to
be assured of a real opportunity to reach an audience. This is a
fundamental problem, so far as chain broadcasting is concerned.
Educators, told that they are to have a nationwide network, have
checked up to find that their program was being carried by less than
a dozen stations. The best report on the experience of educators
in the use of networks for educational programs is contained in the
pamphlet, 4 Years of Network Broadcasting.- It justifies fears
which many educators have had with respect to education on the
networks.
In the third place, educators want for themselves in the use of
radio the same kind of freedom which they enjoy in the classroom.
This does not mean that they want to be free to follow any whim
which may come into their minds. They are not free to do that in
their teaching. They are used to subscribing to established policies.
A professor of chemistry would not undertake to speak with author¬
ity on matters of psychology. In radio they are willing to accept
reasonable limits within which to confine their discussions. However,
they expect these limits, once set, to be respected by all parties to
the agreement. They expect to feel as secure in the exercise of their
rights as are the broadcasters in the exercise of theirs.
At the present time such freedom does not exist. The contract
under which education is allowed to approach the microphone is
largely unilateral. The broadcasters may stop the program at almost
any moment on any one of a number of grounds. They may take
exception to the script or to particular passages of it. They may take
exception to the way in which it is presented. Furthermore, there is
no effective recourse against their judgment.
Conceding fully that there are countless instances in which the
criticism of broadcasters has helped to improve the quality of edu¬
cational programs, educators can produce ample evidence that the
broadcasters are not infallible enough to warrant arbitrary power
in the exercise of their judgment. One significant and not particu¬
larly subtle bit of evidence comes from a contrast between the often
reiterated statement that educators must put more showmanship into
their programs and the comments which the officers of the Columbia
Broadcasting System had to make when the Republican National
Committee asked to buy time for the dramatization of politics. The
following quotation appeared early in the correspondence between
these two principals:
Our reasons for not allowing dramatizations are as follows: Appeals to the
electorate should be intellectual and not based on emotion, passion, or prejudice.
We recognize that even the oratorical discussion of campaign issues can be to
a degree stamped with the aforementioned flaws, but we are convinced that
dramatizations would throw the radio campaign almost wholly over to the emo¬
tional side. Then, too, we believe that the dramatic method by its very nature
would tend to over-emphasize incidents of minor importance and significance,
simply because of the dramatic value. While we realize that no approach to the
electorate is absolutely ideal, we believe American voters have long been trained
to discriminate among the assertions of orators whereas we do not believe they
could discriminate fairly among dramatizations, so that the turn of national
issues might well depend on the skill of warring dramatists rather than on the
merits of the issue debated.^
It may be that the educational and cultural interests of the nation
want from radio more than they have any right to expect and more
than they have any possibility of getting. If so, these groups will be
the first to make concessions, so long as there is no attempt to make
them compromise on the fundamental proposition that broadcasting
must constitute a constructive influence and that social values must
be paramount in radio.
-Education by Radio 7:6. February 1937.
® Columbia Broadcasting System. Political Broadcasts. Kew \ork: CBS. 1935.
[ 12 ]
A Bulletin to Promote the
Use of Radio for Educational,
Cultural, and Civic Purposes
l>u RADI O
Volume 7 APRILI937 Number 4
So They Don’t Want Educational Programs?
IN THE NEXT FIVE HUNDRED WORDS I will describe the puncturing
of a myth of modern broadcasting. This myth, a frustrating fan¬
tasy, is worth killing because its execution may encourage the assassi¬
nation of some of the more hideous monstrosities that crawl out of
our loudspeakers.
What is this myth? You will find it wearing various guises. You
will find both broadcasters and educators accepting it. You will find
it cropping out in many of the speeches delivered at the recent Na¬
tional Conference on Educational Broadcasting. You will find it in
the report of 4 Years of Network Broadcasting.
Briefly, the myth asks you to believe that, “The majority of the
American people want entertainment from their radios — they do not
want education.” Sometimes you find it couched differently. Promi¬
nent educators will say, “Of course we realize that educational pro¬
grams can never be as popular as ‘Amos and Andy’ or Rudy Vallee,
but they appeal to the minority and that minority should be served.”
That myth, that conviction, that assumption is now dead. It has
been slain in the last nine months; murdered by the combined
strength of 300,000 American radio listeners.
Little did these 300,000 listeners realize that they were killing a
modern myth when they wrote to the U. S. Office of Education. They
thought they were writing in response to broadcasts presented by the
Educational Radio Project, but their letters, flowing into Washington
in an ever-increasing flood — ten thousand, fifteen thousand, twenty
thousand per week — have introduced a new fact in American broad¬
casting, namely, that the public for education on the air is probably
as large as it is for entertainment!
By what right can this claim be made? Three hundred thousand is
small beside 4,200,000 letters recently received on a soap series. It is
small beside the other records established by many commercial con¬
cerns. Yet 300,000 letters is probably more listener mail than any
sustaining educational program not created by network broadcasters
has yet rolled in. Considering the fact that prizes were not offered, it
is very heavy. Few if any sustaining programs on NBC, CBS, or
MBS can show listener response anywhere near that of the five net¬
work programs now being presented by the Office of Education.
What does this prove? It proves that millions of Americans want
educational programs prepared to meet public tastes and interests.
To those who have examined this flood of letters, there is clear evi¬
dence that educational programs, adequately financed and skillfully
produced, can compete with any entertainment programs on the air.
This evidence challenges the moss-covered assumption that the pub¬
lic demand is solely for entertainment and issues a clarion call for a
new definition of “public interest, convenience, and necessity.”
[ 13 ]
A SUGGESTED SYLLABUS for a course in
radio education has been completed as a
cooperative project of the National Committee on
Education by Radio. A tentative draft of the
syllabus, prepared by Dr. Cline M. Koon, U. S.
Office of Education, I. Keith Tyler, Bureau of
Educational Research, The Ohio State University,
and S. Howard Evans, secretary, NCER, was sub¬
jected to criticism by a considerable number of
competent reviewers. The final draft should be
available shortly and will be sent without charge
to interested persons. Address requests to: Na¬
tional Committee on Education by Radio, Room
308, One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
•
npHE RADIO WORKSHOP of New York
University is now accepting registrations for
its summer session, July 6-August 14, 1937. A
maximum of sixty students will be admitted and
registration will close when that figure is reached.
Requests for admission should include data con¬
cerning the applicant’s training, experience, and
present occupation, and must be accompanied by
a $5 registration fee. The cost to each student will
be $50 for the complete course. Applications
should be addressed to: Dr. Carl E. Marsden,
Radio Workshop, Division of General Education,
New York University, 20 Washington Square
North, New York, N. Y.
T^R. LESTER K. ADE, superintendent of pub-
lie instruction for Pennsylvania, foresees a
day when every well-planned school will have a
radio coach as well as an athletic coach. The radio
coach would be expected not only to write and
produce effective educational radio programs but
also to instruct pupils in the art of radio.
•
Every added potential listener
adds to the responsibility which always
follows the broadcaster, the responsibility of see¬
ing that the program is worthy of its audience. —
Franklin D. Roosevelt.
•
'IT/'ILLIAM DOW BOUTWELL, chief, edi-
' Y torial division, U. S. Office of Education,
and director, Educational Radio Project, is the
author of the article in the adjoining column.
VOL. 7 APRIL 1937 No. A
EDUCATION BY RADIO
is published monthly by
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION BY RADIO
S. Howard Evans, secretary
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Committee Members and Organizations They
Represent
Arthur G. Crane, chairman, president. University of
Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, National Association
oj State Universities.
James E. Cummings, department of education, Na¬
tional Catholic Welfare Conference, 1312 Massa¬
chusetts Avenue, Washington, D. C., National
Catholic Educational Association.
J. O. Keller, assistant to the president, in charge of
extension, Pennsylvania State College, State College,
Pennsylvania, National University Extension Asso¬
ciation.
Harold B. McCarty, program director, state broad¬
casting station WHA, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, National Association of Edu¬
cational Broadcasters.
Charles A. Robinson, S. J., St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri, The Jesuit Educational Asso¬
ciation.
Agnes Samuelson, state superintendent of public in¬
struction, Des Moines, Iowa, National Council of
State Superintendents.
Willis A. Sutton, superintendent of schools, Atlanta,
Georgia, National Education Association.
H. J. Umberger, vicechairman, Kansas State College
of Agriculture and Applied Science, Manhattan,
Kansas, Association oj Land-Grant Colleges and
Universities.
George F. Zook, president. American Council on Edu¬
cation, 744 Jackson Place, Washington, D. C.,
American Council on Education.
MEMBER educational PRESS ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
At the university of southern
^ CALIFORNIA the activities of the various
schools and colleges on the campus have been cor¬
related with the work of a radio staff. Musical
programs, interviews, lectures, and dramatic pre¬
sentations bring the various departments to the
public. The present organization was set up in
1932. By actual participation in writing, announc¬
ing, and in operating equipment, as well as in pro¬
ducing programs, students secure knowledge of
radio which they can gain in no other way while
in school.
•
The first Indiana radio clinic
was held at the Indiana State Teachers Col¬
lege, Terre Haute, on February 13. The purpose
of the clinic was to bring together representatives
of high schools, colleges, radio stations, and others
interested in educational radio broadcasts to con¬
sider mutual problems. Similar meetings might
welt be inaugurated in other localities and should
not fail to foster a closer cooperation for the most
effective use of the radio as an educational device.
•
Radio at the New Orleans Convention
The discussion of radio at the meetings of the Department of
Superintendence of the National Education Association held
recently at New Orleans, Louisiana, was restricted to a single session
of that great convention. That session was very significant, however,
because it was the third of a series of meetings for the consideration
of a public relations program for schools. The first meeting consid¬
ered the question, “What Is the Public?” The subject of the second
was, “Technics by which the Relations of School and Public May
Be Clarified.” To give radio special consideration in such a series
was important recognition.
Dr. Arthur G. Crane, president of the University of Wyoming and
chairman of the National Committee on Education by Radio, pre¬
sided over the section on radio. He was assisted by a panel consisting
of: William Dow Boutwell, director of the Educational Radio Proj¬
ect, U. S. Office of Education; I. Keith Tyler of the Bureau of Edu¬
cational Research, The Ohio State University; Judith Waller and
Franklin Dunham of the National Broadcasting Company; and Ed¬
ward R. Murrow of the Columbia Broadcasting System.
A. Helen Anderson, chairman of the series of public relations
meetings, had prepared the following questions for the consideration
of the radio session :
[1] What essentials have educators failed to consider in prepar¬
ing radio broadcasts?
[2] What is the place of the student forum in radio?
[3] Are educational programs, designed as propaganda, justifi¬
able?
To these questions Dr. Crane added two more:
[4] Can programs of school business be made good publicity?
[ 5 ] Can broadcasts of instruction to the classrooms be made help¬
ful in establishing good public relationships?
These questions created a framework broad enough for the admis¬
sion of discussion on many general problems. They also opened the
way for a pertinent and detailed recital of experiences which schools
have had in the use of broadcasting.
After lengthy discussion, in which many people participated, it
was agreed that radio has tremendous possibilities as a medium of
acquainting the public with the schools. It was emphasized particu¬
larly that the picture of school work should be given realistically.
This might be done in two ways: [ 1 ] by programs designed for class¬
room use but listened to by parents, and [2] by programs put on by
the schools and designed specifically for parents.
There can be little doubt that the most penetrating and entertain¬
ing contribution to the discussion was made by Mr. Boutwell. Dis¬
claiming all personal responsibility for statements made, he under¬
took to define some of the terms of educational broadcasting in ac¬
cordance with the facts as they must appear to a disinterested but
analytical observer. His remarks were so challenging that they are
quoted at length:
GW. RICHARDSON of the Canadian
• Broadcasting Corporation has made what
seems to be the best study to date on the legal
status of broadcasting in Canada. It appeared
under the title, “A Survey of Canadian Broadcast¬
ing Legislation,” in the Canadian Bar Review for
February 1937. He concludes that while broad¬
casting is a business, it falls for obvious reasons
within the public service type of organization.
To lay the basis for discussion I propose to present some definitions of the terms
and names which I presume will be dealt with during the afternoon. I propose to
define radio station, wavelength, school, publicity, public relations, and similar
terms.
In offering these definitions I have tried to put them as a man from Mars might
do. I ask you to consider these definitions not as coming from me as a member of
the staff of the Office of Education, not as from a friend and associate of all the
members of this panel. This is an attempt to attain an objective view of what we
are about to discuss. Here are the tentative definitions of the man from Mars who
is oblivious to the loyalties, emotions, and attitudes of humans;
[ 14]
Schools: Services, largely to youth, which society has decided to buy coopera¬
tively, instead of thru the dividend-bonus corporation method; this service con¬
sists of implanting in newcomers sufficient of our curious habits and customs to
warrant the admission of these newcomers to the great American social and
pleasure club.
Propaganda: Organization and distribution of material and acts undertaken
to bias public attitude and reaction to problems facing society.
Publicity: Use of various channels of information to familiarize the public
with some plan, product, or activity, for example, a bond issue which a school
board wants passed.
Public relations: Concerns the operations of an institution or organization to
accomplish its objectives with utmost internal but more particularly external
harmony. Sometimes those who engage in publicity call themselves public relations
counsels in order to charge more for their services.
Radio station: A speculative, and to date, generally a profitable venture in
real estate. Having obtained a public utility license to a wavelength by purchase
or vague promises to the Federal Communications Commission, the speculator
rents some rooms, caretakers, and some wires to advertising agencies which handle
accounts for merchants. Time, which the station owner cannot sell to an advertiser,
he fills with records and educational programs for which he pays little or nothing
and cares less.
Exception: Some stations are acquired by newspaper proprietors in order to
stifle the radio so it will not compete with the newspaper business.
Wavelength: A curious electromagnetic impulse, limited in variety, owned by
the people of the United States. Wavelengths are given to commercial speculators
by the Federal Communications Commission on condition that the speculators
come back every six months and say, “Please, may I have it for six months more?’’
The Commission makes these six months gifts of public property on condition
that the speculator use the gift in, as the law says, “the public interest, con¬
venience, and necessity.” But this is not as difficult a requirement as it may sound
because neither the Commission nor Congress nor anyone else has decided what
it means. Speculators take these gifts of public property and resell them to other
speculators at handsome prices — sometimes more than $1,000,000.
Radio broadcasting: This is one of the most absurd and inefficient methods by
which sane persons have ever tried to communicate with one another. It is like
trying to catch and hold the attention of a million blind persons, each of whom
is occupied with something else at the time. It is such an inefficient method of
communication that, as a rule, only a combination of skilled writers, skilled actors,
and a large orchestra can effectively communicate with large numbers of listeners.
And yet the unique distinction of radio, the ability to communicate with millions,
instantaneously, in their own homes, is so desired by merchants and citizens them¬
selves, that ways have been found to overcome the inefficiencies inherent in this
form of communication. Limitations of radio broadcasting have compelled its
use chiefly as a musical background for life and for short, swift, window-shopper
units of information such as news, gags, and clambakes. Clambakes are variety
programs. Radio broadcasting is particularly well adapted to the educational task
of stimulating intellectual and cukural activities, but it has not been used for
this purpose extensively for two reasons: first, because educators have not been
able to collect or allocate sufficient funds to buy the skill necessary to use this
queer method of communication; second, because advertisers don’t want the think¬
ing of listeners diverted into channels which might make them forget about the
product advertised.
Local station: A radio Station licensed to use a wavelength to serve the particular
needs of local citizens, but whose owner has usually found it more profitable and
a lot less trouble to be a chain store for a New York or Chicago distributor.
Network broadcasting: A scheme which was originally planned to promote
the sale of tubes and radio sets thru the distribution to local outlets of pro¬
grams created in New York and Chicago, which, it was thought, large numbers
of people would like to hear. It soon became evident that assembling a network
of stations for an advertising agency desiring national coverage was more profit¬
able than the sale of tubes. Therefore the companies organizing the networks have
become brokers between local distributors — radio stations — and national advertis¬
ing agencies who create programs for the benefit of their clients. At present the
scheme is so organized that local stations have to take an advertising agency pro¬
gram whether they want to or not and the advertisers take up practically all the
time most adapted to communicating with the public. The local distributor, on
the other hand, is under no compulsion to take a non-advertising program, such
as an educational program, so when national education programs are offered to
him the local distributor frequently sells that time to a local advertiser if he can.
This is called operating radio stations in the public interest.
Those, my friends, are the definitions of the man from Mars who tries to be
exact and truthful. You will at once recognize that his unfamiliarity with earthly
affairs and his lack of proper background have led him to make some definitions
with which you and I cannot agree. But if we don’t accept his definitions, we can
proceed to make our own.
A BILL has been introduced into the State
Legislature of California for the construction
of two 50,000 watt broadcasting stations to pro¬
vide adequate radio broadcasting facilities for the
extension division of the University of California.
The bill provides that one station shall be located
on the campus at Berkeley and the other on the
campus at Los Angeles. Section 3 of the bill states
that “the operation of said stations shall be under
the supervision and control of the extension divi¬
sion of the university. The division shall prepare
and broadcast a curriculum of education benefi¬
cial to those citizens who are unable to partake of
the benefits afforded by actual attendance at a
university. The division shall arrange to broad¬
cast. directly or by remote control from various
cities of the state, public debates and discussions
on matters of vital interest to the people of the
state of California. They may also arrange for the
broadcast of such other matters and programs
as they shall deem to be of educational or cultural
value."
While no request for construction permits has
been submitted to the Federal Communications
Commission as yet, this expression of interest in
educational broadcasting for Californians is timely
and worthy of recording.
O
The eighth annual institute for
EDUCATION BY RADIO will be held in
Columbus, Ohio, May 3-5. Features of the Insti¬
tute this year will be a broadcast by Dr. Joseph E.
Maddy, University of Michigan, on his weekly
band lesson, an address on “Radio’s Responsibility
for National Culture” by Gladstone Murray, gen¬
eral manager of the Canadian Broadcasting Cor¬
poration, the first American exhibition of record¬
ings of educational radio, programs, and an address
by Dr. John W. Studebaker, U. S. Commisioner of
Education, on “The Governments’ Responsibility
for Educational Broadcasting.” I. Keith Tyler of
the Bureau of Educational Research, Ohio State
University, Columbus, is in charge of arrange¬
ments for the Institute, which will bring together
scores of leaders in radio, representing educational
institutions and their radio stations, the chains,
and commercial stations, as well as governmental
agencies concerned with radio.
9
The school executive for March 1937
contains an article on “The Use of Radio in
the Schools” by Dr. Arthur G. Crane. In his
article Dr. Crane outlines a detailed program of
experimentation designed to show school teachers
and administrators how effective radio can be as
a tool with which to improve teaching. Dr. Crane
describes the kind of demonstration which he be¬
lieves will do as much for education by radio as
Lindbergh’s solo flight over the Atlantic did for
aviation.
9
ANNING S. PRALL has been reappointed by
* President Roosevelt to be chairman of the
Federal Communications Commission for another
year. His previous appointment expired March 11.
The radio workshop of New York
University, which is operated in cooperation
with the Educational Radio Project of the U. S.
Office of Education, will hold a two-day institute
for classroom teachers. May 14 and 15. A unique
and highly important feature of the institute will
be a demonstration of radio equipment for school
use. Those interested in further details should get
in touch with Dean Ned H. Dearborn, Division
of General Education, New York University, New
York, N. Y.
•
WHERE THE NEWSPAPER and the broad¬
cast station are separately controled the
listener may receive the full benefit of both. . . .
He has more chance to decide for himself what
is really happening, what its influence upon him,
his family, his community, his country, is likely
to be. Obviously the newspaper and the broadcast
station cannot be checked against each other when
both are under the same control. — Irvin Stewart,
member. Federal Communications Commission.
STATION WHAZ, Rensselaer Polytechnic In¬
stitute, Troy, N. Y., has made broadcast tests
for several weeks on 1000 watts power to demon¬
strate to the Federal Communications Commission
that its present power could be doubled without
disturbing other radio channels. Following suc¬
cessful completion of the tests, various commercial
interests are reported to be coveting WHAZ’s
facilities. WHAZ is a pioneer college experimental
station and has been on the air since 1922.
•
Edward R. MURROW, director of talks for
the Columbia Broadcasting System, is to
become European director for Columbia beginning
about the first of May. His departure from the
position which was equivalent to educational
director is to be regretted because both by educa¬
tional background and inclination he was the
most sympathetic friend education has had in the
network offices. No announcement has been made
as to his successor.
The WOMEN’S NATIONAL RADIO COM¬
MITTEE, organized in 1934 to represent
various women’s club groups in dealing with radio,
has now undertaken to make radio program analy¬
ses for commercial organizations and at commer¬
cial rates. Variety asks how the committee will be
able to avoid embarrassment “with advertising
clients and clubwomen members all in one family.”
Radio education has traveled a long
. road since its early pioneering. It has broad¬
ened its field and has slowly grown to a full recog¬
nition of its possibilities. — Anning S. Prall,
chairman. Federal Communications Commission,
in an address before the First National Confer¬
ence on Educational Broadcasting, Washington,
D. C., December 10, 1936.
Guideposts for Producing Educational
Programs
Apropos mr. boutwell’s claim for the mass appeal of educational
.programs, some readers may want to know the guideposts by
which such programs are prepared. They are of two kinds: those
which have to do with educational objectives, and those which are
concerned exclusively with the problem of attracting and holding an
audience.
The following tentative educational guideposts have been sug¬
gested to writers connected with the Educational Radio Project:
[1] Does the program have unity; that is, do the parts contribute to a central
idea which, in turn, is a logical sector of a program series?
[2] Is the subjectmatter selected educationally important? A good test of
importance is whether or not the facts or anecdotes would be included in the
curriculum of a progressive school system.
[3] Will the program effectively induce a considerable proportion of listeners
to explore the subject more completely by reading, by discussion, or other self-
educative activity?
[4] Is there a summary at the close to fix in the listener’s mind the major
points brought out by the script?
[5] Is the selection and presentation of the material such that the voluntary
interest of the “students” [listeners] will be aroused?
The guideposts for attracting and holding the attention of a radio
audience are more numerous and perhaps less tentative. They include
and supplement good practise in playwriting, which is almost a pre¬
requisite for scripwriting. They are as follows:
[1] Listener attention should be caught in the first twenty seconds. Methods:
novelty sound, theme music, interest-challenging statement, or provocative dialog.
[2] The first minute of the script should arouse the curiosity of the listener in
what is to follow.
[3] Direct the program to the audience most likely to be listening on the
station or stations being used at the time allotted. Are they women, children, men
tired from a day’s work, city people, country people? Keep in mind what a major¬
ity of listeners are likely to be doing while you are seeking their attention. Try to
fit your program to what you think their mental state is at the moment.
[4] Limitations of listeners both in terms of vocabulary and experience should
be kept in mind. Don’t ask listeners to make mental expeditions too far beyond
the range of their power.
[5] The subject of the broadcast must be potentially interesting to a majority
or a reasonably large proportion of listeners reachable at the time and thru the
outlets available.
[6] The presentation should include listener participation, if it is nothing
more than keeping time to music, laughter, using paper and pencil, or even more
important, an emotional response, a desire to “do something about it.”
[7] Visualize scenes and people before beginning action; that is, “set the stage.”
[8] Each voice or sound should be clearly established; that is, listeners should
not be left wondering who a speaker is or what a sound is. All future behavior of
a character should be motivated beforehand.
[9] Each line of dialog should be as short as possible and to the point, without
hurting characterization or dramatization.
[10] The script should “flow.” Even more essential than on the stage or in a
moving picture, because of the limited time and holding power, the lines of a radio
script should advance the plot or the subjectmatter steadily toward the climax.
[11] Variety is essential. No actor or group of actors should be asked to carry
a scene longer than interest in a particular situation can be maintained — about
two minutes.
[12] The script should continually remind listeners of others present in the
scene even if they are not speaking.
[13] Sounds and action should be properly prepared for in advance; that is,
if the Indians are coming, anticipation of the sound of hoof beats must be built
up in advance.
[14] Characters should speak in character; residents of a particular place
should speak like residents of that place.
[15] If an address to which mail is to be sent is used, it should be repeated at
least three times. The same holds true for the name of the school, agency, or
company. Any offer used at the close of a broadcast should be prepared for at
the opening.
[16] Directions for the production director and music director should be ample
and clear.
[16]
A Bulletin to Promote the
Use of Radio for Educational,
Cultural, and Civic Purposes
ati
R A D 1 O
Volume 7
MAY 1937
Number 5
Government and Radio
I AM VITALLY INTERESTED in the problem we now have
before us because / believe that radio is destined to affect the
scope and progress of education and, therefore, our national life in
general, with results quite as revolutionary as those which followed
the invention of the printing press. Radio’s possibilities are yet but
relatively slightly appreciated. The understanding necessary to make
adequate educational use of it is now emerging as a genuine reality.
The existence of the tremendous power of radio is a fundamental
fact that has been abruptly thrust into our system of living and it
deserves the most serious and intensive study. We approach it with
no feeling of mastery but with a will to understand it, to learn better
how to use it, to aid in finding greater use for it, and to determine
the government’s responsibility for its educational use, particularly
as that responsibility should be discharged thru the federal Office
of Education. . . .
I have examined carefully the Act creating the Office of Education.
It seems clear beyond question that radio has an important role to
play in achieving the broad purpose of the government in “diffusing
such information respecting the organization and management of
schools and school systems, and methods of teaching, as shall aid the
people of the United States in the establishment and maintenance of
efficient school systems,” and that it has perhaps a greater obligation
to “promote the cause of education thruout the country.”
We are seeing more clearly each day that we must have a scheme
of educational organization modernized to fit the spirit and the practi¬
cal needs of an inter-dependent society which demands swift-moving,
cooperative effort. One of the cardinal virtues of democracy is that it
provides more adequately than any other system of social organization
for the sharing of ideas and experiences. . . . What I am suggesting,
then, is the need for a much better scheme than has yet been devel¬
oped by which, in the field of organized education itself and for the
benefit of the public in general, this interchange of facts and ideas over
increasingly wide areas may be accelerated; by which, with speed,
regularity, and certainty the most outstanding successes of each state
or local community, in its unique social, economic, and political ven¬
tures, skillfully and interestingly related and intelligently interpreted,
shall become the successes of all; a process by which the rich heri¬
tages of the past may be “woven into the personalities of the masses.
In this great realm in which national progress is sought thru more
widespread, voluntarily accepted, common understanding, we cannot
rely solely upon the “horse and buggy” methods of the simple life
that is gone forever. Here we must bring to our aid a generous use
of the power of the most modern devices for securing personal growth
1^ R. JOHN W. STUDEBAKER, U. S. Com-
missioner of Education, was the speaker at
the banquet of the Eighth Annual Institute for
Education by Radio. His address, entitled “The
Government’s Responsibility for Educational
Broadcasting,” was such a concise statement of
the duties of the federal government, and par¬
ticularly of the Office of Education, concerning
educational radio, that it is being brought, in
slightly condensed form, to the readers of Educa¬
tion by Radio. It begins in the adjoining column
and continues thruout this issue. It will be pub¬
lished in full in Education on the Air, 1937, the
proceedings of the Institute.
•
“^HE FALL OF THE CITY” [a poetic
-1- drama by Archibald MacLeish] proved to
most listeners that the radio, which conveys only
sound, is science’s gift to poetry and poetic drama;
that thirty minutes is an ideal time for a verse
play; that artistically radio is ready to come of
age, for in the hands of a master a $10 receiving
set can become a living theater, its loudspeaker a
national proscenium. — Time, April 19, 1937.
The eighth annual institute for
EDUCATION BY RADIO was held May
3-5 in Columbus, Ohio. Approximately 250 per¬
sons, including both educators and representatives
of the radio industry, took part in the three-day
conference. A number of the notes in this issue
refer to this meeting as “the Institute.”
•
Meredith page, director of the Ohio
Radio Workshop, is the author of a new
handbook of suggestions for amateur radio groups.
The booklet, entitled Radio Script Duplicatio7i,
may be procured from the Bureau of Educational
Research, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
The price is fifty cents.
T N NEW JERSEY a proposal for a state-owned
and operated noncommercial radio station to
be devoted in part to educational programs has
been approved by the State Advisory Committee
on Public Recreation.
[17]
VOL. 7 May 1937 No, 5
EDUCATION BY RADIO
is published monthly by
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION BY RADIO
S. Howard Evans, secretary
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Committee Members and Organizations They
Represent
Arthur G. Crane, chairman, president. University of
Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, National Association
oj State Universities.
James E. Cummings, department of education, Na¬
tional Catholic Welfare Conference, 1312 Massa¬
chusetts Avenue, Washington, D. C., National
Catholic Educational Association.
J. 0. Keller, assistant to the president, in charge of
extension, Pennsylvania State College, State College,
Pennsylvania, National University Extension Asso¬
ciation.
Harold B. McCarty, program director, state broad¬
casting station WHA, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, National Association of Edu¬
cational Broadcasters.
Charles A. Robinson, S. J,, St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri, The Jesuit Educational Asso¬
ciation.
Agnes Samuelson, state superintendent of public in¬
struction, Des Moines, Iowa, National Council of
State Superintendents.
Willis A. Sutton, superintendent of schools, Atlanta,
Georgia, National Education Association.
H. J. Umberger, vicechairman, Kansas State College
of Agriculture and Applied Science, Manhattan,
Kansas, Association of Land-Grant Colleges and
Universities.
George F. Zook, president, American Council on Edu¬
cation, 744 Jackson Place, Washington, D. C.,
American Council on Education.
MEMBER EDUCATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
Deems TAYLOR, commentator for the New
York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra,
during the final broadcast of the 1936-37 season on
April 18, made some enlightening comments on
what he had found out about his audience from
the mail he has received. Mr. Taylor has con¬
cluded, first, that people do not listen accurately,
and second, that they are intolerant. He made
very clear his opinion of what he termed a “na¬
tional educational racket,” the habit high school
and college students have acquired of writing to
authors, commentators, artists, statesmen, and
other public figures, expecting to receive a com¬
plete essay in response to a few questions, the
answers to most of which the student could find
out for himself in any library. Mr. Taylor sus¬
pects that teachers are abetting rather than dis¬
couraging this practise, since one letter stated that
“My teacher says I may have an extra credit if
you will sign your reply.” The evidence that
American men are taking an increasing interest in
fine music makes Mr. Taylor feel very much
heartened.
A FEW COPIES of the following two free
publications, which are now out of print,
are available on request:
Advisory Committee on Education by Radio.
Report. Columbus, Ohio: The F. J. Heer Printing
Co., 1930. 246 p.
Perr>', Armstrong. Radio in Education. New
York: The Payne Fund, 1929. 166 p.
Requests should be addressed to the National
Committee on Education by Radio, Room 308,
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
and mass civic enlightenment. No government can or will shirk that
responsibility. The dictatorships of the world have eagerly capitalized
the sweeping pervasiveness of radio for their peculiar purposes to
restrict learning and to enforce beliefs. As our democracy enters new
stages of its race with the forces which tend to destroy it, we must
learn how to gear this powerful twentieth century instrument of
mass communication to the high aims of a social order which is dedi¬
cated to the principle that the widest possible opportunity to learn
will produce, in the long run, the soundest beliefs, and the greatest
happiness for all. As the Office of Education in your federal govern¬
ment assumes its share of this responsibility it will be more than a
clearing house; it will be a dynamic force in sustaining our demo¬
cratic ideals and practises and in constantly elevating the general
level of American occupational and cultural life.
The responsibility of the federal government for educational broad¬
casting, as I see the situation, falls within at least three areas, as
follows: [1] to safeguard the use of radio frequencies to insure the
maximum of public service; [2] to use radio to acquaint the public
with the work of the government; and [3] to keep the public posted
concerning the services it should expect of radio, and to persuade
and assist broadcasters to provide those services.
Safeguard radio frequencies: Radio frequencies are recognized as
public property by the Congress of the United States which has placed
in the hands of the Federal Communications Commission the respon¬
sibility of securing the use of these frequencies in the “public interest,
convenience, and necessity.” The Commission, in turn, has set up
certain regulations to govern the granting of licenses. Under these
regulations, we find that approximately 97 percent of the frequencies
within the regular broadcast band are being used by commercial com¬
panies which depend upon radio advertising not only to finance the
construction and operation of the stations but also to gain financial
profits on the original investments. To be sure, these stations have
been charged with the responsibility of operating in the public inter¬
est, convenience, and necessity, and from time to time they are called
upon by the Commission to submit evidence of the public service
which they are rendering.
Phenomenal progress has been made in technical equipment under
this system and no less phenomenal progress has been made in the
technic of broadcasting. Stations and chains have spent large sums
of money to create programs having the widest popular appeal, as
they vie with one another for audiences. ... It is hard to conceive,
however, that nearly all radio channels in the broadcast band should
be placed permanently in the hands of commercial companies even
tho they are charged to use them in the public interest, convenience,
and necessity.
I do not wish to be interpreted as criticizing the Federal Communi¬
cations Commission or its predecessor, the Federal Radio Commis¬
sion. They set up regulations to govern the granting of licenses. Com¬
mercial agencies complied with the regulations and were granted the
licenses. Neither do I wish to be understood as criticizing the com¬
mercial broadcasters. They have entertained and enlightened the
public, and made noteworthy advances in radio science and in the
art of broadcasting. Public agencies were slow to grasp the educa¬
tional significance of radio, and even slower to work out a sound
financial basis for the construction and operation of high-grade sta¬
tions. Altho much of the early advance in radio engineering ema¬
nated from colleges and universities, college radio stations, with few
exceptions, have been inadequately financed and therefore backward
in the development of the art of broadcasting.
[18]
Is it any wonder then that education on the air is rather generally
recognized as one of the rough spots in our broadcasting system?
The Federal Communications Commission, in its report to the Presi¬
dent of the Senate of the United States on January 22, 1935, stated:
The Commission feels, in particular, that broadcasting has a much more impor¬
tant part in the educational program of the country than has yet been found for
it. We expect actively to assist in the determination of the rightful place of broad¬
casting in education and to see that it is used in that place.
It is my opinion that, when broadcasting plays a “much more im¬
portant part in the educational program,” than at present, the result
will have been brought about not only by increased cooperation be¬
tween educators and broadcasters, but also thru a larger number of
public agencies operating stations on the public channels, exclusively
in the public interest, performing public services over and above those
which these agencies can perform by the use of commercial radio
stations alone. The executive departments of the federal government
have not been satisfied to leave to commercial agencies the respon¬
sibility of carrying the government’s point-to-point radio communi¬
cations. Roughly, 25 percent of all radio frequencies now in use are
assigned to the various departments of the federal government. I am
reliably informed that the federal departments expect to use a con¬
siderably larger percentage of the ultra-high frequencies.
When the Federal Communications Commission held a conference
last June to consider the allocation of the ultra-high frequencies
among various agencies and for various services, I requested that a
minimum of three megacycles be reserved for the exclusive use of
local school systems for services in addition to those which they could
normally expect comriiercial radio stations to perform. This request
was for only about one twenty-fifth of the channels under considera¬
tion but seemed reasonably adequate to meet the needs of school
systems and other educational agencies, since the portion of the fre¬
quencies requested would provide approximately seventy-five clear
channels suitable for short-range broadcasting. No final decision has
been reached in this matter but I confidently expect the Commission
to make adequate allocation for this purpose. If it does, then the
responsibility for constructing the stations and developing their
maximum use in the public interest will fall upon local school officials
and other educational groups. If they fail to take advantage of this
opportunity within a reasonable length of time, the reservation on
these frequencies will no doubt be removed and local school authori¬
ties will have missed their opportunity to use them in the performance
of their services to the schools and the public. I am fully convinced
that I would have been lacking in foresight and negligent of my duty
if I had not pointed out the incalculable value to organized education
and the general public interest which may come from a widespread
and continuous educational use of ultra-high radio frequencies. . . .
Inform public concerning government: The legislative and executive
departments of our federal government make a rather extensive use
of the air to broadcast information about the government. Of course it
seems proper that the President and the various federal agencies
should use radio as well as other means of communication, for the
diffusion of information intended to contribute to an understanding
of national problems, to the solidarity of the nation, and to the happi¬
ness and well-being of the American people. . . .
According to the President, “The development of our economic life
requires the intelligent understanding of the hundreds of complicated
elements of our society.” One way to develop this understanding is
by means of public forums which I have long advocated. . . . As a
basis foe forum discussions, however, we need a great deal of infor-
\ MYSTIC KING OF THE NORTH,”
l\. one of the “Let’s Draw” series of the
Wisconsin School of the Air, received the award
for the best program entered as a directed class¬
room activity in the First American Exhibition of
Recordings of Educational Radio Programs, a
feature of the Eighth Annual Institute for Educa¬
tion by Radio. In the dramatization class the
award was presented to “Freedom of the Press,”
a program of the “Let Freedom Ring” series of
the Educational Radio Project of the U. S. Office
of Education.
Seven programs received honorable mention ; as
follows:
Talks — “How the Mind Grows in Infancy.”
from the series. “Radio Forum on Growth and
Development of the Child,” planned and produced
by the National Congress of Parents and
Teachers.
Directed classroom activities — “NBC Home
Symphony;” “Maddy Band Lessons” from “NBC
Instrumental Series;” and “NBC Music Appre¬
ciation Hour, Series B.”
Roundtables — “Youth and National Policy,”
from series, “Youth and Problems of Today,”
planned and produced as part of the Wisconsin
School of the Air by Station WHA, University of
Wisconsin.
Dramatizations — “Appointment at Westmin¬
ster” from NBC “Coronation Series,” and “The
Penny Auction,” planned and produced by the
Resettlement Administration, U, S, Department
of Agriculture.
Programs submitted in the contest were clas¬
sified under four headings — talks, directed class¬
room activities, roundtables, and dramatizations.
An award and an honorable mention was to have
been given in each class to a program entered be¬
an educational organization and one entered by a
commercial station, making eight possible awards
and eight honorable mentions.
Ninety-five programs, totaling 39 hours, were
submitted in the contest, A preliminary judging
reduced the number to 23 programs, totaling 10
hours. The judges felt that only two programs,
both of them noncommercial, were of a sufficiently
high standard to be worthy of an award.
Judges of the contest were: Dr. Belmont Farley,
director of publicity for the National Education
Association; Felix Greene, American represent¬
ative of the British Broadcasting Corporation;
and Joseph Ries, educational director of station
W’LW, Cincinnati. Speaking for the judges, Mr.
Ries said that after listening carefully and by no
means unsympathetically, the judges had decided
that the general standard of educational programs,
as represented by the recordings submitted, was
regrettably inadequate.
•
The educational radio script
EXCHANGE of the U. S. Office of Edu¬
cation has recently issued Supplement No. 1 to its
Script Catalog. The original catalog, published in
January 1937, listed S3 scripts. Supplement No. 1
contains 47 additional scripts, making a total
of 100 scripts now available free of charge. Ac¬
cording to the latest report, more than 40,000
scripts have been distributed. To obtain the cata¬
log or supplement send your request to the Edu¬
cational Radio Script Exchange, Lb S. Office of
Education, Washington, D. C.
[ 19]
COMMISSIONER GEORGE HENRY
PAYNE of the Federal Communications
Commission has proposed a special tax on broad¬
cast stations. He maintains that “the enormous
profits made by the broadcast stations more than
justify a special tax, as they now enjoy the use of
a great national resource and it is the govern¬
ment that bears the burden of the regulation
without which they could not exist.” Commis¬
sioner Payne’s plan calls for an annual tax of $1
a watt for stations using 1000 watts or less power;
$2 a watt for stations using more than 1000 and
less than 10,000 watts; $3 a watt for stations
using power in excess of 10,000 watts. Part-time
stations would be taxed in proportion to the
number of hours they are on the air. Government
or state owned stations and stations operated ex¬
clusively for nonprofit purposes and broadcasting
only unsponsored programs would be exempt from
taxation. A bill based on Commissioner Payne’s
proposal was introduced into the House on
April 15 by Representative Boylan of New York
and has been referred to the Ways and Means
Committee.
The experience of the Cleveland Public
Schools, as reported at the Institute by As¬
sistant Superintendent H. M. Buckley, seems to
indicate that the first requisites for successful
radio teaching are: teaching merit, ability to
visualize a specific classroom of pupils, and a
knowledge of the subject from the standpoint of
the students’ reactions. Considerable classroom
experience and a sense of timing are also consid¬
ered essential. Scripts should be prepared by
experts in the subjectmatter. The writer should
be present during rehearsals and in a receiving
classroom during the broadcast. The most success¬
ful subject is music, which lends itself more
readily to radio, but teachers and students seem
to think the elementary science broadcasts best.
An outline of each broadcast, with specific direc¬
tions to teachers, is sent out a semester in advance.
Some advantages of instruction by radio are: it
brings an expert teacher into the classroom; it
brings a lesson on which many hours of prepara¬
tion have been spent ; it demonstrates good teach¬
ing methods to teachers.
•
CTATION KFDY, South Dakota State Col-
^ lege, Brookings, considers that its outstanding
contribution during the past year has been its
service in keeping the farm people informed con¬
cerning the AAA and other drought relief projects.
Other well received programs were the daily
“Farm and Home News” and a question box on
farm problems. The work of KFDY has been so
valuable to the people of South Dakota that the
Farmer’s Agricultural Conservation Convention
passed a resolution to the effect that KFDY
should be given more money and more time on the
air. A program on the National Farm and Home
Hour which attempted to clear up some of the
misconceptions concerning South Dakota origi¬
nated at KFDY. The best program at present is
said to be a series on “Soil Science.” KFDY is
now planning to purchase recording equipment.
mation about public problems and the part the government is playing
in their solution. Along with the press, the radio has come to be a
powerful force in the diffusion of this information. Wisely and fairly
selected and planned, this information is not only useful in organized
public discussions but also in the provocation of informal discussion
of national problems in every city and village thruout the country.
This service is particularly useful to a democracy in a country like
ours with its broad geographical expanse, its diversified physical
characteristics and climatic conditions, and its population of many
races of people from all parts of the world. Thru radio, space can be
annihilated and our tens of millions of people made neighbors.
Believing that convictions should be followed by action, we secured
emergency funds to launch the Federal Radio Education Project
about a year and a half ago as an experimental demonstration in edu¬
cational radio programs. Thru this project, we are now broadcasting
five weekly series over coast-to-coast networks of the national
chains. . . . We are broadcasting in an attractive and interesting
manner a wealth of information about the government or collected
by it. . . .
Sensitize the public to higher standards: For the past six years the
Office of Education has maintained a radio service charged with the
responsibility of collecting and disseminating information intended to
facilitate the use of radio in education; to conduct studies; to encour¬
age research intended to solve the basic problems involved; and to
give information and counsel to both broadcasters and educators who
wish to improve the use of the air for educational purposes. . . .
Realizing the seriousness of the problem of the proper educational
use of radio and a responsibility for its solution, the Federal Com¬
munications Commission appointed the Federal Radio Education
Committee to work out means within the present broadcast structure
whereby the educators on the one hand and the broadcasters on the
other can combine forces [1] to eliminate controversy and misunder¬
standing between groups of educators and between the industry and
educators; and [2] to promote actual cooperative arrangements
between educators and broadcasters on national, regional, and local
bases.
There is no need for me to discuss the complex problems faced by
this Committee. The Committee is of the opinion that a number of
important studies should be made as a means of improving the co¬
operative use of the air for educational purposes. To date, sufficient
funds for these studies have not been secured but they seem to be
assured. I am firmly convinced that the returns on substantial invest¬
ments in radio research and practical experimentation in educational
broadcasting, conducted by the ablest minds in the radio and educa¬
tional fields, will yield valuable dividends in terms of improved edu¬
cational broadcasting service.
The federal government in assuming the responsibility of establish¬
ing a radio system to be operated in the public interest, convenience,
and necessity will need to work out the basic problems in the system
that are interfering with the maximum benefits to the public, the legal
responsibility being vested in the Federal Communications Commis¬
sion, and the educational responsibility in the Office of Education.
Within the means at our disposal, we have no intention of being re¬
miss in our duty. As a service to organized education, we should en¬
courage teacher training in broadcasting, in the school use of radio,
and in the teaching of radio-program appreciation, just as we encour¬
age teacher training in other important fields. We also should help to
keep educators, in particular, posted about and alive to the ways in
which they can gain the greatest benefits from the use of radio. . . .
[ 20 ]
Government’s responsibility summarized: May I now present a number
of points for consideration in determining more definitely than I have
done in this presentation, the future responsibilities of the govern¬
ment for educational broadcasting.
[1] There are thousands of programs broadcast annually by the
Columbia Broadcasting System, the National Broadcasting Com¬
pany, and other chains. A large percentage of these programs are
commercial and have assured outlets which provide a certain and
predetermined coverage. A plan for commercial broadcasting in this
country has therefore been evolved which provides a thoro and
definite system for such broadcasting. However, in the field of non¬
commercial educational broadcasting, there is no such parallel. Non¬
commercial, educational programs are merely offered by the chains
but there is no assured coverage. The question therefore is: Under
what policies and by what means shall this nation have available for
use a real system for the national broadcasting of noncommercial
educational programs?
[2] There is no socially sound reason why there should be ade¬
quate, systematic, and sustained provision for an assured, regular,
national coverage for ideas concerning articles for sale, while at the
same time there is no similar provision for the dissemination of
knowledge, ideas, ideals and inspiration which serve the sole purpose
of lifting the general level of enlightenment and culture.
It is as reasonable to argue that all radio advertising should be
done independently by the many radio stations as it is to argue that
the contribution which radio may make to the enlightenment and
culture of the nation should depend wholly upon a multiplicity of
individual producing groups and, stations acting independently. The
reason national broadcasting of articles for sale is popular is that,
thru it, a given degree of excellence and effectiveness of a program
may be created at less expense per individual consumer than if the
same quality of program were prepared and produced by more than
one unit of organization. In other words, in the field of the agencies
for influencing human conduct or reactions radio readily lends itself
to the purposes and economies characteristic of mass production in
industry generally, tience the growing use of network broadcasting.
[3] The rapid increase in the volume and complexity of knowl¬
edge and in the intricacies of human relationships creates a demand
for the fullest possible use of the most effective and economical means
of spreading knowledge and of creating an understanding of social
problems. A democratic society, therefore, in the interest of public
welfare and thru public agencies will persistently seek the use of
those means of mass communication which are most efficient in the
dissemination of knowledge and in the creation of keener and more
pervasive social insights.
[4] By its very nature radio must operate on and thru the public
domain and must be publicly regulated. For these reasons the public
will never relinquish its control of radio, and for the reasons stated
above, this control will probably tend to increase rather than to
diminish. This policy and trend are expressed in the announced deter¬
mination of the public thru Congress to insist that radio be operated
in the people’s “interest, convenience, and necessity.” The severity
of governmental controls will be lessened in the degree in which the
radio industry makes controls unnecessary.
[5] For the reason indicated the future undoubtedly will bring
increasingly critical examination of the performance of the radio
industry with special reference to its service in behalf of the people’s
“interest, convenience, and necessity.”
[6] Without question the public will steadily develop the feeling
The state of Georgia has enacted legis¬
lation creating a State Radio Commission.
The Commission is to take over and operate sta¬
tion WGST and any other radio stations the state
may acquire. Membership of the Commission in¬
cludes' the governor, the president of the Senate,
the speaker of the House, the president of Georgia
School of Technology, and three citizens to be
named by the governor.
WGST was given to the Georgia School of
Technology by the late Clark Howell, Sr. The
school leased the station to the Southern Broad¬
casting Company to be operated commercially
and the present lease has about three years to run,
with the privilege of a ten-year renewal. Governor
E. D. Rivers pointed out, however, that it was
unfair to the people of Georgia to tie up the
station so long when radio is expanding so rapidly,
and that a law passed in 1931 gave the state title
to all property owned by state institutions. For
that reason the lease on the station could not be
considered binding, sincei it was not approved by
the legislature.
The frank a. day jr. high school
of Newtonville, Mass., has been a pioneer in
the development of radio programs presented by
pupils over the public address system of the
school itself. The principal of the school, Russell
V. Burkhard, has been the guiding hand of this
enterprise. Beginning with the use of the public
address system, Mr. Burkhard’s pupils have had
frequent occasion to use the facilities of broad¬
casting stations for the presentation of programs
of state and national interest. The programs
dramatize school situations and serve to interpret
school life to the public. The scripts are prepared
and presented by pupils under the supervision of
a technical director who is assisted by the English
department. The justification of the program as a
student enterprise lies in its value in developing
personality for all careers and as a first-class edu¬
cational experience. According to Mr. Burkhard,
some of the pupils have used their broadcasting
experience as a basis for a selection of vocations.
AN ESPECIALLY INTERESTING FEATURE
Ax of the Institute was the talk on production
given at the Wednesday morning session by Rikel
Kent of Station WLW, Cincinnati. Mr. Kent’s
fame as a producer made his comments of par¬
ticular value. He stressed the importance of allow¬
ing actors to interpret their parts in their own way
rather than forcing them to follow rigorously the
director’s ideas. He felt also that directors should
be more human in their handling of young people
who appear for auditions. Even when they are un¬
able to use the candidates they can at least find
merit and give words of encouragement where
they are deserved. He gave the impression that in
his opinion an actor on a commercial program was
in reality a salesman and, regardless of art or his
own personal opinions, everything should be sub¬
ordinated to the purpose of the program — sales.
Mr. Kent’s speaking in the manner of a director
haranguing his cast added considerable to the
effectiveness of his presentation.
[21 ]
According to Assistant Superintendent
■ H. M. Buckley, the Cleveland Public Schools
are planning the installation of an ultra-shortwave
transmitter to be used in reaching all of the schools
in their system. It is felt that the public schools
will be served best by securing channels in that
part of the spectrum where they can work without
conflict with commercial stations. Considerable
study has been given to this proposal both as
regards its effectiveness and the costs of installa¬
tion. It is probable that a single receivingset will
be installed in each school building so that pro¬
grams can be distributed within the building over
the existing public address system. All broadcast¬
ing by the Cleveland Public Schools is designed
for classroom reception. If Cleveland carries out
its plan, it will be the first city school system to
take advantage of the ultra-shortwave band which
the U. S. Commissioner of Education requested
set aside for educational use.
•
SIX MEMBERS of the staff of the Detroit
public schools were registered at the Institute.
As a result, those attending the section Monday
evening devoted to broadcasting in the schools
learned a great deal about the educational broad¬
casting program being carried on in Detroit. In
brief, the programs, which are in the nature of
dramatizations presented by school pupils, are
planned, tried out, and presented by means of a
cooperative effort between pupils, teachers, and
the members of the supervisory and administra¬
tive staffs. An important factor in the Detroit
plan for school broadcasting is a principals’ radio
committee, of which Owen A. Emmons, principal,
Cooley High School, is chairman.
The regional Italian civic proj¬
ect of the Connecticut Congress of Parents
and Teachers is a very worthwhile experiment in
adult education by radio. “Community Responsi¬
bilities,” “Citizenship,” “Health,” “Religion,”
“Delinquency and Crime,” “The Child’s Patri¬
mony,” and “Youth Problems” are some of the
topics which have been treated in the weekly
broadcasts, all of which are given in the Italian
language. Thru the use of three Connecticut sta¬
tions, WICC, Bridgeport, WBRY, Waterbury,
and WTIC, Hartford, and station WOV, New
York, N. Y., it is estimated that more than 60
percent of the Italian population in the United
States is being reached.
•
Radio station KFKU, University of Kan¬
sas, Lawrence, will celebrate its twelfth
anniversary on June 12, 1937. The director of the
station feels that the most significant advance
made during the past year has been the contacts
with the public schools. KFKU 'is contemplating
establishing a School of the Air to broadcast
directly into the classrooms of secondary schools.
Lessons in Spanish, French, and German are being
broadcast, the French lessons having been espe¬
cially well received. KFKU’s music appreciation
course has been on the air for twelve years.
that the industry is not properly fulfilling its obligation to the people’s
“interest, convenience, and necessity,” as long as public-service or
“educational” broadcasting — that is broadcasting clearly designed
adequately to spread knowledge and create social understanding —
must continue to take its chances in the confusion and irregularities
of an unsystematic, uncoordinated scheme of rampant individualism
of networks and stations, a situation in which there is no planned
program that guarantees certainty of sustained coverage.
In spite of the relatively accidental methods now used for mass
communication of knowledge and social understanding, radio, to¬
gether with other vigorous agencies of education, has contributed so
largely to a general diffusion of culture that the American people will
not be satisfied with any policy for the radio industry which allows
it to be used too largely as an advertising agency. In a fundamental
sense the general culture of our people may be measured by the
extent to which they increasingly insist that such a powerful instru¬
ment as radio should add to that culture. It may be expected, there¬
fore, that our developing civilization will incline steadily toward a
larger rather than a smaller proportion of systematic, nationwide
educational broadcasting of a high degree of excellence.
Certainly no one will claim that at the present time we have
achieved the highest possible level of civilization in the United States.
This being the case, if the people in the future do not insist upon
greater cultural contributions thru radio, their failure to do so will
be clear evidence that the personal tastes and social aspirations of
the people are declining. Such a result is surely not to be desired
even tho it might relieve the radio industry of a critical attitude that
would insist upon a constant elevation of standards. If, on the other
hand, the forces for the positive development of our people increase
in effectiveness [and radio is one of these forces] naturally the people
will tend to expect still greater contributions from such forces until
it is very evident that the limits of effectiveness in creating cultural
advancement have been reached. Of course, these limits never will be
reached.
A challenge: May I say again that the government’s use of author¬
ity in exercising its responsibilities for educational broadcasting will
be great or small depending upon the degree to which the broadcasters
serve the public welfare. The primary values represented by a broad¬
casting company are based upon the use of the public domain. The
people of this country will, therefore, not lose sight of the fact that
the broadcasters and advertisers are using public property. As long
as it is generally understood that the airways belong to the people
and the right to use them can be taken away by the people’s agency
of government as easily as the right is given, we may expect careful
consideration of the meaning of “public interest, convenience, and
necessity” by the broadcasters and the general public alike. I con¬
sider it one of the responsibilities of government to keep that sense
of ownership fresh and clear in the minds of the people. That is one
of the positive methods of exemplifying the principle that “eternal
vigilance is the price of liberty.” It is an essential safeguard for the
future.
With the great power of the owners of the equipment and radio
organizations on the one hand and the supreme power of the people
acting thru their government on the other hand, we have a balance
which may well provide a freer employment of radio for the public
welfare than seems possible in any other system. It is the govern¬
ment’s responsibility fairly to represent the public at large in its de¬
sires to have its property used to as great a degree as possible for its
educational benefit.
[22]
A Bulletin to Promote the
Use of Radio for Educational,
Cultural, and Civic Purposes
Volume 7
JUNE 1937
Number 6
Eighth Institute for Education by Radio
The eighth annual institute for education by radio,
held in Columbus, Ohio, May 3-5, by the Bureau of Educa¬
tional Research of the Ohio State University, was a fitting climax
to the series of meetings which have preceded it. It proved again
that the Institute has found its place in radio and is prepared to
make an annual contribution of lasting value.
The function of the Institute seems to be that of evaluating the
specific procedures which are being developed to meet special prob¬
lems of educational and cultural broadcasting. So far as possible,
the differences between the educational and the commercial ap¬
proach to radio are forgotten while the common problems of method
are stressed. This year particularly, conflict seemed to be at a
minimum, while much emphasis was being placed on the possibilities
of cooperation.
As a background for a discussion of technics, there is always
some consideration of the philosophy of educational broadcasting.
This year that aspect of the program was covered largely by the
speeches of Major Gladstone Murray, general manager of the
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and Dr. John W. Studebaker,
U. S. Commissioner of Education. Dr. Studebaker’s speech has
already been reported in this bulletin.^ Major Murray’s contribu¬
tion was equally fundamental. He emphasized that the responsibility
of radio for national culture is one of the most important considera¬
tions of this generation; that this cultural responsibility must extend
to all programs; and that radio should assume the role of a ministry
of the arts. He stressed the importance of radio in adult education.
He said that there was probably too much broadcasting and that
quality was to be preferred to quantity. Major Murray’s speech was
the keynote of the conference and its influence carried thru the
meetings.
The first session devoted to specific problems dealt with the
subject of the educational broadcasting station. First there was a
rollcall of the various stations, each reporting the outstanding
achievements of the year. These reports were followed by a careful
defense of the educational station made by H. B. McCarty of
station WHA, University of Wisconsin, president of the National
Association of Educational Broadcasters and representative of that
organization on the National Committee on Education by Radio.
Mr. McCarty went back over the history of the educational broad¬
casting stations to point out that the early stations were interested
in technical experimentation, not in the dissemination of knowl¬
edge. Many of those stations went out of existence with satisfaction
that their purpose had been achieved and that their record was one
'^Education by Radio 7:17-22, May 1937.
A RMSTRONG PERRY, for five years director
of the service bureau of the National Com¬
mittee on Education by Radio, was one of the
passengers injured when the plane in which they
were flying from Brazil to Caracas, Venezuela,
crashed in a Venezuelan jungle on April 22. The
five injured passengers waited fifteen days in the
jungle for the aid which the three uninjured went
to seek. Mr. Perry is said to have been very seri¬
ously injured and unconscious for nine days.
According to the latest report, the survivors were
rescued on May 7 and Mr. Perry is recovering in
a Caracas hospital. Since leaving the National
Committee on Education by Radio in January
1936, Mr. Perry has devoted himself to freelance
writing and was in Venezuela collecting material.
^T'HE RADIO COMMITTEE of the Montana
Society for the Study of Education, of
which Boyd F. Baldwin is chairman, has issued a
report recommending that the Society lend its
support to the plan for organized educational
broadcasting on a statewide basis. The plan is the
one advanced by the National Committee on Edu¬
cation by Radio and calls for the establishment
of state or regional radio boards which will enable
civic organizations to pool their resources in order
to secure the assistance of expert radio production
staffs and the cooperation of broadcasting stations.
•
Dr. IRVIN STEWART, vicechairman of the
Federal Communications Commission,
whose term expires on June 30, has notified Presi¬
dent Roosevelt that he will not be a candidate for
reappointment to the Commission. He will retire
from the Commission to become director of a
new Committee on Scientific Aids to Learning of
the National Research Council. Dr. Stewart is
chairman of the Telegraph Division and a member
of the so-called “liberal” wing of the Communica¬
tions Commission.
•
STATION WOSU, Ohio State University,
Columbus, celebrated its fifteenth anniversary
on June 3. A broadcasting license and the call
letters WEAO were acquired on that date fifteen
years ago, but a “wireless station” had been in
existence on the campus for a decade previously.
The station changed its call letters to WOSU in
1932 in order to identify itself more thoroly.
[23]
VOL. 7 JUNE 1937 No. 6
EDUCATION BY RADIO
is published monthly by
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION BY RADIO
S. Howard Evans, secretary
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Committee Members and Organizations They
Represent
Arthur G. Crane, chairman, president. University of
Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, National Association
oj State Universities.
James E. Cummings, department of education. Na¬
tional Catholic Welfare Conference, 1312 Massa¬
chusetts Avenue, Washington, D. C., National
Catholic Educational Association.
J. 0. Keller, assistant to the president, in charge of
extension, Pennsylvania State College, State College,
Pennsylvania, National University Extension Asso¬
ciation.
Harold B. McCarty, program director, state broad¬
casting station WHA, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, National Association oj Edu¬
cational Broadcasters.
Charles A. Robinson, S. J., St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri, The Jesuit Educational Asso¬
ciation.
Agnes Samuelson, state superintendent of public in¬
struction, Des Moines, Iowa, National Council oj
State Superintendents.
Willis A. Sutton, superintendent of schools, Atlanta,
Georgia, National Education Association.
H. J. Umberger, vicechairman, Kansas State College
of Agriculture and Applied Science, Manhattan,
Kansas, Association oj Land-Grant Colleges and
U niversities.
George F. Zook, president, American Council on Edu¬
cation, 744 Jackson Place, Washington, D. C.,
American Council on Education.
MEMBER EDUCATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
"D ADIO STATION WILL, University of Illi-
nois, Urbana, has begun operating on its
new frequency of 580 kc. and new schedule of
8am-S:4Spm six days weekly. Two 32S-foot direc¬
tional antenna towers have been erected and the
station’s listening area is reported to be increased
125 percent. An additional studio has been con¬
structed and underground cables run to thirty
pickup points about the campus for remote broad¬
casts of lectures and musical productions. Accord¬
ing to Jos. F. Wright, director of WILL, the new
schedule provides a 75 percent time increase and
a variety of educational presentations is planned.
Talent will be drawn almost exclusively from the
1500 professors and the 11,000 students. Among
the most popular of the programs from classrooms
are those giving instruction in foreign languages.
GIAN-CARLO MENOTTI, young composer
whose opera, “Amelia al Ballo,” was very
well received in New York, has been commissioned
by the National Broadcasting Company to write
an original opera for radio. The Columbia Work¬
shop also has been experimenting with materials
written especially for radio, as contrasted with
adapted materials. Archibald MacLeish and Ste¬
phen Vincent Benet are two of the wellknown
persons whose radio scripts have been produced
by the Workshop. The apparently growing realiza¬
tion that materials must be written especially for
the radio in order to use the medium to the fullest
extent of its potentialities is an encouraging trend.
It is to be hoped that more and more experimenta¬
tion will be carried on with writers of proven
ability.
of success. According to Mr. McCarty, the stations today are inter¬
ested almost exclusively in education. Most of them have become
arms of the extension departments of their universities and are
rendering a farflung service to the public. Mr. McCarty’s opinion
was that full academic freedom in radio could be preserved only by
having educational institutions own and operate their own facilities.
H. Clay Harshbarger of the State University of Iowa, who spoke
later on the program, suggested in forthright fashion that the tran¬
sition from technical experimentation to a concentration on the
dissemination of knowledge had not been accomplished as yet by
all the educational broadcasting stations. He made some very
specific suggestions of ways in which the educational stations might
hasten their full maturity.
On the subject of broadcasting to schools there was a wide range
of opinion among the members of the Institute. Some felt that radio
was a boon to all education. Others were of the opinion that thru
the use of recordings all the advantages of radio could be given to
the schools with much more adaptability and effectiveness. While
these variant points of view were never completely reconciled, they
stimulated a very spirited discussion at two roundtable meetings
devoted to the subject.
To the extent that there was agreement, it seemed to be somewhat
as follows. Both radio and recordings are aids to study and nothing
more. They are to be used by the teacher when and only when they
contribute to the educational process. Therefore the teacher must
be the one to write the specifications and the broadcaster or maker
of recordings must be prepared to meet those specifications. This
means that increasingly such aids must be prepared for particular
local situations and cannot be successful if broadcast nationally. For
certain teaching purposes where repetition may be desirable, as, for
instance, in the teaching of music appreciation, recordings have
special advantages. On the other hand, for reporting occasions such
as the inauguration of a president or the coronation of a king and for
bringing outstanding living personalities into a classroom, there is
no substitute for the radio. It became evident that specific problems
such as the objectives of broadcasting to schools, the integration of
broadcasts with the curriculum, and the most effective use of broad¬
casts in the classroom, were especially in need of study.
Russell V. Burkhard, principal of the Frank A. Day Junior High
School, Newtonville, Mass., gave a splendid exposition before the
entire membership of the Institute of the uses to which broadcasting
can be put in a particular school system. He emphasized that the
experience of broadcasting even over the loudspeaker system of the
school had numerous values for the children. First, it is an excellent
educational experience in the development of personality. Second,
it gives training in script writing and in the expression of ideas.
Third, it is a definite help in vocational selection.
The radio workshop was another subject which received much
attention at the Institute. The term is still used to cover a variety
of activities, ranging from special efforts in voice training to a
complete producing unit for radio. Perhaps its greatest service in
most cases is in the selection and training of talent. Dean Ned H.
Dearborn of New York University, who reported for the workshop
committee of the National Advisory Council on Radio in Education,
emphasized that one of the big functions of the workshop was to do
experimental work looking toward the discovery and exploitation
of the fullest possibilities of educational broadcasting.
Thruout all the discussions, technics were being emphasized.
Whenever a problem was raised, those in attendance, most of whom
[24]
were specialists in one field or another, began to consider methods
of dealing with it. This process culminated in the programs of the
last day when the morning was given over to a discussion and labo¬
ratory demonstration of studio technics and the afternoon was
reserved for the report of the judges of the First American Exhi¬
bition of Recordings of Educational Radio Programs. The awards
given at the Exhibition were announced in the May issue of this
bulletin.^
One of the perennial sources of difficulty in the Institute has been
the question of educational broadcasting over commercial facilities.
Each succeeding year the question has been discussed with less
emotion and increasing evidence of a sincere desire on the part of all
groups concerned to find a satisfactory solution. While this year’s
meeting did not produce any final answer, it went a long way toward
an accurate statement of the problem.
The situation seemed to be something like this: The educators
are confident that they possess materials of high potential value for
radio but they are aware that to date they have not in the main
presented these materials effectively. The commercial broadcasters
feel that they have a real need for educational programs but they
want these programs to be brought to them ready for professional
radio production. This leaves a gap between the educator with
materials but ineffective organization for presentation and the com¬
mercial stations with their available facilities but standards of
presentation which for most educators are prohibitive.
At one of the roundtable sessions it was pointed out that responsi¬
bility for bridging this gap rests jointly with educators and commer¬
cial broadcasters. The way to bridge it seems to be to set up special
production units under the supervision of educators to give to
educational materials the professional radio presentation needed for
successful use on commercial stations. This method has already been
demonstrated to be effective in the Ohio School of the Air, the
University Broadcasting Council in Chicago, the radio project of
the U. S. Office of Education, and local school systems including
Rochester, N. Y., Cleveland, Ohio, Indianapolis, Ind., and Detroit,
Mich. To date, the financing of such production units has been left
largely to education, altho it is generally conceded that commercial
stations are in a position to increase their contributions to the cost.
Perhaps one of the solutions which will be applied to this problem
in the not too distant future is the cooperative radio council plan
which has been developed by Dr. Arthur G. Crane, president. Uni¬
versity of Wyoming, and chairman. National Committee on Edu¬
cation by Radio, and which was discussed at the roundtable on
regional organizations. At that meeting it was generally agreed that
a much more intelligent use of radio facilities and available program
material could be made if the various educational institutions and
citizens organizations in any given region would set up a cooperative
organization thru which to mobilize and organize their assets for
radio. Such a cooperative organization could set up a single pro¬
ducing unit which might serve a number of participating organiza¬
tions with an increased efficiency and at a reduced cost. It might
give to educational materials the kind of professional production
upon which commercial broadcasters are so insistent. This would
commend itself not only to the broadcasters who want to enhance
the value of each program they put on the air and to the educators
who want their programs to have a maximum of effectiveness, but
also to the listener who is both judge and jury in passing on all radio
performance.
2 Education by Radio 7:19, May 1937.
SUMMER COURSES in some phase of radio
education will be given at the following insti¬
tutions during the summer of 1937;
University of Florida, Gainesville
Northwestern University, Evanston. Illinois
Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
University of Wichita, Wichita, Kansas
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
University of Montana, Missoula
Columbia University, New York, N. Y.
New York University, New York, N. Y.
Ohio State University, Columbus
Waynesburg College, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
University of Texas, Austin
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
Baylor University, Waco, Texas
University of Washington, Seattle
West Virginia University, Morgantown
University of Wyoming, Laramie
•
Harley a. smith, Louisiana State Univer¬
sity, and George E. Jennings, radio station
WILL, University of Illinois, have been awarded
fellowships by the Rockefeller Foundation for
advanced study in radio broadcasting with the
National Broadcasting Company. On May S they
began their study of all phases of broadcasting
technic, including methods of planning and pro¬
ducing programs, script writing, and network
management. Mr. Jennings is the production di¬
rector of station WILL and an instructor of
broadcasting at the University of Illinois. Mr.
Smith has been a radio instructor at Louisiana
State University for the last four years and has
directed numerous programs presented by the uni¬
versity over cooperating stations.
STATE-OWNED RADIO STATION WLBL,
Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is completing work
on the installation of a new 5000 watt transmitter
in a more favorable location. A vertical radiator
of 450 feet, the tallest in the state, has been
erected and a spacious station house built. This
improvement gives the state of Wisconsin two
5000 watt daytime stations. WHA in Madison
serves the southern half of the state and WLBL
reaches central and northern areas. Programs orig¬
inated at the university and state capitol by WHA
are carried simultaneously by WLBL. The stations
can never render adequate service, however, until
granted nighttime broadcasting licenses.
•
The national association of edu¬
cational BROADCASTERS held a busi¬
ness session at Columbus, Ohio, on May 3 in con¬
nection with the annual Institute for Education
by Radio. H. B. McCarty, program director of
radio station WHA, University of Wisconsin, pre¬
sided over the meeting, which was devoted to a
spirited discussion of Association affairs, including
transcription equipment routings, radio guild
plans, objective interpretations, and plans for the
annual convention.
[25]
'T'HOMAS R. ADAM, author of Report No. 1,
“A Radio Experiment,” published in March
1937 by the California Association for Adult Edu¬
cation as part of its Survey of Adult Education in
the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, is an assistant
professor of history and government at Occidental
College, Los Angeles. At the present time, he is
on leave from Occidental College and is engaged
in work for the American Association for Adult
Education in New York. A slightly condensed
version of his report appears in the adjoining
column. *
•
FRIEL HEIMLICH of station WOSU, Ohio
State University, and Leora Shaw, station
WHA, University of Wisconsin, have received
promotions since completing their training in the
NBC studios. Both received fellowships last fall
from the General Education Board to spend sev¬
eral months in the chain headquarters studying
broadcasting technics. Mr. Heimlich has been ap¬
pointed program manager of WOSU and Miss
Shaw has become chief of the script writing de¬
partment at WHA.
IN THE APRIL 1937 ISSUE of the Journal
of the National Education Association Dr. John
W. Studebaker, U. S. Commissioner of Education,
lists as one of the crucial issues in education which
are not being met by programs or plans which are
adequate or satisfactory, “The responsibility of
the federal government and the radio industry for
the educational use of radio as the most powerful
twentieth century development for mass com¬
munication.”
The national farm and home
HOUR is presenting a series of programs orig¬
inating on the campuses of outstanding colleges.
The Association of Land Grant Colleges and Uni¬
versities and the U. S. Department of Agriculture
cooperate in producing the series. Some of the
colleges already visited are Rutgers University,
Washington State College, North Carolina State
College, and Iowa State College.
•
Five hundred students at Mound
Junior High School, Columbus, Ohio, were
given the opportunity to hear parts of the Corona¬
tion of George VI during their history and science
periods. The students were prepared for the
listening periods by a review of the history sur¬
rounding the Coronation events. Wall cards, maps,
and posters were also used to aid the listeners.
•
Educational stations, a brochure de¬
picting the activities of the various non¬
commercial radio stations, may be obtained free
from the ofhce of the National Committee on
Education by Radio, Room 308, One Madison
Avenue, New York, N. Y.
California Experiments with Radio Education
The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR ADULT EDUCATION, in January
1935, commenced a survey of the nature of the instruments for
adult education in certain districts in Southern California. The
American Association for Adult Education granted us a sum of
money for this purpose. The survey covered a period of six months.
Before the survey commenced, radio stations KFI and KECA
called a meeting of Southern California educators to consider the
desirability of a five-day-a-week educational program of general
public interest. The California Association agreed to undertake this
task as part of our general survey of educational instruments. The
stations agreed to grant suitable time for the broadcasts and also
to undertake production. Professional radio actors were obtained
under a government relief project. Our main responsibility lay in
the preparation of suitable scripts for dramatic presentation.
We decided on dramatic sketches as the form most truly suited
to the medium. We endeavored to dramatize intellectual, not emo¬
tional interests. The distinction is an important one and vital to
the proper use of radio by educational authorities. The radio, with
its reliance on dialog and its inability to distract its audience by
emotional appeals to the eye, is probably more suited to convey
intellectual drama than either the stage or the screen. The circum¬
stances of radio reception, the peace of the fireside, fit into the mood
of thoughtful meditation more readily than the crowded gaiety of
theater or picture house.
Our program consisted of five dramatic sketches a week, for
twenty-one weeks, broadcast over station KFI in the afternoon and
KECA in the evening. The type of dramatizations presented was
continuously altered in the light of practical experience.
In our five separate programs we covered the fields of literature,
history, anthropology, the social sciences, art, and later ocean¬
ography. In dealing with the field of literature, we did not feel
competent to make adaptations or venture critical commentaries.
Our object was to present as closely as possible the original work
of great authors. Radio, curiously enough, creates an opportunity
to present literature once more to the general public in its truly
original and perhaps most effective form — that of oral recitations
of brief extracts, phrased in dramatic terms. Given proper nour¬
ishment, radio could take the place in modern times of the medieval
bard.
Our literature dramas were given daily listing in the press among
the five or six entertainment dramas presented by the stations and
commercial sponsors. The willingness of the station officials and
radio editors to give our dramatic sketches equal rating with com¬
mercial entertainment may be taken as a favorable sign. A tendency
exists to place all educational programs in an inferior category of
their own. In order to make any headway educational dramas must
compete for public interest on an equal basis with commercial enter¬
tainment. The authority and discipline of the classroom cannot be
translated into the field of radio.
In constructing our history programs we sought to evolve a new
form for the historical drama. On the assumption that history could
only interest the general public if its relation to everyday life was
made clear, we determined to concentrate on the economic and
social, rather than on the political and military aspects of past
events. Our general objective was to recreate history as it would
have been lived by an ordinary middleclass family. The radio is
[ 26 ]
particularly suited to quietly dramatic episodes of family life. The
economic and social developments of history can probably be pre¬
sented more competently in this manner than in any other form of
broadcasting. Our experiment has at least shown that radio listeners
are willing to listen to historical dramas based on something more
substantial than “glamour.” The form we have evolved could be
refined by the continued experiments of competent men into a
powerful instrument for mass education. The first practical step
that must be taken to accomplish this end is the creation of a
national editorial board to give assignments and secure publication
and dissemination of material. The effectiveness of the educator
in the field of radio depends upon the instruments that can be built
up for cooperative effort on a national scale.
We presented a series of dramatic sketches touching upon prob¬
lems in the social sciences. The technic of these dramas was some¬
what similar to that of our historical series. The objective was to
illustrate the working of political and economic policies on the life
of the average family. An obvious danger existed in that the use of
the dramatic form would give our renderings of current problems
a controversial or even propaganda bias. We avoided this, to some
extent, by illustrating the working of social policies thru scenes
from foreign countries where these policies had reached their fullest
development. This technic permitted American listeners to take a
more detached view of the situation involved.
The anthropology programs took the form of dramatic sketches
reenacting actual field expeditions in which exciting discoveries had
been made. The educational content was excellent and the subject-
matter adapted itself naturally to dramatic treatment. The encour¬
agement and coordination of this type of scientific education, thru
the radio, could best be undertaken by the creation of regional
editorial boards. These boards could assign fields to the various
institutions in a locality and give editorial assistance and approval
in the preparation of scripts^
In the oceanography series dramatic sketches were presented
dealing with marine expeditions and discoveries. In this case, as
with anthropology, the local interest was stressed.
The aim of the art broadcasts was to stress popular education in
the field of artistic appreciation. We were unable, however, to devise
any dramatic form suitable to popular art education and accordingly
substituted the program on oceanography for the art series at a later
stage in the experiment.
The writing of scripts is the heart of broadcast presentations.
Commercial sponsors rely on an anonymous “grub street” of over¬
worked underpaid script writers. It is only natural that the quality of
work produced is ephemeral and lacking in imaginative content.
Script writing for educational purposes would require to be placed
on a very different basis. The scripts should be written not for one
broadcast alone but for innumerable repetitions over the smaller
stations thruout the country. They should have at least the quality
of good magazine articles. The fact that they are devised to spread
information by their intrinsic merit and content, places them on a
different basis from sketches designed wholly for entertainment.
The second requisite of attractive educational scripts is competent
editorial selection and supervision. Commercial stations have seldom
a staff capable of judging the soundness of an educational drama.
A national editorial body or regional editorial boards would have
to be set up by educational authorities.
The type of dramatic sketch that can be properly presented in
the conventional fifteen or twenty minutes must necessarily be
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY,
Dallas, Texas, thru its downtown Dallas Col¬
lege division, will conduct a Radio Workshop, or
training school of the air, from June 3 to July IS.
Taught by B. H. Darrow, director of the Ohio
School of the Air, the course will be the first of
its kind in the southwest. Mr. Darrow will per¬
sonally supervise classes in script-writing, radio
acting, classroom use of radio broadcasts, and all
phases of building and producing radio programs.
The course is designed for school superintendents
and teachers who take part in school radio broad¬
casts, for classroom teachers who use radio broad¬
casts in the classroom, and for all persons inter¬
ested in radio work.
Mr. Darrow, whose salary is being paid by the
National Committee on Education by Radio, will
also conduct a six-weeks summer course at the
University of Texas.
•
Glenn van AUKEN of Indianapolis, In¬
diana, has been granted a construction
permit by the Federal Communications Commis¬
sion to erect a one kilowatt daytime station at
Indianapolis. Mr. Van Auken stated in his applica¬
tion that he proposes to form a community radio
council composed of representatives of the Cham¬
ber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, service
clubs, public schools, Parent-Teacher Association,
Department of Conservation of Indiana, and other
organizations, the purpose of which would be to
coordinate service clubs employing radio facili¬
ties, to determine civic programs best suited to
meet the needs of the community, and to secure
the best talent available for the production of such
programs.
•
ONE OF THE YEAR’S MOST THRILLING
EVENTS for more than a thousand school
children in Wisconsin was the Radio Music Fes¬
tival held on the University of Wisconsin campus
on May 1. It climaxed the year’s activities of
Prof. E. B. Gordon’s “Journeys in Music Land”
broadcasts of the Wisconsin School of the Air.
Boys and girls from classrooms thruout the state
gathered in Music Hall and sang together the songs
Prof. Gordon taught them over the radio. This
year marked the fourth festival held in connection
with this popular radio program and the comple¬
tion of Prof. Gordon’s sixth consecutive year of
broadcasting with the Wisconsin School of the
Air.
•
U'y'HE WORLD IS YOURS” series, which is
presented by the Educational Radio Proj¬
ect of the U. S. Office of Education in coop¬
eration with the Smithsonian Institute, has been
changed from Sundays at 11:30am, EST, to Sun¬
days from 4:30-5pm, EDST, in order to add other
stations to those of the Red Network of the Na¬
tional Broadcasting Company which have been
carrying the series. During the past several months
nearly 150,000 persons have written to the Office
of Education about the series.
[27]
STATION KWSC, State College of Washing¬
ton, Pullman, reported in answer to the roll-
call of educational stations at the Institute for
Education by Radio, that it has moved into new
and improved quarters with offices and studios
adjoining. It is serving a greater audience than
at any time in its history. An interesting program
is “KWSC Salutes,” given by college students, in
which a high school is saluted each week. The
radio station is now a separate department of the
college and employs twenty-five students thruout
the year. The appropriation for the station has
been doubled in the last year. A great loss was
experienced thru the death on January 17, 1937,
of Dr. Frank F. Nalder, long the director of the
station. Dr. Nalder was a pioneer in the field of
educational broadcasting. His was a constant strug¬
gle for better facilities and larger appropriations
for KWSC, and it is largely due to his enthusiasm
that the station is as active as it is today.
•
Radio station WBAA, Purdue University,
West Lafayette, Ind., celebrated its fifteenth
anniversary on April 4, 1937. During the past
year the station has more than doubled its pickup
points on the campus and, as a result of audience
demand, the number of broadcasts from class¬
rooms have been increased. A unique program is
based on a class in public discussion. Students
from the class are sent out to conduct forums in
local communities. A special series of programs is
designed for reception in the Lafayette schools.
In 1933 a noncredit course in radio was inaugu¬
rated. This summer it will become a credit course
under the direction of Blanche C. Young, super¬
visor of radio education, Indianapolis Public
Schools.
The national school assembly, a
commencement program prepared by the
U. S. Office of Education, was broadcast on
Friday, May 14. The purpose of the program was
not only to present recent facts on occupational
trends for the benefit of high school and college
graduates but also to provide a commencement
program for the smaller schools which ordinarily
could not obtain speakers with a national point of
view. Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of the Interior;
Dr. John W. Studebaker, U. S. Commissioner of
Education; Dr. Walter B. Pitkin, author and pro¬
fessor at Columbia University; and Edward A.
Filene, philanthropist and merchant, were the
speakers.
The world federation of educa¬
tion ASSOCIATIONS presented a pro¬
gram in commemoration of World Goodwill Day
on May 18. Speakers on the program, which
originated in Washington, D. C., were Willard E.
Givens, executive secretary of the National Edu¬
cation Association; James L. Fieser, assistant
secretary-general of the American Red Cross;
Selma Borchardt, of the American Teacher’s Fed¬
eration, and Dr. J. W. Crabtree, acting secretary-
general of the World Federation of Education
Associations.
limited to few characters. Four to six characters are ample if the
listener is not to be confused in the recognition of voices. Sound
effects and expensive production accessories have no true place in
the educational drama.
If scripts of this nature were prepared and published, it is likely
that educational sketches would become the most attractive dra¬
matic offerings on the air. The quality of these scripts, because of
the competence of their authors and careful editorial work, would
readily surpass the hastily written products of professional script
writers. The radio public has had very little opportunity to show
its reactions to skillful educational dramas. From the limited experi¬
ence of our rather pioneering work it appears that the public has a
true appetite for even crude efforts in this direction.
If the major difficulty of obtaining sound scripts is overcome,
obstacles in the way of production are of lesser moment. In our
experiment we obtained the ready cooperation of government relief
organizations. There is little reason why this valuable educational
project could not be organized on a national scale and afford
real assistance to unemployed dramatic performers. An alternative
method of production, particularly suited to smaller communities
and stations, would be to organize the dramatic clubs of univer¬
sities, colleges, and high schools to carry out such programs. The
formation of radio clubs for dramatic performances would of itself
be of great value as an educational force among the participants.
Amateur organizations of this nature, given trustworthy scripts,
could present excellent renderings.
Whether in a large or small community, a slight coordination
of existing forces would suffice to create the machinery for the
production of radio dramas. Effective scripts, however, must be
provided either from a national or regional authority. Nothing
could be more damaging to the future development of radio educa¬
tion than the production of hastily written amateur dramas by
untrustworthy authorities. The quality of work required cannot be
produced by local communities, each working on its own initiative.
An analogy may be drawn between modern scholarship ignoring
the popular instruments of press, magazines, and radio, and medie¬
val scholarship clinging obstinately to the Latin tongue. Radio lies
open to any group of men who can produce material of real interest
to the general public, or to any substantial section of that public.
The commercial organization of radio stations does not bar inter¬
esting material from the air. On the contrary, stations are eager to
secure programs that will appeal to listeners.
There is reason to believe that the public will give wholehearted
support to educational material on the radio when it is presented in
a form suitable to the medium and the general taste. Scholars are
the only people capable of devising the proper garments in which
to present their knowledge to the public. The field of radio has been
almost wholly neglected by scholars because of the lack of any
organization mobilizing their talents for this purpose. The organiza¬
tion of universities and colleges is necessary before professors can
lecture. In the same way, some institution must undertake the
responsibility of directing learned men into the field of radio.
Justification for a national organized use of the radio in educa¬
tional matters must lie in the duty of men of learning to maintain
their right to the public ear. The radio has opened up a new avenue
for irresponsible influences. Negative protests are of little value.
The only way to combat worthless material is to produce work of
intellectual integrity in an equally attractive form. This has been
the traditional task of men of learning in any civilization.
[ 28 ]
A Bulletin to Promote the
Use of Radio for Educational,
Cultural, and Civic Purposes
Volume 7
JULY 1937
Number 7
The Radio Panorama
/is THE SCHOOL YEAR CLOSES and the educational doldrums of the
summer months approach, it may be well to make an assess¬
ment of the general situation in radio, particularly as it relates to
educational broadcasting. This calls for the consideration of condi¬
tions in Washington, the center of control over all radio. It offers
the opportunity for an appraisal of the present situation in educa¬
tional broadcasting and makes possible some speculation concerning
the future.
A feeling of uncertainty seems to pervade all radio. If educators
are conscious of their limitations as they approach this new medium
and are wondering how to adjust themselves to it, they are in the
same position as everyone else. Congressmen, members of the Com¬
munications Commission, the commercial radio industry, and the
representatives of philanthropy are also trying to find the course
they should pursue.
In Congress there are specific proposals dealing with various
aspects of broadcasting. Representative Emanuel Celler has intro¬
duced a bill authorizing the construction of a high-powered short¬
wave government broadcasting station for service to the member
nations of the Pan American Union. Representative Otha D. Wearin
is the author of a measure to prevent the ownership of broadcasting
licenses by newspaper interests. Representative John J. Boylan has
introduced a bill to tax all radio broadcasting stations sufficiently
to make the federal license a source of revenue to the government.
There is also the resolution offered by the late Representative Wil¬
liam P. Connery, Jr., calling for a special investigation of the Federal
Communications Commission.
While the fate of all this legislation is in doubt, a very consider¬
able pressure has been built behind the Connery resolution. On
March 23, Representative Wigglesworth of Massachusetts made a
strong appeal to the Rules Committee of the House during which
he said:
Representative william p. con-
• NERY, JR., of Massachusetts died in Wash¬
ington, D. C., June 15 following an attack of food
poisoning. Mr. Connery was chairman of the
House Committee on Labor and sponsor of a reso¬
lution demanding a Congressional investigation
of “irregularities in or pertaining to the monopoly
which e.xists in radio and the activities and func¬
tions carried on under the Communications Act
of 1934.” The chances for the authorization of a
Congressional investigation of broadcasting during
the present session have grown dim since Mr.
Connery’s death.
The committee on school broad¬
casting of the Wisconsin Education As¬
sociation this spring staged two radio institutes to
acquaint teachers with the use of radio in the
schools. The first was held at Janesville and the
second at Stevens Point. The success of the insti¬
tutes and the experience the committee gained
thru these experimental meetings promise a con¬
tinuation of similar sessions in other cities. The
committee aids in the planning of the curriculum
and courses of the Wisconsin School of the Air, a
regular presentation of station WHA, University
of Wisconsin, Madison.
•
ARMSTRONG PERRY, former director of the
-LX. service bureau of the National Committee
on Education by Radio, is recovering nicely in a
hospital in Caracas, Venezuela, from injuries re¬
ceived in a plane crash on April 22. According to
a letter received June 22 from Mrs. Perry, who is
in Caracas with him, he had a bad head wound but
that has healed and he is regaining his strength.
•
The evidence indicates that all of the forty so-called clear channels are owned,
operated, or affiliated with the big three broadcasting chains. Ninety-six percent
of the broadcasting stations with full time or substantial power are said to be
owned or in some way tied in with the three big chains. Of 2,500,000 watts of
full-time night power allocated to the industry, less than 60,000 watts, or 3 per¬
cent, is available to stations which are not affiliated with the big three. No inde¬
pendent full-time station is licensed to operate at night with a power of more
than 1000 watts in contrast to some two hundred stations affiliated with the big
three, many of which have 50,000 v/atts, one of which has 500,000 watts.
In the Senate fewer bills have been introduced but this fact
denotes no lack of interest. Senator Burton K. Wheeler, chairman
of the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce which has juris-
BH. HARROW has resigned as director of
• the Ohio School of the Air to take a posi¬
tion September 1 as educational director of sta¬
tion WBEN, Buffalo, N. Y. Thru his withdrawal
the Ohio School of the Air loses one of the out¬
standing figures in education by radio.
•
STATION WRUF, University of Florida,
Gainesville, sponsors the University of Florida
Radio Guild, an organization of students which is
devoted to the broadcasting of radio plays.
[29]
VOL. 7 July 1937 No. 7
EDUCATION BY RADIO
is published monthly by
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION BY RADIO
S. Howakd Evans, secretary
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Committee Members and Organizations They
Represent
Arthur G. Crane, chairman, president, University of
Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, National Association
oj State Universities.
James E. Cummings, department of education. Na¬
tional Catholic Welfare Conference, 1312 Massa¬
chusetts Avenue, Washington, D. C., National
Catholic Educational Association.
J. 0. Keller, assistant to the president, in charge of
extension, Pennsylvania State College, State College,
Pennsylvania, National University Extension Asso¬
ciation.
Harold B. McCarty, program director, state broad¬
casting station WHA, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, National Association oj Edu¬
cational Broadcasters.
Charles A. Robinson, S. J., St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri, The Jesuit Educational Asso¬
ciation. .
Agnes Samuelson, state superintendent of public in¬
struction, Des Moines, Iowa, National Council of
State Superintendents.
Willis A. Sutton, superintendent of schools, Atlanta,
Georgia, National Education Association.
H. J. Umberger, vicechairman, Kansas State College
of Agriculture and Applied Science, Manhattan,
Kansas, Association of Land-Grant Colleges and
Universities.
George F. Zook, president, American Council on Edu¬
cation, 744 Jackson Place, Washington, D. C.,
American Council on Education.
MEMBER EDUCATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
10UISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY, Baton
Rouge, offers three courses in radio. An in¬
troductory course covers the general principles
of microphone technic. The intermediate course
teaches the students to write and present a
variety of material, and requires each student to
appear over the local station at least twenty-five
times during the semester. The advanced course,
open to seniors and graduates, is a writing course.
Each student prepares an outline of a series of
thirteen educational programs and writes one of
the programs for his series.
The university broadcasts approximately fifteen
programs each week. Two new bureaus have
been opened during the past year, the Radio
News Bureau and the Radio Script Bureau. The
Radio News Bureau prepares bulletins embracing
material of an educational nature, which are
being used by nine stations in Louisiana and
three in other states. The Script Bureau has a
file of scripts written by radio students that are
available for schools or other organizations wish¬
ing to present radio programs. The Bureau serves
two purposes: supplying the community with de¬
sirable scripts, and giving the students many
opportunities for writing.
•
STATION KOB, formerly a project of the New
Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic
Arts, joined the NBC network on June IS. The
station began broadcasting early in 1920 when a
50 watt voice transmitter was installed. The col¬
lege lost the station in August 1936, but continues
to present programs two evenings a week from
8:30-9.
diction over radio, is known to favor a Congressional investigation.
He has been on record for more than a year as an advocate of the
separation of newspapers and radio stations. His defense of this
latter position is that control over both these media by any single
interest represents an influence so powerful that it cannot be toler¬
ated in a democracy.
Senator Wallace H. White, one of the co-authors of the Radio
Act of 1927 which established the original Federal Radio Commis¬
sion, made a speech in the Senate on March 17, 1937, which has
been declared by some to be the outstanding pronouncement on the
subject of radio made in Congress this year. Senator White said in
part:
I do not want to reflect unwarrantably upon any member of this [Federal
Communications] Commission. In past years I have given much attention to
the problems presented and have some appreciation of the difficulties inherent
in the situation. I feel justified, however, in general comments on the Commis¬
sion’s work.
In the first instance, every Senator knows that the air is full of reports that
cases have been decided not alone on the evidence presented and the merits of
the issue, but that political pressure has been often exerted, and that it has been
determinative in many instances. There is, I believe, a public impression that
applicants before the Commission should and must seek political aid. The Com¬
mission ought not to be subjected to such influences. Its decisions ought not to
be under suspicion to the extent they now are because this or the other person
of political power has intervened. I know of no more certain means of re¬
establishing the Commission in public respect than to turn on the light of pub¬
licity and thereby to stop these attempts to improperly influence a quasi-judicial
and regulatory body of the government.
There is a persistent report that the Commission, in the consideration of cases
and in the determination thereof, disregards its own procedural rules and its
established engineering standards. Is this true? If there is justification for the
belief, what is the justification for the Commission’s acts?
There is a greater volume and persistence of criticism of the Commission
than of any other bureau or commission of the government. Is there warrant
for this? I think the Congress should free the Commission from unjustified sus¬
picion or it should act if its policies and purposes and the standards which ought
to guide a regulatory body of the public importance of this Commission are being
disregarded. Only a searching inquiry will give the answer to these questions.
Criticism of the Federal Communications Commission has become
a rather frequent subject of comment in the Washington newspapers.
The Washington Daily News ran a series of articles beginning on
June 4, under the title, “Radio Becomes a Problem Child.” The
W ashington Herald published a story on June 8 to the effect that
the administration was considering a drastic shake up within the
Commission in an effort to remove the cause of criticism.
Another criticism of the situation in Washington is contained in
the article, “Scandal in the Air,” by Paul W. Ward, which appeared
in the April 24, 1937, issue of The Nation.
While the administration is painfully aware of the radio problem
now resting on its doorstep, it seems reluctant to act. The Federal
Communications Commission is a creature of its own creation and
the administration is not eager to admit the Commission’s faults
even tho their origin can be traced back to the former Radio Com¬
mission. The impression among informed persons seems to be that
the administration does not relish a Congressional investigation with
attendant publicity but is determined to correct conditions by work¬
ing quietly from within. If the bill for the reorganization of the
government is passed, the Commission will become closely affiliated
with one of the regular departments of government and reorganiza¬
tion can take place easily when that change is made.
So far as the Communications Commission itself is concerned, a
majority of the members appear to be more interested in silencing
criticism of the Commission than in eliminating the fundamental
causes of that criticism. Some of the problems yet to be faced were
[30]
suggested in a series of articles which appeared in this bulletin last
year/
Among the present problems pending before the Commission are
some of special interest to educators. In June 1936 the Commission
held a hearing on the use of ultra-high radio frequencies. John W.
Studebaker, U. S. Commissioner of Education, appeared at that
hearing on behalf of education and asked that a specific band of
ultra-high frequencies be set aside for noncommercial educational
use. To date the Commission has neither affirmed nor denied the
request. It has begun to open up the ultra-high frequencies to experi¬
mental use, however, and the possibility exists that desirable wave¬
lengths will be preempted before the claims of education can become
recognized and established.
In October 1936 another hearing was held by the Commission to
consider the question of the reallocation of facilities within the pres¬
ent broadcasting band. At that hearing consideration was given both
to the engineering factors and the social and economic factors. The
National Committee on Education by Radio and the National Asso¬
ciation of Educational Broadcasters appeared on behalf of education.
The task of sifting the evidence and reporting back to the Com¬
mission on both phases of the hearing was assigned to Commander
T. A. M. Craven, chief engineer of the Commission. Under date of
January 11, 1937, Commander Craven made a preliminary report
on the engineering evidence. To date no report on the social and
economic implications of the evidence has been announced.
In the preliminary report on engineering. Commander Craven set
up an entirely new classification of broadcasting stations. The de¬
scription of those classes was stated in rather technical terms in the
report.
On April 5, 1937, Commander Craven, as chairman of the Ameri¬
can delegation to the Regional Radio Conference held in Habana,
Cuba, March 15-29, 1937, made another report, this time to the
U. S. Secretary of State, in which he restated the six classes of sta¬
tions as they were written into the agreement between Canada,
Cuba, Mexico, and the United States. The various classes were
described in that report as follows:
Class I: A “clear channel station” using Class A or B clear channels and
designed to render primary and secondary service over extended areas and at
relatively long distances. Those stations of this class operating on Class B
channels shall not be permitted to use more than SO kw. power.
Class II: A “clear channel station” using Class C clear channels and designed to
render primary and secondary service over relatively wide areas and at relatively
long distances. They may operate with not more than SO kw. power and must use
directional antennae or other means in order to avoid objectionable interference
with other stations of the same class using the same channel.
Class III: A “limited clear channel station” using Class B or Class C clear
channels and designed to render service to a portion of their normal primary
service area which, according to the power used, may be relatively large. The
power of these stations shall not exceed SO kw. and they must use special measures
or otherwise be located at a sufficient distance to prevent objectionable inter¬
ference to the service of the clear channel stations regularly assigned the same
channel as is used by the “limited clear channel station.” A “limited clear channel
station” is subject to the interference it may receive from the clear channel
stations using the same frequency.
Class IV : A “regional station” using a regional channel and designed to render
service primarily to metropolitan districts and the rural areas contained therein
and contiguous thereto. Their power may not exceed 5 kw. and their service
areas are subject to mutual interference in accord wdth agreed upon engineering
standards.
Class V: An “urban station” using a local channel and designed to render
service primarily to cities and towns and the suburban areas contiguous thereto.
The power of “urban stations” may not exceed 1 kw. and their service areas are
subject to mutual interference in accord with agreed upon engineering standards.
''^Education by Radio 6:33-39, 41-43, 45-48, October, November, December, and December Sup¬
plement, 1936.
Boyd F. Baldwin, chairman of the radio
committee of the Montana Education As¬
sociation, has just completed a canvass of groups
and individuals interested in radio education to
determine the desirability of a new organization
to promote the use and study of the radio as an
educative device. It has been suggested that the
new organization be perfected within the frame¬
work of the National Education Association.
Specifically the proposal W'ould set up a com¬
mittee consisting of a chairman and forty-eight
members, one appointed from each state. The
representative from each state is expected to
head a state committee, created from wdthin the
membership of his state association. Approval of
the plan coming from twenty-seven states and
from individuals who furnish radio leadership
brought out the following objectives of commit¬
tee organization:
[1] To establish an agency for reaching down
into the constituent membership of the National
Education Association wdth current developments
in radio education.
[2] To provide a channel for the lay educator
thru which he may influence radio education.
[3] To bring to fruition the annual resolutions
of National Education Association representative
assemblies.
[4] To facilitate dissemination of information
about current radio developments with emphasis
on state and local interests.
[5] To become a far-flung structure thru
which the problems of radio education may be
accurately isolated.
[6] To concentrate on the schoolroom use of
radio, a field not now covered by any national
committee.
I 7 I To encourage greater utilization of exist¬
ing facilities.
[8] To act as a clearing house for state com¬
mittees already in existence.
[9] To promote the development of informa¬
tion and experience already available.
•
The university of Wyoming, Lara¬
mie, held a conference on the school use of
radio, motion pictures, and other visual aids from
June 28-July 1. The conference was of particular
value to teachers, school officials, and community
leaders interested in the educational use of these
modern means of instruction. Those in attendance
had the benefit of lectures by nationally known
leaders, exhibitions of recent educational films,
demonstrations of the school use of radio, dis¬
plays of various types of visual aids, group dis¬
cussions, and individual assistance.
•
Lash high school, Zanesville, Ohio, pub-
^ lishes a biweekly radio sheet entitled “Ether
Waves.” The school has a radio staff consisting of
juniors and seniors interested in broadcasting. In
addition to publishing “Ether Waves” the radio
staff has prepared and produced over station
WALK an average of twelve fifteen-minute pro¬
grams each week. Robert C. Horn, a member of
the faculty, directs the pupils in their broadcast¬
ing activities.
[31 ]
The PUERTO RICO SCHOOL OF THE
AIR, a project of the Department of In¬
struction of Puerto Rico, has just completed its
second year of broadcasting. Established in 1935
thru a $17,000 grant from the Carnegie Corpora¬
tion, the School of the Air was carried on during
1936-37 by a $15,000 appropriation from the
legislature. Twenty-four different series of pro¬
grams are presented including art appreciation,
music, history, literature, vocational guidance,
social and economic problems, safety education,
and other subjects. All programs are in Spanish
with the exception of the “Adventures in Bi¬
ography” series which is in English. An English
language course is also given and a manual is
available to aid the students in preparing their
lessons and following the broadcasts. Persons
completing the twenty lessons receive certificates.
The Puerto Rico School of the Air includes
programs of interest to young children, high
school children, and adults. Some of the programs
are intended to be used by the teacher to supple¬
ment the classroom work while others are de¬
signed for adult education. It is felt that the
radio, by taking the school into the home, offers
the easiest means of improvement for the largest
number of illiterates.
•
PL.WS BY THE JUNIOR LEAGUE of Day-
ton, Ohio, are now a part of the regular school
curriculum for 53 classes in 13 high schools of that
city. The radio provides the means of bringing
into the classroom dramatizations of the classics
being studied by the English classes. This pro¬
gram, presented by a group of Dayton Junior
Leaguers trained in radio technic, was made pos¬
sible thru the cooperation of the Dayton school
superintendent, the English teachers, and radio
station WSMK. As the program is a sustaining
feature, the expenses, including scripts and a
director’s salary, have been assumed by the radio
station. The scripts being used were written by
G. W. Batchelor, who for the past three years has
adapted classics for the Ohio School of the Air.
•
STATION WOI, Iowa State College, Ames, con¬
ducted a series of fifteen broadcasts to Iowa
high schools giving occupational information for
educational and vocational guidance. The program
each week was devoted to a particular vocation
as described by an authority in the field. Listeners
were supplied with notebooks containing outlines
to be filled in with information gained from listen¬
ing to the broadcasts and also lists of references
for further study.
Transradio press announced on June
10 the settlement out of court of its $1,700,-
000 suit against the major networks and press as¬
sociations. The suit, which charged conspiracy in
restraint of trade, had been pending more than
two years. Altho terms of the agreement were not
announced, it is known that the networks agreed
to recognize Transradio as a regularly established
news organization.
Class VI: A “city station” using a local channel and designed to render service
primarily to cities and towns and the suburban areas contiguous thereto. The
power of these stations may not exceed 250 watts and their service areas are
subject to mutual interference in accord with agreed upon engineering standards.
While this new classification of stations may be perfectly sound
from an engineering standpoint, it is subject to definite criticism on
the grounds of its social and economic implications.^ There is also
some question about the desirability of writing it into an interna¬
tional agreement before the probable results of its national use have
been explored. Upon examination, the United States may desire to
repudiate the classification. Such a procedure might prove em¬
barrassing in view of the commitment made by Commander Craven
in his xApril report in which he said:
Six classes of stations defined very much along the lines of the Federal Com¬
munications Commission’s engineering department’s January report were adopted.
These do not materially change our existing practise and are in accord with our
necessities.
The ultimate disposition of the new classification of stations will
depend upon the conclusion finally reached with regard to the social
and economic effects of the existing broadcasting structure. Comr
mander Craven’s report on that subject is eagerly awaited.
Before turning from the Washington situation, there are two more
activities deserving of consideration. Both have to do with Dr. John
W. Studebaker and the U. S. Office of Education. One is the Federal
Radio Education Committee, of which Dr. Studebaker is chairman,
and the other is the educational radio project which is being con¬
ducted with WPA funds under the Office of Education.
The Federal Radio Education Committee, consisting partly of
commercial broadcasters and partly of representatives of education,
has been in existence for approximately two years. Its program has
been reported in this bulletin.® Dr. Studebaker hopes to announce in
the near future a comprehensive program of research and demonstra¬
tion. Earlier announcement of the program has been delayed by
problems of finance. This delay has brought some criticism to Dr.
Studebaker and has caused his committee to be called a “smoke¬
screen” for the industry. The best answer to such charges is Dr.
Studebaker’s address at the recent Institute for Education by Radio.^
The radio project of the Office of Education, which has been put¬
ting on programs over the facilities of both NBC and CBS, continues
to report increasing mail response from listeners and a growing
demand for the mimeographed scripts available thru its script ex¬
change. At this particular time, the annual question of a renewed
appropriation is up for consideration. The future of the project is
by no means assured.
Leaving Washington and continuing the rounds in order to get
an overview of other aspects of the radio problem as it affects educa¬
tion, it can be reported that in New York all three of the chain
broadcasting companies are contemplating changes in their educa¬
tional operations. Some of the changes may be far-reaching, includ¬
ing personnel as well as policy.
Apparently the commercial broadcasters are receding from their
intrenched legal position. They are no longer claiming that they have
a legal responsibility for what is broadcast from their stations and
a willingness to meet this responsibility without help from educators.
They are seeking ways to develop cooperation. The educational
groups seem disposed to meet them at least half way.
^Education by Radio 6:6-7, 30-36, March and October 1936.
^Education by Radio 6:31, September 1937.
* Education by Radio 7:17-22, May 1937.
[32]
The radio manufacturers also seem to have reached the point
where they are ready to invest money in the improvement of educa¬
tional broadcasting in an effort to increase sales of radio equipment.
Their openly avowed commercial incentive should not obscure the
fact that they can be extremely helpful. Just what form their assist¬
ance may take is still uncertain.
While the commercial interests in radio are making more of an
effort to have their contributions acceptable to education, schools
thruout the nation are making great progress on their own. They are
beginning to write and produce radio programs for use on central
sound systems as well as for broadcasting over the air. They are
learning how to use radio programs in the classroom. Summer schools
are putting on teacher training courses in radio. A syllabus on the
school use of radio has become one of the most popular of the mimeo¬
graphed documents available at the office of the National Committee
on Education by Radio.
In Cleveland the public school system has made a preliminary
investigation of the ultra-shortwave possibilities and is said to be
preparing to apply to the Federal Communications Commission for
a license to broadcast over those bands. If this plan goes thru,
Cleveland will become a pioneer in ultra-shortwave broadcasting,
just as educational broadcasting stations connected with colleges
and universities pioneered in the regular broadcast band.
As efforts for the improvement of educational broadcasting con¬
tinue, other efforts aimed at the evaluation of what has been done
are getting under way. Frank E. Hill, well known as a writer, has
been retained by the American Association for Adult Education to
survey broadcasting thruout the nation and report back to the Asso¬
ciation with recommendations. Mr. Hill has travelled over most of
the nation and his report promises to be comprehensive as well as
penetrating.
The Regents’ Inquiry into the Character and Cost of Public Edu¬
cation in the State of New York has retained Elizabeth Laine to
investigate broadcasting as it relates specifically to schools and to
the classroom. Miss Laine has visited most of the centers of school
broadcasting and will be reporting soon.
From the point of view of a general public interest in radio, per¬
haps the most interesting announcement is that a committee repre¬
senting the sponsoring organizations of the First National Confer¬
ence on Educational Broadcasting is now at work preparing a
proposal for a second national conference to be held in Chicago early
in December of this year if funds are forthcoming.
Another far-reaching development of interest to a more specialized
group of people is the announcement that a Committee on Scientific
Aids to Learning has been appointed by the National Research
Council. Members of the committee are as follows: James B.
Conant, president. Harvard University, chairman; Vannevar Bush,
vicepresident and dean of the School of Engineering, Massachu¬
setts Institute of Technology; L. D. Coffman, president. University
of Minnesota; Frank B. Jewett, vicepresident, American Telephone
and Telegraph Company; Ben D. Wood, associate professor of
collegiate educational research, Columbia University; Bethuel M.
Webster, attorney and counselor at law, secretary; Ludvig Hektoen,
chairman. National Research Council, ex officio.
The committee has already secured the services of Dr. Irvin
Stewart, who is retiring as a member of the Federal Communica¬
tions Commission to become director of the project. Dr. Stewart re¬
ports that the field of interest of the committee covers broadcasting,
the mechanical recording of sound, motion pictures, and photog-
TELEVISION, an accomplished fact abroad,
with regular program schedules in London,
remains the great American radio mystery.
Delay in making television available to the
American public is variously explained. “Labora¬
tory tests” go forward, aimed at a finer definition
which it is announced has been achieved. “Field
tests” from the Empire State Building and the
Chrysler Building, both in New York City, im¬
pend. Televized programs are to be sent out
under “actual operating conditions.”
This is all very interesting, but the American
radio listener, like the hungry small boy fidgeting
around the kitchen door, wants to know: “When
do we eat?”
It is announced that advertisers will be ex¬
pected to pay the television bill, and there is
little remarkable in the announcement, because
at present advertisers are expected to pay the
bill directly and collect, indirectly, from the
listening public.
Television, because of technical complications,
will be very expensive, it is indicated. Is it pos¬
sible that advertisers are finding tentative charges
too high?
Television receivingsets, it is expected, will
retail for far more than those that receive sound
alone. Is it possible that recovery has advanced
so tardily that there is fear the American listeners
cannot pay for television receivers?
It is time for those who bring radio to the
American public to make a frank answer to this
question: With television a fact abroad, why is
it not available to the American listener? — The
Microphone, May 1, 1937.
T3 AD 10 LISTENING GROUPS are being or-
LV ganized in eight localities in eastern Ken¬
tucky in connection with the radio listening cen¬
ters established by the University of Kentucky.
A supervisor for the listening groups has been
employed thru the National Youth Administra¬
tion. She will spend one week in each of the
eight selected centers, returning every two months
for a week’s work at each of the centers. Local
listening groups will discuss such subjects as cur¬
rent events, parent-teacher work, health, and
music appreciation.
The University of Kentucky has about twenty-
five radio listening centers established in remote
mountain communities. Thru radio the people
are kept in touch with the world outside. A pro¬
gram originating in one of the listening centers
was broadcast over a national network on May 3.
•
Mimeographed copies are available of
the following recent addresses by persons
connected with the National Committee on Edu¬
cation by Radio: “Universities and Radio,” Dr.
Arthur G. Crane; “Public Opinion and the Radio,”
S. Howard Evans; and “Why the Educational
Station?” H. B. McCarty. The first two may be
secured from the office of the Committee, Room
308, One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y. Mr.
McCarty’s paper may be secured directly from
him at Radio Station WHA, University of Wis¬
consin, Madison, Wis.
[33]
The new YORK state college of
AGRICULTURE, Cornell University, Ithaca,
N. Y., is broadcasting regularly over twenty-five
radio stations programs which are intended to
be of special interest to farmers, gardeners, and
homemakers. Charles A. Taylor is in charge of
the radio programs. Recently a survey was made
to determine the preferences of listeners, their
regularity of listening, and place of residence,
i. e., rural, suburban, urban. Results of the survey
were based on replies to 1500 letters of inquiry.
In spite of the fact that the broadcasts place
much greater emphasis on agricultural topics than
on homemaking, the number of women found
to be listening nearly equalled the number of
men. Sixty-two percent of the replies were from
rural residents, 17 percent from suburban, and
21 per cent from urban.
It was found that rural and urban men listen
more regularly than suburban men, whereas rural
and suburban women listen regularly. Outstand¬
ing preferences were for “Seasonal Advice and
Reminders” and for “Experiences of Farmers and
Homemakers.” “New Scientific Discoveries”
found especial favor with suburban listeners.
Professor Taylor has also been experimenting
with shortwave in broadcasting agricultural pro¬
grams for reception in other countries. Purposes
of the shortwave broadcasts are to build up good¬
will, especially between educational institutions
in the different countries, and to e.xplore the
methods and possibilities in agricultural broad¬
casting by shortwave to other countries. Professor
Taylor reports that they are finding out many
interesting things that nobody seems to have
known about international interests in agriculture.
•
STATION WNAD, University of Oklahoma,
Norman, is broadcasting from beautiful new
studios on two floors of the Union Tower on the
campus. The tower and studios were built with
the aid of Federal funds thru the Works Progress
Administration. They represent the finest in acous¬
tical and engineering treatment, are beautifully
decorated, and are equipped with the latest word
in broadcasting equipment. WNAD is now broad¬
casting thirteen hours each week, and estimates
that approximately 150 students go before the
microphone during this period. A course in radio
announcing was inaugurated this year, and the de¬
mand was so great that candidates for admission
to the class had to pass a strenuous audition.
•
Radio as an aid in teaching, a new
pamphlet by I. Keith Tyler and R. R.
Lowdermilk, contains the following five articles
reprinted from The Ohio Radio Announcer:
“Using Radio News,” “Radio in the Social
Studies,” “Music and Radio,” “Radio and Eng¬
lish,” and “Radio and Science.” Since the useful¬
ness of these articles was by no means confined to
Ohio readers it seemed desirable to make them
available to a wider public than that represented
by the mailing list of the Announcer. The pam¬
phlet may be secured without charge from the
Bureau of Educational Research of the Ohio
State University, Columbus, Ohio.
raphy. The committee will canvass developments in these fields and
set up experiments and demonstrations in each. In this way it will
explore possibilities and stimulate progress. The offices of the com¬
mittee will be in New York, N. Y.
Other specific developments are worthy of mention in this over¬
view of broadcasting, but for the moment it seems well to focus
attention on a general problem of increasing importance.
There is a growing feeling in this country that, just as citizens’
groups are participating more actively in politics, such groups should
have a larger participation in broadcasting. Leaders of these groups
feel that they represent resources of program materials which are
worthy of a place on the air. They demand time for their programs.
Broadcasters have not yet developed a satisfactory pattern for
handling such claims. Radio is new. Its leaders have sometimes made
the mistake of considering themselves engaged in a strictly private
enterprise. They have dealt with citizens’ groups as tho they had a
minimum of public responsibility. They have aroused unnecessary
antagonism and suspicion.
A pattern for handling such problems exists. It has been devel¬
oped by the National Committee on Education by Radio out of the
experience of thousands of educators. Education is old. Its adminis¬
trative leaders are accustomed to demands being made upon them
by citizens’ groups. These leaders have always recognized that they
have a public responsibility. While they cannot accept the dictates
of any group, they have been forced to find a formula which gives
to all groups a satisfactory hearing and the sense of a real oppor¬
tunity for participation in the educational program of a community.
On the basis of this educational experience the NCER has devel¬
oped a cooperative plan which is available to commercial broad¬
casters as soon as those representatives of the industry are ready to
make use of it.®
It is only a matter of time before the logical aspects of such co¬
operative organizations will compel their acceptance. The only ques¬
tion about which real uncertainty continues to exist is the form which
they will take when they finally arrive. The answer to that question
will be determined largely by the source from which comes the finan¬
cial support.
One possibility is that such organizations may be financed by the
government. The beginnings of such a pattern already exist in the
radio project now being operated by the U. S. Office of Education.
That organization is finding necessary the creation of special com¬
mittees for the checking of its work. It may have to establish a
general supervisory committee for the review of its whole program.
Then it will be in essence an equivalent of the program advocated
by the National Committee on Education by Radio.
Another possibility lies in a cooperative organization financed by
private groups. The pattern for this kind of organization is estab¬
lished in embryo in the University Broadcasting Council of Chicago.
The expansion of that plan to include not only colleges but also
important citizens’ groups is inevitable. There are other patterns
being developed, notably one for the Rocky Mountain region. Any
number could be set up on short notice if necessary financial sup¬
port were in sight.
The plan is certain to materialize. Whether it comes under the
aegis of government or thru the initiative of private groups depends
upon the convictions of the holders of the pursestrings as to which
procedure is most in keeping with the requirements of radio and
the needs of American democracy.
^Education by Radio 6:2-3, 13-lS, 45-48, January-February, June, and December Supplement, 1936.
[34]
A Bulletin to Promote the
Use of Radio for Educational,
Cultural, and Civic Purposes
Volume 7
AUGUST 1937
Number 8
Detroit’s Plan for Educational Broadcasts
For three and one-half years the members of the Advisory
Committee on Visual and Radio Education of the Detroit Board
of Education have supervised the educational radio programs of
the public schools. These seven men, with the first assistant super¬
intendent as chairman, meet at regular intervals and determine all
policies, make all station contacts, and schedule programs. All radio
activities of the thousand students who appeared in musical pro¬
grams last year were cleared thru this committee.
Various members have specific duties. A committee member from
the department of instruction reviews the instructional bulletin which
is sent to each elementary school a week previous to the broadcast of
“Our World Today,” the program designed to bring learning ex¬
periences to students in the fifth and sixth grades. Since this bulletin
not only outlines the program but suggests preparatory and result¬
ant activities for English, social science, art, music, shop, and
auditorium classes, the committee member in charge is responsible
for checking with the department heads all activities to make certain
that they correlate with the general educational philosophy. He also
checks the book list and the page of interesting facts included in
each bulletin.
Another member of the committee directs the activities of the radio
units that have been established in each high school and intermediate
[junior high] school in the city. These radio units are, for the most
part, extracurricular groups, open to all students interested in radio
projects. Some radio units are very active in presenting school pro¬
grams over the public address systems, and all units have an oppor¬
tunity to appear once a semester on the “Public School Talent”
program, designed primarily to provide experience to the students
in the art of broadcasting. The most experienced and talented mem¬
bers of these units are eligible for membership in the Detroit Public
School Radio Players, who enact the character roles in the programs
planned for direct reception in the schools.
The radio staff is under the direct supervision of another member
of the Advisory Committee. Members of the radio staff write the
scripts, select or approve the musical programs, and for the most
part direct the rehearsals of the programs, “Our World Today,”
“Occupations on Parade,” and “Public School Talent,” for presen¬
tation on the air. Some of these rehearsals are with the students of
particular schools, and some with the Detroit Public School Radio
Players. Permits for absence from school to appear on the broad¬
cast, blanks for written permits from parents, and transportation of
various groups are checked by members of the radio staff. These
radio staff members also provide the musical selections and select
the students who are to “try out” and present the characters in the
STATION WRUF, University of Florida,
Gainesville, has inaugurated a program of
broadcasting the various industrial and agricul¬
tural activities carried on within the state of
Florida. Broadcasters go to the various plants
and give all the information as well as eye-descrip¬
tions of the operation of the industries. The first
broadcast of this nature was from the Wilson
Cypress Company in Palatka and started out
by following a raft of logs down the St. Johns
River, describing their progress thru the mill, and
following them thru until, as the finished product,
they were put on box cars to be shipped. The
next broadcast was the 4-H Club Camp and rec¬
reational program in the Ocala National Forest,
followed by a thirty-minute broadcast of the busi¬
ness of maintaining and operating a national for¬
est. On July IS there was broadcast from Tampa
a full description from the largest cigar manu¬
facturing concern in the world. Such a program
of information and education as has been under¬
taken by WRUF seems to be a very appropriate
activity for a state-owned broadcasting station.
•
BH. D.ARROW, former director of the Ohio
• School of the Air, is now conducting a six-
weeks course in radio education at the Univer¬
sity of Texas. During the preceding six weeks,
Mr. Darrow, whose services are being furnished
by the National Committee on Education by
Radio, conducted two courses at Southern Meth¬
odist University. The morning class was given
primarily for teachers who were making use of
radio programs in their teaching. The work in
the evening was a combination of the classroom
use of radio and the radio workshop.
At the close of the classes at Southern Meth¬
odist University the students organized the Dar¬
row Radio Guild. Members of the Guild plan to
establish radio workshops in the high schools with
which they are connected. In addition, they plan
to hold frequent meetings and put on a definite
program.
9
ANNING S. PRALL, chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission, passed away
July 23 at his summer home, Boothbay Harbor,
Maine. Mr. Prall’s death, together with the
resignation of Dr. Irvin Stewart which took ef¬
fect July 1, leaves two vacancies on the Com¬
munications Commission.
[35 ]
VOL. 7 AUGUST 1937 No 8
EDUCATION BY RADIO
is published monthly by
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION BY RADIO
S. Howard Evans, secretary
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Committee Members and Organizations They
Represent
Arthur G. Crane, chairman, president. University of
Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, National Association
of State Universities.
James E. Cummings, department of education. Na¬
tional Catholic Welfare Conference, 1312 Massa¬
chusetts Avenue, Washington, D. C., National
Catholic Educational Association.
J. 0. Keller, assistant to the president, in charge of
extension, Pennsylvania State College, State College,
Pennsylvania, National University Extension Asso¬
ciation.
Harold B. McCarty, program director, state broad¬
casting station WHA, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, National Association of Edu¬
cational Broadcasters.
Charles A. Robinson, S. J., St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri, The Jesuit Educational Asso¬
ciation.
Agnes Samuelson, state superintendent of public in¬
struction, Des Moines, Iowa, National Council of
State Superintendents.
Willis A. Sutton, superintendent of schoob, Atlanta,
Georgia, National Education Association.
H. J. Umberger, vicechairman, Kansas State College
of Agriculture and Applied Science, Manhattan,
Kansas, Association of Land-Grant Colleges and
U niversities.
George F. Zook, president, American Council on Edu¬
cation, 744 Jackson Place, Washington, D. C.,
American Council on Education.
MEMBER EDUCATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
KOAC, the state-owned station at Corvallis,
Oregon, reports that radio playvvriting is
now a statewide activity among the 40,000 4-H
Club members. Starting in 1935, when a few
plays were written for presentation by county
groups over KOAC, the practise has now devel¬
oped into a statewide contest with summer school
scholarships and cash prizes offered annually as
awards for the most outstanding scripts. This
year eight plays were chosen from the large num¬
ber submitted. KOAC arranged with 4-H officials
for daily rehearsal periods for the students
participating in the nightly county broadcasts.
To meet the growing interest in radio playwriting
three elective classes were provided the students.
Girl authors had previously predominated in the
classes until two play demonstrations were of¬
fered before the assembled 1700 club members.
Boy clubbers then became interested to the e.x-
tent that they now outnumber the girls in the
special course.
Lincoln W. Miller of the KOAC staff is in
charge of the annual 4-H Club contest. He has
offered to provide interested persons with copies
of the plan for organizing statewide 4-H play
writing contests.
The radio institute held in Dallas.
Texas. July 7 was attended by approximately
150 persons from all parts of the state. This
meeting, the first of its kind in the southwest,
marked the beginning of plans for a statewide
program of radio education in Texas. Dr. L. B.
Cooper, director of research for the Texas State
Teachers .Association, is now perfecting the plans.
drama on the variety program, “March of Youth,” which is presented
weekly by a local station with the cooperation of the Detroit public
schools.
A member of the Advisory Committee guides the municipal uni¬
versity’s radio programs. This year the “Wayne University School
of the Air” featured reviews of books high in current interest. These
reviews, written by members of the faculty or English teachers in
the high schools, were read bv “Wayne University’s Voice of the
Air.”
The second program, “Wayne University Students,” a variety pro¬
gram, provided Wayne students an opportunity to appear “on the
air.”
The first draft of each script in the “Our World Today,” “Public
School Talent,” and “Occupations on Parade” series is sent to mem¬
bers of the Advisory Committee for evaluation. The regular broad¬
cast is also evaluated by this Committee.
Some of the new experiments inaugurated and carried out this year
by the Committee were as follows:
“Occupations on Parade,” a program offering vocational informa¬
tion, was broadcast into the intermediate and high schools. Lead'ers
in various professional and industrial fields in Detroit gave inter¬
views, talks, or helped in dramatic episodes to make more clear the
needs and conditions of the occupational fields they represented.
“Our World Today,” a weekly program designed to supplement
and integrate the work of social science, general science, and litera¬
ture in the schools, was continued from last year and broadcast into
the elementary schools. To make this program more effective, the
first draft of each script was submitted for evaluation to [1] a mem¬
ber of the Advisory Committee, [2] a member of the script writing
department of the commercial station broadcasting the program,
[3 I a school principal, and [4] a specialist in the field featured. In
addition, the first draft was read to a group of students and reactions
to vocabulary, content, and interest noted. The second draft incor¬
porated as many of the valuable suggestions received as possible.
Each week a different school was visited during the actual broadcast
and reactions noted. One broadcast in a school was observed by four
members of the Advisory Committee. Students, teachers, and prin¬
cipals were encouraged to write in their criticisms of script and
production and suggestions for future broadcasts. In every case the
district visited personally displayed greater interest or greater energy
in writing to tell of the effects of the programs. Astronomy clubs,
signal apparatus built by a father and son after a broadcast on
“Smoke Puffs to Dots and Dashes,” auditorium plays inspired by a
program on Handel, requests to use radio programs as part of school
pageants for the younger children, and skits prepared “on the spot”
were some of the results noted by teachers.
Our “Public School Talent” program, alternating music and
drama, altho addressed to adults, has slowly worked its way into
the schools, and the request has been made that this program be
broadcast directly into the classrooms. This program also serves to
interpret the schools to the community because the music is a direct
outgrowth of classroom work and the drama programs are selected
by the students from classics studied in the English classes.
The five regular weekly programs, reduced by the Advisory Com¬
mittee from the ’ten of last year, have each been given careful
attention. Whether these shall be continued or new programs pre¬
sented is only one of the problems in educational broadcasting
being considered at this time by the Advisory Committee on Visual
and Radio Education in Detroit. — Kathleen X. Lardie.
[36]
The Contribution of School Broadcasting
IT IS IMPORTANT that school broadcasting should not be viewed in
isolation. On the one hand, it is a section of general broadcasting;
on the other, it must be seen in its proper perspective as one of the
elements in modern education. Education is passing thru a stage of
rapid development; the boundaries of the school are receding, and
as they recede the responsibilities of the teacher are increasing. It
is the avowed object of the educator today to prepare children for
life, both in work and play. In fact, the school is, or should be, part
of life. The teacher has no longer to be content with instructing his
pupils in classroom subjects; he is all the time seeking ways in which *
he can link up classroom teaching with life outside the school. Broad¬
casting is an important outside influence on the development of the
child. The teacher who brings it into the school is drawing into his
service something which is part of the normal experience of home
life today. And, furthermore, apart from what the child learns in
the process, he has his first experience of listening under guidance.
He is likely to spend many hours of his adolescent and adult life
listening to the radio. The teacher has a chance of doing something
to train his power of selection and, incidentally, his power to con¬
centrate on what is being spoken.
Broadcasting is, therefore, something very much more than a con¬
venient classroom aid to teaching. It is something which for social
considerations it is impossible for a modern educator to ignore. We
have long been accustomed to accept the printed word as the teach¬
er’s principal aid in education. Broadcasting brings in the spoken
word in a new form, but, tho it uses a mechanical device, it is some¬
thing more than a mechanical aid. In order to give its full service, it
must be vitalized at both ends, at the microphone and in the class¬
room, by a human personality. No broadcast talk can replace the
interplay of personality between teacher and pupil, but at the micro¬
phone men and women give their experiences in some form not avail¬
able to the school thru the usual medium of lesson or textbook, and
the success of the broadcast will depend a good deal on how far the
broadcaster can “get across” a sense of personality. At the other
end, the teacher uses the material of the broadcast as one element
in a scheme of work he has designed for his own purpose. The broad¬
cast by itself is not a lesson. It gives the teacher, who has skill to
develop it, new and invigorating material to use with his class.
The essential demand, therefore, which a teacher makes of a
broadcast is that it should provide something he himself cannot give,
and supplement the work of the school on the imaginative side. It
may bring history to life in the form of dramatizations. It may bring
the traveler with first-hand experience to tell his tales in the class¬
room. And it may record commentaries on actual happenings in the
world such as the launching of a great liner. Even without the aid of
sight, sound can often suggest a vivid picture, as when a recent
speaker took the listeners into a spinning mill in Lancashire and
recorded what was going on. At the least, the broadcast can help the
teacher who lacks special knowledge of, say, music or gardening, to
get fuller value from those subjects. Thruout, the broadcast, if it is
successful, will enrich the curriculum and bring into the school a
breath from the world outside. It is for the teacher to choose which
particular broadcast, or combination of broadcasts, can make the
best contribution to his particular needs. — Broadcasts to Schools,
1937-38. London: Central Council for School Broadcasting, 1937.
p6-7.
A^ALLACE H. white, JR.. Republican,
▼ ▼ Maine, on July 6 introduced into the
Senate a resolution calling for the Committee on
Interstate Commerce to make a thoro and com¬
plete investigation of the broadcasting industry in
the United States and of the acts, rules, regula¬
tions, and policies of the Federal Communications
Commission with respect to broadcasting. Senator
White, a coauthor of the Radio Act of 1927, sums
up as follows the reasons why he believes an
investigation of broadcasting is necessary at this
time: “It has been charged among other things
and is believed by many persons that rights in
frequencies beyond the terms of licenses are being
asserted by the holders thereof and recognized by
the Federal Communications Commission; that
licenses, tho in form limited in time as provided
by law, and the frequencies therein granted are
being treated by the holders and the users thereof
and by the Commission as tho granted for much
longer terms than designated in the licenses; that
the licensing authority has in effect recognized
vested property rights of great value in licenses
and in frequencies contrary to the tetter and
spirit of the law; that by various devices and
means control of licenses and of frequencies has
passed to others than the original licensee with¬
out the written approval of the Commission or
with Commission approval given in disregard of
Congressional purpose; that persons and com¬
panies have been engaged in the acquisition and
sale of broadcasting stations, licenses, and fre¬
quencies; that the licensing authority has per¬
mitted concentration of stations in some parts of
the country and has failed to give equitable radio
service to the people of the several states and
the communities thereof ; that with the approval
of the Commission there has come about a mo¬
nopolistic concentration of ownership or control
of stations in the chain companies of the United
States; that thru exclusive traffic arrangements
and otherwise, monopolistic control of the facili¬
ties of foreign communication by radio is being
accomplished, and that the acts and attitude of
the Commission are aiding and encouraging such
monopoly; that the Commission in its decision
of causes disregards its own rules and standards:
that in the determination of matters before it the
Commission has been affected and controled by
political and other influences not contemplated
by statute and not entitled to consideration by a
regulatory and quasi-judicial body; and that it
has failed to observe and effectuate the purposes
of the Congress and the laws enacted by it in
the foregoing and other respects."
•
Radio— GOODWILL ambassador, an
article appearing in the July 1937 issue of
The School Executive, explains the role of radio
in securing increased public support for educa¬
tion. The author, William B. Levenson, is direc¬
tor of radio activities at West Technical High
School, Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Levenson not only
sets forth the advantages of using the radio to
promote goodwill for the schools, but also gives
complete instructions for presenting a radio pro¬
gram and outlines a series of fifteen programs
which may be easily adapted for use in almost
every community.
[.37 1
1 KEITH TYLER, in the May issue of The
• Ohio Radio Announcer, a publication of the
Bureau of Educational Research, Ohio State Uni¬
versity, outlines a method of selecting suitable
programs for classroom use. He suggests as the
first step the statement of the specific objectives
of the course or courses with which the teacher
wants to use radio. Next, check off those objec¬
tives on the list which radio could do little toward
accomplishing. This will leave a list of the objec¬
tives appropriate for the use of radio. It will be
discovered that there are some things which can¬
not possibly be accomplished by any other means
than radio, -with its unrivaled ability to offer
teaching materials of freshness, rarity and variety.
The third step is to check off the remaining list
those objectives which could more readily be ac¬
complished by other means within the resources
of the local school and community.
With the final list of teaching objectives in
mind select from any available source of radio
program information those programs which seem
to offer the greatest promise of contributing to
the attainment of those objectives.
Mr. Tyler also states five steps for the meas¬
urement of the contribution of radio listening to
the attainment of the objectives set up. They
are: [1] Define each of the objectives of the final
list in terms of student behavior; [2] Collect
situations which will reveal, for each pupil,
whether or not each objective has been accom¬
plished; [3] Present these test situations to the
students; [4] Evaluate the reactions of the pupils
in the light of each objective; [5] Try to make
the entire testing procedure as objective as pos¬
sible.
•
BROADC.USTING and the AMERICAN
PUBLIC was the subject this year of the
statewide ex tempore speaking contest among
Pennsylvania high-school students. In writing of
the outcome of the contest. C. Stanton Belfour,
executive secretary of the Pennsylvania Forensic
and Music League, stated that this subject proved
to be one of the most interesting they have used
in recent years, as radio is a subject which the
students can identify with their everyday lives.
He also stated that “Education by Radio was one
of the most valuable references for the topic.”
•
Armstrong perry, former director of
- the service bureau of the National Com¬
mittee on Education by Radio, arrived back in
the United States from Venezuela July 19. He is
recovering nicely from injuries received in an air¬
plane accident in Venezuela in April and expects
to be able to resume his literary work in a month
or two.
GUGLIELMO MARCONI, inventor of radio,
died in Rome, Italy, July 20. He died of
a heart attack at the age of 63 after an illness of
only a few hours. At the time of his death he was
experimenting in the fields of television and the
ultrashort waves. His work will be carried on by
his associates.
Rad io as a Classroom Device
Boyd F. Baldwin, chairman of the Montana State Radio Com¬
mittee, is the author of a series of four articles published under
the title, “An Evaluation of the Radio as a Classroom Device,”
which appeared in the February, March, April, and May 1937 issues
of Montana Education.
Discussing individually radio’s contribution to each of the six
mental functions which constitute improvement of individual con¬
duct — the general aim of education — Mr, Baldwin concludes that
radio is an excellent assistant in the acquisition of knowledge and the
‘development of social competence. He classifies it as a good aid in
building the individual’s ability to solve problems and in developing
creative activity and esthetic experience, while in the acquisition of
skills its utility is only fair.
In evaluating the radio as an educative device. Air. Baldwin finds
that, while learning by the auditory route has only slight superiority
over the visual, the listening function is of particular importance in
learning. It has been determined that in learning thru communica¬
tive situations, an individual spends 42 percent of his time in listen¬
ing, as compared to 32 in talking, 11 in writing, and 15 in reading.
The radio learning situation is not found to be superior to the
teacher-student situation. The function of the radio is to increase
interest by the addition of variety and supplementary information.
It is quite possible for radio curricula to be fashioned upon the prin¬
ciples of learning and it has been demonstrated that a majority of
subjects may be taught effectively by radio. Subjects taught by radio
rank in the following order as to effectiveness: current events, geog¬
raphy, nature study, social studies, music, health, literature, sci¬
ences, mathematics, and foreign languages.
Air. Baldwin does not feel that radio has been satisfactorily
adapted to the task of disseminating culture. He believes, however,
that in order to supply adequate radio curricula for classroom use
the same sort of philosophic and psychologic planning we accord
to other education will be necessary.
Radio can be classified as a classroom method and as such ranks
third among other methods; first rank being given to projects or
individual methods of study and second to student evaluation of
materials, oral reports, problems, and individual instruction.
Taking up the administration of radio curricula. Air. Baldwin
concludes that in order for radio curricula to be supplied on depend¬
able bases it will be necessary for the control of broadcasting to be
shared with those who seek to propagate culture. The major re¬
sponsibility for radio curricula is now assumed by national networks,
which, being organized for profit, “are hardly in a tenable position
to render dependable educational service on a universal scale.” He
recommends that federal and state authorities should participate in
the direction of radio in order to insure adequate and educationally
sound radio curricula for all classrooms. He also recommends that
there should be in each state one or more powerful nonprofit state-
owned broadcast stations available to all state educational agencies.
In order that school and radio schedules may be correlated, the
crying need is for broadcast regularity and advance information.
The practical sound system for the average school, according to
Mr. Baldwin, is a combination of radio, phonograph turntable, and
microphone, with a loudspeaker in each room. For such equipment
he estimates the cost for a twenty room building as $57 per room;
for forty rooms, $37; and for sixty rooms, $27. He points out partic¬
ularly that radio’s utility is six times its cost.
138 1
A Bulletin to Promote the
Use of Radio for Educational,
Cultural, and Civic Purposes
Volume 7
SEPTEMBER 1937
Number 9
Another Perspective on Broadcasting
A CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVE, always interesting and stimulating, is
particularly appropriate in radio broadcasting. The subject is
still new. None of us quite understands it. While it represents a com¬
bination of both art and science, most of us approach it from one or
the other of these viewpoints, not both. We can profit occasionally
by using another perspective on broadcasting as a challenge or cor¬
rective to some of our existing ideas.
If the proverbial “Man from Mars,” were to be asked for his eval¬
uation of broadcasting, how would he respond? Certainly he would
be too honest to beg off on the grounds that he was not an expert.
He would have very positive convictions as has every lay person
who has thought about radio at all. Either he would be too polite
to express his ideas or he would make some very pointed observations.
On the assumption that he might speak out, it is logical to expect
that his first consideration would be the relationship between broad¬
casting and the purpose it is intended to serve. He would surely
recognize that the purpose of both technical radio transmission and
broadcast program service is to be of use to the listeners.
He would unquestionably be interested in comparing the ways in
which broadcasting systems in the various countries serve their listen¬
ers. In making such a comparison he would be free from all our
prejudices, both patriotic and economic. However, he might find
himself unable to come to any clear conclusions because under some
of the governmentally owned systems he would find a vicious political
propaganda being spread, while under our commercial system he
would find an advertising propaganda equally incapable of squaring
with scientific fact.
With the best that each system is capable of producing, the “Man
from Mars” probably would be pleased. He might conclude that the
most realistic test of the various systems is the extent to which they
are capable of creating and maintaining a high standard of program
service. With such a realistic approach he would find room for im¬
provement in every system. Would he find an accompanying capacity
for making the improvement?
In facing such a test the American system of broadcasting would
have a number of positive qualities and at least one negative. The
negative factor would be its philosophy of quantity before quality.
For reasons of commercial competition broadcasting is a twenty-
four-hour~a-day business in some of our cities. The Federal Com¬
munications Commission requires every licensed station to make full
use of its facilities. More than fifty different programs are fre¬
quently broadcast by a single station in one day’s continuous opera¬
tion. Such a service places tremendous demands upon both program
ideas and production talent. A new idea is no sooner developed than
pROSPECTS for a searching Congressional in-
vestigation of radio are still strong altho no
action in that direction was taken by Congress
before its adjournment. At the close of the session
demands for an inquiry were more insistent than
at any previous time.
In the Senate, the Committee on Interstate
Commerce, of which Senator Wheeler of Mon¬
tana is chairman, reported favorably on the reso¬
lution of Senator White of Maine for a thoro-
going investigation of broadcasting in all its
phases. The Committee report becomes part of
the unfinished business of the Senate when it re¬
convenes either in a special session or in the
regular session next Januar>'. The resolution prob¬
ably will be called up for early action.
In the House of Representatives, there are a
number of resolutions of similar intent. The one
originally presented by the late Representative
Connery of Massachusetts calls for an investiga¬
tion of the development of a radio monopoly. On
August 18 Representative Wigglesworth of Mas¬
sachusetts introduced a resolution asking the Fed¬
eral Communications Commission to furnish the
name or names of any member, agent, or em¬
ployee financially interested in any radio com¬
pany. Just before adjournment. Representative
Bacon of New York offered a resolution calling
for an investigation of the radio lobby and its
ramifications in Washington.
The transfer of Frank R. McNinch from the
chairmanship of the Federal Power Commission
to the chairmanship of the Communications Com¬
mission, even tho temporary, was interpreted in
some quarters as an effort to straighten out the
Commission from within and to make unneces¬
sary any Congressional investigation which might
have unfortunate political repercussions. Mr.
McNinch, drafted by the President for his new
post, is known as an uncompromising reformer
in the finest sense of that term. He may be able
to correct conditions enough to make an investi¬
gation unnecessary. However, many observers
are of the opinion that public confidence in the
Commission will not be restored until its difficul¬
ties have been aired openly by some Congressional
body.
The national association of edu¬
cational BROADCASTERS will hold its
annual convention September 13 and 14 at the
University of Illinois. Jos. F. Wright, director of
station WILL, the University of Illinois station,
is in charge of program arrangements.
[ 39 ]
VOL. 7 SEPTEMBER 1937 No. 9
EDUCATION BY RADIO
is published monthly by
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION BY RADIO
S. Howard Evans, secretary
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Committee Members and Orfianizations They
Represent
Arthur G Crane, chairman, president, University of
Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming. National Association
oj State Universities.
James E. Cummings, department of education. Na¬
tional Catholic Welfare Conference, 1312 Massa¬
chusetts Avenue, Washington. D. C., National
Catholic Educational Association.
J. 0. Keller, assistant to the president, in charge of
extension, Pennsylvania State College, State College,
Pennsylvania, National University Extension Asso¬
ciation.
Harold B McCarty, program director, state broad¬
casting station WHA, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, National Association of Edu¬
cational Broadcasters.
Charles A. Robinson, S. J., St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri, The Jesuit Educational Asso¬
ciation.
Agnes Samuelson, state superintendent of public in¬
struction, Des Moines, Iowa, National Council of
State Superintendents.
Willis A. Sutton, superintendent of schools, Atlanta,
Georgia, National Education Association.
H. J. Umberger, vicechairman, Kansas State College
of Agriculture and Applied Science, Manhattan,
Kansas, Association of Land-Grant Colleges and
Universities.
George F. Zook, president, American Council on Edu¬
cation, 744 Jackson Place, Washington. D. C.,
American Council on Education.
MEMBER educational PRESS ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
Members of the Wisconsin state
LEGISLATURE are participating in a
series of civic education programs broadcast each
day from the capitol over the state-owned sta¬
tions, WHA, Madison, and WLBL, Stevens Point.
Time is available to all legislators without censor¬
ship or obligation for the discussion of affairs of
state. Law-makers go before the microphone to
give citizens an intimate understanding of prob¬
lems confronting them. Listeners become better
acquainted with their representatives. The pro¬
grams are heard at 1pm, CST, each day while the
legislature is in session.
•
A RADIO INSTITUTE was held August 16
in Austin, Texas. The Institute was or¬
ganized under the direction of B. H. Darrow,
former director of the Ohio School of the Air,
who has been teaching a radio workshop course
this summer at the University of Texas. Among
the speakers were Dr. L. B. Cooper, director of
research for the Texas State Teachers Associa¬
tion, and Mrs. J. C. Vanderwoude, radio chair¬
man of the Texas Congress of Parents and
Teachers. The Institute was similar to the one
conducted by Mr. Darrow in Dallas, Texas, July 7.
•
The NBC MUSIC appreciation hour,
conducted by Dr. Walter Damrosch, will in¬
augurate its tenth season of weekly broadcasts
on Friday, October 15. The broadcasts will be
presented Fridays from 2-3pm, EST, over both the
Blue and Red Networks.
its possibilities are worked in almost every direction until they are
exhausted. Under such conditions, to keep the show going is an
achievement of merit. To improve programs seems almost beyond
the realm of reasonable expectation.
To improve quality while maintaining quantity is a challenge
which has been accepted readily at least by the better stations of the
nation. In the first place, there is a constant search for new ideas.
Advertising agencies, commercial sponsors, station managements,
and even the makers of noncommercial programs are offering every
kind of incentive for new possibilities.
Secondly, there is an effort to adapt old ideas in ways which will
give them a new effectiveness. This is especially noticeable in radio
comedy. A few years ago joke books were the great source of comedy
ideas. Today that source has been exhausted. Comedy laughs are
coming from humor developed in situations created especially for
that purpose.
Thirdly, programs are being improved by more intelligent plan¬
ning. Recently a commercial station in Detroit announced its inten¬
tion of planning each evening’s entertainment as a single program.
For the sake of variety a period of talk is to be followed by a period
of music or drama. Both classical and popular music will be pro¬
vided, each in its proper place. Sponsors will nO’ longer have a free
hand in selecting their programs but will be expected to follow the
general lines of planning laid out by the station. In some instances
this may result in the loss of a few clients and a reduction in revenue.
On the other hand, if carried out intelligently, it is almost certain
to increase the good will of listeners and make time on the air more
valuable for other clients.
In the fourth place, the American stations have a great advantage
in their financial position. Most of our broadcasting stations are
highly profitable, especially those with favorable assignments from
the Federal Communications Commission which enable them to
reach large numbers of people. Some of these stations have an an¬
nual net profit of almost 100 percent of their capital investment.
Others which show lesser profits are often paying large salaries to
officials who are also stock holders. Such strong financial positions
enable broadcasting stations to take forward-looking moves even if
these result in a temporary loss of revenue. Some of these stations
are also finding that they can well afford to make larger concessions
of both time and service to local public welfare groups.
In the fifth place, many stations are doing experimental work
which has great promise. Perhaps the most widely known of these
experiments has been the adaptation of Shakespeare’s dramas for
radio production. One of the particularly important pioneering efforts
was the production of “The Fall of the City,” a poetic drama written
expressly for broadcasting. The laboratory programs put on by the
Columbia Broadcasting System under the direction of Irving Reis are
outstanding experiments.
The radio workshop, largely a development of educational broad¬
casting, ought to exert a far-reaching influence over the future of
programs. It has a freedom which makes it perhaps the finest of all
places for radio experimentation. If it is tied in with an educational
institution, it has great resources of talent, both actual and potential,
among which it can conduct a process of selection and training. It
also has facilities for scientific evaluation of methods and results.
Such evaluation is essential to future improvement.
The selection and training of talent deserves additional emphasis.
Originally broadcasting was almost entirely in the hands of engi¬
neers. Today it is largely under the control of entrepreneurs. While
[40]
these men may be interested in the improvement of programs, they
are not equipped to direct progress in that direction. They are de¬
pendent upon the personnel with which they may be able to sur¬
round themselves. This personnel may be recruited from the show
business, the advertising agencies, the fields of writing or music, or
from some other area to which radio is related. Generally speaking,
it does not represent the ability and training which the future of
radio deserves.
In England it has been traditional for years that the ablest of her
college graduates should seek careers in the public service. Today
many of these young people are going to work for the British Broad¬
casting Corporation. We need to develop some system of selection
and training which will lead equally qualified persons in this country
to follow radio as a career.
Could the “Man from Mars” strike off a balance sheet on the basis
of the factors which have been considered thus far? Probably not.
He would want to give consideration to other factors, chief among
them being the Federal Communications Commission. The Com¬
mission has such complete control over the very existence of stations
that its influence must be given the greatest weight.
The Communications Commission has continuously held that it
can have no general concern with broadcast programs lest it violate
the provision against censorship of the Communications Act of 1934.
The Commission has taken the position that no program is to be
criticized before it goes on the air, altho, once broadcast, it may be
given consideration to determine whether or not the originating sta¬
tion should be allowed to continue in operation.
Probably the “Man from Mars” would not be interested in such
legal technicalities. His present concern is the improvement of pro¬
grams. He is faced with the question of whether or not the Ameri¬
can people can get the improvement to which they are entitled if the
Commission continues its policy of “hands off.” His decision will
not rest on what may be desirable. His concern is with what will be
necessary.
Every move so far made in the control of broadcasting has been
dictated by necessity. Congress passed the Radio Act of 1927 as the
only means of correcting a chaotic situation, not as a desirable step
in the broadening of governmental powers. The Commission in turn
established certain engineering standards as the only method of
supplying the listener with satisfactory service when a large number
of stations were operating simultaneously on the limited number
of broadcast channels.
Necessity also dictated the establishment of a classification of
various kinds of stations to render different types of service. The
adoption of such a classification put the Commission in the position
of making unequal grants of power and creating unequal competi¬
tion between its licensees.^ The introduction of such inequalities
would never have occurred except under a theory of necessity. Even
such compulsion has not been enough to justify the partiality of the
government. One of the chief functions of the Senatorial investiga¬
tion now imminent will be to find a new formula which will supply
different types of listeners with the transmission service needed
without creating unfair competition.
The “Man from Mars” seems to feel that further necessities are
developing in radio which will compel the federal government to be
concerned actively with the quality of broadcast programs, a con¬
cern which will present problems much more difficult than classi¬
fying stations for purposes of technical operation. He sees many
''■Education by Radio 6:6-7, 34-36, March and October 1936.
Frank R. MC NINCH and T. a. M. Craven
were appointed August 17 by President
Roosevelt to fill the existing vacancies on the
Federal Communications Commission. The ap¬
pointment of Mr. McNinch is temporary in na¬
ture, as he is on leave of absence from the chair¬
manship of the Federal Power Commission. He
has been commissioned by the President to pro¬
duce order out of the chaos which seems to have
developed within the FCC.
Commander Craven has been raised to the
rank of Commissioner from his position as chief
engineer of the FCC. As chief engineer, he was
assigned the task of making two reports on the
reallocation hearings held by the Commission last
October, one dealing with problems of technical
transmission and the other on the subject of the
social and economic implications of the hearings.
The technical report has been made. To date no
report on social and economic implications has
been announced. It is hoped that in his new
position Commander Craven will have time to
complete his studies and make a public report on
this most important subject.
Mrs. J. C. VANDERWOUDE, radio chair¬
man of the Texas Congress of Parents and
Teachers, reports that 1000 organized listening
groups heard the PTA programs during 1936-37.
Of that number, 658 were located in rural dis¬
tricts and 342 in the cities. According to Mrs.
Vanderwoude, six or eight PTA members, who
live near enough to each other to make the plan
practical, get together to listen to the program,
one of their number being designated to bring
the gist of it to the next PTA meeting. The Texas
Congress of Parents and Teachers presented 28
programs over 24 stations during 1936-37, the
subjects of some of them being; “The Handi¬
capped Child,” “What Price Discipline?” “The
Problem Child,” “Delinquency,” “The Child as
a Constructive Leader.”
POISONS, POTIONS, AND PROFITS, by
Peter Morell, fills the need for an up-to-the-
minute consumers’ handbook to take the place
of the justly famous 100,000,000 Guinea Pigs. It
differs from the latter book in that it concentrates
upon radio-advertised products. The chapters on
“Radio as a Cultural Agency” and “In the Peo¬
ple’s Interest” are especially recommended to
readers of Education by Radio. Published by
Knight Publishers, Inc., New York, N. Y., the
book sells for $2.
HM. partridge, program director of
• the New York University radio committee,
has been granted a fellowship by the General
Education Board for advanced study in radio
broadcasting at the NBC studios. Dr. Partridge
has received the third such fellowship granted
this year, the other two going to Harley A. Smith
of Louisiana State University and George Jen¬
nings of the University of Illinois.
[41]
There seems to be some question as to
what constitutes a chain. If you are an adver¬
tiser and are willing to pay a considerable amount
of money for the kind of propaganda which ad¬
vertising represents you can make legal contracts
for the delivery of a certain number of stations
for a particular period at a specified time and be
reasonably sure of getting them. The number of
stations does not have to be the same in every
case. You get what you pay for.
But suppose for the moment you are not an
advertiser. Suppose you are a women’s club group
which wants to put on a national program. What
can you expect when you are promised a chain?
My understanding is that you may expect any¬
where from two to fifty stations. A ready ex¬
planation is forthcoming. It is that member sta¬
tions of any chain have a great deal of freedom
in their choice of whether or not to carry chain
programs. If they are under contract and are
being paid to carry a program, they must carry it.
At other times they are free to take or refuse any
program offered by the chain. This allows stations
to sell time locally and to make a little extra
profit. — S. Howard Evans, in an address before
the Maryland Federation of Women’s Clubs,
Baltimore, Md., April 14, 1937.
There is a reservoir of material on
the air that can be most effectively used for
purposes of realistic civic education if the teach¬
ers of the social studies will provide the neces¬
sary guidance for their students. Unless our
younger generation is taught to cope with the
radio on something like even terms, intellectually
speaking, this remarkable instrument of twentieth
century civilization may well prove to be a seri¬
ous obstacle to social progress. — Michael Levine,
Seventh Yearbook, National Council for the So¬
cial Studies, 1937.
•
The CELLER bill for a government-
owned international shortwave broadcasting
station and the Boylan Bill proposing an annual
tax on commercial stations of $1 to $3 per watt
according to power both met their death with
the adjournment of Congress. Both bills were
suggested originally by Federal Communications
Commissioner George Henry Payne and were vig¬
orously opposed by the commercial broadcasters.
For a detailed account of each of the bills see
Education by Radio 7:11, 20; March and May
1937.
JOSEPH J. WEED, president of Weed & Co.,
New York station representatives, who re¬
turned recently from a six-weeks tour of Canadian
stations, is reported by Broadcasting to have said
that in his opinion Canada leads America in the
standard of its daytime programs and in its brand
of radio humor. He stated that daytime programs
are not treated as fill-ins in Canada and that
because of expert programming there are probably
more daytime listeners proportionately in Canada
than in the United States.
signposts tvhich to him are indicative of this trend. Recognizing that
these signs are subject to different interpretation by others and not
wishing to become involved in inconclusive argumentation, he re¬
fuses to cite them and instead rests his case on a single set of facts
which seem to be conclusive.
These facts have to do with television, the bringing into the home
of broadcast pictures. While we have in this country a tradition of
free speech which prevents all censorship by government of either
speech or sound, we have an equally well established tradition of
censorship of pictures. If we have recognized a necessity of censor¬
ship over motion pictures when they are shown in theaters from
which we can keep our children, will we not insist doubly on the
censorship of pictures which appear upon screens in our own homes
and from which we cannot easily protect our children?
The censorship of motion pictures was not half so easy as will
be the censorship of television. Censorship of motion pictures was
originally on a state basis. Standards were not exact, vdth the result
that one state would pass what another state excluded and vice
versa. State boards were hard pressed to defend their actions. State
censorship began to break down.
At this point citizens’ groups began to take the matter into their
own hands. The Legion of Decency was organized, composed of mil¬
lions of citizens pledged to boycott those pictures which were an
offense to good taste or morals. The boycott was cumbersome and
only strong support by the Catholic Church in the United States
sustained it. But it was successful and established a censorship which
may well be permanent.
When television comes, no such roundabout methods of censorship
will be necessary. There will be a single federal agency which will
license every television broadcasting station. That agency, the Fed¬
eral Communications Commission, is charged with insuring that
every station operates in the public interest. It cannot avoid respon¬
sibility for the control of broadcast pictures, including, as that con¬
trol traditionally does, censorship. If the Commission seeks to avoid
its responsibility, the Legion of Decency will have an easy target
upon which to focus all the power of the public opinion at its com¬
mand. Direct action will supersede boycott. The Commission will be
overwhelmed.
With television on the way, the Federal Communications Com¬
mission will have to be concerned necessarily with the quality of
broadcast programs. The case is built upon an analysis from which
there seems to be no escape. It does not criticize the Commission
because a majority of the members prefer to erect a legalistic barrier
to their participation in the control over programs. It simply points
out that such a barrier must fall of its own weight in the face of cir¬
cumstances which are developing.
Let us go back to the “Man from Mars” and try to discover the
preparation which he thinks to be imperative against the day when
the development of standards for broadcasting shall become a public
responsibility. Dare we impose upon him to the extent of asking
specific suggestions? Perhaps if he considers it impolitic to make
suggestions he will oblige us with a few general observations.
Recognizing his keen interest in the listener, we should not be
surprised if he stresses the need for a more careful distinction be¬
tween programs designed for a mere public acceptance and those
constructed to be worthy of full public confidence. Most broadcast¬
ing has an acceptance today. However, much of it is unworthy.
In purely entertainment programs nothing more than acceptance
and enjoyment is desired. But numerous such programs are used as
[42 1
vehicles for advertising. Some of this advertising is false or mislead¬
ing. Certainly where such fraudulent advertising is part of an en¬
tertainment program the whole is contaminated and must be viewed
as not in the public interest.
Frequently the Federal Trade Commission takes action against
advertisers who have used radio to mislead listeners. But this pun¬
ishment always comes after the offense has been committed and is
generally inconsequential. While it may penalize the offender, it
leaves the public subject to further imposition.
As a disease produces its own immunity, so the public, in time,
will develop a discount for exaggerated or false claims in radio ad¬
vertising. Such a discount, once matured, is almost certain to be ap¬
plied indiscriminately to all the advertising on the air. It will reduce
the effectiveness of the medium and may cut its revenues. The con¬
tingency should be anticipated and avoided now, before it reaches
the epidemic stage.
Much more important than the correction of advertising abuses
is the problem of maintaining public confidence in the broadcasting
of informational, educational, and cultural programs. It is in this
area that certain foreign nations have failed by stooping to political
propaganda. It is here that our system will break down unless a com¬
plete integrity is established and maintained.
There are two ways of insuring the integrity of American broad¬
casting. The first is thru the development of program standards by
the federal agency of regulation, the Communications Commission.
This is not censorship. It does not consist of the examination of in¬
dividual programs nor the blue penciling of passages offensive to a
censor. Instead of that, it is the analysis of program service from the
six hundred odd stations now broadcasting in order to classify dif¬
ferent types of materials used and to determine their effect upon
listeners. After sufficient experience has accumulated, it should be
possible to determine the types of programs to encourage and those
to discourage.
In answer to those who argue that such standards could not be
developed, it may be well to restate the suggestion of how a begin¬
ning can be made. It has been proposed that as part of the applica¬
tion now made for renewal of license, stations be required to state
the basis on which they habitually select programs to be broadcast.
This would allow the Commission to test the stations by their own
declaration of standards. It could also be used as a basis for com¬
petition between stations seeking licenses or renewals. Even if it were
never carried to the point where the Commission saw fit to make
pronouncements on programs, the consequent self-regulation im¬
posed upon stations would be greatly in the public interest. If carried
far enough to bar dishonest or debasing programs, it could give the
needed guarantee of integrity to our present system of broadcasting.
The second way of insuring the integrity of American broadcast¬
ing is by a change in the auspices under which informational, educa¬
tional, and cultural programs are produced. This statement is a
strong one and needs to be examined at length because it seems to
imply a criticism of organizations which are putting on programs
at the present time.
To the “Man from Mars” who looks at all groups with a cold im¬
partial eye, there is not in the whole field of broadcasting the kind of
unbiased sponsorship worthy of full public confidence. This is not to
deny that many programs now on the air are entirely trustworthy. It
is to say that the auspices under which they are produced rest upon
foundations which are not, in themselves, a sufficient guarantee of
integrity.
The second national conference
ON EDUCATIONAL BROADCASTING
will be held at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, Ill.,
November 29, 30, and December 1, 1937. The
objectives of this second national conference have
been outlined as follows: [1] To provide a na¬
tional forum where interests concerned with edu¬
cation by radio can come together to exchange
ideas and experiences; [2] To examine and ap¬
praise the situation in American broadcasting as
a background for the consideration of its present
and future public service; [3] To examine and
appraise the listener’s interest in programs that
come under the general classification of public
service broadcasting; [4] To examine the present
and potential resources of education thru radio;
[5] To examine and appraise the interest of or¬
ganized education in broadcasting; and [6] To
bring to a large and influential audience the find¬
ings that may become available from studies and
researches in the general field of educational
broadcasting, particularly such studies and re¬
searches as may be conducted by the Federal
Radio Education Committee.
•
The CARTHAGE COLLEGE MUSIC
HOUR is a daily feature of station WCAZ
in Carthage, Ill. It has been maintained steadily
since its inception in September 1932. The pro¬
grams are given by special radio ensembles —
band; orchestra; mixed, treble, and male
choruses; and assisting soloists. These groups
are not the college musical organizations — they
are especially selected for this purpose with
separate rehearsals under faculty direction. The
announcers and continuity writers are students
also. Elmer Hanke, head of the department of
music at Carthage College, feels that this pro¬
gram is direct education for radio, since this
experience helps graduates to find positions in
the radio profession, and that, by a careful selec¬
tion of programs, it becomes education by radio
as well.
•
The AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIA¬
TION will inaugurate on Wednesday, Oc¬
tober 13, a series of thirty-minute programs de¬
signed as a supplement to classroom teaching of
health. The programs will be heard weekly at
2pm, EST, over the NBC Red Network. While
it is intended to furnish graphic supplementary
material in health education for teachers and
students in the junior and senior high schools,
the programs will be of interest also in the ele¬
mentary schools and to parents listening in their
homes.
George JENNINGS, production director
at station WILL, University of Illinois, has
resigned to become head of a new department of
radio at the Cornish School, Seattle, Washington.
Mr. Jennings, who is completing a training period
at the NBC studios in New York under a fellow¬
ship from the General Education Board, will con¬
duct a radio workshop at the Cornish School.
[43 ]
The number of schools in Australia
equipped for the use of school broadcasts
has been steadily increasing, according to the
annual report for 1936-37 of the honorary secre¬
tary of the School Broadcasts Advisory Council.
The report attributes the growth of interest in
school broadcasts to a number of causes, such as
the lifting of the depression, which was in full
effect when the school broadcasts were inaugurated
in 1933; a growing confidence in the value of the
contribution of school broadcasts; a steady im¬
provement in the quality of the broadcasts; the
fact that music has been made a compulsory sub¬
ject for all departmental secondary schools and
has led to a wide recognition of the service broad¬
casting can render in this field ; improved reception
in country districts thru the installation of sev¬
eral new relay stations ; and technical advice
rendered to schools seeking to install receiving-
sets.
The improvement in the quality of the school
broadcasts can be attributed to the fact that the
resources of the Australian Broadcasting Com¬
mission have been more and more placed at the
disposal of the School Broadcasts Advisory Coun¬
cil; that expert volunteer workers have rendered
unpaid service; that publicity has been increased
and the “School Broadcasts Booklet” revised; and
that school broadcasting technic has been im¬
proved thru the constructive criticisms and varied
suggestions of the listening teachers.
JAMES ROWLAND ANGELL, retiring presi¬
dent of Yale University, has accepted the
position of educational counselor to the National
Broadcasting Company. He will take up his new
duties in September at a salary of $25,000 a
year. Dr. Franklin Dunham, educational director
of NBC, will work in cooperation with Dr. Angell.
In accepting the position. Dr. Angell said, “I am
accepting the invitation with great enthusiasm
and in the hope that the opportunity given me
will allow me to render a real public service. The
educational possibilities of radio are but just be¬
ginning to be fully appreciated and I trust I can
make some small contribution to increasing its
significance for young and old alike.”
•
The FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF
BROADCASTERS has passed a resolution
condemning super-power stations unless they pro¬
vide a non-duplicating program service. The Flor¬
ida broadcasters believe that any station granted
500 kilowatts power should produce and broad¬
cast its own original programs and not merely
rebroadcast network pickups into signal areas
covered by other stations with the same pro¬
grams. It is their opinion that super-power
should stand on its own feet and justify its
privileges.
•
Dr. CLINE M. KOON, senior specialist in
radio and visual education of the U. S.
Office of Education, resigned his position Sep¬
tember 1.
Consider first the case of the industry. The argument here was
stated at some length in this bulletin more than six months ago and
has never been contradicted.^ It was built upon the theory that the
commercial formula which makes possible the financing of American
broadcasting ties the hands of station owners so that they are not
free to deal impartially with informational and educational matters.
But what about the individuals and organizations of unquestion¬
able integrity who put on particular programs and are given free
rein for the purpose? The answer lies in a consideration of the status
of these groups and individuals. They are being given without cost
an access to the public which is valuable and obtainable thru few
sources. They offer a service which could be displaced or duplicated
readily. They are without bargaining power. They broadcast on the
terms of the industry. The best record of experience in operating on
that basis is contained in the pamphlet, 4 Years of Network Broad¬
casting, published by the National Advisory Council on Radio in
Education. If it had been possible to cooperate with the industry on
its terms, that organization would have succeeded in doing so. The
retirement of Dr. Levering Tyson from the directorship of the Ad¬
visory Council ® is ample evidence that it simply can’t be done. '
What about organizations interested in radio but without broad¬
casting commitments? The principal ones are the Federal Radio
Education Committee ^ and the National Committee on Education
by Radio.® The latter is thoroly representative, each of its nine mem¬
bers being selected by one of the educational associations which con¬
stitute the committee. However, the National Committee has been
so determined in its defense of the rights of education in radio that
it is definitely not acceptable to certain groups whose cooperation
will be needed in establishing impartial auspices.
The Federal Radio Education Committee is composed about
equally of educators and commercial broadcasters. However, its
members have been selected as individuals and represent officially
only themselves. This committee has been subjected to the criticisms
that it is too close to the government, that it has too much industry
representation, and that its program does not inspire confidence.
Perhaps all of these criticisms are unfounded. However, the com¬
mittee has yet to prove its right to leadership.
Since no single organization now exists thru which to secure the
cooperation of all parties involved and at the same time to guarantee
protection to the public, a new organization seems to be needed.
When such an organization is set up it must be noncommercial. The
great educational, and cultural agencies thruout the country must
be represented upon it. Its membership must be appointed by these
agencies and subject to no other control. It should have an educa¬
tional home where it will have the same freedom as any college or
university. It should be financed adequately to employ administra¬
tive officers and a staff of radio specialists capable of superior work
in every phase of program preparation and production. It should
have all the facilities of a radio workshop to select and train talent
and to do experimental work.
Does all this sound Utopian? Probably it is. Certainly its full
attainment can come only as the result of growth. However, it should
be pointed out that until it does come or until provision is made for
its growth, governmental regulation offers the only possibility of a
broadcasting service in which we can have full confidence.
^Education by Radio 6:41-43, December 1936.
^Education by Radio 7:8, February 1937.
* Education by Radio 6:31, September 1936.
^Education by Radio 6:29, September 1936.
[44]
A Bulletin to Promote the
Use of Radio for Educational,
Cultural, and Civic Purposes
Volume 7
OCTOBER 1937
Number lO
How Much Clean Up?
The need for a clean up in radio broadcasting is now ad¬
mitted on every hand. The final and conclusive evidence was
the transfer of Chairman McNinch from the Federal Power Com¬
mission to the Federal Communications Commission for the specific
purpose of effecting reform. The only remaining question is how
far the clean up should go.
The editors of this bulletin, who think they performed a construc¬
tive service in emphasizing the need for a clean up, now feel the
responsibility for a further effort to be constructive by suggesting
some of the changes required if the reform of broadcasting is to be
basic and lasting.
The problem facing those charged with the clean up may be
stated very simply: Will changes in the administrative machinery
of the Commission suffice or must there be changes in the theory as
well as the practise of broadcasting regulation? The evidence seems
to be conclusive that, while the so-called American system of broad¬
casting need not be destroyed some of the assumptions on which it
rests must be altered.
The theory behind the present system of broadcasting has been
stated as follows:
I 1 I The government shall license to private interests that number of stations
which can make most effective technical use of the comparatively few air channels
available for broadcasting.
I 2 I Station owners shall be allowed to create among themselves a system of
commercial competition for advertising revenue. This private competition can be
depended upon to keep them operating in the public interest.
[3] The public as the listening audience will determine the outcome of the
competition by tuning its receiving sets to stations according to the excellence of
their programs.
I 4] Under such a system broadcasting will achieve a greater freedom and use¬
fulness than is possible under more stringent government regulation.’^
The fallacy of this theory was pointed out at the same time. It
is this. When the government licenses one station for 50,000 watts
and a competitor for only 100 watts, it is doing more than facili¬
tating a system of private commercial competition. It is determining
the outcome of that competition. By favoring high-powered stations,
it is encouraging station owners to seek favors from the Commis¬
sion. Does not this open the way to corruption or at least to the
charges of corruption in broadcasting which have been made by
members of Congress?
Before permanent reform is possible, then, some way must be
found to eliminate the fallacy of our present theory of broadcasting
regulation or to develop a new theory. If the present theory is to be
retained, some method must be found for equalizing the competition
prescribed by it.
^ Education by Radio 6:6, !March 1936.
The CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION
devised a unique program of education by
radio during the recent poliomyelitis epidemic
when the opening of the elementary schools in
that city cvas postponed several weeks.
Seven radio stations donated time in fifteen
minute periods thruout the day. Six newspapers
carried a daily digest of each lesson to be broad¬
cast, including directions, questions, and assign¬
ments for pupils. These digests served as texts in
the absence of books.
Mathematics, English, science, and social stud¬
ies for grades from 3B to 8A inclusive were
the subjects chosen. Broadcasting began on Mon¬
day, September 13, at 7:13am with a health and
physical education program which was a daily fea¬
ture, Lessons in social studies and science for the
various grades were given at intervals thruout the
day, the last period being from 6 :45-7pm. On Tues¬
day lessons in English and mathematics were
given, Wednesday’s programs were the same as
Monday’s and the alternation continued thruout
the week,
A committee of three was appointed in each
subject to select material suitable for use over the
radio, to plan the continuity of the lessons, and to
be responsible for the broadcast, A committee of
two principals was appointed to listen in to all
broadcasts and to make suggestions for improve¬
ment.
Pupils were instructed to keep all of the work
done in connection with the radio lessons and
present it to their teachers when school opened,
A committee in each major subject was appointed
to work out a test to be given to the children at
that time. The results of this test will determine
the credit each child will receive for his work.
These same committees made provision for make¬
up work for those children who did not have
radios, or who were kept outside of Chicago dur¬
ing the epidemic.
The number of children listening to the radio
lessons and using the newspaper texts has been
estimated at 315,000,
The Board of Education is convinced that the
plan was followed by both parents and children
with earnestness and enthusiasm. Sixteen teachers,
called in to supplement the staff at the central
office, were unable to take care of all the calls re¬
ceived from parents who were distressed that they
could not get a certain station on the radio and
some child had missed a lesson, or because some
speaker had given directions a little too fast and
the child did not get them, A thousand questions
were answered on the first day of broadcasting,
and five extra teachers were added the next day.
[4S]
VOL. 7 OCTOBER 1937 No. 10
EDUCATION BY RADIO
is published monthly by
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION BY RADIO
S. Howard Evans, secretary
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Committee Members and Organizations They
Represent
Arthur G. Crane, chairman, president. University of
Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, National Association
oj State Universities.
James E. Cummings, department of education. Na¬
tional Catholic Welfare Conference, 1312 Massa¬
chusetts Avenue, Washington, D. C., National
Catholic Educational Association.
J. 0. Keller, assistant to the president, in charge of
extension, Pennsylvania State College, State College,
Pennsylvania, National University Extension Asso¬
ciation.
Harold B. McCarty, program director, state broad¬
casting station WHA, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, National Association of Edu¬
cational Broadcasters.
Charles A. Robinson, S. J., St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri, The Jesuit Educational Asso¬
ciation.
Agnes Samuelson, state superintendent of public in¬
struction, Des Moines, Iowa, National Council of
State Superintendents.
Willis A. Sutton, superintendent of schools, Atlanta,
Georgia, National Education Association.
H. J. Umberger, vicechairman, Kansas State College
of Agriculture and Applied Science, Manhattan,
Kansas, Association of Land-Grant Colleges and
Universities.
George F. Zook, president, American Council on Edu¬
cation, 744 Jackson Place, Washington, D. C.,
American Council on Education.
member educational press association
OF AMERICA
The nation.\l education associa¬
tion has completed arrangements with the
Columbia Broadcasting System for a series of
coast-to-coast current events broadcasts. The new
programs, entitled “Exits and Entrances,” will be
broadcast Mondays from 2:30-3pm, EST, as a
feature of the American School of the Air. They
are intended especially for secondarj- school stu¬
dents of the social studies. In addition to the series
over Columbia, the Association's Saturday morn¬
ing program for teachers and Wednesday evening
program for the general public will be continued
over an NBC network.
e
A RECENT CONTROVERSY in Detroit over
excessive commercial announcements dur¬
ing baseball broadcasts sponsored by Wheaties,
involved radio stations, the client, newspapers, and
listeners. It is expected that the result will be a
noticeable limitation of advertising. According to
Variety, “Most of the agency men and clients
contacted have expressed themselves as frankly
alarmed over the situation, declaring they never
before had realized listeners’ dangerous reaction to
the ‘blurb’ system.”
The mountain radio listening
CENTER SYSTEM of the University of
Kentucky is described fully in an intensely inter¬
esting twelve-page illustrated booklet. Copies of
the booklet may be secured without charge from
Elmer G. Sulzer, director, publicity bureau. Uni¬
versity of Kentucky, Lexington.
The difficulty in equalizing competition is a bit hard to explain.
It grows out of a conflict between the technical and the economic
purposes which broadcasting serves. Technically, unequal grants of
power are necessary to serve different geographical areas of the
nation. Fifty kilowatt stations are licensed to serve “rural and
remote areas.” Hundred watt stations are for service to local com¬
munities. Technically, therefore, the different classes of stations are
not in competition.
Economically, they are in direct competition. They sell their “cir¬
culation” to advertisers. The advertisers buy service, not to listeners
in remote areas where reception is at best uncertain, but to the audi¬
ence within the good service areas immediately surrounding the
stations. That is why commercial stations are located at or near
centers of population.
Until last October the Commission had been issuing its licenses
on the basis of technical considerations only. Then, at the realloca¬
tion hearings in October 1936, it took cognizance of the existence
of economic and social as well as technical implications of broad¬
casting. It instructed Commander T. A. M. Craven, then chief engi¬
neer of the Commission and now one of its members, to prepare two
reports, one dealing with the technical implications and a second
dealing with the economic and social aspects of the problem of
allocation.
The technical report has been rendered. It emphasizes the need
for more rather than fewer classes of stations and actually paves
the way for increases in inequalities between stations.
The economic and social report has not been submitted. It may
never be prepared. However, the Commission has recognized at least
that such problems exist. Ultimately it will have to come to grips
with them. It will have to reconcile the economic and technical con¬
flict if the present theory of broadcasting is to be preserved.
What are the possibilities of reconciliation? They seem to be ex¬
cellent. There are certain conditions which must be met, however,
and these should be given consideration before any statement of a
solution for the problem is attempted.
The limitations on the number of available wavelengths and the
facts about the technical operation of stations create certain reali¬
ties to which all proposals must conform. In the nature of radio it is
impossible to give high power to all stations. There must always be
100 watt stations or their approximation. On the other hand, there
must also be high-powered stations to serve the rural population.
The problem, then, is not that of equalizing technical grants. It
is rather that of ironing out the economic unfairness which results
from the use of these facilities in advertising competition. What is
necessary is to find a way of making high-powered stations compete
only among themselves while the low-powered stations likewise are
allowed to compete only against each other.
In one sense every station must compete for the attention of
listeners with every other station in its locality. Listeners tend to
favor the higher powered stations because they normally give better
reception. Hence, unequal grants of power tend to make this com¬
petition unequal. Where a distinct difference in the types of program
service is created, however, audience tastes will split listeners into
groups large enough to give economic support to each of the several
services. It is this psychological phenomenon which enables small
daily or weekly newspapers to thrive in the delivery area of some of
our great metropolitan papers.
A first step, then, is to see to it that the types of program service
are carefully differentiated. There seems to be room for a national, a
146 1
regional, and a local service in most communities. Stations rendering
these different types of service should lose all identity except that to
which their service is dedicated. A national station should have no
local identity, at least so far as program service is concerned. Regional
and local stations should confine themselves likewise to special types
of service.
There may be many ways in which this separation of functions
can be achieved. Two possibilities will be discussed here. One has to
do with the creation of superpower stations, each of which can serve
the total area to which its service is dedicated. The other deals with
the synchronization and simultaneous operation of a group of sta¬
tions concerned with a single type of program service.
Experimental work is already being done with the superpower sta¬
tion. WLW at Cincinnati has been operating with a power of 500,000
watts for about two years. The expense of operating such a station is
so great that it could never compete with a strictly local station. Its
advertising rates have to be too high. Its programs are heard over
too wide a range of territory to be confined to the type of service a
local station ordinarily gives.
A clear channel survey conducted by the engineering section of
the Federal Communications Commission indicated that WLW was
the favorite station of rural listeners in thirteen states. Under favor¬
able conditions it can be heard in almost any part of the United
States. Engineers have proposed that a complete national coverage
during nighttime hours might be provided by a single station such
as WLW if it were centrally located and if “booster” stations were
erected to reinforce the signal of the station in areas where reception
was not clear.
Such an arrangement would never be entirely satisfactory. In
the south, particularly during the summer months, reception would
almost certainly be inferior. Conditions might develop in almost any
part of the country under which reception would be poor. Never¬
theless, it would provide a kind of national service which would pre¬
sent no economic dangers to regional and local stations.
Synchronization presents another and perhaps more promising
possibility of differentiating between various types of service. This
method of broadcasting has been frowned upon by engineers, altho
they admit its technical validity. Therefore, it may be well to intro¬
duce some technical evidence as to the possibilities of sjmchroniza-
tion.
In a release dealing with synchronization issued March 2, 1936,
by the Communications Commission, appears the following para¬
graph:
Common frequency broadcasting | synchronization] is in successful commercial
use in several countries. Thus, in Great Britain a network of a dozen or more sta¬
tions is operated on the same frequency. In Germany there are two networks, one
in the north and one in the south, each comprising several stations. The United
States, altho in the forefront from the standpoint of technical development, has
lagged behind in the commercial application of common frequency broadcasting.
There are at present in operation in this country only three pairs of synchronized
stations.
An exact report on American experience with synchronization is
contained in another release, written by L. McC. Young, supervisor
of synchronization, station WBBM, Chicago, and issued by the
Commission March 9, 1936. The concluding paragraphs of the re¬
port are as follows:
The general results have far exceeded the predictions of the most optimistic
technical experts concerned with the project. The total mail of the two stations
I WBBM and KFAB] containing adverse criticism has been insignificant. In the
investigation of these few cases none had any just basis for criticism against the
TO STUDY THE VALUE OF RADIO as an
aid to classroom instruction, the University
of Wisconsin will conduct during the next two
years a special research project in school broad¬
casting.
The plan provides for a staff of radio special¬
ists and educators, with facilities for experiments,
demonstrations, school visits, and objective evalu¬
ation. Thru careful observations, tests, and meas¬
urements an attempt will be made to discover the
place of radio in the school and to appraise its
importance in classroom education.
The research project, financed by a special grant,
is backed by the interest and support of leading
educational agencies of the state. These include
the State Department of Public Instruction, the
Wisconsin Education Association, the State Board
of Normal School Regents, and state broadcasting
station WHA, in addition to various departments
of the university.
Experimental broadcasts will be set up with
definite objectives in harmony with those of class¬
room instruction. The evaluation will be in terms
of the realization of those objectives. During the
first half year the research project will be con-,
cerned mainly with preliminary studies, planning
and preparation of experimental broadcasts, and
setting up the machinery for evaluation.
Direct supervision of the research project is in
the hands of an executive committee appointed
by Dean E. B. Fred of the graduate school of the
university, under whose general direction other
university research projects are conducted. The
work of experiment and research is being carried
on by the following staff; Lester Ward Parker,
radio education specialist ; Lee Howard Mathews,
research specialist; and Gordon Hubbel, script
editor. .Several graduate students are working as
research assistants.
•
The national association of edu¬
cational BROADCASTERS held its an¬
nual convention in Urbana, Ill., September 13 and
14. Carl Menzer, director of station WSUI, State
University of Iowa, was elected president for
1937-38, succeeding H. B. McCarty who has
served as president during the past two years.
Mr. Menzer will replace Mr. McCarty as the
NAEB’s representative on the National Commit¬
tee on Education by Radio. Harold A. Engel,
promotion manager of station WHA, L^niversity
of Wisconsin, was elected vicepresident and W. I.
Griffith, director of WOT Iowa State College,
treasurer. The new executive secretary is Frank
Schooley of WILL, Lmiversity of Illinois.
•
CJTATION WHAZ, Rensselaer Polytechnic In-
^ stitute, Troy, N. Y., observed its fifteenth
anniversary on the air Monday evening, Septem¬
ber 13, coincident with the reopening of the In¬
stitute for its 113th collegiate year.
•
Dr. levering TYSON, former director
of the National Advisory Council on Radio
in Education, was inducted into the presidency of
Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa., on October 2.
[47 1
The second national conference
ON EDUCATIONAL BROADCASTING, to
be held in Chicago, Ill., November 29, 30, and
December 1, will have as presiding officer at two
of its sessions Dr. George F. Zook, president of
the American Council on Education. Dr. Walter
Dill Scott, president. Northwestern University,
and Dr. Robert M. Hutchins, president. Univer¬
sity of Chicago, will preside at the other two.
Merrill Denison, writer; Dr. T. V. Smith, profes¬
sor and state senator; Philip Barbour, South Amer¬
ican specialist; Edwin W. Craig, director, radio
station WSM; Dr. Levering Tyson, president,
Muhlenberg College; and Dr. Lyman Bryson,
Teachers College, Columbia University, have all
agreed to speak. Section chairmen will be: Harry
D. Gideonse, University of Chicago, aided by
Sterling Fisher, Columbia Broadcasting System;
William Dow Boutwell. director, educational radio
project, U. S. Office of Education; Carlton Wash-
burne, superintendent of schools, Winnetka, Ill.;
Dr. Arthur G. Crane, president. University of
Wyoming, and chairman. National Committee on
Education by Radio; and H. M. Buckley, assistant
superintendent of schools, Cleveland, Ohio.
•
The educational broadcasting
SECTION of the World Federation of Edu¬
cation Associations meeting held in Tokyo. Japan.
August 2-7, 1937, was attended by two or three
hundred interested teachers, representing many
different countries. Harry A. Carpenter, a special¬
ist in science connected with the Rochester, N. Y.,
public schools, was America’s representative on
the program of the broadcasting section. His topic
was “Curriculum Teaching in Science.” On August
8 Mr. Carpenter broadcast to America over station
JOAK a summary of the program of the Educa¬
tional Broadcasting Section. His talk from the
Japanese station was rebroadcast in this country
by NBC.
•
Clarence E. DAMMON, director, radio
station WBA.^. Purdue University, Lafay¬
ette. Ind., is teaching a beginning class in the
fundamentals of broadcasting and an adv’anced
class in program production at the Indiana Ex¬
tension Center in Fort Wayne. The class is using
the facilities of station WOWO. There is also a
class in radio technic at the Indiana Extension
Center in East Chicago.
Listen and learn, a 231 page book by
Frank Ernest Hill, was published September
1 7 by the American Association for Adult Educa¬
tion, 60 East Forty-second Street, New York,
N. Y. Copies are on sale at $1.23.
•
Popular psychology and dub program
planning are two new study group broadcasts
scheduled for the fall series of women’s programs
over KOAC, the state-owned station in Corvallis,
Oregon.
synchronous operation. For the past thirteen months I have spent the major por¬
tion of my time observing the operation of these stations. I have traveled over
25,000 miles in a ’34 Chevrolet Coach which has been equipped as a field car
with a Field Intensity Measuring Set, an Esterline Angus Recording Meter, a high
fidelity Philco 800 auto radio receiver, and a standard high quality Philco 18 re¬
ceiver. Daytime field strength measurements and fading records at night of
synchronous operation and of WBBM alone have been made in seventy towns and
cities in the area between Columbus, Ohio, and Denver, Colorado, Duluth, Min¬
nesota, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. During July of 1934, Iowa was combed in search
of the expected mush area. Continuous observation, using the high fidelity auto
receiver, was made in the field car, travelling over 1400 miles during the night
periods of synchronization and common programs. No mush area was found. Very
little fading to poor quality was noticed. However, during many of the observa¬
tions, several entire fifteen minute periods would remain without appreciable
fading dips, while one or both of the individual station identification announce¬
ments at the intervening breaks would show fading.
This fact, itself, indicates that in the middle area between the stations the serv¬
ice has been materially improved. Other observations show that the service areas
of both stations have been increased.
The details of how synchronization might be applied on a nation¬
wide scale are too technical for consideration here. Competent engi¬
neers have indicated that it can ’be done. While it might involve a
considerable reallocation of facilities, it would also differentiate na¬
tional programs so completely as largely to eliminate the economic
unsoundness of the American system of broadcasting as it exists at
present.
If synchronization were to be used on chain programs, it would
mean that each network would be confined to three or four channels
instead of the dozen or more channels used today. This might open
the way to an increase in the number of national services or to an
amplification of the present use of channels in regional and local
service. It would probably result in the ownership of all the syn¬
chronized stations on any one chain by a single corporation. It would
also result in a complete national coverage for all programs, non¬
commercial as well as commercial.
Synchronization might be used not only for national service but
also for regional purposes. Single superpower stations might also
serve regions. This latter alternative would seem particularly appro¬
priate in areas where a single state had a particular public service
which it chose to render by means of its own publicly-owned station.
Clearly such a station, supported by public funds, would be assumed
to be more in the public interest than any commercial station seek¬
ing the same facilities. Obviously, the power of such a station should
be great enough to serve all the people who, as taxpayers, would be
contributing to its support.
Local stations would remain much as at present, each with low
power to serve a given locality. There might well be an increase in
the number of these stations. They would have to depend for their
economic survival on the highly individualized service they could
render to their community.
So much for the reallocation proposal. Now for some precaution as
to the way in which it should be used. If applied immediately and
arbitrarily it would almost certainly throw broadcasting back into
the chaos of its early days and deprive the listeners of the present
program service which for many people is entirely satisfactory.
Many problems are involved. There must be an adjustment of the
holdings of such stations as may be absorbed in a synchronous sys¬
tem, to prevent loss on an investment presumably incurred in good
faith. There must be careful study of the social and economic im¬
plications of the change. While giving up one system which is un¬
sound, we must take every precaution against allowing new unsound¬
ness to develop. This clean up may well be permanent and it must
have foundations worthy of permanence.
[48]
A Bulletin to Promote the
Use of Radio For Educational,
Cultural, and Civic Purposes
Volume 7
NOVEMBER 1937
Number II
A Public Broadcasting Service
A FTER NEARLY TWO YEARS OF EFFORT to develop a constructive plan
xA. for the cooperation of all groups interested in the improvement
of broadcasting programs, the National Committee on Education by
Radio, thru its chairman, Dr. Arthur G. Crane, has prepared a spe¬
cific proposal for experimentation in this direction. The theory be¬
hind the proposal has been outlined on two previous occasions.^ The
detailed arrangements for testing it, which will be outlined here, are
of more recent development.
The complete prospectus of the plan of the National Committee is
too extensive to be set forth here. Only the high lights can be re¬
produced in this report. They will give some indication of the need
for the plan, its objectives in general, and the specific machinery
which has been created in two regional areas to apply the principles
as a means of solving their particular problems.
The need: Private enterprise has succeeded in making exceptionally
fine broadcasts available to American listeners on twenty-five million
receiving sets. On the other hand, there are great gaps in the broad¬
cast program. Formal use of radio for improving instruction in
schools for thirty million youthful citizens has been almost wholly
neglected. Advertising, which furnishes the essential revenues, has
necessarily determined the type of broadcast, giving preference to
the mass audiences to the neglect of minority groups. Regional needs
have been unavoidably subordinated to national programs paying
revenues. Potential producers of socially desirable broadcasts have
not been in a position to make the best contributions because of lack
of finances or available time and facilities. An unpleasant contro¬
versy has been waged between transmitting agencies and producers
of noncommercial, socially desirable broadcasts. At times the con¬
troversy has been heated. This plan has been designed to remove
difficulties and make possible more harmonious cooperation between
all parties concerned.
The proposals made in this plan are comprehensive. They accept
the basic assumptions of the present system of broadcasting. They
recognize the need for flexibility to allow for adjustment to different
conditions in various parts of the country. They outline a plan which
can be used nationally, regionally, or locally. They present specific
proposals for demonstration of the proposed pattern in the state of
Texas and in the Rocky Mountain region.
Objectives of the plan: To promote cooperation — The first step is to
increase beyond anything that has been attempted in radio the num¬
ber of cooperating agencies and the range of represented interests.
The aim of this cooperation is to create a working organization thru
'^Education by Radio 6:13-15, 45-48; May and December Supplement 1936.
' I 'HE FIRST STEP in the reorganization of
-■- the Federal Communications Commission by
its new chairman, Frank R. McNinch, is the abo¬
lition of the three divisions — broadcast, telephone,
and telegraph — into which the Commissioners
were divided by Commission Order No. 1 adopted
July 17, 1934. Under the division system two of
the seven Commissioners were assigned to each
division, with the chairman acting as the third
member of each.
According to Chairman McNinch, “Some of the
reasons underlying this fundamental change of or¬
ganization policy are that experience has shown
that to subdivide a small Commission has a divisive
effect and tends away from cooperation and
mutual understanding. The assignment of such
important work as has heretofore been handled by
divisions theoretically composed of three Commis¬
sioners, but in fact functioning with two Commis¬
sioners because of the impracticability of the
Chairman’s keeping himself currently informed
and attending meetings, has resulted in two mem¬
bers of the Commission carrying an unnecessary
load of responsibility and exercising an undesirably
large portion of the power and functions of the
Commission, while at the same time denying the
other Commissioners any practical opportunity to
participate in decisions. When such major phases
of the Commission’s work, as broadcasting, tele¬
phone, and telegraph, have been committed to the
handling and decision of only two members, these
two members have been denied opportunity to ex¬
change views with and profit by free discussion
and expression of opinions by the other Commis¬
sioners. Commissioners not on a particular division
have felt a natural reluctance to inquire into the
work committed to others, hence, they were denied
effective expression of their views upon pending
matters. Furthermore, the segregation of Commis¬
sioners into units, with power to act, unavoidably
requires that they specialize in their thought and
action upon limited phases of the Commission’s
work and this, with other reasons above men¬
tioned, prevents a rounded development of every
Commissioner’s knowledge of and experience in
the whole field of the Commission’s work.”
The new plan of organization will go into effect
November 15.
George henry PAYNE, a member of
the Federal Communications Commission,
will speak in Boston November 13 to the Alumni
of the Sacred Heart. His subject will be “Decency
in Radio Programs.”
[49]
VOL. 7 NOVEMBER 1937 No. 11
EDUCATION BY RADIO
is published monthly by
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION BY RADIO
S. Howard Evans, secretary
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Committee Members and Organizations They
Represent
Arthur G. Crane, chairman, president. University of
Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, National Association
oj State Universities.
James E. Cummings, department of education. Na¬
tional Catholic Welfare Conference, 1312 Massa¬
chusetts Avenue, Washington, D. C., National
Catholic Educational Association.
]. 0. Keller, assistant to the president, in charge of
extension, Pennsylvania State College, State College,
Pennsylvania, Naticmal University Extension Asso¬
ciation.
Harold B. McCarty, program director, state broad¬
casting station WHA, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, National Association oj Edu¬
cational Broadcasters.
Charles A. Robinson, S. J., St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri, The Jesuit Educational Asso¬
ciation.
Agnes Samuelson, state superintendent of public in¬
struction, Des Moines, Iowa, National Council of
State Superintendents.
Willis A. Sutton, superintendent of schools, Atlanta,
Georgia, National Education Association.
H. J. Umberger, vicechairman, Kansas State College
of Agriculture and Applied Science, Manhattan,
Kansas, Association oj Land-Grant Colleges and
Universities.
George F. Zook, president, American Council on Edu¬
cation, 744 Jackson Place, Washington, D. C.,
American Council on Education.
MEMBER educational PRESS ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
pOOR RECEPTION has ruined many a good
■t radio program!” The causes of poor recep¬
tion are varied, some easily remedied, and others
difficult to control.
Select a receiver which is designed to give ample
volume and tonal quality for comfortable listen¬
ing in a large room.
Keep the receiver in good working order. Tubes
and other parts will wear out. Have the set checked
over by a competent radio service man at the be¬
ginning of each semester, and any other times
when it does not work properly. Your service man
can help in tracing down other difficulties such as
a poor antenna, overloading, electrical interfer¬
ences, and poor loudspeakers.
Avoid “extra” sets which well-meaning friends
would give the school. If a receiver is not good
enough for home use, certainly it is inadequate for
classroom listening.
Do not require a class to listen unless you have
good reception. Interference, distortion, and lack
of volume rob listening of the pleasure which
should always accompany a classroom broadcast.
Insist on good reception. — Wisconsin Journal of
Education 70:44; September 1937.
The second national conference
ON EDUCATIONAL BROADCASTING, to
be held at the Drake Hotel in Chicago on Novem¬
ber 29 and 30 and December 1, will devote each
general session to a significant theme. Speakers
at each session will include a spokesman for the
listener, for the industry, and for education. Dr.
Lyman Bryson will serve as discussion chairman
for the entire conference.
which educational institutions and agencies, service departments,
and citizens’ groups can mobilize their broadcasting resources, raise
the standards of their presentation, and demonstrate a cooperative
method of maintaining working relationships between broadcasting
stations and the producers of noncommercial programs. This can be
done on local, regional, or national bases.
America excels in successful cooperative projects. It is strange
that more complete and effective cooperation by the groups inter¬
ested in broadcasting has not appeared more rapidly and more ex¬
tensively. Both advertisers and educators are desirous of furnishing
the American listener with the most attractive and most useful
broadcasts within their resources. One group desires attractive
broadcasts for the purpose of getting the attention of business cus¬
tomers. The other desires the attention of listeners in order to convey
things socially desirable. There should be no serious conflict between
these two objectives. Both groups desire the attention of the Ameri¬
can listener to be secured by high grade programs. The plan aims to
secure, first, cooperation between the producers of sustaining pro¬
grams, and, second, cooperation between this group and the trans¬
mitting group.
To discover resources — The second step is to inventory the vari¬
ous kinds of resources of all cooperating agencies which can be
mobilized for broadcasting purposes. This includes an analysis of the
kind of assistance the various groups will need in order to utilize
their resources most effectively.
Preliminary survey in the two regions selected reveals a surprising
aggregate of broadcasting resources in the number and variety of
cooperating agencies, in talent, and in public contacts and confidence.
To establish integrating organization — The third step is to set up
on the basis of information gathered in the inventory an administra¬
tive organization and a technical staff to assist the cooperating or¬
ganizations. This integrating machinery would constitute the equiva¬
lent of w’hat is frequently called a radio workshop. It would serve
as a center for script writing and production. It would also be pro¬
vided with a transcription service to record and reproduce programs.
It would facilitate the collection and interchange of meritorious
broadcasts. It would stimulate and guide the production of programs
by the cooperating agencies.
The plan proposes the formation of cooperative councils com¬
posed of representatives of cooperating agencies. Each council will
direct the policies which it adopts thru the medium of a smaller
executive body, which in turn will engage and direct an expert pro¬
fessional staff.
The administrative organization in each region would be entirely
democratic and strictly noncommercial. Its procedures would be de¬
termined by the constituent members. The administrative and tech¬
nical personnel would be under its control. Listeners could accept its
programs with full confidence and with every assurance that com¬
plete freedom of speech existed.
The plan proposed can be effected without disturbing the present
set-up of commercial broadcasting, without additional transmitting
stations, without reallocation of channels or frequencies, thus giving
each listener an opportunity to turn to a sustaining program designed
solely to be attractive and useful to him. The plan makes possible
better local and regional programs, avoids monopoly control, stimu¬
lates centers for the training of broadcasters, and provides the trans¬
mitting stations with better broadcasts than they are now receiving
from educational sources.
The plan contemplates inter-regional cooperation and eventually
national cooperation by the simple expedient of establishing inter-
[ 50]
regional and national boards composed of representatives from the
regional committees. Inter-regional and national organizations will
make possible interchange of scripts, of records, of experience, and
inter-regional and national broadcasts of the best programs discov¬
ered and produced in the regional enterprises.
Practical application of the plan: The best indication of the practica¬
bility of this plan is the result obtained by preliminary exploration
of its possibilities in two strategic regional areas — the state of Texas
and the Rocky Mountain region. The situation in each of these areas
will be described in some detail.
Rocky Mountain region — In the Rocky Mountains irrigation
farming, stock raising, mining, manufacturing, forestry, dude ranch¬
ing, and the resulting types of commerce give a homogeneity which
very clearly defines this intermountain region. Denver is the natural
urban center of the region. Radio stations are well situated to serve
the larger portion of the territory. The people are accustomed to co¬
operating. Transportation and commercial facilities are ample to
bind the region together. The region possesses great educational in¬
stitutions and public agencies accustomed to carrying out coopera¬
tive enterprises. The state governments cooperate in promoting the
interests of the region. The ideal service to the listeners in this region
will include local and regional broadcasts and such inter-regional and
national broadcasts as are of general application.
Texas — The state of Texas, owing to its great size and its peculiar
historical development, offers a natural unit which also happens to
coincide largely with state lines. Various agencies and institutions
in Texas have already had very successful experience in cooperative
broadcasting. Institutions and public agencies are accustomed to
successful cooperation. The state possesses a complete system of
radio stations, both local and regional. Community of interests — in¬
dustrial, social, economic — and a common historical background,
make Texas a highly favorable region for testing a cooperative pub¬
lic broadcasting plan. The eighty colleges and the splendid statewide
citizens’ organizations possess in the aggregate tremendous resources
essential for the production of high grade broadcasts.
Background of the plan as it was developed in these two areas: This plan
was developed to satisfy a need which is both general and specific.
Thruout the nation there has been a general recognition that no
satisfactory relationship has been worked out for the handling of
educational and cultural broadcasting. In the beginning educators
demanded that broadcasting facilities be reserved exclusively for
their use. After public hearings held by the Federal Communications
Commission, upon instructions from Congress, this request was de¬
nied. The Commission recognized, however, that some readjustment
in relationships was necessary and repeatedly asked both the edu¬
cators and the operators of commercial broadcasting stations to de¬
velop some practical plan thru which satisfactory working relation¬
ships could be established. The Commission was instrumental in
forming the Federal Radio Education Committee to deal with the
problem. This committee immediately created a subcommittee on
“Conflicts and Cooperation” to continue the search for a practicable
solution of the problem. Dr. Arthur G. Crane, president of the Uni¬
versity of Wyoming and chairman of the National Committee on
Education by Radio, was made chairman of that subcommittee. It
has been largely as a result of his efforts and those of members of the
subcommittee that this proposed plan has been developed.
In addition to the work of individuals and organizations on this
problem, the listeners have recognized the need for an arrangement
under which a more satisfactory service of educational and cultural
CARL MENZER, director of radio station
WSUI, State University of Iowa, Iowa City,
speaking at the annual convention of the National
Association of Educational Broadcasters held in
Urbana, Ill., September 13 and 14, described a
plan by which existent college stations may be
linked into an educational network. Mr. Menzer
reported that for the past year experiments have
been conducted between station WOI, Iowa State
College, Ames, and station WSUI with a view
to rebroadcasting outstanding features of both
programs. These e.xperiments were so successful
that a rather comprehensive rebroadcast program
has been planned for the present year.
During the course of last year’s work it was
discovered that several other educational stations
might be received with sufficient reliability for
rebroadcasting. This immediately suggested the
joining of a group of such stations into an educa¬
tional network which might cover a considerable
portion of the midwest. The plan was proposed to
member stations of the National Association of
Educational Broadcasters, and engineers are now
testing the feasibility of such a network.
A number of problems presented themselves in
the nature of interference from other stations, in¬
sufficient power, and the like, but it is hoped that
these difficulties may be overcome.
Advantages of this plan are obvious: outstand¬
ing features of individual stations may be rebroad¬
cast by the network; high-class material will be
available at almost all times for any station;
coverage areas for such outstanding features will
be vastly increased; the element of competition
should stimulate program directors and producers
in their presentations; regional broadcasts may be
planned which would not otherwise be possible.
The cost of telephone lines for an educational
network is prohibitive. Therefore, this plan seems
to offer a solution to a number of problems if it
can be successfully applied to a sufficient number
of educational stations.
AMERICAN LISTENERS will be particularly
^ interested in some of the new regulations
adopted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corpora¬
tion which go into effect November 1. Advertising
content is limited by the new ruling to 10 percent
of any program period. Spot announcements are
not to exceed two minutes of each broadcasting
hour. No spot announcements at all may be broad¬
cast between 7:30 and 11pm on weekdays or at
any time on Sundays. Food and drug advertise¬
ments must be approved by the Department of
Pensions and National Health before being broad¬
cast. Advertising containing false or deceptive
statements and false or misleading news also come
under the ban.
STATION WSM, Nashville, Tenn., in an effort
^ to establish and maintain the highest stand¬
ards for educational broadcasting, has published
“Helps in Building Radio Programs.” Civic and
educational groups planning to present broadcasts
will find these “Helps” very useful. E. M. Kirby,
educational director of WSM, states that he will
be glad to furnish copies to those requesting them.
[ 51]
IT IS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED that the
average child spends a great deal of time each
day in listening to the radio. ^Attempts have been
made to evaluate this influence, and all agree that
listening does leave its mark on the character of
the child.
The teacher, as well as the parent, has a definite
responsibility in teaching the child to evaluate
what he hears on the radio. If, as a child, he is
not taught to listen critically he will be easy prey
in later years for any suave-tongued propagandist
who buys his way onto the air.
In listening to the radio the child should be
taught to search out the true motive of the pro¬
gram and the auspices under which it is presented.
If the purpose of the broadcast is to sell a com¬
modity, let it be recognized. If it is to win con¬
verts to a theory or cult, let it be understood.
With a realization of the motives even a child will
condition his reactions on the basis of reason
rather than emotion. Just as we teach critical read¬
ing we must teach critical listening.
Listening tastes can be raised. Commendation
for good programs will build an acceptance of
more of the same calibre. Class discussions of what
children like or do not like about certain programs
will bring out most interesting comments. Such
questions as what children think about “children’s
programs,” how much they believe of what they
hear, do they react positively to sales blurbs, and
whether or not they “don't hear” announcements
— all of these will stimulate thinking. — Wisconsin
Journal of Education 70:38; September 1937.
The national council of teach¬
ers OF ENGLISH, meeting in Buffalo,
N. Y.. November 25-27, will devote one session
to radio. Max J. Herzberg, radio chairman for the
Council, will preside. William D. Boutwell, di¬
rector of the Educational Radio Project, U. S.
Office of Education, will discuss “Government
Radio Broadcasts in the Field of Literature.”
Sterling Fisher, director of talks and education for
the Columbia Broadcasting System, will have the
subject, “Education on the Air,” and Robert B.
MacDougall will give a preliminary report on the
National Council’s radio investigation. The second
part of the program consists of a rehearsal and
broadcast of the “Magic of Speech” program, di¬
rected by Yida R. Sutton.
•
The radio garden club, presented
Tuesdays and Fridays at 3:1Spm, EST, over
WOR and the Mutual network by the .Agricultural
Extension Service of Rutgers University, has re¬
ceived letters from listeners in twenty-nine states
and Canada expressing appreciation for its timely
garden information.
The gener.al federation of wo¬
men's CLUBS began on October 21 its
1937-38 series of weekly broadcasts devoted to
the general theme, “Education for Living.” The
programs may be heard from 4;30-3pm, EST, over
the NBC- Blue Network.
programs could be put on the air. Just as radio has developed from
an experimental science of electrical transmission to a means of mass
communication, so the tastes of listeners have developed to the point
where large groups now demand that radio render a more substantial
service than mere entertainment.
When broadcasting first came into its own both Colorado and
Wyoming had institutionally owned stations for educational pro¬
grams and public service. The University of Wyoming and the State
Teachers College at Greeley, Colo., both found their resources in¬
sufficient to carry the burden of a heavy broadcasting program. They
abandoned their stations.
The interest in educational and cultural broadcasting continued,
however. Spontaneously in both states groups sprang up which con¬
cerned themselves with the problem of finding a plan for supplying
this service. These groups created a committee consisting of Dr.
Arthur G. Crane; Dr. Edgar A. Burton, radio editor of the Colorado
Labor Advocate; Dr. George T. Avery, representing the Colorado
State College of Agriculture; Dr. W. AI. Campbell, the University
of Colorado; Angus Laird, the University of Denver; and Robert B.
Hudson, the Adult Education Council of Denver.
This committee decided to make an inventory of existing facilities
in the Rocky Mountain area and to formulate a plan for making
these facilities available to radio. To help in this work the committee
secured the services of Harold A. Engel, promotion manager of state
broadcasting station WHA, University of Wisconsin, Aladison, and
S. Howard Evans, secretary. National Committee on Education by
Radio, New York, N. Y. With their assistance the committee pre¬
pared a prospectus.
In Texas a similar development occurred. In the early days of
broadcasting Texas had several institutionally owned stations used
for educational programs and public service. The institutions found
their resources insufficient to carry the heavy broadcasting program.
They abandoned their stations for full time service. Furthermore,
no institution had a station with power sufficient to cover the state.
The interest in educational and cultural broadcasting continued.
Spontaneously, groups in the state sprang up which concerned them¬
selves with the problem of finding a plan for supplying this service.
Mrs. J. C. VanderwoLide, primarily because of her interest and en¬
thusiasm for the subject and her position of leadership as chairman
of the radio committee of the Texas Congress of Parents and Teach¬
ers, became the leader of the movement.
In the fall of 1936 Dr. Arthur G. Crane and a number of persons
interested in improving cultural and educational programs met in
Dallas. They discussed their special problems at this and subsequent
meetings, and finally constituted themselves the charter members of
a public radio council of Texas. Airs. Vanderwoude was elected
chairman of the Texas Radio Council at a meeting held in Dallas on
November 21, 1936.
The council decided to make an inventory or an analysis of radio
broadcasting resources and station facilities available in Texas and
to formulate a plan for making them more effective educationally
and socially. Thru the services of Dr. Crane the Texas Radio Council
was awarded a grant from the National Committee on Education
by Radio with which Ben H. Darrow, founder and director of the
Ohio School of the Air, was brought to Texas for the summer of 1937
to serve as instructor and lecturer on education by radio at Southern
Alethodist L^niversity and the L^niversity of Texas. At each of these
institutions practical courses in the radio workshop and broadcast¬
ing were offered, and at the close of each session radio institutes
were featured. Dr. Lewis B. Cooper, director of the research depart-
[ 52]
merit of the Texas State Teachers Association, was made responsible
for directing the research required. Mr. Darrow and Dr. Cooper,
with the assistance of Mrs. Vanderwoude and other members of the
Council, contributed to its preliminary prospectus.
Advantages visualized: Each of the various groups which have Studied
the plan in its preliminary form has felt that it has definite advan¬
tages to them.
To the listeners the advantages seem to be:
[1] Wider variety of programs possessing greater regional sig¬
nificance.
[2] Programs more responsive to the needs and desires of large
groups.
[3] Better sources of information about programs.
[4] Greater opportunity to participate in discussion and use of
program materials.
Radio activities of students at Wayne
■ University, Detroit, Mich., have been corre¬
lated thru the establishment of the Wayne Uni¬
versity Broadcasting Guild. The Guild is headed
by Garnet Garrison, director of radio, and will
encourage experimentation in all phases of radio
program work. Students will originate, plan, write,
and produce several programs each week over De¬
troit stations, with the Guild set-up in the Uni¬
versity corresponding to regular studio framework,
program direction, production, sound, publicity,
technics, scripts, announcing, acting, and the
like. Two programs a week, on WMBC and
WJBK, have been arranged, with more to follow.
Mr. Garrison continues in charge of the weekly
faculty program, “The Contemporary Scene,” on
WXYZ, and the university’s five radio courses.
The Guild is intended for more intensive labora¬
tory work for students in those courses as well as
for others who are interested.
To the cooperating agencies potentially to be represented on the
Councils the advantages seem to be :
[ 1 ] Aid in selecting materials and talent available for radio use.
[2] Assistance in preparing programs for radio presentation.
[3] Advice in preparing visual aids and program announcements
to supplement the broadcasts and to build audiences.
[4] An electrical transcription service.
[5] Technical assistance in making radio training available to
staff members and students.
[6] Correlation of the work of various agencies to avoid dupli¬
cation.
To the broadcasting stations which make available their facilities
for programs provided by the agencies connected with the Council
the advantages seem to be:
[1] A responsible organization thru which they can work.
[2] A greater source and wider scope of programs.
[3] Carefully planned no-expense programs.
[4] A larger listening audience to which has been added special
interest groups.
[5] A clearing house for numerous requests for time.
[6] A source of young, trained talent.
[7] A cooperative organization thru which to test listener re¬
sponse.
The following organizations and agencies have expressed a will¬
ingness to cooperate actively in the organization, support, and man¬
agement of the Rocky Mountain Radio Council: Colorado State
College of Education; Colorado School of Mines; University of Den¬
ver; University of Colorado; University of Wyoming; Adams State
Teachers College; Colorado State College of Agriculture and Me¬
chanic Arts; Regis College; Colorado Woman’s College; Colorado
College; Iliff School of Theology; Western State College; Denver
Public Schools; Adult Education Council of Denver; Colorado Edu¬
cation Association; Wyoming Education Association; Colorado La¬
bor Advocate; Colorado Library Association; WPA of Colorado;
Wyoming State Department of Public Instruction; Colorado State
Historical Society; Denver Public Library; Colorado Congress of
Parents and Teachers; Colorado State Grange; Colorado division of
the American Association of University Women; Colorado Federa¬
tion of Women’s Clubs; Farmers’ Educational and Cooperative
Union of America, Colorado Division; and Women’s Citizens League
[Colorado branch of League of Women Voters].
•
The board of education of New York
City, in cooperation with the WPA, is pre¬
senting over thirteen local stations a series of
adult education programs designed primarily to
teach elementary English to the foreign born.
Commercial and cultural subjects are also in¬
cluded in the broadcasts. More than 5000 listeners
in the metropolitan area are taking advantage of
the broadcast lessons. Students in English are sup¬
plied with free textbooks to guide them during the
lessons and send their “homework” in to the pro¬
gram headquarters by mail. These returned lessons
provide an accurate measure of the number of
students. Supplementing the elementary educa¬
tional broadcast is a staff of itinerant teachers who
visit the pupils in their homes or places of em¬
ployment.
•
T F WE LOOK UPON RADIO as a means for
enabling us to accomplish some of the im¬
portant objectives which previously were difficult
or impossible of attainment, we see many oppor¬
tunities for its utilization. It enables us to break
down, to a degree, the isolation of the classroom.
It makes possible the marshalling of drama and
music for educational ends. It brings to the pupils
at their desks or in their homes a first-hand con¬
tact with the great personalities who are shaping
our world. And it makes impossible the closed
mind that hears but one side of any question. The
use we make of radio reflects in no small degree
the breadth of our educational thinking. — I. Keith
Tyler, “Why Listen?” The Ohio Radio An¬
nouncer 3:5; October 1937.
•
l^R. JOSEPH E. MADDY, professor of music
at the University of Michigan, resumed his
weekly radio music lessons on October 12. The
title of the series has been changed to “Fun in
Music.” This year rudimentary voice lessons are
being included in addition to the band instrument
lessons which Dr. Maddy has made famous. The
programs may be heard Tuesdays at 2pm, EST,
over the NBC-Red Network.
[ S3]
A GROUP OF ALERT WISCONSIN TEACH¬
ERS is actively at work in the field of school
broadcasting. They are drafting radio programs,
forming course outlines, devising lesson aids, and
planning ways to assist in the Wisconsin Research
Project in School Broadcasting.
These teachers are members of the Wiscon¬
sin Education Association Committee on School
Broadcasting. All are engaged in various phases of
educational work and know the problems of the
schools. This group, directly representing the in¬
terests of teachers themselves, is planning a series
of teacher institutes and broadcast demonstra¬
tions. These meetings are patterned after the in¬
stitutes held last spring in Janesville and Stevens
Point. Teachers have the opportunity to come
together and observe a demonstration of the class¬
room use of radio, to question and criticize, and to
discuss local problems. H. C. Ahrnsbrak, principal,
Beaver Dam High School, Beaver Dam, Wis., is
chairman of the committee.
•
STATION KSTP, St. Paul, Minn., held an edu¬
cational broadcasting conference on October
16 for the purpose of demonstrating radio produc¬
tion methods and new technics adapted to educa¬
tion on the air and to discuss objectives for the
educational broadcast. Teachers, parents, students,
and representatives of educational, social welfare,
civic, and public service organizations were invited
to participate. Among the subjects discussed were
radio showmanship, the microphone and public
school music, the mechanics of radio transmission,
radio speaking, writing copy for the ear, the chil¬
dren’s program, public school radio systems, health
education on the air, the use of broadcast music,
the woman’s organization in educational broad¬
casting, and other pertinent topics. Thomas Dun¬
ning Rishworth, educational director of station
KSTP, was in charge of the conference.
•
Brave new world is the title of a new
series of broadcasts by the Educational
Radio Project of the U. S. Office of Education.
The aim of the series is to promote further the
good neighbor policy of this country with Latin-
America. The programs, which may be heard Mon¬
days from 10:30-1 iPM, EST, over the Columbia
Broadcasting System, will develop in twenty-six
episodes the broad sweep of Latin-American his¬
tory, culture, and present day problems. Close co¬
operation is being developed with the secondar>'
schools of the United States by the publications
which accompany each broadcast giving a brief
outline of historical material, maps, reading lists,
teacher and listener aids.
•
STATION WLB, University of Minnesota, and
WCAL, St. Olaf College, have been granted
authority by the Federal Communications Com¬
mission to change frequency from 1250 to 760 kc.
and to increase power to 5 kw. daytime. The two
stations will share the 760 kc. frequency, WLB
using two thirds of the daytime hours and WCAL
one third.
In Texas the following organizations have expressed a willingness
to cooperate: American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Texas;
American Legion, Department of Texas; Association of Junior
Leagues of America, Region VIII; Association of Texas Colleges;
Boy Scouts of America, Texas Division; Child Health and Protec¬
tion, Texas Conference; Girl Scouts Cactus Region, Texas Branch;
Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers; Texas Federation of
Music Clubs; Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs; Texas Graduate
Nurses Association; Texas Home Economics Association; Texas
Organization of Public Health Nursing; Texas Planning Board;
Texas Public Health Association; Texas State Teachers Association;
Texas Tuberculosis Association; Farmers’ Educational and Coop¬
erative Union of America, Texas Division; 4-H Clubs of Texas;
State Department of Public Instruction; and State Board of Educa¬
tion. The regional chambers of commerce of the state and the state
medical association and other statewide organizations are interested
and may become part of the council later.
A survey of the broadcasting facilities in Texas shows an array of
forty-six stations able to cover the population centers of the state in
two types of service. The Texas Quality Network will cover Texas
satisfactorily, and the state can be covered thru program recordings
supplied to the array of small stations of the state. While there is no
network in the Rocky Mountain region, there are fifteen stations
which amply cover all centers of population. Preliminary conferences
with the operators of a number of stations in both areas indicate
that they are sympathetic to the plan and desirous of having it put
into operation.
The detailed plans for Texas and the Rocky Mountain region offer
exceptional opportunities for real research not only in the test of the
regional plan in its entirety, but for important sub-projects which are
essential constituents of a public broadcasting service. For example,
each region possesses great colleges of education with their staffs of
experts in subjectmatter and in educational research. Each region
will undoubtedly include in its program tests and demonstrations of
broadcasts to classrooms, making available to millions of youthful
citizens this new medium for the enrichment of instruction. The use
of radio as an instrument for instruction in schools is important
enough in itself to justify the entire experiment. The agricultural
colleges will find the services of a regional staff exceedingly valuable
to them and their broadcasting service to the agricultural population.
The use of broadcasts in adult education will be part of the program.
Citizens’ organizations will find these facilities exceedingly valuable
for serving their own clientele. A part of each public program will
undoubtedly be broadcast in behalf of public health and for the
transaction of public business by state agencies. Each of these enter¬
prises will be a research project working thru an organization which
can guide, unify, and integrate them.
A demonstration of this regional plan will offer in a few years time
valuable evidence regarding technic, procedure, and results on a
score of different projects, whose chances for success will be far
greater under the combined plan and whose aggregate expense will
be far less than if these various projects were attacked separately.
The Texas and Rocky Mountain regional projects are not isolated,
disconnected experiments but are the basic units for a public broad¬
casting service. What is demonstrated in one unit will be useful in
other similar units and can ultimately develop into a national plan.
Each unit standing by itself might justify its expense and effort, but
standing as parts of a unified plan, they take on added significance
and value.
[54]
ian
DIO
A Bulletin to Promote the
Use of Radio for Educational,
Cultural, and Civic Purposes
Volume 7
DECEMBER 1937
Number 12
A Report of Stewardship
This brief summary is as fascinating as the highlights of a best
seller, and yet it is not fiction but a report on the seven years of
activity of the National Committee on Education by Radio. It relates
the story of a cooperative effort on the part of nine great educational
organizations to protect the interests of education in this new medium
of communication and to make a constructive contribution to the edu¬
cational and cultural service which broadcasting can render to the
American people.
The National Committee on Education by Radio was organized
late in 1930. At that time the situation in educational radio might
properly be summarized as follows: pioneering was well under way;
schools of the air were in existence; research projects were being
undertaken; educational broadcasting stations were becoming aware
of the need for enlarging and enriching their programs; state officials
and educators thruout the nation were recognizing the danger of
losing valuable rights in this new public domain.
At the request of several land-grant colleges then operating broad¬
casting stations, the late Dr. William John Cooper, U. S. Commis¬
sioner of Education, called a conference of educators which met in
Chicago, October 13, 1930, to consider problems facing educational
stations. The conference passed two resolutions, each important
enough to deserve reproduction here.
[1] Resolved, That the meeting recommend the immediate organization of
a committee, the members of which shall be duly accredited representatives of
The Association of College and University Broadcasting Stations, the Land-Grant
College Association, the National University Extension Association, the National
Association of State University Presidents, the National Education Association,
the National Catholic Educational Association, the Jesuit Educational Associa¬
tion, the National Advisory Council on Radio in Education, the Payne Fund, and
other similar groups, for the purpose of formulating definite plans and recom¬
mendations for protecting and promoting broadcasting originating in educational
institutions, and broadcast by educational institutions, and for presenting the
same, when advisable, to appropriate authorities and interested parties, and that
the Federal Office of Education be given the responsibility for notifying the
aforementioned groups of the deliberations and debate at Chicago on October
13, 1930, and for calling an organization meeting of this committee at the earliest
possible moment.
[2] The committee shall give first consideration to the following resolution
adopted at the meeting in Chicago on October 13, 1930:
“The Conference on Radio and Education, meeting in Chicago, Monday, Octo¬
ber 13, 1930, recommends that the Congress of the United States enact legislation
which will permanently and exclusively assign to educational institutions and
government educational agencies a minimum of IS percent of all radio broad¬
casting channels which are or may become available to the United States.
“The Conference believes that these channels should be so chosen as to provide
satisfactory educational service to the general public.”
In accordance with the instructions of the Conference, Dr. Cooper
invited each of the organizations specified in the first resolution to
select a representative to serve on the Committee. This democratic
fSS]
The GEORGIA AUDIO-VISUAL EDUCA¬
TION ASSOCIATION held a Southern Con¬
ference on Audio-Visual Education in Atlanta,
October 14, 15, and 16. Among the speakers were
Dr. Edgar Dale of the Bureau of Educational Re¬
search, The Ohio State University, Columbus;
B. H. Darrow, educational director, station
WBEN, Buffalo, N. Y. ; Dr. Walter D. Cocking,
dean. College of Education, University of Georgia,
Athens; Ellsworth C. Dent, educational director,
Victor division. Radio Corporation of America;
and Franklin Dunham, educational director. Na¬
tional Broadcasting Company.
There were in attendance about a thousand
teachers, board of education members, religious
workers, PTA members, and others who were in¬
terested in this field. A number of the speeches
were broadcast over several of the local broad¬
casting stations. A broadcast of particular interest
was that of the Atlanta Journal Editorial Hour
over WSB. Wright Bryan, city editor of the At¬
lanta Journal, interviewed the different speakers
on the subject of audio-visual education.
The exhibit hall was well filled with many
types of interesting equipment. There were on
display there both sound and silent motion picture
projectors, picturol or film slide projectors, stere-
opticons, and films of all types, as well as record¬
ing equipment, public address systems, record
players, radios, and centralized control radio¬
public address systems for schools.
•
The state teachers college at
Bloomsburg, Pa., is entering its second year
in the broadcasting field with a weekly program
over station WKOK, Sunbury, Pa. Last year the
programs were broadcast from the studio in Sun¬
bury. This year a regular half hour program is
being broadcast from the college auditorium at
7:30pm, EST, each Wednesday. About once a
month an hour program is developed, beginning at
7pm Wednesday.
Title page. Table of Contents, and Index
for Education by Radio, Volume 7, 1937,
will be supplied free on request for the use of
persons who wish to bind or preserve permanently
sets of this publication. Please send stamped, self-
addressed envelope to Room 308, One Madison
Avenue, New York, N. Y. Missing issues to use
in completing sets for binding or fifing will be
supplied free while they last,
VOL. 7 DECEMBER 1937 No. 12
EDUCATION BY RADIO
is published monthly by
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION BY RADIO
S. Howaw) Evans, secretary
One Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Committee Members and Organizations They
Represent
Arthur G. Crane, chairman, president. University ol
Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, National Association
oj State Universities.
James E. Cummings, department of education. Na¬
tional Catholic Welfare Conference, 1312 Massa¬
chusetts Avenue, Washington, D. C., National
Catholic Educational Association.
J. 0. Keller, assistant to the president, in charge ol
extension, Pennsylvania State College, State College,
Pennsylvania, National University Extension Asso¬
ciation.
Harold B. McCarty, program director, state broad¬
casting station WHA, University of Wisconsin.
Madison, Wisconsin, National Association oj Edu
cational Broadcasters.
Charles A. Robinson, S. J., St. Louis LTniversity.
St. Louis, Missouri, The Jesuit Educational Asso¬
ciation.
Agnes Samuelson, state superintendent of public in¬
struction, Des Moines, Iowa, National Council oj
State Superintendents.
Willis A. Sutton, superintendent of schools, Atlanta.
Georgia, National Education Association.
H. J. Umberger, vicechairman, Kansas State College
of Agriculture and Applied Science, Manhattan,
Kansas, Association oj Land-Grant Colleges and
Universities.
George F. Zook, president, American Council on Edu¬
cation, 744 Jackson Place, Washington. D C.
American Council on Education
MEMBER EDUCATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
Monopoly is not good for American radio
from the standpoint of the listener, any
more than monopoly in any industry or endeavor
makes for the best results. Monopolies wax fat on
profits. Their initial energy, expended to secure
their position, wanes when it comes to public
service. Having no competitive spur, they con¬
vince themselves that eveiylhing they do for their
own good is for the public good. This is not true
of all monopolies, but it is true of most. That is
why just one radio broadcasting station, privately
owned and operated, is hardly for the best inter¬
est of any city or section. — Microphone, Septem¬
ber 18, 1937.
Radio and the English teacher is
the title of a brochure which has just been
published by the National Council of Teachers of
English, 211 West 68th Street, Chicago, Ill. The
booklet contains several units on radio apprecia¬
tion, articles by I. Keith Tyler and Delight Phil¬
lips, and an excellent bibliography by R. R. Low-
dermilk. The price is ten cents.
CORRECTION; The Radio Garden Club,
presented by the Agricultural Extension Serv¬
ice of Rutgers University over WOR and the
Mutual network, is broadcast Tuesdays and Fri¬
days at 3 :45pm, EST, instead of at the hour which
was announced in the November issue of Educa¬
tion by Radio.
precedent has been followed thruout the life of the Committee, with
each member organization free at all times and for any reason to
make changes in its representation.
The personnel of the Committee as originally appointed was as
follows: Joy Elmer Morgan, National Education Association, chair¬
man; Dr. J. L. Clifton, National Council of State Superintendents
and Commissioners of Education; Dr. Arthur G. Crane, National As¬
sociation of State Universities; R. C. Higgy, Association of College
and University Broadcasting Stations; J. O. Keller, National Uni¬
versity Extension Association; Charles N. Lischka, National Catholic
Educational Association; Dr. John H. MacCracken, American Coun¬
cil on Education; Rev. Charles A. Robinson, S. J., Jesuit Educational
Association; and H. J. Umberger, Association of Land-Grant Col¬
leges and Universities.
The Committee held its organization meeting on December 30,
1930. The members decided that attention should be concentrated on
five main purposes;
[1] To bring about legislation which will permanently and exclusively assign
to educational institutions and to government educational agencies a minimum
of IS percent of all radio broadcasting channels which are, or may become,
available to the United States.
[2] To foster research and experimentation in the field of education by radio.
[3J To safeguard and serve the interests of broadcasting stations associated
with educational institutions; to encourage their further development; and to
promote the coordination of the existing facilities for educational broadcasting.
[4] To inform the members of the organizations represented on the Com¬
mittee. education journals, the general public, and the state and national govern¬
ments as to the growing possibilities of radio as an instrument for improving
the individual and national life.
[5 I To develop plans and create agencies for the broadcasting of nationwide
educational programs.
To carry out its program the National Committee on Education by
Radio made application to and received from the Payne Fund a five-
year grant which, after subsequent reduction because of unantici¬
pated financial conditions, totaled $180,000. At the expiration of the
first five years the Payne Fund made a grant of $15,000 which
allowed the Committee to continue for an additional two-year period
but necessitated considerable curtailment of its activities. The part-
time services of S. Howard Evans were made available to the Com¬
mittee in addition to the grant.
While the offices of the Committee are located at present in New
York, N. Y., they were established initially in Washington, D. C.
The headquarters office was set up in the National Education Associa¬
tion Building. A service bureau for direct assistance to educational
broadcasting stations was opened in the National Press Building. Dr.
Tracy F. Tyler became the secretary and research director of the
Committee. Armstrong Perry resigned his position as radio education
specialist in the U. S. Office of Education to become director of the
service bureau. When the office was moved to New York Mr. Evans
became secretary.
Immediately upon the completion of its organization the Commit¬
tee launched a broad program which included; [1] a campaign to
create a general awareness of the close relationship between educa¬
tion and this new means of communication; [2] a defense of the
existing educational broadcasting stations; and [3] a search for some
satisfactory solution of the problems which had arisen between edu¬
cators and commercial broadcasters.
The first objective in the creation of a general awareness was the
education of educators. Some of them were interested already in radio
and were pioneering its development. However, there was a great
inertia which had to be overcome. Not that educators were skeptical
or disinterested. Very properly they wanted to be shown just what
[56]
radio could do for them and how it should be used for effective
results.
The Committee began immediately the publication of a bulletin
of information as part of its campaign of education. The first issue
of the bulletin, Education by Radio, appeared February 12, 1931. It
was sent to a select mailing list of 2090 persons. Within six months
the list had grown to 5443. By the end of 1933 the list had passed
the 10,000 mark. As a result of circularizing the entire mailing list
the number of recipients of the bulletin was reduced to 6563. At the
present time the bulletin is being mailed to 9007 persons. At no time
has there been any charge for the service. This has enabled the Com¬
mittee to make its own selection for the mailing list, thus reaching
all those whose interest it desired to arouse and sustain.
In addition to the bulletin, the Committee has carried on a pro¬
gram of publication which has resulted in a number of pamphlets and
books. Among these are : Radio as a Cultural Agency, the proceedings
of the national conference on the use of radio as a cultural agency in
a democracy; An Appraisal oj Radio Broadcasting in the Land-Grant
Colleges and State Universities and Some Interpretations and Con¬
clusions oj the Land-Grant Radio Survey, both by Dr. Tracy F.
Tyler; Educational Stations, a comprehensive picture of the work of
the educational broadcasting stations; two leaflets published in col¬
laboration with the National Congress of Parents and Teachers,
Radio, a Power jul Ally and Radio in Home, School, and Community ;
yearly reports on the radio broadcasting activities of state depart¬
ments of education, state teachers associations, and state congresses
of parents and teachers; numerous articles in educational periodicals;
and a number of mimeographed documents. Some of these publica¬
tions will be discussed further in this report in connection with ac¬
tivities to which they are related.
The members of the Committee considered it their responsibility
not only to sponsor a program of publication but also to disseminate
information thru every channel available. Each member of the Com¬
mittee submits an annual report to the organization from which he
received his appointment to the Committee. He also takes part in any
discussions of radio which occur in his organization. The chairman
and secretary have been called upon frequently to appear before the
conventions of national, state, and local educational and lay groups
to discuss the program of the Committee and the problems of educa¬
tion by radio. In this way the Committee has won wide recognition
as the spokesman of organized education in the field of radio. In that
capacity Mr. Morgan, chairman of the Committee, was invited to
appear before the Canadian Parliamentary Committee which in 1932
was studying broadcasting in that country preparatory to making
recommendations for a national system of radio control.
From September 1932 to April 1934 the Committee conducted a
field service of which Eugene J. Coltrane, a prominent school adminis¬
trator from North Carolina, was in charge. The purpose of this serv¬
ice was to have at the call of the Committee a man who could be
made available for speeches and who was competent to hold institutes
and conduct conferences for the consideration of educational prob¬
lems. Mr. Coltrane carried on a very successful program up to the
date of his resignation to accept the presidency of Brevard College
in North Carolina.
Largely thru the efforts of Dr. Tyler, secretary and research di¬
rector of the Committee, radio was made the subject for extended
debate among educational institutions thruout a large part of the
United States.
In 1932-33 the Western Conference Debate League accepted the
A CONFERENCE on the noncommercial use
of radio in New Jersey was held Monday,
November 22, at the State Teachers’ College in
Newark. The purpose of the conference was to
create a wider and more accurate knowledge of
some of the problems, practises, and difficulties
which face New Jersey institutions and organiza¬
tions seeking to make use of radio in reaching the
general public. Laurence B. Johnson, field secre¬
tary of the New Jersey State Teachers Associa¬
tion and managing editor of the New Jersey Edur
cational Review, was the moving spirit behind the
arrangements for the conference. The principal
speaker was Dr. Arthur G. Crane, president of
the University of Wyoming and chairman of the
National Committee on Education by Radio, who
came from Wyoming to present his views on
“Radio and the American Public.” An interesting
feature of the meeting was a demonstration pre¬
pared by Philip Cohen, manager of the New York
University Radio Workshop, showing what goes
into a good radio program. Peter A. Smith, radio
chairman of the League of Municipalities, was
chairman of the conference.
•
WHEREAS, the Texas Radio Council has
been created for the purpose of preparing
a public radio program for Texas;
Whereas, various statewide organizations have
organized under the Council for the purpose of
improving educational and cultural broadcasts
thru the Texas School of the Air; and
Whereas, the Texas Plan has been recognized
by the National Committee on Education by
Radio as one of the regional programs to demon¬
strate a cooperative working relationship between
broadcasting stations and producers of noncom¬
mercial programs;
Be it resolved, that the Texas Federation of
Women’s Clubs assembled in Austin, Texas, No¬
vember 10, as one of its contributors endorse the
plan for a Texas School of the Air.
•
The u. s. department of the in¬
terior expects to open in January the
first of the federal studios with which the New
Interior Building in Washington is equipped. The
studios will be linked with three networks thru
local chain stations and will be operated under
a newly created Division of Information repre¬
senting all bureaus of the Interior Department.
Programs prepared by the Educational Radio
Project of the U. S. Office of Education, National
Park Service, Bureau of Mines, Bureau of Indian
Affairs, Reclamation Bureau, and other divisions,
as well as talks by cabinet officers and other fed¬
eral executives will originate in the new studios.
•
Preparing classes for radio, an
article by R. R. Lowdermilk in the November
issue of The Ohio Radio Announcer, contains
many helpful suggestions for teachers. The An¬
nouncer may be obtained from the Bureau of
Educational Research of the Ohio State Univer¬
sity, Columbus, Ohio.
[S7]
The department of speech of the
College of Arts and Sciences, University of
Florida, is again presenting a series of radio broad¬
casts on speech. They are directed primarily to
high-school English and speech classes of the
state. As heretofore. Prof. Lester L. Hale has
written and will personally conduct the programs.
The series of ten programs, under the general
title, “Our Speech,” will be broadcast by WRUF,
the university’s station, Gainesville, on Fridays
from 2-2 :30pm, EST, beginning February 11,
1938, and continuing thru April IS. These lessons
on electrical transcriptions will be available to
other radio stations in Florida to be run upon any
schedule which may be arranged between the sta¬
tions and local school authorities. The following
stations have expressed interest in using the
transcriptions: WCOA, Pensacola; WFOY, St.
Augustine; WJAX, Jacksonville; WJNO, West
Palm Beach; WEAK, Lakeland; WMFJ, Daytona
Beach; WQAM, Miami; and WSUN, St. Peters¬
burg.
•
Harvard university, after a year’s ex¬
perimentation with the broadcasting of col¬
lege lectures and other features, has adopted the
radio as a regular part of its educational ma¬
chinery. Harvard is broadcasting over WlXAL, a
noncommercial station which is endowed for cul¬
tural broadcasts by the Rockefeller Foundation
and private donations. Until a year ago, when fea¬
tures of the Harvard Tercentenary Celebration
were broadcast over WlXAL, Harvard had never
been on the air. The response to these programs,
however, encouraged the university to try out the
broadcasting of classroom lectures and other
activities. Beginning early last spring WlXAL
transmitted fifteen Harvard lectures directly from
the classrooms, as well as university church serv¬
ices, outdoor concerts, and parts of the com¬
mencement exercises. At the present time Har¬
vard is broadcasting an international transmission
every Tuesday at 8pm, EST, on 6.04 megacycles.
These broadcasts began November 2.
•
Hon. GEORGE HENRY PAYNE, a member
of the Federal Communications Commis¬
sion, has received a deluge of correspondence as a
result of a recent statement in which he criticized
children’s radio programs. Most of the letter
writers insist that children’s programs are even
worse than Commissioner Payne stated. The Com¬
missioner is eager to learn how widespread among
parents is dissatisfaction with present children’s
programs and the insistence that they be im¬
proved.
The WEEQUAHIC high school, New¬
ark, N. J., has inaugurated a tive-period-a-
v.'eek course on photoplay and radio appreciation
for which the State Department of Education
has agreed to give one point credit toward gradua¬
tion. Dr. William Lewin, wellknown for his work
in the field of photoplay appreciation, is the in¬
structor.
question: “Resolved, That Radio Broadcasting Stations in the United
States Should be Governmentally Owned and Operated.” During the
same season the Virginia High School Debate League used a debate
question worded to contain the substance of the Fess Bill which called
for the reservation of 15 percent of all broadcasting facilities for edu¬
cation. The Committee was instrumental in the choice of both these
topics.
The high school debate question selected for the winter of 1933-34
was: “Resolved, That the United States Should Adopt the Essential
Features of the British System of Radio Control and Operation.”
This question was debated in thirty-four states. It created a tre¬
mendous demand for the literature of the Committee and became a
means of making thousands of young people conscious of the problems
which broadcasting presented to the American people.
By 1934 the consideration of problems in educational broadcast¬
ing had reached a point where the Committee thought some crystal-
ization of opinion might be possible. Accordingly, it sponsored a
conference on the use of radio as a cultural agency in a democracy.
This may properly be called the first general conference of national
scope on the subject of educational broadcasting. It was held in
Washington, D. C., on May 7 and 8, 1934. Membership was limited
to one hundred carefully selected leaders in the fields of education,
government, and civic affairs. While the entire proceedings were pub¬
lished in a volume. Radio as a Cultural Agency, the most important
work of the conference was the formulation and approval of the
following statement of principles:
I Listeners' Choice — The wholesome needs and desires of listeners should govern
the character, the content, and the relative extent and frequency of broadcast
programs. Variety sufficient to satisfy the tastes of all groups of effective size
should be provided. Material detrimental to the welfare of listener groups
should be eliminated regardless of commercial profit. The present operation
of commercial stations secures neither a genuine expression of listeners’ choice
nor an effective fulfillment of that choice.
Minority Voice — Responsible groups, even the minorities, should not be debarred
from broadcasting privileges because of their relative size, for radio is but the
amplification and extension of the individual’s free speech and discussion.
Youth Protected — Positive, wholesome broadcasts for youth at home and in
schools should be provided. The impressionable, defenseless minds of children
and youth must be protected against insidious, degenerative influences.
America’s Best — The Control and support of broadcasting should be such that
the best obtainable of culture, of entertainment, of information, of statecraft,
shall have place on the air available to all the people.
Controversial Issues — Discussion of live. Controversial issues of general public
concern should be encouraged for the safe and efficient functioning of a democracy
and should not be denied a hearing because offensive to powerful advertisers or
other groups.
If a universal means of communication is to be used for general social welfare
it must be controlled by the people’s agency, which is government. A private
organization is incapable of exercising adequate control. This need not imply full
government ownership or operation nor should it preclude governmental units’
owning and operating stations. Neither must offensive censorship necessarily
follow any more than it does in the post office or the telegraph today. Government
must be the umpire.
Finance — If these objectives for a national broadcasting program are to be
realized, adequate support must be provided. The individual listeners whose
investment in receivingsets is already 90 percent of the total broadcasting cap¬
ital are deserving of the best possible programs. The government should cease
incurring expense for the protection of channels for the benefit of private
monopoly without insuring commendable programs satisfactory to citizen
listeners.
If general public welfare is to be promoted by radio communication some
specific recommendations immediately present themselves.
Impartial Studies — Thoro, adequate, and impartial studies should be made of the
cultural implications of the broadcasting structure to the end that specific recom¬
mendations can be made for the control of that medium to conserve the greatest
social welfare values. These studies should also include: an appraisal of the
actual and potential cultural values of broadcasting; the effective means for the
protection of the rights of children, of minority groups, of amateur radio activ¬
ities, and of the sovereignty of individual states; the public services rendered by
[ 58 ]
broadcasting systems of other nations; international relationships in broad¬
casting.
As a result of all of these activities the Committee was looked upon
as a source of information and leadership. A heavy volume of corre¬
spondence was built up. By this method considerable individual
assistance was rendered to institutions and educational groups in
developing patterns for their own radio activities.
On the more technical aspects of radio the Committee was not so
active. However it did authorize a study of foreign broadcasting sys¬
tems by Armstrong Perry. The results of this study were summar¬
ized in the February 18, 1932 issue of the bulletin, Education by
I Radio, and were printed in the Congressional Record.
Beginning March 17, 1933, the Committee provided the services
of an outstanding consulting engineer. Commander T. A. M. Craven,
to assist the United States delegates in preparing for the North Amer¬
ican Radio Conference which was held in Mexico City in the sum¬
mer of 1933. The Federal Radio Commission expressed approval
of the Committee’s action and commented favorably upon the work
done by its technical expert. Commander Craven was later appointed
chief engineer of the Federal Communications Commission and is
now one of its members.
On behalf of the Association of Land-Grant Colleges and Univer¬
sities, the National Association of State Universities, the U. S. De¬
partment of Agriculture, and the U. S. Office of Education, Dr. Tyler
undertook a study of radio broadcasting in the land-grant colleges
I and state universities. The study required the better part of a year.
I A report was published and distributed widely, under the title. An
i Appraisal of Radio Broadcasting in the Land-Grant Colleges and
State Universities.
By 1936 the extent of interest in radio on the part of schools and
colleges had become so great and so many inquiries were being re¬
ceived about courses of training which might be available in the field
that the Committee, in cooperation with the U. S. Office of Educa¬
tion and the Bureau of Educational Research of the Ohio State Uni¬
versity, prepared a syllabus to cover all phases of the subject of
educational broadcasting. The syllabus attempted to summarize the
developments in the field and to create a practical and authentic guide
for colleges interested in developing new courses of their own. Altho
by its nature it has limited appeal, the syllabus has been eagerly
sought after by institutions and individuals planning radio education
courses.
While the Committee was carrying on these activities as part of
its program to make people aware of radio, it was also actively en¬
gaged in the protection of the educational broadcasting stations. As
stated previously, the Committee maintained a service bureau speci¬
fically to look out for the interests of these stations. In a report on
the service bureau’s five years of activity Mr. Perry said:
Since our Committee was appointed more than SOOO applications for facilities
have been made to the Federal Radio Commission and to its successor, the
Federal Communications Commission, that affected the facilities of educational
stations. Our Committee has helped by continuously following these applications,
by keeping the educational stations informed concerning them, and by providing
competent legal advice.
During a large part of the existence of the service bureau, a
recognized radio attorney was retained for consultation and advice
to educational stations. While this did not at any point involve
actual defense of the stations in legal actions, it did keep them
informed as to their statutory rights and the steps which they
should take to protect themselves.
While the Committee was eager to safeguard the existing facilities
STATION WSUI, State University of Iowa,
Iowa City, and WOI, Iowa State College,
Ames, began on September 27 what is probably
the first two-way educational network in the
United States. The two stations join together to
rebroadcast each other’s programs. Each station
purchased and installed a specially designed re¬
ceiver in order to pick up the other’s signals.
Programs being broadcast jointly by the two
stations include those of the Iowa Federation of
Women’s Clubs, the Daughters of the American
Revolution, the Radio Child Study Club, the Iowa
Congress of Parents and Teachers, the American
Legion Auxiliary, the Iowa State Medical Society,
and the Iowa Junior Academy of Science.
WOI picks up from WSUI two classroom
courses, “History of Romance” and “Classical
Music.” “Stories Out of Iowa’s Past,” a program
by William J. Petersen of the department of his¬
tory, is being rebroadcast also.
From WOI, WSUI picks up service broadcasts,
organ recitals, book chats, “The Magazine Rack,”
and “Far Lands,” a travel program.
According to Mrs. Pearl Bennett Broxam, pro¬
gram director of WSUI, “We have without ex¬
ception had wonderful success with the rebroad¬
casting experiment. We have received a state¬
wide response of appreciation of the plan.”
•
More than 5o,ooo boys and girls
listened regularly every week last year to
the radio programs of the Rochester School of the
Air. They listened, they participated, and they
learned about science, art, music, books, and cur¬
rent affairs.
With the cooperation of radio stations WHAM
and WHEC the Rochester Board of Education
has been planning and presenting radio programs
since 1929 for use in the classrooms. The care¬
fully planned concerts of the Rochester Civic
Orchestra have been broadcast to schools for
eight years. Since 1933 the radio science lessons
by Harry A. Carpenter, specialist in science for
the Rochester schools, have not only added im¬
measurably to children’s learning in science, but
also have contributed uniquely to the advance¬
ment of education by radio.
Other program series have become indispensa¬
ble to the success of this radio project. The pro¬
grams about books broadcast by Julia L. Sauer of
the Rochester Public Library and the stimulating
art programs that have brought the special abili¬
ties of Elizabeth W. Cross regularly to thousands
of children for the last four years are among the
genuine achievements in radio education. — Paul
C. Reed, supervisor of visual and radio education,
Rochester, N. Y.
The national council oe teach¬
ers OF ENGLISH is again cooperating with
the American School of the Air in producing a
series of broadcasts of particular interest to Eng¬
lish teachers. The programs, which deal with
“Aspects of American Literature,” may be heard
on alternate Tuesdays from 2:30-3pm, EST, over
the network of the Columbia Broadcasting
System.
[59]
KSAC, broadcasting from the campus of Kan¬
sas State College, Manhattan, Kans., had had
an increasing number of requests from school men
concerning the possibility of aligning the work of
their schools with the broadcasting schedule of
the Kansas station. One city superintendent asked
if there were any way in which students in his
school might study the art of broadcasting and
radio program building and then gain actual ex¬
perience by participating in programs broadcast
over the station.
Some stations report that such relationships
with their local schools exist already and that
students prepare and present programs regularly.
It seems only reasonable that radio should find
some way to accommodate the ambitious youth in
their search for knowledge. They are trying to
become better acquainted with their world.
By studying radio programs and presentation,
these school boys and girls will become better
listeners even if they never do much broadcasting
themselves. Moreover, with things changing as
rapidly as they are, it might be presumptuous for
one to say that the people generally will not in the
near future be using radio more and more for
common communication.
Modern schools are being equipped with radio
and public address facilities. Especially is this
true of the new buildings being erected. With
these facilities, the schools are extending the ears
of the children beyond the walls of the classroom.
What shall these ears hear? Must they listen to
advertising propaganda, slapstick comedy, crime
drama, and tin pan music?
Someone will say, “No. With as many stations
as are broadcasting, they can tune in something
else and leave these things alone.”
That is true so long as there is something else
to hear. Then they can turn off the radios and
study their books again. No one will propose that
school children be permitted to listen constantly
to the radio and not pursue their academic studies
further. But, we must keep in mind that the same
educational program is not suitable for every age,
altho children of all ages can benefit from radio.
There must be variety as well as quality.
School leaders are asking, “What can we tune
in for our children?” And, of course, radio is try¬
ing to answer with better educational programs
suitable for listeners of all ages.
Quoting word for word from one request re¬
ceived recently by KSAC: “We are having a
latest type radio and address system in our new
grade school building. We don’t know much as to
how we can best use it. Will you please help us
to get in touch with the worthwhile things of in¬
terest to grade children that we may ‘tune in’?”
On the answer which radio can give to such in¬
quiries hangs much. They point out a field of op¬
portunity for educational broadcasting. — James
P. Chapman, assistant extension editor, Kansas
State College, Manhattan, Kans.
COURSES in radio writing and radio broad¬
casting have been added to the curriculum
of Webster College, Webster Groves, Mo.
of educational broadcasting stations, it wanted also to assist them in
making better use of their time on the air and in accrediting them¬
selves by improving their programs. It became a regular policy of the
Committee to select and distribute to those stations accurate informa¬
tion on educational subjects and manuscripts which might be used
for broadcasting. Responses from the stations indicated that this serv¬
ice was of great assistance in the building of better programs. It
was discontinued in 1936 after the practise of using transcriptions
had become more general and after suitable programs had become
more readily available in this new form.
Perhaps the most difficult part of the entire program of the Com¬
mittee grew out of the effort to solve the problems involved in the
relationship between educational and commercial broadcasting. The
Committee was under what its members took to be a mandate that
it should demand from the federal government the exclusive assign¬
ment to education of 15 percent of all radio broadcasting channels.
As a first step in carrying out this mandate, arrangements were made
with the late Senator Simeon D. Fess of Ohio to introduce a bill call¬
ing for the reservation of such a percentage of frequencies. Behind
this bill was the historical tradition under which the federal govern¬
ment during the opening up of the west had dedicated a percentage
of the public domain to the extension of education. The hope was
that this plan might be extended to radio.
When the public domain of the air was opened up, education was
one of the first settlers. The engineering departments of many of
our institutions of higher learning became pioneers in experimenta¬
tion with transmission equipment. They rendered an important serv¬
ice and for a time represented a sizable percentage of all broad¬
casters.
With the introduction of advertising as the chief source of support
for broadcasting stations, the usurpation of education’s place on the
air began. While licenses were in no case taken away from educational
stations, the obstacles to continued broadcasting became increasingly
insurmountable. Out of 202 noncommercial institutions and agencies
which have received licenses to broadcast, only 31 are operating
today what seem to be genuine educational stations.
The conflict involved here was not merely one between educational
and commercial interests for the control of a transmitter. There was
also involved the question of the public policy which should be ap¬
plied to the licensing of stations by the federal government. The best
indication of the consideration which education received at the hands
of the government is contained in the news release published in
December 1931 by the Federal Radio Commission, the predecessor
of the present Federal Communications Commission. The opening
paragraphs of that release were:
The following statement was today authorized by the Commission:
IN RE THE USE OF RADIO BROADCASTING STATIONS FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES
The Commission believes that the American system of broadcasting has pro¬
duced the best form of radio entertainment that can be found in the world.
This system is one which is based entirely upon the use of radio broadcasting
stations for advertising purposes. It is a highly competitive system and is carried
on by private enterprise. There is but one other system — the European system.
That system is governmental. Under that system, broadcasting is conducted either
by the government or by some company chartered by the government. There is
no practical medium between the two systems. It is either the American system
or the European system.
There has been no indication that this release has ever been repudi¬
ated. The assumption is that it carries over and represents the present
philosophy of the Communications Commission in licensing stations.
Under such a philosophy the state-owned educational station and
[60]
the noncommercial station have no status. Under that philosophy the
educational station is being tolerated rather than accepted and en¬
couraged by the regulatory body of the government. That philosophy
is a purely commercial one which compels all stations to operate ac¬
cording to commercial standards. If such a basis of operation were
to be applied to education generally the colleges and universities of
the United States could not justify their existence.
Had the Fess Bill been passed by Congress it would have protected
the rights of education in radio against either the philosophy of an un¬
friendly regulatory body or the attacks of commercial stations. There¬
fore, the Committee persisted in its support of the bill. When the
Communications Act of 1934 was drafted, the request of the Com¬
mittee, backed by labor, had become so well supported that mention
of it was written into the law. The Communications Commission was
instructed to hold hearings on the feasibility of such a reservation
of frequencies. As a result of these hearings the Commission finally
recommended to Congress that the request be denied. The Commis¬
sion claimed that all the needs of education could be met within the
framework of the existing broadcasting structure.
Some of the testimony upon which the Commission reached its
verdict has since been repudiated. Specifically, this occurred in the
booklet. Four Years of Network Broadcasting, which is the report
of the experience of the Committee on Civic Education by Radio
of the National Advisory Council on Radio in Education and the
American Political Science Association. That booklet tends to sup¬
port the original claim of the National Committee on Education
by Radio that broadcasting under an educational philosophy could
not expect to receive due consideration in a system of broadcasting
based upon and judged entirely by commercial standards. Perhaps
the most pointed sentence from the report is as follows: “Educa¬
tional broadcasting has become the poor relation of commercial
broadcasting and the pauperization of the former has increased in
direct proportion to the growing affluence of the latter.”
The Federal Communications Commission, in the same communi¬
cation to Congress which recommended against special facilities for
education, suggested that a conference be held at which attempts
would be made to thresh out differences between education and com¬
mercial broadcasting. Such a conference was held, under the aus¬
pices of the Communications Commission. Out of it grew the Fed¬
eral Radio Education Committee, composed about half and half
of commercial broadcasters and educators selected in their capacity
as individuals and not as the representatives of organizations or
institutions.
Until recently this committee has been .rather inactive. However,
one of the positive acts of its chairman. Dr. John W. Studebaker,
U. S. Commissioner of Education, was to appear at a hearing on the
disposition of ultra-high frequencies which was held by the Commis¬
sion in June 1935 and to ask that certain ones of these frequencies be
set aside for the exclusive use of education. This was a very specific
endorsement of the position which the National Committee on Edu¬
cation by Radio had advocated in the regular broadcast band. Dr.
Studebaker has stated publicly that assurances have been given to
him that the Commission will reserve as a matter of public policy
ultra-high frequencies for education. However, no public announce¬
ment of such a reservation has been made by the Commission.
The most favorable indication of interest on the part of the Com¬
mission in this fundamental problem occurred at the reallocation
hearings held in October 1936. At that time the Commission invited
testimony not only on technical matters but also on the social and
The institute for propaganda
ANALYSIS, 132 Morningside Drive, New
York, N. Y., publishes a monthly letter. Propa¬
ganda Analysis, to help the intelligent citizen de¬
tect and analyze propaganda. By its charter the
Institute is a nonprofit corporation organized to
assist the public in detecting and analyzing propa¬
ganda, but it is itself forbidden to engage in
propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence
legislation.
In the November issue of Propaganda Analysis
the seven common propaganda devices are listed
as: the name calling device, the glittering generali¬
ties device, the transfer device, the testimonial
device, the plain folks device, the card stacking
device, and the band wagon device. .411 of these
devices are designed to appeal to our emotions.
They are made use of by newspapers, radio, news¬
reels, books, magazines, labor unions, business
groups, churches, schools, and political parties.
The Institute does not propose to tell its sub¬
scribers what to think but how to think. Subscrip¬
tion price of the monthly letter is $2 a year.
o
TO SERVE outside island teachers and those
in rural Oahu who find it difficult to attend
campus courses in the late afternoon or evening,
the University of Hawaii Adult Education Divi¬
sion has arranged to broadcast an extension course
in “Constitutional History of the United States”
over KGMB, a Honolulu commercial station.
A half hour broadcast each Monday from 3:30-
4pm, study outlines sent in advance of the broad¬
cast, textbook, collateral reading, and weekly
papers based on questions raised by Dr. Charles
H. Hunter, instructor in the course, form the
lesson material. Forty-five students are enroled
for credit. A great many more report that they
are listening in.
The course was planned as a part of the univer¬
sity’s participation in the sesquicentennial cele¬
bration of the federal Constitution.
For those with discriminating
TASTES, a half-hour of good music — me¬
lodic, unobtrusive, and unbroken by commercial
announcements — is being offered by the educa¬
tional shortwave station WIXAL in Boston, as a
background for the enjoyment of a leisurely din¬
ner. These programs, introduced by the Magic
Song theme, are radiated on 6.04 megacycles each
weekday evening, Monday thru Friday, at 7pm,
EST. They are reminiscent of the type of music
formerly heard in the best restaurants and hotel
diningrooms before their invasion by dance or¬
chestras. The selections include Viennese waltzes,
ballets, minuets, serenades, love songs, and light
operatic airs written by the best classical and
modern composers.
Dubuque COUNIA schools, lowa, pre¬
sent a weekly radio program over station
WKBB. The program, entitled “Rural School
Forum of the Air,” serves to interpret the work
of the county schools to the public.
[61 ]
VARIETY, trade paper of the amusement in¬
dustry, reports what appears to be the first
instance where a radio station has abandoned the
position of political neutrality which is traditional
in broadcasting. In the recent Boston mayoralty
campaign, according to Variety, the Yankee and
Colonial Networks gave the full support of their
news service broadcasts to a single candidate,
who emerged victorious.
Whether or not this new trend in the political
use of broadcasting facilities becomes widespread,
it raises questions of public policy that deserve
careful consideration.
Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934
is designed to provide equality of broadcasting
opportunity to all political candidates. It reads
as follows: “If any licensee shall permit any per¬
son who is a legally qualified candidate for pub¬
lic office to use a broadcasting station, he shall
afford equal opportunities to all other such can¬
didates for that office in the use of such broad¬
casting station, and the Commission shall make
rules and regulations to carry this provision into
effect.”
John Shepard, III, president of the two net¬
works, made the following statement: “The posi¬
tion of the Colonial and Yankee Network News
Service in regard to political candidates for the
office is made clear by the following:
“To these News Services the party to which the
candidate belongs is not a factor. Each candidate
for high political office will be investigated by
these News Services to the best of their ability
and candidates will be judged on their past rec¬
ords as to their honesty, ability, and courageous
adherence to their public duty.
“In determining the fitness of a candidate for
the position which he or she seeks, due considera¬
tion will be given to those in the background who
may exercise control over the candidate, provided
he is elected.
“The decision as to whether to support any par¬
ticular candidate or not will be based entirely in
facts as we are able to ascertain them.
“In cases where there are two or more candi¬
dates in the field that seem equally worthy, these
Services will not attempt to select between two
such candidates.”
•
KOAC, Oregon State College, Corvallis, now
provides its farm audience with regular mes¬
sages from the agricultural agents of six counties
comprising more than 14,000 square miles and a
total population of 195,000. These counties range
in all directions from Corvallis and are well within
the KOAC primary listening area.
The new agricultural service not only brings
county listeners direct word from their own
agents, but from the agents of five other counties
as well. The broadcasts occur during the Noon
and Evening Farm Hours and are spotted thruout
the week.
According to the Market News Radio Broad¬
casting Schedule for 1937, published by the
U. S. Department of Agriculture, KOAC broad¬
casts one of the most complete market news
services in the United States. Two fifteen-minute
periods of market news are released daily from
the state-owned station, at 12:30pm and 6:45pm,
PST.
economic implications of existing allocation policy. After the hearings
the Commission instructed its chief engineer to prepare two reports
for its consideration. The first had to do with the technical aspects
of testimony at the hearings. That report was made public about
three months after the hearings ended. The second was to concern
itself with the social and economic implications of the testimony.
That report has finally been prepared and should be released soon —
more than a year after the hearings were held.
On February 22, 1933, even before a final refusal to set aside a '
percentage of frequencies for education had been received, the Com¬
mittee was responsible for the introduction by Representative H. P.
Fulmer of South Carolina of a bill calling for a Congressional study
of the whole subject of radio. This bill was the forerunner of all the
demands for Congressional investigations which have followed it.
While the Committee has taken no official part in any of the recent
agitation for an investigation of the present Communications Com¬
mission, it welcomes this substantiating evidence of the wisdom of
its early request for a study of the entire matter.
When it became clear that its original proposal for the safeguard¬
ing of education by radio was not to be accepted, the Committee
began the search for a constructive plan by which the integrity and
independence of educational and cultural broadcasting could be
established and preserved under the conditions which have come to
characterize the American system of broadcasting. In this new en¬
deavor the Committee had the benefit of its own earlier experience
in the protection of educational stations and its studies of the experi¬
ence of others both in the United States and in foreign countries. The
result was the development of a democratic regional plan for an Amer- i
ican Public Broadcasting Service. The Committee has been working
on this project for the past two years under the leadership of Dr.
Arthur G. Crane, who was elected chairman following Mr. Morgan’s
resignation in September 1935. The plan was described fully in the
November 1937 issue of Education by Radio. Its purpose is to create
a working organization thru which educational institutions and
agencies, service departments, and citizens’ groups can mobilize
their broadcasting resources, raise the standards of their radio pres¬
entations, and demonstrate a cooperative method of maintaining
working relationships between broadcasting stations and the pro¬
ducers of noncommercial programs. The plan has the acceptance of
commercial broadcasters and representatives of public bodies as well
as substantial backing from educational interests.
As an experiment to demonstrate its possibilities, two regional or¬
ganizations predicated upon the use of this plan have been set up
and are prepared to function. One is known as the Rocky Mountain
Radio Council and is designed to serve primarily the states of Colo¬
rado and Wyoming. The other, the Texas Radio Council, will serve
the Lone Star State.
Seven years is a long time in the history of any thing as young as
radio. Great changes have taken place. The Committee has had to
adjust its program to keep pace with all the changes. To set forth
all of the details of this adjustment is impossible. Many projects
have been undertaken, each as the time seemed opportune and as the
need appeared to exist. While some of the projects have not as yet
been consummated, each has left its residue of information and ex¬
perience upon which other projects can be built. The successful
efforts have assisted in the pioneering of new fields and have helped
dedicate the services of this new medium of communication to edu¬
cation and enlightenment. Seed has been planted which should pro¬
duce even more fruit in years to come than has yet been harvested.
[62 ]
INDEX TO VOLUME SEVEN
EDUCATION BY RADIO
Abbot, Waldo, Handbook of Radio Rroadcastint; 12
Adam, Thomas R. California Experiments with
Radio Education . 26
Ade, Lester K . 13
Ahrnsbrak, H. C . 54
American Medical Association
— radio programs . 43
Anderson, A. Helen . 14
Angell, James Rowland . 44
Another Perspective on Broadcasting . 39
Austin Radio Institute . 40
Australia
— school broadcasting . 44
Avery, George T . 52
Bacon, Robert 1 . 39
Baldw'in, Boyd E . 23, 31, 38
Bardour, Philip . 48
Batchelor, G. \V . 32
Belfour, C. Stanton . 38
Benet, Stephen Vincent . 24
Borchardt, Selma . 28
Boutvvell. William H . 14, 48, 52
— (quoted) . 2, 14
■ — So They Don’t Want Educational Programs?, . 13
Boylan, John J . 20, 29
— radio bill . 42
‘■Brave New World” . 54
British Broadcasting Corporation
— listener survey . 12
Broxam, Mrs, Pearl Bennett . 59
Bryan, Wright . 55
Bryson, Lyman . 48, 50
Buckley, H. M . 20, 22, 48
Burkhard, Russell V . 21, 24
Burton, Edgar A . 52
Bush, Vannevar . 33
California Association for Adult Education
-- radio broadcasts . . ■ 26
California Experiments with Radio Education
(Thomas R, Adam) . 26
Campbell, W, M . 52
Canada
— legal status of broadcasting . 14
— radio in . 42
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
• - new regulations . 51
Carpenter, Harry A . 48, 59
Carthage College Music Hour . 43
(Jeller, Emanuel . 11, 29
— radio bill . 42
Chapman, James P . 60
Children’s radio programs.^ . 58
Classification of radio stations . 31
Clifton, J, 1 . 56
(Tocking, Walter I) . 55
COFF.MAN, L. D . 33
Cohen, Philip . 57
CoLTRANE, Eugene J . 57
Conant, James B . ^ . 33
Congressional investigation of radio . 39
Connecticut Congress of_ Parents and Teachers
— Regional Italian Civic Project . 22
Connery, Willlam P,, Jr . 9, 29, 39
Clontribution of School Broadcasting, The . 37
C'onverse, Blair . 6
Cooper, Lewis B . 36, 40, 52
Cooper, William John . 55
Crabtree, J, W . 28
Craig, Edwin W . 48
Crane, Arthur G . 14, 15, 25, 33, 48, 49,
51, 52, 56, 57, 62
Craven, T, A. M . 12, 31, 41, 46, 59
Critical listening . 52
Cross, Elizabeth W . 59
Dale, Edgar . ,S.s
Dallas Radio Institute . 36
Dammon, Clarence E . 48
Damrosch, Walter . 40
D.irrow, B, H . 27, 29, 35, 40, 52, 55
Dearborn, Ned H . 5, 16, 24
Denison, JIerrill . 48
Dent, Ellsworth C . 55
Detroit’s Plan for Educational Broadcasts (K.ath-
lf.en N, Lardie) . 35
Dr. Tyson Retires from the Radio Field . 8
Duniiaxi, Franklin . 14, 44, 55
Federal Radio Commission
— definition of American system of broadcasting. . 60
Federal Radio Education Committee . 32, 44, 61
Eess, Simeon D . 60
Fif.ser, James L . 28
Filene, Edward A . 28
First American Exhibition of Recordings of Edu¬
cational Radio Programs
— awards . 19
Fisher, Sterling . 48, 52
Florida Association of Broadcasters . 44
four Years of Network Broadcasting .
6, 8, 12, 13, 44, 61
Fred, E. B . 47
Fulmer. H. P . 62
Fundamental Principles Which Should Underlie
American Radio Policy . 58
Garrison, Garnet . 8, 53
General Education Board
— fellowships . 12, 25, 26, 41
General Federation of Women's Clubs
— radio programs . 52
Georgia
— Audio-Visual Education Association . 55
— state radio commission . 21
Gideonse, Harry D . 48
Gill, Samuel E. tquoted) . 4
Givens, Willard E . 28
Goldsmith, Alfred N. (quoted) . 4
Gordon, E. B . 2 7
Government and Radio (John W. Studebaker) . . 17
How This Index Is Made
Articles listed under author and
1. title, are listed also under suh-
jectmatter heads when the title inade¬
quately describes the content. Gen¬
eral subject-headings are: periodicals
mentioned or quoted, resolutions,
schools and colleges, and stations.
Greene, Felix . 19
Griffith, W. 1 . 47
Guideposts for Producing Educational Programs. . 16
Hale, Lester L . 58
Hanke, Elmer . 43
Harshbarcer. H. Clay . 24
Heimlich, Friel . 26
Hektoen, Ludvig . 33
Herzberg, Max J . 52
Higgy, R. C . 56
Hill, Frank E . 33
— Listen and Learn . 48
Holcojibe, .Arthur N. (quoted) . 2
Horn, Robert C . 31
How Much Clean Up? . 45
How to get good reception for classroom listening. 50
Howell, Clark, Sr . ■ . 21
Hubbel, Gordon . 47
Hud.son, Robert B . 52
Hunter, Charles H . 61
Hutchins, Robert M . 48
Ickes, Harold L . 28
— (quoted) . I
Indiana Radio Clinic . 14
Institute for Education by Radio, Eighth .An¬
nual . 15, 17
Institute of Pacific Relations
— radio programs . 8
Institute for Propaganda Analysis . 61
Is Radio Living Up to its Promise? . 5
Jennings, George E . 25, 41, 43
Jewett, F'rank B . 33
Johnson, Laurence B . 57
Junior League of Dayton . 32
Educational Broadcasting Conference, The,.... 1
Educational network . . 51. 59
Educational Radio Script Exchange . 7, 19
Eighth Institute for Education by Radio . 23
Eisenberg. I. L . 5
F.isner, M.\rk . 5
Emmons. Owen .A . 22
Engel, Harold A . 47, 52
English teaching correlated with radio . 5
Evaluation of school broadcasting . 7
Evans. S. Howard . 5, 13, 33, 52, 56
— ■ (quoted) . .... 7, 42
F.xbibition of Recordings of Educational Radio
I’rngrams, First American
— awards . 19
Fairchild, Henrv Pratt . 5
‘‘Fall of the City, The” . 17
Farley, Belmont . 19
Federal Communications Commission
— ■ reorganization . 49
Keller, J. 0 . 56
Kent. Rikel . 21
Kersey. Vieri.ing . 10
Kingdon. Frank . 5
Kirby, E. M . 51
Koon, Cline VI . 13, 44
LaGuardia, F. H . 8
Laine, Elizabeth . 33
Laird, Angus . 52
L.\Pr.\de. Ernest (quoted) . 4
Lardie, K.vthleen N. Detroit’s Plan for Educa¬
tional Broadcasts . 35
Larr.uiee, Carlton H . 5
“Let .Freedom Ring'’ . -r . . . 12
Levenson. WlLLI.tM B . 37
Levine, Michael (quoted) . 42
Lewin, William . 58
Lewis, Willi.ui Mather (quoted) . 4
Link. Henry C. (quoted) . 1
Lischka, Ch.arles N . 56
Listen and Learn (Frank E. Hill) . 48
Listeners protest e-xcessive commercial announce¬
ments . 46
Listening groups . 41
Lorand, Saxdor . 5
Lovett. Robert VIorss . 5
Lowdermilk, R. R . 34, 56, 5 7
MacCracken, John H . 56
MacDougall. Robert B . 52
MacLeish, .Archibald . 17, 24
VI.tDDV, Joseph E . 15, 53
Marconi, Guglielmo . 38
M.vrsden, Carl E . 13
Mathews, Lee Howard . 47
McCarty. H. B . 9, 23, 25, 33. 47
McXinch, Frank R . 39, 41, 45, 49
■'Men Who Vlade History” . 9
Menotti, Gian-Carlo . 24
Menzer, Carl . 47, 51
Michigan State College of the .Air . 6
Miller, .Allen . 12
Miller, Lincoln W . 36
Montana Society for the Study of Education
— radio committee endorses public radio board
plan . 23
Morei.l, Peter. Poisons, Potions and Profits... 41
Morgan. Joy Elmer . 56, 5 7
Mountain Radio Listening Center System . 46
Murray, Gladstone . 15. 23
Murrow, Edward R . 14, 16
"Mystic King of the North, .A'’ . 19
Nalder, Frank F . 28
Xational Association of Educational Broadcasters
25, 39, 47
Xational Broadcasting Company
— - Vlusic .Appreciation Hour . 40
Xational Council of Teachers of English . 52
— - radio broadcasts . 59
Xational Education .Association
— - proposed radio organization . 31
- radio programs . 46
Xational Farm and Home Hour . 26
Xational Research Council
— - Committee on Scientific Aids to Learning, .. 23, 33
Xational School Assembly . 28
Xcw Jersey
— Conference on Xoncommercial Use of Radio
in . 57
— proposes state-owned station . 17
Xcw Vork City Board of F.ducation
— adult education radio programs . 53
X'ew Vork University Radio Workshop . 13, 16
X'oncommercial network . 8
Page, Meredith . 9, 17
Pan-.American radio station . II
P.tRKER. Lester Ward . 47
Partridge. H. M . 41
Payne, George Henry . 5, 20, 42, 49, 58
— (quoted) . 6
Pennsylvania extempore speaking contest . 38
Periodicals mentioned or quoted
— - Atlanta Journal . 55
— - Broadcasting . 42
— - Canadian Bar Review . 14
• - Civic Leader . 9
■ - Congressional Record . 59
— - IJstener . 12
— - Microphone . 33, 56
— - Montana Education . 38
— Nation . 30
— New Jersey Educational Review . 57
— New York Times . 7
— - Ohio Radio Announcer . 34, 38, 57
— - Propaganda Analysis . 61
— School Executive . 15, 37
— Time . 17
— Yariety . 16, 46, 62
— - Washington Daily News . 30
— Washington Herald . 30
— Wisconsin Journal of Education . ■. . . .50, 52
I’ERRV, Araistrong . 23, 29, 38, 56, 59
Petersen, William J . 59
Phillips, Delight . 56
Pitkin, Walter B . 28
Poisons, Potions and Profits (Peter VIoheli.) .... 41
Povenmire. Kenneth W . 7
Prall, .Anning S . 15. 35
— - tquoted) . 3, 16
Public Broadcasting Service, A . _.. 49
Public radio board plan . 4, 23, 25, 49, 62
Puerto Rico School of the .Air . 32
Radio and the English Teacher . .86
Radio as a Classroom Device . 38
Radio at the X>w Orleans Convention . 14
Radio bills . 9. 11, 20, 29. 37, 39. 42
Radio cour.ses . 6. 8, 25, 27, 30. 35, 48, 58, 60
Radio Garden Club . 52, 56
Radio Vlusic Festival . 27
Radio Panorama. The . 29
R.inkin. Paul T . . . 5
Recordings of Educational Radio Pro,grams, First
.American Exhibition of
— awards . 19
Reed. Paul C . 59
Reed. Thomas H . 6
Reis, Irving . 40
Report of Stewardship, A . 55
[63 ]
EDUCATION BY RADIO
INDEX TO VOLUME SEVEN
Resolutions
— Committee on Radio and Education .
— Florida Association of Broadcasters .
— ■ Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers .
— Texas Federation of Women's Clubs .
Richardson, G. W .
Ries, Joseph .
Risiiworth, Thomas Dunnung .
Rivers, E, D .
Robinson, Charles .A,, S, J .
Rochester School of the .Air .
Rocky Mountain Radio Council .
Roosevelt, Franklin I), (quoted) .
Sauer, ,Iulia L .
School broadcasting
— Australia .
— Chicago .
ScTiooiEV, Frank .
Schools and Colleges
— University of California, bill to provide broad¬
casting facilities for .
— Carthage College Jlusic Hour .
— Chicago Public Schools, school broadcasts...
— Cleveland Public Schools .
— to use ultra-shortwaves .
— Detroit Public Schools, radio activities .
— Dubuque County .Schools, radio broadcasts. . .
— University of Florida, speech broadcasts .
— Frank A. Day Junior High School, radio pro¬
grams .
— Harvard University, radio broadcasts .
— • University of Hawaii Adult Education Division,
broadcasts on "Constitutional History of the
United States” .
— Iowa State College, course in radio .
— University of Kentucky
— Mountain Radio Listening Center System..
— radio listening groups .
— radio programs .
— - Lash High School .
— Louisiana State University, radio courses .
— Mound Junior High School
— radio listening .
— Radio Program News .
— - Muhlenberg (Tollcgc .
— New York State College of .Agriculture, radio
programs .
— - New 'A'ork University Radio Workshop . 13,
— I'niversity of Southern California, radio staff. .
— Southern Alethodist University
— radio course .
— Radio Workshop .
— State Teachers College, Bloom.sburg, Pa., broad¬
casting activities .
— • I’niversity of Texas, radio course .
— Warne University
— ■ Broadcasting Guild .
-- radio technics course .
— Webster College, radio courses .
— • Weequahic High School, photoplay and radio
appreciation course .
— University of Wyoming, conference on school
use of radio .
Scott. Walter Dill .
Second National Conference on Educational Broad¬
casting . 43, 48,
Seebach. Julius F. (quoted) .
Sii.uv, Leora .
53
44
6
57
14
19
54
21
56
59
Shepard, John, III .
Smith, Harley .A . 25
Smith, Peter .A .
Smith, T. \' .
So They Don’t Want Educational Programs?
(William D. Boutwet.l) .
Social Values in Broadcasting .
Southern Conference on Audio-Visual Education..
Stations
— JOAK .
— KECA .
62
41
57
48
13
9
55
48
26
53
- ■ KFAB .
47
13
— KFDV .
20
KFI .
26
59
— KFKU .
22
— KGMB .
61
44
• KOAC .
48,
62
45
— KOB .
30
47
— KSAC .
60
— KSTP .
54
— KWSC .
28
15
- WALK .
31
43
WBAA .
28,
48
45
- WBBM .
47
20
— WBEN .
29,
55
22
WBRV .
22
22
WCAL .
54
61
- WCOA .
58
58
WEAO .
23
- WEVD .
5
21
WFOV .
58
5S
WGST .
21
WHA . 9, 10, 19, 23,
25, 26, 29, 33,
40,
47,
52
61
WHAM .
59
6
. WHAS .
5
- WHAZ .
16,
47
46
WHEC .
59
33
- - WICC .
22
5
— WILL .
.24, 25, 39,
43,
47
31
. - WJA.N .
58
30
— WjBK .
53
— WJNO .
58
26
WKAR .
6
7
WKBB .
61
8
— WKOK .
55
- WLAK .
58
34
- WLB .
54
16
— WLBI .
. 10,
23,
40
14
WLW .
. 19,
21,
47
- ■ WMBC .
53
35
— WMFJ .
58
27
. WNAD .
34
WOI .
. .6, 32, 47,
51,
59
55
WOR .
52,
56
35
— WOSU .
23,
26
- . WOV .
22
53
- WOWO .
48
8
WQAM .
58
60
WRUF .
. 29,
35.
58
WSM .
48,
51
58
WSMK .
32
- WSIT .
. 47,
51,
59
31
- WSUN .
58
48
- WTIC .
22
WXVZ .
53
50
- Wl.NAI .
. 8,
58.
61
Stew.irt, Irvin .
33,
35
26
— (quoted) .
16
Studebaker, John W . 5, 11, 13, 23, 26
28, 31, 32, 61
— Government and Radio . 17
— (quoted) . 3, 7
SuLZER, Elmer G . 5, 46
Summer courses in radio education . 25
Super-power . 44
Sutton, Vida R . 52
Syllabus for radio education course . 13
Synchronization . 47
Tax on broadcasting stations proposed . 20
Taylor, Ch.arles A . 34
Taylor, Deems . 18
Television . 33
Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers
— • listening groups . 41
Texas Radio Council . 52
Transradio Press . 32
Tyler, I. Keith . 13, 14, 15, 34, 38, 56
— ■ (quoted) . 7, 53
Tyler, Tracy F . 56, 57, 59
Tyson, Levering . 5, 8, 44, 47, 48
Umberger, H. J . 56
United States Department of the Interior
— new radio studios . 57
United States Office of Education
— ■ Educational Radio Project . 7. 8, 12, 13, 27, 34
VanAuken, Glenn . 27
A'anderwoude, Mrs. J. C . 40, 41, 52
VanLoon, Hendrik Willem . 5
A’ocational guidance programs . 32
Waller, Judith . 14
Ward, Paul W . 30
Washburne, Carleion . 48
Wearin, Oiiia 1) . 9, 29
Webster, Bethuel jM . 33
Weed, Joseph J . 42
Wheeler, Burton K . 9, 29, 39
White, Wallace H . 37, 39
— (quoted) . 30
WiGCLEswoRTH, Richard B . 39
— (quoted) . _ . 29
Wisconsin College of the Air
— group listening project. . . 10
Wisconsin Education Association
— ■ Committee on School Broadcasting . .29, 54
Wisconsin Research Project in School Broadcasting 47
Wisconsin School of the Air . 19, 27
Wisconsin State Legislature
— broadcasts by members . 40
Women’s National Radio Committee . 16
Wood, Ben D . 33
World Federation of Education .Associations
— Educational Broadcasting Section . 48
— - radio program . 28
"World is A'ours, The” . 8. 2 7
Wright, Jos. F . 24, 39
"A'oung, Blanche C . 28
A'oung, L. McC. (quoted) . 47
Zook, George F . 48
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