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Heinl Radio Business Letter 1
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
Sharp Set Production Cut Por Next Three Months . .2
Rockefeller Adds Three To Communications Staff . 4
Cahill New RCA Law Dept. Director . . . 4
Radio Censor Finds Haopy Home In Apex Building . ..5
U. S. Now Has 57,000,000 Sets . 5
Fly Believes FCC Will Not Be Moved Out Of Capital . 6
Radio War Propaganda Quiz Off . 7
Mackay To Operate Direct From Hawaii To China. . . 7
To Coordinate Gov't Program Requests . 7
Press Protests Duplicate Radio Anti-Trust Suit..... . 8
Operators Of Radiolocators To Detect Enemy Planes Wanted . 9
Trade Notes......,, . 10
Japs Were Hearing Us Fine . 11
ACA Submits Further Anti-Espionage Recommendations . . . 12
•'Don't Speak To Strangers", Communications Employees Warned . 12
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No. 1392
\
January 6, 1942
SHARP SET PRODUCTION CUT FOR NEXT THREE MONTHS
0PM has prepared and expects to soon issue a ’’limitation"
order, curtailing radio production during the first quarter of 1942
to a basis of 75 percent compared with the first three months of 1941.
This is estimated to provide an average of 675,000 receivers monthly
during January, February and March, and is designed to maintain
industry operations and facilities pending receipt of large military
radio contracts, scheduled in the next few months. Further radio
curtailment in the second and succeeding quarters of the new year
has also been officially indicated.
Industry leaders were advised regarding the proposed 25 per¬
cent production cut in the first 1942 quarter, at meetings of the 0PM
receiving set and tube groups in Washington. Jesse L. Maury, govern¬
ment presiding officer of the 0PM Ra.dio Industry Committee, and his
assistant, Blyron E. Whitney, respectively, conducted the set and tube
conferences, called to arrange special allocations of nickel for
tubes, both replacement and initie.l equipment, and also wire wound
resistors for the first 1942 quarter, under the proposed reduced pro¬
duction basis.
Arrangements also were made by the Radio Manufacturers*
Association’s Priorities Committee, of which Fred D. Williams, of
Philadelphia, is Chairman, for procedure to secure special alloca¬
tions of copper and alloys and also plastics, both for initial equip¬
ment and replacement parts, for January, February and Ma.rch.
The proposed radio production "limitation" order will be
the first affecting the radio industry during the present emergency.
The 75 percent production rate covering January, February and BAarch
1942, on the basis of 675,000 sets monthly, is only 10 percent less
than the production requests presented by the RMA Priorities Committee,
which were asked on 750,000 set production basis monthly. The manu¬
facturers voluntarily proposed a reduction of 17 percent from the
first 1941 quarter, to a basis of 750,000 sets monthly for January,
Februa.ry and BAarch 1942, and the OPBA now proposes to reduce this by
approximately 10 percent additional, to 675,000 monthly basis, with
the 75 percent over-all "ceiling" on production compared with the
first 1941 quarter. During the first quarter of 1941, the basis of
the proposed curtailment, receiving set production totaled approxi¬
mately 2,700,000 sets, and the 75 percent production "ceiling" pro¬
posed for the first 1942 quarter would bring the product ion maximum
limit to 2,025,000 sets. With the existing inventories, CPIA and
also industry officials generally believe that this will provide sub¬
stantially to continue industry operations until large military radio
contraoCts, scheduled to the extent of several hundred million dollars,
will be made available before B.fe,rch or April.
2
1/6/42
The 0PM order proposes that it should not restrict sup-^
plies of tubes and component parts for sets in the hands of the
public. Manufacturers would ha.ve the option of building either
small or large receivers within their 75 percent quarterly quota.
Continued industry production in January, until the special nickel
allocation in prospect becomes available, is regarded as assured,
as tube and set manufacturers advised 0PM that they have sufficient
inventories on hand.
Supplementing the proposed "limitation” order, the 0PM
contemplates sending an accompanying letter to manufacturers, detail¬
ing operations of the proposed 25 percent curtailment during the
next three months. Also, 0PM proooses to require "freezing" of all
present set designs to models now being produced and also to "request
reduction in the number of models. Where new models are being plan¬
ned, but not tooled, manufacturers will be requested to stop the
proposed new models. Changes in cabinets, but not in models, is
another contemplated provision. Wide reduction in the number and
types of receivers is not expected to become effective until June,
except for the immediate suspension of new models.
At last week's 0PM conferences, officials of the 0PM Pro¬
duction Branch, in charge of military radio contracts, and also of
the OPA and the Army Signal Corps were in attendance. Officials
announced that it was the 0PM policy to maintain the industry during
the interim period, until the large military radio contracts are
available, and also provide for adequate maintenance repair parts
for sets now in the hands of the public.
Last week the RIvlA Priorities Committee completed arrange¬
ments with the 0PM Copper and Plastics Sections for procedure to
make available special allocations of copoer and plastics for the
first 1942 quarter, based on the proposed 75 percent production
"ceiling". Special allocations will Include copper and plastics,
both for new set production and also for component parts manufactur¬
ers to secure copper and plastics. These arrangements follow simi¬
lar allocations already made by 0PM for aluminum and also nickel
for pemanent magnet speakers covering January, February and March.
Copper allocations will be limited to copper and alloys for fun¬
ctional "electrical circuit" uses. Plastic allocations also will
be restricted to functional uses, and there will be no plastic allo¬
cated for cabinets, escutcheons, knobs and other similar non-func¬
tional uses of plastics. The procedure arra.nged by the Radio Manu¬
facturers' Association for the special corner and plastic allocations
will be initiated through questionnaires sent initially to all set
manufacturers .
XXXXXXXXXX
3
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ROCKEFELLER ADDS THREE TO COMIvIUNI CAT IONS STAFF
Nelson A. Rockefeller, Coordinator of Inter- American
Affairs has appointed Russell Pierce, Associate Director of the
Coramunica.tions Division, in charge of administration and projects
of the New York Office; John W. G-. Ogilvie, Associated Director of
the Communications Division with special radio responsibilities;
and Merlin H. Aylesworth, as Chairman of the Radio Section, a.nd
Sylvester L, Weaver, Director.
Mr. Pierce helped organize the South American operations
of the J, Walter Thompson Co. Mr. Weaver was formerly Advertising
Manager of the American Tobacco Company. Mr. Ogilvie has travelled
extensively in Argentina, Chile, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. Ke was
recently Director of Radio for the International Teleohone and Tele¬
graph Coraoany.
xxxxxxxxxx
CAHILL NEW RCA LAW DEPT. DIRECTOR
Following the retirement of Col. Manton Davis, G-eneral
Counsel of the Radio Corporation of America, John T, Cahill has been
appointed Director of the RCA Law Department. At the same time, Mr.
Cahill’s firm - Wright, Gordon, Zachry, Parlin and Cahill, of New
York, have been appointed counsel for the Radio Corporation. The
company has established a Washington office in the Union Trust
Building.
Mr. Cahill, who is chief counsel in the NBC monopoly pro¬
ceedings, is a native of New York City, is 3 9 years old, with an
A. B. degree from Columbia University in 1924 and LL.3 from Harvard
in 1927. He has had a distinguished legal career, having been
associated with the law firm of Cotton & Franklin in New York from
1927-31; was Second Assistant Attorney General of New Yorh, , 1931-33
partner law firm Cotton, Franklin, Wright & Gordon, from. 1933-36;
appointed Special Assistant to the District Attorney of New York
County 1936-37; partner Wright, Gordon, Zachry (S- Parlin 1937-39,
and U. S. District Attorney, New York Southern District in 1939.
Mr. Gaxiill is a member of Psi Upsilon.
XXXXXXXXXX
y- The National Committee on Education by Fadio is discontin¬
uing publication of its quarterly bulletin Education by Radio.
Readers who wish to keen uo with the trends in educational radio may
write for the Service Bulletin (free). Federal Radio Education Com¬
mittee, United States Office of Education, Washington, D. C. , and
the Journal ($2 a year), Association for Education b/ Ra.dio, 228
North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois.
XXXXXXXXXX
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1/6/42
RADIO CENSOR FINDS HAPPY HOME IN APEX BUILDING
After meandering all over the place looking for somewhere
to light, Byron Price, U. S. Censor, finally managed to secure
quarters in the Apex Building, at 6th, Constitution Avenue, about
half way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Treasury to the Capitol,
Here will also be found John H. Ryan, Assistant Director of Censor¬
ship in Charge of Radio. And, confidentially, the hope is ex:)ressed
that these quarters may be oermanent. The telephone number is
National 8206, Extension 265.
The Apex Building is really the home of the Federal Trade
Commission and whether any part of the FTC will be moved out to make
room for the censor remains to be seen.
XXXXXXXXXX
U.S. NOW HAS 57,000,000 SETS
According to a compilation just finished by 0. H. Caldwell,
there are today in the United States a total of 57,400,000 radio
sets. New York leads with 6,750,000 sets; Pennsylvania second with
4,740,000; Illinois third, 4,000,000; California fourth, 3,700,000
and Ohio fifth, 3,500,000. In Montana, the State of Senator Burton
K. Wheeler, who has much to do with radio policies, there are 240,000
sets and in Maine, where resides Senator Wallace White, 439,000. In
the District of Columbia there are 335,000 sets. The fewest are in
Nevada, 62,000.
The estimated number of radio sets in some of the States
are ;
Alabama 790,000; Arkansas 534,000; Colorado, 505,000;
Connecticut 875,000; Florida 640,000; Georgia 780,000; Idaho 208,000*
Indiana 1,750,000; Iowa 1,240,000; Kansas 790,000; Kentucky 1,070,000;.
ijouisiana 640,000; Maryland 762,000; Massachusetts 2,300,000;
Michigan 2,440,000; Minnesota 1,200,000; Missouri 1,860,000; Nebraska
610,000; New Hampshire 261,000; New Jersey 2,S00,000; North Carolina
878,000; North Dakota 252,000; Oklahoma 960,000; Oregon 601,000;
Rhode Island 330,000; South Carolina 420,000; South Dakota 278,000;
Tennessee 975,000; Texas 2,226,000; Utah 235,000; Vermont 188,000;
Virginia 850,000; Washington 940,000; West Virginia 738,000; Wis¬
consin 1,320,000 and Wyoming 105,000.
XXXXXXXXXX
5
1/6/42
FLY BELIEVES
FCC WILL NCT BE MOVED OUT OF CAPITAL
The present jucLgraent of James L. Fly, Cliairman, is that
the Federal Communications Commission will not be moved to some other
city. Ashed about this, he said;
"My best guess is that we will not be moved out", Mr. Fly
said. "No substantial attention has been given to the possibility
because our defense work Is becoming more extensive and intensive
and we have raoment-to-moment close liaison with the other war and
defense agencies. While I am not forming judgment I would be very
surprised if serious question was given and I have heard none rais¬
ed. "
Mr. Fly was then asked about a suggestion said to have
been made to the House Subcommittee on Decentralization by Theodore
L. Bartlett, FCC lawyer, that the Commission be moved to a temporary
building across the river. Mr. Fly neither confirmed nor denied
this.
Mr. Bartlett told the Congressional Sub- Committee that it
was "indisoensable " for FCC offices to be kept here because of the
Commission's service to War agencies such as War, Navy and FBI. He
said the s.gency couldn't operate at Chicago, New York or Baltimore
unless the War and Navy departments were moved with it.
Mr. Bartlett said FCC employees worked substantial amounts
of overtime and that 60 oercent of the eraoloyees in the monitoring
division worked irregular hours. Cots, he said, have been installed
in the division for employees to catch an occasional 40 winks.
Commenting upon the growth of the monitoring system (lis¬
tening Dosts for foreign propaganda ) , lAr. Fly said:
"We need to have a flock of oeople covering the spectrum.
Our monitoring work, to say the least, is becoming more and more
important, more burdensome in terms of operation and more important
in terms of the significance of the work than ever before. "
Asked if the seizing of short-wave sets of enemy aliens
will be helpful, he replied:
"Yes, that will be helpful, presumably, but if you assume
the case where you ha.ve a bad actor in terms of an individual, maybe
a part of the job v^fill be in getting him to turn it in so there is a.n
enforcement job there on the part of the Deoartment of Justice. But
as far as the transmitters are concerned, we can take care of those
ourselves. "
"Will the Justice Department work take some of the burden
from the aliens themselves?" the Chairman was asked. "I certainly
don't think there is any notion generally of imoosing on individuals"
he concluded.
X X X X X X X X X X /
6
1/6/42
RADIO WAR PROPAOAI'JDA QUIZ OFF
Chairman Clark ( D. ) , of Idauho, of the Senate Subcommittee
which began a preliminary investigation of charges of motion pic¬
ture and radio propaganda., announced dissolution of the subcommittee
on Monda.y (Jan. 5).
He said that in the interest of wartime unity, a detailed
report on controversial matters covered by the inquiry was not des¬
irable .
Although the motion picture hearings featuring Wendell
Willkie were sensational and prolonged, the Committee never did get
around to the radio phases of the investigation.
XXXXXXXX
MACKAY TO OPERATE DIRECT FROM HAWAII TO CHINA
The Federal Communications Commission has granted permis¬
sion to the Mackay Radio and Telegraoh Comnany to operate direct
radiotelegraph service bet^^’^een its stations at Honolulu, Hawaii,
and the stations of the Chinese Government at Chungking, capital of
National China, according to an announcement by Admiral Luke McNamee,
President of Mackay Radio. This Hawaii routing assures continuous
comimunication bet^’^een all oarts of the United States and National
China regardless of conditions in the Philippine Islands, Admiral
McNamee said. Mackay Radio operates direct radiotelegraph circuits
to Honolulu from both Ne?r York and San Francisco.
XXXXXXXX
TO COORDINATE GOV’T PROGRAIv! REQUESTS
It is reported that President Roosevelt soon will issue
an executive order empowering the Office of Facts and Figures to
coordinate official radio program times requests and determine
pi’iority of airings.
Archibald McLeish, Administrator of OFF, and Lowell Mellett
head of the Office of Government Reports, will draft an outline of
policy which must be adliered to by branches of the government and
the broadcasting industry. Assisting will be an interdeoartmental
committee on which will be represented the War, Navy and State Depart
ments, the Office of Facts and Figures and the Office of Government
Reports.
The statement of policy will
dent issues his Executive Order on the
be released
subject.
after the Presl-
XXXXXXXXXX
7
1/6/42
PRESS PROTESTS DUPLICATE RADIO ANTI-TRUST SUIT
Considerable unfavorable editorial comment was caused by
the Department of Justice filing monopoly suits against the National
Broadcasting Company and the Columbia* Bros dcasting System while a
similar case was’ pending in the New York Courts, Of this David
Lawrence said, in the Washington Star, in an article captioned
''Business Persecuted Despite War";
"A case in point is the punitive law suit just filed by
the anti-trust division of the so-called Department of Justice
against America's two major broadcasting comoanies - the Columbia
Broadcasting System and the National Broadcasting Co. - with vague
charges of monopoly that look as if they had been trumoed up just
because the broadcasting companies had the temerity to ask the
courts to restrain a recent order of the Federal Communications Com¬
mission designed to break up their present business. The broadcast¬
ing companies were warned then by an arrogant spokesman of the FCC
that they had better not go to court to attemnt to defend their
rights or else they would suffer. And now the punishment has come.
"For how else can the peculiar tactics of the anti-trust
division of the Department of Justice be explained unless in cahoots
with the FCC in the drive now to invoke severe statutes as a means
of forcing the broadcasting companies into receiverships and liquida
tion? For more than eight years the same practices complained of
have been going on. Why wasn't a suit filed a year ago or two years
ago? Why is a second big lawsuit filed in Chicago courts by the
anti-trust division while the first suit involving basic issues in
the radio business has not even been tried as yet by the Federal
courts in New York?
"In time of war it is more than ever necessary to maintain
broadcasting at a high state of efficiency, just as it is imoortant
for aluminum plants and production to be carried on as efficiently
as possible. But the Department of Justice's saboteurs of morale
have instructions evidently to carry on their persecution-as-usual
program.
"Since war effort is to absorb 50 percent of our national
economy, the managers of American industry ought to be free from
harassment. The Cxovernment fixes the prices and allocates the quota
anyway and even indirectly runs the ra*dio networks so it isn’t clear
why the statute of 1890 on the technicalities of competition has to
be enforced right now. "
The New York Times said;
"The charges are similar to those advanced last May by the
Federal Communications Commission to sunport new regulations in the
broadcasting field. The legality of these regulations, which would
seek to accomnlish the same ends sought by the Chicago suit of the
Department of Justice, is about to be tested in Federal Court in New
York. The Chicago action is thus, in effect, a duplication of a
trial already scheduled. But inevitably it will make heavy demands
- 8 -
1/6/42
upon the time and energies of the officials of the broadcasting
comoanies wno are named. At a moment when the broadcasting industry
is called upon to play an Important role in keeping the public in¬
formed and in supporting the national war effort, some of its chief
officials will be required to spend a large part of their time in a
Chicago courtroom, with all the attendant distractions that a suit
of this character entails. HHhatever the merits of the case, the
work of the broadcasting companies cannot help but suffer.
'^This is plainly a case of long-time rather than immediate
urgency - one which could be brought at any time. In the mean?rhile
it is scarcely likely that the broadcasting com.panies can go very far
astray, for they are thoroughly under Government supervision, and
as a natural result of wartime measures will be more closely con¬
trolled by Government than ever. Under the circumstances it does
not seem unreasonable to suggest tha,t the anti-trust suit might be
postponed for the period of the war. ”
XXXXXXXXXXXX
OPERATORS OF RADIOLOCATORS TO DETECT ENEMY PLANES WANTED
Calls for additional radio operators are coming in from
all directions. The Navy has issued a special call for operators of
radiolocators used for detecting enemy planes. Men enlisted for
specialized duty with the secret locators will be sent to a naval
radio training school for eight months to learn the confidential
technique involved.
Pay for the special radio duty will begin at S'72 a month,
in addition to normal living expenses, and married men who enlist
for the posts will receive an additional dependency allowance,
officials said.
Amateur radio operators throughout the country now have
the chance to turn their hobby into a vital role in the Army of the
United States. Amateurs between the ages of 18 and 55 and unmarried
are urged to apply to the nearest Army recruiting station for fur¬
ther infoiTnation and enlistment in the Signal Corps.
Federal Security Administrator Paul V. McNutt called upon
licensed amateur radio operators to apply at State employment offices
for free training in marine ra dio telegraphy in preparation for posi¬
tions as radio operators on America's new merchant vessels. Enroll¬
ment of radio operators is a part of the Nation-wide drive to re¬
cruit 40,000 trainees to man new merchant ships of the United States
Maritime Commission.
xxxxxxxx
9 -
1/6/42
TRADE NOTES
The Radio Manufacturers’ Association has issued a new
membership list and trade directory, revised to December.
The applications of the No- Bel Burglar Alarm for a con¬
struction permit for experimental radio stations at San Francisco
and Oakland have been finally denied by the Federal Communications
Commission.
Ralph J. Gleason, formerly of the news staff of Printers’
Ink Publications, has been appointed CBS Trade News Editor.
XAs a service to its listeners, WOR is now offering a
special ’’WOR International Radio News Map” to the radio public.
The offer has resulted in such an unprecedented flood of requests
that WOR hasn’t been able to tabulate the total to date. — ^
A television pickup tube with a built-in self-multiplying
unit vmich steps up the po-wer of the image has been patented
(No. 2,267,823) by Dr. Peter C. Goldraa-rk of CBS in New York City,
A feature of the new tube is an "electron multiplier" conta.ined
v/ithin the tube Itself. This device is said to eliminate the need
for the many tubes and other complicated amplifying apparatus used
in other television apparatus to step up the television impulses.
The patent is assigned to the Markia Corooration in New York City.
An eight page "Frequency Modulation Bibliography" has been
compiled by Miss Elizabeth Kelsey of the Zenith Radio Corporation,
Chicago. It lists practically every article and where it anneared
regarding FM.
All amateur radio broadcasting stations in Nicaragua ha.ve
been discontinued for the duration of the war and broadcasting,
except by stations authorized bv the government, w'ill be severely
punished. Amateur broadcasting had become a hobby of many Nicaragu¬
ans, some even ordering merchandise from the United ota.tes through
enthusiasts in that country.
X^John F. Royal, NBC’s Vice-President in Cha.rge of Inter¬
national Relations, will head a group of members of the Internation¬
al Division on a trio to Rio de Janeiro, to insure thorough coverage
of the Pan American Conference scheduled there on January 15th. .
It is his eighth trip to hatin America in the last six years.
All of its employees in the armed forces received a holi¬
day gift of a week’s salary at their former rate of pay, the Hygrade
Sylvania Corip. , of New York City announced. The corporation like-
w^ise gave holiday checks amounting to one week’s salary to each of
its 6,000 employees.
10 -
: ; ■; : r J
1/6/42
Figures on sales of FM sets during the month of November,
comoiled for FM Broadcasters, Inc., show that more than 40,000 new
receivers were sold in that period. Incomplete returns on December
sales point to a distribution of an additional 50,000 to 60,000 sets
in ore- Christmas weeks. This raises the national total on January 1,
1942, to aporoximately 240,000 units.
Dr. Frank N, Stanton, CBS Director of Research, and Dr.
Paul F. Lazarsfeld, Director of the Office of Radio Research of
Columbia University, have published a new book - "Radio Research
1941". Planned as the first of a series of yearbooks of radio re¬
search under the permanent editorship of Drs. Stanton and Lazars¬
feld, dealing with programs themselves and three with the effect on
listeners.
xxxxxxxxxx
JAPS ’ffiRE HEARING US FINE
Proof that our signals were getting through to Japan bet¬
ter than we were hearing them, is contained in a letter from an
American in Tokyo, a portion of which reads:
"I have a swell shortwave radio out here now and I get
Charlie McCarthy and Information Please probably much clearer than
you do. KGEl, the San Francisco station comes in so loud that if I
wanted to, and wasn't afraid of the isolice, I could hea.r the darned
thing clear upstairs. I also get Shanghai, Sydney, London, Berlin,
in fact anything that I want.
"Schenectady is a little too tough though. You can pick
it up sometimes but it is always very blurred, Pittsburgh is just
about imoossible. Of course the real thing we need the radio for
is the news broadcasts. I get one every morning from 8 to 8:15 from
Shanghai, another at 8 P.M. from the U. 3. then others throughout the
evening from the U. 3. and elsewhere. "
It is even reported that listeners in the ^ar East are even
hearing some of our long wave stations. This presents a problem as
these stations are not censored as the short-wave outlets are. Let¬
ters are said to have been received on the West Coast from Australia ,
New Zealand, the Philippines and elsewhere in the Far East and the
Souta Seas telling of the excellent reception of news and other
broadcasts from long-wa^ve stations in Seattle, Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Salt Lake City and elsewhere.
XXXXXXXXXXX
11
1/6/42
ACA SUBMITS FURTHER ANTI -ESP I ON AGE RECOMffiNDATIONS
The following additions have been suggested by the Ameri¬
can Communications Association, radio union of the CIO to the recom¬
mendations submitted to the Congressional Committee engaged in
strengthening the anti-espionage and sea safety laws:
’’All new vessels would be so designed as to place radio
rooms on lower decks and on the inside of the ship, thereby making
them less vulnerable to shrapnel and machine gun fire.
"Radio rooms on existing ships would be proofed against
attack by encasing them in concrete or steel sheathing similar to
that applied to the bridge on merchant vessels.
"All vessels would be equipped with emergency transmitting
antennae .
"Provision would be made for portable radio transmitter-
receivers suitable for operation in a lifeboat.
"We urge that the Board appoint an Advisory Committee or
panel, with equal representation from steamship operators and the
radio operators* unions, for the ourpose of discussing and putting
into effect this plan. "
XXXXXXXXXX
"DON’T SPEAK TO S TRANCE R5", COMMUNICATIONS EMPLOYEES WARNED
A booklet "Your Part in Our National Security Program"
has been issued for the wartime guidance of employees of R. G.A.
Communications, Inc. , by W. A. Winterbottom , Vice President and
General Manager. Some of the suggestions contained therein are;
"Re-read the excerpts from the Sabotage and Espionage Acts
which have been posted on all bulletin boards.
"Be vigilant and on the alert for suspicious circumstances.
Do not hesitate to report your observations to your superior.
"Don’t speak of your work to strangers. "
In conclusion Mr. Winterbottom says;
"Remember that we all have a part in the battle now being
waged. Yfe in the field of radio communications have a direct obli¬
gation to perform our duty assisting in the maintenance of an un¬
interrupted service for our users at a time when so much deoends
upon our work.
"As an additional safeguard, all employees, except mes¬
sengers who have no access to operating premises, shall be required
to identify themselves with pass-cards and badges. "
XXXXXXXXXX
-IP
?
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D, C.
FCC Sees Injury To Public In Monopoly Injunction . 2
Communications Priorities Conferences Continuous . . . 4
Senator Tobey Inquires About RCA Consent Decrees . 5
Says Blue To Be Sold And Trammell To Be Its Chairman . 7
FTC Questions Small Proportion Of Advertising Broadcast . 8
Another New York Television Station Authorized . 9
Trade Notes . 10
Action Taken By The FCC . 11
Against Using Four Chains Exceot In G-reat Emergency . 12
Television Proves Practical In Defense Instruction . 12
No. 1393
FCC SEES INJURY TO PUBLIC IN MONOPOLY INJUNCTION
It is the contention of the Covernraent in a brief just
filed in the District Court of the United States for the Southern
District of New York that while no irreparable injury will be in¬
curred by the plaintiffs as a result of the Federal Communications
Commission’s monopoly regulations pending final decision, real
injuries will result to the public, to the Mutual Broadcasting
System, and to radio stations generally, if a preliminary injunc¬
tion is issued to the National Broadcasting Company, the Columbia
Broadcasting and others seeking it.
The Government brief was submitted by Samuel Brodsky,
Special Assistant to the Attorney General, and Telford Taylor,
General Counsel of the FCC. The next hearing in the case is sched¬
uled to be held in New York Monda^y, January 12th.
It is the further contention of the Federal attorneys
that if an injunction is granted against the FCC that listeners in
many cities will lose any possibility of receiving the programs of
those networks which do not now have access to their service areas.
"Non-network programs will be removable on 28 days’ notice at the
call of the networks. Stations not affiliated with a network will
be prevented from broadcasting the programs of that network even
though the regular affiliate in the area rejects the program, so
that such programs will be irretrievably lost to listeners in that
area. Moreover, the competition among networks, among stations,
and between stations and networks which the regulations make pos¬
sible will be postponed, to the general detriment of network broad¬
casting and to the disservice of radio listeners”, the argument
conclude s.
"It is a well-settled principle of law that an injunction
which restrains governmental action will not be granted if the in¬
jury which would result to the public from such an injunction out¬
weighs the injury otherwise threatened to private oarties plaintiff."
According to the brief the case presents the following
questions:
1. Wnether this Court has jurisdiction over the subject
matter of this action.
2. Whether the plaintiffs have standing to maintain this
action.
3. Whether the plaintiffs have stated a claim upon which
relief can be granted.
- 2 -
1/9/42
4. Whether the Coraraission has statutory authority to adopt
the regulations.
5. Whether, if the Comnunications Act authorizes the Com¬
mission to adopt the regulations, such Act is unconstitutional
as delegating legislative power to the Commission or as taking the
property of the plaintiffs without due process of law.
6. Whether the regulations are arbitrary or capricious.
7. Whether this Court should issue a preliminary injunction
granting in whole or in part the relief requested by the plaintiffs.
It is the Gtovernraent’s argument that the Court is with¬
out jurisdiction to entertain the action; that the administrative
process has not been completed and the regulations do not have any
present legal effect and are therefore not reviewable; the admini¬
strative remedy has not been exhausted and this cause is not cog¬
nizable under '^general equitable jurisdiction”. It is maintained
even if the Court has Jurisdiction, the motions to dismiss for sum¬
mary judgment should be granted; that the Communications Act
authorizes the Commission to adopt regubtions such as those here
in question; the regulations are not arbitrary or capricious; the
Communications Act, interpreted to authorize the FCC regulations
is constitutional, and therefore the plaintiffs are not entitled
to a preliminary injunction.
Some of the highlights of the brief are;
”Tlie position taken by the plaintiffs is essentially
that, in applying the public interest standard, the Commission is
limited to considering physical and technical matters, and per¬
haps the 'moral' and financial qualifications and prior experience
of applicants. Thus they construe Section 303 (i) as empowering
the Commission to regulate only the engineering aspects of chain
broadcasting operations by stations. As a corollary, the plain¬
tiffs dismiss .matters pertaining to competition or concentration
of control as outside the Commission's ken.
"Such a view sits uneasily beside Supreme Court pronounce¬
ments that the Communications Act is a 'supple instrument for the
exercise of discretion by the expert body which Congress has charged
to carry out the legislative policy', that Congress moved under the
* spur of a widespread fear' of monopolistic domination of broad¬
casting and sought to maintain 'a grin on the dynamic aspects of
radio transmission', and that the broa.dcasting field is one *of
free competition'.
^ •W’ •K'
"Judicial aporoval of the plaintiffs' contentions would
facilitate the very concentration of control which Congress sought
to avert. The Commission would thereby be rendered powerless to
avoid granting *a monopoly in the field of broadcasting, a result
which the Act itself expressly negatives, which Congress would not
have contemplated without granting the Commission powers of control
over the rates, programs, and other activities of the business of
broadcasting. ' "
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1/9/42
With regard to optional time the brief states;
”The only ‘difficulty* T^ihich NBC and CBS will have in
negotiating with advertisers under Regulation 3.104 is that they
must negotiate on more nearly equal terras with other networks, in
that their competitors will be able, if the affiliates so choose,
to offer firm commitments to advertisers with respect to hours
which NBC and CBS are not already using for commercial programs.
"It follows from the foregoing that the third and last
argument which NBC and CBS make against Regulation 3.104 - i.e.,
that advertisers will desert radio for competing ad.vertising
media - is likewise unsound. An advertiser negotiating with NEC
or CBS for a contract at a certain hour can count on clearance
over the stations which he desires to use, unless he himself or
some other advertiser has purchased the same period through another
network which is utilizing some of the desired stations. The na¬
tional networks as a gixiup will not lose business; whether NBC or
CBS will lose business will depend upon their ability to compete
with other national networks.
"The Commission endeavored to retain the advantages of
option time as a business convenience, to the maximum degree com¬
patible with the public interest in competition and station res¬
ponsibility. In the light of the evidence, Regulation 3.104 is
an eminently reasonable solution, ”
"Finally, in answer to all allegations of irreparable
injury resulting from the option time regulation, it should be
noted that NBC in fact operated without options from its formation
in 1926 until 1933; and that Mutual operated without options until
1940 and for the most part still does. A reestablishment of the
status quo ante can hardly engender any irreoarable injury. "
X X X X X X .X X X X
COm,IIUNICATIONS PRIORITIES CONFERENCES CONTINUOUS
A-sked if he contemplated any further conference with
Leigliton H. Peebles, head of the new CPM Communications Division,
who will operate in close liaison with the Defense Communications
Board in handling priorities needs for the communications industry -
radio, telenhone and telegraph - Chairman James L. Fly of the Federal
Communications Commission said there would be a meeting practically
every day. "It is a continuing job", the FCC head explained. "We
don't arrange these conferences formally. They come up every day. "
"Do these conferences include telephone equipment or radio
equipment?" the official was asked.
"Communi cations equip.ment, broadly", he replied.
There is a DCB Priorities Committee made up of Gerald C,
Gross, FCC Assistant Chief Engineer; William Bauer, FCC attorney,
and Lieut. Col. Foster Stanley of the Army Signal Corps which is
expected to work in close cooperation with Mr. Peebles in devising
the priorities materials plan for the communications industry.
XXXXXXXXX
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1/9/42
SENATOR TCBEY INQUIRES ABOUT RCA CONSENT DECREES
Not having received a reply from a letter he wrote to
Attorney General Biddle on the subject, Senator Charles W. Tobey(R),
of New Hampshire has turned to Senator Erederick Van Nuys (D), of
Indiana, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in connection
with Radio Corporation of America consent decrees and other related
matters.
Senator Tobey's letter to the Attorney General read in
part as follows:
’’There is pending before the Federal District Court for
the Southern District of New York, and also before the New York
State Supreme Court, two very similar minority stockholders’ actions
against officials of certain large corporations, namely the R3,dio
Corporation of America, General Electric Co. , and Westinghouse
Electric and Manufacturing Co. In those actions it is charged that
certain officials illegally diverted from the Ra.dio Corporation of
America many millions of dollars. It is my understanding that the
charges pending before the Federal District Court for the Southern
District of New York in the case of Salve tz et al. v. Radio Consora-
tion of America et al. are similar to the charges contained in the
case pending before the New York Supreme Court.
"It has come to my attention that while those cases were
on trial recently before the New York State Sunreme Court certain
officials of the General Electric Co. and the Westingiiouse Electric
& Manufacturing Co. , through their attorneys, rather than testify
in open court and subject themselves and others to examination have
offered to pay out of the moneys of those two companies the sum of
$1,000,000. One element in the case that is of great interest to
me is that this offer is conditioned on the dismissal without trial
of the similar charges pending in the Federal District Court for the
Southern District of New York.
”I believe that the new Federal rules of civil oroceedure
provide that the justices of Federal courts must approve consent
decrees in representative suits, presumably because of the interest
of the great number of stockholders Involved. According to that
rule, it is my understanding that the justices of the Federal Dis¬
trict Court for the Southern District of New York must aoprove such
a settlement before such charges can be withdrawn.
"Those suits were filed on the nart of certain share¬
holders or their attorneys, representing but a fraction of 1 per¬
cent of some 16,000,000 shares issued and presumably those suits
were instituted for the benefit of all the shareholders or of all
parties similarly situated.
"In view of the fact that 16,000,000 shares of stock have
been issued by the Radio Corw'oration of America, and in view of the
further fact that a dozen or more of the complainants’ attorneys will
deduct their fees, costs, and expenditures from the $1,000,000 given
in settlement, I fall to see how, under that agreement, any material
financial benefit will accrue to the vast number of shareholders
who invested their savings in this company.
5
1/9/42
"That tentative consent decree is of special interest to
me from a legislative viewpoint becuase of the fact that the offer
to nay ^1,000,000 is conditioned upon the withdrawal by complainants’
attorneys, without trial, of the similar charges pending before the
Federal District Court for the Southern District of New Yorh.
"M:,’’ interest is increased by the fact that that very
matter was the subject some months ago of considerable discussion
before the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee, of which I am a
member.
The matter came before us in connection with the nomina¬
tion of the late Federal Communications Commissioner, Thad H. Bromi.
At that time we were seeking to determine whether the officials of
these large corporations had been guilty of dissipating the funds
belonging to the stockholders. Two of the attorneys renre seating
those large companies, namely, Messrs. Manton Davis and Joseph
Proskauer, when questioned as to the details of the alleged dis¬
sipation of funds, begged the committee not to nry into the details
thereof because those matters were pending before the courts where
the charges would be fully met.
"For instance on nage 311 of the hearings, copy of which
I enclose, Mr. Proskauer says; ’We shall meet that case in court
from the time it comes, and I will assure tnis committee that there
will never be a settlement of that case, I think this will be
litigated and that all these things will be tried out in a court
of law. ’
"Cn page 315 of the same hearings we are told of the
official positions held by Mr. Davis and Mr. Proskauer. Mr. Davis
there says; ’The R. C. A. has staff counsel, of which I am chief.
In these cases we have trial counsel, and Jud^e Proskauer, who has
addressed you, is the chief of the trial counsel for the defend¬
ants in this case,
"’If my recollection serves me, sir, the illegality of
the cross-licensing agreements which ms the issue in the Govern¬
ment suit thxst was withdrawn by consent decree is realleged in these
cases. '
"For instance, when I asked Mr, Proskayer this question,
’That radio stock taken by G-eneral Electric end Westinghouse was
not returned to R.C.A, ?’, Mr. Proskauer answered, ’I cannot try
that case here,’ (page 315).
"iWien I asked for further information, Mr. Davis replied:
’Those ai'e issues that are oending before the Court in respect to
which I think you ought not to make us disclose our defense. ’ (p.
316).
"There was a committee of Congress trying to determine
whether irregularities existed in certain transactions. For 8
years cases had been filed against Radio CoipDoration of America, by
different individuals, but not once had Radio Corporation of Amer¬
ica gone to tril on the issues, and the attorneys for Radio Cor¬
poration of America enjoined this committee from looking into the
matter on the assurance that a full disclosure of the facts would
be had at the trial.
"I appreciate the fact that you, as Attorney General of
the United States, have no control over the activities or conduct
of the judges of the New York State Supreme Court. However, I
would appreciate receiving your opinion as to whether a case can
thus be taken out of the Federal district court ?7ithout proper
6
1/9/42
presentation of evidence before that court. Is it possible under
existing rules of procedure to thus preclude trial on the merits
of the case in a Federal court by a consent agreement approved by
a State court, in a case such as this where minority shareholders
seek an accounting of the moneys and other properties of the cor¬
poration ?
"The Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce before which
evidence was taken under oath on these matters, has not yet made a
report to the Senate of the United States thereon. I am assuming
that we will soon reach the point in our legislative work when we
will have the time to consider the evidence taken and make such
reoort and recommenda.t ions to the Senate as the mem.bers of the
committee term advisable.
"After you have had an opportunity to consider the ser¬
ious charges made before the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce
and the supporting evidence contained in the record of the hearings
enclosed herewith, I would appreciate a statement from you as to
whether or not, from your experience with Federal court procedure,
there is need for additional legislation to protect parties involv¬
ed in representative suits or whether there is any way under exist¬
ing law whereby the interest of the shareholders can be protected
for instance, by calling the attention of the chief justice of the
supreme court of New York to the long line of consent decrees that
have preceded this last tentative agreement and the possibility of
fraud existing therein."
XXXXXXXXXX
SAYS BLUE TO BE SOLD AND TRAKIiffiLL TO BE ITS CHAI.RI../IAN
In line with reports to that effect which have long been
in circulation in the industry, the New York Times stated today
(Friday) that it had learned that outright' divestment of the Blue
and Red networks of the National Broadcasting Comoany and the crea¬
tion of direct competition between the two in the radio field has
been decided upon by the management of the Radio Comoration of
America, parent concern of the National Broadcasting Company.
"The Blue network, with WJZ of New York as the key sta¬
tion, is to be set up as an entirely new corporate organization and
operated wholly independent of RCA control", the Time s story con¬
tinued. "Upon a final determination of the asset value of the Blue
network, RCA intends either to distribute on a. oro rata basis Blue
network stock to RCA stockholders or sell the net?-ork in its entir¬
ety to Wall Street banking Interests for redistribution to the gen¬
eral public.
"RCA officials have been negotiating in recent weeks with
Dillon, Read & Co. , with a view toward outriglit sale of the Blue
system .
"It is al so reported that Mr. Trammell will relinquish
his post as President of NBC to become Cha.irman of the Eoa.rd of the
new Blue network organization. "
XXXXXXXXX
- 7 -
I
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1/9/42
FTC QUESTIONS SMALL PROPORTION OF ADVERTISING BROADCAST
The annual report of the Federal Trade Commission gives
radio a pretty clean bill of health with regard to questionable
advertising broadcast. Also it reveals that the advertising polic¬
ing of the air by the FTC has grown into a tremendous task.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1941, the Commis¬
sion received 857,890 copies of commercial radio broadcast contin¬
uities, amounting to 1,737,181 pages of typewritten script. These
comprised 1,197,199 pages of individual station script, 529,820
pages of network script, and 10,162 pages of commercial recorded
script.
The staff examined 871,909 commercial radio broadcast con¬
tinuities, amounting to 1,749,557 pages of typewritten script.
These comsorised 519,640 pages of network script, 1,219,950 pages
of individual station script, and 9,967 pages of script represent¬
ing the built-in commercial portions of transcription" recording
productions destined for radio broadcast, through distribution of
multiple pressings of such recordings to individual stations. An
average of 5,755 pages of radio script were read each working day.
From this material 24,535 com.mercial broadcasts were marked for
further study as containing representations that might be false
or misleading.
In general, the Commission has received the helpful co¬
operation of the 3 Nationwide network chains, 13 active regional
networks, and transcription producers engaged in preparing commer¬
cial radio recordings, in addition to that of some 781 active com¬
mercial radio stations, 491 newspaper publishers, and 533 publishers
of magazines, farm journals, and trade publications, and has observ¬
ed an interested desire on the part of such broadcasters and pub¬
lishers to aid in the elimination of false and misleading advertis¬
ing.
Examination of current newspaper, magazine, radio, and
direct mail-order house advertising, in the manner described, ha.s
provided the basis for 75.4 percent of the cases arising from radio
broadcasts and published advertisements, initiated through the Radio
and Periodical Division during the fiscal year ended June 30 , 1941.
Information received from other sources, including informa.tion
from other divisions of the Commission, and from other Government
agencies, formed the basis of the remainder of the division’s work.
During the fiscal year the Commission sent questionnaires
to advertisers in 374 cases and to advertising agencies in 19 cases,
and accepted 234 stipulations pertaining to radio and periodical
advertising. Of these, 19 stipulations (8 relating to drugs and 11
to hair dyes) contained agreements to publish appropriate warnings
in advertisements as to the potential harm that might result from
the use of the products in question.
A total of 605 cases were disposed of by the various
methods of procedure. Of this number 2’22 cases were considered
settled upon receipt of reports showing compliance with previously
negotiated stipulations. The remaining 383 were closed without
- 8 -
I. ; , \ ^ ' •
I
1/9/42
FTC QUESTIONS SMALL PROPORTION OF ADVERTISING BROADCAST
Tiie annual report of the Federal Trade Commission gives
radio a pretty clean bill of health with regard to questionable
advertising broadcast. Also it reveals that the advertising polic¬
ing of the air by the FTC has grown into a tremendous task.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1941, the Commis¬
sion received 857,890 copies of commercial radio broadcast contin¬
uities, amounting to 1,737,181 pages of typewritten script. These
comprised 1,197,199 pages of individual station script, 529,820
pages of network script, and 10,162 pages of commercial recorded
script.
The staff examined 871,909 commercial radio broadcast con¬
tinuities, amounting to 1,749,557 pages of typewritten script.
These comiorised 519,640 pages of network script, 1,219,950 pages
of individual station scriot, and 9,967 pages of script reoresent-
ing the built-in commercial portions of transcription* recording
productions destined for radio broadcast, throu^ distribution of
multiple pressings of such recordings to individual stations. An
average of 5,755 pages of radio script were read each working day.
From this material 24,535 commercial broadcasts were marked for
further study as containing representations that might be false
or misleading.
In general, the Commission has received the helpful co¬
operation of the 3 Nationwide network chains, 13 active regional
networks, and transcription oroducers engaged in prenaring commer¬
cial radio recordings, in addition to that of some 781 active com¬
mercial radio stations, 491 newspaper publishers, and 533 publishers
of magazines, farm journals, and trade publications, and has observ¬
ed an interested desire on the part of such broadcasters and pub¬
lishers to aid in the elimination of false and misleading advertis¬
ing.
Examination of current newspaper, magazine, radio, and
direct mail-order house advertising, in the manner described, ha.s
provided the basis for 75.4 percent of the cases arising from radio
broadcasts and published advertisements, initiated through the Radio
and Periodical Division during the fiscal year ended June 30 , 1941.
Information received from other sources, including informant ion
from other divisions of the Commission, and from other Government
agencies, formed the basis of the remainder of the division’s work.
During the fiscal year the Commission sent questionnaires
to advertisers in 374 cases and to advertising agencies in 19 cases,
a^nd accepted 234 stipulations pertaining to radio and periodical
advertising. Of these, 19 stipulations (8 relating to drugs and 11
to hair dyes) contained agreements to publish appropriate warnings
in advertisements as to the potential harm that might result from
the use of the products in question.
A total of 605 cases were disposed of by the various
methods of procedure. Of this number 222 cases were considered
settled upon receipt of reports showing compliance with previously
negotiated stipulations. The remaining 383 were closed mdthout
8
: ;
5
• " ;i
■"i
■ ;
1/9/42
prejudice to the right of the Commission to reopen if warranted by
the facts.
Nine hundred seventy-nine radio and periodical cases
were pending on July 1, 1940, and 779 were pending on June 30,1941.
The Commission, in its systematic review of radio adver¬
tising, issues calls to individual radio stations, generally at the
rate of 4 times yearly for each station. Hov^^ver, the frequency of
calls to such individual broadcasters is varied from time to time,
dependent principally upon transmittal power, the service radius or
area of specific" stations, and the advertising record of certain
types of stations, as disclosed in analyses of previous advertising
reviews.
National and regional networks respond on a continuous
weekly basis, submitting copies of commercial continuities for all
programs wherein linked hook-ups are used involving two or more
stations.
Producers of electrical transcription recordings submit
monthly typed copies of the commercial portions of all recordings
produced by them for radio broadcast. This material is supple¬
mented by periodic reports from individual stations listing the
programs of recorded commercial transcriptions and other data.
XXXXXXXXX
ANOTHER NEW YORK TELEVISION STATION AUTHORIZED
The Allen B. DuMont Laboratories, Inc., in New York City,
have been granted a construction permit by the Federal Communica¬
tions Commission for a new television station to operate on 78000-
84000 kilocycles (Channel No. 4), with an E3R of 950; A5 emission
and special emission for frequency modulation; unlimited time, and
to be completed within 90 days.
Up to now the DuMont television sation, which is located
at 515 Madison Avenue, has been operating experimentally. Test
programs have been put on the air several nights a week which have
been received well into Connecticut. It was said that the station
might be operated commercially later if it was possible to secure
the equinment.
XXXXXXXXXX
Having received a number of coraola.ints of interference
to radio reception in south Texas by the operation of certain
electric signs, the Federal Commiunications Commission has requested
the cooperation of the manufacturer of these signs to remedy the
situation. It points out that radiation effects are exoerienced
not only in the broadcast bands but also in the frequency bands
used by a.vlation and police services.
XXXXXXXXXX
9
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1/9/42
TRADE NOTES t
Estimates of ^5,991,219 for the Federal Communications
Commission for the budget in the forthcoming fiscal year are
$77,510 beloTiT the 1942 appropriations for that agency.
An Illinois broadcaster has been advised by the Federal
Communications Commission that all transfers of broadcast station
stock must be reported to the Commission within 30 days, even if no
actual transfer of control is involved.
Milton Auster, member of the sales staff of the Ne’f York
Sylvania Radio Tube distributor, The Da.le Radio Comnany, was appoint¬
ed recently end is now functioning as business specialist on radio
parts in the Emergency Ivlanagement Office of the Office of Price
Administration, Washington. Mr. Auster has been associated with
the radio business for twenty years.
A new yearly high for total WOR time sales by one man is
said to have been set by Otis ?. Williams, WOR account executive,
who in the past 11 months sold over a half million dollars worth
of business. And he’s still got a month to goj
A standard American Red Cross course in First Aid will be
offered Columbia Broadcasting System employees in New York City.
The course will be given in conjunction with the CBS Air Raid Pre¬
caution System.
Station WliFC, Ribbing, Minnesota, and WHLB, Virginia,
Minnesota, both owned by the Head of the Lakes Broadcasting Go. ,
have become supplementary outlets to the Basic Blue and NBC Red
Networks .
How the Navy take civilians and, in four months time,
turn them into efficient radio operators and technicians will be
answered on Columbia network’s ’’Spirit of "42” Sunda-.y, January 11,
when the program goes to the U. S, Naval Training School at Noroton
Heiglits, Connecticut (WABC-CBS, 2:00 to 2:30 P.M., EST).
This item was recently carried by Leonard Lyons, New York
columnist :
”The final message from R. C. A. ’ s sta.ff in Manila was
addressed to their boss in New York. He immediately dispatched a
reply - and then they destroyed the sta.tion. ”
A North Carolina radio station has been told that the
Federal Communications Commission has no say in deferment from
military service of licensed radio engineers. It expla^ins that
the Selective Service Act prohibits group de ferments" as such, and
that the granting of occupational deferments in individual cases
is at the discretion of local draft boards.
10 -
V
1/9/42
The life story of DeForest caotioned ’’Magnificent Fh.ilure ”
by Samuel Lubel yjIII appear in next week' s Saturday Evening Post
(Jan. IV). A foreword reads;
"On January 29, 1907, a thirty- four-year-old inventor,
impoverished and battered by misfortune, filed a patent on a dis¬
covery which changed the course of history a.nd the destiny of man¬
kind. Lee DeForest' s grid audion tube introduced a new era in com¬
munication and is already responsible for a 1)6,000,000,000 indus¬
trial development and more than a million new jobs.
"And yet this man who was the father of radio is still,
toda,y, a ’magnificent failure’. Mr. Lubell traces a strange career
of achievement and frustration in three articles, "
The Bell Laboratories Record for January 1942 contains
the follov/ing articles; "160-Trunk Incoming Frames", A. E. K.
Theuner; "Loading Coils With Cores of Molybdenum ' Permalloy ", R.M.C.
Creenidge; "Cellulose Acetate Yarn Replaces Silk for Wire Insula¬
tion", D. R. Erobst; "Stevens Point and Minneapolis Linked by
Coaxial System", K. C. Black; "An Improved Capacitance Bridge for
Precision Measurements", W. D. Voelker; "Abrasion Test for Finishes"
xxxxxxxxxx
ACTION TAKEN BY THE FCC
Applications granted; KFI , Earle C. Anthony, Inc. , Los
Angeles, Calif. , granted special temporary authority to operate the
5-Ki/Y auxiliary transmitter between the hours of 12 midnight and 6
A.M.,PST, daily for a period not to exceed 30 days, in order to per¬
mit necessary servicing of the 50~kw main transmitter; K45LA, Don
Lee Broadcasting System, Los Angeles, Calif., granted modifica.tion
of construction permit for new high frequency broadcast station,
for extension of commencement and completion da.tes only to Feb. 14,
1942 and August 13, 1942, respectively; KSEE . Earle C. Anthony , Inc . ,
Los Angeles, Cal, , granted modification of construction permit for
new television broadcast station, to specify commencement da.te of
January 15, 1942, and for extension of comoletion date from. Jan, 15
to July 15, 1942,
Also, W2XG-E , G-enera.l Electric Co., Schenectady, N.Y.,
granted license to cover construction oermit for new television
relay broadcast station on experimental basis only, conditionally;
WFTL , Ralph A. Horton, Fort Lauderdale, ^la. , granted construction
permiit to install a new tr^^nsrai tter and directiona.l antenna for
niglit use, increase power from 250 watts unlimited time to 10 KW,
phange frequency from 1400 to 710 kc. , and move transmitter locally;
WHKY, Catawba Valley Broadcasting Co., Inc., Hickory, N. C., granted
construction permit to install a new transmitter, directional antennr
for night use", increase power from 250 watts to 1 KW night, 5 KW LS,
DA-M, chant^e frequency from 1400 to 1290 kc; WKWK , Community Broad¬
casting, Inc. , Fneeling, W. Va. , gra.nted modifica.tion of license to
increase power frora 100 to 250 watts day and nigiit
xxxxxxxx
- 11 -
■1
•V
1/9/42
AG-AINST USING FOUR CHAINS EXCEPT IN GREAT EICRGENCY
Unanimously expressing disapproval of tying together the
four national networks for simultaneous broadcasts, the Planning
and Advisory Committee of the Red Network of the National Broad¬
casting Company adopted a resolution to that effect as follows.'
"In considering how network operation can best serve the
interests of the nation during this war period, we urge that each
network retain independent operation and independent program build¬
ing. The simultaneous use of national networks, except in the
instances when the president of the United States addresses the
nation, or in the event of a sudden emergency, or military neces¬
sity should be avoided. Our vast radio audience is a result of,
and responds to, the excellence and variety of programs, a product
of the iunerican system of broadcasting. Tying up four networks for
one program is in effect attempting to coerce listeners and will
fail in its purpDOse, and will not attract a maximum audience,
neither will it spur competition efforts for program quality. The
interests and welfare of the nation can best be served by follow¬
ing the present pattern of independent separate network operation. "
xxxxxxxxxx
TELEVISION PROVES PFACTICAL IN DEFENSE INSTRUCTION
Television was tried out as a defense weaoon of national
importance, when instructions for air raids were broadcast by NBC
last week in New York City, and relayed to the General Electric
Comoany’s receiver in the Kelderberg Mountains near Schenectady,
129 miles northwest of New York City.
Air re.id w^ardens, police chiefs, fire chiefs, who w^ere
invited from the nearby villages of Altamont and Berne to witness
the experiment at the 'G-E relay station, expressed the opinion that
the television class was the most practical method of instruction
yet devised. They were most enthusiastic over the completeness
possible in this method of training, and stated, according to a G. E.
bulletin, that they had "learned more through this one show than
througii all the literature read and all other courses of instruc¬
tion combined. "
Officials of the General Electric Coraoany expressed the
belief tliat tdevision relay receivers installed at strategic points
throughout New York State would be a most efficient means of assur¬
ing proper and complete instruction of air raid wardens and other
war work volunteers on the farm and small communities.
XXXXXXXX
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
!
INDEX TO ISSUE OF JANUARY 13, 1942
DCB Recognition Seen As Big Gain Foi’ Labor. . . . , .
Amateurs Hope Ban May Be Eased . . .
FCC Mum On Mutual Suit .
Call FCC Order Same As Censorship . . .
Sarnoff Gives Details Of Blue Network Separation
Standards Bureau Adds Wartime Pitch .
Don Lee And RCA Exchange Television Patents .
Judge Rutherford's Death Recalls Oldtime Threat.
Trade Notes . . .
U. S. -Philippines Circuit Again Open. .
Rationing Of Radios Forecast By Unionist . .
. 2
.3
.4
.7
.8
. 9
10
10
11
12
12
No. 1394
J
i
January 13, 1942
DCB RECOGNITION SEEN AS BIG GAIN FOR LABOR
As a result of the action recently taken by the Defense
Communications Board, labor will have a place on the committees of
that powerful organization handling questions of radio communica¬
tions, telegraph and telephone, cable, aviation, domestic and inter¬
national broadcasting.
James L. Fly, Chaima.n of the DCB, declared the plan would
substantially enhance the position of labor as well as industry in
the functioning of the Board and would assure its due participation
in the over-all task of planning for the nation's communications
systems under war conditions.
As a result of tne new undertaking, the Defense Communi¬
cations Board will invite representatives from labor to participate
in the work of the expert communications committees. Labor thus will
be in a position to aid more effectively in the formula. tion of basic-
plans affecting communications systems in the emergency. Further¬
more, future joint meetings between the Industry and Labor Advisory
Committees will be held as needed in order to assure complete in¬
dustry solidarity in the tasks ahead. The extent of labor' s partici¬
pation and the recognized limitations on the Board’s functions were
set forth in the attached letter from Chairman ^y to the Labor
Advisory Committee which was concurred in by the latter.
In making the announcement, Chairman Fly praised the co¬
operation of all parties concerned, and said:
"There has been full recognition on all sides both of
the vital role which communications must play in our total
war effort and of the necessity that this must be our sole
concern at the moment. We are fully resolved to see that
this nation's communications facilities are as adequate 8.nd
secure as they can be made under the circumstances. In form¬
ulating plans to that end, the Board wants all the qualified
help it can get, whether from management or labor. We do
not recognize any special group interest in developing plans
in the communications field for our total war effort. "
Chairman Fly also praised the decision to hold future
joint meetings between the Industry and Labor Advisory Committees,
pointing out that such meetings hold great promise in assuring
cooperation among management, labor, and government in communica¬
tions.
- 2 -
1
1/13/42
At the same time the following statement was issued by the
Labor Advisory Committee;
"The members of the Labor Advisory Committee welcome the
action of the Defense Communications Board in convening a joint con¬
ference of the Industry and Labor Advisory Committees at our request
to consider communications problems affecting the war effort. We
believe the conference was a step in the direction of the full util¬
ization of the resources, facilities, manpower, intelligence, and
initiative of each component part of the communications industry in
the total effort. Both industry and labor recognize that all
matters which are properly the subject of collective bargaining will
not come within the purview of these discussions but will continue
to be referred to the established appropriate government agencies,
"We hope in successive joint meetings to be able to evolve
effective methods of working out jointly the many problems which
affect our industry in this crisis.
"The action taken by the Defense Communications Board
today in appointing labor representatives along with industry and
government on the various special planning committees of the Board
will, we feel, facilitate the work of these committees. The con-
stmictive and sympathetic aoproach to labor's proposals expressed
by Chairman Fly for the Defense Communications Board will be a source
of gratification to the workers in the communications industry. "
The fact that potentially tremendous authority is lodged
with the D. C.B. gives Chairman Fly's action special significance.
A call for Government operation of communications follom^-
ing a pattern set during the first World War might conceivably be
issued by the labor representatives if present plans fall to achieve
desired results.
Meanwhile indications grow that the A, F. of L. and the
C.I.O. have established a "tacit" united front for the purpose of
securing for labor a greater share of responsible defense posts.
xxxxxxxx
AMATEURS HOPE BAN MAY BE EASED
Arguing that if it hadn't been for the pioneering radio
wouldn't be where it is today and that they have never been found
wanting in any emergency yet - whether it was flood, conflagration
or hurricane - and that they have been able to come through when
even the Army and the Navy had not been able to do so, the radio
amateurs are hoping they raa.y be dealt with a little less drastically.
At the request of the Defense Communications Board, the
Federal Communications Commission last Saturday ordered all amateur
radio operation to cease immediately. It was exolalned that national
defense considerations require such complete cessation.
3
1/13/42
A Commission order of December 8 suspended amateur
activities save for those authorized by the Defense Communications
Board upon recoramenda.tion of Federal, State, or local officials in
connection with defense. Many such requests had been aporoved by
the Commission at the instance of the Defense Communications Board.
However, in the light of subsequent events and military
requirements, the Board and the Commission both have deciced that
all amateur redio operation shall be suspended. In consequence, all
special authorizations granted since December 8 have now been can¬
celled.
In the December 8 order about 65,000 amateur operators
were banned from the air, but the Defense Board subsequently gave
special authorization to about 2,000 operators to resume and these
are the ones affected in the latest order.
XXXXXXXX
FCC MM ON MUTUAL SUIT
There was no comment at the Federal Communications Commis¬
sion on the suit for $10,275,000 filed against the National Broad¬
casting Company in Chicago last Saturda.y. The inference was "it
speaks for itself". James L. Fly, of the FCC, credited with
favoring Mutual in its recent moves, was away from his office Monday
and did not hold the usual press conference but it was said in his
behalf that since the matter was now pending in Court, he probably
would not have had anything to say had he been there.
Niles Trammell, President of the NBC, made the following
statement ;
"This suit is the culmination of a series of attacks that
have been instigated against NBC and the Blue Network by Mutual
since NBC refused to sell to it important parts of the Blue Network.
"It should now be revealed tha.t about two years ago the
dominant interests in Mutual, R. H, Macy & Company and the Chicago
Tribune sought to purchase parts of the Blue Network from us, wliich
would have destroyed the Blue as a coast to coast network. By such
elimination of the Blue these Interests sought to diminish rather
than to increase network competition. There would have been three
nationwide networks instead of four as at present.
"We refused to dismember the Blue Network. Mutual began
campai.pss in Washington and elsewhere, urging the adootion by the
FCC of new network regulations which vjould enable Mutual to achieve
the end it sought. Meanwhile, Mutual also induced breaches of con¬
tract between our Blue Network and affiliated stations, a fact which
we will prove in these court proceedings.
4 -
: ^ : V-'
I,
I
l\
1/13/42
'’While Mutual claims to be the 'Little fellow' of the
network family, and shouts 'bigness' at others, it does not call
attention to the real control and the vast accumulation of wealth
and power represented by the small clique of seven Mutual stockhold¬
ers headed by Chicago Tribune and R. K. Macy & Company, whose
influence and domination extend beyond broadcasting to the depart¬
ment store and publishing businesses.
"These powerful and wealthy stockholders of Mutual repre¬
sent an aggregation of assets, business and profits greatly exceed¬
ing those of NBC and RCA.
"The issues in this suit are the same as those in the two
earlier suits now in litigation with the Government. The first of
these suits, in which Mutual is a participant, will be held in New
York, Monday, January 12.
"This new suit by Mutual provides an opportunity to expose
the motives behind the campaign to break down the networks of the
National Broadcasting Company.
"The Blue Network of the NBC was established fifteen years
ago in response to a public demand when only one other network - the
Red - existed, and when no competition in nation-wide programs was
available. Eight years after the NBC was created to give the Ameri¬
can public the first nation-wide programs ever provided, Station WOR
owned by Macy and WGN owned by the Chicago Tribune, organized the
Mutual Broadcasting System, and ever since have sought to reap
where others have sown.
"Mutual has admitted that it carries on no research or
development in the radio art. It has undertaken no substantial
financial risks in pioneering the development of nation-wide broad¬
casting. It entered the field only after others risked their capi¬
tal and demonstrated that broadcasting could be conducted as a sound
business enterprise.
"The facts are that despite all the so-called restrictions
in the competitive net^^ork field from which the Mutual claims to
suffer, it has increased its revenue in 1941 over 1940 by 53^.
"The operations and public service rendered by the National
Broadcasting Company are a matter of public record. We are utilizing
every Source at our command in the vital war effort of the Nation.
This harassing litigation and the unjustified demand for the absurd
sum of ^10,000,000 with the motive of eliminating the Blue Network,
which would decrease our vital communication facilities are not in
key V7ith the American war effort. "
Amounts of actual damage the suit alleged were sustained
we re :
Mutual System, 81,000,000; WGN of Chicago, $850,000; WOR,
of New York City, $1,000,000; WOL, of Washington, D. C., $275,000;
i
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1/13/42
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WG-RC of New Albany, Ind. , $75,000; KWK, of St. Louis; $165,000 and
WHBF of Rock Island, Ill. , $60,000.
Counsel for the plaintiff in the suit said that the action
invoked the provision of the Clayton Act, a supplementary law of the
Sheman Anti-Trust Act, which makes it possible to request damages
three times in excess of the amount actually alleged to have been
sustained.
The complaint alleged ‘^an unlawful combination and con¬
spiracy to injure the plaintiff by hindering and restricting Mutual
in its ability to freely and fairly compete in the transmission in
interstate commerce or Nation-wide network programs".
It also accused the defendants of hindering the sale of
national network time, attacked NBC long-term and exclusive con¬
tracts and optional-time clauses.
The suit alleged that NBC did not operate its Red and
Blue networks competitively but Jointly and asked that NBC be en¬
joined from carrying out the alleged conspiracy and from maintaining
or entering into further contracts with affiliated stations.
Another allegation was that long-term NBC contracts in
cities having less than four broadcasting stations with adequate
facilities and exclusive and optional time clauses of such con¬
tracts were illegal and in restraint of interstate trade and com¬
merce and that operation of two networks by the defendants was
illegal.
The Wa.shington Post had this to say about the suit:
"Now the Mutual Broadcasting System is demanding more than
ten million dollars in damages from the Radio Corooration of America
and NBC on the ground that the latter’s restrictive contracts con¬
stitute unlawful restraint of fair competition.
"It must be admitted that this is not an ideal time to be
pressing for basic adjustments in the broadcasting industry. Radio,
like many other industries, has a special obligation to render high
quality service during this war period. Care should certainly be
taken to avoid any serious disruption of broadcasting facilities.
For that_ reason it is unfortunate that this issue has been raised in
three separate actions. Company officials may find their time ab¬
sorbed by legal proceedings to the detriment of the vital public ser¬
vice they render. On the other hand, it would certainly not be in
the public interest to abandon all effort to dissolve the existing
concentration of power over the broadcasting industry.
"The FCC has m.ade the unassailable point that we must have
active competition in the broadcasting field or Government regulation
of the few big companies now in control. There is no reason even to
suspend that sound principle because the country is engaged in war.
All that can reasonably be asked is that the networks be subjected to
no unnecessary harassment and that the desirable adjustments be
brought about without abruptness which might seriously imisair the
quality of broadcasting services now rendered. "
XXXXXXXXXX
- 6
1/13/42
CALL FCC ORDER SAME AS CENSORSHIP
In their day in the Federal Court in New York yesterday
(Monday), the National Broadcasting Company arid the Columbia Broad¬
casting System argued that the Federal Communications Commission in
its recent monopoly ruling had not only exceeded its authority but
had raised a threat of censorship. Attorneys for both of these net¬
works declared that if the Commission has, the power to make regula ¬
tions covering the affiliation contracts and options, it can, in
similar manner, exercise a censorship over the programs oresented by
the stations.
Arguing for NBC, John T. Cahill charged that the Commis¬
sion was usurping functions of the Department of Justice and the
courts in attempting to decide what is a monopoly. The Commission,
he said, regards itself as "an efficiency expert" in business and
is trying to dictate the business policies of broadcasting execut¬
ives. It is without power to make the regulations in question, he
added, citing Congressional debates that preceded adoption of the
law giving the Commission its authority.
Charles Evans Hughes, Jr. , representing CB3, said that the
regulations instead of promoting competition would lessen it. They
also would make it difficult, if not impossible, for networks to
obtain advertising contracts by creating new and unnecessary uncer¬
tainties about the number and location of outlets involved, he con¬
tended.
"The whole business of a national radio network depends on
its ability to sell the time of its stations to a na.tional advertis¬
er", he explained. "To negotiate successfully the network must be
able to state concretely what it has to offer. It sometimes requires
months of market study and research, program planning and negotia¬
tions before an advertiser can decide whether or not to use network
broadcasting and if so what stations and program to utilize. Under
the regulations the network would be in no position to make a firm
offer of any definite program coverage during this period of negotia¬
tions. "
The Court hearings were scheduled to resume Tuesday and
probably mn througliout the week.
XXXXXXXX
Representative Wallgren obtained pennission to have print¬
ed in the Congressional Record, a CBS radio broadcast on December 31,
1941, on the subject Twelve Crowded Months, by Elmer Davis, .^Lbert
Wprner, Linton Wells, Edward R. Murrow, Eric Sevareid, William L,
Shirer, Maj. George Fielding Eliot, and John Daly.
XXXXXXXXX
7
> > •
I
1/13/42
SARNOFF GIVES DETAILS OF BLUE NETWORK SSPARA.TION
David Sarnoff, President of the Radio Corporation of Amer--
ica, in confirming the formation of Blue Network Company, Inc. , a
separate, wholly-owned subsidiary of RCA, states that incorporation
papers for the new company were filed at Dover, Delaware, last
Friday.
Mr. Sarnoff said that, with the permission of the Federal
Communications Commission, the new company will operate the Blue
Network and will own and manage Stations WJZ in New York, WENR in
Chicago, and KGO in San Francisco. It will continue to furnish pro¬
gram service to more than one hundred independently owned, affili¬
ated radio stations throughout the country.
Blue Network Company, Inc., will continue without inter¬
ruption the programs and business heretofore carried by the Blue
Network division of the National Broadcasting Company, Mr. Sarnoff
said. It will be supervised by the same experienced personnel
which, over a fifteen-year period, has made the Blue one of Ameri¬
ca's great networks.
As its first step in independent operation, the Blue Net¬
work applied for the consent of the Federal Communications Commis¬
sion, for the transfer of licenses to operate Stations WJZ, WENR
and KGO. The Board of Directors of the new company meVlast Friday
and elected officers.
The President of the Blue Network Company, Inc. , will be
Mark Woods, heretofore Vice President and Treasurer of NBC. The
Executive Vice President will be Edgar Kobak, previously NBC Vice
President in Charge of Sales for the Blue Network.
Mr. Woods said;
"In 1938 first steps were taken toward the setting up of
the Blue Network as an Independently operated broadcasting unit.
One by one during the three years which followed, separate depart¬
ments have been established to supervise Blue Network operations.* *
"To maintain and enhance its program standards, the Blue
Network will avail itself of the counsel of an advisory committee
representing seven regions into which the United States has been
divided for broadcast purposes.* * *
"^^erabers of the Committee are; Harry Wilder, Station W3YR,
Syracuse; Allen Campbell, Station WXYZ, Detroit; Earl May, Station
KMA, Shenandoah, la. ; Henry ?. Johnston, Station WSGN, Birmingham;
Harold Hough, Station KGKO, Fort Worth; Tracy McCraken, Station KFBC,
Cheyenne; Howard Lane, Station KFBK, Sacramento."
Niles Trammell, President of the National Broadcasting
Comoany, who will continue in that capacity, was elected Chairman of
the new comoany’s Executive Committee which includes Mark Woods and
Edgar Kobak as members.
XXXXXXXXX
8
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1/13/42
1
STANDARDS BUREAU ADDS WARTILE PITCH
The radio frequency service broadcast continuously by the
National Bureau of Standards, which includes the standard musical
pitch and other features on which industrial, musical and other
groups largely deoend, now includes a second carrier frequency - 15
megacycles ~ thus insuring wider reception, according to the Depart¬
ment of Commerce. The single frequency heretofore used for these
broadcasts is 5 megacycles.
This service is broadcast continuously day and night and
¥;idely used. Both frequencies and the standard musical pitch as
transmitter by the Bureau station - WWV - are accurate to better
than one part in 10,000,000.
The standard musical pitch - 440 cycles or vibrations per
second ~ corresponds to A above middle C. It is used by manufactur¬
ers of musical instruments for standardizing tuning forks and other
gadgets. Orchestra leaders in all parts of the country either take
the pitch directly from the radio or use it as a check on their tun¬
ing devices. Some piano tuners also take the pitch directly from
the radio.
It was first adopted in G-ermany in 1834, but not generally
accepted Internationally until after World War I. In fact, a French
pitch, adopted in Paris in the 1850* s, was well on the way to
international acceptance when the first World War started.
During that great struggle Allied troops found among cap¬
tured booty numerous German wind instruments of good quality, all of
which were pitched on 440 vibrations per second. This is credited
with having started a movement which has since resulted in the gen¬
eral acceptance of the German pitch. It has even been said that the
Germans won the long battle for acceptance of their musical pitch
even if they did lose World War I,
The 440- vibration oitch was adopted by the Bureau of
Standards for use in its frequency service because it had received
the endorsement of various official bodies.
XXXXXXXXXX
Representatives of 16 Government departments, including
E. K. Jett, Chief Engineer of the Federal Communications Commission,
were appointed to the Censorship Operating Board, formed by Censor¬
ship Director Byron Price to control the flow of information between
the United States a.nd other countries.
X X X X X X X X
9
1/13/42
DON LEE AND RCA EXCKANCE TELEVISION PATENTS
A television natent interchf^nge pgreement between RCA and
Don Lee Broadcasting System, Hollywood, wps announced last week by
Thomas 3. Lee, President of the latter concern. Negotiations lead¬
ing to the agreement were started in the Spring of 1939 when it
became apparent that no one organization in the country held all
patent rights for present-day television.
Don Lee Broadcasting System patents cover inventions of
Harry R. Lubcke , television director of that firm. They are con¬
cerned with numerous phases of television, including synchronization,
scanning, cathode-ray tubes, and telecasting of motion pictures as
well as live subjects.
Patents cover methods and apparatus for both transmis¬
sion and reception. Included are inventions as far back as 1930
when Lubcke started pioneering in television development for the
late Don Lee.
Agreement calls for a non-exclusive, non-transferable
license to RCA from Don Lee Broadcasting System in return for a sim¬
ilar license for certain equipment of the latter organization with a
monetary consideration included. Don Lee concern retains ownership
of patents and is free to license others in the television field.
xxxxxxxx
JUDGE RUTHERFORD'S DEATH RECALLS OLDTIME THREAT
The passing of Joseph F. Rutherford, world leader of
Jehovah's Witnesses, who died in San Diego, Calif., last Thursday
but v/hose death was not made known until the following 3und.ay, re¬
calls an early clash he had with the old Federpl Radio Commission,
Jehovah's Witnesses even then owned a couple of broadcasting sta¬
tions and were buying time on many more. Judge Rutherford became
enraged when the Commission dtecided against him, calling down the
wrath of God in a death threat upon the Commissioners. Following
that whenever one Commissioner would meet another, the salutation
would be, "Well, I see you are still alive.'"
Another time. Judge Rutherford complained to the Commis¬
sion that the NBC had discriminated against him. M. H. Aylesworth,
then NBC President, denied the charge and then and there offered
Judge Rutherford an Hour's free time any Sunday he would suggest.
The Judge took him up on the spot. This proved a terrible headache
for Mr. Aylesworth as complaints were received from all over the
country and as far as this writer knows, that was the last free time
Jehovah's Witnesses ever received from NBC. They, however, continu¬
ed to use hundreds of stations by transcription and otherwise.
XXXXXXXX
10 -
1/13/42
TRADE NOTES
The totpl number of Mutual net^^ork outlets is now 194
stations. This figure has been reached with the recent a.f f ilis.tion
of KILO; G-rand Forks, North Dakota.
Recent advances in radio will be described by Dr. Arthur
Van Dyck, new President of the Institute of Radio Engineers, as
guest speaker Saturday, January 17, on Adventures in Science".
(WABC-CB3, 1:30 P.M., EST).
In the one hundred corporations or independent companies
listed as holding the greatest amount of War and Navy Department
supoly contracts awarded June 1940 through September 194i, in mil¬
lions of dollars, the Radio Corporation of American is shown to
have contracts to the value of 22,7.
Bethlehem Steel and Curtiss- Wright Coraooration lead with
values of 961.5 and 886.3 respectively.
Thomas Patrick, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., (Station KWK), has
applied to the Federal Communications in an amended anolicatlon for
25 KW night and 50 KW day power and make changes in directional
antenna ( 680 kc . )
Jose Salinas, General Motors export executive, and Carlos
Garcia, Chrysler assembly line mechanic, were featured on the first
broadcast, January 5, of "NOticias del Norte", CBS daily program
(9 P.M., EST) of spot and feature news for Latin America.
Station WSFA, Montgomery Broadcasting Co., Inc., Montgom¬
ery, Ala. , has been granted a construction permit by the Federal
Coramunica.t ions Commission to increase pom^er from 500 watts night,
1 KW L3 to 5 KW, install a new transmitter and directional antenna
for nigiit use, and move transmitter locally, subject to installing
permanent monitoring facilities.
Roberto I. Unanue , CBS Latin American news editor, has
been sent to Rio de Janeiro to cover the Conference of Foreign
Ministers for WCRC and WCEX, CBS short wave stations.
xxxxxxxxxx
11 -
1/13/42
U. 3. -PHILIPPINES CIRCUIT AGAIN OPEN
Direct commercial radiotelegraph communica.tion between
the United States and the Philippines, broken since the U.S. Army
demolished all radio and cable installations at Hfenila on December
31, was re-established last Friday by R.C.A. Communications, Inc.,
with the opening of a circuit between San Francisco and the city of
Cebu on the island of the same name. Cebu lies about half way
between Manila and Davao, in Mindanao,
Message traffic moved between the two points during the
day. There is a strong probability, according to word received by
RCAC from its representatives in Cebu, thet messages to and from
tv/o other islands in the Philippines — Visayas and Mindanao — » may
be handled through the Cebu facilities. The Philippines Bureau of
Posts operates an inter-island cable system, and it is believed that
the links between Cebu and the other two islands still may be open.
XXXXXXXXX
RATIONING OF RADIOS FORECAST BY UNIONIST
Rationing of radios in the near future was foreseen by
Russ Nixon, Washington representative of the United Electrica.1,
Radio and Machine Workers Union of the C.I.O. Nixon and about 50
other delegates of the union opened a two-day meeting in Chicago to
discuss problems arising out of the conversion of the radio industrj’’
to military purposes providing sets for the armed forces.
”We can’t tell yet what the Government will order us to
do”, he said, ’’but we can get a good idea from what has happened
to the automobile industry. We can expect a 50 per cent production
cut for the first three months and then a reduction to about 10 per
cent. Instead of building one million sets a month for the public,
we would build only 100,000 under such a schedule . ”
Nixon sa.id that another reason for cutting down the sup¬
ply of radios for the public would be to save copper, aluminum,
nickel and steel.
XXXXXXXXXX
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OF JANUARY 16, 1942
Taft Blocks Presidential Communications Araendinent . . . 2
Denies Radio Shut-Down Ordered . 4
Aide To Radio Censor Named .
Labor Leaders Given Plenty of Network Leeway. . .
Press- Radio Hearings Enter Tenth Month .
New FM Receivers Now Number 50,000 .
High Frequency Aviation Range May Supplant Beam
Fly Gives Blue Net His Blessing .
Radio Censorship Code To Bar Spies’ Messages . 9
Dr. Jolliffe Is Mr. Sarnof f ’ s New Assistant . 10
Trade Notes . 11
Senate Considers Anti-Liquor Advertising Bill . . . 12
No. 1395
lO lO }> D-
1^
t,
TAFT BLOCKS PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS AfilENDMENT
Declaring that the matter was of such importance that it
ought not to be considered under the 5 minute rule. Senator Taft of
Ohio (R. ), succeeded in blocking discussion of an amendment to the
Communications Act having to do with granting to the President, in
time of war, certain powers with respect to communications. Follow¬
ing Mr. Taft’s objection, the bill was finally passed over.
Subsequently Senator Taft introduced an amendment of his
own with regard to the President taking over the communications facil¬
ities of the country which read that if he does so, it be provided
however:
"That except in case of invasion or in connection with the
movement of military or naval forces no such authorization shall be
given for the use and control of property costing more than ^10,000,000
without prior appropriation by the Congress. "
"A reading of the bill as it now stands indicates to me
that it would authorize the President to take over tomorrow the tele¬
phone, telegraph and radio companies", the Senator from Ohio declared.
"Of course that is true, as the Senator says". Senator
Wallace White ( R. ) , of Maine, replied, "that while we are in this war
the President might, under the authority of this proposed legislation,
take over the telegraph and telephone systems of the country. In that
respect the bill is not essentially different from provisions v/hich
have been on our statute books for all of 30 years with resnect to the
radio communication facilities of the country. If my recollection is
correct, in the 1912 Ra.dio Act - the first radio act passed - we
authorized the President to take over those facilities, or to close
all stations, not only if we were in war but if there were a threat of
war, or if a national emergency of any character were found and de¬
clared by the President. That provision was carried in the 1927 Act
and it again had the approval of the Senate and of the House of Repre¬
sentatives when we oassed the 1934 act.
"While it is true that the language of this proposed legis¬
lation is broad enough to do orecisely what the Senator from Ohio says,
the testimony before the committee was that the purpose is ver5i^ much
narrower than that general authority, although, of course, it is
recognized that in time of war it may be necessary to do the v^hole
thing.
"Today we find this situation: Fbr instance, we are having
maneuvers at various points in the country. Three or four or five
hundred thousand men of the Army are engaged in maneuvers spreading
over large parts even of a State. I think it must be recognized that
- 2 -
I
SBSSife-i
1/16/42
communication is vital to the efficient carrying-on of maneuvers of
that character. It seems to me absolutely necessary that there shall
be authority to subordinate for the time being the coramunicetion intei»-
ests and even the public interests to this major and immediate require*
ment so that troops may be moved from point to ooint with intelligence
and ?/ith efficiency. It clearly apoears in the record that the Com¬
munications Commission has no purpose to take over these facilities
generally. A limit of time is provided in the bill. I may say that
the coraoanies involved, or those which might be involved, offered no
objection to the bill before the committee.
’'I have the same reluctance that the Senator from Ohio has;
but I regard the granting of this authority, if I miay so express it,
as a necessary evil. I think the authority should be and must be
granted if the communication facilities of the Nation are to be
mobilized in the Nation's interest."
"of course, " Mr. Taft replied, "the analogy to radio is
not complete. A radio station may comimunlcste during war with places
outside the Nation, whereas today we certainly have complete control
and complete censorship over the telephone and telegraph wires. I do
not txiink the two are analogous. All I am concerned about is that it
seems to me that, without further action by Congress, the American
Telephone & Telegraph Co. , say, might be taken over, at a cost of
something over a billion dollars, as I remember, as the President took
over the railroads in the World War. I do not know whether there is
any necessity for such action; but it seems to me that this authority
could be properly qualified so that the proper uses needed for mili¬
tary purposes might be authorized, and leave any question of taking
over the telephone company or the telegraph companies until Congress
itself should debate that question and determine it,
"I therefore object to the present consideration of the bill.
I shall iif^ve no objection if the bill is modified. If that is not
going to happen, if it is not intended to authorize that, and the bill
says so, I certainly shall withdraw any objection to it. "
"The bill passed the House December 19", Senator Barkley,
of Kentucky, Democratic leader injected, "and it has been considered
by the Senate committee. In order that there might be no fear or mis¬
apprehension with respect to the purposes of the bill, the committee
specifically suggested to the chairman that in his report he set out
certain excerpts from the testimony given by the Chairman of the Com-
m.ission, Mr. Fly, regarding the purposes of the bill. Mr. Fly stated
in Ills testimony that there was no intention to take over these facil-
ties permanently or primarily or for any other purpose, except a.s it
might develop from time to time to be necessary'; and it is difficult
to outline those necessities in a bill. "
"I understand tlia.t; but I do not see why we should pass
legislation giving broad autnority on the statement of somebody that
he is not going to use the authority", Ur. Taft replied, "It seems
to me that is an unnecessary thing to do. I think qualifications
could be made that would meet any objection I have to the bill. "
3
1/16/42
"Cf course”, Senator Barkley concluded, "the Senator knows
that in order to accomplish even a sma.ll purpose in regard to facil¬
ities of this kind or other kinds it is necessary to give broad
powers, not that tney will ever be exercised, but that it is almost
impossible to write into a bill the exigencies or circumstances under
which the President might make use of these facilities - not only take
them over, but make use of them at all. The difficulty is in writing
into a statute all the conditions under which the authority may be
exercised without handicapping the Government in such a way as not to
bring about the desired result. ”
XXXXXXXXX
DENIES RADIO SHUT-DOWN ORDERED
Reports circulated in the press and by radio that 0PM would
shut down radio production in two or three months were declared by
the Radio Manufacturers* Association to be inaccurate and misleading.
"The Office of Production Management has as yet made no
announcement or order regarding curtailed civilian production of
radio”, said Bond Geddes, Executive Vice President of the Radio Manu¬
facturers* Association. "The radio industry is already widely engag¬
ed on the very large program of vital radio and other military equip¬
ment and is going rapic'J.y into increased military expansion.
"Reduced manufacture of civilian radio obviously is involv¬
ed and an 0PM order is expected shortly curtailing civilian radio by
about 30 percent during the first three months of this year, but not
a complete shut down. Further reduction in civilian radio later in
1942 is expected as the industry becomes more extensively engaged on
the military program. Also it is understood the official oolicy
contemplates supolies of tubes and other replacement and repair parts
for radio sets now in the hands of the public, and we are not advised
of any official plans for 'rationing* of radio,"
XXXXXXXXXX
Notwithstanding the fact that many v/ays tia.ve been suggested
for turning out the 31,000 street lights of the city in a blackout,
nothing yet has been found that would do away with the necessity of
having the lights turned off individually by hand by air raid wardens,
it was said at the RCA laboratory in New York City where the ideas
are being tested.
XXXXXXXXXX
4
; :
I
1/16/42
AIDE TO RADIO CENSOR NA^IED
John K. Ryan, Assistant Director of Censorship in Charge of
Radio, has announced the appointment of Stenley P. Richardson,
Coordinator of International Broadcasting, as an aide in his Radio
Division.
Mr. Richardson has been given a leave of absence by the
American snort-wave broadcasting stations to enable him to accept
the Government post. The new appointee has acted for about a year
as the representative in New York and Washington of the six companies
enga,ged in international broadcasting, with particular reference to
their defense activities.
Ninety-nine and ninety-nine hundreds per cent of the news¬
papers and radio stations approve voluntary censorship of informa¬
tion that might be helpful to the Axis nations, Byron Price, Director
of Censorship said at a press conference yesterday.
Regarding possible violations of the newspaper code announc¬
ed Thursday, he said:
”We are not crossing that bridge until we come to it - if
we do come to it. There are bound to be slips and inadvertencies.
No one can avoid these. But as for defiance of the code, I doubt if
we will come to that. ”
Mr. Price said that radio, being world wide, would be under
more stringent censorship than newspapers which are domestic. The
radio industry, he added, understood the situation.
XXXXXXXXX
LABOR LEADERS GIVEN PLENTY OF NETWORK LEEWAY
Leaders of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress
of Industrial Organizations made a total of 74 appearances on national
network radio programs in 1941.
National
In announcing this figure, the/Association of Broadcasters
pointed out that it did not include the many local labor programs
aired by individual stations. Nor does it include the appearances
made by national labor leaders on individual stations. The total
includes only those appearances on the networks of the Columbia
Broadcasting System, the Mutual Broadcasting *^ystem and the National
Broadcasting Company.
Talks by labor leaders are carried ?jithout charge, as a pub¬
lic service by the networks and stations. In the event any speaker
takes one side of a controversial public issue, a representative of
the other side is offered an equal amount of free time for rebuttal.
X X X X X X X
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1/16/42
PRESS-RADIO HEARINGS ENTER TENTH MONTH
Dragging along since last March - almost a year now - the
Federal Communications Commission's investigation of newspaper- radio
station relations hearings will be resumed Wednesday, January 21st.
It was thought the war might put a crimp into the trial of the news¬
papers but if so there has been no sign of it as yet.
The Commission professes to see three possible uses for
material being developed in its inquiry into joint ownership of news¬
papers and radio broadcast stations.
The Commission, submitting its report on 1941 activity to
Congress, lists these alternatives;
1. Use of the expert knowledge thus acquired as an aid to sub¬
sequent determinations in particular cases.
2. Formulation of rules or statements of policy for the guid¬
ance of the Commission.
3. Recommendations to Congress for aporopriate legislation.
Discussing the background of the probe into "The newspaper
issue", the annual report says:
"The general question of joint control of neivspapers and
broadcast stations has long been a topic of interest in Congress and
has arisen from time to time in connection with particular decisions
of the Commission. Thus the Commission has been called upon to
decide whether in a community with only one daily newspaper and no
radio station the public interest will be better served by licensing
a proposed station to the newspaper with existing facilities for
gathering news and procuring advertising revenues, or to a non-news-
paper applicant who will introduce an independent and competing
medium for community service.”
XXXXXXXX
NEW FM RECEIVERS NOW NUMBER 50,000
Latest figures on sales of Fl'K receivers, as compiled by FM
Broadcasters, Inc., the national FM trade association, indicate that
there were approximately 50,000 sets equipped for frequency modulation
reception in the vicinity of New York City alone on January 1. The
national total is close to the quarter million mark.
The New England states may now claim between 22,000 and
24,000 sets, while Chicago has reached 25,000 - most of which were
sold in the past three months. Other large cities include Philadel¬
phia with 12,000; Los Angeles, 15,000; Milwaukee, 6,500; Detroit,
12,000; Pittsburgh, 8,000.
XXXXXXXX XX
6
-5
1/16/42
HIGH FREQUENCY AVIATION RANGE MAY SUPPLANT BSAII
A two course ultra high frequency radio range development
of a type which is expected to supplant the radio beam system now in
use on the airways of the United States within the next few years
was described at the New York convention of the Institute of Ftedio
Engineers.
The new development operates on 125 megacycle s, a wave
length 400 times shorter than the wave length in use at present.
Experimentation indicates that it eliminates static entirely and
greatly diminishes the danger of multiple courses and the distortive
effects which mountains, rivers, ore deposits and other influences
of terrain exert upon radio beams; factors which have been held
responsible for airline accidents. The new system orovides precise
and complete information to the pilot. It shows him whether or not
he is to the left or right of his correct line of flight and whether
he has flo?/n beyond the radio range station or has not yet reached
it, an extremely important point of information in bad weather.
The ultra high frequency range has been developed for and
in collaboration with the Radio Development Section of the Civil
Aeronautics Administration by the Laboratory Division of the Inter¬
national Telephone & Radio Manufacturing Corporation.
All experimentation and field work on the new development
has been conducted at the C.A.A. Experimental Station at Indianapolis
Municipal Airport where the apparatus has been inspected and flight
tested with satisfactory results by airline administrators and pilots.
In addition to its safety factors and more complete informa--
tion for the pilots, the new development points the way much further
toward the automatic gyroscopic control of the plane. The inoti'^iment
indicator actuated by the ultra high frequency range transmitter may
in the future be used to direct the automatic pilot and thus keep
the plane on its course automatically.
xxxxxxxxxx
FLY GIVES BLUE NET HIS BLESSING
The one really responsible for the separation of the two
networks - the Blue from the Red - Chairman J. L. Fly of the Federal
Communications Commiission Journeyed to Chicago to attend a meeting
of the affiliates of the newly organized chain and to express his
approval of the undertaking.
At the same time, Mark Woods, President of the Blue Network
Company said it was news to him if Marshall Field was trying to buy
the new chain. Mr. Woods said that no negotiations for the sale of
the Blue were not being carried on with anyone. He said it mi^it be
some time before the network is sold, Mr. Woods said tha.t the network
„ 7 -
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. * A
: ■ •• •;■. A •
1/16/42
expected to show a profit during the first half year of operation.
He added that RCA had advanced ^2, 000, 000 for operations.
The following resolutions were adopted at the Chicago meet¬
ing;
*'1. - The Blue Network stations' planning and advisory committee
is conscious that the success of the new Blue Network is dependent
upon complete and wholehearted cooperation between the management of
the network and its affiliates. It is only with absolute unity in
the ranks of affiliates and their unqualified loyalty to the network,
that the national mission of the Blue NetxTOrk will be achieved. This
unity and loyalty the committee commends to all Blue Network affil¬
iates as their prooer contribution to the success of all concerned.
"2. - The Blue Network stations’ planning and advisory committee
goes on record as having confidence in the capable and experienced
management of the new Blue Network,
”3. - The Committee congratulates the Blue Network upon its
announcement of a determination to increase its foreign and domestic
news service. The committee also approves the announced purpose of
programming new, bright shows of mass appeal. & ^ ^ ^
"It is the further recommendation of the Committee that the
Farro and Home Hour be immediately reduced to one-half hour.
"Realizing that the Blue Network is now the youngest of the
national networks, although third in volume of business and old in
experience, we feel it must carefully conserve its resources and watch
expenditures closely. Otherwise the possibility that affiliates of
the Blue Network might be called upon to pay the cost of overland
lines, which should almrays remain a network obligation.
"4. - Tne Blue Network stations’ planning and advisory committee
disapproves the linking up of all national networks for any single
program with the exceotion of those programs broadcast by the Presi¬
dent of the United States or programs of extraordinary importance to
the war effort.
"5. - The Blue Network stations' advisory committee recommends
that a representative of the stations’ planning and advisory committee
be elected to the Board of Directors of the Blue Network Company, Inc,
to serve for one year, and not be eligible for re-election. "
The following directorate has been announced for the newly
organized RCA subsidiary which will own and operate the Blue Network:
Mark Woods, Edgar Kobak, Lunsford ?, Yandell, George S.
DeSousa, John Hays Hammond, Jr. , Joseph V. Heffernan and Dr. Charles
B. Jolliffe, newly appointed assistant to Mr. Sarnoff.
In addition to Mr. Woods, previously elected President of
the Network, the following executive officers were elected:
- 8 -
1/16/42
Edgar Kobak, Executive Vice-President; E. R. Borroff, Vice-
President in Charge of the Central Division; Don E. G-llraan, Vice-
President in Charge of the Western Division; Lunsford P.Yandell, Vice-
President and Treasurer; Phillips Carlin, Vice-President in Charge of
Programs; Keith Kiggins, Vice-President in Charge of Stations.
Also Fred M. Thrower, Jr. , General Sales Manager; George M.
Benson, Eastern Sales Manager; E.P.H. James, Director of Publicity
and Promotion; B. J. Hauser, Sales Promotion Manager; Earl Mullin,
Manager, Publicity Department; Edward F. Evans, Research Manager;
Murray B. Grabhorn, National Spot Sales Manager; Dorothy Kemble;
Continuity Acceptance Editor; John H. McNeil, Manager, Station WJZ;
George Milne, Chief Engineer; Tracy Moore, Western Sales Manager;
John H. Norton, Jr., Station Relations Manager; Charles E. Rynd, Seles
Service Manager; Robert Saudek, Assistant to the Executive Vice-Presi¬
dent; James Stirton, Central Division Program Manager; and D. B.
Van Houten, Office Manager.
xxxxxxxxxx
RADIO CENSORSHIP CODE TO BAR SPIES* MESSAGES
Regulations to keep enemy spies from broadcasting military
data over radio programs were issued. Friday (today) by John H, Ryan,
Assistant Director of Censorship in Charge of Radio.
Ra-dio stations were told that because they were being heard
abroad by Axis intelligence operatives, "certain ra8.terial which may
appear on the news service wires as approved for newspapers may not
be appropriate for radio".
Byron Price, Director of Censorship, explained that while
printed matter is censored at the national bord.ers, "no such post¬
publication censorship is possible in radio".
Mr. Price called on broadcasters to ban certain types of
quiz and request programs and conduct forums and audience interviews
with caution.
It was asked that no telephone or telegraoh requests for
musical numbers be accepted during the war, and that no given request
be given at the requested time.
Request was made that "all audience-participation type quiz
programs, originating from re.mote points, either by wire, transcrip¬
tion or short wave, be discontinued" with certain qualifications. It
was noted that any program permitting the public access to an open
microphone "is dangerous and should be carefully supervised" and that
generally speaking "any quiz program originating remotely, wherein
the group is small, and wherein no arrangement exists for investigat¬
ing the background of participants, should be discontinued. " When
large groups are involved, "where participants are selected from a
theater audience, for example, the da.nger is not so great".
X
1/16/42
In studio-audience quiz shows no Individual seeking par¬
ticipation should be guaranteed participation, the code said.
Such quiz, request, interview and fomim programs, the
censorship office wanred, might be used by Axis agents to communi¬
cate with their headquarters or witn saboteurs through prearranged
signals.
The code asks refusal of requests to call mass meetings
or make emergency announcements, except when they come from official
sources.
Sharp restrictions have been placed on weather broadcasts.
The radio may use only such weather data as specifically approved
for it by the Weather Bureau, and broadcasters have been asked to
avoid reference to weather conditions in describing current events.
The code asks withholding from the air reports of informa¬
tion from unidentified sources as to ship sinkings, or reverses or
successes of land forces.
Mr. F^’‘an advised radio to ‘‘steer clear of dramatic programs
which attempt to portray the horrors of combat; to avoid sound ef¬
fects which might be mistaken for air raid alarms”.
xxxxxxxx
DR. JOLLIFFE IS MR. SARNOFF’ S NEW ASSISTANT
Dr. Charles B. Jolliffe has been appointed Assistant to the
President of the Radio Corporation of America. In making the announce¬
ment, David Sarnoff, President of RCA, who made the selection from the
personnel of the RCA organization, said that Dr, Jolliffe, in addi¬
tion to his new duties, will continue the position he has held for
some time as Chief Engineer of the RCA Laboratories.
After serving as instructor of physics at West Virginia
University, and from 1920 to 1922 at Cornell University, Dr. Jolliffe
became associated as physicist with the Radio Section of the Bureau of
Standards. Kes research was in radio wave propagation and the develop¬
ment and maintenance of standards of frequency.
Dr. Jolliffe was appointed Chief Engineer of the Federal
Radio Commission In 1930 and continued in that capacity when that
organization was changed to the Federal Communications Commission in
1934, He resigned from the FCC in 1935 to become engineer in charge
of the RCA Frequency Bureau. He has attended many international radio
conferences as delegate of the United States G-overnraent. Dr, Jolliffe
is a member of several committees of the Defense Communications Board
and for more than a year has been working on communication problems
with the National Defense Research Committee of the Government office
of Scientific Resea.rch and Development.
XXXXXXXXXX
10 -
i
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1/16/42
TRADE NOTES
Donald M. Nelson, new Chaiman of the War Production Board,
is a Director of the Colonial Radio Corooration.
Named Assistant Chief Engineer of the Hy grade Sylvania
Corporation, Radio Tube Division, is Walter L. Krahl, formerly Divi¬
sion Engineer of the Salem, Mass, Radio Tube Plant of the company.
The William Penn Broadcasting Co. , Philadelphia, Pa. , was
granted a construction permit for a new FM station to operate on
47,300 kilocycles; 9,300 sque<.re miles service area.
Jubilant over its sale of $75,000 worth of United States
Defense Bonds and Stamps in less than an hour by appealing directly
to its visual audience, CBS television station WCBW plans to repeat
its "Buy A Bond" program.
Quite a crom^d stood in front of the Star Radio Store at
14th and F Streets in the center of downtoiwi Washington listening to
a war bulletin broadcast direct from London over one of the new
Zenith "Trans-Ccean Clippers" short-wave portables. Reception was
excellent and quality about the same as if it had been heard over one
of the domestic networks.
A series of twenty daily radio programs for i^at in- America
is scheduled by the Columbia Broadcasting System beginning Saturday,
January 17, at 4:45 E. S. T. , over WCRC and WCBX. Mrs, Franklin D.
Roosevelt and Nelson Rockefeller will introduce this new series from
the Latin- American Fair of R. K. Macy and Company on Friday, Jan. 16
(WABC-CB3, 10;30P.M. , EST) .
By the time this appears the President may have signed
the Daylight Savings Bill. Congressional action on this bill was
completed last Thursday and the measure will become effective 20
days after the President signs it.
Byron Price, Director of Censorship, will lead a discussion
on tills subject during the University of Chicago "Round Table" broad¬
cast Sunday, Jan. 18 (NBC-RED, 2:30 p.M., EST.)
A new Renewal Tube Criaracteristics Sheet has been released
by the coraniercial engineering department of the Hygrade Sylvania
CoriDoration. It is a twelve page booklet and contains not only
average tube characteristics, but also Panel Lamp characteristics and
tube and base diagrams. It is available free, but, in view of paper
shortages, it is requested that radio servicemen and others order
for bare requirements only.
11 -
1/16/42
A six-month, 24, 000- -mile trip through Blexico, Central and
South America and the West Indies, to visit 69 of the 74 affiliates
of the Columbia Broadcasting System's Latin American network, has
Just been completed by Guy Hutcheson, CBS engineer.
Pniladelphia' s sixth FM station received a go-ahead from
the Federal Communications Commission this week when the William Penn
Broadcasting Co. (I'llPEN) was granted a construction permit to proceed
with W73PH.
Beginning with the issue of January 31, Movie-Radio Guide,
which has a circulation of 350,000 copies, will carry detailed list¬
ings of FM programs in the same fashion that regular broadcast sched¬
ules are presented in tha,t publication.
William C. White, formerly an assistant to Dr. Irving
Langmuir, has been appointed Director of an electronics laboratory in
which will be centralized General Electric's advance development
activities in the field of electronics. The new laboratory has been
established as a d.ivision of the Radio and Television Deoartment of
the comoany.
Mr, White is a pioneer and authority in vacuum tube develop¬
ment work, and was engineer in charge of the Vacuum Tube Division of
the Radio and Television Department of the company. He has been suc¬
ceeded in this oost by 0. W. Pike as engineer, with R. W. '^‘a.rson as
assistant engineer.
xxxxxxxxxx
SENATE CONSIDERS ANTI-LIQUOR ADVERTISING BILL
The Senate has before it the House-approved bill to prevent
advertising of retail liquor prices in the District of Columbia.
As oassed by the House the District of Columbia Alcoholic
Beverage Control Act is amended by inserting the following new sub-
se ction :
”(g) No holder of a retailer's license, class A, or retailer's
license. Class B, shall, with resoect to alcoholic beverages covered
by such license -
"(l) advertise, by any means or through any medium, the price for
which such alcoholic beverages are for sale;
"(2) distribute, sell, or give away any price list or informa¬
tion with respect to the price of such alcoholic beverages;
"(3) display in his place of business any price list or sign
with respect to the price of such alcoholic beverages if any price
on such list or sign is visible from the street; or
"(4) display, or leave in his place of business, in a place
where customers ma.y take it away, any price list or informant ion with
respect to the orice of such alcoholic beverages. "
XXXXXXXX
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
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INDEX TO ISSluy OF JANUARY 20, 1942
y
Quiz Ban Among Few Flaws In Censorship Rules. . 2
No DCB Comment On Assignment Freezing . 4
Believed Government Program Coordinating Involves Time Only . 4
Wartime Wire Control Bill Sent To White House . 5
Supreme Court Dismisses ASCA? Appeal . ..8
May Let Down Bars In Demand For Engineers . 8
Y. W. To Offer Women Radio Operator Courses . .8
Scoring Columnist, Ickes Also Twits Broadcasters . . . 6
Photographs By Remote Control . . . 10
Educators Form New Ra.dio Group . . . 10
Trade Notes,... . 11
Red Network Had Banner Year In 1941 . 12
Program Rating Not Complete Indication, WOR Asserts . .12
No. 1396
January 20, 1942
QUIZ BAN AIIONCt FEW FLAWS IN CENSORSHIP RULES
Except for the banning of quiz programs originating from
remote points and several other restrictions, which it was said might
result in loss of revenue, the broadcast station war regul.ations
issued last week by John H. Ryan, Assistant Director of Censorship
in Charge of Radio, seem to have gotten by in pretty good shape.
Especially so since there was every evidence that Mr. Ryan would do
anything he possibly could to meet any objections the industry might
have.
Already the Radio Coordinating Committee representing the
industry trade groups, of which George B. Storer, President of the
Fort Industry Company, is Cbairman, have been heard from in an effort
to initiate some changes.
”We do not anticipate that the censorship code will cancel
any of the quiz programs now on NBC", Clarence L. Menser, NBC Pro¬
gram Manager, said. "Instructions have been issued to producers,
announcers, and masters of ceremonies on these shows to veer away
from all subjects which the government regards as tabooed. For some
time these shows have been monitored with extra care in Radio City
and at other division points. This practice will continue so that
if, during any of these so-called ad lib shows, objectionable state¬
ments are indicated by audience narticioants , which are in violation
of the censorship code, a cut will be immediately made.
"We do not anticipate any difficulty, but nevertheless we
shall not relax our vigilance. We should reiterate that ever since
the war the National Broadcasting Comnany has ha.d a self-imoosed
censorship in effect so that the promulgation of the code finds us
already meeting its terms.
"We are very glad to see this code announced and believe
that it will have a salutary effect, especially among some of the
smaller stations which have overlooked the importance of strictly
observing common sense censorship rules. "
"The instructions for radio of the Office of Censorship
reveal sound judgment and a practical knowledge of radio operation",
Alfred J. McCosker, President of WOR, declared. "We have studied
these instructions carefully and find that they coincide with pre¬
cautions already voluntarily self-imposed by WOR-Mutual in the
matter of news, musical request and audience participation programs.
These last are produced before large studio or playhouse audiences
and a.re carefully supervised. None of our quiz or audience partici¬
pation programs originate from remote locations such as airports,
railroad terminals, or other public gathering points."
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1/20/42
Harry G. Butcher, Washington Vice President of the Columbia
Broadcasting System, praised the code as ’’a good document'' and sa.id
j he felt certain its enforcement would be accomplished voluntarily
since the industry had been consulted in its preparation and had con¬
fidence in censorship officials.
"I think it shows a great deal of restrain", Mr. Butcher
commented.
Fred Sha,wn of the National Broadcasting Company in Washing¬
ton, expressed the opinion the code would not mean program adjust¬
ments for the National Broadcasting Company in the Capital, since
appropriate safeguards already have been taken to prevent a particu¬
lar person’s being assured of place on a quiz period. The sta.tions
have had no man-in-the- street features recently, Mr. Shawn added.
It was reported from New York that the network stations
there had already put into effect most of the regulations issued by
the Office of Censorship. Such features as request musical numbers
and informal street interviews with open microphones were abandoned
by the netvprks soon after this country’s entrance into the war.
None of the current quiz shows and forums will be canceled,
according to ore sent plans, although it is possible that in some
cases they will be changed slightly in form. In "America's Town Meet¬
ing", a radio forum, it is possible that questions will be written
and then reworded by monitors before being read on the air.
The quiz shows, such as "Vox Pop" and "Dr. I. Q. " were already
carefully supervised either by choice of contestants and questions or
the olace in which the broadcast originates, it was pointed out. In
recent weeks, for Instance, "Vox Pop" has been broadcast from Army
and Navy camps.
The Yifashington Post had this to say last Sunday:
"The ?7artime regula.tions for the press and radio laid down
by the Office of Censorship are commendably designed to assure mini¬
mum interference with the business of dispensing information. And
it is evident from the OC’s codes of w^artime practices that Director
Byron Price subscribes to the theory of the less censorship, con¬
sistent with security, the better. Nevertheless, sacrifice of cus¬
tomary enter"prise under any form of censorship is inescapable. In
this connection it is of particular interest that some materia.l may
be printed in newspapers but not broadcast over the air. The reason
for discrimination is obvious: material broadcast cannot be recalled
and may be immediately useful to enemy agents outside the country,
whereas materia.1 appea.ring in the press may be censored before leaving
the country.
"Thus it appears that the OC has a proper rega.rd for the
time element. Before official censorship was established, George
Creel, who headed the Nation's censorship committee during the last
war, laid special emphasis on the time element. He argued that there
should be no censorship of the press, but that the radio, the cables,
and outgoing m.ail, should be subject to stringent sunervision. And
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speaking out of his vast experience in World War I, he claimed that
news printed in the press, which might be of value to the enemy,
would be so old by the time the enemy received it that it would be
useless.
Speaking in the NBC broadcast of the University of Chicago
Roundtable last Sunday, Mr. Price said:
”We must keep all the facts we possibly can before the
public. One of the greatest dangers is that overzealous public of¬
ficials may make unreasonable requests for the suppression of inforraa
tion. We have instructed newspapers and radio stations to refer
requests of this nature to us for consideration.
"As to enforcement, I assume that the Department of Justice
which is entrusted with law enforcement will enforce the Esoionage
Act, if necessary. "
XXXXXXXXX
NO DCB CO Ml/ENT ON ASSIGNMENT FREEZING
Although thought to be imminent, nothing was said at the
Defense Communications Board one way or the other with regard to the
freezing of broadcast frequencies along with cutting off new con¬
struction grants, except for defense purposes. Neither was any wor".
forthcoming on the subject from the Office of Production Management,
where the order was expected to be issued.
The theory behind cutting off these grants is that there
would be no reason for the Federal Communications Commission to grant
authorization for changes if stations would not be able to secure
equipment blocked by priorities restrictions.
Chairman Fly last week was quoted as saying that definite
policy would have to be established and that conditions had now
approached the point where curtailments are essential. He said 0PM
and DCB would act within a month.
xxxxxxxxxx
BELIEVED GOVERNMENT PROGRAM COORDINATING INVOLVES TIME ONLY
As understood at the Federal Commiuni cations Commission, the
coordinating of Government programs now being undertaken by William B
Lewis, formerly of the Columbia Broadcasting System and QVM, in his
new capacity as radio program coordinator in the Office of Facts and
Figures, is to be limited to arranging Government time on the air.
It is not believed that it involves program content. The main idea
seems to be that it will be a central clearing house for time for
Government programs on the air. Heretofore each Government Depart¬
ment and agency has maintained its own relations.
XXXXXXXXX XXX
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1/20/42
WARTIME WIRE CONTROL BILL SENT TO WHITE HOUSE
The Senete Monday passed and sent to the White House the
bill giving the President wartime control over telephone and tele¬
graph wire facilities the same as radio, after assurance had been
given that this was not getting a foot in the door for permanent
Government operation. The measure provides that facilities taken
over shall be returned to the Government six months after the war
ends. An amendment by Senator Taft to limit the President’s powers
to seize properties valued at less than <*110,000,000, except in case
of invasion, was defeated.
Explaining the new legislation. Senator Wheeler, of Montana,
said the bill would give the President the same power over wire and
cable facilities which he now has - and has had for years - over radio
facilities. The measure specif icall.y provides that the President, if
he deems it necessary for national security, during a state or threat
of war, and for not more than 6 months after the termination of the
war or threat of war, may, in the language of the bill:
"Suspend or amend the rules and regulations applicable to
any or all facilities or stations for wire communication within the
jurisdiction of the United States as prescribed by the Commission;
(2) cause the closing of any facility or station for wire communica¬
tion and the removal therefrom of its apparatus and equipment; or
(3) authorize the use or control of any such facility or station and
its apparatus and equipment by any department of the Government unde::*
such regulations as he may prescribe, upon just compensation to the
owners. "
"My understanding is that there is no intention that the
Government shall take over the properties of the telephone and tele¬
graph companies, except in case of emergency, when it may be absol¬
utely necessary, as in the event the country should be Invaded, or
when it may become inroerative that the companies be taken over for
defense purposes", Mr. Wheeler went on to say.
At the conclusion of Senator Wheeler’s explanation, Senator
Van den berg of Michigan queried:
"In spite of the Senator' s statement regarding the intent,
does the language of the bill authorize the President to take over
completely the control of these wire facilities and operate them under
Government control?"
"Oh yes; during the period of the emergency and for 6 months
therea.fter; but it was the understanding of the committee, which is
borne out, I think, by the statement of Mr. Ely, that the intent is
to take over only the use and control of the facilities", Senator
Wheeler replied.
"The question was asked before the committee whether it was
the intention to leave in control those who were in charge of the
companies. My understanding is that they are to be left in control.
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unless for some reason it might become necessary to dispense with the
services of some particular individual.
"In all fairness to the telephone and telegraph companies,
I wish to say that they have shown every indication of intention to
cooperate with the Government in every way in our national defense.
There has not been any question at all about their cooperating with
the Government. They have shown and have stated that they were per¬
fectly willing to do anything the Government requested, and that they
had no objection to what was proposed, because they realized that it
might be necessary for the Government, under emergency conditions, to
take over the control of the companies during the period of emergency. '
The question was raised as to whether under the new act the
President could consolidate the Western Union and the Postal but
Senator Wheeler said that it was his own view this could not be done
without additional legislation. Asked by Senator Taft if there was
any intention on the part of the Government to take over the Commer¬
cial Pacific Cable Company, Senator Wheeler answered;
"Frankly, I think there may be. At the present time the
Commercial Pacific Cable Go. is cut off, as the Senator may know,
fily understanding is that it has been practically cut to pieces beyond
Honolulu. We cannot go much farther than Honolulu with the Commercial
Pacific Cable Co. I think that is one of the things which it is felt
imperative to take over. "
There was a tilt between Mr. Taft and Senator Clyde Reed,
of Kansas.
"I ask the Senator from Ohio if he is really in earnest
in making the suggestion that if the President finds it necessary
in wartime to take over a railroad, a telephone line, or a radio
facility, he must wait until the value is determined by the courts
and then wait until he can obtain an appropriation from Congress?"
Mr. Reed inquired. "Surely the Senator from Ohio does not mean that, "
"I did not propose any such thing. However, I said that
if the President wants to take over a comoany which Is likely to cost
so much he ought to have an appropriation for that amount". Senator
Taft replied. "After all. Congress determines the policy of taking
over such property. If subsequently it is determined that the cost
is greater than was anticipated he can then obtain a supoleraental
appropriation. I am certainly in earnest in making that proposal. "
"Surely the Senator from Ohio cannot be in earnest. If
there is an emergency requiring the Government to take over anything,
surely the taking over ouglit not to be deferred until the dajnage has
been determined and Congress has appropriated money", the Kansas
Senator persisted.
"I say it should be". Senator Taft replied.
"I must disa^ee with the Senator from Ohio", Senator
Wheeler interjected. "If we are to take over a telephone company in
an emergency, everybody who has had anything to do with rate and
valuation cases, as the Senator from Kansas has had, knows the
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1/20/42
length of time the litigetion would require. The parties would fight
interminably over the value of the property, I say that we must give
the President such authority whether we like it or not. Vifhen we are
in war we must do many things which we do not like to do. '*
"The provision authorizing the Government to take over the
radio has been in the law for somie years", Senator Hill, of Alabama,
said. "So far as taking over the telephone lines is concerned, we
took them over during the World War, and we gave them back to the
private owners after the war; did we not?"
"That is correct". Senator Wheeler replied.
"The radio law gives the President authority to take over
the radio-communication facilities of the country in time of war, or
in time of threat of war, as this bill does, and then it proceeds to
say that the President may take over those facilities in the event of
public peril or disaster - or during any other national emergency".
Senator Wliite of Maine, explained. "So there are with respect to
radio, three bases for the exercise of authority by the President
that do not exist in the proposed legislation. In that respect the
proposed legislation goes a much shorter distance than the Congress
went in the radio legislation. That language of the radio law has
been on the statute books of the United States for approximately 30
years.
"It is just as utterly inconceivable to me as it is to the
Senator from Alabama that, with the United States at war, it shall
not be within the power of the President of the United States to take
over these communication facilities and bend them to military neces¬
sities as such necessities may from time to time arise.
"The Senator from Ohio in his amendment places a limita¬
tion of ^10,000,000 upon the value of the property which may be taken.
I can see no reason for fixing tha.t sura of tl0>000,000. "
"The Senator from Maine, I am sure, would a.dd - ^or any
other sum of money, or requiring delay until an appropriation has
been made by the Congress'", Senator Reed suggested.
"I completely agree with the Senator", Senator White replied.
XXXXXXXX
Says Hygrade Sylvania: It is now more important than
ever before that all radios be kept in good repair, and in practi¬
cally constant operation, so that important official news and in¬
structions may be received without dela^y. This is the radio indus¬
try' s and pa«,rticularly , the serviceman's part in National Defense.
Servicemen, especially, can help to combat the spreading
of scares and rumors since they come into close daily conta^ct with
the listening public.
XXXXXXXXXX
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1/20/42
SUPREME COURT DISMISSES ASCAP APPEAL
The Supreme Court yesterday (Monday) dismissed the appeal
of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers " known
familiarly as ASCAP - from a decision that the Society ha.d viola,ted
the Sherman Anti-Trust Law and, therefore, was not entitled to enter
a 3u5,t attacking a Washington State law regulating the use of copy¬
righted music. ASCAP has agreed to comply with the State law. The
appeal was against the decision of a Federal Couro in Western Wash¬
ington.
xxxxxxxx
MAY LET DOWN BARS IN DEMAND FOR ENGINEERS
So great is the demand for radio engineers that there may
have to be a slackening up on qualifications. Asked about this,
James L. Fly, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, said
"I think everybody down the line will have to find a way ci
broadening the basis for the requirements the professional people,
I think, to a certain extent. That has happened in our monitoring
work for the engineers. We will have to modify requirements a bito
"All through the industry there is the greatest necessity
for the recruitment of people for professional work and training.
Persistent effort is made to build them up to where they can take
responsibility. There are so many demands for competent people - to
a certain extent from us and from the Army and Navy and it has hap¬
pened that those demands have come at the same time as industry’s.”
XXXXXXXXXX
Y.W. TO OFFER WOMEN RADIO OPERATOR COURSES
Following considerable talk about the use of women as radio
telegraphers, the Ballard School of the Young Women’s Christian
Association in New York City, will instruct women in the Morse code
and the building of receiving sets to train them as amateur operators
The instructor will be Mrs. Abby Morrison Ricker, who was a licensed
Navy radio operator during the first World War.
The classes will be held twice a week and will extend
through March.
XXXXXXXX
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SCORING COLMNIST ICKES ALSO TWITS BROADCASTERS
Secretary Ickes, who of late seems almost to have been lost
in the shuffle, took the center of the stage to reply to an article
written by David Lawrence, which the foniier said appeared to be an
attack on the President of the United States.
Writes Mr. I ekes:
"Mr. Lawrence’s excuse for the attack is feeble and x'jill
get him nowhere. One must in fact read more than half way through
the offensive article before learning that it involves an issue
between the Department of Justice and two major broadcasting corapan~
ies. **•«'■«•
”I am surprised that the ever loya.l Wa.shington Star would
permit a ’columnist’ to choose such an inopportune time to sponsor a
’movement to bring about the passage of a constitutional amendment
to permit the American people to remove at will their Commander in
Chief when he fails. ’ What Lawrence means and what he actually says
is that the Commander in Chief - the President ~ is responsible for
the Pearl Harbor disaster. As witness this statement; ’Even the
fact that as Commander in Chief, Mr, Roosevelt must have known how
critical were the relations between America and Ja.pan prior to
December 7 and hence must have had the ultimate re sponsibility for
seeing to it that the fleet was on the job 24 hours of the day
"I know nothing officially or otherwise about the contro¬
versy between the two radio systems and the Department of Justice,
which moves Mr. Lawrence to make his treacherous attack upon the
President. The nearest that I can get to it is that the Federal Com¬
munications Commission issued an order which tlie Broadcasting com¬
panies liked so little that they asked the courts to restrain it.
The Department of Justice now files what Mr, Lawrence calls ’a puni¬
tive law suit* involving a question of whether the broadcasting com¬
panies constitute a monopoly,
"And, by the way, it appears that the Mutual Broadcasting
Co. is suing I'^ational Broadcasting Co. on the ground that it is
violating the anti-trust laws. May we expect a blast from Mr.
Lawrence ajgainst Mutual Broadcasting Co, and its most important stock¬
holder, R. R. McCormick of Chicago?
"It is fair to assume that the Department of Justice bel¬
ieves that the two radio systems - National Broadcasting Co. and
Columbia Broadcasting System - may be operating willfully or not, in
violation of the law and proposes to find out about it through proper
and orderly democratic processes. Is there a.nything wrong with that?
Is it Mr. Lav/rence ' s view that some of our laws may be violated be¬
cause v/e are at war? And if one lawg not all laws? Does he pro¬
pose immunity for a particular class - the class in defense of which
his name has long been identified?"
XXXXXXXXXX
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1/20/42
PHOTOGRAPHS BY REMOTE CONTROL
Lloyd S. Jones, YoungstoMi (O. ) Vindicator photographer,
has just perfected a new photo-electric device that permits him to
take pictures of distant areas with flash synchronization by remote
control. Jones grew weary of carrying extra cable and excess equip¬
ment to cover banquets and other functions that occur in large ha,lls
and theaters, so he decided to simplify his problems with a little
ingenuity.
After designing the type of apparatus he required, he suc¬
ceeded in obtaining the help. of several radio engineers in Youngstown^
the Editor & Publisher relates. The photo-electric cell is contained
in a telescopic tube and trained on the camera. It may be operated
from either point, one from the camera or from the scene where the
flash is fired. By means of a relay it is possible to fire any num¬
ber of bulbs or units.
For the present, Jones operates his device in conjunction
witn flash synchronization at shutter speeds up to l/lOOth of a se¬
cond. He believes that this speed will be increased as improvements
are made from time to time. His distances range up to 200 feet and
well covered by the small 20-lb. portable unit. Although the device
may be used in some forms of news picture assignments, it will find
greater favor with the banquet and n commercial photographers.
XXXXXXXXXX
EDUCATORS FORM NEW RADIO GROUP
The Association for Education By Radio, new professional
group open to all educators, broadcasters, and others Interested in
and working with educational radio, has outlined its objectives as
follows :
1. Development of an instrumentality through which persons
interested in education by radio may have adequate communication;
2. Cooperation with the Institute for Education by Radio,
the School Broadcast Conference, the United States Office of Educa¬
tion, and other Institutions and groups interested in education by
radio;
3. Representation of the Interests of education by. radio in
connection with pertinent legislation, commission hearings, confer¬
ences, and the like;
4. Encouragement of experimentation and research and wide¬
spread dissemination of findings;
5. Publication of a news, information, and idea service on
a periodical basis;
6. Establishment of this association as a recognized pro¬
fessional voice for those engaged in educational radio activities in
civic, religious, and educational groups and in the radio industry.
The first annual meeting of the Association will be held
February 23rd in San Francisco, in conjunction with the meeting of
the American Association of School Administrators.
XXXXXXXX
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1/20/42
TRADE NOTES ;
The regular appropriation for salares and routine expenses
in the 1943 budget of the Federal Communications Commission will be
^2,300,000, compared with this year’s ^2,315,229, while the defense
allotment will be cut from the current $2,729,000 to $2,667,619.
Congress has been asked to give the Agriculture Department
the same amount, $35,125, for program preparation (Farm and Home Hour)
and the Budget Bureau recommended the Interior Department keep its
radio director, script writer, and radio engineer, whose combined
salaries amount to $12,200.
William M. Sloan of Chicago, communications engineer, has
been appointed head of the Telegraph and Cable Section of the 0PM
communications branch. A graduate of Montana State College and the
University of Wisconsin, Mr. Sloan was communications adviser to the
Postmaster General during the first World Vifar.
In the form of a large brochure 13 by 18 inches, the
National Broadcasting Company has reproduced the scroll signed by
the 21 Ambassadors and Ministers of the Republics of Latin America
presented by the Ambassador to the United States from Peru in appreci¬
ation of the NBC ’’Good Neighbors” programs.
Presumably on account of the war and the cutting of the
sale of automobiles, the Ford Sunday Evening Hour, now in its eighth
season, Y/ill go off the air March 1st. Another one to go is "Helen
Hayes Theatre of the Air” sponsored by the Lipton Tea Comoany.
Louis G. Caldwell, radio lawyer, will Join the faculty of
Columbus University in Wa.shington as a lecturer on administrative law.
He was the first General Counsel of the old Federal Radio Commission
in 1928 and at one time was editor of the Journal of R^^dio Law. He
is counsel for the Mutual Broadcasting System.
Station WAYS, Charlotte, N.C. was scheduled to Join the
Southeastern group of the Blue Network January 21st.
Lieut. William C. Eddy, U.S.N., retired, of Chicago, lia.s
been called to active duty as Director of a new Navy primary school
for training in high frequency. Lieutenant Eddy has specialized in
television and several of his amplifying and radio transmission
devices are used in submaiinos.
Adolph B. Chamberlain, Chief Engineer of the Columbia Broad¬
casting System, was awarded an honorary engineering fellowship of the
Institute of Radio Engineers for engineering leadership in broadcast
transmission and operation, at the thirtieth anniversary dinner of
the Engineers Institute in New York City.
XXXXXXXXXX
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1/20/42
RED NETWORK HAD BANNER YEAR IN 1941
1941 was the best year in the history of the Red Network of
the National Broadcasting Company^ Roy C. Witraer, Vice President in
Charge of Sales, said. Not only was revenue highest in Red Network
history, but there was a sharp increase in facilities used by Red
Network advertisers and in the cab ratings of such programs.
December, 1941, was the largest month in the organization's
history with an all-time monthly net revenue peak. Red Network
advertisers added more stations per program than ever before for both
evening and daytime shows.
Witmer asserts that the over-all national audience of the
NBC-Red Network has not only increased at a greater rate in 1941
over 1940, but it has far outstripped any other network.
xxxxxxxx
PRCGRAA'I RATING NOT COMPLETE INDICATION, WOR ASSERTS
While ratings are important, a program rating is not a com¬
plete indication of a program's popularity, WOR contends.
This, it was said, was revealed by Joseph Creamer, WOR
Director of Promotion, in announcing an analysis of facts uncovered
by personal interviewers for J{The WOR Continuing Study of Radio
Listening in Greater New York (which is made every month for WOR
by Crossley, Inc.).
WOR analysts found that although competing programs can
have equally good ratings, the number of people listening in each
home contacted can vary greatly. For instance, research inteDcviewers
found that one program on the air at 12:30 P.M. was being listened to
by 18 people in every 10 homes checked. A competing program averaged
only 13 listeners to every 10 homes.
Ratings, WOR analysts claim, are and will continue to be
surface indicators of program popularity.
It has been long accepted by radio men that late evening
audiences are made up mostly of men. However, WOR researchers made
a composite breakdown of a typical IIXX) P.M. listening audience for
two recent months, and found an equal division of men and women.
xxxxxxxxx
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Heinl Radio Business Letter
V
Big Job For Knowlson In New Wer Production Set-Up . 2
KG-EI Now G-ives It To Thera In Thai . . . 3
New Defense fe.diotelegraoh Defense Circuits Added . 4
War Plea To H^lt Paper- Ra,dio Probe Rejected By FCC . 4
National Radio Institute Signs FTC Stipulation . 6
FCC Again Gets Brickbats From Congress . . . 7
"Never Forget Pearl Harbor" Is Newest Slogan . 8
FCC Action . 9
Trade Notes . 10
A New Four Pound Ra,diophone And Transmitter . 11
Use Air Mail To Save Radio And Telegraph, P.C. Advises . 11
CBS Clarifies War Rebate Situation . 12
No. 1397
Bia JOB FOR KNOWLSON IN NEW WAR PRODUCTION SET-UP
In abolishing the Office of Production Management and
setting up his own powerful organization to speed up the manufacture
of amaraents and munitions, Donald M. Nelson, new war oroduction
chief, named James S. Knowlson, of Chicago, president of Stewart-
Warner Corporation of Chicago, head of the Division of Industry
Operations. Mr. Knowlson was formerly President of the Radio Manu¬
facturers' Association, which position he resigned on September 16
at Mr. Nelson* s request to come into the 0PM as Deputy Director of
Priorities.
Mr. Knowlson as head of the Division of Industy Operation
YTill have charge of all industry branches, and v;ill have the res¬
ponsibility for plant conversion and will handle priorities. Closely
dovetailing into this phase of operations the Materials Division
under William L. Batt, of Philadelphia, President of 3KF Industries,
Inc. , will make the available materials go around, see that nroduc-
tlon problems of copoer, lead and other basic raw materials are
met and, in conjunction with the requirements board which Mr. Batt
also heads, and with the priorities branch under Mr. Knowlson, will
allocate available stocks of materials to the various essential
requirements of the war and civilian supply programs.
Another of the key men named by Mr. Nelson, William H.
Harrison, heading the new Productions Division, is on leave as a
Vice-President of the American Telephone and Telegraph Comoany.
Mr. Harrison was described by Mr. Nelson as being "hard enou/^ and
tough enough to see that the Job is done. " Unlike Mr. Nelson,
who is a Democrat, both Mr. Harrison and Mr. Knowlson are Republi¬
cans.
Mr. Knowlson was born in Chicago and is 59 years old. He
was graduated from Cornell and started in as an electrical engineer
with General Electric at Schenectady. He later became President of
the Speedway Manufacturing Co. and finally President and Chairman of
Stewart- Warner .
Discussing the sweeping changes Just made, Frank R. Kent
Baltimore Sun asks, "Has Nelson got the stuff in him or has
he not?'* and answers:
"Everybody will hope that he has, but certainly it remains
to be proved. The recent rush of the New Deal publicity agencies to
paint Mr. Nelson as a superman who very soon will straighten out the
shocking mess into which things have gotten in Washington and have
the war production wheels whirling at top speed, would be more im¬
pressive did it not recall that a similar burst of publicity
pictured Mr. Nelson as a veritable ball of fire a few months ago
- S -
X/
when he was made Executive Director of the S. P. A. B. The
S. P. A. B. is now pushed over the brink into obscurity, but then
it was hailed as the final answer to everything in much the same
way as the new setup has been.
"One fact is that while Mr. Nelson unquestionably is an
able businessman he is no abler than a number of others who have
been in this confused and heretofore headless organization. Why
then, was Mr. Nelson named? The answer was given at the tim.e, not
by critics but by administration journalists and sookesmen - he was
the New Deal^s favorite industrialist. More than any other, he had
made it his primary business to stand well personally with the little
group of White House insiders. He had early endeared himself to
them by a radio speech in which he practically adopted the New Deal
spending philosophy - and in other ways.
"In particular Mr. Nelson's appointment is attributed in
informed circles, to the influence of Harry Hopkins, who lives at
the Wnite House. Mr. Hopkins is congenitally unfriendly to busi¬
nessmen and Mr. Nelson is the only one in the war organization for
who he has achieved a real liking. * * * From the start Mr. Nelson
has been the favorite of the Hopkins group. And not many will con¬
tend that he would have been singled out for either his 3. P, A. B.
position or this one if he had not been.
"One of the major troubles with these White House insiders
is their determination that none whom they dislike shall occupy key
positions in the management of the war. The result has been that
a great many splendidly equipned men who ought to be here have been
blacklisted and the place reeks with incompetents and second-raters. "
XXXXXXXXX
KGEI NOW GIVES IT TO THEM IN THAI
Already broadcasting from San Francisco to more than half
the world in seven languages and two dialects, General Electric's
powerful short?'ave station KGEI has added an eighth language to its
schedule, that of Thai, formerly known as Siamese.
News from the American vie\TOoint and commentaries will be
broadcast to Thailand in Thai daily at 8; 45 A.M. San Francisco time,
evening in the Orient.
Other languages in which the station broadcasts daily are
English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese
dialects), Japanese, and Tagalog, which is the native Filipino
language. Nevi^scasts in Ma.lay are under consideration.
The station co-operates closely with Nelson Rockefeller,
Co-ordinator of Inter- American Affairs, and Col. William Donovan,
Co-ordinator of Information.
XXXXXXXX
- 3
X/ (60/ ^
^ NEW DEFENSE RADIOTELEGRAPH DEFENSE CIRCUITS ADDED
The Federal Communications Commission in the interests of
National Defense, authorized the Mackay Radio and Telegraph Co. and
the R. C.A. Communications, Inc., to establish for a period of 90 days
parallel commercial radiotelegraph circuits to various points through¬
out the British Empire and other important communication centers on a
non-exclusive basis.
Also in the interests of National Defense, the FCC author¬
ized the Mackay Radio and Telegraph Comoany to e-stablish direct
radiotelegraph circuits on a non-exclusive basis between the United
States and the following countries of obvious ^rategic importance
in the present world situation: Java, Federated Malay States, Egypt,
Burma, Turkey, India, New Zealand, Siberia, Union of South Africa,
Syria, Iran, Bermuda, the British Gold Coast and Gambia, in Africa.
R.C.A. Communications, Inc., was authorized to establish
circuits to Iran, India, Union of South Africa, Burma, Federated
Malay States, New Zealand, British Guiana and Bermuda.
The United States Ceble and Radio Censor informed the
International communications companies it would authorize the use
of th'e following codes between the United States and countries
abroad w^here these codes are admitted, effective January 26th;
(1) ABC 6th Edition, (2) Acme Commodity Phrase and Supplement,
(3) Bentley’s Complete Phrase, (4) Bentley’s Second Phrase,
(5) Lombard General, (6) Lombard Shipping and appendix (?) New
3tanda.rd Ha.lf-Word, (8) New Standard Three Letter, (9) Peterson’s
International 3rd Edition.
The use of codes a.nd cable addresses was banned with the
outbreak of the ^^ar.
xxxxxxxx
WAR PLEA TO HALT PAPER-RADIO PROBE REJECTED BY FCC
The Federal Communications Commission denied a petition
from the newspaper radio-station owners committee to indefinitely
postpone the Commission’s long continuing Investigation of newspaper-
radio relations. The postponement was asked on the ground that it
hampered the war effort and that the Commission lacked authority on
the basic question, the contention being that Congress alone had
Jurisdiction.
Submitting the oetition of the Newspaper- Radio Com.mittee,
Thomas D. Thacher, counsel, argued that it was illegal for the FCC
to refuse a broadcasting license because the applicant owned or was
interested in a newspaner.
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"The occurrence of a state of war necessarily subordinates
all other activity to the united ns.tional effort for victory, in
which the role of our nation's newspapers and broadcasting stations
is certainly not less than that of other organizations and insti¬
tutions", the petition recited.
"Continuation of these hearings, which are inherently
legislative in character, will not contribute to our victory against
the nations which have waged war against us, and will create a
diversion of the energies of all parties concerned from the neces¬
sary and essential activities of wartime.
"Nor is it reasonable to believe th^ Congress will turn
aside from the national emergency to consider legislation discrimi¬
nating a,:;>ainst press activities in the radio field. Such measures,
whicn will impede cooperation between government, press and radio,
should in the interest of the nation be postponed until after
victory is gained. "
After an hour's recess during which the Commission con¬
ferred on the matter, Commissioner Walker, who v;as presiding,
refus^ed to adjourn the proceedings giving as the reasons:
"The petition does not present a new matter. It was
informally presented on the 18th of December and formally passed on
by the Commission in meeting shortly thereafter, and, after thorough
consideration, was denied.
"A great deal of time and money has already been exoended
in the preparation of this case, including the collection of a
great deal of statistical material, much of which is of peculiarly
current value. The Newspaper- Radio Committee has prepared the
evidence which it is to submit and which counsel for the Committee
estimates will require from nine to twelve days.
"Under the circumstances, the Commission is not impressed
with tne argument tnat the war effort will be forwarded by adjourn¬
ing the proceeding sine die and lose the benefit of the tremendous
amount of work which has already been done. The Commission believes
the war effort will be advanced by completing this investigation at
the earliest possible moment. "
Whereupon the hearings were resumed and ran through Friday,
at which time they were adjourned until next Wednesday, January 28th.
It is said to be the present plan to continue them three days a
week until they a.re concluded.
The first witness was Dr. Ralph D. Casey, Director of the
University of Minnesota School of Joumalism, who describing news¬
paper-owned stations as pioneers in the broadcasting of news, said
the newspapers had contributed much to program and advertising
standa.rds .
"Newspapermen, because of their training, ha.ve a sense of
public responsibility and news value", Mr. Casey testified. "They
saved radio from falling into mere showmanship."
5
1/25/42
Dr. Frank Luther Mott, Director of the University of
Iowa Journalism School declared that a radio station was a very
natural outgrowth for a newspaper,
"Radio offers newspapers", he testified, "a new outlet
for news, a measure of economic stability and a challenging oppor¬
tunity in a new field. "
Commissioner T.A.M. Craven, who opposed the investigation,
asked Dr. Mott whether he saw any danger in the licensing of more
radio stations to newspapers.
"No, I don’t", the witness replied.
Commissioner Craven then asked whether prohibitions
against newspapers operating radio stations would endanger the free¬
dom of the press and Dr. Mott replied that "It certainly would be a
strong blow against the newspapers, economically and in the matter
of preset ige. "
Commissioner Craven next asked whether Dr. Mott saw any
danger to the freedom of the press in the licensing of stations
owned by newspapers. He replied that it was "conceivable" that a
newsoaper, whose license was coming up for renewal, might change
its attitude on some governmental question, "but this certainly
would not be general. "
XXXXXXXX
NATIONAL RADIO INSTITUTE SIONS FTC STIPULATION
National Radio Institute, Washington, D. C. , selling a
correspondence course of instruction designated "Course in Practi¬
cal Radio and Television", stipulated vjith the Federal Trade Com¬
mission that it will cease and desist from representing that it has
obtained employment for students with any particular radio concern
when such is not a fact and that its course covers all the radio
requirements needed to qualify one for a license to serve as a ship
radio operator.
The respondent further stipulates that, in advertisements
referring to radio positions which require a knowledge of code, and
in all of its enrollment blanks, it will reveal conspicuously the
fact that there is an extra chs.rge for the course covering code
instruction; and agrees to reveal conspicuously in advertising
material which sets forth the terms under which a student may pay
for the course, the fact that there is a limitation of two and one
half years allowed for completing the course and that if a student
has not finished the prescribed program ?;ithin two and one half
years from the da.te of his enrollment, he may be charged an addi¬
tional amount before being allov/ed to continue with the course.
XXXXXXXX
6
1/ dd/
FCC AGAIN GET 3 BRICKBATS FROM CONGRESS
Quite a fall was taken out of the Federal Communications
Commission by Representative Richard B. Wigglesworth, ( R. ) , of the
House Appropriations Committee during the consideration of the
Independent Offices appropriations bill yesterday (Thursday).
Mr. Wiggle sworth said, in part:
"Time after time I have stood in the well of this House
and inveighed against the practice of the Commission of giving its
approval to the transfer of stations or the coi^%.rol of those sta¬
tions for considerations far in excess of the value of the physical
assets so transferred - a practice, in other words. Involving the
sale of Government licenses, with all the possible dangers to the
public that we have seen Involved in the capitalization of licenses
in other fields.
"There are a number of instances in which the figures
establish this fact, including one transfer station valued at
$425,000 for stock of the value of $950,000 plus and $175,000 in cash.
"I call attention to the authorization of the transfer of
a sta.tion valued at $74,000 for a monthly rental of $1,125 for a
period of 11^ years. This station reports a yearly profit of some
$75,000. What possible authority there is for approving a lease
for a period of 11-|- years under existing law, I, for one, do not
know.
"Under the general topic of the monopoly which the Commis¬
sion has allowed to grow up under its Jurisdiction in the broadcast¬
ing field, I may point out that the record indicates that 95 per¬
cent of the available nighttime power is now controlled by stations
affiliated with networks.
"Furthennore , in spite of the licensing Jurisdiction of
the Commission, practices seem to have the Commission's approval
under which the affiliates are compelled to turn over to the net¬
works as much as 40 percent of their time and earnings obtained
from charges for that time to the extent of from 62h to 100 oercent. "
"Several times on this floor I have advocated the imposi¬
tion of a reasonable tax on those engaged in this industry who are
making enormous profits out of franchises for which they pay not one
red cent. A year ago, as the Members may recall, the Treasury
Department made a study in this connection and as a result of that
study it recommended an excise tax on the industry which would have
amounted to about $10,000,000. The House approved that recommenda¬
tion but the Senate committee rejected it, after Mr. Fly had appear¬
ed before the committee in oonosition to the proposed tax. It is
my understanding that it was understood at the time that the Treas--
ury and FCC officials would get together and recommend a tax in liej
of that which was deleted by the Sena.te committee.
7
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"Mr. Fly, however, now apparently takes the position that
it is entirely up to the Treasury, that it is hardly the Job of the
Federal Communications Commission to recommend revenue measures.
’’In a recent letter received from Mr. Fly, he admits that
the net profits of this industry for 1940 amounted to practically
$33,300,000 on an investment of present worth of about $40,000,000.
Therefore, even if the proposed tax of $10,000,000 had been imposed,
there would still have been a return to the industry of approxi¬
mately 50 percent. It seems to me entirely illogical and unreason¬
able to allow this industry to continue to obtain any such return
from licenses for which they pay nothing under present conditions
in this country.
X X X X X X X
•'NEVER FORGET PEARI. HARBOR” IS NEWEST SLOGAN
Going ’’Remember Pearl ^arbor” one better, R. C.A. Communi¬
cations, Inc. has coined its own slogan: ’’Never Forget Pearl
Harbor”. This appears for the first time in the January number of
the company’s bright little magazine Relay.
In the same issue are facsimiles of congratulatory radio¬
grams sent to Hawaii and the Philippines by William A. Winterbottora,
Vice President and General Manager. The one to George Street,
RCAC Superintendent at Honolulu read;
"It has always been a tradition that RCAC personnel
rise to any emergency but the manner in which you and your
staff in Hawaii have met the present situation is more than
commendable it is magnificent. With Hawaii part of the
United States it was vitally necessary that everything be
done to maintain uninterrupted communication between Hawaii
and the mainland and under your able direction supported by
a loyal and efficient staff this has been done. Please
accept for yourself and extend to all of your people my
sincere congratulations for a Job well done. ”
Mr. Street replied:
"Your kind and thoughtful message very much apore el¬
ated by all. Many thanks and the Seasons Greetings from
all the Hawalians."
Mr. Winterbottom radioed E. G. Baumgardner, Superintendent
at Manila;
"The magnificent work performed by you and your staff
during the past ten days has been an Insolration to the whole
organization. That RCAC service between the Phlliopines and
the United States despite a greatly increased traffic load
has been maintained without Interruption throughout a most
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trying period is a tribute to the resourcefulness, staraina
and loyalty of your whole staff and in congratulating you
upon a fine achievement I also tender my sincere thanks.
Mr. Baumgardner answered:
"Entire staff aooreciate your message and I know they
will continue to do their best. "
It is stated tha.t to assist in moving the increased traf¬
fic over the Pacific, five men have been flown to R.C.A. Communica¬
tions stations in Hawaii,
There are also two interesting articles in Relay , "RCAC
Gears to the War Machine", and "The First Three Days" in which a
writer lists his impressions of how the big news of pearl Harbor
hit the main office in New York that quiet Sunday afternoon and
what happened thereafter.
xxxxxxxxx
FCC ACTION
Applications Granted: KIv'IJ , McClatchy Broadcasting Co.,
Fresno, Cal., granted construction permit to move transmitter to
Madera and North Avenues, Kerman, Calif; install directional antenna
system for day and night use; WJW, WJW, Inc., Akron, Ohio, granted
construction permit to increase power to 5 kw. , change frequency
from 1240 to 850 kc. , Install a new transmitter and directional
antenna for night use and move transmitter to '^ranklin Two., Ohio;
KG DM , E. F. Peffer, Stockton, Calif. , granted construction permit
to change frequency from 1130 to 1140 kc. , subject to submitting
proof of performance protecting XENT, Monterrey, Mexico, from inter¬
ference; increase power to 5 EWnight and day, change hours daytime
to unlimited, install a directional antenna for night use and install
a neiv transmitter; WOC . The Fri-City Broadcasting Co. , Davennort,
Iowa, modification of construction permit to increase power to 5
KW night and day, move transmitter locally, install new equipment
and make changes in directional antenna system for day and night use;
Cleveland Broadcasting, Inc. , Cleveland, Ohio, Designated
for hearing application for construction permit for new station to
operate on 1300 kc., 5 KW, unlimited night employing directional
antenna day and night.
Applications Received: General Electric Co. , New Scotland,
N. Y. , construction permit for a new television relay broadcast sta¬
tion to be operated on Cliannel #8, 162000-168000 kc. , power 50 watts
emission A5 (to be used with applicant’s commercial television
broadcast station WRGB) ; WJHL , WJHL, Inc., Johnson City, Tenn. ,
construction permit to install new transmitter and increase power
from 1 KW directional antenna night to 1 KW night, 5 KW day, dir¬
ectional antenna night (910 kc.).
XXXXXXXXX
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TRADE NOTES
The Hosh Hl.-_,gins Broadcasting Com-oany of Waterloo, Iowa,
has been e>^anted a construction permit for a new 50 KW station to
operate on 1540 kilocycles, 50 kilowatts, unlimited time, direction¬
al antenna day and night.
Guy C. Hutcheson of the CBS G-eneral Engineering Deoartment,
who has just returned from a 25,000 mile trip to South America, has
been appointed engineer- in- charge of Columbia' s international broad¬
casting.
Nelson A. Rockefeller, Coordinator of Inter-American
Affairs, has appointed Joseph C. Rovensky Assistant Coordinator.
Fbr many years Mr. Rovensky was with the Chase National Bank of
New York, from 1928 on as Vice-President in charge of the FPreign
Department.
At the request of Howard Hughes, noted aviator and in¬
dustrialist, head of the Hughes Tool Company of San Francisco and
Los Angeles, who pleaded that national defense activities necessi¬
tated confining his broadcast activities to television stations
which he is erecting in those cities, the Ffederal Communications
Commission cancelled construction permits for the Hughes high fre¬
quency (FM) broadcast stations K45SF and K49LA, and deleted call
signals, thus making frequencies 44,500 and 44,900 kilocycles avail¬
able in San Francisco and Los Angeles respectively to other M
applicants.
Meeting with opposition from the House of Commons, Winston
Churchill has withdrawn his proposal that an electrical transcription
be made of part of the proceedings in Parliament so that the debate
could later be broadcast to the nation and the world. Critics argued
that such an arrangement would give the Prime Minister the lion' s
sha,re of the radio time, thus placing the opposition at a disadvantage.
The Federal Communications Commission ban on all radio
amateurs for the duration of the war, has isolated at least four
Idaho mining communities, the United Press reports from Boise. Until
the war began, the mining ca.mps relied on short-wave sets to send
requests for supplies, medical aid and other necessities.
After serving as Director of Ohio State University's Burea.u
of Educationa.l Research since 1928, Dr. W. W. Charters will retire
next August. One of his educa.tional contributions has been the
establishment at Ohio State of the annual Institute for Educa.tion by
Radio, heldthere annually since 1930 to bring together hundreds of
representatives of radio and education for a discussion of common
problems.
The Columbia Broadcasting System is conducting regular
courses in Spanish and Portuguese for its employees in New York. A
total of 182 registered for the primary and advanced studies.
X X X X X X X X X - 1C -
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A NEW FOUR POUND RADIOPHONE AND TRANSMITTER
A completely self-contained radio teleohone combination
transmitter and receiver weighing only four pounds, and not much
larger than the handset of a ’’French" telephone, has been announced
by the Weltronic Corporation, Detroit, Michigan. The unit is being
made available to governmental agencies and services, including
municioal divisions, public utilities, fire and police deoartments,
railroads, and other transoortat ion agencies, as well as individuals,
subject of course to licensing by the Federal Communications Com¬
mission w^here required, as well as oriority rating.
Although the "Trans-Ceivers " are designed for operation on
a single wave length, their frequency range is adjustable from 112
to 300 Megacycles through an externally accessible screw adjustment.
In operation, when the toggle switch is throvn into the
"on" Dosition, the unit is receiving. To talk through the unit, it
is necessary merely to null the selector finger level down against
light spring pressure. Releasing the selector lever switches the
unit to receiving again.
XXXXXXXX
USE AIR MAIL TO SAVE RADIO AND TELEGRAPH, P.O. ADVISES
The wartime instructions to postal employees which the
Post Office Department has issued includes these oaragraphs :
"Because of war conditions, tremendous burdens have been
imposed upon the telephone trunk lines, mdre systems, telegraph,
and radio facilities. The Nation demands that the military and
naval forces and war industries have first call on these services.
"Each postal official must see to it thpt the use of such
services is held to an absolute minimum in order that the burden on
these systems may not be increased. Do not use long-distance
teleohone, telegraoh, radio-telegram, or Army-Navy communication
facilities exceot in case of the most urgent emergency. Ordinary
mail is rapid enough for most communications. Air-ma.il schedules
are such as to give less than 24 hours’ service between most ooints
in the continental United States for communications of a more urgent
character.
xxxxxxxxxx
11
1/23/42
CBS CLARIFIES WAR REBATE SITUATION
A detailed memo on war news broadcasting in commercial
program time and continuation of CBS rebate policj^ , has been issued
by Paul W. Kesten, Vice-President of the Columbia Broadcasting System.
Mr. Kesten, after outlining the situation since the attack
on Pearl Harbor, the interruption of programs caused by war news
bulletins, says in conclusion:
"Some advertisers have asked if we would include nev;s bul¬
letins within their programs at their own expense, so that credit
for bringing the news might go to the sponsor. Other advertisers
have asked if we would take a regular and pre-determined amount of
time at the start of every orograra on the network to broadcast
news - even though this would 'force' the broadcasting of news at
15-minute intervals in many cases. And from the Association of
National Advertisers has come the request that we enunciate at this
time a policy both as to our handling of news and as to rebates for
time so preempted.
"As to our general policies in handling and scheduling the
news, we contemolate no change from our present practices. These
have been based on rendering a maximum news service to the oublic,
but have resulted, as the foregoing summary indicates, in minimum
interference with commercial programs. * * * *
"As to rebates to advertisers for time oreempted for war
broadcasts, we believe that any nolicy, to be sound, should be suf¬
ficiently flexible to recognize the new feet of our being at war and
the further fact that the extraordinary extra costs of news coverage
at peak periods during a war fall uniquely upon radio. This latter
is true because only radio, in extreme news crises, is ever forced
to substitute ne?js broadcasts for entire advertising programs. For
the privilege of rendering an urgent public service, radio is called
upon to sacrifice its own advertising revenues.
"This extra burden falls upon radio for another and
equally compelling reason: news has become so important a part of
radio broadcasting that 65^ of our population (even in normal times)
depend primarily upon radio for news. In times of crisis, radio is
the universal medium, the only medium in fact, through which lis¬
teners can get instantaneous information. Our responsibility is
thus redoubled. Cur audience may in fact be redoubled, but unlike
the newspapers, we must voluntarily forego expected revenue to do
the job and we can collect no compensating revenue from 'extra
newsstand sales' .
"CBS accepts this paradox as one of the problems of broad¬
cast operation and as a patriotic privilege in keeping America in¬
formed. It is therefore our present intention to continue without
change our time and talent rebate policies, although these were
formulated for days of peace, not days of v,'ar. Should recurring news
crises, or continuous news crises, or other unforeseen developments
in network broadcasting require modification of these policies, we
are confident that mutually acceptable arrangements can be worked
out bet-'’"een our advertisers and ourselves."
XXXXXXXXX
12
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Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO I35UE OF JANUARY 27, 1942
New Ifar Board Slashes Rsdio Set Production. . . . 2
FCC On 44'^Hour Week For War . . .
Short Wave Sets For Latin- America Again Discussed
Would Make NIB Real NAB Competitor . . . 6
Fly Still Defends Alleged Red Despite Salary Rebuff . 7
Television To Be Used In Civilian Defense Training . 8
Court Upholds FCC Power Of Subpena . 9
Weiss Sees No Wartime FI^'I Setback . . . . . 10
Founder Of Philips Radio And Electric Corp. Dies . 10
Trade Notes . 11
Applications Received By FCC . 12
No. 1398
January 27, 1942
NEW WAR BOARD SLASHES RADIO SET PRODUCTION
As had been expected, the War Production Boa.rd has acted
to meet huge Army and Navy demands on the radio manufacturing
industry and to conserve critical materials by ordering sharp cuts in
production of receiving sets for civilian use.
Reductions also were ordered in output of phonographs and
radio phonograph combinations.
Effective immediately, Limitation Order L“'44, issued by
Acting Priorities Director J. S. Knowlson, former President of the
Radio Manufacturers’ Association, in the first move in his big new
job in the recently organized War Production Board, provides for an
average monthly curtailment in production during the next 90 days of
more than 40^ below the monthly output during the nine months ended
September 30, 1941, Similar cuts were ordered in the number of tube
sockets in the sets produced, which will result in corresponding
curtailment of the number of tubes used in new sets.
The order does not affect production for certain govern¬
ment defense agencies, besides the Army and Navy, nor for lend-lease
requirements, police departments or similar agencies of public
authority in the United States, and contracts covered by a Prefer¬
ence Fiating of A-l-J or higher.
In addition to freeing facilities for vital war work, the
order is desicned to accomplish savings during the 90-day period of
an estimated 750 tons of copper, 100 tons of aluminum, 25 tons of
nickel, and 3,400 tons of steel.
Class A manufacturers those who sold more than $1,000,000
wortn of radio sets and phonographs for civilian requirements during
the first nine months of 1941, were ordered to reduce output by 45^.
Class B firms, whose sales were under $1,000,000, must curtail pro¬
duction by 35/^.
The radio manufacturing industry, which employs many thou¬
sands of skilled and semi-skilled workers, has been asked to under¬
take a $2,000,000,000 military production program. Civilian output
must be reduced drastically so that receiver and parts makers and
allied branches of the industry can participate in this effort to
the fullest possible capacity.
It is estimated that 60,000,000 radios are now distributed
among 87^ of the American homes. Permitted civilian production dur¬
ing the next 90 days, together with stocks now in manufacturers' end
dealers' Imnds, will meet essential replacement requirements.
2
1/27/42
Class A companies already have received or soon will be
awarded big war orders, and swift conversion of their plants to
100^ military activity may be expected. Until a larger number of
the small (Class B) firms receive more Army and Navy orders, the
lighter curtailment ordered in their production will provide them
with sufficient civilian operations to keep their skilled labor
force intact.
The sales value of radios manufactured in 1940 was approxi¬
mately $177,000,000. In that year, the industry employed about
50,000 oersons. The annual nayroll was about $75,000,000. Esti¬
mates for 1941 show substantial increases in these figures.
In choosing the first nine months of 1941 as the base per¬
iod for the curtailment program, WPB selected a period in which the
industry enjoyed an unusually high level of operations. Ten million
receiving sets were produced during that oeriod, as comoared with
an output of 11,800,000 sets during the entire year 1940,
The program was discussed at several meetings with industry
representatives, and the place of radio in modern warfare, both from
the military and civilian standooint, vas thoroughly surveyed. The
conclusion was tha.t substantial reductions could be made in civilian
production without affecting public safety and morale. Emphasis
will be placed on oarts for reoa.ir and maintenance of existing equip¬
ment, and it is expected that supplies will be available to meet
these requirements.
The Chicago offices of the RCA Manufacturing Comoany, Incx,
reported that about 75 percent of the company's operations are being
devoted to military work. Executives of the company met wholesale
distributors for the Middle West and discussed the effects of the
demands of the war program and the curtailment of civilian produc¬
tion.
E. F. McDonald, Jr. , President of the Zenith Radio Corp. ,
said that the change-over by radio manufacturers to military produc¬
tion was being made smoothly because it did not require any serious
change in process, personnel training or machinery.
It was declared, hoxi^ever, that there was no danger of a
a siiortaoe of tubes for civilian radios.
"Radios are vital to the building of morale, and the
government thus far has assured us that the public will be able to
get replacement tubes", one manufacturer said.
Halting of the manufacture of receiving sets for civilian
and home use will no doubt cause a considerable decline of advertis¬
ing in newspapers and magazines by radio dealers and manufacturers.
Also dealers who have been handling radio sets exclusively will find
themselves facing a problem.
3
*
*
\
1/27/42
There were 56,000,000 radio sets in use in the United
States last year, of which 30,600,000, or 86 percent, were in homes,
according to the National Association of Broadcasters. There were
16,400,000 sets in use in institutions, places of business and
additional sets in homes, and 9,000,000 sets in automobiles.
The Research Division of the National Broadcasting Company
cooperated with the NAB in making the survey. There have been no
census figures on radio sets in several years.
XXXXXXXXXX
FCC ON 44-HCUR WEEK FOR WAR
In order to cope with its increased wartime duties, the
Federal Communications Commission has ordered a 44-hour work week
for its entire personnel, effective January 26. The new hours are
from 9:15 A, M. to 5:45 P.M. The order affects 1750 employees -
slightly more than 900 in Washington and nearly 800 in the field.
Particular units, such as the National Defense Operations
Section and the Foreign Broadcast Monitoring Service, have main¬
tained a round-the-clock schedule since the outbreak of war, result¬
ing in the Washington offices of the Commission and its field sta¬
tions being open 24 hours a day.
XXXXXXXX
SHORT WAVE SETS FOR LATIN- AMERICA ACAIN DISCUSSED
Conferences are reported to have been held in Chicago on
the long-talked of proposition to make 750,000 low-cost receiving
sets for Latin- American listeners.
The program for the distribution of these sets was develop¬
ed by Nelson A. Rockefeller, Coordinator of Inter- American affairs,
as a means of increasing radio outlets for short-wave broadcasts
furthering the good-neighbor policy.
Conferences have been held between Mr. Rockefeller’s office
and the Exn^ort Committee of the Radio Manufacturers* Association, but
negotiations have not reached a definite stage. Details of the plan
have not been made public, but it was said that Mr. Rockefeller
desired the industry to manufacture at no orofit sets which would
cost about $12 each.
In the meantime, a not so rosy reoort on the South Ameri¬
can short-wave comes from Ray Josephs, correspondent for Variety
writing from Buenos Aires:
4
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1/27/42
“The short-wave programs coming from the United States
are hstter. The more glaring kind of ignorance of Latin custom is
disapoearing. But there remain grave dangers of bo ome ranging.
Heavy-handed efforts to make a good impression, especially as regards
exDort and import trade, which is delicately controversial, remain
dangerous. Particularly for the .Argentine and Peru.
”Nev"S is the best short-wave contribution of the Yanquis,
but it must not be forgotten that the very A? and UP material that
is broadcast by DX from the United States is now available, almost
verbatim, through South American newspapers and stations.
**Re-transmitted programs, assuming Latin stations are
willing to take them, and further assuming that they're especially
slanted for special listening groups, constitute the only answer to
the problem of getting mass listeners in Latin-America' s it’s gen¬
erally felt here. The more dreamy-eyed estimate the number of
receivers of all kinds in Latin-Anerica as under 5,000,000. If
there are 2,000,000 capable of getting short-wave, it' s a lot.
Stacked up, therefore, against Latin-America' s 100,000,000 popula¬
tion, it's obvious that DX, in itself, can never, no matter how good
it becomes, directly affect any great number of South American minds.
"Argentine stations - and there are more radios in the
parapa republic than in all the rest of Latin-America put together -
found that listeners in the gaucho territory simply don't listen to
DX and that those who do are mainly foreigners or a certain percent¬
age of the wealthier class who like to tune specific programs.
The Columbia Broadcasting System has announced the affilia¬
tion of the two most powerful stations in Valencia, Venezuela, with
its new Latin American network. These stations, added to the CBS
chain "which extends from the United States border to the tip of
Argentina", constitute the 75th and 76th links in the Latin American
network.
Three more stations have been added to NBC' s Pan American
network, which NBC, not to be outdone by Columbia, says extends from
the Rio G-rande to the Straits of Magellan".
The Network now has a total of 120 stations with outlets
in every one of the 20 ^atin American Republics.
XXXXXXXXXX
Listening audiences to evening network commercials have
gained at least 13 per cent as a result of the Pearl Harbor attack,
according to a special analysis by the NEC Research Division.
XXXXXXXXXX
5
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1/27/42
WOULD MAKE NIB REAL NAB COMPETITOR
The immediate strengthening of the National Independent
Broadcasters so that it might compete on an equal footing with the
National Association of Broadcasters, has "been recommended by
George B. Storer, NIB President and station magnate of Toledo, in
a letter sent to stations by him and L. B. Wilson, of WCKY, Cincin¬
nati, Vice-President. The huge NAB budget is blasted by Mr. Storer
who says:
”It is the writer’s opinion that it is unnecessary for a
comprehensive radio trade association to spend upwards of ^300,000
per year, as does another associa,tlon. A budget of approximately
25^ of that amount should be ample, ”
Mr. Storer would cut dovTi expenses by having a paid
Managing Director as NAB did in the old days instead of a high
salaried president as at present. Also he suggests better relations
with the Federal Communications Commission, another slap at the NAB;
”A spirit of harmony between executives of Government and
officers of broadcast trade associations should exist at all times,
so that broadcasters may be queried on the advisability of impending
regulations, rather than be advised after the means of implementing
same have been executed. "
Also the name of NIB would be changed to National Institute
of Broadcasters. Networks would be excluded
Regarding network membership, Mr. Storer said that since
a comprehensive trade association must consist of both non-members
and members of networks, and since network contractual relationships
can take several different forms varying from complete ownershio to
a mutual basis of operation, he believed ”it is in the best long
term interest of broadcasters and networks, that the association
should be independent of network influence, ”
Recognition should be given, however, to the ’’great service”
performed by chains and the association should ”deplore any adverse
action which might actually impair the maintenace of successful
operation of network service at its present high standard, ” he said.
XXXXXXXXXX
Frederick Wolff Ogilvie , Director General of the British
Broadcasting Corporation, ha s resigned and his duties have been taken
over during the war by two Director-Generals jointly. Sir Cecil
George Graves and Robert Foot. No reason was given for the resigna¬
tion of Mr. Ogilvie.
XXXXXXXXX
6
I
i/
FLY STILL DEFENDS ALLEGED RED DESPITE SALARY REBUFF
Notwithstanding the rider in the House Appropriations Bill
prohibiting the payment of the salary of Dr. Goodwin Watson, Chief
Analyst of the Foreign Broadcast Monitoring Service because of the
allegation that he was a Coinraunist, Ciiairman James L. Fly of the
Federal Communications Commission continued to defend him. Accord¬
ing to Mr. Fly, the Commission also gave Dr. Watson a coat of
whitewash. ^iie Chairman said:
"mhe Commission didn't know of any plans of the House
Appropriations sub-committee to restrict aopropriations as far as
Dr, Watson was concerned. That particular oroblera was not consider¬
ed with the House Committee. The Commission met with Dr. Watson end
had a very extensive discussion vjith him and we feel convinced that
he is doing a very splendid job, is thorouglily undeviatingly loyal,
has never advocated overthrowing the Government by force or other¬
wise. All his notions as to Government and tli^t -ort of thia^ appear
to have been presented -^'ithin the fr'iiework of our basic democratic
system, since he was never cnarged with being a member of the Com¬
munist Party. In fact, I am not just sure wha.t he is being charged
with. "
One of Mr. Fly's questioners interjected:
"Being a member of the Communist Party would not be so
bad in view of the fact that we are with Russia in the war. "
L'lr. Fly did not reply to this but when asked if he was
going to ask for a hearing in the Senate, which still has to pass
on the Watson case, the Chairman said:
"Yes, I imagine so. I don't know the formalities. Com¬
missioner Durr has been designated to handle the matter actively on
behalf of the Commission and he will undoubtedly be in touch with
some of the Senators and they may have conferences with Dr. Watson.
Of course, that is ud to the Senate Committee and individual members
of the Senate. "
Asked if Dr. Watson' s salary cut would become effective
July 1, Mr. Fly answered in the affirmative.
"If the Senate uoholds the oosition of the House, he can
still be employed until July, can he not?"
"Legally, yes", the Chairman concluded.
In the debate on the House measure, Representative Wiggles-
worth ( R. ) , of Massachusetts, said he wished all House members would
read the record of tne sub-committee's hearing on Dr. Watson.
Representative Wiggle sworth referred to matter introduced by
Representative Starnes, ( D. ) , of Alabama, a member of the Dies
Committee, which he sa.id "leaves absolutely no doubt that Dr. Watson
is toally unfitted for the position. "
7
1/27/4S
The controversy over Dr, Watson began on November 19, ^-rhen
Representative Dies attacked the former Columbia University psychol**
ogy professor in a soeech on the House floor.
Mr. Dies said that the appointee was "a propagandist for
Coraraunisra and the Soviet Union for many years”. He listed 13 alleg¬
ed Communist organizations with which he said Dr. Watson had been
associated.
Mr. Fly, replying in a letter to Representative Dies,
denied that Dr. Watson was a radical. He pointed out that he had
been carefully investigated by trained Civil Service operatives
before his appointment. Mr. Fly said that he had studied the evi¬
dence cited by Representative Dies against the appointee and had
satisfied himself that it was not valid.
Of the 13 organizations which Representative Dies cliarged
Dr. Watson v^as associated with. Mr. Fly said he learned that the
appointee belonged to only one - the Consumers’ Union, which he
declared not, a "Communist front” organization. Mr. Fly said
that Dr. Watson was "one of the outstanding social psychologists of
the country. "
xxxxxxxxxx
TELEVISION TO BE USED IN CIVILIAN DEFENSE TRAINING
Three comoanies manufacturing television sets have agreed
to install receivers in 100 oolice stations to aid instruction of
classes in Civilian Defense. They are General Electric, Dumont, and
RCA Manufacturing Comoany.
For four Monda.y evenings at eight o’clock, the NBC televis¬
ion station, WNBT, will telecast thirty -minute instruction periods
on duties of air-raid wardens, fire watchers, light rescue squads,
messengers and drivers, and actual demonstrations of approved methods
and equipment will supplement oral instruction by experts on the
staff of the Coordinator for Police Department Civilian Defense,
The Philco station, WPTZ, in Philadelphia, and the General
Electric Company station near Schenectady, also will hook up with
the prograjns for benefit of defense workers in their locales. Al¬
though the courses are intended primarily for defense workers, the
general public is invited to participaLte .
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COURT UPHOLDS FCC POWER OF 3UBPENA
The right of the Federal Communications Commission to in¬
vestigate nev/spaper ownership of radio stations within certain limi¬
tations was upheld by the Court of Appeals, but the agency was warned
that it had no legal right to engage in a "fishing expedition" in
its inquiry.
Certain very definite limitations on the scope of the FCC
investigation were established by the court, in rendering its deci¬
sion on an appeal made by James G. Stahlman, publisher of the
Nashville (Tenn. ) Banner, and former President of the American News¬
paper Publishers' Association.
Mr. Stahlman had been ordered by the FCC to aopear before
that group in connection with the inquiry into Joint newspaper- radio
ownership. He had refused and the Commission apoealed to the Distr¬
ict Court to force his appearance. That court held that he had to
appear.
The Appellate Court yesterday upheld the decision of the
District Court, on the grounds that the act which established the
Commission gave it the right to make inquiry into certain aspects of
the ownership and operation of radio stations.
However, the Court of Aooeals clearly warned that the
decision did not mean that the Commission was authorized to force
witnesses "to bare their records, relevant or irrelevant, in the
hope that something will turn up, or to invade the privacy protected
by the fourth amendment. "
The Commission may "seek through an Investigation of its
own making information property applicable to the legislative stand¬
ards set up in the act", the Court held, but added; "We should not
assume that the investigation wall be conducted for any other pur¬
pose or in disregard of the constitutional limits v/hich govern such
procedure. "
The Court expressed the opinion that the FCC has the right
to obtain information on these questions:
"Whether the joint association of newspaper and radio -sta¬
tions is prejudicing the free and fair presentation of public issues
and infornation over the air, whether it tends to restrict or distort
the broadcasting of nevrs, whether it restricts freedom of access to
the radio for discussion of oublic issues or unduly limits access of
new^s gathering agencies. "
Furthermore, the Court held, the FCC may inquire as to
whether the newspaper- radio association will result in improving
broadcast facilities and the dissemination of news and in insuring
greater financial stability and technological advances.
9
1/27/42
The Court indicated that there was some question as to
the Commission's right to inquire into "what considerations influence
newspaper interests to acquire broadcast stations.
The hearings in connection with newspaper- owned radio
stations are scheduled to be resumed tomorrow (Wednesday, January 28)
and if not concluded by Friday will adjourn until the following
Wednesday and so until their conclusion.
XXXXXXXX
WEISS SEES NO WARTIME SETBACK
Despite wartime demands, Lewis Allen Weiss, Vice-President
and General Manager of the Don Lee network, West Coast affiliate of
the Mutual Broadcasting System, sees no serious setback in 1942 for
Frequency Modulation broadcasting, Mr. Weiss believes that manu¬
facturers will use their limited quotas of materials for manufacture
of quality Ft^-AI'.l combination sets, to make up for volume oroduc-
tion of cheao AM midget receivers stopoed by^ material shortages.
Indication of the truth of Mr, Weiss' F!/i prediction can
be found in the latest figures on Frequency Modulation set sales,
released by FM Broadcasters, Inc, Flffil has stated that more than
40,000 FIvi receivers were sold during the month of November. This,
with incomplete distribution figures of 60,000 during December,
brings the national total on January 1, 1942, to approximately
240,000 units.
WOR has an outlet in this field with its FM station, W71NY.
xxxxxxxxx
FOUNDER OF PHILIPS RADIO AND ELECTRIC CORP. DIES
Dr. Gerard Leonard Frederick Philips, founder of the inter¬
nationally known Philips Radio and Electric Corporation, died yester¬
day (January 26) in The Hague, the Netherlands Aneta news agency
reported. His age was 83.
Dr. Philips founded the Philips Glowlamp Co. , which became
one of the largest radio and electrical appliance companies in the
world, in 1891. He introduced the metal-thread electric light bulb
in 1907 and four years later introduced the tungsten-thread bulb. In
1915, he established a glass manufacturing plant from which he
resi.^ed as the Director in 1922.
The main Philips plant at Eindhoven, the Netherlands, fell
into German hands after the Nazi invasion. The coranany' s independent
factories continued operations in Central and South America, and
there are business offices in New York and Curacao.
XXXXXXXX
10 -
1/27/4S
TRADE NOTES
The "Code of Wartime Practices for American Broadcasters"
recently issued by the Office of Censorship has now been orinted in
convenient parapnlet form by the Government Printing Office.
The honor of Fellow Grade in the Australian Institute of
Radio Engineers has just been conferred upon Virgil M. Graham,
Director of the Radio Tube Application Engineering Department,
Hy grade Sylvania Corporation, Emporium, Penna.
Included in the staff of the Office of Facts and Figures
headed by Archibald MacLeish, Librarian of Congress, are the follow¬
ing identified with radio; Assistant Director, Bureau of Opera¬
tions, William B. Lewis, former Vice-President of the Columbia
Broadcasting System; Consultant, Frank Stanton, Director of Research
for Columbia Broadcasting System; Bureau of Operations, Douglas
Meservey, former Assistant to the Vice-President, National Broad¬
casting Company. Exactly what the functions of OFF were has had
Washingtonians guessing for sometime but it is now revealed as "the
policy making agency of the Government regarding information particu¬
larly of the progress of the war program which is to be given to the
American people".
Restriction on sugar deliveries to industrial users is
responsible for withdrawal of the Sour program, "Michael and Kitty",
by Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Inc. Aired Friday evenings over 96 sta¬
tions of the Blue Network, the program will be dropped after the
Feb. 6 broadcast.
Dan Russell, shortwave production supervisor has been
named field representative for the CBS Latin American network. His
new duties will take him to the twenty neighbor republics where CBS
has a total of 76 station affiliates.
"Parade", Marshall Field’s syndicated Sunday newspaper
supplement had a double page spread with pictures captioned "Ameri¬
can Radio Networks Eavesdrop - Snort Wave Monitors Cull out News
from Air Waves Seven Days a Week", a story of the inside workings of
NBC and CBS listening posts.
Clifford G. Fick has been apoointed Assistant Designing
Engineer of the Transmitter Division of General Electric' s Radio and
Television Deoartraent, it has been announced by J. M. Howell, Man¬
ager of the Comoany’s Schenectady Works,
Another war casualty is Jfejor Bowes' Chiysler program
which has been cut to half an hour.
Standard Red Cross courses in first aid are in full swing
at tne Columbia Broadcasting System in New York, m th three courses
being given 100 CBS employees of all types from page boys to execu¬
tives.
11
1/27/42
Sidney N. Strotz, Vice-President of the National Broad¬
casting Company in charge of the Western Division has announced
several changes. A1 Nelson, Assistant Vice-President of NBC, forv
raerly manager of KGO and KPO, will be Manager of KPO and handle net-
7rork business originating in San Francisco.
William B. Ryan will be manager of KGO and handle network
business for the Blue Network Comoany, originating in San Francisco.
Sydney Dorais moves to Hollywood to become auditor for
Blue Network Company in the Western Division.
Don E, Gilman, Hollywood, is Vice-President of the Blue
Network Cora'^/any for the Western Division.
WABC is now offering 100-Ford and on-erainute spot announce¬
ments to advertisers on the new daily 1-6 AM orogram schedule.
Since Pearl Harbor, the New York CBS outlet has been on almost 24
hours a day schedule, but this is the first time commercial announce¬
ments have been available every day for these hours.
When St^^tion KQW of San Jose, Calif., became an affiliate
of CBS, it announced it through an advertising campaign in Northern
California estimated by the Editor & Publisher to have cost $50,000.
Radio Goes To War; The ’’Fourth Front”, is the_tltle of a
new book by Charles J. Rolo with an introduction by Johannes Stell,
It is 293 pn. and is published by G. ?. Putnam’s Sons, the orice
being $2.75.
X X X X X X X X X X
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY FCC
The Constitution Publishing Co. , .Atlanta, Ga. , construc¬
tion permit for a new high f re que n cy bro a dc a s t station to be oper¬
ated on 45,300 kc. , coverage 7,358 sq. miles; population : 826 , 864;
K37LA, Earle C. Anthony, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., modification of
construction permit for a new high frequency broadcast station,
requesting approval of directional antenna system for a coverage of
34,960 sq. miles and aporoval of transmitter; pooulation: 3,597,000;
WMAL, M. A. Leese Radio Corp. , Washington, D. C. , modification of
license to change name to The Evening Star Broadcasting Co. (630 kc . )
WJ 3 , Daily Telegraph Printing Co., Bluefile,d W. Va . , construction
permit to increase x)Oimr from 500 watts night, 1 KW day to 5 KW,
installation of directional antenna for night use, install newr
transmitter and m.ove transmitter (1440 kc.)
Also, KFAR, Midnight Sun Broadcasting Co. , Fairbanks,
Alaska, construction permit to change frequency from 610 to 660 kc. ,
increase rower from 1 to 10 KW and install new transmitter (660 kc . ) ;
K^DS, San Diego Unified School District, San Diego, Calif., modifica¬
tion of construction permit for a new non-commercial educational
broadcast station, requesting extension of completion date to 7/1/43.
XXXXXXXXXX
12
Heinl Radio Business Letter
Pate of Alleged Red in PCC Now Up to Senate . 2
MacArthur Has His Own Powerful Station . . . 3
Broadcasters Answer Some Listeners Criticisns . 5
Tam Craven New IRAQ Man . 6
Trammel Stricken With Appendicitis - Reported Better . . . . 7
Congressman Alleges "Gestapo” in PCC . . . 7
World Wide Opens N* Y. News Room . . . . . 7
Press Rights to Radio Ownership Defended . . . . . 8
Haw-Haw Says Op]posite to U. S. and Britain . 9
Some Aliens Puzzled Over Short-Wave Seizure . 9
Harbord Foresees Enemy Engulfed in Mounting Tide . . 10
New Radio Devised to Turn Off Lights . . . . . . . 11
Trade Notes . 12
NO. 1399
5
January 30, 1942
TATE OE ALLEGED RED IN ECC NOW UP TO SEIJATS
Whether James L, Ely, Chairman of the Eederal Communications Commission
who is standing squarely Lehind Dr. Goodwin V^atson, ECC Chief Eoreign Propaganda
Analyst, and alleged Communist fellow traveller, vrill have any Letter luck saving
ihis man in the Senate than he did in the House remains to be seen. Rather than
helping Dr. Watson's case in the lower branch of Congress Mr. Ely's showing no
inclination to give Watson the Axe is held to be directly responsible for the House
doing an almost unprecidented thing of putting a rider on the Appropriation’s
Bill cutting off his salary because of the ex-Columbia professor's supposed red
tendencies.
There is just a chance if the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which
Senator Carter Glass is Chairman, decides to make an issue of Dr. Watson's past
association with Communists that it may attract as much attention as the case of
Joseph Lash, alleged yoxing red, protege of Mrs. Eranklin D. Roosevelt, who,
supposedly with her backing, tried to crash into the Navy secret service.
The difference between Lash and Watson, however, is that while the former
is still on the outside looking in. Dr. Watson is apparently strongly entrenched
and regardless of any Congressional action will continue to drav/ his $5,600 annual
Government salary until July 1st. Also if Watson is a Communist or anything like a
Communist, as has been so repeatedly charged, he would seem to be in an ideal spot
for one with those views. It is his job to listen to the propaganda broadcast
from abroad and tell our officers here the meaning of it. This and other points
were brought out in the lengthy cross-examination to which Chairman Ely was sub¬
jected in the House, After developing the fact that Dr. Watson was a doctor of
philosophy, had taught psychoanalyzing and similar subjects, had taught in the
Union Theological Seminary, was an ordained member of the Methodist Church and
Professor of Education at Columbia University, Representative Joe Starnes of
Alabama asked:
"By whom was Dr. Watson recommended to you as being a competent man for
this field and well qualified for that type of service?
Mr, Ely, He was recommended to us by Professor Gordon Allport, head of the
department of psychology at Harvard University and Mr. Hadley Cantril, who has
been the head of the Princeton University listening center and has also worked
especially with the director of the Inter-American Affairs in which he has
engaged broadly. He has perhaps one of the outstanding records of ability and
performance in this field.
Rep. Starnes. At the time you employed him, or tlaat he v;as employed by the
Eederal Communications Commission, were you aware of the fact he was an endor¬
ser of the American Congress for Peace and Democracy which was called by the
American League for Peace and Democracy, that is novf a defunct organization,
but a known communistic organization?
Mr. Ely. No.
-2-
1/30/42
Rep. Starnes. I invite your attention to a photostatic copy of the letter¬
head of the American Congress for Peace and Democracy, called hy the Ajnerican
League for Peace and Democracy, on which his name is listed as one of the
endorsers and sponsors. As I recall, the last national convention they held
was held in Washington in 1939, It was dissolved under the impact of public
opinion when it was exposed in its true character during that year. And there
is no one, I pres'ojne, in a responsible place who denies it was a Communist-
organized, Communist-controlled, and Communist-dominated organization, front
organization, even though it was headed at the time of its demise by another
Methodist minister, Dr. Harry P, Ward.
Mr. Ply. I do not understand Dr. Watson was a member of the organization.
Rep. Starnes. Do you knovr that Dr. Watson was the endorser of that Congress
along with Clarence Hathaway, editor of the Daily Worker, Donald Henderson,
and others - men who are avowed, open Communists?
Mr, Ply. Ho, sir, I do not. I do not understand, however, that an interest
in some subject that is dealt with in a particular meeting is itself an
endorsement of an organization as a whole. And the reason I say that is that
these professors deal with a great many subjects; they attend a lot of meet¬
ings and engage in a lot of special studies.
Rep. Starnes. Did you knov; at that time he was a member of the advisory
board of the American Students' Union, which is unquestionably Communist
organized and Communist controlled?
Mr. Ply. As I understand, that organization broke up, due to that very ques¬
tion, and he resigned when that - v;as brought to his attention.
A letter was read, written only two months ago, calling a conference to
di scuss the freedom of Earl Browder among whose signers were Dr. Watson, This
brought about the following exchange:
Rep. Starnes. Did you know Dr, Watson was among a number of those Americans
who protested the attacks on the Communist Party's ballot rights, and that
protest came about as a result of the exposure by a congressional committee
of the fact that hundreds and thousands of names had been illegally and
fraudulently obtained on Communist Party petitions to place the party on the
ballot in the various States, and that there has been no disputing of that
known fact, which is a matter of record?
M^. Ply. I understood he had never taken any part in the work of the Commu¬
nist Party, was never a member of it, and never voted the Communist ticket. ”
MAC. ARTHUR HAS HIS OWH P0W5EFUL STATIOH
It became known through a speech delivered by Senator Elbert D. Thomas
of Utah that Gen. Douglas MacArthur is now employing radio to great advantage.
Senator Thomas, who recently addressed a short-v/ave message to the Japanese people
in Japanese, was discussing the short-v;ave radio offensive which is being carried
on in eight languages by Station KGEI of San Prancisco against Axis propagandists
in the Par East - in English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, Tagolog
(the native Philippine language) and Thai. He said:
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1/30/42
”0ne of the most striking uses of the short-wave offensive is going on in the
Philippine Islands, under the direction of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. I am in¬
formed hy the War Department that General MacArthur has set up a powerful
radio station somewhere in the territory under his control, and is now giving
the Pilipinos news direct from the United States. Both the armed forces,
American and Filipino, and the civilian population are receiving a complete
news service through the cooperation of the Navy Department.
When the Japanese occupied Manila, they captured the principal radio and
newspaper facilities of the island, and, except for short-wave radio, the
Filipinos had no way of getting American news. One of the first steps taken
by the Japanese v;as to forbid use of radio sets. But a good many sets are
still in use. The Japanese concentrated on seizing the more powerful sets
which could receive short-wave broadcasts. They could not confiscate ordi¬
nary sets without destroying the effect of their ovm propaganda broadcasts.
Then General MacArthur stepped in, and, with typical Yaiikee ingenuity,
succeeded in establishing his own radio station, ^^fhich rebroadcasts American
programs in long wave all over the Philippines.
How effective this is we can Judge by the magnificent loyalty and fighting
spirit of the Filipino people. There can be no doubt that the radio programs
help to maintain their courage and confidence in the face of the disasters
of the moment. The recent revelation of the Japanese orders to put to death
Filipinos found guilty of any of a long list of actions by civilians in
opposition to Japanese rule indicates what a seething mass of rebellion the
Japanese are finding*
Little known but highly important actions have been taking place also on the
other islands of the Philippines. Units of Philippine Scouts, elements of
Philippine regiments, and native guerrilla fighters are operating on the
various islands to the great discomfort of the Japanese. "
Senator Thomas then read an editorial to the Senate from the St. Louis
Globe-Democrat calling attention to the importance of the Far East short-wave
offensive which said in part:
"Doubtless one of the most remarkable incidents in this radio offensive was
an address delivered some days ago by Senator Thomas of Utah. Addressing the
Japanese people in their own language, he warned them that they \\rere heading
toward ultimate disaster by fighting the United States, and that their early
victories would be followed by defeats from which they would never recover.
A short-wave offensive is no substitute for bombs on Japanese warships and
cities. It is an excellent corrective for enemy propaganda, however, and it
is a means of telling the Japanese people that war with the United States is
a bigger undertaking than their leaders would have them believe."
Then Senator Thomas said: "I wish to express ray agreement with the writer
of this editorial regarding the value of our short-wave offensive. I have been
glad to contribute to it, as far as I could, by messages which have been broadcast
both to the Japanese and the Chinese people. I know what others are doing likewise.
In the last fev/ weeks my colleague the senior Senator from Georgia (Mr. George)
and such men as Rear Admiral Yarnell; MaJ. George Fielding Eliot and others have
sent special messages by way of station KGEI to the people of Japan and of China. -
None of the Axis Nations has yet used this technique of personal special messages
addressed to the people of the nations at war."
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BROADCASTERS ANSVnSR SOME LISTENERS CRITICISMS
Readers of the WASHINGTON POST in a home-made Gallup poll recently regis¬
tered their ”pet peeves" in radio programs. They were mostly their objection to
commercials and "soap operas". Richard L. Coe, Radio Editor of the POST offered
Washington station executives a chance to reply.
"Some people don’t like soap operas - I’m one of them", said A. D.
Willard, Jr., of WJSV (CBS). "But that reminds me of the time that Mark Twain
lit up a big black seogar at a formal dinner table. Turning to the dowager on his
left, he said:
■^r
"Madam, do you ob'ject to cigar smoke?"
"Yes", said the lady, "I do."
"Well, some people do," Mark Twain replied and went on smoking.
"The radio industry realizes that some people do not favor the dramatic
serial as a type of entertainment. It al.so knows, from countless surveys and tests,
that the humble ’soap operas’ draw a larger feminine audience during the daytime
hours than any other kind of studio program.
"To counterweight the soap operas, C. B, S, ]io,s increased the radio
hours devoted to serious music, educational programs and other forms of entertain¬
ment in order to strike a better balance in program material.
"To those who feel that present-day commercials arc not all they should
be, I would like to recall the quacks, charlatans and false-cl aimers who infested
broadcasting and printed advertising a decade or so ago. That they have disappear¬
ed is due less to Government edicts and decrees than to a voluntary house-cleaning
by the publishers and broadcasters themselves.
"The fact that commercial sponsors continue to renew their contracts
month after month because they have received good value for their advertising
dollar would seem to indicate that, in general, radio is doing a good job of
satisfying the public upon whose response it depends entirely."
Carlton D. Smith of WRC-Wl^IAL (NBC) replied:
"Ear from trying to shoot you, as you suggested in your column, we wel¬
come your constructive series. It is constructive because it is seeking to make
concrete suggestions for better programming- a problem of vital concern to us.
"To get a minor point out of the way first; our 15-minute programs are
not 50 per cent advertising - the code of the National Association of Broadcasters
states that the advertising portion of such programs may not exceed 3 minutes and
15 seconds. And as far as our stations are concerned, we do not exceed the limit.
"You mention so-called ’soap-operas’. We agree that the reason there
are so many of them is that they are widely uopular. So are similar serial stories
in newspapers and magazines.
"Remember - the survival of a radio station depends entirely 6n its
ability to please and serve its listeners. It is so easy to turn a dial and tune
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1
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1/30/42
out a program you don’t like. The radio station which fails to heed that ever¬
present fact won’t live very long. Therefore, any pioneering that is done must he
paced to listener willingness to support the changes. I think you will find that
radio stations generally are a mirror of the desires of their listeners.
"Let me assure you that we are continuing to experiment, as we always
have done and that whenever we can find new and better programs which our listeners
will like, we surely will put them on."
"Our surveys have been conducted in cooperation with the other networks
stations in Washington and include more than 9000 telephone calls every 60 days-
telephone calls spaced scientifically over the entire Washington metropolitan
area", William B, Dolph of WOL (Mutual) answered. "(This in vast contrast to the
400 letters on v;hich you base your article. Over a period of a year we contact
through the Hooper Survey method and at the actua,! time of specific broadcasts
almost 75,000 Washingtonians.
"Reluctantly, I admit that upon occasion some few commercial announce¬
ments are a bit lengthy, but we in the radio business maintain that this is by
far the exception rather than the rule. Naturally, every radio station, advertiser,
and advertising agency makes a tremendous effort to ingratiate rather than to
allienate the majority of radio listeners."
"Radio stations, like the newspapers", Edwin M. Spence of WWDC said,
"derive their chief support from advertising. The full-page ads might be compared
to the big network advertisers, the smaller display ads to locally sponsored pro¬
grams and the classified section to the spot announcements. Thus, all types of
advertisers have an opportunity in radio as well as in nevrspapers, of getting
their message across.
"I personally think there are too many ’soap operas' following in
immediate succession* We constantly endeavor to keep a note of variety so that
several programs of the same type will not follow one another, maintaining a de¬
finite allotment of time for educational features, religious sei'vices, civic and
charitable programs, nev;s, operatic and classical programs, popular music and so on'.'
X X X X X X
mi CRAVEN NEW IRAQ MAiT
The Eederal Communications Comr.iission has designated Commissioner
T. A. M. Craven to represent it on the Interdepartnent Radio Advisors'- Committee,
which has the duty of recommending to the President assignment of frequencies to
the G-overnment. Commissioner Craven succeeds Chief Engineer Jett in that capacity,
the latter's duties now being taken up largely with ECC and DCB defense activities.
Commissioner Craven, a former Chief Engineer of the Commission, previously served
on IRAC. His present alternate on the Committee is Philip E. Siling, Chief of
PCO's International Division, who is also Secretary of IRAC. The Interdopartment
Radio Advisory Committee is a Government unit established for the purpose of advis¬
ing the President with reference to the assignment of frequencies to Government
radio stations. The Committee, which has met at least once a month, approved the
assignment of 6,983 frequencies for Government radio stations during the past year.
At the present time there are 21,133 active assignii-ients to Federal radio stations,
all of which have been recommended by the Committee since its establishment. In
addition, the Technical Subcommittee of the Committee has considered problems in¬
volved in the allocation of such frequencies in order that the most efficient use
of the radio spectrum may be attained.
1/30/42
TRAMMEL STRICKEN WITH APPElTDICITIS - REPORT BETTER
Niles Trammel# President of the National Broadcasting Company, who was
operated on for appendicitis in New York Thursday, was said today (Friday) to he
improving. Admittedly it was a serious case brought on by a rundown condition
due to overwork in connection with the FCC cracking down on NBC, the reorganiza¬
tion of the Blue Network and the additional burden of readjusting the networks
to wartime conditions.
’'You'll have to admit that Chairman Fly alone gave Mr. Trammel enough
to worry about", someone close to the NBC President said, inferring that the
breakdown had been largely due to trouble with the Government.
Mr. Trammel is in Roosevelt Hospital in New York City.
X X X X X X
CONGRESSMAN ALLEGES "GESTAPO" IN FCC
Picturing James L. Fly, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
as the "most dangerous man in the government" and one v/ho was using his wartime
powers as a smokescreen to take all comnxinications facilities, Representative
E. E. Cox (D) of Georgia declared that he proposed to have Mr. Fly and the
Commission investigated.
Addressing the House Mr. Cox said:
"Mr. Fly, of the Communications Commission is using a good law to a bad
end. He is guilty of a monstrous abuse of power and is rapidly becoming the most
dangerous man in the Government. He maintains an active and ambitious Gestapo and
is putting shackles on the freedom of thought, press, and speech without restraint.
"In the pretended regulation of the broadcasters, which needs regulating,
he is breaking down those freedoms which guard all others. He is taking advantage
of the stress of the moment to federalize all means of communication.
"I have heretofore opposed the investigation of executive departments
of the Government, but the Communications Commission, as now operating under Mr.
Fly, must be stopped, and I intend offering a resolution for House investigation,"
X X X X X X
WORLD WIDE OPENS N. Y.ims ROOM
Backed by a $25,000 grant from the Council of the American Philosophical
Society, the World Wide Broadcasting Foundation operating the short-wave station
WRUL in Boston will open a news room and program department in Now York City.
Walter S. Lemmon, President of the Foundation, reviev/ing its recent
activities said that V/RUL had opened a new short-wave beam to the Philippines and
China the day after the entrance of the United States into the war. In addition,
a new series of broadcasts to Australia has been started and the station is broad¬
casting now in twenty-two languages.
X X X X X X
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1/30/42
PRESS RIGHT TO RADIO OWNERSHIP DEPENDED
Dr. Prederick S., Sietert, Director of the University of Illinois School
of Journalism, told the Pederal Conmunications Commission that newspapers "should
have the same privileges as other citisens" in the ovmership of radio stations.
Testifying in the Commission's investigation of nevirspaper-radio relar-
tionship, Dr. Siehert said newspapers "deserved to he considered" because of their
long training in the coverage of news and opinions.
"My impression is that the monopoly that might he created is not as
dangerous as the the entering wedge of discriminations against newspapers as
newspapers", he said.
The Coinmission is conducting its investigation with a view to determining
its future policy for dealings with applications hy newspaper interests for
broadcast stations. Dr. Siehert appeared as a witness for the newspaper-radio
committee, organized to oppose prohibitions on newspapers’ acquiring radio stations.
"I do not think that because a man publishes a nex^rspaper he should be
denied a radio station when it is shown that he is best qualified to operate it",
Dr, Siehert said. He added that he did not feel ownership of a radio sta,tion by
one newspaper would give it "all-our advantage" over a competitor not operating
a station.
Dr, Paul Lazarsfeld, Director of the Office of Radio Research of
Columbia University, presented numerous exhibits dealing with so-called "one-one"
cities.
In 74 cities in which the only newspaper has an interest in the only
broadcasting station, Dr, Lazarsfeld said, out-of-town newspapers had a combined
circulation of 35 for each 100 circulation of the local newspaper.
An earlier witness, Andrev; Ring, Consulting Engineer, testified that
only 35 cities in which the one newspaper owned controlling interest in the one
broadcasting station did not receive primary radio service from other cities.
In those 35 cities. Dr. Lazarsfeld said, the newspaper had put 1.2 per
cent of the national circulation, while the radio station had only ,04 of 1 per
cent of the national radio power,
The Newspaper-Radio Committee announced that Arthur Garfield Hays of
New York, General Counsel of the American Civil Liberties Union, would testify
in its behalf tomorrow.
Mr, Hays, the Committee, said, "holds the vievrpoint that there should be
no rules or regulations of any sort limiting the complete freedom of th-e press.
Morris Ernst, Associate Counsel of the Union, testified at an earlier
hearing in favor of complete divorcement of radio from the press.
X X X X X X
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I
. 'i
1/30/42
I HAW-HAW SAYS OPPOSITE TO U. S. AHD BRITAIN
f'
' After listening in on Europe on one of his new trans-oceanic portable
Iradio sots, Connander E. P. McDonald, Jr,, said:
"I get a great laugh out of the German propaganda, because it is so
inconsistent. One night I heard the Gentleman from Berlin at 8:30 Eastern Tine
tell how we were all being misled and that Churchill v;as running the United States
Government .
’’Believe it or not, when Lord Haw-Haw went on 15 minutes after the other
one finished, or at nine o'clock (he is on some tines at 8:30 and some times at
9;00), he said the exact opposite. In other v/ords, he said to the English people
that Roosevelt was running Churchill. Laught that off for consistoncy in German
propaganda.
"I guess they thought wo couldn't hear the second program, although it
was on the identical v;ave-length, 31 meters."
SOI® ALIENS PUZZLED OYER SHORT-WAVE SEIZURE
That there is still uncertainty in the minds of certain aliens as to
what they should do to meet the provisions of the short-wave camera seizure order
is indicated In a letter written to the Nev/ York Times, by a reader who signs
himself Paul Samuel:
"It seems to me that some doubt still exists as to v/hat shall be done
with short-wave radios and cameras. Many people believe that as long as they them¬
selves are citizens they do not have to turn in these articles at their local
police station,
"My ovm experience tells no that it is not commonly Icnown that even a
citizen has to give up his short-v/ave radio or else remove the short-wave band as
long as his apartment is shared by persons who fall under the "enemy alien" classi¬
fication. Por instance: I am a naturalized citizen, but my wife has as yet not
obtained her naturalization papers. I have been informed by the police that I
cannot have a short-wave radio in my house.
"It makes, of course, no difference whether a wife, parents, relatives
or just friends share ny apartment as long as they are classifiable as "enemy
aliens." In other words, the lavr does not ask: ’Who owns the radio?" but ’Who has
access to it?.
"As to cameras, it is sufficient if the citizen owner of one prevents its
use by enemy aliens. That means keep it locked up.
"I have also observed that some aliens believe as long as they merely
store their caiiieras and radios with friends who do not come under this law, noth¬
ing can happen to them. The law requires that these articles be turned over to
the police. "
X X X X X X
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1/30/42
HARBOED FORESEES ElIEMY EITOaLFED 111 K0UI7TIIIG TIDE
Maj. Geia. James G. Harbord, Chairman of the Board of the Radio Corpora¬
tion of America, speaking at the 52nd Annual Dinner of the Indianapolis Chamber
of Commerce last Thursday, predicted that the road of war may be long but victory
will come to the United States and the Democracies.. He looked ahead to the day
when the enemies v/ill be engulfed and overwhelmed by the mounting t.ide-of American
men backed by the mounting tide of civilian support.
V/arning that the front line of this war runs through the streets of
every city, village and farm of Atierica^ General Harbord, who served as Chief of
Staff under General Pershing, said that this is not a war just of armies and navies
but of whole populations. He pointed to the present war as ’’nearer home than any
we ever fought before.”
”In stating that of all our wars this is much the closest home," said
General Harbord, ”I mean tiiat every man and woman in our nation, even those who
are not working in defense industries, are in the thick of this struggle. I am
not referring to the possibility of invasion of American soil. Hot by any develop¬
ment that today can be foreseen can there be a successful landing of large enemj''
forces in the United States, nor by any reasonable expectation is there a proba¬
bility of bombing beyond the ’token’ type. Certainly there is nothing at present
to justify the belief that any American city will be called upon to endure the
sustained ’blitz’ of the terrifying kind that so completely failed to terrify
England.”
’’Only one American in nineteen will have a job among the fighting forces
in this war,” said General Harbord. ”It is because the deeds of our fighting men
stir us so deeply that we may underestiraate the vital importance of the eighteen
Americans who are behind every man in the fighting forces.”
Although the orders for armament, mijinitions and instrjunents of v;ar have
reached staggering propcrrtions. General Harbord said that the enemies will find
that American industry cannot be staggered. ”It vrill fill these orders,” he
exclaimed, because America has a backlog of mechanical skill that will sv/eep all
before it when rolling at top speed.
"Nothing must be allowed to interfere with the stream of armaments and
other tools of war flowing from industry. Neither management nor labor can afford
to be so lax in patriotism as to take unfair advantage of the urgency of the
situation."
Calling attention to the closer bonds between the various sections of the
United States, such as the "industrial east" and the "agricultural west,” General
Harbord described them as symbols of unity in productive effort, vitally important
in winning the war. By way of illustration he recalled that in 1936 the Radio
Corporation of America began manufacturing operations in Indianapolis, and in 1940
opened the plant at Bloomington, Ind. Today these organizations, he reported,
employ 4,200 men and women, with an annual payroll ta excess of five million dollais.
"In Indianapolis our phonograph record division has a productive capa¬
city of 3,000,000 records a month, and our radio tube division 1,200,000 tubes a
month,” said General Harbord. "In addition all of RCA’s sound equipment for motion
picture studios and theatres, and for public address systems, is manufactured at
Indianapolis. This division is more and more engaged in fulfilling the Govern-
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1/30/42
fihent’s war-time needs in sound equipment of all kinds.
“Since RCA‘ s plant at Bloomington was opened in 1940, more than a
Jnillion radio receivers have Been shipped® Present plans call for the ultimate
Juse of the Bloomington plant facilities for v/ar work."
?
j. In conclusion, General Harbord offered a number of suggestions on how
} those on the hone-front can serve their country and help to v/in the war;
I “Dinner party generals, by avoiding discussions that sap morale at home
I Ron-defense factories, by helping to devise substitutes for materials
needed in the war.
Workers, by staying on their jobs and doing their jobs better than they
ever have been done before.
Machine workers, by getting the very maximum out of their machines, by
protecting and maintaining their machines, and by saving scrap.
Distributors and retail merchants, by v/ise buying, avoidance in sales¬
men’s talk and in advertising of exaggerated warnings of war scarcities
that encourage panic shopping and hoarding.
Housewives, by accepting with good grace the fact that during the
emergency she cannot buy all the many types and grades of products for
which American merchandising is justly famous, and by buying only what
she needs; avoid selfish ’stocking-up’ sprees.”
X X X X X X
NEW DEVISED TO TURN OPE LIGHTS
Dr. Lee De Porest, inventor of the audion tube which made radio possible
demonstrated before members of the Nev; Brunswick-Highland Park Defense Council his
newest invention, which he calls the “blackourter.”
The radio device, weighing less than five pounds, is designed to ex¬
tinguish electric lights automatically in the home or o,n display signs. It is
hooked to the light current and a radio aerial, then tuned to one of the major
networks on a twenty-four-hour basis. When an air raid signal is sounded over
the radio station the lights automatically are extinguished.
After the alert has been sounded, the lights may be turned on manually
or by means of a time-delay svritch which could be hooked to the unit. This switch
would turn the lights on shortly after the station resumed broadcasting.
Dr. De Porest said he started work on the idea after he had received an
appeal from defense authorities on the West Coast, vrhere indignant citizens had
hurled missiles through store windows where the lights were not extinguished dur¬
ing a practice blackout. One unit could be used to control lights in a whole
block of stores the inventor asserted.
X X X X X X
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1/30/42
TRADE NOTES
Edward Cooper, who since 1939 has "been connected v/ith the Senate Inter¬
state Commerce Committee as chief of staff of the investigation of the telephone
. industry, has "been made Assistant Secretary of ECC. Born in Nev/ York City in 1903,
i and a former newspaperman, Mr. Cooper was formerly managing editor of Congressional
Intelligence.
President Manuel Avila Camacho has put into effect in Mexico nation-wide
measures closing amateur and private experimental radio transmitting stations.
!; The Board of Education of Buffalo has "been granted a permit for a new
f| EM station to operate on 42900 kilocycles, 1 kilowatt, special emission for fre-
I quency modulation. The Board proposes to Broadcast educational programs, including
t science, art, music, English, vocational guidance, safety, end national defense, to
I the school system of Buffalo, embracing 13 high schools and 80 grammar schools
jl with more than 75,000 students, as well as general educational and patriotic pro-
t grams to the general public. Secondarily, it was said, the new station will pro-
vide training of students in radio operation and transmission.
Two EM permits v;ere granted to Jersey City, one to the New Jersey Broad¬
casting on 49,100 kilocycles and the other to the Bremer Broadcasting Corporation
on 49,500 kilocycles.
It required only 2 minutes to evacuate ECC's 600 plus employees in the
New Post Office Building, in their first air raid drill Wednesday (January 28).
Commissioners and other participants at the press-radio hearing responded with the
rest .
Charging false advertisement in the sale of "Pescor Shortwavatherm, ” a
short-wave diathermic device, the Eederal Trade Commission issued a complaint
against Physicians Electric Service Corporation, Los Angeles, manufacturer of the
device, and Soloman E. Mendelsohn, president of the corporation; and the May
Department Stores Co., a Now York corporation with a California office and store
in Los Angeles, distributor of the device.
Boasting the aggregate of Mutual affiliate stations to 197, WENC,
Eayetteville, North Carolina, becomes the latest addition to the netv/ork.
One of the biggest radio manufacturers in the country said: "Erankly,
I think in sight of six months none of us will be building household radios, un¬
less it would be portables that the G-overnment will urge us to build. They should
do this as there is not a good distribution of portables in places \irhere they are
needed in case of a black-out,”
The contents of the RCA REVIEtiT for January are: "NBC Studios 6A and 6B"
G-. M. Nixon; "General and Detection of Erequency-Modulated Waves", S. W. Seeley, C.
N. Kimball and A,. A. Barco; "A New Chemical Method of Reducing the Reflectance of
Glass','E. H, Nicoll; "An Analysis of the Signal-to-Noise Ratio of Ultra-High-Ere-
quency Receivers , "E. V7. Herold; "The Absolute Sensitivity of Radio Receivers", D. 0,
North; "An Omnidirectional Radio-Range System, Part I I -Experimental Apparatus", D.
G. C. Luck, and "Measurement of the Slope and Duration of Television Synchronizing
Impulses", R. A. Monfort and E, J. Somers.
“ -12-
Heinl Communications Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET
WASHINGTON, D. C.
I^IDEX TO ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 3, 1942
Radio Manufacturers War Program Now Clearly Seen . 2
President Welcomes Patriotic Netxi^ork Series Offer . 3
Rockefeller Doubles Latin- American Program Hours
Trammel Report on The Mend .
New Broadcast Station Construction Halted . . .
Commander McDonald Has Son .
Pressing PCC Investigation Cox Again Lambasts Ply .
Newspapermen Walk Out on Mr. Ply’s Press Conference
Capital Office for Business Information Opened
Marshall Pi eld to Buck WON . .
Henderson Pixes Maximum. Prices .
Japs Porce Navy’s Hand by Transcription ....
Short-Vfave as War Instrument .
Navy ’’S” Pennant to RCA Manufacturing Company . 9
Knowlson Says WPB Can Do Job . 9
Music Critic Expresses Himself on Commercials . 10
Broadcasters Victory Council Loses No Time ... . 11
Trade Notes . 12
NO. 1400
LOIO tOUD r-is COODOO
V
f
j^’ebruary 3, 1942.
RADIO lUlTORACTURSRS WAR PROSRAM UOW CLEARLY SEER
The Government program for the Radio Industry - - rapid increase in
military production* decreasing civilian production* with provision for replace¬
ment parts, and price controls - - has nov/ assumed a definite outline.
The War Production Board’ s "limitation” order reducing civilian set
production by about 40 percent during the next fev; months, has been followed by
an order from Leon Henderson, Federal Price Administrator, "freezing" prices for
non-comm-ercial radio and television sets, phonographs and radio tubes after
February 9.
Rapid conversion of the radio industry, at least the larger units, into
military radio production, also is being pressed, the Radio Manufacturers
Association states, both by the reorganized War Production Board and the Army
and Navy organizations. The two billion dollar military radio program for 1942-3,
officially announced by the War Production Board, is predicted to spread war
contracts immediately and widely during the next few months, with current alloca¬
tions during January and February reported to amount to over $400,000,000.
The price schedule provides that no new models can be marketed after
February 9, 1942, unless the offering price is first approved by the OPA.
In the case of replacement models, which may not be sold at a higher
price than the original model, the schedule requires the filing of an ax^plication
for OPA approval, but permits the manufacturer to offer the set for sale ten do,ys
after mailing in his application, if OPA has not rejected the application in the
meanwhile.
Mr, Henderson said that these restrictions affecting new and replacement
models are prima.rily intended to protect the public from any cheapening in quality
that would have the effect of a price increase. He pointed out that the restric¬
tions will expire on December 31, 1942.
All manufacturers of sets and parts must submit to OPA by Ma,rch 15 lists
of their maximum prices as determined by applying the provisions of the approval
schedule.
Set and phonogrn,ph manufacturers are also required to report substitu¬
tion of component parts; changes in cabinet finish, models discontinued, and
monthly production. ?a,rts producers must report on any nev/ parts they plan to
make after February 9 and furnish the proposed prices. However, they are free to
make sales at these proposed prices unless objection is made by OPA.
In addition to the civilian set production "limitation" order, a new
restriction on civilian radio was the subsequent order announced last Friday,
virtually reserving all aluminuEi, other than that specially allocated, for mili¬
tary use. The order restricts use of aluminum in the radio industry, except for
■’ * ■ •'
2/3/42
I the special allocations arranged previously hy the Hl-IA Priorities Committee, to
( ' aluminum for replacement fixed, electrolytic and paper condensers. Aluminun for
' new set production after March 31 was “barred. Por the current three-months' set
production permitted under the "limitation" order, in addition to the special
. I aluminum allocations, the Priorities Committee has already arranged for special
allocations of supplementary copper and plastics.
In aluminuin, nickel and also copper the supply situation for military
I purposes have greatly increased shortages of materials possible for civilian use.*.
I Particularly acute are the nickel and aluminuja situations. ITickel has not been
, j made available for several months for initial tube equipment of receiving sets,
although there have been special allocations of nickel for replacement tubes for
i January and promised in February, but with the March allocations uncertain.
The special aluminum allocations, previously arranged by the K<IA
Priorities Committee for January'', February and March receiving set production,
will be provided through March by the War Production Board, but after March 31,
according to the present WPB orders, there will be no aluminum available except
for replacement parts for sets now in public use. Further production of tubes for
new set production also is largely dependent on the inventories of tube manufac¬
turers, in view of the stringent nickel shortage of the v/ar program.
X X X X X
PR2SIDSXT VnSLCOMES PATRIOTIC XETV/ORK SERIES OFFER
Bresidont Roosevelt has "gratefully " accepted, the ¥hite House announces,
a plan of the four major radio networks for a series of factual programs designed
to dramatize and interpret the w^irtime resources and activities of the nation to
the American people and the world.
"This is welcome evidence," the official White House announcement said,
"of the desire of one of this nation's great industries working in complete coope¬
ration with the GovernLient , to render useful and constructive service."
The responsibility and operating expenses for the series, v/hich is
expected to start some time in February, will be borne by the networks, the Blue
Network Company, the Columbia Broadcasting System, the Mutual Broadcasting System
and the National Broadcasting Company.
The companies v;ill have the cooperation of the Office of Facts and
Figures, which will work with the production staff in obtaining and correlating
information. Distinguished authors and radio and screen stars are expected to
contribute their services. The programs will be directed by Norman Corwin, and
H. L. McClinton v;ill head the production unit.
It is expected that 500 American stations vdll carry the series, which
also will be short-waved to Latin Anerica under arrangements with Nelson
Rockefeller, coordinator of inter- A.ierican affairs, and to the rest of the world
in cooperation with William J. Donovan, coordinator of information.
The programs v/ill be thirty minutes long and v/ill be heard on Saturday
evenings from 7 o'clock and will be rebroadcast at 12;45.
X X X X X
.-3-
2/3/42
ROCKEFELLER DOUBLES LATIil _ jy^'IERlCAR PROGRAM HOURS
Nelson Rockefeller, Coordinator of Inter-Anerican Affairs, is vastly
increasing and inproving our short-wave "broadcast service to South America. This
was nade known in an address Don Erancisco, Director of the Rockefeller Connunica-
tions, nade to the Institute of Radio Engineers in New York stating:
1. U« S. shortwavers a year ago were on the air a total of 79 hours
daily. Now they are on 132 hours daily - in 19 languages.
2. Total number of newscasts a year ago was 72 a day. Now there a,re 209,
3. Year ago total tine consumed by newscasts was 18 hours a day. News
is aired now 52 hours a day.
4. Year ago DXers were operating on from 10 to 65 Ici^rs. Now all are on
at least 50 kws. and one is as high as 100 kws.
5. If the power of all transmitters were averaged it would show an in¬
crease from 21 to 52 kilowatts.
6. Stations nave greatly increased personnel. One shortwaver has a
budget four times that of last year; another has trebled its staff; a third has
doubled its staff,
7. To other Ai-ierican Republics alone, there are a combined total of 54
hours of broa.dcasts a day. Of these, 15 hours are news. Total number of new pro¬
grams to South and Central Americca has been increased from 39 to 63 daily.
Broadcasting is an arm of nationa.1 defense, Erancisco declared. But he
added: ’'¥e need even more hours of shortwave broadcasting. .. even stronger power,.,
better equipment. . .more programs in foreign languages. . .more and more prograris
that promote understanding and friendship. . .less expensive receiving sets ,. .bigger
and bigger audiences."
Because most people in Latin America, just as in the United States, lis¬
ten to loca,l stations much more frequently than shortwave, international network
broadcasting must be further developed, Erancisco declared. He pointed out that
three shortwa.ve licenses have already created South Ar.ierican netv;orks for retrans¬
mission by local stations of broa,dcasts from the United States.
X X X X X
trammel report on the mend
Reports from
Broadcasting Commany,
for appendicitis.
Nevf York are that Niles Traramel , President of the National
is on the mend. Mr, Trammel vras operated on last week
X X X X X
4.
2/3/42
NEW BROADCAST STATION CONSTRUCTION HALTED
A crimp will be put into future construction of broadcasting stations in
areas already well served by an order issued by the ECC last Saturday, soon to be
followed by further instructions from Donald M. Nelson, V/ar Production Board.
The ECC order read;
"At the request of the Defense Communications Board, pending the adoption
of a specific policy by that Board and the War Production Board with respect to
curtailing standard broadcast construction to meet material requirements by the
military, the ECC will make no further grants for the construction of new standard
broadcast stations or authorize changes in existing standard broadcast transmitt¬
ing facilities where all or a substantial part of the primary area in either
category already receives good primary coverage from one or more other stations.
"In general the ECC’s standards of good engineering practice will bo
used as a guide in the determination of good primary service. National defense
requires that there be adequate broadcast facilities, but this does not alter the
fact that every economy in the use of critical materials for securing and main¬
taining these facilities must be practiced to the end that there will be the
greatest possible saving in materials.
"This announcement concerns standard broadcast facilities only. It is
understood that the DGB is proceeding with studies looking tov/ard the conserva¬
tion of materials in all other radio services and v;ill submit recomm.endations
at the earliest practicable date."
It is believed that the 150 broadcast construction permdts for projects
now under way v/ill mostly be allowed to be completedr There are now on file
160 applications for standard broadcast stations and 50 for EM.
An announcement was made by the Eederal Power Commission that radio
transmitters and sets would receive priority in power. EPC officials stated that
radio transmatters have been placed in the same category v.-ith other essential
utilities and that there v;ill definitely be no shut- do\ni of power to transmitters.
It was also said that hom.e power consumption v;ould not be shut off in any case
except in the most extreme emergency.
X X X X X
coMiviAi^DER McDonald has son
Commander E, E. McDonald, Jr., of Chicago, President of the Zenith Radio
Corporation, is in Elorida, where Mrs. McDonald is in St. Erancis Hospital at
Miami Beach, where a seven and a half pound son was born to then last Wednesday
morning. Word has been received that Mrs. McDonald and the baby are getting
along fine.
The McDonald’s little daughter, Marianne Jean, is now five years old*
Mrs. McDonald is an accom.plished pianist and composer. Two of her compositions
"Cancion" and "Romance" were broadcast on the Eirestone Hour last season by
Alfred Wallenstein’ s Orchestra.
X X X X X
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2/3/42
PRESSING EGG INVESTIGATION COX AGAIN LAICBAST3 FLY
Following his announcer.ient last week that he would do so, Representative
E. E. Cox (D) of Georgia on Monday introduced a resolution in the House (K,R,426)
authorizing an investigation of the organization, personnel, and activities of the
Federal Comunications Connission. It was referred to the Rules Cormittee, of
which Representative A, J. Sahath of Illinois is Chairman,
In introducing the resolution Mr, Cox, who last week charged Chairman
Fly with maintaining an "active and ambitious Gestapo in the FCG" , saying that
he was "rapidly becoming the most dangerous man in the Government", again attacked
the FCC Chairna,n saying;
"Last week I made the statement on the floor that I proposed offering a
resolution for a House investigation of the Federal Communications Co''ir.iission, The
report of the statement reaching Mr. Fly provoked great laughter. Hr. Fly, as
you know, has a monamental contempt for this body aiid its Members, but later,
upon conferring with one or two members of the Commission, he took a most serious
attitude toward the s^nggestion. Agents of the Commission have been assigned the
duty of contacting Members,
"Mr, Fly would tell you there is nothing wrong with the Commission and
that ho has no fear of an investigation, yet he would leave no stone unturned to
prevent it. If you have not hoard from members of the Commission or their agents
you \iill bo hearings
"There is nothing personal in this sioggesticn on m.y part, I have nobody
to punish. If I wore disposed to do so I could fill the Record with pertinent
and authenticated material that v/ould give Mr
I am. interested in is
fine law."
Fly s^mctl-i.ng to tlii.nl: about. All
larding the public against the maladrdnistra,tion of a
X X X X X
NSl'/SPAPERI-lSiT WALK OUT ON IS. FLY’S PRESS CONFERENCE
Irked by the fact that James Lawrence Fly, Ciiair.man of the Federal Com¬
munications Commission, kept them waiting a half an hour for the weekly press con¬
ference last Monday morning the nev/spapermen iiralked out in a body.
It v;as their conte.ntion that Mr. Fly had repeatedly kept them waiting,
that this was bad enough in peace time, but that in war time they had more impor¬
tant things to do than cool their he«ls waiting for, as one correspondent described
him, "a despotic little bureaucrat v/ith a badly swelled head." Further more it was
maintained his keeping 15 or 20 newspapermen v/aiting in his outer office was but
another evidence of his contempt for the press, said to be so clearly indicated in
his putting the newspaper ovmed radio stations on the grill.
Although Mr, Fly has one of the best publicity men in the business, Mr.
George 0. Gillingham, his press conferences have never been a success, due either
to the Chairman’s lack of knov;lcdge of nev/s or a disposition not to tell what he
knows. Many of the conferences are nox^rsless. Mr. Fly is quite a wisecrackcr,
apparently trying to follow the style of President Roosevelt, but evidently;- can¬
not get away with it. He has never been very popular v;ith the press.
X X X X X
I
2/3/42
CAPITAL OITICE POP KJSIHESS lEEORI^ATIOH OPEITED
President Roosevelt has asked Lowell Mellett, Director of the Office of
Government Reports, to expand the facilities of the United States information
services to provide Washington visitors v/ith a central source where they may ob¬
tain direction to the proper Government officials to handle their problems.
In a memorandum to Mellett, the President said many of the persons coming
to the Capital were businessmen seeking advice on wartime problems. It was becom¬
ing more and more difficult for them to locate the proper officials, he added, and
a central office was needed to coordinate som.e of the work of information divisions
of various Federal agencies and departments.
X X X X X
MARSHALL FIELD TO BUCK WGU
The war betv/een Marshall Field, Hew Deal Publisher of the Chicago Sun,
and Col. Robert R. McCormick, skipper of the Chicago Tribune, has been extended
to the radio field with Mr. Field buying a 45^ interest in Station WHIP at
Hammond, Ind. As is well known Col. McCormick owns WGH. Hammond is just across
the state line and a suburb of Chicago, It is believed the next move of Mr,
Field will be to establish studios of the station in his Chicago newspaper office,
Mr. Field actually purchased a 30^ interest in the Hammond station, but
another 15^ was acquired by a friend of his, John V/. Clarke, a Chicago investment
broker.
Since control is not involved, the FCC is not required to approve the
transaction, though a report must be filed of the change in ownership interest.
The contract signed by Mr. Field, it is understood, includes purchase of two
hours of time daily on the station for the Chicago Sun, nev; morning daily v/hich
he financed. Dr, George F. Courrier, Elgin, Ill., Methodist Episcopal pastor, it
is reported, v/ill remain as President with Doris Keane, General. Manager, continu¬
ing as Vice President and Secretary. Mr. Clarke becomes Vice President and
Treasurer.
WHIP now operates daylight only on 1520 kc., with 5,000 watts. It will
go on a 22-hour schedule March 29 and is completing construction of a five-tovrer
directional array outside Chicago to give it intensified coverage of the area.
According to Dr, Courrier the power of the new field will be increased
to 50,000 watts, but it was said at the Commission that no such application had
yet been received, but that a request had been made for limited tim.e. It is
possible the new war order which may prevent power increases might prove a
barrier, but the opinion at the FCC appeared to be that Mr, Field, being such a
good New Dealer, would probably have no difficulty getting 50,000 watts for his
new station if he wanted it,
X X X X X
Sterling Fisher, eminent educator, noted for outstanding a,chi evements in
the promotion of culture and understanding through radio between the Americas,
has been appointed Assistant to Dr. Ja.ies Rowland Angell , Public Service Counsel¬
lor for the National Broadcasting Company and former President of Yale University,
according to an announcement made by Dr, Angell,
X X X X X
-7-
2/3/42
HEIJDSRSOH FIXES I-lAXim^ PRICES
Effective PelDruary 9»Leon Henderson announced, the masiiinum price that
a manufacturer nay charge for any current nodel, or for tubes, or other parts v/ill
he the highest net price received on October 15 or in the three-nonth period
prior thereto.
Prices for any models offered for the first tine after October 15 and
before February 9, 1942, must be filed for approval by the 0?A, but, in the mean-
tine, a manufacturer nay continue to sell these new models "for not more than the
highest net price received or quoted between October 15, 1941 and February 9,1942o"
X X X X X
o^APS FORCE EAVY‘S HALID BY TRAIISCRIPTION
Recently the Japanese revealed the names of Marine Corps officers and
civilians taken at b’alte. They broadcast what they claimed was an electrical
transcription of a statement by Comraander Winfield Scott Cunningham, in charge of
naval operations at Wake. Commander Cunningham’s name had not appeared in the
Wavy's official account of the action at Wake; yet soon after the Japanese broad¬
cast the Wavy acknowledged that he v/as indeed the Waite commander.
"Obviously such tactics on the part of the Japanese place the Wavy in a
difficult position", the Washington Post commented. "As an antidote, a more
relaxed policy governing the release of prisoners' names might seem to be called
for - though relaxation of official policy is exactly what the Japanese are fishing
for. Wot to malce any cha.nge, however, is to permit the psychological initiative
to remain with the Japanese. If, as is undoubtedly the case, the Japanese are
aware of the considerable feeling here against the withholding of lists of casual¬
ties and missing persons, they nay be depended on to continue exploiting the
situation for their own purposes."
X X X X X
SH0RT-WA113 AS WAR IW3TRUMEWT
After outbrealc of war the most crucial problem to be solved by the
Wational Broadcasting Company's International Division was that of mooting the
censorship code regarding the broadcasting of news as laid do\im by the Government,
without radically chauging any of the broadcasting standards which had been ad¬
hered to for many years, an WBC bulletin states.
A central rewrite section was created for this purpose. Operating on a
twenty-four hour basis and using press association reports and Coordinator of
Information mterial as a basis, this department turned out a complete 15 minute
"news budget". It is prepared and ready for broadcast at 8 A.. H. daily, and is
continuously revised throughout the day. Copies are handed over to the nine
language sections as they flow from the tj.qpev;r iters of the rewrite desk.
This new centralization makes it possible to turn out the news budget
without deviating from the censorship code. Thus the short-wave division becomes
an instrument of war.
X X X X X
-8-
2/3/42
NAVY "E" PEmTA^TY TO RCA MAITUPAC TURING CO^EPAIRT
Citing "outstanding I'esults in the production of Navy material vital to
our war effort," the United States Navy has awarded to RCA Manufacturing Company
the coveted Navy "E" pennant.
Secretary of the Navy Eranlc Knox sent the follov/ing congratulatory tele-
' gram to George K. Throckmorton, President of RCA Manufacturing Companyi
I "THE SPLSITDID ACHISVEI^'ISNT OP THE RADIO CORPOMTION OF AMERICA MANUPACTUR-
I INC- COMPAIPf OP CAMDEN, HEW JERSEY, ITS MANAGE^^E1TT AND ITS EMPLOYEES IN
' PRODUCING ^ EVER GROWING OUTPUT OP MATERIAL POR THE UNITED STATES NAVY
IS CHARACTERISTIC OP THi^ VIC-OR INTELLIGSl^CE i\ND PAmOTISM WHICH HjlVE
j MADS AiMERICA GREIT AND WHICH HAVE KEPT HSR PREE. ON THIS OCCASION OP
I PUBLIC RECOGNITION OP YOLHl ACCOMPLI SrMENT, PLEASE ACCEPT MY CONGRATULA-
I TIONS."
PRANK KNOX SECRETitRY OP THE NAVY
"Your company will he privileged to fly this emhlera as public evidence of
: your outstanding achievement, " stated Under Secretary of the Navy, James V.
0 Porrestal, in a letter of notification to Mr, Throckmorton. "In addition, your
i employees will he entitled to wear a special lapel decoration hearing the insignia
i of the Navy Department and the Navy "E" , which, as you doubtless knov/, is a tradi-
h tional Navy award for excellence. In Navj?- x^arlance it means "Well done" - the
H highest praise the Navy can bestow."
j RCA Manufacturing Company, v;ith headquarters at Camden, N. J., also
^ operates plants in Harrison, N. J., Indianapolis and Bloomington, Ind., and Holly-
' wood» Cal. Por more than a year past the company has been manufacturing, on an
.1 increasing scale, radio equipment essential to the navigation and communication of
t ships and planes. The many thousands of RCA employees engaged in this work have
' signed a pledge to "Beat the Promise" in the fulfillment of all war orders, by
^ delivering apparatus in advance of contract schedules.
X X X X X
KNOWLSON SAYS V.RB CAN DO JOB
James S, Knovilson, of Chicago, former Radio Manufacturers Association
President, is played up in an article by William Pinkerton of the Wide World News
Service, who writes;
"A businessman from Chicago - a good La Salle Street type; heavy-set,
well dressed, graying, affable - called in his assistants the other da,y for a
conference.
"He had heard some talk, he said, about the goals set by President
Roosevelt for American war production in 1942 - the 60,000 planes, 45,000 tanlcs,
20,000 antiaircraft guns, eight million tons of merchant ships. He had heard
some talk that it couldn't be done. The smiling face turned tough;
"Anyone who thinks v/e can't malce those goals," he said, "can turn in his
time check and go hone."
-9
f
2/3/42
j "The speaker was J. S. Knowlson, President of the Stev/art -Warner Corpora-
|bion, who cane to Washington some months ago to help his old friend, Donald Nelson,
jrfith the defense joh.
[i "It night have been any of the seven men v/hon Nelson has hand-picked to
carry the ball for the War Production Board. There's a vlo-or-die spirit in the
slogan-studded halls of the Social Security Building where war production head up.
The quiet-spoken Nelson, the nail-order executive who finds hinself at 53 saddled
with terrifying responsibility for America's victory effort, himself has set the
pace. In a meeting of all executives of his new agency, he announced that he in¬
tended to resign if he could not do his job. He added that he expected all others
to do likewise.
I
"Nelson's Chicago friend, Jin Knowlson, the radio-naicer , will work
closely with William H, Harrison, in charge of production. Knov;lson's ovm job is
"to get a smooth, working relationship with the industries as such," He will have
charge of priorities, as well as the industry 'Czars' being assigned to the task
of changing peace tine industries (automobiles) in war tine industries (tanlvs, air¬
planes). The changeover of perhaps 50 or 60 industries will be his big job for the
present. Knowlson also will be charged with filling in the chinks in the wall of
machines. If a shortage of parts develops, he must find a factory that can end the
shortage."
^rusic CRITIC EXPRESSES HIMSELF ON COI€lERCIiULS
Apropos of an exchange between listeners and program na,nagcrs of Washing¬
ton stations, Ray C. B, Brov/n, Music Critic of the Washington Post, v;rote the follow¬
ing letter to Mr. Coe, Radio Editor of the Post;
"A v/rithing victim of radio commercials, I have read with care the statc-
! nents of the resident program directors. It seems to me that the letter of Mr.
Carlton D, Smith, of NBC, is the most logical in emphasizing the strategic position
I that the radio, like the nov;spaper, trios to please the widest variety of interests
consistent with good taste. His kindly reference to my music column offers me just
I the angle from which to enfilade his position, for it is not with the commercials
I themselves that I always quarrel, but with the way they are infilterod through the
programs in \^hich I am interested.
"In the newspaper, advertisements are unmistaleably presented as what they
f are. No editor would be so rash as to order his reporters to mingle advertising
with their factual writing of news.
"Suppose that I were to please Washington Post advertisers by writing
a review of a recital containing sentences like these;
"Llewellyn Poundergood gave an admirable pia,no recital last evening in
Lyric Hall (conveniently located at First and Main Streets; special rental rate for
musicians). His technical sJcill was but one asset in an artistic equipment fully,
displayed through the medium of a beautifully toned Dinkelspiel (v/hon you are next
shopping along Main Street, drop in at Sherman's and sec their complete line of
these magnificent pianos). His reading of Beethoven's C sharp minor sonata showed
-10-
2/3/42
that he had penetrated its neaning with the eye of intuition (for the inproveuont
of your vision use invisible bifocal glasses fitted by Bellona» 2249 Sutter Street 1
A contagious rliythr.iic vitality animated the march from Prokofiev’s ’The Love of
Three Oranges’ (for long walks Hiker shoos are best; exclusive agency at the
Booterie). His power of poetic evocation was disclosed in his imaginative fantasia
on ’0 Have You Seen But a White Lily Grow’ (ladies, have you tried Blank’s vanish¬
ing cream stocked by the Emporium? It will give your skin the candid purity of the
lily).
’’The advertisers would be delighted, but the readers who now honor me by
attention to my comments would read them no more. They r^ould be quite justified in
resenting the interruptions in an analysis of ability and the intrusion of extra¬
musical matters into a discussion of music.”
X X X X X
BROADCASTERS VICTORY COUl.^CIL LOSES NO TIME
The nevi Broadcasters Victory Coiincil, inspired by George B. Storer,
President of the Port Industry, and headed by John Shepard, 3rd, of the Yanlcee
Network, which \ifill be a super-body representing the broadcasters in their dealings
with the Government during the War, got down to business in a hurry.
The members of the Council besides Mr. Shepard, who has opened head¬
quarters in the Capitol, and Mr, Storer, President of NIB, are James D. Shouse,
Vice President of WLW-WSAI , designated for the Clear Cha:anel Broadcasting Ser¬
vice in lieu of Edwin V/, Craig, V/S1''I, Nashville, its Chairman; John E. Petzer, WKZO,
Kalamazoo, owner and NAB Director, who was named in lieu of NAB President Neville
Miller, and Eugene C, Pullman, President of WIRE, Indianapolis, and President of
Network Affiliates, Inc. Mr, Petzer’ s designation came as a result of the Coun¬
cil’s conclusion that practical broadcasters should be named,
A legal committee consists of Louis G. Caldwell, William J, Dempsey,
Phillip J. Hennessey, Philip G. Loucks, Paul M. Segal, and Paul D. P. Spearman,
Chairman.
WTaether the Victory Council will function as a permanent body is proble¬
matical, Broadcasting Magazine states and continues:
”It will continue, hovifever, until such time as a ’sufficiently formidable'
trade association is on the scene, persona grata with the regulakory authorities.
"The Council organization augurs for a reorganization of the NAB, or in
lieu of that, possible creation of a new trade association. This is expected to
crystallize at the NAB Convention in Cleveland May 11-14, when moves v/ill be made
to dis- enfranchise the major netvrorks in industry affairs, affording them only
associate memberships, similar to those held by other industry groups not actually
licensed stations.
The future status of NAB President Miller, who has been under fire be¬
cause of the NAB position on regulatory matters, unquestionably will be thrown into
controversy by the Council development.
X X X X X
-11-
. -I
. ••
v,'
2/3/42
...TRADE NOTES
Prank M. Russell, Vice-President of the National Broadcasting CoOTany.in
Washington, v;ill give a party Wednesday afternoon at the Mayflower to meet Mark
Woods, new President of the Blue Networks.
Unprecedented collections last Decenher of Federal radio excise taxes,
amounting to the record-hrealcing figure for one month of $2,348,801.79, brought
the total 1941 radio tax totals to a new high of $9,174,623.48. This was an in¬
crease of $2,314,396.49 or 33,7/o above the radio taxes collected in 1940 and, of
course, was partially due to the radio tax rate increase, from 5^ to lOfo, which
became effective October 1 last.
-r
Little radio legislation is expected this year from the few state legis¬
latures which are in annual session, the Radio Manufacturers Association reports.
Only nine state legislatures are now holding sessions as compared with forty-four
last year.
War conditions have stopped publication of the nontlily Department o_f ^
Commerce reports regarding imports and exports, including radio.
Made necessary by the threatened depletion of paper stock, the NBC and
Blue Networks Press Departments have given notice of the discontinuance of their
daily program services. The weekly advance program service, however, will be
continued and supplemented by a daily rndmeographed correction service.
A.
Radio export interests will be featured in a special NBC short wave
broadcast on February 20, which has been arranged by the RIIA Export Committee and
the Export Managers Club of New York. The 15-minute broadcast vrill be presented
at 7:45 P.M., Friday, Februarj.^ 20, over station V/RCA, 9,670 kc, 31.02 meters, and
the program will be repeated at 9:15 over station WBOS, 11,870 kc, 25.26 meters.
Members are requested to advise their Latin American outlets of this special
export prograro, _____
The following executives v/ill head NBC-Red Network operations from its
headquarters in Holly', -/ood J John W, Swa.llow, Program Manager; Sydney Dixon, Sales
Manager; Franlc Dellett, Auditor; A. H. Saxton, Chief Engineer; Harold J. Bock,
Publicity Manager; Walter Bunker, Production Manager; Robert J. McAndrews, Sales
Promotion Manager, and Lewis S. Frost, Assistant to the Vice President. Execu¬
tive personnel at KPO, San Francisco, include; A1 Nelson, Manager; Robert Seal,
Program Manager; Kay Barr, Press Manager; A. C. Diederichs, Chief Auditor, and^
Ceorge (^aves, Chief Engineer.
Executive personnel of the Blue Network’s V/estern Division are: Leo
Tyson, Program Director; Sidney Dorais, Chief Auditor; Milton Samuel, Publicity
Manager; Robert Moss, Production Manager; David Lasley, Sales Promotion Manager.
Tracy Moore was previously named Sales Manager for the new company on the coast.
In San Francisco William B. Ryan is Manager of KGO; Robert Dwan, Program Manager;
and Gilbert Paltridge, Sales Promotion Manager.
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
y
Il'IDEX TO ISSUE FEBRUARY 6, 1942 '
' .:.'n
s
Defending Mr. Fly Congressman Attacks Radio Interests .
Labels Douglas KPAS Sponsor Left Winger . . . 3
Fli Keeps Cleveland Transit System On Its Toes .
Code Committee To Discuss Dews "Commercials” .
I
I Proposed Denial of WCSC Transfer .
I Top Flight Publicists Attend Woods Party .
I
j Broadcasting Dews Hasn’t Cut Circulation FCC Told . ...
I
j Niles Trammel On The Mend .
California Station Would Jump From 100 Watts To 10 X\*/’ . .
CBS Begins Shortwave Broadcasts Via Three New Transmitters
Rio Conference Was Big Communications Task . . 9
WJSV In "Bomber For MacArthur" Drive . 9
ASCAP Completes Reorganization . 10
NBC Tells The Truth To Denmark And Causes A Riot . 11
Trade Notes . 12
NO. 1401
00 00 00 -J OOT cncn
1
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I
(
February 6, 1942
DEFENDING l-E. FLY CONGRESSiUN ATTACKS RADIO INTERESTS
Saying that he was sure his colleague Representative Cox (D) of Georgia
had been misinformed in the latter’s charges against James L. Fly, Chairman of
the Federal Communications Commission, which resulted in Mr. Cox introducing a
resolution to investigate the Commission., Representative Rankin, (D) of Mississippi,
took up the cudgel for Mr. Fly and at the same time sideswiped the so-called
’’Radio Monopoly". Mr, Rankin said, in part:
"In my opinion, James Lawrence Fly is a most valuable public servant. I
have known him for many years. I know there is a great deal of criticism now
being inspired from the outside because of his opposition to the radio monopoly,
because of his opposition to certain big interests monopolizing the radio business
throughout the country; but I believe if Members of the House will investigate the
record of Mr. Fly they will find that he is one of the most valuable servants of
the American people at this time.
"Now, as my ccrlleagues knov/, I have nothing against investigations. Fre¬
quently they are necessary, and often have salutary effects. Members of this body
will recall that I proposed on this floor many years ago that we investigate and
expose the Electric Power Trusts which have ruthlessly exploited the people of
this country. Since Franklin D. Roosevelt became President, we have been able to
get relief from those exploitations; and even though todaj/ its satellites occupy
positions of influence in some Government circles, and are attempting to block our
power program including rural electrification, I am confident that the Roosevelt
administration has made clear to the people of the United States that monopolies
and trusts are no longer rtinning the Government.
"Imagine my surprise then, to find my friend from Georgia last week
attacking the Federal Communications Commission, and yesterday criticizing it
again, and introducing a resolution to investigate it. At least 90 percent of all
the criticism hurled at Chairman Fly and the Federal Communications Commission has
come straight from the powerful radio monopoly.
"That criticism has come because under Mr. Fly, for the first time in
history, the Commission has regulated the industry instead of the industry regula¬
ting the Commission. For the first tine in history, the Commission is being run
in the interest of all the people of the United States instead of’ in the interes’’
of the half dozen interlocking corporations best known as the Radio Trust.
"Calling these interests who dominate broadcasting all over this coun
the Radio Trust is not just my idea. In April 1940, the gentleman from Georgia
himself took the floor and praised the Federal Comxounications Commission for i^
fearless administration of the law in the public interest, in spite of attacks
from the trust. Let me remind my friend of his very forceful remarks then wh»
he said: And I am quoting now the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Cox) - 'an att
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is being made on the Pederal Connunications Connission on the ground that the
Commission is retarding the growth of television. The investigation I have made
discloses the fact that the reason for the attack is that the Commission v/ill not
permit the Broadcasters' Trust to exploit the public through the sale of near-
obsolete television sets. What we probably need more than anything else is an
investigation of the Broadcasters' Trust. It is tine they were stopped from
monopolizing the air.'
"That was the opinion of the gentleman from G-eorgia less tlian 2 years
ago when somebody suggested an investigation of the Podcral Comi.iunications Commis¬
sion; in his usual keen and fearless fashion he hit the nail on the hea.d.
"It is common knowledge that ever since the federal Communications
Commission, under the dauntless leadership of this rangey Texan, began to ad.minis-
ter the law without fea.r or favor, the Radio Trust ha.s sought to blitzkreig him.
Every attempt has backfired. Mr, Ely has gone his way undisturbed, confident that
honest administration of the law v/ill bring better radio service to the public, and
will eventually end the unholy dominance of the industry" by two ITev; York corpora¬
tions.
"Nobody can persuade me that a Wall Street hireling or a Philadelphia
cigarmalcer should have the right to dictate wha^t radio programs the people of
Mississippi, lov/a, Texas, or G-eorgia ought to hear. On that subject, I much prefer
to trust the judgment of my friend, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Cox).
"I an sure the worthy gentleman introduced his resolution from the very
highest motives, but the ones who will now try to use it nay not be similarly
motivated. No doubt before the ink v/as dry on the bill, the v/alking delegates of
the Radio Trust were packing their bags and catching the express for Washington.
"I deplore any effort to hamstring an agency which is doing an honest
job of administration; particularly do I deplore this proposal for a congressional
investigation at a moment when the Eederal courts are in process of deciding a
major case brought against the Commission by the Broadcasting Trust; and most
important of all, I deplore this threat to investigate an agency which is bending
its energies not only to aid the v/ar effort in so m.any important ways but also
to give all the American people the benefits of radio without favor or discrimina¬
tion.
"I hope the gentleman from Georgia will not press his resolution."
X X X X X
LABELS DOUGLAS KPAS SPONSOR LENT WINGER
Charging that he bought time to broadcast Harry Bridges' side of his
own story and that he is one of the sponsors of Station ICPAS in Pasadena, Repre-
sentn,tive Carl Hinshaw of California (R) took Melvyii Douglas, moving picture
actor for a very rough ride. Mr, Dou,glas wa.s recently appointed Publicity Chief
in the Office of Civilian Defense, of which Mrs. Roosevelt is the Assistant
Director, and is said to be a friend of the latter. Rep. Hinshaw said:
"It v/ould seen to me that screen actors can do more for their country
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in these difficult times, by carrying on in their accustomed ways than they can by
coming to Washington, even for the purpose of adding glamour to the Office of
Civilian Defense, The people of the United States do not need the inspiration of
glamour to realize the seriousness of the situation we all face. Glamour is not
needed to inspire our people to rally to the defense of our country even through
the Office of Civilian Defense. It seems to me a farce - yes, even a tragedy -
to make of the Office of Civilian Defense a pink-tea party, v/herc well-known faces
of social life and on the screen can obtain added publicity.
”1 do not say that Melvyn Douglas is or ever has been a Communist, but
he has been associated id-th organizations and movements which; according to the
records of the Dios Committee on Un-American Activities, are Communist sponsored
or led and are generally considered to be Communist-front organizations.
'*He vias one of those v/ho iirelcomed Tom Mooney vrhen the latter was released
from prison in California, and it is well known that Ton Mooney v/as both identified
with disloyal groups in the last war, and is now national chairman of the Citizens
Committee to Pree Earl Browder.
"In the records of the Eederal Communications Commission Melvyn Douglas
is listed in an application made for a permit to build and operate a 10,000 v/att
radio station in Pasadena, Calif., as one of the sponsors and subscribers, with
the intention of becoming one of the directors. In that application it stated as
follows :
"Another one of the subscribers to talce stock in KEVD (now KPAS), and
who will be one of the directors, is poculiarlj' fitted to aid in making a broad¬
casting station a success, both from an enter ta.inment point of view and of service
along civic lines. This man is Molvj’’n Douglas, the actor. Mr. Douglas not only
stands high in his profession but his study and interest in civic affairs makes
him of great value,
"Mr. Douglas expects to devote considerable attention to this new broad¬
casting station appearing on it lorofessionally , and also spealcing over it as a
citizen interested in civic affairs. In fact, he has a,greed to go on each v/eek
with a commercial program under a sponsor, taking no money therefor for himself
but granting the station the profits from his part in such effort to be used to
put other civic programs that might be of value to the hearers, and yet such that
might not be sponsored by any commercial advertiser.
"Radio station KPAS made its initial bow to the public on February 5th.
"As I stated in the beginning. of my remarks, I do not know that Melvyn
Douglas is a Communist or a fellow traveler of the Communist Party, nor am I
willing to believe that he is either of these or that ho is even a sympathizer of
the Communist principles. Until such fact, if true, is amply demonstrated, if he
is not any of these things - and I an willing to believe that he is not- then the
least that can be said is that he has amply demonstrated his very left-v.dng
tendencies."
X X X X X
Japanese Army headquarters at Manila hias banned wireless, telegraph
and telephone communications from occupied areas of the Philippines except by
Army permission.
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3/6/42
K3EPS CLSVSLAKD TRANSIT SYSTEM ON ITS TOES
A now two-way frequency modulation radio system is keeping the Cleveland
Railway Company’s transit system v/orking at highest efficiency. The equipment con¬
sists of a 250-watt dispatcher transmitter and ten 25-v7att mobile units. The head¬
quarters transmitting antenna is mounted 270 feet above street level. All equip¬
ment v;as supplied by the General Electric Company.
Since the installation of this new PM emergency communication system,
delays in car service have been shortened and in some cases entirely eliminated by
the ability of zone supervisors to roach a congested area quickly and to restore
the flow of vehicles or direct the replacement or repairs of damaged equipment*
The headquarters station, with call letters ^iDCZ, is located at East
Ninth Street and Carnegie Avenue in Cleveland. The ten zone cars are operated
throughout the city, patrolling the lines of the company. The tv/o-v/ay feature of
the communication equipment permits the supervisors to report to headquarters on
traffic conditions, to learn immediately of traffic complications resulting from
fires or other causes, and to reroute the company’s vehicles as conditions require.
I.XX.XZ
CODE COmiTTEE TO DISCUSS ims "COMi'ERCIAlS'’
Further improvement of radio advertising in connection v;ith v;ar broad¬
casts v/ill be discussed by the Code Compliance Conunittce of the National Associa¬
tion of Broadcasters at a special meeting in Washington today, February 6th.
The NAB already has made several suggestions to the industry for the
improvement of v/ar news commercials, from the vieiirpoint of both listener and
advertiser.
In its Wartime Guide for broadcasters, the NAB said that news should
never be used as a "springboard" for commercials.
"Such practices as starting commercials v/ith 'now for some good nev/s'
etc. should never be permitted," the guide said. "Also it is important that such
ne\i7s-phrases as 'bulletin', 'flash', 'news' and the like should be used only in
their legitimate functions."
A survej^ shows that news broadcasts, as a group, are radio's most popular
programs. Among all listeners, 78.5 per cent like them better than any other
typo of program.
The Code Committee includes: Earl J. Glade, KSL, Salt Lake City, Chair¬
man ;Edgar L. Bill, V/MBD, Peoria ;Gilson Gray, Coluj.ibia Broadcasting System,
Now York ; Hugh A. L. Halff, V/OAI, Sa?i Antonio; Henry P. Johnston, V/SGN, Birmin¬
gham; Janet MacRorie, National Bro.adcasting Con'oa.ny, New York; William B. Quarton,
V/I'4T, Cedar Rapids; Edney Ridgei WBIG, .GroGnsboro, and Calvin J. Smith, liFAC,
Los Angeles.
X X A X X
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PROPOSED DEITIAX. OP WCSC TRAIISPER
Public interest would not "be served by transfer, as proposed, of The
South Carolina Broadcasting Co., Inc., licensee of broadcast station WCSC, Charles¬
ton, S. C., from The Liberty Life Insurance Co, to John M. Rivers, according to
proposed findings of the Federal Communications Commission. It concludes:
’’Under the terms of the contract entered into between the applicants,
the proposed transferor retains substantial financial control of the licensee cor¬
poration and the proposed transferee assumes no personal financial obligation.
There has been no shovdng that the proposed transferee contemplates the investment
of his personal funds tov/ard payment of the purchase price. Nor has it been sho\m
that the Board of Directors of the licensee corporation, in the event of approval
of this application, v/ill not be associated with the proposed transferor. With
control so divided, only a partial transfer would be effected, and neither the
transferor nor the transferee would have the control over the licensee requisite
for the operation of Station WCSC in the public interest.
’’The performance of the contract upon which the instant application is
based would impose a constant charge upon the gross revenues and resources of the
licensee and thus would tend to impair its ability to operate Station WCSC in the
public interest.” X X X X X
TOP FLIGHT PUBLICISTS ATTEITD WOODS PARTY
There was a notable turnout in the Capital last Wednesday afternoon for
the party given in honor of Mark V^oods, President of the new Blue Network by
Prank M. Russell, VJ'ashington Vice President of NBC. Among those present were
Byron Price, Director of Censorship, J, Harold Ryan, Assistant Director in charge
of Radio, Brig. Gen. A. D. Surles, Press Relations War Department, Prank Mason,
Assistant Public Relations Advisor to the Secretary of the Nav^’’, Capt. Leland P.
Lovette, U. S. N,,just back from Pearl Harbor, who it is reported may succeed
Admiral Hepburn as head of Naval Public Relations, and Douglas Meservey, of the
office of Pacts and Figures.
Also present was Kenneth Berkeley, Manager, of stations V/RC and WMAL.
Ordinarily the presence of Mr. Berkeley at these pleasant ILBC functions is taken
for granted, but last Wednesday it was different. And thereby hangs quite a
tale. Thought to have been brought on by overwork, a chronic ailment from which
the Washington station manager suffered was brought to a climax v;ith the crucial
duties of the outbreak of the war. The result was that Mr. Berkeley landed in
the hospital. Fortunately the ailment was not serious but it did require a
slight operation and a good rest.
Being very popular lAfith his employees they immediately began taking up
a collection for flov/ers to send to the hospital. One of those solicited v;as the
Superintendent of the Trans-Lux Building, in which NBC and RCA arc housed. He
somev/ay got the idea that it was for a funeral and mooting Roland Robbins, Manager
of the Trans-Lux Theatre, told him about it. ’’That's terrible!” Mr. Robbins
exclaimed. Being on his way to a meeting of the Washington Rotary Club he passed
the word along with the result that the supposed bad news about Mr. Berkeley v/as
announced to those gathered at the luncheon with the usual ceremony of such an
occasion.
In the audience and one of the most astonished persons to hear this
was F. P. Guthrie, District Manager of RCA Communications, Inc., neighbor and
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lifelong friend of Mr. Berkeley. Word got back to NBC v/here Mr. Russell quickly
punctured the rumor. He also tried to keep it from getting to Berkeley. Later Mr.
Russell laughingly'’ told him the Rotarians had sent along the comforting vrord:
"Wait..- till Berkeley hears the cheering at the next meeting when they announce
that the rumor was not true." To this Mr. Berkeley, who this writer believes
hasn't an enemy in the world, replied: "There will bo two or three so and sos there
v;ho will be ba.dly disappointed."
As yet Berkeley hasn’t faced the music at the Rotary Club, but he did
receive an ovation at the V/oods luncheon and he never looked better in his life.
X X X X X
BROADCASTING MS HASN’T CUT CIRGULATION RCC TOLD
Dr. Kerman S, Hettinger, Professor in the Wharton School of Pinance,
University of Pennsylvania, testif;/ing before the PCC which is investigating radio¬
newspaper relationships, said newspaper circulation had kept pace vdth the increase
in population and that this demonstrated that the public has confidence in the
press.
During the period 1920-40, Mr. Hettinger said, newspaper circulation in
the United States increased 24.1 per cent, while the population increased 24.5
percent .
He told the Commission that while newspapers and radio were competitors,
the principal competition was for national advertising. Newspapers, he said,
receive a major part of their advertising revenues from local advertising, while
radio’s major part comes from national advertising.
In most cases, Mr. Hettinger testified, he regarded it as a "matter of
small consequence" to a newspaper's financial stability whether it operated a
broadcast station at present. He added, hovrever, that he could not predict what
result the development of television and fac-siraile night have.
Another v/itness, Ernest Angell, New York lawyer and President of the
Council for Democracy, said he felt prohibitions against operation of broadcast
stations by newspapers would bo "fraught with a great deal of danger to the demo¬
cratic process."
Mr. Angell told the Commission the Council was organized after the fall
of France when "a v/avc of defeatism and an apparent loss of faith in democracy"
swept this country. Its purpose, he explained, is "to help the American people
rebuild their faith in democracy." The Council’s activities include broadcast to
Germany "to explain what the American war effort is and v;hy."
Calling maintenance of freedom of speech and freedom of the press "im¬
portant to democracy," Mr. Angell expressed a fear the^t prohibitions against news¬
papers might eventually lead to prohibitions against radio station operation by
other classifications such as employers, labor unions or church groups.
Donald Harris, an FCC attorney, asked Hr. Angell v;hether he would oppose
action by Congress to establish some system of apportioning stations among various
groups, the witness described that as "completely unworkable."
Roscoe Pound, Dean Emeritus of the Harvard Law School was to testify tody.
X X X X X X X
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ITILSS TRAi^IEL Oil THE MEIID
Reports fron Rev/ York are that Riles Tra-unel, President of the National
Broadcasting Cornpaiiyj who was operated on for appendicitis last week, is improving
right along.
Mr. Trar-inel’s duties are being carried on by Prank Mullen, Vice President
and General Manager.
X X X X X
CALIPORiTIA STATION WOULD JUMP PROM 100 b’ATTS TO 10 KVJ
XROY of Sacramento have applied for a construction permit for change in
frequency from 1240 to 1030 kilocycles, increase in pov;er from 100 v/atts to 10
kilowatts.
X X X X X
CBS BEGINS SHORTi/AVE BROADCASTS VIA THREE NMf TRANSMITTERS
The Columbia Broadcasting System has revised its shortwave schedule to
coincide with commencement of full scale operations over its three new pov/erful
transmitters - - WCRC and WCBX, 50,000 watts each, and ¥CDA, 10,000 watts - - be¬
ginning Lincoln's Birthday, Thursday, Pebruarj-" 12.
Prom early morning to late afternoon, the CBS transmitters arc to be
beamed on Europe and thenceforth, until 11 PM, Eastern War Time, directed tov/ard
South America.
This provides at least a, fortnight's testing period for the transmitters
serving Columbia's new Latin American netv/ork before it gets under way early in
March. Combined with augmented CBS technical facilities, altering shortwave broad¬
cast frequencies, based on ionospheric studies, is held certain to result in better
reception for foreign radio audiences.
X^r V V
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Hay McClinton, Vice President in charge of radio of N. W. Ayer & Son, Inc.,
has taken a leave of absence to supervise "This is Vfar," a scries of radio programs
which will be produced in cooperation witn the Office of Pacts and Pigurcs over
four nation-wide networks on Saturday evenings starting Peb. 14. The program xi/ill
dramatize and interpret the Government's wartime activities.
X X X X X
Pour stations have been added to ILBC's Pan American Network, which now
totals 124, and has representation in every one of the 20 Latin American Republics.
The latest additions are all in Mexico, and increase tlmt nation's NBC affiliates
to 31 stations. They are located in Guzman, (XEBA), Sabinas, (XEBX), Saltillo,
(XEDE), and Los Mochis, (XEDP).
X X X X X
Tom Harris, former law clerk to Chief Justice Stone, has been appointed
Assistant General Counsel of the Pedcral Communications Commission.
X X X X X
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RIO CONREREITCE WAS BIG COMI-IUNI CATIONS TASK
The Conference of American Foreign Ministers which ended last week in
Rio de Janeiro entailed the largest communications Joh ever handled in Latin
America, it is indicated from preliminary reports from its operating subsidiaries
received by International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation.
Never before has there been such intense interest in any Western Hemi-
phcre event, it is indicated, and the international telephone, cable and radio¬
telegraph services and broadcasting channels were employed almost to capacity
throughout the conference. An International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
bulletin says:
"Approximately 220 telephone calls aggregating thirty-four solid hours of
talking time were made over the radiotelephone from Rio to the United States,
while 192 calls involving twenty hours \^rere made to Argentina and fifty-seven
were handled v/ith other countries in the New World. These calls vrere transmitted
through I.T.&T's radio station in Rio over the commercial radiotelephone channels
connecting with stations of the American Telephone and Telegraph Compare in New
Jersey. From there they passed to the long distance network of the Bell System.
"The opening and closing ceremonies and other high lights of the confer¬
ence were broadcast throughout the Americas, and several programs wore relayed by
way of the United States to England. The I.T.&T. station alone transmitted thirty
special programs over the telephone circuit for re-broadcast in the United States
and seven for re-broadcast in Argentina in addition to transmitting over three
short-wave channels the opening and closing sessions.
"The All America Cables system and its associated radiotelegraph service,
which operates with the Mackay Radio and Telegraph Company - all companies in the
I.T.&T. group - handled a considerable volume of news and many diplomatic mes¬
sages in addition to the normal volurae of commercial business from Rio de Janeiro.
"Advance figures indicate that in spite of the large volurae of ncv;s of
the conference used throughout the United States, only about 40 per cent of the
material for the press telegraphed from Rio was for the United States, Canada and
Europe, with 60 per cent being taken by Latin-American newspapers.
"A survey of the Western Hemisphere communications map shows that the
same telegraph and telephone coverage vrould have been a.vailaHe in almost any
other Latin American city. All the countries are interconnected by telegraph and
all but Ecuador are interconnected by telephone. The telegraph service goes back
to the early 1880’'s when, after 20 years of indifferent service by way of Europe,
the original company of the All America Cables system established direct service
between the United States and Central and South America. This service has reached
out into every country, equipped its 8,000 mile main line with three parallel
cables and added radiotelegraph.”
X X X X X X
WJSV IN "BOIIBSR FOR Mac-UITKUR" DRIVE
Station WJSV in the Capitol, under the direction of Harry C. Butcher,
CBS Vice-President, is cooperating with the WASHINGTON POST in a new wrinkle to
stimulate the sale of Defense Bonds.
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"Here is your chance to help Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his valiant men",
says the POST announcing the plan.
"A 'Bomher for MacArthur' campaign to send a $200,000 war-plane from
Washington to the gallant defenders of the Philippines is begun today by The
Washington Post, Radio Station WJSV and the Junior Board of Commerce. The cam¬
paign has the approval of the Army Air Porces.
"The bomber will be christened 'The City of Washington'. It vm.ll go to
the Pacific theater of war, there to aid MacArthur' s forces in the fight for our
way of life.
"You may do your part by buying United States Defense Savings Bonds on a
special 'Bomber for MacArthur' form.
"Here's how you do it; Go to one of the followir.g places and ask for a
'Bomber for MacArthur' form - the front counter of The Post, 1337 E Street North¬
west; the WJSV-Junior Board of Commerce booth at the corner of Thirteenth and E
Streets Northwest, or to any bank or building and loan association.
"This form is similar to the regular Defense Bond except for a picture
of a plane and the words 'Bomber for I'lacArthur' surprinted across it. Fill it
out for a bond of your choosing. Most popular are the Series E bonds, whoso de¬
nominations of $25, $50, $100, $500 and $1000 sell respectively for $18.75, $37.50,
$75, $375 and $750 and mature in ten years.
"The 'Bomber for MacArthur' bonds you buy vdll go toward the purchase of
a $200,000 Martin B-26. This is the deadly medium bomber the British have dubbed
'The Marauder', It is the fastest bomber of its class in the world.
"If you can't buy bonds to help purchase the plane, you can buy stamps.
If you buy them at The Post's counter or at the WJSV-Junior Board of Commerce
booth, the total purchase will go to help pay for the bomber. "
X X X X X
ASCAP COMPLETES REORGANIZATION
The Ar::erican Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has completed
reorganization of its branch office set-up so that all ASCAP branch offices are
now directly managed by the hone office under Joim G. Paine, General Manager of
the Society.
The Society now has twenty branch offices in the United States. These
offices are divided into four geographical divisions vdth a supervisor in charge
of each division. In eliminating the last of the remaining lawyer-representative
offices, ASCAP made a number of promotions and transfers of personnel. Some of
the territories were reallocated in the reorganization. The new set-up is as
follows ;
1. Western District - Supervisor Robert Jc Pov/ers, who supei*vises four branch
offices as follows: DEirfER, covers Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
PORTLAND, covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. SAN FRANCISCO,
covers northern part of California and the state of Nevada. H0LLY\f00D, covers
southern part of California and the state of Arizona.
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2. Mid-Western District - Supervisor R. W. Rome, who supervises six branch offices
as follows: MIEITEAPOLIS, Minnesota & South Dakota. DETROIT, Michigan. ST.
LOUIS, southern Illinois and Missouri. CHICAGO, northern Illinois, northern
Indiana and Wisconsin. CLEVELAND, northern part of Ohio. DESMOIHES, Iowa.
3. Southern District - Supervisor I. T. Cohen, who supervises four branch offices
as folloxvs: DALLAS, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. HSV/ ORLEAHS, Louisiana
and Mississippi. CIHCIHITATI , southern Ohio, southern Indiana and Kentucky.
ATLANTA, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
and West Virginia.
4. Eastern District - Supervisor E. C. Erdman, who supervises six branch offices
as follov/s: BOSTON, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode
Island. PHILADELPHIA, eastern Pennsylvania, southern Nev; Jersey and Delawa,re.
NEW YORK CITY, Connecticut, the district surrounding New York City and northern
New Jersey. PITTSBURGH, western part of Pennsylvania. BALTIMORE, Marj/land &
the District of Columbia. ROCHESTER, northern part of New York State.
The following changes have been made:
The territory of the Cincinnati office was increased by all of Kentucky
and the southern part of Indiana.
Frank H. Hemby, formerly Manager of Dallas office, now in charge of
St. Louis office.
Samuel Berkett, promoted to managership of the New England District \ifith
office located at Boston, replacing Mr, Rome, who was made Supervisor of the
Mid-Western District.
Edward A. Sherwood, transferred from Baltimore to Cleveland, Ohio.
Philip 0. Alexander, formerly of Atlanta office, promoted to managership
of the Dallas office.
Stanley Shepard, formerly manager for the district of Puerto Rico, promo¬
ted to the managership of the New Orleans office covering Louisiana & Mississippi.
Territory covered by the Philadelphia office, increased by the southern
part of New Jersey and Delaware.
Arthur L, Rothkranz, promoted to managership of the Baltimore office
covering Maryland and the District of Columbia.
X X X X X X
NBC TELLS THE TRUTH TO DEldLARlC AND CAUSES A RIOT
When Hitler expanded the anti-comint ern pact recently, Denmark’s foreign
minister was one of the signatories. Goebbels and his censors knew that this news
must not leak out, because it would cause widespread unrest, so he clamped dovm and
the Danish press carried no mention of the minister’s signature. However, NBC’s
short-wave stations WRCA and WNBI broadcast the news to the Danes. The reaction was
quick and definite. A large group of loyal Daiiish citizens marched to the King’s
palace, acclaimed their ruler, sang ’’Tipperary” and iianged the foreign minister
in effigy. Then they proceeded to the Gorman barracks and demonstrated until the
Nazis had to call out the riot squad.
X X X X X
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: • • TRADE NOTES :
Thomas E, Harris, Assistant General Counsel of the Federal Communications
Commission since last May has resigned to hecome an Assistant General Counsel in
the Office of Price Administration.
Farnsworth Television and Radio Corporation - Six months to Oct. 31:
Net profit, $205,944, contrasted with $94,592 loss for comparable period of pre¬
vious year. Unfilled orders on Jan. 31 were in excess of $16,000,000, E, A.
Nicholas, President, reported. On Oct. 31, 1941, unfilled orders totaled more
than $7,000,000.
The Bamberger Broadcasting Service of New York has applied for a con¬
struction permit for a new comercial television broadcast station to be ox^ero^ted
on Channel # 6, 96000-102000 kilocycles (Formerly W2XBB); Power Aural: Max. 2
kilowatts; Visual: Max. 4 kilo\iratts.
Permits have been asked for new stations by J. C. Horton of Santa Ana,
Calif., to be operated on 830 kilocycles, 10 kilowatts, limited time; and
B. Loring Sciimidt, Salem, Ore., to be operated on 1490 kilocycles, 250 v;atts,
unlirdted hours.
Station KDB Thomas S. Lee & R. D, Merrill, Executors of the estate of
Don Lee, deceased (Transferors) and the Don lee Broadcasting System, (Transferee)
Santa Barbara, Calif., have been granted consent by the FCC to transfer of con¬
trol of Santa Barbara Broadcasters, Ltd., Station KDB, from Thomas S, Lee and
R. D. Merrill , Executors of the estate of Don Lee, Deceased, to Don Lee Broadcast¬
ing System.
VH'T0E,New Orleans, seeks to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 v;atts
and to use lOSO kc.
"Words That Shook the V'orld," an album containing complete recordings
of President Roosevelt's speech asking Congress for a declaration of war against
Japan, and Churchill's historic address to the joint session of Congress, has
been released for commercial sale by the hOR Recording Division on February 4.
The Roosevelt and Churchill speeches were taken from WOR's collection of over
2000 off-the-air recordings of historic broadcasts of the past five years.
Production of radios in Canada in 1942 will be reduced to 50 percent of
the monthly average number of units made in 1940. The nev/ order revises the
order uider wnich production of radios in January v;as to be cut by 40 percent of
the monthly average of 1940 and by 25 percent in February 1942 and each month
thereafter.
Having whp.t seems to be a good name for the job Harold P. See, NBC
Engineer, has been appointed Senior Television Supervisor.
-12-
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
Lie.'ii
Q) E © IE' I! W ? !
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Aiyi u
i.ji ^ I I ^ 1 1 1 1 3 i d j i- j
INDEX TO ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 10, 1942
To Query 50,000 Latin Americans About U. S. Programs . 2
Labor Will Ba.ck DCB In Wartime Effort . 3
Pacific Coast Jap Station Report Spiked . 4
Accuses FCC Trying To Stave Off Senate Investigation . 5
Press Hearings Adjourned; Stahlman Scheduled Later . 7
No Priority Order Yet But Future Grants . 8
Procedure And Personnel Not Affected In New WPB Set-Up
FCC Has More Office Space — On Paper .
Trade Notes,. . 10
Throckmorton Elevated To RCA Mfg, Co. Chairmanship . 12
No. 1402
<■£>
February 10, 1942.
TO QUERY 50,000 LATIN AMERICANS ABOUT U.S. PR00RAM3
One of the most comprehensive efforts ever made to find
out how the short-wave programs of the United States are getting
through to Latin America is soon to be undertaken by Nelson Rocke¬
feller, Coordinator of Inter- American Affairs, Fifty thousand ques¬
tionnaires will be sent to listeners down there asking not only how
our programs are coming in but how they compare in strength of recep¬
tion and quality of entertainment value and popularity with the
enemy countries. Also with the stations of our Allies.
The questionnaire will be printed in Spanish, Portuguese
and English. It will be prefaced by the following request to Lat in-
American listeners:
"Will you please send us your criticisms and opinions of
the short wave broadcasts from the United States, which you either
hear or try to hear? The U.S. program schedules being sent you regu¬
larly list the programs on which criticism is desired. If you will
return this report to the Coordinator of Inter- American Affairs, with
as complete answers as possible, and as soon as possible, you will
greatly help the broadcasters of the United States to improve their
broadcasts to you.
"Most of the questions have been so arranged that they may
be answered by making a mark showing the reoly you wish to make.
"If you listen on a. wave length, as shown on your radio
dial, wnich is not shown under the station call letters, please write
in the wave length heard.
"May we assure you that criticism to assist in making
these broadcasts better will be aopreciated even more than any compli¬
mentary statements w^hich you may find it appropriate to make. "
The listener may omit his name if he desires but will be
asked to give the city and country where heard and the make and model
of his radio. Also to list in order, the type of four orograms to
which he prefers to listen, such as news, drama, opera, classical
music, popular music, serials, language lessons, travelogues or
others.
The broadcasting organizations on whose short-wave stations
a report is to be asked are:
The Columbia Broadcasting System; General Electric Comoany;
National Broadcasting Company; Crosley Corporation; Westinghouse
Radio Stations, Inc.; World Wide , Broadcasting Corporation; British
Broadcasting Corporation; U.S. S.R. Radio Stations; German Radio Sta¬
tions; Italian Broadcasting System and Jaoan Broadcasting Corp.
2
1
2/10/42
The questions will be:
"llark the wave length heard best from each station; indi¬
cate local time each station is heard best; give date of report each
station heard; heard direct by short wave or local re broadcast, and
indicate opinion of program subject matter.
Also, ”how loud is the broadcast signs!?; Is there much
variation in the signal strength?; \ow is the musical tone quslity?;
Was much interference with the broadcast noted?; Indicate in the
order of your preference (1, 2, 5, etc. ) the stations whose orograms
you enjoy most; and Indicate the relative signal strength (1, 2, 3,
etc. ) of the stations to which you listen. ”
Just who compiled the Rockefeller questionnaire is not
known but it is very much on the order of inquiries which used to be
sent out by John H. Payne, former Chief of the Electrical Division of
the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, who is now Associate
Director of the Radio Section of the Rockefeller organization.
xxxxxxxxxx
LABOR WILL BACK DCB IN WARTIME EFFORT
Full cooperation of industry and labor interests in the
communications industry have been pledged to the Defense Communica¬
tions Board, Chairman James L. Fly announced yesterday (Monday) in
making public the following joint statement by the Labor and Industry
Advisory Committees of the Board in connection v/ith the victory
drive :
’’Recognizing the vital role of the Communications industry
in vanning the war, the Industry Advisory and Labor Advisory
Committees of the Defense Communications Board, at a joint
meeting on February 3, 1942, pledged the full cooperation of
Industry and Labor in the communications field in advising and
assisting the Board.
"The Industry and Labor representatives present recog¬
nize that v^artime efficiency of communications requires the
special contributions of each group and the closest cooperation
with the Government.
"To this end, these committees will aid the Defense
Communications Board in its imoortant task by the considera¬
tion and study of communications problems on which the Board
desires assistance. "
3
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2/10/42
Commenting upon the statement, Chainman Fly said:
had intended to add a note simnly expressing my grati¬
fication for the constructive and cooperative attitude which was taken
both by the management representatives and union representatives. All
of them have been extremely cooperative and there has been a general
tendency to forget differences and move together shoulder to shoulder
and do a real job. And, needless to say, that’s very heartening."
The Industry Advisory Committee comnrises Walter S.
Gifford and Keith 3. McHu^i, President and Vice President respectively
of the American Telephone and Telegraph Co. ; Jack Kaufman and F. C,
Alexander, Executive Vice President and Vice President of Globe
Wireless, Ltd.; Col, Sosthenes Behn, President of the International
Telephone and Telegraph Corp, ; Frank W. Phelan, President of All
American Cables and P,adlo, Inc. ; E. 'p. Chinlund and Ellery W. Stone,
President and Executive Vice President of Postal Telegraph, Inc.;
Joseph Pierson and Donald K. deNeuf, President and Superintendent of
Operations of Press Wireless, Inc. ; David Sarnoff, President, and
his assistant. Dr. C. B. Jolliffe of the Ra.dio Cornoration of America;
William E. Beakes and R. V. Howley, President and Vice President of
Tropical Radio Telegraph Co. ; R. A. Phillips and Louis Pitcher, Presi¬
dent and Executive Vice President of the United States Indeoendent
Telephone Association; and A. N. Williams, and E. R. Shute, President
and Vice President in Charge of Traffic of the Western Union Tele¬
graph Company.
Representing labor interests interested in communications,
the Labor Advisory Committee members are: Robert J. Watt, of the
American Federation of Labor; Joseph P, Selly, of the American Com¬
munications Association, for the Congress of Industrial Orga.nizations ;
and Paul E. Griffith, President of the National Federation of Tele¬
phone Workers. ...-‘==■'’<1^
XXXXXXXX
PACIFIC COAST JAP STATION REPORT SPIKED
There was no confirmation at the Federal Communications
Commission that a Japanese spy radio station had been seized last
week on the West Coast near the Burbank airport. A motorist was
supposed to have been riding by with his radio on and to have traced
the radio station to an abandoned water tower.
A member of the Commission after contacting the official in
charge of keeping his ear on the ground for any spy stations reported:
"He says that is like the rumor about someone who was sup¬
posed to have been shot right at his transmitter in Honolulu. That
had no foundation at all. He says he thinks this is probably the
same kind of story because the only reoorts he has had are the rumors
that have come through the press services rather than from official
circles, so he will guess that it hasn’t happened."
X X'X X X X X X
4
2/10/42
ACCUSES FCC TRYING TO STAVE OFF SENATE INVESTIGATION
Expressing the hope that the House will report favorably on
a resolution which will bring about an investigation of the Federal
Communications Commission in the near future, especially of a dis¬
proportionate number of Senate appointees, Representative Richard B.
Wigglesworth (R. )> of Massachusetts again paid his respects to the
Commission, saying:
”1 suspect that the FCC has feared for some time an investi¬
gation by the Interstate Commerce Committee in the Senate. I call
attention in this connection to a table Inserted in the hearings from
which the interesting fact appears that the Commission has seen fit to
employ no less than seven persons who formerly were on the rolls of
this Senate committee.
"The number includes a general counsel at $9,000; an assi¬
stant general counsel at $7,500; an assistant secretary at $5,600;
an attorney investigator at $4,600; a social-science analyst - what¬
ever that is - at $3,800; and two secretaries, one at $4,000 and one
at $2,100.
"Under leave to extend my remarks, I include a cooy of the
table at this point:.
Statement Showing Present Emoloyees of the Federal
Communications Commission Who Have at Previous
Times Served on Senate Committees.
(Name, title, salary, and service with Senate Committee)
Henry M. Barry, secretary to Commissioner, $4,000; Clerk to
various Senate standing committees.
Edward M. Brecher, secretary to Commissioner, $4,000; Senate
Committee on Interstate Commerce, editorial assistant.
Charles Eugene Clift, principal Investigator, $3,800; Senate
Subcommittee on Education and Labor, investigation.
Allen W. Sayler, attorney-investigator, $4,600; Senate sub¬
committee under Senate Resolution 266.
Edward Cooper, assistant secretary, $5,600 (recently appointed
by the Federal Communications Commission to the office of assist¬
ant secretary); Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce.
Mrs. Mary M, Donahue, secretary to General Counsel, $2,100;
Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce.
Miss Elsa Gullander, social-science analyst, $3,800 (appoint¬
ment approved by Federal Communications Commission, but not yet
filling the position); Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce.
Lucien Hilraer, assistant general counsel, $7,500; Senate Com¬
mittee on Interstate Commerce.
Telford Taylor, general counsel, $9,000; Senate Committee on
Interstate Commerce.
"The Commission furnished, at my request, a list showing
the name, position, grade, and salary of all those now emoloyed in
5
cJ/ -LU/ “ic;
its FDreign Broadcast Monitoring Service. The list indicates a per¬
sonnel in Washington of 225 and in the field of 31, or a total of
256. It includes 2 assistant editors, 12 editorial assistants,
numerous translators and analysts, and many other positions. I con¬
fess that without further explanation I do not know what the duties
of many of those listed are. Your committee is advised that the
needs of this unit under wartime conditions are now receiving careful
study by the Bureau of the Budget. Further information in this con¬
nection will, no doubt, be available when the agency next aopears
before your committee,
"Because of charges similar to those made in respect to
the 0. C. D. , the list of the foreign broadcast monitoring service was
also referred to the Dies committee, with a request for similar
comment in respect to those included in the rolls of this Division.
"Again, I do not know whether the Dies committee has done
a comolete job on the list or not; I have received, however, from
the Dies Committee the names of a number of oersons included in the
list, who, according to the Dies committee, have had affiliations in
the past with Communist front organizations,
"Again I am not going to take the time to go into detail.
I may mention in passing, however, that included among the names of
those received from the Dies committee is that of Goodwin Watson,
chief analyst, at $5,600, whom the House dealt with in connection with
the Independent Offices Appropriation Bill and whose case is now be¬
ing considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee, because, des¬
pite the record made by the able gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Starnes),
there appear to be at least three members of the Federal Communica¬
tions Commission who think he should be retained on its rolls. His
record requires a page and a half of comment.
"The2r*e are also the names of Peter Flhodes, foreign editor,
at $4,600; William E. Dodd, Jr., editorial assistant, at $2,600, whose
record requires three full pages; Charles E. Gould, editorial assist¬
ant, at $2,600; Mary Johnson, translator, at $1,800; and a number of
other persons in minor positions. Again, under leave to extend my
remarks, I shall include at this point the comments of the Dies
committee and allow the.m to speak for themselves. "
The alleged communistic records of Messrs. Watson, Rliodes,
Dodd, Jr. , Gould and Mary Johnson, which Mr. Wigglesworth introduced
at this point covered the better cart of two pages of the Congression¬
al Record (Pages 1136-37 - February 6).
Congressman Wigglesworth concluded:
"I may say incidentally that the Federal Communications
Commission reports that five employees in this unit have had their
appointments terminated since July 12 last for other reasons, as a
result of findings by investigators of the Civil Service Commission. "
Commenting uoon the records of Dr. Goodwyn Watson and the
others which Renresentative Wigglesworth set forth, someone remarked^
"They should call it the Federal Communist Commission. "
XXXXXXXXXY
6
2/10/42
HEARINGS ADJOURNED;
STAHLMAN SCHEDULED LATER
The Fedeml Communications Commission hearings on v<rhether
or not newspaoer-owne d radio stations should be singled out for
special treatment adjourned last Friday to an undetermined date at
which time Jajnes G. Stahlman, publisher of the Nashville Banner, who
the District of Columbia Apoeals Court recently ruled must resoond
to the FCC* s subnoena. The Court ruled that the Commission has the
right to inquire into the newsoaoer issue ''but cannot deny an appli¬
cation for broadcast facilities merely because the aoolicant oub-
lishes a newsoaper. ”
Elisha Hanson, counsel for Mr. Stahlman, in appealing to
the higher court, had characterized the FCC proceedings as a "fishing
expedition" end the Court of Appeals backed him up in this saying:
". . . we do not mean to hold or to suggest that the Com¬
mission is authorized to require aopellant or other witnesses whom
it may summon to bare their records, relevant or irrelevant, in the
hope tha.t something will turn up, or to invade the privacy protected
by the Fourtn Amendment, but only that the Commission may, without
interference, seek through an investigation of its own making informa¬
tion properly applicable to the legislative standa.rds set up in the
Act, We should hot assume that the investigation will be conducted
for any other purpose or in disregard of the constitutional limits
which govern such procedure. "
The last witness Friday was Dr, Roscoe Pound, Dean Emeritus
of the Harvard University Law School, He told the FCC that it was
his opinion that no "hard and fast" miles on newspaper acquisition of
radios should be made.
Mr. Pound contended the Commission should consider all
factors in each apolication because "a general rule cannot take care
of exceotions and conditions".
"There is need for individualizing", he said. "There are
more and more cases where you cannot aonly a hard and fa.st rule. "
Asked his opinion of so-called "one-one" cities, in ?rhich
the only dai.ly newsoaoer controls the only broadcast station, Mr.
Pound replied that "theoretically it looks nretty bad, but I do not
think it is an actuality. "
"Is there any such thing as a person cut off from all but
the local radio station?" he asked.
Chairman James L. Fly asked Mr, Pound his attitude in the
case of rival apolications, one by a newspaper and the other non¬
newspaper. Mr. Pound said he felt it proper for the Commission to
"take account of" newspaper ownership in such cases, but that he did
not feel this should be a controlling factor in Itself.
7
s/10/42
Mr. Found said the promulgation of rules discriminating
against any class, such as newspaper owners, or any church group,
vfould be "infringing considerably" on the Bill of Rights,
"Wlien you begin to encroach, the tendency is to extend
control", he said. "The time to resist is in the beginning."
Donald Harris, an FCC attorney, remarked that some ceople
felt "affirmative Government action" was necessary to safeguard
freedom of speech and freedom of the press".
"That", Mr. Pound commented, "is arrant nonsense. The
tendency of those who have pov^er is to reach out for more oower.
Any Government control of the press is the beginning of autocracy.
the house
replied:
Asked by Mr. Harris whether he felt the question "before
involved freedom of speech and freedom of press, Mr, Pound
"It is distinctly a move in that direction, "
XXXXXXXXX
NO PRIORITY ORDER YET BUT FUTURE GRANTS
Asked if he had any idea when the priority order would be
coming along for other than standa.rd broadcast stations, James L.
Fly, Cnairman of the Federal Communications Commission, replied:
"No, I haven't. Of course the imoortant thing was simply
to bring into practical ooeration what has for some time apoeared to
be a fundamental policy on the nart of the defense agencies. '^l.at is
that there should not be future grants and we did what seemed to be
the simolest thing to avoid trouble - that was to stop the grants in
the standard field for the time being. Now I say for the time being -
I have no doubt that the policy of not making standard broadcast
grants where there is existing primary service - but in orinciple we
suppose it is for the duration.
"As to how they will be defined into specific detail - in
answer to 40 different questions that will arise in specific cases -
procedural mechanism - That will all have to be worked out. As to
what will be done with FM and television, that’s another thing. That
has not been considered. Of course we have alvrays had it in mind but
there has been no specific oolicy adopted in relation to it. That
is one tiling that we will have to take up in the very near future.
That's unavoidable, of course."
XXXXXXXXXX
8
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2/10/42
PROCEDUFE AND PERSONNEL NOT AFFECTED IN NEW WPB SET-UP
Radio industry problems, procedure and official personnel
generally are not affected by the new War Production Board organiza¬
tion, under Chaimian Donald M. Nelson, according to a Radio Manu¬
facturers' Association bulletin. Prominent in the new WPB is J. S.
Knowlson, former President of RIAA, who has been appointed Director of
the Division of Industry Operations. This has charge of converting
civilian industries to war production, also taking over priorities
administration and requisitioning authority.
Jesse L. Maury and his staff continue unchanged in the radio
interests and the WPB Electrical and Consumers Durable Goods Branch.
This and other industrial branches, including the radio and other
industr:}'’ advisory committees, are directly under Philip D. Reed,
Chairman of the General Electric Company. He has been appointed by
Mr. Knowlson to head up the WPB Industrial Branches.
In the military radio production of WPB, Ray Ellis con¬
tinues actively for the radio branch of the Division of Production,
which is headed by W. H. Harrison.
Priorities administration, formerly of 0PM and SPAB, now
is under C. H. Matthiessen, Jr., former 0PM Assistant Deputy Director,
who has been appointed by Mr. Knowlson to have charge of WPB prior¬
ities matters. .
xxxxxxxxx
FCC HAS MORE OFFICE SPACE — ON PAPER
It was said at the Federal Communications Commission yester¬
day (Monday) that the Commission at last had found more office space
but as yet it was on oaoer. For additional room they had been oro-
mised the old Stillson-Hutchins Building at 10th and D Streets, N. W. ,
the old home of the Washington Post. It is about three blocks from
the Commission's present offices. Asked if they would get the whole
building, Mr. Fly replied:
"Yes, we need more than that. I think there is 30 thousand
square feet of office space there. We are terribly crowded. We have
so many oeople - some on Important work, particularly engineers, six,
eight, ten in one office with lots of records. To have orofessional
people working under tnose circumstances is not only uncomfortable to
them but it might decrease the efficiency. You can't work efficiently
under tnose circumstances. That situation must be relieved. Our
staff has generally Increased. The Monitoring Service has increased
and in other branches there has been some increase, so we are in a
critical situation quite apart from the addition of the defense mech¬
anism and personnel. "
9
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2/10/42
"Then I take it you have not decided just who will be
there?” the Chairman was asked.
"We are still studying that”, he reolied. ’’There will be
donsiderable reshuffling. I haven^t taken it up with the Cornraission,
but I assume the oeople that are doing the work that is currently
most significant and where they need to be in touch with the main
office most continuous will be the oeople who will remain close to
the Commission, and those whose contacts are required less often
will be at a greater distance."
XXXXXXXXX
:: TRADE NOTES
Extended service by two of New York's six active Mi sta¬
tions now makes FM listening possible in that area from 7:‘30 A. M. to
12 midnight. W47NY, operated by Muzak, has moved its sign-on time up
to 7:30 A. M. daily. Sign-off is at 11 P.M. W2XQR, the experimental
outlet of WQXR which previously went off the air nightly at 10 P.M. ,
now transmits until midnight.
WOR is now broadcasting periodic announcem.ent s publicizing
the free courses in "Funda.raentals of Ra.dio" that will be offered by
local universities to meet the urgent need in both industry and the
armed forces for trained radio technicians. Rutgers University has
already begun its course of 16 weeks of radio technical instruction
in Bayonne and Red Bank, and by the end of '^bruary will be operating
in 30 different cities in New Jersey.
i’he Radio Recording Division of the National Broadcasting
Comoany will begin immediately to release to its Thesaurus subscrib¬
ers music controlled by several A3CAP publishers, C. Lloyd Egner,
Vice-President in Charge of the Radio Recording Division has announced
Larus & Brother Comoany, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, have
resubmitted their apolication for a construction permit for new relay
broadcast station, on 31620, 35260, 37340, 39620 kcs. , 100 watts, A-3
emi ssion,
The "electric eye", used for years to count traffic, open
doors for busy waitresses, sort coffee beans according to color and
do a dozen or more other Jobs which previously had to be done by hand,
has just come into a real wartime occupation, that of standing by as
all-night guard for alert warnings of possible air raids. Focused on
the street lights, which will be turned off the instant a warning is
received in any city, the "electric eye" sounds an immediate warning
and likewise turns off the lights in the home, store, display signs or
wherever lights are to be extinguished to perfect a city blackout, a
General Electric Bulletin states.
10 -
2/10/42
Don Lee Broadcasting System, (W6XDU), Portable-Mobile, Los
Angeles and environs, modification of construction permit, which
authorized addition of aural equipment using Special emission) for
extension of commencement and completion dates only to 3/1/42 and
9/1/42 respectively.
_ _ _
Quarterly dividends on the outstanding shares of Radio
Corporation of America $3.50 First Preferred stock a.nd outstanding
snares of "B” Preferred stock, were declared for January to March.
Tiie dividend on the First Preferred stock is 87-| per share, and the
dividend on the "B” Preferred stock is $1.25 per share. -
Beginning at 12:30 A.M. next Sunday, the New York Daily
News will broadcast over WNEW, in New York City, a five-minute news
period, hourly on the half hour twenty- four hours a day and seven
days a week. It will be similar to the news broadcasts started
recently by the New York Times.
Among the pictures of ’’Life Goes to A Party" (Life , Febru¬
ary 9) of the brilliant reception given in Washington by Joseoh E.
Davies, former Ambassador to Russia, and Mrs. Davies, to Maxim
Litvinoff, the Soviet Ambassador, are a couple of familiar faces.
One of them is Harry C. Butcher, Vice-President of the Columbia
Bjfoa dcast ing System in Washington (Page 106), and nearby is Merle
Thoroe, Editor of the Nation’s Business. Life says; "With champagne,
music and fanfare, it was the biggest blowout in Washington since the
war began. "
The Radio Age for January published by the Department of
Information of the Radio Comoration of America, contains the follow¬
ing articles: Radio at the Ready: 1941-1942, by David Sarnoff; "Blue
Network Company, Inc."; Pacific Link; Phonograph Com.es Back by Fra.nk
B. Walker; Electron Microscooe in New Fields by Dr. V. K. Zworykin;
"Finest Programs Possible"; RCA Men Aid Government Groups by Dr. C. B.
Jolliffe; Laboratories Cornerstone Laid; New Studios; RCAM Employees
in New Victory Campaign; Tubes Rushed; RCA Sign Off.
Station W3AV, Savannah, Georgia, has asked the FCC for a
construction permit to ciiange frequency to 1370 kc. from 1340, in¬
crease power from 250 watts to 1 KW, install new transmitter and
install directional antenna for night use.
'For the second time in four years, WOR is one of the winners
of the Annual Advertising Awards. In 1930, WOR became the first radio
station ever to win one of the awards. At the annual Awards Dinner
last Friday, Joseph Creamer, WOR’ s Director of Promotion
was cited for "technical excellence of visual
art and typography. "
and Research,
ore senta tion, layout.
"In honor of a man a.nd an ideal . . . " - three talks on
freedom by Archibald MacLeish, William S. i^aley and Edward R. Murrow
made at the dinner CBS gave to the last named in New York have been
attractively reprinted in oaraohlet form.
xxxxxxxxx
11 -
2/10/42
V
TKROCiaiORTON ELEVATED TO RCA MFG.
CO. CHAIRI^ANSHIP
George K. Throckmorton, for the past five years President
of the RCA Manufacturing Company, Inc. , of Camden, N. J. , has been
elected Chairman of the Executive Committee of that company. Robert
Shannon, former Executive Vice-President, was elected President.
In announcing these organization changes, David Sarnoff,
President of the Radio Corporation of America said;
"The new President of the RCA Manufacturing Coraoany is a
man from the ranks. ’Bob' Shannon, as he is affectionately known by
thousands of employees, started as a factory worker thirty years ago.
He has occupied various executive positions in the R.C.A. organiza¬
tion during the past twelve years.
"The conversion of a substantial part of the facilities and
personnel of RCA Manufacturing Comoany to specialized manufacture of
radio and electronic products for the Army and Navy has greatly in¬
creased the load on the management in two imoortant respects", Mr.
^arnoff stated. "First, the volume and variety of these oroducts
require Increased study and effort which must be given to plans and
their execution. Second, soeed is of the essence. Nothing can be
put off until tomorrow which it is humanly oossible to do today.
"The Directors of RCA Manufacturing Comoany have therefore
created an Executive Committee of the Board. This committee will act
during the intervals between meetings of the full Board, so that de¬
cisions on all plans can immediately follow their formulation, thus
effecting the greatest possible flexibility and speed of action. * * *
"Under Mr. Throckmorton’ s able supervision the RCA Manufac¬
turing Company, which employs more than 20,000 workers, prepared it¬
self in advance to meet the demands now placed upon it by the war.
Its plant facilities were enlarged in the interests of national def¬
ense. Its workers patriotically pledged themselves to 'Beat tne
Promise' by endeavoring to make deliveries on Government work in
advance of contract dates.
"Last week the United States Navy awarded to RCA Manufactur¬
ing Company the coveted Navy ’E' pennant, in recognition of the com¬
pany ' s 'out standing results in the production of Navy material vital
to our war effort'. In Navy parlance it means 'well done' - the
highest praise the Navy can bestow. The winning of the Navy ’E’ is an
eloquent tribute to the leadership of Messrs. Throckmorton and Shannon,
Membership of the Executive Committee of RCA Manufacturing
Company is composed of the following members of the company's Board
of Directors: G. K. Throckmorton, Chairman, Gano Dunn, J, G. Harbord,
DeWltt Millhauser, David Sarnoff, 0. 3, Schairer, and Robert Shannon.
XXXXXXXXXX
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
Dies RinoS Bell With Axis Short-Wave Propagandists . 2
FCC Proposes To Deny More Time To WNYC . 4
Asserts Most South Americans Listen To Local Stations . 5
WOW Sues A3CAP For Royalties Damages......... . . . 6
Ban On New Radio Station Construction . . . 7
Papers Fairer On News Than Radio, Stahlman Claims . . . 8
Radio Set Output To Be Cut Off Within Three Months
Wireless Operators Give Medal To President .
FCC Wartime Survey Of Foreign Language Broadcasts . 10
RCA Opens Direct Circuit To Iran... . . . 11
Mile O' Dimes Still Coming In . . . 11
Trade Notes . . . 12
No . 1403
fO to
February 14, 1942.
DIES RINGS BELL WITH AXIS SHORT-WAVE PROPAGANDISTS
Con Timing a story that has been going the rounds for some¬
time, Chaiman James L. Fly of the Federal Communications Commission
has advised Representative Dies, Chaiman of the Committee Investigat¬
ing Un-American Activities, that our listening costs have found that
Mr. Dies has received as many favorable references in Axis propaganda
broadcasts as any American. It was revealed in the following letter
written by Mr. Fly to the Texas investigator:
"I have your telegram of yesterday (Feb. 10) advising me that
you are infomed that the publication News Week for January 5, 1942,
contained the following statement; ’The FCC's short viave monitoring
service has found that Representative Martin Dies is the American
most frequently quoted by the Axis radio in programs beamed to the
hemisphere'. I was not aware of the statement in question and have
not seen the January 5 issue of News Week. You ask in your telegram
to be advised whether this statement is correct, and if any recort,
official or otherwise. Issued by this Commission was the basis for
this statement in News Week.
"Before answering your inquiry, let me say that I have noted an
account in the New York Times of today commenting on what acpears to
be a statement made by you on yesterday (Feb. 10) raising a question
as to how the Commission comes into possession of 'inside informa¬
tion' on axis cropaganda. I had assumed that the Congress long
since had fully understood the work of our Foreign Broadcast Monitor¬
ing Service, which is devoted completely to the Job of monitoring,
recording, translating and analyzing radio propaganda aimed at the
Western Hemisphere by any and all countries. In that way, we neces¬
sarily have more than the 'inside information' - we have all the
information on incoming radio propaganda, and much of the foreign
domestic propaganda. This includes the propaganda from foreign
countries not merely the foreign enemies. However, greater attention
is given to the propaganda of our enemies, which is most carefully
analyzed and reported to the several government deoartraents and
agencies to whom this information may be of value in the war effort.
"In October, 1941, the staff members of the Commission's Foreign
Broadcast Monitoring Service, as oart of their routine analytical
functions, undertook a study of the use of American sources by Axis
propagandists in their broadcasts beamed to this hemisphere during
the months of August and September (October being later added as the
study ran into November). The study was never completed and exists
only in draft fonri. It was never presented to the Commission, offici¬
ally or otherwise, and I therefore had not seen it until after receipt
of your telegram.
2 -
2/13/42
•’The draft study sets forth at the outset that, to gain support
and confirmation for its nropaga.nda to this country and to South
America, the Axis radio draws heavily and purports to quote liber¬
ally from accounts of leading American news services, newsoaoers and
magazines and from statements by American oublic figures. These
American sources upon which the Axis draws may be arbitrarily clas¬
sified as 'approved' by the Axis and 'unsympathetic' to the Axis,
according to the respective roles they play in Axis propaganda.
'Approved' sources are rarely if ever criticized by the Axis, but
are consistently quoted to support some political or Ideological
view. It seems apparent that Axis propagandists regard the state¬
ments and activities of certain American public figures and institu¬
tions, even though known to be anti-Axis, as more generally useful
than otherwise to them in their propaganda warfare and they therefore
are willing to ignore hostile sentiments and endeavor to build such
figures and institutions into authoritative symbols. 'Unsympathetic'
sources are most often criticized or ridiculed for statements the
the .Axis dislikes, but, on the other hand, are quoted frequently
for confirmation of Axis claims, aoparently in the thought that such
Axis claims must necessarily be true since even 'unsympathetic'
American sources admit them.
"At the outset the draft of the study stated: 'It must be con¬
tinuously kept in mind that these alleged quotes and reports of
American statements over the Axis radio are frequently distorted,
even completely perverted, in order to achieve Axis propaganda aims'.
A footnote at that point Indicates several startling exaraoles of the
complete reversal of the position of American sources.
"In lieu of a summary, I think it better to quote the actual
language of the dra.ft respecting yourself;
'Representative Dies — > Reoresentat ive Dies, ardent
supoorter of Americanism and opponent of subversive propa¬
ganda, received as many favorable references in Axis propa¬
ganda to this country as any living American public figure.
His opinions were quoted by the Axis without criticism at any
time. In several broadcasts, Rome reported that Dies had sent
a letter to President Roosevelt demanding "the dismissal of
the Federal Price- Controller, Henderson, and of four of his
intimate collaborators", whom Dies accused of being Communists.
Berlin quoted statements by Dies that there never had been
religious freedom in the Soviet Union, and that: "Sending war
materials to Soviet Russia is absolutely useless now because
it will only fall into 3-erraan hands". This la.tter statement
soon afterwards became a common theme in Gorman propaganda..
The remarkable thing, however, is that Congressman Dies should
be presented to Americans by Naxi amd FP.sclst propagandists
as an authority wiiose opinions should be heeded. '
"The study was, of course, not intended for publication, and I
am unable to state how the periodical in question came into posses¬
sion of its somewhat garbled version. However in view of the sugges¬
tion contained in the New York Times article that Dr. Goodwin Watson
3
8/15/42
may have had something to do with this study, I might add that the
study was made before Dr. Watson Joined the staff of this Commission,
which v/as November 17, 1941, I am advising you completely of the
facts insofar as you are concerned. I do not believe it would be
appropriate to reveal other American sources quoted by Axis propa¬
ganda as determined by the study. ”
Introducing into the Congressional Record the letter Chair¬
man F^y wrote to Congressman Dies, Representative Thomas H. Eliot,
of Massachusetts, said;
"Under leave to extend my remarks, I include a letter, which
has been made public, from the Chairman of the Federal Communications
Commission to the Chairman of the so-called Dies Committee.
"The letter points out that in Axis propaganda broadcasts
the utterances of the Chairman of the Dies Committee have been quoted
with approval many times by the Nazis.
"It would be most unfortunate to have a committee supoosed
to uphold Americanism become instead, however inadvertently, a vehicle
for the propagation of Nazi-ism. "
XXXXXXXXX
FCC PROPOSES TO DENY MORE Tim TO W^fYC
Holding that the proposal is inconsistent with Commission’s
rules and, further, is contrary to equitable distribution of radio
service, the Federal Communications Commission announced intended
denial of the application by the City of New York Municipal Broad¬
casting System to increase the hours of operation of its station WNYC
on the frequency 850 kilocycles with its present power of 1 kilowatt.
This licensee sought to operate from 6 A.M. to 11 P,M. , East¬
ern Standard Time, using directional antenna, instead of daytime
until sunset at Minneapolis, as at present.
The Commission is of the opinion that such a grant would
not serve the public interest, convenience and necessity. The Com¬
mission’s Rules Governing Standard Broadcast Stations provide that
only one full time station may be assigned to the frequency in ques¬
tion (now used by Columbia Broadcasting System station WCCO at
Minneapolis on an unlimited time basis) and that the power of such
station shall not be less than 50 kilowatts (which is the power of
WCCO). Simultaneous operation would result in interference detri¬
mental to both stations. Also, grant of the application as proposed
"would not tend toward an equitable distribution of radio service to
the several states and communities" as contemolated by the provisions
of the Communications Act.
XXXXXXXX
4
I
. ;
2/13/42
ASSERTS MOST SOUTH AMERICANS LISTEN TO LOCAL STATIONS
Despite the improvement of short-wave broadcasting, Don
Francisco, Director of Communications, in the Rockefeller office of
Inter-American affairs, discussing the South American broadcasting
situation, expresses the belief that in any country, including our
own, most people listen to their local stations. An address on this
subject by Mr. Francisco was reprinted in the Congressional Record
by Senator Lister Hill of Alabama.
Mr. Francisco said further in connection ^^ith the Rocke¬
feller problem of covering Latin-America :
"To reach the maximum audience we must develop network
broadcasting on an international scale. Already three broadcasters
have created in ter- American networks through the retransmission by
local stations of orograras broadcast from the United States.
"To insure receotion the most imoortant programs, speeches,
and events are also being transmitted by ooint-to-polnt communica¬
tions to the other republics for rebroadcast by local stations.
Recent speeches by President Roosevelt, transmitted in this mv, have
been retroadcast by as many as 200 local stations in the southern
countrie s.
"Through these networks we of the Americas can listen to¬
gether to the tangoes of Argentina and the rumbas of Cuba, to educa¬
tors in Lima and Montevideo, to the statesmen of Brazil and Mexico,
to voices from Washington, Bogota, Santiago, and a hundred other
places. "
"The words of President Roosevelt reverberated around the
world as have the words of no other man in all history. No man be¬
fore him has ever commanded so great an audience.
"Fnile the Chief Executive is speaking to the world, trans¬
lations are beamed southward, to Brazil in Portuguese, to the other
Americas in Spanish. In the short-vrave broadcasting studios of
America’ s great radio nerve centers, eager hands rip the soeech,
paragraph by paragraph, from chattering tickers. Heads bend low over
typewriters, and soon the President’s words appear in Ge;rma.n, French,
Itali9.n, Swedish, Finnish, Turkish, and a dozen other languages,
transposed by specialists who fashion their words to fit the language
pattern of their foreign audience."
"With incredible speed, while the President is still speak¬
ing, in English, his words, in many languages are winging their way
over directional radio beams to the far corners of the earth. Before
the day is out his voice has rolled over the pampas of the Argentine
and across the snowy oeaks of the Andes. His words have left their
imoact in the Land of the Kangaroo and the so-called Rising Bun. From
the Rio G-rande to the Straits of Magellan, into the war-tom caoitals
of Europe, and down into the tiny settlements of the African jungle
men and women have heard the President of the United States sneak in
accents tney can understand.
"This was no one-time achievement. The international broad¬
casting of important speeches and events has now become routine. "
"For more than a year we have been working closely with
the radio industry."
^ 5 -
2/13/42
’’Wliat has been accorarilished? Let us first examine some
figures on the short-wave broadcasting activities of our 11 United
States international stations.
’•Cn an average day a year ago our short-wave stations were
on the air a combined total of 79 hours. Today their combined time
averages 132 hours per day, in 19 languages.
•'In the last year the total number of short-wave news
broadcasts by all stations, on an average day, has increased from 72
to 209 per day. The time utilized by all stations for daily news
broadcasts on average days has increased from 18 to 52 hours per day.
"Thus by better facilities, improved programs, advanced
publicity, and perhaps by more receiving sets, our short-wave audience
is being increased. "
"Our office is producing 52 transcribed programs in Spanish
and 52 in Portuguese. These programs range from informative material,
such as Ripley's Believe It or Not in Spanish and Portuguese, to
American folk songs and a dramatized series on national defense. It
is expected that hundreds more will be made during the year. These
will be sent to the other American republics for broadcasting over
local stations.
"Special live-talent programs devoted to inter- American
friendship and understanding are being sponsored ty local organiza¬
tions in several countries, and others will follow.
"One of the helpful activities of the United States adver¬
tisers in the southern republics has been the use of news cf our
great cress associations as program material for their sponsored
broadcasts. The best answer to Axis propaganda is a wider dissemina¬
tion of the facts.
"We have knowledge of 132 stations carrying such programs,
and doubtless there are many others that do not appear on our records. '
XXXXXXXXXXX
WOW SUES A3CA?' FOR ROYALTIES DAttAOES
The Woodman of the World Life Insurance Society, operators
of radio station WOW, filed suit in District Court in Omaha Thursday
against the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers,
asking $298,319 in triple damages alleged to have been suffered
through payment of ASCAI’ royalties.
The petition was in behalf of "all others similarly situ¬
ated" in Nebraska and lawyers said claims would total almost a mil¬
lion dollars.
A Nebraska law passed May 7, 1937, barring alleged monopol¬
istic practices of ASCAP, was upheld by the United States Supreme
Court in May. Payments during that period for songs and music origi¬
nating in Station WOW to ASCAP under protest amounted to $87,724, but
under the statute ASCAP is liable to triple damages plus Interest,
the petition asserted.
XXXXXXXXXX
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2/13/42
BAN ON NEW RADIO STATION CONSTRUCTION
The Defense Coramunicstions Board has recommended to the
War Production Board and the Federal Communications Commission that,
effective immediately, all new construction for standard broadcast
facilities be limited in accordance with the following:
"1. No critical materials shall be allocated by the War Pro¬
duction Board or further authorizations issued by the
Federal Communications Commission for the construction
of any new standard broadcast station where all or a
substantial part of the proposed primary service area
is already provided with primary service from one or
more standard broadcast stations.
•’2. No critical materials shall be allocated by the War Pro¬
duction Board or further authorizations issued by the
Federal Communications Commission for construction in
order to change the transmitting facilities of any exist¬
ing standard broadcast station unless the change will
result in a substantial new oriraary service area no sub¬
stantial oart of which is already orovided with primary
service from one or more standard broadcast stations.^
“3. No critical materials shall be allocated by the War Pro¬
duction Board for the construction, under outstanding
authorizations of the Federal Communications Commission:
(a) Cf any new standard broadcast station where all or a
substantial part of the proposed primary service area
is already provided with urimary service from, one or
more standard broadcast stations; or
(b) In order to change the transmitting facilities of
any existing standard broadcast station unless the
change will result in a substantial new orimary ser¬
vice area no substantial part of which is already
provided with crimary service, from one or more
standard broadcast stations.
It is understood that this matter has already received con¬
sideration by the Federal Communications Commission, as evinced in
that Commission's public statement of January 30, and by representa¬
tives of the War ProductionBoard in conferences with the Priorities
Liaison Committee of the Defense Communications Board.
I7“lrr general, the Federal Communications Commission's Standards of
Good Engineering Practice will be used as a guide in the deter¬
mination of primary service.
XXXXXXXXXX
7 -
2/13/42
PAPERS FAIRER ON NEWS THAN RADIO, STAHUAAN CLAIMS
James G-. Stahlman, publisher of the Nashville (Tenn. )
Banner, told the Federal Communications Commission Thursday he
believed that newspapers *'in 999 cases out of 1,000'* gave a fairer
presentation of the news than radio broadcasts.
On the advice of Elisha Hanson, counsel for the American
Newspaper Publishers* Association, Mr. Stahlman several months ago
failed to answer a Commission subpoena. The United States Circuit
Court of Apoeals for the District of Columbia recently upheld the
Commission’s right to subpoena him but said the Commission lied no
power under the Communications Act to bar newsoapers from owning or
operating radio stations.
Before Mr. Stahlman took the stand, Mr. Hanson, who has
contended the investigation is unlawful, called the Commission’s at¬
tention to the Appeals Court decision and asked that it be made a
part of the record.
Chairman James L. Fly did not allow it to go into the
record, remarking that members of the Commission already had read it
”1 am glad that they did and I hope they understood it
and enjoyed it as much as I did”, Mr. Hanson commented.
Mr. Stahlman remarked that he always had opnosed commer¬
cially sponsored news broadcasts and that he had not changed his
opinion.
The publisher told of offering a resolution at the April,
1933, meeting of the Associated Press to permit newspaoer members of
the cooperative, non-profit organization to make available news
reports to local stations, but not for chain broadcast. He sal d his
motive in offering the resolution, which was adopted, ms to make
"legitimate news" available to radio stations.
Mr. Stahlman now is on active duty with the Navy as a
Lieutenant Commander. He aopeared in uniform yesterday, Mr. Hanson
explaining that regulations required this. Mr. Hanson added, how¬
ever, that Mr. Stahlman was testifying as an individual and "not as
an officer of the Government".
After hearing Mr. Stahlman, the hearings recessed to an
indefinite date. FCC attorneys predicted the hearings would be com¬
pleted shortly.
.XXXXXXXXXX
Looking to relieve the amount of na.oer work required for
renewal of standard broadcast station licenses, the FCC aoo roved a
revised draft of Form 303, "Apolica tion for Renewal of Standard
Broadcast Station Licenses". The form has been shortened from 10
pages to 5, and in other ways has been simplified to meet the cooper¬
ative suggestions made by various licensees.
XXXXXXXXXX
- 8 -
2/13/42
RA.DIO SET OUTPUT TO BE CUT OFF WITHIN THREE MONTHS
The radio set manufacturing industry, whose civilian outout
has already been cut to 40^ below last year's total, was told toda.y
(Friday) by the War Productions Board that it is next in line for
conversion to the production of war material.
Speaking before a meeting of the representatives of fifty-
five radio set manufacturers, R. R. Outhrie , Assistant Chief of the
Bureau of Industry Branches, said the radio manufacturing olants
will be converted as rapidly "as is technically possible".
While no dead line has been set, it is expected that the
major part of the Job will be done within three months. A program
for conversion will be drawn up at conferences between the repre¬
sentatives of the Industry and the Government .
"The problems of your industry in the war effort are at
once difficult and pressing", Mr. Guthrie said, "The strategical
objectives and the broad dimensions of the task before you are clear.
It should be as gratifying to you as it is to me that these object¬
ives and dimensions are no longer subject to change with the fortunes
of war. We ar^, thank God, out of the period in which succeeding
military reverses met a revision of our estimates of what we must do.
We are demanding the utmost of your Industry and every other industry
now.
Mr. Guthrie said that the present output of radio manu¬
facturers would be converted to the manufacturing for military pur¬
poses radio sets, signal co2cps detectors, and similar equipment
needed in enormous volume.
XXXXXXXXXX
WIRELESS OPERATORS GIVE MEDAL TO PRESIDENT
Chairman Fly of the Federal Communications Commission, at
the invitation of the Veteran Wireless Ooerators' Association, pre¬
sented a medal to President Roosevelt at the White House Thursday
afternoon in recognition of the latter's outstanding contribution to
the advancement of the wireless art in peace and war. The gold token
of the Association's appreciation was ’■'resented in advance of the
Association's annual dinner in New York on February 21st.
In conveying the message of the Veteran Wireless Operators,
Mr. Fly said the medal was in commemoration of the President's six¬
tieth birthday and "in tribute to him grand use of wireless communi¬
cations to the greatest advantage in peace and in war".
Life members of the VWOA in Washington were invited to
attend the presentation. They were Neville Miller of the National
Association of Broadcasters, George W. Bailey of the American Radio
Relay League, Admirals S, C. Hooper and Leigh Noyes, FCC Assistant
Chief Engineer E. M. Webster and William D. Terrell, Chief of the
Fee's Field Division.
XXXXXXXXXX
9
2/13/42
FCC WARTIME SURVEY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE BROADCASTS
A Federal Communications Commission wartime survey reveals
200 standard radio stations in the United States broadcasting in 29
foreign languages for a total of 6,776 hours during the first 30 days
after Japan began hostilities on December 7th last.
A pre-war survey, conducted by the Commission in 1940, show¬
ed 199 stations broadcasting in 31 foreign languages for a period of
about 1330 hours a week. Previously an additional 57 stations had
broadcast in foreign tongues. The current survey indicates a decrease
of 67 hours as compared with foreign language broadcast time for the
30 days preceding the outbreak of war.
Italian, Polish, and Spanish still predominate the domestic
foreign language broadcasts directed at local foreign-born popula¬
tions. A comparison of foreign language broadcasts for the 30-day
period before and following the Pearl Harbor attack shows from
November 7 to December 6, 1941 - 6,843 broadcasts and from December
7, 1941 to January 5, 1942 - 6,776.
No domestic station broadcasts in foreign tongue exclus¬
ively. Only three stations broadcast 300 hours or more of foreign
languages in the 30 days mentioned. Two stations broadcast 200 to
299 hours, 3 from 160 to 199 hours, 3 from 120 to 159 hours, 11 from
80 to 119 hours, 22 from 40 to 79 hours, 25 from 20 to 39 hours, 36
from 10 to 19 hours, and 95 for less than 10 hours.
Few high-power stations broadcast in foreign languages.
Only one 50 kilowatt station does, and no 25 kilowatt station. Less¬
er pov/er stations engaging in foreign language broadcasts include
three 10 kilowatt stations, 38 of 5 kilowatts, 48 of 1 kilowatt, 8
of 500 watts, 94 of 250 watts, and 8 of 100 watts.
As in the case of foreign- language newspapers, most of
these stations are in areas with considerable foreign-born popula¬
tions. Since the outbreak of war, and under increased surveillance,
the foreign-language stations have themselves jointly and individually
acted to gua.rd against subversive broadcasts. Many programs are being
devoted to the United States war effort, and various Government
agencies are utilizing this media to inform and enlist the support of
our foreign-born in the battle for democracy. In particular, foreign-
language stations have broadcast information about the alien regis¬
tration and other matters pertaining to aliens within our borders.
XXXXXXXX
Radio’s use in education, by adults as well as in the class¬
room, is to be demonstrated before more than 20,000 principals and
other scnool executives by the CBS Department of Education at the
annual meeting, February 21-26, of the American Association of School
Administrators in San Francisco.
XXXXXXXX
10 -
2/13/42
RCA OPENS DIRECT CIRCUIT TO IRAN
A new direct radiotelegraph circuit between New York and
Teheran, Iran, was opened last Tuesda.y by R. C.A. Communications, Inc.
Until now, all radiotelegraphic traffic from the United
States to Teheran had to be routed by way of London, where, under war
conditions, there was a considerable time lapse before clearance.
The new 6000-mile circuit will eliminate serious delays.
With the addition of Iran, R. C.A. Communications operates
direct radiotelegranh circuits to four countries of the Near East.
The other three link New York with Beyrouth, Svria; Istanbul, Turkey,
and Cairo, Egypt. RCAC direct radio circuits connect the United
States with a total of more than forty countries.
XXXXXXXX
MILE 0’ DIMES STILL COMING IN
Contributions to the national fight against Infantile
paralysis continue to be received at Washington’s NBC studios, des¬
pite official closing of the Mile 0* Dimes campaign which netted
approximately $^30,000 this year.
Part of the proceeds already have been delivered to the
White House, where the money taken in through this part of the
annual President's Birthday Celebration, yjb.s received on behalf of
President Roosevelt by his Military Aide, Major General Edwin M.
Watson, U. 3. Array.
The Mile O' Dimes stand in front of the NIBC studios was
host from January 12-30 to Government officials, motion oictures
stars, and thousands of Washingtonians and out-of-town visitors.
Included araong the notables were Jesse Jones, head of the R.F.C.;
Paul McNutt, Federal Security Administrator, and Secretary of Agri¬
culture, Claude Wickard.
Milk bottles on the Mile C Dimes stand renresented every
State in the United States, and also about 12 foreign countries.
Contributions credited to Uruaguay totaled over $51. Boy Scouts
assisted by accenting contributions from passing motorists.
A minimum of two broadcasts were conducted from the Mile O'
Dimes stand daily. Many citizens oarticinated on special nrograras.
Bryson Rash was conductor of the Fifth Washington Mile O'
Dimes campaign, assisted by NBC Staffmen Don Fischer and Dorian
St. George, who was Eastern Regional Director.
XX XXXXXXXX
11
i.i ;■
2/13/42
• «
; : TRADE NOTES
Marshall Orr, prlncinal attorney and head of the I.ferine,
Aeronautical and Emergency Section of the Law Department of the
Federal Communications Commission, has been called to duty as a major
in the Air Corps. Long a flyer, he was in the Navy air service dur~
ing the World War.
Thomas Rishworth, Director of the NBC Public Service Divi¬
sion, will be one of the orincipa.l speakers at the 72nd annual con¬
vention of the American Association of School Administrators, opening
a six-da.y conclave in San Francisco on Saturday, February 21st. His
subject will be ’’Radio and Recordings’*.
The Commission denied a petition by Portsmouth Radio Co.
requesting a grant without further hearing of its application for a
new station in Portsmouth, Va. , to operate on 1490 kilocycles with
250 watts power, unlimited time. The Commission directed that fur¬
ther hearings on the application be held in the light of the exist¬
ing situation on the availability of materials.
At the same time, the Commission denied the application of
R. N. Wallace and G-. E. Schnibben, doing business as Norfolk County
Broadcasting Co. , for like facilities at Norfolk, Va.
Sally’s Furs, Inc., 17 West 44th St., Nev' York City, in a
complaint issued by the Federal Trade Commission, is charged with
raisreoresentation in the sale of ladles’ fur coats, through adver¬
tisements in newspapers, business papers, the radio and other media.
William J. Slocum, Jr., CBS Director of Special Events and
Sports, has returned to New York after five weeks in San Francisco,
where he supervised the setting up of a complete news bureau and
shortwave listening post to handle the increasingly imoortant ne?/s
from the Far East.
A new ’’Danish Hour” has been added to NBC's regular daily
short-wave schedule. It will be beamed to Denmark from 12:30 to 1:00
P.M. SWT. Danish is the tenth language now included in NBC's da.ily
language pattern.
■WCKY, L. B. Wilson, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, has been grant¬
ed a license by the FCC to cover construction permit which authorized
changes in directional antenna system, and use after sunset at
Sacramento, Calif.
K53LA, Standard Broadcasting Co., Los Angeles, Calif., has
been granted extension of special temporary authority to ooerate com¬
mercially on 45300 kilocycles, 1 kilowatt to not later than March Pth.
XXXXXXXXXX
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
)
/
INDEX TO ISSUE OF FEBRUAI^ 17, 194^
I
Court Decides Radio Transmission Knows No State Boundaries . 2
U. S. May Lease All Short-Wave Time . 5
Only Question Now How Soon Set-Making Can Be Stopped . 4
Some Seized Alien Ra.dios Will Be G-iven Back . 6
Rockefeller's Million Latin Radios Again Reported . . . 7
Argues That Paid War Advertising Is Not A Subsidy . . . 8
Hams Urged To Sell Sets To United Nations . 9
Raise In Pay For Radio Ope rators . 9
Nelson Called Only ”Pretty Good" . 10
Lee DeForest’s Television Book Makes Its Bow . 10
Trade Notes . 11
No. 1404
February 17, 194S
COURT DECIDES RADIO TRANSMISSION KNOWS NO STATE BOUNDARIES
Judge Emmerich Freed of the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, in the case of
United States of America v. Betteridge and Wolf, in an opinion dated
February 6, 1942, stated that operation of any radio transmitter
within the United States or certain of its territories or possessions
must be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and conduct¬
ed by a licensed operator. The opinion points out;
"It is needless to go into a lengthy dissertation on
the inherent natural characteristics of radio transmission
to arrive at the Inescapable conclusion that all transmis¬
sion of energy, communications or signals by radio, either
use an interstate or foreign channel of transmission or so
affect interstate or foreign channels as to require the regu¬
lation of their use by licensing or otherwise if the announced
purpose of this section; that is, the retention of control
in the United States of all channels of interstate and foreign
radio communication, is to be carried out effectively. The
daily use of the radio, even to a lay mind unacquainted with
the science of radio transmission or its engineering intric¬
acies, has clearly demonstrated this conclusion.
"A careful analysis of the prohibited operation of a
radio transmitting apparatus without a license discloses that
the section is so all-inclusive that it would require great
imaginative faculty to find an instance where the operation
of a transmitting apparatus would not be embraced within the
provisions of the Act. In fact , I am bound to come to the
conclusion that all the operations of a. radio transmitting
apparatus fall into one or the other or several subsections
of the statute and that under the Act none can operate with¬
out a license. { Empha sis supplied. )
This case involves the prosecution of two individuals who
had operated an unlicensed transmitter at Thistledown Race Track, near
Cleveland, Ohio, in August, 1941, in connection with a scheme to best
the bookies by signalling "tips" while the races were being run. The
defendants contended that the five-meter ultra-high frequency trans¬
mitter which they were using was incapable of sending signals beyond
the boundaries of Ohio. Monitoring officers of the Commission offer¬
ed no proof of actual interstate interception of the signals or
interference with Interstate communications, but evidence was sub¬
mitted to the court to establish that these radio signals were cap¬
able of receipt at great distances from the point of origin, depend¬
ing upon atmospheric and other conditions. In considering that
point", the court said:
- 2 -
s/17/42
"There is evidence to the effect that such transmis¬
sions could not be controlled by the sender except as to
volume and would transmit energy, signals, and communica¬
tions in radiated directions and that such transmissions
would interfere with any other radio transmissions using
the same frequency at the same time either from outside
the State of Ohio, to points within the State of Ohio, or
from inside the State of Ohio to points outside the state. "
The court pointed out that the intent of the defendants to
transmit only within the state was immaterial; that all that is nec¬
essary to commit the offenses described in Sections 301 and 318 of
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, is to operate a trans¬
mitter without proper licenses.
One defendant was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of
six months and another to three months.
The Commission warns against violation of the Communica¬
tions Act by the unauthorized operation of a radio transmitter,
regardless of the limitations which may exist with regard to the
range of ground wave transmission. This warning is directed particu¬
larly to potential operators of 2^ and 5 meter ultrahigh frequency
transmitters who have sometimes felt themselves to be beyond the
jurisdiction of the Commission.
XXXXXXXXX
U. S. MAY LEASE ALL SHORT-WAVE TIME
The Federal Government, acting through the Office of the
Coordinator of Infonnation, is preparing to lease all time on the
Nation’ s 12 short-wave radio transmitters and provide many programs
for foreign broadcasts, especially for enemy territory, according to
the Washington Star.
Nelson P. Poynter, Associate Director of the Foreign
Information Service in the O.C.I., is in New' York making arrangements
for the plan, it wras understood. The plan, it was said, will include
increp.sing the noT^er of the stations from 550 kilowatts to approxi¬
mately 2,500 kilowatts as w’ell as erection of additional transmitters.
It w-as believed the mechanical ooeration of the transmitters
would be keot under direction of the present licensees, but the Govern
raent will nrovide broadcasts for enemy territories, as well as to
countries in the Western Hemisohere and other areas where it is des¬
ired to combat broadcasts by enemy countries.
The hours from 4 P.M. to midnight, it was said, would be
allocated to the Office of the Coordinator of Inter- American Affairs
for broadcasts in the Western Hemisohere, while the O.C.I. would
direct broa.dcasts to all other parts of the world.
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The Federal Comraunlce tions Commission pB rmits the inter¬
national stations to have unlimited DOwer, but has fixed a minimum
of 50,000 watts. Some stations have less than the minimum. Under an
order of the Commission, these were required to step up their rower
at least 50 kilowatts by last July 1, but owing to the shortage of
critical materials needed in the manufacture of transmitting apoara-
tus of such high power, the Commission postroned its minimum order
Indefinitely. However, it is expected that means will be found to
provide the apparatus.
XXXXXXXXXX
ONLY QUESTION NOW HOW SOON SET-MAKING CAN BE STOPPED
The end is definitely in sight with regard to the manufactur
ing of household radio receivers until after the war. Confirming the
preliminary announcement made last week , the War Production Board
is expected within the next few days to issue an order to suspend
all civilian production on April 22nd. The industry through tlie'
Radio f4anufacturers ’ Association has been told emphatically by
Government officials that all usable facilities must be converted to
war to purposes with all possible speed.
The principal problem is of closing out all civilian pro¬
duction as orderly as possible, Jesse L. Maury of the War Production
Board stated, detailing the various factors Involved. He said flatly
there were no prospects whatever of any further allocations of
aluminum, nickel and other vital metals, except only for radio
replacement parts, and that there were enough radio sets now in
public use "for comolete advice of the civilian population”.
Appeals from the Aoril 22 susoension order will be con¬
sidered, Mr. Maury stated, only on a basis of expediting and facili¬
tating war production, with inventories only a secondary factor. Mr.
Maury indicated that the larger comoanies with large military con¬
tracts and T^ith facilities esnecially needed for war production
probably would be closed down on April 22 so far as civilian produc¬
tion is concerned, but that temporary exemptions based entirely on
their prospective war work would be given limited extensions on
civilian production. The question of the amount and condition of
inventory will be a secondary major in the decisions. Possible
transfer by manufacturers of their inventories of materials, includ¬
ing fabricated parts, to another set manufacturer was suggested by
Mr. Maury.
On behalf of the Radio Manufacturers' Association and the
industry, Fred D. Williams, Chairman of the Association's Priorities
Committee urged an extension of the April 22 limitation order for a
further period of sixty da,ys. This recommendation, supported by
Vice Chairman S. T. Thompson of Chicago and several other manufactur¬
ers, Yms not granted.
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Mr. Williams and others urged the sixty-day extension
because delayed military contracts are not yet available to manu¬
facturers; also the extension requested would permit manufacturers
to use up their inventories without any additional supolies of
critical metals. Mr. Williams also stated that the WPB plan for
individual company exceptions from the April 22 suspension would
result in many inequities and discriminations between different
manufacturers.
The disposition of more than a score of appeals from the
present limitation order was not announced by Mr. Maury and are
still under consideration. He stated that after the April 22 gener¬
al suspension order was formally issued, manufacturers could appeal
and tiiat decisions would be made in such individual company cases
solely on a basis of whether their continued operations would facili¬
tate the war program.
Albert J. Browning of the Array Procurement Division like¬
wise emphasized that the war effort was paramount; that no aluminum,
nickel, or copper would be available for further radio production,
and that manufacturers must realize that immediate war conversion is
a vital necessity.
That many radio assembly nlants of limited facilities for
war production presented a "disappointing picture" was stated by
Henry Ahlberg, engineer of the WPB Production Division's conversion
unit. He analyzed twenty-three comnanies appealing from the limita¬
tion order and suggested pooling by m.anufacturers in the same local¬
ity of war contracts and their use on other than radio products also.
Lieut. E. H. Conklin of the Navy Procurement Division said
that aoparently the radio industry had secured aluminum when it could
not be secured for naval purooses.
Details of oresent military radio production were given by
Ray Ellis of the WPB communications branch, stating that conversion
was a question of the individual plant and the product. He stated
that some radio products might be ordered through non- radio plants
which might have necessary facilities.
Many of the smaller radio manufacturers are without neces¬
sary machine equipment, Mr. Ellis said, for the special type of
military radio apparatus involved.
Nominations have been received by Mr. Maury for his
appointment of a small technical committee of three production execu¬
tives to work on the conversion problems and distribution of war
contracts.
Press reports quoted Robert Shannon of the RCA Manufacturing
Company at Camden as saying that his concern for "a long time" had
anticipated the need for conversion of plant, equinraent and man¬
power from a commercial to a war basis. Such a program, he declared,
was begun the da.y war was declared in Europe, and he added that the
5
2/17/42
process of conversion was still going on now on a greatly accelerated
basis. Employment since 1959 had risen from 15,000 men and women to
a peak now of almost 22,000.
“Every effort is being made to minimize any hardship to our
employees and to get production ready to take on an even larger amount
of war orders", he said, adding that orders still were not enough to
keep all plants busy, but that it was expected that all regular work¬
ers, and more, too, would be needed. It is understood that all
plants are now more than 80 per cent on war production.
The Philco Radio and Television Corooration was reoorted
as in "complete accord with the government's war needs" with an
annual all-out v;ar production peak near the ^160,000,000 mark and
conversion well under way. Word from the Stromberg- Carl son Telephone
Manufacturing Company, at Rochester, said that a main plant and three
other auxiliary factories were going "largely on war work, now many
times its output of radios for civil use".
Divisions of General Electric at Bridgeport, Conn. , and
Westinghouse at East Pittsburgli, are at full output on various govern¬
ment radio orders and are at more than the half-way mark on other
items. E. F. McDonald, President of Zenith R^dio in Chicago, said
that his plant was about changed over now for war orders.
0. K. Caldwel.l, editor of Radio Retailing, cautioned that
some of the country's radio makers would have to tackle Jobs other
than the building of receivers because "it is unlikely that the war
needs for radios will ever be great enough to keep the industry fully
employed". Me added that the public would continue to need many new
radios and that some of the plants now producing them should be allow¬
ed to continue until such time as these facilities were actually re-
quiried for other purposes. Especia,lly was this true, he said, in
the case of the smaller plants, where complete ending of all produc¬
tion would be a hardship.
Mr. Caldwell also stressed the fact that many competent
radio servicemen would be needed throughout the country to keep the
existing sets in operation while the industry was bUvsy at other tasks.
X X :: X X X X X
SOME SEIZED ALIEN RADIOS WILL BE GIVEN BACK
Cameras, radios and other articles received from enemy
aliens by local Police Departments will be turned over to United
States marshals for inventory and safekeeping, Attorney General
Biddle said last week. Steps will be taken to return to their owners
articles such as radios incapable of receiving short-wave signals,
firearms considered more as museum pieces than as weapons and other
items not required under the recent regulations.
In some instances the alien enemies voluntarily surrender¬
ed antiquatec muskets, ceremonial swords and even spears.
XXXXXXXXXX
- 6 -
2/17/42
ROCKEFELLER' S MILLION LATIN RADIOS AGAIN REPORTED
About every so often the story bobs up that things are all
set for Nelson Rockefeller's dream to supply 1,000,000 short-wave
radio sets to La tin- Americans at about $15 apiece so that they can
tune in on Mr, Rockefeller's good neighbor programs. Always the
Rockefeller people have failed to confirm the report that the deal
has been closed.
It is known, nevertheless, that numerous pow-wows have been
held with radio manufacturers, John H. Payne, formerly of the Bureau
of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, aooarently representing Mr. Rocke¬
feller in these conferences. Much mystery about the negotiations and
considerable reticence in discussing them has seemed to ore vail for
the idea being, presumably, if we were going to do such a thing, we
wouldn't want the Germans or the Japs to beat us to it.
However, the story of the possibility of manufacturing a
million short-wave sets for Latin-American use again broke in the
Nevv^ York Times Tuesday, which said:
“The production of the sets, which are marked for Latin-
American use, is another step in the government's campaign to put the
South and Central American Republics in closer touch with the United
States, it was explained.
"The Rockefeller Committee, the Board of Economic Warfare
and tne War Production Board are all reported backing the move on the
ground that once the government has arranged short-wave broadcasts
which hold Latin-American interest and completes plans for exioanding
the number of programs now directed to that audience, it must also
make sure that an adequate audience hears the messages.
"The order, which government officials said would be pro¬
rated among all radio manufacturers, will be filled in the period
between April 1, when production of radios for civilian use in this
country is expected to cease, and August 1, when the industry is ex¬
pected to be completely converted to mrtime production.
"Because of its special status, the restrictions apolying
on civilian production will not apoly to the Latin-American radios,
which v/ill have a position somewhere between a military purchase and
an order as placed by a Federal Government bureau.
"All of the sets will be similar in construction, being
built according to specifications drafted by Federal officials in con¬
sultation with representatives of the radio industry. They are ex¬
pected to cost about $10 to build and ^’'ill be sold in Latin- America
at prices ranging from $15 to $20. This level is far below those at
which similar sets are available there now.
"Because money is plentiful in most of the Latin-American
markets at present, it was said, there should be little difficulty in
moving the sets through regular distributing channels there.
7
2/17/42
“There is some talk that the governments of the various
countries will be asked to ration the sets made available to their
nations and to establish strict supervision to insure that the sets
go where they will be of the greatest service.
“IPB officials said that the oroduction of the necessary
sets for Latin America probably could be handled without interfering
in the plan for converting the industry to full war production. By
distributing the order among all oroducers, the volume handled by
each will not be sufficiently large seriously to impede conversion
plans in the plants. “
XXXXXXXXXX
ARGUES THAT PAID WAR ADVERTISING IS NOT A SUBSIDY
Rejecting the idea that paid advertising by the Government
is a subsidy to the press, and pointing out the difference between
radio and newspaper advertising, the Editor & Publisher says;
“Some of our newspaper friends seem to fear that the argu¬
ment for use of paid Government display space in publications has
been prejudiced by the generous donations of time by the broadcasters
for the promotion of the sale of Defense Stamps and Bonds. We do not
agree with that pusillanimous attitude. The patriotism of the radio
operators in offering their facilities gratis to the government is
highly commendable, but, with that in mind, it is still possible to
question their business judgment. Their production problem is not
similar to that of the newspaper, for it does not involve the con¬
version of raw materials into useful form by the apnlication of
mechanical skills and complex tools.
“Publishers who look with suspicion on government advertis¬
ing contend that the same results can be obtained by having the
government’s display appeals financed by private contributions. With¬
out a doubt, that can be done. It has been done in many cities, in
1917-1918 and in the present era. Our complaint against that method
is that it is not efficient. It is a hit-or-miss prooosition, which
cannot have the effect of a concerted, well-organized, and thoroughly
planned advertising campaign. It depends far too heavily on the good¬
will and available funds of an unknoTO number of individual patriots.
“The government can get its money's irorth many times over by
using advertising as it should be used for the many war purposes that
the experiences of Great Britain and Canada have demonstrated. We’ll
take with an even temper Secretary Morgenthau’s ironic remarks that
only Editor & Publisher and the Chicago Tribune have objected to the
Treasury* s so-called advertising program. There is such a thing as
being lonely - and being right. “
XXXXXXXXXX
8
■r
......
■f-
i
■]
2/17/42
HAMS URGED TO SELL SETS TO UNITED NATIONS
Radio hams are being asked to sell their transmitters and
receivers for use by the armed forces of the United Nations, accord¬
ing to an announcement by the American Radio Relay League, which is
centralizing information on available apparatus on behalf of the
government agencies concerned.
Only commercially-manufactured communications- type receiv¬
ers and transmitters for which standard instruction manuals are
available are required at present. Such equipment is more readily
used and understood by military operators than homemade units, even
though the latter may be of comparable quality, it was exaplained.
Urgent shortages of communications equipment required for
defense needs led to the call, manufacturers finding themselves un¬
able to make deliveries sufficient to fill the intensified demand as
the theatre of war expands in widening circles.
Amateurs willing to turn over their apparatus to their
country are requested to advise the ARRL at West' Hartford. Conn. ,
giving model number, condition, and the price for which it can be
delivered crated to a local transportation agency. Only standard
manufactured equipment should be offered, it was reiterated, homemade
or "composite” equipment not being required at present.
The biggest need is in transmitters, it was stated. Accord¬
ing to League statistics, approximately two-thirds of the receivers
found in amateur stations are factory-made but only b% of amateur
transmitters were ourchased from manufacturers.
XXXXXXXX
RAISE IN PAY FOR RADIO OPERATORS
Wage increases averaging $26 a month have been obtained by
166 radio operators employed by fifteen steamship companies following
protracted negotiations and the intervention of the United States
Conciliation Service. Harry Morgan, Vice President of the American
Communications Association said that Maxwell Copelof, arbitrator
appointed by the Conciliation Service, had notified the union of the
reward. Mr. Copelof was assigned in January after the negotiations
had reached a deadlock following four months of discussion with repre¬
sentatives of the lines.
The wage increases are to be retroactive to Nov. 1, 1941.
Radio operators on freighters will receive $172.50 a month; those on
Class B passenger ships will receive from $168 to $204, and those on
Class C passenger vessels from S165 to $198. The overtime rate of
pay will be $1.15 per hour.
Mr. Morgan said the new rates gave East Coast operators
parity with those on the West Coast lines and that they would stabil¬
ize "the relationshio between the union and the stearashio comoanies. "
XXXXXXXX XX
- 9 -
H
i! .. .
■ "'i
8/17/42
NELSON CALLED ONLY ’'PRETTY GOOD"
There is no enthusiasm for the v/ork up to now for Donald
Nelson in the latter's recently created job of Chief of the War
Production Board on the part of Frank Kent of the Baltimore Sun,
whose column is widely syndicated. Through James S. Knowlson, former
President of the Radio Manufacturers' Association, Mr, Nelson's
assistant, the future of the radio industry is in Mr. Nelson's hands.
Mr. Kent writes:
"The best judgment about Mr. Nelson is that he is 'pretty
good'. He isn't another Baruch. And he isn't a human dynamo except
in the press releases and his publicity-department written speeches.
'Pretty good' just about describes him. Nevertheless, 'pretty good'
is above average here for key men and it isn't the fact that Mr.
Nelson is no superman on which worry is based. "
"Things are not going well in Washington and there is no
use pretending they are.
"Complacency about the operations of the war organization
is sheer stupidity. No informed man is complacent; every posted
person is deeply concerned.
"That is an opinion widely held not only outside the admin¬
istration but inside, where, however, it has to be voiced privately.
When after 22 months Mr, Roosevelt finally yielded to pressure and
delegated authority to Mr. Nelson, established the single-headed War
Production Board which should have been na.med in the first place,
there was a wave of optimism in the country. A feeling arose that
at last confusion was to be ended and competency installed. That
feeling has been only slightly justified.
"Industry, so far as it is not restricted by shortages of
raw materials and labor troubles, is concededly doing a good job. In
the matter of supplying, through priorities and development, the raw
materials, which is Mr. Nelson's real job, he has performed no
miracles - and will pe rform none. "
XXXXXXXXXX
LEE DE FOREST'S TELEVISION BOOK f^AKES ITS BOW
De Forest's new book "Television Today and Tomorrow" is now
available, an offering of the Dial Press, of New York, and tis price
is Sd.75. Just what the present state of television is, its scient¬
ific basis and its probable future development is fully covered. A
number of its chapters are frankly technical but, writes the author,
"in this forty-first year of the twentieth century, thanks largely
to the interest in things scientific which radio has awakened in the
American mind, the average intelligent citizen is able to understand,
and should have an interest in understanding, such matters of
science and technology as television is made of. "
XXXXXXXXXXXX
10 -
TRADE NOTES
Radio Fas included in the coordination of the facilities
of the entire advertising industry to help win the war in the com¬
pletion of the organization of the Advertising Council in New York
this week. Representing radio in the Council, sanctioned by the
National Association of Broadcasters, are Paul Kesten, of N.Y, ,
Vice-President of CBS and John Elmore of WCf.ffi, Baltimore. The
Council had already formed a radio committee working with W. B.
Lewis, former Vice-President of CBS, now with the Office of Fhcts
and Plgures.
A fifty- foot display that tells the story of radio’s role
and the activities of the National Broadcasting Comoany in the var¬
ious fields of education, will be exhibited Jointly by NBC and the
RCA Manufacturing Company during the 72nd annual convention of the
American Association of School Administ raptors which opens at San
Francisco on February 21st.
Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc. , e stimated consolidated
net earnings for the fiscal year ended January 3 were ^4,800,000,
equal to $2.80 a share, as compared with $5,006,600, or $2.91 a
share for the fiscal year ended December 28, 1940. The earnings
were estimated for the combined class "A” and class ’’B” stock.
Among those present at the H^hite House when the Veteran
Wireless Operators' Association presented a medal to President
Roosevelt last Thursday afternoon, but whose names did not appear
in the listing at that time, were Gen. Dawson Olmstead, Chief Signal
Officer of the Array, F. P. Guthrie, District Manager of R. C. A. Com¬
munications, Inc. , and E. H. Rietzki, President of the Capita.1
Radio Institute.
Paul Muni is heard as narrator on the second broadcast of
"This Is Warl " at 7 P.M., E.W, T. , Saturday, February 21. Entitled
•'The Wliite House and the War", the second chapter of the giant four-
network series on behalf of the government is again broadcast over
more than 600 U. 3. stations and short-waved throughout the rest of
the world in many languages.
Programs of Fti stations are now being heard over a number
of colie f^iate "wired radio" stations. Since last year Station CURC,
the Columbia University outlet of the Intercollegiate Broadcasting
System, has re broadcast programs of W2Xi'.!N and 'V71NY in New York.
Last week W65H, the Ki outlet of WDRC in Hartford, announc¬
ed that its orogram schedule had been made available to the radio
systems of Yale, Wesleyan and Connecticut Universities.
Howard Chinn, of the CBS General Engineering Deoartment,
talks before the Ohio State Broadcast Engineering Conference
February 26 on "Recording and Reproducing Standards". Radio engi¬
neers from all over the country are to attend the conference in
Columbus February 23-27.
11 -
2/17/42
The owner, manager, end seven employees of a small trading
comoany in El Callao, Venezuela, have shoTim their faith in the United
States and hemisphere solidarity by sending ^10 to Professor Vicente
Tovar of WGEO, General Electric international broadcast station in
Schenectady, and asking of him "the service of investing these dol¬
lars in •Bonds of the Victory’."
"Burasi Nexv York, Birlesik Araerika Devletrinde . . . Beynel-
milel WCBX Ista syondur. "
It’s the microphone signature of Half Erlsken, Turkish
announcer, who is the latest addition to Columbia Broadcasting
System's international division, and means: "This is New York,
United States of America. .. International Station WCBX". Turkish is
the eleventh language on the roster of the CBS foreign transmission
service .
With war upon us, the portable radio set should come into
its own, 0. H, Caldwell writes. "Business men need the little person¬
al '5- to 4-pounders’ to keep in hourly touch with the news - at
their offices, in trains, at lunch, and in hotels.
"And the larger portables have their many uses - for fam¬
ilies during blackouts and for travellers. With its alternate power
supoly from either electricity outlet or battery, the portable is the
ideal set. During blackouts or air-raids, when electricity supply
is cut off, the battery radio is essential. "
A new symphony orchestra, led by Rosario Bourdon, a twenty-
five piece string ensemble, conducted by Norman Cloutier, the Goldman
Band with Dr. Edwin Franko Goldman, conducting, together with exclus¬
ive contracts with feiders in both swing and sweet music, will now
become available for NBC Thesaurus subscribers.
With the agreement reached with ASCAP and certain music pub¬
lishers, the works of such composers as George Gershwin, Victor He3>-
bert, Jerome Kern, Sigmund Romberg and Rudolf Fi’iral are again avail¬
able to the NBC Record Recording Division. Certain ASCAP tunes are
already being serviced to NBC Thesaurus subscribers, and more will be
recorded at once.
Chronic sufferers from sinus disease who do not have pus
in their nasal discharges can be benefited by treatment with short
radio waves, according to a report in the current Journal of the
American Medical Association.
The report was made by Dr. George R. Brighton, Dr. William
Benham Snow and Dr. Herbert S. Friedman of Presbyterian Hospital, New
York. They do not recommend the treatment for acute sinus disease or
chronic sinusitis with pus discharge. The effects of the short-wave
treatment are believed due to the heat produced in the tissues.
xxxxxxxxxx
12
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 20, 1942
Henderson Blasts Radio Price Hikes...., . 2
Charles R. Denny, Jr., New FCC Assistant General Counsel . ,.,..3
Two-Year License Provided For Nonbroadcast Radio Services . 4
Censor Lists Radiogram And Cable Restrictions . 5
Close Vote Seen In Press- Radio Elimination .
Dill Stubs Toe Over Congressional Pensions .
Knox Queried On Wlnchell's Dual Role .
Deal Still Discussed To Buy All U. S. Short-Wave Time.
Mrs. Roosevelt Hits Radio And Press In Pensions Fight
Divided Jury On ‘'This Is War" . 9
Trade Notes . 10
Storer Heads New Blue Net Program Department . 11
A Few Words About Mr, McCosker Of WOR . 11
Radios Viewed As Necessities . 12
No, 1405
OD CD <} 0^01
i
HENDERSON BLASTS RADIO PRICE HIKES
Price Administrator Leon Henderson acted -orometly and with¬
out hesitation in combatting alleged sharp oractices on the oart of
Jobbers and dealers by demanding immediate cancellation of recent
'•inflationary and unfair" orice increases on radios and radio-ohono-
graphs.
He sent a caustically worded telegram to all wholesalers
and retailers characterizing the price boosts as completely unjusti¬
fied because a ceiling was iraoosed on manufacturers* prices February 9.
He requested that orices be restored to the levels of February 10.
Retail price advances occurred on a nation-wide scale,
Henderson said, immediately after the War Production Board announced
last Thursday that the greater part of civilian radio oroduction
would be halted April 22 and the industry converted to war production.
Closely following the curtailment of radio set manufactur¬
ing the War Production Board ordered a drastic cut in the use of
critical metals and plastics in musical instruments in order to save
substantial quantities for weapons, planes and ships.
The cutting down of the 50 million dollar industry, which
employs about 15,000 workers, covers the period from March 1 to June 1
after which it may be extended or made more drastic.
All musical instruments exceot radios, phonograohs and radio
phonographs - whose producers have been ordered to prepare for com¬
plete conversion to war work - are covered in the order, as well as
such accessories as music stands, bows, picks and piano stools.
The order provides that in the three-month period manu¬
facturers may use in total volume up to 75 percent of their average
1940 consumption for a similar period in instruments containing less
than 10 percent of these materials by weight. In instruments con¬
taining 10 to 25 percent of the restricted materials, they may use up
to 65 percent, and in instruments containing 25 percent or more of the
raateria.ls, only up to 50 percent.
It is understood that a survey of stock, including tubes and
spare- parts now on hand in the radio manufacturing industry is at
present under way by the Defense Communications Board. The main
thing, the DCE is keeping its eye on is the supply of radio tubes.
Just how many of these tubes and spare parts the jobbers and dealers
will be allowed to keep without being charged with hoarding remains
to be seen. The possibility of the confiscation of all radio sup¬
plies stored by wholesalers and retailers now looms.
2
2/20/42
An added vvartime problem of the broadcrasting Industry is
the virtual freezing of frequencies and the halting of station build*,
ing and new construction.
This will cause a change in plans of somewhere around
30 station applicants. The Commission at present has 170 requests
for new or improved facilities. About 150 construction permits have
been Issued but these will have to be r^-examined to ascertain
whether or not the new stations are necessary for areas not adequs.te-
ly served.
One critic expressed the opinion that the new stipulations
appear to have been framed with the thou^t in mind of further
ef*forts to break the so-called major network ’’monopoly**, adding:
"The provisos that construction may be allowed if the
project will produce ’substantial new primary service’ are the cause
of most uneasiness. Strictly interpreted, these will permit erec¬
tion of stations in the radio desert west of the Mississiooi and in
a few islands in the East.
"Likewise present plants on the fringe of the poorly-served
regions may be able to wangle more wattage and improve their competi¬
tive situation. But the operators who would be plunged into more
torrid rivalry will be entirely unable to take a defensive step. "
X X X X X X X X
CHARLES R. DENNY, JR. , NEW FCC ASSISTATJT GENERAL COUNSEL
Charles R, Denny, Jr. , has been appointed as Assistant
General Counsel of the Federal Communications Commission to succeed
Thomas E. Harris, who has resigned to take a position as Assistant
General Counsel of the Office of Price Administration. Mr. Denny,
who is now in the Department of Justice, will join the Commission’s
staff within a week.
Mr. Denny \wrs born in Baltimore, Md. , on Aorll 11, 1912.
He has been for many years a resident of Washington, D. C. , and
attended the Washington public schools. He was graduated from Amherst
College in 1935 and from the Harvard Law School in 1936.
From 1936 to 1938, Mr. Denny was employed by the Washington
law firm of Covington, Burling, Rublee, Ache son & Shorb. Since that
time Mr. Denny has been emoloyed by the Lands Division of the Dei^art-
ment of Justice. He is at present the Chief of the Apoellate Section,
and has nad extensive appellate court experience.
X X X X X X :c A X X
3
1
2/20/42
TWO-YEAR LICENSE PROVIDED FOR N0NBRCADCA3T RADIO SERVICES
In conformity with extension of the licensing period of
standard and relay broadcast stations of from one to two years,
authorized October 11, 1941, the Federal Communications Commission
has now fixed the normal license terra for most of the other tyoes of
radio services accordingly.
As in the case of standard broadcast, the new rules stagger
the renewal time to further relieve the burden of routine oaoer work
on the oart of the Commission and the licensees. It will be neces¬
sary under this plan to issue some renewals this year for oeriods
varying from one year to 27 months in order to get the staggered
system working.
The new staggered expirations will become effective begin¬
ning in Aoril. However, this does not waive the requirement that
renewal applications be filed at the usual time this year.
Many existing rules have been changed to provide for the
longer license period and to stagger the expiration dates in that
connection. Thus, after the first renewal has adjusted the various
classes of stations into their proper place in the schedule, regular
licenses in the following services normally will run for two years,
with exoiration da,tes as noted;
Fixed Public (Dec. 1); Coastal and Marine Relay (Feb.l)
Aviation, other than aircraft and Alaska stations (Mar. 1); Scheduled
Aircraft other than Alaska (Aoril 1), and Soecial emergency (May 1);
Also Forestry and marine fire (Dec. 1); Police (Feb. 1, Mar. 1,
April 1, May 1, June 1, and July 1, depending on States in which
such services are located); Miscellaneous, other than Intermittent
(Hay 1).
Licenses for experimental stations will continue to mn
for a period of one year, and in services other than broadcast will
expire by cla.ss on October 1 or November 1. The exoiration date for
experimental stations in the broadcast service will continue as now.
One-year license pe riods will continue to aoply to all
classes of stations in Alaska, with expiration date fixed as January 1,
and also to non- scheduled (itinerant) aircraft stations in the avi¬
ation service. In the latter category, persons with names in the
alphabetical group A to L inclusive will have August 1 as their
expiration date, and those in the rest of the alphabet, September 1.
The license period and expiration date for stations in the Intermit¬
tent service is unchanged.
Police stations licensed in states whose state names begin
with A, C, D and F will expire February 1; those in states with G, I,
and K, on March 1; those in L and M states, Aoril 1; those in N
states, May 1; those in 0, ?. R and S States, June 1; and those in
T, U, V and W states, and territories and possessions other than
Alaska, July 1.
4
V
2/20/42
The staggered plan will balance the amount of renewal work
at the Commission and avoid the oeaks of filing renewal aoolications .
Under present practice, approximately 4000 emergency station licenses
expire May 1, end about 2500 aircraft station licenses on August 1,
whereas there are no renewals in the months of June, July, September,
and November. The new plan, drafted with the needs of the various
services in mind, will spread this load so that the renewal peak in
any one month will not exceed a thousand applications.
XXXXXXXXXXX
CENSOR LISTS RADIOGRAM AND CABLE RESTRICTIONS
The Office of Censorship, announcing regulations governing
cablegrams and radiograms, detailed a dozen subjects to which no
reference may be made.
Except in press dispatches, for which separate regulations
have been issued, international communications may not contain
references to any of the following:
Location, identity, description, movement or prospective
movement of any merchant vessel, aircraft, naval or military vessel
or naval or military force, including the collective or individual
personnel thereof, operated by the United States or other nations
opposing the Axis powers.
Also barred are references to:
Weapons, installations, supolies, material or equipment
of the United States or other anti-Axis nations.
Location, descriotlon or caoacitv of existing or proposed
private or Government- owned or controlled plants, yards, docks, dams,
structure s .
Civil, military, industrial, financial or economic plans
of the United Nations, or the personal or official plans of any
official thereof.
Employment of any naval, military or civil defense unit.
Reports on production and conditions in raining, lumbering,
fishing, livestock and farming.
The weather - past, present or future.
The regulations also contain a prohibition against "any
other matter, the dissemination of which might directly or indirectly
bring air or comfort to the enemy, or which might interfere with the
national effort of or discharge the foreign relations of the United
States or other anti-Axis nations. "
XXXXXXXX
- 5 -
2/20/42
The staggered plan will balance the amount of renewal work
at the Commission and avoid the oeaks of filing renewal aoolications.
Under present practice, approximately 4000 emergency station licenses
expire May 1, and about 2500 aircraft station licenses on August 1,
whereas there are no renewa-ls in the months of June, July, September,
and November. The new plan, drafted with the needs of the various
services in mind, will spread this load so that the renewal peak in
any one month will not exceed a thousand applications.
XXXXXXXXXXX
CENSOR LISTS RADIOGRAM AND CABLE RESTRICTIONS
The Office of Censorship, announcing regulations governing
cablegrams and radiograms, detailed a dozen subjects to which no
reference may be made.
Except in press dispatches, for which separate regulations
have been issued, international communications may not contain
references to any of the following:
Location, identity, description, movement or prospective
movement of any merchant vessel, aircraft, naval or military vessel
or naval or military force, including the collective or individual
personnel thereof, operated by the United States or other nations
opposing the Axis powers.
Also barred are references to:
Weapons, installations, supolies, material or equipment
of the United States or other anti-Axis nations.
Location, de scriotion or caoacltv of existing or proposed
private or Government-owned or controlled plants, yards, docks, dams,
structure s .
Civil, military, industrial, financial or economic plans
of the United Nations, or the personal or official plans of any
official thereof.
Employment of any naval, military or civil defense unit.
Reports on production and conditions in mining, lumbering,
fishing, livestock and farming.
The weather - past, present or future.
The regulations also contain a prohibition against "any
other matter, the dissemination of which might directly or indirectly
bring air or comfort to the enemy, or which might interfere with the
national effort of or discharge the foreign relations of the United
States or other anti-Axls nations. "
XXXXXXXX
- 5 -
2/80/42
CLOSE VOTE SEEN IN PRESS- RADIO ELIMINATION
Whether the purge majority members of the Federal Gonirauni-
cations Commission have evidently tried to make of newsoaper-owned
stations will be effective, apparently depends on a single vote.
The hearings, which have dragged along for nearly a year and esti¬
mated to have cost $250,000, seem to have ended as of last week with
the testimony of James G-. Stahlman, former President of the American
Newspaper Publishers* Association and owner of the Nashville Banner
radio station.
It is believed that those who were members of the Commis¬
sion when the hearings began will vote the same as they did then
with the exception of Commissioner Payne, who this trip will probably
cast his ballot for the newspapers. Mr. Payne explained that he
originally voted against the issue simply to bring up a test case.
In favor of forcing newspapers to give up their stations the predic¬
tion is made that the lineup will be Chairman Fly and Commissioners
Walker, Durr and possibly Wakefield. Favoring the newspaoers will
be Commissioners Craven, Case and Payne. The doubtful man seems to
Wakefield. If so, he is in a position to throw the thing one way
ot the other.
As one observer sees it, while ostensibly undecided, the
quartet headed by the Chairman repeatedly disclosed by the tone of
questions and casual observations a strong conviction that public
interest will be oromoted if all links between the two media are
severed. Similarly the Case-Craven-Payne wing reflected equally
deep feelings that such a policy will be undesirable besides un¬
questionably a direct violation of the Constitution.
The assertion has been made that the newspaper applicants
for FM stations will lose even if they should win as between now and
the time their applications have been filed, war priorities will have
gone into effect and they now would not be able to secure the
materials to construct the new stations.
XXXXXXXX
DILL STUBS TOE OVER CO iNGRES SIGNAL PENSIONS
Apparently former Senator Clarence C. Dill, of Washington,
co-author of the original Radio Act, and well known to the industry,
got nimself into somewhat of a jam as a Defense Bonds speaker by
bringing up the subject of and being understood as favoring pensions
for Congressmen. This was revealed when Senator Mead, of New York,
sponsor of the pension bill in the Senate, asked to have a radio
address printed in the Congressional Record, which Mr. Dill made on
the subject of Congressional retirement, saying:
6
2/20/42
’’The former Senator lips written me a letter on tne subject,
that the reports of the statement he gave out were grossly exaggerated
and misleading. I quote from his letter to me, dated February 11,
1942, as follows:
”I might add tha.t the newspaper story tiiat went out from
Spokane to the effect that I had made a speech at the Athletic Round
Table in which I said that when I was in Congress that the Chaolain
looked and Congress and prayed for the country is not only false but
malicious. That is such an old chestnut anyhow that even if I had
thought about it, I wouldn’t have used it, and I never could see
anything very funny about it when I first heard it. '
Senator Dill started his address by saying:
”A few days ago I received a letter from Mrs. Rosetta
Thomas of South 321 G-reene Street, Spokane, in which she writes:
’’’Dear Mr. Dill: Will you explain over the radio that
$5, 000-per-year pension which the Congressmen and Senators voted to
themselves? Some of the women say they will not buy stamos or bonds
if the Congressmen and Senators are going to steal it all. Is it
true or not?
’ Rosetta Thomas. ’ ”
xxxxxxxx
KNOX 'QUERIED ON WINCHELL’S DUAL ROLE
The question of how Walter Winchell can broadcast each
week in a comm.ercial caoacity and still retain his naval rank was
raised in Congress last Thursday.
Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox was asked by members of
the House Naval Affairs Committee to explain why Newsoaper Columnist
Walter Winchell is permitted to make radio broadcasts soonsored by a
hand lotion firm while on active duty as a naval officer.
"Winchell should be assigned to duty at Samoa or permitted
to resign", one committee member said.
The columnist, a lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserve,
has been on active duty since the Nation entered the war and thus
wears full uniform. He said in his first wartime broadcast that the
Navy had asked him to continue his newspaper and radio activity.
Mr. Knox was understood to have told the committee that he
knew very little about Winchell’ s case and that he would ask Rear
Admiral Randall Jacobs, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, to supuly
details.
XXXXXXXXXX
7
\
2/20/42
DEAL STILL DISCUSSED TO BUY ALL U.3. SHORT-WAVE TIME
Apparently things are shaping up for the plan of the Sovern-
raent either to buy all the time of the U. S. short-wave stations -
0. E. , Westinghouse , Crosley, CBS and NBC - or take over the stations
altoge ther.
According to the present plan, the Office of the Coordina¬
tor of Information, William J. Donovan, will take over sixteen hours
daily of the time of the stations and the Office of the Coordinator
of American Affairs, Nelson Rockefeller, is expected to make use of
the remaining eight hours.
The Director of the Budget has received a request for funds
for the oroject and is expected to approve the undertaking soon.
It was said that the Donovan organization would employ the
stations from midnight to 4 P.M. for broadcasts to various parts of
the world, the best evening hours for Europe, and that the Rockefeller
agency, interested exclusively in Latin America, probably would use
the hours from 4 P.M. to midnight daily, the best evening hours for
South America.
It is reoorted that it would cost about a million and a
half dollars a year to buy all the time but the expenditure would be
greatly increased by a 500 percent expansion of short-wave broad¬
casting capacity said to be contemolated. Also a larger amount would
be Involved if the stations were bought outri^t. Mr. Donovan is
supposed to advocate buying only the time but Mr. Rockefeller is said
to favor buying the stations.
xxxxxxxx
MRS. ROCSEVELT HITS RADIO AND PRESS IN PENSIONS FIOHT
Mrs. Roosevelt defending the bill for pensions for Congress¬
men, wnich also carries with it an estimated $37^,500 pension for the
President, charges radio and the press with "obscuring” the issue.
In her column "My Day", she writes:
"It seems to me fairly obvious that the princiole of this
bill is good. The timing may be bad, so, perhaps, it should wait
until this war is over. There may be amendments which are necessary
in order to prevent people from getting a pension except on an insur¬
ance basis.
"It may be embarrassing to vote yourself a pension, but who
else can do it? And you are voting for the future as well as the
present. I think it is important to have the principle of insurance
for old age established for every group of citizens, and doubly
important for the public servant to be secure and, therefore, beyond
temptation or threat.
"l want to add this to clarify the whole situation. So
much that the people are discussing today is obscured for them by
the press and radio, instead of being made simple and clear. "
XXXXXXXX
- 8 -
2/S0/4S
DIVIDED JURY ON ’’THIS IS WAR”
Arguing that the United States should ”talk less and act
more”, criticism is voiced in Va^riety of the government’s widely
heralded presentation "This Is War" which made its bow last Saturday
night (February 14) at 7 ?.M. , E.W.T., and is to be heard each
Saturda.y nigiit at the same time. The broadcast is unique in that it
is put on and carried without cost to the Government by all four net'
works.
"The inaugural of the super dooper, morale building pro¬
gram ’This Is War' produced a sharp division of opinion among
psychological warfare experts and radio critics. The unfavorable
viewpoint summed up with the taunt, 'Big Talk and No Victories'",
Variety comments. "The favorable viev^rpoint argued that certain
things must be said and the Norman Corwin- directed series was saying
them. It was held that critics did not review last Saturday's 'This
Is War' broadcast but instead emotionally reacted to the Normandie,
Singapore and Dover Straits.
"While the all-out from way-backers were calling Corwin' s
starting program too tepid and tame, the religious types were express¬
ing snock and disapproval at the 'extreme' views and phraseology.
"There also has developed the possibility that appeasement,
negotiated peace and Roosevelt-hating elements are out to discredit
the program because of its supposed endorsement by the President.
Some observers thought they detected this line in the pleased whoops
following disclosure that a singing turn on the first broadcast, the
Almanacs, were 'Communist favorites'. The implication slyly conveyed
is that the program's propaganda with its blasts against the Axis is
somenow un-American. If there is a conscious campaign against the
Government's own va.r propaganda on the air this v;ould presumably be
sabotage in the best Naxi manner.
"Both the Rockefeller organization and the networks opposed
sending the show to 'South America, but the pressure on them was from
places too high to be denied. 'This is War' has been dubbed in radio
circles ' Tne President's Ov'n Show'. It will be aired regularly to
S. A.
"Objection to it is that it is strictly domestic propaganda
and not the type of stuff to be sent to Eatin America. Following
several months of disastrous American and British defeats, Rocke-
fellerites and CB^ and NBC experts feel that the U. S. has already
done enough drum-thumping on its own behalf and the time has arrived
Yjhen we must either show our military might or shut up.
"As a result, the Corwin script was completely rewritten
and toned down in the translating process. Most blatant of the
propaganda was deleted. "
XXXXXXXXXX
9
2/20/42
TRADE NOTES
The American Communications Association, of which Joseph p.
Selly is President, has invited FCC Chairman James L. Flv to address
the Association's annual convention at Atlanta, G-a. , on Anrll 13.
The Federal Communications Commission has pronosed to deny
the apolication by the Butler Broadcasting Corooration for a new
standard broadcast station at Hamilton, Ohio, to operate on 1450 kc.
with 250 watts power, unlimited time. As a result of hearing, the
Commission concludes that public interest, convenience or necessary
would not be served by such a grant.
Delayed by failure of necessary ecp ipraent to arrive on time,
the inauj^uration of The Milwaukee Journal's new 50,000--watt Fll trans¬
mitter for 7v55M has been postponed from February 15 to Sunday, Feb. 22.
A new 15-minute radio news program will be carried three
times a week over 48 stations of the Columbia Broadcasting System and
seven Fli stations of the American Network, beginning Tuesda.y evening,
March 3. The program is sponsored by the G-E Ra.dio and Television
Department.
Two hundred and sixty-four different advertisers used WCR
to sell tneir products and services during the fiscal year 1941 - the
largest number of sponsors to buy time on WOR in the history of the
station.
William B. Lodge, engineer- in- charge of the Radio Frequency
Division of Columbia Broadcasting System, has been given a leave of
absence to do research work for the National Defense Research Council.
Station WAGE, Syracuse becomes a basic affiliate of the
Blue Network on March 1. I-feking a total of 115 affiliates, Station
KFEQ,, St. Joseph, Mo., will join the Blue Network as a basic sup¬
plementary outlet, effective March ]5 .
There are now 63 commercial M transmitters authorized
throughout the country'’. Twenty- four are on regular schedules, along
with eleven exroerimental stations.
Edwin A. Kraft, Kodiak, Alaska, has been granted a construc¬
tion permit for a new station to operate on frequency 1230 kc. , 250
watts, unlimited time.
I'Irs. Roosevelt and Senor Eurico Penteado, Commercial and
Financial Attache for Brazil in Washington, and Chief of the Pan
American Coffee Bureau, presented the Library of Congress with a
complete set of scriots and records of her weekly Blue Netvrark broad¬
casts. It is explained the material is being turned over for the
study of students.
XXXXXXXXXX
10 -
t J
2/20/42
STCRER HEADS NEW BLUE NET PROORAIA DEPARTLIENT
With the apoointraent of Douglas F. Storer as Manager of
the newly organized Commercial Program Deoartraent, the Blue Network
strikes a new note in network service to advertising agencies and
all others interested in commercial radio.
Mr. Storer has had wide experience in commercial radio,
according to a Blue Network bulletin. Following his graduation from
Dartmouth College in 1921, he became an account executive with the
John Curtiss Advertising Agency.
In 1929 he reorganized and managed Stations WCHP (now
WXYZ), Detroit, and WSPD, Toledo, and in 1931, left Curtiss to
become Director of Radio for the Blackman Company. In 1935, Mr,
Storer Joined Rockwell, O’Keefe and in 1936, ooened his own offices.
XXXXXXXX
A FEW WORDS ABOUT MR. MC COSKER OF WOR
WOR will celebrate its twentieth birthday - February 22nd.
In that connection some interesting highlights in the station’s
history include this reference to Mr. McCosker, whose name has
become synonymous with WOR:
”1924 was the year that a young man by the name of Alfred J.
McCosker joined the staff of WOR as the station's first publicity
director. To radio, McCosker brought the sense of showmanshio he
had learned in the motion oicture industry,, and the news sense he had
acquired in the newspaper game. He was more than a publicity man in
those days - he was probably the first radio special events man.
"Ever alert to the potentialities of radio, he sold the
medium persistently to artists and to the public. Time and time
again, he was responsible for broadcasts that won new listeners,
broadcavSts that out WOR on the front pages.
”He cornered celebrities of all sorts - opera singers,
actors, movie stars, authors, statesmen, artists - and brought them
out to Newark for their first broadcast. He persuaded Charlie
Chaplin and Thomas A. Edison to go on the air for the first time.
It was McCosker who arranged the broadcast of 'the shot that was
hea.rd a.round the world' ~ when Justice Salvatore Cotillo tested a
new bullet proof vest by firing at a man who wore the impenetrable
garment .
"In 1926, McCosker became Manager of WOR, and in 1933 its
Pre si dent .
11 -
2/20/49
’’There wasn’t aiy thing impressive about the first broad¬
cast. No fanfare, no official ceremonies. In a stuffy little rug-
draped room off in a corner of the furniture and radio department of
the L. Bamberger & Co. store in Nei'-ark that served as studio, office
and transmitting site, some one put on a recording of ‘April Showers*
pulled the big horn- shaped microphone close to the phonograoh. An
engineer threw the switch of the 250 watt reconditioned transmitter
that De Forest himself had once used in some experiments, and WOR was
on its way.
”ln the first few months when the station’ s staff (all
five of them.’) learned tha.t WOR had been heard in Staten Island,
Asbury Park and Brooklyn, they were excited - and proud. They took
a newspaper ad to tell the world about it.
’’One of the engineers who helped put the station on the air
that February 22 was J. R. Poppele , a young' man, who had the title
of ’assistant operator’. Two months later the chief engineer resign¬
ed; said he didn’t think radio had any future. Poppele became chief
engineer, a post he still holds. In twenty years he has seen radio
find its future, has helped WOR grow from a 250 watter to the maximum
power of 50,000 watts and a position as one of the- nation’ s greatest
'stations. ”
xxxxxxxxxx
RADIOS VIET/ED AS NECESSITIES
A reader of the New York Times, Mark Croskln, recently
wrote to the editor of that oarer:
’’Now that curbs are being olanned for all tyres of consumer
goods, I believe it is not in the interest of national defense to
limit by a planned scarcity the oorortunlty of our reople to own more
radios. This is the one best piece of small equirraent to help in
our national defense - which will be used in homes, factories, on
farms, on ships, on trains, not for entertainment, but for keeping up
our national morale, if or when air raid warning signals are sent out
”We have already been instructed over the radio as to how
to recognize air raid warning signals, and these practice tests go on
regularly. We have also been instructed to keep our radios going if
an air raid is on. Row, then, can those who do not yet own a radio
be warned and safeguarded if the very means to detect these air raid
dangers are prohibited to them?”
XXX XXX XXX
Read in Leonard Lyons column: “N.B.C. : Your rival chain,
C. B. 5. , will tray a television innovation next Frida.y. Linton Wells,
the commentator, will conduct the new program- series. ”
Also, ’’Music Corporation of America: A large group of the
artists whose contracts were transferred to you when the CBS Artists
Bureau was disbanded, have organized to break their contracts. ”
XXXXXXXXXX
- 12 -
'rv ■
V if;
Heinl Radio Business Letter
^ '
INDEX TO ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 24, 1942
DCB One Board Not Asking For More Money . 2
FCC Elated At Court Chain Victory; Considers Next Steo . 3
Radio Ooerators' Rules Eased . 4
Draft Will Classify Radio And Press As Essential . 5
Hollywood Harnesses Television To War . 5
New Policy For Handling Station Applications In Wartime..... . 6
Critics Still Disagree On ’’This Is War” . . . 8
F. D. R. Opens First Direct New Zealand Ra.dio Circuit . . 9
LaGuardia Withholding Sarnoff Report Causes Comment . 10
” Everybody Works But Father?” . 10
Trade Notes . 11
Calls For Seoaration Of News And Censorship . 12
No. 1406
February 24, 1942
DCB ONE BOARD NOT ASKING FOR MORE MONEY
Despite its manifold activities, the Defense Communications
Board has not asked and is not asking Congress for any appropriation,
Chaiman James L. Fly has announced.
The Board functions with the assistance of 17 committees
representing all branches of the communications industry. Telephone
and telegraoh, commercial radiotelephone and radiotelegraoh, cable,
all classes of broadcasting service, and such soecial services as
police, aviation, amateur, government, and maritime radio interests,
partake in the work of these committees.
Current DCB problems include:
Extension of additional communications service to both
domestic and foreign ooints where war has brought new or
enhanced need for instantaneous communication facilities;
Cooperation with the War Production Board in determining
oriorities and allocations for radio equioment;
Safeguarding of communication routes and plants from
accidental or deliberate da.mage , and prevention of service
interruotions.
Prior to December 7, 1941, the DCB was chiefly engaged in
readying plans for use in the event of war or other emergency; since
that date, its function has expanded to include facilitation of
action under such plans.
Continuance of DCB activities without either Congre ssional
appropriations or funds from the President has been made oossible
through the cooperation of other government agencies. Industry, and
labor. Chairman Fly explained. The bulk of the DCB administrative
work has been carried by the regular staff of the Federal Communica¬
tions Commission, plus a few clerical positions authorized in the FCC
aporopriation for DCB duties. Other government representatives,
corporation executives, and labor officials on the 17 DCB committees
have given unstintingly of their time and energies.
Chairman Fly stated:
•'We need communications facilities for the instantaneous
transmission of orders and intelligence from one ooint of our far-
flung battle fronts to another; for the transmission of news to the
home front; for the oresentatlon of American news and opinion to our
2/24/42
sister American republics and to the rest of the world. At home we
need oeak efficiency in our telegraph and telephone systems if we
are to function as a fortress, base, and arsenal of democracy.
Facilitating the fulfillment of these requirements is the major
function of the Defense Communications Board. "
xxxxxxxx
FCC ELATED AT COURT CHAIN VICT':'RY; CONSIDERS NEXT STEP
A bed break for the National Broadcasting Coranany and the
Columbia Broadcasting System fighting the Federal Communications
Commission's order restricting chain broadcasting was the dismissal
of the case by the United States Court of Aooeals in New York "for
lack of jurisdiction. The relief sought by NBC and CBS, the New
York Court suggested, is by appeal to the Court of Aroeals of the
District of Columbia.
The next move is ud to the networks but in the meantime,
the ^CC was further considering the matter although it was said that
any date set for the regulations finally to go into effect would no
doubt give the chains olenty of time to complete any further court
action contemplated.
Another bad break against the chains was the war with
Japan wnich started after the anti-monopoly regulations were issued
last May. The war generally has strengthened the hand of the FCC
as well as other governmental bureaus having to do with defense
making them harder to fight.
The decision handed down by the Circuit Court of Appeals
in New York last Saturday was 2 to 1, Judges Learned Hand and Henry
W. Goddard versus Judge John Bright. The opinion referred to the
FCC' s new chain regulations as being, in effect, "no more than the
declaration of the conditions uoon which the Commission will in the
future issue licenses" to radio stations, and therefore beyond the
power of the court to rule upon.
"We have seen", the court asserted, "* * * that the regula¬
tions are nothing more than a declaration - or if one choose, a
threat - by the Commission that it will enforce these conditions upon
any renewal of a license in the future.
"No change is made in the status of the 'affiliates' (radio
stations affiliated with the network) meanwhile; their existing con¬
tracts with the 'networks' remain enforceable; nor has the Commission
given any evidence of an intention to use them as a basis for a
revocation of existing licenses.
"They (the networks) allege - and there seems to be no
question about it - that their interests will be adversely affected
by the enforcement of the regulations", the ooinion continued. "If
3
2/24/42
so, they can appeal to the Court of Appeals of the District from any
order Imposing unlawful conditions upon an *af filiate’ s’ license.* *
At any rate, until the Commission shows some disposition to deny them
a fair hearing in a proceedings for renewal of an ’affiliate’s*
license, we are not to assume that it will not do so. '*
In dissenting. Judge Bright asserted:
’’There is no question in my mind that the order sought to
be reviewed is one which * * * we have Jurisdiction to enjoin. Must
these networks await the idle ceremony of a denial of a license
before any relief can be sought, when it is oerfectly obvious no
relief will be given? And what relief could they get if they did
wp it ? ”
The main fight now is over the exclusiveness of contracts
which the FCC regulations would bar. Another orovlsion was prohibit¬
ing the National Broadcasting Comoany from owning two networks but
since the suit began the NBC has separated the Blue net from the Red
in anticipation of selling the Blue.
XXXXXXXX
RADIO OPERATORS' RULES EASED
The Federal Communications Commission, in recognition of
the growing shortage of first class radiotelephone operators and
upon the recommendation of the Defense Communications Board, relaxed
its operator requirements to permit the operation of broadcast
stations of any class by holders of radiotelegraph first or second
class operator licenses or radiotelephone second class operator
licenses. A broadcast station may use operators of such classes,
however, only insofar as it is unable to secure a sufficient number
of first class radiotelephone licensees.
At least one first class radiotelephone operator must be
employed who will be responsible at all times for the technical
operation of the station and must make all adjustments of the trans¬
mitter equipment other than minor adjustments normally needed in the
daily operation of the station. Any adjustment of transmitter equio-
ment other than a minor one must be made by a first class radiotele¬
phone operator and until such ooerator is available to make the
adjustment, the station shall cease operation.
The Commission in relaxing its requirements emphasizes
that a station licensee is not relieved of his responsibility of
operating the station in exact accordance with the rules and regula¬
tions of the Commission. The relaxation is intended solely to meet
a critical shortage of technical oersonnel. It is expected that the
relaxation will not imnair technical operation of broadcast stations
or lower labor standards in the industry. If it is determined that
first class operators are available, the Commission will restore the
higher standards.
XXXXXXXX
4
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2/24/42
DRA.FT WILL CLASSIFY RADIO AND PRESS AS ESSENTIAL
Local draft boards will be advised that the radio and the
press are viewed as industries essential to the national interest.
Similar conclusions had previously been reached with regard to motion
pictures and organized labor leaders. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, Director
of Selective Service, eraohasized that only local boards can decide
whether any individual is a key man and therefore eligible to draft
deferment as indispensable to an industry considered essential.
The Selective Service chief said that local boards would
be under terrific pressure in the case of nationally known motion
picture and radio stars.
Too many persons, he Said, ’’want Jack Benny on the radio
and at the same time want Jack Benny to go to war. They can’t have
both. ”
General Hershey emphasized that no group or class deferment
from military service can be made exceot by Congress.
XXXXXXXX
HOLLYWOOD HARNESSES TELEVISION TO WAR
Closely gearing in with the national war effort, the
Thomas S. Lee-owned television station W6XA0 in Hollywood announces
a schedule of defense programs for Southern California starting
Saturday, February 28th. The Initial program will include a film,
"Safeguarding Military Information", showing the importance of keep¬
ing Defense information confidential.
"Front of Steel" will deoict the gigantic Hitleran display
of tanks, men, guns and war machines in 1938 and subsequent efforts
of Canada to meet this menace. The bombing of England and various
phases of battle in that country are thrillingly shown in the film
"Fight for Liberty". "Building a Bomber" concludes the one-and-a-
half-hour telecast.
Telecasts will be under the suoervision of Harry R. Lubcke,
Director of Television for the Don Lee network. W6XA0 went on the
air December 25, 1931, and is the only licensed ooerating tele sta¬
tion in the eleven States west of Kansas.
While film will be emoloyed for the most part in the defense
programs, present plans take into consideration Inclusion of live
demonstrations in first aid, extinguishing fires caused by Incendiary
bombs, and similar activities relating to wartime emergencies.
XXXXXXXXXX
- 5 -
I
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c
2/24/42
NEW POLICY FOR HANDLING STATION APPLICATIONS IN WARTIME
In the important matter of n olicy and procedure for handling
standard broadcast apolications the Federal Communications Commission
today (Tuesday) issued the following opinion:
"Because of the present war emergency, the Commission is
called upon to formulate a policy and procedures for the future handl--
ing of standard broadcast station applications. The effective conduct
of the war is, of course, a paramount consideration for all of us.
The requirements of the araed services have created a shortage of the
critical materials and skilled personnel required for the construction,
operation, and maintenance of radio broadcast stations. This must
inevitably affect plans for the increase or improvement of broadcast
facilities.
"However, it is not clear at this time that the expansion
of broadcasting should be entirely eliminated for the duration of the
war. For the best war effort, it is imoortant that there be adequate
broadcast facilities throughout the nation. The three governmental
agencies concerned with this problem - the Defense Communications
Board, the War Production Board, and the Federal Communications Com¬
mission - are in agreement that, so far as possible, every part of
the country should receive a good radio service. We have not yet
reached that goal.
"It follows that the scarce materials and limited oersonnel
available to the broadcast services should be carefully conserved to
meet tnis basic need. The oublic interest clearly requires such con¬
servation and the Commission must aoply the test of oublic interest
in exercising its licensing functions. The oroblera as to materials
is, of course, orimarily the concern of the War Production Board. On
January 30, 1942, the Commission announced in a press release that
at the request of the Defense Communications Board, pending the adop¬
tion of a specific policy by that Board and the War Production Board,
the Commission would make no further grants for the construction of
stations or authorize changes in existing standard broadcast trans¬
mitting facilities where all or a substantial part of the proposed
new primary service area already receives primary service from one
or more other stations. The Defense Communications Board, on Febru¬
ary 12, made its further specific recommendations to the Commission
and to the War Production Board. Cooperating with both those Boards,
the Commission has now worked out a policy and procedures for the
handling of new and pending standard broadcast applications.
"Under the policy adopted the Commission will grant no
standard broadcast sta,tion aoplication unless a showing is made that:
(l) Construction (if any) pursuant to the grant will not
involve the use of materials of a type determined by
the War Production Board to be critical; or
6
2/24/42
(2) Where the application is for new standard broadcast sta¬
tion, the station will provide oriraary coverage of an
area no, substantial part of which already receives primary
service'^ from one or more standard broadcast stations; or
(3) Wliere the application is for a change in the facilities of
an existing standard broadcast station, the change will
result in a substantial new orimary service area no sub¬
stantial part of which is already provided with primary
service^ from one or more standard broadcast stations,
’’The Federal Communications Commission Standards of Good
Engineering Practice will be used as a guide in the determination of
primary service. For the time being, requests Involving essential
requirements for repair or maintenance will be treated as heretofore.
“Applications not heretofore acted upon which do not fall
within one of the three described categories will be designated for
hearing, where notice of issues has already been announced, soecif
issues appropriate to the new policy will be added. Cases which have
already been heard will, when necessary to aooly the new oolicy, be
redesignated for hearing uoon issues under this oolicy. Cases in
which proposed findings have already been issued will be determined
as heretofore.
“Applicants who consider that their apolications ®,tisfy
the new requirements may wish to suoport their aoolications by filing
a proper petition suooorted by affidavit setting forth detailed data
on this point,
“In cases where an application has heretofore been granted
subject to approval of a further application to be filed by the
applicant, such further application will not be granted unless the
proposal meets the requirements set forth above, or the applicant
has, pursuant to the grant, actually commenced construction or made
substantial expenditures for materials or equipment prior to the
date hereof.
“The Communications Act contemplates that construction per¬
mits Should not be issued or allowed to remain outstanding where
there is no reasonable prospect of completion of the proposed con¬
struction within a reasonable period of time. Hence, requests for
extensions of completion dates under standard broadcast authoriza¬
tions will not be granted by the Commission unless the applicant can
by proper petition show that the proposed construction meets the
requirements set forth above, or that the applicant has actually com¬
menced construction prior to the date hereof and has available all
the critical materials and equipment necessary to the completion
thereof. However, requests for extension of completion dates under
authorizations issued in cases where proposed findings are now out¬
standing will be granted if the requirements set forth above are met,
or if the applicant has available all critical materials and equip¬
ment necessary for completion,
l/ As here used, “primary service" includes service to be rendered
pursuant to an outstanding broadcast construction authorization.
7
>
2/24/42
’’The foregoing requirements may be waived where changes in
facilities are required to be made by an agency of the Federal
Government .
“Special policies are now being developed with respect to
experimental operation, frequency modulation and television stations,
facsimile, and auxiliary broadcast services, taking into account
the teciinical experimental benefits to be gained especially insofar
as they may assist the war effort. Applications involving interna¬
tional broadcast stations will be considered and acted uoon in
accordance with policies worked out in cooperation with other
governmental agencies concerned with this field. “
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
CRITICS STILL DISAGREE ON “THIS IS WAR”
Although aoparently satisfying more oeoole than the initial
presentation, the free suner-of fering to the Government of all four
national networks - NBC, CBS, Mutual, and the Blue - still seemed to
fail to click. It was entitled “The White House” and many appeared
to take it as largely ballyhoo and build-up for President Roosevelt
personally.
”I don*t see that the dramatizing of the President’s life
has anything to do with pepping up the country for war”, one listener
commented. “Everybody knows his story. What they want to know now
are the indise facts about the war. ”
To this writer the second broadcast was disapoointing to
say the least. Too high-brow, or too something.
Later in the evening, listening to the General Electric
Washin-j^ton ’ s Birthday program (the old "American ?atrol” set to words
and a couple of bang-up old Sousa marches) and the splendid rendi¬
tion on Station WGN of‘ Chicago of Kent Cooper’s new patriotic song,
"America Needs You", the thought cerae of how musically dead the
second “This is War” broadcast was. Not a musical thrill in the
entire half-hour.
The boys preparing the “This is War” broadcasts should go
to WGN or the G, E. “Hour of Charm” for a few patriotic music sug¬
gestions. Or if Dr. Frank Black happens to be around, ask him.
The writer didn't hear the first “This is War” orogram
but John K. Hutcnens did. He is the Radio Editor of the New York
Times, was formerly dramatic editor of the Boston Transcript, and
a. first string critic who should know not only his radio but his
theatre. Mr, Hutchens wrote:
8
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2/24/42
"To this column the premier of *This is War* was a disap¬
pointment and on an enormous scale; for never before have the four
networks joined their dollars and facilities on behalf of a radio
series, thus virtually assuring an audience comparable to that which
hears a presidential speech. '*
A little further along discussing the propaganda angle,
Mr. Hutchens said:
"This is not to suggest that our oropagandist s should
casually tell us one thing and the rest of the world another; still
less that they should depart from that standard of truth and accur¬
acy which has given American short-wave broadcasting its high and
valuable reputation abroad. But there is such a thing as propaganda
technique, and it can no more afford to be vague than it can to be
untruthful. No civilized nerson could regard without loathing the
motives or content of German radio propaganda.
"But we could very well learn something from the thorough¬
ness witn which Germany studied the problems and opoortunitie s of
radio propaganda as a weaoon of warfare. ¥e must learn, in short,
what to say to whom, and when, and how. For propaganda, like the
radio itself, is an instrument calling for a higii degree of select¬
ivity and precision. It is not - or should not be - an arrow shot
into the air, its landing place uncertain. "
xxxxxxxxxxx
F.D. R. OPENS FIRST DIHECT NEW ZEALAND RADIO CIRCUIT
Further strengthening the radio life-line of communication
between the United States and Australasia, a new direct radiotele¬
graph R, C. A. Communice tions, Inc, circuit, linking San Francisco
with Wellington, New Zealand, was opened last Monday by President
Roosevelt. This is the first time that direct radio communication
has been established between this country and New Zealand.
The President sent the following message to New Zealand’s
Prime Minister Peter Frazer:
"The establishment at this time of a direct radio-telegraph
circuit bet?reen the United States and Nex-" Zealand is another link in
the ever-tighteneing bonds between our two countries. It gives me
great oleasure to make use of this new and raoid channel of communi¬
cations to convey to you personally and through you to the people of
New Zealand the warm and fraternal greeting of the American people
and to assure you that shall leave nothing undone to achieve our
common objective of freeing our world once and for all of the forces
of aggression. "
XXXXXXXXXX
- 9
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i.i'X'-' •
2/24/42
LA GUARDI A WITHHOLDING SARNOFF REPORT CAUSES COMfJIENT
Mayor LaGuardia who seems now to be having about as hard
a time holding onto his job of head of Civilian Defense in New York
as he did before being pried loose as National O.C.D. Director has
been further criticized for withholding for three weeks what is des¬
cribed as a highly Important rerort of David Sarnoff, President of
the Radio Corporation of America, Chairman of the Technical Communi¬
cations Group for the City of New York, recently organized bv Mr»
Sarnoff at the request of the Mayor to study the problems of communi¬
cations, including air raid imming signals and blackouts and to make
a reoort to the Mayor on its studies and recommendations.
"Wliy the Mayor has refrained from making the renort public
has puzzled those who are generally Interested in the subject of
civilian defense”, the New York Times reports. ”It is reported that
the study dealt with what might happen in New York, if conditions of
vulnerability regarded as rivaling or exceeding those of Pearl Harbor
in some respects are allowed to continue.
”It was thought likely that publication of the report would
lend support to the growing demand for Mayor LaGuardia to step aside
and for the appointment of a full-time director with executive and
administrative ability and experience to head the city’s civilian
defense program under the Mayor.
”Wlien the Mayor resigned as National Director of the Office
of Civilia.n Defense this month after much criticism and controversy
over his holding of two Jobs, he retained his post as head of civil¬
ian defense for this city. '*
Mr. Sarnoff' s Committee includes Arthur V. Van Dyck, Presi¬
dent of the Institute of Radio Engineers, as Executive Secretary.
Other members of the Committee were the Chief Engineers of the Na¬
tional Broadcasting Company, the Columbia Broadcasting System, the
Mutual Broadcasting System, the Mackay Radio and Telegraoh Com-oany,
the Western Union Telegraoh Comoany, the Postal Tele gra oh- Cable
Company and the New York Telechone Comoany.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Et'ERYECDY WORKS BUT FATHER?”
Among the Washington bureaus which functioned as usual
despite the Washington Birthday holiday yesterday (Monday) was the
Federal Communications Commission. However, the Monday press con¬
ference with Chairman J. L. Fly was omitted, "Out of the city"
the only explanation forthcoming from the Press Bureau but another
FCC official said that Mr. Fly wis away on a vacation,
XXXXXXXX
10 -
2/24/42
• « r •
: : : TRA.DE NOTES :
Ninety-three A5CAP controlled numbers have been reinstated
by the NBC Ra-dio Recording Division. At the same time the NBC Radio
Recording Division released 40 new BMI selections to Thesaurus sub¬
scribers. The Recording Division will start at once Dressing other
ASCA? tunes which are now available for use by their Thesaurus sub¬
scribers.
A new radio tube plant, to eventually employ 1800 people
to work on special purpose radio and electronic tubes, is being
planned by RCA Mfg. Co. , Inc. , at Lancaster, Pa, Ground will be
broken about March 1st. RCA undertakes this project in cooperation
with the U. S. Navy, but says too that special purpose tubes ’’are
finding constantly widening applications in new commercial fields”,
and that such products hold great promise for the future after the
war is over.
Robert D. Swezey, a member of the NBC legal staff has been
named as counsel for the Blue Network. Mr. Swezey is a graduate of
Cambridge Latin School, Harvard University and Harvard Law School
and is a member of the Massachusetts and New York bar associations.
He joined the Boston law firm of Warner, Stackpole and Bradlee after
his graduation from Harvard Law School.
Donald Flamra,New York, N. Y. , has apolied for a construction
permit for a new broadcast station to be operated on 620 kilocycles,
5 kilowatts, unlimited time, using directional antenna day and night
to move transmitter site to near Moonachie, New Jersey.
In submitting a reoort to the National Association of
Broadcasters on the number of defense announcements aired over WLW,
it was noted that during the month of January, 561 such announcements
were made as comoared to 295 for the month of December.
Cooperating with the 15 different agencies submitting
defense announcements by wire, phone and mail each day since the out¬
break of the war, it has become* a oolicy with the station to allow
time for a. defense announcement on every broadcast which oritinates
with WLW. As a result, the average da.y will have approximately 75
such “sDots” - or two for every 15 minutes the station is on the air.
Station WSYR, Syracuse, New York, becomes a part of the
Basic Red Network of the National Broadcasting Company on March 1.
Jayhewker Broadcasting Co., Inc., Topeka, Kansas, has
applied for a construction permit for a new broadcast station to be
operated on 940 kilocycles, 1 kilowatt, unlimited time, using dir¬
ectional antenna.
”Down Mexico Way”, a new series of programs Inspired by
Vice President Wallace and designee to increase Inter- American under¬
standing, will be presented by the National Broadcasting Company on
Saturdays at 4 P.M. EWT, beginning February 28th.
11 -
2/24/42
"Dowi Mexico Way" iias been built around Vice President
Wallace’s belief that interest in the people of Latin- America can be
stimulated best in North America through dramatic presentations of
their music, customs and languages. Each program will feature
Mexican music with lyrics in both Spanish and English. This is to
be blended into a background of plot and dialogue.
Isle of Dreams Broadcasting Corp. , Miami, Florida, Station
WIOD, has asked for a construction permit to increase power from 5
kilov;atts to 5 kilowatts night, 10 kilov/atts day, and make changes
in directional antenna system and transmitter.
Leonard Lyons in his New York column writes:
"Recently the National Broadcasting Co, had its Directors’
meeting. One of the Directors asked the usual question - about the
prospects for profits for the balance of the year 1942? . . . David
Sarnoff made reply - a good, tactful speech in which he declared
that while these are trying times, etc., etc., the National Broad¬
casting System can look forward to the future with optimism, etc. ,
etc. , . . Gen. Charles G. Dawes, seated near the end of the table,
then made his own comment: ‘Never have I faced such an obscure
future with such comolete indifference.’"
XXXXXXXXXXX
CALLS FOR SEPARATION OF NEWS k CENSORSHIP
Pretty much along the line of reasoning by Presidential
Secretary Stephen Early that the source of governmental news should
not be confined witn government censorship, was a previous declara¬
tion by Dr. Ralnh D. Casey, Director of the University of Minnesota
Journalism School, wno said:
"Whenever propaganda and c ensorship are under one authority,
the censor will face the temptation of using censorship for propa-
gandistic purposes.
"press and radio will suffer loss in prestige if news is
unwisely timed or withheld. Lay persons do not distinguish betii^reen
the channel of information and the original source that chokes off
the news. ’’
xxxxxxxxx
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OF FEBRltAI^'^ 27, 1942
Another LaOuardia Defeat In WNYC Ntghtj&ime Refusal . 2
Federal To Supply Radio Equipment For 381 More Ships . 4
Library Receives Mrs. Roosevelt’s Radio Recordings, . 5
RCA 1941 Net Profit Is ^10,198,716 . 6
Army And Navy Come To Amateurs’ Rescue . 7
Industry "Over Hump" By Fhll, Knowlson Predicts . 8
FCC Sidesteos 100 Buck Dinner . 8
Roosevelt Field Radio Denials . 9
DOB In Class 2 In Defense Priority Ra.ting . 9
I. T. & T. Adds Bolivia . 9
Work Begun On 100,000 Watt San Francisco 3-W Station . 10
Advises Radio And Press To Decline Draft Exeraotion . 10
Trade Notes . 11
Court Rules Against ASCAP In Broadcasting Rights . . . IS
Say News Broadcasts Create Emotional Fatigue . 12
No. 1407
'i
, . M
ANOTHER LA OUARDIA DEFEAT IN INYC NIOHTTII^ REFUSAL
Having been forced to resign as National Director of
Civilian Defense, and now facing a similar determined fight to dis¬
lodge him as New York City Civilian Director, Mayor LaCuardia was
dealt another blow when the Federal Communications Commission turned
down his request that WNYC, the New York City Municipal station be
allowed to broadcast at night.
Evening hours were specially desired by Mr. LaOuardia,
because he is in a bitter wrangle with the Mew York newsnaoers. As
it is now, WNYC must sign off at 7:45 o'clock each evening to keep
from interfering with WCCO of Mlnneaoolis, a CBS affiliate. The
Mayor wanted to go over the heads of the newsoapers by reaching his
constituents direct through WNYC during the desirable night hours.
It is certain New York's oeppery chief executive will make a vigor¬
ous court appeal. Also he has the active backing of Commissioner
George Henry Payne, one of the hardest hitting members of the FCC.
It was a 6 to 1 vote against LaGuardia's request, Commissioner Payne
being the only one who stood by him. In a lengthy dissenting ooinion,
Mr. Payne said that it is oerfectly clear from the record that WCCC
is not interfered with in Minneaoolis or Minnesota, and that the
service of WCCO to that community and that State is not impaired.
Mr. Payne declares that WCCO does interfere with WNYC in New York
and because of these facts it is difficult indeed for him to see why
Mayor LaGuardia's aoolication for evening broadcasting hours were
denied.
Mr. Payne stated further:
"The program service of \fNYC, which has not been taken into
consideration in the nroposed findings in this case, is of the high¬
est standard as to quality and is unique. It is a service oresented
by an agency of government for the benefit of its citizens and not
for financial gain. No advertising wha.tsoever is carried by the
station.
"I cannot emphasize too strongly the high quality of the
programs broadcast by the New York City station and the general use¬
fulness of its service to the city's own departments. There are many
stations like WCCC. It is no better, no worse, than scores of others.
It is a commercial station the main ourpose of which is to earn money
for tiiose who own and operate it. The program service is, after all,
a secondary matter to a station like this.
''Any abridgement of the service that WNYC suffers is a
direct loss to millions of people - a loss which cannot be comoensated
- 2 -
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- - . ’i
8/27/42
by other stations. Any loss in the service of WCCO is and will be
compensated by a dozen stations of equal quality and having the same
purpose.
•'After all, a broadcast station is just a lot of meaning¬
less equioment unless it renders a program service, and the better
the program service, the better the station. Between the program
service of the two stations we are now dealing with, there is no
comparison, so superior is the New York station to the Minneapolis
one. But, owing to the restriction on the operating time of WNYC
which prohibits operation evening hours after sunset, Minneaoolis,
it is impossible for this station to be heard night-time by the
millions of people it is designed to serve, who are employed in the
daytime .
"Mayor LaGuardia pointed out that this service is entirely
noncommercial , in character and the time of the station is devoted
entirely to educational, governmental, cultural and other public ser¬
vice features. He especially eraohasized certain advantages to be
derived from the nighttime operation of Station WNYC, such as the
dissemination of information concerning weather and motoring condi¬
tions and traffic matters. He also stated that unforeseen events,
such as fires, the breaking of water mains ir other sudden emergen¬
cies affecting an entire section of the city can be immediately
transmitted to the public over this station whereas delays are nec¬
essarily entailed in making arrangements for broadcasting such matters
over the commercially operated stations. Mayor LaGuardia further
pointed out that a large oortion of the -Dooulation which is now
served by Station WNYC is comoosed of oersons who are emoloyed dur¬
ing the day and who do not return to their homes until between 5 and
7 in the evening. "
The HCC majority conclusions were;
1. The apolicant oroooses to ooerate Station WNYC daytime and
nighttime until 11 P.M. Eastern Standard Time on the frequency 830
kc. , with 1 kw rower, simultaneously with Station WCCO, which is
authorized to use the frequency 830 kc. , unlimited time, with 50 kw.
power. This proposal is inconsistent with the provisions of
Section 3.25(a) of the Commission's Rules Governing Standard Broad¬
cast Stations which provides that only one full time station may be
assigned to the frequency 830 kc. and that the power of such station
shall not be less than 50 kw.
2. The operation of applicant's station WNYC simultaneously
with Station WCCO nighttime hours would result in interference limit¬
ing the service of Station WNYC to areas within its 10 mv/m field
strength contour and in interference to the secondary service of
Station WCCO extending, as an average condition, to aooroximately
38^ of the area within the station's o. 5 mv/m (50^ of the time)
field strength contour and also extending to a large part of the sta¬
tion's service outside tha.t contour. The areas in which interference
would affect reception of Station WCCO would be subject to wide
variations due to variations in field strength which characterize
sky wave transmission.
3 -
2/27/42
3. Operation of Station WNYC as proposed would not cause inter¬
ference to operation of Station WGY as proposed in application No.
Bl-P-1417 or to operation of Station l/VHAS as orooosed in apolication
No. B3-P-1245.
4. The antenna system proposed to be constructed conforms to
the requirements of Section 3.45 of the Commission’s Rules G-overning
Standard Broadcast Stations.
5. The granting of the application under the conditions nro-
posed herein would not tend toward an equitable distribution of radio
service to the several States and communities as contemolated by the
provisions of Section 307(b) of the Communications Act of 1934.
6. The granting of the aoplication would not serve public
interest, convenience and necessity and therefore the same should be
denied.
Mayor LaGuardia, who has been delivering his principal
addresses Sunda.y afternoons when his newsoaper critics with whom he
has been refusing to talk are taking a day off, has estimated these
Sunday afternoon audiences at 100,000 persons.
XXXXXXXXXX
FEDERA.L TO SUPPLY RADIO EQUIPMENT FOR 381 MOPE SHIPS
The Federal Telegraoh Comoany has been advised by the
United States Maritime Commission that it has been awarded the con¬
tract to supoly the radio equipment on 381 additional shins of the
emergency Liberty Fleet. Federal Telegraph is a subsidiary of the
International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation and received the
original order last year to equip the first 312 Liberty ships as a
result of producing equipment of a revolutionary design which has
met the Commission’s radio performance specifications and, at the
8?me time, cut the installation time on the ships to one-fifth and
brought additional savings in materials, labor, and in the precious
shipboard space for which the Commission is apolying every develop¬
ment the marine industry can produce.
A number of these installations has already been made and
have set the general type standard for the radio equioraent on the
other Liberty ships yet to be constructed. The new contract with
Federal is for the same installation which is being made on the first
312 vessels.
XXXXXXXX
4
8/27/42
LIBRA.RY RECEIVES MRS. ROOSEVELT’S RADIO RECORDING-S
Mrs. Roosevelt last Wednesday presented to the Library of
Congress the scripts and recordings of the much discussed and highly
controversial broadcasts which she has been making the past twenty-
two Sundays under the sponsorship of the Pan American Coffee Bureau.
There are four more yet to come.
According to the Congressional Library's announcement,
these recordings will be added to the Library’s archives where they
will be available to any one who wants to go over them. Persons
wishing copies of the records can obtain them through the Library,
which maintains a recording laboratory where reprints can be made.
Taking exception to her last broadcast, Frank R. Kent, in
his syndicated column, wrote in the Washington Star (February 24):
’’Mrs. Roosevelt would have been better advised to have
omitted the Sunday night radio defense of her recent O.C.D. activities
which resulted in her being forced out of a oosition in that organi¬
zation into which she had thrust herself and for which she clearly
was unfitted. It seems to show that this lady does not know when to
leave well enough alone.
"She had been oermitted without comment to say that she had
resigned voluntarily in order that a fine nrogram should not be
handicapped by personal attacks upon her, when the program was not
fine and when no personal attack had been made. And James Landis
had been permitted without comment to say in accepting her resigna¬
tion that she had done immensely valuable work, which was not true,
and that every farm and home in the country was impressed with her
genius and nobility, which was not true either. And the newspapers
which had been foremost in pointing out the obvious reasons Mrs.
Roosevelt should retire bent over backward to praise her warm heart
and humanitarian endeavors when she did retire. So far as known,
not a single unpleasant word came from them - quite the contrary.
"But Mrs. Roosevelt was not content to leave it at that.
On Sunday she felt it necessary to occupy the 10 minutes, for which
she is paid $2,000, in name calling and self-praise. She berated
her critics, referred to them as 'unenlightened men’ whom she pictur¬
ed as favoring the 'privileged few' and against the downtrodden
many, whose champion she asserted herself to be. In brief, she
reacted against criticism of his acts since politics became a pro¬
fession. The long accepted political device for such a situation is
to abuse the critics, assume an air of injured righteousness, and
make the age-old demagogic class appeal to the many as against the
few. Politiclsns have been doing that for centuries. It was never
done more according to the rules than on Sunday night. "
And so on Mr. Kent T'Tote for another column length, the
most critical article this writer has ever seen about Mrs. Roosevelt
or any other First Lady of the Land.
- 5 -
XXXXXXXX
8/27/42
RCA 1941 NET PROFIT IS ^10,192,716
The twenty- second annual report of the Radio ConDoration of
America for 1941 released by David Samoff, President of RCA, shows,
after all deductions, a net profit of ^10,192,716, an Increase of
$1,079,560, or 12^ over 1940. After payment of all Preferred divi¬
dends, earnings applicable to the Common stock \?ere equivalent to
50.2 cents per share, comoared with 42.5 cents per share for 1940,
Total gross income from all sources amounted to $158,695,722 in 1941,
compared with $121,439,507 in 1940, an increase of $37,256,815.
Operations for 1941 comoared with 1940 show an increase in
gross income of 31^, an increase in net profit of 12^, and an in¬
crease in the number of persons eraoloyed of 20^.
Provision for Federal Income taxes was $16,373,600, an
increase of $12,128,302 or 285^ over the preceding year. These taxes
were equivalent, in 1941, to $1.18 per share on the outstanding
Common stock, compared with 31 cents in 1940. In addition to Ffederal
income taxes, the total of State, local, social security and other
taxes oaid or accrued in 1941 was $3,417,250, comoared with
$2,685,903 in 1940.
Capital additions and improvements during the year in
plant facilities and equipment for manufacturing, broadcasting, com¬
munications andiesearch, including additions to the patent capital
account, amounted to $8,138,627, compared with $4,469,285 during 1940.
At the year-end the total number of employees was 30,461,
an increase of 5,423 over the preceding year.
The year-end financial statements contained in the reoort
show that: After providing for all dividends and other deductions
from the surplus account, the total earned surolus at December 31,
1941, amounted to $27,963,975, an increase of $4,310,961 over surplus
at the end of 1940,
Year-end inventories were $29,382,450 (valued at the lower
of cost or market), compared with $16,841,037 at the close of 1940.
The Increase res due largely to requirements in connection with Govern¬
ment orders.
Total current assets at the year-end amounted to $77,578,132,
compared with $49,249,607, a.t the end of the previous year.
Total current liabilities were $39,863,293, comoared with
$22,554,602 at the close of 1940.
Calling attention to the fact that the oersonnel of RCA,
to the extent of more than 30,000 workers in every phase of radio
activity, is responding whole-heartedly to the wa.r effort, Maj. Gen.
J. G. Harbord, Chairman, and David Sarnoff, President, reore seating
the Board of Directors, stressed the important part of radio in the
6
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2/27/42
war, ashore, afloat and aloft. To expand and soeed this war work
in every possible way, the reoort to stockholders Indicates how RCA’ s
research, manufacturing, communications and broadcasting are geared
to operate with maximum efficiency in the interest of the armed forces
and civilian defense of the United States.
While RCA is concentrating on the immediate demands of war,
General f^arbord and Mr. Sarnoff said that the comoany is mindful of
its responsibilities in the post-war period, when the machinery of
war will be turned to the service of peace.' The wartime developments
of science, they stated, hold promise of soreading into the days of
peace. It is recalled tha.t radio broadcasting emerged from the first
World War to become a new industry of great national significance.
The gigantic task that confronts the radio industry in
equipoing the United States and its Allies for swift and efficient
radio comm.unicatlon on land, sea and in the air, is revealed in the
review of RCA* s operations for 1941. Radio is described as a strong
protective am in modern warfare; a lifeline of the Amy, Navy and
Air Corps.
xxxxxxxx
ARMY AND NAVY COME TO AMATEURS^ RESCUE
The Federal Communications Commission, at the request of
the War and Navy Departments, has resumed the issuance of new amateur
radio operator licenses.
The Commission is advised that the classification of men
for Navy ^and Amy radio duty is facilitated greatly if such persons
who are qualified to hold a radio operator license are in a position
to verify this fact by exhibiting their license.
When cessation of amateur station operators was ordered
following the outbreak of the war, the Commission followed a policy
of not issuing any new amateur operator licenses or amateur station
licenses, althou^. examinations for the fomer have continued to be
conducted. As a result, there are approximately 1500 aoDlicants who
have successfully comoleted the examination for ooerator’s license and
have complied with the provisions of Commission Order No. 75 (proof
of U. 3. citizenshio) and are now qualified to receive new ooerator
license s.
XXXXXXXX
Philco Distributors, Inc. , in New York have bought the
Ed Fitzgerald program on WOR Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from
11:15 to 11:20 P.M. to advertise maintenance and servicing of their
radio sets.
XXXXXXXX
7
2/27/42
INDUSTRY ”OVER HUMP'* BY FALL KNOWLSON PREDICTS
J. S. Knowlson, Director of Industry Operations for the
W.P.B., former President of the Radio Manufacturers' Association,
predicted that the Nation's industrial strength would be substanti¬
ally converted to armament production by late Fall and that conver¬
sion of the automobile industry would be completed by Seotember 1,
"Smugness throughout Industry is all over", he told a
press conference, "They know, more and more every day, that it's a
question of 'root hog or die', "
But Mr. Knowlson added, "There is no use in trying to kid
ourselves that this can be made a very comfortable transition from
a peacetime to a wartime economy. "
"There is no royal road", he asserted. "There are going
to be casualties in business - the suffering isn't going to be in the
trenches alone. "
Mr. Knowlson said it v;as probable that the conversion
drive would not affect manufacturers as severely as retail trade out-
]e ts whicn will be hard hit by stopoages of many civilian oroduction
lines. However, he observed, the personnel of these establishments
eventually could be absorbed in war industries.
Mr. Knowlson said he based his predictions that conversion
would be "over the hump" by late Fall on his "great faith in the
American businessman's ability" and on indications that the program
is much farther advanced than is generally realized.
He estimated tha.t 90 per cent of the industries called in
for consultations by the W.?.B.*had some war business. He emphasized
that the Government itself could not and does not convert an industry,
XXXXXXXXXX
FCC SIDESTEPS 100 BUCK DINNER
Among the names conspicuous by their absence in the pub¬
lished list of those who attended the ^100-a-plate Democratic Dinner
in Washington on Washington's Birthday, were the members of the
Federal Communications Commission. The name of Chairman Jajnes L.
Fly, whose present terra expires in June, and who is said to be very
nervous about not being reapoointed, vj’as nowhere to be found on the
list. In fact, the only one who apparently fell for what was com¬
monly regarded in the Capital as a political shakedown, was Commis¬
sioner Paul A. Vv'elker, supposedly the least politically minded
member of the Commission.
xxxxxxxxx
8
2/27/42
ROOSEVELT FIELD RADIO DENIALS
The Federal Commission denied two apolications by George W.
McCauley, doing business as Aeronautical Radio Co, - one for renewal
of license for airport station WQSB at Roosevelt Field, Long Island,
N. Y. , and the other for construction permit to add ultra high fre¬
quency 130,400 kilocycles for the same station.
The applicant failed to file proposed findings of fact
and conclusions following hearing on his apolications December 1,
1941, and it further appears that the applicant does not have ade¬
quate facilities to operate an ’'airport control station” as defined
by Section 9.9 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations; that
Roosevelt Field has no present use for an ’’airport control station”;
that the applicant does not care to assume the responsibility of
operating such a station; that he has no intention of complying with
the certified airman requirements of the Civil Aeronautics Administra¬
tion; that he has no use for the ultra high frequency requested; and,
that tne station has not provided, in the past, the service for
which it was licensed. Consequently his special temporary authoriza¬
tion granted January 29, 1942, is cancelled.
XXXXXXXX
DCB IN CLASS 2 IN DEFENSE PRIORITY RATING
In defense priority ratings for each government bureau,
Budget Director Harold D. Smith announced that the Defense Communi¬
cations Board was In Class 2, second only to the War, Navy and War
Production Board. The Federal Communications Commission defense
activities were also in this class but the FCC otherwise was placed
in Class 5, the least essential Insofar as war activities are con¬
cerned.
The classification was made in connection with the setting
up of machinery for the conversion of the Government to a total war
footing by the transfer of thousands of employees to war Jobs in¬
stead of loading down the Government oayrolls with an entirely new
crowd as has been the practice up-to-date.
XXXXXXXXX
I. T. & T. ADDS BOLIVIA
Direct radiotelegraph service between the United States
and Bolivia was established yesterday (Thursday) by the Mackay Radio
and Telegraph Company and the International Telephone and Telegraph
Corporation radio subsidiary at La Paz, capital and principal city
of Bolivia.
XXXXXXXXXX
^ 9 -
2/27/42
WORK BEGUN ON 100,000 WATT SAN FRANCISCO S~W STATION
0. F. Walker, radio engineer of the General Electric Com¬
pany, has arrived in San Francisco by air from Schenectady, N. Y. ,
to supervise installation of a 100,000-watt short-wave transmitter,
which will be another gun in a kilocyclic battery "shooting” from
the United States across the Pacific in the propaganda war with Japan.
The powerful transmitter, built by General Electric and
operated previously at Schenectady for short-wave broadcasts to Eur¬
ope and Latin America, will be operated in San Francisco under call
letters KWID. Operators of the station will be Associated Broad¬
casters, Inc. , operators of long-wave station KSFO. General Electric
is completing another 100,000-watt transmitter at Schenectady and
meanwhile is on the air there with two other short-wave transmitters.
KWID, which will have studios and offices at the Hotel Mark
Hopkins, will render additional short-wave service to that now being
given by General Electric’s 50,000-watt San Francisco station KGEI,
with studios and offices at the Fbirmont Hotel. KGEI has been broad¬
casting to Latin America, Asia, the Antipides, and Africa for more
than three years, and is at present the only United States short-wave
broadcasting station west of the Mississioni. KGEI is now broadcast¬
ing in eight languages and two foreign dialects.
xxxxxxxx
ADVISES RADIO AND PRESS TO DECLDIE DRAFT EXEMPTION
Advising radio and the cress to refuse to accect draft
exemption, Gen. Hugh S. Johnson T^jrites in his column:
"Here is something that is not getting much attention, but
it had better get it.
”A few days ago Selective Service announced that labor
leaders were subject to deferment from the draft as essential men in
an Industry esv''ential to the orosecutlon of the war.* * *
"Next came a ruling that employees of the press and radio
are also subject to similar deferment.
"It is true that it was pointed out that this was no blanket
exemption; that the final decision is in the hands of the local board,
to whom it must be proved that the industry is necessary in war prod-U-
ction or for the national safety, health or interest; that what the
man is personally doing is essential to its functioning, and that
there is no replacement supply.
"But what good is that when Washington headquarters itself
’advises’ that the press, radio and labor leadership are essential to
the national interest? That certainly takes aw’'ay that particular
decision, reposed by law in the local boards, and lodges it in head¬
quarters.
"William Green of AFL has denied any desire for them on
the part of labor. We should like to hear the same from Mr. Hillman.
On the contrary, he has pressed for them. Radio and the press would
do well also to decline."
XXXXXXXXXX
- 10 -
2/27/48
TRADE NOTES
Due to the paper shortage, and the necessity for curtail¬
ing distribution of releases, the Federal Coraraunicat tons Gornraission
deleted from Section 1.196(b) of its Rules and Regulations the pro¬
vision that notice of filing of all applications under Part 1 of
Title III of the Act that such lists shall be mailed to all persons
who, in writing, request this service. "
Rufus C. Maddux since 1940 Director of Sales, has been
elected Vice-President in Charge of Sales for Station WOR. Prior
to entering the sales field in radio, Maddux was Ifenaging Director
of the New Jersey Council. Born in Virginia, he is a graduate of
Washington and Lee University and the Harvard Graduate School of
Business Administration.
The Federal Communications Commission has granted the
application of Station KPHC, Bakersfield, California, to change fre¬
quency from 1600 to 1500 kc. KPMC will at a later da.te renew its
request for an Increase in power from 1 to 10 KW.
The Federal Communications Commission announced adoption
of final order granting a construction permit to Western Gateway
Broadcasting Corporation for a new broadcast station at Schenectady,
N.Y., to operate on 1840 kilocycles with power of 250 watts, unlim¬
ited time, and denying an application by Van Curler Broadcasting
Corporation for the same facilities.
Ken Rad Tube and Lamp Corporation - For 1941; Net profit
$338,505, equal to $2.01 each on 168,450 shares of Class A common
stock, excluding 6,550 treasury shares, compared with $72,302, or
41 cents each, on 175,000 shares of Class A common stock in 1940.
Physicians Electric Service Cor?:). , Los Angeles, manufactur¬
er of a short-wave diathermic device designated ’’Pescor Short wavatherm
and Tne May Department Stores Co. , ?;hich sold the device at its Los
Angeles store, have filed answers to a Federal Trade Commission com¬
plaint charging them witn disseminating false advertisements concern¬
ing the device.
The Columbia Broadcasting System network sales since the
first of the year show an increase over cancellations. Since January
1, CBS has sold 5-3/4 hours of time, a net gain of 1-3/4 hours.
As the economic life of the nation approached more closely
the all-out mark and restrictions on manufacturing and priorities
developed shortages in consumers goods, some observers predicted that
networks were due for a sales lull. The opposite has been the case at
CBS.
Of the total of 5-3/4 houre of new time, 2^ hours have been
sold to new CBS clients; 1-3/4 hours have been sold to sponsors who
are returning to CBS; and sponsors already on the network have bought
l-g- hours in additional time.
XXXXXXXXX
11
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2/27/42
COURT RULES AGAINST ASCAP IN BROADCASTING RIGHTS
Supreme Court Justice Louis A. Valente refused last Tuesday
in NeT;7 York to dismiss a suit brought by Broadcast Music, Inc. , and
the Edward B. Marks Music Corooration against the American Society of
Composers, Authors, and Publishers and five individual composers,
involving the question whether the publisher or the composer of a
song controls the broadcast and oerforraance rights. Defendants asked
dismissal on the ground that a copyright question was involved and
only the Federal courts had Jurisdiction.
Justice Valente overruled this contention, declaring that
the case ore sente d no question of infringement of copyright or of the
validity of copyright statutes, and that any copyright question in¬
volved v;as incidental to a dispute over contract rights. The Marks
Company, publishers of the songs, after withdrawing from A3CAP, grant¬
ed broadcast and performance rights to BMI, but the comnosers, remain¬
ing as members of A3CAP, signed contracts continuing for ten years
the broadcast and nerforraance rights oreviously held by A3CA?. The
court must decide whether the composer or publisher had DOwer to
grant these rights.
XXXXXXXXX
SAY NEWS BROADCASTS CREATE EM0TI0N.4L FATIGUE
“Radio fatigue” is a new mental disease forecast editorial¬
ly by Tne American Sociological Review, Science Service notes.
If it develops as a mass affliction of the American radio
public, it will be from an excessive listening to emotional broad¬
casts of war news, and ranting of misguided propagandists who stir
up ’’ephemeral emotion which cannot build tanks, but does disturb
digestions and Impair mental and physical efficiency. ”
’’The first news of the bombing at Hawaii probably released
enough energy", the editorial stated, "caused enough emotion, to
build thousands of tanks and bombers - if it could have been directed
into proper channels. ’’
XXXXXXXXXX
Maxim Lltvinoff’s first oublic address slncehis arrival
in this country es Russian Ambassador to the United States, was
broadcast from Nev/ York City last night ^ Thursday) when sneaking
before the Overseas Press Club, all over the world. Heard over 180
American stations of the Mutual Broadcasting System, this and other
speeches were translated into Soanish or Portuguese for broadcast to
South America over the short-wave stations of the Columbia Broadcast¬
ing System. Summaries were to be translated later into other language
for broadcasts to Eurone and the Far East, so that neonle in every
country, occupied as well as free, might hear his suggestion that the
United Nations launch simultaneous offensives against the Axis this
Spring on two or more widely seoarated fronts.
XXXXXXXXX XXX -12-
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OF MARCH 3, 1942.
Gives Alleged FCC Red Clean Bill . 2
NBC And CBS Carry Monopoly Case To Supreme Court . 3
Navy To Take Over Coastal and Marine Relay Stations . . . 4
Overseas Rs.diophone Service Grows In Wartime . 4
Radio All-Out For Victory . . . 5
Would Make Law-Makers Read McDonald's Glider Book . . . 6
NBC And CBS Granted Monopoly Fight Stay . ,..,.8
Winchell Navy Status Probably Soon Decided . 8
Hygrade Sylvania 43^ 1941 Gross Sales Increase . 9
Keep Every Radio Working - Radioman's Wartime Pledge . 10
Pegler' s Version Of Boake Carter's Silencing . 10
Calls Influence Of S-W Broadcasts To S.A. Slight . . . 11
Trade Notes . . . 12
No. 1408
March 3, 1942
GIVE 3 ALLE^^ED FCC RED CLEAN BILL
Withdrawing charges with regard to a certain emoloyee of
the Federal Communications Commission, which he previously made,
Representative Wigglesworth, of Massachusetts, offered the following
correction to the House of Representatives last week:
"I included two tables received from the Dies Committee
including the names of six people believed to be on the rolls of the
Office of Civilian Defense and of five people believed to be on the
rolls of the Foreign Broadcast Monitoring Unit of the Federal Com¬
munications Commission. The names of five other persons believed to
be holding minor positions in the Foreign Broadcast Monitoring, unit
were omitted from the tables.
"Under each name apoeared the Communist front organization
or organizations with which the individual was reoorted to have been
associated, the nature of the association and the authority for the
association reported. Since making the remarks in question, I am
advised that two of the names carried in the tables were wrongly in¬
cluded due to a confusion between similar names.
”l am advised by Mr. Landis that the name of George Saunders
was wrongly included in the table referring to the personnel of the
Office of Civilian Defense; that it is George ?. Saunders and not
George Saunders, who is a consultant without comnensatlon on the rolls
of this agency.
"I am also advised that the name of Tfe.ry Johnson was wrong¬
ly included in the list referring to the personnel of the Foreign
Broadcast Monitoring Unit of the Federal Communications Commission;
that Mary Dibrell Johnson and not Mary Johnson is emoloyed as a
translator by this agency; that Mary Dibrell Johnson has never even
seen either of the oublications to which it was reoorted she had
contributed; that she comes from a family of high standing in the
South, well known to our colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
South) ,
"I regret very much to have contributed to these cases of
mistaken identity. I should be the last to wish to reflect unfairly
in this connection upon any loyal American citizen. "
X X X X X X X X
2
3/3/42
NBC AND CBS CARRY MONOPOLY CASE TO SUPREr./[E COURT
The National Broadcasting Comoany and the Columbia Broad¬
casting System are taking immediate steps to aopeal from the decision
of the U. S. District Court of Southern New York by asking the Supreme
Court of the United States for a stay of the rules of the Federal
Communications Commission pending the appeal. Stations of the two
networks were so notified. William S. Hedges, Vice President in
Charge of NBC Stations Relations, sent this telegram to affiliates of
NBC:
"On Saturday, February 81, the Federal Court of New York by
a divided vote dismissed our complaint in our action against the
Federal Communications Commission on the proposed chain broadcasting
rule solely on the ground that the Court did not have jurisdiction.
The Court did not pass on the question of the Commission’s authority
to promulgate these rules. When the suit was commenced the Commis¬
sion entered into a written agreement not to enforce or apply these
rules for at least ten days after we are served with a copy of the
Court's order. We intend to appeal Immediately to the Supreme Court
of the United States and ask for a further stay of the rule by that
court. "
In its appeal petition, CBS said: "A network system of
broadcasting as oresently operated by the plaintiff and based upon
its affiliation contracts is essential to the Dublic interest, con¬
venience and necessity and Indispensable to the fullest and most ef¬
fective use of the radio facilities of the country. "
The Columbia System, in a statement as to the jurisdiction,
pointed out further that stations with which it had "affiliation"
contracts fear the loss of their broadcasting license because of the
FCC regulations. These a.f filiate station, it added, will not renew
their contracts and have threatened to cancel existing ones.
CBS also held that the Court had erroneously failed to con¬
sider the merits of its application for a preliminary injunction.
The New York Federal Statutory Court recently held it had
no jurisdiction in a decision recently.
The National Broadcasting Comoany and the Columbia Broad¬
casting System contested the FCC order barring exclusive network
affiliate station contracts and prohibiting any company from OTWilng
two networks, as an unauthorized attempt to enforce the anti- trust
laws .
In its appeal petition, NEC asserted the Statutory Court
had erred in dismissing its complaint and in failing to hold that it
(the court) had jurisdiction.
The Mutual Broadcasting Co. Intervened as a party with the
Government and the FCC in the suits.
XXXXXXXX
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NAVY TC TAKE OVER COASTAL AND MARINE RELAY STATIONS
The following order has been issued:
’’Whereas, The Defense Communications Board has by Executive
Order No. 8964 of December 10, 1941, been authorized, if the national
security and defense and the successful conduct of the war so demand,
to prescribe classes and types of radio stations and facilities or
portions thereof which shall be subject to use, control, supervision,
inspection, or closure, in accordance with such prescription, by the
Department of War, Department of Navy, or other agency of the United
States Government, designated by the Board;
"Now, Therefore, By virtue of authority vested in the Board
under the aforementioned Executive Order, the Board hereby directs
that all coastal and marine relay radio stations, as defined in the
Rules and Regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, ?/ith-
in the jurisdiction of the United States shall be subject to such
use, control, supervision, Inspection, or closure by the Navy Depart¬
ment in accordance with the terras of the said Executive Order as may
be deemed necessary for the national security and defense and the
successful conduct of the war by the Secretary of the Navy, under
such regulation as he may prescribe.”
XXXXXXXX
OVERSEAS RADIOPHONE SERVICE GROWS IN WARTII^E
Overseas telephone traffic, as a whole, continued to grow
rapidly during the year despite the decline in European messages due
to the war conditions. President W. S. Gifford, of the American Tele¬
phone and Telegraph Company reports. New record levels were reached
in transpacific, Caribbean, and South American traffic and telephone
calls with Hawaii, Panama, Puerto Rico and the Philippines increased
several fold.
luring 1941, direct circuits to Europe were in operation
with London, Berne, Madrid, Berlin and Rome, and in June direct radio¬
telephone service was established to Portugal, formerly reached via
Madrid. Upon the outbreak of war with the Axis powers, in December,
the circuits to Berlin, Rome and Tokyo were discontinued. Upon the
occuoation of Manila, early in January, 1942, the San Francisco-
^^anila service was suspended.
To meet the increases in traffic and to strengthen import¬
ant routes, radiotelephone facilities are being improved and augment¬
ed. During the summer of 1941, additional circuits were provided to
Panama, the Philippines and The Netherlands Indies. Two additional
circuits to Honolulu are being installed for completion early in 1942.
An additional circuit to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and a second circuit
to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are olanned for the middle of 1942.
XXXXXXXX
4
3/3/42
RADIO ALL-OUT FOR VICTORY
One of the most comprehensive compilations of radio's
great part in the war is a 36-page handsomely illustrated brochure,
"Radio All-Out For Victory" Just issued by the Radio Corporation of
America. Stating that the story of radio in National Defense is
the story of radio's great advance from World War I to World War II,
the introduction to the brochure reads:
"Research and Invention have put radio in the first line
of America's defense. The services of the Ra.dio Corporation of
America in research, manufacturing, communications, and broadcast¬
ing are geared to the all-out effort for Victory.
"Research and engineering developments in radio and electr¬
onics continually are strengthening the bulwarks of communications
on land, sea and in the air. At Princeton, N. J. , the new RCA
Laboratories - the foremost center of radio research in the world -
are under construction.
"International circuits onerating on short and long waves
make the United States the communication center of the world. Today,
R.C.A. Communications, Inc., conducts direct radiotelegraph service
with more than forty countries.
"Radio manufacturing machinery and production have national
defense as the No. 1 program, with radio apparatus, second to none
in the world, being produced to give the 'Arsenal of Democracy' a
voice unsurpassed in range and efficiency. Thousands of workers in
the RCA Me,nufacturing Company's plants have pledged themselves to
'beat the promise' in production and delivery dates of radio equip¬
ment for war and civilian defense.
"The Radiomarine Corporation of America has equipped more
than 1,500 American vessels with radio and is completely engaged in
the all-out war effort.
"Radio broadcasting is keeping the American people inform¬
ed accurately and up-to-the-minute; it is the life-line of communi¬
cation that reaches 55,000,000 radio sets in homes and automobiles.
* * ■»■ National Broadcasting Company and the Blue Network Company
and their associated sta.tions are fully organized for the coordina¬
tion of wartime broadcasting.
"New radio operators and technicians must be trained for
wartime costs. R.C.A. Institutes, the oldest radio school of its
kind in the United States, has more than 1,200 students enrolled in
its Ne w York and Chicago classrooms. "
XXXXXXXXX
- 5 -
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3/3/42
WOULD MAKE LAW MAKERS READ McDONALD’ 3 GLIDER BOOK
Cant. Eddie Rickenbacker, endorsing "Youth Must Fly", the
new book on the subject of gliders, by E. F. McDonald, Jr. , President
of the Zenith Radio Corporation, said;
"It is my hope that this book will become compulsory read¬
ing for the law-makers and defense builders, as well as every student-
aged citizen of this country. "
"Youth Must FLy", published by Haroer & Brother, makes
clear how gliding and soaring, long a hobby of Commander McDonald,
can be the invaluable and compa ratively expensive method of orelirain-
ary training for young men who are to become wartime aviators.
"American youngsters are the most air-minded people on
earth", Mr. McDonald writes. "There are more than two million teen¬
age kids in the United States today who spend their spare time and
pocket money in building and flying raodel^ airplane s. Their interest
and enthusiasm have made the model business a $7,000,000 Industry.
A boy will start with a flying toy, progress to constructing models
powered by rubber bands, and finally produce a gasoline-powered model
which will stay in the air much longer than the Wrights’ first flight
at Kitty Kawk. Sometime in his later teens he will begin to lost
interest in models. They have served their purpose, taught him a
great deal about the theory of flight, and led him to an intense
interest in real planes. But they are only toys.
"Unfortunately, the great majority of these youngsters are
lost to aviation as soon as they outgrow the model-building stage.
They go as far as they can with their models, but then they stop.
Most of them are too young to qualify for the Civilian Pilot Training
Program sponsored by the Civil Aeronautics Adrainistration, and many
of them never belong to the select minority who attend college and
are eligible for these courses. Private flying lessons are too costly
for many purses, and in some localities are not obtainable at any
price. Parents frequently object to cower flight because of possible
danger, and it is true that a powerplane ore sent s many hazards for the
average immature youngster. The few boys who do get flying lessons
usually find the purchase of a cower airplane difficult or impossible.
As a result, most of them lose interest. "
Glider training, the author contends, provides the ideal
method of briding the gap bet^^en model building kid and cower flying
young men thereby keecing our youth interested in aviation.
Commander McDonald says we have seen the crushing air power
with which Germany entered the war and the startling suddenness of
the glider conquest of Crete, and observes that the Germans found
glider training so valuable that they considered it as a vital part
of the national aviation program. He quotes Captain Flickenbacker as
saying, "You are one hundred percent right. Teach our youngsters to
soar and the future of aviation will take care of itself. "
- 6 -
3/3/42
Concluding Commander McDonald says:
”Our problem is to get our boys into gliders now, to keep
them in aviation, to bring them a marvelous new sport, to make better
pilots for the future needs of civil and military aviation. The
future of soaring is unlimited, but in this pe rlod of emergency,
which may endure for years, we should accelerate its development by
encouraging it in every possible way. I believe that there should
be a government subsidy "to get glider clubs started, possibly flowing
through such organizations as the Boy Scouts, the Y. M. C.A. , the
Catholic Youth Organization, and others. Locally sponsored clubs
should multiply. Free instruction in both flying and construction
should be made available for high school youngsters everywhere. We
should make it easy for Young America to spread his wings; then we
can safely entrust the future to his care.’'
All the way through Mr. McDonald compared the development
of gliding with how amateurs pioneered in radio saying: ’’Everything
we have in this country in radio today is due to the youths of the
United States. "
"Youth has already contributed mightily to aviation but,
unfortunately, the youngsters in this country have not been given
the opportunity to perform the marvels they have done for radio.
There are probably twenty teen-age kids building and flying models
for every one that burns his fingers soldering wire to condensers,
but there are nearly as many licensed radio amateurs as there are
licensed airplane pilots of all types, amateur and professional. "
"The parallel between radio and aviation is not, of course,
perfect. There is a great deal of difference between shifting the
connections of a few wires on a radio chassis and taking the air in
an untried flying machine. We cannot encourage or permit our young¬
sters to leave the ground in gadgets of original design which may or
may not have sufficient structural strength or stability to maintain
flight. But we must not permit ourselves to fall into an attitude
of smug complacence and dismiss the thinking of uneducated, untried
youngsters simply because they cannot write a string of letters after
their names. "
"At Zenith we figure we have a research staff of 54,000
engineers, because we regularly advertise to America’s 54,000 licens¬
ed hams in their magazine QST for ideas. Most of those which come in
are impracticable, but every new suggestion is carefully studied by
our engineering laboratores. It occasionally hapoens that we are
able to purchase valuable ideas from this source. Incidentally, not
a single one of our engineers has yet reached forty, and some of our
best men came to us directly from ham ranks with no Intervening
pause in the college classroom. ^
Commander McDonald makes Interesting references to his
short-wave radio trail-blazing when he was with MacMillan in the
Arctic, and to numerous noted associates in the radio world such as
Marconi, Maj. Edwin H. Armstrong, and Admiral S. C. Hooper. Also
the electrical wizard Steinmetz.
XXXXXXXXXX
7 -
3/3/48
NBC AND CBS GRANTED MONOPOLY FIGHT STAY
i_See_. earlier Storv on this In this Issue)
A temporary advantage was gained by the National Broadcast¬
ing Comuany and the Columbia Broadcasting System when the Federal
Statutory Court in New York on Monday, which had previously ruled
it had no power to restrain the Federal Communications Commission
permanently from enforcing anti-monopoly rules granted a temporary
stay until May 1st. In so doing the Court gave this opinion?
“Considering on the one hand that If the regulations are
enforced the networks will be obliged to revise their whole plan of
operations to their great disadvantage, and on the other that the
Commission itself gave no evidence before these actions were commenced
that the proposed changes were of such immediately pressing importance
that a further delay of two months will be a serious injury to the
public, it seems to us that we should use our discretion in the plain¬
tiffs* (the networks') favor, to stay enforcement of the regulations
until they can argue their appeal. ”
Should the United States Supreme Court hear argument on the
appeal before May 1, the temporary stay will become inoperative on the
date of such argument. Any stay beyond r>,'!ay 1, however, will have to
be obtained from the Supreme Court itself.
X X X X X X X X
WINCHELL NAVY STATUS PROBABLY SOON DECIDED
It is expected there will be an early decision as to whether
or not Walter Winchell, radio commentator, charged with being a New
Deal apologist, may continue to broadcast while on active duty as a
Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve.
Mr. Winchell said recently that he had twice asked to be
placed on the active list but that the Navy Department had given him
the assignment of publicizing the big drive in New York for funds
for the relief of Navy families in need of assistance.
The name of Mr. Winchell came up in Congress in connection
with the debate on whether or not Lieut. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr. ,
had been accorded favoritism in connection with his recent operation
for appendicitis.
Addressing the House, Representative Hoffman, of Michigan,
who said, addressing Representative of Georgia:
"The distinguished gentleman from Georgia, Chainnan of the
Committee on Naval Affairs, has just rendered us a very noteworthy
service in quoting the record with reference to Lieutenant Roosevelt.
There is another topic on which he can give us some information. I
- 8 -
3/3/42
want to ask him if he will be so kind as to inform us about Lieuten¬
ant Commander Winchell, who, it is reported, gets $5,000 a broadcast
once a week on a radio program, advertising a hand lotion and ped¬
dling dirty gossip, and does it in the uniform of a Lieutenant
Commander in the Navy. Now, I may be wrong about that, and I wish
the gentleman would give us information on his record tomorrow,
can tell the gentleman about that now”, Representative
Vinson replied. ”I have advised the Navy Department either to call
him to active duty or disenroll him. ”
XXXXXXXXX
HYGRADE SYL VANIA 43^ 1941 GROSS SALES INCREASE
The best year in the company's history was reported by
Hy grade Sylvania Corporation in its annual report for 1941. The
growth of fluorescent lighting and an unprecedented demand for radio
tubes were held accountable for a 43 percent increase in sales during
the year, producing a total volume of $20,561,000 as compared to
$14,358,808.88 for the previous year.
Net income before Federal income or excess profits taxes
was $2,402,186. This is an increase of 83 percent over the
$1,307,625 figure for 1940.
Of this increased net income before Federal taxes $908,000,
or 83^, will go to the Federal Government as increased Federal income
and excess orofits taxes on the increased earnings, and $186,561, or
17 percent, will remain for the stockholders.
After deduction of preferred dividends of $1.80 a share,
this am.ounted to $1.78 oer share on the 514,368 sha.res of common
stock outstanding December 31st, The figure is not directly compar¬
able with dividends of the preceding year, since the stock was split
on a two-for-one basis and an additional 100,000 shares issued in
September of 1941, but figured in terras of the current status of
the common stock, 1940 dividends can be computed as equivalent to
$1.79 a share.
"During this trying period, it is the No. 1 objective of
the officers and directors of Kygrade Sylvania Corporation to conduct
the business of the company so that it will be the greatest aid to
our country in its efforts to bring the war to a victorious conclu¬
sion", a statement of policy contained in the report states. "The
peace-time fundamentals of providing a useful service to the public
and of contributing to higher standa,rds of civilian life must occupy
a secondary place. "
The report added that the company continued to be the
second largest manufacturer of radio receiving tubes, the third
largest manufacturer of lamp bulbs, and one of the largest and fore¬
most manufacturers of fluorescent lighting, with only three other
manufacturers oroducing fluorescent lamos in substantial quantities
X X X X X X' X
- 9 -
3/3/42
KEEP EVERY RADIO WORKING - RADIOMAN^ S WARTIME PLEDGE
Stressing what he describes as the radioman’s wartime
pledge "Keep Every Radio Working”, 0. K. Caldwell, Editor of Radio
Retailing, advises:
'•servicemen should band together in each community and work
in close cooperation with the local defense organization. A Com¬
munity-wide check-up of radio sets should be arranged at once. This
will mean each household getting a visit from a radio man, who should
examine all sets, filling out a card for each home, showing make of
radio, operating conditions, etc. If set is not working, repairs
can be offered at an agreed-upon price schedule.
"Such a community -wide insoection should get the suoport
of the local defense authorities. Home-defense leaders could be
quoted in home-town newspapers emphasizing the importance of each
household having dependable radio reception in case of emergency.
'•Here is a move which should be started in your town with¬
out delay! ”
XXXXXXXXX
PEGLER'S VERSION OF BOAKE CARTER'S SILENCING
Explaining that the reason his letters were not appearing
just now was that he was on his vacation, and denying that there load
been any effort to silence him, Westbrook pegler made a reference to
Boake Carter, Philco commentator, whose disappearance from the air
has been more or less of a mystery.
”I never have been conscious of any attempt by the Ne^’r
Deal to shut me up”, Mr. Pegler writes. "This may sound self-import¬
ant, but several editors have said that when I took ray vacation in
recent years they received letters from persons who thought the
sacred American right to make a nuisance and/or an ass of one’s self
in print had been violated and I want the benefit of no such unfound¬
ed and harmful suspicions.
"Such a situation arose a few years ago when Boake Carter,
a reporter gone cosmic like me, who had been broadcasting a rather
aggressive line of personal opinion along with the news, suddenly
went off the air. Of course, radio is less independent than the
press, but I never shared the suspicion that Carter was gagged.
Frankly, to me. Carter's broadcasts were affected, unconvincing and
a bore and I felt that an advertising sponsor might have released
him for reasons having nothing to do with his politics.
"Lately I have found myself in controversy with Mrs. Roose¬
velt.* * *
10 -
3/3/42
"In her radio address on the O.C.D. controversy, Mrs. Roose¬
velt said she spoke as *a orivete citizen', when everyone in the
advertising business knows that she was delivered as a commercialized
political attraction at a high price because she partook of the
Presidency of the United States, and wouldn't even have got an audi¬
tion as a private citizen. I don't get her reasoning at all, but I
want to study it over. "
xxxxxxxx
CALLS INFLUENCE OF S-W BROADCASTS TO 3. A, SLIGHT
A reader of the paper signing himself Luis Alcivar has
addressed the following letter to the New York Times:
"Several days ago I read an article in your paper to the
effect that the Government, through the Donovan and Rockefeller com¬
mittees, was endeavoring to arrange with the owners of short-wave
transmitters in the United States to purchase all the available time
for propaganda purposes.
"As a citizen of Ecuador and manager of Radiodifusora del
Ecuador in Guayaquil, it is my opinion that this action would be a
great mistake. I am thoroughly acquainted with all the countries in
Latin America and can speak with no little degree of authority upon
their customs, particularly with reference to listening habits in the
particular countries.
"If Hitler tomorrow were to build 100 new short-wave radio
stations in an effort to influence thinking in the United States, he
would be sure to fail in his purpose, for the simple reason that in
this country it has been ray observation that people do not listen to
short-wave direct, but prefer to get any foreign programs by means of
their local long-wave stations.
"I can assure you tha.t exactly similar conditions exist in
Latin America, where a very small part of the radio audience tunes in
on direct short-wave.
"It is therefore my contention that any programs destined
for Latin America will be relatively valueless unless they are re¬
broadcast locally by the local long- wave stations.
"It is my further belief that the programs which may be
sent to us in our language will be much more believable and convinc¬
ing if we feel that they represent free American public opinion on
hemisphere matters rather than mere propaganda. "
XXXXXXXX
11 -
3/3/42
*****
: : : ; :TFiADE NOTES: : ; : i
» » 4 « •
The National Broadcasting Company has gone on a war-time
basis, with all departments operating on Saturday mornings. The
departments have been operating on a five day week.
The Federal Communications Commission has denied the peti¬
tion of Station KWK, Thomas Patrick, Inc. , St. Louis, Mo. , to grant
it an application for construction permit to change frequency from
1380 to 680 kc. , and increase power from 1 KW night and 5 KW day to
25 KW nigiit and 50 KW day, and to require KFEQ, St. Joseph, Mo., to
change frequency from 680 to 1380 kc. , or some other suitable frequenqy.
Also KWK was denied its request for special permission to eliminate
transcription identification in connection with a particular daily
broadcast.
Considerable work has been carried on during the past year
in developing ultra- short-wave radio systems to serve as adjuncts to
land lines, W. S. Gifford, President of the American Telephone & Tele¬
graph Company reveals in his annual report.
Arabic takes its olace as the twelfth language on the
Columbia Broadcasting System's roster of service to the rest of the
world with the addition to its shortwave staff of Dr. Clement Dorra ,
eminent Egyptian physician and publicist.
The National Broadcasting Comnany has applied to have the
completion dates of its television stations in Philadelphia and
Washington extended to March 3, 1943.
Establishment by the National Broadcasting Company of a
radio transcription service on world events and educational subjects,
for use in America's schoolrooms was explained in San Francisco to a
meeting of members of the American Association for Education by Radio.
Station KOL, of Seattle, Wash., has applied for a construc¬
tion permit to install a new transmitter, make changes in directional
antenna for day and night use, change frequency from 1300 to 880 kc. ,
increase power from 1 KW night, 5 KW day to 10 KW and move transmitter.
Station WBOE, the school-owned station in Cleveland, has
been designated to give the air raid warning signal to all schools
of Cuyahoga County, the Federal Radio Education Bulletin reports.
Suburban parochial and private schools have purchased FM radio sets
and at each school continuous listening makes possible an emergency
warning within a few seconds. According to William B. Levenson, dir¬
ector of the station, a recent visitor from London, in Cleveland, to
suggest civilian defense procedures, remarked that he thought this
was a function that other school stations might well assume.
The restriction of the advertising content of London morn¬
ing papers to a maximum of 40 percent of total space and to 45 per
cent for evening newspapers was announced. Weekly, biweekly and tri¬
weekly publications will be allowed a maximum of 55 percent advertis¬
ing, The major Sunday newspapers will come under the 40 percent rule.
X X X X X X X X
- 12 -
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Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OF MARCH 6, 1942.
FCC Calls For Defense Radio Operators And Monitors . 2
War Not relaying New NBC San Francisco Building . . . 3
Labor Subcommittee To Consult On Radio Conversion . 4
Radiomen And Newspapermen Not Deferred . 5
Nominates Winchell For ’’Scavenger Department” . 5
Mr. Fly Flies Back To Work . 5
Utah Application Weighed As To Wartime Requirements . 6
Sets 'fenufacture Continued To Labor Day - Maybe . 6
To Standardize Army Radio Signaling Equipment . ,..T
Walter Damm New FM Broadcasters’ President . 8
Chains G-rossed $10,000,000 In January . 8
FCC Action . 9
Trade Notes . 10
Coaxial Cable May Be Television Carrier . ..11
Confidential Ra.dio Censorship Bulletin . 12
No. 1409
FCC CALLS FOR DEFENSE RADIO OPERATORS AND MONITORS
The Field Division of the Engineering Deoartraent of the
Federal Coramuni cat ions Coramisslon has openings for additional engi¬
neering personnel in connection with National Defense Operations.
These persons are needed to augment the Commission’s present staff in
patrolling the radio snectrum and detecting and locating illegal and
subversive radio stations. New positions are also being created as
a result of the Commission's participation in the Air Raid faming
Service in cooperation with the Interceptor Command of the Army.
Work relating to the detection and suppression of illegal
stations, and the monitoring of subversive transmissions as well as
duties in connection with intercept work incidental tl air raid warn¬
ing activities requires experienced radio operators who are especislly
skilled in the identification of radiotelegraphlc traffic. Men who
have had previous experience in the Array, Navy, Coast Guard and other
Governmental services and those who have served in the Army and Navy
Amateur nets are especially desired. However, any person holding a
commercial radiotelegraph license or an amateur who can send and
receive messages in the International Morse code at a speed of 25
words per minute would be given equal consideration.
All appointments are being made in accorda.nce with the
United States Civil Service Rules, from registers of Monitoring and
Assistant Monitoring Officers and Radio Operators maintained by the
Civil Service Commission. Operators are appointed initially at a
salary of ^1800 per annum; with possibility of promotion to follow,
consistent with the qualifications and ability of the individual.
Persons having a radio engineering background as well as operator
experience receive an initial salary of $2600 per annum with similar
opoortunitie s for advancement.
Interested individuals may aooly to their nearest United
States Civil Service Commission representative requesting announce¬
ments numbered 166 and 203 which contain full information.
Operators will be required to oerform some travel in Com¬
mission field cars on official business, and when operating outside
the limits of their headquarters station will be raid six dollars per
diem for subsistence.
The Government listening post system now has a staff of 300
to 350 experts. Four major listening oosts at Portland, Ore. ;
Santurce, Puerto Rico; Silver Kill, Md. , and Kingsville, Texas, are
covering designated regions of the world in their hunt for the propa¬
ganda sent through the air by the Axis nations, our Allies and Neu¬
trals. The material is collected into daily and weekly bulletins for
the benefit of the State, War, Navy and other deoartments vitally
concerned with the defense effort.
- 2 -
3/6/42
Specialists eracloyed in the listening-DOst set-uc for the
most part transcribe, translate and analyze newscasts, speeches and
other foreign radio matter, Exoerts in many languages are included in
the corps.
Congress has appropriated about $836,000 for the work of the
listening-post system in the fiscal year 1943, The FCC also has an
elaborate monitoring system for use in connection with domestic
broadcasts, but this is generally used to detect illegal transmitting
stations.
xxxxxxxx
WAR NOT DELAYING NEW NBC 3AI'^^ FRANCISCO BUILDING
Blackouts and war preparations will not prevent the comple¬
tion within the next few weeks of the new million dollar NBC building
in San Francisco. Offices in the structure are practically completed
and technical features will be in operation as soon as it is possible
under present war conditions which the Pacific Coast is operating at
the present time.
Pointed to as the most perfect plant of its kind ever
designed, it is stated that the improvement will definitely establish
San Francisco as one of the four great radio centers of the United
States and a place of tremendously increased imoortance during the
present emergency. Located in the heart of the retail business dis¬
trict at Taylor and 0* Farrell Streets, it is within a few minutes'
walk from the largest deoartraent stores, theatres, hotels and clubs.
As if planned to guard its occuoants against air-raids and
blackouts, there are no windows in the building.
Here are some of the features of the new structure as des¬
cribed by A1 Nelson, Assistant Vice-President of NBC and General
Manager of KPC:
Five stories high, the building is being constructed of
reinforced concrete, trimmed with bands of glass brick. These will
admit daylight but will not be transparent and they will be illuminat¬
ed at ni^t from within to give the structure a dramatic appearance.
It will be air-conditioned throughout. Architecture is
modern and streamlined. It will give 52,800 square feet of floor
space, more ti.an double, the area of present quarters. A larger
percentage of the footage will be devoted to studios and not to
unnecessary office and hallway area.
An 80 foot tower will rise above the entrance and as the
visitor enters there will be a 16 by 40 foot mural symbolic of the
unlimited scope of broadcasting and its service to all the people of
the world.
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Ten studios will give adequate facilities for all broad¬
casts, rehearsals and auditions. The largest of these will accommo¬
date audiences of 500 people. All studios open to the public ?rill
be on the second floor, easily accessible from elevators and stairway.
Show windows at either side of the entrance and others
inside the main lobby will tell the story of radio, will oublicize
programs and radio-advertised products.
There will be a special system to make all house monitoring
possible and to enable executives to dial in any studio, any program
or any other local broadcasting station direct from their de.sks.
Chances of error in switching operations will be reduced to
a minimum by means of a master ore- set. At present individual but¬
tons must be punched for all stations that are to carry the next pro¬
gram and this must be done in five seconds. By use of the pre-set
this work is all set-up in advance. T/?hen chimes ring, only one button
will need to be pushed. The pre-set will do all the rest, instantly
and accurately.
Except for a public parking garage in the basement and a
portion of the first floor, the entire structure will be devoted
exclusively to broadcasting - a compact, well-arranged, beautifully
designed structure - an ideal combination of radio studios, offices
and facilities.
X X X X X X X X X X
LABOR SUBCOMMTTEE TO CONSULT ON RADIO CONVERSION
The Radio Labor Advisory Committee will name a subcommittee
to provide consultative service to the Electrical Appliance and Dur¬
able Goods Branch of the Industry Operations Division, the WPB Labor
Division announced last week.
John Hurley, Deputy Chief of the Durable Goods Branch in¬
formed a meeting of the ffe-dio Labor Committee that any subcommittee
they set up would be called upon soon in an advisory capacity.
Members of the labor advisory group said that unions in the
radio industry had suggestions to offer that would help speed conver¬
sion of radio plants to production of communications products requir¬
ed by the military services.
X X X X X X X X
The New York column in the Washington Post carried the fol¬
lowing message to AS CAP :
"When Edgar Leslie, who wrote ’America., I Love You’, learn¬
ed that last week Switzerland had banned that song from the radio
because of the nation’s desire to remain neutral, Leslie - who also
wrote ’Among My Souvenirs’, ’Me and My Gal’, and ’Oh, What a Pal Was
Mary’ - sighed: ’I’m accustomed to ray songs being banned from the
radio - after what BMI did to me . ’ "
X X X X XXXXX
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RADIOMEN AND NEWSPAPERMEN NOT DEFERRED
Selective Service officials announced yesterday (Thursday)
that no instructions have been given to local draft boards on the
deferment of newspapermen or radio employees on the grounds that they
are necessary to the maintenance of civilian morale.
Recently, Brig. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, Director of Select-
ive Service, stated that he considered newspapers and radio broad¬
casting services essential Industries. Since that time, however,
both the press and radio have said that they did not consider their
employees entitled to determents.
According to Selective Service rules, General Hershey can¬
not grant group deferments to those industries which he considers
essential, draft officials said yesterday. Only Congress is empowered
to make group deferments, it was added.
XXXXXXXX
NOMINATES WINCKELL FOR "SCAVENGER DEPARTH'IENT
Representative Clare E. Hoffman, of Michigan, arose in the
House several days ago referring to the recent request of Congressman
Vinson of Georgia that lieut. Commander Walter Winchell, U.S.N.R. F. ,
radio commentator and writer either be out on active duty or dis-
enrolled, saying:
"Some of the boys in the Press Gallery suggested that
Walter Winchell was coming down here to find out just how he could
serve in the Navy. Iviy thought would be that in view of his past ex¬
perience and operations there might be in the Navy some division cor¬
responding to the scavenger deoartment, in which he has been operating,
and he might get in that. He is fully qualified for that from past
experience. "
XXXXXXXX
MR. FLY FLIES BACK TO WORK
Chairaan James L. Fly of the Federal Communications CommiS'
Sion has returned to Washington after a two weeks’ vacation. Con¬
siderable mystery seemed to surround his absence but one report was
that he had been in Florida..
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UTAH APPLICATION WEIGHED AS TO WARTBIE RSQUIREMP^NTS
One of the first cases of its hind since the war, the hear¬
ings on the application of the Granite District Radio Broadcasting
Co. , Murray, Utah, for construction permit for a new station have
been reopened for further hearing on the following issues;
”1. To determine whether the proposed construction involves
the use of any materials of a type determined by the War Production
Board to be critical,
”2. To determine the areas and populations which would receive
primary service from the proposed station, and what broadcast service
is alreac3y available to such areas and populations,
”3. To determine whether the granting of the application would
be consistent with the policy announced by the Commission with respect
to authorizations involving the use of critical materials,
”4, To determine whether, in view of the facts shown on all of
the issues, public interest, convenience, or necessity would be serv¬
ed by the granting of the above-entitled application.
XXXXXXXX
SETS MANUFACTURE CONTINUED TO LABOR DAY - MAYBE
Manufacturers of radio sets have adopted a new plan that
will permit salvaging available man power in their factories and pro¬
vide consumers with a minimum flow of new radios until La^bor Day, Lee
McCanne, Assistant General Manager of Stromberg- Carl son was quoted as
saying in New York Thursday.
Work on chassis put into production by the industry will
cease at midnight of April" 23, saving large quantities of vital nickel,
aluminum and copper, but set deliveries will not cease. Instead,
chassis will be placed into cabinets during the next few months, Mr.
McCanne stated, piecing out consumer deliveries till Labor Day.
As a result, radio manufacturers will have time to salvage
skilled woodworkers of the industry, many of whom have had more than
twenty years of experience in the operation of power tools, saws,
finishing machines and delicate ha,nd operations, but whose skills
must now be converted to metal work in war output.
XXXXXXXX
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3/6/42
TO STANDARDIZE ARMY RADIO SIGNALING EQUIPMENT
For Release in A.M. Papers of Monday, t,!arch 9, 1942
American inventive genius has produced so many new types of
radio signaling equipment that the Army Signal Corps has set up a
special branch for the purpose of reducing its communication system
to a limited number of standardized models, the War Department will
announce Monday (March 9).
The new Communications Coordination Branch is headed by
Col. David M. Crawford, Signal Corps, one of the Army’s leading radio
specialists. Colonel Crawford comes to the assignment from a tour of
duty with the air defense activities of the Air Force Combat Command.
His instructions from Maj, Gen. Dawson Olmstead, Chief Signal Officer,
are to reduce the number of types of equipment to a minimum consist¬
ent with the requirements of the Army’s arras and services.
In order to reconcile the communication requirements of
the fighting arms, these arras are reoresented by specially qualified
officers on the Armiy Communications and Equipment Coordination Board.
This board, a part of the new Communication Coordination Branch, in-
eludes representatives of the Infantry, Field Artillery, Cavalry,
Coast Artillery, Air Co2m:>s and A.nnored Force, as well as the Signal
Corps. Also on the board are liaison officers from the Navy, the
Marine Corps and the armed forces of the other United Nations. Pro¬
gress has already been made in coordinating the radio equioraent of
Great Britain and the United States, utilizing the best features of
inventions developed in the laboratories of both nations,
A major task of the new Communication Coordination Branch
is to recommend the frequency bands to be alloted to the various
arras and services. This task is similar to some of the controls
exercised by the Federal Communications Commission in respect to
radio activities of commercial companies. In the case of the Army,
the problem is complicated by the fact that the transmitters are for
the most part not fixed geographically like those of a civilian
broadcasting station. Instead, thousands of them are in rapidly mov¬
ing airplanes, tanks, and other vehicles. It is the problem of the
Signal Corps to keep those transmitters functioning without inter¬
ference that would disrupt the Array’s lifeline of communications,
A third function of the Communication Coordination Branch
is to insure unifomity of orocedures for using the equioraent in the
field.
XXXXXXXX
An example of radio’s contribution to the war effort is a
series of anti- rumor spot announcements just launched by WOR, The
announcements are oointed first at groundless whispering, and also
at honest information talked about Indiscreetly.
XXXXXXXX
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3/6/42
WALTER DAI^M NEW Fll! BROADCASTERS* PRESIDENT
Walter J. Damm, Manager of Radio for WSSi'-WTMJ, Milwaukee,
was elected President of FM Broadcasters, Inc. , the national trade
association of FM stations, at its third annual membershio meeting
in New York. He succeeds John Shepard, 3 rd, of The Yankee Network,
Boston, whose time is now taken up with other duties including chair¬
manship of the Broadcasters* Victory Council.
The new Vice-President is Theodore C. Streibert, W71NY-WCR,
New York City, while Robert T. Bartley of The Yankee Network was re¬
elected Secretary-Treasury.
Representatives from approximately two dozen active FM
groups throughout the country were in attendance. Among those giving
reports ^rere Philip G-. Loucks, FMBI Washington counsel; Lee McCanne,
Assistant General Manager of the Stromberg- Carl son Telephone Mfg. Co. ;
C. H. Bell of General Electric’s commercial engineering section;
W. R. David, General Electric Radio and Television Department; and
Frank Gunther, Radio Engineering Laboratories.
Three members of the FMBI Board of Directors were re-elected.
These are Theodore C. Streibert, W71NY-W0R; John V. L. Hogan, W2XQR-
WQXR; and Dr. Ray H. Manson, W51R-WH.AM. C. M. Jansky, Jr. , of
Washington, who has resigned to accept a post with the War Production
Board, was replaced by J. H. DeWitt, Jr. , of W47NV-WSM, Nashville,
Tenn. He will serve for two years.
xxxxxxxxxx
CHAINS GROSSED $10,000,000 IN JANUARY
All network radio did a gross of $10,300,000 in January,
1942, which is 12^ better than the total which prevailed for the
like month in 1941. The NBO-Red figured $3,860,000; the Blue Network,
$1,451,000; CBS, $3,930,000, and Mutual, $1,025,000.
The January, *42, figures reoresent the following boosts by
network: NBC-Red, B%; Blue, 24^; CB-,^ 2^, and Mutual, 102?.
Compared to the parallel month of *41, magazine lineage in
January, 1942, was up 16“^, while newspapers showed an increase of 4%
in national business.
XXXXXXXXXX
- 8 -
3/6/42
FCC ACTION
The Federal Coraniunicatlons on March 3rd took the following
action:
WEVD, Debs Memorial Radio Fund, Inc. , New York, N. Y. , was
granted modification of construction permit for new transmitter,
installation of directional antenna for day and night use, increase
in power and move, for extension of completion date to April 30,1942;
KPQ. Wescoast Broadcasting Co. , Wenatchee, Wash. , granted special
service authorization for oeriod not beyond December 1, 1942, to make
changes in equlnment and to operate on 560 kc; 500 watts night, 1 KW
day; WBBM , Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc., Chicago, Ill., granted
construction permit to install a new transmitter, make changes in
antenna system and move transmitter to near Itaska, Ill., 11.5 miles
southwest of present site (Change in transmitter site requested by
Navy Deoa.rtment ) ;
Also, KWKW , Southern Calif. Broadcasting Co., Pasadena,
Cal. , granted modification of construction permit to install direc¬
tional antenna for daj'time use, and approval of transmitter site at
Duarte Road and Vista Sts. , Pasadena; KWK, Thomas Patrick, Inc. , St.
Louis, Mo, , dismissed petition for rehearing filed by KWK, directed
against the Commission’s action of September 30, 1941, granting with¬
out hearing the application of KFEQ,, Inc. , St. Joseph, Mo. , for con¬
struction permit to install a new transmitter and directional antenna,
and increase power from 2|- kilowatts da.y, 500 watts local sunset San
Francisco, to 5 kilowatts, unlimited time; also dismissed with prejud¬
ice the amended application of KWK to change operating assignment
from 1380 to 680 kc. , with power of 50 KW day, 25 KW night, using dir¬
ectional antenna, unlimited time.
Applications Received : M. A. Leese Radio Coro. , Wa siiingt on ,
D. C. , construction pe rmit for a new high frequency broadcast station
has been amended to change name to The Evening Star Broadca.sting Co. ;
Chattanooga Broadcasting Corp. . Chattanooga, Tenn. , construction
permit for a new broadcast station has been amended to make changes
in transmitting equipment, changes in proposed antenna system, change
frequency to 800 kc., 1 KW daytime and omit request for facilities of
WAPO when vacated; W47C, WJJD, Inc. , Chicago, Ill. , modification of
construction permit as modified for a new higii frequency broadcast
station, requesting extension of completion da.te to 7/28/42;
Also, KEX, Oregonian Publishing Co. , Portland, Ore. , special
authorization to operate on 1190 kc. , with power of 10 KW, new trans¬
mitter, vertical antenna period ending l/l/43; KRS , Central California
Broadcasters, Inc., Berkeley, Calif., construction permit amended to
request 960 kc. , 1 KW, changes in antenna and facilities KROW, Oak¬
land, Calif., contingent on KRCW's change in frequency.
XXXXXXXX
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3/6/42
: TR4DE NOTES ; : ;
W. K. Green, a graduate of Iowa State College, recently
joined the General Electric Radio & Television Deoartraent, with the
responsibility for planning and formulating, in conjunction with the
Publicity Denartment, advertising and sales promotion for radio trans¬
mitting and carrier^ current equipment, and transmitting, industrial,
and special-purpose tubes.
"Should an advertiser continue to advertise his products
when ne cannot deliver them to consumers; can fill only a small per¬
centage of the demand, or can fill all requirements without advertis¬
ing, under present and future wartime conditions", are a few of the
questions answered in a new edition of "FACTS", produced by the NBC
Red Net?rark Promotion Department for member stations, agencies and
advertisers.
In a statistical survey, the Columbia Broadcasting System
disclosed that 287 national defense announcements were made and a
total of 30 hours, 21 minutes and 30 seconds was devoted to national
defense broadcasts on the network for the period January 1 to 15.
"Salary Report of Telephone and Telegraph Carriers and Hold¬
ing Companies for 1940", released by the libderal Communications Com¬
mission this week, shows 632 officials in those groups drew salaries
of $10,000 or more for 1940 as contrasted with 593 the year previous.
In 1940 a total of 575 telephone officials and 57 telegraph bfficipls
were so paid, compared with 543 and 50 respectively in 1939. In 1940
seven telephone and telegraph officials received salaries of $62,500
and over. Two telephone officials were paid $66,000, and four others
received $86,333, $90,000, $100,000, and $206,250 respectively. One
telegraph official was paid $85,000. No names are listed in this
report.
Criticizing the "This is War” programs, a contribution of
the four networks to the Government each Saturday night, a reader of
this service writes:
"The networks giving this time are generous Indeed and have
the best intentions but what in the devil is wrong with the people
who are getting up the programs? I\^y guess would be that there are
simply too many of them - Corwin, McLeish, Lewis, Ayer, etc. I*m
told that Robson va s so sore about what happened to his script for
the "White House" show that he refused to have his name connected with
it. "
The first regular series of sponsored programs ever to be
aired on a network of more than two commercial FM stations got under¬
way this week (March 3) with the inauguration of the General Electric
Company * s thrice-a-week news commentaries, featuring globe-trotter
Frazier Hunt,
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In view of present wartime conditions, the Communications
Commission has requested discontinuance of all ''urgent” international
telegraoh service, except "urgent press”. This action is the result
of conferences with telegraph carriers on the subject. A Commission
order last May made unlawful a greater ratio between "urgent" and
ordinary messages than 1-| to 1 for service between the United States
and foreign points in direct communication therewith.
The value to the administration in oublicizing points of
importance through the medium of a presidential "Fireside Chat” is
claimed to have been demonstrated through a test survey Just released
by the Samuel E. G-ill organization. The survey was said to have shown
that persons who had heard the speech were 30 percent more familiar
wita seven of the major points covered by the President than were a
comparable group who did not hear the speech. It was assumed the
speech was therefore highly effective.
William Neel, with the National Broadcasting Comoany since
1934, has been appointed News Editor of the NBC Washington office by
Kenneth R. Berkeley, Washington manager. Mr. Neel has been attached
to NBC in Washington for a year, first as press representative and
later on the news side.
King-Trendle Broadcasting Coro. , which operates WXYZ in
Detroit ha-s been authorized to construct a FIA station on 46.9 mega¬
cycles to serve 5,300 square miles. The Amarillo Broadcasting Corp.
last week received similar permission to build a station on 45.1 mega¬
cycles, covering an area of 5,600 square miles.
XXXXXXXX
COAXIAL CABLE MAY BE TELEVISION CARRIER
Development of the coaxial cable, which can carry several
hundred teleohcne conversations simultaneously in two oairs of
specially designed conductors, reached the ooint of regular commer¬
cial use when the 200-raile cable of this type between Minneapolis and
Stevens Point, Wisconsin, was placed in service, Walter 3. G-ifford.,
President of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company reports.
The extensive use of coaxial cables is planned on the longer
heavy traffic routes as an economical means of providing long distance
circuits. Coaxial cables are suitable also for use in inter-city net¬
works for the transmission of television.
XXXXXXXX
11
3/6/42
CONFIDENTIAL R.\DIO CENSORSHIP BULLETIN
The Office of Censorship in Washington has sent the follow¬
ing confidential note to radio stations, signed by Byron Price,
Director of the Office of Censorshiot
•^Enemy action against continental United States suggests a
clarification of certain features of the Radio Code.
'•points under attack, or in imminent prospect of attack,
are zones of combat and developments should be reported with great
caution. As demonstrated by the submarine attack on the California
Coast, enemy forces frequently miss their target because they are
not certain of the exact locality. No American radio station will
desire to give the enemy that information.
"Accounts of enemy attacks may properly give a general des¬
cription of any event, and no prior clearance with any government
authority is necessary so long" as the account omits the following:
••l. Reference to military objectives. Military objectives
include, in addition to fortifications, such things as
docks, railroads, airfields, public utilities, or in¬
dustrial plants engaged in war work. Office buildings,
residences, churches and other structures unoccupied by
war industry are not military objectives.
"2. Exact routes taken by enemy vessels or planes. It is
safer to say that plane s ' appeared •over the Los Angeles
area’ or something similar.
"3. Counter measures or plans of defense, such as troop
mobilizations or movements, or the number or location
of anti-aircraft guns or searchlights in action.
"Of course, any of the above may properly be broadcast if
released by the Army or Navy Commander on the scene, or his authoriz¬
ed representative. "
X X X X X X X X
With a million and a half enemy aliens registered in the
United States, it is evident that the Attorney General’s order that
short-wave radios be altered or turned in to the local police, is
going to mean a lot of service Jobs for radio men before finally
complied with, 0. H. Caldwell recently observed.
Unnaturalized Italians now in our midst number 700,000;
Germans 300,000; Hungarians 400,000, and Japs 100,000.
It is apparent then that the few hundreds of sets turned
in so far are but a drop in the bucket, in comparison with the vast
number of sets held by enemy aliens, and which must eventually be
modified or turned in.
XXXXXXXXX
- 12 -
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Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
HEW K-
INDEX TO ISSUE OF MARCH 10, 1948
U. S. Bans Ra^dio Set Making For Public April 22. . . 2
NBC Bars Jan Musician Despite Pleas . 3
Wire Control Tightens U. S. Censor Power
You’re Right! It is E. F. McDonald, III
Radio Manufacturers Streamline For War Production .
DCB Priorities, Television And Reclassification Discussed,
Sound Dispersion System In WSPD's New Home . .
KCEI Has Listeners Who Might Be Killed For Listening .
Treasury Urged To Use Paid Advertising . 8
Enemy Alien Transmitter Reported Seized . 9
Japs BiToadcasting Prisoners’ Names Backfires . 10
Trade Notes . 11
Hygrade Issues Air Raid Folders To Radio Servicemen . 12
WOR Suit Establishes Call Letters' Protection . 18
No. 1410
lo to £> rs
March 10, 1942
U. S. BANS RADIO SET MAKING FOR PUBLIC APRIL 22
Formally following up the preliminary limitation order
issued in January, the War Production Board has ordered complete
cessation of the manufacture of radio sets and phonographs for civil¬
ian use after April 22. The latest order affects 55 companies which
in 1941 employed about 30,000 persons, produced more than 13,000,000
sets, and did a business of about $240,000,000, using, it was said,
2,100 tons of aluminum; 10,500 tons of copper, 880 tons of nickel
and 70,000 tons of steel, all critical materials.
Ninety-five percent of the changeover is expected to be
made by the latter part of June. It is estimated, however, that
about 3,000,000 more radio sets will be turned out before production
is cut off and that the industry will have equipped 87 percent of
the homes of the United States with 60 million sets in operation.
The companies to be converted already have military orders
aggregating $500,000,000, it was said, while an equal amount of such
contracts is held by other radio companies not normally engaged in
civilian production. All except thirteen of the fifty-five companies
affected by the order have begun participating in the military busi¬
ness.
Provision is made to manufacture replacement parts in order
to keep existing home radios going. The question of repair oarts and
tubes is now being studied intensively by the WPB. The tube replace¬
ment problem is being taken up first as it is regarded more immediate.
Some WPB officials are said to feel that nresent inventories of parts,
due partly to cancellations of orders by set manufacturers following
the set limitation order, will substantially provide the public with
adequate supolies of renlacement carts for several months. Tube
inventories in the hands of manufacturers and also jobbers and deal¬
ers are regarded as more limited and also unbalanced.
Chairman Williams of the Priorities Committee of the Radio
Manufacturers* Association, and Bond leddes, Executive Vice President,
held a conference last week with the WPB ceople on the reclacement
and parts question.
Special allocations of nickel, copoer and other metals for
replacement tubes probably will be attempted. The limited number of
tube manufacturers makes special allocations feasible for replacement
tubes, but similar special allocations of materials for replacement
components are regarded as very difficult, if not impossible, as an
administrative matter. Possible special preference ratings for re¬
placement parts also apparently is not favored in official quarters.
- 2
3/10/42
The distribution of soecial allocations ajnong several hundred parts
manufacturers also presents a complicated oroblem. A solution, how¬
ever, is assured by officials for some definite future nrovision for
replacement parts.
Discussing the matter of radio set reolacements, Chairman
James L. Fly of the Defense Communications Board said:
"Assuming that the war continues for a matter of years,
there is, of course, the very great possibility that supply of such
materials will be much more limited and as the parts wear out the
problem will become more significant. But we have so many radio sets
in this country if there is anything like an equitable distribution
there should not be any difficulty for some years.
"We would feel that an adequate number of receiving sets
were utterly essential. However, we have had such liberal purchas- A
ing of sets in the past and broad distribution. So many homes have
more than one radio. I don’t think we can be much alarmed now in view
of the supply. I can contemplate the possibility that it mi.ght become
a serious problem. Of course I would imagine from a defense point of
view we woule want every household to have a radio. I don’t think,
though, at this time it is much of a problem for DCB. "
It was indicated by WPB aides that there should be no
rationing of the sale of radios now or after the shut-down. Instead,
sale of available sets will be on a "first come, first served” basis,
on the theoiy that if the industry continues to meet military needs,
there is no necessity or possibility of discriminating between the
eligibility of all other ra.dio buyers.
War items which the ra.dio industry make are airplane detect¬
ing equipment and military transmitting and receiving sets.
XXXXXXXXX
NBC BARS JA? MUSICIAN DESPITE PLEAS
Not even pleas from Mayor LaCuardia, musicians of the
Philharmonic Orchestra, or to David Sarnoff, President of the Radio
Corporation of America, have been able to get Yolchi Hiraoka.,
xylophonist, back on National Broadcasting Company programs on which
he has appeared for the past twelve years.
Mr. Sarnoff turned over the petition presented to him to
Frank S. Mullen, Executive Vice-President of NBC, who turned it down
slating the company had adopted the policy of not engaging enemy
aliens and that no exception could be made in this case.
XXXXXXXX
- 3 -
:
3/10/42
WIRE CONTROL TIGHTENS U. 3. CENSOR POWER
President Roosevelt delegating to the Defense Communications
Board powers to control and operate or close all telegraph, telephone
and other wii'^ communications facilities was seen in some quarters as
tightening the Federal censorship. Under the Executive Order there
no longer could be any challenge of government right to control
transmission of any and all information which the censors deem harm¬
ful.
At the Defense Communications Board, it seemed to be
regarded as a routine transaction of taking over the wire facilities
just as the radio facilities had previously been commandeered.
’’The President has delegated to the Defense Communications
Board the comparable power over wire and cables that they now have
over radio”, Cliairraan Fly explained. ”0f course, the executive
order doesn’t have anything to do with what the actual plans may or
may not be . ”
It was said by another Board spoke sraan tlia.t the order did
not mean a ’’general taking over” of wire facilities and the order
emphasized that ”so far as possible” any action taken pursuant to it
should not interfere with the procurement needs of civilian govern¬
mental agencies, the normal functioning of Industry or the mainten¬
ance of civilian morale.
Provision is made for just comoensatlon for the use of any
facilities taken over.
XXXXXXXX
YOU’RE RIGHT! IT 13 E. F. McDONALD, III
As had been predicted by practically everybody, the bounn
ing young son recently born to Commander E. F. McDonald, Jr. , and
Mrs. McDonald at Miami, ha.s been named ”E. F. III”.
”l!^^y friends didn’t even give me a chance to select the
name”. Commander McDonald explained when asked about it. ’’They all
wired it in for me. One man even sent a $100 defense bond to the
baby made out to ’E. F. III’. So, you see, we couldn’t change that
name with $100 at stake.”
XXX X XXXXXXXX
- 4
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3/10/42
lUDIO MANUFACTURERS STREAlllLINE FOR WAR PRODUCTION
Anticipating the order to cease manufacturing civilian
radios Aoril 22n"d, the full power of the radio industry behind the
war program was planned at a meeting in New York City last x-^ek by
the Board of Directors of the Radio Manufacturers' Association. Also
it contemolated reorganizing the FiMA on a war basis.
Two new wartime committees were authorized. One is a
special “War Production Committee", with H. C. Bonfig, of Camden, N. J. ,
as Chaiman. Other members are E. A. Nicholas of Fort Wayne, Ind. ,
and Ray F. Sparrow of Indianapolis. This committee will deal with
the conversion of the industry from civilian to war production, in¬
cluding problems of inventories and all matters relating to mobiliza¬
tion of the radio industry's assets and forces behind the war program.
Also, the committee will be the direct industry contact with WPB, the
Office of Price Administration, the Army, Navy and other government
agencies.
Another new special RMA committee is that on Reolaceraent
and Repair Parts. Its Chairman is J. J. Kahn of Chicago, and other
members are Octave Blake, of South Plainfield, N. J. ; H. E. Osmun,
of Milwaukee, S. T. Thompson of Chicago, and Robert F. Herr, of
Philadelphia. This committee will conta..ct WPB in all problems relat¬
ing to securing special allocations or other provisions for adequate
manufacture and supply to the trade and the public of replacement and
repair parts. New services to assist in the distribution of war con¬
tracts to RMA member companies - to "streamline" RI»IA for war opera¬
tions - were planned, on manufacturing, engineering services and
trade problems.
The parts trade show, scheduled for June in Chicago was
called off.
The Chicago June convention orograra of RIv!A also is being
revised. Instead of extending the convention over two days, it is
proposed to hold a one-day general Industry assemblage, of non¬
members as well as PMA companies in Chicago for intensive business
sessions and including the annual election of officers, directors, etc .
The present plans provide for holding the annual Industry banquet and
also the usual industry golf tournament.
The Directors provided for the decrease in the minimum dues
of the Association to further v^iden its membership and activities.
To enable smaller companies to join and receive its wartime services,
the Board authorized a change in the dues. Instead of a flat minimum
rate of $200 on gross sales, the Board decreased the minimum to $100,
based on sa.les under $200,000, with a rate of $150 on sales of ,
$300,000, a.nd $200 on the present sales ba.sis of $400,000 annually.
Four new members of RL'IA are: The Howard Radio Coraoany and
Travler Karenola Ra.dio & Television Corporation of Chicago, and the
Coil Engineering & ?i/Ianufacturing Company of Roanoke, Indiana, together
with Ad. Auriema, Inc. , of New York City. These membership accessions
brought the RMA rolls to a total of 131, the highest in more than ten
years.
XXXXXXXXXX
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3/10//42
DCB PRIORITIES, TELEVISION MD RECLASSIFICATION DISCUSSED
Chaiman James L. Fly, at his press conference Monday, the
first he has held since returning from a vacation in Florida, answer¬
ed quite a few questions. The first one was:
'‘Under this new priority of classifying employees the
Commission was split into two categories - in Class 2 the Commission
employees on defense work, and Class 5 the others. Is the Commis¬
sion making any survey or plans to transfer Class 5 employees to
defense agencies?*^
"No, there has been no concrete plan around those lines",
Chairman Fly replied. "Of course where functions may be classed as
non-essential, I assume, like other agencies, we will be perfectly
willing to have personnel transferred to defense work, I don’t know
to what extent. One of our great difficulties here is that there is
a close relationship from one branch of the work to the other and as
you move along from one phase of it to another there is always a
close tie-up of the various businesses. Licensing - I suppose that
is classed as non-defense but you will find how awfully close that
is in all chases along down the line. "
With regard to securing necessary materials for station
construction and repair, also with regard to the present status of
FM and television, Mr. Fly said, in response to questions:
"I am fearful that we are going to have some further prob¬
lems on priorities. At least I have heard some strange rumblings in
the distance. Cn that I think it seems at every turn we are reminded
of the fact that after all these main questions are going to be in
any case as to how many Japs and Germans we are going to get with
given materials. There have already come suggestions that rules that
we have established may not be strict enough from a defense point of
view. In other words, we may in due course face a question as to
even in defense functions which defense function is paramount. Wliile
there is nothing immediately pressing on us there, from defense
people there come suggestions of an awfully strong approach.
"We will also have to give attention pretty promptly to M
and television, experimental operations, and the like. Those sug¬
gestions Eire not quite as clear as the standard broadcast and rules
have not been formulated. But that is something which is just around
the comer.
"I suppose you gentlemen have noticed what's happened to
radio receiving sets? That won’t have much of an impact on standard
broadcast. I think there are around 57 million sets in this country
and, ^.ene rally speaking, that should be enough to go around to meet
all needs. There might be some inconvenience in a new community. I
suppose that everybody who listens to a radio has at least one, and
there are considerable number of new sets with repair materials
availa.ble, so I don't think we will have any critical problem on
standard receivers. But there may be some impact on FM and televi¬
sion.
6
3/10/42
"Speaking of television, I suppose you are familiar with
the work that RCA is doing in New York and other companies are doing
in other cities, but particularly the work of RCA in cooperating
with OCD is quite impressive. They have been giving a series of
lectures and exhibitions and instructions to the various Civilian
Defense employees and representatives. I think around 50,000 people
representative of all cross sections have already taken those courses
and that, incidentally, is a very splendid thing for television, I
should think, because it taps almost a new and very selected audience
in that field. I think it will be helpful for the future stability
of television when it gets going, "
XXXXXXXX
SOUND DISPERSION SYSTEM IN WSPD’ S NEW HOME
New studios of WSPD, Toledo, utilizing the dispersion
acoustics theory develooed by Dr. C. ?. Boner of the University of
Texas, and also installed by WFAA, Dallas, have been occuoied by the
station’s staff. The new headquarters are now in WSPD’ s own building
in downtown Toledo.
"The dispersion system, installed in all five studios, is
designed to eliminate dead sound and to facilitate sound dispersion
by dispensing with the conventional method of having studio surfaces
that blur and d-energlze sound waves", Broadcasting Ifegazine states.
"The new dispersion provides for hard surfaces which break
up delayed sound waves by directing it from surface to surface there¬
by rendering ineffective any tendency to create relative effects
into the microphone. Special reflector surfaces are built, curved to
locate the stiffener in them so that all frequencies involved in
speech and music are accommoda.ted. The new studio technique is re¬
garded as particularly desirable for FH? stations.
"In keeping with Toledo's position as one of the world’s
glass centers, glass fixtures have been installed wherever possible.
Corridors and studios are inlaid asphalt tile and lined with vitrolite
with a blue border. In the circular reception lounge a large mural
has been pa.inted by Robert Kuraler, noted mldwestem artist. Studio
layouts and designs were prepared by the WSPD personnel. "
XXXXXXXX
KGEI HAS LISTENERS WHO MIGHT BE KILLED FOR LISTENING
Lights flickered out as San Franciscans went to bed. But
on top of Nob Hill, in a care filly guarded hotel suite, a crew of 22
men knuckled down to work.
They run KGEI, the powerful iGeneral Electric short-wave
radio station which beams news, a la American, to Tokyo and points
south.
- 7
3/10/42
"And midnight here in San Francisco is just good listening
time over there", writes Sigrid Arne of World Wide News, describing
the station.
"So men in shirt sleeves settled down to edit the ne\'vs for
Japan, China, Thai, the Philippines, Burma and the Dutch East Indies.
A Chinese man translated for his oeople. So did a Hollander, a
Frenchman, a Filioino - and a Japanese - the same one who teaches
American naval officers his language.
"They broadcast to areas where their listeners would be
killed, if they were found listening: To areas where our Southern
Pacific Allies listen as tensely as we do for good news to areas
flooded by radio TOKYO with the sort of news the Japanese wish their
neighbors to believe.
"So the Job's constantly exciting: Particularly when they
get radiograms from the Buniia road, the Borneo jungle, and even
smuggled letters from Tokyo itself -> from Japanese.
"But there are high points.
"Take the night KGEI heard its own music program broken by
a 'KG-EI', wiiich announced excitedly that Japanese bombers were over
San Francisco, bombs had begun to fall, half the city was in flames.
That sort of news could be dynamite in the nooks and crannies of the
South Pacific, where half-literate millions may not have made up
their minds,
’’KGEI men rubbed their eyes. Below them lay peaceful,
brightly lighted San Francisco. Not a bomb, they listened carefully
to the phony ^KGEI', It was an American voice, some sort of new Lord
Haw Haw in Tokyo. They still wonder who he is and they'd like to - .
"KGEI quickly denied the phony broadcast, and immediately
started sending its programs over three to five beams to the Orient
so listeners can pick them up on several dial spots. No more such
tricks have been pulled by the Tokyo Haw Haw.
"But his voice keeps putting out Tokyo's newscases. He
gets relief some nights from a man whose English is good, but whose
voice is gutteral. KGEI guesses he's German."
XXXXXXXXXX
TREASURY URGED TO USE PAID ADVERTISING
An editorial in the Editor & Publisher reads in part:
"The Treasury De^^artraent has said that it has no funds
available for the purchase of publication soace or radio time for
its promotion of Defense Bonds and Stamps. With more reason, it
might have said that it had no money available for the printing of
the bonds and stamps that it is selling to the public.
- 8 -
I A . ■ 7
3/10/42
”How are we going to make this war personal to the men and
women of Main Street?
"Ansv/er - By the adoption of modern techniques in the mar¬
keting of Federal securities - by an appeal written by advertising
psychologists to the mass mind of our people to insnire mass buying -
by the use of paid display advertising in newspapers~- and when we
urge this upon the Government we do so out of love of country and not
in supoort of any petty, selfish newspaper publisher interest,
"Anyone who knows anything about selling knows that there
is no other way known to the mind of man whereby an idea as to goods
and services may be so economically implanted in the minds of mil¬
lions with proper emphasis and at almost the same moment of time as
through paid display advertising. "
XXXXXXXX
ENEMY ALIEN TRANSMITTER REPORTED SEIZED
A powerful short-wave radio transmitter was in the hands
of Federal agents at Albuquerque, New Mexico, according to reports
from there after swift raids produced contraband and scores of
enemy aliens.
Radio technicians said the transmitter, seized last
Friday night in a continuing roundup of alien Japanese, Germans and
Italians, was capable of broadcasting around the world.
Contraband included firearms, ajnmunition, cameras and radio
sets.
FBI agents declined to say whether arrests wei^e made in con¬
nection with the seizure of the transmitter. Information concerning
the aliens also was withheld.
No confirmation of the seizure could be secured at the
Federal Communications Commission. It was explained that when a sta¬
tion operating illegally is suspected of being subversive, the case
is turned over to the FBI for whatever action the Department of
Justice may take and any information about it must be forthcoming
from that source.
XXXXXXXX
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JAPS BROADCASTINO PRISONERS* NAI/xES BACKFIRES
The Japanese radio propaganda technique has been revamped,
in part, as an indirect result of a unique promotion stunt employed
by United Press, the U.P. said last week.
It was discovered by members of U.P.'s San Francisco listen¬
ing post that Japanese short-wave broadcasters were broadcasting
recorded voices of American prisoners of war as ’’bait'* to get listen¬
ers for their propaganda. At the start of each broadcast the Japan¬
ese announcer would give the names of six prisoners whose messages
would be presented at the end of the show. Fifteen minutes of propa¬
ganda would follow. Then the messages would be aired.
The listening post filtered out the Japanese propaganda and
recorded the voices of the American prisoners. Phonograph records
were then made and mailed to client newspapers in the home towns of
the prisoners. Newspaper publishers played the recordings for rela¬
tives of the war prisoners", then gave the discs to the families.
Taking no chances on what a prisoner might say into a live
mike, the Japanese at their end recorded the voices and then broad¬
cast from transcriptions. According to U*P. listening post experts,
the Japanese apparently played the recording back at a speed slower
than that at which they were recorded. As a result, voices, while
recognizable, were low pitched and slow. Because of this variation
in playback speed, relatives of several of the war prisoners said the
speakers sounded ’’doped”. These comments were quoted in American
short-wave broadcasts, beamed to Japan.
Japanese propagandists recognized that their efforts were
backfiring and altered their technique. Now, instead of presenting
the recorded voices of American prisoners, a Japanese announcer reads
in English.
The United Press listening post still is recording the
Japanese broadcasts, discarding the propaganda, and moving brief
” special interest” stories on the quotes from the Americans to news¬
papers in towns from which the prisoners come.
xxxxxxxx
When asked if there was anything new on the short-wave and
broadcast plans of the Donovan and Rockefeller, a DCB spokesman said:
”No, we are giving that whole business study and I think
we are all hopeful that some agreeable plan will come out of the
studies and discussions. Something that will be effective and agree¬
able to everybody. I think at least the form has not been concluded.
I should imagine within a couple of weeks it might emerge in some
more definite form. ”
XXXXXXXX
10 -
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3/10/42
: TRADE NOTES
Leig^iton Peebles, head of the Radio Section of the War Pro¬
duction Board, has been made Chairman of the Communications Branch
in the WPB reorganization of industry operations establishing 24
industry branches, such as automotive, industrial, machinery, lumber
and so on. Each chief will serve as the "official point of contact"
between the WPB and all committees of the industry assigned him.
Stewart- Warner Corn, reported 1941 consolidated net profit
of $1,656,680, after $500,000 provision for contingencies, equal to
$1.30 a share, comoared with $1,470,804, or $1.18 a share in 1940,
The annual convention of the Na,tional Association of Broad¬
casters will be held at the Statler Hotel in Cleveland on May 11 to 14.
"The radio has been comnletely stopned from expressing
anything contrary to the paid prejudice of those in authority a
reader writes to the Washington Post.
"It may Interest the taxpayers to know that the War Depart¬
ment is making recordings of all radio sneakers, and then mimeograph¬
ing them to send around to stations, etc.
"A speaker on a local station was sumrised recently to see
everything he had said in a recent broadcast in mimeograph form in
the hands of another station.
"Is this really to protect the nation from its enemies, or
is it a matter of politics and personalities?
"We are glad the newspapers are still free. "
Sonotone Corporation and Subsidiary - For 1941; Net profit,
$346,463, equal after preferred dividends to 43 cents each on 798,878
common sha.res, against $272,760, or 34 cents a common share, in pre¬
vious year; sales, $4,265,721, compared with $3,035,115. Current
assets on Dec. 31 last were $1,812,631, against $1,135,862 at end of
1940, and current liabilities were $725,542, against $301,091.
The contents of the March issue of Bell Laboratories Record
are as follows; "Measuring Small Relative Motions in Central-Office
Switches", by W. S. Gorton; "Brittle Temnerature of Rubber", M. L.
Selker; "A Telephone Set For Exposed Locations"; "High-Precision
Frequency Comparions", L. A. Meacham; "Grounding of High- Gain High-
Frequency Amplifiers", T. F. Gleichmann.
X X X X X X X X X X
11 -
3/10/42
HYGRADE ISSUES AIR RAID FOLDERS TO RADIO SERVICEMEN
An Air Raid Precautions Direct Mail Folder and a Poster is
being made available by Hy grade Sylvania Corporation to Sylvania ser¬
vicemen. Eighteen precautions, vitally imoortant to the protection
of the public, are illustrated and set forth on these posters. They
are printed in two colors, bright red and black.
Sylvania servicemen can get the Air Raid folders for the
cost of imorintlng only: 100 - $1.00; 250 - $1.50; 500 - $2.00;
1000 - $3.00 and 2000 - $4.50.
Size, flat, is 8^” x 11”. With every order of 250 or more,
Sylvania gives the serviceman a jumbo size blow-uo, 17 ” x 22” for
mounting on his window.
"Offering these Air Raid Precautions Folders to servicemen
is in line with Sylvania 's efforts to keep radio retailers promo-
tionally in tune with the times", says Henry C. L. Johnson of Hygrade
Sylvania. "But, even more than that, it is an attempt to present the
serviceman to the public as a home communications radio servant.
"Sylvania advises that radio servicemen use the folder
either as a direct mail piece or as a door to door handout, offering
it at the same time, by means of the poster, to street traffic."
XXXXXXXXXX
WOR SUIT ESTABLISHES CALL LETTERS' PROTECTION
A legal precedent affecting the broadcasting industry was
established last week in Federal Court for New York District, when
Judge Murray Hulbert issued a permanent injunction against William C.
Orloff forbidding him to use the firm name of W. O.R. Printing Company.
The suit was brought by the Bamberger Broadcasting Service, operator
of radio station WOR.
r»!aintaining a station holds its license only through suffer¬
ance of the Federal Communications Commission and the license may be
withdrawn by the FCC at any time. Judge Hulbert ruled that a sta.tion,
nevertheless, is entitled to orotection of its call letters.
Judge Hulbert' s decision stated that the Bamberger Broad¬
casting Service is entitled to exclusive use of the call letters, WOR.
Furthermore, the decision held that use of them by the defendant con¬
stituted unfair business oractice, desoite the fact that Orloff was
not in actual competition with Station WOR.
X X X X X X X X X X X
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OF MARCH 13, 1942
Declares Fly Blocked. Wire Tapping Bill . 2
Again Assures Discretion In Taking Over Radio And Wires,
ASCAP Quarterly Profit Reported To Be $950,000 .
I. T. & T. Arranges For Brazil To Hear Finance Minister,
Big West Coast Short-Wave Installation Begun . .
Two House Committees Consider Investigating FCC .
Philco Expects No Financial Strain In Conversion .
Radio Again Reaches East Indies Via Sumatra
Additional Hearings Because Of Emergency,... . 9
Coughlin's Broadcasts Netted League $2,000,000. . 10
Trade Notes . 11
"Make It Last", CBS Chief Engineer Advises . 12
No. 1411
lo m CO 00
March 13, 1942
DECLARES FLY BLOCKED WIRE TAPPING BILL
That Chairman James L. Fly was the only important man in
official position who was against the passage of legislation to per¬
mit Army, Navy and Federal Bureau of Investigation to tap wires or
radio in combatting espionage and sabotage was charged by Representa¬
tive Emanuel Celler of New York, The bill is now before the House
Judiciary subcommittee,
‘’Under present conditions there is a prohibition against
the tapping of domestic wires and wireless. At the time of the
Pearl Harbor tragedy there was a prohibition against tapping of inter
national wires and wireless, which led undoubtedly to this tragedy
at Pearl Harbor, because the members of the Intelligence forces of
the Army and Navy, as well as the F, B.I., were unable to tap the
cables and the communications that were Inaugurated by the two-
hundred-odd consular agents of the Japanese Government located there"
Representative Celler declared, ’’Spies and saboteurs tapped domestic
and Interoceanic wires and wireless but the Navy and Array were pre¬
cluded.
"We passed a bill recommended by the Judiciary Committee
with reference to international communications. We now allow the
tapping of International communications. We should also permit the
tapping of domestic wires because that is Just as important,
"Such a bill was passed by the last Congress, It was my
bill. It was lost in the Senate, and I use the word ‘lost’ advisedly
My distinguished colleague (Representative Hobbs of Alabama) Introduc
ed a similar bill in the last session of the present Congress, It
failed in the House of passage by a small margin. It is hoped that
the bill which I introduced recently will be considered favorably by
the House. It sanctions the right to tap wired and wireless communi¬
cations of all sorts. At present we protect spies and fifth column¬
ists. We cannot ferret them out unless we tap their wires.
"In New York the police may tap wires but F. B.l. agents may
not. New York police, under the revised New York State constitution
may intercept telephone or telegraph wires, radio or wireless message
That seems and is rather anomalous,
"President Roosevelt, Attorney General Biddle, and former
Attorney General Jackson, now on the Supreme Court, approve wire tap¬
ping. Most high governmental officials want it. Strangely enough
the only man in a high governmental position who opposed and who
probably still opposes the project is Chairman Fly of the Communica¬
tions Commission. "
- 8 -
3/13/42
Representative Celler then quoted from an editorial in
the Baltimore Sun as follows:
^Legislation of wire tapping to combat espionage and sabot¬
age would hinder rather than help the national defense program”,
James L. Fly, Federal Communications Commission Chairman, told the
House Judiciary Committee, according to members.
They quoted Mr, Fly, a former naval officer and a Naval
Academy graduate, as saying Government officials engaged with various
aspects of the defense program would have virtually to discontinue
use of telephones and rely on slower means of communications, such
as personal conference, if wire tapping were legalized,
^Otherwise”, he said, according to committee members, ”vltal
defense information might fall into the hands of wire-tapping Federal
agents not entitled to the information and likely, because of their
unfamiliarity with certain technical questions to pass on the informa¬
tion in a dangerous fashion. ”
”Mr. Fly’s views on this point were elicited”, members said,
”by committee questions which also brought a reminder from the wit¬
ness that the official regulations of the Navy Department warn naval
officers to be careful in using telephones lest their conversations
be intercepted by persons outside the service, ”
”The committee also was reminded by Mr, Fly”, members
said, ’’that during the World War Congress regarded wire tapping as
inimical rather than helpful to national defense and specifically
prohibited its use in a 1913 statute. ”
Mr. Fly told the committee that what is needed is not a
statute legalizing even limited wire tapping, but legislation tighten¬
ing up the present law against wire tapping..
He suggested, they said, that the committee might be inter¬
ested to that end, in outlawing the manufacturing of wire-tapping
equipment, adding that the company supplying such equipment to the
Justice repartment advertises its ware for public sale in telephone
books.
’’Finally, Mr. Fly said, experience has shown that wire
tapping is of little genuine use in the detection of crime and that
its effectiveness is outweighed by the cost and abuses Involved. ”
Representative Celler concluded by saying, ”If we don’t
pass ray bill, our treacherous alien enemies and spies will have the
untramraeled and safe use of the channels of wire and wireless. ”
Rear Admiral S. C. Hooper told the House committee that the
Navy Department favored the bill,
XXXXXXXXXX
- 3 -
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3/13/42
AGAIN ASSURES DISCRETION IN TAKING OVER RADIO AND WIRES
In announcing that the President had signed the Executive
Order delegating to the Defense Communications Board his authority
under Section 606 of the Communications Act, to authorize Governmental
U3e, control or closure of wire coraniunica tion facilities as a war
measure, Chairman James L. Fly, of that Board, again assured the
industry that no drastic action was contemplated. He added:
”It is comparable to the Executive Order signed December 10,
which transferred to the Board like authority in connection with
radio facilities. These Executive Orders do not indicate any change
in policy. They simply coordinate in the Defense Communications Board
particular powers granted by the statute to the President as war
essentials. There is no intention at this time to take over radio,
wire or cable facilities on a broad scale or to exercise unnecessary
power over such facilities. Rather, the new Executive Order passes
to the Board, which is representative of the Federal services con¬
cerned with communications in wartime, the necessary authority to act
promptly where conditions require, '*
XXXXXXXX
ASCAP QUARTERLY PROFIT REPORTED TO BE $950,000
According to Variety, the American Society of Composers is
coming back strong.
”If the present trend of collections continue, ASCAP may
distribute as much as $950,000 for the initial quarter of 1942", the
entertainment field magazine states. "This figure is but $60,000
less than the divvy which was made for the like quarter of 1940. It
is even believed within the Society’s financial quarters that unless
war conditions cause a sharp decline in radio advertising that ASCAP
will be able to make a distribution of at least $4,000,000 this year.
"With the Society’s overhead reduced by $600,000, as com¬
pared to what it was at the end of 1940, the membership will have
come through its fight with the radio interest with hut slight par¬
ings of their individual performance incomes. "
XXXXXXXX
Because of the blackout in the Capital, the Washington
Hebrew Congregation called off its regular Friday evening service,
and instead the minister of the congregation. Rabbi Norman Gerstenfeld,
broadcast a short service to members in their homes over Station WfDC.
XXXXXXXXXX
4
3/13/42
I. T. & T. ARRANGES FOR BRAZIL TO HEAR FINANCE MINISTER
The radio address by Dr, Arthur de Souza Costa., Finance
Minister of Brazil, who spoke from the Yale Club in New York, on
March 9th, was heard by radio listeners in Brazil over the United
States- Brazil radiotelephone channel and the Brazilian Government
network of 68 local radio stations which re-broadcast the speech as
it came over the radiotelephone.
The broadcast was arranged by the International Telephone
and Telegraph Corporation in cooperation with the Department of
Information and Press of the Brazilian Government, Dr, Souza Costa's
address served as a report to the Brazilian people of the far reach¬
ing agreements of mutual benefit to Brazil and the United States
which were successfully negotiated with the United States Government
in Washington last week by Dr, Souza Costa and the other members of
his party.
XXXXXXXXXX
BIG WEST COAST SHORT-WAVE INSTALLATION BEGUN
0, F, Walker, radio engineer of the General Electric Comp¬
any, is now in San Francisco supervising the installation of the
100, 000- watt short-wave transmitter, which will be another gun in a
kilocyclic battery "shooting'’ from the United States across the
Pacific in the propaganda war with Japan,
The powerful transmitter, built by General Electric and
operated previously at Station WGEO, Schenectady, for short-wave
broadcasts to Europe and Latin America, will use the call letters
KWID in San Francisco, Operators of the station will be Associated
Broadcasters, Inc,, who have long-wave station KSFO. G. E. is com¬
pleting another 100,000-watt transmitter for WGEO at Schenectady.
KWID, which will have studios and offices at the Hotel
Mark Hopkins, will render additional short-wave service to tha.t now
being given by General Electric's 50,000-watt San Fr’ancisco station
KGEI , with studios and offices at the Fa.innont Hotel. KGEI has been
broadcasting to Latin America, Asia, the Antioodes, and Africa for
more than three years, and is at present the only United States
short-wave broadcasting station west of the Mlssisslopi. KGEI is
now broadcasting in eight languages and two foreign dialects.
XXXXXXXXXX
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3/13/48
TWO HOUSE COMMITTEES CONSIDER INVESTIGATING FCC
Although it WPS believed the matter had probably been
shelved for the duration of the war, the House Committee on Rules
and the House Committee on Interstate and I^reign Commerce at almost
the same hour yesterday (Thursday) unexpectedly showed a live inter¬
est in investigating the Federal Communications Commission. The Rules
Committee called Chairman Fly to the Capitol on short notice and gave
him a grilling in considering a resolution introduced by Representa¬
tive Cox (D, ) of Georgia, to investigate the Commission,
The House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce set
Tuesday, April 14, to take up the bill of Representative Sanders ( D. ) ,
of Louisiana, which would not only investigate but would completely
reorganize the FCC.
Despite this sudden activity and the declaration of Repre¬
sentative Cox that ’’We haven’t scratched the surface yet”, there were
those who were inclined to believe that Congress would not take on an
FCC investigation or reorganization when the main attention of every¬
thing on the Hill was focused on the war.
The questioning of Chairman Fly covered a variety of topics
ranging from the spanking it was alleged the FCC was giving to the
newspaper owned stations to why they didn’t ’’can” Dr. Goodwin Watson,
Chief Analyst of the Foreign Propaganda section after the House had
refused to appropriate funds for Watson’s salary, alleging that he
was a Communist.
"Aren’t you concerned about the intent of Congress?” asked
Representative Nichols, ( D. ) , of Oklahoma.
"Yes”, replied Mr. Fly, "I think I’m under a duty to give
Congress all the facts bearing on the matter before a final decision
is made. The Commission felt the Senate committee ought to see the
man and hear him. ”
Mr. Fly said he held no brief for Dr. Watson and "frankly
I don’t believe in some of his previous writings and expressions”.
Inferring that Congress contemplated a further effort to remove Dr.
Watson, Mr. Nichols said, "We’ll certainly act,”
Representative Wigglesworth ( R. ) , of Massachusetts, backing
Mr. Cox’s request for an FCC investigation, had told the committee
that it was ’’perfectly shocking” to keep Dr. Watson on the Commission
payroll in view of the House action and in view ofhls purported
beliefs and principles.
Representative Cox commented that if all Commission employees
similar to Mr. Watson were discharged, the Commission staff would be
virtually halved.
"There are more fellow-tra velers and more revolutionists” in
the FCC than in any other agency, Mr. Cox added.
3/13/42
During hearings on the FCC appropriation bill this year,
Representative Starnes, ( D. ) , of Alabama, accused Mr. Watson of hav¬
ing been connect-d with Communist- front organizations.
When Representative Cox started reading his charges against
Chairman Fly and the FCC, the latter was asked if he didn’t care to
retire to another room. ’’No”, Mr. Fly replied, ”l*d like to stay
here and hear them. ”
Mr. Fly asserted that the FCC had no preconceived plan to
break up joint radio ownership of broadcasting stations.
The Commission, he said, has undertaken a study of the
problems involved in joint newspaper- radio ownership, but has made
no findings. There remained a question, he said, whether the Commis¬
sion had authority in this field.
Mr. Fly emphatically replied ”No”, when Mr. Cox asked
whether Mr. Fly and other Commission members had not proceeded in
the case with the intention of banning joint membership. He denied
that he ever had contended the Commission had authority in the matter
and said ’’there is a serious question as to whether the Commission
can do anything about it” if it should develop that something should
be done.
To Mr. Wiggle sworth’ s charges that the Commission had fail¬
ed to break up monopolies, Mr. Fly referred to a recent order seeking
to sever the Red and Blue networks of the National Broadcasting Co.
system and ’’return control of the stations back to their owners, ”
Mr. Wlgglesworth had previously accused the Commission of
having failed to take proper steps to prevent monopolies. He said
the three large broadcasting systems, Columbia, National and Mutual,
controlled all the clear channels and that 95 percent of the avail¬
able power and 40 percent of the time of their affiliates was con¬
trolled by the chains. From 60 to 100 percent of the earnings of the
member stations from the chain-controlled time, Mr. Wlgglesworth
said, went to the chains.
XXXXXXXXXX
”Tbe Radio Division of the Office of Cens orship has given
its final instructions to Mutual, the only station which will broad¬
cast the local baseball games”, Leonard Lyons writes in his New York
column, ”So that the broadcasts will contain no weather information
helpful to the enemy, this is the announcement which will be read,
in the event that a game is called because of rain: ’Because of
circumstances beyond our control at the scene of the game, and because
of thf^ censorship regulations, we are concluding our broadcast of
today’s ball game at this time.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
- 7
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PHILCO EXPECTS NO FINANCIAL STRAIN IN CONVERSION
James T. Buckley, President of the Philco Corporation,
was reported as saying in a letter to stockholders that it was ex¬
pected that conversion of the company’s plants to war production
could be accomplished without undue strain on its financial condi¬
tion, and that substantial war orders would be received.
In view of the stoppage of manufacture of radios and refri¬
gerators and the general uncertainties of the times, he added, *’it
is obvious that no prophecies concerning future dividends can be
made. The policy of the board with respect to dividends will con¬
tinue to be guided by the company’s level of earnings and cash posi¬
tion. ”
Sayre M. Ramsdell, since 1922 in charge of advertising and
sales promotion for Philco radios, announced that he will head a new
advertising agency* — Sayre M. Ramsdell Associates, Inc. , to special¬
ize in industrial accounts. He will continue to serve as a member of
the Board of Philco Corporation,
XXXXXXXXXX
RADIO AGAIN REACHES EAST INDIES VIA SU!iATRA
Radio communication between the United States and the Dutch
East Indies, was re-established this week by R. C. A. Communications,
Inc. , with the opening of a direct radiotelegraoh circuit between San
Francisco and Medan, capital of Sumatra. Communication with the East
Indies had been broken off since March 7, when Batavia fell to the
Japanese invaders.
Working in collaboration with Dutch Government communica¬
tions officials, RCAC established the new circuit following a series
of preliminary tests.
One of the first messages to travel over the new circuit
was from a bank in It/Iadras, India, to its branch office in Medan.
Althougii a distance of only 700 miles across the Bay of Bengal sep¬
arates the two points, the Japanese had cut the cable between India
and Sumatra, and direct radio service was not available. The bank
in Iifedras, therefore, sent its message by wire to Bombay, India,
From Bombay it was relayed to London by radio. An RCA radiogram then
went from London to New York, from New York to San Francisco, and
from San Francisco to Medan. Altogether, the message travelled
around tne globe a total distance of 27,000 miles.
XXXXXXXX
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3/13/42
ADDITIONAL HEARINGS BECAUSE OF EMERGENCY
The following standard broadcast applications for construc¬
tion permits, on which hearings have already been heard, were design¬
ated for further hearing upon additional Issues raised by the policy
with respect to new construction under the present emergency:
Park Cities Broadcasting Co, , Dallas, Texas. , for a new
station to operate on 710 kilocycles with power of 5 KW, unlimited
time; WTCN , Minnesota Broadcasting Corp. , Minneapolis, Minn., to
change frequency from 1280 to 710 kc. , now operates with power of 1 KW
night and 5 KW day; WHB , WHB Broadcasting Co., Kansas City, Mo., to
change frequency from 980 to 710 kc. , now operates with 1 KW daytime;
Camden Broadcasting Co. , Camden, N. J. , for new station to operate on
820 kc, , with 500 watts power, daytime; WICA. WICA, Inc., Ashtabula,
Ohio, to install new transmitter and increase power from 1 KW day¬
time, to 5 KW day and 1 KW night, unlimited time; operates on 970 kc. ;
WWSW, Walker & Downing Radio Corp, , Pittsburgh, Pa, , to change fre¬
quency from 1490 to 970 kc. , and increase power from 250 watts to 5
KW, unlimited time; Scriops-Howard Radio, Inc, , Houston, Tex., for
new station to operate on 1230 kc. ; Texas Star Broadcasting Co. ,
Houston, Tex. , and Greater Houston Broadcasting Co. , Inc. , Houston,
Texas. , for new station to operate on 1830 kc. ;
Also, WERE , Louis G, Baltimore, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., for a
synchronous station at Scranton, Pa., to operate with 100 watts;
WERE operates on 1340 kc. with 250 watts, unlimited time; Dorman
Schaeffer, Klamath Falls. , Ore. , for a new station on 1400 kc. with
250 watts, unlimited time; Herald Publishing Co. , Klamath Fblls,
for a new station on 1400 kc. , with 250 watts, unlimited time; South
Florida Broadcasting, Inc. , Miami, Fla., for a new station to oper¬
ate on 1450 kc. , with 250 watts, unlimited time; West Allis Broad¬
casting Co. , West Allis, Wis. , for a new station to operate on 1480
with 250 watts, daytime; Robert V. Lee, Bradenton, Fla., for a
new station to operate on 1490 kc. , with 250 watts power; KMLB ,
Liner's Broadcasting Station, Inc., Monroe, La,, to change frequency
from 1230 to 1440 kc. , and increase power from 250 watts to 1 KW,
unlimited time; KNOE , Inc., Monroe, La., for a new station to operate
on 1450 kc. , with 250 watts, unlimited time.
Applications Received: KOL. Seattle Broadcasting Co, ,
Seattle, Wash., construction permit to install new transmitter,
changes in directional antenna for day and night use, change frequency
from 1300 to 880 kc. , increase power from 1 KW night, 5 KW day to
10 KW and move transmitter; General Electric Co. , Portable-Mobile,
construction pemit for a new experimental television relay broad¬
cast station to be operated on 312000-3S4000 kc. , 25 watts (to be used
with commercial television station WRGB); Sunland Broadcasting Corp. ,
DeLand, Fla. , construction permit for a new broadcast station to be
operated on 1340 kc. , 250 watts, unlimited time.
9
3/13/42
Deslpgiated for Hearing; J. C. Horton, Sants Ana, Calif. ,
pursuant to policy with respect to new construction under present
emergency, application for construction permit for new station;
Florida National Building Corp. , Miami, Fla., same as above;
Associated Broadcasters, Inc. , Indianapolis, Ind. , ~ pursuant to pol¬
icy with respect to new construction under present emergency, appli¬
cation for construction permit for new station; hearing to be con¬
solidated with hearing on applications of WIRE requesting 50 KW on
1190 kc. , WOWO for renewal of license and Increase in power to 50 KW,
WGL and WKBV for renewal of licenses; KSD, The Pulitzer Publishing
Co., St, Louis, Mo., - pursuant to policy with respect to new con¬
struction under present" emergency application for construction permit
to change frequency from 550 to 940 kc, , increase power from 1 KW
night, 5 KW LS, to 50 KW, install new transmitter and new directional
antenna for night use, and move transmitter; KROY, Royal Miller,
Sacramento, Calif., - pursuant to policy with r espect to new construc¬
tion under present emergency, application for construction permit to
change frequency from 1240 to 1030 kc. , increase power from 100 watts
to 10 KW, unlimited time, move transmitter locally and Install new
transmitter and directional antenna for day and night use; hearing to
be consolidated with hearing on applications of KFXD, Nampa, Idaho,
and KFINR, Roseburg, Ore. , requesting use of the same frequency.
XXXXXXXX
COUGHLIN'S BROADCASTS NETTED LEAGUE $2,000,000
Net incom.e of the Rev. Charles E. Coughlin's Radio League
of the Little Flower over a 10-year period, according to a league
bookkeeper, reached more than $2,000,000, an Associated Press dis¬
patch from Detroit states.
Miss Alberta Ward, bookkeeper who testified before a Michi¬
gan Unemployment Compensation Commission referee's hearing, said the
total net income for the 10-year period ending September 30, 1940,
was $2,028,570.92.
Fhther Coughlin’s parish, the Shrine of the Little Flower,
received most of the money. Miss Ward said. She said the shrine
received $575,386.60 over a four-year period ending September 30,
1934, and $751,714.82 over a like period ending in 1938.
A hearing is being conducted by Referee Henry Glicman on
the league's appeal from, a commission ruling that it is not a char¬
itable organization and must, therefore, pay payroll taxes to the
State.
League employees, Mr. Glicman said, have been refused State
jobless benefits because these taxes have not been paid*
The League's net annual receipts reached a high mark of
$574,416 in 1938, Miss Ward said. The receipts fell to 8102,254 in
1939 and to $82,283 in 1940, she said. In September of 1940, Father
Coughlin announced his retirement from broadcasting,
XXXXXXXX
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3/13/42
Of the 90,569 households reported on in Vemont in the 1940
Census, returns of which are just being compiled, 80,253 have radios.
Paul Porter, Columbia Broadcasting System lawyer in Wash¬
ington, has resigned to take the position of Assistant Administrator
in Charge of the Rent Division of the Office of the Price Administra¬
tor. Mr. Porter has been with Columbia for five years, having pre¬
viously served with the Agricultural Adjustment Administration,
Reducation of the number of sizes of incandescent light
bulbs to Save critical materials has been discussed at a meeting in
Washington recently of the Incandescent and Flure scent Lamp Industry
Advisory Committee, There are now some 2500 different sizes of dif¬
ferent types of incandescent bulbs, for home and store lighting, for
flashlights, for radio and automobile panels, etc. Each bulb con¬
tains critical war materials - copper, brass, nickel and tungsten.
At the meeting, it was suggested that the number of sizes
might be reduced to approximately 1000.
In the census just taken, a dwelling unit was enumerated
as having a radio if it contained a usable radio set or one only
temporarily out of repair.
Frazier Hunt, General Electric newscaster, told the part
radio is playing in helping the Bank of China transact its business,
in one of his recent ’'world news’* programs over CBS.
"Amidst the chaos of falling bombs, the business of the
Bank of China does not halt (in Chunking). The financial life-blood
of China, which sustains the battle-hardened warriors of Chiang Kai-
Chek, must be kept flowing despite the daily sowing of death f rora
the skies.
"How can bank employees keep working? How can the officials
of the Bank of China keep in touch with Isolated branches throughout
Free China? Radio, best known of all the electronic sciences, still
does its job undistrubed by man-made terrors", the former war corres¬
pondent explained. "Far below the ground at the head office of the
Bank of China, today in embattled Chunking, calm and quiet operators
put through radio telephone calls to distant branch offices of the
Great Bank of China. Business goes on, not as usual, but despite the
unusual. "
XXXXXXXXXX
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•’MAKE IT LAST”, CBS CHIEF ENGINEER ADVISES
Technicians of the Columbia Broadcasting System from coast-
to-coast received the following memorandum, written by E. K. Cohan,
Director of Engineering, recently, which reads in part:
’’Radio broadcasting is playing a vital role in the nation's
war effort. The job assigned to radio will probably become much big¬
ger before the war is over. And it will have to be done under much
more difficult operating conditions.
"Domestic broadcasting is 'frozen* for the duration. So,
too, are much of the supplies and equipment necessary for efficient
operation. Even now, it’s almost impossible to obtain copper wire,
rubber^ insulated conductors, speech amplifiers, microphones, vacuum
tubes, and a host of other essential materials.
”lt is esoe dally Important, th*erefore, that whatever we
have on hand now, we make it last. We must make it last for the
duration of the war - whether that is going to be one year, or five
years, or longer,
”We must do everything possible to extend the life of all
our equipment and materials. If a microphone cable, for example,
becomes defective, don t throw it out. Locate the defective section
and salvage the rest.
"To maintain our operations at the highest technical ef¬
ficiency, we may have been too busy, in the past, to salvage any
material that was not just perfect. That practice has to go by the
board. As far as it is compatible with efficient broadcasting, we
must save - and use -• any part that has some utility left in it.
"At the present time, we are in good shape as far as equip¬
ment is concerned. Now is the time to start exercising the Ingenuity
that characterized early-day broadcasting. If an equipment problem
comes up, don t look for the answer in the stock supply. We must
find the answer by ingenious use of available materials and whether
it can be made in your workshop,
"Make It Last".
XXXXXXXXXX
12
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Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET
WASHINGTON, D. C.
Closed Circuit Talks May Prove Valuable War Aid,
2
Navy Restricts Ra.dio Messages To Ships
3
New Radio Circuits To New Zealand And New Caledonia....
Hopes For Telegraph Merger Legislation .
National Archives Presented With Pearl Harbor Newscasts
Marine Corps Seeks Radio Operators For Raid Duty .
Supreme Court To Review Chain Broadcasting Ruling .
Rules Strict In Broadcast Station Priorities .
War Clouds Gather Over N. A, B. And Neville Miller . 7
F. D.R. Addresses Unit Plea To Sarnoff . 8
WPB Guthrie Investigations May Enlighten Set Makers . 9
"Broadcasting As Usual'* Out, Mullen Warns . 10
Television Meeting Scheduled . ..10
Trade Notes . 11
Transmitter Tower Lights Not Blacked Out In Tests . 12
No. 1418
a> cn cn
March 17, 1942
CLOSED CIRCUIT TALKS MAY PROVE VALUABLE WAR AID
The closed circuit talks from Washington to the affiliates
of the four networks and any other stations that want to come in are
seen to have great wartime possibilities. Heard over the telephone
wires which carry the regular programs, the idea of the off-the-
record talks originally was simply to keep the radio stations
throughout the country in step but the talks are now seen to have
even a larger field of usefulness in that in an emergency a closed
circuit conference of any group of local authorities or business men
could be called on short notice. All that the station in any city
would have to do would be to summon these people to the studios.
When asked about this development, Kenneth H. Berkeley,
Manager of the National Broadcasting Company, in Washington, said:
”The closed circuit is not only valuable as a confidential
means of communication between government people and the operating
heads of the radio stations throughout the country but the broad¬
casters in turn if the President or other high officials so desired
could quickly summon to the stations the United States bankers,
engineers, state or municipal officials or any special class. It
need not be confined to radio station heads. **
Thus the broadcasters are not only able to afford a means
of reaching the public immediately through such a hookup as carries
the President’s speeches but now with the use of the telephone wires
already connecting the stations they provide a. vehicle for transmit¬
ting confidential messages. Incidentally the method of operation of
the closed circuit is very simple. Trpr the brief period the wires
are to be used - and up to now the closed circuit conferences have
only lasted 15 minutes - all the station has to do is to put on a
short program of its own during that time.
The second of the closed circuit talks was held last
Saturday afternoon, originating in the NBC studios in Washington,
when Capt. Leland P. Lovette, new Assistant Navy Public Relations
Head, was interviewed by Albert Warner and Morgan Beatty, CBS and
Blue Net commentators.
Captain Lovette, fresh from active participation in the
battle at Pearl Harbor, was introduced by William B. Lewis, Office
of Facts and Figures Radio Chief, who is strongly back of the closed
circuit talks idea and whose office is doing much to develop it.
Everything Captain Lovette said was strictly confidential but for
the future guidance of those concerned or tnose who were not able
to hear him, William Neel, NBC Washington News Editor said a copy of
the Naval officer's talk would be sent to every broadcasting station
in the country.
- 2 -
3/17/42
The first speaker In the closed circuit series was Archi¬
bald MacLeish, Librarian of Congressional Library, and head of the
Office of Facts and Figures. It originated in the studios of the
Columbia Broadcasting System. The next speaker will be MaJ. G-en.
A. D. Surles, in charge of Public Relations of the War Department,
Saturday, March 28th. It will probably originate in the studios of
the Mutual Network but as yet this detail has not been worked out.
It is expected the closed circuit talks will be welcomed
by broadcasters throughout the country. Up to now network commen¬
tators have had the advantage of attending off-the-record conferences
with high officials but this gives the station heads at home a chance
to get in on these private talks. It furnishes them with valuable
background which they otherwise wouldn't have, prevents them from
getting off on the wrong foot, and enables them to put more correct
explanations on the air.
The belief is expressed that the appearance of Mr.
MacLeish, Captain Lovette of the Navy and General Surles of the Army
is just a starter, that the series will pro ball y run for the dura¬
tion of the war and will include industrial production chiefs and
everyone of importance in connection with the war program.
XXXXXXXXXX
NA’i/Y RESTRICTS RADIO MESSAGES TO SHIPS
The Navy has restricted communication by commercial
coastal radio stations with vessels and aircraft at sea unless they
had Navy approval.
Under regulations signed by Secretary Knox, permissible
transmission includes radio telegraph and radio telephone communica¬
tion devoted to distress signals, navigation and necessary shlp^s
business with vessels operating in the inland waters or which have
arrived in inland waters.
Communication with commercial vessels outside inland waters
is limited to radio telegraph messages involving urgent and necessary
ship's business, radio telephone messages if specifically authorized,
distress signals and transmission of press material.
For such communication, the Navy announcement said, the
"broadcast” method is prescribed and the "call and answer” form of
transmission is prohibited unless specific authority is obtained
from naval officials.
xxxxxxxx
3
3/17/42
NEW RADIO CIRCUITS TO NEW ZEALAND AND NEW CALEDONIA
New direct radiotelegraph circuits have been opened be¬
tween United States and New Zealand by the Mackay Radio and Tele¬
graph Company and between the United States and Noumea, Island of
New Caledonia, Free French outpost in the Southwest Pacific by
R. C.A, Communications, Inc,
The New Zealand circuit was established by the Mackay
Radio and Telegraph Company in cooperation with the Department of
Telegraphs of the New Zealand Government. The announcement states
that all classes of messages are being handled at existing Pacific
cable rates. Mackay Radio will use its powerful radio station at
San Francisco, working with the New Zealand Government station at
Wellington. The new service is available throughout the United
States at all Postal Telegraph as well as Mackay Radio offices.
The first direct communications link between the Island
of New Caledonia, and North America, the new Ra.dio Corporation radio
circuit removes the previous necessity of contacting Noumea by way
of Australia. The RCAC cooperated with the New Caledonia Admini¬
strative Center of General de Gaulle in establishing the Noumea con¬
nection. Noumea is the center of a local radio communications net¬
work linking the other Free French islands of the New Hebrides,
the Marquesas, Tuamotu and the Society Islands,
The Island of New Caledonia lies just north of the Tropic
of Capricorn approximately 6,400 miles from San Francisco. It is
1,050 miles northeast of Sydney, Australia, almost directly on a
line from Sydney to Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. It is nearer the
Solomon Islands, where Japanese naval units recently have been
reported.
The San Franc Isco-Noumea circuit is the sixth direct
radio link between the United States and the Far East and the South¬
western i'aciflc to be establlsned by RCAC since this country entered
the war. The others are Chungking, China; Cebu, Philippine Islands:
Sydney, Australia; Wellington, New Zealand; and Medan, Sumatra.
xxxxxxxxx
HOPES FOR TELEGRAPH MERGER LEGISLATION
The matter of merging the Western Union and Postal Tele¬
graph companies was brouglit up when Chairman James L. Fly, of the
Federal Communications said in answer to a question:
’’We are hopeful that something will be done on the tele¬
graph merger legislation very shortly. That situation is crying
for attention. I believe both the Senate and House are giving that
matter active attention,
XXXXXXXXXX
4
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3/17/42
A notable addition to recordings of liistoric broadcasts
being collected and preserved in the National Archives is a set of
20 records of the thrilling radio bulletins the day Pearl Harbor
was attacked. They are the gift of Frank E, Mullen, Executive
Vice-President of the National Broadcasting Company, and were per¬
sonally received by S. J. Buck, U. S, Archivist. The recordings
began with the flash that shook the world from Pearl Harbor at
2:39 p.M. , that never-to-be-forgotten Sunday afternoon of December
7th and continue throu^ Monday.
The Archives collection of historic broadcast recordings
includes President Roosevelt’s speech to Congress following Pearl
Harbor, Prime Minister Churchill’s speech to Congress, the Presi¬
dent’s January 6th firechat having to do with war preparations and
many others.
The Archives also contains a recording of the eye-witness
broadcast of the Airship ’’Hindenberg” Disaster at Lakehurst, N.J. ,
May 6, 1937, It was presented to the Museum by Burridge D. Butler
of Station WLS, Chicago, Mr. Butler, owner of ‘'^LS had sent an
announcer, Herbert Morrison, and an engineer, Charles Nuhlsen, to
Lakehurst to make a recording of a description to be rebroadcast
later over WLS, of what was expected to be a routine arrival of the
airship, which was then regularly making trips across the Atlantic.
To the horror of these men, the ’’Hlndenberg” exploded
their faces. The recording went on automatically and
later proved to be one of the most sensational of its
history of radio.
almost in
the broadcast
kind in the
xxxxxxxx
MARINE CORPS SEEKS RADIO OPERATORS FOR RAID DUTY
/
The Marine Corps has opened enlistments to qualified radio
specialists and announced it was seeking a number of qualified engi¬
neers for special aircraft warning duty as commissioned officers.
The radio specialists, who must be between 17 pnd 35, are
required to have either an operator’s license or at least three
months’ experience in radio repair or service. After training, they
will be assigned to air raid warnint<, and maintenance work. Those who
fail to complete their radio school work will be assigned to line
duty in the corps.
Physical requirements for the engineers sought by the
Marine Corps are less rigid than for general line duty. Men hold¬
ing a bachelor’s degree in electrical communication or radio engin¬
eering care preferred, and those selected will be trained in air¬
craft warning equipment at one of the service schools.
X X X X X X X
5
3/17/42
SUPREItflE COURT TO REVIEW CHAIN BROADCASTING RULING
The Supreme Court agreed yesterday (Monday) to review a
decision by a three- judge Federal Court at New York, which dismissed
suits brought by the National Broadcasting Co. , Inc. , and the
Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc. , to enjoin the Communications
Commission from enforcing restrictions on cha,in broadcasting.
The companies challenged a FCC order barring exclusive
network affiliate station contracts and prohibiting any company from
owning two networks.
Such an order, the companies contended in the three- judge
court, constituted an unauthorized attempt to enforce the Federal
anti-trust laws.
In a two-to-one decision the three- judge court held that
it did not have jurisdiction to pass on the order.
Joining in the Supreme Court appeal were the Woodmen of
the World Life Insurance Society, which owns and operates Station
WOW in Omaha, and the Stroraberg-Carlson Telephone Manufacturing Co. ,
which owns and operates Station V/HAfvd in Rochester, N. Y.
The Mutual Broadcasting System, Inc. , intervened in the
litigation on the side of the FCC.
Opposing counsel joined in asking the tribunal to hear
arguments in time for a decision before the court adjourns for the
Summer early in June.
The three- judge court’s decree was entered on February 21
and the Supreme Court appeal was rushed with all possible speed,
XXXXXXXX
RULES STRICT IN BROADCAST STATION PRIORITIES
Asked if there was anything new on priorities having to do
with construction or maintenance of broadcasting stations, James L.
Fly, Chairman of the Defense Communications Board, replied:
”No, nothing that is startlingly different. The situation
is, of course, tough and military and defense requirements are para¬
mount and we certainly have, for that matter, in all probability no
right to expect very generous allocations of materials except where
we can show a pretty strong defense function. Even so, you know,
at frequent times they must balance one defense function against
the other, I think the rules are bound to be strict and strictly
construed in the light of critical materials. There has been no
change in the rules, however, and none is contemplated at the mo¬
ment. ”
XXXXXXXX
- 6
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WAR CLOUDS GATHER OVER N.A.B, AHD NEVILLE MILLER
It, looks as If the National Association of Broadcasters
were in for a war-time making over. Also that the going is not so
good for Neville Miller, its first, and In the opinion of some mem¬
bers entirely too highly, paid President. In fact, there Is strong
talk of trying to get rid of Mr. Miller, who receives $35,000 a
year and going back to the old custom of a broadcaster serving with¬
out pay. A hook in the latter proposition is that the ex-Louisvllle
Mayor, who according to the allegations is a better politician than
he is a trade association executive, holds an iron-clad contract
which still has about two years to run.
The reorganization of NAB and what, if anything, is to be
done about Mr. Miller, may be a topic of discussion at a meeting of
the NAB Board of Directors which will be held in New York this week.
Things have never been the same with the NAB President
since he had the "dead mackeral” tangle with Chairman James L. Fly
of the Federal Communications Commission at St. Louis. Since then
Mr. Fly has refused to recognize Mr. Miller as the industry spokes¬
man and the NAB, so far as the FCC is concerned, has been pretty
much on the outside looking in, which the broadcasters seem to
think is not the place for them to be when the country is at war.
Those wno believe there should be a drastic reorganiza¬
tion of NAB urge, according to Broadcasting Magazine;
”1. That the major networks be relegated to associate rather
than active membership and that no network executive,
employee or official be permitted to serve on the Board
of Directors.
”2. That new leadership be infused in the NAB, probably
through restoration of a practical broadcaster as
President.
“3. That economies be effected in NAB operation with certain
of its present activities discontinued,
“4. That experienced ^legislative counsel" be retained to
handle Congressional contacts and other Washington-f ront
activities.
"5. That the association be streamlined and placed on a war
footing, with non-essential peacetime pursuits eliminated.
"The plea for economies in NAB operation first developed
last January when John A. Kennedy, President of WCHS, and the West
Virginia Network, and 4th District Director, proposed at an NAB
Board meeting that a survey be made of the budget and that it be
sharply reduced. As a result of this, a Finance Committee, headed
by J. Harold Ryan, Fort Industry Company, Vice-President and Assist--
ant Director of Censorship in Charge of Radio, was designated.
- 7
3/17/42
"The economy move was thoroughly discussed at the execu¬
tive session of the 4th District meeting at Roanoke, C, T. Lucy,
General Manager of WRVA, Richmond, in advance of the session on
February 14, had circulated the membership stating that he was find¬
ing it difficult to convince himself ’we are getting our money's
worth from the NAB' .
"He disclaimed any intention of resigning or assuming the
role of agitator for lower dues but said he felt more money was
being spent than necessary for a trade association and that with
uncertainty 'staring us in the face' it behooved stations to watch
their step.
"A resolution was adopted at the Roanoke meeting which
read;
•'•Resolved, it is the sense of the 4th District membership
assembled at Roanoke, Va. , on March 7, 1942, that the Board
of Directors of the NAB immediately appoint a committee to
make a study of the management, structure and finances of the
NAB, looking toward greater unity, economy and efficiency.
'"And be it further resolved, that the committee make
its report setting forth its recommendations in detail to
the membership at the 1942 Cleveland convention. * "
Final action on any reorganization of NAB and whether or
not Neville Miller is to be retained is slated for full discussion
at the annual NAB convention at Cleveland next May.
XXXXXXXXXX
F.D.R. ADDRESSES UNIT PLEA TO SARNOFF
David Sarnoff, President of the Radio Corporation of
America, as President of the Economic Club of New York and toast¬
master at its dinner last (Monday) night, was the recipient of a
lengthy letter from President Roosevelt in which he warned that the
supreme strategy of victory must be for the United Nations to remain
united.
The speakers at the dinner at which there were 2,000
guests included Lord Halifax, British Ambassador; Max Lltvinoff,
Russian Ambassador, and Dr. Hu Shlh, Chinese Ambassador.
Mr,. Sarnoff read the letter from President Roosevelt, in
which the Chief Executive predicted that eve,ntually our "rising
tide of production and manpower” would ''•overwhelm the enemies of
freedom and democracy", but warned that meanwhile the United Nations
must remain "united in purpose, united in sympathy, and united in
determination ".
XXXXXXXXXX
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WPB GUTHRIE INVESTIGATIONS LIAY ENLIGHTEN SET MAKERS
It is just possible inside information regarding the
order closing down the manufacturing of radio sets may be forth¬
coming in the numerous investigations planned of the resignation of
Robert R, Guthrie, Chief of the Textile Clothing and Leather Goods
Branch of the War Production Board.
Mr. Guthrie, who had briefly been the Deputy Chief of
the Industries Branch with supervision over durable consumers'
goods, had succeeded in that position in obtaining an order closing
down the refrigerator and radio industries on April 22 and 30, res¬
pectively, in the face of fierce industry opposition.
Following the radio and refrigerator controversies, how¬
ever, he had been summoned by the Chief of the Branch, Phillip Reed,
Chairman of the Board of General Electric Company, who accused Mr.
Guthrie of taking a hostile and suspicious attitude toward industry.
Nevertheless, Mr. Reed gave him the choice of remaining Deputy Chief
or head of the Textile Branch. He chose the latter.
Mr. CAithrie at the time he took over the position as
Deputy Chief of the Industry branches last January, found that the
radio Industry had been allocated 100,000 pounds of aluminum for
January, or almost 50 percent of the peacetime rate of consumption;
95,000 pounds in February and 85,000 pounds in March. Mr. Guthrie
cancelled the March allocation.
While Senate and House groups were completing plans for
calling Mr. Guthrie and others, and Donald M. Nelson, WPB Chief, was
scanning his organization for some one to head up an investigation,
the United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers of America, (C. I.O)
came to Mr. Guthrie's support and called upon Ur. Nelson to rein¬
state his former Division Chief as well as the assistants who follow--
ed him from the Government agency.
If such a reinstatement is not ordered, the union said,
"the faith we have in WPB's determination to do a job of all-out
production will be sorely shaken. "
The message was conveyed in a letter from Russ Nixon,
Washington representative of the C.I.O. union, who said that members
of his union have fought for the prompt cessation of civilian produ¬
ction and conversion to war work in the radio, refrigerator, washing-
machine and typewriter industries but have met "vigorous opposition"
from a great number of important Ifar Production Board officials.
XXXXXXXX
- 9
V > ;!
3/17/42
X
" BROADCAST IxNG AS USUAL" OUT, MULLEN WARNS
That "broadcasting as usual" is in the same category as
"business as usual", that "broadcasters as a whole are not ’suf¬
ficiently realistic'", and that "vastly more” will be expected of
them, were highlights of an address by Frank E. Mullen, Vice-Presi¬
dent and General Manager of the National Broadcasting Company at a
meeting of executives of regional NBC affiliated station executives
in New York Monday night. The gathering was the first of a series
of such conferences, the second of which will be held in Cincinnati
tomorrow (Wednesday) night under the chairmanship of James D. Shouse,
Vice-President of the Crosley Radio Corporation, Headed by William
S, Hedges, Vice-President in Charge of Stations, there will be fur¬
ther meetings in Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta and San Francisco,
Mr, Mullen, keynote speaker at the New York conference
designed to coordinate NBC's facilities in the war program, praised
radio's contribution since December 7, But a greater effort re¬
mains to be made, he indicated.
"Profits may seem vital to us, but they will be important
only as funds to finance the war", Mr, Mullen said,
Mr. Mullen urged also the preservation of "democratic
discussion and even constructive criticism of government”, but warn^
ed that "it is our duty to see to it that all such discussion and
criticism on the air is from responsible people only. "
Other speakers included Dr. James R. Angell, Educational
Counsellor for NBC; Paul W. Morency, Manager of Station WTIC,
Hartford and Clarence L. Menser, NBC Program Manager. One hundred
New York and New England officials attended the conference.
XXXXXXXXX
TELEVISION MEETING SCHEDULED
The Federal Communications Commission today (Tuesday)
decided to meet in informal conference with television perraitees
and licensees and representatives of the Radio Manufacturers'
Association on April 9th at 2:30 P.M, in Room 6120 of the Commission
offices to discuss wartime television problems for the purpose of
determining policies that may be followed regarding television broad¬
casting during the duration of the emergency.
Due to limited facilities, attendance at this conference
will be restricted to not more than two representatives of any
television station or organization,
XXXXXXXX
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TRADE NOTES
Expected In Washington is Dr. Julio Barota, Director of
the Radio Division of the Brazilian Department of Press and Propa¬
ganda, who arrived in New York by plane last Saturday. After con¬
ferring with the Rockefeller organization with regard to South
America short-wave broadcasts, Dr. Barota in all probability will
proceed to the Capital.
The Columbia Broadcasting System has applied for a modifi¬
cation of construction perait for K59L for a new high frequency
broadcast station in St. Louts, requesting extension of completion
day to October 18, 1942.
During the period, January to November 1941, it is esti¬
mated by the U. S. Commerce Department that about 3,453 radio sets
were imported into Ecuador from the United States - with none from
other countries. There were 27 radio broadcasting stations in
Ecuador, compared with 18 stations at the close of 1940. Radio
listening continued to increase in popularity in 1941, particularly
with respect to short-wave reception.
Sylvania announces a series of 1 and 2 column newspaper
mats, available free to Sylvania radio servicemen. "Radios Need
Inspection Too" is one of the themes that is illustrated several
ways with a touch of humor. Others are handled in radio quiz form,
telephone dial and dramatization of late news bulletin reception
Sylvania urges radio servicemen to promote their expert
abilities aggressively, now when new sets are disappearing from the
market and the public can keep up their "radio contacts" only by
having a serviceman repair broken down sets.
About 1,500 successful amateur license applicants whose
examination papers have been on file at the FPderai Communications
Commission since December 7th, will now receive their operator li¬
censes and bring the amateur total close to 60,000. More than 10,-
000 of that number are already in military communication service,
it is e stlraated.
Crosley Corporation - For 1941: Net profit, $1,493,135,
equal to $2.73 each on 545,800 shares, contrasted with consolidated
net loss of $1,589,288 in 1940; net sales, $27,171,880, compared with
$16,915,349. Current assets on Dec. 31 last were $8,015,801 and
current liabilities, $3,182,107; earned surplus increased to
$2,520,986 from $1,108,728 a year earlier.
Station KEX, owned by the Oregonian Publishing Co. ,
Portland, Oregon, is seeking special service authorization to oper¬
ate on 1190 kilocycles, 10 KW, install new transmitter for period
ending January 1, 1943.
- 11
. . ' *
3/17/42
Just off the press is the printed report of '’Statistics
of the Communications Industry in the United States” by the Federal
Communications Commission for the year ended December 31, 1940.
Opening of the Government’s anit-trust suit against 12
leading firms in the electric light bulb industry was postponed
yesterday (Monday) in the Federal Court in Trenton, until tomorrow
amid circumstances which led to speculation that the case might be
settled, or at least deferred until after the war.
Among the defendant concerns are the General Electric Co. ,
Westinghouse Electric & Iifenufacturing Co. , Coming Glass Works;
International General Electric Co. , Inc. , New York; N. V. Philips'
Gloeilampenfabrieken, Craoao, Dutch West Indies and New York; Con¬
solidated Electric Lamp Co. , Danvers, Mass. ; Hy grade Sylvan la Corp, ,
Salem ffess; Ken-Rad Tube & Lamp Corp., Owensboro, Ky. ; and Tung-Sol
Lamp Works, Newark.
The Offensive of the Airwaves, by America and the United
Nations, directed specifically against the Axis, was launched last
Sunday, March 15, by the National Broadcasting Company in close
cooperation with the U. S. Office of the Coordinator of Information
as a mighty demonstration of the overwhelming force of united demo¬
cracy in action.
Two regular programs, ’’United America Speaks”, and ’’The
United Nations Speak”, are to be broadcast on Sundays, Monday® and
Wednesdays to the four corners of the world over NBC’s short-wave
transmitters WRCA and WNBI and also over the NBC serviced Westing-
house station WBOS, Leaders of the countries at war with the Axis
will take part.
XXXXXXXXXX
TRANSMITTER TO’WER LIGHTS NOT BLACKED OUT IN TESTS
Acting under an order from the three controlling boards in
Washington - the Federal Communications Commission, the Civil Aero¬
nautics Authority and the Defense Communications Board - tower lighte
and marker beacons on transmission towers of broadcast stations wil]
remain illuminated during local test blackout periods. To darken the
woers would render them a hazard to friendly aircraft,
"We will co-operate with local defense boards to the full¬
est degree", E. K. Cohan, head of the CBS Engineering Department,
Said. ”We will extinguish all building and ground lights, any sta¬
tion identification signs or lights and help in any other way we can
but under the present rulings the marker beacons must remain lighted.
All of our transmitters, however, are now manned 24 hours a day in
order that they may be completely and promptly blacked out in an
actual raid. ”
Only the interceptor commands of the districts in which the
towers are located have the authority to order a. complete blackout of
tower lights. Even when radio stations are ordered off the air and a
blackout of ground lights is ordered because of the presence of un-’
identified aircraft in the vicinity, the tower lights would not be
extinguished except on specific orders from the interceptor commands.
XXXXXXXXX
- 12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE
New War Information Office May
OF MARCH 20, 1942. ^
if
End Ra.dio Duollcatlon . 2
Radio Advertising Tax Urged At House Revenue Hearing., . 4
Fly Hotly Denies FCC Maintains G-estapo Unit....
Communications Industry Yearbook Placed On Sale
WpB Head Says Radio People Overrode Him On Aluminum
Winchell Sued For $400,000 Alleged Broadcast Libel
FCC Action
N.Y. -Buenos Aires Tryout Of New Error Proof Printer;
WeXAO’s ’’Television Spot Announcements" Make Bow....
OFF Modifies Casualty Announcement Policy . . . .....10
Marines Still Hold Midway, General Electric Learns . . . 10
11
Trade Notes . . .
No Juke Boxes After May 1
No. 1413
12
lO lO ID 00 Oi
NEW WAR INFORI/iATION OFFICE MAY END RADIO DUPLICATION
If a Central War Information Office is created, it is ex¬
pected to end the grand scramble of Crovernment officials who have
been trying to grab off radio for themselves. Also, as in the field
of the printed word, it is believed that the War Information Office
may eliminate an immense amount of confusion and duplication of
radio effort. As a matter of fact, there is and always has been
only one man in control of radio and that is President Roosevelt him¬
self. Radio has his personal interest and attention because he uses
it in his business, i.e., in going direct to the people.
Nevertheless, numerous other minor officials have been
striving to keep their hands on the radio steering-wheel. These
Include James L. Fly, Chairman, of the Federal Communications Commis¬
sion, and what seems to be becoming its bigger brother, the Defense
Communications Board; Archibald MacLeish, Office of Facts and Figures
Col, William J. Donovan, Coordinator of Infoimation; Nelson Rocke¬
feller, Office of Inter- American Affairs; Lowell Mellett of the
Office of Government Reports; Byron Price, Director of Censorship,
and others.
So many have tried to have a part in the broadcasting of
Government news and propaganda, to say nothing of the control of
the radio itself, that it appeared to be a case of too many cooks
spoiling the broth.
In the creation of a Central War Information Office,
according to one usually reliable authority, it was first proposed
that the Office of Government Reports, Office of Facts and Figures,
Coordinator of Information, and most of the Office of Inter- American
Affairs be merged along with the information offices of War, Navy,
War Production Board, and Maritime Commission.
Vice President Wallace and Under Secretary of State Welles
are understood to have objected to theinclusion of the Rockefeller
Office of Inter- American Affairs. Then the President is understood
to have agreed with Lowell Mellett that his OGR should be excluded.
Now it is proposed that Army and Navy communiques be issued from the
Office of Facts and Figures. If the Office of the Coordinator of
Information is included, it is generally believed that the Coordina¬
tor, William J. Donovan, will return to active Army duty.
William B, Lewis, formerly CBS Vice-President, head of the
Radio Division of the Office of Facts and Figures, has been serving
as a traffic control director of all Government radio programs.
This has made OFF the clearing house of governmental broadcasting.
2
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3/20/42
His chief, Archibald MacLeish, has been stealing sorae of
Mr. Fly* a thunder by acting as spokesman for the Broadcast Monitor¬
ing Section of the Federal Communications Commission in telling the
public what the Axis short-wave propagandists are saying about us.
This has raised the point as to why, since the FCC Monitoring Sec¬
tion was doing all the work in connection with gathering and analyz¬
ing the foreign propaganda, Mr. MacLeish had to be the mouthpiece.
Why could not it have been done by Mr. Fly? When the question was
asked of an FCC official, he said:
”We don*t make public our conclusions because they are
supposed to be confidential. We simply send copies to the State
Department, the Office of Facts and Figures, to Colonel Donovan and
to other Government offices. '*
Confidential though these reports are said to be, Mr.
MacLeish has been going to town with such items as?
’’A * Borgia Bund’ of enemy radio propagandists is using a
'shabby but subtle system of playing both ends against the middle’
in an attempt to poison the minds of the United Nations against
each other. Archibald MacLeish, Director of the Office of Facts
and Figures, w^arned last night.
"In an analysis of Axis shortwave radio propaganda broad¬
casts, MacLeish said that the Nazis, Japanese and Italians were
pouring out a ’brand new concoction of lies’. The campaign, he
said, is as ’shrewd, as ruthless, as any poison plot of the Borgias’.
”The OFF report, its director stated, was based on a
factual study of enemy short-wave propaganda, which has been moni¬
tored by the Federal Communications Commission. The strategy un¬
covered, he explained, takes the form of ’exaggerations, distortions
and outrageous lies' and is based on the precept of Hitler’s ’Mein
Kampf’ that 'the great masses of the people . . . are more easily
victimized by a large than a small lie. ’ "
True, Mr. MacLeish gives the FCC a credit line, but the
question was asked as to just why he himself should take the centre
of the stage. The conclusion was that this was Just another build¬
up to make it look as if MacLeish were doing a real job.
A further question was asked if Mr. MacLeish is the analyst
of the foreign broadcast propaganda, isn’t he duplicating the work of
Dr. Goodwin Watson, former Columbia University professor. Chief
Analyst of the Foreign Broadcast Monitoring Service, whose salary
the House recently voted to disallow alleging that he was a Red.
"Just what does Dr. Watson have to do?" Congressman Wood-
rum of Virginia, asked Mr. Fly when Dr. Watson was under fire,
"He is in charge of making long range studies of foreign
propaganda broadcasts", the latter replied.
3
1
3/20/42
Tiien there is the alleged duplication of the work of
the Donovan and Rockefeller groups. Colonel Donovan appropriated
unto himself the short-wave broadcasts from the United States to
Europe and Mr. Rockefeller took over those to South America. It
has been argued that all this could be done by a single agency.
If a Central War Information Office is established, it
is believed these and many other duplications of radio work will
be eliminated, along with the attending confusion and that a much
better system will result.
XXXXXXXX
RADIO ADVERTISING TAX URGED AT HOUSE REVENUE HEARING
A tax on newspaper and radio advertising was proposed to
the Ways and Means Committee of the House considering additional
means of revenue by Representative Sauthoff, Progressive, of Wis¬
consin.
After quoting Representative Boehne (D. ), of Indiana, as
saying that second class mail matter had received an average annual
subsidy of $90,000,000, Mr. Sauthoff told the Ways and Means Com¬
mittee :
’’An inspection of any of the metropolitan dailies will
show you that one-third to one-half of the contents of such papers
is devoted to commercial advertising, which pays a large revenue.
"Because these newspapers enjoy a $90,000,000 a year sub¬
sidy from the government, which, of course, the average citizen
must pay; and because commercial advertising is a matter of profit,
pure and simple, and not educational, therefore, I feel that we
could recover our $90,000,000 a year now granted to the newspapers
as subsidy by placing a tax on these commercial advertisements.
"I recommend this solely on the basis that this printed
matter is getting a special privilege from the government.
"Another source of advertising which obtains a special
privilege from the government is that of radio advertisement. Here,
too, the government should step in and exact a fee for this form of
advertising. As to the amount of the fee, I leave that to the good
Judgment of your committee. "
XXXXXXXXXX
4 -
3/20/42
FLY HOTLY DENIES FCC MAINTAINS GESTAPO UNIT
Chairman James L. Fly, of the Federal Communications Com¬
mission, hotly denied at a House Rules Committee meeting, when he
was again called before that body last Wednesday, that the FCC
maintains "a gestapo”.
Testifying on a resolution by Representative Cox. (D, ), of
Georgia for Congressional investigation of the Commission, Mr. Fly
said, **1 certainly object to the type of investigation you have in
mind. ” Mr, Cox had asked if the Commission had sought to bring
'^pressure*' to block the projected inquiry.
The Committee arrived at no conclusion on the Cox resolu¬
tion after having heard the FCC Chairman for the second time in
less than a week. It had not finished questioning him when it
adjourned without setting a time for another session,
Mr. Cox, who did most of the questioning, asked Mr. Fly
if the Commission ’‘maintains a Gestapo used to beat down * ^ ^ and
cow * * * every one who might differ, ”
’’That’s entirely false, sir”, retorted Mr. Fly, who ex¬
plained that the Commission maintained a force of nine to handle its
investigatory work.
XXXXXXXX
COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY YEARBOOK PLACED ON SALE
The Federal Communications Commission publication,
’’Statistics of the Communications Industry in the United States” for
the year ended December 31, 1940, was this week placed on sale by
the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Wash¬
ington, D, C. , at a price of 20 cents a copy.
The financial and operating data shown in this publication
relate to common carriers and broadcast stations subject to the
provisions of the Communications Act. The information was compiled
from annual and monthly reports received in the Accounting, Statisti¬
cal and Tariff Department of the Commission, Though the 1940 year¬
book is reduced in size to meet appropriations and paper conservation
requirements, it contains pertinent facts concerning individual
telephone, telegraph, cable and radiotelegraph carriers and control¬
ling companies; also, statistical summaries relative to standard
broadcast stations and networks.
The first edition of this yearbook, for the calendar year
1939, was sold out within a few weeks after it was placed on sale
by the Superintendent of Documents and a second printing was neces¬
sary,
XXXXXXXX
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WPB HEAD SAYS RADIO PEOPLE OVERRODE ON ALUMINUM
That the radio and refrigerator Industries got more
aluminum than they were entitled to and that he lost out in opposing
this were among the charges made by Robert R. Guthrie, former Chief
of the War Production Textile Clothing and Leather Branch.
To the House Military Affairs Subcommittee, Mr. Guthrie
made these charges:
1. Temporarily promoted to the post of Assistant Chief
of the WpB Bureau of Industry branches, hea.ded by Phillip Reed,
Chairman of the Board of the General Electric Co. , Mr. Guthrie was
^'shocked” to find that the radio industry had been allocated 100,000
pounds of aluminum for civilian radio production in December, 95,000
pounds in February, and 90,000 pounds in March.
Last month^s allotment to radio, he said, was enough
to build three heavy bombers, "at a time when many airplane manu¬
facturers plants are operating at less than capacity simply because
they cannot obtain enough aluminum. "
He canceled the March allocation, and was informed
’■this decision was not approved, and the result was that some
aluminum was given out for civilian sets during the month of March",
despite an aluminum scarcity of such severity that many airplane
plants are operating at less than capacity because they cannot
obtain enough of the vital metal.
2. After having agreed with the WPB Divisions of Labor
and Civilian Supply to end refrigerator production on March 31,
Mr. Guthrie was told by Mr. Reed that one Thomas Evans, head of a
commercial refrigerator company and not yet sworn in as a Government
official, was to be considered as Mr. Reed's personal representative
in the duscussions and that Mr. Evans should dictate the terras of
the curtailment order.
Mr. Evans proposed in effect that the industry be allow¬
ed to continue operations through the Summer. The projected order
vjas vetoed, however, by J. S. Knowlson, Reed's superior officer in
the WPB, as being "indefensible",
Mr. Guthrie pointed out that Mr. Reed's General Electric
Co. manufactured radios and refrigerators.
3. After the radio and refrigerator controversies, Mr.
Guthrie was called into Mr. Reed's office. Mr. Reed told him, he
said, that he was "suspicious of industry and probably suspicious"
of Reed. This Mr. Guthrie denied, but said he thought Mr. Reed
should not have anything to do with industries in the field of
General Electric Co. operations.
6
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”I told him”, Mr. G-uthrie testified, ”that I did not think
that all dollar-a-year men were down for selfish motives, but I did
think that there were a substantial number who were in WPB to further
the interest of their own personal business and that of their
industry. ”
”He explained”, Mr. Guthrie added, ”that I should consider
the fact that a man was here at $1 a year as proof of his patriotism. ”
At this time Mr. Reed relieved Mr. Guthrie of the Job of
Assistant Bureau Chief, but allowed him to continue as head of the
Textile Branch.
XXXXXXXX
WINCHELL SUED FOR $400,000 ALLEGED BROADCAST LIBEL
Mrs. Eleanor Patterson, owner and publisher of the
Washington Times-Herald, filed in District Court in Washington, D. C.
last Thursday a complaint ”to recover damages for defamation” against
Walter Winchell, newspaper columnist and radio commentator; the
Andrew Jergens Co., sponsor of Mr. Winchell *s radio program, and the
National Broadcasting Co. , which broadcasts the program.
In suing Winchell, she beat him to the draw as the com¬
mentator has been threatening to sue her charging that the Time s-
Herald has been killing his column for days at a time and cutting
it because of their conflicting political views.
In the meantime, it is reported that Winchell, who is a
Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve, and about whom there has
been criticism, because he has been allowed to continue his commer¬
cial broadcasts while on active duty, has suggested to his sponsors
that they have a substitute on nand in case the Navy Department
should order him to give up nis broadcasting.
Mrs. ^atterson, who is from the famous Col, McCormick-
Chicago Tribune, Joe Patterson-New York News, newspaper family, in
her suit against Winchell, asked the court for compensatory damages
of $1000 of each of tne defendants, and an e xtra $100,00 was demand¬
ed of Winchell in ’’punitive damages”. She is represented by
Attorney R, H. Yeatraan,
Mrs. •‘^atterson told the court in her suit that she pub¬
lished in her paper on April 13, 1940, an editorial entitled ”Green-
land, Denmark and the United States”, which was inserted in the
Congressional Record by the late Senator Ernest Lundeen, Farmer-
Labor! te, of Minnesota,
7
3/20/42
In one_^of nis broadcasts, Mr. Winchell referred to this
editorial, Mrs. atterson said, in the following "false, scandalous,
malicious and defamatory'* words;
"I wish every American would read the back issues of the
Congressional Record. It is a wonderful education. For example, on
page 10,548 of May 27, 1940, you will see praise for an editorial on
foreign policy. That editorial was inserted and praised by the late
Senator Lundeen of Minnesota,
"It was shown conclusively in court that Lundeen worked
with the convicted Nazy agent, Viereck. It fascinates me to see
how the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle fit together.
"That Lundeen contribution to the Congressional Record
was an editorial from the Washington Times-Herald, which buys but
suppresses and handcuffs my column. "
Mrs. Patterson, in her suit, said;
"Neither the said Senator Lundeen, who was from the State
of Minnesota, nor one George Sylvester Viereck, had anything what¬
soever to do with the publication of said editorial in plaintiff's
(Mrs, Patterson's) said newspaper, all of which was well known to
the defendants and each of them at and before the publication of the
defamation hereinafter set forth or could have been ascertained in
the exercise of reasonable care by due inquiry by each of said defen¬
dants of the plaintiff or her accredited representatives, "
The suit in question came as a result of Winchell' s Sunday
night broadcast of March 15th over the NBC network.
xxxxxxxx
FCC ACTION
Applications Received - Grand View Broadcasting Co. ,
Peoria, Ill. , construction pemiit for a new broadcast station to be
operated on 1290 kc. , 1 KW, unlimited time; KSEE , Earle C, Anthony,
Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., modification of construction permit for a
new television broadcast station, requesting changes in aural trans¬
mitter, to increase ESR from 1850 to 7654, move transmitter, changes
in antenna and extension of commencement and completion dates from
1/15/42 and 7/15/42 to 60 days after grant and 180 days thereafter,
re spectively.
Application Granted - General Electric Company, New
Scotland, N. Y. , granted construction permit on an experimental
basis, for a new television relay broadcast station to operate on
Channel No. 8, 162,000-168,000 kilocycles, 50 watts peak power and
A-5 emission, for relaying programs to the applicant's television
station WRGB, replacing experimental relay television station W2XI.
XXXXXXXXX
- 8 -
3/20/42
N.Y. -BUENOS AIRES TRYOUT OF NEW ERROR PROOF PRINTER
All possibility of error from defective signals in radio
telegraph transmission is eliminated by a new error-proof radio
printer put into operation in the international communications field
for the first time last Tuesday on the direct radio circuit of
R. C.A. Communications, Inc., between New York and Buenos Aires,
Product of RCA Laboratories, the new printer automatically
rejects false signals and prints an asterisk in place of an incor¬
rect letter.
Present secrecy restrictions necessitated by the war, pre¬
vent a full description of the printer. R, C.A, Communications
officials said it could be revealed, however, that the device oper¬
ates with a special code so constructed that a defective character
is immediately recognized as such by the printer.
The printer may operate alone or with others over the same
radio transmitter. When more than one printer is used, they are
operated in conjunction with RCAC's ”tirae-divison ” multiplex system,
which provides two, three or four simultaneous message channels over
a single radio transmitter. In sending messages, the output of the
several transmitter-perforators is brought together in the multiplex
equipment, scrambled, and delivered to a transmitter, which beams
the aggregate radio signal to its destination. At the receiving end,
the multiplex equipment unscrambles the signal and delivers the com¬
ponents to the several separate error-proof printers. The aggre¬
gate speed of the four-channel system is 248 words a minute.
With ordinary telegraph printers as used on the radio,
errors may be caused by spurious signals, RCAC engineers explained,
XXXXXXXXX
W6XA0»S "TELEVISION SPOT ANNOUNCEMENTS" MAKE BOW
"Television spot announcements" were introduced to South¬
ern California's "lookers" for the first time last week when the
Thomas S. Lee television station W6XA0 presented the second program
of its defense schedule.
In the television field "spot announcements" Included a
visual presentation accompanied or supplemented by commentary and/or
musical interludes. Purchase of defense bonds and stamps was urged
in the tele announcements.
Don Lee Director of Television Harry R. Lubcke supervises
the defense telecasts, which are presented on alternate Saturday
evenings in cooperation with the Nation’s war effort.
XXXXXXXX
- 9 -
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OFF MODIFIES CASUALTY ANNOUNCEMENT POLICY
Lists of men killed in action will be given out, but with
the stipulation that the press and radio will not publish. Nation¬
wide roundUDS, but confine themselves to listing the names of
casualties from their own localities, the Office of Fbcts and Figures
announced in an explanation of the Government's wartime infonna.tion
policy. That modified somewhat a previous censorship restriction
against publication of casualty lists, except stories obtained in
a newspaper’s local field from the next-of-kin of the deceased ser¬
vice man.
Even in the future, to prevent valuable information from
sifting through to the enemy, the ranks and ratings of Navy
officers and men killed in action will be withheld, as will the
designation of units to which Array officers and men were assigned.
xxxxxxxx
MARINES STILL HOLD MIDWAY, CSNEPAL ELECTRIC LEARNS
That the Marines were in possession of Midway Islands as
late as February 16th was learned from a letter Just received by
KGEI, General Electric’s powerful short-wave station at San Francisco
Reporting that they received all of KGEI’s programs through
out the station’s 17-hour broadcasting day, the Marines said;
”Your broadcast of news events is to us of especial import¬
ance, isolated as we are, and your re broadcasts of some of the net¬
work programs keep our minds on the nights when we were home and
used to sit and listen to our favorite programs. We can suggest no
improvement in either the programs or the transmission hours. ”
And they ended their letter with the statement:
’’The situation is well in hand. ”
The letter, passed by U. S. censors, was signed by
Sergeant Elmer R, Wirta and Peter Vargo.
xxxxxxxxx
the Government
Initial rating given ’’This Is War ” ,/h^lf-hour program,
by the Co-Operative Analysis of 3roa dca sting, is 20.7. The C. A, B.
rating is slightly lower than surveys privately made for the Office
of Facts and Figures and is regarded «8 not too good for a show with
four networks, or a practical monopoly of the air.
President Roosevelt, with Vice-President Wallace and
Secretary of Agriculture Wickard, speaking March 9 on a special farm
bureau program, drew an audience of 49^, according to the Coopera¬
tive Analysis of Broadcasting.
XXXXXXXXXX
- 10 -
3/20/42
TRADE NOTES ; :
James S, Knowlson, Director of Industry Operations of
the War Productions Board and former President of the Radio Manu¬
facturers' Association, has been given greater power by being
authorized to delegate WPB's rationing authority to the OPA when¬
ever such action is considered desirable, under an order issued by
Mr. Nelson.
The operators of WMCA, New York, in connection with an
application for a new FM station have asked that the name of the
old company, namely Knickerbocker Broadcasting Co,, be changed to
WMCA, Inc.
Gertrude Lanza, formerly in charge of sales promotion and
advertising at Columbia Artists, Inc,, has joined the staff of
ASCAP where she will become assistant to Robert L* Murray, Director
of Public and Customer Relations.
The Don Lee Broadcasting System (KTSL), Hollywood, Calif.,
has applied for a modification of construction permit for a new com¬
mercial television broadcast station, requesting extension of com¬
pletion date to October 12, 1942.
W71NY, WOR's Ft\4 station which was successful with the
first attempt at a large scale FM relay Including 7 stations during
its dedication ceremonies, will be on the receiving end when the
new FM studios of Station W43B in Boston are formally opened today
(March 20) at 9 ?.M.
C. P, Boggs has been made Director of Manufacturing for
the Hygrade Sylvania Corporation. He has held executive positions
in the Manufacturing Division of Hygrade Sylvania Corporation since
1932. Recently he was made Assistant to Executive Vice President
W. E. Poor. Mr. Boggs was formerly with the General Electric Co.
A meeting between William Lewis, Coordinator of Radio for
the Office of Facts and Figures, and prominent representatives of
advertisers, using network radio, was held Thursday under the
sponsorship of the Advertising Council. Mr. Lewis explained to
the advertiser radio representatives the present problems and
plans of the Office of Facts and Figures. Mr. Lewis was accompanied
by Douglas Meservey, his Chief Deputy in Radio Coordination,
The advertisers were brought together by Paul West, Presi¬
dent of the Association of National Advertisers, acting on behalf
of the Advertising Council,
Station KFXB5, J. C. & E. W. Lee (Lee Bros. Broadcasting
Co.), San Bernardino, Calif., seek a construction permit to install
new transmitter for directional antenna day and night, change fre¬
quency from 1240 to 1300 kc. , increase power from 250 watts to 1 KW
and hours from Share KPPC, Pasadena, to unlimited hours.
11
.. . .i.
3/20/42
Jerry Danzig, Publicity Director of WOR, goes on a leave
of absence from the station to go on active duty as a Lieutenant
(J.g. ) USNR in the Radio Section of the Public Relations Division
of the Third Naval District. Danzig has been with WOR for six
years, starting in the Special Features Division, moving to Com¬
mercial Program Manager and then taking over two years ago as Dir¬
ector of the Publicity Department.
Danzig’s olace will be taken by Richard Pack, who will
become Acting Publicity Director. Pack has been with WOR for two
years, coming to the station from a cost of PuH Icity Director of
WNYC.
XXXXXXXXXX
NO JUKE BOXES AFTER MAY 1
A shutdown of the manufacture of automatic phonographs
(juke boxes), weighing and amusement machines on May 1 was ordered
by the War Production Board.
Between March 1 and April 30 the manufacturers of such
equipment may produce three times their February quota - that is,
three month’s production in two months. However, these new units
must be manufactured or assembled largely out of present inventory. »
The following orohibitions are effective at once;
No manufacturer may cut, stamp, or other shaoe or change the
physical form of any copper, copper base alloy, nickel or stainless
steel in the production of equipment or parts.
No repair parts may be fabricated for gaming machines. Their
manufacture m^as discontinued previously.
No manufacturer may receive or accept delivery of any raw
materia.ls, serai-oroce ssed materials, or finished parts not fully
completed at the time of issuance of this order.
No manufacturer may sell, transfer, or deliver any part of his
inventory except to other manufacturers for use in accordance with
the order.
The industry affected by the order consists of about 30
companies which did a business in 1941 of between ^75,000,000 and
$100,000,000. It employed approximately 10,000 persons.
It was estimated that if the entire industry is converted
to war production, that its annual production will be approximately
$150,000,000 worth of war materials.
In the original order, automatic photographs were defined
as phonographs customarily coin-operated,
XXXXXXXX
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO
ISSUE! OE, MARCH 84, 1942
%
%
'4
Co-Ed First Wartime Woman Engineer To Run Station . 2
Question Raised As To Dropping All FCC Probes . 5
Censorship Baseball Broadcast Instructions Issued . 3
RCA Opens Circuit For Pictures From Australia . 4
Alert Radio Operator Cited; Aids Rescue Of Seven . 5
Would Have Television Ready To Go When War Ends . 6
Dr. Goldsmith Invents Micro-Television System . 7
WOR Surprised When It Picked Up MacArthur . . . 7
McDonald Loses Home When He Returns Yacht Over To Navy . 8
Prices Frozen On Radios And Other Horae Appliances . 9
Racetrack Radio Tipsters Sentenced To Penitentiary . ,9
Winchell Named In Another Suit - $1,000,000 This Time . 10
Trade Notes . 11
Adverse Monopoly Decision Possibilities Discussed . . . 12
No. 1414
March 24, 1942.
CO-ED FIRST WARTIME WOMAN ENGINEER TO RUN STATION
Leading the way for women the country over in mr work to
whom the radio industry and the Federal Government are opening the
door of opportunity to new fields of highly technical skills, Beatrice
Mead, 22-year-old Cornell University co-ed, recently joined the regu¬
lar staff of control operators of WHCU, the Cornell University sta¬
tion at Ithaca, N. Y. So far as is known, a Federal Radio Education
Committee bulletin states, Miss Mead is the first woman to be serving
as a full-fledged control operator anywhere in the United States.
Specializing in electrical communication, her course covered every¬
thing from telegraph and telephone to sound- re cording and broadcast¬
ing.
.] ’’Any capable student in the communications department of
the engineering college at Cornell is eligible to apply for a job as
control operator, under the apprenticeship policy of general manager
Michael R. Hanna, ” the Federal Radio Education Committee advises.
"Usually, interested students with ability are accepted in their
freshman or sophomore years. Working with engineering faculty mem¬
bers or senior operators, they gain experience which qualifies them
to fill the jobs in their junior, senior and graduate years.
I "The example of Miss Mead should prove encouraging to
, thousands of other women the country over who are eligible for the
j special training courses as radio technicians now being recruited by
i the radio industry, in cooperation with the Engineering, Service,
1 Management and Defense Training Division of the U. S. Office of Edu-
I cation. With thousands of radio technicians being drafted for special
! service in the armed forces, their place in the radio industry will
: be open to women who take advantage of the training opportunities cur-
! rently offered throughout the country. "
XXXXXXXXXX
I all
I
The Crosley Radio Corporation is carrying this
its press releases, "Forget Pearl Harbor! Let’s Get
slogan on
Tokyo.’ "
X X X X X X X X
- 2 -
3/24/42
QUESTION RAISED AS TO DROPPING ALL FCC PROBES
Suggested by the disclosure of Jemes L. Fly, Chairman of
the Federal Communications Commission when he appeared before the
I House Rules Committee that on account of the war, super-power and
cleared channel probes had been dropped, Mr. Fly was asked if the
rumor was true that all Commission investigations would be suspended
for the duration of the war.
”1 don't think we arrived at any overall conclusions as to
all investigations and studies", Mr. Fly replied. "I did use those
two outstanding problems. Our policy is to try to keep to normal
current problems and not waste time, funds and energy on matters
which can be kept in the background for the time being, and devote
all possible time and energy to defense. As I say, though, the ac¬
tion on those two matters is rather a reflection of general attitude
rather than the specific crystallized policy, "
The Chairman was asked whether there was any point in
proceeding with the newspaper- radio inquiry in view of the War Produc¬
tion Board restrictions.
"As a matter of fact there is no great issue there that is
of practical significance at this moment in terms of actual construc¬
tion of stations", the Chairman answered. "It would not make much
difference just now what we say about newspaper ownership - not a
question of whether it represents newspapers but rather whether it
represents defense. However, that study is almost complete. "
"Do you mean by that that you will hand down a decision
in the press radio inquiry?" "I Just don't know, I am making a
point that this is not In the same category where we would have to
move in", was the reply,
"Supposing a newspaper organization applied for a new sta¬
tion and it was found out by bcB that it would be in the interest of
national defense?" the questioner continued. "I wouldn't know. Under
the past policy applications coming under Order 79 were all held in
pending files and I would not want to conjecture what would happen",
Mr. Fly said. "Anyhow we don't have it before us, I don't know what
the answer is. "
xxxxxxxx
CENSORSHIP BASEBALL BROADCAST INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED
Asking that it also be called to the attention of the Pro*^
gram and Sports Departments, J. H. Byan, Assistant Director of Censor¬
ship, has issued these instructions to all broadcasters:
"The purpose of this communication is to call to the atten¬
tion of those in authority certain program problems which might arise
in applying the Code of 'Wartime Practices for American Broadcasters
with the advent of baseball season.
3
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3/24/42
’’Special attention of all baseball pla.y-by-play broadcast¬
ers is called to Sub-paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) of Section I of the
Code.
’’Sub-paragrapn (1) provides that weather should not be
broadcast unless officially authorized. It further suggests:
’’Special care should be taken against inadvertent references to
weather conditions during sports broadcasts, special events, and sim¬
ilar projects. * This means, specifically, that announcers are advis¬
ed against any reference to weather during the broadcast. If weather
conditions cause cancellation of game, simply state the fact that the
game has been cancelled without describing the cause. The unchalleng¬
eable baseball broadcast of 1942 will make no reference to the weather
conditions at the scene of play,
” Sub- para graphs (2) and (3) provide against the release of
information concerning our armed forces. In each sub-paragraph, it
is suggested that the movement of personnel of armed units should not
be used unless appropriately authorized. It is likely that some
broadcasters will want to interview former baseball players and of¬
ficials who have joined the armed forces and have returned to their
original environments on furlough. It is especially important that
in conducting such interviews, the interviewer should not elicit from
his subject the exact Identity of the latter’s unit (unless he is in
a training camp), his destination after the furlough has expired or
any other Information falling within the purview of Section I of the
Code. Likewise, announcers should guard against stating specifically
the location of former baseball notables who are now with the armed
forces, again unless they are in training camps in the continental
United States.
”11 it is the plan of any radio station to conduct informal
quiz programs at locales of games, special reference should be made
first to the stipulations in Sub-paragraph (b), Section II of the
Code.
XXXXXXXXX
RCA OPENS CIRCUIT FOR PICTURES FROM AUSTRALIA
Pictures flashed by radio last Saturday night across 7,420
miles of the Pacific from Melbourne to San Francisco when R, C.A.
Communications, Inc. opened the first direct radiophoto circuit ever
operated between tiie United States and Australia,
This new radiophoto channel to the Antipodes is expected to
greatly facilitate the dispatch and exchange of photographs between
Australasia and America. Arrangements for the service were completed
during the past week following several days of negotiations and tests
by RCAC with the Amalgamated Wireless Company, Ltd. of Australia.
Since Australia became the chief focal point of the Pacific
War, the demand and the need for direct radiophoto service between
4
3/24/42
the South Pacific and this country has been sharply emphasized.
Heretofore, radiophotos originating in Australia have reached the
United States through New York by way of London, involving sub¬
stantially more time and expense in transmission and relay.
Normally, photographs measuring 5x7 inches are used in
the transmissions. Reception is at the rate of one inch of the pic¬
ture every two minutes, so that a photograph scanned across the
5-inch side is received in ten minutes.
This radiophoto circuit is the second important communica¬
tions link established by RCAC between the United States and
Australia since this country entered the war. On December 25th a
direct radiotelegraph circuit was opened by RCAC between San Fran¬
cisco and Sydney.
Further strengthening the radio life-line of communication
between the United States and Australasia, a new direct RCAC radio¬
telegraph circuit has been in operation between San Francisco and
Wellington, New Zealand, since FebrTaary 23rd, That also marked the
first direct radio communications to be established betwreen this
country and New Zealand.
XXXXXXXXXX
ALERT RADIO OPERATOR CITED; AIDS RESCUE OF SEVEN
For his alertness in intercepting an SOS message and his
initiative in talking action which assisted in the rescue of seven
men in a Navy patrol plane forced down at sea off the G-alapagos
Island, James F. Farrell, ra.dio operator in the Federal Communica¬
tions Commission monitoring service, has been formally cited by the
Commission.
A member of the Commission’s National Defense Operations
Section for but eight months, Mr. Farrell was on listening-in duty
at Westchester, Pa. when he heard the plane radio its position and
desperate situation. He immediately communicated this and subse¬
quent information to the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
The Director of Naval Communications advised the Commission
that Mr. Farrell was not only first to flash word of the plane’s
plight but also stated that his alertness in watch-standing and
initiative in taking prompt action under such circumstances is con¬
sidered highly commendable and worthy of recognition.
XXXXXXXX
5
3/24/42
WOULD HAVE TELEVISION READY TO GO WHEN WAR ENDS
Whether television will be scrapped for the duration, as
it has been in England, will be one of the questions taken up at the
forthcoming conference with the television permittees and licensees
as well as representatives of the Radio Manufacturers' Association
at the Federal Communications Commission's conference April 9th.
Regardless of this, Chairman James L. Fly of the ^CC revealed the
fact that he wanted television to take advantage of the nresent lull
to make further research and preparation so as to be all ready to
go ahead at the conclusion of the war. The discussion was started
by someone asking him if there was anything new on color television.
"I have no recent report on color television", the Chair¬
man replied. "l think you have the word on our proposed conference
on television next month. There will probably be some imoortant
questions on television to be considered at that conference. "
"Other restrictions that affect communications’” he was
asked.
"They are working on a general order now having to do with
telephone. "
"Doesn't television seem wrapped up with other broadcast
restrictions ? "
To tnis Chairman Fly replied: "That may be true. "
Here someone mentioned operating time. Mr. Fly continued:
"But some of the people are operating more than that now but they may
not operate fairly. That is, NBC may be doing 20 hours and someone
else 10 or 12. That is one of the questions we are going to review.
That is one of the reasons the conference is called. "
Then the question was brought up about the advantage of
having television ready as a post-war industry.
"The thing we must do is to keep television in vigorous
condition and get all the benefit we can out of this time which is
necessarily devoted to it and then be ready to shoot the well-sounded
industry when the let-down comes after the war", Mr. Fly declared.
"It will be of tremendous benefit not only to the industry but to
the country to have such an industry tliat is ready to go, and of
course we do expect that it will be ready to go. "
XXXXXXXX
A daily Ct-E short-wave program planned especially for the
boys in the U. S. armed forces in Iceland and North Ireland, will go
on the air beginning Monday, April 6th.
XXXXXXXX
6
3/24/42
DR. GOLDSMITH INVENTS MICRO-TELEVISION SYSTEM
Micro-television facsimile in which the images received
are too small to be viewed by the human eye but may be enlarged by
projecting them on a screen is the invention (Patent No. 2,275,898)
of Dr. Alfred N. Goldsmith, radio and television researcher of New
York City. The patent is assigned to RCA.
Dr. Goldsmith’s television system is designed for the
transmission of written, printed, typed or drawn matter. Whereas
prior systems of transmitting throu^ the ether such information,
known as facsimile, required from one to twenty minutes for each
sheet or page, the new micro-system cuts down the time to one second
per page.
The images, which are too small to be comprehensible to the
human eye, are photographed on a negative film, developed in a pro¬
cessing apparatus and passed through a projector which enlarges and
throws the image on a viewing screen.
By photographing the images on film, a pemianent record
wnich can be viewed at will and stored in a small spece like micro¬
film records is obtained.
XXXXXXXX
WOR SURPRISED WHEN IT PICKED UP IIIAG ARTHUR
How WOR and Mutual hapoened to broadcast the voice of
General MacArthur for the first time since he left the United States,
is told by the station as follows:
”WOR was monitoring and recording the regular official
Australian Broadcasting Corporation shortwave news program last Sat¬
urday morning at 7:40 - which WOR regularly rebroa.dcasts later to
listeners - when the Australian announcer suddenly called attention
to the fact that General MacArthur' s Melbourne talk would be heard
at the end of the news. A fev; minutes later came the voice of an
announcer on the scene describing Melbourne’s welcome fo the American
General, then a minute later the voice of General MacArthur himself.
"Against a background noise of the welcoming crowds came
the voice of the Australian announcer, close to MacArthur in the ralL
way station at Melbourne. Here the noise drowned out the
announcer - then a voice, evidently that of some radio technician,
was heard requesting the General to come closer to the microphone -
next came the voice of General MacArthur nimself:
"’I want to say how glad I am to meet the Australian
press', were General MacArthur’ s first words. ’Some of the best
friends I have in the world are press men. I hope in the near
future to meet you individually. This morning I have a prepared
statement which I wish you would quote. I’ll read it. .
XXXXXXXX
- 7 -
3/24/42
McDonald loses hoi^e when he turns yacht over to navy
The first person in the radio industry to lose his home as
a result of the war was Commander E. F. McDonald, Jr., President of
the Zenith Radio Comoration, when he turned his luxurious yacht
"The Mizpah" over to the Navy last week. Not only have his cruises
and explorations aboard "The Mizpah" afforded him his recreation but
the yacht anchored off the Chicago Yacht Club below Michigan Avenue
in sight of the city’s skyline has for years also been his home.
It was an amusing thing that Commander McDonald's little
daugiiter, Marianne Jean, who was raised on the yacht, walked with a
regular sailor’s roll. Mr. McDonald's friends will long remember the
Hospitality dispensed aboard the "H'ltzpah". Particularly if it hap¬
pened to be a sweltering summer day.
"If the nights get too hot for us to sleep here on the
Chicago waterfront", Mr. McDonald once remarked, "we simply go out
into Lake Micnigan for ten or fifteen miles and throw out the anchor
for there you can always get a cool breeze and sleep like a log. "
The "Mizpah" has been on explorations including Labrador,
and Central and South America. Also the Cocos-Calapagos Islands
Archeological Expedition in 1929, the Georgian Bay Expedition in
1930, and the expedition to find LaSalle's lost ship "Griffin" in
1937. When on the cruise to the South Seas, Commander McDonald
learned that some people were in distress on Galapagos Island. Lead¬
ing a searching party, he found Dr. Frederick Ritter, famous physician,
and Dore Strauch, wife of a schoolmaster, who had caused an inter¬
national sensation by eloping from Germany and losing themselves in
the far-away Islands. They were dressed in ragged clothes and short
of food and their discovery was headlined in newspapers all over the
world, Madame Strauch later described the rescue in her autobio¬
graphy. This book "Satan came to Ed«n" was widely read at the time.
There were many noted guests entertained aboard the
"Mizpah"^ in Chicago, including Marconi, Commander Donald B. MacMillan,
the explorer with whom McDonald made two trips to the Arctic, and
Gutzon Borglura, the great sculptor. It was on this yacht that one
evening to amuse Commander McDonald's daughter that Gen. Hugh Johnson
to the amazement of everyone and the great glee of the little girl,
stood on his head on the deck.
The "Mizpah" said to be one of the most beautiful private
yaciits on the Great Lakes, is 185 feet long, 27-g- foot beam. It was
designed by Cox and Stevens. It has a 7,000 mile cruising range and
a speed of 21^ miles an hour. Tne yacht is equipped with a powerful
radio-telephone transmitter through whicn Commander McDonald kept in
toucn witn things while at sea.
Tne "Mizpah" has gone to the Navy via the War Shipping
Administrator. Its destination and assignment have not been made
public.
XXXXXXXX
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3/24/42
PRICES FROZEN ON RADIOS AND OTHER HOME APPLIANCES
[ In an order of the Office of Price Administration effect-
I ive next Monday, March 30th, price ceilings were established on
radios and phonographs and four additional household items. Also
I on new typewriters.
Four of the OPA regulations, those applying to new type-
i: writers, domestic washing and ironing machines, radio receiving sets
I and phonographs and domestic heating and cooking stoves and ranges
i are "temporary”, that is, they will remain in froce for sixty days,
and peg prices at the levels of last Thursday, March 19,
The two "permanent regulations”, which apply to household
vacuum cleaners and to mechanical refrigerators, fix retail ceilings
at levels used by manufacturers in their recommended retail price
I lists. Price margins of wholesale distributors of the two products
j are "frozen” at the levels prevailing last October 1~15.
j "Inasmuch as there has been no increase in manufacturers’
I prices”, John E. Hamm, Acting Price Administrator said, "it is ob¬
vious that wholesale and retail prices are being pushed up simply on
the theory that the public should be glad to get a new refrigerator
or washer or vacuum cleaner or radio at any price in these items, ”
"This is the reasoning that makes for profiteering and
stimulates inflation. We have the duty of preventing these twin evils
and are acting accordingly. Enforced scarcity will not be permitted to
t dictate the price of any article subject to OPA control, now or in
I the future. "
xxxxxxxxxx
RACETRACK RADIO TIPSTERS SENTENCED TO PENITENTIARY
Stiff sentences meted out to two men who resorted to illegal
use of radio in an effort to broadcast "sure tins" to confederates
during a horserace should deter others from trying to beat the races -
at least with radio, the Federal Communications Commission opines,
I In the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of
! West Virginia, Joseph M. Wozniak on March 21st received a prison
j term of 15 months and was fined ^600 in addition. An accomplice,
I William M. Brennan, was sentenced to prison for one year and a day
I and was fined a like amount.
These men were apprehended while using unlicensed radio
equipment at the Charles Town racetrack. Wozniak operated in the
grandstand. By means of a portable radio transmitter concealed
about his person, he broadcast the progress of a race to Brennan, in
a nearby tourist cabin. Brennan, in turn, used a, more powerful trans¬
mitter to flash the expected result to confederates listening in out-
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side places. Thus, the conspirators were enabled to place sure bets
on a. race before the result became known to the public.
At the trial which was held at Fairmont, West Virginia,
Commission monitoring officers testified how they had intercented
the messages, had traced the origin of the transmissions, and had
kept the defendants under surveillance. The messages were sent in
a sort of code. Woznlak would talk into his sleeve, in which a
'•mike'* was concealed. At the start of a race he would whistle a
few bars of a popular song. Then, as the race neared the finish,
he would cut in with the number of the lead horse, repeating the same
until tne race was completed. From the tourist cabin Brennan would
relay the signal, following it with such commonplace expressions as
"testing" and "that is all".
Wozniak and Brennan were found guilty on three indictments,
one for operating a radio station without the station license requir¬
ed by the Communications Act; the second for operating without the
operator' s license required by the Act, and the third for conspir¬
acy to violate the Act.
XXXXXXXXXX
WINCHELL NAMED IN ANOTHER SUIT - $1,000,000 THIS TIME
Closely following the suit for $400,000 filed against him,
his sponsor and the National Broadcasting Company for defamation, by
Mrs, Eleanor Patterson, publisher of the Washington Times-Herald,
Walter Winchell, radio commentator, was named a defendant along with
two other persons in a million dollar damage suit filed by Mrs.
Elizabeth Billing, author of "The Red Network", in a cross bill and
counterclaim to her husband's divorce suit. The suit was filed this
week in the Superior Court in Chicago,
In her action to obtain $1,000,000 in da,mages from Albert
W. Billing and his attorney and Winchell, Mrs. Billing charged that
on his March 1 broadcast, W’inchell said "in a malicious manner",
that he had been waiting two years for Billing's action in order to
be able to voice his own knowledge of Mrs. Billing's character during
one of his broadcasts.
XXXXXXXXX
Fight fans all over the w^orld in the military services of
the United States will be able to hear the Joe Louis--^be Simon heavy¬
weight champion contest Friday, March 27, through WGEA and WGEO,
General Electric siiort-wave stations in Schenectady, at 10 P.M. ,EWT.
XXXXXXXX
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3/24/42
TRADE NOTES
Dr. Assis de Figueiredo, Assistant Director of Brazil’s
Department of Press and Propaganda now in the United States advises
that a new nightly radio program from the United States to Brazil,
to be prepared and spoken by a staff of Brazilian journalists and
radio men, is scheduled to begin March 30. At Rio it will be re¬
broadcast over 89 Brazilian stations. Of Brazil’s 2,000,000 sets.
Dr. Figueirdo said about half are equipped with short-wave^
Louis Thompson, formerly with the Columbia Broadcasting
System nas been appointed operating manager for Metropolitan Tele¬
vision, Inc., a subsidiary of Abraham & Straus and Bloomingdale ’ s
Department stores in New York City, and is beginning the construc¬
tion of the company's station on top of the Hotel Pierre.
James H. Carmine, formerly G-eneral Sales Manager of the
company since 1928, has been elected Vice President in Charge of
Merchandising by the Phllco Corpioration.
From Hears Radio Hearing Device Corp. , 1 West 34th St, , and
Charles W. Hoyt Co., 551 Fifth Ave. , New York City, the latter an
advertising agency, the Federal Trade Commission accepted a stipula¬
tion to cease certain representations in the sale of hearing-aid
devices. In the sale of the Hears company’s vacuum tube crystal
hearing-aid device designated "Aurophone Model No. 98”, the respond¬
ents agree to cease disseminating advertising matter representing
that the product is better suited to supply the hearings id needs of
persons regardless of the kind or degree of their hearing afflictions,
and that the device is an entirely new product or is the lightest or
smallest hearing-aid instrument now on the market.
At its meeting in New York City last week, the Board of
Directors of the National Association of Broadcasters adopted a
resolution Inviting the networks to active membership. Instead of
paying dues as associate members, the networks would pay on a pro¬
rata basis. NBC and CBS, based on their brackets, would contribute
$24,000 each and the Blue $9,000,
Fred W. Morrison of the Mutual Broadcasting System was
elected President of the Radio Correspondents’ Association yesterday
(Monday) at a meeting in the NBC studios. Translux Building, Wash¬
ington, D. C, He succeeds H. R. Baukhage , Blue Network Commentator
wno becomes a member of the Board of Directors. Earl Godwin of the
NBC was elected Treasurer; Francis W. Tully, Jr., of the Yankee Net¬
work, Secretary; and Eric Sevareid of tne Columbia Broadcasting
System, Vice-President.
XXXXXXXXXX
11 -
3/24/42
ADVERSE MONOPOLY DECISION POSSIBILITIES DISCUSSED
! The possibility of an adverse decision by the Federal Court
I on the issue of ^option time" claimed the attention of members of
I the NBC-Red Network AdvisoryCommlttee of the Second District, meeting
: in Cincinnati last week with network officials. Robert Dunville, of
, WLW, acted as Chairman in the absence of Harry Stone.
William S. Hedges, Vice President in charge of Station
I Relations, explained to the station managers the present status of
1 the NBC legal action in the Federal Court.
Questioned as to what would happen if the new FCC rules
were held to be operative by the courts, Hedges explained that the
effects on the affiliates would be actually no more than the affili¬
ates themselves determined, pointing out that it will be a simple
matter for a station to refuse an outside program when it knows a
Red one is coming its way.
"We can give you first refusal of time under the new rules
but you could not give it to us", he said. "We are talking over
plans - if the suit is lost, which I do not believe it will be -
under which we will give you first refusal of our time but it will
be revocable if you do not accept a large proportion of the programs
we offer. "
Reviewing the testimony given by Niles Trammell, NBC presi¬
dent, before the Commission, Hedges pointed out that any national
advertiser might buy a super network of 60 stations, and cover the
country, knocking out many regional and local stations. This would
leave a second best network costing more than the first with 65 per
cent of the coverage for the next important advertiser while the
third best network available, also costing more than the super net¬
work, would give barely half the national coverage.
"It is in your pov^er to determine the effect of the rul¬
ings", Hedges said. "It will be most disastrous to the American
system of radio if you do not hold together. We are going to operate
in good faith and try to sell our stations even if they are not the
most powerful in each locality. But the Commission says you are be¬
ing emancipated, so you can refuse any business you do not want to
take. "
XXXXXXXX
Thirty of America’s leading figures in the fields of educa¬
tion, religion, government and the arts and sciences who have gained
wide attention for their contributions to the advancement of Inter-
American unity, will convene at the Pan American Union in Washington,
on Saturday, March 28, to create a permanent administrative structure
for the new NBC Inter- American University of the Air. The delegates
have been chosen jointly by Dr. James Rowland Angell, Public Service
counsellor of the National Broadcasting Company and President Emeritus
of Yale University and Sterling Fisher, educator and assistant public
service counsellor for NBC.
XXXXXXXXX
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Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OF MARCH 27, 1948
Preliminary Recommendations Made For Streajnlining NAB . 2
FTC Orders Television School To Tone Domi Rosy Ads . 4
Sees War Opening Way To Women In Communications Work . 5
Guthrie’s Charges Fake, Says G. E. Chairman . 7
Gillingham Quits FCC For Army . 8
Burma Road And Paraguay Connected Up U. S . . . .9
Trade Notes . 10
Klauber Goes Still Higher In CBS...... . 11
FM Goes To College . 11
ASCAP Re-Elects Gene Buck By Large Majority . 12
No. 1415
PRELmiNARY RECOM!^NDATIONS MADE FOR STREAMLINING NAB
Leaving the fate of Neville Miller as President of the
National Association of Broadcasters and other important details
which cannot be worked out between now and then up to the Cleveland
convention in May, the committee appointed to consider the now fam¬
ous resolution adopted by the 4th Regional District meeting calling
on the Board to streamline the NAB organization for its great war
task, made several recommendartions. The most important of these
were that the broadcasters get busy and employ a No. 1 public rela¬
tions man now that Ed Kirby has been permanently taken over by the
War Department. They also defended Mr. Miller in the effort he
made to patch up the differences in the organization which threaten¬
ed "even the dissolution of the NAB itself".
Another development in the situation was a letter sent to
the members of the Fourth District by John A. Kennedy of WCHS,
Charleston, West Virginia, regional director, clearing up what he
said were certain misunderstandings in the matter.
The statement given out by the NAB Committee consisting of
John Gillin, Howard Lane, John Elmer, Edward Klauber, and Don S.
Elias as Chairman, with Paul Morency as an alternate for any member
unable to attend, was as follows:
"Following a discussion by the Board itself, which cul¬
minated in the appointment of this Committee, the Committee met on
March 21 and for several hours endeavored to explore all angles of
the problem. All members of the Committee were present, including
Mr, Morency. The conclusion of the Committee was that the NAB had
suffered during the past year from the extraordinary amount of time
the president had been compelled to give to the internal situation
in the industry because of the launching of various dissident move¬
ments threatening the unity of the industry and even the dissolution
of the NAB itself.
"The Committee further found that owing to the fact that
Ed Kirby, because of his duties with the War Department, had been
able to render only nominal service to the NAB, the president and
the remaining members of his staff had been compelled to assume the
burden of carrying on the exceedingly important public relations
functions, with the result that at times sufficient energy was not
available for the carrying out of other functions, and at other times
it was not possible to be as effective in public relations as would
have been desirable.
- 2 -
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3/27/42
"The Committee therefore makes the following recommenda¬
tions;
A. That the members of the Board and all other broadcasters
believing in the usefulness and the sincerity of the pur¬
poses of the NAE should to the utmost of their ability
relieve the president of the organization of the burden
of maintaining loyalty and unity within the industry; and
B. That the NAB employ as promptly as possible a thoroughly
competent director of public relations, able under the
direction of the president and the Board to carry out the
public relations functioning efficiently and effectively
both to the end of accomplishing a better public under¬
standing of the industry, its purposes and its needs, and
to the end of enabling the president to exercise directive
rather than a functioning part in public relations activ¬
ities.
C. The Committee recognizes that it was not possible within
the time immediately available to it to exhaust all the
functions suggested by its assignment. It therefore pro¬
poses a continuing effort to find ways and means to
strengthen and streamline the organization. Specifically
it proposes that as soon as a public relations man has
been employed, further study of the administrative organi¬
zations be made, in cooperation with the president, in an
effort to bring about a more effective distribution of
functions, and concentration upon important problems and
objectives.
"In view of the shortness of time before the next annual
convention of the NAB, and since no further Board meeting is pre¬
sently scheduled before the May convention, this committee, believ¬
ing that the foregoing arrangements may prove acceptable to the
Board as a whole, has undertaken to try to find a qualified expert
on public relations end to make a specific recommendation in this
regard if it is successful in its search. "
Mr. Kennedy’s letter to the 4th District members read:
"I was rather dumbfounded at the report in the last issue of
'Broadcasting Magazine', purporting to give an account of the
decision of the Board of Directors of the National Association of
Broadcasters at its meeting which concluded late Friday evening.
"I should like to Inform members of this district that the
story was not a full and correct account of what happened at the
meeting.
"I might add, however, that I do not believe 'Broadcasting
Magazine' was too amch at fault for the reason that the final
action and discussion of the subject matter was taken after
'Broadcasting Magazine' went to press. In connection with the
Committee that was appointed, they quite obviously were misinformed
as to the purposes for whicn the committee was named.
3/27/42
'f.
’’The Board did flounder around for a day and a half, accomplish¬
ing little or nothing, reviewing the NAB situation in hotel rooms
\ and in corridors but not in the meeting itself,
"Finally, late in the afternoon of the second day, the subject
I was brought up. During the general meeting, while Mr. Miller was
present, only a limited amount of discussion took place.
j "Later, it was suggested that Mr. Miller absent himself and
the whole situation was thoroughly gone into and the Committee was
appointed by the Board to consider the resolution adopted by the
Fourth District. The Committee held its first meeting last Saturda.y.
i "Attached to tills letter is the press release turned out by
that Committee.
"That Committee was not appointed for the puroose of discussing
this question with the Fourth District as was erroneously reported, "
xxxxxxxxxx
FTC ORDERS TELEVISION SCHOOL TO TONE DOWN ROSY ADS
DeForest’s Training, Inc., 2533 North Ashland Ave, ,
Chicago, has been ordered by the Federal Trade Commission to dis¬
continue misleading representations in the sale of television or
electronics courses.
Commission findings are that the respondent advertised,
among other things, as follows: "If Television develops as we
anticipate, it won’t be very long until many of the 23,000,000
homes in the U. S. will want Television receivers. * ^ *" Television
"will hold wonderful opportunities for the young man who has the
vision and foresight to get into it at the very beginning and
pioneer and grow with it".
The Commission finds that regardless of the optimism of
various individuals engaged in the television field with respect to
its commercial development, delay after delay has occurred to post¬
pone that development, and the involvement of the nation in hostil¬
ities will undoubtedly result in further delay. The fact is, the
findings continue, that no one can say with certainty when the
commercial development of television v/ill reach a stage which assures
opportunities for the employment of large numbers of men.
The Commission order directs the respondent to cease
representing that there are possibilities for employment of its
students or graduates in the television field until substantial
numbers of them have been and can be employed directly in that field;
and to cease representing that there are now, or in the near future
will be, opportunities for employment of students or graduates,
until the commercial development of television advances sufficiently
to assure such possibilities.
XXXXXXXX
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3/27/42
SEES WAR OPENING WAY TO WOMEN IN COMIJIUNI CATIONS WORK
Commissioner Ray C, Wakefield of the Federal Communications
Commission believes the war will bring with it a demand for trained
women in the communications field. Addressing the Institute on
Women's Professional Relations, Washington, D. C. , he said, in part:
"Is the war producing a demand for trained women in the
communications field? The most dramatic answer to that question is
found in wartime Britain today.
"The Federal Communications Commission recent sent its
Assistant Chief Engineer, Gerald C. Gross, to survey existing com¬
munications in England. Mr. Gross brought back many accounts of
striking developments, much testimony concerning the absolute neces¬
sity of an efficient communications system to a nation at war. But
nothing that he saw or heard impressed me more than his account of
the major role now played by women in radio, telephone, telegraph
and allied means of communications.
"In the telephone industry, for example, women operators
were universal. That, of course, was to be expected. But women
were also active in the technical Jobs. They served as maintenance
men, as office supervisors, and, when bombing or other causes made
a break in a telephone line, women drove the repair trucks and
served on the repair crews.
"In radiobroadcasting, the same was true. We have come
to expect women in the broadcasting field - as announcers, as
script writers, as program directors, and so on. Those activities,
Mr. Gross reports, have vastly expanded in wartime England - but
women have not stopped there. You will find women also on the
technical side - standing at the controls, serving as assistant
engineers, as program monitors, and in a variety of technical and
maintenance positions.
"The primary purpose of all this feminine activity, of
course, is to free the men who formerly performed these duties for
service in the uniformed forces. But evidently women's role in
British communications has gone beyond even this. Wlien you turn to
the uniformed forces themselves, you find women everywhere active
in maintaining communications.
"We have all read of the WAA.FS and the WRENS and the ATS-
the Women's Air Auxiliary Force, the Women's Roya'l Naval Service,
and the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Now most of the VJAAFs are
not, of course, flying planes, nor are most of the WRENS and ATS
manning ships or guns. A considerable number of them, I am inform¬
ed, are in the communications service of their respective branches.
"There is coming into constantly increasing use a wholly
new kind of anti-aircraft device - a sort of secret defensive
weapon, if you will. In Britain it is called the radar (r-a-d-a-r);
here we call it the radiolocator. It is vastly more efficient than
5
3/27/42
any previous device for locating enemy ^^ircreft and aiming the anti¬
aircraft guns which will bring them down. Thousands of skilled
technicians are already manning radiolocator Installations at key
points throughout the British Isles. But ”manning” isn't quite the
word. For a large prooortion of thOvSe new radars are not manned at
all, but are - as we might say - womaned.
"Turning now to the United States, we find that while the
process of utilizing women in communications work has not yet oro-
gressed that far, we have unquestionably embarked on the same road.
"In time of war even more than in time of peace, our tele¬
phone, telegraph, and radio systems constitute the nervous system
of our whole economy. We need instantaneous communications to carry
messages to and from the armed forces on land and sea all around the
globe; a delay of half an hour in a message may lose a battle; a
disruption of communications in any area can lose a campaign. Con¬
versely, witn communications operating at high efficiency both at
nome and overseas, our productive capacity and our military striking
power can be utilized with a minimum of obstruction, interference,
and delay.
"Unfortunately, in time of war the demand for trained
communications personnel comes simultaneously from two fronts. The
normal media of communication - telephone, telegraph, radiotelegraph,
and even to a certain extent radiobroadcasting - must operate at
even higher efficiency and carry a far heavier message load than in
time of peace. And that means more men, or perhaos I should say
more men and women. Simultaneously, however, the armed forces
have an even more urgent need for the same trained personnel, and,
of course, make heavy inroads into the technical staffs of the
communications companies.
"In both the telephone communications and radiobroadcast¬
ing fields, we find a similar acute need for more trained oersonnel.
"Dorothy Thomoson in the field of news comment and the
well known women writers and actresses in the field of radio drama
are only the headliners of a considerable number of women engaged
in the programming field as continuity writers, editors, program
monitors, and authorities on special phases of advertising and
salesmanship.
"As the war effort directly absorbs more and more men,
women are bound to take on still more duties, and more openings are
sure to arise. But an even more interesting development is the
probable employment of women on the technical side of broadcasting
as station operators, technicians, and engineers. Radio in all its
phases, because a new Industry, has been a young man's industry. It
is, therefore, peculiarly subject to drain of personnel by reason of
requirements of the Array and Navy of the Array and Navy and other
governmental activities.
"How many women are currently taking advantage of the
special training courses offered for radio technicians, I don't
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profess to know; but I do know that if the wartime experience of
England is a safe guid - and I believe it is - we will need women
in this v/ork in unprecedented numbers.
"The communications industry is among those which will
feel the snortage of technically trained personnel first and most
acutely. It is an activity which must be maintained at unimpaired
efficiency througiiout the war. Women have already entered with
marked success many communications activities; and if English ex¬
perience is a fair basis for prediction, then we must plan now, and
extensively, for a large-scale training and employment of women in
even the most technical branches of American communications work. "
XXXXXXXX
GUTHRIE^ S CHARGES FAKE, SAYS G.E. CHAIRMAN
Philio Reed, Chairman of the General Electric Company,
and a Sl-a-yea.r head of the Bureau of Industry Branches of the War
Production Board, before the House Military Affairs Committee, *nied
the charge made by Robert R. Guthrie, resigned Chief of the War
Production Board's Textile Clothing and Leather Branch that Mr.
Reed had unduly favored the radio and other industries in which
G.E. was particularly interested.
Mr. Reed described Mr., Guthrie as an incompetent and
arrogant executive whose overbearing manner antagonized hie subordi¬
nates. He said Mr. Guthrie's accusations contained "Inaccuracies
and falsehoods".
He cited a letter from the War Department to prove that
production of civilian radio sets was continued early this year at
the request of the Amy. He also said Ur, Guthrie's figures on the
amount of aluminum consumed by the industry in recent months were
almost 50 per cent too large. Less than 6-lOOths of 1 per cent of
aluminum production went into radio sets, he said.
Because his company produces both radios and refrigerators,
Mr. Reed said, he had avoided taking any part in the deliberations
affecting either industry.
XXXXXXXX
Estimated by Printer's
for 1941 was $1,920,000.
Ink tlie
do^m by
Broken
are Newspapers $610,000,000; Direct mail
$225,000,000 and Magazines $180,000,000.
XXXXXXXX
total amount of advertising
L. D. H. Weld, the figures
- $315,000,000; Radio -
7
3/27/42
GILLINGHM QUITS FCC FOR AmiY
One of the best press relations men in the Government ser¬
vice, George 0. Gillingham, Chief of the Office of Information of
the Federal Communications Commission, has resigned to Join the
Chemical Warfare Service in which he served in the first World War.
"I need not tell you that your absence will leave a very
large hole in the Commission”, FCC Chairman, James L. Fly wrote in
accepting Mr. Gillingham's resignation. ”It is felt by all that
your services have been wholly commendable and I should like to take
this opportunity of paying well deserved tribute to the ability,
energy and loyalty which you brought to a difficult assignment.
"The Commission wishes me to say that it aopreciates
your motives in again entering Army service and it would not wish to
stand in your way in these circumstances. We shall, however, welcome
your return at any time. ”
Mr, Gillingham in submitting his resignation said that
he had the chance to rejoin his old World War Array outfit and was
doing so because the FCC publicity work had been curtailed drasti¬
cally and that he saw the handwriting on the wall for more general
non-defense retrenchment. Also Mr. Gillingham pointed out that in
the FCC he was not in a defense category. He took the opportunity
to higiily praise his assistants, Miss O'Leson and Mrs. Lindo. Also
to say a good word for Edgar Jones, former correspondent of Billboard
Magazine , who is soon to come into the FCC Information Office. Mr.
Jones is at present on the sick list but it is believed he may
succeed Mr. Gillingham.
Mr, Gillingham has been with the FCC two and a half years
Having served as senior information service representative and chief
of the Washington Information office of the Tennessee Valley Author¬
ity before Joining the FCC.
He was formerly associated with the Newark Star- Eagle,
the Pniladelphia Evening Bulletin and other newsnapers. He also has
contributed articles to the Saturday Evening Post, Current History,
Bookman, New Yorker, Esquire , etc. At one time Bir. Gillingliara was
Managing Editor of the Pathfinder magazine and at the same time edit¬
ed a deoartment in Golden Book.
He is a member of the National Press Club, became quite
famous as the editor of the Press Club Magazine, and is Past
Commander of the National Press Club Post of the American Legion.
XXXXXXXX
8
.A ..L
3/87/42
BUmA ROAD AND PARAGUAY CONNECTED UP U.S.
Two new radio telegraph circuits have been opened - one
to the Bunna Road and the other to Paraguay. The former, connect¬
ing San Francisco direct with Kunming, on the Bunia Road, in China,
has been opened to public service, W. A, Winterbottom , Vice Presi¬
dent and General Manager of R. C. A. Communications, Inc., has Just
announced. Kunming, also knovm as Yunnanfu, is at the northeastern
end of tne Burma Road, which connects at this point with railroads
into China. It is 390 miles southeast of Chungking, and 500 miles
from Mandalay.
The circuit, inaugurated at the request of the Chinese
National Government at Chungking, is RCAC’ s sixth new transpacific
radiotelegraph circuit opened since entry of the United States in
the war. The other new circuits operate to Noumea, Island of New
Caledonia; Chungking, China; Cebu, Philippine Islands; Sydney,
Australia; and Wellington, New Zealand. In addition, an RCAC radio¬
photo circuit was opened during the past week between Melbourne,
Australia, and San Francisco.
Through the new contact with Kunming, R. C.A. Communica¬
tions maintains three direct radiotelegraph circuits with Free
China - the other two being Chengtu and Chungking. The latter was
reached by relay through the Philiopines, prior to the fall of
Manila.
The direct radiotelegraph service between the United
States and Paraguay was ooened last Wednesda.y by the Mackay Ra^dio
and Telegraoh Comoany operating vuith ''Radiovia ” , Asuncion, Paraguay,
which is a cooperative enterprise of the Paraguayan Government and
a radio telegraoh associate of the International Telephone and Tele¬
graph Corporation in South America. Mackay Radio is also an
associated company of I. T. & T.
This is the second new link between the U. S. A. and South
American countries not connected by radio previously which Mackay
Radio has established within a month, direct radiotelegraph service
witii La Paz, Bolivia, having been inaugurated on February 26.
XXXXXXXX
For the purpose of determining the merits of use of FM
( frequency modulation) on frequency below the present allocated range
by a State police radio system, the Federal Communications Commission
granted construction permits for 24 experimental class II and three
auxiliary stations to the New Jersey State Police, all on the fre¬
quency 27925 kilocycles. Po^er of 60 watts will be used by stations
at Tuckerton, Ridgewood, Freehold, Cape May Court House, Absecon,
Morristown, South Somerville, Right stown, West Trenton, Riverton,
New Bmnswick and other cities; and 50 watts for three portable and
portable mobile stations. Some of the stations will be operated by
remote control.
XXXXXXXX
- 9 -
(
■■■=■' -n.
3/27/42
: : TRADE NOTES
Tne Allen B. Dumont Laboratories, Inc., of Passaic, N. J. ,
applied to the Federal Communications Commission for permission to
construct a commercial television station there. The applicant
estimated that the proposed station would serve an area of 160 sq.
miles surrounding the nation’s capital.
Stromberg- Carlson Teleohone Manufacturing Co. reported
1941 net profit of $470,027,72, equal to $1.54 on the outstanding
270,926 shares of common stock after provision for preferred divi¬
dends. Net earnings in the preceding year were $183,397.20.
The Allegheny Broadcasting Corr:). of Elkins, W. Va. , has
been granted a construction permit for a new station to operate on
1240 kc. , 250 watts, unlimited time.
The Columbia Broadcasting System’s shortwave division has
just added five German language feature urograms to its schedule of
European transmissions. These include military analyses by Horst
von Baerensurung and Max Werner, informal talks by Dorothy Thompson
and religious urograms prepared by Professors Paul Tillich and
Dietrich von Hildebrand. The programs are beamed on Europe simul¬
taneously by WCBX and WCRC, the two new CBS 50,000 watt transmitters.
With the auproval of the FCC, the General Electric's
television station in Schenectady has been designated by the call
letters WRGB, in nonor of Dr. W. R. G. Baker, Vice President in
charge of the G-E Radio and Television Department and one of the
pioneers in the broadcasting industry.
The call letters are in tribute, Robert S. Peare, G. E.
Manager of Broadcasting, pointed out, to Dr. Baker's work for the
industry, especially during the last year. As television became
more a reality, the FCC ordered the industry to adopt definite
standards before it would allow commercial telecasting. Dr. Baker
served as Chairman of the National Television Standards Committee
which brought about this standardization.
Married in Wasnington last Wednesday rather than New York,
and forced to curtail their wedding trip so that the bridegroom
could be at his desk at the Navy Department, Miss Esme O'Brien, of
New York, wedded Ensign Robert William Sarnoff, son of David Sarnoff,
President of the Radio Corporation of America, and Mrs. Sarnoff.
Here for the ceremony were the bride's parents, Mr. and
Mrs, Esmond O'Brien as well as Mr. and Mrs. David Sarnoff. The
bride is the granddaughter of the late Judge Morgan J. O'Brien, one¬
time presiding Justice of the Apuellate Division of the Suureme Court,
^deral Communications Commissioner George Henry Payne was
host at a cocktail uarty at the Metrouolitan Club in Washington last
Wednesday. Among the guests were Postmaster General and Mrs. Frank
C. Walker, Senator and Mrs. James E. Murray of Montana; Senator and
Mrs. Homer T. Bone, of Washington State, and Senator Arthur Cauuer,
of Kansas, Admiral and Mrs. S. C. Hoouer, Caut. Dudley Wright Knox,
U.S.N. , and Birs. Knox, and James H, R. Cromwell.
XXXXXXXXXX
10 -
3/27/42
KLAUBER GOES STILL HIGHER IN CBS
The Board of Directors of the Columbia Broadcasting System
at its meeting last Wednesday elected Edward Klauber Chairman of the
Executive Committee. Mr. Klauber has hitherto been Executive
Vice-President. Paul W. Kesten, a Vice President of the coraoany,
v/as named Vice-President and General Manager. William S. Paley,
President and principal stockholder of the corporation, continues
as President and chief executive officer.
In making this announcement, Mr. ?aley said:
’’The changes hereby brought about are instituted so as to
eliminate a certain degree of duolication of executive activity; to
create an office (Chairman of the Executive Committee) which, free
from daily operating duties can give its whole time and attention
to some of our long range oroblems and to afford Mr. Klauber a
needed relief from his overburdened duties of many years standing.
"Although Mr. Klauber will assume a less active role in
the company's affairs, his sound Judgment and his invaluable exper¬
ience gained through nearly fourteen years of important work in
broadcasting, will continue to the benefit of the company. I am
sure that all of you, knowing of the significant contributions made
by Mr. Klauber to the progress and development of our company and
to the broadcasting industry generally, will be gratified to learn
of his new role especially since it will enable him to enjoy a cer¬
tain degree of richly deserved leisure.
"As you know, Mr. Klauber was detached from many of his
regular duties last May when the new FCC rules were announced so
that he could give most of his attention to the orobleras they intro¬
duced. His immediate task will be to continue his work in that con¬
nection and in connection with the approaching hearing on the
proposed new radio legislation in Congress.
"I also know you will be pleased to learn of Mr. Kesten' s
promotion and I am sure that he will receive the utmost in coopera¬
tion from those who are to work with him. "
xxxxxxxxxx
FM GOES TO COLLEGE
According to a recent release from Intercollegiate Broad¬
casting System, radio's infant prodigy, frequency modulation, has
graduated from the realm of things you've heard about from friends
with soecial receivers to things you can actually hear on your own
regular set - that is, if you go to college.
11 -
3/27/42
The campus broadcasting systems of Yale, Wesleyan, Univer¬
sity of Connecticut and Columbia are carrying regular FM. broadcasts
da.ily. The Columbia University station has been rebroadcasting pro¬
grams of WOR’s New York frequency modulation station W71NY, since
last November. Last week Hartford's WDCR M unit announced that
permission to carry all Station W65H's programs had been granted to
the Husky Network of the University of Connecticut, the Cardinal Net¬
work of Wesleyan University and the Yale Broadcasting System.
All these college radio stations, operating as members of
the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, use extremely low-power
transmitters sending signals over their "wired wireless" systems.
This method of broadcasting has two significant results - no receiver
outside the prescribed area of the wires can nick up the college
station's programs, and, although long-wpve and working on amplitude
modulation, they are in effect staticless,
XXXXXXXXX
ASCAP RE-ELECTS GENE BUCK BY LARGE MAJORITY
High lights of the election of officers of the American
Society of Composers which was the second held by the membership
under the Society's new articles of association, included the defeat
of Jerome Kern, famous composer and member of the Board for many
years, and the tremendous vote given by the writer members of the
Society to President Gene Buck.
Mr, Kern will be succeeded on the Board by Ray Henderson,
noted song writer and producer, who won out in a hot three-cornered
race with Kern and A1 Lewis. The final tabulation for this place
on the Board of Directors was as follows: Henderson 18,925, Lewis
18,232, Kern 18,204.
The only publisher member to be defeated was Walter Kramer,
who will be succeeded by Donald Gray. Votes for the winning
candidates were as follows;
Writers - Gene Buck, 43,607; Geoffrey O'Hara, 35,050;
George W. Moyer, 28,272, Ra,y Henderson, 18,925.
Publishers - Max Dreyfus, 2,520; John O'Connor 2,486;
Donald Gray, 2,041, and Jack Mills, 1,966.
XXXXXXXX
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET
WASHINGTON, D. C.
wo.
SO
0‘
/
/
TO ISSUE OF MARCH 31, 1942
OPA Tells Public How To Care For Radios . 2
Radio Industry Enters Last Month Of Production . 3
Crosley Soon To Have ^1, 000, 000 Horae . 5
Hope Still Held For U, S. Paid Advertising CarapaifSn . ,d
Radio Plays Large Part In Overseas Writers’ Dinner . 6
Wanted To Cut Off Interior Dept. Radio Funds.., . 6
Nazis Suspected Of Operating Midwest Station . ,,..T
FCC Silent On Cox Accusations...... . 8
Radio Fires Flashes In Remote Control Photography . . . 9
$2,513,469 For Philco . 9
Trade Notes . . . 10
Zenith Sends Out FIjI Questionnaire . 18
Big Things Predicted For Radio After War..... . 18
No. 1416
March 31, 1942
OP A TELLS PUBLIC HOW TO CARE FOR RADIOS
With the end of radio production at hand, the Consumer
Division, Office of Price Administration, today (Tuesday) released
the following suggestions for proper care of home radios;
Make sure that the radio is not placed with its back flat
against the wall. Tubes, transformers, and resisters heat up, and
free circulation of air is required to prevent overheating. Leave
an inch or so between the cabinet and wall.
Check the set's electric cord and plug. The plug should
fit firmly into the wall socket and the wires leading to it should
be intact.
Check connections also on nearby electrical appliances and
lamps. Loose connections on nearby gadgets cause static. Sometimes
moving a nearby appliance or lamo farther away will help reception.
If the radio crackles, check the aerial and ground wires
to determine whether they are broken in any place or are rubbing
against other wires or trees or metals.
If you have not set up a ground connection and your radio
is raucous, fix one up by connecting a wire from your radio's ground
post to a water or steam pipe. Do not use your gas pipe as a ground.
If you have an outside aerial, make sure that it is equip¬
ped with a lightning arrester. Even small "static discharges" - not
lightning - may ruin a set unless they are by-passed by the arrester.
Check the set's tubes, to see that they fit firmly in
their sockets. Occasionally what may seem to be a bad tube is merely
a good tube that is fitted loosely into its socket.
Clean the dust out of your set often. A hand vacuum
cleaner will help.
If your radio's performance is unsatisfactory and none of
these home adjustments help, it's time to call in the repairman.
These points should be observed:
Call in a repairman from a reputable firm - one with which
you are acquainted, if possible.
Insist that he fix the set at your home. Most service
firms have portable testing and repqir equioraent for home calls,
- 2 -
I
5/51/42
If he insists on carrying the set to the shop, persuade
him to give you an Inventory of the adjustments he thinks will be
necessary, and request the return of old parts which he finds
necessary to replace.
XXXXXXXX
RADIO INDUSTRY ENTERS LAST MONTH OF PRODUCTION
Uncertainties regarding immediate government policies, con
siderable unbalanced inventories, and labor layoffs until war work
becomes more available appear in prospect as the radio industry goes
into the last month of authorized civilian radio production until
April 22nd, a bulletin^ of the Ra.dio Manufacturers' Association
states.
Curtailed allocations of aluminum, mica and nickel are
factors in the production uncertainties until the April 22nd date,
when set production will generally suspend.
Few authorizations to set companies for operations beyond
that time, except in individual cases facilitating the war program,
are in prospect, but the Increasing scarcity and recent WPB res¬
trictions on aluminum, mica and nickel are factors of uncertainty
both for the limited set production, until the April 22nd cessation
and also, to an extent, for future replacement parts.
Appeals by various set manufacturers have followed the
WPB order for general suspension of set production after April 22.
The suspension orders apply to all set manufacturers, no matter how
small, and even include amateur or "ham" builders of receiving sets.
Manufacturers may, however, sell their authorized production in
either export or domestic channels, and also may withhold their
production and distribute sets after April 22 if desired.
Arrangements for temporary relief from the recent WpB
order completely prohibiting use of high grade mica, principally in
tubes and condensers, were made at a meeting of the Tube Industry
Committee with the l.'TPB Radio and Mica Sections. "Punched" mica
inventory, not usable for war work, may be used, but substitution
of inferior mica, both in tubes and condensers, is being required,
with individual company allocations by the Mica Branch being made
on a week-to-week basis. Limited allocations of high grade mica
are now being authorized only on an emergency basis to avoid plant
shutdowns.
At the tube industry meeting WPB plans also were announced
for development of a stockpile of replacement tubes, of uncertain
amount, to be built up during the balance of the year.
Discussion by officials of a plan for production of
"Victory" models of receiving sets by a few manufacturers, in limit¬
ed quantities, apparently has ceased.
5
3/31/42
Bepting the WPB deadline for discontinuing civilian radio
production, RCA Manufacturing Company, Inc. , Cajuden, N. J. , announc¬
ed that the last radio-phonograph for home use will come off its
assembly line on April 7. It was also revealed that the final com¬
mercial radio chassis to be built at the company’s Camden factory
for the duration was completed fifty days ahead of the deadline set
by the War Production Board.
Temporary procedure to secure materials for continued
production of replacement parts, although in uncertain quantities,
has been made with WPB by the special RB4A Replacement Parts Committee
appointed recently by President Paul V. Galvin. The Committee held
a conference with the WPB Radio Section officials in Washington this
month and discussed all problems involved in providing replacement
and Impair parts for radio sets now in public use.
Pending further action of WPB, materials for future produc¬
tion of replacement parts will be secured under the WPB "Production
Requirements Plan". Such requests for materials will be review^ed
and preference ratings for materials granted. The ratings and future
supplies authorized depend on the availability of metals and other
materials. There is no prospect of WPB special allocation of such
materials for production of replacement parts, but there are no
present restrictions on use of inventories for parts production.
In behalf of parts distributors and servicemen, the RMA
Committee has plans in preparation, probably in cooperation with the
broadcasting interests, to deal with merchandising and distribution
problems of replacement parts, in an effort to maintain so far as
possible the distributing and service branches.
All possible efforts to secure war contracts for R^^A mem¬
bers, in cooperation with various branchs of WPB and also the Anny
and Navy, are being made by the Association.
Detailed information regarding the war contracts, both
military radio and non- radio, has been secured by RIJiA in a recent
survey of the war business of parts manufacturers. 'T’hls confiden¬
tial data of many RJ^/IA companies was submitted to WPB officials
recently and da,ta of additional companies being received will have
similar attention. Included in the RiJiA data to the WPB branches and
also the Army and Navy are details on plant capacity, personnel, tool
rooms, and also information regarding the facilities of various com¬
panies to make other than radio products.
Rapid increase in the volume of military radio contracts
being awarded is reported by the WPB Communications Branch, headed
by Ray Ellis, who is proceeding with primary contractors and also
subcontractors in an effort to spread the war program, particularly
among the smaller set and parts manufacturers who thus far have
received small or no war work.
XXXXXXXXXX
4 -
3/31/42
CROSLEY SOON TO HAVE $1,000,000 HOME
The finest in that entire section of the country, WLW,
WSAI, and the sturdy short-wave brother WLWL, will soon occupy the
five-story million dollar Elks Club building in Cincinnati. It
has been purchased by the Crosley Radio Corporation and will be
entirely occupied by the Crosley stations.
One of the most imposing of the downtown structures and
located in the heart of Cincinnati , the Elks Building has an audi¬
torium that will seat 1,000 persons and numerous recreation
features, including a bowling alley, some of which are to be retain¬
ed for Crosley employees.
XXXXXXXX
HOPE STILL HELD FOR U. S. PAID ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
Despite the opposition stand of Treasury Secretary Henry
Morgenthau, Jr. , the idea of purchasing space in newspapers and
other periodicals, as well as time on the air, to deliver the
Government’s messages, is still very much alive, the Editor &
Publisher reports, continuing; ’’It would be no more than a guess to
say that it has reached the dignity of discussion at meetings of
the President's Cabinet, but it is a matter of record that the
Department of Commerce, presided over by Cabinet Member Jesse Jones,
has been enterprising in gathering and publicizing stories on the
success of 'paid advertising' campaigns in Canada and England.
"The subject is currently under discussion in OFF. It
was one of the first propositions advanced when MacLeish created
a committee of da.ily and weekly newspaper publisher representative
to meet with him in an advisory capacity. The major obstacle, it
was said, is the difficulty in selection of media - and there must
be selection, it was emphasized, because the cost of blanketing the
nation's newspapers, magazines, and radio stations would be prohib¬
itive.
"A statement of policy on the subject is reported to be
in foraulation. ”
XXXXXXXXX
An Executive Order has been prepared for President
Roosevelt's signature, the ourpose of which would be consolidation
of existing information agencies leaning toward a central bureau
of war information. MacLeish is most frequently mentioned as the
likely head of such an agency,
XXXXXXXXXX
- 5 -
1
3/31/48
RA.DIO PLAYS LARGE PART IN OVERSEAS WRITERS' DINNER
Aided by radio from the far flung battlefields of the
world, the war-scattered members of the Overseas Writers assembled
in body or spirit last Saturday night for the 21st anniversary of
the founding of the organization.
Through the courtesy and facilities of the National Broad¬
casting Company and Columbia Broadcasting System, Robert St. John,
radio broadcasters, Raymond Daniell of the New York Times, and
Joseph Evans of the Nei'^r York Herald Tribune and Bob Trout spoke
from London, and John Raleigh, H. R. Knickerbocker and Robert
Sherrod gave first hand accounts of the scene in Australia. Trances
B. Sayre, High Commissioner, just back from the Philippines, spoke.
CBS put the speech of Dr. Herbert Vere Kvatt, Australian Minister
of External Affairs, on the air.
Among those from the radio Industry who were present were:
Kenneth Berkeley, Manager, NBC, Washington; Harry Butcher,
Vice-President, CBS, Washington; Martin Codel, Broadcasting Magazine
James L. Fly, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission; C. M.
Jansky, Jr., Radio Adviser, War Department; G. W. Johnstone, Blue
Network; Lynn M. Lamm, National Association of Broadcasters; Frank
Ma,son, formerly NBC, now Assistant to Secretary of Navy; Neville
Miller, President, National Association of Broadcasters; George
H. Payne, Federal Communications Commissioner; H. Louis Ruppel,
Chief, Public Relations, CBS; Sol Taischoff, Broadcasting Magazine;
Albert Warner, CBS commentator; Paul White, NBC.
xxxxxxxxxx
WANTED TO CUT OFF INTERIOR DEPT. RADIO FUNDS
When the House considered the Interior Department Appropri
ation Bill for 1943, Representative Robert F. Jones ( R. ) , of Ohio,
offered an amendment cutting off any funds for radio broadcasting,
press service, motion pictures or practically any other publicity.
"The total amount for the Office of Information in the
Department of the Interior is $2,430,770, as reported by the Divi¬
sion of Information of that Department", Mr. Jones declared. The
correspondence of the Department of the Interior is $216,713 of the
total of $2,430,770. The rest is for publications, group contacts -
whatever they are - individual contacts, motion pictures, radio
programs, photography, lantern slides, and lecture material. All
of these things could be cut out since Pearl Hprbor. I submit that
with the enormous expenditure in the Office of Government Reports,
with the enormous expenditure in the Office of Facts and Figures -
and it might be referred to as facts and fiction - under the dir¬
ection of Mr. Ii/IacLeish that we do not need to have propaganda
agencies in all of the departments, including this one.
6 -
3/31/42
"There has been steadily growing in Washington a large
array of men and women on full-time and part-time compensation to
glamorize the activities of the bureaus they represent. Many
bureaus that have nothing to do with defense try to get their noses
under the tent. So many nondefense bureaus have asked for increas¬
ed appropriations that their pleas of national defense are commonly
referred to as the national prayer.
Defending the radio item, Representative Jed Johnson ( D. ) ,
of Oklahoma, said:
’’Now, they talk about radio, as if the Department were
buying a lot of radio time. Surely the gentlemen know better. The
Department, of course, is not buying radio time. It is not necessary
to do so. Their programs are so fine, so patriotic, so educational,
and constructive that many of the large radio stations have request¬
ed the Department of the Interior for some of their programs. That
means, of course, that the public likes and demands more of such
pro grams.
"Not a dollar is in this bill for the Interior Department
for radio time, yet you would think from some of these statements
that most of this money went for radio time. And so it is quite
obvious that about 90 percent of the ooposition to this bill is
directed actually against an honest, fearless, and canable G-overn-
ment official, the Secretary of the Interior. ”
xxxxxxxx
NAZIS SUSPECTED OF OPERATING MIDWEST STATION
Germany is operating an ’’underground’’ broadcasting sta¬
tion which purports to be located in the United States’ Midwest
and to be operating in defiance of American officials, it was learn¬
ed by the Washington Post yesterday.
The outfit. Station D-E-B-U-N-K was first heard on the air
last week and since has broadcast regularly over shortwave from
8:30 to 9 P.M, The only thing wrong with its build-up is the fact
that DEBUNK’ s signals were first heard abroad, that simple direction¬
finding efforts have located it in Europe, and finally, that its
broadcasts follow the Berlin shortwave ’’line” almost word for word.
The station begins its broadcasts with a few bars of the
’’Star-Spangled Banner”, and is conducted by a couple of announcers
with Middle West accents. It signs off with ”I\/Iy Country ’Tis of
Tnee ”,
Violently ant i- British, the station argues that American
farm boys are being sent to die for the ’’redcoat snobs”, in order to
preserve the domination of the International banker groups. It is
fiercely anti-Semitic, anti-Roosevelt, antt-British. It broadcsts
that ’’this is a war we cannot possible win”.
The broadcasts follow the reiDorts of the official German
shortwave so closely that listeners in this country believe the
Nazis are making no serious attemnt to conceal the fact that the
transmitter is, in fact, operated in Germany,
XXXXXXXX
- 7
3/31/42
FCC SILENT ON COX ACCUSATIONS
Chalraan James L. Fly of the Federal Communications Corai.
mission said he had nothing to say when asked if it was true that
the Department of Justice had been asked to Investigate the exchange
of $2500 check between Representative Gene Cox (D. ), of Georgia, and
the Herald Broadcasting Company, of Albany, Ga. Charges were made
against Mr. Cox in an article in ”PM", Marshall Filed* s New York
newspaper last Sunday in an article which read;
"photostats of the following documents have been received
by the Department of Justice:
"A $2500 check dated Aug. 15, 1941, signed by Cox and pay¬
able to the Albany, Ga. , Herald Broadcasting Co.
"A $2500 check dated Aug, 18, 1941, three days later, signed
by C. D, Townsley, se ere tary-treasurer of the Albany Herald Broad¬
casting Co. and payable to Rep, Cox.
"A $2500 deposit slip made out to the account of Cox in the
City National Bank of Albany'.
"A voucher stating that the $2500 check to Cox was for
* legal expense.’
"A statement by Townsley declaring that the check given Cox
was for ’future services’.
"The Albany Herald Broadcasting Co, has a case pending
before the Federal Communications Commission, The Albany Herald
is the only daily in Albany end the most important paper in Cox’s
district. Its radio station is WALB.
"The check for $2500 given to the company by Cox was in
payment of 25 shares of stock in the broadcasting company. The pay¬
ment of $2500 to Cox three days later exactly equaled the payment
made by him to the company. The Department of Justice has been ask¬
ed to .find out whether the stock was returned or still is owned by
Cox.
"The Albany broadcasting comnany filed an application with
the FCC last October for a change of frequency. It has had a number
of cases before the FCC in the last two years. Cox has interested
himself in those cases. The Department of Justice has been asked to
investigate whether this was the friendly interest which a. Congress¬
man might normally take in the affairs of a constituent or whether
he was, in effect, serving as counsel to the company,
"The questions the Department has been asked to answer are
"Was the effect of the check and stock transactions to give
Cox $2500 worth of stock in the broadcasting company?
"If so, was this a payment for legal services?
"Cox has attacked the FCC bitterly in recent weeks and at
the end of January Introduced a resolution for a miniature Dies
investigation of the FCC, viiich is now pending, "
XXXXXXXXXX
- 8 -
3/31/42
RADIO FIRES FLASHES IN REMOTE CONTROL PHOTOGRAPHY
A new applicptlon for radio has been found bj the recently
established photographic department of the Office of Emergency
Management directed by William Nelson, formerly of Look Ma.gazine.
The major portion of the photographic work has been and
still is performed in industrial plants, most of them housing large
assembly line operations of one kind or another, many in moving
machinery, moving overhead cranes, etc. The photographic difficul¬
ties are apparent. If enougii light for adequate lighting of large
operations, including assembly lines, was to be achieved, it obvious¬
ly called for multiple flash, frequently using 80 or 30 bulbs. The
moving machinery, the assembly line itself, and the numerous workers
milling around all over the location made the usual flash system.
Involving the use of wires in any degree, impractical.
Wires ■were being tripped over, reflectors knocked down,
etc. The only solution was to rig up a synchronized fla.sh system in
which no wires would appear. The answer was a series of reflectors,
booster boxes and a snort wave radio system to actuate same. This
system was developed by Dr. Heiland who has been experimenting with
it for some time.
The set up is sufficiently flexible so that not only can
an Indefinite number of flash- bulbs be synchronized with the camera
shutter without the use of wires, but also the camera itself can be
raised to otherwise inaccessible positions and pictures taken. The
photographer controls the tripping of the shutter and flash system
with a sending set that may be located several hundred yards distant
from the camera. This technical development adds a new dimension
to industrial photography.
The uses of this setup, however, extend beyond manufactur¬
ing plants. At large meetings where a hasty setup, lA/ithout wires
for people to trip over, is desired, this will work beautifully.
In several shots where lighting must be close to the subject and
yet wires kept out of the field of the picture Itself, this will
serve.
XXXXXXXXX
$2,513,469 FOR PHILCO
The Philco Radio CorT>oration reported yesterda.y for 1941
a net income of $2,513,569, equal to $1.83 each on 1,372,143 common
shares. This compared with $8,248,568, or $1.64 a share, earned in
1940. Income and excess-profits taxes were $5,967,600, against
$1,347,222 in 1940, accordinti, to James T. Buckley, President,
The company provided a $750,000 reserve for inventory and
commitment contingencies by a transfer directly from surplus.
Gross sales were $77,073,636, against $52,311,131 in 1940,
setting new records for radios, domestic ref rigera.tors and air-
conditioning equipment.
XXXXXXXXX
~ 9
3/31/42
: TRADE NOTES
A conference of Blue Network station managers from all
points of the Western Division, will be held in San Francisco
April 2-3.
A complete radio transmitter and receiver in the shape of
the so-called French phone is the subject of a patent (No. 2,276,933)
issued to Cletus J, Collom of Detroic, Mich. Ml the equipment
necessary to send and receive messages is contained in the earpiece,
hand grip and mouthpiece of the French phone, according to the pat¬
ent. The apparatus is a portable, self-contained radio transmitting
and receiving unit suitable for short range and field use. The pat¬
ent is assigned to Weltronic Corporation of Detroit.
Utah Radio Products Company and Wholly Owned Subsidiary -
For 1941: Net profit, $216,386, or 73 cents a share, against $7,193,
or 2 cents a share, in 1940.
The War Department a,nnounced this week it would inaugurate
a series of "Amy Hour" radio broadcasts April 5, designed to link
men in the armed forces overseas with home firesides. The program
will be broadcast Sunday afternoons at 3:30 E. W. T. , over NBC, and
transmitted by short-wave radio to Array units abroad.
In its proposal to denay a nighttime increase in power
of 250 wa.tts to KG-NO , Dodge City, Kans. , on the ground that it might
interfere with KGIR at Butte, Montana, the FCC apparently used
political discretion. Butte is not only the homeloTO of Senator
Burton K. Wheeler, radio czar in the upper branch of Congress, but
it is also the abode of Montana’s Junior Senator James E. Murray.
Easton C. Woolley, who has been Manager of the Service
Division of the Stations Department of the National Broadcasting
Company, has been appointed Assistant to William S. Hedges, Vice
President of the Stations Department. In addition to his new duties,
Mr. Woolley will continue to supervise handling of affiliation con¬
tracts between the National Broadcasting Company and its associated
stations.
Declaring that economy in non-defense items is a vital
necessity and that the nation’s printing bill is a good place to
start. Representative Louis Ludlow ( D. ) , of Indiana, has revealed
the fact that the printing bill in the Government deoartraents in
two years jumped from $18,000,000 to $28,000,000. For example, in
the Federal Communications Commission in 1939, it was $42,630, and
in 1941, $58,809.
One Government official told Congressman Ludlow about a
businessman who examining the contents of a wastebasket found 51
Government publications all in their original wrappers.
10 -
: . \
3/31/42
Representative Marcantonio of New York, in an address
”How About Some Sacrifice from Big Business?" cited a tabulation
from the Economic Outlook of corporation profits for 1941 compared
with 1940 showing the percentage of increase for 1941. The highest
was the Aviation Corporation 2690^ increase.
Among the low ones were the Radio Corporation of America
11.9 percent Increase and the General Electric 1.7 percent. The
Radio Corporation did ^10,192,716 business in 1941 and ^9,113,156
in 1940.
As a result of the rapidly expanding field of industrial
electronic control, an electronic control section has been organized
in General Electric's industrial control division. Allen E. Bailey,
Jr., and William D. Cockrell have been appointed as Hfenager Sales
and Engineer respectively of the new section. Mr. Bailey will
report to G. R. Prout, Manager of the Industrial Control Division,
and Mr. Cockrell to E. H. Alexander, Engineer of that Division.
More than 30 outstanding educators, statesmen, diplomats
and broadcasting officials of the Western Hemisphere, who are
particularly prominent for their knowledge of Latin American affairs,
met in Washington last Saturday at the Pan American Union to set up
the administrative structure for the recently announced NBC Inter-
American University of the Air.
Proposed by Dr. James Rowland Angell, public service
counsellor for the NBC, and president Emeritus of Yale University,
the new "University of the Air" is dedicated to the mutual inter¬
pretation of the achievements, cultures, traditions and personal¬
ities of the western nations.
New York City's first full-time Frequency Modulation
Station W71NY, celebrated its first anniversary on the air Wednesday,
April 1, operating on a commercial license issued by the Federal
Communications Commission. Owned and operated by Radio Station WOR
W71NY has increased its power from 1,000 to 10,000 watts.
Station WCOP, Massachusetts Broadcasting Corp. , Boston,
Mass. , has applied for a construction permit for changes in equip¬
ment and directional antenna and increase cower from 500 watts to
1 KW.
Zenith Radio Corcoration and subsidiaries reoorted yester¬
day profit of ^1,598,450 before Federal taxes in the nine months
ended on Jan. 31 of the current fiscal year. This compared with
$1,465,377 before Federal taxes in the nine months ended on Jan. 31,
1941. E, F. McDonald, Jr., President, said that after deducting
estimated Federal taxes net income for the nine months this year
would amount to $1,033,343, or $2.10 a share.
Siegmund Strauss, 67, co-inventor of the radio amplifier
tube and contributor to the field of electrical medicine, died in
New York Sunday. A, native of Czechoslovakia, Mr. Strauss Invented
the feed-back devices credited with giving the European radio
industry its foundation. With Robert Von Lieben and Eugene Reisz,
he invented the amolifier tube.
XXXXXXXX
- 11 -
-'./V '’^'V :
3/31/42
ZENITH SENDS OUT FM QUESTIONNAIRE
A questionnaire to ascertain opinion as to the problems
facing FM today - as an infant suddenly facing wartime conditions ~
is being sent to all FM licensees and radio stations by N, H,
Terwilliger, Sales Promotion Manager of the Zenith Radio Corporation.
The findings will be made public.
’’Just what will FM radio accomplish in the coming months?
Will it remain status quo, serving its limited listening audience
just as at present, or will Ff^ broadcasting forge along increasing
length of programs, quality and variety of programs?” Mr. Terwilliger
asks in making the inquiry.
”What are its plans?
”In order that we can get a firsthand picture of FM at
large, we are asking the M broadcasters who receive this bulletin
to fill in the attached questionnaire and return it promptly to¬
gether with whatever remarks they wish to make.
’’Then as soon as possible, our findings will be published
in this bulletin in order that we may all have a picture of the
general thinking.
’’For the duration FM will live in the public mind only
through the efforts of the broadcasters. Their opinions and deci¬
sions are vital.
”Every broadcaster, in filling out his questionnaire, is
doing his fellow FM supporters a service by lending him hia think¬
ing and guidance. ”
XXXXXXXX
BIC THINGS PREDICTED FOR RADIO AFTER WAR
It is evident that radio is going to be a whopping big
business when the war is over. Radio Retailing observes. Besides
picking up all the deferred purchasers demand for new radio sets,
there will be tremendous new markets for frequency modulation and
television.
And application of radio principles in industrial opera¬
tion will make the new science of electronics bloom, as radio tubes
find their way into applications everywhere in everyday life.
Radio men are going to have their hands full when the
happy days of peace come again,
XXXXXXXX
12 -
r*' ■'
i
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
30 rooSSler
INDEX TO ISSUE OF APRIL 3, 194S.
Rhode Island Homes Highest In Radio OTOership . 2
FCC Seeks To Protect Stations Further From Sabotage . 5
War-Time Program For BAA Convention . . . 4
Flil Praised As Westinghouse Station Makes Debut . . . 5
FCC Tips Off White House Axis Is Using Dies Letter.,... . . . 6
Asks Listeners To Analyze What They Hear . 7
N.Y.A. Provides D. C. Defense Radio Trailer . . . 7
Victory Council To Suggest How Stations Can Help More . 8
Civil Liberties Defend Press- Re. dio Stations . . . ,...9
Television In Wartime . .....9
Discounts Smaller Station Closing Domi Rumor . 9
FCC Action . . . . . 10
Chicago Educators Find FM Is Aid To School ^Sork
Trade Notes . 11
Wives And Mothers Thankful For Australian Recordings . 12
FlI Proves Boon To Deaf., . 12
No, 1417
RHODE ISLAND HOr.ES HIGHEST IN RADIO OWNERSHIP
Nearly three- fourths of the homes had radios in a total of
30 selected States and the District of Columbia according to data
from the Census of Housing of 1940 released Thursda.y by Director
J. C, Capt of the Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce.
Radio ownership was hlgliest in Connecticut and Rhode Island where
radios were reported in 95.7 percent of the occupied dwelling units.
Less than two-fifths of the homes in Mississippi reported radios.
The proportion of homes with radios was highest in the urban areas
of the selected States, in which 85.1 percent of the occupied dwell¬
ing units had radios as compared with 71,5 percent in the rural-
nonfarm areas and 52.4 percent in the rural-farm areas.
Between 1930 and 1940 tremendous Increases have occurred
in the number of home radios in all of the selected States. In the
total of these States the proportion increased from 26.9 percent in
1930 to 71.1 percent in 1940. It should be noted that few of the
larger States are Included in the present list and that the percent¬
ages based on the resulting totals are not representative of the
United States as a whole. This is indicated by the fact that the
United States total for 1930 showed 40.3 percent of the homes with
radios, as compared with 26.9 percent in these 30 selected States and
the District of Columbia.
OCCUPIED DWELLING UNITS WITH RADIO, FOR SELECTED STATES, 1940,
AND PERCENT WITH RA.DIO r 1930
(a dwelling unit was enumerated as having a radio if it
contained a usable radio set or one only temporarily out of
repair. Percentages for 1940 ere based on the number of
units reporting on this item. Percentages for 1930 based
on all families, including families not reporting on the item. )
TOTAL
Number
With radio
PERCENT WITH
STATE
Reporting
Number
Per-
Cent
RADIO - 1930
Total
10, 100; 900
7,184,895
71.1
26.9
New England^
Maine
213, 204
184,348
86,5
39. 2
New Hampshire
129; 758
116,809
90.0
44.4
Vermont
90,569
184,661
80,253
176,739
88. 6
44. 6
Rhode Island
95.7
57.1
Connecticut
436,164
417,258
95. 7
54.7
West North Central
Iowa
L
683, 963
617,005
90. 2
48. 5
North Dakota
148,179
131,000
88.4
40. 9
South Dakota
160,894
136,049
84. 6
44. 2
Nebraska
352,662
298,790
84.7
47. 9
Kansas
496,101
411,984
83.0
38. 9
- 2 -
STATE
Numbe r ;
Reporting :
TOTAL
With radic
Numbe r
)
Per-
Cent
PERCENT WITH
RADIO 1930
South Atlantic;
Delaware
68,070;
59,921
07.0
45,9
District of Columbia
169,102:
158,377
93.7
53.9
Virginia
610,878;
409,978
67.1
18.2
West Virginia
404,386:
326,347
75,1
P3.8
North Carolina
764,144;
471,863
61.8
11.2
South Carolina
422, 263;
209, 542
49.6
7.6
Florida
504,011:
326,447
64. 8
15.4
East South Central;
Alabama
630,709;
321,671
49. 4
9.5
Mississippi
515,369:
205, 613
39. 9
5.4
West South Central;
t
Arkansas
480, 955;
244,586
50.9
9.1
Loui siana
577,965;
307,883
53.3
11. 2
Oklahoma
589, 919;
405,754
68. 8
21. 6
Mountain ;
Montana
156,024;
134,503
86. 2
31.9
Idaho
137,521:
118,824
86.4
30,9
Wyoming
67, 687;
57,126
84.4
34.1
Colorado
305,824;
258,573
84,5
37.8
New Mexico
125,134;
66,609
58.2
11.5
Arizona
127, 250;
87,781
69.0
18.1
Utah
136,747;
126,418
92.4
41.1
Nevada
32,178;
26, 200
81.4
30. 6
Pacific :
Orep;on
327.009:
290,644
88. 7
; 43,5
xxxxxxxx
FCC SEEKS TO PROTECT STATIONS FURTHER FROM SABOTAGE
The Federal Communications Commission, in cooperation with
the Office of Civilian Defense, is making a. comprehensive protection
survey of selected non-government commercial communicationa facil¬
ities essential to National Defense from damage by sabotage or as a
result of subversive activities. This is one phase of the general
study being conducted by the Office of Civilian Defense in regard to
the protection of all strategic places vitally essential to National
Defense. As one step in this program, the Commission has effected
plans to proceed with an immediate protection survey of certain
broadcast stations with the object of obtaining facts as to the pro¬
tection now afforded.
E. M. Webster, Assistant Chief Engineer of the Commission,
has been directed to assume charge of this work on behalf of the
Commission. He will consult with the appropriate representatives of
each company, from time to time when necessary, for the purpose of
making detailed arrangements in regard to the survey.
3
3
Commission Radio Inspectors, acting under appropriate
instructions from the Commission have been designated to proceed
with the inspection of certain broadcast station facilities. The
cooperation of the broadcasting companies is solicited in conduct¬
ing this survey. It is requested that they designate a person in
their organization to assist the Commission’s representative in
collecting the information desired.
XXXXXXXXX
WAR-TIME PROGRAI^ FOR RMA CONVENTION
The tentative program for the eighteenth annual conven¬
tion of the Ra.dio Manufacturers’ Association in Chicago, with the
Parts Trade Snow cancelled, has been adjusted to a war-time basis,.
There will be only a one-day convention - on Tuesday, June 9 - with
important business sessions largely devoted to war problems to
place the entire industry benind the war program. On that day the
entire radio manufacturing industry, including non-member companies
will gather for the discussions of the numerous war problems,
Paul V. Galvin, President of RMA, will preside at the ’’all
industry” luncheon on June 9, and there will be meetings of the Set,
Tube, Parts and Speaker Divisions of the Association and a number of
committees.
New officers and Directors of the RMA, to carry on the
Association in a new and enlarged program of war services for the
industry, also will be elected during the convention.
Subject to future conditions, the annual Industry banquet
is now tentatively scheduled for n^uesday evening, June 9.
The tentative convention program on June 9 follows:
Tuesday, June
10:00 A.M. -
10:00 A.M. -
10:00 a.M. -
10:00 A.M, -
10:00 A.M. -
9
Meeting, RI4A Board of Directors, P
Galvin, presiding
Meeting, RL!A Export Committee
Meeting, RIvlA Service Section
Meeting, Kik Credit Committees
Meeting RIEA. Engineering Committees
resident
Paul
V.
18:30 P.M.
Membership Luncheon Meeting, Paul V. Galvin, presiding
8:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
R\liA Set Division, Annual Meeting
RMA Tube Division, Annual Meeting
RI.1A. Parts Division, Annual Meeting
RIviA Amplifier & Sound Division, Annual Meeting
RJIA. Engineering Committees
7:00 P.iM, - RMA Annual Industry Banquet, Chairman, A. S. Wells
Wednesday, June 10
10:00 A.M. - Meeting, New RMA Board ofDirectors, Election of
President and Committee orga,ni zation.
XXXXXXXXX
- 4 -
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I
4/3/42
FM PRAISED AS WESTINGHOUSE STATION MAKES DEBUT
James L, Fly, Chairmen of the Federel Communications Com¬
mission, was very complimentary in his remarks about FM at the
inauguration of Westinghouse ’ s Station W67B in Boston last Sunday.
Mr, Fly, whose remarks were recorded in Washington and rebroadcast,
said:
"It gives me real satisfaction to add a, word of greeting
at this time to the many others which you are undoubtedly receiving
today, as you introduce your new Frequency Modulation station, W67B,
to the public of Boston. Operation of W67B represents an additional
service which is now available to the people of the Boston area.
’’Frequency Modulation is an engineering development which
represents an important advance in the science of broadcasting. As
this new broadcasting technique develops, listeners all over the
country will become more fully aware of the refinements which it
offers them. Its full tonal range makes possible lifelike rendition
of sound, and its freedom from static and common sources of inter¬
ference adds to the pleasure the listener experiences in receiving
frequency modulation broadcasts in his home.
” Today, F!\!, as this type of broadcasting is commonly
known, has an unusually timely mission in that each new station
presenting a new program service to the people of this country,
enlarges the reservoir on which our nation at war may draw for in¬
formation ard enterta.inment,
’’Radio broadcasting is threading its way through its first
war. No signposts, no precedents, nor helpful experiences from
other wars are standing as guides to the future - hence - radio’s
area of service in this World War is unexplored. Its course is
fraught with many difficulties, trials and dangers and, therefore,
the steadiest hand and the coolest eye must be at the helm as the
course is charted and pursued.
’’The importance of broadcasting in this v^ar is tremendous.
Broadcasters are custodians of what is potentially the most powerful
weapon in the world. From every side comes definite proof that radio
is accepting the challenge presented by the present situation in a
most satisfactory manner. As we traverse this period of our great¬
est national peril, it is paramount that radio broadcasters act
with speed and courage to win its objective, which is to operate in
the public interest, convenience and necessity. Only by clearly
defining its responsibilities and then bending every effort to live
up to them, can radio help the nation achieve the final certain
victory.
”1 congratulate the owners of this new Westinghouse M
station, W67B, and I express the confident belief that it will
faithfully fullfil its great opportunity for service during these
war days and progressively during the years after the final victory
has been won. "
XXXXXXXX
- 5 -
4/3/42
FCC TIPS OFF WHITE HOUSE AXIS IS USING DIES LETTER
Chaiman James L. Fly, of the Federal Communications Com¬
mission, instead of making the thing public himself or in letting
Archibald MacLeish put it out through O.F.F. , made a very shrewd
move in passing along the fact to President Roosevelt that the FCC
short-wave listening posts had picked up broadcasts from Germany
showing that the Axis propaganda stations were making widespread
use and badly distorting a report of the charge by Representative
Dies that 35 pro-Coramunist officials are serving on the Board of
Economic Warfare.
The report which Chaiman Fly sent to the President was
released by White House Secretary Williajn D. Hassett, who recalled
that Vice President Wallace, Chairman of the Board, had answered
Mr. Dies by saying that the effect of his accusations on American
morale would be less damaging if the legislator were on the Nazi
payroll.
The report quoted extracts from broadcasts by Berlin and
Vichy stations and by station D-E-B-U-N-K, which, it now seems cer¬
tain operates from an unlocated European point.
The latter broadcast was most completely distorted. When
first heard recently, the short-wave station D-E-B-U-N-K tried to
give the impression that it was operated in the Middle West by
Americans, FCC officials declared that it would be impossible for
the station to operate in the United States long without being
detected by the Communications Commission's monitors (listening
posts) and that the broadcasts of Station D-S-B-U-N-K, supposed to
be coming from here were unquestionably originating in Germany or
Italy or some Axis controlled point.
According to the FCC report, Station D-E-B-U-N-K broad¬
cast as follows:
"Only recently Congressman Martin Dies pointed out in a
letter addressed to Vice President Wallace that there are 35 avowed
Communists among the higher officials of the war Bureau of Economic
Warfare alone, not to mention the exceedingly strong Coram.unlst
influence in Mr. Roosevelt' s numerous other governmental agencies
and throughout the country.
"It is interesting to note in this connection that
Secretary Wallace refused to even entertain Mr. Dies' protest against
this state of affairs, let alone do anything about it, leaving it up
to us to decide if this attitude of his is based on ignorance, fear
of, or personal sympathy with the secret growth of Communistic in¬
fluence.
"But aside from these questions, how Is it possible that a
political group or party as little known and at the same time as
thoroughly disliked in the country as a whole as tne Communist party
can gain so great an influence over our lives and over our institu¬
tions?"
XXXXXXXXX
- 6 -
4/3/42
ASKS LISTENERS TO ANALYZE WHAT THEY HEAR
Listeners and newspaper readers were cautioned by Repre¬
sentative William L. Nelson, of Missouri, to constantly bear in
mind the sources of information brought to them.
’’April 1, All Fool’s Day, is past, but the public may
continue to be fooled”, Mr. Nelson said. "If so, this will be due,
not to a deliberate effort to deceive but to lack of discrimina¬
tion on the part of many listeners and readers.
’*I have in mind three sources of great influence - three
C's, commentators, columnists, and cartoonists. .All are legiti¬
mate and may serve useful purposes, even though frequently dealing
with prophecy, opinions, and propaganda. The need is that the pub¬
lic distinguish between these and such strictly news-gathering and
disseminating agencies as the Associated Press, United Press, and all
others, including recognized radio reporting. This differentiation
will result in a better understanding on the part of all our people.
XXXXXXXX
N.Y.A. PROVIDES D. C. DEFENSE RADIO TRAILER
A red, white and blue trailer housing a portable radio
receiving and transmitting set was the National Yough Administra¬
tion's contribution Wednesday to the District of Columbia's civilian
defense.
The trailer, made of salvaged junk by NYA boys at South
Charleston, West Virginia, was handed over to the District for the
duration of the war.
The transmitter, which broadcasts on all short waves
granted amateurs by the Federal Communications Commission, would
serve primarily to establish communications with the outside world
if all other means were destroyed. Beside hook-ups with the local
power lines, the set can generate its own povrer by means of an en¬
gine salvaged from a wrecked Willy s-Knight automobile found in a
West Virginia junk yard.
In addition to the radio equipment, the trailer had fire-
ext inguisning apparatus, first-aid materials, and sleeping accom¬
modations for four persons.
X X X X X X X X X
7
4/3/42
VICTORY COUNCIL TO SUOOEST HOW STATIONS CM KELP MORE
When the Domestic Broadcast Committee of the Defense Com¬
munications Board meets this week, the Broadcasters Victory
Committee will offer several recommendations in the belief they'll
give radio a better chance to serve the war effort,
"The first of these ideas is that radio stations can do
yeoman' s work in supplementing regular air raid warnings, particu¬
larly since the nation seems a little weak in this department
throughout many big cities", the Committee states. "You'll remember
we hope, that Committee IV' s original plan was to have broadcast
transmitters shut up tighter than an Ipswich clam as soon as an
alarm happened to be sounded. They were to give no notice, no
announcement - just push the 'off button and probably leave a lot
of listeners fiddling inside their sets to see what had blown out
this time.
"The BVC thinks tha.t a brief but explanatory announcement
should be given before leaving the air, particularly since it's
become woefully apparent that most large centers of population
don't have enough alarm sirens to scare a chipmunk. Announcing an
air raid is a Job for mass communication, and broadcasting has what
it takes.
"Our second thought deals with the technician shortage.
Several weeks ago the FCC lowered its standards demanded for trans¬
mitter engineers, and at first glance everybody thought matters had
been eased. Unfortunately the relief was only too temporary. There
just aren't enough Second Class operators in the country to fill up
the ranks, besides which the war effort needs Second Class as well
as First Class ticket-holders. The BVC thinks that a temporary
class of "special operators" might be created for tasks of trans¬
mitter supervision during the indeterminate duration of the war.
These could be qualified men, approved by the station owners who
employ them, and carefully schooled in the duties they have to per¬
form. They might not know all the incidental and erudite answers
to the government examination, but it's our theory that no station
owner who has a fat amount of money wrapped up in his transmitting
equipment - with no prospect of immediate replacement - is going to
let any non-qualif led niracompoop play around with it. .4nd if a
class of 'special' operators is authorized, we feel sure the leading
technicians' unions will not hesitate to relax their standards
accordingly, admitting these temporary men to membership from the
present until, say, six months after the war smoke starts to clear.
"Idea No. 3 deals with the growing bugaboo of tubes. The
BVC intends suggesting to Committee IV that it give thought to the
establishment of a/ilearing house that would assure broadcasters
quick delivery of these vital items - by virtue, naturally enough, -
of a high priority rating. "
XXXXXXXXX
8
4/3/42
CIVIL LIBERTIES DEFEND PRESS-RADIO STATIONS
The Araericr.n Civil Liberties Union ceme out in favor of
newspaper- owned radio stations saying:
’’The fact that newspapers are engaged in dealing x^ith
information and opinion”, the union said, “should not disqualify
them as applicants for radio licenses”* The union added, however,
that the Federal Communications Commission should take “extreme
care to see that as a practical matter no monopoly in the presenta¬
tion of news and opinion is created. ”
XXXXXXXX
TELEVISION IN WARTIME
"Every New York City police station now has a television
receiver over which come instructions and demonstrations for air¬
raid wardens", 0. H. Caldwell writes in Radio Retailing. ”The
instructors are thus able to conduct their demonstrations in a
central place, and neighborhood groups all over the big city can
watch and hear them - saving time and traveling for all.
"Had television been pemitted to go ahead when it was
ready, the electronic picture-screen might now be serving the
public in many ways as an Invaluable wartime aid. ”
xxxxxxxxxx
DISCOUNTS SMALLER STATION CLOSING DOWN RmiOR
Denying the rumor that shortage of tubes and operators
will soon lead Washington forcibly to close doxvn all smaller radio
stions, a Broadcasters Victory Council bulletin says:
"The facts leading up to this supposition, alas, are
quite true. Transmitting tubes are becoming rare as Gutenberg
Bibles, almost, and the broadcasting industry’s reservoir of veteran
engineers dwindles with each draft call. But we've encountered no
plan as yet to take the smaller stations off the air, nor do we
think that such a move x’^ould help very much. Some of them, natur¬
ally, may be forced off when they run out of spare tubes, or can't
assemble a qualified staff. We have it straight from FCC Chairman
'^ly - and five'll get you five hundred that he knows - the Commis¬
sion has never given thought to such a move. ”
xxxxxxxxxx
9
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4/3/49
FCC ACTION
Applications Granted; General Electric Company (area of
Schenectady, N. yTT Portable mobile, granted construction permit
for new experimental television relay station to operate on fre¬
quency 319,000-324,000 kilocycles; 25 watts (peak) power; to com¬
municate ?/ith television broadcast station WRGB; Associated
Broadcasters, Inc. , Indianapolis, Ind. , granted construction permit
for new station to operate on 47,300 kilocycles, with a service
area of 8,400 square miles, subject to Civil Aeronautics Authority
approval of antenna site; K31LA, Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc.,
Hollywood, Calif. , granted modification of construction permit for
approval of directional antenna system for a coverage of 34,000
square miles and for approval of transmitter; K37LA, Earle C.
Anthony, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., same as for K31LA above.
Applications Received; WGAR, The WGAR Broadcasting Co. ,
Cleveland, Ohio, construction permit amended to omit request for
move of transmitter, change type of transmitter, change requested
power from 50 to 5 kilowatts and make changes in directional
antenna for day and night use; WEMV, The WGAR Broadcasting Co.,
Portable-Mobile, construction permit to make changes in equipment,
change in frequencies from 15607, 157575, 159975 and 161925 to
156750, 158400, 159300 and 161100 kilocycles and change emission
from A3 to special for frequency modulation.
Also, Larus and Brother Co. , _ Inc. , S, E, of Richmond, Va. ,
construction permit for a new relay broadcast station to be oper¬
ated on 1646 , 2090 , 2 1 90 , 2830 kilocycles, 3 5 watts,
XXXXXXXX
CHICAGO EDUCATORS FIND FM IS AID TO SCHOOL WORK
The educational value of FM programs in conjunction with
regular school work has recently been recognized by the Chicago
Board of Education and, according to George Jennings, Acting Dir¬
ector of theBoard' s Radio Council, one Chicago high school and four
elementary schools listen to programs of W59c, The Chicago Tribune
FM station, both in assemblies and individual classes.
Praising tne high quality of FM transmission, Jennings
added that many M programs are recommended in a weekly program
bulletin prepared by his Council. Each Friday afternoon, for example,
all 1,100 students at the Goudy Elementary Scnool on Chicago’s
northside hear the Philadelphia Symphony concerts which are received
over FM in each of 24 classrooms. History-making broadcasts are
also presented to the children, such as the U. S. declarations of
last December and subsequent events of importance.
The Chicago Board of Education is now completing its own
FM station, WBEZ, designed to supplement regular instruction courses
in the local schools.
XXXXXXXXX
10 -
TRADE NOTES
The OFF' 8 priority list, which is Intended to evaluate
the importance of all current drives, appeals and campaigns
originating in Washington, will be available to the industry about
the middle of April, the Broadcasters Victory Council learns.
Vincent F. Callahan, who has been serving as Chief of the
Press and Radio Sections of the Defense Savings Staff of the
Treasury Department, has been named Director of Press and Radio.
Charles J. G-ilcrest, formerly Radio Editor of the Chicago
Daily News, Assistant Chief of Radio, has been named Chief of the
Radio section.
The following employees of the Federal Communications
Commission have Joined the armed service:
Robert G. Seaks, secretary to Chairman Fly, now a
lieutenant (Jr, grade) in the Navy, stationed at Philadelphia;
De Quincy V. Sutton, broadcast accounting, 1st Lieut, in the Signal
Corps, at Washington; William C. Boese, senior engineer in charge
of M and television broadcast matters, 2nd Lieut., Signal Corps,
Array War College.
James S. Knowlson, Director of Industry Operations, said
that, whil the War Production Board is relying on the voluntary
support of the war production program by industry, the Board is
prepared to use the punitive provisions of the Second War Powers
Act swiftly and without hesitation whenever necessary to insure
compliance with WPB regulations, including all priorities rules and
orders.
The third installment of the Don Lee television defense
programs over W6XA0 last Saturday night featured the film "Hew to
Fight the Fire Bomb", showing how incendiary bombs are made and how
damage from this war hazard can be limited.
It is announced that Charles H. Singer, Technical Super¬
visor of W0R-W71NY, in collaboration with Bell Laboratories engi¬
neers, has worked out a tube conditioning unit doubling the life of
tubes. Mr. Singer has written an extensive article on the care of
transmitting tubes for station engineers which is featured in the
March edition of Communications.
The West Coast, and especially the San Francisco Bay area,
is headed for a full-sized broadcasting boom, according to Phillips
Carlin, Vice-President in charge of Program Production for the Blue
Network, who was in San Francisco last week on a flying visit to
Pacific Coast metropolitan radio centers.
New description of a sponsor offered to the radio trade
from Chicago by Variety , is this one by a small agency there;
"A sponsor is a man who doesn’t like anything until he
buys it; and then he hates it. "
XXXXXXXX
11 -
4/3/42
WIVES AND MOTHERS THANKFUL FOR AUSTRALIAN RECORDINGS
Alfred J. McCosker, President of WOR, who sent recordings
of a recent Australian broadcast to the relatives of the six Ameri¬
can soldiers heard, received some aopreclative letters.
Mrs. 3. Strizver, of 2185 Morrison Ave. , Union, N. J, ,
mothei* of Private Morton Strizver wrote; "I just received your
most welcome record and am surely the happiest mother in the world,
with a record of my son’s voice, now that he is so far away. I
will be playing it all day long, until it is worn out. My heart
goes out to all mothers, but we all have to be brave and stand
behind our boys in the front until we v/in this war; and we will
win because we have all that is decent and right fighting for us. "
Mrs. John Koenig, of 460 Walnut St. , Yonkers, N. Y. , wife
of Private John Koenig, said: "The whole Koenig family wants to
tnank you for the wonderful record you sent us. My mother-in-law,
Mrs. Philip Koenig, received the record and has given it to me,
and it has been the most wonderful Easter gift I could receive. "
Mrs. Helen Evans, of 50 Church St. , mother of Private
George Evans, missed the broadcast but was pleased to have her own
recording. She said: "Lily mother heard the broadcast and you can
imagine how thrilled she was to hear her grandson’s voice from
Australia. I do want to thank you for the recording, it sort of
gave me the shivers when I heard my boy talk and needless to say,
Thursday was not a good working day for me at the store. Tomorrow
we are having a family gathering to hear the record, and George's
voice is about the grandest thing that we all will welcome. "
XXXXXXXX
FM PROVES BOON TO DEAF
A recent communication to FM Broadcasters, Inc. , the na¬
tional trade association of M stations, from a Columbus, Ohio,
executive gives an interesting description of a deaf person’s re¬
action upon hearing an FM receiver for the first time. He writes:
"Lily hearing is a bit dull. In quiet surroundings I have
to employ a hearing device. When listening to the radio, it is
necessary for me to sit right next to the receiver - or turn up the
volume so high the curtains flutter and the furniture begins to
dance around the room. But when I heard an FM receiver, I thought
by some miracle my hearing had been restored to normal. The demon¬
stration was held in quite a large room, wit heavy drapes and a
thick rug to swallow up sound. (That's the kind of setting w^hich
proves toughest on my hearing acuity.,) Oh, yes, the ceiling was
hign. And that didn’t help any, either,
"Point of it all is that I heard the complete FM demon¬
stration without hearing aid, as well as anybody in the room - yet I
was sitting a good fifty feet or more away from the speaker cabinet -
I could hear perfectly the full rich tones of the piano - high notes
and low notes equally well. That goes for the music of the other
instruments tnat were broadcast, too. The announcer’s voice was
clear and distinct - so effortless to listen to. "
XXXX XXXX
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET
WASHINGTON, D. C.
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INDEX TO ISSUE OF APRIL 7, 1942
20,000 Now Enrolled In Radio Technicians Courses . S
A. F.L. And C.I.O. Seen Burying Hatchet In Radio Series . 3
NAB Puts On Listener Activities Coordinator .
Ohio Radio Specialist Gets Jaw-Breahing Title . .
Last RCA Radio Set Given To Warm Springs At Dinner,
Fly Near Reappointment Draws Congress Fire .
Creation Of New Super War Information Office Seen.,
It Wasn't Always So, Says Critic of John Barrymore,
League Of Nations Station Folds
FM Growth Depends On Industry, Dr. Baker Explains . 10
Trade Notes . 11
No. 1418
to D- CO CT> <»
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April 7, 1948
20,000 NOW ENROLLED IN RADIO TECHNICIANS COURSES
The speed with which the nation's radio training program
was placed on a war basis is excelled only by the speed with which
prospective trainees have responded, according to William Dow
Boutwell, Chief of the Division of Radio, Publications and Exhibits
in the U. S. Office of Education. "In an exceptional sense, this
is a war of technicians", says Mr. Boutwell. "It is a war of com¬
munications, and radio occupies a strategic position in the modern
world of communications. Courses in radio communica tions are
especially vital because it is by means of radio that tanks,
trucks and airplanes maintain communication with each other in war
time. Equally important is the man trained in radio maintenance
and repair. "
Vicational training in radio maintenance and repair is
financed Jointly by the Federal Government and State departments
of education. Radio training, including shop and class work in
related subjects, is given as a full-day 4-year course.
Both pre-employment and supplementary- to-employraent
courses in radio maintenance and repair are offered to defense
workers as part of the training program financed by the U. S.
Office of Education.
The Signal Corps alone has requested 10,000 of these
trainees and approximately that number is now being trained, A
growing interest on the part of schools, it is hoped, will pave
the way for the anticipated call for 50,000 such trainees by the
end of the year.
Some months ago Congress appropriated $17,500,000 to the
Office of Education to meet the cost of "short courses of college
grade provided by degree- granting colleges and universities to
meet the shortage of engineers, chemists, physicists and produc¬
tion supervisors in fields essential to the national defense. "
On the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,
the War and Navy Departments asked the National Defense Committee
of the National Association of Broadcasters to promote and public¬
ize the need for radio training courses at college grade. An
active promotion campaign was started among colleges throughout the
country. The first unit in the training program was limited to
80,000 persons. On February 20, courses for 12,700 had already
been approved and another 6,000 eligible applicants were being
processed, and the remainder of the 80,000 were included in pro¬
posals from colleges not yet tabulated. As soon as additional
funds are available the drive for trainees will be resumed,
- 2 -
4/7/42
These college-level courses are devoted chiefly to com¬
munication and airplane detection. College seniors in 48 electri¬
cal engineering schools are getting instruction in use of ultra-
high frequency for airplane detection.
XXXXXXXXXX
A.F.L. AND C.I.O. SEEN BURYING HATCHET IN RADIO SERIES
Spurred on by the threat of anti-labor legislation in
Congress and in an effort to get their own version of the matter
before the people who desire to have labor harshly dealt with,
the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial
Organizations have further become reconciled to each other to the
extent of cooperating in a big countrywide weekly radio program to
be known as ”Labor for Victory”. It will be carried by the NBC as
a public service and is scheduled to begin at 10:15 P.M. , E.W.T. ,
Saturday, April 18th,
The idea, it was explained, m.a ’’to tell how the man in
overalls is helping America win the war. ” One week the A, F. erf L.
will put on the prograjn and the next week the C.I.O.
In his announcement of the joint effort Phil Murray of
the C.I.O. declared:
’’The Congress of Industrial Organizations will use this
opportunity of a regular radio program for the major purpose of
promoting the war effort. It will bring before the public the
message of labor and its activities for all-out war production.
”1/70 are most happy to cooperate with the American Feder¬
ation of Labor in this undertaking and most assuredly will not
allow any narrow or partisan considerations to Interfere with this
presentation of American labor's united and joint efforts for
victory. ”
In his comment, William Green, of the A. F, of L. said:
"Through this program, labor hopes to be able to have a
fireside chat with the people of America each week. We want to
tell them what the workers of America are doing in the victory
production program to speed America's triumph. We feel confident
that the American people will be justly proud of their production
soldiers when they learn the true story,
"Just as the A. F. L, is cooperating with the C.I.O. on
the Industrial front to promote all-out war production, regardless
of other considerations, so we are working hand-in-hand with the
C.I.O, in this radio program to spread the true story about labor's
participation in the nation's war effort."
3
In a joint statement, Mr. Murray and Mr. G-reen said;
”We are grateful to the National Broadcasting Company for
its patriotic and broad-minded attitude in giving to the ralillons
of organized American wage-earners this opportunity to express
their viewpoint each week on the air, along with the business and
industrial interests that already are represented in the field of
national broadcasting, *'
The ’’Labor for Victory” program will include comment on
current news, interspersed with Interviews with outstanding nation¬
al and labor figures, and with workers from the war-pfoductlon
"front ”,
XXXXXXXX
NAB PUTS ON LISTENER ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR
Dorothy Lewis of New York City has been appointed
Coordinator of Listener Activities for the National Association
of Broadcasters, explaining that she will conduct her activities
on a public service basis without remuneration to maintain a status
that can properly reflect unbiased public opinion and the reaction
of the listeners. Mrs, Lewis, whose headquarters will be in
Washington, has been actively interested in radio for many years,
especially in the field of children’s programs. During the past
two years she has held radio conferences throughout the country,
bringing together radio executives and leaders in clubs, civic and
educational life, to discuss their mutual problems and Interests,
Mrs, Lewis was formerly vice president of the Radio
Council on Children’s Programs. She is a member of the Board of
the Women’s National Radio Committee, Radio Chairman of the Society
of New England Women and is a member of the National Public Rela¬
tions Committee of the Girl Scouts,
XXXXXXXX
OHIO RADIO SPECIALIST GETS JAW- .BREAKING TITLE
This Administration will go dovm in history for the Jaw¬
breaking titles it gives Government bureaus and officials - titles
so lengthy they have to be abbreviated into initials and which
invariably include ’’Office of”. The latest candidate to be loaded
down with one of these weighty designations is R. R. Lowdermilk of
the Ohio State University faculty who has been appointed to a newly
created position known as "Radio Education Specialist and Technical
Advisory Consultant of the U, S. Office of Education".
While plenty of thought has evidently been given to what
to call Mr. Lowdermilk the services of the new department have not
yet been worked out in complete detail but as explained by the
USOOE, the functions are to be defined in terms of aiding the
schools of the nation to solve the many problems which still con¬
front them in their efforts to realize the full potentialities of
radio as an educational aid, ”
XXXXXXXX
4 -
V
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ii- - ■
4/7/42
LAST RCA RADIO SET GIVEN TO WAR^^ SPRINGS AT DINNER
A large banquet Is to be given in Philadelphia tonight
(Tuesday) to mark the last civilian radio set coming off the pro¬
duction line in the RCA Ma.nufacturing Company plant at Camden.
Through William L. 3att, Director of the Materials Division of
the War Production Board, the last set is to be presented to
President Roosevelt's Warm Springs Foundation.
In accepting the set, Mr. Batt, ho before the war was
the President of the S. K. F. Industries of Philadelphia, will say:
"We are taking short time out tonight to celebrate a very
significant event. This afternoon I received, in the name of the
Warm Springs Foundation, the last civilian radio set to be produced
by a great manufacturer of radios. The last set, that is, until
the end of the war.
"From now on - from now until victory - this plant will
produce nothing but munitions - weapons of war for a fighting
democracy.
"This is good news for the United Sta:tes, It is good
news for Britain and for Russia and for China - good news to the
peoples of Poland and France and Holland and Belgium and the long
dree.ry list of other lands which have been trampled down and
destroyed. But it is bad news for Hitler. And it is bad news for
the Japs and for Mussolini, too,
"Of course this is only one plant and we all know that
we can't produce enough equipment in one plant or even one hundred
plants to win the war. Then, tdit, although this plant has been
producing war equipment in growing quantities for a long time, it
was only this afternoon that it stopped completely the production
of civilian goods. Why, then, do I say that this is such good
news to the United Nations and such bad news to the Axis gangsters?
"I say it because I think that the even of this afternoon
means more than the mere fact that' one plant has gone all-out for
war. I think it is a measure of the mood of America tonight, I
think it is typical of a growing national frame of mind.* ■»••»**
"You will hear and read many reports of confusion, of
incompetence and disaster in our war production program. Some of
this criticism will be valid because mistakes are bound to be made;
but much of it on the other hand, will be spread by those who want
us to be confused.
"What I want to say to you is that most of the confusion
is on the surface and likely to be exaggerated. Underneath, in
the homes and factories of America and in the government buildings
of Washington, a great and overwhelming majority of our people are,
in my opinion, becoming tremendously serious, tremendously deter¬
mined - aroused and grim. They are in no mood to tolerate
- 5 -
4/7/42
Indecision and delay - by management, by labor or by government.
They are highly critical of anything that does not go right. They
are beginning to be worried and they are likely to become fighting
mad. * *
"We are moving rapidly down the road toward complete
mobilization wnere every man and woman will have his and her part
to play in this total war. There is still a grave question whether
we are moving fast enough, whether we will get there on time. For
we still have a long way to go. There are minorities in every
national group that are still pleading their own special inter¬
ests - still playing the selfish game of obstructionism.
"But with the public no longer complacent; with the pub¬
lic ready and willing to make every sacrifice; asking only that
they be shown what part they can play - then I predict that the day
when any man can play a selfish game is Just about past.
"That is why the event of this afternoon is so signifi¬
cant. From this moment on the RCA plant at Camden is 100 percent
on war work. And that is what the country wants - 100 percent use
of our great manufacturing facilities for war work wherever that
is possible or desirable. It was not long ago that many people
would have been shocked at the idea of stopping completely the
production of radios. Today, people would be shocked if we con¬
tinued to manufacture them.
"And this is the key to victory. Here is a company that
had become one of the leaders in its field through competent
management. Here were workmen with a good labor organization.
With their combined knowledge and skills and Ingenuity they were
producing more radios and better radios and cheaper radios than
were produced in any other nation in the world. Every family in
America wants a radio and most of them have one. But when the
nation was faced with a life and death struggle, we had a choice to
make. Should we try to build new plants, train new workmen, try to
find new sources of raw materials to build the weapons of war while
we went along gaily producing the things of peace. Obviously that
would be fool-hardy, stupid and dangerous. No, we took the same
management that had proven its ability, the same workmen who had
proven their skills, the same supplies of raw materials and wher¬
ever possible the same machinery and changed them over from peace¬
time production to war-time production. That makes sense from
every angle. It is typical of what can be done if we want to do
it badly enough. *****■»«•*
"I am glad that this great nation is restless today. I
am glad that we are critical. We want to get going, and that’s the
way it should be. It may take a long time yet before our armed
forces can move to the offensive. But we are becoming determined
and grim and angry. And so vre will turn to the offensive, sooner
than Hitler thinks we will. And that offensive will not stop
until it has crushed forever the mad war lords of the Axis. Woe n
that day comes we will go back to the production of radios and
6
4/7/42
other things that make life more pleasant. With the large produc¬
tion of aluminum and magnesium tiiat should be available, I have no
doubt that you here at RCA will make better and cheaper radios and
phonographs than you’ve ever made before. Until then we will do
without them. Until then we will go all-out for war, all-out for
Berlin and Tokyo and Rome, ”
xxxxxxxxxx
FLY NEAR REAP?OINT!./[ENT DRAWS CONGRESS FIRE
With his reappointment only two months off. Chairman
James L. Fly of the Federal Communications Commission, has aroused
two of his bitterest enemies in Congress to renewed activity. The
first is Representative Dies, of Texas, end the other is Representa¬
tive Cox of Georgia.
Mr. Fly landed a solar plexus on Dies by tipping off
President Roosevelt personally to the fact that the FCC short-wave
listening posts had picked up the information that the Axis sta¬
tions were making widespread use of the charge by Dies that 35 pro-
Communist officials are serving on Vice-President Wallace’s Board
of Economic Warfare.
With this as evidence, the President is making a renewed
fight to cut off Mr. Dies’ future investigations a- 'propriation.
Also it is said that from now on all the Dies news reports which
heretofore were freely transmitted by the press and radio abroad
will he heavily censored before learing the United States if Indeed
they leave at all,
Naturally tnis has Infuriated Mr. Dies who is now reported
to be laying for Mr. Fly with a large stuffed club. If Dies gets
his appropriation, naturally he will make it hot for Fly. Whether
he does or not, he will do his utmost to hit back at the FCC head.
In this he will have the hearty cooperation of Representative Cox.
The latter has been accused of being in the pay of and
owning stock in Station WALB at Albany, Ga. Mr. Cox’s difficulties
in connection with going to the bat for the station caused him to
introduce a resolution to investigate the FCC. Already there have
been several hearings on the resolution with Mr, Fly on the grill.
It looked as if the resolution would be defeated but now Mr. Cox
is on the wamath and promises a heated comeback to the latest
allegations, ^j?hat apparently has gotten under the Georgia
Congressman’s skin is that (according to Cox) Fly and the FC*^
were resoonsible for stirring uo the charge that Cox was person¬
ally interested in and illegally representing WALB,
The expectation is that the whole matter will come to a
head when the Congressional Committee meets next week following
the Easter recess at which time Mr. Cox and Mr. Fly will meet face
to face and fight the thing out.
- 7 -
4/7/42
Even with Representative Dies and Cox on his neck, how-
even, LJr. Ely is still believed to have an advantage insofar as
the v-qC head’s reappointment is concerned because of the favor
Mr. Fly did in arming Mr. Roosevelt with such effective ammunition
in fighting Dies. After all President Roosevelt does the reappoint¬
ing and if Ely has the President behind him, it is figured that he
is not worrying much about anything else,
XXXXXXXXXXXX
CREATION OF NEW SUPER WAR INFORI^IATION OFFICE SEEN
The new information center building now nearing comple¬
tion on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the Treasury, is slated to
become a new press and radio super- informat ion agency to be known
as the Office of War Information, it is reported.
The building which is to cost ^600,000 and has been
much criticized, was originally designed to serve both as a head¬
quarters for the Office of Government Reports headed by Lowell
Mellett and as the home of a central information bureau. A huge
oval information counter is being built in the center of the build-
in^ to provide guidance for wandering businessmen.
It was reported that the President is expected to set up
the new Office of War Information by Executive Order in a few days.
The agency would combine the Office of Fbcts and Figures, the Office
of the Coordinator of Information, the Office of Government Reports,
and the information division of the War Production Board.
Under the proposed order, the press divisions of .Army
and Navy would be compelled to follow the policy laid down by the
information chief, but the two service agencies would continue to
issue V7ar communiques from their own offices, it was stated.
Nelson Rockefeller’s Office of Inter American Affairs
and the Office of Censorship headed by Byron Price aoparently would
remain Independent.
XXXXXXXX
A fund of $500 has been set aside by Saul Haas, Vice-
President of Seattle’s Station KIRO, to be awarded to those individ¬
uals who in the Judgment of the KIRO Educational Awards Committee
best complete in not more than 100 wards, the statement "If I had
a radio station one of the things I would do, . ,
XXXXXXXX
— 8 —
t
!i5
II
1
4/7/42
IT WASN’T ALWAYS SO, SAYS CRITIC OF JOHN BARRYMORE
A somewhat melancholy view is taken by John K. Hutchens,
Radio Editor of the New York Times, of the Rudy Vallee~John
Barrymore program. Mr. Hutchens writes, in part;
’’Consider, for instance, the case of John Barrymore, for
a few brilliant years the greatest actor in the English-speaking
world and now an assistant to Rudy Vallee.
”Once a week for more than a year this team has taken to
the air, with results that must be commercially gratifying, else
the two would not have remained a team. But their partnership has
certainly had another effect. It has meant that some millions of
people will never believe that Mr. Barrymore was once a great
actor. Why should they?
”As for the place of Mr. Vallee in all this, there is
little to be said one way or the other. As a showman, he takes
things wher^ he finds them, and a good deal is to be said to his
credit. As an individual performer in a quicksilver business, he
has stayed ’up there’, as the phrase goes, far longer than most of
those who were his colleagues when he began. No, you do not blame
Mr. Vallee. You do not blame any one. You can scarcely do so
because this weekly self-flagellation is a mystery for psycholog¬
ists, a mystery in which there is the barest hint in Mr. Barrymore’s
statement once upon a time that he never liked the theatre; that,
and the fact that even in his prime he was wont to give a superb
performance one day, a lazy one the next.
”In the meantime, the philosophy of show business being
that nothing succeeds like success, things will probably continue
as they are. ’You can't insult the name of Barrymore’, said Mr.
Barrymore one Thursday night a while ago, ’No’ , but I can keep
trying’, said Mr. Vallee. Just the same, Mr, Barrymore was great,”
xxxxxxxx
LEAGUE OF NATIONS STATION FOLDS
The contract between the Swiss Federal Council, the
League of Nations, and Radio Schweiz A. G. , for construction and
operation for a period of 10 years of a broadcast station in Geneva,
expired last February, on which date the station became the property
of the Swiss concern, the Commerce Department advises. Conditions
of the transfer of the station to Radio Schweiz were determined by
an International arbitration commission.
The station - which, as a result of the abandonment by
the League of Nations of its broadcasts after the outbreak of the
war, was devoted solely to the Swiss service - has now passed
9 -
4/7/42
forroally and legally Into Swiss hands and now constitutes an in¬
tegral part of the network of Ftedio Schweiz, It will continue its
Asiatic and South American broadcasts.
XXXXXXXX
m GROWTH DEPENDS ON INDUSTRY, DR. BAKER EXPLAINS
’’The speed at which the man on the street accepts
frequency modulation will be in proportion to the seriousness with
which the FIJI Industry regards its own stature and growth”, Dr.
W, R. G. Baker, Vice President in Charge of the General Electric
Radio and Television Department, exnlained in commenting on the
recent signing of a contract for the appearance of the Rrazier
Hunt ’’world news” program over 8 M stations of the American Net¬
work. The program is broadcast Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
at 6:30 (E.W, T. ) over W43B, Boston; W59B, Mt. Washington, N.H. ;
W65H, Hartford, Conn. ; W53PH, Philadelphia; W47NY, New York City;
W3XMN, Alpine, N. J. ; W2X0Y and W47A, Schenectady, N. Y. Hunt is
also heard over 51 CBS stations from coast to coast.
”lf FiA broadcasters, FTJI receiver manufacturers and
dealers, and FM transmitter manufacturers show only a casual inter¬
est in FM because of the war situation, we can expect a definite
lapse in the general public’s interest in FM”, Dr. Baker continued.
’’For this reason. General Electric has selected eight F[A stations
to carry its new Frazier Hunt *world news' program. This, we hope,
will be not Just a source of revenue to FM operators, but an
encouragement to other advertisers to consider FIA as a medium to
reach the high class audience which FM listeners represent. The
new radio program, in addition to presenting world news, is design¬
ed to further a knowledge and appreciation of the new science of
electronics, of which M is an important part. In the commercial
messages presented the advantages of FIJI will be frequently pointed
out, so that AM listeners will have a desire to buy M when the
emergency ceases, and we return to normal living.'*
XXXXXXXX
A Directory of War Agencies” has Just been compiled by
the National Defense Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of the
United States, The directory contains the names and addresses of
Federal Government agencies participating in the war program. The
field offices are also listed. The information has been brought
up to date as of the middle of March.
The Chamber of Commerce directory contains a complete
listing of everyone connected with the Defense Communications Board.
XXXXXXXXXX
10 -
5
4/7/42
* • • •
: TRADE NOTES : : :
That Philips was also having sets built in Australia
was revealed in a Commerce Department report from the Netherlands
Indies.
An appropriation of $11,170,000 is carried for shore
radio facilities in a Senate bill (S. 2406) to authorize the
Secretary of the Navy to proceed with the construction of certain
public works.
What one radio station can do on its own initiative to
aid the nation's war effort is being demonstrated by WOR through
a special copy technique it has developed for certain war announce¬
ments, "Words T^r War", a small pamphlet containing typical ex¬
amples of this copy, is being made available this week by the WOR
Promotion and Research Department to the broadcasting industry.
Copies of the pamphlet may be had by any station upon request to
WOR, 1440 Broadway, New York City,
Among the agencies under scrutiny in the President’s
reported plan to merge publicity set-ups are the Federal Communi¬
cations Commission, the Office of Facts and Figures, the Coordi¬
nator of Information, and the Inter- American Office which all
have staffs whose task it is to digest short-wave radio programs
beamed at the United States from countries in the hands of the
enemies.
A series of programs titled "Bombs Over Cincinnati?" has
become a weekly feature aired over four of the five broadcasting
stations in Cincinnati. Written, directed, produced and recorded
through the facilities of Station WLW, the programs are sponsored
by the Hamilton County Council for Civilian Defense in an effort
to acquaint local citizens with tne possibility of the community
being subjected to a bombing raid.
In the syndicated New York column in the Washington Post
appeared tnis item:
"An unusal event recently occurred at Roosevelt Hospital,
(New York City) where Russell Davenport, the magazine editor who
helped start the Willkie boom, and Niles Trammel, the NBC official,
were patients. Dr. K. C. Traeger, their physician, had ordered them
removed to that hospital and was treating them there. Dr. Traeger
then suffered a kidney ailment and became a patient in that same
hospital. . . And so he sat in bed, unable to move, while his two
patients wheeled their chadrs into iiis room across the hall to have
their charts checked and receive prescriptions, "
xxxxxxxx
- 11 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. G.
New Radio Names In 1942-43 •’Who’ s Who” . . . ,2
Brooklyn ’’Tube Tester” Denies FTC Charges . 4
Cecil Brown And Wallenstein Among Peabody Winners . 5
Red Cross Thanks The Radio . 6
M. C* Declares New Deal Using Winchell To Defeat Him . 7
Television Seen As Great Post War Industry . 8
■ Paley Strikes Back At FCC Vigorously.. . 9
Industry To Have Its Say On FCC Revamping Bill . 10
Nevada Has High Percent Of Radios,. . 10
To Check More Closely On Paid Political Time, . 11
Senator White Shy Of U. S. Entering Telegraph Field . 11
Trade Notes . . . . . 12
No. 1419
NEW RADIO NAMES IN 1942-43 "WHO’S WHO"
There was a day not so long ago when the names of leaders
in the radio and communications industries in "^fho’s Who in America
were few and far between, but these groups are now really coming
into their own as is shown by the 1942-43 issue of that famous
publication. There is nevertheless, considerable room for further
recognition inasmuch as out of the 31,692 sketches which appear
this year, considerably less than a hundred identified with radio
or communications are listed. This does not include the radio per¬
formers who appear this year in '’Who’s Who" in greater number than
ever before.
Among those in the industry making their first appear¬
ance are Niles Trammell, President of tne National Broadcasting
Company, his right-hand man, Frank E. Mullen, Vice-President and
General Manager of NBC, Peter C, Goldmark of the Columbia Broad¬
casting System, whose television accomplishments have attracted
attention, and Walter S. Lemmon, of the Boston short-wave station
WRUL. Closely identified to the industry, and an outstanding fig¬
ure in the copyright fight, is Edwin Claude Mills, Chairman of the
Administrative Committee of the American Society of Composers, who
also makes his bow in this year’s "Who’s Who". There is also a
sketch of Miss Judith C. Waller with NBC in Chicago, the only woman
radio official mentioned.
Some of the highlights in the sketches of the newcomers
follow:
Mr. Trammell was born in Marietta, Ga. , July 6, 1894;
educated Sewanee ( Tenn, ) Military Academy, 1912-15, University of
the South, 1915-17; Commercial representative. Traffic Department,
Radio Corporation of America, San Francisco, March 1923; Assistant
Sales fjlanager, Pacific Division, Radio Corooratlon of America, 1925
Joined sales staff. National Broadcasting Co., Chicago, 1928; Mana¬
ger, then Vice President in Charge Central Division, Chicago, 1928-
29; elected Vice-President, New York City, 1939; President since
July 1940. Served as 2nd Lt. 38th Inf., i25th Div. , U. S. Army, 1917 ;
1st Lieut. 1918,
Frank E. Mullen iwas born in Clifton, Kans. , August 10,
1896; Farm page editor Sioux City (la.) Journal, 1922; organized
and conducted first regular radio broadcasting service for farmers.
Station KDKA, Pittsburgh, 1923; Director Agriculture, National
Broadcasting Company, Chicago, 1926-34; Organized National Farm
and Horae Hour, 1934; Manager, Department of Information, Radio
Corporation of America, New York, 1934-39; Vice-President in Charge
of Advertising, 1939-40; Vice President and General Manager,
National Broadcasting Co since August, 1940. Left Louisiana State
College to enlise in U. S. Army May, 1917; served with A. E. F.
until Feb. 1919.
2
4/10/42
Peter C. Ck)ldinark was born In Budapest, Hungary, December
2, 1906; University of Vienna, 1925-31 (B. S. and Ph. D) ; Came to
United States 1933, naturalized, 1937. Television engineer in
charge Dept. Pye Radio, Ltd., Cambridge, England, 1931-33; Chief
Engineer, Television Department, Columbia Broadcasting System, New
York City, sine 1936. Omiis many patents in field of television and
radio.
Walter S. Lemmon was born in New York, N. Y. , February 3,
1896; E. E. Columbia, 1917; Lieut. Comdr. , U. S. Navy 1917; General
Manager, Radiotype Division, International Business Machines Corp. ,
since 1933; Special radio officer on staff of President Wilson dur¬
ing peace Conference 1919; founded International Radio Station WRUL;
Founder World Wide Broadcasting Foundation; pioneer in development
and manufacture of radio typewriter; invented single- dial tuning
control for radio sets,
Edwin Claude Mills, born in Denver, Colo. , October 5,
1881; educated San Antonio public schools; began as school teacher
and later traveling representative Underwrood Typewriter Co; Examin¬
er of Accounts Division, Isthmian Canal, Panama, 1907-10; President,
Radio Music Co., 1929-1932; Chairman, Administrative Committee,
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers since 1932.
Served in 1st Tex. Vols. , Spanish- American War. Decorated Officer
Acaderaie Francaise; Order of Merit (Rumania); Panama Canal Medal.
Judith C. Waller was born Oak Park, Ill. , Feb. 19, 1889;
formerly Identified with J. Walter Thompson, advertising, Chicago
and New York, formerly Vice-President and Creneral Manager, Station
MAQ, Chicago, now Director, Public Service and Education, Central
Division, National Broadcasting Company, Cliicago.
Those who had been listed in previous years in "Who’s
Who" and who appear again in the 1942-43 edition include Edwin H.
Armstrong, inventor of the superheterodyne circuit and frequency
modulation; Judge A. L. Ashby, Vice-President and General Counsel
of the National Broadcasting Company; Sosthenes Behn, Chairman,
International Telephone & Telegraph Corp. ; 'Gene Buck, President,
American Society of Composers; Commander Andrew W. Cruse, formerly
with the Federal Communications Commission; Louis G. Caldwell, radio
counsellor; 0. H. Caldwell, former member of the Federal Ra.dlo
Commission; Norman S. Case, member of the Federal Communications
Commission; Martin Codel, publisher of Broadcasting Magazine;
Commander T. A. M. Craven, Federal Communications Commission; Powel
Crosley, Jr.; Phiio T. Farnsworth; Lee de Forest; Chairman James L.
Fly, Federal Communications Commission; Dr. J. H. Dellinger, head
of the Radio Laboratory, Bureau of Standards; Clifford J. Durr,
Federal Communications Commissioner; Orrin E. Dunlap, Jr. , former
Radio Editor, New York Times, now head of RCA Public Relations
Deoartment; Dr. A. N. Goldsmith; Gen. J. G. Harbord, Chairman of
the Board, Radio Corporation of America; Admiral S. C. Hooper, Navy
Ra.dlo Expert and E. K. Jett, Chief Engineer, Federal Communications
Commission.
3
4/10/42
Also, Thomas P. Llttlepage, Sr., radio counselor; James S.
Knowlson, Assistant Chief, War Production Board; Frank E. Mason,
Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy; Neville Miller, President
of National Association of Broadcasters; Alfred McCosker, Chairman
of Mutual Broadcasting System; E, F. McDonald, Jr. , President,
Zenith Radio Corporation, and first President of the National
Association of Broadcasters; MaJ. Gen. Da.wson Olrastead, Chief of
the Signal Corps; William S, Paley, President, Columbia Broadcast¬
ing System; George Henry Payne, Federal Communications Commissioner;
Sam Pickard, former member of the Federal I^dio Commission; Gen.
Charles McK. Saltzman, former Chairman of the Radio Commission.
Also, Judge E. 0, Sykes, foraer Chairman of the Radio
Commission; Dr. A. Hoyt Taylor of the Naval Research Laboratory;
George K. Throckmorton, President of RCA Manufacturing Co.; Paul
A. Walker, Federal Communications Commissioner; Senator Burton K.
Wheeler, Senator Wallace White; Ray C. Wakefield, Federal Communi¬
cations Commissioner and Vladimir K. Zworykin, Television Director,
Radio Corporation of America, who has the distinction of being the
last name in "Who’s Who".
xxxxxxxxx
BROOKLYN "TUBE TESTER" DENIES FTC CHARGES
Murray Mentzer and Solomon W. Welngast, trading as
Precision Apparatus Co. , 647 Kent Ave. , Brooklyn, filed answer to
a Federal Trade Commission complaint charging them with misrepre¬
sentation in the sale of radio" tube testing instmiments which they
designate "Dynamic Mutual Conductance Type Tube Testers".
The answer denies that the respondents, as alleged in
the complaint, have made misleading and deceptive representations
with respect to the character, quality and performance ability of
their Instruments.
As to the complaint's allegation that the instruments are
emission testers and cannot properly be described as dynamic test¬
ers or as mutual conductance testers, the answer avers that the
instruments test for both mutual conductance and emission.
Hearings will be held in due course.
X X X X X X X X
In October, 1940, General Electric's three short-wave
stations were on the air three hours and 15 minutes a week with
news broadcasts. They were given in three languages. Today, these
same three stations, WGEO and WGEA in Schenectady and KGEI in San
Francisco, broadcast 100 news programs a w^eek for a total of 241-
hours a da.y, and they are sent out in 14 different languages.
XXXXXXXX
4
4/10/42
CECIL BROWN AND WALLENSTEIN AMONG PEABODY WINNERS
Winners of the 1941 George Foster Peabody Radio Awards,
the "Pulitzer Prizes" of broadcasting, were announced tonight
(Friday) by S. V. Sanford, Chancellor of the University System of
Georgia, at a dinner in New York.
The winners are:
Cecil Brown, Columbia Broadcasting System reporter, for
"the best reporting of the news".
"Against the Storm", a daytime serial, and "The Bill of
Rights", broadcast by all networks last December 15, as outstanding
in the field of drama,
Alfred Wallenstein, Mutual Broadcasting System musical
director, in the field of music.
"Chicago Round Table of the Air", a National Broadcast¬
ing Company program, in the field of education.
The international short-wave broadcasters of the country
for their patriotic service.
With regard to Cecil Brown of CBS, the Advisory Board' s
report said: "His dispatches from Cairo, Singapore and Australia
were remarkable for their accuracy and their courage. He was fre¬
quently in hot spots, and his eye-witness account of the sinking
of the REPULSE and the PRINCE OF WALES was the most dramatic single
story of the year. His news sense, his coolness under fire and
his insistence - even under censorship - that the truth must get
home sets an example for reporters everywhere. "
In making the award to Mr, Wallenstein, the Committee
stated: "Every music lover is grateful for the many fine programs
by symphonic orchestras and the Metropolitan Opera Coraoany. But
Mr. Wallenstein's work partakes of greater originality; his pre¬
sentation of the Bach Cantatas, his search for the lesser-known
classics, and the beauty and leadership which he has brought to
the performance of his Sinfonietta, - all these mark him as singu¬
larly fitted for this award. "
"Many programs were considered in the field of education.
The 1941 Award goes unanimously to the Chicago Round Table of the
Air, a program which, since its origin ten years ago, has been
identified with Station WMAQ,, and for the excellence and spontan¬
eity of which Judith Waller, Allen Miller and Sherman Dryer are
primarily responsible. In the da.ys when it is no longer permis¬
sible to ad lib, it is well to remember a program which gave free
expression to intelligent minds. *'
5
4/10/42
It was the Committee’s opinion that the most worthwhile
Innovation of 1941 Is to be found In the international short-wave
broadcasts which have gone from America Into the free air of
England and Into that area of silence, the dominated lands of
Europe, saying: ”It is unfair to single out any one station for
this admirable work. Instead the short-wave broadcasters, one and
all, and their coordinator Stanley P. Richardson, should be cited
for their initiative and their influence. "
The idea for the Peabody awards, first made in 1941,
which are to be made each year originated with Lambdln Kay, of
Station WSB, Atlanta. He discussed the need for "something com¬
parable to the Pulitzer Prize" for radio with Dean John E. Drewry,
of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism of the University of
Georgia, who in the Fall of 1939, laid the matter before Dr.
Sanford. With Dr. Sanford's approval, Dean Drewry discussed the
matter with the broadcasting industry at the 1940 convention of
the National Association of Broadcasters in San Francisco where
his proposal to have the awards made by the University of Georgia
received unanimous endorsement. The awards were first made in 1941.
XXXXXXXX
RED CROSS THANKS THE RADIO
The American Red Cross has asked the Broadcasters Victory
Council to extend its gratitude to the broadcasting industry for
the part it played in the recent Red Cross War Fund caraoaign which
was so largely oversubscribed.
"The networks", declares the Red Cross, "the independent
stations, the sponsors, and the advertising agencies all gave our
appeal splendid support, and we are deeply grateful. "
The Red Cross holds the view that the millions of citi¬
zens wno gave millions of dollars, are entitled to know where their
money goes, and how their sons in the armed forces may take advant¬
age of numerous Red Cross services.
Accordingly henceforth, all radio stations and advertis¬
ing agencies will receive a weekly radio bulletin containing latest
Red Cross information and news. Much of it is adaptable to regu¬
lar broadcasting schedules, "We are aware", adds the Red Cross,
"of the many pressing requirements of the radio industry at this
time; therefore, we are presenting our bulletins not as something
that must be worked into a schedule at a certain time, but as
information and news that we hope can be fitted in whenever and
wherever the schedule permits. "
XXXXXXXX
6
I
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1
4/10/48
M.C. DECLARES NEW DEAL USING WINCHELL TO DEFEAT HIM
Walter Wlnchell, radio commentator and columnist, was
again in the spotlight this week when Representative Clare E.
Hoffman ( R. ) , of Michigan, charged that "using Wlnchell, whom the
President saved from active service in the Navy, and other propa¬
gandists, the Administration has started a smear campaign to
de feat me . "
Representative Hoffman had prefaced this charge by declar¬
ing that "taking advantage of the Vfer, New Deal politicians have
undertaken to defeat every Senator or Congressman who ventures to
criticize however ridiculous or wasteful, any administration
policy, even though it interferes with our national defense. "
Sometime ago the demand was made in Congress that Wlnchell,
who is a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve, either be put
on active duty or prohibited from continuing his radio broadcasts
in uniform. Representative Vinson passed this request along to
Secretary Knox but nothing came of it. Shortly thereafter Wlnchell
was said to have come to Washington in uniform, carrying a book
"Into Battle", which had been autographed for him by Winston
Churchill.
According to the story, he secured a White House appoint¬
ment because he wanted President Roosevelt's autograph on the
volume in addition to that of the British Prime Minister. After
this appointment, a high Navy official is reoorted to have told
several members of the Naval Affairs Committee, Mr. Roosevelt issu¬
ed orders superseding the Navy's summons to active duty for Wlnchell.
In the meantime, Wlnchell, in full regalia, continues his
Sunda,y night broadcasts which, according to Liberty Magazine, bring
him in S5,000 apiece, presumably in addition to his Navy oay.
Liberty states:
"Besides thee ^5,000 a week from his radio sponsorship,
Wlnchell 's column in the New York Dally Mirror brings in another
$1,200 weekly. Syndication of his column in some 850 other news¬
papers (including San Quentin's prison paper, which pays two dollars
a month for it) brings in $3,000 to $3,500 monthly. Add them all
together and they spell moola.
"This year, 71 percent of Wlnchell' s 1941 earnings will
be siphoned off by the government via the tax route.
"His biggest year was 1937. In addition to his regular
man-killing chores, he made two movies at $75,000 each, tilting his
earnings for that year to $431,000. He owns a chunk of property in
Beverly Hills, maintains a home in Westchester and an apartment
occupying the entire tower floor of a Manhattan residential sky¬
scraper, His annual expenses are around $50,000 a year.
"He refuses to say what he is worth today. His friends
put it at a cool, if conservative, million dollars."
XXXXXXXX
- 7 -
I
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TELEVISION SEEN AS GREAT POST WAR INDUSTRY
Coming Indistinctly but brcadly into view at the informal
conference of the Federal Communications Commission with the repre¬
sentatives of the television interests and the Radio Manufacturers’
Association yesterday (Thursday) was the fact that television looms
as one of the big post-war Industries. It was believed that tele¬
vision might then expand as did radio and the motion oicture when
they finally get into their stride. It was even suggested that the
television industry might grow to such an extent as to be able to
absorb large numbers of unemoloyed or those returning from military
service.
All companies having television interests had somebody
present at the meeting. These included the Radio Corporation of
America, Don Lee, Zenith, Philco, General Electric, Columbia
Broadcasting System, National Broadcasting Company, Dumont, and
Bamberger. There was considerable discussion of the fixed number
of hours the stations were now required to operate. It seemed to
be the opinion that under present war conditions 15 hours a week
as stipulated by the FCC was too much. The sentiment appeared to
be that this rule should be eased up for the duration.
There was considerable complaint about priorities restric¬
tions. One of these had to do with tubes. After the present stock
of scanning tubes is exhausted, some operators felt that they might
be forced off the air.
The question came up as to whether the television industry
should have a better priorities rating than broadcasting. Those
present whose companies represented both broadcasting and television
seemed to think not. It was apparently their opinion that with the
low priorities rating broadcasting now had that it was encountering
enough war difficulties without endeavoring to additionally carry
burdens of an Industry still in the experimental stage.
One possible action seen which the Commission might take
as a result of Thursday’s meeting was that it would allow the
television industry to keep its foot in the door in continuing to
hold licenses 'cut permit the stations to go off the air for the
duration. Another would be for the Commission to suspend the 15
hours a week fixed time on the air which would throw upon the
individual operator the question as to whether or not he thought
it worth while to continue operation,
XXXXXXXX
’’Stand by for flash”. Variety warns
”One of the most serious charges ever levelled at a radio
station is expected to pop this week in New York City. It may
result in the station losing its license. Oddly enough, the res¬
ponsible individual is reported unable to comprehend the enormity
of the offense. He did not think up the bright idea himself, but
got it from his collaborator, a professional con man from accounts.
Station has long been sloppy in ethics.”
XXXXXXXXXX -8-
4/10/42
PALEY STRIKES BACK AT FCC VIGOROUSLY
In his annual report William S, i’aley, President of the
Columbia Broadcasting System sharply criticized the Federal Com¬
munications' monopoly charges stating that the FCC rules not only
were designed to forbid stations, on penalty of losing their
licenses to operate, from continuing their existing relationships
with networks, but Jeopardized Columbia's ownership and operation
of some of its standard broadcast stations.
"We were convinced that the order, if it became effective ,
would largely destroy both incentive and opportunity to maintain
long-range character and standards such as have marked the build¬
ing of Columbia as a national publication addressed to the ear
instead of the eye, and would drive both networks and stations into
a dangerous era of immediate opportunism and catch-a s-catch-can
competition for every hour in the day", Mr. Paley declared. "It
seems obvious that if the Commission prevails and the results
which we foresee ensue, the public service aspects of radio broad¬
casting will be deeply and seriously injured; and broadcasters,
striving to survive, will be driven to a degree of commercialism
they themselves have never sought. We found the Commission's
action alamlng for a reason of even greater public portent. Its
sudden Intrusion into the field of business relationships between
networks and stations, thus endowing itself with drastic control
through its own interpretation of provisions of law enacted many
years ago, will in my Judgment have one end result, sooner or
later. This result is one which we believe is abhorrent to the
American people and to our whole democratic concept of freedom of
the air. The Commission came into being very largely because the
wave lengths on which stations operate impinge upon each other,
and, therefore, there had to be traffic-policing of the air through
allocation of wave lengths.
"The Commission now seeks to read into an old law powers
and duties never before asserted by it. And under these new-found
powers it assumes the rigiit to regulate the business practices of
stations. Further, striking through its asserted powers over the
stations it seeks to regulate and to alter drastically the function¬
ing structure of the networks. If the Commission can exert these
powers, its control over the whole of radio broadcasting will be
so strangling that no licensed broadcaster can be counted uoon to
defy its slightest wish. And once that condition arrives, even
though the law may forbid the Commission to Interfere with program
content, the result will be the same. Broadcasters, striving at
least for a measure of economic survival, will, unless they be men
of extraordinary courage and character, be guided by a nod or a
frown from on high as they frame their program schedules. And
there goes freedom of the air,
"We, of course, claim no immunity from any of the laws of
business properly enforced through the courts by the age-ndes
charged with bringing about such enforcement. We are contending
9
{ '•
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4/10/42
(against regulation by the licensing agency in fields in which we
do not believe it was ever authorized to act. Freedom of soeech on
the air has become certainly as precious as freedom of the press,
and from the start we have been resolved to fight to preserve it,
because we believe that to do so is a duty to ourselves as broad¬
casters and even more, a duty to the public.
"On the basis of FCC allegations of monopoly in network
broadcasting, the Department of Justice has brought a civil suit
against the Corporation and some of its officers seeking an injunc¬
tion against the continuance of certain of our practices. These
are substantially the same as tnose at which the FCC rules Just
discussed are levelled. We are preparing a vigorous defense and
expect to be able to show that the present broadcasting structure
is in the public Interest. "
XXXXXXXX
INDUSTRY TO HAVE ITS SAY ON FCC RFVAMPINC BILL
The House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce
will give the broadcasting Industry an opportunity next Tuesday
(April 14) to express its views on the bill Introduced by Repre¬
sentative Sanders, of Louisiana, several months ago to reorganize
the Federal Communications Commission. Representative Lea of
California is the Chairman of the Committee.
The Sanders bill calls for a drastic overhauling of the
Commission. It provides for the assignment of three Commissioners
to broadcasting exclusively and a similar number to the common'
carrier field. The Chaiman of the FCC would act as executive
officer but unless there were an equal division would have no vote.
Also under this bill the Commission would be required to report to
Congress, for legislative action, any recommendations relating to
the regulation of the relationship between networks and affiliates
and the number of stations to be operated by a network organization.
XXXXXXXXXX
NEVADA HAS HIGH PERCENT OF RADIOS
Of the 32,178 dwelling units reporting from Nevada in
the 1940 census 26,200 were found to be equipped with radios. Of
the 15,360 rural non-fariu units, 11,889, or 77.4 percent have radio
sets and of the 4,038 rural farms 2,906, or 72 percent are supplied
with sets.
Census bulletins for the various States as they appear may
be obtained at the Government Printing Office for 10 cents. They
are known as "Second Series General Characteristics” and thus far
only those for Nevada, New Hampshire and Vermont have appeared.
XXXXXXXXX
10 -
4/10/42
TO CHECK MORE CLOSELY ON PAID POLITICAL TH.IE
If legislation favorably reported by the Senate Committee
on Privileges and Elections is enacted, soeclal investigators will
be appointed every two years to check up more closely on Congress¬
ional candidates' expenditures for radio time.
Reoresentative Theodore F. Green, of Rhode Island has
advocated a check on "amounts subscribed and contributed and the
value of services rendered and facilities made available" to all
office-seekers. Senatorial candidates, under his scheme would be
forced to give detailed information about the amount of radio time
donated or purchased, a double-check on the Federal Communications
Commission's routine enforcement of the "equal opportunity" clause
of the Communications Act. Green specifically suggested a survey
of "personal services and tne use of billboards and other advertis¬
ing space, radio time, office space, moving picture films and
automobiles and other transportation facilities, "
XXXXXXXX
SENATOR WHITE SHY OF U. S. ENTERING TELEGRAPH FIELD
In introducing a bill by Senator Ernest W. McFarland, of
Nevada, and himself for the consolidation of the domestic telegraph
communications companies. Senator Wallace White, of Maine, said:
"The immediate occasion for it is the desperate financial
plight of the Postal Company. It is accepted as certain that our
two princioal domestic telegraph carriers must work out a plan of
merger which will merit the approval of our regulatory body, the
Federal Communications Commission, or there must speedily come the
liquidation of the Postal Company and its disappearance as a com¬
petitive factor in communications.
"A further alternative might be the taking over and the
operation of the Postal System by the Federal Ciovernraent. This
would present to us most serious problems. It would result in
direct governmental comoetition with the Western Union, the present
largest unit in the domestic wire communication field; and competi¬
tion by the Government with other methods and means of domestic
communication.
"It might result in the assumotion by Government of the
entire burden of domestic wire and point-to-point radio communica¬
tion, "
XXXXXXXXXX
A suit accusing the American Society of Composers,
Autnors and Publishers of misusing control of "practically 100 per
cent of all of the copyrighted musical compositions which have found
public favor" and demanding triple damages of $606,784 was filed in
Federal Court in New York Thursday by 157 operators of 835 motion-
picture theatres. The complaint also asked $50,000 counsel fees and
an injunction to prevent continuance of the trade practices com¬
plained of, which were alleged to violate the Sherman and Clayton
anti-trust laws.
XXXXXXXXXX
11
4/10/42
TRADE NOTES :
James S. Knowlson, Director of Industry Operations of
the War Production Board, Wio before the War was President of the
Stewart-Wamer Corporation, of Chicago, has been re-elected a
Director of that company. A new Stewart-Warner Director Is Frank
E. Hlter, replacing Thomas P. Sullivan.
In recognition of the work of the Broadcasters' Victory
Council as the liaison group between the industry and all Gtovern-
raent agencies, the Defense Communications Board last week appoint¬
ed John Shepard, 3rd, Chairman of the Victory Council, to repre¬
sent the Council on Committee IV of the DCB, with 0. L. Taylor, BVC
Executive Secretary, as alternate. Mr, Shepard had previously
been a member of the same Committee, serving as the representative
of FM Broadcasters, Inc.
The Federal Communications Commission has granted the
application of Lawrence J. Heller, owner of Station WINX In
Washington, D. C. , for a voluntary assignment of the license to
the WINX Broadcasting Co.
The Federal Communications Commission has approved plans
of K31LA and K37LA, two FM outlets near Los Angeles, owned by the
Columbia Broadcasting System and KFI respectively, to build
special antenna systems that Is expected to permit them to serve
the southern California area.
The Mutual Network's gross time sales for last month was
$1,053,444, compared to $513,774 for March, 1941. Accumulative
billings for the Initial quarter of Mutual this year Is $3,016,141,
as compared with $1,461,162 for the first three months of 1941.
When Mlldren Perman, Senior co-ed at Oregon State College
receives her diploma in May, she will travel 2,800 miles to start
her career In the electrical industry with a group of more than
400 young men from all parts of the country. Miss Perman will be
the first young woman in 23 years to be selected for graduate stu¬
dent training at the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co. and
the second feminine member ever to join the Westinghouse Student
Course.
Two young communication engineers from Argentina and
Chile respectively a re the most recent arrivals in New York to
claim the educational opportunities granted them through the New
York City Committee for Latin American Scholarships. They are
Forbes W. G-rant of Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Ambrosio Alliende
Z. of Santiago, Chile. Both are employees of associated companies
of International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation, Grant is a
radio engineer with Compania Internacional de Radio Argentina and
Alliende is with the long distance department of the Chile Tele¬
phone Company.
XXXXXXXXXX
12 -
!
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
Fly Praises Labor At C. I.O. Convention . . . 2
Pair Employment Committee Commends Majestic Radio., . . . 5
Radio Dealer Price Computing Methods . ,S
To Guard Against Diathermy Sets As Enemy Senders .
Need For Women To Do Radio Work Wltn Armed Forces . 7
Senators See Good Thing In Radio . . . . . 8
New Pennsylvania Tube Plant For Hygrade Sylvanla . . . 8
”I Have The Radio'* . 9
Trade Notes . 10
Radio Already Has Proved Its Value, Says Wlnterbottom . 11
Iceland Seeks U. S, Radios., . . . . . 11
All American Nets $1,022,653 . ...12
WLW Helps Listeners Locate Manila Prisoners’ Names . 12
No. 1420
<i
April 14, 1942
FLY PRAISES LABOR AT C.I.O. CONVENTION
An optimistic view of the war labor situation was express¬
ed by James L. Fly, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
1 before the National Convention of the American Communications Associ¬
ation, C. I.O., at Atlanta, yesterday (Monday).
Mr. Fly said, in part;
“Our President is now our Commander^ In- Chief in a
world war which threatens not only our nation’s security and
our very lives but also all our freedoms, our way of life,
and our living standards, as no previous v/ar has ever done.
There can be no question of the response of tru American
working men and women to the demands of our Commander-In-
Chief in such a war. It is the whole-hearted and enthusi¬
astic response of good soldiers of democracy who know that
everything depends upon united and disciplined support of
our great leader. "
’’Those are not my words, though I wish they were. They
U'were not spoken by the head of a Government agency, a Senator, or a
J-:,' Congressman. Rather they are the words of one of the outstanding
'ij'; labor leaders of our time, respected by friends and opponents alike -
"••Philip Murray. And I am sure that those words are echoed also by
(ij the rank and file of the Congress of Industrial Organizations for
1 which he speaks.
’’Philip Murray's statement augurs well for American unity
in this war crisis. Translated into deeds both in battle and on the
; home front, it points the high road to victory. And it has a special
significance for us who are concerned with communications.
' ’’pearl Harbor did not find American communications unpre-
pared. As early as September, 1940, the President had established
by Executive Order the Defense Communications Board, and empowered
' it to study and prepare plans for our various communications systems
in the event of foreseeable military emergencies. Thms more than a
year of preparation lay behind our current DCB and ^CC moves to
safeguard and to expand, or where necessary curtail, communications
activities.
L
j "The maintenance of instantaneous communications with our
! Allies abroad and with neutral countries is an absolute essential
|j in waging war today. This is a world war, and international com-
raunlcatlons must be on a globe- girdling scale, continuously ready
I for emergency service. But cables can be cut, transmitters bombed,
I and radio circuits Jammed. Accordingly the DCB, with the asslst-
* ance of its special committees, undertook to study the establishment
4/14/42
of alternative circuits and the rerouting of messages when particu¬
lar routes became unavailable. That pre-war planning now stands us
in good stead. Though the map of the world changes like a kaleido¬
scope almost from day to day, message traffic continues to flow to
points in the British Empire, Russia, and China, to Latin America,
and to other strategic points. Domestic facilities, too, have been
expanded where necessary for the war effort.
"What role is labor playing in this vast effort? Let’s
look at the record - a record of which all tnose concerned with com¬
munications, in labor, Industry, and Government alike can well be
proud.
"History will show that, long before Pearl Harbor, the
C.I.O., the A. F. of L. , and independent unions alike were united in
their opposition to Hitlerism and Fascism in whatever fonn it arose.
The 1941 convention of the C.I.O., for example, adopted resolutions
calling for "an all-out fight against Nazism’, ’full aid to those
, nations so valiantly fighting Hitlerism’ , and - to implement those
j policies - ’the utilization of all avenues of mediation to peace¬
fully settle labor disputes, and thereby maintain the highest degree
i of defense production. '
! "Like the overwhelming majority of labor organizations,
I and like the overwhelming majority of American workingmen and work-
I ing women, the American Communications Association, endorsed those
I policies wholeheartedly. ’We cannot afford’, declared your national
officers, ’to let those resolutions remain mere expressions of
I opinion. They must become part and parcel of the day-to-day activity
' of every local, "toward the end that by a mighty Joint and unified
effort, we shall have done our part to destroy Nazism and preserve
] for the future benefit of America our present free and democratic
way of life.’
' "Then came Pearl Harbor, All ofyou, I know, are familiar
I with Joseph Belly’s telegram of December 7 to the President of the
1 United States, pledging all-out cooperation in the all-out war begun
j that day. The telegrajn was one note in the overwhelming chorus
I which arose from the American people when news of the attack came.
• Thereafter, immediate steps were taken to Implement the pledge of
I December 7,
1
' "First came tne establishment of a basis for concerted war
j action among the communications unions themselves. Representatives
of this union, the Commercial Telegraphers Union, the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the independent telephone
j unions, got togetner in the DC3’ s Labor Advisory Committee, and
' there ironed out any difference which might impede Joint action in
aiding the war effort. That conference of communications labor
foreshadowed the full labor coordination proclaimed in Pittsburgh
last week by William Green on behalf of the A. F. of L. and Philip
Murray on behalf of the C, I.O.
"Also in January, the unions in the communications field
pledged unqualified support of the Washington Conference program,
3
4/14/42
calling for the elimination of strikes and walk-outs and the peace¬
ful settlement of all disoutes.
’’Labor in the communications industry has fully lived up
to that policy. So far as I have been able to determine, not a
single man-day, man-hour, or man-minute has been lost through any
strike called in the communications Industry. Indeed, not a single
strike has been called. That is a record of which you may be Justly
proud, and I am glad that the Federal Communications Commission,
and the Defense Communications Board played a part, though of course
a minor part, in the conferences preceding the adoption of the no-
atrike policy in communications.
’’Having achieved inner unity of pui’pose in support of the
war program, labor’s next step was to establish a basis of concerted
action with management so far as war matters are concerned. This
was achieved, you may remember, at Joint meetings of the Labor and
Industry Advisory Committees of the Defense Communications Board,
which I called at labor's request. In those sessions, the represent¬
atives of labor - Griffith of the N.F.T.W. , Watt of the A. F. of L, ,
Allen of the C.T.U., Wimberly of the I.B.E.W., Selly of your own
organization and their colleagues - sat down with representatives of
management - Presidents Williams of Western Union, Chlnlund of Post¬
al Telegraph, Gifford of A. T. & T, , Sarnoff of R.C.A. , and others.
The Committee meeting room adjoins my office, and I can assure you
that during the whole series of conferences not one cry for help
echoed through the corridors of the Commission, nor was a single
bodily injury Inflicted. On the contrary, there Issued from the
conference room a Joint management-labor statement, the importance
of which cannot be overemphasized as an aid to maintaining our com¬
munications facilities at peak efficiency throughout the war period.
’’Let me in conclusion offer a bit of advice. It applies
not merely to labor, but to government and management alike. That
advice is: ’’Keep your eye on the ball. *’ There are in America
forces which seek to disrupt our unity. By arousing management
against labor, labor against management, and both against government,
they seek to substitute strife on the home front for war against
our enemies. Such tactics must not prevail. They constitute ’the
backwash of Fb.sclsra’ , against which we all must be on guard. The
temptation to answer such attacks by similar attacks on others may
be great; but it must be resisted. For in that way we play into
the hands of those who would sow dissension. The best answer is to
keep our eyes on the ba.ll - to disdain such false Issues, and to
continue unhampered the one Job which all of us have tackled - the
winning of the war.
’’This is going to be a tough war, yet we are a tough
people. The government Itself is determined to be as tough from
here on out as the occasion demands. I know the communications
employees are grimly determined and we shall do our part, whatever
privation it may require. ”
XXXXXXXX
~ 4 -
4/14/42
FAIR EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE COMMENDS MAJESTIC RADIO
Ten concerns having millions of dollars in war contracts
were told to cease dlocriminating against available workers because
of their race or religion, in "Findings and Directions" which they
received ye sterda.y (Monday} from the President's Committee on Fair
Emoloyment Practice.
One coraoany, Majestic Radio Corp'jration of Chicago, was
commended for its prompt action in correcblng dj.scrirainatory pract¬
ice in its hiring. According to testimony by K. A. Oates, Majestic
president, he discharged two of his supervisory employees after he
had checked and found the charges of discrimination made by the
Committee to be valid. Mr. G-ates took this action even before he
appeared on the vritness stand at the Chicago hearings.
The findings were based on hearings held in January la
Chicago. Since then the Committee, of which Dr. Malcolm S MacLean,
President of Hajnpton Institute, is Chairman, and David Sarnoff,
President of Radio Corporation of America, and Mark Ethridge, of
Station WHA3, Louisville, are members, had studied the record before
taking the action announced yesterday.
The companies involved in the Chicago area are: the
Stewart-Wamer Corporation, of which James S. knowlson, of the V/ar
Production Board was formerly President, the Buick Aviation plant
at Melrose, Ill. , a unit of General Motors Corporation; the Bearse
Manufacturing Company, Simpson Manufacturing Company and the Stude-
baker branch factory. Tnose in the Milwaukee area are: the Hord-
berg Manufacturing Company, A, 0. Smith Corporation, Heil Company,
Allis- Chalmers Corporation and the Harnischfeger Corporation.
The complaints filed against the several companies includ¬
ed allegations that they had refused to employ either Negroes or
Jews, or both; that they had given restrictive orders to either
public or private employment agencies, asking for only white or
only Gentile workers; that they had advertised in newspapers for
help and specified "Gentile" or "Prx)testant " or "white", or that
they had refused to give workers of certain races and creeds oppor¬
tunity for promotion in keeping with their qualifications.
xxxxxxxxx
Should the war continue into 1943, it is likely that
rebuilt radio receiving sets will be promoted as never before, opine
a number of department store buyers looking forward to the time when
new sets no longer are available. These men believe department
stores, which previously were unwilling to sell old sets to their
regular clientele, probably will Jump into the used set business
enthusiastically when stocks of new receivers are sold - S.vlvania Ne
XXXXXXXXXX
5
ii
If
*1
I
4/14/42
RADIO DEALER PRICE COIjIPUTING METHODS
Methods by which dealers are required to compute maximum
: retail prices for radios, phonograpns, washing and ironing machines,
and domestic cooking and heating stoves were reiterated in tele-
I grams sent out Se.turday by Price Administrator Leon Henderson.
The temporary regulations covering these appliances became
I effective March 19, 1942. Each order stipulated that the maximum
dealer price for each appliance was to be the highest net price for
which the individual dealer sold the same model on March 19. If
no sale was made on that day, the highest net price the dealer re¬
ceived for the nearest previous sale must be used to determine the
maximum price.
OPA explained that the price ceilings apply to each store
individually and that the regulations do not mean that all stores
! must charge the same orlce for the same article. Each merchant,
under the law, may set his price as high as, but no higher than,
, the top price he sold the same model for on March 19, or the top
price he charged for it on the nearest previous sale if he did not
, sell that model on that date.
Information reaching OPA Indicates that many dealers have
misconstrued the pricing formula and are using the manufacturers*
suggested retail prices as their ceiling prices. This is a viola-
i tion of the regulations and must be corrected immediately. Manu-
: facturers’ suggested retail prices are established as the maximum
; prices in the case ofliousehold mechanical refrigerators and vacuum
! cleaners, covered by the permanent Maximum Price Regulations Nos.
110 and 111.
OPA has also been informed that many dealers have neglect¬
ed to post conspicuously in their establisliments the retail prices
for these appliances as set forth in the regulations.
The telegrams covering these points were sent to about
500 manufacturers and trade associations who have been asked by OPA
to cooperate in disseminating Information about the price regula¬
tions to the dealers and distributors.
XXXXXXXXX
Three new relays designed especially for aircraft applica¬
tions were light-weight, suitability for severe vibration conditions
and operation at high altitudes at rated current are of first import
ance, have been announced by the G-eneral Electric Company, Schenect¬
ady, New York. Consisting of a high-voltage relay, two single-pole
relays, two two-pole, and two three-pole relays, these additions to
the line of G-E aircraft relays are also applicable to tank instal¬
lations.
XXXXXXXXXX
6
4/14/42
TO GUARD AGAINST DIATHERMY SETS AS ENEMY SENDERS
As a further precaution against the use of them by enemy
aliens for transmitting short-wave code messages to Europe, the
1 Defense Communications Board has taken steps to have the Federal
i Communications Commission register all the diathermy machines in
the country. They number about 50,000. In doing this, the DCB
does not have in mind curtailing the legitimate use of diathermy
I machines by physicians and others, but simply as a precautionary
measure.
"We want to know exactly v/here the machines are", it was
explained at the FCC, "and who has them. With very slight modifi¬
cation, these raacnines are capable of being used for transmitting
enemy code great distances. "
Further evidence of the fact that authorities are giving
attention to this situation was that Hans von Leipel, a dealer in
diathermy machines, in New York City, had been seized there Satur-
i day by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents and taken to Ellis
Island as an enemy alien.
I
j Another prisoner taken by the G-men was Philliup Yoshio
Kanuraa, who was found to have a sizable store of short-wave radio
' transmitting and receiving equipment in his room at 24 Schermerhorn
Street, Brooklyn. He was living at an address convenient to the
! Navy Yard and other points along the waterfront.
Von Lepel is a son of Egbert von Lepel, who was a pioneer
I in the development of high-frequency electrical aoparatus.
t
It was pointed out at the Defense Communications Board
that diathermy machines were not the only devices which could be
used for subversive communication. There are thousands of amateur,
! police radio, aeronautical and other short-wave radio transmitters
any one of which could be adopted to this purpose if in the hands
i of an enemy alien. It was said that any of the millions of broad¬
cast receivers of listeners throughout the country could easily be
converted into a transmitting set. This the informant said gave
an idea what the DCB was up against in guarding against subversive
short-wave transmission.
XXXXXXXXX
NEED FOR WO.EN TO DO RADIO WORK WITH ARI>/IED FORCES
George W. Bailey, Chairman of the Radio Section of the
I Office of Scientific Research and Development, discusses the labor
supply in connection with vital radio work in the war Saturday,
I April 18, CBS, 1:30 P.M. , EWT.
Mr. Bailey tells of the need for trained radio men in th.,
i Army Signal Corps and in the Navy, and also discusses the part wom.^r
may play in radio work where it is estimated a civilian army of at
least 25,000 women is to be employed by the United States armed
forces to operate radio locators and do other vital work in the
field of radio.
I
xxxxxxxxxx
7
)
4/14/42
SENATORS SEE GOOD THING IN RADIO
Senators LaFOllette (Progressive), of Wisconsin, and
Clark (D. ), of Idaho, are listed as Directors of a company that has
applied for a license to operate a radio station in Republican
Kansas, but parties concerned said that the move has no political
significance and that there isn't a chance, because of priorities,
that the station will be built during the war.
The Jayhawker Broadcasting Co. applied to the Federal
Communications Commission in February for a license to operate a
1000-watt transmitter at Tecumsh, Kans. , near Topeka, where the only
radio station is owned by Senator Capper (R. ), of Kansas.
Herbert L. Pettey, who served the National Committee
(Democratic) as Radio Director before appointment as Secretary of
the then Federal Radio Commission in March, 1933, and who now is
General Manager of Station WHN, New York, is listed as President of
the company.
William Dolph, Vice-President of Station WOL in Washing¬
ton, is listed as Vice President on the application. Mr. Dolph is
a brother-in-law of Mr. i'ettey. Mrs. Helen S, Mark, widow of LeRoy
Mark, late head of WOL, is carried as Treasurer.
Both Senators LaFollette and Clark said they purchased
stock in the company simply because they thought it would be a good
investment. They denied there was any connection between organiza¬
tion of the company - to compete with Senator Capper's station - and
the 124,000 majority Kansas gave Wendell Willkie in the presidential
election.
Herbert Bingham, company attorney, said the directors and
officers were all "good friends" and were equal stockholders. He
added that there wasn't a "Chinaman’s chance" that the application
would be approved by the Federal Communications Commission during
the war.
xxxxxxxxxxx
NEW PENNSYLVANIA TUBE PLANT FOR HYGRADE SYLVANIA
The Hygrade Sylvania Corporation has recently purchased a
new plant at Mill Hall, Pennsylvania, and are now in the process of
putting it into shape for their use in the manufacture of radio
tubes. They hope to have this plant in operation within a few
months and it is understood that they will employ a large percentage
of female operators.
Mr. C. A. Haines, who has been Superintendent of the Sale”
Tube plant, will be in charge of operations of the plant,
XXXXXXXXXX
- 8 -
i
4/14/42
”I HAVE THE RADIO"
"So remarked Mayor F, H. LaOuardia in an inter^vlew on hia
press relations with Mrs. Dorothy Backer, the new publisher of the
New York Post. It was a curious interview ", the Editor <?: Publisher
reports and continues, *'for the Mayor not only asked the questions,
but answered them with a stenographer at hand. He declared that
his relations with the New York press were very bad, that he per¬
mitted pictures because photographers cannot lie, but barred report¬
ers from most of his functions because they have not, in his opinion,
presented a fair picture of his administration. And when the news¬
papers don't perform to His Honor's satisfaction, his answer is
'I have the radio*.
"To be sure, he has, but what have his 7,000,000 constitu¬
ents in New York City? They, too, have the radio. It is the city’s
radio, paid for out of taxes, and the Mayor can use it whenever he
wishes and for as long as he wishes. He can talk on uninterruptedly,
without fear of a rude question frx)ra a curious reporter who wants
more information than His Honor wishes to reveal at the moment.
Radio doesn't talk back.
"It is a curious situation. The Mayor's main quarrel is
not with the publishers or the editors6r managing editors. It is
with the men who cover City Hall. With few exceptions, editorial
comments upon his long administration have been friendly and favor¬
able. The same is true, we should say, of the majority of news
reports - written by the men with whom he bickers. We have noted
the writings of one or two men who evidently carry on a personal
feud with him, but they aren't typical of the mass.
"Mr. LaGuardia, we believe, is an excellent and honest
public official. He is also a politician, and none is more adept
adept at the political game. He has never been objective in his
approach either to personal or pllltical questions and he doesn't
believe in half-measures. When a Commissioner offends, he is fired,
not 'permitted to resign'. When the reporters get under his skin, he
suspends all press conferences - even though he thereby feeds the
stream of conjecture and surmise, based on lack of the authentic
information which he alone can supply, that caused the initial
troubles.
"Mr. LaGuardia may be content to have the press against
him - which it isn't - so long as he has his own air channel. We
doubt very much that he would care to debate the press vs, the radio
as a sound Infonnatlonal foundation for Ip sting democratic institu¬
tions. "
XXXXXXXXXX
- 9 -
4/14/42
TRADE NOTES
The Magnavox Co., Inc., Beuter Road, Fort Wayne, Ind. , has
stipulated with the Federal Trade Commission that it will cease
representing that the sound-slide-film projectors or equipment it
manufactures are the most powerful made.
The War Production Board has issued an interpretation of
Limitation Order L-21-a, which restricts the production of automatic
phonotgraphs and weighing and amusement machines.
Presented in cooperation with the U. S. Treasury Depart¬
ment to aid the sale of War Savings Bonds, the First American Opera
Festival will be heard nationally over WOR and the Mutual network
every Thursday evening at 8 P.M. Seven outstanding American operas -
composed and written by Americans and sung by Americans - and all,
with one exception, based on the American scene, will be produced
in complete one-hour radio versions.
Charles L. Weis, Jr. , 41 years old, a television engineer
employed by the Bell Telephone Laboratories, died in New York Monday.
Mr. Weis had been connected with the development of high frequency
multiple telephone systems, the coaxial telephone and television
cable between New York and Philadelphia and with wire television
transmissions.
Somebody at RCA Manufacturing Company had his thinking cap
on in making such a big thing of the last radio leaving the assembly
line and presenting it to F.D.R. ‘s Warm Springs project. The event
received tremendous publicity which culminated in pictures of it
being shown in the Trans-Lux and other newsreels.
John W. El wood, who has been in charge of the International
Division of the National Broadcasting Company, has been transferred
to the Pacific Coast Division.
Heralding the return of live subject telecasts to Don Lee
television, the Thomas S. Lee station W6XA0 last Saturday night
featured Frances Trlest of the American Red Cross, whose talk and
novel demonstration with costumed dolls Illustrated what that welfare
group is accomplishing in the present crisis.
In all places using coin operated phonographs, or when new
coin operated phonograpns are installed, an added installation can
be easily made which is very important at this war time, by connect--
ing the output of the small radio generally found in these places to
the amplifier of the coin operated phonograph, with a switch at the
radio so that News Bulletins, Air Raid warnings, and important
addresses can be given to the customers through the full clear cove-:*'
age of the phonograph amplifier and speaker - Sylvanla News.
xxxxxxxxxxx
10 -
4/14/42
RADIO ALREADY HAS PROVED ITS VALUE, SAYS WINTERBOTTOM
Radio telegraphy, playing a leading role in all theatere of
the war, already has proved its value on many ba ttle- fronts , Willlaji
A. Winterbottora, Vice-President and General ^^anager, of R. C.A.
Communications, Inc. , writes in the April Radio Age. The direct
overseas radio circuits of R. C. A. Communications, Inc., have in¬
creased in number and importance since hostilities began, and they
have given the United Nations advantages and safeguards the Allies
of the first World War did not have - a system of international
communication that is not restricted in use to the fixed ends of an
electrical conductor, and that is free to move about in following
the shifting tides of war.
Radio has made the United States the communication center
of the world. At the outbreak ofhostilities in August, 1939, RCAC
operated forty-one direct international radio circuits from conti¬
nental United States. Fifteen of them, to enemy countries or
countries occupied by the enemy, have been suspended, but twenty-
one new ones have been added. Among these are direct circuits to
Iran, Egypt, Martinique, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Greenland,
China - all areas of strategic Importance. What areas. Indeed, are
not important in a universal war? A world-wide war demands depend¬
able world-wide communication, and such a system can be afforded
only by radio.
XXXXXXXXX
ICELAND SEEKS U. S. RADIOS
The Importation and distribution of radio equipment in
Iceland is under the control of the Iceland State Monopoly of Radio.
The Monopoly, however, does not buy, and has never bought, exclus¬
ively from one foreign supplier, a Commerce I])epartment bulletin
explains. As private firms of companies are not permitted to im¬
port radios or parts, the Government undertakes, with certain reser¬
vations, to import the types of receiving sets desired by the sub¬
scribers. It keeps a record of all sets Imported and purchased,
and the names of the purchasers.
A representative of the organization is in the United
States to place an order approximating $34,000, but whether or not
it can be filled, or Just what it covers, is unknown. It is pos¬
sible that not all of the organization's needs have been filled,
and offers by United States manufacturers would be welcomed, the
Commerce Department states.
XXXXXXXX
11 -
•w
4/14/42
ALL AMERICA NETS $1,022,653
Consolidated net earnings of All America Corporation,
which controls All America Cables and Radio, amounted to $1, 224,362,
The full 4 percent interest will be paid on May 1, to holders of
such Income Debentures, Series A and Series B, of record April 20,
1942. Consolidated net income amounted to $1,022,653.
The operations of Commercial Mackay Corporation and sub¬
sidiaries resulted in a consolida.ted net loss, calculated on the
basis set forth in its Indenture, in the amount of $48,582, and it
was announced that no interest is payable on its Income Debentures
for 1941. The consolidated net loss, after deducting interest
accruing on the Income Debentures at the full rate of 4 percent per
annum, amounted to $450,136.
All America Corporation controls All America Cables and
Radio, Inc. and Socledad Anonima Radio Argentina, and Commercial
Mackay Corporation owns The Commercial Cable Company and the Mackay
Radio and Telegraph Companies,
XXXXXXXXXX
WLW HELPS LISTENERS LOCATE MANILA PRISONERS’ NAMES
The WLW News Department, by Jay Sims and Oregor Zleraer,
two newsmen of WLW of Cincinnati, offer to check the names of rela¬
tives against the list of 1500 American civilians taken prisoners by
the Japanese in Manila.
The result of this announcement was Instant. Phone calls
came in before the first show was off the air. Telegrams followed.
Then the mall came pouring in. During the first few hours more than
50 names were checked and reoorted, either by phone or mail. By
the end of the first day in excess of 300 requests were received.
The ultimate total exceeded 1000.
At first the AP relayed the names received to Columbus.
Ohio, where they were checked by the State wire. Later, when it
was learned that Bob Harris, city editor of the Cincinnati Times
Star was in possession of the only local list, a WLW staff member
was detailed to check all names sent into the station with the news¬
paper list. All requests were answered.
XXXXXXXXXXX
12 ••
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET
WASHINGTON, D. C.
RECEIVED
APR IS ^3^2
INDEX TO ISSUE OF APRIL 17, 1942
%/c ,
Printing Trades Again Urge Heavy Broadcasting Tax . 8
Radio War Guide Soon Off The Press . 4
Radio Transcription And Record Output Cut 70^ . 4
Importance Of Radio Plant Protection Emphasized . 5
House Gets Another Wire And Radio Tapping Bill . 7
Defense Communications Stops Future Construction . 7
Broadcasters And Federal Bar Urge Limit On FCC Power . 8
Mackay Opens New Direct Australian Radio Circuit . 10
NAB Opposes Broadcast Tax As Discriminatory . 10
No.
1421
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PRINTING TRADES AGAIN URGE HEAVY BROADCASTING TAX
An excise tax of some twelve and a half-million of dollars
yearly on the net profits of the broadcasting Industry is again
vigorously advocated by the International Allied Printing Trades
Association. The printers argue that even this amount could very
properly be Increased because the present requirements on the
Treasury are greater than they were a year ago.
Addressing Chairman Robert L. Dougliton of the Ways and
Means Committee, which is expected to begin writing the new war
revenue bill next week, President John B. Haggerty of the Allied
Trades Association with a membership of more than 200,000, wrote
the findings of the Treasury Department last year for the levying
of these taxes "were” so convincing that the Association was at a
loss to understand why the same recommendations have been omitted
this year.
"The financial reports of the radio broadcasting industry
for 1940, as reported officially by the Federal Communications Com¬
mission, show that had the proposed excise taxes of some ^12,500,000
been collected, the radio networks and commercial radio broadcasters
would have retained some $14,000,000 on their declared value of
their investments of some $40,000,000 or some 35 percent", Mr.
Haggerty stated.
"The Allied Printing Trades Association suggest the levy¬
ing of excise or special taxes on the commercial radio broadcast
industry, first, because, as the Treasury Department stated last
year, ’they possess unusual tax paying ability which, in view of
the Government’s present revenue requirements, could properly be
subject to special taxation;’ secondly, because their unusually high
annual net profits are derived through the holding of a Government
franchise or license which the licensee holds without cost; third,
because these unusual profits are derived througii the displacement
of the Jobs of some 25,000 skilled printing trades workers, through
the diversion of advertising from the printed page to radio broad¬
casting; and, fourth, in order to equalize, in part, the competitive
advantages which the radio broadcasters have, due to the small taxes,
if any, which they pay to local communities as compared with the
heavy taxes paid by those who make possible Job opportunities for
printing trades workers. Those who provide Jobs for printing trades
workers must necessarily pay substantial local taxes on the costly
equipment in addition to the Federal taxes while the radio broad¬
casters only pay the Federal taxes.
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”1he Treasury Department, in its summary of the brief
presented to the Ways and Means Committee, last year, said;
After the imposition of these rates the broadcasting
industry would have been left with a very high rate of
return on investment even if it absorbed all of the tax.
On the average, all taxable stations would have been left
with a net income equal to 43,8 percent of Invested capital.
The corresponding figure for networks, (all network op¬
erations but excluding station operations) would have been
33. 3 percent. ’ "
”The Federal Communications Commission report for 1940
shows that the 3 major networks and their 9 owned and 14 managed
and operated stations reported net profits, after the payment of
all taxes, of 88,005,694. The same Commission report, referring
to the same networks and the same stations for 1939, shows they
reported net profits of $9,313,856. An average of 180 oercent on
their investments for each of these years.
"The Federal Communications Commission reports officially
that the 33 radio stations with 50,000 watt power, in 1939, operat¬
ing on clear channels, had a net profit for that year of $9,375,000
or an average net profit of $884,000 on a declared present worth
value of $182,000 or 133,6 percent.
"Reports of the Federal Communications Commission further
reveal that of the total net profits of the radio broadcasting
industry, 1939, some 93 percent was received by 154 stations which
averageed a gross income of more than $150,000.
"Ra.dlo broadcasters have attempted to have Congress
believe that a tax on the radio broadcasting Industry constitutes
a tax on advertising. First, we cite the findings of the Treasury
Department that these proposed taxes are * Distinct from a tax on
advertising’. Secondly, the radio broadcasters, in briefs filed
with Congressional Committees have stated, 'Radio broadcasting
is the principal source of entertainment in America, ' Further,
the radio broadcasters allege that radio broadcasting is an amuse¬
ment and entertainment enterprise and that broadcasting 'enjoys
the favor of half again as many people as its closest competitor,
the motion picture.'
"Surely no one will contend that 'the motion picture',
radio broadcastings 'closest competitor' in entertainment and
amusement, is advertising,
"We strongly urge the adoption of the language in the
report of this Committee last year with the ra.tes set substantially
increased. We contend that the proposed tax on commercial radio
broadcasters and networks is justified to equalize the competitive
advantage which these G-overnment licensees now have over their com¬
petitors, primarily the many thousands of skilled printing trades
workers, the job opportunities of whom are threatened by the diver¬
sion of advertising from the orinted page to radio broadcasting. "
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It Is believed It will require at least three weeks to
a month to write the new revenue bill,
xxxxxxxxx
RADIO WAR GUIDE SOON OFF THE PRESS
The Office of Facts and Figures will shortly issue a
’’Radio War Guide " for the convenience of the broadcasting stations.
Copies are now being printed and should go into the mall for all
broadcast stations "soon", according to the Broadcasters Victory
Council.
The "Radio War Guide" is designed to help stations
understand the relative orogramming importance of (1) factual war
information, and (2) inspirational war themes.
"If you haven’t already counted them up, we’d like to
point out that 30-odd specific subjects are being plugged in
sundry scripts,, announcements, transcriptions and whatnot regul¬
arly sent you by government agencies. The OFF is naturally in a
position to evaluate these", says the Victory Council.
The second function of the War Guide deals with inspira¬
tional war themes. Revised editions of the Guide will come off
the presses as future developments warrant, automatically reaching
every broadcast station in the country,
XXXXXXXX
RADIO TRANSCRIPTION AND RECORD OUTPUT CUT 70^
The War Production Board has reduced the output of phono¬
graph records and radio transcriptions to approximately 30 percent
of *1941 production by limiting the amount of shellac available to
that amount.
The order issued by J. S. Knowlson, Director of Industry
Operations, also freezes 50 percent of all inventories of shellac
of 10,000 pounds or more and 50 percent of all future imports.
Uses other than the manufacture of recordings are restrict¬
ed to 75 percent of the corresponding period of 1941 until June 30
and 35 percent by quarters thereafter.
The reason for the drastic action is that India is
practically our sole source of shellac and supplies are subject to
shipping hazards. Direct military requirements are heavy and use
of shellac is necessary in certain essential civilian processes.
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Among these uses excepted from the restrictions of the
order are: Electrical equipment, navigational and scientific
instruments, communication instruments and in scientific research.
Reason for the action on phonograph and transcription
records is that these uses normally consum approximately one-third
of the nation' s annual shellac consumotion. Experiments now are
being made to find a suitable substitute for these uses and re¬
claiming of old records probably will be tried out.
Persons who had on April 1 possession or control of five
thousand pounds of shellac are required to file a report with the
War Production Board by May 9th.
Referring to the radio transcription and phonograph
record business as one which has been ’'booming" for three years.
Variety says;
"Exactly how much shellac Columbia, Victor, Decca and
other independent pressing plants had on hand is impossible to
determine. One asserted several weeks ago that it had enough to
last more than two years at its present production pace. Informal
estimates by executives of the other two majors were similar.
That the Government was keeping tabs on the reserves held by each,
since last January, is now known.
"No plans for the future have definitely been mapped by
the major manufacturers and none can be until their position is
clear. Rumors were plentiful the latter part of last week about
what was to be done by them, and how much of the shellac they were
going to lose. Unofficial, but heretofore authoritative sources,
believed that the disc-makers would be allowed to retain enough of
the material to press 50^ of the 120,000,000 platters made in 1941
(approximately the total sales of 1940 - 557-6b,000,000) .
XXXXXXXX
IMPORTANCE OF RADIO PLANT PROTECTION ERIPHASIZED
One of the problems James L, Fly, Chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission discussed at the National Convention of
the American Communications Association (C.I.O.) at Atlanta last
Monday was wartime protection of communications plants,
"Plans and equioment must be protected, both from acci¬
dental injury and from deliberate sabotage", the Chairman said.
"Dependability must be enhanced. The secrecy of messages must be
safeguarded. All of this must be accomplished without a hitch if
our telephone, telegraph, radio and cable systems are to perform
the work expected of them,
"The task of converting our communications services to a
war basis differs from the task faced in most other industries.
To manufacture tanks and planes, we have had to stop making auto-
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4/17/42
mobiles. To rapke more shell casings we must make fewer rouge com¬
pacts. To procure brass for munitions we must use less brass for
plumbing. But you can’t apply that principle in unmodified form
to communications. Unlike most sectors of our American economy,
civilian communication needs , necessarily expand along with added
military needs. The nation’s mines, mills, and smelters, factories,
shipyards, and railroads, must have adequate communications if our
Army and Navy are to get what it takes to lick Hitler and the mad
war lords of Japan. Thus we have had to meet, and we are meeting,
military war needs while meeting civilian war needs too. Our com--
munlca.tions system is truly the nerve center of a nation whose whole
economy is devoted to wa.r, ”
Mr. Fly mentioned two further matters of interest to com¬
munications workers which he said he should like to stress.
"One has to do with the need for uninterruoted service.
That need has been stressed by the President with respect to
industry as a whole; but I should like to underline the especial
importance - the vital necessity - of uninterrupted communications
service. For your work is more than one service among many; it is
a prerequisite without which the other parts of your productive
system cannot function,
"Telephone, telegraph and radio workers have a long
tradition of dependability. On land and sea, through fire and
flood, earthquake and marine disaster, you have held to your posts
and put the message through. That same spirit will put the war
messages through today, and the victory message tomorrow.
"Closely allied with freedom from interruotlon is the
need for secrecy of communications. Here the danger Is of two
types - deliberate revelations of secret messages by soles and
traitors, and accidental revelations by those who fail to realize
the need for secrecy or who quite innocently leak news like a
sieve. With respect to the latter grouo, those who unwittingly
talk too much, I want to enlist your full cooperation, for an
intensification of the ACA ’keep mum’ campaign. This, it seems to
me, is a problem which can best be solved by the workers them¬
selves. Every man who handles other people's messages is in a
position of trust, and it is up to you not only to keep mum your¬
selves, but also to insist on ’muraness’ among your fellow employees.
"I have been wondering whether you men and women who are
closest to the problem, and who know various sections of our com¬
munications system from the inside, may not have some suggestions
on this matter of secrecy, and Indeed on other problems of wartime
communication. If so, let us have them. "
XXXXXXXXX
6
4/17/42
HOUSE GETS ANOTHER WIRE AND RADIO TAPPINO BILL
The opposition of Chairman James L. Ely of the Federal
Communications Commission to previous bills on the subject to the
contrary notwithstanding, Representative Sam Hobbs ( D. ) , of
Alabama, has introduced another bill to authorize agents of the
Military Intelligence Division of the War Department, or of the
Office of Naval Intelligence of the Navy Department, or of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation of the Denartment of Justice, to
Intercept, listen in on, or record telephone, telegraph, cable,
radio, or any other similar messages or communications, and mak¬
ing such authorizations and communications and the testimony
concerning them admissible evidence.
The Hobbs bill would also require telegraph and cable
companies to furnish such agencies with copies of communications
in their possession or under their control upon request.
The punishment for anyone who interferes vrith the War,
Navy or FBI listening in on conversations or hinders them from
securing a copy of any message is liable to a fine of not more
than $10,000 a year or imprisonment of more than 20 years or both.
Anyone who divulges information secured by wire tapping otherwise
than for the punooses indicated is liable to a fine of $10,000 or
imprisonment of 2 years.
Such a bill was passed during the session of the last
Congress by the House but was lost in the Senate, Representative
Hobbs introduced a similar bill in the last session of the present
Cortgress but it failed in the House, Later Representative Emanuel
Celler, of New York, put in still another bill on the subject.
Representative Celler charged Mr. Fly with being the
only important man in official position who was against the pass¬
age of a wire or radio tapping bill, Mr. Fly was quoted as saying
that if such legislation were passed that Government officials
engaged with various aspects of the defense program would virtually
have to discontinue the use of telephones and the radio and rely
on slower means of communications.
XXXXXXXXXX
DEFENSE COIOTNICATIONS STOPS FUTURE CONSTRUCTION
The Defense Communications Board yesterda.y (Thursday)
recommended to the War Production Board and the Federal Communica¬
tions Commission that with regard to the construction of radio
broadcast facilities there be immediately placed into effect the
following policy':'
No future authorizations involving the use of any
materials shall be Issued by the Federal Communications
Commission nor shall further materials be allocated by the
War Production Board, to construct or to change the trans¬
mitting facilities of any Standard, Television, Facsimile,
Rela.y or High Frequency (M, Non- Commercial Educational
Experimental) broadcast station.
XXXXXXXXX
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BROADCASTERS AND FEDERAL BAR URGE LIMIT ON FCC POWER
As the first witnesses at the hearing before the House
Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee on the Sanders bill to
completely reorganize and redefine the power of the Federal Com¬
munications Commission, the Federal Communications Bar Association
and the National Association of Broadcasters both advocated the
need for reform of radio regulatory legislation. The sessions
which began Tuesday and lasted through Thursday have recessed
until Tuesday, May 5th.
Three amendments to the Federal Communications Act,
designed to curb unauthorized assumotlon of nower by the Federal
Communications Commission, were prooosed to the House Committee
by Neville Miller, President of the National Association of Broad¬
casters.
The amendments would:
(1) Specifically forbid the FCC to Interfere with radio
programs or business management.
(2) Forbid the FCC to impose various penalties not
authorized by law. This would stop the FCC, for instance, from
forcing the oi\iner of two stations in a single community to dispose
of one before he could get authorization for a power increase for
the other.
(3) Provide for declaratory rulings by FCC which could
be^appealed to courts. This would permit station owners to aopeal
FCC rules, regulations and orders to the courts before they become
effective. This would prevent the FCC from taking away station
licenses for failure to comply with FCC actions before the courts
had passed upon the validity of those actions.
In drafting the amendment to bar the FCC from interfering
with radio urograms or business management, Mr. Miller merely took
the language of a Supreme Court decision on that issue. It said,
in part:
’’But the Act does not essay to regulate the business of
the licensee. The Commission is given no suoervisory con¬
trol of the programs, of business management or of policy.
In short, the broadcasting field is open to anyone, pro¬
vided there be an available frequency over which he can
broadcast without interference to others, if he shows his
competency, the adequacy of his equioment, and financial
ability to make good use of the assigned channel. ”
’’Notwithstanding this uronouncement of the Suoreme Court
and notwithstanding the fact that no language can be found in the
Act which confers any right upon the Commission to concern Itself
with the business uhases of the operation of radio broadcast sta¬
tions, we find the Commission concerning itself more and more with
such matters”, Mr. Miller told the Committee.
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"For a period of time applicants for broadcast facilities
wno were also identified with newspapers or newspaper activities
have been discriminated against by the Commission", he said. "In
some cases tnls discrimination may have been Justified because of
the facts of a particular case, but that is not the point in issue,
Tne point in issue is that notwithstanding the fact that the Act cor
tains no authority for such action and notwithstanding the further
fact that the United States Court of Anneals for the District of
Columbia has twice nointed this out, the Commission has neverthe¬
less continued to discriminate against newspaper annlicants as a
class and has withheld f- cilities from such annlicants to which
they were otherwise entitled.
"Sometimes this discrimination has been effected by
adverse action unon particular applications; sometimes by merely
holding annlications without action. But in practically all cases
where newspaper or newspaper interests have made application for
new or increased facilities, they have been confronted with action
o f this sort, "
A summary of the proposal of the Federal Bar Association
to redefine the FCC powers was;
"(1) The whole Commission will have and exercise all legis¬
lative and quasi-legislative powers conferred by the Act. It will
have power and authority to adopt and promulgate any rule or regu¬
lation of general application required or authorized by the Act,
including procedural rules and regulations for the Commission and
^ch division. The whole Commission will have plenary authority
over emergency services, the qualification and licensing of oper¬
ators, the selection and control of Commission personnel, the
assignment of bands of frequencies to the various radio services,
and over many other subjects and services as at present.
"(2) The present Judicial and quasi-judicial functions of
the Commission will be vested in the proposed divisions insofar as
those functions relate to the most important and controversial sub¬
jects within the Jurisdiction of the Commission, Jurisdiction to
hear and detennine all cases arising under the Act or regulations
relating to broadcast, television, facsimile and kindred communica¬
tions intended for public reception will be vested in the Division
of Public Communications. Similar Jurisdiction with respect to
common carriers and communications intended for a designated
addressee will be vested in the Division of Private Communications,
This plan not only recognizes the basic and fundamental differences
between the two types of communications involved and the nature of
the questions presented by each, but it also provides a method for
obtaining proper consideration of those cases by persons who will
be able to devote their time and attention to the questions com¬
mitted to them without undue interruption or interference occasion¬
ed by the demands of basically different problems.
"(3) The status of the Chairman will be that of an executive
officer and coordinator particlpat ing fully in all matters within
the Jurisdiction of the Commission except the determination and
decision of contested matters which are made the exclusive business
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of the divisions. Ex]Derience has amply demonstrated that the
Chairman cannot be expected to devote the time and attention neces^
sary to the proper handling and disposition of these matters and
also efficiently to discharge the many other duties which are
unavoidably his under the Act. As to these other duties, an
attempt has been made to clarify the status of the Chairman and to
make him and him only the official spokesman and representative of
the Commission in certain important respects. ”
xxxxxxxxxx
MACKAY OPENS NEW DIRECT AUSTRALIAN RADIO CIRCUIT
The Mackay Radio and Telegraph Coranany has opened a new
direct radiotelegraph service between the United States and Australia
The circuit is operated by the Mackay radio station at San Francisco,
and the station of Amalga.mated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd. near
Sydney. The announcement says that all classes of radiograms are
handled and that the new service is available from all parts of the
United States.
It was stated that Mackay has been granted licenses by
the Federal Communications Commission to establish service with
more than forty additional centres abroad, all of strategic import¬
ance.
XXXXXXXXXX
NAB OPPOSES BROADCAST TAX AS DISCRIMINATORY
The National Association of Broadcasters through Ellsworth
C, Alvord, advised the House Ways and Means Committee that they are
opposed to a special tax on radio broadcasting made by John B,
Haggerty, President of the International Allied Printing Trades
Association, because;
(1) It would imperil a vital public service; (2) It
would be discriminatory; (3) It would not benefit labor; (4) It
cannot be justified on any of the grounds advanced by its sponsor.
Mr. Alvord’ s memo stated further:
’’The National Association of Broadcasters fully realize
the seriousness of the emergency, and the terrific responsibility
borne by the members of tnis Committee. They know that taxes must
be drastically increased, and they will cheerfully pay their share
of all general taxes which the Congress may see fit to impose.
They are, however, vigorously opposed to special and discriminatory
taxation, and especially to penal taxation which imperils an
essential public service. ”
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"Radio's Immense popularity is not due to its novelty.
It is due to the fact that the radio broadcasting industry, from
the very start, has had a real sense of its great public respons¬
ibility. The listening public of America is radio's censor; the
broadcasters of America have met, and will continue to meet, the
rigorous tests imposed by that censor. The public will tune in the
radio only so long as the radio serves the public. * -f-
"In time of peace radio gives the public news and
information from all over the world . In the field of cultur¬
al improvement and recreation, radio's contribution is invaluable..
..In time of v/ar, radio's service to the public is raultiolied many
times. . . Tremendously important results have been achieved by
the radio industry in the field of international short-wave broad¬
casting. , . Radio has played a highly effective role in the
mobilization of men, money, and materials for the war effort.
"Programs sponsored by the war agencies cost the Govern¬
ment nothing. The industry looks upon them as its contribution,
in the public interest.
"The competitive situation is such that it would be
imoossible for the broadcasting industry to oass on to the adver¬
tiser the added burden of the orooosed tax. Under existing condi¬
tions, the industry likewise cannot hope to absorb the tax by
increasing the volume of advertising. Nor can it do so by reduc¬
ing expenses. Any atteraot to do so would imneril the Important
public services it is now rendering.
"The radio broadcasting industry derives substantially
all its revenue from the sale of advertising. Advertising is done,
of course, almost exclusively by the sellers of consumer goods.
Advertising stimulates demand; and thus fosters sales, distribu¬
tion, and production. "
"Statistics bear out the fact that competition among
the various advertising media is vigorous. Ra.dio does not and
cannot monopolize the field.
"In 1940, advertisers spent about ^937,000,000. The
percentage share of the newsp^ers was 60%; of the magazines,
17.8^; of radio 82.2^. Although newspaper advertising declined
sligntly in 1940, volume actually increased each year from 1938-
1940. Magazine advertising, like radio, increased slightly, both
in percentage and in volume. "
"It is suggested that the tax might aid one relatively
small labor group. Even that is doubtful. There can be no doubt,
however, that the proposal is directly opposed to the interests of
the hundreds of thousands of workers who are directly or indirectly
dependent upon radio for their livelihood, and that from the stand¬
point of labor as a whole, the proposal is selfish and short¬
sighted.
"In 1940 the radio broadcasting industry provided direct
employment for about 22,000 full-time workers, at a weekly wage
aggregating over ^1,000,000. In addition, about 4000 part-time
workers were employed by the industry, and this figure does not
include talent under contract to the networks, to stations, to
individual sponsors, or to advertising agencies. Most of the
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talent employed in important commercial programs is under contract
to the advertising agencies. It is estimated that if this talent
were included, some 50,000 persons would be found to be employed
by the radio broadcasting industry. Indirectly, the industry is
resDonsible for the employment of perhaps 250,000 additional work¬
ers in the manufacturing and distribution fields. Some 300,000
workers will thus challenge the threat to their security which
this proposal represents, '*
'^In 1940, the amount spent for advertising was about
^1,660,000,000. Radio got about $200,000,000. Newsuaners took
about $560,000,000, nearly three times as much as radio. Magazines
of all kinds got about $210,000,000, a little more than radio.
Direct mail advertising took at least $300,000,000, one and one-
half times radio’s shar^. Radio thus commands less than one-
eighth of the advertisers' dollar, and it must fight every inch
of the way for that share.
"Radio broadcasting is a truly competitive business
which should not be singled out for snecial tax on the theory that
it does not coranete on equal terras with other businesses. "
"The proposed tax is novel in form and unsound in prin¬
ciple. It would discriminate against and impose an undue burden
upon an industry which renders a vital -oublic service in normal
times, and whose efficient functioning in a time of emergency,
such as the present, is of the utmost imoortance. Even without
the tax, the industry is facing a period of tremendous difficulty,
for the war effort necessarily involves extensive dislocations and
disruptions of normal business activities, and these imoinge with
particular severity upon radio, A snecial tax of the character
proposed would only multiply the difficulties. Its imposition
would at best be an experiment, and an experiment which even a
much larger amount of revenue than this tax would produce could
not conceivably Justify.
"Overshadowing all these considerations is a major con¬
sideration of broad public policy. Radio broadcasting has become
the most important medium of disseminating information to the
public, and the greatest forum for public debate. It must be kept
free; the necessity for this freedom is clearer today than ever
before. This freedom cannot be preserved by special taxation,
"The proposal should not be adopted. "
xxxxxxxxxx
12
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Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET
WASHINGTbN^ D; C.
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INDEX TO ISSUE OF APRIL 21, 1942
Radio Tube Production Ordered Discontinued . 2
Would Cut Cjovernment Information Services’ Funds . 3
FCC Soon To Freeze Future Station Construction . 4
Mullen To Present Ohio State Damrosch Scholarship . 5
RMA Further Gears Itself To War Effort . 6
Radio Sonde Used By Weather Bureau In War Aviation... . 7
Wlnchell Advised To Copy Joe Louis By Giving Pay . 7
Against Everybody Broadcasting The Same Thing . 8
Behind The Receiver Shut-Down. . 8
Trade Notes . 9
WSBT Does Guidance Program . 10
Philco Expected To Earn Dividend . 11
WOR Offers All Stations ’’Words For War” Booklet . 11
Requirements For Broadcast Operators Further Relaxed . 12
No.
1422
Ar>ril 21, 1942.
RADIO TUBE PRODUCTION ORDERED DISCONTINUED
The War Production Board has ordered radio tube manu¬
facturers to discontinue within seven days production for civilian
use of 349 of the 710 types of radio tubes now on the market.
The WPB Radio Tube Unit explained that these 349 dis¬
continued types represent duplicate, obsolete, and small-demand
types of tubes. Their elimination will result In a saving in
critical materials, man hours and machine hours.
The Radio Tube Unit of the WPB said that present Inven¬
tories of discontinued types will be sufficient for civilian needs
for at least two years. This stock will be added to by rejects
from military production of the same types.
In the elimination of duplicate types, one of each group
of duplicate types will be kept in production.
Obsolete types and those for which there Is almost no
demand will not be replaced, but John F. Wilson, Chief of the Unit,
Said that the radio tube industry Is planning to familiarize radio
dealers with types of receiving tubes that can be substituted
wherever possible for the types prohibited by the order.
The obsolete and small-sales categories represent 289
types of tubes, or aporoxlraately 41 percent of the total number of
types oroduced. However, sales in 19*41 of these types amounted to
only 6/lOth of one percent of the total number of radio tubes sold
last year - 780,000 tubes out of a total of 135,600,000 tubes sold
in 1941, Nevertheless, as long as these types were produced they
had to be carried In stock, tying up critical materials in Inven¬
tory, and their production resulted in loss of man hours, machine
hours and materials.
Robert C. Berner, Chief of the Radio Section, estimated
that 156,000 man hours and 80,000 machine hours will be released
annually by the elimination of these tube types. In addition,
critical materials will be used more efficiently by long production
runs of the tube types not eliminated by the Order,
The Order does not apply to tubes manufactured for the
Army, Navy, Maritime Commission, Panama Canal, Coast and Geodetic
Survey, Coast Guard, Civil Aeronautics Authority, the National
Advisory Commission for Aeronautics, the Office of Scientific
Research and Development, and Lend-Lease,
- 2 -
4/21/42
The Executive Committee of the Radio Manufacturers’
Association was advised by Roy Burlew, of the Ken-Rad Tube Corpora¬
tion of Owensboro, Ky, , Chairman of the Tube Division, and H, E.
Osman, of Centralab, Milwaukee, Chairman of the Parts and Accessory
Division, that steps were being taken with the War Production
Board to provide the public with replacement tubes and components.
Rationing of sets Is not contemplated, and It Is proposed to pro¬
vide ample supplies of replacements, to avoid any tube or parts
rationing program. Parts manufacturers can secure materials, for
the manufacture of repair parts, through the WPB Production
Requirements Plan, which will become mandatory In June.
XXXXXXXX
WOULD CUT GOVERNMENT INFORJIATION SERVICES’ FUNDS
A bill was Introduced In the House last week by Representa
tlve Robert F. Jones ( R. ) , of Ohio, stipulating that none of the
funds appropriated In any act shall be used by any Government depart
ment agency, or Independent establishment, except the War and Navy
Departments, for publications not required by law; press service;
ra'dlo broadcasting; group contacts; exhibits; motion pictures;
lantern slides and lecture material; photography; Individual con¬
tacts and posters.
Stating that the Interior Department alone Is spending
$1,500,000 for publicity material, Mr. Jones said:
’’This House only cut $100,000 of this waste two weeks
ago; $1,400,000 of this waste Is still In the 1943 bill. I think
this bill will strike out twenty million of the $27,000,000 propa¬
ganda pay roll for useless man-power that should be eliminated and
should not be continued In the federal Government for one more day.
#
”I think my bill wouls save $20,000,000 from the federal
payroll and strike out $25,000,000 from a $50,000,000 postage bill.
1 think It would strike out $1,500,000 from a $2,400,000 oaper bill
the Government agencies and the Independent establishments of the
Government now spill Ink upon and have for some time. "
In the opinion of Frank Kent, columnist, the radio and
other U. S. propaganda has been ’’sloppy and Ineffectual”. He
writes :
’’One of the strange things about Washington Is the way In
which large plans are launched and then dropped. Sometimes they
are weeks In preparation before they utterly dlsappea.r. For example
early In March the White House let It be known through various
selected sources that the President was much dissatisfied with the
quality of our propaganda.. It was not ’ringing the bell’ and there
seemed a necessity for a general overhauling with a view of devis¬
ing a better system. It needed. It was said, ’ c-ordlna t Ion’ and
single-headed direction.
3 -
1
4/21/42
’’This had been pretty plain to most observers for some
time. There are at least four separate organizations engaged in
the business of propaganda. Each has its own headquarters, a large
organization and a big payroll. Each is pouring out a steady stream
of radio speeches, and skits and exuding pamphlets, leaflets,
"information* and publicity in various and sundry forms. Combined,
they have been spending a lot of money, but the contention is that
the results are meager and the whole business is being done in an
ineffectual and sloppy manner. "
XXXXXXXXXX
FCC SOON TO FREEZE FUTURE STATION CONSTRUCTION
Asked at his press conference last Monday if it were not
a foregone conclusion that the Federal Communications Commission
would shortly act uoon the recommendation of the Defense Communi¬
cations Board to the FCC and the War Production Board that no
future authorizations should be Issued for materials to construct
or change broadcasting stations. Chairman James L. Fly reolied:
"Yes, we will take that under consideration very promptly.
At Just what moment we will act on it, I don't know. Of course it
has not been Issued by WP3 as yet but I am Inclined to conjecture
that that will be done very promptly, "
"Will you wait until WPB acts?" Mr. Fly ims asked. "I
don't know", he replied. "I think the Commission will probably
discuss the matter further today. I don't know whether under the
circumstances we will wait for WPB order or not. I don't think
that any great policy will emerge from WPB necessarily so I don't
think that it is a matter of any great concern as to what order
such action is taken. "
Remarking that there are a number of outstanding construc¬
tion permits for both new stations and modification of present
stations. Chairman Fly was asked where the construction freezing
order would leave them. He answered:
"Where they require no further authorizations, if they
can go ahead and complete the construction - that is, they have
all the materials and don't have to get any Government assistance
to complete the Job - I assume they will do so. "
"in other words, the Commission will not rescind any
action heretofore taken?" the questioner asked. "No, I don't
think the Commission will rescind any action", the Chairman replied,
"Of course the problem in itself may in effect rescind some grants
simply because the stations who have those outstanding grants may
not in every case have the full materials necessary and they would
not be able to get much comfort out of Washington if they are in
need of materials, "
XXXXXXXXX
4
4/21/42
MULLEN TO PRESENT OHIO STATE DAI-AROSCH SCHOLARSHIP
Frank E. Mullen, Vice-President and Oeneral Manager of
the National Broadcasting Company, will present to Ohio State
University the Walter Damrosch Music Scholarship at a dinner given
in honor of Mr. Damrosch at the Thirteenth Annual Institute for
Education by Radio convention which opens at Columbus, Ohio,
Sunday, May 3rd. ’’Radio in Wartime” will be the general theme of
the convention.
Speakers at the Damrosch dinner will include Ohio*s
governor, John W. Bricker; John W. Studebaker, U. S. Commissioner
of Education; Neville Miller, President of the National Associa¬
tion of Broadcasters; and Edward Johnson, General Manager of the
Metropolitan Opera Association, A citation will be presented to
Dr. Damrosch for being among the first in radio to develoo educa¬
tional programs for children, by W. W. Charters, Honorary Director
of the Education by Radio Institute.
Four general sessions dealing with radio’s olace in war¬
time will be the feature attractions of this year’s Institute,
together with a fifth session dealing with the v/hole effect of
radio during this emergency period,
H. V. Kaltenborn, NBC, Gregor Ziemer, Station WLW, and
Morgan Beatty, Blue Network, will discuss "Radio News Reports and
Comments in Wartime”, Fbllowing the talks by these commentators,
a panel discussion of the Issues raised will be led by Dean Arthur
J. Klein, of the College of Education, Ohio State University.
”Is the Government Using Radio Effectively?” will be the
problem discussed in another session after the style set by the
Mutual Broadcasting System' s American Forum of the Air, W. W.
Charters will preside over this discussion,
"Radio Drama in Wartime” w^ill present two outstanding
writers of American radio snows, Norman Corwin and Arch Oboler.
Lyman Bryson, one of the pioneers of educational broad¬
casting, will preside over the discussion of "Religious Broadcast¬
ing in Wartime. ” Bryson, now educational director of the Columbia
Broadcasting System, will conduct the panel discussion of a group
composed largely of former European war correspondents.
"Radio and Wartime Morale”, a discussion of the whole
effect of radio in the time of crisis in the United States, will
be led by Edward L, Bernays, New York publicist and ^nrrlter, who
is arranging his own panel for this session.
XXXXXXXXX
5
4/21/42
PJ^IA FURTHER GEARS ITSELF TO WAR EFFORT
With the closing down of civilian radio production, ex¬
cept for replacement tubes and parts, the Radio Manufacturers'
Association announces the expediting of the S2, 000, 000, 000 military
radio program to the utmost capacity of every available factory,
engineer and skilled workman in the industry.
In the war effort, the FiMA Executive Committee had pre¬
viously decided to cut down its usual four day annual convention
at Chicago in June to a one-day strictly business orogram without
social features, regarded as undesirable under war conditions.
Furthermore, the annual industry banquet at Chicago, heretofore
an established event, has now been cancelled in the Association’s
curtailment of social diversions, and to keep the annual industry
program on a peak war tempo. In lieu of the banquet, there will
be a special war-time convention program of meetings and speakers,
the latter including a prominent government official, directly in
charge of radio Interests. This will feature the membership lunch¬
eon and annual business section of the one-day Chicago convention
on Tuesday, June 9th. Also there will be meetings of many RMA
Divisions and Committees, all largely devoted to the mammoth war
job of the industry and the Association.
To place the IMk itself on a basis of war-time service
to the industry and the government, extension and revision of
organization activities also were ordered by the Executive Committee
last week at a meeting in Washington. Some of the strictly civilian
business services, such as sales promotion, will be suspended dur¬
ing the war. New war services for manufacturers, including
standardization of military radio products and components, are
being instituted.
Organization of a new Transmitter Division, with an addi¬
tional Vice President and two Directors on the Board, was voted by
the Executive Committee, subject to the approval of the RMA member¬
ship at the June convention. This Division will include manu¬
facturers of all transmitting and communications apparatus and
through the IMA Engineering Department, will direct the standardiza¬
tion of war products, in cooperation with the Army and Navy services
It is prooosed to increase the RMA Board of Directors from 25 to 27
to include the new Directors from the Transmitter Division.
XXXXXXXX
Shore radio facilities expenditures for the Marine Corps
soon to be authorized include a lump sum of ^?11,000,000.
X X X X X X X
- 6 -
4/21/42
RADIO SONDE USED BY WEATHER BUREAU IN WAR AVIATION
The method and electronic equipment used by the United
States Weather Bureau to determine the weather days ahead of time,
and thus obtain vital information to aid troop movements, ship
convoys, and bomber flights, was described recently by Frazier
Hunt, General Electric* s newscaster.
"It’s all done up in the stratosphere with the assistance
of the radio sonde, one of the greatest electronic investigators
ever invented", he explained, "Here's how this little electronic
weatherman works. It only weighs a couple of pounds and looks llkt:
a big edition of a box camera. A small balloon takes it nine, ten,
yes a dozen miles straight up, where a man can’t go.
"As it travels upward, it broadcasts by radio the
atmospheric conditions as it finds them. The device is tuned in
with a radio receiver on the ground, and these radio signals tell
the temperature, wind velocity, humidity and many other vital
weather factors. When it gets to the low-oressure limit at around
60,000 to 70,000 feet above the earth, the balloon explodes and a
parachute brings the device floating back to earth, "if you see
one of these little radio sondes, parachuting down into your back¬
yard, you’ll find its return address printed on the side. Send
it back home with your blessing. "
XXXXXXXXX
WINCHELL ADVISED TO COPY JOE LOUIS BY GIVING PAY
A dispatch from Milwaukee to the Chicago Tribune last
Friday states that Lansing Hoyt, who was criticized by Walter
Winchell in a national radio broadcast last Fbll for holding the
two Jobs of Republican County Chairman for Milwaukee County and
Chairman of the Wisconsin America First Committee, sent the follow¬
ing telegram to the radio gossiper:
"Lieut. Comdr. Walter Winchell; Having smeared all and
sundry who differ with you and exhausted your venom in the interest
of national disunity, why don’t you now turn over your huge Income
to Navy relief; Emulate Joe Louis or else get off the air and
onto the sea, "
After sending the telegram, Hoyt said: "Both of the Jobs
Winchell now holds carry big cay. I received no pay whatever for
either of the two Jobs Winchell complained of. Let’s see how con¬
sistent Winchell is. "
XXXXXXXXX
- 7 -
4/21/42
AGAINST EVERYBODY BROADCASTING THE SAME THING
Declaring that the American people are tired of listen¬
ing today to one voice, and tomorrow to another voice; of being
told one thing today and something else tomorrow, and that they
want, and they need, a very positive, strong, vigorous voice,
speaking for the Government, Representative J. Percy Priest, of
Tennessee ( D. ) , urged in the House of Representatives, the con¬
solidation of all Government information services and placing
those services under one head,
•'When you turn on the radio in the morning you hear
one commentator give a list of happenings and in about 10 minutes
you hear another commentator making the same comment in almost the
same words”. Representative Robert F. Rich, of Pennsylvania ( R. ) ,
interjected, ”Then in another 10 minutes you may hear four or
five or six other commentators, and everyone is saying the same
thing. We shall not need all the newspapers reporters if we do
that same thing for the newspapers, I think the newspaper report¬
ers would not quite agree with me, because we would get rid of
about half of them,
”I believe the majority of them feel very much as I have
expressed it here”, Mr, Priest replied, ”I believe they prefer to
know what they are writing about, rather than to have one report
from one source, and in an effort to verify it somewhere else,
to get a different slant on it, I think they would appreciate it
very much. ”
XXXXXXXXXX
BEHIND THE RECEIVER SHUT-DOWN
As the orders to shut down the manufacture of civilian
radio sets begin to take effect - putting radios into a classifica¬
tion with automobiles and refrigerators ~ it becomes apparent that
Washington has several broad purposes in mind, says Radio Retailing.
1. To make plants and employees immediately available for
other war work.
2. To remove ’’luxury” articles from the market, so that war
workers' surpluses will find their way into Defense Bonds.
3. To build up a deferred market for radio and other popu¬
lar wanted articles, so that at the close of war activity,
this great deferred demand will be available to get the
economic machine going quickly on peacetime production.
XXXXXXXXX
- 8 -
4/21/42
« •
« «
• t
• 0
• •
: TRADE NOTES
New Navy radio transmitting stations are contemolate d,
one in the Boston area, one in the Hawaiian area and one in the
San Francisco Bay area, at a total cost of $7,381,000,
For the fourth consecutive year, the Columbia Broadcast¬
ing System Publicity Department has won first place in Billboard
Magazine * s annual poll of the nation’s radio editors. Second
place went to the National Broadcasting Company, with Mutual Broad¬
casting System third.
In the same survey, the 154 radio editors polled by
Billboard voted oven’^helmingly that network publicity service is
the best in the radio industry. Press agents were named second
best, stations third and advertising agencies fourth.
And sneaking of Louis Ruppel, Leonard Lyons, the New York
columnist, had this to say about him:
"Ed Murrow, who was CBS' corre snondent in London, had a
dinner date at the home of CBS’ s publicity director, Louis Runpel,
Murrow soon is returning to London, and his host wanted him to en¬
joy an evening of complete relaxation, ’I’ve warned all the other
guests that there must be no war talk', Ruppel informed, .. ’How will
you stop them from talking about the mr?’ asked Murrow, , , .
"I've found a way' , Ruppel assured, , . The guests arrived, met
Murrow and the conversation throughout the dinner was comoletely
free of war talk. For the food was delivered and served by two men
especially hired for the occasion - two Japanese, "
The only civilians included in the list of pall-bearers
at the funeral of Gen. Hugh Johnson, at Arlington Cemetery in
Washington, were Edward F. McGrady, Vice-President of the Radio
Corporation of America, and Bernard M. Baruch,
Instead of being the old sombrero type so familiar to us
all, the Mexican Foreign Minister Padilla recently in the Capital,
reminded one of Powel Crosley, Jr. , the Cincinnati radio magnate -
that is if Powel had jet black hair and spoke with a Spanish accent.
William Arthur Schuler, 23, radio operator, was arrested
last week in Los Angeles by FBI agents on charges of transmitting
messages destined for the enemy. Bond was set at $20,000. Richard
B. Hood, FBI chief in Los Angeles, said Schuler offered to trans¬
mit messages for foreign agents by the facilities of a commercial
wireless company of which he was an emoloyee.
9
I
I
4/21/42
After the St. Louis "mackeral in the raoonliglif' fiasco
last year, the broadcasters are fairly getting down on their knees
in an effort to get Chairman James L. Fly, of the Federal Communi¬
cations Commission to attend the NAB convention at Cleveland.
The chances at this writing seem to be pretty favorable for him
to do so.
By way of further safeguarding the Capital and vicinity
in case of an air-raid, the purchase of a two-way radio system for
16 Prince George County police cars has been authorized. This is
in Maryland just adjoining Washington. The installation calls for
expenditure of $15,350. Sending stations will be built at the
Hyatt sville and Upper Marlboro oolice stations to insure county¬
wide re cent ion.
The stations are to operate on a wave band between that
of the District of Columbia nolice and the Maryland State Police,
it was explained, so that either sending station could be used in
an emergency.
xxxxxxxxxxx
WSBT DOES GUIDANCE PROGRAIJt
Station WSBT, South Bend, Ind. , is doing a direct voca¬
tional guidance program in the public high schools of the community
served by the station, the subject of course being careers in
radio. Mark Boy den and Herb Cole, two WSBT staff members, travel
from school to school in presenting the programs. The pattern of
the program calls for a student assembly with the radio men presid¬
ing. Mr. Boyden gives a short talk on the possibilities of careers
in radio production, sales and promotion work. Mr, Cole then takes
over the technical aspects of radio, advising an electrical engi¬
neering course and pointing out the variety of work in radio
engineering.
To make a practical application, an interview with stud¬
ents and teachers of the school is recorded. This interview not
only serves as an illustrative device for the potential radio
artists and technicians, but is very well received by the WSBT
audience for whom it is broadcast in the evening hours,
XXXXXXXXXX
In its fourth quarterly report for the year 1941, the
National Committee on Education by Radio announced its discontinu¬
ance.
Under a grant of funds from the Payne Fund the Committee
set for Itself such tasks as fostering research and experimentation
in the field of education by radio, safeguarding and serving the
interests of broadcasting stations which were educationally owned,
and to bring about legislation which would permanently assign to
educational institutions a minimum of 15 percent of all radio
broadcasting channels available to the United States,
XXXXXXXXXX
- 10 -
4/21/42
PHILCO EXPECTED TO EARN DIVIDEND
James T. Buckley, President of the Philco Corporation,
said at the annual meeting in Philadelphia that while no definite
statements can be made because of tax uncertainties, it is reason¬
able to assume that first-quarter earnings will cover the dividend
of 25 cents a share on the common stock paid on March 12,
The output of war goods by the company is increasing at
at a substantial rate and will be stepped up considerably in the
next few months, he said.
William Balderston, Raymond A. Boyce, Harold W, Butler,
James H. Carmine, David Crrimes, W. Paul Jones, William Fulton Kurtz,
Frank H. Mancill and William R, Wilson were added to the Board of
Directors. Mr. Kurtz is President and a Director of the Pennsyl¬
vania Company for Insurances on Lives and Granting Annuities,
Philadelphia. Mr. Mancill is a lawyer in the same city. The other
new Directors fill positions with the corporation.
XXXXXXXX
WOR OFFERS ALL STATIONS "WORDS FOR WAR" BOOKLET
What one radio station can do on its own initiative to
aid the war effort is being demonstrated by WOR in a small pamphlet,
"Words For War", It contains typical examples of war announcements
written by the WOR Continuity Department for specific personalities
on definite programs. The pamphlet has been made available to the
broadcasting industry by WOR,
The theory behind the WOR war copy is that these announce¬
ments are more effective, when the continuity is personalized and
have greater human appeal and authority, because they are delivered
by accepted personalities. Written to fit virtually every type of
broadcast, these specialized announcements are used by Martha Deane
on her Women’s program; John Gambling on his Gym class; Stan Lomax
on his Sports program; Ramona and the Tune Twisters; Uncle Don;
The Answer Man and others.
Four or five of the announcements are spotted by WOR at
strategic points during the station’s daily twenty- four hour sched¬
ule. These are in addition to defense bond appeals and many other
war announcements and programs regularly carried by WOR.
An introduction to the pamphlet states that, "It is in
the sincere hope that it may helo hasten the day of Allied victory
that ’Words For War* was prepared for the broadcasting industry."
xxxxxxxxx
11
4/21/42
REQUIREI'ffiNTS FOR BROADCAST OPERATORS FURTHER RELAXED
The Federal Communications Commission toda.y (Tuesday),
through its Order No. 91- A, upon recoraraenda.tion of the Defense
Communications Board, modified its rules to provide a further
relaxation of its operator requirements for broadcast stations.
The original action of February 17, 1942, permitted the operation
of broadcast stations of any class by holders of radiotelegraph
first or second class operator licenses or radiotelephone second
class operator licenses. Holders of restricted radiotelegraph or
radiotelephone operator permits are now added to the classes avail¬
able for operation of broadcast stations.
The restricted radiotelephone pennittee, however, first
must be examined for proficiency in radiotelephone theory and secure
endorsement of that fact on his permit. This may be done through
special examination at a field office of the Commission, such exami¬
nation being similar to the questions in radiotelephone theory
required of a Class A amateur licensee. Necessary endorsement of
the permit may be secured also by presenting both the restricted
radiotelephone permit and a Class A amateur license to a field
office of the Commission. A person having one of these classes of
license may qualify by satisfactorily completing examination for
the other class. In any case the restricted radiotelephone opera¬
tor permit must be endorsed by the Commission before the permittee
is qualified for broadcast station operation.
This relaxation is designed to relieve a growing shortage
of operators as a result of war conditions and the requirements of
the military forces for radio operators. It is not contemplated
that technical operation will be impaired or labor standards in
the industry lowered through reliance upon this action of the Com¬
mission. A first class radiotelephone operator, responsible for
technical operation and other than minor transmitter adjustments,
must be retained, and the station licensee will be held fully res¬
ponsible for proper operation of the station.
The new order (No. 91- A) reads in part as follows:
”IT IS ORDERED, That a broadcast station of any class,
which by reason of actual inability to secure the services of an
operator or operators of a higher class could not otherwise be oper¬
ated, may be operated by holders of any class commercial operator
license ;
’’PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That all classes of commercial oper¬
ator licenses shall be valid for the operation of broadcast stations
upon the condition that one or more first-class radiotelephone
Operators are emoloyed who shall be responsible at all times for
the technical operation of the station and sha.ll make all adjust¬
ments of the transmitter equipment other than minor adjustments
which normally are needed in the daily operation of a station;
’’PROVIDED, FURTHER, That a broadcast station may be oper¬
ated by a, holder of a restricted radiotelephone operator permit
only in the event such permit has been endorsed by the Commission
to show the operator’s proficiency in radiotelephone theory as
ascertained through examination. ”
XXXXXXXXXX
- 12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHIP^TON, D. C.
- ^ RECtiVED
%s\,%PR 25 1942
(A- %\ %
V ^ iiiULuEH
/ / %S-\
A f . ^
INDEX TO ISSUE OF APRIL 24, 1942.
\ \
' 'P
LaG-uardia's Press Scrap Adds Zest To WNYC Hearing . 'J&
Sees Commercial Television Suspended For Duration . 4
Nu-Tone Laboratories Representations Curbed By FTC . 4
Deems Taylor Succeeds Gene Buck As ASCAP President . . . 5
Senate Also Gives Dr. Watson, Alleged FCC Red, The Axe . 6
New High Set For U. S. Radio Taxes . 6
Military Radio Production To Be Six Times Old Output . 7
Secret Radio Air-Raid Protectors To Dot Coast . 9
Raps Mr. Haggerty's Broadcast Tax Proposal . 9
Women Operate Radiosondes At Weather Bureau . . . ,.10
60 Million Ad Drive By U. S. Advocated . . . 10
FCC Action . . . 11
Trade Notes
12
/
No. 1423
I
LA GUARDIA'S PRESS SCRAP ADDS ZEST TO WNYC HEARING
The bitter fight Mayor LaGuardia is having with the New
York newspapers and his choosing WNYC, the municipal radio station
to reach the public, adds importance to the oral hearings in
Washington to be held next Wednesday, April 29th, on the question
of whether or not the New York station should be allowed to extend
its evening hours.
Opposing the proposed findings of the Federal Communica¬
tions Commission favoring such a move is the Columbia Broadcasting
System which argues that this Increase in power would cause inter¬
ference to its 50,000 watt station WCCO in Minneapolis, which oper¬
ates on 810 kilocycles, the same frequency as WNYC, with 1000 watts.
Mayor La Guardla, who formerly used to commute frequently
between New York and Washington, but who has been seen very little
in the Capital since he washed his hands of the Office of Civilian
Defense, is expected to make every effort to attend the forthcoming
hearing. Although his parting shot in his last weekly "Talk to
the People" over WNYC in New York, whichms largely devoted to
criticizing the newspapers was "watch the radio for complete and
accurate information", there was Just a hint that he might resume
friendly relations with the newspapermen covering the City Hall
with whom he has not talked since the latter part of January. Even
if he should patch up his differences with the press, Mr. La Guardia
is still believed to be more than anxious for the extension of WNYC
program to Include the more desirable evening hours so that he may
use some of these periods to further his supposed political ambi¬
tions which by some are said to include the Presidency.
A brief filed with the Federal Communications Commission
in behalf of WNYC states, in part:
"The record shows that the service rendered by WNYC is
of an indisputably high standard of quality. It is unique. It is
entirely non- commercial in nature, devoted solely to the education,
entertainment, health, safety and service of its owners, the citi¬
zens and taxpayers of the City of New York. It is the only munici¬
pally-owned station in the United States which does no commercial
broadcasting. It is the only non- commercial station in its area.'"’
"Allowing for additional time of operation caused by "War
Time" and Summer Daylight Saving Time, it is clear that the unique
public service rendered by WNYC .is denied to its listeners and
potential listeners during the very time when it is most valuable
to them - the all-important evening hours. No argument need be
Indulged in to establish the proposition that an extension of hours
of operation to 11:00 P.M. would greatly serve the Interest, con¬
venience and necessity of the public of the City of New York.
V
4/24/42
’^In addition to the emergency fire and police announce¬
ments which have been a part of the service of WNYC to the citi¬
zens, the official records of the Commission will show the war¬
time service being rendered on the programs of the station. It has
been used since the outbreak of the war by the War Department for
Selective Service and many other government programs and announce¬
ments, and it is available for public service at all times, with¬
out conflict with any commercial engagements. The usefulness and
necessity of such public service in a community of the size and
strategic importance of the City of New York, in the evening hours
needs no demonstration.
"There are other broadcasting stations in New York.
There is no other, however, which furnishes service of the nature
described. There is no other which is not commercial. There is no
other wnich can devote Itself to regular and emergency public ser¬
vice without thought of gain or loss of commercial profit to its
stockholders. "
It was said that the record of the case established the
fact that granting WNYC an extension of evening hours would result
in no interference whatever in the primary area of WCCO in Minne¬
apolis nor, it was further argued, would it result in a loss of
service whatever to listeners in the secondary service area of WCCO,
The WNYC brief continued:
"The testimony of the Applicant’s engineer showed that
there are available, in the area to be affected by WNYC’s inter¬
ference, the signals of from four to ten stations of the Columbia
Broadcasting System. Indeed, from one to ten of these same sta¬
tions furnish a signal superior to that of WCCO. A small gore in
northeastern Wisconsin, it was shown, was the only part of the
entire area in which a superior signal was not available. It,
however, receives service from five or more stations of the Col¬
umbia Broadcasting System,
"Those are the facts. No loss of service will result in
any part of the United States if the application is granted. The
engineering witness for the intervener stated his agreement with
the testimony for WNYC. "
xxxxxxxx
In a propaganda broadcast to the United States, a Japan¬
ese commentator said, "Japan would be glad to share the riches of
Asia with the Western nations, "
In a broadcast in Japanese for domestic consumption.
Radio Tokyo said, "The most important task is the expulsion from
East Asia of Britain and America. The outbreak of the Greater
East Asia War may be said to be the beginning of the fight to put
an end to Britain and America. "
The broadcasts were recorded by the FCC and reported by
the Office of Facts and Figures.
xxxxxxxxxx
- 3 -
1 ' ' -'U Vv ‘
.'1 ’ {'• ■ ' ' ' •
. v 'i' ! :j;.:
4/84/42
SEES COMMERCIAL TELEVISION SUSPENDED FOR DURATION
Action by the Federal Communications Commission to sus¬
pend ’'commercial” television during the war, but to keep it on an
experimental and developmental basis appeared in prospect follow¬
ing the Commission’s recent informal television conference,
according to a bulletin of the Radio Manufacturers’ Association.
Lack of priorities and materials for television transmitters and
receivers and the need for television engineers in government and
Industrial war activities were stressed at the conference. Another
deterring factor was the recent WPB ban on building construction,
preventing erection of new transmitters.
Television manufacturers stated that receiver production
had ceased and also that replacement tubes, because of priorities,
probably would not be available.
I Continuation of the temporary television transmitting
standards during the emergency was recommended by IMA^ Director
W. R. C, Baker of the Association’s Engineering Department for the
National Television System Committee stated that war conditions
and lack of engineering personnel had prevented further develop¬
ment of engineering standards. Dr, Baker also stated that tele-
j vision engineers could be more profitably emoloyed in war activi-
I ties.
Reduction, to one or two hours a week, of the 15-hour
commercial broadcasting requirements was recommended to the Commis¬
sion. This would enable experimental and developmental work, the
Commission was told, to continue, and without interference with
the war effort.
War service of television, in broadcasting instructions
to air raid wardens, recruiting. Red Cross, and other war training
and activities, was detailed. Whether such war service is "essen¬
tial” is a question for determination by the Government, the Com¬
mission was told,
j XXXXXXXXXX
I
I
NU-TONE LABORATORIES REPRESENTATIONS CURBED BY FTC
Nu-Tone Laboratories, Inc. , 115 South Market Street,
Chicago, Illinois, radio equipment manufacturer, has been ordered
by the Federal Trade Ccmmission to discontinue misleading repre¬
sentations in the sale of products designated "aerial eliminators”
and "line noise eliminators".
The order directs the respondent to cease representing
that its "aerial eliminators" will improve the tonal quality or
selectivity of radio receiving sets to which they are attached;
make such sets capable of receiving broadcasts from stations more
4 -
4/24/42
distant than would otherwise be the case; perform the function of
a radio aerial; or reduce noises due to static or other causes
except at the expense of the Incoming program.
Also prohibited by the order is the representation that
the "line noise eliminators", when attached to the power line of a
radio receiving set, will reduce line noises or noises due to
static or electrical interference, or improve the tonal quality of
the instrument.
Commission findings are that the respondent's devices
will not accomplish all the results claimed. However, the find¬
ings continue, when noises emitted from a radio set are caused by
electrical interference due to the operation of some other electri¬
cal appliance, tne use of the respondent's line noise eliminator on
such other electrical appliance will tend to reduce the interfer¬
ence and static caused by its operation,
XXXXXXXX
DEEMS TAYLOR SUCCEEDS GENE BUCK AS ASCAP PRESIDENT
Deems Taylor, well-known composer and radio coraraentator,
was yesterday elected President of the American Society of Composers
Authors and Publishers, succeeding Gene Buck, President of the
Society since 1923.
The Board of Directors of the Society, following the
election of Mr. Taylor, voted to retain the services of Mr. Buck
in an advisory capacity.
Elected to offices along with Mr. Taylor, were the follow¬
ing:
Gustave Schirmer, Vice-President; Oscar Hammersteln,
Vice-President; George W. Meyer, Secretary; Max Dreyfus, Treasurer;
J. J. Bergman, Asslstant-Secre tary ; Irving Caesar, Assistant
Treasurer,
Mr. Taylor, who is one of America's foremost figures in
music and known to be very kindly disposed towards radio, will
serve as President of ASCAP without salary.
XXXXXXXXXX
A series of six fifteen minute radio programs "This is
History" is being released by the Library of Congress. It is a sort
of "roving reporter" or "man on the street" series in which current
questions are discussed with people encountered on the shores of
Maryland and Delaware, the "Okies" of California, the mountains of
Georgia, and in a large war plant in North Carolina. The record¬
ings are financed by the Rockefeller Foundation.
XXXXXXXXXX
5
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4/24/42
SENATE ALSO GIVES DR. WATSON, ALLEGED FCC RE.D, THE AXE
In reporting the Independent Offices Appropriations
Bill, the Senate retained the House rider cutting off the salary
of Dr, Goodwin Watson, Chief Broadcast Analyst of the Federal
Communications Commission, at ^5,600, charged by Representative
Dies as having been ”a propagandist for communism and the Soviet
Union for many years”. The bill now goes to conference but there
seems to be a slight chance of restoring Dr, Watson’s salary.
The Senate also lopped off ^312,460 from the |4, 9 91, 219
appropriation ashed for the FCC for 1943,
Dr, Watson, who was Professor of Education at Columbia
University, was strongly defended by Chairman James L, Fly, of
the FCC, who went the limit in the alleged Red’s behalf, stating
in a comeback at Dies:
”1 have taken pains to make a full inquiry into the sub¬
ject. As a result I can state unequivocally that at no time has
Dr. Watson been a member of the Communist party, or registered or
voted as a member of the Communist party, or participated in any
way in the activities of the Communist party. And at no time has
Dr. Watson endorsed the Communist system.
•’It ought to be made clear that Dr. Watson did not seek
the position which he now occupies. We sought him. Dr, Watson
is widely recognized as one of the outstanding social psycholog¬
ists of the country, and I cannot but believe that the Government
is fortunate to have his services in this period of emergency. ”
xxxxxxxx
NEW HIGH SET FOR U.S. RADIO TAXES
Unprecedented collections of Federal radio excise taxes
during the first three months of 1942 were recorded by the U, S.
Bureau of Internal Revenue, Radio excise taxes collected during
March 1942, largely on February sales, totaled $2,046,024.66, and
brought the total radio collections during the first quarter of
1942 to $7,376,157.70. This was an increase of 402.5 percent over
the radio tax collections during the first quarter of 1941, which
totaled $1,467,963.50, the latter being at the old rate of 5^ per
cent while, of course, the 1942 first quarter collections were at
the new rate of 10 percent.
Excise taxes on phonograph records collected last March
were $135,266.78. Total phonograph record tax collections during
the first quarter of 1942 were $397,793.56. Records were untaxed
during the first quarter of 1941,
March 1942 tax collections on refrigerators, air condi¬
tioners, etc., were $1,578,921.90, compared with March 1941 taxes
on refrigerators only of $1,816,901.28.
XXXXXXXXXX
4/24/42
MILITARY RADIO PRODUCTION TO BE SIX TIMES OLD OUTPUT
At or before midnight last Wednesday the major part of
the country's radio industry stopped the production of radios for
civilian use in order to make its entire facilities available for
war work. The remainder of the industry will wind up its opera¬
tions within a few weeks. Military redio production before the end
of 1942 will be at a rate of six times as great as the best year of
the industry’s civilian business. By June 7, all radio production
in this country will be for war purposes.
The last civilian radio off the Stroraberg- Carlson' s
assembly line went to Donald Nelson, Chief of the WPB^ for him to
present to some military training center of his choosing.
The following statement was issued by the Division of
Industry Operations of the War Production Board;;
Thirty of the 55 companies producing civilian radios were
ceased putting sets into oroductlon when the deadline was reached.
Two other large companies, RCA and Philco, each operating several
plants, have shut off civilian production in plants representing
more than 80 percent of their total production. These 32 companies
already have war contracts totalling $780, .000 ,000, representing
87 percent of all the war contracts let so far to the home radio
industry.
The remaining 25 companies were given additional time,
ranging from one to six weeks, to produce additional sets in order
to facilitate their program of conversion to war work. Half of the
approximately 410,000 sets to be produced after the shutoff da.te
will be reserved for export to friendly nations, as requested by the
Coordinator of Inter- American Affairs and Lend-Lease.
The plants discontinuing civilian production produced
approximately 57 percent of all the civilian sets, on a dollar basis,
sold in 1941, Their sales accounted for approximately $151,000,000
worth of the $263,400,000 worth of home radios manufactured in 1941.
At least six of the concerns stopped civilian production
before the first of March. They ranged from General Motor's Delco
plant to the small Kingston plant, and included also Noblit t- Sparks ,
Remler, Gilfillan, and Hammarlund.
RCA' 3 large plant at Camden, representing more than 80 per
cent of the company's total production, ceased civilian oroduction
on March 5 and is now converted to war work. The comoany was given
an additional tw^o weeks to operate its plant at Bloomington, Ind. ,
in order to produce sets for export and to better prepare it to
start work on a big war contract the first week in f/fey.
Stewart- Warner ceased its civilian radio production on
March 31 and is now engaged in war work.
7
i •
4/24/42
Philco has closed its two plants in Indiana and Ohio and
two of its three plants at Philadelphia. It v/as‘' given a few weeks
longer to operate the third of its Philadelphia plants to turn out
sets for export. The bulk of Philco’ s facilities are engaged in
war work.
The 25 companies that were given additional time for civil¬
ian production fall into two groups. In one group are companies
that had sufficient war contracts to make use of their plants’ en¬
tire capacity but which needed a longer period for re-tooling, or
plants which didn't receive their war contracts until too late to
be able to convert by last Wednesday. That list is comprised of
the following:
Continental, Detrola, DeWald, Calvin, Magna vox, Pilot,
Philco, RCA, Sonora, V/ells Gardner.
The second group consists of companies, most of them
small, with facilities not as well suited to war work as the other
companies and which had, until recently, very little war business.
Most of them will be able to convert to war work and are being given
additional time in which to make the change-over. They are:
Air King, Andrea, Ansley, Automatic, Electromatic, Emerson
Faaa, Freed, General Television & Radio, Hamilton, Howard, Majestic,
Recordo-Vox, Travler-Karenola and Warwick.
R, C. Berner, Chief of the WPB Radio Section, said that
the conversion order of Iferch 7 greatly expedited the conversion
of the radio industry to war work. That was true, he said, not
only of the 55 companies producing home radio sets but to the 15 or
20 companies manufacturing phonographs and some 250 comoanies manu¬
facturing radio parts. In fact, he said, the parts companies began
conversion a Imost immediately after the issuance of the order,
because the radio companies, faced with a stop-production order and
a stop-purchase order, cancelled orders for parts and placed no new
orders.
"In many cases the war Jobs assigned have been so much
more difficult and so much larger than previous home radio products,
that there is a similarity only in the use of the word ’radio’",
Mr. Berner said. Now most of the industry is ready for its new
tasks. Before the end of May, radio equipment for tanks, nlanes,
ships, and ground troops will be rolling out of the same factories
that saw consoles and midgets, phonographs and recorders come out a
short time ago. * *
"By June 7 all radio production in this country will be
for war purposes alone. Military radio production before the end of
1942 is out will be at a rate of six times as great as the best year
of the industry’s civilian business."
XXXXXXXX
- 8
4/24/42
SECRET RADIO AIR-RAID PROTECTORS TO DOT COAST
Secretary of War Stlrason said Thursday that the Array la
rapidly equipping the Nation’s coast lines with ’’electric eye" detec¬
tion devices able to locate planes or ships raore than 100 miles at
sea, and thus providing a warning of approaching enemy raids.
He told reporters he had inspected the secret radio locat¬
ors during a recent trip to Fort Monmouth, N. J. , and nearby areas,
and confessed that his eyes had been opened by the amazing things
achieved in this field by the Array Signal Corps.
"We already have a great many of the detectors and are
working hard to get more", the War Secretary said at a press con¬
ference.
The Signal Coirps, he said, has been "applying much of the
new science to war", and its officers at Fort Monmouth have been
giving intense study to using radio wave echoes to warn of approach¬
ing enemy planes and ships.
"This electric eye can see 100 miles or more and warn of
danger", Mr. Stirason said. "It can see at night and through fog
and tell the location of enemy craft. "
On his recent inspection trip the Secretary said, he had
looked at one of the new warning instruments and had seen the indi¬
cation of a plane 60 miles away.
"And what I saw was elemental compared to what the offi¬
cers are working on, with every indication of success, in the
laboratories at Fort Monmouth", he added.
xxxxxxxxxx
RAPS MR. HAGGERTY’S BROADCAST TAX PROPOSAL
The story of the renewal of the demand of John B. Haggerty,
President of the Allied Printing Trades Association that broadcast¬
ing be taxed Sl2,500,000 "because its unusual profits are derived
through the displacement of the jobs of some 2b, 000 skilled printing
trades workers, drew fire from one of our subscribers, as follows:
"I suppose that you were getting a hearty laugh while you
were editing the lead article ("Printing Trades Again Urge Heavy
Broadcast Tax") in your release ofApril 17th.
"To me the printing trades urging a higher broadcasting
tax is to be compared only with the stage coach driver asking for a
higher tax on the railroad pioneers, which, of course, they never
did - or, the livery stable owners asking for a higher tax on auto¬
mobiles.
"The way to stop progress is to tax efficiency, especially
at the request of the less inefficient. "
XXXXXXXXX
- 9 -
4/24/42
WOMEN OPERA.TE RADIOSONDES AT WEATHER BUREAU
Rarely done before, the Weather Bureau is taking on women
as observers. Some of them operate radiosondes at the Washington
National Airport. The radiosonde is an instrument attached to a
helium balloon. As the balloon soars up towards the stratosphere,
the radiosonde broadcasts temperature, humidity, and pressure read¬
ings.
When balloon finally loses its rising power or explodes,
the instrument descends by parachute, with a note attached asking
its return to the Bureau. If radiosonde should fall on Axis submar¬
ine near the coast, it would do its captors no good, for it forgets
its weather findings as fast as it broadcasts them.
Miss Susan D. Miller operates a radiosonde recorder and
Miss Gertrude Patrykowski tends a radiosonde receiver. C. 0. Schick,
meteorologist in charge, said he had always been opposed to women
as weather workers, but since he began using them this month he has
been "greatly surprised". 'T'hey will learn every phase of observa¬
tion, but will not - as the wind blows now - be permitted to make
the formal forecasts, a ticklish feat. The Weather Bureau in
Washington is the first in the Nation to employ women. There are
now 14 junior and assistant women observers.
xxxxxxxxxx
fiO MILLION AD DRIVE BY U.S. ADVOCATED
With "a sound advertising program" costing $60,000,000
annually, this Government could "make Goebbels look like a sandwich
man", Er^k E. Tripp, General Manager of the Gannett Newspapers
advised, '^advertising Chairman of the American Newspaper Publishers’
Association, he said, at the New York newspaper convention, the
Government could spend $30,000,000 annually in newspapers, "but
Government can’t stop at $30,000,000.
"Certainly we are not naive enough to think the radio,
magazine and billboard boys are going to sit in the grandstand
drinking pop while the newspapers walk out of Washington with
$30,000,000 or any part of it. By the time they got theirs - and
they’re patriots, too, you know - the figure w^ould be a minimum of
$60,000,000. "
XXXXXXXXXX
10 ~
4/24/42
FCC ACTION
Applications Granted; KWK, Thomas Patrick, Inc. , St.
Louis, Mo. , granted petition for rehearing directed against the
Commission's action of March 3, 1942, and the order dated March 3
dismissing "with prejudice" the application of WKW for construction
permit was modified so as to dismiss said application "without
prejudice"; KIRO, Queen City Broadcasting Go., Seattle, Wash., grant¬
ed petition for rehearing directed against the action of the Commis¬
sion of October 28. 1941, granting the application of Fisher's Blend
Station, Inc. (KJR), Seattle, Wash,, for construction permit to
operate at "Burien b^ke site", and said order was modified so as
to require KJR, within 30 days from date of present order, to sub¬
mit an application for modification of the construction permit
Issued, specifying a site complying with Section 4 of the Commis¬
sion's Stards of Good Engineering Practice.
Applications Denied: WOW, Woodjnen of the World.. Life In¬
surance Societ.y, Omaha, Nebr, , denied petition for stay pending
final determination of appeal from the decision of the Commission
November 25, 1941, granting the application of WKZO, Inc., Kalamazoo,
Mich. , for construction pennit to make changes in directional anten¬
na, increase night power from 1 KW to 5 KW, on the frequency 590 kc. ;
Broadcasters, Inc^., San Jose, Calif. , denied petition for rehearing
directed against the action of the Commission January 6, 1942,
granting without hearing the application of Merced Broadcasting
Co. (KYOS), Merced, Calif., for construction permit to change fre¬
quency from 1080 to 1490 kc. , increase hours of operation from day¬
time to unlimited with power of 250 watts, and make changes in
transmitting equipment.
Station KPQ of Wenatchee, Washington, has applied for
modification of construction permit, which authorized increase in
power, change in frequency, installation of new equipment and dir¬
ectional antenna for day and night use, and move of transmitter to
new site, to request new transmitter, change power from 5 KW to 1 KW ,
and for approval of present site, and for directional antenna niglit
use only.
XXXXXXXXXX
Tlie New York office of FM Broadcasters, Inc. , will be
closed due to obvious cessation of FM growth until such time as
peace returns.
"This should not be construed as an indication that FIjI
Broadcasters, Inc., or frequency modulation broadcasting in general,
is suspending its activities", said Dick Dorrance, General Manager.
"The New York office is being closed because it represents an un--
warranted expense at a time when FMBI feels it advisable to conserve
its funds for the indeterminate period that lies ahead. "
FMBI activities in New York and Washington will still be
carried on by Mr. Dorrance, whose address is 1 Christopher Street,
New York, New York,
xxxxxxxx
11 -
4/24/49
• •
TRADE NOTES ::
To aid Latin American students in flying courses conduct¬
ed by the Civil Aeronautics Administration, the Federal Communica¬
tions Commission has adopted an order permitting these students to
operate radio communications necessary to their complete training.
Clifford J, Durr, member of the Federal Communications
Commission, has urged aoproval of legislation permitting the merger
of telegraph companies as a matter of financial necessity and to
conserve vital war materials. Mr, Durr told a Senate Interstate
Commerce subcommittee that unless something was done to check the
downward spiral of the Postal Telegraph Co.’s revenue, that firm
might be forced out of business.
It is "fairly obvious", he said, that Postal would have to
default on loans of nearly $6,000,000 from the Reconstruction Fin¬
ance Corp, Postal, he testified, was losing money at an increasing
rate .
The WOR Publicity Department ranked first among metropoli¬
tan New York stations in a survey of radio editors conducted by
Billboard.
John Elwood, until recently Manager of the NBC Interna¬
tional Division at Radio City, and now successor to A1 Nelson as
Manager of KPO, NBC’s San Francisco station, has filed a voluntary
petition in bankruptcy in the New York Federal Court, listing no
assets and $17,475 in liabilities.
To make recordings of soldiers greetings which will later
be broadcast on local radio stations in their home towns, the "Star
Spangled Network", U. S.O. Mobile Unit No. 1 neatly housed in an
automobile station wagon, left Washington this week for an inaugural
tour of Eastern Seaboard camps and U. S.O. centers.
In the group which gathered to witness the unit’s start
were; Fulton Lewis, Jr., radio commentator of the Mutual Network;
Lieut. Comdr. R. D. Hill, Jr. , representing the Navy; MaJ. Harold
Kent, Army, and Martin H, Work, of the National Catholic Community
Se rvice.
"War Conversion Problems of the Radio Industry" is the
subject of an address which will be delivered by Paul V, Galvin,
President of the Radio Manufacturers' Association, at the annual
convention of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, next
.Monday afternoon, Aoril 27th, in Chicago, Mr. Galvin is to soeak
before the National Councilors of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce,
Hygrade Sylvania Corporation - March quarter: Net income,
$2B'4', 976, after $664,960 provision for Federal income and excess
profits taxes. After preferred dividend requireraehts, net is equal
to 48 cents each on 514,368 common shares outstanding and compares
with $283,220 or $1.18 a share on 207,184 common shares in last year
period, when Federal taxes were $283,390.
XXXXXXXX
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Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
%
■ f' . ■ r'l
INDEX TO ISSUE OF APRIL 28, 1942
Don Nelson Selects F, D. R. Waiting Room For Last Set . 2
Now It*s Fly For Thurman Arnold's Place . 4
Educators To Discuss Wartime Broadcasting Policies . 4
War Ends Rich Era For Ra.dio, Says "Life" . 5
FCC Issues Freeze Order On New Radio Construction,. . 6
Burned Station Gets Quick Action Despite Bans . 8
Sees No Need of Nationalization Of Telephone System . 9
Price Praises Radio And Press On Censorship . 10
Radio Manufacturers Work With Army And Navy . 10
Trade Notes . . . . . 11
CBS Formally Opens Latin American Network May 19 . 12
No. 1424
April 28, 1942
DON NELSON SELECTS F.D.R. WAITING ROOM FOR LAST SET
In an exchange of telegrams with W, M. Angle, President of
the St romberg- Carlson Company, of Rochester, Donald M. Nelson, head
of the War Production Board, who was presented with the last
Stromberg set to be given by the latter to some worthy Array or Navy
recreation center, asked that the set be sent to the Joint Committee
for Service to Troops and that It be placed in the President's
waiting room in the Washington Union Station which Is being turned
into a reception lounge for service men.
Also marking the closing down of the radio manufacturing
industry was a patriotic demonstration of the factory employees when
Commander E. F. McDonald, Jr. , President, touched the last bit of
solder to the last civilian set turned out by the Zenith factory for
the duration. From now on Zenith goes full time on radio war work.
Tne final product of the factory was a short wave Clipper.
Although introduced only last October, it was said it was impossible
for the company to meet the heavy demand for this portable which has
found popular use in bringing news from home to American forces in
all parts of the world.
Mr, An^le telegraphed Mr. Nelson, in part, as follows:
"On behalf of all Stromberg Carlson workers I am pleased
to report that assembly of the last civilian radio chassis, our model
1035, to come down our oroductlon line was completed at ten today.
Even as this was hapoening our maintenance crew was remodelling for
a war oroduction job for which there are being needed assembly
benches vacated a few days earlier, when other chassis models were
completed ahead of the date set for us; while the men and women who
are now released for other duties as these assembly lines have been
disbanded are being orogressively absorbed into various war produc¬
tion jobs now reaching the assembly stage in our plant.
"As a token of this appreciation, permit us to present to
you the autograph combination 1035 PLW model containing this last
channis, so that it may be awarded to such Army or Navy training
center or charitable organization as you may designate. Will you
kindly inform me as to the name and address of the organization or
camp to which we may ship this instrument Immediately?"
Mr. Nelson replied:
"I have your telegram and I am glad to know that you and
your workers are making the transition to full war production so
smoothly and swiftly. I also appreciate the spirit which orompts
- 2 -
!
' i j
I
4/28/42
you to offer your last civilian- tyr>e radio for the use of our Ser¬
vice Men.
“Since such large numbers of soldiers, sailors and marines
pass through Washington daily, and since the President's reception
room in the Union Terminal here is now being remodelled and re fur-
rxished to serve as a waiting room and lounge for these men, it
occurs to me that that would be the ideal place to put this radio
into service.
“May I therefore ask that you send the radio to the Joint
Committee for Service to Troops in Transit, in care of the Station
Master, Union Terminal, Washington, D. C. ?"
Apropos the halting of set production, 0. H. Caldwell,
editor of Radio Today predicts dire things if repairmen cannot get
the repair parts they need. He says;
“In recent years we have sold 10 to 13 million radio sets
per year, right in the U. S.A. Yet the total sets in use at the end
of any such year, increased by only 6 to 7 millions for that year.
So it is evident that 4 to 6 million sets have annually been
“scrapped" or dropped from use, because Inoperative or obsolete -
and never restored to working condition.
"Now that new sets are no more, the former rate of mor¬
tality will still continue, of course, each year. And will continue
to deplete existing sets at a rate of 4 to 6 million sets per year.
As a result, the radio audience seems bound to shrink by millions
of sets annually, - unless radio repairmen aggressively maintain
every one of these sets in operating condition.
“To do this, of course, will throw a double servicing load
on the radio service men of the nation. For they must do their
former regular servicing, or more.' And in addition, they must put
back into operation the millions of sets which normally would have
been dropped from use.
“And if radio repair parts are also shutdown and necessary
repair material is withdrawn from trade channels, servicemen will be
prevented from carrying on even their normal repair work. And then
the rate of radio audience decay will be accelerated by another 4 to
6 million sets 'going dead' per year, making the broadcasters'
audience crumble at the rate of 8 to 12 million sets per year.
“Neither of these blows to U. S. listening and U. S. morale
need happen, if radio repairmen can get the repair parts they need.
X X X X X X X X X X
3
1
4/28/42
NOW IT’S FLY FOR THUHvlAN ARNOLD'S PLACE
About every so often a rumor comes along boosting Chainnan
James L. Fly of the Federal Communications Commission into a new
job. The latest is that he is to succeed Assistant Attorney General
I'hurman Arnold, Mr. Arnold is suoposed to be in bad because of the
allegations recently made by Mrs. Eleanor Patterson, publisher of
the Washington Time s-He raid, who was seeking an Associated Press
franchise for her oaper. Speaking in behalf of her aoDllcatlon,
Mrs. ^atterson told the New York Newsoaper Publishers' convention:
"Thurman Arnold (Assistant Attorney General) sent for me
two years ago and said: 'If you want A. P. membershio I can get it
for you, I won't start it myself, but if you will send a member of
your staff around the country and get some complaints from news¬
papers in your situation - that is, without A.P. memberships - I'll
guarantee to break the monopoly and get you that membership. '
"I come from four generations of newspaper people, and I
didn't like it - I didn't like the smell of it. i went home and
thought it over and I refused to act.
No one at the Federal Communications Commission was able
to confirm the rumor that Chairman Fly was to succeed Mr. Arnold,
if Arnold were pried loose from his present position. The last Job
Fly was mentioned for was one being discussed and known as "Coordina¬
tor of Communications. "
XXXXXXXX^
EDUCATORS TO DISCUSS WARTIME BROADCASTING POLICIES
One of the most timely subjects to be discussed at the
Institute for Education by Radio, to be held in Columbus, Ohio, May
3 to 6, grows out of the confusion in the public mind as a result of
the apparent lack of definite policies for wartime broadcasting on
the part of both government agencies and the industry.
Five leaders in the field of radio will deal with the
activity of the radio industry as a whole in the present war effort -
Edward L. Bernays, Dr. Lyman Bryson, Educational Director of the
Columbia Broadcasting System; Robert J. Landry, Radio Editor of
Variety magazine: Victor Sholis, representative of dear-channel
stations; Dr. Carl J. Friedrich, Harvard University; and George V.
Denny, Jr., Director of America's Town Meeting of the Air.
It is expected that the panel will point out that this
confusion is not so much due to a lack of Information on the part
of the listeners as to the lack of a definite strategy on the part
of the government as to the angles to be stressed from day to day in
the war situation.
XXXXXXXX
-4
4/28/42
War ends rich era for radio, says "life”
"War ends a rich era for radio and brings that industry
fresh problems", the current issue of "Life" (April 27) says devot¬
ing 10 pages, mostly pictures, to the subject.
"During the past few months, the radio networks sold more
Hime ' , i.e., took in more advertising revenues, than they had in
any comparable period of their lush young life", the article con¬
tinues. "But soon revenue will begin to fall off. War is bringing
an end to radio's gilded era. All things considered, this seems a
good thing.
"There is plenty that is fine and honest about radio. It
has brought plenty of pleasure and education to the owners of
56,000,000 radio sets. But radio has not lived up to its orospects
and expectations. It has aimed too much at the lowest common denomi¬
nator of poDular taste. Radio's excuse is that it gives the people
what they want. Even if this were a good excuse, it doesn't make
radio sound any better.
"Radio gives about five times as much time to news today
as it did three years ago. Today the nervous newscasts come more
frequently than watch advertisements used to. This Increase has
brought an increase in the number of news commentators. Few self-
respecting stations can get along today without at least one com¬
mentator. Having grown in numbers, the commentators have also grown
in boldness. Once mainly concerned with giving straight news
reports, they now aim at interpretation,
"Some commentators explode with news, like Walter Winchell
who is as proud today of his patriotic epigrams as he is of the
gossip that made him fajnous. Some commentators know everything and
brook no argument, like Hans Von Kaltenborn whose voice is as care¬
fully clipped as his moustache.
"Recently the best-known got together in New York to fonii
the Association of Radio News Analysts. They set themselves aside
from pseudo-commentators by requiring that members must themselves
write the comment they deliver, "
XXXXXXXXXX
A paragraph of the annual report of the Bureau of Adver¬
tising of the American Newspaper Publishers' Association reads:
"Too many dealers are still recommending radio and maga¬
zine advertising to the manufacturers whose nroducts they sell.
There is, we feel, an urgent need for correcting this condition,
and for convincing dealers tnat newspaoer advertising by their
manufacturers is the kind of advertising that will help the dealers
most. Many a national advertiser is Influenced in his selection
of media by the recommendations and wishes of his dealers. "
XXXXXXXXXX
5
4/28/42
FCC ISSUES FREEZE ORDER ON NDV RADIO CONSTRUCTION
Stating that further Instructions are necessary and that
public interest demands that the requirements of the armed services
1: e met before materials can be used for the construction of new
broadcast services, the Federal Communications Commission last
Monday issued a formal order freezing for the duration of the war
all domestic radio construction with the exceotion of experimental
high frequency and non-commercial educational stations.
The order read:
”The Defense Communications Board in April recommended
that there be immediately placed in effect the following policy:
‘'No future authorizations involving the use of any
materials shall be Issued by the Federal Communications
Commission nor shall further materials be allocated by
the War Production Board, to construct or to change the
transmitting facilities of any Standard, Television, Fac¬
simile, Relay or High Frequency (FM, Non- Commercial
Educational, Experimental) broadcast station,
"Upon consideration of this recommendation, the Commission
has adopted a policy to grant no aoplication for an authorization
involving the use of any materials to construct or change the trans¬
mitting facilities of any standa^rd, television, facsimile, relay,
or high frequency (FM) broadcast station. The Commission, however,
has deferred action on the recommendation of the Defense Communica¬
tions Board wltn respect to experimental high frequency and non¬
commercial educational broadcast stations.
"Applications filed to meet the requirements of authoriza¬
tions heretofore made in the fonn of conditional grants, and appli¬
cations requesting an extension of time within which to complete
construction under authorizations heretofore made, will not be
granted, unless it appears that the applicant (1) has made substan¬
tial expenditures in connection therewith or actually commended
construction prior to the date hereof, and (2) has on hand or avail¬
able substantially all materials and equipment necessary to complete
construction.
"This policy shall not preclude the Issuance of authoriza¬
tions involving essential repairs or replacements for the purpose
of maintaining existing services; nor shall it preclude the issuance
of authorizations by the Commission for construction of, or changes
in, facilities required by the Commission or recommended by the
head of a war agency of the Federal Government.
"For the puroose of carrying this policy into effect, the
following procedure will govern applications now oending: Every
applicant who desires to orosecute a pending application involving
the use of materials to construct or change the transmitting facil¬
ities of any standa.rd, television, facsimile, relay or high
6
•• 1
4/28/42
frequency (PIvI) broadcast station, shall, on or before June 1, 1942,
file with the Comnisslon a formal petition embodying a statement
of such facts and circumstances as he believes would warrant the
granting of his application in the public interest. The filing of
such petition will be construed as an indication of the desire of
the applicant to prosecute his application, and, in the event the
petition is denied, the application will be designated for hearing.
P'ailure of any such applicant to file such formal petition on or
before June 1, 1942, or such further time as the Commission may,
upon satisfactory snowing allow, will be deemed an abandonment of
the application, and such application will be retired to the closed
files of the Commission and dismissed without prejudice, ”
Commenting upon the new ’’freeze” order which went into
effect immediately, Chairroan Fly said:
"I want to draw your attention to the fact that this is
a little broader in some respects - standard, television, facsimile,
relay and FM are involved here in slightly different structure as
to the extent of conditions of grants. Then, there is a paragraph
which gives us room to turn around in in case - for exa.mple, an
Act of God, as we had in a case we granted last Friday where a sta¬
tion had been destroyed by fire, and fortunately that station had
materials on hand. In the case of burning or destruction of facil¬
ities, particularly if materials are available, it gives us an
opportunity to do something about that and also enough latitude to
meet our international needs and to carry out the policy of our
international agreements, and that sort of thing, and where there
is some public interest in doing so.
”I don’t have in mind, however, explicitly any other type of
exceptions. It is a little different in wording and will give us
an opportunity to act without appearing on the fact of it to be
violating a policy and where there is a vital need. It should be
borne in mind that the usual circumstances in favor of construction
will not prevail,”
’’This wipes out the former policy of permitting construc¬
tion in areas not already serviced?” someone queried.
”Yes”, Mr, Fly replied. ”We made two or three grants last
Friday. People have urged us to review many cases. We did review
all the cases that were ara.wn to our attention that we could - and
I can say fully every case that has been pressed on the Commission's
attention was given serious consideration. We spent quite a number
of hours on it and I Imagine we reviewed as many as 20 or 25 cases
in that light. Among tnose cases where we took no action there
were two or three that went over because they involved international
problems, ”
XXXXXXXXXX
7
BURNED STATION GETS QUICK ACTION DESPITE BANS
The Ffederal Communications Commission, priorities to the
contrary notwithstanding, cut the red tape and quickly afforded
relief to Station WGBR at Goldsborx), N. C. , recently destroyed by
lire.
The Commission order read, in part:
’’The City of Goldsboro, with a population of 17,274
receives no primary broadcast service except that heretofore pro¬
vided by Station WGBR. The restoration of this service will
require the use of materials for which priority ratings are requir¬
ed and have been obtained. All of the necessary equipment is avail¬
able to the applicant and will be delivered within the next thirty
days with the exception of frequency and modulation monitors, which
can be delivered, in from four to six weeks.
’’Under these circumstances, we find that public interest,
convenience and necessity will be served by the granting of the
instant application. ”
Also Station WSGN, of Birmingham, was granted its request
for an increase in daytime power from 1 to 5 KW, the explanation
be ing:
’’The application was filed in January of this year. The
proposed operation would increase the daytime service area of the
station from 5,470 square miles to 10,700 square miles, extending
the daytime service of the station to an additional population of
approximately 254,000, a gain of 40^ or more in the potential day¬
time audience. No substantial part of this proposed new service
area now has primary service. This application conforms to the
Commission's Opinion of February 23, 1942, permitting the construc¬
tion of facilities to serve an area without primary service.
"It is furtner noted that the equipment proposed to be
used for the change in operating assignment is already available to
applicant; it was procured from another station where a change in
equipment has heretofore been authorized. "
Station KMA, of Shenandoah, Iowa, was granted permission
to install a directional antenna, the FOG explaining:
"The proTjosed directional antenna is designed to improve
and extend the nighttime service of the station through use of its
maximum power of 5 KW during nighttime as well as day, and at the
same time minimize interference to the services of other stations
assigned to the same and adjacent frequencies in this country, as
well as in Canada and Mexico.
"This application was filed in 1940, but action thereon
was deferred until November 4, 1941, at which time the Commission
gave the applicant's proposal conditional approval, directing a
8
I
i conference between engineers for the Commission and the applicant.
Pursuant to the conference, the aoplicant prepared amendments to
; its application. The Commission finds the amended proposal to be
in accord with the conditions approved in the meeting of November 4,
Ib is further noted that the applicant shows that it procured and
, paid for substantially all of the equipment necessary to make the
' proposed changed soon after the conference, at which it learned
that the Commission had given the matter conditional approval. ”
XXXXXXXXX
SEES NO NEED OF NATIONALIZATION OF TELEPHONE SYSTEM
’ Apropos Chairman James L. Fly of the Federal Communications
Commission saying Monday that any move by the American Telephone &
Telegraph Company to increase rates to maintain its customary $9 a
, share dividend, is a matter to which "Congress may well want to give
' its serious consideration", he said in answer to a question:
1: "I don’t tnink that the nationalization of the telephone
system is essential, and I certainly have in mind no serious thought
along that line. Nor do I have any reason to anticipate any such
attitude on the part of the company that would require anything from
that point of view. It has always been ray own basic attitude in
; the whole field of communications that private interests under pro-
’ per regulation, cooperating with the Government, can do a better job
’ than the Government can do and I see no adequate reason to change ray
opinion on that principle. "
■ : "You are referring to the possibility that these increased
; rates might bring stricter control?" Mr. Fly was asked.
"Yes", he replied, "and it may be a national problem.
!: After all, your supply of sugar and gasoline are national problems
today because they have their essential parts in the war economy. "
"Are you opposed to all Increases?”
’ "I would rather not make any statement on that. I
wouldn't want to prejudge such a question", the FCC official con-
'( eluded. "Here’s a serious problem and it should not go by default.
/. 'phere should be some effective way to meet and deal with the prob-
V. lem. "
, xxxxxxxx
*
1
A proposal by President Roosevelt to locate telegraph
offices in Post Office buildings throughout the country has been
submitted to the Senate. Testifying in support of legislation to
authorize consolidation of telegraph companies into single domestic
and single international systems, Jesse Jones said the President
had requested him to ask for a provision in the bill authorizing
post offices to rent space for telegraph offices.
XXXXXXXX
4/28/49
PRICE PRAISES RADIO AND PRESS ON CENSORSHIP
Byron Price, Director of Censorship, said last night
that '^the heart of the whole c ensorshio system” was the splendid
voluntary cooperation of press and radio in withholding informa¬
tion of value to the enemy.
”Once a story is printed widely in American newspapers,
it is difficult to keep it from being broadcast”, he said, ”Once
it is broadcast, it will be heard abroad. Once it is heard abroad
the enemy knows it and there is not much logic in trying to censor
that information from letters and cablegrams. ”
Mr. Price discussed censorship in a radio interview in
the ”What Price Victory” series over the Mutual Broadcasting System,
"Newspapers and radio stations are asked, not ordered, to
avoid use of such material”, the censorship chief said in a refer¬
ence to codes listing material which should not be made public.
"The cooperation has been splendid. No one has tried to sabotage
this voluntary experiment in self-discipline.
"There have been mistakes, of course, but the majority of
the editors and broadcasters have played ball exceedingly well.
They realize that on their cooperation may depend the security of
thousands of American troops or their own cities and homes.
"Each editor and each broadcaster is his own censor. It
is his responsibility to see that his newspaper or his radio station
does not carry anything which might provide the enemy with valuable
information. ”
He said the Office of Censorship now has more than 6000
employees and that eventually the staff would be double that number.
This force censors communications which cross the borders of the
United States.
In a message sent to Congress by President Roosevelt,
$7,500,000 was asked for the December-June period. The President
has been financing operations of the office from his emergency fund.
XXXXXXXXXX
RADIO MANUFACTURERS WORK WITH ARlilY AND NAVY
Standardization work on tubes and also components for
military radio apparatus has been initiated in cooperative plans
between the Array Signal CoriDS and the Navy Department with the
Engineering Department of the Radio Manufacturers' Association,
There have been initial standards already of cathode tubes and
certain military radio components stipulating RiMA designations.
Under the direction of Dr. W. R, 0, Baker, as the
RMA Director of the Engineering Department, the entire facil¬
ities of the Association have been made available to the Army and
10
4/28/42
Navy officials and bureaus, including transmission to any Army
arsenals, Wright Field, government procurement agencies, etc. , of
the RMA Engineering Standards Manual and other engineering data.
Following susoenslon of civilian set production, the
Materiel Bureau, which during the past year assisted the industry
in making widespread substitutions for critical metals and other
materials and also supplied data for the RMA Priorities and other
committees in negotiations with WPB and OPA, is being terminated.
XXXXXXXX
: : : : : TRADE NOTES
The Foreign Broadcast Monitoring Service - the U. S.
snort-wave listening post - made a transcript of the entire recent
Hitler speech - copies of which were furnished to the press associ¬
ations.
The Supreme Court upholding the tapping of wireless and
wire conversations was another rebuff to Chairman James L. Fly of
the Federal Communications Commission who has strongly opposed wire
tapping. Also it was directly opposed to Section 605 of the FCC
Act, which provides that "No person not being authorized by the
sender shall intercept any communication and divulge or publish
the existence, contents, substance, purport, effect or meaning."
Three new stations, known as The Tobacco Network of the
South, have become affiliates of the Mutual Broadcasting System -
WGTM, Wilson, N. C. , WGTC, Greenville, N. C. , and WGBR, Goldsboro , N. C
Five hundred used radios for distribution to Array posts
here and abroad are being sought by the local National Youth
Administration Office, working in cooperation with Array service
branches. The radios will be reconditioned and sent to barracks.
Would-be donors may write to NYA headquarters, 145 East 3 2nd St.,
New York City.
All applications for priority assistance which do not
specify a required delivery date will hereafter be returned to the
applicant by the War Production Board, J. S. Knowlson, Director of
Industry Operations, has announced.
Robert R. Guthrie, who resigned from the War Production
Board’s organization March 14, complaining against delays in con¬
version of industries, asserted that the purpose for which he
resigned "has been substantially - but not entirely - fulfilled, "
He went on to cnarge that an order stopping civilian
radio production April 23 "has already been circumvented: Nearly
half the industry will go on producing civilian sets for six more
weeks", and called a decision against conversion of the typewriter
industry this year "still less excusable". This decision he
attributed to Philip Reed, former General Electric official head¬
ing that field of WPB activity,
XXXXXXXXXX
11 -
4/28/48
CBS FOMALLY OPENS LATIN AT/.ERICAN NETWORK MAY 19
Columbia Broadcasting System opens Its new Latin Ameri¬
can Network of 76 stations - CBS ”Cadena de las Americas” - on a
full scale operation schedule beginning Tuesday, May 19.
It climaxes years of painstaking research, negotiations,
construction and testing activities to develop the first radio
chain linking the United States with its twenty neighbor republics”
says William S, Paley, Columbia President.
^Strengthening of hemispheric ties since the attack on
Pearl Harbor and the increasing strategic importance of Latin
Americans position in the world conflict spurred CBS executives in
their de tennination to hasten operation of the network, which
extends thousands of miles from the Mexican banks of the Rio
G-rande to Argentina's Patagonian plains.
"Original plans called for this milestone in communica¬
tions history at the outset of 1942. But concentration of United
States productive effort on meeting acute military need brought
unavoidable delays.
"Swift expressions of accord from the Southlands and the
unified spirit at the Rio de Janeiro diplomatic conference sped
the CBS decision to push the new system into quick ooeration,
"A special dedicatory program on the evening of May 19,
is being shaped for broadcast to the entire CBS coast-to-coast
domestic network, simultaneously with its transmission to the 76
stations south of the border.
"Topranking Government officials of the United States
and many other countries are to participate.
"During the first two months of this year, CBS completed
work, costing more than $500,000, on its three transmitters which
are to serve the entire Latin American chain. These are two 50,000
watt stations which bear the call letters WCBX and WCRC and a
companion 10,000-watt station, WCDA.
"Eight directional antennas, the last word in modern
design, have been constructed on a two mile square tract outside
the New York City limits to beam programs to the CBS stations in
South America, Even though these eight directional antennas are
capable of nineteen different broadcasting combinations (that is,
two or three frequencies for each antenna), ten more combinations
are available from four other antennas for service to the Mexico
and Central America audience. "
XXXXXXXXXX
12 -
1
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
RtCBVED
MAY 5 1942
FRANK £. fAULLEN
INDEX TO ISSUE OF MAY 1, 1942.
Big Shakeup In WPB Radio Section - New Chief . 2
Sees Adverse Chain Ruling Affecting All U, S. Orders . 3
Paine Given Full ASCAP Authority, . . . 5
Radio Set Prices Under Maximum Price Regulation . 6
Lawyer La Guardia Argues His Own Case . 7
Radio Serviceman Wins Court Action . 8
U. S. May Give Radio Series On Religion . 9
FM Station W47A Does Away With Transmitter Wires . . 9
WOR Time Signals So Accurate Can Be Used For Navigation, . 10
Trade Notes . 11
Broadcast From Columbus Radio Convention . 12
New Rules For Song~Pluggers, . . . IS
BIG SHAKEUP IN V/PB RADIO SECTION - NEW CHIEF
Radio manufacturing interests and problems of the War
Production Board have been transferred abruptly, with a new group
of WPB officials in charge, a new Radio Section Chief, and other
personnel changes.
Effective today (May 1), the WPB Ra.dio Section, hereto¬
fore directly under Chief Robert C. Berner, and the Consumers
Durable Goods Branch, under Chief Louis C. Upton end Assistant
Chief Jesse L. Maury, is transferred to the WPB Communications
Branch, whose chief is Leighton H. Peebles. Under Mr, Peebles,
the new Radio Section Chief is Prank H. McIntosh, who has just
assumed his office. Mr. McIntosh, who thus succeeds Mr. Berner,
is a sales engineer, formerly with the Bell Laboratories, Graybar
Electric Company and Western Electric Company. Mr. Berner will
remain with the Consumers Durable Goods Branch and Mr. Maury, and
both will discontinue radio functions and jurisdiction. Mr, Maury
also stated he would not continue as Chairman of the WPB Radio
Industry Advisory Committee,
The sudden WPB radio reorganization order followed the
April 22 general suspension of civilian radio production, leaving
few remaining civilian problems except replacement tubes and parts.
All present and also future radio problems and jurisdic¬
tion, and the questions of replacement tubes and parts, are being
taken over by the Communications Branch in the W?E reorganization,
the Radio Manufacturers' Association advises. Some of the Radio
Section personnel under Messrs. Maury and Berner are being trans¬
ferred to the Communications Branch, while others of the present
Radio Section staff will remain with the Consumers Durable Goods
Branch, with others transferred to the Communications Production
Branch under Bay Ellis.
Immediate action and further orders are in a state of
transition. The question of future orders and action on appeals,
officials stated, are being handled during the temporary transition
period jointly by the retiring Radio Section Chief, Mr, Berner,
and the new Communications Branch Radio Section Chief, Mr. McIntosh.
Immediate questions affecting set manufacturers and also future sup¬
plies of replacement tubes and parts have been disqussed by RMA
officials in a preliminary way with the new Radio Section Chief,
Mr. McIntosh.
Both the Communications Branch under Mr. Peebles and the
former Radio Section of the Consumers Durable Goods Branch are in
the organization of the Chief of the Bureau of Industry Branches,
5/1/42
under Philip D. Reed, in the Division of Industry Operations, whose
director is J. S. Knowlson.
Headquarters of the WpB Communications Branch and the new
Radio Section, formerly in Temporary Building have new offices
in Room 2202, New post Office Building, Washington, D. C. , adjacent
to the Federal Communications Commission and the Defense Communica¬
tions Board.
XXXXXXXX
SEES ADVERSE CHAIN RULING AFFECTING ALL U.S. ORDERS
The contention was made by Telford Taylor, General Counsel
of the Federal Communications Commission, in filing the FCC brief
in the Supreme Court in the so-called anti-monopoly rules case
appeal, is that if the FCC chain broadcasting regulations may be
attacked in equity in an over-all footing’* it is difficult to see
why all other general policy declarations of the Federal Communica¬
tions Commission - or, indeed, of other Government agencies - may
not also be attacked, "
Interesting points were also raised in the brief of the
Mutual Broadcasting System Just filed by Louis G, Caldwell, Chief
MBS counsel. The Supreme Court, expected to act within the next
two or three months, is petitioned to remand the chain monopoly
chain regulations case with directions to the lower court to hear
and determine the motion for preliminary injunction and to consider
the original appeal on their merits.
The main FCC arguments are (1) that the NBC and CBS suits
are premature because the regulations have no immediate legal
effect but are mere declarations of policy to be applied in future
administrative proceedings. (2) Since the regulations are not final
and the administrative process has not been completed, the regula¬
tions are not reviewable at this time. (3) The appellants have an
adequate remedy, (4) The argument of the appellant Columbia
Broadcasting System that there may be no administrative proceedings
in which it may contest the Commission’s regulations is merely
theoretical and, in any event, irrelevant, (5) Lack of finality
is an insuperable obstacle to Judicial review of the regulations
at this time, whether in a statutory court or before a single dis¬
trict Judge. (6) Review of the regulations under Section 402(b)
is the appropriate method,
”It would seem equally possible, for example, for an
aggrieved manufacturer of radio equipment holding a contract with a
licensee or applicant, or other interested party, to attack the
Federal Communications Coramission’ s general allocation plan, or
the policy which it has declared with respect to the authorization
of new or improved broadcast facilities during the period of war
emergency", the argument in the FCC brief continued. "The entertaln-
~ 3 -
5/1/42
merit of these suits, accordingly, would seriously impede the
development of intelligent and responsible administrative processes
by impelling adrainstratlve agencies not to disclose by general
statements in advance of case by case adjudication, the policies
which they Intend to follow. The Government believes the formula¬
tion and publication of administrative policies is advantageous
not only to those who do business with an agency but to the agency
Itself. To hold that such policies may be attacked on a sweeping
basis prior to their application in particular cases would choke off
this beneficial administrative trend.”
The Mutual brief by Mr. Caldwell concluded:
”In arriving at its legislative determinations the Com¬
mission has, over the years, employed all the usual methods for
the securing of information, including investigations in the field
(which, in turn, have Included countless thousands of observations
and measurements vrith technical apparatus) , questionnaires, data
exchanged with foreign countries, conferences with interested groups
and experts, informal hearings and formal hearings. The hearing in
the Instant case, resulting in a record of 8,713 pages and 707
exhibits, while of course larger than the average, is only one of
a number of huge records built up in such proceedings where they
have been held.
”In none of these matters was a hearing required by stat¬
ute. The same determinations could have been made on the basis of
information secured by informal methods (as it has been in other
important sets of regulations adopted by the Commission), with no
record setting forth the considerations and facts leading to the
result. Under present conditions, indeed, it would not be proper
to make some of the considerations public; and yet very important
legislative enactments are being made from week to week, seriously
affecting the persons subject to the Commission's regulatory powers.
"In the court below, counsel for appellants clearly indi¬
cated that it was their conception of the reviewr accorded by
Section 402(a) that it permitted a complete factual diowlng by
appellants in support of the claim that the Commission had exceeded
its powers and in so doing had deprived appellants of their rights.
It is difficult to conceive of any factual showing which would not
duplicate, in whole or in part, the record made before the Commission
in this case and, if any important facts are lacking in that record, ^
it can only be due to appellants' failure to present all the avail¬
able material evidence to the Commission.
"Suppose, however, there had been no hearing and there
were no formal record? Is the door to be thrown open to an extend¬
ed judicial hearing of the sort souglit by appellants? Once such a
review is permitted, within what limits can it be confined? How
can suits brought under Section 402(a) be prevented from becoming
an effective weapon to subject the Commission's regulations to
Interminable delays, and to countrywide diversities of judicial
rulings?"
XXXXXXXX
- 4
V
5/1/42
PAINE GIVEN FULL ASCAP AUTHORITY
The Board of Directors of the American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers on Wednesday voted General
Manager John G. Paine full authority to conduct the business of
the Society, subject to the approval of the newly elected President
Deems Taylor, the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
This action followed the recommendation of Mr, Taylor and the
Executive Committee as part of the general plan for the reorganiza¬
tion of the Society’s affairs.
Other actions by the Board Included the approval of a
15-year contract with fonner President Gene Buck In a consultant
and advisory capacity, at an annual salary of ^25,000, and the
election to membership of Archibald Macleish, head of the Office
of Facts and Figures of the United States Government.
The following is the version Variety has on the replace¬
ment of Gene Buck as President of ASCAP:
"The capture of enough votes among the writer directors
came as a shock to Buck and the fact that the publisher contingent
on the Board had managed their stratagem so efficiently and sur¬
reptitiously caused much Incredulous headshaking in the music
industry. * * *
”L, Wolfe Gilbert, a Buck henchman, brought up the matter
of the recent election for writer directors and raised the question
as to whether there ought to be a recount of the three-way contest
that resulted In Ray Henderson coming out victor over Jerome Kern
and A1 Lewis before the Board, which Included Henderson, proceeded
to vote for officers. ”
’’The count that elected Taylor comprised 11 publishers’
votes and five writers’ votes. The 16 votes Just made the two- thirds
majority required by the by-laws.^ * *
"Intense publisher- director antagonism toward Buck has
been accumulating since early in 1941 when he undertook to treat
with go-betweens in a U. S* Department of Justice situation without
first consulting ASCAP 's Board of Directors. Publisher Directors
have held that they would never h»ve been brought up before a Federal
Court In Milwaukee on criminal charges, and fined, had they been
aware of the department's intentions at the inception of the pro¬
ceedings. It was Buck, they said, who engaged the services of
Charles Poletti, Lieut. Governor of New York, in the matter and
left the Society no alternative but to let Poletti resume his nego¬
tiations for a consent decree.
"This antagonism increased considerably when Buck some
eight months later flouted as ridiculous the terras submitted by
NBC and CBS for settlement of their freeze-out of ASCAP and scored
as ’ Quislings’ those publishers who wanted to openly a^dmit that
radio had licked them and that there was no sound reason for
5
: -1*
5/1/42
continuing the fight. What actually brought the publishers’ deter¬
mination to get him out of the presidency to a head, say his foes,
was an all-out attack that he delivered against them at a general
membership meeting several months ago. ”
XXXXXXXXX
RADIO SET PRICES UNDER MAXIMUl.^ PRICE RECULATION
Retail and wholesale prices of radio, Including phono¬
graphs, used radio sets, and also parts, tubes, and records, are
placed under the national price ceilings in the '’General Maximum
Price Regulation”, issued by OPA on April 28th. Tlie OPA radio
manufacturers’ regulations, applicable to set and component manu¬
facturers’ prices, remain in effect.
, The new order designates ’’radios and phonographs” at the
! head of the list of appliances and equipment specified by
Administrator Leon Henderson as ’’cost of living” commodities placed
! under the national over>a.ll price celling. Other specified cora-
I modi ties included refrigerators, light bulbs, flashlights and
j electrical appliances, as well as furniture, household equipment
and clothing.
I The radio and other retail price ceilings - the highest
selling price in March 1942 - become effective on May 18, with the
distributors’ price ceilings effective a week earlier, on May 11,
The Ra.dio Manufacturers’ Association was advised by Chief James H,
Simon, of the OPA Radio Unit, that the ’’General Regulation” extends
to used as well as new radios and phonographs and records, and also
to tubes and parts sold by distributors and dealers. Therefore,
j in Issuing the general price ceiling order, OPA revoked and annulled
its previous temporary maximum price regulation governing the sale
! of new radio receiving sets and phonographs by distributors and
retailers. This temporary regulation is now superseded by the
March price ceilings of the ’’General Maximum Price Regulation”,
I
j All wholesalers and retailers will be automatically
' licensed under the national regulations on May 11. They must
register with OPA at a time to be announced later. Administration
; of the price ceiling regulations affecting retailers and dlstrlbu-
; tors, including interpretations of the new order, will be in charge
of Dr. Merle F^insod, who heads a new administrative section of
OPA under Deputy Administrator J. K. Ga.lbraith.
Leon Henderson also added ’’advertising services, including
radio broadcasting” to the general price regulation "excepted
services” list.
XXXXXXXX
- 6 -
fl
5/1/42
LAWYER LA GUARLIA ARGUES HIS OWN CASE
Some years ago when Mayor La Guardla, of New York City,
retired from Congress, someone asked him if he intended practicing
law. Mr. La Guardia was quoted as replying that he dreaded return¬
ing to the legal practice. If that is true, he must have changed
his mind last Wednesday when he appeared before the Federal Com¬
munications Commission in Washington as counsel for New York’s
Municipal Station WNYC. In order to do that La Guardia had to be
specially admitted to practice before the FCC.
Mayor La Guardia has a personal Interest in Station WNYC
as he has been using it for his special Sunda.y talks and other
announcements since his refusal to deal with the City Hall news¬
papermen with whom he has been carrying on a feud for several
months.
New York’s station seeks to extend its time to 11 P.M. ,
but is opposed by the Columbia Broadcasting System, as operator of
WCCO on the same frequency at Minneapolis, and by the State of
Minnesota, on the ground that the time extension would mean inter¬
ference in certain regions served by WCCO.
Mr. La Guardia attacked the Columbia Broadcasting System
for opposing night hours for New York’s raunicinal radio station.
WNYC, the Mayor said, should not have ”to get the consent” of CBS,
a "privately owned corporation", for the privilege.
"Maos", La Guardia declared, "shewed too many CBS sta¬
tions in the Minnesota area to be wholesome. "
John D. J. Moore, Jr., Assistant Corporation Counsel of
New York City, told the Commission that almost twenty stations us¬
ing Columbia programs serve the WCCO region, and he wanted to know
why when CBS "had such a complete monopoly in this area", there
could be any interference from V/NYC. "
In New York the day after the hearing, Earl Gammons,
Manager of WCCO, in Minneapolis, charged that "Counsel" La Guardia
had made at least two errors in his presentation.
To the Mayor's charge that there are "too many CBS radio
stations in the Minnesota area to be wholesome", Mr. Gammons replied
that "the fact is that CBS has two stations in Minnesota. One is
WCCO, with a clear channel. The other CBS station in Minnesota is
KDAL at Duluth, with a limited local coverage. "
The Mayor’s "second error", Mr. Gammons said, was in
"proclaiming that his is a public-owned station operated only for
public service coraoared with WCCO being a private enterprise, "The
Mayor knows that both WNYC and WCCO are licensed equally in the
public Interest, convenience and necessity", he said.
XXXXXXXXX
- 7
1/5/42
RADIO SERVICEMAN WINS COURT ACTION
The legal charge of "unlawfully withholding a radio" has
lost some of its sting, according to Radio Retailing, which con¬
tinues:
"In fact, the possibility that radio servicemen may be
successfully faced with such charges while they’re trying to col¬
lect their service-estimating fees, ^s considerably weakened last
month when the Court of Special Sessions in New York City dismissed
the charges against a local radio man.
"This was the case of the serviceman who dared to stand
his ground, and insisted on his reoair estimate fee of $1, in spite
of all the cop-calling and court action that his irate customer
undertook. The dealer had his ’estimate charge’ sign displayed in
his store, and also mentioned it to the customer. Yet he was
forced into a long series of court apoearances because the radio
owner denied knowledge of the fee, and refused to pay it. Meanwhile
the dealer hung on to the set.
"The charge was petty larceny. After a number of hearings
and delays, Mr. Alpert (lawyer for a servicemen's organization)
moved to dismiss the charges on the ground that no larceny had been
proven, and that the complainant’s remedy, if any, was in a civil
court inasmuch as the defendant asserted a lien against the property
involved. The three Judges hearing the case then dismissed the
charges.
"Specifically, it would appear that the only point estab¬
lished here was that such cases call for civil action, rather than
criminal.
"It seems that such a civil case would have to be tried
under the lien law applying to artisans’ services, which contains
no specific references to the type of v/ork which is done by radio
men.
"There is one step, however, that radio men can take now.
And that is to be sure that the customer receives formal and un¬
mistakable notification that a service estimate charge will be made.
Printed claim-checks or tags, which constitute a contract and leave
no doubt about the agreement, are the best, although prominent dis¬
play signs and verbal mention are usually enough.
"These steps should be taken to avoid all court action,
civil or criminal, and are of special importance in these times.
The serviceman’s time is now more valuable, and if his charges are
questioned to any degree, it will have a particularly unfortunate
effect on his business, "
XXXXXXXXXX
- 8 -
5/1/4S
U. S. MAY GIVE RADIO SERIES ON RELIGION
Although the networks have been praised for the way they
have handled religious broadcasts, officials of the Committee on
religious life in the Nation’s Capital have been conferring with
officials of the Office of Facts and Figures regarding the program
which may be heard on Sunday mornings, according to one informant.
Leaders of the Committee on Religious Life and Federal
officials declined to reveal much about the plans for the broad¬
casts, saying that there are still many wrinkles to be ironed out
before the project is fully developed.
However, it was learned that one of the dominating themes
of the broadcasts will revolve around a motto of the Committee on
Religious Life - "Freedom for Religion and Religion for freedom".
On one hand, the program may portray religious persecu¬
tion in Nazi-occupied lands, and the courageous stand of the
Norwegian bishops against the Quislings. On the other hand, it
probably will tell what is being done to preserve relgious freedom
in America, and to further understanding and tolerance.
An official of the Office of Facts and Figures said high-
class dramatic talent is expected to be used in the radio programs.
Rabbi Norman Gerstenfeld, spiritual leader of the Wash¬
ington Hebrew Congregation, is General Chairman of the Committee on
Religious Life,
Representatives of Catholic, Protestant and Jewish faiths
serve on that Committee, which, through radio broadcasts and other
means, stresses the basic principles which all religions can share,
creating a common spiritual denominator,
XXXXXXXX
FM STATION W47A DOES AWAY WITH TRANSMITTER WIRES
Whereas most radio programs are carried by telephone wire
from the studio to a transmitter, usually located many miles from
the studio, a few frequency* -modulation stations lately have install¬
ed special studio transmitter equipment to relay programs to the
main transmitter.
Such a station is W47A, Capitol Broadcasting Company,
F15 station at Schenectady, N. Y. , whose main transmitter is in the
Helderberg Mountains, 12 miles airline from the studio. The ST
equipment at W47a was installed under the first construction permit
issued by the Federal Communications Commission for ST equipment in
the 342 me band. General Electric engineers designed the studio
9 —
5/1/42
transmitter and the station receiver. Both were built by the
company's radio and television department, the transmitter in
Schenectady and the receiver in Bridgeport. W47A engineers design¬
ed and built the studio transmitter antenna and the receiving
antenna at the main transmitter.
The complete W47A ST equipment consists of a 25-watt
transmitter, a crystal control receiver and temporary directive
antennas at both ends of the circuit.
XXXXXXXXXX
WOR TIME SIGNALS SO ACCURATE CAN BE USED FOR NAVIGATION
J. R. Poppele, WOR' s Chief Engineer, states that WOR
Time Signals are so accurate tha.t they can be used for navigation
purposes.
The time signals which WOR transmits hourly - twenty-
four hours a day - Mr. Poppele said, originate in the Naval Observa¬
tory in Arlington, Virginia. This service is made possible by a
special arrangement with the Western Union Telegraph Company, and
by means of automatic equipment which has been installed in the
Master Control Room at WOR. Western Union picks up the hourly time
pulse at the Naval Observatory and transmits it by special tele¬
graph lines to a master clock in New York City. This closk is hous¬
ed in a vault where uniform conditions of pressure, temperature and
humidity are maintained. Thus it is possible to maintain the same
precise accuracy as the Naval Observatory clocks.
WOR has a special wire line from this master clock in New
York to the automatic mechanism in the WOR Master Control Room,
The entire operation is electrically and mechanically controlled and
the time signal is superimposed upon the broadcast circuit. The
mechanism is, therefore, automatic and requires no manual control
by studio technical employees.
Mr, Poppele pointed out that recent chronograohlc tape
measurements were made checking the time signal against the Naval
Station at Arlington, and it was found that the average error is
less than 1/25 of a second. The slight lag is caused by the time
required in the operation of the electrical relays which control
the broadcast of the Impulse,
XXXXXXXXXX
- 10
I
5/1/42
• • • t •
t • • • ff
:: TRADE NOTES : : :
• * • • •
• • • • t
A new Priorities Regulation No. 9, Issued by the Director
of Industry Operations, will govern issuance and use of ratings for
export whenever appropriate forms are approved for soeclfied indus¬
tries or products. The most iraoortant provision of the regulation
is that a preference rating assigned under its terns to a product
for export may not be applied without an export license or other
authorization to export, and the rating will be automatically can-
called if the export license or authorization is revoked. This
will help to prevent burdening transportation and dock facilities
with materials which cannot be exported.
General Outdoor Advertising of New York City expended
$40,000 in radio devices to switch off their signs in event of air
raids only to learn that the signs might have to be blacked out any-?
way.
An analysis of six CAB reports covering the first quarter
of 1942, released by the NBC Research Division, snows that the Red
Network leads the next network by 14 percent in average commercial
ratings for Mon day- thro ugh- Saturday da,ytirae listening,
March 1942 figures show that the Red increased its own
aggregate da.ytlme ratings by 14 percent over March 1941,
A new line of dynamo tors for communication and other
service in aircraft, tanks, and mobile field equipment has been
announced by the General Electric Coraoany.
The new line of General Electric dynamotors comnrises
five types, ranging from 25 to 600 watts in output, and from 3 to
31 pounds in weight. Formex wire insulation, light weight, and
reliability under rigorous conditions are features. Each unit is
designed for high outout from a small frame size.
William H, Bauer, ECC attorney, charged before the Senate
Patent Committee that the Bell Telenhone System and its parent
company, A. T. _ T. , have sought to mononolize the communications
field through patents, Bauer told the Committee that the Bell
System started from two original patents and has grown to a ’’struc¬
ture involving the ownership of more than 9000 oa tents and rights
under an even greater number of patents owned by others. "
Bauer charged that RCA is in a ’’very dominant position” in
the radio communication field because of its restrictive patent
licensing policy and through patent agreements with companies locat¬
ed in Japan, Germany, Italy, Australia, England, France, Holland,
Hungary, Russia, ’’and others”.
In conjunction with his duties as Manager of NBC Operated
Stations, Sherman D. Gregory has been appointed Manager of WEAF, key
station of the Red Network, New York. Mr, Gregory’s duties will
include the coordination of network activity relating to WEAF.
xxxxxxxxx
- 11 -
. i
I
5/1/42
BROADCAST FROM COLUMBUS RADIO CONVENTION
The "American Forum of the Air" moves to Columbus, Ohio,
on Sunday (May 6) at 8 P.M. to bring WOR listeners a discussion
featuring six authorities on radio and public relations. The pro¬
gram will be presented in cooperation with the 13th Institute for
Education by Radio of Ohio State University which convenes in
Columbus Sunday.
The subject of the discussion will be "Is Radio Being
Effectively Used in the War Effort?" and the participants will be:
Edward L. Bemays, publicist and writer; J. Harrison
Hartley, Office of Public Relations, U. S. Navy; Robert J. Landry,
radio editor of Variety; Ed Kirby, Chief, Radio Branch, Bureau of
Public Relations, War Department; William B. Lewis, Radio Director,
Office of Fa,cts and Figures, and Roger M, Baldwin, Director of the
American Civil Liberties Union,
A portion of the program will be broadcast from the
banquet of the Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the Institute for
Education by Radio on Monda.y,May 4 (NBC-Red, 7:30 P.M. , EWT).
Speakers include MaJ. Harold W. Kent, of the Public
Relations Bureau of the U. S, War Department, National President
of the I. E. R, ; Lindsay Wellington, American representative of
the BBC, and Dr. W, W. Charters, of the faculty of Ohio State
University,
XXXXXXXX
NEW RULES FOR SONG-PLUGCERS
To eliminate evils which have grown up around the business
of song-plugging, C. L. Menser, Program Manager of the National
Broadcasting Company, has put into effect a set of rules designed
to circumscribe objectionable practices.
Effective May 4 and until further notice, all contact with
the NBC Music Library by the Music Publishers Contact Employees
Union, Local 22102, A. F. of L. , will be made throu;-?!! a single
officially delegated member of the union to whom Thomas Belviso,
NBC Music Division Manager, will make available between 2 and 4 P.M. ,
information as to daily clearance of musical numbers. The Library
will be restricted, so far as union members are concerned, to this
official representative.
It is understood that the new set-up does not in any way
oblige NBC to actual performance of the numbers cleared, since in
every case a. clearance sheet Indicates only Intention to program the
numbers.
Effective May 4 the rule regarding lapse of time between
duplication of numbers played - now three hours - will be put on a
two-hour basis. The rule applies to both commercial and sustaining
programs.
XXXXXXXXX
12 -
/
" yv
1
I
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OE MAY 5, 1942
Boy Scouts May Be Used To Help Service Radio Sets . 2
NBC Next At Bat In FCC Revamping Bill Hearings . 4
WGST, Atlanta, Cited For Claiming Too Many Listeners . 5
Fly Evidently Will Pass Up NAB Convention . 6
Montana And Idaho Homes 86^ Radio Equipped . 7
Lucy, Of WrvA, Head Virginia U. S. 0. Radio Division . 7
’’Invasion From Mars” In Book Form As Panic Warning
New Radio Course Planned For Women War Workers,...
New War Information Board In Offing . ...9
Would Have Someone Reply To Labor Broadcasts . 9
Trade Notes . . . 10
Calls President’s Broadcast ’’Radio’s Mightiest Show” . 11
Recordings For Families Of Heroes Named By Roosevelt . 12
No. 1426
00 00
May 5, 1942
BOY SCOUTS MAY BE USED TO HELP SERVICE RADIO SETS
That the radio industry is even investigating the prospects
of training Boy Scouts in the servicing of radio sets for the public
use to supplant radio service men entering the service was made
known by Paul A. Galvin, President of the Radio Manufacturers*
Association, addressing the Chamber of Commerce of the United States
in Chicago last week. Mr. Galvin emphasized the necessity for keep¬
ing the sets of the country in condition for the duration.
'*We have not been unmindful of our responsibility to the
government and the public in providing replacement parts to keep
the millions of sets now in the hands of the public in service", Mr.
Galvin said. "Provisions to accomplish replacement parts have been
worked out by RL'IA committees and the civilian divions of the WPB. "
It was also revealed by Mr. Galvin that the radio industry
was preparing for a tremendous curtailment of civilian production
even before Pearl Harbor,
"The nresent situation is that virtually all set manu¬
facturers, excenting a very few emoloying only a few hundred people,
have war contracts and are accelerating in their production", the
RIiilA President declared.
"Conversion of the industry was accomplished with very
little dislocation of labor, I feel the constant contact of the
industry with WPB, and they, in turn, in coordination with the Army
and Navy, was greatly responsible for this orderly and effective
conversion. "
Mr. Ge.lvin praised the work of his predecessor James S.
Knowlson ;
"Under the leadership of the Ra.dio Manufacturers* Associ¬
ation, the radio industry took early action in the original National
Defense Program of 1940, Our President of the Association, at
that time James S. Knowlson, was an early and vigorous advocate
that the ra.dio industry lose no time in finding its spot in the
Defense Program. Mr. Knowlson was later drafted by Donal M. Nelson,
in September of 1941, to become his Deputy Director of Priorities in
the old 0PM organization - and is now Director of Industry Operations
in the War Production Board. "
"Before the 1940 Defense Program, the Array, the Navy and
the Air Force obtained their radio apparatus largely from five firms,
namely, General Electric, Western Electric, RCA, Westinghouse and
Bendix", Mr. Galvin said further. "Naturally, when the early
8 -
«
release of orders for radio apparatus was made by the contracting
divisions of the Army and Navy, the orders went to these five firms
who had established themselves through long years of contact, rela^-*
tions and experience. They knew the intricacies of the highly tech¬
nical problems because of constant association with them - and they
could produce.
’’The Radio Manufacturers' Association never attempted to
get production contracts for any of its members, realizing how
impractical this was. Instead, the Association sought to guide the
industry into a groove in the Defense and War Production Program by
influence; first, to influence the members of the industry that
there was a big Job to be done; that they should expose themselves
to the problems technically to lea.rn who and how to serve; also
expose themselves to the orocurement and contract divisions of the
Army and Navy, so they would become known. We had to become ac¬
quainted with the problems and the peoole in the Army and Navy.
V/e fostered the idea that it was not a matter of how many square
feet of floor snace or how many tools we all had in the aggregate,
but instead it was our technical talent, our experience, our back¬
ground, our management and our years of mass nroduction of radio
sets, and a far-flung, flnelyvknit organization of myriads os
specialty radio parts suopliers, couoled with their technical pro¬
duction and management experience, which as a whole made a vast,
well-fitted machine - that this machine could be readily utilized
and was sufficiently capable to produce the e ver-exoandlng radio
war program.
"The tube group of our Industry was very Influential to
a tremendous degree in bringing about substitutions of materials
of scarce nature, as well as accomplishing almost overnight develop¬
ments of tubes for special purooses.
"It was very evident in the Summer of 1941 that there was
a bill ion- dollar-plus military radio program in the making. Set
manufacturers and parts manufacturers began to find their place in
the picture. Sub-contracting to other set manufacturers by the
'big five* began and has expanded into what is known now as family
groups - fostered by the V/ar Production Board and the Army and the
Navy - wherein set sub-contractors are assigned to a specific one
of tne 'big five' and thus spreading the work. I'feny other set
manufacturers themselves became prime contractors. The parts manu¬
facturers as a whole, excepting possibly the speaker manufacturers,
have found their spot in the scheme and are making tremendoua
quantities of parts in the war program. "
In conclusion Mr. Galvin said:
’’Radio is going to play a big part in our winning this
war. The Industry is fully mindful of its responsibility to deliver
a big order and promptly. WPB, the Army, the Navy and the Air
Force all know what they want in radio apparatus. They've got
their feet on the ground. The quality of our radio apparatus ex¬
cels that of our enemies in every type - I know you'll be very glad
to hear that. I have great confidence in the management, produc¬
tion and technical ability of the radio industry, which will del¬
iver its part of the vast war program complete and successfully.
XXXXXXXX' -3-
5/5/42
NBC NEXT AT BAT IN FCC REVAIvlPING BILL HEARINGS
Although it was said at the Capitol that Neville Miller,
President of the National Association of Broadcasters, a previoue
witness, might be recalled, the first parties to testify today
(Tuesday) with the resumption of the hearings on the bill of
Representative Jared Y. Sanders ( D. ) , of Louisiana, to reorganize
the Federal Communications Commission were expected to be repre¬
sentatives of the National Broadcasting Company. It was not known
at the House Committee on Interstate and Rjreign Commerce Just who
would appear but it was assumed because of the illness of Niles
Trammell that Frank E. Mullen, Vice-President and General B-lanager
of NBC, and perhaps others, might speak for that organization.
Later, President William S, Paley of the Columbia Broad¬
casting System was expected to appear along with Edward Klauber,
ranking CBS Vice-President and additional officials of the company.
In brief, the Sanders bill would:
(1) Change the administrative organization of the Federal
Communications Commission,
(2) Change the Commission’s procedure for handling applica¬
tions.
(3) Change appellate rights and remedies.
(4) Require tne Commission to report to Congress on certain
matters of basic policy which have been the subject of
recent Commission inquiry or action.
Printed copies of Mr, Miller’s testimony before the
committee have Just become available. This is a lengthy and detail¬
ed discussion of the broadcasters’ troubles with the FCC from the
Association’s viewpoint and fills a 53-page booklet captioned,
"Let's Keep Radio Free",
"The problem of the broadcasting industry today can be
summed up in one word' uncertainty ’ ; uncertainty of right - uncer¬
tainty of remedy - and uncertainty of future," ?JIr. Miller stated,
"We appreciate, of course, that due to the declaration of war and
the accompanying readjustments in our national life, there is no
Industry and, in fact, no individual that is wholly free from un¬
certainty. But ours is an uncertainty wholly unrelated to war. Our
problem existed before the war and will exist througliout the war and
at the end of the war, unless Congress clarifies the relationship
between government and the industry,
"There is great uncertainty as to the power of the Commis¬
sion, due to the indefinite grant of power given the regulatory
body, contained in the phrase 'public interest, convenience or
ne ce ssity ’ .
4
6
5/5/42
"The phrase ’public Interest, convenience or necessity’
was used in the utility field where the powers of regulation were
broad and general, and it was thought wise to employ that phrase
for radio at least for a time. Its meaning was undoubtedly well
understood at that time, (in 1927) but over a period of years that
meaning has become ambiguous and its confines have lost clear out¬
line. Due to the indefiniteness of the law there is forever pres¬
sure upon the Commission to assume powers far beyond those granted
by the Congress to a regulatory commission. Moreover, there is no
way today by which a broadcaster can challenge the assertion of
authority by the Commission on many of its acts without risking the
loss of his license.
"Then again, the penalty which can be meted out for a
single offense is too severe. It is perfectly possible for a broad¬
caster to lose his license for a single mistake which does not in¬
volve wilful misconduct, which might in fact represent just one
small slip of the tongue or of the pencil in the hand of a news
script writer. I believe that the punishment should most certainly
fit the crime, but since it is almost impossible to operate over a
length of time without some technical violation, I believe that no
license should be revoked for a single violation, but only for over¬
all and wilful, continuous violation and defiance.
"Recently the Commission has initiated hearings concerning
the ownership of radio stations by newspapers, notwithstanding the
fact that the Act contains no authority to permit any discrimina¬
tion against such ownership, and notwithstanding the further fact
that the court pointed this out before the hearings started, and
has again pointed it out in the recent Stahlman case. The Commis¬
sion has initiated hearings on multiple ownership, network structures,
network station relationship;, and, there is a general tendency on
the part of the majority of the Commission more and more to invade
the field of business management and program content. There is a
very serious question of the Commission’s oower to take any action
in these and other fields. Certainly questions of fundamental policy
are involved which were not definitely settled in the Commission's
favor by the Act of 1927, or the Act of 1934, and such questions of
policy should be settled by the Congress and not by any administra¬
tive agency. "
XXXXXXXX
WCST, ATLANTA, .CITED FOR CLAIMING TOO MANY LISTENERS
Southern Broadcasting Stations, Inc., Atlanta, in the sale
of the facilities of its radio station, WGST , for advertising pur¬
poses, agrees under a stipulation entered into with the Federal
Trade Commission to discontinue representing that WGST has more
listeners than any other radio station in Atlanta, unless such is
a fact; and that the station’s power is 5,000 watts, unless such
power is actually authorized for use and used by the station during
its entire broadcasting period or unless it is clearly explained
that such power is authorized and used only during certain speci¬
fied hours,
XXXXXXXXX
~ 5 -
5/5/42
FLY E VIDENTLY WILL PASS UP NAB CONVENTION
There doesn't seem to be a, chance of an eleventh hour
acceptance by FCC Chairman James L. Fly of the invitation to attend
the convention of the National Association of Broadcasters to be
held in Cleveland, beginning next Sunday, May 10th. It all goes
back to the row Mr. Fly had with the broadcasters at their conven¬
tion in St. Louis last year when he was not given an opportunity to
reply to certain charges made against him and made the now famous
retort that the NAB "was like a mackerel in the moonlight - it
shines and it stinks".
Nevertheless though remaining in Washington, Mr. Fly is
expected to be freely consulted on the important organization
realignments which are expected to be made at Cleveland. While
he may not have the strength to dictate to the broadcasters what
they shall do, nevertheless it is thought to be sufficient for him
to exercise a veto.
Also the Mutual Broadcasting System, which resigned from
the NAB at St. Louis because of dissatisfaction in handling the
ASCA? negotiations and the treatment accorded Mr. Fly and the
Network Affiliates, Inc. , representing independently owned network
outlets, are likewise pretty sure to have a. voice in any reorganiza¬
tion - that is if the negotiations - as expected - wind up in a new
association agreeable to the warring factions. Both MBS and the
Network Affiliates will have a series of Independent meetings in
Cleveland at the time of the NAB convention.
Among those who will address the NAB will be Archibald
MacLeish, Director of the Office of Facts and Figures; Paul V,
McNutt, Federal Security Administrator; Humphrey Mitchell, Minister
of Labor of Canada; Byron Price, Director of the Office of Censor¬
ship; and the Army and Navy heads of public relations.
Present also at Cleveland will be the Broadcasters Victory
Council, the Clear Channel Broadcasting Service and the FM Broad¬
casters, Inc. Also there will be special programs Tuesday and
Wednesday devoted to listeners activities. A new high record is
expected to be made at Cleveland as hotel reservations Indicate that
more than 1000 persons will attend.
XXXXXXXXX
"You Ca.n' t Do Business With Hitler", a 15-ralnute recorded
radio program, has broken best-selling broadcasting records, the
War Production Board advises. The program is distributed weekly, at
their own request, to 720 of the 850 radio stations in the United
State s.
"You Can't Do Business with Hitler" is based on the book
by Douglas Miller, who was Commercial Attache of the American Embassy
in Berlin for 14 years. It is prepared by the Radio Section of the
OEM with Miller' s collaboration. It was first distributed, with no
advance fanfare, in January. Its grov^th since then has been largely
by neighbor-to-neighbor build-up.
XXXXXXXXXX -6-
5/5/42
MO xN TANA AND IDAHO HOMES 86^ RADIO EQUIPPED
Of the 137; 521 homes canvassed In Idaho In the 1940
decennial census of population, 118,824, or 86,4 percent had
radios. Of the 156,024 homes visited in Montana, 134,503, or 86.2
had receiving sets.
In Montana, which is the home State of Senator Burton K.
Wheeler, top man in radio in the Senate, there were in the urban
centers 62,581 homes reporting, of which 57,114, or 91.8 had radios
rural nonr-farm 48,480 homes; homes 40,924, or 84.4 percent with
radios; rural farm, 44963 of which 36,465 or 81.1^ had radios.
In Idaho of the 49,062 urban homes, 44,795 or 91.3^ had
sets; rural non-rarra 40,059 homes of which 33,697 or 84.1^; and
rural farm 48,400 homes of which 40,332 or 83.2 had radios.
Thus far Connecticut and Rhode Island have led the other
States reported with 95.7 percent with the District of Columbia
third with 93.7. At the foot of the class is Mississippi with
only 39. 9^.
XXXXXXXXX
LUCY, OF WRVA, HEAD VIRGINIA U. S.O. RADIO DIVISION
Appointment of three members of the State Publicity Com¬
mittee for the ^407,000 U. S.O. war fund campaign in Virginia was
announced in Richmond by Chairman John Stewart Bryan.
C. T. Lucy, of Station WRVA, Richmond, President of
the Virginia Association of Broadcasters, will head the Radio Divi¬
sion. C. B. Short of Roanoke, President of the Virginia. Press
Association, will be in charge of the Press Division, and James S.
Easley, of Halifax, Past President of the Virginia State Chamber of
Commerce, will head the Speakers' Bureau,
The campaign will be launcned June 1st.
XXXXXXXXXX
Station KTSM, Tri-State Broadcasting Co, , Inc. , El Paso,
Texas, has asked the FCC for a construction permit to change fre¬
quency from 1380 to 690 kilocycles, increase powder from 500 watts
night, 1 kilowatt day to 1 kilowatt, install directional antenna
for day and night use.
XXXXXXXXXX
7
r
5/5/42
"INVASION FROM LIARS" IN BOOKFORM AS PANIC WARNING
Described as the first careful and scientific study of a
large scale panic and as showing how the average man of today may
be expected to act under optimum panic producing conditions, the
story of the sensational Orson Welles broadcast has Just been put
into book-form under the title "The Invasion From Mars". It carries
the complete radio script with indicated sound effects. Also as
one reviewer wrote, those owning a copy of the book "may enjoy a
learned laugli over the things 'The Invasion From Lfers' made peoole
do. "
The book is printed by the Princeton University Press
and the price is $2.50.
Another timely book by the seme publishers is "Propaganda
by Short Wave" by Howard L. Childs and John B. Whitton.
During the crucial months of 1939-1941, when the air waves
were flooded with information, misinformation, and abuse by master
propagandists, the Princeton Listening Center was the only point in
America where more or less complete coverage was given to the
volumes of propaganda that poured out of warring Europe. From
December 1939 to May 1941, when the Federal Communications Commis¬
sion established a short-wave monitoring service, a trained staff
of experts recorded and analyzed day by day the prodigious output
of European short-wave centers. This book not only presents the
findings of the Listening Center, but also traces the history of
short-wave propaganda itself from its beginnings in the '20’ s to
the present day.
XXXXXXXX
NEW RADIO COURSE PLANNED FOR WOLCN WAR WORKERS
A new course in radio code and technique will be offered
by the Women's Defense Training School in Washington.
Mrs. Abby Morrison Ricker, President of the Women's Radio
League of America, who served in the Navy as a first-class radio
electrician during the last war, will instruct the class. The pub¬
lic is invited to hear the special lecture to be given by Mrs.
Ricker Wednesday evening, wiien she will explain the course in
detail.
In addition to the course in radio code and technique.
Instruction will be offered in warden's work, canteen and motor
transport, as well as the required subjects - first aid, stretcher
drill, civilian protection against gas attack, psychology and teach¬
ing technique.
XXXXXXXX
8
NEW WAR INFOmATION BOARD IN OFFINO
The new War Information Board, including radio as well as
press activities, is expected to be created this week by Executive
Order. The outline calls for the merger of Office of Facts and
Figures, Office of Government Reports, part of the Donovan agency,
which is officially known as the Coordinator of Information, and
the Army, Navy and War Production Board information sections. On
the Board would be representatives of State, War, Navy, Justice and
WPB. Chairman of the Board would be its Director. Another Execu¬
tive Order would transfer parts of Donovan's agency to Army Intelli¬
gence and tne Office of Inter- American Affairs.
Apparently the only hitch now is the designation of a
Chairman and Director. Six persons reported to be under consider¬
ation are Lyle Wilson of the* United Press, Elmer Davis, radio com¬
mentator; Walter Liopraann, the columnist; E. Palmer Koyt, of the
Portland Oregonian; Herbert Agar, of the Louisville Courier- Journal,
and Fred G-aertner, Jr., of the Detroit News. Headquarters of WIB
will be the new ^600, 000 Information Center, which has been erected
in downtown Washington on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the
Treasury.
xxxxxxxx
WOULD HAVE SOMEONE REPLY TO LABOR BROADCASTS
Somewhat caustic on the subject of the labor unions tak¬
ing the air, Westbrook Pegler, nationally known columnist, writes:
"The A. F. of L. and the C. I.O. have arranged to present
a regular weekly broadcast in praise of themselves and the boss un-
ioneers, so it would be only fair of the National Broadcasting Co.
to allow equal time each week to a selected number of individual
American workers in which to reveal the corimaption in both of these
predatory political groups and narrate personal experiences under
the terror. Radio is out of my line or I would be glad to present
the worker's own case against these professional raanhunters, but
there must be some competent radio man willing to accept the chal¬
lenge to truth and freedom. Unopposed by true stories of individual
suffering, the unioneers' program would tend to confirm the false
public impression that these mercenaries and dictators of the power¬
ful subgovernment for our country actually do speak for American
labor when the fa,ct is that they are labor's most dangerous, greedy
and relentless enemies,
"The commentator would have to be a man of patriotic
character and courage for he would know in advance that the graft¬
ers, demagogues and ambitious Little Hitlers and Duces of the big
organizations would instantly smear him with all manner of fantastic
and false innuendos and charges as a substitute for factual argument.
They dare not meet squarely any of the documented charges against
them and now, like Adolf Hitler, would accuse him of cutting his
own hair, beating his dog, bathing, and even of private virtue,
this latter a very serious charge under the New Deal morality. "
XXXXXXXXX -9-
i
!
1
5/5/42
TRADE NOTES :
Manufacturers of automatic nhonogranhs and other amuse¬
ment machines, ^o have on hand inventories of raw materials and
serai-processed and finished parts, frozen by the terms of the
Limitation Order, are now permitted, by an amendment to that order,
to dispose of such inventories to fill orders bearing nreference
ratings higher than A- 2.
WOR and Mutual have announced that the ore sent orograra
schedule would be retained througliout the Summer months. The
reason for this, it was stated, was that a disruntion of programming
tends to confuse and hurt audience listening.
Station KARIil, The George Harm Station, Fresno, Calif. ,
has asked the Federal Com.raunlcs tions Commission for a. modification
of license to change frequency from 1430 to 1030 kilocycles.
Reprints of a brief by I. H. Nakdiraen, President of the
City National Bank at Fort Smith, Ark. , entitled "A President of a
National Bank Analyzes the Bell Telephone Monopoly and Prays for
Justice at the Hands of the American Government'* are now being
circulated. The brief was inserted in the Congressional Record of
December 1 by Representative John M. Coffee ofWashington.
American soldiers stationed in Surinam - Dutch Guiana -
will be able to speak by telephone to their relatives and friends
when the new radio telephone service between Surinam and the United
States is opened to the public this week, a Netherlands dispatch
states.
The British Government has granted the British Broadcast¬
ing Corporation $27,600,000 aid for the forthcoming year. This is
almost twice the grant of last year which was $15,200,000.
During the debate upon the enlarged appropriation, Brendan
Bracken, Minister of Information, was challenged in Parliament by
James Griffitn as to why BBC News Ignored Labor Executive’s Report
on post-war reconstruction. Mr. Griffith finally admitted BBC
should not have ignored it and gave assurance to Labor "it shan't
happen again. " Labor newspapers declared there is feeling BBC
officials regard themselves as Government propagandists "with a
Conservative government. "
XXXXXXXXX
10 -
5/5/42
CALLS PRESIDENT'S BROADCAST ’’RADIO’S MICHTIESP SHOW"
"Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States. "
"^An instant’s hush, perhaps a muffled echo of the final
word from a neighboring announcer's booth in the Oval Room, and the
voice of the greatest of democracies begins another momentous
message to the war world of 1942", says an NBC descriotion of a
presidential broadcast,
"Here is radio's mightiest show of power. . . . It all
begins with a few telephone calls. Stephen Early, White House
secretary, tells Washington offices of broadcasting networks that
tiie President will soeak on a certain date. He estimates the length
of the address. The men he talks to are liaisons between the net¬
works and the White House. The National Broadcasting Company's
spokesman is Carleton anith, announcer for all of the President's
radio addresses since that first Fireside Chat back in 1933.
"The President does not request any particular time.
That decision is left to radio's men, who choose an hour that will
command the widest possible audience with the least disruotion of
regular schedules. The time is submitted to the White House,
"Once the President has aoproved, the machinery of preoar-
ation begins turning, . . . Shortwave departments book the talk for
broadcast in Mr. Roosevelt's own words, by transcription and in many
translations.
"In all this there is no compulsion. No station is requir¬
ed to place its facilities in the gigantic radio pool. Yet every
network outlet does, and hundreds of independent stations arrange to
join one or another of the netxTOrks while the President is on the
air. NBC extends this service without charge to any independent
station applicant.
"Meanwhile Washington staff engineers test their presi¬
dential broadcast equipment, the finest field amplifiers and control
units they own. They stow it in taxis, transport it to the White
House. All of this paraphernalia is in duplicate to guard against
any possibility of failure. The engineers, too, are veterans of
presidential broadcasting, NBC’s technical crew is headed by A, E.
Johnson, engineer- in- charge of the Network' s Washington division.
"For several hours before the President's broadcast the
Oval Room scene is one of lively action as engineers set up their
equipment, run microphone lines to the President's familiar broad¬
casting desk and begin a series of tests. Permanent broadcasting
lines connect the White House with Washington studio plants, NBC's
twin circuits, for instance, join the vast domestic and shortwave
network at the Washington master control board, from which point it
is relayed on to New York for distribution.
11 -
5/5/42
"A half hour before the broadcast Carleton Smith Joins
his announcing confreres in the Oval Room to discuss the length of
the introduction. A definite number of seconds is agreed upon so
that all may end simultaneously. Usually not more than 30 seconds
is allotted for the ’presentation',
"Mr. Roosevelt generally arrives on the scene about ten
minutes before broadcast time. An attendant announces "The Presi¬
dent". All work Instantly stops, e veryone rises, remains standing
until Mr. Roosevelt has seated himself at the desk.
"A minute before the appointed hour the announcers retire
to their plush-curtained cubicles, keep sharp eyes on their engi¬
neers. The second hand sweeps on, the cue is flashed and over the
earth speeds the simple, brief presentation ending, "Ladies and
gentlemen, the President of the United States. "
President Roosevelt' s April 28 address to the nation on
America's wartime economy was heard by a radio audience of 46,300,000
people, it was estimated by C. E. Hooper, Inc., research firm.
In a survey for the Columbia Broadcasting System, Hooper
found the President's rating was 61.8.
The President had his largest radio audience December 9,
1941, when he delivered his first address as wartime Chief Executive,
two days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The Hooper
survey on that talk estimated the President's radio audience rating
at 79.0.
XXXXXXXX
RECORDINGS FOR FAimiES OF HEROES NAMED BY ROOSEVELT
Through the thoughtfulness of Frank Mullen, Vice President
ana General Manager of the National Broadcasting Company, the
families of American heroes lauded by President Roosevelt in his
recent fireside talk will have recordings of the President's words
as a gift from NBC.
The recipients of these recordings are Mrs. Albert Wassell,
Little Rock, Ark., mother of Lieut. Commander Corydon W. Wassell,
who through great personal daring evacuated 12 Merican wounded from
Java to Australia; Mr. and Mrs. W, H. Wheless, of Menard, Texas,
parents of Capt. Hewitt T, Wheless, who, while flying a crippled
Flying Fortress, fought off 18 Jap planes in the Philippines, and
Mrs. G. R. Voge, of Chicago, wife of Lieut. Commander Richard C.
Voge, commander of the U. S. Submarine Sailflsh, formerly the Squalus.
In a telegram to Mr. and Mrs. Wheless, Mr. Mullen said:
"In order that the President's remarks about your son may
always live with you, the National Broadcasting Company is sending
you under separate cover a comolimentary recording of that portion
of the President's soeech mentioning your son's heroism."
Similar telegrams, differing only to essentials, were sent
the other recipients. The recordings were prepared under the dir¬
ection of A. A. Schechter, head of the NBC News and Special Events
Division.
XXXXXXXX
12 -
1
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OF MAY 8, 194S
Navy Expert Asks Separate Radio Merger . 2
San Francisco One Of Biggest Radio Cities, Says Woods . 3
Mullen Pulls Ne^/ One By Illustrating Congressional Talk . 4
Great Lakes Commandant Gets Last Zenith Clinper . 5
Senate Stands By Dr. Goodvdn Watson Alleged FCC Red . 6
WPB Official RI^/IA Convention Speaker .
Cleveland Ivfen Assistant In Radio Censorship Section..
Whacking FCC Meddling, Paley Fears Increasing Control . 9
Safety Of Nation Comes First, Sarnoff Declares . 11
No. 1427
CD CD
NAVY EXPERT ASKS SEPARATE RADIO JJERGER
The statement of Rear Admiral S. C. Hooper before the
Senate Interstate Commerce Committee on the Telegraph Merger
Bill ( S. 2445) aroused considerable interest because of the
Admiral's intimate connection with radio since its infancy.
All the orevious witnesses had endorsed the general prin¬
ciples of the bill, which would oerrait two mergers of record com¬
munications companies (i.e. radio telegraph and wire telegraph),
one in the domestic field and one in the foreign field. While
they suggested changes in the details, they seemed in agreement on
the principles.
Admiral Hooper, however, recommended something entirely
different, namely a merger of all the wire companies including the
cables, and another merger of all the radio companies. He pointed,
out that this would most effectively preserve competition between
wire or cable on the one hand and radio on the other. He predicted
that a merger in the international field which included both cable
and radio companies would almost certainly lead to domination of
radio by the older cable interests, just as has happened in the
case of Cable and Wireless Ltd. in England.
Practically all of the previous witnesses except W. A,
Winterbottom, of R. C. A. Communications, Inc., had been representa¬
tives of the wire or cable interests or interests closely allied
with them. Mr. Winterbottom in his testimony did not stress the
points so clearly made by Admiral Hooper. Mr. Winterbottom said
his company neither advocated nor opposed the mergers as proposed
in the bill, but approved separate mergers in the domestic and
international fields.
Admiral Hooper's conclusions are as follows:
"(a) The merger of all U. S. telegraph (wire and cable)
properties. In addition, the record telegraph services of the
telephone companies (such as teletype) should utllma.tely be in the
hands of the merged telegraph company where the two are now in
competition - this not to be accomplished until after the war.
Note: the word "services" as used above does not necessarily in¬
clude telephone plant or personnel. It is probable that the merged
telegraph company would have to lease plant facilities from the
telephone companies.
"(b) The merger of all U. S. domestic and international
radio telegraph properties.
- 2 -
"(c) The leasing of physical facilities between competing
companies.
"The revision suggested should be accomplished in such a
manner that:
"(a) Competition between (1) telegraoh' (wire and cable) ,
(2) radiotelegraph, (3) telephone, and (4) airroail will be assured.
"(b) U. S. citizen o^wiership of all the communication
properties within the U. S. and its possessions will be assured.
"(c) The employees of the companies will be looked out
for, bearing in mind the necessity for the financial stability of
the companies.
•^(d) The closing of circuits due to amalgamation will be
permitted step by step, each subject to non-interference with the
efficiency of the war effort (subject to the approval of the Presi¬
dent).
"(e) The Federal Communications Commission will have
authority to require, if needed, the merged telegraph company to
establish offices and hours of operation where telegraph service is
lacking, and to require pick-up and delivery services between com¬
panies at reasonable rates. "
XXXXXXXXXX
SM FRATvf CISCO ONE OF BIGGEST RADIO CITIES, SAYS WOODS
With the city now regarded as one of the country’s major
sources of radio programs, opening ceremonies were held last week
of the $1,000,000 KGO-Blue Network Building in San Francisco.
As leading Western executives inspected the newest West
Coast broadcast plant, Mark Woods, President of the Blue Network,
who went from New York City especially for the occasion stressed
the changed status of San Francisco in the radio world largely due
to that city’s growing imoortance as a Pacific war news source.
"Today, San Francisco, gateway to the Pacific war zone is
recognized on the Blue Network radio beams as one of the three chief
’da.teline’ cities, ranking with Washington and New York City in
regional news gathering importance", Mr. Woods declared.
Giving Impetus to the increased importance of West Coast
radio is the concentration of war industry in the Bay area, Mr. Woods
said. National advertisers, viewing this expanding market as a
promising source of post-war business, now consider San Francisco a
likely point of origin for nationally released broadcasts, he added.
Conferring with Mr, Woods with regard to wartime operation
of the new plant were William B. Ryan, General Manager of KGO, and
Don E. Gilman, Vice-President in charge of the Western Division of
the Blue Network.
XXXXX XXXXX
- 3
5/8/42
MULLEN PULLS NEW ONE BY ILLUSTRATING CONGRESSIONAL TALK
Breaking the monotony during the House Interstate Commerce
Committee’s hearings on the Sanders bill which would reorganize the
Federal Communications Commission and thus getting their undivided
attention, Frank E. Mullen, Vice-President and General Manager of
the National Broadcasting Company gave the Congressmen the novel
experience of sitting in a darkened room and looking at colored
lantern slides illustrating his testimony.
Mr. Mullen in his talk and by the picture exhibits showed
that power of radio stations alone does not give a true picture of
the area a station can cover. He showed that a theoretical 250
watt station in North Dakora would cover a 99 mile radius while a
theoretical 50,000 watt station in eastern Massachusetts would cover
but a 41-raile radius, due to varying soil conditions and wave-length
of the station. But he showed that while the station in North
Dakota might reach but 839,000 people, the eastern Massachusetts one
would reach 3,204,000 people.
Congressional interest in the press-radio fight was
revealed when at the end of Mr. Mullen’s testimony. Representative
Sanders asked what, if any, limitations should be placed on station
ovmershlp, with particular reference to newspapers and networks.
Mr. Mullen replied that the service a, station renders,
rather than the business of its owner, ought to be the criterion,
Any discriminatory limitations, he added, indicated a da.ngerous
trend whose end could not be foreseen. Mr. Mullen paid tribute to
newspapers that own stations, saying that generally they have done
a magnificent Job. And he discounted any danger to the public from
common ownership of newspapers and radio stations.
As to the li'censing of networks, Mr. Mullen said that he
saw no necessity for such a step. He added, however, that he did not
oppose licensing if the purpose for it was not objectionable. He
pointed out that a question of censorship might be involved, if the
licensing power included any control of program content.
In response to questions from Representative Wolverton,
Mr. Mullen said that radio does not exercise any censorship of its
own on speeches beyond the necessity of guarding against libel and
violations of the Communications Act.
"The concept of a free radio must be adhered to if we are
to emerge into postwar da,ys as a strong end vigorous agency for the
work of reconstruction", tne NEC official declared.
"Only networks plus national advertisers can assemble for
local station audiences the world's leading entertainment", Mr.
Mullen continued.
"It is obvious that if a network broadcast is to be of
value to the advertiser, it must make it possible for him to reach
- 4 -
' k . .
5/8/42
all of his markets with nis program simultaneously. If the network
is unable to deliver even one or two principal markets, the entire
program may be called off.
"A national network can offer advertisers this opportunity
of simultaneous coverage of all markets only if it can be assured
uniform clearance of time on its affiliated stations.
"The United States has 425 radio sets per thousand popu¬
lation, seven times the 62 radios per thousand of the Axis nations.
"A free radio supported by private enterprise, free from
government subsidy or ownership, is one of our democratic bulwarks",
he said.
In the United States, 526 radio stations are affiliated
with networks, and 398 are non-network stations. Network companies,
Mr. Mullen said, own but 30 stations, and of these National Broad¬
casting Company owns six stations.
Mr. Mullen was introduced by Edward Hidalgo, who made a
brief statement opening the NBC presentation before the House
Committee.
xxxxxxxxxx
GREAT LAKES COMMNDANT GETS LAST ZENITH CLIPPER
There v^as quite a ceremony last week when Hugh Robertson,
Executive Vice President, representing Commander E. F. McDonald, Jr.,
accompanied by Edgar G. Herrmann, Sales Manager, went up to the
U. S. Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, Illinois, on the shores
of Lake Michigan and presented the last Zenith short wave Clipper
Portable to come off their lines for the duration of the war to
Admiral John F. Dov/nes, Commandant of the Naval Station there. With
the Acuniral at the presentation was Capttain T. DeVifitt Carr, the
Executive Officer of the station.
At the same time, Messrs. Robertson and Herrmann presented
the Naval Station with tv/o fine FBA sets - one for each of the
recreation rooms at the station. These two instruments will be used
for the amusement and entertainment of thousands of Bluejackets at
the station end will. Incidentally, also entertain their wives,
sisters, parents, cousins and swree thearts.
XXXXXXXXXX
Beverly R. Myles, attorney for the Commercial Cables Staff
Association, appearing at the hearing before the Sena.te Interstate
Commerce Subcommittee considering merger of cable and radio com¬
munications systems, recommended that the Government take over all
domestic and international telegraph facilities, according to an
Associated Press disoatch.
XXXXXXXXXX
- 5 -
1
5/8/42
SENATE STANDS BY DR. GOODWIN WATSON ALLEGED FCC RED
Although it was the day the news was received in Washington
that Corregidor had fallen and no Senator saw fit to rise in tribute
to that gallant fight, nevertheless Senator Barkley and other
Administration Senators took more tha.n an hour to defend Dr, Goodwin
Watson, Chief of the Foreign Broadcast Monitoring Section of the
Federal Communications Commission. Mr, Barkley finally succeeded
in deleting from the two billion dollar Independent Offices
Appropriation Bill a provision which would bar the use of any of
the bill’s appropriation to pay Dr. Watson's salary.
Senator Barkley declared this provision, which the House
wrote into the bill following charges that Dr, Watson was a Commun¬
ist constituted a "bill of attainder" such as is barred by the
Constitution, Evidently the "bill of attainder" idea was thought
up by Dr. Watson himself, who mentioned it in a letter he wrote to
Senator Barkley, -which began:
"Would you be willing to oppose on the Senate floor, a
measure, smacking of a bill of attainder, which, if enacted, might
be ruinous to the reputation of a 100-percent loyal American citizen,
might dishearten liberals, and shake faith in our Congress?"
Dr. Watson, who was Professor of Education at Columbia
University, after declaring that he had never been a Communist or
fellow traveller, concluded:
"I am told, and you can judge the truth of this better
than I, that the continuing attack is aimed less at me than at
Chairman James L. Fly, for quite other reasons. Surely you will
want to oppose an action which would stoop to unwarranted attacks
on any person for ulterior political advantage. Please don't let
this go by default. "
Mr. Fly had warmly defended Dr. Watson, And the fact
that Senator Barkley didn't allow the case of Watson "to go by
default" is attested by the debate which covered seven pages of the
Congressional Record. The Kentucky Senator said:
"I am wondering whether our institutions are in such great
danger of being undermined and toppled over that 130,000,000 men
are afraid of one little man in the Communications Commission; are
afraid that if he is permitted to go ahead and work and draw his
salary the founda.tions of our Republic will be undermined and cor¬
roded. It seems to me to be unthinkable that the Congress of the
United States would be so afraid of one man in a Crovernment depart¬
ment because of something he wrote, in which he largely quoted other
people, that we would be willing to retain a provision such as this
in the pending bill. "
Addressing Mr. Barkley, Senator Taft, of Ohio, inquired:
6
5/8/42
"Has the Senator read Mr. Watson’s writings as quoted in
the hearings? It is oerfectly clear, if one reads them, that he
believes the Russian system to be superior to the American system,
'T’here is no question about that. I, personally, do not think any
man should be legislated out of office, but as to this man’s Com¬
munist sympathies, as to his complete opposition to our system of
government, I do not think there can be the slightest question. "
Senator McKellar took occasion to pay tribut to Chairman
Fly, saying:
"I am sorry Mr. Watson makes that suggestion about Mr.
Fly, I think Mr. Fly is one of the finest men I know. He is one
of my very dear friends, one whose friendship I cherish, and I
honor and respect him as a man.
"That remark in the letter was not directed at the Senate
Committee", said Mr. Barkley. "I think it was directed at the
sponsors of the provision in the other body. "
"It is a matter of no importance, but I am an old-fashioned
kind of man, and after an employer stands by an employee as Ur, Fly
stood by this man, and gave him a splendid recommendation, it does
not seem to me that if I had been in Mr. Watson's position, I would
have reflected upon my employer, who had stood by me so nobly", Mr.
McKellar replied,
"Mr. President, so far as I am concerned, if anyone wants
to have an investigation of Mr. Fly and the Communications Commis¬
sion, I should be very much in favor if it, and I should be glad to
vote for it", said Senator Clark, of Missouri. "I think the Com¬
munications Commission has been guilty of very flagrant favoritism,
both as to applications for licenses and as to certain favored
attorneys, some of whom were formerly connected with the Communica¬
tions Commission. I think such an investigation would be entirely
proper, with a view to working on Mr. Fly. But it does seem to me
that Congress should go about it by way of an investigation, and not
attack Mr. Fly through a man w ho happens to be working under him.
"I received from Mr. Watson a letter identical with that
received by the Senator from Kentucky, I had already read in the
public press that the attack on Dr. Watson in the House was really
an attack on Mr. Fly. It seems to me that if anyone desires to
attack Mr. Fly, the thing to do is to attack him and not beat about
the bush and attack this college professor, who is working under the
Commission in a minor job. "
X X X X X X X X
A* B. Chamberlain, Chief Engineer of the Columbia Broad¬
casting System, has been called to Washington to active duty in
the Navy. He has held a reserve commission as a Lieutenant Commander
since 1935,
XXXXXXXX
7
5/8/42
WPB OFFICIAL BilA CONVENTION SPEAKER
William L. Batt, Director of the Materials Division of
the War Production Board and a chief aide to Chairman Donald M.
Nelson, will address the membership luncheon meeting of the Ra.dio
Manufacturers' Association convention at Chicago Tuesday, June 9.
Mr. Batt’s acceptance of the invitation and making a soecial trip
to Chicago at this time is regarded as a. recognition of the ra.dio
manufacturing industry's importance in the war program and of its
cooperation toward 100 percent war production.
Rl'ilA members at the "strictly business" one-day war pro¬
gram convention, will vote on a proposal, recommended by the Execu¬
tive Committee and Board of Directors, to expand the Association's
war services and activities by organizing a new Transmitter Divi¬
sion, and also another prooosed amendment to change the name of
the Amplifier and Sound Equipment Division to the "Speaker" Division.
Although the annual National Parts Trade Show was cancelled
because of the industry's total war production program, tentative
plans are being made for a meeting of the National Ra.dio Parts
Distributors' Association by its President, George D. Barbey, of
Reading, Pennsylvania, coincident with the convention. This assembly
of narts distributors, to discuss immediate renlaceraent oarts oro-
blems, is being olanned for June 7 or 8.
XXXXXXXX
CLEVELAND MAN ASSISTANT IN RADIO CENSORSHIP SECTION
Eugene Carr, Assistant Manager of Station WGAR, Cleveland,
has been appointed an assistant in the Radio Section of the Office
of Censorshio, and will report to J. Harold Ryan, head of the
Office's rtadio Section.
In 1928, Mr. Carr left a post as instructor in voice at
the University of Oregon to accept the program directorship for
the Cleveland Division of the National Broadcasting Comoany. Later
he joined WGAR as Program Director. He has been Assistant Manager
of the station since 1935 and in cha.rge of sales since 1937.
During the past year, Mr. Carr has served as Chairman of
the Sales Managers Committee of the National Association of Broad¬
casters. Recently he was elected Vice President of the Ohio Associa¬
tion of Broadcasters.
Mr. Carr, who is 39 years old, was born in Shelbyville,
Illinois. He was graduated from Westminster College in 1925; is
married, has one daughter.
XXXXXXXXX
- 8 -
I
5/8/42
WHACKINQ FCC MEDDLING, PALEY FEARS INCREASING CONTROL
William S. Paley, President of the Columbia Broadcasting
System, testifying at the Sanders Bill hearings, declared that the
Federal Communications Commission should be limited strictly to the
traffic regulation made necessary to prevent broadcasts on different
cnannels from interfering with each other. By inference he indicat¬
ed that the Commission would do well not to concern itself with
matters outside of that.
Preceding Mr. Paley, John T, Cahill, counsel for the
National Broadcasting Company, asked Congress to reaffirm that it
did not intend to regulate business relationships. John J. Burns,
•counsel for the Columbia Broadcasting System, who followed later,
told the Committee that the FCC could not bar newspaper ownership
of stations without seeking Congressional approval. Frank B.
Stanton, CBS Director of Research, and Elmer Davis, CBS News Analyst,
also testified.
To accommodate those who desired to attend the National
Association of Broadcasters' Convention at Cleveland, the House
hearings have been adjourned until Tuesday, May 19th.
In urging that the allocation of wave lengths and other
forms of purely technical supervision should be the sole function
of the Federal Communications Commission in connection with broad¬
casting, Mr. Paley insisted that radio could not be half slave and
half f ree.
Testifying before the House Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce, which is conducting hearings on the Sanders bill
to amend the radio law, Mr. Paley said that if the FCC ever receiv¬
ed from Congress, or was able to seize through its own interpreta¬
tion of the law, control of programs, or indirect control of the net¬
works through regulating the business relationships between the net¬
works and the stations, the Commission would become so powerful that
no broadcaster would dare defy its wishes. This was true, the CBS
President continued, whether such program censorship was in advance
of broadcasting or whether the Commission could exert it in connec¬
tion with proceedings for the renewal or transfer of licenses by
deciding whether a station had been operating in the public interest.
If the last-mentioned kind of decision could be made by the Commis¬
sion, he said, its Judgment as to what was good broadcasting would
Inevitably control what was done by every broadcaster in the land
and thus the Government inevitably would be in the saddle.
Likening freedom of the air to freedom of the press, Mr,
Paley said it was not accidental in democracies that the press had
been left free, despite the fact that there are always people who
find fault with some elements of it. Similarly in radio, Mr. Paley
argues, it was better to tmst to public opinion for iimpro vement in
broadcasting which, he declared, had always been rapid, than to
allow any group of Government officials to impose their ideas of
culture on the American people.
9
5/8/42
Mr, Paley said that should the rationing of newsprint
become necessary because of the war and should some Commission be
authorized to do this rationing in accorda.nce with its own Judgment
as to the fairness of individual newspapers, the press would become
subservient over night if it wanted to survive at all. A commission
allocating wave lengths, Mr. Paley said, was not unlike this hypo¬
thetical commission rationing newsprint. Were it allowed to pass
on fairness, its own ideas of what should be broadcast and what
should not be broadcast would quickly be the controlling factor in
what went out over all the wave lengths in the land.
Reaffirming CBS* publicly announced conviction that
because radio, unlike the press, is a limited medium and, therefore,
must never seek to exert an editorial function but must be fair and
factual, Mr. Paley said he was alarmed at the danger involved in
allowing any governmental authority to oass on such fairness and
had become so convinced that such authority in the hands of govern¬
ment would destroy the very thing which it was designed to preserve,
that he had finally concluded that even in this realm of fairness
there should be no legislation.
Pointing out that his statement was based largely on that
portion of the present statute wnich re.quires broadcasters to
operate in the "public interest, convenience or necessity", Mr.
Paley warned that that phrase coupled with the Federal Communica¬
tions Commission's right to revoke a license or fail to renew one
can be "asserted to mean programs deemed desirable by the Commission,
or its Chairman if he is strong enough, or by the party in political
power.
"I say to you now that a resourceful Commission so-minded
might well devise ways to seize control of every phase of radio
broadcasting regardless of the prohibitions and the silences in the
present statute on which we have relied so heavily in the past.
This is a danger and a very real one.
"Great danger exists whether the Commission can censor
programs in advance or whether it is in position to revoke a license
or hand over a wave length to someone else by an ex post facto Judg¬
ment that programs have not been in the public interest. Let the
Commission once be able to say 'We do not like the advertising*,
or ’There was too much Jazz music*, or * We disapprove of the quality
of dramatic programs*, or ’We think the news should be handled dif¬
ferently’, or ’Broadcast Station A should have taken programs from
Network B’ , and the broadcaster is bound hand and foot, subject to
subservient compliance or the death penalty. One victory for the
Commission in any such Judgment after the fact, and from then on its
wispered wishes will be amplified over all the kilocycles in the
land. So, in effect, power of censorship after publication in the
hands of a licensing authority in reality can always be power of
censorship before publication which is contrary to the whole theory
of freedom of speech and of publication in America."
10
5/8/42
2'Tr. Paley declared: ’^It Is ray sober Judgraent that regula¬
tion by the ^CC should stop at physical requirements. There are laws
on the books covering the conduct of broadcasters as well as of other
business men, and there are governmental departments charged with
bringing to the courts for punishment or correction violations of
those laws.
’’You have, as I have pointed out, public opinion, the
measured Judgment of the audience, spoken and written criticisra, and
nearly everywhere in the country the competitive factor to correct
evil and to bring about good.
"There is one other potent weapon to keep any number of
broadcasters from going too far wrong. I well know that if enough
broadcasters were to defy public opinion, overlook their opportun¬
ities to serve the nation in war and in peace, grow greedy or grow
callous, the Congress at some time might well feel that the evil
was so great that it must step in even at the cost I have tried to
picture to you. Even thoue^h an amendment to the Constitution were
involved, we might bring upon ourselves such a gross and dismal
change if we were stupd enough to do it, I believe our record so
far Justifies a conclusion that we have not done it yet, that we
are not likely to do it, and that the history of legislating only
against known and otherwise uncurable evils may well be followed
when you come to deal with a revision or a new enaceratn of the radio
law", he said.
xxxxxxxxxx
SAFETY OF NATION COMES FIRST, SARI.^OFF DECLARES
The safety of a company can never rise higher than its
source, which is the safety of the nation, David Sarnoff, President
of the Radio Corporation of America, said addressing the annual meet¬
ing of RCA stockholders,
"Therefore, until mre win the war, no individual, no busi¬
ness, no investment is secure", Mr. Sarnoff continued. "Today,
the worth of a business must be measured in service, not in dollars.
Touching later on the patent situation at considerable
length, Mr. Sarnoff declared:
"Everything that the RCA organization knows on the subject
of radio is instantly available to the Government. Any supplier of
radio equipment to the Government, if not already licensed, can
easily obtain a license to use RCA's patent rights.
"Whatever radio can do to help win the war is being done
and will continue to be done, "
The speaker said the new RCA Laboratories now nearing
completion in New Jersey will be devoted primarily to research
directed to help win the war.
11
5/8/4S
"When peace comes, the radio swords which are not being
forged on the anvil of science will be beaten into useful plough¬
shares", ^'^r. Sarnoff went on to say. "We shall enter a new era in
the radio transmission of sound and sight, and in the industrial
use of radio and electronic devices.
"The new products and services growing out of radio’s war¬
time efforts will be of great public benefit in themselves. More
tnan that, they should help provide new employment for men, money
and machines, and thereby contribute to stabilization of the post¬
war economy. "
"Now, to turn to the months that have passed since the
beginning of the present year. The consolidated gross business of
RCA during the first quarter - that is, the months of January,
February and March, 1942 - amounted to $44,541,395, compared with
$32,576,073 in the first quarter of last year, an increase of
$11,965,322, or 37^, Due to the increase in volume of business,
and in anticipation of higher tax rates, the provision for Federal
taxes for the first quarter this year was 2^ "times as great as
first-quarter taxes last year.
"For the first quarter a year ago Federal taxes were
$2,307,000. For the first quarter of this year the provision for
Federal taxes amounts to $5,853,700. This represents an Increase
in our Federal tax orovision for the first quarter of this year
of $3,546,700 or 154^.
"Net profit after taxes for the first quarter of 1942
amounted to $2,030,988, compared with $1,922,174 for the same period
last year, an Increase of $108,814, or 6'^,
said;
Discussing d-her phases of the past year’s work, Mr. Sarnoff
"When the Radio Corooratlon of America was formed in 1919,
one of its main purposes was to establish a world-wide American
radiotelegraph system. How well this assignment was carried out is
evidenced by the fact that today R. C.A, Communications, Inc., pro¬
vides the most comprehensive and efficient radiotelegraph system on
the globe. The United States has become the communication center
of the world.
"Since vre entered the war, RCA has Inaugurated new radio-
telegrapn circuits of strategic importance, so that, for the first
time, ra.dio now connects the United States directly with: Australia,
New Zealand, New Caledonia, Chungking, China, Kunming, China, and
Iran (Persia). "
XXXXXXXXXXX
CORRECTIOxN
In our issue of May 1 in the lead story "Big Shakeup In
WPB Radio Section", no mention was made of the fact that the new
Radio Section Chief of the War Production Board, Frank K. McIntosh
has currently been employed as Chief Technician of the Fort Industry
Company of Toledo. The services of Mr. McIntosh were relinquished
by George B. Storer, President of the company, thus enabling Mr.
McIntosh to serve the Government in an important capacity at this
time. Mr. McIntosh has been given an indefinite leave of absence
by the Fort Industry Company.
"xxxxxxxxxx
- 12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D.
7
INDEX TO ISSUE OF MAY 12,
Radio Control Depends Upon Cooperation, Warns Censor,
Military Radio Production Problem of Individual Plants . 4
Portable Radios Ordered Put Aboard Lifeboats . 5
Ultraviolet Radiation In High Latitudes . 5
OFF Issues Master Radio Program Chart. . 6
Wants No Repetition Of Tokyo Bombing Panic . 6
New Bulova-Lafount Net Would Be Program Tester . 7
WNYC To Justify Itself Points To War Service.. . 8
Radiophono And Library Outfits Going Overseas . 8
Number Of Station Engineers In Army Furnish Problem . 9
Trade Notes . 10
New Edition Of CBS Radio And Television Bibliography . 11
New Latin American Net Fulfills Ambition Of Paley . 12
All America Net Rises To $1,022,653 . 12
No. 1428
May 12, 1942
RADIO CONTROL DEPENDS UPON COOPERATION, WARNS CENSOR
The success or failure of volunteer cooperation in broad¬
casting will depend upon the degree of control which patriotic
broadcasters exercise over the operation of their stations, Byron
Price, Director of Censorship, declared, addressing the National
Association of Broadcasters’ Convention at Cleveland.
"There will be errors of Judgjnent, of course; such con¬
fusions are inevitable under any voluntary system", Mr. Price said.
"What we chould be more deeply concerned about, however, is the
error which results, not from faulty Judgment, but from thoughtless¬
ness or carelessness. We have now been at war for five months.
Surely no broadcaster can any longer plead unpreparedness.
"By the very nature of radio you are in the front line of
combat, literally as well as figuratively. You are in actual con¬
tact with the enemy, whose submarines are listening near our shores.
If you have careless employees, or employees who find clever means
of evading the Broadcasters Code, then your own investment is being
used against you. It is like cheating at solitaire. National secur¬
ity is not an abstract terra, used to signify something Intangible and
remote. National security means your security, and the national
Interest is your own interest, "
"To those who are trying to keep information from the
enemy, the magnitude of radio as a facility of communication is
appalling. Its scope can be measured only in terms of oceans and
continents. We cannot forget that our stations number among their
listeners the trained agents of our enemies. They sit attentively
at loud speakers both inside and outside the United States, Within
a matter of hours, statements broadcast by American stations come
rolling back, with characteristic distortion, over the short-wave
facilities of the Axis propagandists, "
Declaring the American press has a new partner - radio,
going into world battle for the first time, Mr. Price said:
"These facts are not new. They are known to all of us.
But they are repeated here because none of us can afford to forget
for one moment the dangerous power of the instrumentality known as
radio. They explain why the Office of Censorship is requesting
constantly and repetitlously that the interview type program be
ridigly supervised against last-minute insertions and thoughtless
questions, and that every item of broadcast news be weighed with
care before it is put into the lap of the enemy. "
2
5/12/42
’’It is radio’s first major test. The nation’s broad¬
casters, like the nation's editors, are called upon to prove their
capacity for defending freedom by appraising it properly and
observing clearly its legitimate boundaries. Your cooperation
has given us many reasons for encouragement; and as the war goes
on I know you will perform more and more effectively your share
of the common effort. "
’’About all of this we must be practical and reasonable,
remembering that often when the enemy is kept ignorant, so inevit¬
ably are our own people. The question of relative importance between
these two considerations deserves, in every case, the most earnest
and patriotic attention.
"The Code of Wartime Practices for American Broadcasters
attempted to set up certain guideposts, somewhere between the
extremes of viewpoint, somewhere along the pathway of common sense.
It is by no means a complete solution of the problem, but we hope
it will help.
"There is only so much, however, that the Office of
Censorship can do. We are extremely fortunate in having your
colleague, Harold Ryan, as Administrator of the Broadcasting Code.
He' and his assistants are doing a patriotic and painstaking Job,
but their most earnest efforts will accomplish nothing without your
continuing cooperation, your willingness to endure sacrifice, and
your constant vigilance.
"In the language of the Code; ’The American broadcasting
industry's greatest contribution of victory will be the use of good
common sense. Radio is one of the greatest liaison officers
between the fighting front and the people. Its voice will speak
the news first. It should speak wisely and calmly. ' "
"The American people must be given comprehensive news
about the war. Not only are they entitled to this news in their
own right, but if it were denied them, they would not be so likely
to give the war their full support. FrxDrn the standpoint of censor¬
ship it must be recognized that if the curtain were drawn too
tightly, in the name of national security, all efforts to maintain
voluntary cooperation by press and radio would be put to serious
hazard. If the press and radio themselves carried their voluntary
enterprise to the point of strangulation, the public would inter¬
vene. "
XXXXXXXXX
Preference Rating Order No. P-38 covering materials for
the production of radiosondes, was extended April 29 to June 30,
1942, by the War Production Board. The order, issued February 26,
1941, and amended February 18, 1942, was due to expire April 30.
XXXXXXXXXX
3
5/12/42
MILITARY RADIO PRODUCTION PROBLEM OF INDIVIDUAL
PLANTS RATHER THAN INDUSTRY
In converting radio manufacturers to war production, the
War Production Board states the problem is one of individual plants
rather than one of the industry as a whole.
“There are several reasons for this. One is the composi¬
tion of the industry", the War Board explains. "In it are companies
that make nothing else but radio equipment. Other companies in
the industry are part of large corporations that also make automo¬
biles, air conditioning equipment, electrical appliances and many
other products unrelated to radio.
"Of the 55 manufacturers of civilian radio receiving
sets, 21 had experience last year making military equipment worth
SlO, 000,000. Contracts worth $500,000,000 have been awarded to set
manufacturers so far this year, with about 40 firms sharing the
orders.
"Most of the volume, however, has gone to a few companies,
and only eleven companies have booked war business in excess of
their 1941 civilian business. That leaves a lot of facility yet
to be used for military communication equipment. This will come
from plants now holding only small orders and from plants that now
are doing no war work. It is expected, however, that a few of the
plants that will stop making civilian sets will not get orders to
build communication equipment. These plants, with limited techni¬
cal facilities, probably will turn to assembling, if they are to
continue operation. Typical of the kind of work they may find to
do is that of assembling gas masks, macnine gun clips, first aid
kits, etc. Some of the radio ca.binet makers already affected by
the curtailment order have used their ingenuity to get orders for
making tool kits, medicine cabinets and other articles requiring
skill in wood work,
"Subcontracting will spread with the Increasing demand for
more military equipment. About io percent of the completed sets
now are being subcontracted. Last Fall there were only two sub¬
contractors doing work valued at $5,000,000. On February 1 there
were 22 subcontractors of complete sets with orders worth
$90,000,000. "
"Sometimes the Amy and Navy and WPB have gone outside the
regular radio Industry for many types of equlnment because other
firms are better qualified technically. For instance, the labor¬
atories that make telephone equioment have been given large con¬
tracts for certain intricate types of communication material because
the engineering ’know-how' appeared to be better there than anywhere
else. "
XXXXXXXXX
4
I
L
5/12/42
PORTABLE RADIOS ORDEF^D PUT ABOARD LIFEBOATS
A regulation requiring merchant vessels of more than a
thousand tons to carry at least one portable radio for installation
in lifeboats has been issued by Admiral R. Waesche of the Coast
Ouard, Specifications describing the minimum requirements for the
type of radio are now being considered by the Maritime Commission.
These small portable radio units will enable survivors
in at least one lifeboat from a torpedoed or shelled vessel to
signal for aid after the attacking enemy surface or underwater
craft has left the scene of the sinking.
Officials explained that enemy war vessels shell life¬
boats and rafts which send out radio calls for help when the attack¬
ing craft is still in the vicinity. For this reason some trepida¬
tion was felt relative to making mandatory provision for radio
transmission equipment.
The seamen, however, expressed complete willingness to
take this chance. Those operating the sets will be instructed, none
the less, not to make use of their portable units until the attack¬
ing craft has had time to depart the scene of the sinking,
XXXXXXXX
ULTRAVIOLET PADIATION IN HIG-K LATITUDES
In view of the fact that practically no quantitative data
have been available on the amount of ultraviolet solar and sky
radiation incident in higli latitudes, the Radiometry Section of
the National Bureau of Standards states it welcomed the opportunity
to take part in the Louise A, Boyd Arctic Expedition, Simple,
automatic measuring and recording apparatus was installed, whereby,
for the first time, a continuous record was obtained, in absolute
value, of the intensity of the biologically effective ultraviolet
radiation from the entire sky, incident on a horizontal plane under
various meteorological conditions, in the polar regions.
The outstanding results of this survey are given in a
paper (RP1469) by W. ¥. Coble ntz, F. R. Grace ley, and R, Stair in
the May Bureau of Standards Journal of Research.
XXXXXXXXX
5
5/18/42
OFF ISSUES MASTER RADIO PROORAIJI CHART
A sample "master chart" for the Network Allocation Plan
for Government programs has Just been printed and is now being
distributed by W. B. Lewis, Assistant Director in Charge of Ooera-
tions, Office of Facts and Figures to radio advertisers, advertis¬
ing agencies, networks, managers of affiliated stations, and the
radio and advertising trade press.
The chart, which is for wall display and is 2^ feet wide
by 5^ feet long, gives a comolete picture of the systematic and
equitable manner in which Government messages will be distributed
across the entire network radio structure under the Allocation Plan.
"As noted on the chart, the color blocks indicate the
particular week of this typical 4-week period in which each program
will be used, and programs which will be used twice within this
typical 4-week period are so indicated by two color blocks", Mr.
Lewis explains. (inasmuch as the chart was sent to the printers
quite some days ago, there have a.lready been a few changes in net¬
work programs which are not indicated on this chart. )
"Our purrpose in sending this chart to you is simply to
indicate the broad scope of the plan and the total number of hours
this program embraces.
"We believe this chart also demonstrates graphically the
’key position' that every program plays in the Allocation Plan and
the importance of every program' s audience to the total audience
which the Government must reach with urgent War messages each day. "
The chart does not show which Government message is
scheduled for each program, OFF explained that it is impossible
to olan these schedules as much as 4 weeks ahead of time. There¬
fore they will be issued in individual folders on a weekly basis.
XXXXXXXX
WANTS NO REPETITION OF TOKYO BOMBING PANIC
Commenting uoon the coincidence of our bombers swooping
down on Tokyo Just when a broadcast was telling the people there how
safe they were and then the Jap announcers almost throwing a fit on
hearing the American bomba explode. Col. Ernest Duouy of the War
Department, Bureau of Public Relations, speaking at the National
Association of Broadcasters' convention in Cleveland, expressed the
hope if any of our cities were similarly attacked that we would
not duplicate the Japanese hysteria,
"Some day we are going to get a token air raid". Colonel
Dupuy added. "Its objectives will be the production of fear, panic
and uncertainty in the minds of our peoole. Are we going to play
it like soldiers, or are we going to cackle and squawk on the air
like barnyard hens when a hakw flies over?"
6
5/12/42
Also addressing the Cleveland meeting, Archibald MacLeish,
Director of the Office of Fhcts and Figures, called upon the
government and the radio industry to work together more closely in
carrying out the war program.
"The Government of the United States and the radio
industry still need to sit down together and talk things through",
Mr. MacLeish said, "not to a mutual agreement, for the mutual agree¬
ment exists, but to the basic principles underlying mutual agree¬
ment. Government and industry came to an understanding about the
war situation a little too quickly and reached that understanding
too easily. "
An additional $1, 500,000 is being spent by the Columbia
Broadcasting System for programs dealing with the war, it was
revealed by William S. Paley, CBS President.
xxxxxxxxxx
NEW BULOVA-LAFOUNT NET WOULD BE PROGRAM TESTER
An argument advanced in favor of advertisers using the
new Atlantic Coast Network backed by Arde Bulova, the big watch
man and spot-time buyer, and Harold A. Lafount, former Radio Com¬
missioner, is that being smaller, it would give advertisers an
excellent vehicle to try out programs they later intended nutting
on the larger nationwide networks.
With WNEW, New York, as its key station, the network
which will start June 15, will include WCOP, Boston; WNBC, New
Britain, WELI, New Haven; WPEN, Philadelphia, and stations not yet
selected in Baltimore and Washington. Mr. Bulova, Chairman of the
Board of the Bulova Watch Company, holds a controlling interest in
V/PEN and a minority interest in the other stations named. The
Washington outlet probably will be WWDC, Mr. Lafount said.
As President of the American Broadcasting Company, which
will operate the network, Mr. Lafount, who will continue to reside
in Washington, will head the Atlantic Coast Network.
The offices of the new chain will be with WNEW at 501
Madison Avenue, New York City,
XXXXXXXXXX
The Missouri State Deoartment of Education is cooperating
with the Safety Division of the Missouri State Highway Deoartment in
the production of radio scripts to be broadcast this year by nine
Missouri radio stations. The programs of the State Department of
Education will deal with the progress of ore sent day education and
those of the Highway Department will be on safety education.
A Civic Radio Workshop has been established to produce
the series in transcribed form.
XXXXXXXXXX
7
j‘ .1. ; ■
5/12/42
WNYC TO JUSTIFY ITSELF POINTS TO 7/AR SERVICE
In answer to a demand by the Citizens Budget Committee
that WNYC, New York’s Municipal Station be closed down to save the
taxpayers about $100,000 a year, Morris Novik, Director of the
station testified that of the station's time was taken up with
war work.
Describing the station's war work, Mr. Novik said it fur¬
nished to the commercial networks more civilian defense programs
than any other agency. He cited broadcasts given over to the
Selective Service agencies for the instruction of local draft boards,
the broadcasts of instructions to air raid wardens and fire auxil¬
iaries and the station's part in stimulating the sale of war bonds
and stamps.
WNYC broadcast instructions on sugar rationing as often
as give times a day, Mr. Novik said, adding that the station would
carry instructions this week on gasoline rationing.
When Councilman Joseph E. Kinsley, Chairman of the Com¬
mittee which would abolish the station oointed to numerous concerts
and other programs not connected with the war, the station director
said entertainment had to be mixed with more serious tonics to hold
a radio audience.
The real cause of the move to do away with the station,
it is believed, is to embarrass Mayor LaCuardia, who is having a
fight with the City Hall newspaper men and is using WNYC every
Sunday to deliver a message to the people of the city. Far from
cutting dawn the station's time, Mr. LaGuardia is now endeavoring
to keep it going until much later at night but is opposed in this
by Station WCCO, CBS outlet at Minneapolis, which charges that
this vijould cause interference on the WCCO wavelength.
xxxxxxxx
RADIOPKOxNO AND LIBRARY OUTFITS GOING OVERSEAS
Newly- designed portable entertainment outfits, combining
radio, phonograph and library, will be sent soon to troops overseas,
according to the Associated Press.
The War Department reported that in addition to a long
and short wave radio receiver, each kit contains a phonograph turn¬
table, fifty records, twenty-five half-hour radio broadcast trans¬
criptions, a collection of song books, several harmonicas, 100
paper- bound volumes of recent fiction and spare mechanical equip¬
ment.
The whole thing is enclosed in a cabinet 47 inches long
and weighing 250 pounds. It is designed to be shock-proof and
weather-proof and can be operated by hand when necessary.
The War Department said snonsors of several major net¬
work radio shows were furnishing without charge transcriptions of
their current programs.
XXXXXXXXX
- 8 -
♦
5/12/42
NUMBER OF STATION ENGINEERS IN AMY FURNISH PROBLEM
Considerable concern over the scarcity of broadcast
engineers was expressed and plans to increase their number so that
no stations would have to close down in wartime were discussed by
Federal Communications Commissioner R. C. Wakefield.
"The shortage of technical broadcasting oersonnel is
already acute. I have seen estimates that of the 5,500 qualified
broadcasting engineers in the United States, 1,000 have already
entered the Army or Navy - and that's just a beginning". Commis¬
sioner Wakefield said. "So serious has the shortage of trained
technicians become that the Commission has had to relax its techni¬
cal requirements for radio ooerators, in order to permit stations
to employ operators with lesser qualifications.
"This order of the Commission has relieved a little of
the immediate pressure; it means that for the time being no station
is being forced off the air for lack of skilled personnel, although
two stations in somewhat isolated areas have shortened their daily
time on the air because they could not replace ooerators called
into service. But it is only one step in the solution of the whole
problem. The other and more important step is to train new people
for the urgent radio needs of the Anny, the Navy, and the broad¬
casting industry,
"As far back as August 1941, representatives of the
Government, the broadcasting industry, and educational institutions
were conferring on that problem, and special training courses for
radio technicians were mapped out. The first of these courses, it
is believed, was instituted last September at the University of
North Carolina. Today this program has expanded so that special
radio technician courses are being offered at more than 60 colleges
and universities, including a course at Vassar; a total of nearly
32,000 students are enrolled. That figure was only5,400 on
November 30.
"These courses vary from some open to anyone with a high
school diploma and two years of high school mathematics to courses
open only to graduates of engineering schools with broadcast
engineering experience. The aim is to turn out, at every level of
technical competence, trained neople in sufficient quantity to meet
our wartime civilian and military needs. These courses are open
to men and women alike. "
XXXXXXXXXX
Recorded Debates between leading colleges and universities
throughout the country will be made possible this year at Bates
College, Lewiston, Maine, where complete recording equipment and a
new radio studio have been installed. Last year Bates Pioneered
with a recorded debate with the University of Redlands in California,
This year plans have been made for a series of recorded debates with
the Universities of Texas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Virginia, Kansas,
Iowa, Colorado, Michigan, Marquette, and Northwestern.
XXXXXXXXX
- 9 -
, •> •- •.< {
5/12/42
TRADE NOTES
The Associated Broadcasters, Inc. , of Los Angeles,
California, have applied for a construction permit for a new inter¬
national broadcast station, frequencies to be de termed by the
Federal Communications Commission, 50 kilowatts. Emission A3, hours
undete mined.
Paul A. Porter, fomer CBS counsel, in Washington, Deputy
OPA Administrator, will direct the Federal Rent Control program
under the supervision of Leon Henderson.
Alleging misrepresentation in the sale of a medicinal
preparation, the Federal Trade Commission Issued a complaint
against Stayner Corp. , San Francisco, and its advertising repre¬
sentative, Erwin, Wasey & Co., of San Francisco. Stayner Corp. ,
which maintains a plant in Berkeley, Calif. , is engaged in compound¬
ing a preparation known as "Minra. '' In newspaper, periodical, radio
and other advertising, the companies representations, according to
the complaint, are exaggerated and misleading.
The completion date for a new non- commercial educational
broadcast station by KSDS, of San Diego, Calif. , has been extended
to July 1, 1943.
For the first time, it is said a radio network will col¬
laborate with a university in providing instruction in various
phases of broadcasting when, beginning June 22, the National Broad¬
casting Company will provide instructors, lecturers and the use of
its Central Division studios in Chicago for Northwestern University’s
Summer Radio Institute.
The eight-week course will Include instruction in radio
writing, radio acting, radio announcing, radio production, direc¬
tion and the administration, planning and production of public ser¬
vice programs. The course is designed for students from high
schools and universities and for persons already employed by radio
stations or networks.
The General Electric national merit award, presented
annually to the radio station with the least air time lost through
technical failures during the previous year, has been given for the
second consecutive year to KGO, Oakland, Calif. The station won the
award with only 23-1/2 seconds net time lost during the entire year
1941, setting a new high in efficiency since the G E annual awards
which cover all stations of the NBC and Blue Networks were
instituted.
Josenh H. Ream, Secretary and General Attorney of the
Columbia Broa dee sting System, has been aopointed to the CBS general
executive staff.
-10-
I
5/12/42
In the midst of fighting in the Philippines and the East
Indies, members of the officers' mess of an embattled U. S. wai>-
ship, since sunk, made a solemn pledge that the first officer from
the ship to reach San Francisco should go immediately to KG-EI,
General Electric's short-wave station in that city, and thank them
in person for their broadcasts.
This was the renort brought recently to KGEI by a man in
khaki fatigue clothes and a naval officer's cap - the commander of
the ship who, escaping from Java with only a pair of pajamas, was
the first officer to reach San Francisco,
Causing a tightening up of those guarding radio stations
in this country is word that dynamiters have damaged the station of
Radio Paris and the Marguery, famous Parisian restaurant. The
extent of the damage was not fully known, but several persons were
reported to have been killed in the restaurant.
The British radio said that towers of the main broadcast¬
ing station of Radio Paris, which are 130 miles south of the capital
at Bourges, had been blown up and that the aerial had fallen.
Contents of the Bell Laboratories Record for IiHay include
"Applications of Junction Line Filters", by F. A. Hinshaw; "The
Junction Line Filter", J. 0. Israel; "Small Ringer for Combined
Subscriber's Set", C, F. Wiebusch; "Facilities for Training Tele¬
typewriter Switchboard Operators", L, A. Gardner; "Printing
Oscillator Sets"; "A Circuit Continuity Test for the Crossbar
System", A. F. Burns.
XXXXXXXXXX
NEW EDITION OF CBS RA.DI0 AND TELEVISION BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Sixth Edition of the Radio and Television Bibliography
prepared by the Reference Library of the CBS Research Department,
is being distributed. It is published to assist students and
others Interested in radio and television in finding the principal
books, pamphlets and articles in this field.
Dr. Paul F. Lazarsfeld, Director of the Office of Ra.dio
Research of Columbia University, says the publication is "the most
coraprenensive bibliography in the field".
The book was prepared by William C. Ackerman, of the CBS
Reference Library, under the direction of Dr, Frank Stanton, CBS
Director of Research.
XXXXXXXXXX
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5/12/42
NEW LATIN AI^ERICAN NET FULFILLS AI.'IBITIOxN OF PALEY
The new CBS Latin- American Network, which will be dedicat¬
ed next Tuesday, May 19th, is the realization of a long-standing
ambition of William S. Paley, President of the company.
"The network of the Americas was born of humble parent¬
age", Mr. Paley stated. "It was created on the very simple phil-
osopny that strangers become friends only through the exchange of
intelligence - an exchange of information about one another.
"We cannot be friends to a man if we know nothing of his
life, his habits or his daily jobs and woes. This earae principle
applies to the peoples of the various nations of America.
"The Network of the Americas was organized to provide
another great medium for the exchange of such information among the
peonies of the nations of America.
"Through the affiliation of 76 leading radio stations in
the twenty countries of Latin America and the three powerful short¬
wave stations of our system in New York, we will be able to exchange
knowledge about our music, our arts, our nolitics, our economic
and our everyday problems. "
XXXXXXXXXX
ALL AMERICA NET RISES TO $1,022,653
Net income of AH America Comoration and subsidiaries
after interest and other charges amounted to $1,022,653 for 1941
and $942,277 for 1940. Provision for U. S. Federal income and
excess orofits taxes of All America Cables and Radio, Inc., the
orincipal ooe rating subsidiary of All America Comoration, amounted
to $1,298,000 for 1941 as compared with Federal income taxes of
$345,373 in 1940.
New radiotelegraph circuits have been established with
Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Bolivia and Paraguay. While some of
these circuits may not be commercially profitable, at least for the
present, the management believes that their establishment is in aid
of the war effort.
Revenues from cable traffic with the British Isles and
between the United States and South America, Central America and the
West Indies, increased substantially during the latter part of 1941.
During 1941, the Federal Communications Commission initi¬
ated an investigation of rates and tariffs for telegraoh traffic
between the United States, South and Central America and the West
Indies. This investigation is still in progress. The oossibility
exists that substantial modifications in such rates may result and
cause a material reduction in the revenues and earnings of the sub¬
sidiaries handling such traffic, -oarticularly those of All America
Cables and Ra.dio, Inc.
XXXXXXXX
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
^0
■y
INDEX TO ISSUE OF MAY 15, 1942
FCC Puts Television In Oxygen Tent For Duration . 2
Radio And Newspaper Coverage Of Air Raids . 3
Telegraph Merger, Including Ra.dio, Demanded By Fly . 7
Knowlson Sets Up 13 WPB Regional Offices . 8
Westinghouse Greatly Expands War Tube Production . ...9
NAB By Large Vote Admits Nets To Active Membership . 10
Press Radio Stations To Have Congressional Hearing . 11
Vice President Wallace To Dedicate CBS Americas Network . 11
Trade Notes . 12
No. 1429
FCC PUTS TELEVISION IN OXYOEN TENT FOR DURATION
Easing down on wartime television broadcasts and making
a compromise which they believe the industry will welcome, the
Federal Communications Commission has amended its rules to permit
licensees of commercial television stations to broadcast but four
hours of program service per week instead of the fifteen hours
weekly, required heretofore.
"The step was taken to prevent recession of this new
art to a purely experimental or laboratory stage and to keep it
alive, ready to flourish as a public service after the war emer¬
gency", the Commission stated, which led to a pat comment from an
official familiar with the situation, who said:
"The Commission has simply put television in an oxygen
tent for the duration. I think it is a very happy solution. If
the larger companies want to continue on the fifteen hour schedule
O.K. , but relaxing the number of hours required will prevent any
hardship on the part of those who do not desire to remain on the
air for so long a regular period. "
The Federal Communications Commission statement explain¬
ing the cut in mandatory hours in television explained:
"Section 4.261(a) of the FCC Regulations until this time
had required licensees to put programs on the air for a minimum of
fifteen hours per week, divided in such manner that at least two
hours of service was broadcast any one day during six days of the
week. As rewritten, this section of the Commission’s Rules and
Regulations will require only four hours weekly and if the licensee
finds it necessary he may broadcast all four hours during one day.
"This relaxation, consistent with similar measures, pre¬
viously announced for relief of standard broadcast stations, will
permit licensees to conserve the life of their equioment, particu¬
larly tubes, and will permit television stations to operate under
conditions of greatly reduced personnel. Licensees serving the
same geographical area are free to arrange and alternate their
program schedules so as to Increase the number of programs avail¬
able to the public in their communities.
"The Commission action was taken after due consideration
of recommendations from licensees of television stations and from
representatives of the National Television System Committee, as
well as the policies of the mqc announced in its Memorandum Opinion
of the general ’freezing of station construction’ order of April 2^7'
No change in the Commission's standards for television transmission
is necessary at this time. "
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5/15/42
It was stated in connection with experimental television
broadcasts that W3XEP of the RC*^ Manufacturing Company at Camden
had been granted a construction permit to add a transmitter to use
special emission for frequency modulation on the aural channel
with power of 10 kilowatts. Also that W3XAD of RCA at Camden
had been authorized to use a similar transmitter of 50 watts and
to change the designation of the transmitter location from portable
to portable mobile. It was explained at the FCC that these grants
were made because RCA already had the materials needed and there¬
fore nothing new would be required.
At the same time, saying it was because of an FCC order,
the Milwaukee Journal has announced that further construction on
its projected television station is suspended for the duration of
the war. The newspaper' s new station construction has been deferred
because, although orders for the television equipment were placed
more than a year ago, it has been impossible to obtain deliveries,
and that part of the equipment that had been completed has been
loaned to NBC. The FCC order halting television in Milwaukee, it
was explained, affects only technical facilities and not building
construction.
XXXXXXXXXX
RADIO AI^D NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF AIR RAIDS
Confidential - Not For Publication
A private message to newspapers and radio stations by
Byron Price, Director of Censorship, This is for the confidential
information of editors and broadcasters and is not for publication.
The purpose of this conference is to consider news cover¬
age of air raids by newspapers and broadcasters. Of course, no one
knows whether the raids will come, but the only safe assumption is
that they will; at any rate it will do no harm if some method of
procedure can be established beforehand.
The Government has made detailed preparations through the
Army, the Navy, Civilian Defense, and other agencies. As to the
public, much will depend upon the contribution made by newspapers
and radio. I know all of you want to contribute; your cooperation
with voluntary censorship has shown that, and additional proof is
given by the courtesy of the broadcasting chains in providing this
hook-up, and by your otwi courtesy in coming out to listen. The
suggestions I am going to make are designed not only to make your
cooperation more effective, but to point out a course of action
which I hope will result in the least possible confusion.
It seems reasonable to begin by assuming that any air
attack on this country would be designed principally for psychology
ical rather than military effect. If the enemy can create panic in
one section and spread demoralizing rumors to other sections, he
5 -
5/15/42
will have accomplished what he hopes to accomplish. It is only the
part of wisdom to refuse to help him play that game.
The objectives of all of us should be fourfold: First, to
make certain we do not encourage panic among the civilian popula¬
tion. Second, to be cautious about giving the enemy information
which will enable him to determine whether he has attained his
objectives. Third, to set up methods of insurance against the pub¬
lication and transmission abroad of conflicting and confused reports
which would make the country appear ridiculous in the eyes of the
rest of the world. And, finally, to operate as a smooth- working
team, so that competitive disappointments at home will be reduced
to a minimum.
All of this will require some doing. In fact, it will re¬
quite not only a general cooperation, but a complete cooperation
on the part of every broadcasting station and every newspaper in the
entire country. Otherwise, psychological forces may easily be set
in motion which will produce a result as damaging and as foolish as
that which developed from the recent raid on Tokyo. The greatest
confusion existed among the Japanese, and the official broadcasts
show that the Japanese Government still is trying desoerately to
find out how many planes there were, what sort of planes they were,
and where they came from. The United States is a civilized nation,
and must not make a similar spectacle of itself.
The preparations of the Government, military and civilian,
now have reached a stage which insure that any air challenge will
meet with an integrated program of defense. In that program the
central authority will be, of necessity, the Arroy Defense Commands.
In a zone of action, the military commander must be supreme if he
is to succeed.
It is inevitable that radio stations should find them¬
selves directly in the front line of defense. One reason for this
is, as you know, that a radio station acts as a beacon for approach¬
ing aircraft. A second reason is that broadcasts during an air
raid would be listened to by the enemy overhead, so that he would
have instantaneous infomation as to the effect of his attack, and
could make the necessary corrections.
The plan is for the Army Defense Commands to take sta¬
tions off the air immediately in any section of the country which
is threatened with attack. Arrangements for this have been worked
out in detail, and I believe most stations already have been advis¬
ed, In other words, during a raid, radio of all forms will be used
only as the authorities may direct.
Special precautions also are necessary in the case of news¬
papers. With radio off the air, news wires might easily become a
substitute channel for spreading hysteria unless special safeguards
were voluntarily applied. We have outlined a suggested course of
action in the form of a special request which I win read to you,
and a copy of which will be sent to everyone concerned. This
special request has been drawn up after consultation with the War
4 -
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5/15/42
Department, the Navy Department, the Office of Civilian Defense,
the Federal Security Agency, the Federal Communications Commission
and others.
Before going into detail, however, I would like to re¬
emphasize one point particularly. If you will consider the matter,
I believe every one of you will agree that the greatest disservice
newspapers or radio could do to the national interest would be to
play the game of the enemy by helping him spread hysteria or sen¬
sational rumors. Surely an attack on American homes should never
be made the occasion for "building up" a story. If there ever was
a need for absolutely calm and factual reporting, both in news
columns and on the air, this is it. Experience has shown that
twenty inexpert observers of an air raid will turn in twenty dif¬
ferent estimates of the strength of the attacking force and of the
damage done. Unquestionably some of the reports you will hear will
originate with enemy agents,
I suggest to you earnestly, therefore, that in the nation¬
al interest, which is your interest, you caution your news desks
against over-emphasis or sensationalizing of hastily-acquired pieces
of information. "Playing down", rather than "playing up", will pay
dividends in national security.
The special request to which I have referred is as follows
To the end that any air attack on continental United
States may be reported in an orderly fashion, consistent with the
highest requirements of national security, the following course of
action before, during and after an air raid, is suggestion to news¬
papers and broadcasting stations:
BEFORE A RAID
It is desirable that no warning or report of an Impending
raid be published or broadcast except as given out by qualified
military authority.
DURING A RAID
It is requested that news dispatches transmitter or pub¬
lished at the beginning of a raid, prior to official announcement,
be confined to the following: (1) The fact that a raid has begun,
v/ithout estimating the number of planes. (2) The fact that some
bombs have been dropped, if fully established, but without any
effort to estimate the number. (5) The bare fact that anti-air¬
craft guns have gone into action.
Thereafter, until the raid is ended and the all-clear
sounded, it is requested that nothing be transmitted or published
except communiques which will become available promptly and period¬
ically from the Army Defense Command.
- 5 -
5/15/42
By prearrangeraent , all radio stations In a zone under
attack will operate or not operate at the direction of the Army
Defense Command. Stations outside the zone under attack are request¬
ed to broadcast nothing about the raid while it is in progress,
AFTER A RAID
There is no objection to publication or broadcast of gen¬
eral descriptions of the action after the all-clear is given, pro¬
vided such accounts do not
1. Play up horror or sensationalism.
S. Deal with or refer to unconfirmed versions or reports.
3. Contain any estimate of the number of planes involved or
the number of bombs dropped except as given in com¬
muniques.
4. Make any reference to damage to military objections such
as fortifications, docks, railroads, ships, airfields,
public utilities, or industrial plants engaged in war
work.
5. Make any mention of the exact routes taken by enemy planes.
6. Describe counter-measures of defense, such as troop mobil¬
izations or movements, or the number or location of
anti-aircraft guns or searchlights in action, except
as officially announced.
Broadcasters are asked to make no remote ad lib broad¬
casts dealing with raids without obtaining the express approval of
the military authorities in control of the area involved.
It is requested that no photographs showing damage or
combat action be published or transmitted except upon clearance by
military authorities.
Nothing in this request is intended to prevent or curtail
constructive reporting of such matters as feats of heroism, inci¬
dents of personal courage, or response to duty by the military or
by civilian defense workers.
This request relates only to air attacks. With respect to
other forms of attack, no request is made beyond the present provi¬
sions of the Press and Broadcasting Codes. It should be repeated,
however, that in case of any attack, of whatever character, the
greatest caution should be exercised, not only to be factually cor¬
rect, but to avoid anything which might spread hysteria.
Now you will be concerned about the promptness and ade¬
quacy of the Array communiques. This lias all been considered in
detail, and the necessity for providing immediately a clear official
picture of the situation is thoroughly understood. Every Defense
Command will endeavor to give out the facts with the greatest pos¬
sible speed, and to provide facilities also for clearing photo¬
graphs without delay. Naturally each of you will want to make prioi*
6
5/15/42
contact with the Defense Command in your own locality, so that
there may be no misunderstanding as to the manner in which contact
is to be made in an emergency.
This has been a confidential talk, and I‘m sorry we could
not all be assembled in one room, so that xve could discuss the whole
subject. Copies of which I have said will be sent to all stations
and newspapers in confidence, and not for publication, and I hope
that if any of you has a question or a suggestion he will send it
along. I hope also that each of you will take special steps to
insure that every member of your staffs understands the plan
thoroughly, in advance, so there will be no slip-up when the time
come s.
We are all in this together, and I know that by working
together, we can do the job,
XXXXXXXX
TELEGRAPH MERGER, INCLUDING RADIO, DEMAInIDED BY FLY
Chairman James L. Fly of the Federal Communications Com¬
mission, told Congress that there should be a merger without delay
of the two major domestic telegraph companies. Even more import¬
ant than the combining of the Western Union and the Postal, he
declared, was the consolidation of the international radio-tele¬
graph and cable facilities. The merging of the landlines should
come first but an international merger was necessary for military
and other reasons.
Appearing before the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee
holding hearings on legislation that would bring about the merger
of Western Union and Postal Telegraph, Mr. Fly revealed that the
Government has already advanced six million dollars ”to keep Postal
Telegraph going”. He Said he did not believe this could be con¬
tinued.
Chairman Fly declared if there was no legislation, the
Defense Communications Board with its war powers could bring about
the merger within fifteen minutes. He added if the telegraph com¬
panies themselves didn’t take the initiative, he would ask Congress
for mandatory merger powers,
Mr, Fly disputed Admiral S. C. Hooper's contention that
cables and radios should be merged in their respective fields. He
didn't agree with Admiral Hooper that the Anny and Navy should
have equal power with the FCC over the merger steps. He also op¬
posed the view of Admiral Hooper who advocated that radiotelegraph
companies continue their domestic services for pickup and delivery
of their international messages.
7
5/15/42
Mr. Fly denied the assertion that radio is an infant
industry still held down by the cables as in 1917, In regard to
the idea of permitting domestic radiotelegraph carriers to continue
operations and the domestic telegraph to continue its cable system,
Chairman Fly said; "We feel strongly we ought to do a clean job. "
There should be entirely separate domestic and international monop¬
olies, in his opinion.
Another witness, Kenneth E. Stockton, Chairman of the
Executive Committee of the rfeckay Radio and Commercial Cables and
All America Cables, said;
"Merger of American cable and wireless facilities and
services in the international field could not have the slightest
effect insofar as the merged companies are concerned. Its radio
activities would continue to be governed by the wire telegraph
regulations to which the American cable companies are not even now
subject. "
xxxxxxxx
KNOWLSON SETS UP 13 WPB REGIONAL OFFICES
One of the most important steps yet taken in the decentral¬
ization of War Production Board activities throughout the nation
was announced by James S, Knowlson, Director of Industry Operations,
with the issuance of orders and regulations officially setting up
13 regional offices and vesting broad authority in the regional
directors. They are ;
Region No. 1 - Boston; No. 2 - New York; No. 3 - Phila¬
delphia; No. 4 - Atlanta; No. 5 - Cleveland; No. 6 - Chicago;
No. 7 - Kansas City; No, 8 - Dallas; No. 9 - Denver; No, 10 -
San Francisco; No. 11 - Detroit; No. 12 - Minneapolis; No, 13 -
Seattle,
So far, six Regional Directors have been appointed -
Orville H. Bullitt in Philadelphia; Ernest Kanzler, Detroit;
Frank H, Neely, Atlanta; John C. Virden, Cleveland; Joseph L.
Overlook, Chicago, and Walter H. Wheeler, Boston.
XXXXXXXX
Japan is faced with shortages of ocean transport and
materials and has introduced a sweeping program for conserving and
mobilizing its resources, the Office of Facts and Figures reported
on the basis of Japanese radio reports gleaned by the Federal Com¬
munications Commission’s listening post.
XXXXXXXXX
~ 8 -
.1, f:
5/15/42
WESTING-HOUSE GREATLY EXPAl^DS WAR TUBE PRODUCTION
(For Release Sunday, May 17, 1942)
Increased wartime needs will speed production of thous¬
ands of new radio transmitting tubes at Westinghouse in 1942 to
help reinforce the nation's military signal communications and
enlarge short wave broadcasting facilities, it was announced at
Bloomfield, N. J.
Equipment for "walkie-talkie" radio stations and more
than 25 different types of broa.dcaating tubes are now being pro¬
duced for the Array, Navy and Air Corps, according to Dr. W. H.
McCurdy, Ifenager of Radio Engineering for the Westinghouse Lamp
Division.
"In the greatest expansion of radio facilities in the
history of the industry research men today are working on develop¬
ments which will prove as startling when peace returns as the
telephone and electric light were in an earlier generation. Now
enlisted for the duration, these devices, like the telephone and
electric light, may some day change the mode of living for mil¬
lions of Americans", Dr. McCurdy declared.
Compared to our present facilities, Dr. McCurdy said, the
armies of the first World War were relatively without radio "voice"
or "hearing" until late in the conflict. When the United States
entered the war in 1917, there were only 50 aircraft radios avail¬
able and these were limited in range of communication.
"Today, the men who pilot America's military planes have
modern transmitters which often go into action simultaneously with
the pilots' guns. Voice coraraurxl cations, coordinating aircraft with
ground or sea forces during actual combat are now a vital oart of
military tactics althougli radios are generally silent until the
presence of the planes has been detected by the enemy."
Even tanks now have voice transmitters and receivers to
provide greatest coordination of mechanized units, Dr. McCurdy point¬
ed out. FM, the frequency modulation system, has improved tank
broadcasting, further reducing the interference caused by the oper¬
ation of motors and other electrical equipment.
Taking a.tip from the London policemen who several years
ago wore tiny radio transmitters in their hats, the U. 3. Signal
Corp is now equipping its men with one-watt "broadcasting stations".
Like walking patrol cars, parachute troops and riflemen equipped
with these five-pound sets are now able to carry on conversations
with their comrads two miles away.
For short-wave broadcasting stations fighting the Axis
nations in a "war of the air waves", Westinghouse is now producing
the largest air-cooled transmitting tubes in existence. These giant
tubes, cooled by a.irplane-type fins, consume 25,000 watts each and
generate enough excess heat to keep a six- room house warm in winter.
XXXXXXXX
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5/15/42
NAB BY LARGE VOTE ADMITS NETS TO ACTIVE MMBERSHIP
The National Association of Broadcasters at Its conclud¬
ing business session at the Cleveland Convention by a vote of more
than 4 to 1 approved a proposal to admit the radio networks to
full active membership in the organization. Following this, Edward
Klauber, ranking vice-president, accepted the offer in behalf of
the Columbia Broadcasting System and nominated Paul Kesten, CBS
vice-president, to represent Columbia,
said:
Commenting on the action of the Association, Mr. Klauber
"The networks are a very vital part of the industry and
therefore should have a voice in the deliberations of the NAB, if
it is going to speak for the industry as a whole. Cliarges that
the networks seek to dominate the Association are sheer demagoguery.
If NBC and the Blue Network accept membership, as is
expected, and the Mutual Broadcasting System, at this writing
still not a member of NAB, should rejoin under the new arrangement,
there would conceivably be four network directors.
Six Directors at large were elected for one-year terms.
They are:
Small Stations - James W. Woodruff, Jr. , President, WRBL,
Columbus, Ga. ; Herbert Hollister, President, KAl'IS, Vi[lchlta, Kans,
Medium Stations - Don S, Elias, Executive Director, Wl'lfNC,
Asheville, N. C. ; Eugene P. O^Fallon, President, KFEL, Denver.
Large Stations - J. 0. Maland, Vice President, WHO, Des
Moines; Edwin W. Craig, Vice President, WSM, Nashville.
It was voted to abolish the NAB Executive Committee,
The attendance at Cleveland was estimated at about 1000, The 1943
convention will be held in New Orleans.
The NAB, among a large number of resolutions that were
adopted, reaffirmed its intention to cooperate in any manner pos¬
sible with the Government "in presenting a united front in the
defense of our institutions. "
The Association also pledged its all-out support of the
nation's war program and rededicated the radio industry "to the
advancement of the American way of life and to the reservation of
the unity and morale of the American people. ”
In another resolution the organization said it was
"deeply appreciative of the fair treatment which has been accorded
to the broadcasting industry by the press ' generally in respect to
the broadcasters' efforts to keep radio free and its recognition
of the common bond that links these two great media of free expres¬
sion under the guarantee of the Constitution. "
- 10 -
5/15/42
The NAB indorsed the proposals made by its President,
Neville Miller, in his testimony before a House Committee holding
hearings on the Sanders Bill, which would amend the Federal Com¬
munication Act of 1934 and define more definitely the powers of
the Federal Communications Commission.
Other resolutions adopted expressed the following:
Condemnation of ’^pernicious practices" used in popular¬
izing musical compositions over the air and the broadcasting of
race-by-race results that were chiefly of value to bookmakers.
Extension of sympathy to the family of the late Graham
McNamee, pioneer radio announcer, described as one of the best-
known and best-loved voices in radio.
There was also condemnation of organizations outside of
the Government seeking commercial advancement through free use of
broadcast facilities sometimes under the guise of participation
in the war program. Another resolution hit "corrupt practices
used to foster music by radio". The Association was directed to
do all in its power to tenninate such practices.
XXXXXXXX
PRESS RADIO STATIONS TO HAVE CONGRESSIONAL HEARING
The next witnesses to be heard before the House Inter¬
state Commerce Committee in connection with the Sainders Bill which
would reorganize the Federal Communications Commission, will be
the representatives of the newspaper- owned broadcasting systems
whose fate at present hangs susoended between heave and earth at
the FCC. The Congressional sessions are to be resumed Tuesday,
May 19th.
XXXXXXXXXX
VICE PRESIDENT WALLACE TO DEDI CA.TE CBS AIiflERICAS NETWORK
Vice President Henry A, Wallace is to address the Diplo¬
matic Conps of Latin America in the United States at a dinner in
Washington Tuesday, May 19, celebrating dedication of the Columbia
Broadcasting System's Network of the Americas. The new web com¬
prises 76 stations in the 20 neighbor republics.
Other principal speakers at the dinner are Dr. Don Luis
Quintanilla, Minister Plenipotentiary and Counsellor of the Mexican
Embassy, Dr. Don Adrian Recinos, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of Guatemala, President Juan Antonio Rios, Presi¬
dent of Chile, and Alfredo Baldomir, President of Uruguay, the
latter two speaking from their presidential palaces.
These speeches are to be transmitted by the three CBS
international transmitters to every station in the new network
below the Rio Grande from 10:30 to 11:00 P.M. , EWT. The Vice
President speaks in Spanish
XXXXXXXX
11 -
5/15/42
TRADE NOTES : : :
• * t
Station KUTA, Salt Lake City, Utah, was granted modifi¬
cation of construction permit for changes in directional antenna
and increase in power from 5 KW, LS. , 1 KW, directional antenna,
to 5 KW, directional antenna, and extension of commencement and
extension of commencement and completion da,te.
The Philco Corporation in Philadelphia declared a divi¬
dend of 10 cents per common share payable June 12 to shareholders
of record May 28. This compares with 25 cents paid on March 12.
Gerald C. G-ross, Assistant Chief Engineer of the Federal
Communications Commission, and Mrs. Phoebe Sue Brundage Crosby,
were married last week in Fredericksburg, Va.
The fomer Mrs. Crosby was educated in England and Wash¬
ington, where she attended Marjorie Webster School. Mr. Gross,
who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Gross of Long Island, N.Y. ,
is a graduate of Haverford College and President of the Haverford
Society of Washington.
Charles Mostow, trading as Majestic Electric Supply Co. ,
2333 West Chicago Ave. , Chicago, entered into a stipulation with
the Federal Trade Commission to cease representing, in connection
with the sale of electrical supplies and other merchandise, or plac¬
ing in the hands of others the means of representing, that a ficti¬
tious or marked-up price is the customary or usual retail price of
such merchandise.
To keep America, abreast of latest developments in World
War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the National Broadcasting
Company since then has devoted 146 hours and 37 minutes to war news
broadcasts and announcements by Government agencies.
In addition, the NBC Television station, WNBT, has put on
a total of 10 hours and 25 minutes per week of visual instruction
for Air Raid Wardens.
In the May 12 issue of Defense , published by WPB, is a
cartoon by the famous artist Soglow. The first scene shows the
f'actory of the "Eureka Radio Company” in peacetime; in the next the
Chairman of the Company saying to his Directors; "Gentlemen - we
are converting our plant to do war worii. "
The third scene shows a plant about twice the size of the
one first shown v/ith a sign on it, "Eureka Tank Company"; a fourth
scene shov/s tanks coming off the production line; the fourth the
tanks going into action, and the final scene showing the tanks
playing radio music as well as firing shot and shell at the enemy.
Three column mats of the Sop;low cartoon will be furnished on
application to Distribution Section, Division of Information,
Office for Emergency Management, Washington, D. C.
XXXXXXXXX
- 12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OF MAY 19, 1949
Claim 60% Of The People Now G-et News Via Radio, . 2
Broadcasters Pooling Equipment Decision Expected Thursday . 3
Majestic Radio Complies With Fair Employment Order.
Mackay And Press Wireless Open Cairo Radio Circuits
Charges Agricultural Extravagance Includes Ra.dio. , ,
Denied U. S. Will Close All But 26 Clear Cliannels. . .
KVOR Cited For Employee Interference .
Maine Homes Largely Provided With Radios .
ASCAP Receives Kindly Reception At Cleveland .
DuPont Prize For Best Station And Commentator,...
Berkeley To Do The Honors For Blue Net In Capital
FBI Again Active As Diathermy Machines Are Listed
I. T. & T. Offers U. S. Free Use Of Its Patents . 10
Trade Notes . . . 11
National Grange Endorses Clear Channel Stations . 12
No. 1430
lO C-D- COCO CTJCTi
May 19, 1942
CLAIM 60^ OF THE PEOPLE NOW GET NEWS VIA RADIO
That about 60^ of the people now depend upon radio for
their information, that about 20^ depend upon press and radio and
only about 20^ depend upon the press alone, was made last Sunday
during a broadcast of the Chicago University Round Table. Those
participating in the program were James L. Fly, Chairman of the
Federal Communications Commission; William Benton, Vice-President
of the University of Chicago, and Harold D. Lasswell, Director of
Research of the Library of Congress.
Later in a discussion of short-wave broadcasting, the
proportion of the people who get their news by radio was estimated
by Mr. Benton at 50^ and in this Chairman Fly seemed to concur.
It came about as follows:
Mr. Benton: "The problem of short-wave is very different from the
problem of broadcasting. Short-wave is in effect a
method of attack. Short-wave stations are commercially
owned in this country. "
Mr. Fly: "I am sure they have never made a cent of profit - all
outgo and no income. You have private operation by
these American concerns for a purely national purpose. "
Mr. Benton: "Is the Government going to have to subsidize these
stations or control them or take them over in order to
maintain maximum achievement? 50 percent of the people
of this country get their information from radio. "
Mr. Fly: "I imagine that is true. There are seven times as
many radio sets perhaps in this country as in the
Axis country. "
Mr. Benton: "Millions can listen in as participants. It is the
only form of communication that reaches the people
simultaneously. "
Mr. Lasswell: "Everybody can listen in and get a chance of sharing
the great national destiny. "
Chaiman Fly took the opportunity during the Chicago
Round Table to again express himself on the subject of private owner¬
ship of stations, the broadcasters’ resDonsibilities, and many other
phases of the war situation.
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"There is entrusted to the broedcesters the reel mechen-
Ism of free speech", he declered. "They will bring into operation
an effective weapon. It is unthinkable that persons who are favor¬
ed by allocation of frequencies will sell their own personal
policies and ideas to the public. The broadcaster has a greater
element of duty than a right. The real basic problem is to inform
the people and it doesn't involve in any comprehensive sense the
personal ideas of the broadcaster himself. I am talking about the
control of transmitters. I think the stations should remain in
the hands of private people. I am a great believer of advertising.
Also Mr. Fly seemed convinced that the correct manner of
putting on the war programs and the shoTOanship of the business
should be left in the hands of the broadcasters. Ke said:
"You can’t treat suck broadcasting as a purely mechanical
matter. You have to bear in mind such factors as listeners'
fatigue and need of the public for diversion. -sf- i want to
emphasize the broadcasters are really the men who can tell whether
it is the right time to broadcast ’Bluebirds over the Fields of
Dover’ . "
xxxxxxxx
BROADCASTERS POOLING EQUIPMENT DECISION E XPECTED THURSDAY
Asked what the status of the broadcasters equipment pool
situation now pending before the Defense Communications Board was,
Chairman James L. Fly replied that it could be acted upon at the
meeting next Thursday if the Board so desired.
Someone suggested that Mr. Fly explain the equipment pool
ing matter further, and he replied:
"The broadcasters all know that. They originated the
plan. The general idea has been one that I have promoted for many
months but up to recently everybody said it was utterly unfeasible.
Broadcasters themselves had questions about it. It was perfectly
obvious that it was difficult . . . Gradually the industry Itself
started thinking in those terras and that led to finally assigning
it to the domestic broadcasting committee for study and you know
what has come out of that. "
XXXXXXXX
"Don’t Throw it Away - Stow it Away, Waste Saved is
Victory Gained, " These are the slogans that the entire WOR staff
has adapted to ensure the success of the "War on Waste" campaign.
XXXXXXXX
- 3
1
5/19/42
MAJESTIC RADIO COMPLIES WITH FAIR EMPLOYIJIENT ORDER
Five additional war contractors, including the Majestic
Radio and Television Company of Chicago, have notified the Presi¬
dent’s Committee on Fair Employment Practice that they intend to
comply with its recent directions to follow an employment policy
which does not discriminate against workers because of their race,
creed, color, or national origin, Lawrence W. Cramier, Executive
Secretary of the Committee, announced.
Members of the Committee include David Samoff, President
of the Radio Corporation of America, and Mark Ethridge, of Station
WHAS, Louisville,
The comoanles reoorting besides flajestic are the A. 0,
Smith Corporation, Milwaukee; the Buick Motor Division of G-eneral
Motors Corooration, Detroit; Bearse Manufacturing Company, Chicago,
and the Studebaker Corporation, South Bend, Ind.
All the concerns, Cramer stated, have explained that they
had taken the first steps - to give written instructions to their
hiring officials that there shall be no discrimination in hiring
based on race, creed, color, or national origin, and additional
instructions to employment offices and other placement agencies
that there shall be no discrimination in the referral of workers.
xxxxxxxx
MAC KAY AND PRESS WIRELESS OPEN CAIRO RADIO CIRCUITS
Important new links in the rapidly growing United Nations
system of radio communication were opened last Saturday by the
Mackay Radio and Telegraph Company and Press Wireless between New
York and Cairo. The latter was for transmission of photographs.
It was the tenth new circuit opened by Mackay Radio
since the war and licenses for many others to additional important
centers in the United Nations and Latin America have been granted
by the Federal Communications Commission and will be opened
shortly.
In opening the Press Wireless circuit. President Roose¬
velt posed for pictures with Mahmoud Hassin Bey, Egyptian Minister
to the United States, and a photograph was transmitted to Cairo as
the first picture to move on a direct radio photo service between
the United States and Egypt.
XXXXXXXX
4
6
5/19/42
CHARGES AGRICULTURAL EXTRA VAGAMCE INCLUDES RADIO
In his charge that the Agriculture Department is extrav¬
agantly operated, Senator Byrd, of Virginia, criticized the amount
that was being spent for publicity, including radio. He produced
statistics on the subject which heretofore have not been available
to the public.
’’For radio, $159,008 was spent for salaries; for motion
pictures, $155,733; and for electrical transcriptions, $11,679",
Senator Byrd declared. "The total estimated press, radio, motion-
picture, and electrical-transcription exicenditures for the Deoart-
nient of Agriculture during the fiscal year 1942 were $823,700.
That represents pure oublicity, and nothing else, for that one
Department. It is not claimed to be anything else but oublicity. "
The Senator from Virginia, who seems to be one of the
very few concerned with saving money, had a list that covered 8
pages in agate type of the Congressional Record (May 15) giving
the names of the employees of the Department of Agriculture whose
full or part time duties include the preparation or distribution
of information by the media, of the press, radio, motion pictures,
and electrical transcriptions.
Those concerned with radio and their estimated salaries
for 1942 chargeable to press, radio, motion pictures and electri¬
cal transcriptions, were;
Agricultural Adjustment Administration; Carle ton W.
Collin, $ 910; Harold P, Lewis, $2,768; Lillian G. Mills, $1,026;
Adolph A. AtKinson, $72.00 ; Maurice L. DuMars, $ 723 ; Harriett E.
Gordon, $583; Bernice G. Sabatini, $162; R. Lyle Webster, $1,558;
Jack R. Hartline, $640; John L. MacDerraid, $1,520; Earll H. Nikkei,
$960; James S. Reynolds, $1,035; Harry P. Clark, $474; Quincy Ewing,
$960; James W. Hook, $445; Wayne H. Derrow, Director, $1,050.
Bureau of Agricultural Economics; Sara K. Narpo, $97.
Agricultural %rketing Service; Rowell, E. J. , $3,250;
Jack Towers, ~$2, 348 ; Miss Sisco, ^1,557;
Farm Credit Administration; Clay Mobley, $230; Josephine
Kuipers, $1,660; Frances Price, $1 ,480.
Fa,rm Security Administration ; Ma r v i n Beers, $3,040;
Frances Fox, cl, 927.
Bureau of Home Economics; Ruth Van Deraan, $2,220;
Elma K. Van Horn^ §2,029.
Office of Information; Walla ce L . Kadde rly , $5 , 800 ;
Maurice L, Du!\fers, $3 ,0 66 ; John Baker, $1,800; Kenneth L. Gapen,
$3,800; Charles A. Herndon, $3,700;
- 5 -
5/19/42
Soli ConBervation Service: Cr, K. Zlmmemian, S954;
Forney Rankin, ^94; Barrington King, ?3,250; Ewing Jones, f!950;
Virgil Beck, .^1,241; B. W. McGinnis, S570; Charles Malts, .71,485;
H. L. Jenkins, 71,920; Charles Webb, 72,400; F. G. Loyd, 72,560;
K. J. Swan, 72,880; Frank B. Haroer, $3,400; Walter Lloyd, $2,310;
Duncan Scott, $1,125;
Rural Electrification Administration: Osmand Molarsky,
$2,400;
Surplus Marketing Administration: A. M. Trachman,
$150; J. Don Walsh, 81,400; Dorothea W. Hansen, $1,620; F. P.
Freyman, $1,600; Millard Faught, $1,600; Meno Schoenba.ch, $2,250;
xxxxxxxxx
DENIED U.S. WILL CLOSE PIjL BUT 26 CLEAR CHANNELS
A rumor at the Cleveland convention of the National
Association of Broadcasters that the Federal Communications Commls
Sion was considering eliminating all radio outlets except the 26
clear channels was characterized at the Commission as "a wild,
screv^/y yarn”. W. J. Scrlpps, of Station WJ, Detroit, was quoted
as saying at Cleveland that he ’’understood” the FCC contemplated
such a limit on stations on the ground that 26 clear channel sta¬
tions could blanket the nation and In time of war would be much
easier to police than the present more than 800 stations, Mr.
Scrlpps declined to disclose the source which reported the sup¬
posedly Impending change.
Expressing doubt that the stations on the 26 channels
would adequately cover the country, even If the CK)vernment took
them over, a Commission official said: ”If the clear channel sta¬
tions afforded sufficient coverage, why would advertisers not use
those and those only. Of course they do not. VifEAF In New York Is
on a clear channel yet does the NBC give up Its regional stations
such as WRC In Washington?
"It Is hard to believe that broadcasters took the 26
channel rumor seriously. Usually they are quick on the trigger
In making telephone calls. Ordinarily, when such an alarming
statement Is made, we would have been flooded with telephone calls
and telegrams. However, In this case, not a single Inquiry was
received. ”
XXXXXXXXXX
6
5/19/42
KVOR CITED FOR EMPLOYEE INTERFERENCE
The National Labor Relations Board announced an order dir*-
ecting the Outlet Broadcasting Company of Colorado Borings, oper¬
ators of Station KVOR, to cease employee interference.
KVOR is a CBS affiliate, the owner of which is E. K.
Gaylord, also owner of WKY in Oklahoma City. A New York news¬
paper recently devoted a page to reproducing the views of Mr.
Gaylord against the 40-hour week.
XXXXXXXX
MAINE HOMES LARGELY PROVIDED WITH RADIOS
The number of homes having a radio is shown for Maine in
statistics from the 1940 Census of Housing announced by Director
J. C. Capt of the Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce.
The announcement gives the preliminary figures for each county,
for the rural-nonfarm and rural-fa ra parts of each county, and for
each city of 25,000 inhabitants or more. These figures, as well
as similar data for urban places of 2,500 to 25,000 Inhabitants
and for the metropolitan districts will be presented in the Second
Series Housing Bulletin for the State which will be published in
the near future.
OCCUPIED MAINE D I’lTELLING UNITS WITH RADIO, FOR COUNTIES, AND
FOR CI'T’IES OF 25,000 OR MOT^E: 1940
(A dwelling unit was enumerated as ’’with radio” if it con¬
tained a usable radio set or one only temporarily out of
repair)
Area. - The State
Total
With
Radio
No
Radio
Not
reporting
Radio
Total dwelling units
(including urban)
218,968
184,348
28,856
5,764
Rural-nonfarm
dwelling units
90,186
73,856
14,049
2, 281
Rural- farm
dwelling units
40,376
30,247
8, 944
1,185
Bangor
7,420
6,923
295
202
Lewiston
9,259
8,568
510
181
Portland
19,643
18,096
926
621
XXXXXXXXX
7
5/19/42
ASCAP RECEIVES KINDLY RECEPTION AT CLEVELAND
Having buried the hatchet deeply, a friend].y reception
was accorded General Manager Paine at the Cleveland broadcasters
convention. The old ASCAP war was apparently forgotten in the
cooperation of the station operators and the composers in an
effort to meet conditions imposed by a second great World War.
Mr. Paine reported ASCAP has 635 commercial contracts
from broadcasters, in addition to 32 non-commercial contracts. Of
the aggregate, 102 are per-program contracts as against only 8 by
BMI. In many instances, stations have taken blanket susteinings
and commercials, and in others they have taken oer-program commer¬
cials and blanket sustainings or other combinations, he said,
Mr. Paine outlined to the convention ASCAP’ s new program
service, which he predicted would prove a boon both to the industry
and to the Society in its dealings with broadcasters. It is
designed to help stations merchandise ASCAP music.
Ifeny stations do not know how to use ASCAP ’s "rich
repertoire", he declared, in extolling the service. It will en¬
able stations to realize revenue and make ASCAP service nay, rather
than prove an expense. A presentation, along with the first series
of 13 weeks, will be on the desk of every broadcaster upon his
returnfrom the convention, he declared. The service is produced
in three separate groups so competitive stations in the s ame market
will not receive duplicate production.
In addition to the regular service, ASCAP will produce
special day and holiday scripts, tying into its catalogues. He
said experiments have been conducted for about a year and have
worked well,
XXXXXXXX
DUPONT PRIZE FOR BEST STATION AND COIIiENTATOR
A luncheon of the Radio Correspondents' Association in
Washington on Monday was the occasion for the announcement of the
establishment of the Alfred I. DuPont Memorial Awards - 81,000
each for the outstanding performance of an individual radio report¬
er or commentator, and the other for outstanding public service by
an individual radio station,
XXX XXXXXXXX
8
5/19/42
BERKELEY TO DO THE HONORS FOR BLUE NET IN CAPITAL
Con^atulations continue to be received by Kenneth H.
Berkeley upon his appointment to the important post of Washington
representative of the Blue Network. Mr. Berkeley, who is splendid¬
ly qualified for his new duties, having for many years served as
Oeneral Manager for NBC stations, WRC and WIJIAL, will continue in
the same capacity for the latter station, which is now owned by
the Washington Star. WMAL is the Blue outlet in the Capital. Thus
Mr, Berkeley will serve both the Blue and WIviAL. Samuel H, Kaufman
is President of the Evening Star Broadcasting Comoany,
The Blue Network will move into the offices now occupied
by the Radio Corporation of America in the Trans-Lux, and the RCA
will move to the brand new Commonwealth Building, near 16th and K
Streets, next door to WOL, and Mutual, and Just across the street
from the headquarters of the National ricsooirtion of Broadcasters.
A native Washingtonian, Mr. Berkeley has been with NBC
since its formation in 1926, He Joined RCA in 1923, at which time
it owned and operated WRC, and became its Assistant Manager. When
NBC was formed and took over operation of WRC, Mr. Berkeley con¬
tinued in his capacity as Assistant Manager. He has been Manager
of the station since 1927, and acted in a dual capacity as Manager
of both WRC and WMAL when the latter was acquired under operating
lease several years later.
XXXXXXXXX
FBI AGAIN ACTIVE AS DIATHERMY MACHINES ARE LISTED
Closely follov.'ing the Federal Communications Commission’s
order which was foreshadowed in these columns several weeks ago,
that all diathermy machines should be registered, two of these
machines serving as enemy short-wave transmitters were sized by
the Federal Bureau of Investigation at Kingston, N. Y.
The sudden visits and searches of homes of seventy-five
aliens of enemy nationalities in that area were conducted by agents
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in cooperation with Ulster
County and Kingston authorities, according to E. E. Conroy, local
FBI chief. Six Gerroans and two Italians were taken into custody
and thirteen short-wave radio receivers, twenty- three cameras, ten
shotguns, a pistol, some ammunition and a big Japanese flag also
were confiscated.
The formal diathermy order was as follows:
"All possessors of diathermy apparatus including dealer
stocks, must register each such device with the Federal Communica¬
tions Commission in Washington, D. C, , by June 8, 1942, that agency
announced Monday. The order adopted by the FCC does not apply to
9 -
5/19/42
persons owning sun lamps, infra-red lamps or ultra violet ray
devices, long sold by drug and department stores.
"Diathermy apparatus, resembling floor-model radios in
appearance, are devices used by physicians, osteopaths and physio¬
therapists for the treatment of various ailments. They are design¬
ed to generate radio frequency energy and operate in such manner
that patients may be treated for internal disorders by generation
of teat within their bodies. It is estimated that there are 100,000
such devices throughout the United States, mostly in the hands of
professional persons while an appreciable proportion is owned by
individuals for private use. There are some portable models; and
of the total, a few are not factory made,
"Separate registration of each piece of apparatus will
be on forms supplied by the FCC or its field offices. No fee is
necessary. Seizure and heavy penalties are provided for failure
to register and for false statements. "
XXXXXXXXX
I. T. & T. OFFERS U. S. FREE USE OF ITS PATENTS
On behalf of itself and its subsidiaries. International
Standard Electric Corporation, International Telephone & Radio
Manufacturing Corporation and Federal Telegraph Company, the
International Telephone & Telegraph Company, tiarougii its Presi¬
dent Sosthenes Behn, has offered to the United States Government
the free use of all the patents of these companies, for the dura¬
tion of the war and six months thereafter, making such patents
available without charge, to the Government and to manufacturers
who are supplying the needs of the Government services.
The International Telephone & Radio Manufacturing Corp. ,
(I.T.R. M. ) and its subsidiary. Federal Telegraph Company, which
was acquired during June, 1941, were utilizing less than 180,000
square feet of factory floor space in the early months of 1941.
This has been expanded to a total of more than 630,000 square feet
of floor space and the two companies are employing more than 3,500
employees. The entire line of apparatus and equipment produced in
the radio, telephone and telegraph fields has been made available
to the United States Government and the research laboratories, in
charge of experts with many years of experience, are cooperating
with the Government to the fullest extent.
Combined sales of the two companies for 1941 amounted to
$5,465,000 on which there was a net income of $173,000 before pro¬
vision for income taxes of $100,000. I.T.R. M. and Federal are in
process of being consolidated into a single company with the name
Federal Telephone and Radio Corporation.
XXXXXXXXXXX
10
5/19/42
TRADE NOTES :
In his charge that the Government Itself was a chief of¬
fender, and making no effort to conserve gas, Senator Byrd, of
Virginia, brougiit out the fact that not including the Array and Navy
there were almost 20,000 Federal automobiles using gasoline in
unaccounted and unlimited quantities.
The Senator reported that the Federal Communications Com¬
mission has 134 automobiles, costing to operate for the full year
$16,640, and they traveled 851,271 miles.
Appointment of R. P. (Bob) Almy to Manager of Renewal
Radio Tube Sales was announced by C. W. Shaw, (General Sales Manager
of the Radio Tube Division of the Ky grade Sylvania Corporation.
Announcement was made at the same time of the appointment of A. R.
Oliver to Field Sales Manager of the Renewal Tube Sales Division.
Mr. Almy will have his headquarters at Emporium, ?a. , while Mr.
Oliver will operate out of (Chicago.
The National Broadcasting Company, Inc., Mobile Station
WNBR has applied for modification of license for change in area
normally served by station from Cleveland, Ohio, to Washington, D. C.
and change from station with which it is to be used from WTAIv4,
Cleveland, Ohio, to WRC, Washington, D. C.
The two da.y ’’clinic" in station promotion and research
for CBS owned and operated stations, originally scheduled for
Chicago, May 18 and 19, is to be held in New York instead tomorrow
and Thursda.y, May 20 and 21.
Chairman Fly said last Monday that the FCC had some
serious study under way on the Inter- American rates.
■In connection with the President’s consolidation of the
various publicity services, it is reported that all radio activ¬
ities of Colonel Donovan’s office have been transferred to the
Office of Facts and Figures.
The War Production Board last week banned new installa¬
tions of air conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment
except to meet war and essential civilian requirements. New in¬
stallations designed solely for personal comfort, such as in .
theaters, restaurants.
hotels, etc. , will not be permitted.
CBS Television is Issuing first aid charts free to members
of its audience taking the ten-hour first aid course conducted by
the American Red Cross and televised Tuesday and Thursday nights.
The illustrative charts issued to da.te cover the first four lessons
of the course. They have enabled televiewers to prepare the proper
eye, arm, ankle and other bandates with ease. G-lossy prints of ^
the charts are available on request.
11 -
^ C • , * ” ■
\
I
5/19/42
WOR-Mutual ’ s recording of General Douglas isfe-cArthur’ s
speech upon his arrival at Melbourne on March 21, 1942, will go on
sale on Thursday, May 21, in New York City, All profits will go to
the U.S.O.
Dr. Charles B. Jolliffe, Assistant to the President of
the Ra.dio Corporation of America, and Chief Engineer of RCA Labor¬
atories, was awarded the honorary degree LL. D. by West Virginia
University on Monday.
Dr, Jolliffe was graduated from West Virginia University
with a B. S. degree in 1915, and achieved the M. S. degree at West
Virginia in 1920. He was awarded the PH. D. in 1922 at Cornell
University where he was instructor in Physics from 1920 to 1922.
He later became physicist in the Radio Section of the Bureau of
Standards and was appointed Chief Engineer of the Federal Radio
Commission in 1930 and of the Federal Communications Commission in
1934.
The Columbia Broadcasting System has revised its
of voluntary payments to drafted employees. Each employee
by the company for six months or longer is to receive an
policy
employed
amount
equal to the difference between his regular CBS compensation end
his starting pay in the armed forces, calculated on his length of
service with CBS at the time of his induction as follows;
6 months or more or less than 1 year's
employment
1 year or more or less than 3 years*
employment
3 years or more or less than 5 years'
employment
5 years or more or less than 6 years'
employment
More than 6 years employment
2 week’s salary
1 month's salary
2 months* salary
3
4
months*
months'
salary
salary
In addition to the above scale of payments, the company
is continuing its policy of contributing to the cost of insurance
coverage for employees entering military service who have been in¬
sured under the CBS cooperative life insurance plan.
XXXXXXXXX
NATIONAL GRANGE ENDORSES CLEAR CHAIhNEL STATIONS
Among the resolutions adopted as legislative recommenda¬
tions at the annual convention of the National Grange at Worcester,
Mass. , was the follof/ing on radio broadcasting:
"With more than 70 percent of the farm homes of the
farm homes of the National dependent upon service from ’clear chan¬
nel' radio stations, we urge that nothing be done to curtail these
stations in order to give more service to the big cities, which
are already well supplied. "
XXXXXXXXXX
12 -
'» •
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
- ^ - RECaVED
MW23'i9^'^
frknk E. «uluk
INDEX TO ISSUE OF MAY 22, 1942
\
^ 'k
Fine Radio Weather Now With No Sun Spots In Sight. . . 1 Jl, .... 2
New York City Stations Silenced In Air Raid Test . 3
Lid Goes Dovm On Qjuartz Crystals In Radio . 4
WSAM Power Boost And Frequency Change Favored . 5
War Rank Of Ship Radio Operators Created . . . 5
D.R. Hails New CBS Latin- American Network . 6
Solon Says Press And Radio Fail To Give News Fairly . 7
RMA Committee Discusses Parts And Copper Situation . 8
Belittles Editors' Vote-Getting Power . .9
U. S. Intervenes In G.E. Patent Rights Action . . . 10
Think Of Future Sholis, Clear Channel Director, Urges . 10
Trade Notes . 12
No. 1431
FINE RADIO WEATHER NOW WITH NO SUN SPOTS IN SIGHT
With one of the worst magnetic storms in the history of
radio well in the background, atmospheric conditions have again
returned to normal. There is no telling when there may be another
such disruption of radio, telephone and telegraph communications.
These sudden ionosphere disturbances, as explained by Dr. J. H.
Dellinger, of the National Bureau of Standa.rds, who probably knows
more about the subject than any man on earth, are caused by sun
spots. The latter are magnetic storms raging over the solar sur¬
face, and can be plainly seen from the earth.
Dr. Dellinger was the first to observe that when these sun
spots appeared, they immediately played havoc with radio reception.
As a result of his discoveries, these sudden ionosphere disturbances
causing radio fadeouts are now known as ’’the Dellinger effect".
When Dr. Dellinger began studying the atmospheric dis¬
turbances, they ca.rae about every 5 5 days, but after the year 1935,
they became more numerous. They don’t go by seasons.
"These sudden ionosphere disturbances caused by eruptions
on the sun occur so suddenly that a man operating a broadcasting
station thinks he has blown a fuse or the listener thinks his
receiving set has gone bad and tries to repair it", Dr. Dellinger
said. "Reception goes out - bingo.' - just like that. "
There are two kinds of atmospheric disturbances (a) the
ionosphere storm, and (b) the sudden ionosphere disturbance or
"Dellinger effect". The ionosphere storm begins gradually and
lasts for a day or two accompanied by weak and fluctuating signals.
It is most pronounced in the higher latitudes nearer the poles. An
ionosphere storm covers the whole earth. The sudden or "Dellinger
effect" is only felt on the side of the earth towards the sun.
The last ionosphere disturbance becamse so serious that
F. P. Guthrie, District Jfenager of R.C.A. Communications, Inc.,
in Washington said that about the only country his company was able
to get through to without difficulty was Sweden. An unusual thing
about that storm, showing how scientists are now watching this
phenomena, was that it was forecast by several observers, among
them. F. S. McGary, of the Buhl Pla.netarium in Pittsburgh, William
H. Barton, Curator of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, and
William Henry, head of the Department of Astronomy at Brooklyn
Institute.
- 2 -
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5/22/42
li
Mr. McGary, for instance, sounded a warning in March
by saying the strongest magnetic sunspots ever observed had reached
the solar meridian and would be in a position to disrupt radio
reception. When these spots reached the north-south meridian,
he said they would hurl "trillions” of charged particles earthward
every second.
Mr. McG-ary explained that the spots would be "in line"
with the earth for half the sun's cycle - about 12 days.
"If conditions remain as of today", he said then, "the
earth may be in for a stronger magnetic disturbance than took place
last September 18 when radio and telephone communications went
berserk over most of the world, "
And that was exactly what happened.
xxxxxxxx
NEW YORK CITY STATIONS SILENCED IN AIR RAID TEST
Realism was added to an air-raid tryout when all of New
York City's broadcasting stations were ordered to close do’wi dur¬
ing the 19 minute daylight test which began at 11:06 o'clock last
Tuesday morning. It wasn't until 11:17 A, M. that every station
was off the air. "All clear" was sounded at 11:25 A.M.
"Radio stations were besieged by telephone inquiries,
largely from persons who had tuned in during the silence and were
curious to know why they could not raise any of the local sta¬
tions", the New York Times stated, describing the test. "Station
WOR reported that between 400 and 500 calls were received in the
nineteen minutes they were off the air. The National Broadcasting
Company said that double its usual number of switchboard operators
would have been swamped.
"The warning was transmitted to the four major networks -
NBC, Columbia, the Blue network and Mutual - over a direct wire
that links them with the interceptor command. On receipt of the
blue warning an announcer in each of the major studios cuts in with
the brief announcement:
"'This is station _ _ now leaving the air at the
request of the interceptor command, '
"Without further explanation a master switch in the con¬
trol room was thrown, putting each of the local network stations
off the air within fifteen seconds of the warning.
"Some of the approximately twenty- five independent sta¬
tions in the metropolitan area did not go off as quickly. The
arrangement is that each independent station is supposed to remain
monitored to one of the network stations, and to go off the air as
3
I
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soon as the network station does so. Some of them apparently
failed to act at once, for it was not until 11:17, eleven minutes
after the mming, that the last of them became silent.
"In New York City the yellow warning is transmitted to
the Police and Fire Departments, the Board of Education, the Port
of New York Authority and public service installations. The blue
warning goes to these same agencies, but, unlike the yellow signal,
it is a command to all radio stations in the area to go off the air.
"Just how the public was supposed to remain in ignorance
of the confidential alert even after the radio stations had gone
off the air and many thousands of school children had been sent
home was a question that spokesmen for the Interceptor Command and
the Array Infonnation Service were unable or unwilling to answer. "
XXXXXXXXXX
LID GOES DOWN ON QUARTZ CRYSTALS IN RADIO
Strict control over the products for which quartz crystals
may be used was ordered by James S, Knowlson, WPB Director of
Industry Operations.
Except by specific authorization, the crystals may be
used only for these purposes:
Products for use in implements of war produced for the
Army, Navy, or other Government agencies.
Oscillators and filters for use in radio systems operated
by Federal agencies or commercial airlines.
Telephone resonators.
Purchasers must certify to the fabricator of products
containing quartz crystals that the products will be used only for
these purposes.
Holders of 25 pounds or more of quartz crystals, or ten
pieces in a manufactured form not Incorporated in a mounting, as of
May 18, must report to the War Production Board by June 20. Consum¬
ers also must report monthly, by the 20th of the month.
Sales of more than 10 pounds of quartz crystals must be
reported within ten days after the transaction.
X X X X X X X X
4
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5/22/42
WSAM POWER BOOST AND FREQUENCY CHAI^jGE FAVORED
The Federal Comraunicat ions Coramission this week announced
its Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions, proposing to grant,
conditionally, the application of Saginaw Broadcasting Co. (WSAJ14),
Saginaw, Mich. , for modification of license to change its operating
assignment from 1230 kilocycles, 100 watts night, 250 watts daytime,
specified hours, to 1400 kilocycles, 250 watts power, unlimited time.
The Coramission concludes:
"1. Three stockholders of applicant whose combined holdings
amount to a 40^ interest in the licensee corporation have combined
interests totaling over 95,^ in the licensee of Station WBCIvI. There
is no common control of the licensees and the stations are operated
independently of each other.
"2. Operation of WSAiM as proposed will deprive approximately
19,691 of the service available from it during certain day hours
and will deprive about 7,575 of the daytime service received from
WJLB. Service is available to the areas in which these losses would
be experienced from at least four other stations. A full time in
lieu of a part-time local service would be provided to about 247,637
day and 99,950 night, while a population of about 11,820 would re¬
ceive a new service at night.
”3. The granting of this application would tend toward a fair,
efficient and equitable distribution of radio service as contemplat¬
ed by the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
”4. Public interest, convenience and necessity will be served
by the granting of the instant application, on condition that the
applicant deliver one set of crystals in its possession to a well
recognized manufacturer or distributor and notify the Commission
of the disposition made thereof. ”
At the same time the Commission dismissed applicant’s
"Petition for Grant filed oursuant to Memorandum Oolnlon of April
27, 1942", filed April 30, 1942.
XXXXXXXXXX
WAR RANK OF SHIP RADIO OPEFIATORS CREATED
The great growth and rapid pace of American war-time ship¬
building today caused the Federal Communications Commission to
establish a new rank of ship radio operators. Examining standards
for operating speeds and technical knowledge were relaxed to permit
classification of Temporary Limited Radiotelegraph Second-Class
Operator License. Holders of the new class of ’’tickets" will be
restricted to operation of radiotelegraph keys and the license will
be valid for the duration of the war and for six months thereafter.
Informal discussion with Coast Guard, Maritime Commission
and Navy officials, as well as with representatives of the radio
operator labor unions, showed desirability of these temporary
licenses. All believed that creation of the temporary license
would be of material aid in meeting an anticipated shortage of
second and Junior radio operators aboard ships.
XXXXXXXXX -5-
5/22/42
F.D.R. HAILS NEW CBS LAT IN- AI^ilE RICAN NETWORK
President Roosevelt’s ’’gratification” at ’’this linking
together of radio networks throughout the Americas” was conveyed by
Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles to William S. Paley, on the
occasion last Tuesday night of the dedication in Washington of the
new 76 station CBS Lat in-American Network. Mr. Welles emphasized
the importance of such a development in communication between the
Americas in assuring distribution of accurate information.
Vice President Wallace, our first Spanish speaking
assistant head of state, talking to the Latin- Americans in their
own language, likewise praised the new network as a closer tie-up
of the nations to the South.
President Manuel Prado of Peru spoke from New York,
where he is continuing his official visit to this country. Presi¬
dents Gen. Anastasio Sornoza of Nicaragua, and 'Gen. Isaias Medina
of Venezuela, spoke by short wave from their native Capitals.
Commenting upon the CBS dedication, the Washington Post
said:
’’Obviously, as Mr. Nelson Rockefeller, the Coordinator
of Inter- Americsn Affairs, one of the speakers at the dedication,
remarked, we now possess an important new means of enlarging the
circulation of truth. And the network of the Americas should,
indeed, help to reveal the palpable untruths and distortions
specially broadcast by the Axis for Latin- American consumption.
But it is also intended that the CBS programs shall help build up
a community of common ideas and common moral objectives, of shared
tastes and traditions. This, after all, is the major end in mind.
’’Such a goal can be achieved only when an Interchange of
broadcasts on an equal basis is established, when there is also a
network of the Americas originating to the south of us. In time,
no doubt, there will be such a network. Meanwhile, however, the
CBS programs will serve a worthy cause, if they promote a better
understanding among our southern neighbors of what this country
really stands for. ”
"This is not merely a war of armies against armies, of
navies against navies, and of resources against resources. It is
also a war of lies against truth”, Mr. Rockefeller declared at the
dedication.
’’And, in a period in which the diabolical forces of a
new international anarchy are seeking to win wars and corrupt
governments and enslave peoples by lies, this network will be dedi¬
cated to the truth: The truth in news, and in information, and the
truth of the ideals of human freedom and dignity for which this war
is being fought, and in which the future fortunes of the men and
women of the Americas are bound up.
- 6 -
5/22/42
•’There is no deeper compliment I can pay the men of the
Columbia Broadcasting System, and this new institution they have
built, than to say that by enlarging the circulation of truth,
they are clearing the air for victory. ”
Especially important at this time, when the Axis radio
stations in Berlin and Rome are subjecting the La tin- American
countries to a barrage of propaganda, is the fact that news pro¬
grams from the United States will be heard clearly at all times
under the new setup.
The radio chain, "La Cadena de Las Americas", for the
first time links the United States with its 20 neighbor nations and
provides broadcasting coverage for every important population center
in Latin America, ranging from the Mexican banks of the Rio Grande
to the southernmost portions of Argentina.
Plans for the network began in 1940 when CBS President,
William S. Paley, made a several week tour of South America, con¬
sulting with Crovernraent officials, radio station owners and others
familiar with the listening habits of the countries concerned. He
returned to New York with contracts affecting 64 of the Latin-
American stations. The others, to make the present 76-station
hookup, have been added since.
XXXXXXXX
SOLON SAYS PRESS AND RADIO FAIL TO GIVE NEWS FAIRLY
Representative Raraspeck, Democrat, of Georgia, the man
wno introduced the bill for pensions for Congressmen, and still
apparently smarting under the criticism by the press and the general
throwing of dead cats at this measure, charged that the Nation's
press and radio are failing to present facts to the public in a
fair way.
Mr, Ramspeck, addressing a banquet of Georgia Postmasters,
charged there is a. definite lack of information coming to the public
through news agencies, and added they are doing some 'rotten report¬
ing on what is going on on Capitol Hiir.
Mr. Ramsoeck said that reporting of his pension bill
for Congressmen was an example of not reoorting facts, declaring
that newspapers and radio did not cite the many benefits that
Government employees would have received from the bill,
XXXXXXXXXX
7
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5/22/42
MA COMIi/HTTEE DISCUSSES PARTS AND COPPER SITUATION
Provision for production of replacement parts and the new
V/PB copper order, were major subjects of a conference in Washington
on Wednesday, between WPB officials and the Replacement and Repair
Parts Committee of the Radio Manufacturers' Association, of which
J. J. Kahn, of Chicago, is Chairman. President Calvin, of RTilA,
Chairman Fred D. Williams of the Association's Priorities Committee,
Chairman H. E. Osmun of the Parts and Accessory Division, and
L. C. F. . Horle of the Association's Engineering Department partici¬
pated in the conference with Chief Frank H. McIntosh of the Radio
Section, WPB Communications Branch, and his staff.
There was complete official recognition of the war neces¬
sity to provide quantities of replacement parts to maintain public
sets in operation, and details of the procedure for parts manu¬
facturers to secure the necessary materials were outlined. Also
there was special discussion of the Copper Conservation Order,
requiring WPB approval for all uses of copper after May 31,
Radio manufacturers generally are filing appeals with the
WPB Copper Section, required to continue use of copper after May 31,
and also are generally proceeding with the Production Requirements
Plan for additional copper supplies.
Relief from the copper order was urged by the IMA Committee
to WpB Chief McIntosh, who will confer with Copper Section officials
regarding the possibility of exemption from the copper order for
the manufacturers of radio replacements. However, RMA members are
again advised to promptly file their appeals from the copper order.
The former WPB Administrator of the copper order, Sidney F. Tyler,
has been transferred to the Automotive Section, and Michael
Schwartz is now Acting Administrator, of copper order. For personal
contact in Washington, the radio aopeals are being handled by Mr.
E. V. Humpstone, Assistant Administrator of the copper order.
The BMA has submitted preliminary data to Chief McIntosh
of the WPB Radio Section regarding metal and other requirements for
manufacturers of replacement parts. A plan for special and direct
allocations of such materials to parts manufacturers, under the
Production Requirements Plan or otherwise, also is under considera¬
tion. A complete list of types of replacement parts and their manu¬
facturers is being compiled by WPB, with a view to future supply to
parts manufacturers, probably on a 90-da.y inventory basts. Present
inventories of replacement parts, from information discussed at the
RMA-WpB conference, are regarded as adequate for the public replace¬
ment uses for several months.
XXX X XXX XXX
~ 8 -
5/22/42
BELITTLES EDITORS' VOTE-GETTING POWER
Harold V. Hough, Chairman of the Committee representing
newspaper-owned broadcasting stations, emphatically told the House
Interstate Commerce Committee considering the Sanders bill to
reorganize the Federal Communications Commission that in rewriting
the old radio law, there should be no discrimination against sta¬
tions owned by newspapers or ”any other occupation or class”,
Mr. Hough, who in addition to running the Fort Worth Star-
Telegram station is Circulation Manager of the Texas paper, pooh-
poohed the idea that there was danger of a publisher being able to
control public opinion in his community if he also had a radio sta¬
tion. He said some editors had as much vote-getting influence as
”the local high school football coach”.
The House Committee was further informed that an editor
"couldn't monopolize truth. In the first place, the folks listen
to other radio stations and they read other newspapers - newspapers
printed in other communities”.
"It had never occurred to us”, he testified, "that we had
any different rights than any other citizens”, and contended that
the FCC has no jurisdiction to deny a publisher, or any other busi¬
ness man, a broadcasting license so long as the public necessity,
interest and convenience would be served by it.
”l don't say that newspaper people should be preferred
over other applicants”, Mr. Hou^ asserted. ”I do say, however, that
there is nothing in the occupation of newspaper publishing or edit¬
ing or reporting whicn should bar us from entering any field which
is open to all other American citizens. Discrimination because of
occupation just doesn't fit in with American democracy.”
Representative Sa,nders said that he Inserted the clause
only because he wanted to bring the question of the FCC's policy¬
making authority "out into the open".
”l thought that the ttcc was getting in deep water" on that
question, said Representative Sanders. "This is a question which
should be gone into very thoroughly before any action i shaken, but
unhesitatingly, I say that if there is to be any limitation over
ownershiD of a radio, or any other form of business, it should be
accomplished by congressional action rather than by a Commission's
regulation. ”
X X X X X X X X X X
Headquarters of the Army's Fifth Corps Area at Columbus,
Ohio, issued a call for radio operators and repair men for the Aray
Signal Corns. Operators must hold or qualify for a commercial or
amateur operator' s license and repair men must be members of the
Radio Service Men of America and employed in radio service work.
Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 45.
XXXXXXXXXX
9
5/82/42
U.S. INTERVENES IN G.E. PATENT RIGHTS ACTION
Thurman Arnold's anti-trust division of the Department
of Justice, which has deferred prosecution of two court actions
against General Electric Company in wartime, moved in a new way
yesterday (Thursday) in New York to obtain some of the results
sought in the earlier cases, the New York Times reoorts. Through
the local chief of the division, the Federal Court was asked to
allow the Government to prevent General Electric from continuing
an action against infringement of certain patents relating to fluor¬
escent lighting equipment.
This activity was preliminary, and involved only the
granting of an order directing General Electric to show cause why
the Government should not be allowed to intervene in the patent
infringement suit, which is now before Judge Vincent L, Lelbell,
Accompanying the petition for the order, however, was a "proposed
answer" to General Electric’s complaint in the Infringement case,
to which Hygrade Sylvania Corporation is defenda,nt. This answer
demands dismissal of the complaint on the ground that the patents
involved have been used by Cxeneral Electric in such a way as to
violate the Sherman Anti-Trust Act.
Before the "proposed answer" can be considered, the
Government must obtain the right to act as an intervening defendant.
Through agreements with American corporations, as well
as with foreign organizations. General Electric has achieved a domi¬
nant position in this country over the "indoor" fluorescent lighting
industry, according to this "proposed answer". The same document
added that the two patents involved in the infringement case have
been used in obtaining such domination.
XXXXXXXX
THINK OF FUTURE SKOLIS, CLEAR CHANNEL DIRECTOR, URGES
The challenge confronting Congress, the FCC and the radio
industry in the oost-war development of American broadcasting will
involve atoning for the failure to spread the pleasures of radio
equitably among all our people, Victor Sholls, Director of the Clear
*^hannel Broadcasting Service, declared, in urging an extensive
governmental study of rural radio service to the House Interstate
Commerce Committee considering the Sanders FCC reorganization bill.
"Though the (radio) allocation structure is frozen for
the moment, I feel it is still mandatory upon us to think of the
future. It is ironic that although American genius has created the
finest system of broadcasting in the world, we have failed to spread
the pleasures of that broadcasting equitably among all our people.
There still are too many forgotten men, as far as radio listening is
concerned, among rural and small to^n Americans,
10
5/22/42
"probably the greatest challenge that will confront us
in the oost-war development of American broadcasting will be to
atone for this failure. It is a challenge confronting Congress,
the FCC and the industry. We cannot sit back thinking wishfully
that it will be met by picking un where we left off on the da,y of
Pearl Harbor. To the contrary, events over a period of several
years orior to the war tended to deteriorate radio service to Rural
America instead of improving it. . , . ”
"An important, extensive and expensive study must be made,
therefore, before any more clear channels are deteriorated, and
before impairment of rural service proceeds any further. ..."
"No serious damage will be done to radio if the allocation
structure is frozen until victory in the war allows us to make the
kind of comprehensive engineering study of rural service necessary
to the drafting of an intelligent long-range plan. Grave danger
can result, however, if the Commission continues to nibble away at
the allocation stiTUcture and duplicates clear channels on a piece¬
meal basis. "
"Generally speaking, it is upon Clear Channel stations
that over fifty million Americans living across 80 per cent of our
country’s area depend chiefly for radio reception at night - that
is, between sunset and shortly after sunrise. "
"Congress created the Federal Radio Commission, because it
had a definite objective in mind. This was to make maximum use of
the limited number of available channels so as to insure a fair,
efficient and equitable distribution of radio service over the entire
country - north, south, east and west - urban and rural.
"Considering the practical difficulties involved, some
parts of this job have been rather well done. But the part that has
not been well done - the nart on which the Commission has fallen
down ever since 1928 - is that of insuring a fair distribution of
service to the rural pooulation and of imnrovlng that service in
areas where it is now unsatisfactory or non-existent. ..."
"I want to make it crystal clear that I do not regard this
technical problem as one of city listeners versus rural listeners.
One grouD does not have to be discriminated against to orovide ser¬
vice for the other. ..."
"Today this technical problem of spreading radio service
to all homes stands unsolved. To the extent that large segments of
our population are barred from good radio reception - to that extent
has the broadcasting industry and the Crovernment ' s regulatory body
failed in their duties and responsibilities to the public,
"To the families that can hear no radio, what does it
matter who owns radio stations?
"To the millions of Americans whose radio receotion is an
uncertainty of here today and gone tomorrow, wiiat does it matter
whether stations take too many or too few network programs?
"To the millions of Americans whose rsdio reception is
marred by static and interference, what does it matter how the
economics of the industry are regulated?
11
5/22/42
"In radio, freedom of soeech involves more than Just the
right of all grouos to be heard. It must also embrace the right
of all Americans to hear. That right is being denied too many
Americans.
"It is tragic that this technical nroblem of providing a
good radio signal to every American home was not solved during the
years prior to war. Not only does concentration upon our war effort
make it impossible to do the job now, but radio cannot be used to
its potential capacity as an instrument of information and morale
building in furthering the war effort, ..."
"I hope the Commission (FCC) will assure you that without
any further legislation, it is really going to make a thorough study
of the problem, subject to the exigencies of the war effort,
"I hope, too, that the Commission will assure you that
pending completion of such a study and the drafting of a program
ased on scientific conclusions, it will not permit any further
deterioration of rural radio service.
"Given such assurances, which we are prepared to accept,
there would be no need for legislation on this subject. "
XXXXXXXX
: : : TRADE NOTES : : :
President Roosevelt in directing the Office of Civilian
Defense to undertake an anti-sabotage protective program of essen¬
tial civilian facilities ordered the Federal Communications Commis¬
sion to develop and execute portions of the program which had to
do with communications.
Station KDB, Santa Barbara Broadcasters, Ltd, (Assignor)
Don Lee Broadcasting System (Assignee), Santa Barbara, Cal., has
been granted consent to assignment of license of Station KDB,
from Santa Barbara Broadcasters, Ltd. to Don Lee Broadcasting System.
Television station W6XDL, Don Lee Broadcasting System,
San Francisco, Cal. , was denied aoplica.tion for extention of com¬
pletion date to October 50, 1942.
Supposedly crusading for educational (non-profit) broad¬
casting, A. Ballard Walton of Lakewood, Ohio, who for years has
harbored a large grouch against the broadcasters, sent each one of
them the following postcard after the Cleveland gathering:
"It was the last convention of the National Association
of Broadcasters - men who tell us what to buy when we smell bad.
Commercial radio is on the way out. "
Station WMBG of Richmond, Va. , has been granted license to
cover construction permit as modified which a,utnorized changes in
directional antenna; granted authority to determine operating power
by direct measurement of antenna power. Granted authority to deter¬
mine operating power by direct measurement of antenna power, for
auxiliary transmitter.
XXXXXXXX
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET
W
GTON, D. C.
■t,
INDEX TO ISSUE OF MAY 86, 1942
Copper Crisis To Stop Radio Replacements Pfey 31 . . . 2
FCC To Follow WPB Rules On Construction Permits . 3
"Manufacturer" Redefined In Radio Price Scnedules . 4
Broadcasters Praised FOr Sharing Parts . 5
War Needs Of Small Stations Considered* . 6
No Joy Riders We, Says FCC . 6
Carleton Smith, Presidential Announcer, New WRC Head . 7
Arizona And Delaware Report On Horae Radios . 8
NBC Cuts Down Television Hours For Duration . 9
Action Delayed In G.E.-Hy grade Sylvania Trial . .,9
"But Don't Stop War Production", Knowlson Urges . 10
Press Owned Stations Given Clean Bill . 11
Trade Notes . 12
No. 1432
May 26, 1942
COPPER CRISIS TO STOP RADIO REPLACEMENTS LiAY 31
The Ra,dio Manufacturers* Association has been advised by
the Copper Section of the War Production Board, that, although need
for radio replacement tubes and parts is recognized, the copper
shortage has become so acute that virtually all civilian use of
copper must cease on May 31, including suspension of production of
replacement tubes and parts for radio sets.
The latest restrictions on use of copper after May 31
extend even to the manufacture of broadcasting equipment, commercial
aircraft, police, and other similar radio equipment. Also the
copper restrictions apply to production of export radio components,
tubes, and parts, which are on the same basis as domestic civilian
replacement components, so far as use of copper is concerned.
The ban on further radio replacement production after
May 31 was ordered despite vigorous pleas of RI.1A and also of the
WPB Communications Branch, who urged provision for continued produ¬
ction of replacements to maintain receiving sets in public use.
Chief Leighton H, Peebles of the WPB Communications Branch and also
Chief Frank H. McIntosh head of the Radio Section and former Chief
Technician of the Fort Industry Company, intervened strongly with
the Copper Section, as well as the RldA but without avail. Copper
Section officials say that every ounce of available copper is now
urgently needed for war production. It is stated that war contract
ratings are now urgently needed for war production. It is stated
tnat war contract ratings as high as A-l-a have recently failed to
secure the necessary copper. The present acute copper shortage is
in large part due to shutting off of copper shipments from South
America, plus delayed increases planned in domestic production.
The copper ban, officials stated, is expected to last
three or four months, and possibly longer. Manufacturers may file
and are now filing appeals from the new order (M-9-c) but virtually
all appeals from radio manufacturers are being denied. The only
exceptions so far made are in the case of ten receiving set manu¬
facturers authorized to continue curtailed and limited production
of a few sets until June 7. This was Issued under the L-44 order
granting temporary extensions in advance of the new copper order;
takes precedence, and permits such set manufacturers to use copper
in finishing their few remaining authorized sets. There is no
restriction on the future assembly by set manufacturers, under the
L-44 order, of chassis and cabinets, providing further use of copper
is not required in such assemblies. If any lead wires of copper or
other copper is needed in such assemblies, however, appeal under
the M-9-C copper order is necessary to secure special permission
from WPB, and such appeals will be granted,
- 2 -
5/26/42
The copper order also does not prohibit or restrict use,
sale or shipment, either of tubes or parts by manufacturers of com¬
plete fabricated tubes or parts. Only the further processing use
of copper, however, after May 31 is banned. Even permission from
WPE is required for use of copper after July 31 on war contracts.
Copper inventories held by manufacturers on the day the
new order goes into effect must be sold or be subject to requisl--
tion by government agencies. Such inventories may be used, of
course, in military radio production, but cannot be used in any
other manner after May 31 without appeal to WPB Copper Section.
While manufacturers may appeal from the copper order, no
appeals are being allowed except in the case where war effort will
be promoted. The appeal privileges of the copper order are much
more drastic than any other WPB commodity restriction order, in
that successful appeals are limited to situations only which ’’would
interfere with the war effort”. In previous conservation orders
there was a privilege to appeal in the cases of special hardship,
but this is omitted from M-9-c.
The administration of the copper order is under new
personnel. The present Acting Administrator of the Copper Conserva¬
tion Order, M-9-c, is Michael Schwartz, and radio appeals are being
immediately handled by E. V, Kumpstone, Assistant Administrator,
Room 1200, Temporary Building ”R”, Washington, D. C.
Another factor in the general denial of appeals by radio
component manufacturers for use of copper after May 31 by the WPB
Copper Section is that present stocks, both of manufacturers and
parts distributors, of radio replacements and repair parts are
regarded as sufficient to last for a number of months ahead. WPB
Copper Section officials stated that the denial of practically all
civilian use of copper, including any further production of radio
replacement components, will certainly last for two or three months,
and probably four months or longer, until the actue copper shortage
may be alleviated. The WPB copper officials stated it was highly
improbable that any requisitions for additional copper for radio
replacement components would be honored until after the cooper
situation changes.
XXXXXXXXXX
FCC TO FOLLOW WPB RULES ON CONSTRUCTION REMITS
Pending applications for construction permits in the
broadcasting field were among topics which came up for discussion at
the press conference of Chairman James L. Fly of the Federal Com¬
munications Commission, who said:
”A great many applicants, directly or indirectly, are con¬
tinuing to press for permits which involve construction and the use
of materials. There is a very natural tendency on the part of each
applicant to stress his case as being particularly meritorious,
because, for example, the materials for most of them are available;
3 -
5/86/42
because of various procedural steps heretofore taken, delays in¬
curred, expenditures made, and the like,
’’Needless to say, the Commission would like very much to
recognize those very cases and make the grants and get the stations
going. But we are faced with the requirements cf’ the War Production
Board and with actual rules that have been adopted to meet the war¬
time situation. We simply cannot operate under the rules by start¬
ing a line of deviations therefrom. Those rules are deemed essen¬
tial for war purposes. Be that as it may, so long as those are the
rules in both the Commission and the industry, there is no altern¬
ative but to live up to them. We expect to make no exceptions
except those that are clearly indicated on the face of the rule
itself.
”I would strongly advise applicants faced with this war¬
time problem not to waste their time and energies and money of
themselves or the government in endeavoring to pursue the applica¬
tions which run counter to the rules. The best we can hope to do
in the broadcasting field is to consolidate our position and
endeavor to keep the present broadcasting structure on a firm and
successful and enduring foundation for the period of the war. In
that effort, of course, the industry will have the complete co¬
operation of the Commission and all the assistance it can render
consistently with the requirements for active war work, ”
XXXXXXXXX
’♦manufacturer” redefined in radio price schedules
The term "manufacturer” has been redefined in Revised
Price Schedules No. 83 (Radio Receivers and Phonographs) and No. 84
( Ra.dio Receiver and Phonograph Parts) so that sales of radio
receivers, phonographs, and their parts, made by factory branches
performing the functions of wholesalers and distributors no longer
are covered by the provisions of the schedules, Price Administrator
Leon Henderson has announced.
The change was effected by the issuance of Amendment No, 3
to both schedules, following the petition for amendment filed by the
General Electric Company, Bridgeport, Connecticut, requesting a
definition recognizing the functional distinction between operations
of the distributing branches of the company and its factory.
As a result of tne amendment, the firm's distributing
branch or the distributing branch of any manufacturer will be treat¬
ed in the same manner as are other distributors, sales by whom are
controlled by the General Maximum Price Reguletion. Manufacturers'
sales, except those excluded by the redefinition, continue to be
covered by Revised Price Scnedules Mos, 83 and 84,
XXXXXXXXX
4 -
5/26/42
BROADCASTERS PRAISED FOR SKARIMO PARTS
James L. Fly, Chairman of the Defense Communications
Board of the Federal Communications Commission, declared his grati¬
fication with the broadcast industry "share the spare parts" pro¬
gram recommended to the War Production Board by the Defense Com¬
munications Board,
Pointing out that similar pools have been organized with¬
in industries in local areas, Mr. Fly said, "I believe that this is
the first time a whole industry has proposed to share its repair
and maintenance material on a nationwide basis. There may be some¬
thing here that other industries might find useful when adopted to
their particular needs. Should the plan get under way, it will have
a real meaning to the radio listening public because the broad¬
casters have shown the foresight to meet the recurring emergencies
of equipment failures.
He added that he hsd promoted this general idea for many
months but until very recently the shortages of replacement parts
had not become acute. "Operation of the plan, in my opinion", he
said, "will result in lessening the pressure put upon the Government
for immediate priorities certificates and will assure the public of
continued radio listening. "
In general the plan provides for establishing throughout
the nation 17 regional conservation districts, each to be administ¬
ered by an Administrator and two assistants. Administrators and
their assistants are to be selected by the broadcasters in their
respective districts, and they are to check the inventories, super¬
vise distribution of replacement parts and see that efficient opera¬
tion of each station is maintained.
Inventories will be kept in each district and at the
Federal Communications Commission in Washington, the foraer for use
within the regional areas, and the latter to be used as the basis
of redistribution between districts on direction from the FCC.
Regional administrators will operate under general supervision of
the FCC, wnich in turn will be guided by rules, regulations, orders
and policies of the War Production Board. Regional administrators
will receive no compensation from the Federal Government, but for
out-of-pocket expenses for travel and other incidentals connected
with the "pools'* they will be reimbursed by the stations within the
districts concerned.
XXXXXXXX
All dressed up in a new format, the "NBC Transmitter",
house organ of the National Broadcasting Comoany has just made its
bow. Unlike its predecessor, which suspended some months ago, the
new "Transmitter" will go to oersonnel of all NBC’s Red Network
affiliates. The cover photo daows President Niles Trammell and Vice
President and General Manager Frank E, Mullen, conferring in
Mr. Trammell's office. Publication of the new "Transmitter" is
under the suoervislon of John McKay, Manager of the Press Dept,
XXXXXXXX
- 5 -
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• ' V-' f
5/26/42
WAR NEEDS OF SMALL STATIONS CONSIDERED
Told that there had been a story around for some chys
that the Federal Communications Commission would soon relax the
operators* licenses for low powered broadcasting stations. Chairman
James L« Tly was asked If there was anything he cared to say.
••No, not definitely”, the Chairman replied. ”0f course
we have already relaxed the standa.rds a time or two and taken sub¬
stantial steps to alleviate that situation. Yet I think we have
been further impressed recently with the needs of the low-powered
stations, and we are giving that further attention. We will prob¬
ably have something definite to say on it In the course of days,
I must say, here at the Commission we want to do everything we can
within the bounds of reason to assure the continuous operation of
all of the stations - not merely the large ones, but that should
also Include many small stations throughout the country. We want
to do whatever we can on that subject. ”
”What Is the difficulty of the small stations?” the FCC
official was asked.
"This particular point has to do with operators”, he
replied. "You see there Is a great scarcity of skilled personnel
in the industry. Everybody wants more - the manufacturing Industry
wants more, the Army and Navy and FCC want more. There are not
enough to go around, and that has put all of us in a hole somewhat.
Of course there are other problems here at the Commission which
could hardly be termed * sleepers'. The problem of material, spare
parts, and you know what we are doing on that. We certainly hope
that that will be effective and that they can be supplied. ”
XXXXXXXXX
NO JOY RIDERS WE, SAYS FCC
Officials at the Federal Communications Commission raised
their eyebrows at a paragraph carried In this service May 19 which
said that Senator Byrd, In his charge that the Covemment Itself
Was making no effort to conserve gasoline, and that the Senator
had brought out the fact that the FCC among other Government
agencies had 134 automobiles, costing to operate $16,640 a year,
and that during that time they travelled 851,271 miles.
The comeback was to the effect that there were no Joy¬
riders at the FCC, that Chainnan Fly himselfhor any of the Commis¬
sioners had official cars and that the automobiles Senator Byrd
mentioned were those used in the monitoring and field services.
The final task of running down an unlicensed offender on
the ether waves. It was explained, is performed by monitoring
officers using automobiles fitted with detection equipment. They
6 -
5/96/42
are on the go all the time and will have even more work as the war
pro grosses.
In addition the Field Divisions made more than 18,500
inspections during the past year and more than 35,000 frequency
measurements were made to say nothing of 3864 routine investiga¬
tions. All of these, it was pointed out, involved considerable
travelling about, so let Senator Byrd be assured, the FCC said,
that Communications Commission autos and trucks were being used
strictly for business and were not burning gas unnecessarily.
XXXXXXXXXX
CARLETON SMITH, PRESIDENTIAL ANNOUTJCER, NEW WRC HEAD
Carleton D. Smith, for eight years Assistant Manager of
Station WRC in Washington, D. C. , and well known as NBC’ s
"Presidential Announcer" has been appointed Manager of the key NBC-
Red Network station in the nation's capital, Mr. Smith will succeed
Kenneth Berkeley, who is to become Manager of WIi'IAL, the Blue Net¬
work station in Washington, the management of which is reverting
to the Washington Evening Star, its owner.
Mr. Smith for the past nine years has interruoted his
administrative duties at WRC from time to time to announce presi¬
dential broadcasts and Introduce the Chief Executive to the listen¬
ing audience. In addition to his new tasks, he will continue
announcing duties for nresidential broadcasts only, at the request
of NBC officials.
In addition to his executive and announcing duties at WRC,
xMr. Smith has borne and will continue to bear a large share of the
liaison work between the station and various G-overnment officials
and agencies. This has grown in tremendous volume with the country's
entrance into active war.
Mr. Smith was born in Winterset, Iowa, Feb. 16, 1905,
and after grammar and high school then came to Washington to study
at G-eorge Washington University. After five years in Washington
he was sent to Roanoke, Virginia, in 1927, to manage the American
Automobile Association Club in that city. Part of his duties con¬
sisted of delivering weekly safety talks over Station WDBJ. His
delivery was so vibrant and smooth, tha.t the Manager asked him to
become a staff announcer. With that start, Mr. Smith came to WRC in
1931 as an announcer and one year later was assigned to President
Roosevelt's broadcasts,
Mr, Smith has been putting President Roosevelt "on the air'
since his inauguration for the first term, Iferch 4, 1932, and has
followed the Chief Executive wherever iiis travels carried him. In
his new post, he takes over the management of one of the country s
dominant stations, broadcasting on 5,000 watts da,y and night.
XXXXXXXXXX
- 7 -
5/26/42
ARIZONA AND DELAWARE REPORT ON HOPE RADIOS
Two more States have been heard from in the U. S. census
of home radios - Arizona and Delaware - with these results:
OCCUPIED DWELLING UNITS WITH RADIO FOR STATE AND
CITIES OF 25,000 OR MORE: 1940
(A dwelling unit was enumerated as ’'with radio" if it contained
a usable radio set or one only temporarily out of repair) _
Not
Area - Delaware
The State
Total
With
Radio
No
Radio
Reporting
Radio
Total dwelling units
(including urban)
70,541
59,921
8,949
1,671
Rural- nonfarm
dwelling units
21,830
18,513
2,885
432
Rural-farro
dwelling units
11,641
8,077
3,286
278
Wilmington
29,293
26,655
1,937
701
Area - Arizona
The State
Total dwelling units
(including urban)
131,133
87,781
39,469
3,883
Rural-nonfarm
dwelling units
55,813
37,508
16,654
1,651
Rural- farm
dwelling units
26,396
11,039
14,447
910
Phoenix
19,287
15,895
2,972
420
Tucson
9,964
8,331
1,358
275
X X X X
X X X X X
6
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f.
iii
5/26/42
NBC CUTS DOWN TELEVISION HOURS FOR DURATION
A new television schedule has been put into effect for
NBC Station WNBT by Niles Trammell which comprises six hours of
program transmissions for five weeks. At the end of this period
a further reduction, to four hours a week for the duration will
be made.
Mr. Trammell's decision is in conformity with recently
amended operating rules of the Federal Communications Commission,
through which the Commission seeks "to prevent recession of this
new art to a purely experimental or laboratory stage and to keep it
alive, ready to flourlsn as a public service after the war emergency.
Increasingly heavy war demands on the NBC staff and the
wartime necessity for prolonging the operating life of irreplace¬
able television equipment and other critical materials were cited
by Mr, Trammell as basic reasons for the curtailment.
xxxxxxxx
ACTION DELAYED IN G.E.-HYCRADE SYL VANIA TRIAL
Decision on the Department of Justice's request for leave
to intervene in a patent infringement suit now on trial in Federal
court was reserved in New York Monday by Judge Vincent L. Leibell.
Judge Leibell presided at the trial and during the day
listened to argument by Thurman Arnold, head of theAntl- Trust
Division of the Department of Justice; Samuel S. Isseks, head of
the Division's New York office, and counsel for General Electric
Company, plaintiff in the patent case.
Mr. Arnold said that his division had postponed prosecu¬
tion of a civil suit and a criminal action under the Sherman Act,
in wnich General Electric is a defendant. This was done at the
request of the War and Navy Departments to secure General Electric
from interference with its war work by the necessity of defending
the actions.
General Electric is suing Hygrade Sylvania Corporation for
alleged patent infringement. Counsel for General Electric question¬
ed the power of tne court to allow the Government to intervene in a
case that has been on trial for some time,
XXXXXXXX
9
5/26/42
"BUT DON'T STOP WAR PRODUCTION", KNOWLSON URGES
Addressing the National Association of Manufacturers and
the Illinois Ivlanufacturers at Chicago, James Knowlson, Director
of Industry Operations of the War Production Board, and former
President of the Radio Manufacturers' Association, said that he
would like to dream that he could write the following order to end
all orders:
"(1) That each producer devote all his facilities to the most
efficient and rapid production of materials for Direct Delivery to
the Customers, and
"(2) That each producer transfer all material and equipment
he cannot so utilize to producers who can so utilize, and
"(3) That each producer cooperate in every possible way with
other producers who are processing or servicing material for
Direct Delivery, and
"(4) That no producer shall take any action or refuse to take
any action when such action or inaction will in any way delay Dir¬
ect Delivery of any material which is necessary for the destruction
on schedule of the Customer. "
"Now, gentlemen, that's the kind of an order I'd like to sign,
effective Immediately. That would do it, because it would Insure
that every one of us was doing everything he could to insure deliv¬
ery of bombs and shells to Tokyo, Berlin and Rome - to Axis ships,
planes, tanks and men, wherever they may be", Mr. Knowlson declared.
"Until that order is written, keep this in mind: All the
orders are made with just one end in mind - to speed war production
and to channel into that production at the most urgent places, every
ounce of available materials. If you think those orders fail and
don't help accomplish that end, ask for an interpretation. If you
have doubts and feel you must act, do it. Tell us what you have
done, and ask our approval. But don't stop war production,
"You hear and see a lot about enforcement these days. You
have met or will meet the WPB's enforcement men. These men are
officers of production law and order. They are as much your friends
as tne policeman on the beat. Only a crook hates and fears a police
officer and contemptuously calls him 'copper' or 'flatfoot'.
"Some of our enforcement mey may not be all that you and
I might ask in Judgment and diplomacy, but rest assured that no man
has yet been held in violation of an order, without a hearing. No
man yet has been punished for accidental or technical violation of
an order. If at any time you think you have been misjudged, carry
your case to the highest court, but don't stop war production.
10 -
i
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5/26/42
"Further than that, use every effort to bring into produ¬
ction every tool and facility you can. In Washington we talk about
subcontractinj5. In the local offices they work on it with consider¬
able success. All of us know there are vast, untapped resources of
facilities.
"I’m going to ask each of you this favor: Won't you -
each of you here who has war work - make it a personal project
to find at least five more subcontractors?
'»•» * * jf you can't give a potential subcontractor war
work, give him some of the work on spare parts for your peacetime
product, and make more of your own facilities available for the
more complicated tasks of war production.
"It is a proud moment for all of us when we can say:
There isn't an idle tool in our plant. But it will be a much proud¬
er moment when each of us will be able to say: I don't know of an
idle tool in the community. "
XXXXXXXXX
PRESS OWNED STATIONS GIVEN CLEAN BILL
Calling attention to the fact that fourteen months have
passed since the Federal Communications Commission began its investi¬
gation into the newsoaper ownershio of broadcasting stations, the
Editor & Publisher, generally recognized as a sookesraan for the
newsoapers, says:
"The right of the Commission to take this summary action
under the statute which created it is challenged by the Newspaper
Radio Committee, and regardless of the legal points involved, com¬
mon sense is certainly against such summary discrimination against
any business group.
"The Commission's investigation was based upon the notion
that there might be a public danger in 'monopoly' with local news¬
papers and radio facilities in the hands of a single ownership. We
have read much of the testimony taken by the Commission in its hear¬
ings and we have yet to see one convincing word in support of that
theory. There is not a spark of support for the idea that news¬
paper-owned radio stations have used their privilege to suppress or
distort news; on the contrary, their record is clean. The same can
be said, for that matter, with respect to nearly 100 per cent of the
Job done by non-new'spaper stations. There is probably room for
criticism of some news commentators, but the correction of whatever
wrongs they have done had best be left to public opinion rather than
legislation or executive action.
"Congress is now awaiting the report of a subcommittee on
new legislation to amend the Communications Act, Editor & Publisher
does not believe that new laws are needed. The Commission had the
right under present law to license sta.tions according to their abil¬
ity to serve the public convenience, interest, and necessity. That,
we think, is adequate. Any extension of the Commission’s power into
regulation or censorship of programs would lead inevitably to the
destruction of the freedom of expression, the maintenance of which
is one of the cardinal points of Mr. Roosevelt's war program.”
X X X X X X X X X X X X
- 11 -
5/26/42
TRADE NOTES ; :
A branch Radio Section of the Navy Public Relations Office
has been opened at 580 Fifth Avenue, New York City, under the dir¬
ection of Lieut. Morgan S. A. Reichner. It will be concerned
chiefly with the network broadcasting companies and the agencies
placing network programs.
The Pacific Broadcasting Company (KPAS) at Pasadena has
applied for a modification of its construction permit for a new
station for extension of commencement and completion dates to July
13, 1942, and September 13, 1942.
r^rk Ethridge, a member of President Roosevelt's Fair
Practice Committee, and Manager of Station WHAS in Louisville,
asserted in an address in Cambridge, Mass. , that many of the
Nation's largest and most vital war industries were discriminating
against Negroes and Jews by refusing to hire them, even when they
were highly skilled workers.
Radio listening indices for the month of April jumped
10^ ahead of the record levels already reported for March, accord¬
ing to the WOR "Continuing Study of Radio Listening in Greater New
York". While national averages have already begun a downward curve,
listening in New York has grown steadily since the outbreak of war -
an 18^ rise since December 7. Trial blackouts, curtailment of
transportation, and a long period of inclement weather also con¬
tributed to the increase.
The personnel of KGO-31ue at San Francisco have gone
through^ the finger-printing and other details essential to the new
"Photo-Identification Badges" to be worn for the duration by all
employees at all times for admission to their new building.
Every employee was required to fill in the identification
panel with code letters covering personal characteristics, nlus
their signatures. Prints ar« used in badges that will permit
entrance past the guards stationed there at all times of the day
and night.
A half-hour program of ponular music, news, and sports
will be short- waved da.lly exceot Sundays to trooos in the northern
half of Africa and in the Near East at 3:00 P.M. , EWT, over WGEA,
international station of the General Electric Company in Schenect¬
ady.
Raymond Claooer, newsoaoer columnist recently returned
from Africa and reported that United States troops stationed there
have little or no entertainment. The new WGEA program has been
esoecially planned to meet this need.
XXXXXXXXX
12 -
k
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
4j^y
New ^CC Division As Coast Guard Calls Webster . ?-
Still More Leeway Given To Small Station Operators . 3
Senate Expected To O.K. Wartime Wire Tapping . 4
Small Station Manager Suggests Government Buy Time . 5
DCB Closes Radio-Telegraph Traffic Within U, S . 6
Congress Radio Probe May Last Two Weeks Longer . 7
Reduced Cable And Radio Rates For Our Boys Ahead . 7
Poor Response To Nazi Short-Wave Suggestion . 8
Not To Public Interest To Wreck Nets Is Warning . 9
Trade Notes . 11
No. 1433
NEW FCC DIVISION AS COAST GUARD CALLS WEBSTER
E. M. Webster, Assistant Chief Engineer and Chief of the
Safety and Special Services Division of the Engineering Department
of the Federal Communications Commission, has been called to active
service as Chief of Communications of the United States Coast Guard.
To fill this post while Mr. Webster is on duty with the armed forces,
the Commission this week appointed William N. Krebs to be in charge
as Chief of the Safety and Special Services Division.
Because of the vital importance of the work of the Nation¬
al Defense Operations Section of the Field Division of the Engineer¬
ing Department and the increased responsibilities recently assigned
in connection with the war effort, the Commission raised the status
of this section to that of a division. Tne new division will be
known as the "Radio Intelligence Division" of the Engineering
Department. George E. Sterling, who formerly served as Chief of
the National Defense Operations Section, was appointed Assistant
Chief Engineer and Chief of the Radio Intelligence Division.
These changes will become effective on June 1, 1942 and
continue for the duration of the war.
Mr. Krebs is 37 years old and was born at Baltimore. He
was graduated from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1923, and
completed courses in Electrical Engineering at Johns Hopkins Uni¬
versity. He was employed in 1925-26 as installer and radiotele¬
phone operator at Station W3AL. In October, 1926, he entered the
employ of the Navy Department as a radio engineer in the Radio Test
Laboratory of the Washington Navy Yard. In July, 1930, he was
appointed Associate Radio Engineer with the Radio Commission,
thereafter transferring to the Communications Commission.
Mr. Krebs designed and supervised the installation of new
radio message centers for the War and Navy Departments in Washing¬
ton. During 1938 and 1939, he was in charge of the investigative
engineering activities of the Great Lakes and Inland Waters Survey
to determine the radio requirements necessary for vessels navigat¬
ing the Great Lakes.
Mr. Sterling was born at peaks Island, Portland, Maine,
June 21, 1894. He attended public schools in Maine and Johns
Hopkins University and Baltimore City College. His experience in
radio dates from 1908 as an amateur operator. He was one of the
first in the State of Maine to be licensed by the ?bderal Govern¬
ment as an amateur operator and station owner.
- 2 -
5/29/42
During World War I, Mr. Sterling served as radio Instruct
or in Signal Corps schools of the American Expeditionary Forces.
He assisted in organizing and operating the first radio intelli¬
gence section of the Signal Corps in France, which engaged in the
location of enemy radio stations and interception of their messages
For this work he received a citation from Chief Signal Officer of
the American Expeditionary Forces for "especially excellent and
meritorious service".
Mr. Sterling served as a radio operator in the Mercha.nt
Marine and in 1922 entered commercial employment as a marine radio
inspector. He entered the Federal service as a radio inspector
in the Bureau of Navigation, Department of Commerce in 1923.
He was appointed Inspector in Charge of the 3rd Radio
District, Federal Radio Commission at Baltimore in 1935. He was
transferred to Washington as Assistant Chief of the Field Division,
Engineering Department, FCC, in June 1937. He was appointed Chief,
National Defense Operations Section, Field Division, Engineering
Department July 1, 1940.
Mr. Sterling is the author of "The Ra.dio Manual" - (3
editions) - which is recognized and used extensively as a standard
textbook on radio communication equipment and procedure by radio
schools and for government training purposes and as a reference
book by colleges and universities.
XXXXXXXX
STILL MORE LEEWAY GIVEN TO SMALL STATION OPERATORS
Responding to war-time shortages of technical personnel
for broadcast stations, especially critical in cases of small sta¬
tions, the Federal Communications Commission further relaxed its
rules to grant operation permits to persons certified by station
licensees as familiar with their respective broadcasting equipment.
Holders of these restricted radiotelephone ooerator permits would
be limited to operations at a specified station and would be
required to shut down the station in technical emergencies until
some first-class operator repaired the trouble. An added require¬
ment provides that persons obtaining the restricted permit would
have to pass within six months an FCC examination on radio theory
entitling them to endorsement of their permits by the Commission
for similar work at any strtion.
Radio engineering experts declare that women could easily
meet the requirements now in effect for restricted radiotelephone
operator permits. It is believed that persons of normal intelli¬
gence should be able to pass the examination for the restricted
radiotelephone operator’s permit after 8 or 10 hours study of the
FCC study course for this examination. The Study Guide and Refer¬
ence Material for Commercial Radio Operator Examinations may be
5/29/42
obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing
Office, Washington, D. C, , for the sum of 15 cents.
This latest action of the FCC war-time policy of coming
to the aid of broadcast stations on the matter of operator and
operation requirements is specifically directed to the problem of
low-powered broadcast stations operating on frequencies assigned
for local services. There are 441 licensees benefited by today's
action. Earlier FCC relaxations of operator requirement rules with
respect to broadcast stations were made on February 17, 1942, under
Order No. 91 and again on April 21, 1942, under Order No. 91- A.
XXXXXXXX
SENATE EXPECTED TO O.K. WARTIME WIRE TAPPING
It is believed no time will be lost by the Senate in
approving a bill passed by the House earlier in the week legalizing
wire tapping by the Army, Navy, FBI and other agencies in detecting
war crimes and making information thus gained admlssable as evi¬
dence in court.
Whenever there is reasonable suspicion that an offense
against the national security is about to be committed, the House
bill requires that telegrams, radiograms, cablegrams or other wire
or radio communications be delivered to authorized Government
agents. The bill would remain in effect only until six months
after the end of the war.
Introduced by Representative Celler, of New York, the
bill's provisions are applicable only in cases of efforts to under¬
mine national defense and security by treason, sabotage, espionage,
seditious conspiracy, violations of the acts requiring the registra¬
tion of foreign agency or registration of groups carrying on foreign
activities "in any manner".
Representative Hobbs, of Alabama, tried to get a bill
to legalize wire tapping tnrough the House last year when it was
charged that Chairman James L. Fly of the Federal Communications
Commission was the only high Government official opposing It.
Before the House voted on the bill just passed, Mr. Hobbs
declared that if it had been law before December 7, there would
have been no attack on Pearl Harbor.
"l made that statement on my own initiative and respons¬
ibility", Mr. Hobbs told the House. "It is true, as every member
of the Judiciary Committee knows who heard testimony in executive
committee. We know whereof we speak though we can't take Congress
into our confidence. "
XXXXXXXXX
4
1
£)/a9/42
SMALL STATION mAGER SUGGESTS GOVERNMENT BUY TIME
The greatest help that the Government can give the radio
stations and especially the smaller stations that feel the loss of
business moro keenly, Is to set up some plan of paying for at
least part of the heavy war publicity work the radio stations are
now doing gratis, George Bluraenstock, Manager of WSKB, a 250-watt
station at Me Comb, Miss. , suggests.
Addressing William B. Lewis, Radio Coordinator of OFF,
Mr. Blumenstock writes;
"Why should the different Government agencies be forced
to 'beg* this Important commodity - radio publicity? And If oub-
llclty Is Important, and we don’t dispute this, why shouldn't the
Government buy choicest time In this emergency?
"Radio oubllclty Is a commodity, which must be produced
at a given cost, the same as printers Ink, paper, telephone and
telegraph messages, railroad and airplane transportation, yes,
even the o2?oductlon of shins, planes and ammunition. The Government
pays reasonable orlces for these commodities, why not for Imnortant
vital radio time?
"Let us face these facts squarely. Radio Stations must
carry on. It costs money to carry ther. on. Advertising revenues
must necessarily decrease, as too many lines are being taken from
the market. Is It cheaper and better for the Government to take
over the radio stations and assume their operating expenses, or Is
It better and wiser to assist them, even moderately, by buying from
them their only commodity 'time', now given free most generously
by the radio Industry,
"How long can this continue? Can the majority of radio
stations maintain their service, their personnel and their equip¬
ment with the reduced revenues and a constantly growing volume of
free time? Is this asked by our Government from any other Industry?
Why the radio?
"Ivly suggestlpn would be that the Government, through the
Office of Fb.cts and Figures buy one hour a day on each station at
the hourly rate and that It be divided Into four quarters, one
quarter hour early In the morning during the Farm programs, one
quarter hour around the noon time, one quarter hour In the mid-
afternoon and one quarter hour In the evening.
"It Is quite true as was said In the University of Chicago
program In which Chairman Fly recently took oart, that 60^ of the
people denend on radio for Information. Personally, I think It Is
even greater.
"WSKB covers a nooulatlon of from 400,000 to 500,000.
There are fully 500 radio stations In our class and they can cover
fully 80^ of the listening audiences at a very low cost to our
Government and at the same time theGovernment would assist these
stations to Imorove their service, maintain their equloment and
keep them well organized to serve the Nation In this emergency. "
XXXXXXXX
- 5 -
I'
5/S9/42
DCB CLOSES RADIO- TELEORAPH TRAFFIC WITHIN U. S.
The Defense Communications Board has directed the closure
of all public domestic point-to-point radio circuits within the
continental limits of the United States, effective midnight, June 30.
Provision is made, however, that upon proper showing to the Federal
Communications Commission and a finding by that Commission that a
particular circuit is necessary to meet a vital nublic need, the
DCB will seek ways and means to meet that need.
Transmission of private messages over domestic radio
circuits can be heard and easily monitored outside the United
States. In many instances the nature of these nrlvate messages can
give Information of value to the enemy. The burden of oossible
censorship has been deemed insoluble within reasonable limits of
available man oower and funds. In any event, the censorshln which
would be necessary if these circuits remained, would involve a delay
in transmission not necessarily found in the case of domestic wire
circuits.
Eighty stations operated by eleven companies will be
affected by the order. The chief carriers concerned are R. C.A.
Communications, Inc. , Mackay Radio and Telegraoh Co. , Trooical Radio
Telegra.oh Co. , Ulobe Wireless, Ltd. , Press Wireless, Inc. (press
only). Radiomarine Conp. of America, Central Radio Telegraph Co.,
Michigan Wireless Telegraph Co. , Wabash Radio Corp. , Pere Marquette
Radio Corn), , and the Western Radio Telegr^=>ph Co. Their total traf¬
fic is considered quite small in comparison with all domestic mes¬
sage volume. Chairman Fly stated that adequate wire line communi¬
cations facilities remain available to all users of these domestic
radio circuits.
If upon recoramenda-tion of the Federal Communications
Commission the DCB should permit any particular circuit or circuits
to remain in business, it will follow as a matter of course that
they will be effectively censored. Routine precautionary measures,
including monitoring by the FCC Radio Intelligence Division will
continue in any case.
Not affected by the DCB order of March 28th are the
coastal and ship-to-shore radio stations, which are under the con¬
trol of the Navy Department,
The order will also not affect the public availability
of the world-wide international radiotelegraph service of R, C, A,
Communications, Inc. , according to William A. Wlnterbottora , Vice
President and G-eneral Manager.
Through an agreement of long standing between RCAC and
Western Union, Mr. Winterbottom said, radiograms destined for
foreign cities may be marked "Via RCA’* and filed at any Western
Union office in the country. Messages marked in this manner are
relayed by Western Union wire to either San Francisco or New York,
from where RCAC transmits them internationally by radio. The
6
5/29/42
company operates direct radiotelegraph circuits between these two
cities and more than forty nations.
The principal cities in which the domestic services of
RCAC will be affected by the DCB closing order are Chicago, Detroit,
Los Angeles, New Orleans and Seattle.
XXXXXXXX
CONGRESS RADIO PROBE liAY LAST TWO WEEKS LONGER
Although it may still run a couple of weeks the end is
in sight for the hearings on the Sanders Bill to reorganize the
Federal Communications Commission which will be resumed before the
House Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee next Wednesday,
June 3rd. It is doubtful whether the hearings can be concluded in
the coming week but the ooinion was exoressed that they would
surely be finished during the week following.
The first witness next week will be Arthur G, Hayes of
the American Civil Liberties League. Mr. Hayes will be followed
by the Mutual Broadcasting System witnesses. These will probably
include Alfred J, McCosker, Chairman of MBS Board, Fred Weber,
General Manager, and Louis Caldwell, Counsel.
Then will come Paul D, P. Spearman wno will testify in
behalf of Network Affiliates, Inc. , in opposition to testimony of
the clear channel group.
At some stage of the proceedings, Chairroan James L. Fly
will testify and very likely FCC Commissioner T.A.M. Craven, known
to have opposing views to Mr. Fly.
xxxxxxxxxx
REDUCED CABLE AND RADIO RATES FOR OUR BOYS ABROAD
Special low-oriced message rates to be made available to
members of the American Exoeditionary Forces in sending cable and
wireless messages from their overseas bases, were announced by the
Federal Communications Commission. Special tariffs will oermit
American soldiers, sailors and marines abroad to send home messages
for a flat rate of sixty cents. vpom Great Britain and Northern
Ireland the equivalent rate of 2 shillings, six pence will be
charged, while the rate in Newfoundland currency will be sixty cents.
Chairman James L. Fly of the Communications Commission ex¬
plained that the men in the armed forces ’’will be able to select
from 100 prepared texts a message suitable to the occasion". He
added, "In operation, the new service will work something like the
holiday greeting messages, with which the American public is long
7 -
I
6/29/42
familiar. The soldier or sailor will be able to select from one
to three of these prepared texts and send them in a message.
These messages would have the same rank in oriorlty of transmission
as Night Letters and other greeting messages. ”
Designation of the messages will be "EFM”, An idea of
the savings to the soldier can be had by comparison with ordinary
overseas rates of 20 cents to 4 2 cents oer word including address
and signature, depending uoon the point of origination.
Companies oarticipating in the special reduced rates are:
All America Cables and Radio, Inc. , The Commercial Cable Comoany,
Commercial Pacific Cable Company, Mackay Radio and Telegraph
Company, Postal Telegraph Cable Comnany, R. C.A. Communications, Inc.,
and The Western Union Telegraph Company.
XXXXXXXX
POOR RESPONSE TO NAZI SHORT-WAVE SUGGESTION
A few weeks ago, a German propaganda speaker urged Ameri¬
can listeners to go to public libraries to read certain volumes
known to contain anti-British material. To learn Just how much
stock American radio listeners (if there were any listeners out¬
side official Government monitors, and others studying the problem)
the Federal Communications Commission asked the American Library
Association to circulate member libraries for a check on public
requests for these volumes,
’’A complete renort from the Association shows but a soli¬
tary request, which occurred at the San Francisco Library, and that
was from a person having an unrelated pumose in mind”, it was said
at the Commission.
•^This indicates fairly well that few listen to Axis pro¬
paganda outside persons in the crank fringe and of course those
studying the material such as the Government's own listening ser¬
vices, which make promnt use of such material to propagandize
Germany and Italy in return.
"These latter operations by our own country and our
allies sometimes provoke trouble in the occupied territories. For
example. Just this last week the German-controlled Netherlands
Radio broadcast a threat against 460 prominent Dutchmen in Nazi
lands as hostages. The German-controlled station declared that
something dire would happen to these hostages unless the London
Radio operated by the Dutch Governraent-in- Exile were silenced.
This obviously was because the London station was 'inciting the
Netherlands people against the Germans. * "
XXXXXXXX X
- 8 -
5/99/42
NOT TO PUBLIC INTEREST TO WRECK NETS IS WARNING
Stating that the broadcasting industry is in a turmoil,
that the Federal Communications Commission has charged that the
entire system of network broadcasting is monopolistic in character
causing two of the broadcasting companies to carry to the Supreme
Court a suit to enjoin the Commission's rules; citing anti-trust
action by the Justice Department and Congressional investigations,
one of which has prooosed that Congress investigate the Federal
Communications Commission charging that its Chairman "is guilty
of a monstrous use of power and is rapidly becoming the most danger¬
ous man in the Government”, Bernard B. Smith in the June issue of
Harper* s Magazine sounds this warning;
”Amid all the bitterness, the charges and countercharges
in this bewildering series of events, there is only one factor
which should concern the radio-listening public, and that is the
preservation and improvement of network broadcasting in the public
interest. Let this, therefore, be stated at once; the public
interest will be served not by breaking up the networks, but by
increasing their responsibilities and their control over their own
radio programs; by compelling them to extend network facilities
where the existing ones are insufficient; and, finally, by accompl¬
ishing this through sound regulatory legislation rather than through
lawsuits which threaten the very existence of the networks. ”
Mr. Smith’s article is titled; "What's Wrong With The
Broadcasters? - The Curious Case of the 'Monopolists' Who Do Not
Control Their Own Programs”. The author is described by Harper’ s
as a New York lawyer,^ a large part of whose practice is devoted to
radio problems - or rather, to the advertising agencies and inde¬
pendent radio producers, writers, and artists who ha.ve the problems.
He is also Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the New York
Building Congress and is counsel for the Operative Plasters Union
in New York City, ”
"Taking a glance backward, it is clear to almost everyone
that it is to the networks we owe a large share of the improvements
in the technical aspects of broadcasting”, Mr. Smith goes on to say,
"It is quite true, as the FCC points out, that there are remote
areas of the country which are still entirely without network broad¬
casting services, and that in certain other areas available services
are insufficient. What is not equally clear to everyone, however,
is that as long as network broadcasting derives its principal fin¬
ancial support from the sponsorship of radio programs by national
advertisers, network facilities will be extended only if advertisers
require such extension.
"It seems pretty clear that the networks have been operat¬
ed primarily in the service of the advertisers ratiier than in the
interest of the public, and it is in this fact, rather than in the
allegedly monopolistic character of the industry, that the basic
deficiencies of American network broadcasting have their origins.
9
5/29/42
"The networks, in order to induce the large national
advertisers to purchase their facilities for the sponsorship of
national radio programs, have worked out a system of discounts
which sharply reduces the time-costs for those advertisers who
employ the greatest amount of broadcast time in a given year. In
addition, the national advertisers who purchases the facilities on
a network for a continuous hour of broadcasting pays in proportion
substantially less for this hour than an advertiser who nurchases
only a fifteen-minute period. And during the da.ytlme fifteen min¬
utes constitute the standard oeriod. *«’***
"It is, therefore, not surprising that the crowding out
of the smaller advertiser as a commercial sponsor of national net¬
work programs has become a pronounced ohenomenon of network expan¬
sion. Thus in the five years from 1937 through 1941, while the
network revenue of the largest broadcasting comoany increased over
fifty per cent, the number of its commercial advertising soonsors
decreased almost twenty-five per cent; and by 1941 eleven adver¬
tisers accounted for over fifty per cent of the network revenue of
all the national networks in the United States.
"The networks are not to be condemned for such situations,
for it is only by encouraging large firms to use radio as an adver¬
tising medium that network broadcasting has received the financial
support which made possible its phenomenal growth and advancement.
Nor, for that matter, can we criticize the conduct of the national
advertisers; for in the keenly competitive climate in which they
operate, uncontrolled by adequate government regulations, these
advertisers must seize upon every available advantage in order to
keep their trade names and shibboleths ubiquitously and incessantly
before the public. In fact, despite the purely commercial character
of their enterprise, they have provided the nation with some of its
finest radio fare,
"But there are further difficulties. For example, if a
small independent manufacturer, using only a single fifteen-minute
period for network broadcasting, should develop an excellent radio
program and through this means achieve notable success in spite of
being confined to a less desirable time-spot, it rests within the
power of the network upon the expiration of a thirteen-week period
to terminate its contract with that company in obeisance to some
powerful competitor. It is true that networks have not been known
to employ such tactics. Nevertheless, under existing unregulated
network broadcasting, the network may at its own pleasure refuse
to renew the time contract of a legitimate small advertiser. Today,
when drugs, soaps, and grocery products depend in vital measure
upon radio advertising as a means of keeping their trade names
before the public, the power of the networks to take away the broad¬
cast time of a given advertiser and to grant such time to others is
almost a power of life and death.* ^ ^ ^
Working under such a system, the broadcasting companies
cannot exercise real control over the programs broadcast on their
networks. Their contention that they provide balanced programmatic
fare is refuted by even a cursory examination of their actual pro-
- 10
5/29/42
gram schedules. The truth Is that the decision as to whether or
not a radio program shall be presented over network broadcasting
depends not on the network’s opinion of the program's worth but on
the advertiser's opinion about its effectiveness in promoting the
sale of tke laxative, dentifrice, or breakfast food he produces.* *
"The broadcasting companies speak tenderly of the educa¬
tional sustaining programs which they provide without profit to the
stations comprising their network. Yet during the period of great¬
est 'radio attendance', from 7 P.M, to 10:30 P.M. each evening, we
find few such programs. These most valuable broadcast hours are now
owned almost exclusively by advertisers of drugs, foods, soft
drinks, cigarettes, soaps, and beauty preparations. We have yet to
hear of a network terminating the time-contract of a national adver¬
tiser in order that it may supply the nation with a half-hour sus¬
taining program of intellectual significance.
"Thus the advertiser determines not only what the people
of the country shall listen to but also - in accordance with his
own market problems and at variance, frequently, with the public
interest - precisely what sections of the country are going to be
permitted to hear a specific broadcast.^
xxxxxxxxx
TRADE NOTES ::
Back in the harness after a long illness, Niles Trammell,
President of the National Broadcasting Company, will deliver the
commencement address at DePauw University's 103rd Commencement at
Greencastle, Indiana, Sunday, May 31. Mr, Trammell has announced
that he will discuss "Broadcasting for Victory and Peace".
Radios and radio-phonographs, with an increase of 153 per
cent, led in the April sales gains of department stores in the
Second Federal Reserve District, in comparison with the same month
a year ago, according to the report issued by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York. The second largest gain, 42 percent, was noted
for washers, ironers, stoves, vacuum cleaners and cabinets.
Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Recife and Porto Alegre, four
of Brazil's leading cities, will hear a new series of programs in
Portuguese from New York, as a result of arrangements Just completed
by WOR-Mutual and the Office of the Coordinator of Inter- American
Affairs. Originating in WOR's studios, the programs will be beamed
to South America via A. T. & T. facilities, but will not be broad¬
cast in the United States. Eight stations in the Brazilian cities
will carry the series, Btondays through Saturdays.
11
t
5/29/42
At the Annual Meeting of the stockholders of the Inter¬
national Telephone and Telegraph Corporation held in Baltimore
last Wednesday, all Directors were re-elected as follows: Arthur M.
Anderson, Sosthenes Behn, F. Wilder Bellamy, Daniel C. Borden, John
W. Cutler, Charles E, Dunlap, James E. Fullara, John L. Merrill,
V/alter E. Ogilvie, Henry B. Orde, Samuel C. Ordway, Frank C. Page,
Bradley W. Palmer, Henry M. Pease, Frank W. Phelan, George E.
Pingree, Wolcott H. Pitkin, Lewis J. Proctor, William F. Repp,
Kenneth E. Stockton and Mark A. Sunstrom.
Because of the serious radio interference it caused the
U. S. Air Force, the Defense Communications Board ordered that
the electroraedical machine of Dr. W. L. Smith at Monroe, La., be
closed down. It was further ordered that in event of failure to
comply that War Department remove the machine.
Denying it has dissemina^te d false advertisements over the
radio and in newspapers concerning a cosmetic designed "Chen Yu
Nail Lacquer", Associated Distributors, Inc., 30 7fest Hubbard St.,
Chicago, filed answer to a complaint issued by the Federal Trade
Commission. Since July 30, 1941, the answer states, the respondent
corporation has not engaged in business and has filed with the
Secretary of State of Illinois notice of its intention to dissolve.
The salary of David Samoff, President of the Ra.dlo
Corporation of America for the past year as listed by the Security
and Exchange Commission was $100,900.
It is reported that Lester Hemingway, the brother of
Ernest, the author, will resign from V/PB to join the Federal Com¬
munications Commission.
A contract with the Navy by Harvard University for the
training of officers in radio communications, calls for an Immediate
enrollment of 600 men in the program, with a stipulation of a pos¬
sible extension of 500 more enrolling in groups of 125 monthly.
The Civil Service wants radio service men with two and a
half years of paid experience to inspect Army radio equipment.
Appointees will be stationed at manufacturing plants outside the
District of Columbia. Salary is $2,000. Apply 801 E St. ,N.W.
Washington. - -
Stockholders of Bloomingdale Brothers, Inc. , of New York
City, at the annual meeting held recently, voted to amend the
certificate of incorooration to allow the concern to go into the
broadcasting business.
In an interpretation of the General Maximum Price Regula¬
tion, the Office of Price Administration stated, "Advertising allow¬
ances granted by a seller for promotional services rendered by a
buyer are not ’frozen’ by the Regulation and are not to be consider¬
ed as an element in the price at which goods were delivered during
March" (The base period under the universal price ceiling.)
XXXXXXXXX
" 12
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET
WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OF JUI® 2, 1942
War Sole Topic At RMA One-Da.y Convention Next Week . 2
Supreme Court Clears Way For Network-FCC Test.,, . 5
Broadcasting "Apathetic Charge Arouses Hoosiers . 4
No Successor Yet For Harry Butcher As CBS V~P . 5
50~Day Copper Stay Granted Tube Manufacturers . 6
McDonald Sees Danger In Lifeboat Radio Publicity . . . 7
More Congressional Brickbats For Winchell.,.. . 8
Seasonal Change Alters CBS Shortwave Frequencies . 9
Citing Ra.dio Uphold Undertakers' Riglit To Advertise . 9
RCA Scrap Drive Nets 763 Tons For War Use . 10
Trade Notes . . . . . 11
Sixth Edition Of Radio And Television Bibliography
No. 1I34
12
I
June 2, 1942
WAR SOLE TOPIC AT RMA ONE DAY COxNVENTION NEXT WEEK
Limited to one day - the briefest business session in its
history - the annual and first wartime convention of the Radio
Manufacturers' Association at Chicago next Tuesday, June 9, will
discuss one subject almost to the exclusion of everything else.
This subject, of course, will be the war, and what the radio manu¬
facturers may do further to bring it to a speedy and victorious
conclusion.
High officials of the War Production Board and those
prominent in the Government radio program will attend, including
William L. Batt, Chairman of the Requirements Board of WPB; Frank H.
McIntosh, head of the WpB Radio Section, and former Chief Technician
of the Fbrt Industry Company, and Leighton H. Peebles of the WpB
Communications Branch. An urgent invitation has also been extended
to J. S. Knowlson, Director of 1/TPB Industry Operations and former
President of the BIAA,
A special message on the industry's military radio produc¬
tion program will be brought to RI/iA by Mr. Batt, who is a chief aide
to Chairman Donald M, Nelson of WPB. Under the pressure of his
numerous other Jobs in the war effort, Mr. Batt recently resigned
as WpB Director of Materials, At that time he appointed A. L.
Henderson, who has been Deputy Director and closely associated with
him in the materials field since the creation of the National Defense
Advisory Commission to succeed him.
Mr. Batt announced that he would remain as Chairman of
the Requirements Committee of the WPB, American member of the
combined raw materials board established last January by President
Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain,
Coordinator of the Russian aid program and Chairman of the United
States- Canada Coordinating Committee.
Mr. Batt is from Philadelphia, where he was President of
S. K. F. Industries, Inc.
Paul V. Galvin of the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation,
of Chicago, and President of the Radio Manufaxcturers ' Association,
will preside at the Association's membership luncheon on Tuesday
and will deliver an annual report of special interest, on the "all
out" war effort and problems of the industry. A proposal to extend
RMA war services by organizing transmitting apparatus manufacturers
in a new division of the Association will be voted on. Another
proposal to change the name of the Amplifier and Sound Equipment
Division to the "Speaker" Division has been postponed. Officers
- 2 -
6/2/42
and Directors of the Association and of all Divisions will be
elected, and several important Committee sessions are scheduled.
Annual meetings of the National Radio Parts Distributors’
Association, whose president is George D. Barbey of Reading, Pennsy¬
lvania, and of ’’The Representatives”, whose president is S. K.
MacDonald, will be held on June 7 and 8, preceding the RMA conven¬
tion on June 9, for discussion of the replacement parts and other
problems of radio distributors. Acting Chief Albert Watterston of
the OPA Radio Unit and other OPA officials have been invited to
attend the parts distributors’ and sales representatives’ meetings.
The only social feature of the Industry meeting will be
the annual golf tournament, following the convention, on June 10,
at the Calumet Country Club.
XXXXXXXX
SUPRUIE COURT CLEARS WAY FOR NETWORK FCC TEST
The 5-to-3 decision of the Supreme Court that the Columbia
Broadcasting System and the National Broadcasting Company were en¬
titled to Judicial reviews of the Federal Communications Commis¬
sion's proposed regulations on chain broadcasting, clears the way
for a Judicial review of the basic issues raised by the so-called
network "monopoly” rules of the FCC.
The Supreme Court decision does not settle the question
raised by the Commission that it had the power to bar issuance
of licenses to radio stations because of alleged monopoly affili¬
ations. The high court action simply permits CBS and NBC to sue
for injunctions.
It is, in effect, a victory for Columbia and National
over the Communications Commission.
The FCC argued that the regulations issued did not con¬
stitute "a final order” and thus no review was permitted, Charles E,
Hughes, Jr., son of the retired Chief Justice and John T, Cahill,
attorneys for the companies, stated in argument that "drastic
damage” had already been done, because there were Indications that
affiliates would cancel contracts.
A three-judge Federal Court in New York City last Febru¬
ary ruled by a 2-to-l decision that it had no Jurisdiction in the
suits brought by NBC and Columbia to restrain the FCC from enforc¬
ing its so-called "anti-monopoly” regulations. The court comprised
Judge Learned Hand of the Circuit Court ofAppeals and Federal
Judges John Bright and Henry W, Goddard.
In effect, the decision denied an injunction against the
FCC, but on March 2 the three Judges granted a temporary stay until
May 1. On March 16 the Supreme Court agreed to review the decision
dismissing the suits.
3
I
f.
6/2/42
Joining in the Supreme Court appeal were the Woodmen of
the World Life Insurance Society, which owns and operates Station
WOW in Omaha, and the Stromberg- Carl son Telephone Manufacturing
Co. , which owns and operates Station WHM in Rochester, N. Y,
The Mutual Broadcasting System, Inc. intervened in the
litigation on the side of the FCC.
Chief Justice Stone delivered the 5*-3 Supreme Court
opinion that the broadcasting companies had a 'right to a Court
review of the Commission's order. Those concurring in this were
Justices Roberts, Murphy, Byrnes and Jackson. Those dissenting
were Justices Frankfurter, Reed and Douglas, Justice Blac.k did
not participate.
All "the elements pre-requisite to judicial review are
present", said Justice Stone, adding that "the threat of irrepar¬
able injury to the business" of the broadcasting chains had been
established. Justice Frankfurter, writing the dissent, stated
that Congress did not authorize resort to Federal courts "merely
because some one feels aggrieved, however deeply" by an FCC action,
and remarked that "even irreparable loss" did not justify the review.
xxxxxxxx
BROADCASTING "APATHETIC" CHARGE AROUSES HOOSIERS
Criticizing a recent broadcast, the Terre Haute, (Ind.)
Star says:
"A certain Mr, Brown who dispenses his views on news for
one of the large radio broadcasting systems has aroused the ire of
a number of Hoosiers. He said among other things that Indiana was
’apathetic and unconcerned’ about the war effort,
"Listeners in New York or Alabama or Washington may believe
that ’the people of Indiana do not know there is a war going on. . .1
Hoosiers, of course, know he never had any intimate contact with
Indiana - in fact, he certainly did not bestir himself for any
extensive inquiry in Indianapolis v/hich seems to have been his ?
single point of contact,
"The omniscient Mr. Brown was disturbed, no, he was amazed
’to find people who think gas restrictions too irksome to endure in
these times’. That may be a possible comment from the New York view¬
point but it does not apply to Indiana, Nothing is ’too irksome’ for
Hoosiers if it involves a substantial contribution to winning of the
war. The Hoosier viewpoint is that so long as gasoline is on their
very doorstep they see no reason for having it denied to them. Under
present production schedules, gasoline used in Indiana is not gaso¬
line denied to our armed forces. The only reason for gasoline
rationing in the East relates to transportation of the fluid from
the South or Middle west,
„ 4 -
I
6/8/42
"Our suggestion would be that the next time the Columbia
Broadcasting System desires comment on conditions in Indiana, it
send its commentator to Indiana sufficiently in advance of the time
of his public pronouncements that he may know his subject. "
XXXXXXXX
NO SUCCESSOR YET FOR HARRY BUTCHER AS CBS V-P
It may be some little time yet before a successor has
been chosen to fill the place of Harry C, Butcher, Vice-President
in charge of the Columbia Broadcasting System resident in Washington,
who has been called to active duty by the Navy Department, There
will soon be a conference between Williajn S. Paley, President of
CBS, Edward Klauber, Executive Vice-President, and Paul W. Kesten,
Vice President and General Manager, to decide who will replace Mr.
Butcher. However this meeting will be postponed until the
return to New York of Mr. Kesten, who is now in Arizona.
In the meantime, "Mef" Runyon, Vice-President in Charge
of Stations, will take Mr. Butcher's place in the Domestic Broad¬
casting Committee of the Defense Communications Commission.
A. D. Willard, Jr. will continue as General Manager of WJSV, CBS
key station in the Capital.
Mr, Butcher has been in the Naval for the past four years.
He holds the rank of Lieu tenant- Commander and is now on duty in
the office of Director of Naval Communications.
Mr, Butcher joined the Columbia Broadcasting System
twelve years ago. He was a friend of Sam Pickard, former Radio
Commissioner and later CBS Vice-President. Mr. Pickard, in fact,
thought so highly of Butcher that he wanted him to succeed him on
the Commission. He proved highly successful as an executive, made
friends everywhere, and in 1934 was advanced to Washington Vice-
Pre sident.
At the moment nothing definite is known as to Lieut,
Commander Butcher's future assignment, but the impression seems to
be that he will be stationed in Washington for sometime to come.
XXXXXXXX
Three new Government-owned aluminum plants have started
operations so far this month, a fourth is expected to begin produc¬
tion early in June and the entire first expansion program of seven
plants will be in production by August 1, 1942. All seven plants
will be completed ahead of schedule. The flow of aluminum metal is
expected to increase every month from 'now on until the early part
of 1943 when the entire aluminum capacity as planned by WpB will be
operating at its peak.
XXXXXXXXX
5 «
; 1
i
6/2/42
30-DAY COPPER STAY GRANTED TUBE MANUFACTURERS
Receiving tube manufacturers have received a 30-day stay
from the drastic Copper Conservation Order, prohibiting virtually
all civilian use of copper, including production of replacement
parts after May 31, Extension of the copper order for replacement
tube production until June 30 has been granted by the WPB Copper
Section. Similar relief for radio parts manufacturers was not
included in the V/PB action, but Is still being pressed vigorously
by the WPB Communications Branch and the Radio Manufacturers’
Association through the latter’ s special Committee on Replacement
Parts, of which J, J. Kahn of Chicago is Chairman.
The 30- day extension from the copper order was secured
for tube manufacturers in order to develop a definite 1942 pro¬
gram of replacement tube production, A total of 40 million replace¬
ment tubes in 1942, compared with about 33 million replacement tubes
in 1941, is now under consideration. An official limitation or
”L " order is in prospect early next week, authorizing the 40 mil-
lion replacement tube program for this year, with quotas equitably
divided, by the WPB Radio Section under Chief Frank H. McIntosh,
among the seven RI4A tube manufacturers.
The question of a definite replacement parts program and
possibly similar relief for parts manufacturers under the copper
order. Chief McIntosh advised MA, will now be taken up following
the 30-da.y stay secured on replacement tube manufacture. The tube
•’L” order is scheduled to be issued early this week, and immediate
attention then will be given to the replacement parts problem,
particularly in connection with the copper order.
Pending action on replacement parts, parts manufacturers
are not permitted under the copper order to use their copper inven¬
tory after Sunday, May 31, for further production of replacements.
A number of parts manufacturers have filed their appeals with WPB
from the drastic copper order, but WpB Copper Section officials
advised RI4A that relief action to parts manufacturers was ’’practi¬
cally nil”. Virtually all radio manufacturers’ appeals, except for
the 30-day stay given tube manufacturers, are being denied, offic¬
ials stated. Relief from the copper order for replacement parts
production is not expected until after the WPB Radio Section con¬
ducts further negotiations with the ViTPB Copper Section officials and
until progress is made on a replacement parts production program,
similar to the 40 million replacement tube program.
While the copper order exempts use of copper on military
radio and other war contracts, there is not a similar exemption on
Lend-Lease contracts. WPB approval for use of copper on such Lend-
Lease contracts is required.
Detailed requests for copper for tube replacements alread'”
have been filed by the Ra.dio Section with the Copper Branch for tuco
production from June 1 to December 31. As about 20 million replace
- 6 -
, “i
6/2/42
merit tubes have already been manufactured, the proposed 1942
replacement tube program of 40 million tubes will contemplate pro¬
duction of an additional 20 million tubes from June 1 to December
31. Similar procedure for replacement parts also is being worked
out by the WPB Radio Section. A questionnaire is now being pre¬
pared for transmission to all radio parts manufacturers, to secure
necessary data on which to base the prospective replacement parts
and material allocation program.
XXXXXXXX
MC DONALD SEES DANGER IN LIFEBOAT RADIO PUBLICITY
There is sharp criticism from Commander E. F. Me Donald, Jr. ,
President of the Zenith Radio Corporation, about a story which
appeared in this News Service May 12th based uoon an official
release, which stated that Admiral R, R, Waesche of the Coast Guard
had issued a regulation requiring merchant vessels of more than a
thousand tons to carry at least one portable radio for installation
in lifeboats.
"Please remember that I am not criticizing you in this
letter, I am just criticizing the principle". Commander McDonald
writes.
"Your article entitled "Portable Radios Ordered Put Aboard
Lifeboats", I feel sure has been given out some place officially
or you wouldn’t have published it. Can you picture Hitler or any
of the Nazis giving out a story like this - certainly not. You’ll
find that this, and articles like it, will get into their hands and
the next thing the submarines will do will be to search every life
boat to find out whether it has a portable transmitter or not. If
it has, it will be wrecked, then what value is it?
"I might carry my argument above a step further and say
that the enemy submarines, if they don't have time to search the
lifeboats to ascertain whether it has a transmitter on it, might
take a shot at it saying to themselves, "It might be equipped with
a transmitter which will give the location of our attack too soon.
"Just a suggestion. "
Since it has not been possible to find out exactly where
the Lifeboat story came from, a copy of this correction is being
sent to Cant. Leland P. Lovett, Assistant Director of Public Rela¬
tions, at the Navy Denartment, for his information,
XXXXXXXXX
7
I
X'-
6/2/42
MORE CONGRESSIONAL BRICKBATS FOR WINCHELL
Walter Winchell, recently characterized by Senator Clark,
of Missouri, as ’’the radio commentator who disgraces the uniform
of the Navy of the United States” was again assailed in Congress,
this time by Representative Clare Hoffman, of Michigan, who said:
”0n May 24, Sunda.y last, Walter Winchell, in his broad¬
cast, repeated the substance of the charge printed in the New
Republic . and he added that I had never stopped claiming that he,
Winchell, tried to smear me.
”For once in his long record of misstatement Walter is
correct. I have not stopped claiming that he tried to smear me.*
”Not long ago he stated that I was a member of the House
Naval Affairs Committee. I never was on that Committee and the
House membership is aware of that fact. I was quoted as saying
that he, Winchell, should be sent to Samoae No such statement was
ever made by me. Unable to learn who on the Naval Affairs Committee
had exposed him, he charged it up to me. It was a good job, well
done, even though I did not do it. ^ ^ «
"Winchell states that, while broadcasting, he does not
wear the uniform of the Navy. He does not, however, tell us when
he does wear it. He does not say that he does not wear it while
visiting saloons, dives, and disreputable resorts gathering informa¬
tion. He does not deny that, as a Lieutenant Commander, he is in
the Navy on full-time pay of a Lieutenant Commander, Nor does he
explain to the public how he can carry on a money-making business
and still be a full-time Lieutenant Commander.
"Yet he is the man who attempts to tell the people of
the United States who they should elect as their Represenlati ves
in Congress, Winchell is courageous. He must be. He tells us he
is. He is a fighting man. He must be, for he wears the uniform of
the Navy, and that is a fighting organization,
"His statements as to his ovm virtues leave us in no doubt
as to his patriotism. Continuously he announces his willingness to
sacrifice. It is interesting to compare his utterances before
December 7 with those he has made since that date.
"What some of us cannot understand is why a man as brave
as he is, possessing his courage, with all of his professed animos¬
ity toward the Germans and the Japs, with his willingness to fight,
does not make some practical use of the uniform which he wears, and
get into the Navy, instead of loitering around New York, question¬
ing the patriotism and the motives of the people’s chosen Represent¬
atives. "
xxxxxxxx
8
6/2/42
SEASONAL CHANGE ALTERS CBS SHORTWAVE FREQUENCIES
Due to seasonal conditions of the ionosphere, the Columbia
Broadcasting System's engineering department has altered frequencies
of its three shortwave transmitters serving the new Network of the
Americas and listeners across the Atlantic Ocean.
The ionosphere is an atmosphere of electrical particles
constantly in motion like the sea and varying in distance from 70
to 250 miles above the earth' s surface, Ra,dio short waves travel
high into the sky and are reflected back to earth at great dis¬
tances from the transmitters by the ionosphere.
The CBS international broadcasting summer schedule for
June, July and August, 1942 (which became effective at 6;00 A.M,
Monday, June 1, follows:
W^X (East Coast, South America) 5:47 PM to 11 PM, 15,270
kc. , 19,6 meters; WC^ (West Coast, South America) 3:47 P.M. to
11 P.M. , 11,830 kc. , 25.3 meters; WCDA (Mexico and Central America)
6 AM to 8 MA, 11,830 kc. , 25.3 meters; 4:50 PM to 11 PM, 17,830 kc. ,
16.9 meters; 9:15 AI/. to 10 AM, 11,830 kc. , 25.3 meters, Saturdays
and Sunda^ys only.
Europe - WCBX, 6 AM to 3:45 PM, 15,270 kc. , 19.6 meters;
WCRC, 6 m to 3:30 P.M. , 11,830 kc. , 25.3 meters; WCDA, 3:30 P.M.
to 4:45 P.M. , 11,830 kc. , 25.3 meters.
All times Eastern War Time.
xxxxxxxx
CITING RADIO UPHOLD UNDERTAKERS RIGHT TO ADVERTISE
The Indiana Supreme Court has just held unconstitutional
a law forbidding undertakers to publish prices of their goods and
services in newspaper advertisements. It said the act was dis¬
criminatory.
"We cannot close our eyes to the fact that in 1939, when
this statute was enacted", the opinion explained, "the radio had
already come into general use in the advertising field,
"We are unable to conceive of any possible reason for
prohibiting licensed funeral directors and embalmers from advertis¬
ing their prices in newspapers or by handbills and at the same time
permitting them to broadcast the same facts to the public by radio, ’
The State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors had
revoked the license of Asher L. Proffitt, Crawfordsville funeral
director, because he had advertised his price for caskets in the
Crawfordsville Journal and Review.
r '
6/2/42
Proffitt sued the Board and the Montgomery Circuit Court
ordered his license given back to him. The Board appealed to the
high court.
The Hoosier State Press Association had filed a petition
to intervene as a friend of the court. The petition criticized the
law,
xxxxxxxx
RCA SCRAP DRIVE NETS 763 TONS FOR WAR USE
A million-and-a-half pounds of scrap metal, enough to
build a U. S. Navy mine layer, or to make twenty-two 30-ton tanks
for the Army with enough left over for three Army "peep” cars, has
been salvaged from the Camden plant of the RCA Manufacturing Comp¬
any in the first quarter of 1942. This announcement was made last
week by the Industrial Salvage Section of the Manufacturers^
Committee of Camden County.
This mountain of steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper,
lead, nickel, tin, zinc, mica and other metals has come from the
huge factory, now given over to war production, in a daily stream
which helps to feed the maws of ten metal furnaces in the Philadel¬
phia area.
In converting one RCA factory building at Camden to war
production, 191 tons of steel was recovered from machinery formerly
used in commercial production but useless for war work. In addi¬
tion, in March alone, twelve tons of commercial tools not adaptable
to war production were disposed of as scrap.
An idea of the immensity of the scrap realization plan
may be gained from this fact: in the three-month period, 1,181,318
pounds of steel were removed from the plant as scrap. In the same
period, 100,193 pounds of aluminum, 80,135 pounds of brass, 1,969
pounds of bronze, 114,779 pounds of copper, 6,504 pounds of lead and
1,658 pounds of nickel were salvaged. So were 10,752 pounds of
zinc, 894 pounds of tin, and 34,843 pounds of miscellaneous metals.
The total weight of the metals is 763 tons.
A scrap salvage drive was launched throughout the Camden
plant on March 1, with the use of such posters as "Get in the scrap;
America's war industries need metals, paper, old rags, rubber. Get
it back in war production. " Each production worker was reminded
by his foreman of the importance of saving every scrap of the metals
precious to the tremendous war production program.
RCA' s scrap conservation efforts have not been confined to
metals alone. When the War Production Board sent out a call for
scrap rubber to keep the rubber reclaiming plants in operation, the
news was passed along to the Camden plant. The first few days pro'
duced a ton of the material, with the search far from complete.
X XXXXXXXX
- 10 -
6/2/42
: TRADE NOTES
Newly appointed head of the National Broadcasting Corapapy's
Press Department in San Francisco is William E. Shea, Jr. Mr. Shea
advances from National Spot Sales Representative for the company in
that city to the publicity post. Prior to joining NBC, early in
1941, he was with the San Francisco Examiner, McCann-Erickson,
advertising agency, and Hearst Radio.
Otto Sorg Schairer, Vice President of the Radio Corpora¬
tion of America, in charge of RCA Laboratories, last Saturday was
awarded the honorary degree ofDoctor of Engineering by the Univer¬
sity of Michigan, The degree was in recognition of *'the unusual
achievements of one of the University’s alumni in the conduct and
administration of scientific research for industrial purposes. "
Dr. Schairer was graduated from the University of Michigan
with an A. B. degree in 1901, and received his B. S. degree in
electrical engineering in 1902. He then entered the service of
the Westinghouse Electric and Ifenufacturing Company at East Pitts¬
burgh as a graduate student or apprentice.
Tiie Associated Broadcasters, Inc. , of San Francisco,
have applied to the Federal Communications Commission for a license
to cover a construction permit for a new international broadcast
s tation.
So that the men in service may be able to receive them,
no matter in what part of the world they may be stationed, each
program directed to "Men in Service” will be broadcast by the
General Electric Company three different times from KGEI in San
Francisco, twice from WGEA and once from WGEO in Schenectady.
After months of complaint that Southern Negroes were not
being trained to meet the shortage of workers in shipbuilding, the
President's Committee on Fair Employment Practice has been officially
advised that the regional "^abor Supply Committee covering Southeast¬
ern States has called on the educational authorities to set up
training courses for colored workers in "all major shipyard occupa¬
tions. ”
This action, which was announced by Dr. Malcolm S. MacLean,
Chairman of the Fbir Employment Practice group, of which David
Sarnoff of RCA, and Mark Ethridge of WHAS, Louisville, are members,
took place in Birmingham, Ala. , where the Labor Supply Committee
met a few days ago.
XXX XXX XXX
11
: J, , ■
6/2/42
SIXTH EDITION OF RADIO A^JD TELEVISION BIBLIOGRAPHY
The sixth edition of the Radio and Television Biblio¬
graphy, prepared by the Columbia Broadcasting System Reference
Library, Research Department is Just off the press.
"The most comprehensive bibliography in the field, "
Dr. Paul F, Lazarsfeld, Director, Office of Ra.dio Research, Columbia
University, writes appraising the new edition.
"This compilation is very effective in bringing within
one cover the vast Information on broadcasting that is available
today", says Carlos A, Franco, of Young & Rubicam, Inc., New York.
The contents of the 1942 edition of the Bibliography are:
Books, Pamphlets and Reports on Broadcasting - General,
Advertising and Audience Studies, Drama, Education, Engineering,
Music, News and Special Events, Techniques and Careers, and Tele¬
vision; Magazine Articles of Special Interest; Names and Addresses
of Radio and Advertising Trade Periodicals Containing "Radio
Sections"; Names and Addresses of Principal Publishers and Other
Organizations Issuing Material on Broadcasting; Publications of the
Columbia Broadcasting System and Index by Titles of Books, Pam¬
phlets and Reports.
The Bibliography is published by CBS to assist students
and others interested in radio and television in finding the prin¬
cipal books, pamphlets and articles in this field. CBS invites
students of ra.dio and television to consult the books and other
material in its Reference Library at 485 Ifedison Avenue, New York
City.
"In the past, distribution of this reference book has
been confined largely to educators and writers", Dr. Frank Stanton
Columbia's Director of Research now in Washington with the OFF,
states. "But so many requests have been received and so many people
have told us how useful they found this book that we have brought
the bibliography up to date. "
Apparently a wider distribution of the book is now con¬
templated.
XXXXXXXXX
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET
WASHINGTON, D. C.
0,
INDEX TO ISSUE OF JUNE 5, 1942
% %S
Only Insane Would Start New Net Now, Says McCosker . 2
FCC Looks Into Foreign Language "Time Brokers" . . 4
Copper Relief For Parts Manufacturers . . . . . 5
Large Sura Sougtit For New FCC Intelligence Division . 6
BBC 1942 Handbook Comes Tlirough. Despite War . . . 6
Most Everybody In North Dakota Has A Radio. . . . .7
War Department Leases Globe Wireless . 8
Weber For Mutual Also Backs FCC Rules . 8
Ready To Handle Cut-Rate Service Messages . . . . . 9
Donate Time For New "Victory" Broadcasts . 9
Trade Notes . 10
Hygrade Sylvania Market Debentures., . 12
Zenith Net Profit $1,637, OCX) . . . . . 12
No. 1435
•iaL
I
ONLY INSAI® WOULD START NEW NET NOW, SAYS McCOSKER
Free competition in network broadcasting is at stake if
legislation is passed nullifying the Federal Communications Commis¬
sion's network regulations, Alfred J. McCosker, Chairman of the
Board of the Mutual Broadcasting System, warned the House Committee
on Interstate and Foreign Commerce when it resumed hearings last
Wednesday on the Sanders Bill to reorganize the FCC. The Commis¬
sion's proposed network regulations are supported by the Mutual
Broadcasting System.
"If the regulations or their substantial equivalent are
not put into effect", Mr. McCosker testified, "and if for the first
time in years free competition in network operation is not made pos¬
sible, it is not reasonable to expect that any other group will
attempt to project or operate a national network. If Mutual after
a try of over seven years, cannot firmly establish itself, with all
the advantages it offers, no one outside of an insane asylum would
try it again. The man who would try it would need a guardian more
than he would need a wave length, "
The ?4utual executive expressed the hope that no legisla¬
tion will be passed which will unduly hamstring the FCC in its
regulations of radio, Impair its efficiency, or cause unnecessary
delays.
"The complaint is that certain people don't like the
Commission's decisions", Mr, McCosker pointed out, "and they are
afraid that the courts will uphold what the Commission has done.
That is the reason they have come to Congress to try to get the law
changed, first to the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce a
year ago and, having failed there, they now come to this Committee.
I do not think they are really very much interested in the techni¬
cal procedural parts of tliis bill. "
Mr. McCosker stated that "through all these hearings and
arguments, the Commission's report of May 2, 1941, has not once been
attacked for any inaccuracy in its findings of fact. None of the
witnesses appearing before you has called attention to a single mis¬
statement of fact in the entire document, however violently they may
have attacked the Commission's conclusions and its regulations."
Mr. McCosker urged the Committee to carefully read the FCC network
report before passing judgment on the Commission's order.
The MBS official said he could not find in the Commission's
order any tendencies toward government ownership of stations or that
the Commission suffers from a common-carrier complex.
- 2 -
6/5/42
”If either charge has any foundation, I don’t know what
it is and have not observed any basis for it. If such persons are
talking about the network regulations, and I am sure that they are,
it seems to me that they are just about 100^ wrong. The Commission
has obviously acted to restore and increase competition and to pre¬
vent it from being unlawfully restrained - so that there will not
be any need either for regulation of rates and other kinds of regu¬
lations of the common carrier variety, or for having the government
take over industry. "
Mr. McCosker insisted that Mutual' s primary interest is in
having the Commission’s network regulations go into effect. ’’We
oppose any legislation that would cause further delay and that would
deprive the Commission of its power to adopt such regulations, or
that would cast any doubt on that power. ” Mr. McCosker pointed out
that three of the proposed amendments in the Sanders Bill apoarently
come within this description.
Mutual is opposed to any licensing of networks, Mr.
McCosker continued. "It seems to us that to license networks is to
invite the very sort of governmental interference that NBC and CBS
profess to fear, control over programs and control over rates - in
other words, censorship and common carrier regulation. There is
nothing else to regulate, unless those who urge such an amendment
entertain illusions that by a rigid licensing system they can keep
down the number of competing networks. ”
Mr. McCosker insisted that Mutual's future, and the future
of all net’ATorks, depends upon not being so restricted by government
regulations that they cannot engage in sound, efficient, and profit¬
able operations.
"We have never departed from that point of view, and I
can assure you that no one in Mutual has had the attitude of wanting
to see confusion or impairment of network broadcasting simply in
the hope of being able to grab something out of the wreckage. "
"While we are proud of Mutual's affiliates and its annual
increases in revenue, particularly in view of the obstacles we have
had to overcome, we trust you will not be misled by the figures and
charts which have been presented by witnesses for NBC and Columbia
at this hearing. They give a flattering but highly exaggerated notion
of Mutual’s growth and size. When you compare networks as they did,
simply in terms of the number of affiliate stations each network has,
and overlook mentioning the relative desirability of the stations as
to power, coverage, location and other vital factors, it is very much
as if you compared the wealth of four men according to the number of
bills each has in his pocketbook without looking at the denomination
of the bills.
"Similarly, when you compare the revenue of networks simply
by percentage of increase over a certain period of years according
to some arbitrary base, and leave out the figures for the actual
revenue of each network in dollars and cents, you can make the net¬
work that started from scratch in the middle of the period look
~ 3 -
6/5/42
like a skyrocket when it is really nothing of the sort.
"You would never guess from Columbia's exlilblt, or from
anything you have heard from any witness that has yet appeared
before you, that in 1940, for example, Mutual's total time sales
were slightly over $3,600,000 as against about $41,700,000 for NBC
and $35,600,000 for Columbia, and that the profits of NBC and
Columbia for that year were, in each case, very much greater than
Mutual's total time sales - $5,800,000 for NBC and $7,400,000 for
Columbia (before Federal income taxes)."
Mr. McCosker concluded his testimony with the hope that
during the next two or three years, a more truly American system of
broadcasting will develop, and that harmony will be restored in the
industry.
XXXXXXXX
FCC LOOKS INTO FOREIdN LAI^GUAGE "TIME BROKERS"
The Federal Communications Commission has directed its
staff to ascertain the activities of "time brokers" in foreign
language broadcasts over domestic radio stations. A letter request¬
ing full information in this respect is to be addressed to licensees
using their facilities for broadcast programs in foreign tongues.
Approximately 210 standard broadcast stations in this
country have foreign language programs, and it is estimated that
nearly half of these sell time to "brokers". These "brokers" are
not station employees, but rather are independent contractors,
apparently independent of any one station for their livelihood. In
general, they obtain blocks of time over a given station and arrange
their foreign language programs, selling on their own account spot
announcements for use during their allotted time. Many act as their
own announcers and seem to enjoy large followings among foreign-
born listeners.
The FCC seeks to learn which "brokers" operate over which
stations; the precise relationship existing between the "brokers"
and their respective stations; the titles of the programs aired;
the nature of the programs; and whether in the opinion of the
licensee there are objections to^ or useful functions for, the
broker system. Copies of contracts and agreements concerning the
operations of the brokers and stations in connection with the foreign
language orograras are to be filed with the Commission.
X X X X X X X X X X
- 4
•
1
6/5/48
COPPER RELIEF FOR PARTS MANUFACTURERS
Relief from the Copper Conservation Order prohibiting
virtually all civilian use of copper after May 31, is now being
granted to July 1 in individual cases by the Copper Section of the
War Production Board to radio parts manufacturers for immediate
and limited production of replacement parts. Some individual
appeals are now being approved for parts manufacturers from the
copper order, following further conferences with officials of the
Copper Section by Frank H. McIntosh, head of the V3PB Radio Section
and representatives of the Radio I-fejiufacturers ’ Association.
Some parts manufacturers, according to the determination
of the Copper Section in each individual case, are being granted
extensions of thirty days or more for the immediate use of their
copper inventories in the production of radio replacement parts.
The restricted and limited relief for radio parts production follows
similar relief granted to radio tube manufacturers, who also receiv¬
ed individual 30-da.y extensions, to July 1, from the copper order.
Extensions being granted to parts manufacturers for thirty days or
more in the use of their inventories to produce replacement parts
is based entirely, according to WPB officials, on the special cir¬
cumstances in each individual parts manufacturer's inventory and
other circumstances. Such relief from the copper order for radio
replacement parts production was urged last week by t.ie RMA. A
conference with W?B Copper Section and also WPB Radio Section
officials was held by the Association's representatives, including
Chairman J. J. Kahn of the special RMA Committee on Replacement
and Repair Parts,
The extensions to parts manufacturers for the use of
their inventories under the order which is known as the M-9-c,
are being granted while Cnief McIntosh and the ^"ypB Radio Section
are working out a definite program for allocation of materials for
a future replacement parts production schedule. A similar program,
covering replacement tubes during the remainder of this year, is
now being completed by the Radio Section. A limitation or "L"
order is now being drafted in connection with the replacement tube
program, and will provide for assignment of replacement tube produc¬
tion quotas to the various manufacturers.
XXXXXXXXXX
A unique radio situation, in which two stations will carry
a half hour recorded program at the same time for the same sponsor
has developed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the NBC-Radlo- Recording
Division's Flying for Freedom” will take the air over stations KTUL
and KOLffi at 8 P.M. , starting June 11, and be heard over both sta¬
tions for 86 vireeks.
XXXXXXXXXX
- 5 -
LARGE SUM SOUGHT FOR NEW FCC INTELLIGENCE DIVISION
J. L. Fly, Chainnan of the Federal Communications Commis¬
sion appeared before the House Appropriations Committee last Thurs¬
day to request a supplemental national defense appropriation of
$2,149,876. This was for the extension of foreign broadcast monitor¬
ing in connection with the newly created Radio Intelligence Divi¬
sion of the National Defense Operations Section of the Engineering
Department. The Intelligence Division is under George E. Sterling,
who was recently appointed Assistant Chief Engineer and Chief of the
Division.
XXXXXXXXXX
BBC 1942 HANDBOOK COIffiS THROUGH DESPITE WAR
Not even a World War has been sufficient to keep the BBC
Handbook for 1942 from coming out on schedule time. The book is
really the annual report of the British Broadcasting Corporation
but is popularly written, handsomely illustrated and so interesting
throughout that it is hard to put down. One might think that such
a publication would necessarily command only the attention of a
broadcaster or someone in that particular line of business but this
British yearly report published as it was amidst bombings and ter¬
rible war, also furnishes the finest kind of reading matter for the
listening public itself.
One chapter which catches the American eye is the ’’Bra.ins
Trust'*. This, it seems, is a popular British program which, if it
were broadcast in the United States would be known as the "Brain
Trust". It started out in January, 1941, with the BBC labeled "Any
Questions?" Apparently it was on the order of our program,
"Information Please". In the first year the "Brains Trust" received
ninety thousand questions and answered four hundred of them. Nation¬
wide arguments were started by questions like the one from a pilot
in the Royal Air Force - "How does a fly land on the ceiling?" -
and like that other question - "Why does a horse rise on its forelegs
and a cow on its hindlegs?"
Other cnapters in the 1942 BBC Handbook are devoted to
a Survey of the Year’s Work in Broadcasting: Overseas Networks;
Empire Collaboration; Broadcasting to North America; Broadcasting
to Latin America; Broadcasting to the Far East; Broadcasting to the
Near East; Broadcasting to Europe; Horae and Forces Programmes; Up
and Down the British Isles; Music for Horae and Overseas; Radio
Documentary; Ra.dio Drama; Variety; Talks for Home Listeners; The
Sunday Postscript; Outside Broadcasting; Horae News; News Reading;
Talks in the News; Religious Broadcasting; The Week's Good Cause;
Broadcasting to Schools; Group Listening; Allied Occasions; "Call¬
ing Forces Overseas"; Children's Hour; Parents and Children;
Recording Service; Listener Research; Some Notable Broadcasts of
1941; Rebroadcasting and Exchange Broadcasting; Wartime Studios.
6
6/5/42
In the Appendixes are chapters devoted to Control;
Finance; Development of the BBC*s Overseas Services; The Time Sig¬
nal Service; Receiving the Horae and Forces Programmes; Programme
Contracts; Programme Copyright; The BBC’s Advisory Councils and
Committees; BBC Publications; BBC Addresses.
xxxxxxxx
MOST EVERYBODY IN NORTH DAKOTA HAS A RADIO
North Dakota Oets a high radio rating in the report of
the 1940 census just made public:
OCCUPIED DWELLING UNITS WITH RADIO FOR STATE AND
DITIES OF 25,000 OR i40RE: 1940
(A dwelling unit was enumerated as "with radio" if it contained
a usable radio set or one only temporarily out of repair)
Area - North Dakota
The State
Total
With
Radio
No
Radio
Not
Reporting
Radio
Total Dwelling units
(including urban
152,043
131,000
17,179
5,864
Rural-nonfann
dwelling units
47,024
39,396
6,585
1,043
Rural- farm
dwelling units
70,950
60,230
8,819
1,901
Fargo
8,618
8,030
361
227
\
The number of homes having a radio is shown for this
State in statistics from the 1940 Census of Housing announced by
Director J. C. Capt of the Bureau of the Census, Department of
Commerce. The announcement gives the preliminary figures for each
county, for the rural-nonfarm and rural-farm parts of each county,
and for each city of 25,000 Inhabitants or more but only the State
and city data is given above. These figures as well as similar
data for urban places of 2,500 to 25,000 inhabitants and for the
metropolitan districts will be presented in the Second Series Hous¬
ing Bulletin for the State which will be published in the near
future.
XXXXXXXX
7
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6/5/42
I;
WAR DEPARTMENT LEASES GLOBE WIRELESS
The Federal Communications Commission announced that it
had granted permission to Globe Wireless, Limited, of San Francisco
to furnish its commercial radio facilities to the War Department
under lease arrangement beginning June 1.
As a result of this arrangement, Globe Wireless will be
withdrawn temporarily from the business of handling public message
traffic during the life of the contract,
XXXXXXXX
WEBER FOR MUTUAL ALSO BACKS FCC RULES
Going counter to the National Broadcasting Company and
the Columbia Broadcasting System, Fred Weber, General Iifeinager of
the Mutual Broadcasting System, lined up squarely behind the
Federal Communications Commission in testifying before the House
Interstate Commerce Committee considering the Sanders Bill,
Chairman James L. Fly of the Federal Communications Com¬
mission had been expected to appear before the Committee Friday
but he will be called next Wednesday, June 10 instead. FCC
Commissioner T.A.M. Craven will present the minority views of that
organization.
Mr. Weber told the House Committee tha.t ’’evils and abuses
on the part of the large radio networks made recently promulgated
Federal Communications Commission regulations ’’eminently practical
and reasonable”.
The FCC regulations restricting the use of ’’option time”,
under which Mr. Weber said the NBC and CBS networks ’’secure right of
way and priority rights over all or most of the best hours of nearly
all the best stations in the country”, is a center of the dispute
over changes in the law.
Mr, Weber told the Committee that Mutual in 1941 negoti¬
ated with publishers of a magazine for a nationally knov.mi program
and were given to understand that the system would be used for the
next year.
Then, he said, NBC told the publishers that if Mutual
were used NBC would exercise its option privilege in suc,h a way
that the program either would be eliminated from stations in a
number of important markets ”or would be forced to the disagree¬
able alternative of delayed broadcasts by transcription, ”
XXXXXXXX
- 8 -
i
6/5/42
READY TO HANDLE CUT-RATE SERVICE llESSAG-ES
Radio and cable companies of the International group -
All America Cables and Radio, Commercial Cables, Commercial
Pacific Cable Co, , Mackay Radio and Telegraph Co. - are prepared
to handle the large volume of 60 cent special text messages which
are expected from American soldiers at outlying bases as a result
of the announcement by the War Department of this new service.
The service was established by the War Department at the proposal
of the communication companies to enable the American boys at dis¬
tant stations to telegraph home without too much strain on the pay.
The announcement stated that a similar service, from family to
soldier, will be ready in about ten days.
Arrangements for the service have already been made for
the men in Great Britain, North Ireland, Newfoundland, Hawaii,
Puerto Rico, Panama and other bases in the Caribbean region. Of
the companies associated with I. T, & T. , Commercial Cables serves
the North Atlantic points and Great Britain, All America Cables
and Mackay Radio serve the Western Hemisphere bases, and the Com¬
mercial Pacific Cable and Mackay Radio connect Hawaii with the
mainland.
xxxxxxxx
DONATE TIME FOR NEW "VICTORY BROADCASTS
The top-ranking programs of two major networks, featuring
the nation’s favorite radio personalities, will contribute to
America’s war effort this Summer with the presentation of two
separate Victory series. One "Victory Parade" will be heard over
stations of the National Broadcasting System, beginning Sunday,
June 7; the other "Victory Theatre" over the Columbia Broadcasting
System, starting Monday, July 20, it was announced by the Office of
Facts and Figures today.
All stars, directors, and writers will donate their ser¬
vices as their contribution to the two series. Air time involved
is the contribution of the two networks and their affiliated sta¬
tions.
There will be no commercial sponsor identified with any
of the broadcasts. Time ordinarily devoted to commercial announce¬
ments is to be given over to government messages of vital import¬
ance in the war effort.
XXXXXXXXXX
9
6/5/45
• •
TRADE NOTES : :
Because of the Japanese attacks on Dutch Harbor, all radio
stations on the Pacific Coast were reported off the air last Wednes¬
day and Thursday nights.
Six hundred patents, most of recent date and many of
immediate importance to the American war effort, were taken over
Wednesday from their German and Italian owners by the Alien Property
Custodian. Processes and equioment covered by the patents will be
made available to American industry.
Patents owned by Robert Bosch and covering electrical
equipment, particularly in the ignition field, were seized, as were
many patents in the fields of radio, television, and aircraft in¬
struments. Several of the seized patents related to the electron
microscope, currently of great importance in scientific fields.
Completion dates for the Baliban & Katz Chicago television
stations W9XPR and W9XBB have been extended to May, 1943,
Of the 33,291 homes in Nevada, 26,200 were reported by
the Census Bureau to have radios. Out of 4,212, rural-farm homes,
2, 906 are radio-equipped.
Corporations with multiple plants have been especially
enthusiastic about labor-management production committees, of which
more than 800 have now been formed, it was pointed out yesterday at
War Production Drive headquarters.
War Production Drives to bring the output of war material
up to the victory level are now under way in more than three plants
each of 16 companies. These companies include some of the largest
industrial organizations in the United States. War Production Drives
have been organized in 66 plants of the popularly termed du Pont
group of corporations and 50 in the U. S. Steel group, comprising
two of the largest industrial groups extant,
A list of the concerns in which labor-management committees
are functioning includes the R. C. A. Manufacturing Company with
4 plants.
Station KYA, Hearst Radio, Inc., San Francisco, Calif.,
has applied for assignment of license from Hearst Radio, Inc,, to
Palo Alto Radio Station, Inc,
Philco Corporation - March quarter; Net income $286,035,
equal to 21 cents a common share, compared with $269,772, or 20
cents a share, in the first quarter of last year, after adjusted
taxes. Gross sales amounted to $17,139,891, against $16,476,996.
Station KFEL of Denver, Colo, has applied for a construc¬
tion permit for increase in power from 5 kilowatts to 5 kilowatts
night, 10 kilowatts night, and make changes in transmitting equip¬
ment. - - - -
10 -
V .i’ f * ' T' A • ; ' ■ fj
I
r : \
■ .'.i
i
6/5/42
Bob Best, the American born newspaperman who refused to
return to America, and, according to Leonard Lyons, columnist,
"preferred in 'behalf of history' to broadcast for the Nazis, is
married to a Viennese Countess 20 years his senior. The reporters
who knew him describe him as a 'small time newspaperman who grew
roots in the gutters ov Vienna' , "
General Electric has expanded its training program to
teach military men and its own employees how to maintain in the
field the great variety of war devices, many of them new and highly
technical, which the company is making in vast quantities.
"This is a war of science". Vice President Roy C, Muir,
Chairman of the company's Education Committee, explaints. "A new
type of engineering is required. Electrical machines and circuits
must be coordinated with highly complex mechanical mechanisms,
optical systems, and radio. All that ha.s been learned in the last
20 years about electronics, frequency modulation, television, and
high frequency phenomena is now being applied to the airplane and
warship, ”
Station WIBW, Topeka, Kans. , has applied for a construc¬
tion permit to make changes in transmitting equipment and increase
power from 5 kw to 5 kw night, 10 kw day, using directional antenna
day and night.
W6XLA, Television Productions, Inc,, Los Angeles, Cal.,
has been granted construction permit for new television relay sta¬
tion (in lieu of permit which expired Oct. 15, 1941) to operate on
frequencies 204,000-216,000 kilocycles (Channels 11 and 12), 800
watts peak visual power only, A-5 emission and time of operation
in accordance witn Section 4.4(a).
The RCA Review for April contains the following articles:
Wartime Engineering, by Dr. Alfred N. Goldsmith; Low-Frequency
Characteristics of the Coupling Circuits of Single and Multi-Stage
Video Amplifiers, H. L. Donley and D. W. Epstein; An Improved Inter-
Electrode Capacitance Meter, Allen A. Barco; Television Reception
with Built-in Antennas for Horizontally and Vertically Polarized
Waves, W. L. Carlson; Low Capacitance A-C Power Supplies, Garrard
Mountjoy and Charles W. Finnigan; A Discussion of Several Factors
Contributing to Good Recording, R. A, Lynn; Receiver Input Connec¬
tions for U-H-F Measurements, John A, Rankin; Technical Articles by
RCA Engineers.
The Plain Dealer Publishing Co. (Transferor), The Forest
City Publishing Co., Transferee); WHK, United Broadcasting Co.
(Licensee), Cleveland, Ohio, WKKC, Columbus, Ohio, WCLE, Cleveland,
Ohio, have been granted consent to transfer control of United Broad¬
casting Comoany from the Plain Dealer Publishing Co. to the Forest
City Publishing Co. , on condition that no authority contained herein
shall be construed as a finding with respect to, or as an approval
of any future transfer of control of the licensee arising out of
changes in the stockholdings of Forest City i^ublishing Co. or other¬
wise.
XXXXXXXX
11
i
6/5/42
HYGRADE SYLVANIA MARKET DEBENTURES
Public offering of a new issue of $4,000,000 of 3^ per
cent sinking-fund debentures of the Hygrade Sylvania Coroo ration
is reoorted by the New York Times as being made by a banking group
headed by Jackson & Curtis. The debentures, due on June 1, 1957,
are priced at 101^ and accrued interest.
The debentures, dated June 1, 1942, will constitute the
entire funded debt of the corporation, which manufactures electric
light bulbs and radio tubes, with plants in Salem, Danvers and
Ipswich, Mass, and in Emporium, St. I%rys and Towanda, Pa. Of the
proceeds of this issue approximately $2,075,000 will be used to
repay bank loans, of which $968,000 were incurred for plant expan¬
sion and equipment. The balance will be added to the company’s
working capital.
xxxxxxxx
ZENITH NET PROFIT $1,637,000
The profits for the fiscal year of the Zenith Radio
Corporation, before provision for taxes, amounted to $3,073,146,80
whicn, after deduction of $1,436,097.55 for these taxes, left a
net profit after all taxes of $1,637,049.25, equal to $3.32 per
share on the 492,464 sha-res of outstanding stock. This includes
adjustments of prior year operating items aggregating net
$242,788.21 and write-offs arising from the Government’s order to
discontinue manufacture of radio receivers for civilian use, after
April 22, 1942.
’’The company’s progress during the year wps again due, in
a large measure, to radical new developments, advanced engineering,
outstanding values and a broad aggressive sales program", Commander
E. F. McDonald stated in his report to stockholders, "One of the
new products was the sensational * Trans-Oceanic Shortwave Portable
Radio’, No other manufacturer had a comparable product or was
able to claim so much for the performance of a radio of this type
and no other radio enjoyed such popularity with the personnel of
our armed forces,
"By Government order the manufacture of radio receivers
for civilian use was discontinued on April 22nd. We welcomed this
order as it permitted us to devote our entire energies toward the
manufacture of Government radio,
"The company's manufacturing facilities are being devoted
exclusively to the manufacture of radio and other electronic equip¬
ment for the War Effort and will, no doubt, be operated at maximum
capacity for the duration. This means that our engineering facil¬
ities and our employees are continuing in radio and electronics -
the field in which they are well schooled, and there is no diver¬
sification into fields with which they are unfamiliar. The factory
is ahead of schedule on the apparatus which it is producing under
direct contract with the Government.
"The company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Wincharger Corpor¬
ation, has become tne world’s largest manufacturer of wind driven
electric machinery. "
XXXXXXXXX
12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OF JUNE 9, 1942
U
BBC Makes Big Strides In Recording War Broadcasts..
Idaho Also Stacks High In Radio .
A Broadcaster Who Had To Be Coaxed Into White House
Deines, New G. E. Radio And Television Ad Manager. ..
Unlicensed Radio Transmitter Owners Must Register..
Amateurs May Come Back For OCD Work .
Light Bulb And Radio Tube Anti- Trust Case June 22
When Gene McDonald Pulled Down $6 A Week .
2
3
Calls Ra.dio Music Decadent . 7
Germans Listen At Their Peril . 7
Broadcasters Well Able To Pay War Tax, Say Printers . . . 8
Takes American Turned Nazi Broadcaster For Ride . . . 9
Tra.de Notes . 10
Asserts Radio Could Do Transoceanic Job Alone.. . 12
^|V.
No. 1436
(T> OJ ai CJi
June 9, 1942
BBC MAKES BIO STRIDES IN RECORDING WAR BROADCASTS
Now broadcasting in 40 languages, not counting English,
Welsh and Gaelic, the British Broadcasting Corporation in its all-
out war effort has been giving special attention to the recording
of war broadcasts.
”The BBC Recording Service today has three main activi¬
ties”^, it is officially explained. ”The first is to record things
which happen when listeners are asleep or at work, and to play them
back when they are awake or at leisure. The second is to send out
recording cars to bring back the voices and sounds which cannot be
produced in the studio. The third activity is, for the benefit of
posterity, to preserve in sound some of those things which char¬
acterize our life and times.
”In carrying out the first of these, the Recording Ser¬
vice played a valuable part in forging a closer link between Britain
and the U, S. A. Divided from America not only by three thousand
miles of sea but also by five hours of time, listeners in this
country heard the reproduction from records of speeches by Presi¬
dent Roosevelt which they would otherwise have heard only by getting
up in the small hours. Millions of people in Britain enjoyed the
weekly American Commentary and regarded the speakers as old friends.
"From other quarters too - from Chungking, from Bombay,
from Cairo, f rom Moscow - a twenty- four hour recording service
receives - and retains on steel tape, non-inflammable film, acetate
disc, or wax record - a first-hand account of the war on Naziism.
”The BBC* s own recordings, of which there are already
over ten thousand, are supplemented by a hundred thousand commercial
gramophone records. With the development of European and Overseas
broadcasts these two collections of recordings doubled their scope
anc acquired new importance. The Recording Service may be asked
to choose and despatch at short notice, to any part of the world, such
varied material as recordings by Sarah Bernhardt or Woodrow Wilson,
or eye-witness accounts of the Dreyfus trial, the eruption of
Krakatoa, the arrest of Crippen, or the sinking of the "Titanic”.
"Nor is the Recording Service solely dependent on these
permanent recordings, nor yet on those made through the medium of
the transatlantic telephone or short-wave transmissions from over¬
seas. Its second main activity requires that a fleet of mobile
recording units should be based not only in strategic points in
Britain, but as far afield as Cairo, to bring back into the common
pool stories of life and death from the various war zones,
- 2 -
* I ■ J
6/9/42
"Recording is also one medium whereby the Dominion forces
in Britain and the children evacuated overseas are able to keep in
touch with their homes. ’Greetings from Cairo' and ’Children Call¬
ing Home' have taken the place of the field postcards of the war
of 1914 to 1918, on which one had the option of saying T am well',
or ’ I am ill’ .
"The third activity of the Recording Service - to preserve
in sound the history of our times - may be thought the most import¬
ant of all. Events move so swiftly nowadays that they soon become
involved in an obscurity from which the historian can hardly dis¬
entangle them. A member of the Brains Trust, when asked at which
of the great events in history he would most have liked to be pre¬
sent, chose the occasion of the death of Socrates and the discussion
on the immortality of the soul which preceded it. There were no
recording machines then, but we can promise that our children's
children will, if they wish, hear the sound of the guns defending
Moscow in 1941 or the voice of Winston Churchill challenging Nazi
domination, "
XXXXXXXX
IDAHO ALSO STACKS HIGH IN RADIO
The Census report shows Idaho homes as having a high
proportion of radios:
OCCUPIED D?/ELLING UlxIITS WITH RADIO FOR STATE AI^ID
CITIES OF 25,000 OR MORE: 1940
(a dwelling unit was enumerated as "with radio" if it contained
a usable radio set or one only tem-porarily out of repair)
Area - Idaho
The State
Total
With
Radio
No
Radio
Not
Reporting
Radio
Total Dwelling Units
(including urban)
141,727
118,824
18,697
4, 206
Rural-nonfarra
dwelling units
41,235
33,697
6,363
1,176
Rural- farm
dwelling units
49,718
40,332
8,068
1,318
Boise City
7,866
6,984
504
378
3
6/9/42
A BROADCASTER Timo HAD TO BE COAXED INTO WHITE HOUSE
The presentation of the First Annual Atlass Scholarship
for the outstanding radio student at Northwestern University last
week brings to mind the fact that its donor, Ralph L. Atlass,
head of WJ JD, of Chicago, and WIND, Gary, Indiana, is probably one
of the few broadcasters who didn't jump at his first chance to
meet a President in the White House,
It was in the early days of radio when there was a regu¬
lar receiving line each day at noon and it was customary for the
Chief Executive to greet prominent visitors to the city. Calvin
Coolidge was President when Mr. Atlass, then Just getting his
start in radio, made one of his first visits to Washington.
Thinking he would jump at the chance to meet the Presi¬
dent, a friend made an appointment for the noon session that day
at the White House for the young man from Chicago. To his amaze¬
ment Mr. Atlass balked absolutely. •'Why should a person as un¬
important as I am take up the time of a man as busy as the Presi¬
dent of the United States. I haven't anything in particular to
talk to him about and I don't want to ask him to do anything for
me. "
It was explained to Mr. Atlass that those who visited
the White House who didn't want anything were rare birds Indeed,
and were doubly welcome there. Accordingly, he was finally pre¬
vailed upon to go and had a pleasant and memorable chat with
President Coolidge, despite the latter's reputation of not being
much of a talker.
The First Annual Atlass Scholarship was won by Miss Vera
Bantz, producer and announcer of the Northwestern U. Ra.dio Play
Shop. The presentation was made to Miss Bantz at the School of
Speech honors banquet.
XXXXXXXXXX
DEINES, ^lEW G.E. RADIO AND TELEVISION AD MANAGER
Harry J, Deines has been appointed Advertising Manager
of the General Electric Company's radio, television and electronics
department.
Mr. Deines, who also becomes a member of General Electric's
Advertising Committee, had been filanager of Advertising and Sales
Promotion for the Receiver Division of the Radio and Television
Department since December, 1940.
XXXXXXXXX
4
6/9/42
UNLICENSED RADIO TRANSMITTER OWl-JERS MUST REGISTER
The Federal Communications Commission yesterday (Monday)
ordered every one in possession of a radio transmitter, who does
not hold a radio station license for its operation, to apply for
registration not later than June 28, 1942.
Previously, the Defense Communications Board had issued
an order in which it determined that the national security and
defense and the successful conduct of the war demand that the
Government have knowledge of all persons who possess apparatus
equipped for the transmission of radio frequency energy.
By its requirement that all unlicensed radio transmitters
be registered, the Federal Communications Commission has taken the
necessary steps to ascertain the exact locations and amounts of
all equipment of this kind in the country. Consequently, the
Government will be in a position to take measures to prevent use
of the equipment by enemy interests, and to determine its avail¬
ability for our own war needs.
The Commission requires that a separate application must
be made for each transmitter and that each application must be sent
to the Secretary of the Commission in Washington, D. C. Applica¬
tion forms will be supplied by the Commission in Washington or by
any of the Commission’s thirty field offices throughout the country.
XXXXXXXX
AI\^ATEURS MAY COME BACK FOR OCD WORK
The Amateur Rules of the Defense Communications Board -
the rules to govern the limited operation of the amateurs in con¬
nection with Civilian Defense, will soon be issued by DCD and OCD,
it was said at the Federal Communications Commission Monday.
According to Roy C. Corderman, Regional Coordinator for
the American Radio Relay League in Washington, D. C, , amateurs
will be ’’permitted back on the air” in this connection. Their
work was stopped at the beginning of the war.
Mr. Corderman estimated that at least 500 amateurs are
in the District of Columbia area, many of them in Washington for
war jobs. Ke predicted all would want to join in the new endeavor.
Although no announcement of duties of the War Emergency Radio
Service has been made, it is assumed the Office of Civilian Defense
will put the members into special communications jobs.
XXXXXXXX
5
6/9/42
LIGHT BULB AND RADIO TUBE ANTI-TRUST CASE JUNE 22
Pederp.l District Judge Phillip Forman at Trenton, N. J. ,
Monday set June 22nd as the date to start trial of the Government's
suits against 12 large companies accused of exercising monopolistic
control of the electric light bulb and radio tube industry.
The Government seeks to void patent licensing agreements
through which, it charges, the companies fixed prices, restrained
production and exercised control over the business of domestic and
foreign independent manufacturers.
General Electric Co., which the Government termed the
dominating concern in the industry, heads the list of defendants.
Others are the Corning Glass Works, the American Blank Co, , Corning
N.Y. ; International General Electric Co. , Inc. , New York; the
Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co., Empire Machine Co,,
Portland, Me. ; N. E. Phillips' Gloeilampenf abrieken, Dutch West
Indies and New York; Consolida,ted Electric Lamp Co. , Danvers, Mass, ;
Hygrade Sylvania Corn. , Salem, Mass. ; Ken-Rad Tube and Lamp Corp. ,
Owensboro, Ky, ; Chicago Miniature Lamp Works, Chicago, and Tung-Sol
Lamp Works, Newark, N, J,
On April 11 the Westinghouse Company a.ccepted a consent
decree filed by the Government in which it accepted wide restraints
sought by the Department of Justice,
XXXXXXXX
WHEN GENE Me DONALD PULLED DOWN $6 A WEEK
Few in the radio industry know that Commander E. F.
McDonald, Jr. , organized and was first President of the National
Association of Broadcasters and still fewer know that he was a
pioneer automobile mechanic and salesman.
"In the first place", according to a sketch of Commander
McDonald which appears in the June 1 issue of Automotive News ,
"his first real job was with the H, H. Franklin Co., Syracuse, N.Y. ,
which built that famous air-cooled motor car of the same name. But
more about that later on. , , In the second place, he now is the
manufacturer of the automobile radio with foot control, an innova¬
tion that car owners were just learning to appreciate when govern¬
ment stopped its production a few weeks ago,
"His automobile career goes back to 1906 when the Com¬
mander's father rented an old barn to H, H. Franklin to be used for
the latter's automobile factory. . , Kid McDonald, given a chance
to go to work, turned down an office job to go into the factory,
pushing a 14-inch file through aluminum from 7 in the morning
until 6 at night at the fabulous wage of ^6 a week. Then he tackled
engine assembly, following which he became a road salesman for
Franklin. , . In 1910 he went to Chicago with the Hanna self starter
6
6/9/42
and later, became interested in the electric business. . . Still
automobile minded, in 1911 he originated an automobile time payment
idea, which was built around buying Ford chassis and buying the
bodies from body builders. Therefore, he says, he is the father
of automobile time payments.
•'After this, the restless Commander sought new worlds to
conquer and in 1919 he became Interested in the then infant Zenith
Radio Corp. , started in 1915. Three years later he took over the
company and went in strong on pioneering the shortwave, for which
he has been given due credit. . . He knew so much about the short¬
wave that in 1925 he went with Commander McMillan on an expedition
to the Arctic Ocean to study the northern magnetic pole and its
effect on radio, the educational effects of which are reflected in
the development of shortwave. ”
XXXXXXXX
CALLS RADIO MUSIC DECADENT
Declaring that music is a spiritual lubricant which can
do more to keep the people in good cheer in wartime than thousands
of well chosen words, Henry Stoner of Barberton, Ohio, writes to
the Washington Post;
“I do not believe our decadent radio .music is representa¬
tive of our great Nation. I do not believe that we are a nation
of hill-billies, lullabyists, or college pep artists; but to listen
to our radio music, one might get that impression. Our Nation is
seething to go to work, to fight, to achiev victory. And our Nation
demands the proper music.
"Talk about Congress being behind the public! I accuse
the radio stations of being so far behind the public tha.t they
hardly know of its existence or present problems. We will in this
Nation take these matters in hand if these recalcitrant radio
bosses do not act on their own accord. Where there is power, there
is duty; and when power is misused, that power is soon nationalized!
XXXXXXXXXX
GERMANS LISTEN AT THEIR PERIL
A card, evidently brought back as a souvenir by some
American who had been interned in Germany, and picked up by John
Whitmore of WOR when the Drottningholm landed in New York, is of
the kind that Germans must put on their radio receivers as a grim
reminder not to listen to broadcasts from abroad. A hole in the
center of the card is made to fit around a radio dial. A free
translation:
THINK THIS O^/ERl
LISTENING IN ON FOREIGN BROADCASTS IS A CRIIilE AGAINST THE
NATIONAL SECURITY OF OUR PEOPLE. BY ORDER OF THE FUHRER IT
WILL BE PUNISHED BY A LONG PRISON TERM.
It is known that the Naxis also impose the death penalty
for tuning to broadcasts from the United Nations.
XXXXXXXXX -7-
6/9/42
BROADCASTERS WELL ABLE TO PAY WAR TAX, SAY PRINTERS
Again lambasting the broadcasters, John B. Haggerty,
President of the International Allied Printing Trades Association
has addressed a strongly worded plea to the House Ways and Means
Committee and Members of Congress once more urging a stiff war
revenue tax on radio broadcasting. Arguing that many printers
had been thrown out of work because of radio competition putting
printed publications out of business, Mr. Haggerty has fought
continuously for a high broadcasting tax.
Mr. Haggerty’s letter Just sent to Congress reads;
“The pending Revenue Bill, as reported in the press,
indicates that many millions of wage workers and small business per¬
sons, those least able to pay, will be forced to accept substantial
reductions in their living standards in order to help pay for our
winning of the war. These conditions will be accepted by all true
Americans, without much complaint, so long as those who are known
to be well able to pay are taxed proportionately.
“Surely, something is wrong xirhen we find a small group,
well able to pay, exempt, so far, from taxes which the House of
Representatives, upon recommendations of the Ways and Means Com¬
mittee, voted last year. The same is true when we find that the
Treasury Department has, as yet, failed to propose this year taxes
of many millions of dollars, which were proposed last year, on those
which the Treasury Department, after a study, had reported ’possess
unusual tax-paying ability which, in view of the Government’s pre¬
sent requirements, could properly be subject to special taxation, ’
“The Treasury Department report to the Ways and Means
Committee, further stated: 'The case for a special tax on radio
broadcasting distinct from a tax on advertising, one medium of
which is radio, is supported by several considerations. * a
franchise to operate a broadcasting station in any particular area
carries with it a measure of monopolistic privilege and the oppor¬
tunity for an extremely profitable investment. The principal
operators in commercial broadcasting earn high rates of return on
relatively small investments. They possess unusual tax-paying
ability which, in view of the Government's present requirements,
could properly be subject to special taxation. Radio broadcasting
requires public regulation. Such regulation is provided at public
expense, with great benefits to the industry, but without any
special costs to that industry. '
“The undersigned, on behalf of some 200,000 highly skilled
and organized workers, respectfully asks your consideration of the
facts and your insistence that those who, as the Treasury Department
report stated, 'possess unusual tax-paying ability, could properly
be subject to special taxation', pay their proportionate share of
the taxes to be imposed.
“We trust we will have your support and we will be able to
report to our members in your District your favorable attitude
toward our request. ”
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Accompanying Mr. Haggerty’s letter under a heading
’’Why Favor the Few and Tax the Many?”^ there is a presentation of
statistics calculated to back up his argument that the broadcast¬
ing industry is able and should pay a high tax.
Among the documents cited is an extract from a letter,
May 27, 1941, from Randolph E. Paul, Assistant to the Secretary
of the Treasury, to John B. Haggerty, President, International
Allied Printing Trades Association;
'•The special tax to which you refer $12,500,000 on radio
networks and commercial stations was incorporated on the 1941
Revenue Bill by the Committee on Ways and Means on its own initi¬
ative. It was subsequently eliminated by the Senate Finance Com¬
mittee, which requested the Treasury to make a careful study of
this tax. The Treasury has been studying the proposed special
tax as was indicated in the Secretary’s letter to you of March 5,
1942, but has not yet concluded its investigation. ”
There is reprinted the CBS Consolidated Income Statement
of May 13, 1942, with Mr. Haggerty adding this comment:
"The statement portrays the current radio networks net
profits and merely illustrates the need for levying of substantial
excise or franchise taxes, on these holders of governmental
licenses free of any Government tax, if taxes are to be levied on
ability to pay.
"This report indicates a net profit after payment of
all taxes of some *684^ on actual invested capital. "
Mr. Haggerty concludes:
"Reports of the Federal Communications Commission reveal
that of the total net broadcasting revenues of the entire industry,
in 1939, not less than 93^ was received by the 154 stations which
had a gross income of more than $150,000.
"Radio broadcasters secure entry into American homes
through their dissemination of entertainment. All other purveyors
of amusement are taxed on gross income. Radio broadcasters should
not be exempt. Otherwise one disseminator of entertainment on a
national scale unfairly escapes the payment of taxes payable by
its competitors. "
"Reports of the Federal Communications Commission show
that the net profits of the two major networks, namely. National
Broadcasting Company and the Columbia Broadcasting tern amounted
to $59,509,349 for the years 1931-1940 inclusive. These figures are
taken from the Federal Communications Commission Monoooly Investi¬
gating Committee's report. Volume 1 and 2, and reports of the
Federal Communications Commission for the years 1939 and 1940.
These net profits of $59,509,349 for the ten year period yielded
an average annual net profit for these two companies alone of
$5,950,934. The total combined investment in these two comoanies,
on which these unusual earnings were made, was $4,614,694. The
9
total combined investment in these two companies j on which these
unusual earnings were made, was $4,614,694, The average annual
net profits, after deduction of all operating costs, payment of
Federal income and all other taxes, and including depreciation of
$10,182,021, were therefore some 129 percent.
"It should be added that the net profits for the years
of 1936-1940 inclusive were much greater than those for the years
of 1931-1935 inclusive. National Broadcasting Company and Columbia
combined net pix)fits increased from a total of $19,017,613 in the
first half of the ten year period to $40,491,736 during the second
half of the ten year period, an increase for the years 1936-1940
of 213 percent over the profits for the five year period 1931-1935
inclusive. "
X X X X X X X X
TAKES TURNED NAZI BROADCASTER FOR RIDE
Dorothy Thomoson, who evidently knov/s the gentleman well,
has this to say about Bob Best, the American who is now broadcasting
hy short-wave to this country in behalf of Hitler:
"The other day I turned on the short-wave radio, and there
was your voice. Bob Best; your voice, in the pay of Joe Gk)ebbels,
talking of all things under the sun, against the Jews,
"Some of your old friends over here are trying to find a
way to explain you. Bill Shirer, for instance, says you are a trai¬
tor, which, of course, you are, and liable to be courtraartialed and
shot. But he says it's because you stayed too long in Eurooe and
went European. With all due respect to Bill, I think that is hooey.
You went Nazi and going Nazi isn't going European as it is anti-
American.* -Ji- * * *
"The truth is. Bob, that you remained after 20 years as
intellectually lazy and just about as Ignorant as you were when you
arrived. You had a good break, too. You belonged to a great gener¬
ation of American correspondents - the one that produced Gunther
and Sheean, and Duranty and Bolitho and the Mowrer brothers and
Raymond Gram Swing. They were loyal to one another and have remain¬
ed friends for life. We heoped one another through emergencies,
covered one another if we were ill or on vacation, tried to be
truthful and objective, and felt in some way or other that it all
mattered because we, too, like the dinloraats, represented the United
States. *>»(•**
"Not one of us ever turned against America. Only you.
Bob Best, Well, It's not too great a loss, at that. *
"lilaybe you remember telling an old friend of yours. Just
at the time of the Austrian Anschluss, 'If I ever come to America it
will be in order to murder Roosevelt. ' That's the President of the
United States, Bob. Even if you don't like him.
"Well, Bob, we excommunicate you. Not one of us would ever
speak to you or shake your hand again. We who say that we're the
best friends you ever had. We mind about you because we mind about
the profession of Journalism and the honor of the foreign corres-
oondent. And if you've got any of your old schoolbooks left. Bob
Best, get out 'The Tfen Without a Country* and read it again. That's
where you are. Bob, And though we desnise you from the bottom of
our hearts, that thought induces a certain contemptuous oity.
XXXXXXXX
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; : TRADE NOTES :
The testimony of William S. Paley, president of the
Columbia Broadcasting System, before the House Committee on Inter¬
state and Foreign Commerce May 6th, has just been printed in pam¬
phlet form. Copies may be had upon application to Columbia,
R. C. Patterson, Jr., former Vice-President of the Nation¬
al Broadcasting Comoany, has been mentioned as a Democratic pos¬
sibility for the nomination of Lieutenant Governor of New York State.
Edgar Kobak, Executive Vice President of the Blue Network,
addressed the graduates of the classes conducted by the New York
Employing Printers’ Assoication at exercises last night (Monda.y)
in New York City,
Quarterly dividends on the outstanding shares of Radio
Corporation of America $3.50 First Preferred stock and outstanding
shares of ’’B” Preferred stock, were announced by Maj. Gen. J, G.
Harbord, Chairman of the Board.
The dividend on the First Preferred is 87-|- cents per
share, and the dividend on the ’’B” Preferred is $1.25 per share.
They are from April 1 to June 30, and will be paid on July 1.
It looks now as if Chairman James L, Fly of the Federal
Communications Commission scheduled for Thursday may not testify
before the House Interstate Commerce Committee before Friday. The
Committee is considering the Sanders Bill for the reorganization of
the FCC. This would make it appear that the hearings may run
into next week as Commissioner T. A.M. Craven and several others
will have to be heard after Mr, Fly.
Ralph S. Merkle, Commercial Engineer, Hygrade Sylvania
Corporation, and Technical Editor of Sylvania News, has been com¬
missioned First Lieutenant in the Co-ordination Branch of the U, S.
Army Signal Corps,
Harry C, Butcher, CBS Washington Vice President, a
Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve, who has just reported
for active duty, left a sign on his desk, according to Leonard
Lyons, the columnist, reading, ’’Left With Loving Kindness for My
Successor - H.C.B. ” Beneath that sign was a package of headache
powders.
The FCC states its recent release regarding the completion
date on permits of Balaban & Katz should ha.ve been shown as August
23, 1942, instead of May 25, 1943,
Allen Miller, former Radio Director of the University of
Chicago will collaborate with Judith Waller, Public Service Director
of the NBC Central Division, in a course on Public Service programs
to be given as part of the NBC- Northwestern University’s Summer
Radio Institute, beginning June 22nd,
- 11 -
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The impending shakeup of the Government information
agencies is expected to see the Propaganda. Division of the Office
of Coordinator of Information - which unit is a part of Col. "Bill''
Donovan’s Office of the Coordinator of Information, transferred to
the Army, The Division itself is headed by Robert Sherwood, the
playwright, and battles the Goebbels propaganda machine by answer¬
ing the Axis via short-wave radio the world over.
After five years of short wave news and editorial comment
to the people of France, Fernand Auberjonois, Chief of NBC’s
International French Division, will depart on leave of absence for
duty in the Bureau of Psychological Warfare of the United States
Amy, He leaves his assistant, Georges Bernier, as acting head of
the Division,
The contents of the June issue of Bell Laboratories Record
Includes: Transoceanic Telephone Cables, 0. E. Buckley; Magnetic
Fluxraeter, E. L. Norton, Lead Calcium Test Castings; G. M. Bouton;
Portable Teletypewriter Equipment for Array; Factors Controlling Man-
Made Radio Interference, R. A. Shetzllne; Suppressing High-Frequency
Disturbances from Telephone Apparatus, M. E. Krora; A Pilot-Channel
Regulator for the K-1 Carrier S^^tem, J. H. Bollraan,
xxxxxxxx
ASSERTS RADIO COULD DO TRANSOCEANIC JOB ALONE
Comparing coramunicet ions in this war with the other great
war, F, P, Guthrie, District Communications Manager of R. C.A.
Communications, Inc, , writes in the June issue of Relay, the com¬
pany's family magazine:
’’Those of us who participated in the First World War are
able to sense a distinct difference between that war and the pre¬
sent one. In no part of the war effort is the difference more
striking than in communications.
’’Radio played an important part in the earlier war but
there were not enough stations available, so that the Navy consider¬
ed it necessary to spend millions of dollars to erect a more power¬
ful radio station in France for use if other means of communication
failed.
’’Today, if transoceanic cables were cut, radio circuits
would carry the load without faltering. We of RCAC are proud of
the fact that our Company carries such a large share of the essential
intelligence and that we stand ready to shoulder an increased burden.'
XXXXXXXX
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Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OF JUNE 12, 1942
Broadcasting ’’Salaciousne ss ” Charged By Solon . 2
Philco Secures Control Of National Union . 3
Communications Inventories Modified .
Further Electric Bulb Materials Curtailment
Tommy Thompson, Zenith Vice-President, Dies..,, . . . . 5
Victory, RMA Convention Keynote; Galvin Re-Elected . 6
Counsel Contends Killing FCC Rules Means Trade Restraint . 7
RCA Provides All The Answers . 10
Trade Notes . 12
No. 1437
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BROADCASTING '’SALACIOUSNESS'' CHARGED BY SOLON
Representative Donald L. O’Toole of Brooklyn on the floor
of the House declared that though the American standards of broad¬
casting were far beyond the wildest dreams of any European network,
lately there has been a reduction of quality, "a tendency on the part
of the so-called comedians to engage in salaciousness at the expense
of humor".
"Anyone who knows the theater in America is well aware
that its decline was brought about by the Introduction of lewdness,
obscenity, and salaciousness", Representative O'Toole said, "The
introduction of these factors made it almost impossible at certain
times for people who respected each other to attend a theatrical
performance jointly. A few of the old-time managers and producers,
such as the great George Cohan, endeavored to carry on for a
clean stage, but they were not very successful. Now if radio in¬
tends to turn the same comer that led the stage to destruction, I
think we must protest,
"Broadcasting is not a natural right. It is a licensed
privilege, and as a privilege it should be treated with respect by
those who have been given this license and who have made fortunes
for themselves, their sponsors, and their writers. While I do not
desire censorship of the radio, being toO great a believer in the
privilege of free speech, I cannot fall to take cognizance of the
fact that no man, no matter how strong the guaranty of free speech,
can walk the streets of our cities and towns and call out Indecent
and salacious statements. Neither have these companies or soonsors
the right to pump into our homes that which is not clean. We, who
buy the products, are assembled fathers and mothers, boys and girls,
young and old, and we Insist that the sanctity of our homes be pre¬
served. Can it be that these funny men have such a limited intel¬
lect that they have already exhausted all fun-making possibilities,
and must now go back to the filth of their burlesque-house begin¬
nings?
"I know what their response will be. They will say that
they are good, patriotic Americans. That at the present time they
are traveling from camp to camp giving entertainment to the men in
service. Do not be misled by this hiding behind the flag, for these
sponsored programs given in the various camps are the best form of
advertising for both the sponsors and the performers. They are not
receiving exactly the same salaries that they received when the pro¬
grams emanated from commercial studios. If these performances did
not have the additional advertising value, they would not be made,
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6/12/42
"If the broadcasting industry does not attempt to clean
its stables, I can assure them that the effort will be made from
other sources. I do not promise them this, I pledge it. "
XXXXXXXXXX
PHILCO SECURES CONTROL OF NATIONAL UNION
That Philco is now in control of the voting power of the
National Union Radio Corporation, of Newark, was made known in the
following letter which James T. Buckley, President of Philco,
addressed to holders of common stock of National Union:
"Philco Coirporation has recently purchni4^more than 100,000
shares of National Union Common Stock from sever-al of the larger
holders at 67|-/ a share. This price was offered on the basts of a
report to Philco by George S. Armstrong & Co. , Inc. , Industrial
Engineers, to the effect that this price, which is substantially the
Same as book value at December 31, 1941, represented in its opinion
the value of the Common Stock at that da.te on a going concern basis.
"At the date of this letter Philco owns all of the 250,000
outstanding shares of National Union's Convertible Preferred Stock
and 859,822 of the 1,347,286-1/8 outstanding shares of its Common
Stock. These holdings give Philco 69^ of the voting power of
National Union, If Philco converted its Preferred Stock into Common
Stock, its percentage of voting power would be Increased to 72^,
"Philco has decided to give all holders of National Union
Common Stock the opportunity to sell their shares at the same price
as it has paid to large holders. Accordingly, Philco will pay
a share, less transfer taxes, for all shares of National Union
Common Stock which may be tendered on or prior to July 31st, 1942.
Those of you who desire to sell may do so by delivering certificates
to Philoo at the office of Fidelity Union Trust Company, 755 Broad
Street, Nev/ark, N. J. on or before July 31, 1942. The purchase
price, less transfer taxes, will be paid within a few days after
delivery of your certificates endorsed in blank for transfer, with
signatures properly guaranteed and otherwise in acceptable transfer¬
able form, "
XXXXXXXXXX
Station KFAC, Los Angeles Broadcasting Co., Inc., Los
Angeles, Calif. , has asked the FCC for a construction permit to in¬
crease power from 1 to 5 kilowatts, Install new transmitter, install
directional antenna for night use and move transmitter (1330 kc. )
XXXXXXXXXX
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COMMUNICATIONS INVENTORIES MODIFIED
Restrictions on inventories in the radio and wire communi¬
cations industries have been modified so that material for specific
Army, Navy and other war projects may be stocked without interference
with normal operating inventories.
Order P-129 makes an A-3 rating available to an operator
or his supplier for deliveries of materials essential for mainten¬
ance, and repair and protection of service in connection with radio
and wire communication operations. Order P-~130 makes the same rat¬
ing available for deliveries of materials going into normal operat¬
ing construction of telephone companies.
Both orders prohibit operators from accepting deliveries
I of materials, whether rated or not, until the dollar value of their
inventory has been reduced to a practicable working minimum inter-
: preted as 27-| percent of the dollar value of materials used by them
for all purposes during 1940.
WPB’s Communications Branch has found that these inventory
restrictions have worked a hardship on some operators, who have been
1 forced to acquire large inventories of material for specific pro-
. Jects authorized by the Director of Industry Operations. The res-
[ trlctions have prevented these operators from acquiring normal
t inventory for current operations.
XXXXXXXX
FURTHER ELECTRIC BULB MATERIALS CURTAILLffiNT
The use of critical materials in the manufacture of elect-
i ric light bulbs will be curtailed without curtailing the production
: of the light bulbs themselves, by an amendment to Limitation Order
effective July 1.
This will be made possible through the use of substitutes
I that will not affect the efficiency of the light bulbs. The base,
f formerly made of solid brass, will be made of steel plated with brass.
Lamp leads, formerly made of a 50-*50 combination of nickel and copper
i will be made of iron wire plated with nickel and copper. Filament
supports, formerly made of nickel and molybdenum, will be made of
s iron wire plated with nickel. The filament itself will continue to
be made of tungsten, since no satisfactory substitute has been found.
The plating process will require only about a tenth as much of the
tritical metals as was used before.
XXXXXXXXXXX
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TOUm THOMPSON, ZENITH VICE-PRESIDENT, DIES
Sylvester Thomas Thompson, Vice-President in Charge of
Production and Export of Zenith I^dio Corporation, Chicago, and
Vice Chairman of the Priorities Committee of the Radio Manufacturers*
Association, died last Monday morning in Oak Park, Ill. , after a
month’s illness.
Mr. Thompson, for the past twenty years, has been one of
the radio industry’s best known and most important figures. His
activities at Zenith have included direct supervision of the cor¬
poration's extensive production projects in peace and wartime, as
well as direction and development of the company’s foreign trade.
Paying tribute to Mr. Thompson, Commander E. F. McDonald
said:
"The condensation required by the newspapers and other pub¬
lications always makes an obituary look like a cold, hard and glitter¬
ing record of a man’s personal achievements, and it is rarely pos¬
sible to place into an obituary written for the general public eye,
the things we would really like to say about a man like Tommy,
’’I'll say here, to our fellow members of the trade, what
I cannot say in any mere matter of fact record of Tommy’s life. We
may have lost a fine, efficient and capable officer. Naturally we
feel this loss deeply in an organization sense.
"But what is more important, in living life Tommy was a
fine human being, who was beloved by all in our organization for
his sympathy, understanding, sincerity and honesty of purpose.
He had many friends who were real, not superficial friends. Every¬
body here, including the night watchmen and the doormen, shares
acutely in the deep grief at his passing.
"Business executives are many. But business executives
with a real understanding of human relations are indeed few. Tommy
was one of these latter and he never failed to practice the simplest
and noblest of all human formulae, ’Do unto others as you would have
them do unto you. * "
Some time previous to associating himself with Zenith, Mr.
Thompson was Executive Vice President and Director of the manufactur¬
ing subsidiary of Kolster Radio, Inc., and I\/Ianager of Federal Tele¬
graph Company, which at the time were owned by the International
Telephone and Telegraph Company. Subsequently, he became Vice Presi¬
dent and General Manager of Pilot Radio Corporation, Long Island
City, New York,
Always an ardent exponent of fair trade practices, Mr.
Thompson’s activities for the advancement of export industry in gen¬
eral and of the radio industry in particular were nuraberous and
diversified. As a member of The Executive Council of the South
African Reciprocal Trade Committee, Mr. Thompson represented the
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6/12/42
radio industry in its fight against propaganda detrimental to the
importation of American merchandise into South Africa.
He was Special Adviser to the Export Committee, Vice
Chairman of the Priorities Committee, a member of the Executive
Committee and a Director of the Radio Manufacturers' Association.
Mr. Thompson was born in Suffern, N. Y. in December, 1892.
He is survived by his widow, Mildred Eloise Thompson. Services
were conducted in Oak Park last Tuesday night.
XXXXXXXXXX
VICTORY, RMA CONVENTION KEYNOTE - GALVIN RE-ELECTED
Every resource of the industry was pledged and victory
was the keynote of the annual gathering of the Radio Manufacturers’
Association last Tuesday in Chicago. Usually this convention lasts
about a week but on account of the war, it was cut down to one day.
Nevertheless about 400 manufacturers attended from all parts of the
United States.
The RMA officers named for the forthcoming year were:
President - Paul V. Galvin, of Chicago, reelected; Vice-
President - Ray H. Manson, of Rochester, N.Y. , reelected; Vice-
President - M. F, Balcom, of Emporium, Pa. , newly elected; Vice-
President Ray F. Sparrow, of Indianapolis, Ind. , newly elected;
Vice-President - James P. Qpam, of Chicago, reelected; Vice-President
G. W. Henyon, of Schenectady, N. Y. , newly elected; Treasurer -
Leslie F. Muter, of Chicago, reelected; Executive Vice President -
Bond Geddes, of Washington, reelected; General Counsel - John W.
Van Allen, of Buffalo, N. Y. , reappointed.
The newly elected RliA Directors were: M. F. Balcom, of
Emporium, Pennsylvania; W. P. Hilliard, of Baltimore, Maryland;
L. L. Kelsey, of Chicago, Illinois; J. J. Nance, of Chicago, Illinois.
Praising the radio industry for its war contribution,
William L. Batt, Chairman of the WPB Requirements Committee, stated
that "the job of the radio industry in this war is staggering in
its dimensions. The firms that turned out ^250 millions worth of
home sets last year are now confronted with present war contracts
for the Army and Navy of $400 million". Stating that the "radio
industry has gone to war and is now in uniform", Mr. Batt cited the
$50,000 worth of complex radio devices in a heavy bomber and $5,000
worth of radio in a tank in the industry *s crucial part in modern
warfare.
"And in this task of going forward to a better world", said
Mr. Batt, "you of the converted radio industry can have a significant
part. The responsibility of the American industry to the American
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1 society is the real, the true uniform you have put on. I am happy
I today to be marching with you. "
j Among the new projects for the war period which were
established by the MA Board of Directors at the Ciiicago convention
were: provision for standardization of military radio equipment;
i organization of a new Transmitter Division to include manufacturers
of all transmitting and also electronic apparatus; plans for pro-
viding sufficient radio service men to maintain radio sets in the
hands of the public, including possible recruiting of Boy Scouts for
servicing; conservation and substitution of scarce materials, and
a bureau to assist parts manufacturers in the exchange and utiliza¬
tion of surplus materials. The governing board also suspended for
the emergency, several civilian activities, such as its Advertising
■ Committee, but created a new ”War Production Committee'* to have
general charge of manufacturers' all-out war problems.
The following are the MA Chairmen for 1942-43: Set
Division, Ray H. Manson of Rochester, New York, reelected; Tube
Division, M. F. Balcom, of Emporium, Pa. , elected to succeed Roy
Burlew of Owensboro, Ky. ; Parts and Accessory Division, Ray F.
Sparrow, of Indianapolis, Ind. , elected to succeed H. E. Osmun, of
Milwaukee, Wis, , and the Amplifier and Sound Equipment Division,
James P. Qpam, of Chicago, reelected. George W. Kenyon, of
Schenectady, N, Y. , was elected Chairman of the new Transmitter
Division.
Preceding the RIiiIA convention, a "victory" dinner, attended
by several hundred radio distributors, dealers and servicemen, was
held by the National Radio Parts Distributors' Association, the Sales
Managers Clubs, and "The Representatives". The Chairman was J. J.
Kahn, of Chicago, Chairman of the RI'JIA Replacement and Repair Parts
Committee, and addresses outlining the industry's war efforts were
made by Chief Frank H. McIntosh, of the WPB Radio Section, Ray C.
Ellis, also of WPB and others. \
XXXX XXX X
CONTENDS KILLING FCC RULES MEANS TRADE RESTRAINT
As shown by the so-called anti-monopoly regulations made
by the Federal Communications Commission, Louis Caldwell, counsel
with Hon. Frank D, Scott for the Mutual Broadcasting System, told
the House Interstate Commerce Committee holding hearings on the
Sanders Bill to revamp the FCC that the technical needs of network
broadcasting can still be met "for a reasonable amount of clearance
against local obstacles without yielding to the importunity of those
who could control it all".
"If you nullify these FCC regulations, you will be putting
the Congressional seal of approval on one of the clearest possible
cases of unreasonable restraint of trade, a restraint of trade that
is vastly more harmful to the public interest than most restraints
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because it has to do with an agency of the mass-communication of
intelligence”, Mr, Caldwell declared,
”It seems inconceivable to me that Congress would want a
statute which would require its radio licensing authority to be an
accessory before the fact to building up an unlawful monopoly or a
restraint of trade, leaving it to some other agency of the Government,
such as the Department of Justice, to tear down the structure, I
think this is Just what you will do if you amend the law so as to
forbid the Commission to take the fostering of competition into
account in applying the standard of public Interest, convenience,
or necessity, ”
Mr, Caldwell went on to say that actually the Communications
Act which the Sanders bill seeks to amend is one of the best drafted
and "most finely" conceived of the many statutes which serve as
charters for Federal administrative agencies,
"It has withstood the test of time remarkably well, parti¬
cularly when you consider that it deals with one of the most rapidly-
advancing scientific arts", Mr, Caldwell said, "Those who claim that
iu is antiquated have, I think, a heavy burden to point out in what
respects this is so, and I have not heard anyone do this. Have you
heard anyone say that this statute has proved defective in any
particular in the regulation of the many new kinds of radio Com¬
munications and radio services that have developed since 1927? * * *
"The real complaint, I think, is that the sponsors of the
statute foresaw not too little but too much, and specifically pro¬
vided for the regulation of stations engaged in chain broadcasting
because they were concerned not merely with the technical aspects but
were anxious to do everything possible to prevent monopoly and un¬
reasonable restraints on competition in broadcasting. It is to their
everlasting credit that they foresaw advances in the art and provided
both the basic principles and the flexibility Indispensable to deal
with them as they arose. "
Mr. Caldwell expressed the belief that the FCC lacked powei*
to make newspaper owners ineligible for broadcasting station licensee
but added:
"Whatever you may think of the Commission's network regu*-
lations, or of its pending Investigation of newspaper ownership of
broadcasting stations, or of its television or frequency-raodulatioxi
regulations, it has for the past two or three years endeavored in¬
creasingly to bring its policies out into the open in the form of
regulations, after full and fair hearing, where their actions can be
examined and criticized as they have in this very hearing. This
was instead of the old hit or miss method which largely prevailed
in the earlier days, where exactly the same subjects were dealt with
but were burled in its written decisions in particular cases or,
what is worse, were talked about only behind closed doops and in
cxiambers, and did not achieve written or published form. This has
required industry, patience and an infinite amount of study, and it
has also required courage, "
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Commenting upon a thought suggested by counsel for the
Columbia Broadcasting System who in answer to a question from a mem¬
ber of the Committee stated that the relationship between a broad¬
casting station and anetwork was exactly like that between a news¬
paper and a press association, such as the Associated Press, Mr.
Caldwell said:
’’Let us examine that thought. At present the Washington
post has an Associated Press franchise. It also receives the United
Press service, the New York Times service, and perhaps others. There
is nothing in its arrangements with any of them preventing it from
taking the service of another service, or which requires it to use
any nev^s furnished by any one of them, or to assign any particularly
Important space in the newspaper to its material.
"Then let us apply an analogy drawn from the situation in
broadcasting, I suggest it would be something like this: At the
top of the front page would be ’The Associated Press’ in large type,
and underneath, in small type, would be ’The Washington Post’, No
other news from any other agency would be permitted. All but one
or one- and- a- half columns on the front page would have to be devoted
to the Associated Press material, with ’Associated Press' printed in
large type over and over again, and the better positions in the rest
of the paper would have to be treated likewise. In addition, the
Associated Press would secure most of the national advertising using
the Washington Post and insist that the advertising be placed imme¬
diately adjacent to its news.
"Of course, the analogy can be carried to the point of be¬
ing absurd, and I do not mean to do so. The real point is that.
Instead of some 1800 or 1900 vigorous independent and competitive
newsp^ers of this country, you would have three organizations in
New York, controlling all of them and, through them, controlling
most of what the public reads. They would have the power to kill
off a competitor at birth. The economic prosperity or failure of
every newspaper in the country would be for them to determine.
Every advertiser would be at their mercy.
"Fortunately, as shown by the Commission’s regulations, we
can still meet the technical needs of network broadcasting for a
reasonable amount of clearance against local obstacles without yield¬
ing to the importunity of those who would control it all. The way
has been shown by the Commission's regulations," ,
xxxxxxxx
Baukhage, NBC commentator in Washington, said after call¬
ing Hitler a dog that he had received letters saying he should
apologize for this, "All right", Mr, Baukhage replied over the
air, "I apologize to every dog in Washington, Furthermore I
apologize to my own dog, "
xxxxxxxxxx
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6/12/42
RCA PROVIDES ALL THE ANSWERS
Putting Itself on the spot by giving the ’’ansv/ers to
questions that are often asked”, the Radio Corporation has Just pub¬
lished a handsomely illustrated 48-page booklet ”RCA - What It Is -
What It Does. ”
Among the hundreds of questions about the RCA Itself and
its subsidiaries in this novel presentation the following are typi¬
cal :
( Q) What led to the formation of RCA?
(A) Prior to and during the first World War, the United States
depended largely upon British cables and foreign-owned wireless
stations for communication with many important parts of the world
Great Britain was the communication center of the world. The war
revealed to Americans that radio offered a new and competitive
system; a startling opportunity for dissemination of intelligence.
Development of radio would give the United States preeminence in
radio communication, independent of other countries.
To accomplish this, RCA was formed by the General Electric
Company, as a result of suggestions by officials of the United
States Navy, Arrangements were made to acquire the assets of the
Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America, A charter was grant¬
ed RCA under the corporation laws of the State of Delaware on
Oftober 17, 1919. The business and property of the American Marconi
Company were acquired by RCA on November 21, 1919, On December 1,
1919, RCA began business as an all-American organization.
The first Chairman of the Board of RCA was Owen D, Young;
the first President, Edward J, Nally; Devid Sarnoff was Commercial
Manager.
( 0,) How many people are employed hy RCA and its sub¬
sidiaries?
(a) At the opening of 1942, RCA and associated companies
had 30,40, employees, of whom 18,915, or 62^ are men, and 11,546
or 38 ^ are women.
( Q) What are RCA* s wage and labor policies?
(a) The management recognizes that the loyal cooperation
of employees is of basic importance to the success and progress of
RCA. It is the company* s policy to pay as high wages, under as
favorable hours and working conditions in similar classes of work,
as those prevailing in the areas in which the company *s plants are
located or operations are carried on. The most modern working condi
tions conducive to health, safety and comfort are maintained, togeth
er with a wide variety of educational, social and recreational
facilities.
10“
(A) (Continued) In instances where employees choose to
bargain collectively, the employing company deals willingly and
frankly with their authorized representatives. At present there
are in force a number of contracts between the various companies
and the unions, of which several are affiliated with A. F. of L, ,
several with C.I.O,, and one is independent.
Edward F. McOrady, who for four years had been
Assistant Secretary of Labor, in 1937 became RCA' s Vice President
in charge of Labor Relations and a member of the Borad of Directors.
( q) Who owns the Radio Corporation of America?
(a) Ownership of RCA is widely distributed among approxi¬
mately 240,000 stockholders, in every state of the Union. No indi¬
vidual owner of record holds as much as one-half of \% of the stock.
Less than 6^ of the stock is held by foreign stockholders.
(Q) Does RCA make its inventions and patents available to
other manufacturers?
(a) RCA has more than 150 patent licensees, competitive
manufacturers in radio and other fields. Under the company's
license policy numerous sources of supply are open to the Govern¬
ment and to the public. To assist its licensees, RCA Laboratories
maintains an Industrial Service Section through which licensees are
kept Informed of new technical developments and are advised how best
to apply them.
(Q) How many stations are affiliated with the NBC network?
(a) 137 stations are affiliated with NBC. Six stations are
owned by NBC. They are: WEAF, New York; WRC, Washington; WTMi, Clever
land; WtilAQ, Chicago; KOA, Denver; KPO, San Francisco,
CQ) How many stations are on the Blue Netv/ork?
(a) 127 stations are affiliated with the Blue Network
Company. It owns three stations: V/JZ, New York; WENR, Chicago;
KGO, San Francisco.
(ft) Are all NBC and Blue Network overseas commentators
American citizens?
(a) Yes,
(ft) What is R. C. A, Communications, Inc.?
(a) Following its organization in 1919, the Radio Corpora¬
tion of American promptly undertook the task of establishing an all-
American, world-wide radiotelegraph system, RCA* s international com¬
munication service, therefore, was one of its first activities. By
1929 the system had become so extensive that on January 3, R. C. A,
Communications, Inc. , became a separate company with William A,
Winterbottom as Vice-President and General ^%nager Instead of a
department of RCA, It is, however, wholly-owned by the Radio Cor¬
poration of America and is engaged primarily in international and
inter-city message (radiogram) communication as a service to the
XXXXXXXXX ^11«
6/12/42
TRADE NOTES
An additional 600 enemy-owned patents were taken over
Wednesday by Leo T. Crowley, Alien Property Custodian. The patents
seized included more than 200 owned by Telefunken, relating primarily
to radio, and television equipment.
^ An
Co.
An offer of one million dollars by the General Electric
and the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co. to the Radio
Corporation of America in settlement of an RCA stockholders,
accounting suit was approved by the Supreme Court of New York Wednes¬
day, The stockholders had charged that RCA had suffered
through a series of financial transactions in the period
when General Electric and Westinghouse held large blacks
stock.
losses
before
of RCA
1932,
The FCC has approved the sale of YiHI'/DC in Washington, D. C.
from Stanley H, Homer, Dyke Collum and Edwin M. Spence to Joseph
Katz, G. Bennett Larson and Charles M, Harrison, for $110,000,
V/WDC, which was started about 2 years ago has 250 watts
power on 1450 kc. Mr. Spence was formerly Secretary of the National
Association of Broadcasters and Joseph Katz is a prominent advertis¬
ing man of Baltimore.
Chairman James L. Fly conferred at the Wiiite House with
President Roosevelt earlier in the week. One guess was that it had
to do with the reappointment of Mr. Fly whose term is about to ex¬
pire. Another was a revival of the old rumor that Fly was to be^^
transferred to another position.
The application of Earle C. Anthony, Inc. , Los Angeles,
Calif,, Station KSEE for modification of construction permit which
authorized a new television broadcast station has been dismissed at
request of the applicant. It called for changes in aural equipment,
changes in antenna system and extension of completion dates.
The Federal Trade Commission ordered Maurice L. Myers,
trading as Charles B. Joyce Co., 2425 North Halstead St., Chicago,
to cease and desist from selling or otherwise disposing of merchan¬
dise by means of a game of chance, gift enterprise or lottery scheme.
Commission findings are that the respondent, dealing in radios,
clocks, flashlights and other novelty merchandise, sold assortments
of articles so packed and assembled as to involve the use of a lot¬
tery scheme when the merchandise was distributed to consumers. One
assortment, according to findings, consisted of a radio together
with a punch board device.
Station KEVR, Evergreen Broadcasting Corp, , Seattle, Wash.,
granted license to cover special service authorization which author¬
ized operation on 1090 kc. , 250 watts, unlimited time at present site.
This authorization is granted upon definite assurance heretofore given
that licensee will apply for authority to increase stations ’s power
to 5 KW as soon as practicable to do so; and licensee should sur¬
render its present license to operate on 1400 kc,
XXXXXXXXXX
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HATiUNAL CnuAUbAoniNu -
general library
HEINL RAm5‘''B'tf§Mfess'T;ETTER
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET
WASHINGTON, D. C.
! Serious Situation Seen In Stations Loss Of Man Power . 2
I
I
i Station Owners Warned To Go Slow On WFAA Decision . . . 3
1 Amateur Junk To Provide OCD Emergency Service . 4
Tax Increased On Radio And Wire Communications . ....5
Galvin Hands Orchids To RMA War Leaders . 6
Census Reports On Vermont And New Mexico Radios . 7
Roosevelt Nominates Fly For Another 7 Years .
FCC Rules On Application Involving Marshall Field,
Earl Gammons New Director Of CBS Washington Office . 9
New War Information Office To Revamp S-W Set-Up . 10
Invents ’’Radio Coat” For Soldiers . 11
Trade Notes . 12
No. 1438
30 «0CKtf£(.LES PlA£a,
NFW
I’i, Y,
CD CD
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June 16, 1942.
SERIOUS SITUATION SEEN IN STATIONS LOSS OF MAN POWER
The drain of the war on the man power of the broadcasting
stations of the country is viewed with considerable apprehension by
the Federal Communications Commission. Discussing this situation,
Chairman James L. Fly said Monday:
"The problem of our employees in the broadcast industry -
I am referring, of course, to engineers and teclinical experts - is
rapidly getting no better. Naturally there has been a great drain
on the personnel in the broadcasting industry due to opening up of
other technical Jobs and to a certain extent due to the desire to
get into something which seemingly was more active in terms of war
work. As you know, the Defense Communications Board has given this
matter considerable attention and the Commission in particular has
lowered its requirements for skilled personnel on two or three dif¬
ferent occasions in order to get the greatest assurance of continuity
of service from what we thought was the minimum requirements from the
standpoint of technical skill and qualifications.
"We were hopeful that that would assist the small stations
in particular. I find the small stations throughout the country are
harder hit than tlie big stations. Very properly the Broadcasters
Victory Council has been giving that some detailed attention. I
think v;e’ve all got to bear that situation in mind. It will be too
bad if we have a shortage in the industry and not at all fortunate
that the little stations are going to be the ones hit worse. Partic¬
ularly since the big stations are tending to draw those people from
the little ones. I think the little stations are less in position
to protect themselves in this situation than the big ones are.
"I hope to see that process of movement from one station to
another slo’'Fed down if it can consistently be done. I think in back
of the whole thing may be an assumption that broadcast industry is
not essential in time of war - those of us at this end of the line
and the industry feel that it is very essential in time of war.
Something that affects the people in terms of mass communication, in
terms of information, and perhaps fully as importunately in terras of
existing morale. It can hardly be over-emphasized and I think it is
clear that anyone that stays with the broadcasting station and does
a real job toward keeping the station on the air is doing something
affirmatively to aid in the war effort.
"I certainly don’t want to discourage anyone moving toward
an active part in fighting the war but this business of trying to
nudge seemingly closer to the war I think may be based upon the
superficial assumption that broadcasting industry is not doing a real
Job in the war. I think it is doing a real substantial Job and is
bound to continue to do a real substantial Job. We have all got to
- 2 -
6/16/42
keep It going for thf^t reason and the knowledge of the significance
of broadcasting is a real reason why we have done all we could to
keep it going - so it would keep going without any lowering of
standards and without any lessening of service for the full duration,
and I am hopeful that skilled personnel will think twice before
leaving the industry and people in the lurch here,
"Anything we can do here on the problem we are going to
do. We are going to make some special studies along with the War
Manpower Commission and Selective Service people - try to make some
surveys of the situation and assist in any way we can to see that
the man power we have got available will do the best job possible
for all concerned, I don’t know whether Selective Service will want
to establish any policy of deferments or not but I should think that
in any balancing of the interest of different activities that broad¬
casting ougiit to stand pretty high in the list. I think that the
BVC is entirely right in pressing the matter and certainly all of us
want to try to do what we can about it, "
XXXXXXXXXX
STATION OWNERS WARNED TO GO SLOW ON WFAA DECISION
L. Metcalfe Walling, F\5deral Wage-Hour Administrator in
New York, warned employers that his office took a limited view of
the applicability of the 5-to-4 Supreme Court decision authorizing
the A. H. Belo Corporation, publisher of the Dallas Tferning News
and operator of radio station WFAA, to make Individual contracts
with employees whose hours were Irregular. Under the individual
contracts the workers receive a fixed weekly salary, although they
work more than forty hours in some weeks.
As a general rule, Mr. Walling said, the wage-hour divi¬
sion would "continue to be guided by the broader interpretation"
contained in the Court’s 8-to-l decision that the overtime provision
of the law required the Overnight Motor Transportation Company to
pay its employees 150 per cent of the "regular, not the minimum
wage. "
"It is expected that a considerable amount of litigation
will be necessary before the contours of the Belo decision are fixed,
since the Court stated that it could not ’provide a rigid definition
of regular rate when Congress has failed to provide one’", Mr. Wall¬
ing said. "I believe it only fair to warn that the Court in the
Belo decision was passing on the particular state of facts before
it and that generally the division will continue to be guided by the
broader interpretation contained in Overnight Motor Transportation
Company v. Missel. "
XXXXXXXXXX
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6/16/42
AMATEUR JUNK TO PROVIDE OCD EI.IEROENGY SERVICE
Radio amateurs wno were silenced at the beginning of the
war will stage a grand comeback by providing emergency two-way
short-wave radio systems for Civilian Defense use in our cities
in event the telephone service is disrupted by bombs. Furthermore,
these resourceful amateurs will build much of their equipment from
discarded material. It was said that thousands of radio stations
could be constructed of junk.
An experimental system will be set up in the National
Capital which is expected to be a model for the other cities of
the United States. An official statement of the plan follows:
"Two-way radio communication in air raid emergencies,
employing the skill of civilian technicians, including radio amateurs,
was envisaged by the Office of Civilian Defense and the Federal
Communications Commission which announced a new War Emergency Radio
Service. The two agencies are collaborating their activities rel¬
ative to proposed emergency civilian defense radio systems to be
available in the event air raids damage or destroy other means of
communication.
"Thousands of compact radio stations to be constructed and
operated under prescribed restrictions largely by persons who have
had amateur radio experience are expected to augment the services of
the OCD organizations throughout the nation. According to radio
engineers the two-way radio stations can be constructed of the unused
’Junk* material which amateurs and radio repairmen usually accumulate
in their * storerooms' . The transmitters will use not more than 25
watts input poijrer, which will tend to limit their effective communi¬
cating range to approximately ten miles - the longest distance
ordinarily necessary for this type of service.
"Persons holding commercial radio operator licenses, includ¬
ing radio engineers employed in broadcast stations, qualified repair¬
men, and others interested, are expected to Join the civilian defense
communication system. Printed manuals designed to facilitate
administrative operation will be distributed by the OCD, through its
regional offices.
"Officials at the Communications Commission explained that
blanket licenses for all civilian defense radio stations within a
civil defense operations area would be granted to an 'instrumental¬
ity of local government* when the equipment is in the possession or
control of the local government. A- 'radio aide* for the local
Instrumentality must be certified and appointed in accordance with
FCC rules. Separate operator licenses designated 'War Emergency
Service Operator Permits' will be issued to persons assigned to
operate each radio station. However, it was emohasized at the FCC
that no individual operator permit of this special class will be
issued unless the applicant "first holds a regular FCC operator
license or permit, and only after the FCC has been satisfied in
regard to the Integrity and loyalty of each applicant for a War
Emergency Service Operator Permit.
- 4
6/1 6/4 S
•'James L. Fly, Chairman of the Defense Communications Board
and the Federal Communications Commission declared that:
"'This gives thousands of amateurs an opportunity to
employ their radio skill in their local protection services.
The new emergency service may be described as a stand-by facility
to be used when other means of communication fail. We have assign¬
ed certain bands of frequencies above 112,000 kilocycles for the
use of the OCD organizations, and provision has been made for test¬
ing during blackouts and other mobilization trials. '
"Since the United States has been at war, all amateurs have
been banned from the air by the FCC as requested by the Defense
Communications Board. Since that time a representative amateur
organization of national scope, the American Radio Relay League,
has been cooperating with the OCD and the FCC to the end that radio
amateurs will be made available to assist in alleviating the damag¬
ing effects of possible air raids on this country. The FCC acted
immediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor last December
to 'silence' all amateur radio stations in this country, but soon
thereafter permitted some of the amateurs to operate when they were
needed for 'local defense'. However, on January 9th the FCC issued
an order stating that because of events subsequent to its December
7th Order and because of military requirements all amateur radio
operation must be suspended. "
XXXXXXXX
TAX INCREASED ON MDIO AND WIRE CO MliUNI CATIONS
The Ways and Means Committee recommended last week a
substantial rise in the tax rates for telephone, telegraph and
radio messages.
On telephone and radio telephone toll service charges of
more than 24 cents, it was decided to impose a flat tax of 20 per
cent as recommended by experts of the Treasury and the Joint
Committee on Internal Revenue.,
For telegraph, cable and radio messages, on which the tax
is now 10 per cent, it was voted to levy 15 per cent.
No change was made in the tax for leased-wire services, but
the present tax of 6 per cent on local telephone service was revised
to 10 per cent of the monthly bill. The expected additional yield
on telephone and radio calls was put at $26,800,000 and on local
telephone bills at $36,800,000, or a total of $63,600,000.
XXXXXXXXX
5
6/16/42
GALVIN HANDS ORCHIDS TO BIAA WAR LEADERS
Tiiere was praise for his associates for their wartime con¬
version of the radio industry with so little dislocation from Paul V.,
Galvin, President of the Radio Manufacturers’ Association, speaking
at the Chicago convention last week. Mr. Galvin, who was re-elected,
said:
"Throughout the epic-making period of transition, it fell
to the lot of the Radio Manufacturers’ Association to supply industry
leadership in all of the various negotiations. Evidence as to how
well prepared RMA was for this industry responsibility and how well
the industry fared under the leadership is to compare our experience
to that of other industries, such as automotive or refrigeration.
The record speaks for Itself.
"As members of RI4A and the radio Industry, you are deeply
indebted to a number of Individuals, and I hereby pay honorable men¬
tion to some of them who gave of their time and talents so willingly
to the industry problems of this last year. I lead off with Jim
Knowlson who so ably led us through the first four months of this
year - the early months when things were shaping up. Tiiere wasn’t a
lot of fanfare ss to what Jim wes doing, but I was in a position to
know what was going on and saw the master strokes.
"Bond Geddes and the entire paid staff turned in the best
year in his entire RI^/IA career. Many of you not in a position to
observe will never realize the splendid Job that was done by Bond
in ably keeping on top of a rapidly changing picture. The things
that were prevented by his vigilance, things many of you never heard
of, were as important as the things you know about.
"You will never realize the weeks and weeks of effort put
in by Fred Williams on RI'ilA and industry matters. Roy Burlew was
almost constantly on the Job in Washington on Industry tube problems,
Sylvester Thompson - Dr, Baker - Henry Bonfig - Abe Bloom - Al Wells -
Ben Abrams - Ray Sparrow - Jerry Kahn - Hal Osman - Jim Q,uam - Les
Muter - your Executive Committee and your entire Board of Directors
were ever ready and willing.
"I wonder how many of you really realize the importance
radio is and will play as a major deciding factor as to who is going
to win this war. What is it that gives the vicious efficiency to
vehicles of destruction in modern mechanized warfare? It is radio.
"What is it that is today revolutionizing aircraft, naval
and anti-aircraft tactics and strategy? It is radio and radar.
"It is our Job - the industry’s Job - to deliver these
precious and Important instruments. Have we lots of time in which
to accomplish this task? No - the time is altogether too short.
But let that not be an excuse. We must not fail. How will it be
done most successfully? By every last one of us having an assignment
of some specific part of the Job, and, come what may, overcome all
obstacles.
- 6 -
6/1 6/42
"Your Association membershlo today is the highest it has
been in numbers in the last twelve years. We have nractically 100
per cent of the set and tube manufacturers, and a, great preponder¬
ance of the parts manufacturers. We are, at the present time,
developing and establishing a division for transmitter manufacturers
which will round out the activities of the Association for greater
effort in the war and after the war. The great expansion of the
electronics field as a result of war activities will bring on new
horizons after the war. Your Association is cognizant of this and
is approaching these problems in a progressive fashion. Your
Association is ever vigilant of the importance of governmental rela¬
tions to an industry, and we are progressively active in these
matters in the interest of the Industry.
"A short-siglited person migiit ask unthinkingly, *' Do we
need an association during the war?* To him I will suggest that he
go to Webster’s Dictionary and look up the word ’association', and
he will find therein - 'Association, a union of persons in a society
for some common purpose',
”If we ever had a common purpose to bind us together into
an association, it is now, "
XXXXXXXX
CENSUS EEPORTS ON VERMONT AND I'EW MEXICO RADIOS
Two widely separated States were heard from last week in
the canvass of radio sets - Vermont and New Mexico, According to
the census reoort, of the 92,435 homes reported on in Vermont,
80,253 had radios; 10,316 had no radio and 1,866 did not report.
Of the 35,164 rural- no nf arm dwelling units, 30,213 were equipped
with radio, 4,273 had no radio and 678 did not report. As to
rural-farm dwelling units, out of the 24,806 total, 19,636 had
radio, 4,627 had no radio and 543 did not report. In Burlington,
the largest city, 6,732 out of 7,138 had radios.
Out of the total of 129,475 homes in New Mexico, 66,609
were found to have radio sets, and 58,525 had no radio, while
4,341 did not report. Of the 43,097 rural-nonfa.rra dwelling units,
19,824 were equipped with radio, 21,835 had no radio and 1,438 did
not report. Of the rural-farm dwelling units, 39,665, those with
radio were 14,105 and 24,310 had no radio while 1,250 did not
report.
In Albuquerque, the only big city in New Mexico, out of
a total of 9,884, 8,073 had radios, 1,235 had none, and 576 did not
report,
XXXXXXXX
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ROOSEVELT NOMINATES FLY FOR AInIOTHER 7 YEARS
President Roosevelt last Monda.y nominated Cliairman James Lo
Fly for another seven years on the Federal Communications Comraission,
It was evidently this subject that the President and Mr, Fly discuss¬
ed when the latter visited the White House a few days before.
The reappointment of the New Deal Democrat who has made
it so hot for the networks, who is making newspaper publishers fight
for the right to own a station, who blocked television until they
did it his way, and who made an all out defense of Goodwin Watson,
alleged Red on the FCC payroll, is apparently the President’s answer
to Mr, Fly’s critics. The only hope his enemies now seem to have
is that he may be transferred to some other position, Mr. Fly has
been mentioned for Solicitor General and other important posts,
Mr, Fly, who is a graduate of the Naval Academy and hails
from Texas, is now 44 years old. He received an L.L.B. degree at
Harvard, served as a Special Assistant U. S. Attorney G-eneral acting
as Government counsel in actions Involving restraint of trade under
Federal anti-trust laws. In 1934, Mr. Fly became General Solicitor
and head of the Legal Department of the Tennessee Valley Authority
and served in this capacity until 1937 when he became General Counsel
o f TVA.
The new seven-year terra of the Chairman, who was appointed
September 1, 1935, begins July 1st, The salary is $10,000, The next
Commissioner’s terra to expire will be George Henry Payne, who will
be up for reappointment next year,
XXXXXXXXX
FCC RULES ON APPLICATION INVOLVING MARSHALL FIELD
The Federal Communications Commission has granted the peti¬
tion for reconsideration of application for consent to the transfer
of control of Hammond- Calumet Broadcasting Corporation, licensee of
Station WHIP at Hammond, Indiana, from George F. Courrier to John W,
Clarke. WHIP, located as it is just outside of Chicago, is the
station Marshall Field began negotiations with sometime ago to
acquire.
The Commission explains its ruling, in which Commissioners
Craven and Wakefield dissented, thus:
"On June 2, 1942, the Commission considered this applica¬
tion and designated the ^me for hearing. At that time it appeared
that Marshall Field, the owner of newspapers in Chicago and New York,
had purchased debenture bonds of the licensee corporation in the
principal sum of $75,000, and that an additional $75,000 in debenture
bonds would be sold, probably to the same individual; and that there
appeared to be some question as to whether or not the proposed trans-
8 ^
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6/16/42
fer of control involved the acquisition of interests in a broadcast
station by one holding interests in newspapers,
'’In connection with the petition for reconsideration and
grant of the application, it is shown that Mr. Clarke, the transferee,
has agreed to purchase the additional $75,000 of the licensee's bonds
and has stated in his affidavit that he will assume and retain actual
control of the station in the event the instant application is grant¬
ed.
"Based upon the representations and assurances of the
transferee, the Commission finds that the proposal does not involve
the acquisition of broadcast station interests by one associated with
newspapers, and that its present policy of placing applications of
that type in the pending files until the determination of the issues
involved in the proceedings under Order No, 79 is not applicable in
this instance. The licensee corporation is in a grave financial
condition and the contemplated transfer will place it in a much sound¬
er position financially, thereby giving assurance of improved quality
of broadcast service to the public. Accordingly, the Commission finds
that public interest will be served by the granting of the instant
application, subject to the condition hereafter set forth,
"Accordingly, It Is Ordered this 9th day of June, 1942,
that Said petition Be, and It Is Hereby, Granted; that the hearing
on said application B^, and It Is Hereby, Cancelled; and that said
application Be, and It Is Hereby, Graated, upon the express condi¬
tion that:
"'Nothing contained herein shall be construed as a finding
upon or with respect to an approval of any future transfers (includ¬
ing relinquishments) of control of the licensee whicrii might arise
out of further stock transfers, the exercise of voting privileges
thereon, or otherwise or tne future exercise of control over the sta¬
tion by anyone other than the licensee,'"
XXXXXXXXX
EARL GAMMONS NEW DIRECTOR OF CBS WASHINGTON OFFICE
The Columbia Broadcasting System announced yesterday
(Monda.y) the appointment of Earl H. Gammons, as Director of its
Washington office. He succeeds Harry C, Butcher, recently called in¬
to active service by the Navy and on leave of absence from the company
for the duration,
Mr, Gammons has been with the CBS for 13 years as Manager
of WCCO, Minneapolis, and has been in radio broadcasting since 1924,
Since his association with WCCO and CBS, Mr. Gammons was increasingly
prominent in industry affairs and several times served as a Director
of the National Association of Broadcasters. He saw active service
in France in the last World War.
Mr. Gammons will assume his new duties in Washington about
July 1, His successor as Manager of WCCO will be announced shortly.
XXXXXXXX
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6/16/42
NEW WAR INFORMATION OFFICE TO REVAI.IP S-W SET-UP
One of the first things affecting radio in the consolida¬
tion of press and radio services in the new War Information Office
just created by the President and headed by Elmer Davis, CBS ace
commentator and former New York Times star reporter, will be a
clarification of the foreign short-wave situation which, up to now,
has been in the hands of Col. William J. Donovan, Coordinator of
Information, and Nelson Rockefeller, Coordinator of Latin- American
Affairs.
Speaking of this at his press conference yesterday.
Chairman James L. Fly said;
There was one provision in the directive from the White
House which called for collaboration with the Defense Communications
Board and the War Inforaation Office on foreign shortwave - I think
it’s what it is called for, and it has been our plan heretofore to
have a foreign shortwave set-up by a separate Executive Order.
"We have had one drafted and that was held up pending
development of the War Information aet-up, and I would presume that
the Executive Order will be gotten out now and get some sort of busi¬
ness and engineering set-up to handle the business and engineering
end of shortwave broadcasting. The only re^^son that has not been done
thus far is because the information end of it was in doubt. ”
It is believed that the radio structure as regards domestic
broadcasting will remain pretty much as it is. W. B. Lewis, In the
Office of Facts and Figures, who has most of this work, like Mr. Davis
is a former CBS executive. The appointment of Mr. Da.vis puts
Columbia in the front seat but nobody in Washington believes he will
play any favorites in this respect.
At one swoop President Roosevelt consolidated in the new
War Information Office, the Office of Facts and Figures, the Office
of Government Reports, the Division of Information in the Office of
Emergency Management controlling the press services, the War Produc¬
tion Board, the Office of Price Administration, the War Labor Board,
and the Office of Coordinator of Information. The only thing tlia.t
escaped was Nelson Rockefeller's Inter- American Affairs office.
Mr. Davis, the new Director, was authorized, among other
duties, to do these things in which radio was concerned;
"Use the press, radio and motion pictures for information
programs designed to form an intelligent public understanding of the
war.
"Review, clear and approve
motion picture programs. "
Federally- sponsored radio and
10
f
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6/16/42
One view taken of the appointment of Mr. Davis was that
in drawing a man directly from the ranks of radio that the President
was indirectly taking a slap at the press and thus endeavoring
further to subordinate the printed word which the Government couldn't
control to the spoken word which it could control. The answer here
was that Mr. Davis was formerly a newspaper, as well as a radio, man.
The former radio commentator, who will have sweeping
; powers to clip red tape and to co-ordinate the information services
of Federal agencies, said in an interview tlia.t he would not critic-
I ize the Government information setup of the past, but made it clear
i that he had some opinions of the operation of the information ser-
i vices.
i When asked to e^q^ress his critical opinions, Mr. Davis said
! the conflicting statements on gasoline and rubber and the scarcity
I of information in some fields could be considered among the subjects
I calling for adverse criticism.
Mr. Davis, who is 52 years old, is from the little town
of Aurora, Indiana, which oddly enough was likewise the home of
Edwin C. Hill, also a famous radio commentator and newspaper man.
XXXXXXXXXX
INVENTS "RADIO COAT" FOR SOLDIERS
A complete radio transmitter and receiver is built in the
I coat or "two-way radio garment" which is the subject of a patent
(No. 2,285,083) granted to Berkley E. Cover, Sr., of Chicago, Ill.
The radio coat is designed for wear by troops or police¬
men, since it leaves the hands free and eliminates the carrying of
separate packs of equipment.
The earphones are mounted on the collar and the micro¬
phone on the sleeve. The transmitting and receiving equipment is
in compartments inside the coat. Earphone and microphones are con¬
nected to the equipment by wires in an insulated conduit.
The radio coat can be quickly slipped on and off and is
intended to permit soldiers to maintain communication with one
another and their commanding officers in the field or in battle.
The patent is assigned to the Electra- Voice Corporation,
Wilmington, Del.
L .
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6/16/42
TRADE NOTES ;
Jo Flanson, Radio Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle , has joined
) the press staff of the National Broadcasting Company.
Mr. Ranson is an authority on that Mecca of the millions -
; Coney Island and was co-author of the best seller, *'Sodom by the
: Sea”, a picturesque history of that famed resort at the tip of
■ Brooklyn.
According to a report filed with the Securities and Ex-
p change Commission, William S. Paley, as President and Director of
|l the Columbia Broadcasting System, in 1941 was paid $202,155, Includ-
: ing $160,186 as bonus or share in profit, CBS also paid $102,400
f to Edward Klauber and $62,543 to Paul W, Kesten, Vice-Presidents,
Sydney H. Eiges has been named Assistant Manager of the
National Broadcasting Company’s Press Department. Mr. Eiges has
been on the NBC press staff for more than a year, coming from
International News Service, by which organization he was employed
for eleven years, latterly as Night Editor and Cable Editor in the
New York office.
Philco has just elected three new Vice Presidents -
David Grimes, Chief Engineer of the Philco Corp, , Philadelphia,
since 1939, elected Vice-President in Charge of Engineering of the
Radio and Television Company; Joseph H. Gillies, Works Manager of
the company since 1939. named Vice President in Charge of Radio
Production; and Robert F. Herr, Manager of the Parts and Service
Division, made Vice-President in Charge of Service,
The Sponsoring Committee of what is expected to be the
largest and most spectacular Fourth of July celebration in the hist-
' ory of Washington, includes among its members A. D. ( '’Jess”) Willard,
Jr., Manager of VJJSV, Kenneth Berkeley, Ifenager of Station MAL,
and William Dolph, of Y/OL.
xxxxxxxxxx
12 -
/.i.
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET
/
WASHINGTON, D. C.
/
NATIONAL BROADOASTIIJC COMPANY, Ifc.
GENERAL LI3RARX/
30 ROCKEFELLEH fLAZA, NEW YORK, N. Y.
Vy'
INDEX TO ISSUE OF JUI® 19, 1942
Sees Backward Step Splitting FCC As In Sanders Bill . 2
Indiana Press- Radio Men Fete War News Chiefs . 4
Colin B. Kennedy, Pioneer Radio Manufacturer, Dies
New RTiA Members Reach High Record, . .
Aeronautical Station Requirements For Operators Relaxed,
Knowlson and Reed Hit In Senatorial Report....,
Don Lee Acquires KDB, Santa Barbara .
House Backs Down On Watson, Alleged FCC Red. . .
FCC Clears Applications Files For The Duration
Radio Manufacturers Set Up Military Standards . 10
Fraenckel Appointed To G-E Radio, Television Dept . 10
Colo. ,Nebr. ,Okla. , Miss. , Montana Radio Census Reports . 11
Trade Notes . 12
No. 1439
in lO c- QO d Oi
SEES BACKWARD STEP SPLITTING FCC AS IN SANDERS BILL
Testifying before the House Committee on Interstate
Commerce, Chairman James L, Fly, discussing the proposals of tiie
Federal Communications Bar Association made the following observa¬
tions on the Sanders Bill to reorga.nize the Federal Communications
Commission:
"As you know, the Commission now consists of seven mem¬
bers who function as a unit with respect to all matters. The
proposed bill would force the Commission to divide itself into two
independent divisions, one of which is to be known as the Division
of Public Communications and the other to be known as the Division
of Private Communications. Each division is to have three members.
The Chairman is to be the executive officer of the Commission but
may not serve on either division except in case of a vacancy.
”It seems to be the general idea that the Division of
Public Communications will handle radiobroadcast matters and that
the Division of Private Communications will handle all matters
relating to telephone, telegraph and radio communications by
common carrier or otherwise, which are addressed to a particular
person. The full Commission retains jurisdiction over all other
matters.
"To compel the Commission to split up in this way would
be a long step backward in the effective performance of the Com¬
mission's business. To do so would be to disregard the lessons we
have learned from experience and to nullify the important advant¬
ages which the creation of the Federal Communications Commission
was designed to achieve. "
"The proposed bill would compel us to adopt a system
which we tried for three years and found to be unsatisfactory. In
addition, it would remove the one stabilizing factor which existed
under the old system. I am referring to the fact that under the
system which the Commission tried between 1934 and 1937 the
Chairman of the Commission was automatically a member of all three
divisions. It was thus possible for the Chairman to attempt to
coordinate the work of the three divisions. At least this was
effective to some extent in securing coordination in the three
branches. Under the proposed bill, however, the Chairman cannot
sit in either division and is to perform functions largely of an
administrative and of a ceremonial nature. Thus, the Chairman is
declared (Section 3(4); Committee Print, pp, 9-10) to be the
executive officer of the Commission who is to represent the Com¬
mission before Committees of Congress and in conferences with other
government departments and agencies, I sulanit to you that there
is no point at all in having a chairman of a commission if he is
only to have the atrophied functions which this bill commits to him.
- 2 -
6/19/42
"Under the proposed bill the system of granting appli¬
cations without a hearing is completely altered. In order to make
a grant without a hearing, we are told that not only must we find
that public interest would be served thereby but also that the
grant would not aggrieve or adversely affect the interest of any
licensee, applicant or other person. Moreover, even if we were
to conclude from an examination of the application that public
Interest would be served thereby and that no person would be
adversely affected by the grant, any interested person may, by
filing a protest within thirty days, require the Commission to
set aside the grant and to designate the application for hearing
upon the Issues set forth in the protest. "
"One of the most far-reaching changes contained in the
present bill is the provision that the filing of a protest or the
filing of a petition for rehearing shall operate to postpone the
effective date of the Commission' s order. Under the prooosed bill
it is laid down as an inflexible rule that new stations cannot
come into operation until after the conclusion of hearings which
could be demanded virtually as of right by existing licensees and
which they could protract almost indefinitely. This provision,
it is sutanitted, practically gives to existing licensees the power
to keep newcomers off the air for long periods, a power which the
Congress has for more than 15 years expressly negatived. Existing
licensees could advance their selfish interests by filing protests
or petitions for rehearing which would automatically postpone the
establishment of new facilities and thus result in the injury of
the public. "
"I have described in some detail the cumbersome and
lengthy procedure which the Bar Association would have the Commis¬
sion follow. They do not stop with making this procedure applic¬
able to applications for such instruments of authorization as con¬
struction permits and licenses. They would make this procedure
applicable to every application for an instrument of authoriza¬
tion regardless of the natuure of the authorization requested. The
effect of this can best be seen by describing to you some of the
special authorizations which we issue.
"First, I want to describe some of the special authoriza¬
tions which we issue to common carriers. I have told you that
companies engaged in sending messages by radio are authorized by
their licenses to communicate only with designated points. Such
restrictions in the license are essential, both for competitive
reasons and to prevent interference. However, it is occasionally
necessary that a radio common carrier be immediately authorized to
communicate with points not covered by its license. Such authori¬
zations are imoortant in time of peace. They are absolutely
essential in time of war. Let me give you an example.
"When the Japs took Manila all commercial radio communi¬
cation with this country was cut off. However, in Cebu, Just south
of Manila, there was still an R. C. A. circuit in American hands,
A request by R. C.A. to use this circuit came to the Commission in
the middle of the night, was examined and granted at once. In
- 3 -
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6/19/42
fact, we have set up a ni^t staff to handle just such matters.
Likewise, upon the fall of Batavia and the loss of the station at
Bandoeng, circuits were authorized between the United States and
low-powered Dutch station in the mountains near Medan in northern
Java, thus providing communication with the remaining isolated
forces in Java. At the specific request of our armed forces temp¬
orary communication was established with Noumea, Nevr Caledonia,
through the Issuance of special temporary authority. On another
occasion a new circuit was authorized to points at the Chinese
end of the Burma Road when communication was cut off to a point
captured by the Jape. In many such cases the station at the
foreign point is low powered and raakeshift^nd it is difficult to
contact it or maintain communication with it. Consequently, when
the contact is made it is necessary that the Commission be in a
position to immediately issue authorizations.
It is also essential that the Commission be in a position
promptly to grant special authorizations to licensees in what we
call the safety services, "
••Special authorizations are also imnortant in the broad¬
cast field. As you know, many stations are authorized to operate
only in the da.ytlme. However, on occasions of great national or
local importance, they frequently request, and are granted, author¬
ity to operate at night. An excellent example is the speech of
the President to the Nation on December 9, 1941. Another instance
where it was necessary to grant authority promptly was when the
President postponed a broadcast because of the death of his mother, '•
XXXXXXXXXX
INDIANA PRESS- RADIO MEN FETE WAR NEWS CHIEFS
Newspaper and radio men with an Indiana background will
give a dinner Thursday night, June 25th, to greet the three Hoosiers
now in command of the war news. They are Elmer Ete.vis, Director of
the new War Information Board; Byron Price, Director of the Office
of Censorship and Lowell Mellett, Director of the Office of
Crovemment Reports.
The Committee in charge of the dinner is Mark Thistle-
thwaite, of the Indianapolis News, Chairman; Paul Woo ton. New
Orleans Times-Plcayune , Treasurer; Representative Louis Ludlow, of
Indiana; Labert St. Clair, formerly of the Associated Press;
Robert D, Heinl, Heinl Radio News Service; Everett C. Watkins,
Indianapolis Star, and Daniel M. Kidney, Indianapolis Times.
All newspaper or radio men who are from Indiana or who
have worked there are invited. Early reservations are suggested,
XXX XXX XX
- 4 -
6/19/42
COLIN B. KENNEDY, PIONEER RADIO lAANUFACWRER, DIES
Colin B. Kennedy, a pioneer among the radio manufacturers
died in Chicago last Tuesday. At the time of his death, Mr.
Kennedy was in the war service as an 0PM engineer assigned as
Civilian Advisor to the Army Signal Corps. Mr. Kennedy’s first
radio factory was in St, Louis, Later he operated in South Bend,
Ind. , backed by the Studebaker interests.
At that time the slogan of Mr. Kennedy’s sets which, if
this writer remembers correctly, was "The Royalty of Radio” with
a royal purple background was known the country over.
Mr. Kennedy, slight of figure, always very youthful in
appearance and who had a very attractive personality, was a
Canadian by birth. He had a host of friends in the industry,
among them Commander E. F, McDonald, Jr,, who paid him this
tribute :
”The death of Colin Kennedy marks the passing of another
of radio's original pioneering spirits. When, back in 1921, I
became associated with Chicago Radio Laboratory# which two years
later became Zenith Radio Comoration, to me the two great names
in radio were Grebe and Kennedy, both of whom now have passed on.
”Colin Kennedy, back in those days, headed the radio
company bearing his name with St. Louis as its headquarters. He
was a pioneer radio engineer, a quiet, modest man, who sought no
glory but contributed much to the early days of radio. He was one
of the first holders of a license to manufacture home radio under
Armstrong patents. When he died, Mr. Kennedy was doing his stint
for his country in the Amy Signal Corps. ”
X X X X X X X X
NEW BIA MEMBERS REACH HIGH RECORD
The addition of fourteen manufacturers as new members of
the Radio It/lanufacturers' Association at the Association’s annual
convention in Chicago, brought the membership to its highest
roster in over twelve years, following expansion of the Associa¬
tion’s war production. Following are the new companies elected by
the Board of Directors at Chicago to membership:
American Condenser Corp. , Chicago, Ill.; Browning Labor¬
atories, Inc., Winchester, Mass.; Communication Equinment & Engi¬
neering Co., diicago. Ill.; Dumont Electric Co., Inc, New York,N.Y.
DX Crystal G^rporatlon, Chicago, Ill. ; Electronic Products Mfg.
Corp. , Ann Arbor, Mich. ; Espey Manufacturing Co. , Inc. , New York,
N.Y. ; The Hallicrafters Co., Chicago, Ill.; John Meek Industries,
Plymouth, Ind.; Mission Bell Rad.io Mfg. Co., Inc., Los Angeles, Cal.
Phllhannonic Radio Corooration, New York, N. Y. ; Premax Products
Division, Chisholra-P^der Co., Inc., Niagara Falls, N.Y. ; Ra.dlo
Electronics Laboratory, Inc. , Brooklyn, N.Y. ; Radio Specialties
Division, Isolantlte Inc., Belleville, N.J.
XXXXXXXXXXXX .-5-
•; t >
6/19/42
AERONAUTICAL STATION RE!«iUIREIffiNTS FOR OPERATORS RELAXED
The Federal Communications Commission on June 16th,
through its Order No. 102, upon recommendation of the Defense Com¬
munications Board, modified certain of its rules for a period of
five years or until further order of the Commission, to provide a
relaxation of its operator requirements for aeronautical stations
utilizing telegraph transmission. (These are ground stations used
in connection with aeronautical operations. ) This action permits
operation of an aeronautical or an aeronauticel fixed station by
the holder of a radiotelephone permit or radiotelephone license
bearing an endorsement attesting to the holder's ability to trans¬
mit and receive at least 16 code groups. International Morse Code,
per minute.
This action is designed to relieve the rapidly growing
shortage of skilled operators being caused by war time conditions
and the requirements of the military forces for radio operators.
It specifically looks forward to the possibility of training women
to assume these duties by providing for such operation without the
detailed technical qualifications necessary for the more technical
grades of licenses.
It will be necessary, however, at each station where
holders of the restricted radiotelephone operator permits are
employed as operators, that at least one first or second class
radiotelegraph or radiotelephone operator, or, 3n lieu thereof, in
a station using type A-1 or A-2 emission only, a holder of a
restricted radiotelegraph operator permit, be assigned to the
station at all times for the punsose of making proper adjustments
to the equipment and who shall be responsible for the proper oper¬
ation of the station. This provision, however, will not relieve
the station licensee of his responsibility for operation of the
station in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Commis¬
sion,
Holders of radiotelephone operator permits or licenses
may obtain the required radiotelegraph endorsement by appearing at
any of the Commission's District Field Offices or at the Washington
D. C. office and demonstrating their ability to transmit and receive
at least 16 code groups per minute in International Morse Code.
The endorsement will then be written on the face of the permit by
the examining officer.
XXXXXXXXXX
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
has given over the complete facilities of its organization and
offices to cooperate with the War Bond Pledge campaign,
XXXXXXXXXX
6
' ' .. ' ■ .f
A ■ :
X.r .'■
* ' ' 'ts
,1 iV
6/19/42
KNOWLSON AND REED HIT IN SENATORIAL REPORT
Philip D, Reed, a dollar-a-year man on leave as Chairman
of the General Electric Company, and James S. Knowlson, former
President of the Radio Manufacturers’ Association, and President of
Stewart- Warner Corp. , Chicago, were among those criticized in the
report of the Truman Senate Committee investigating the National
Defense program, which charged that "dollar-a-year" men were slow¬
ing down war work. The report was of such a sensational nature
that certain Senators, construing it to be a reflection on the work
of Itonald M. Nelson, declared that it should not be made public.
Among the conclusions of the investigation of charges by
Robert R, Guthrie, a forroer official of the WPB, that conversion
of the consumers’ durable goods and textile Industries to war pro¬
duction had been resisted by "representatives of these industries
serving with the War Production Board on a dollar-a-year basis”
were as follows:
Primary responsibility for formulating policies regard¬
ing the conversion of industry lay in the Division of Industry
Operations and was shared by the Bureau of Industry Branches within
that division.
Philip D. Reed, Chief of the Bureau of Industry Branches,
a dollar-a-year man on leave from his position as Chairman of the
Board of the General Electric Company, it was said, "did not take
the necessary action to obtain the maximum conversion of private
industry to war production in the shortest possible time, ”
The report went on:
"The Committee has not been imoressed with Mr. Reed's
ability or accomplishments, either in the field of conversion or
in the field of cooper, lead and zinc, where the Committee, in its
report of Jan. 15, 1942, had occasion to criticize his failure,
when he was Deputy Director of the Materials Division of the Office
of Production Management, to recognize that a shortage of these
metals was imminent or to take proper action with respect thereto.
"Insofar as Mr. Guthrie is critical of Mr, Reed and cer¬
tain other dollar-a-year men, and of the slowness with which curtai
ment orders were issued by the Bureau of Industry Branches, the
Committee believes that Mr, Guthrie was correct. "
With regard to Mr, Knowlson, the report said:
"In view of the paramount importance of war production
and the vital necessity in that connection for conserving critical
materials, the committee believes that the delay of this Bureau in
Issuing orders curtailing civilian production is most unfortunate.
The record does show that James S, knowlson. Director of the Divi¬
sion of Industry Operations, took effective action on March 17,
following Mr. Guthrie's resignation, to assure that civilian
- 7 -
6/19/42
production would be curtailed and conversion of industries accom¬
plished, The Committee, however, believes that an investigation
should have been instigated by Mr. Knowlson for the purpose of
establishing exactly which individuals were responsible for the
delays and causing them to sever their connections with the War
Production Board. ”
In his testimony before the Committee, Mr. Knowlson ex¬
pressed the opinion that the employment of dollar-a-year men was a
matter of the personal integrity of the individua. The Committee
does not wholly concur in this conclusion. It believes that the
Guthrie case points to the conclusion that certain dollar-a-year
men within the Bureau of Industry Branches are unable to divorce
themselves from their subconscious gravlation to their own
Industries. ”
Defending Mr. Knowlson, Senator Lucas of Illinois said;
'•I notice the Truman Committee report says 'Mr. Knowlson
consistently advocated a policy of temporizing, moderation, and
delay. '
"Many a United States Senator has interviewed the War
Production Board and discussed with them the possibility of saving
some small business from complete demolition as a result of the war
effort, I have talked with Mr. Knowlson many times myself, and I
agree with the Committee that he has temporized on some important
matters in which small business was involved. I know he gave care¬
ful consideration to cases wherein it seemed inevitable that
employees, anywhere from 20 to 500, were about to be thrown out of
employment because the war effort demanded the strategic and criti¬
cal materials their companies had been using in peacetime,
"Mr, Knowlson, through temporizing, through some delay
was attempting to save a small business in many instances. He may
have temporized on some of the larger questions of conversion. How¬
ever, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, in view of
the almost impossible task we have thrust uoon him and his associ¬
ates. "
XXXXXXXXXX
DON LEE ACQUIRES KDB, SANTA BARBARA
A dispatch from Hollywood states that the Don Lee network
acquired its fourth station last week when license of KDB, Santa
Barbara, was transferred to the company. Transmitter was originally
owned by the late Don Lee and was the prooerty of the estate, being
operated as an affiliate of the Coast network of 33 stations.
Other sites owned by the Lee outfit are KHJ, Hollywood;
KFRC, Frisco, and KOB, San Diego,
XXXXXXXX
— 8 —
!
i
6/19/42
HOUSE BACKS DOWN ON WATSON, ALLEGED FCG RED
In a conference report on the Independent Offices Appro¬
priation Bill, the House threw up the sponge in its fight to cut
off the pay of Dr. Goodwin Watson of the Federal Communications
Commission, former Columbia professor, and alleged Red, strongly
defended by Chairman James L. Fly.
The House, by unanimous consent, wrote into the Appropri¬
ations Bill a prohibition against keeping Watson in his Job after
the end of the present fiscal year, but this clause was knocked
out in the Senate after an hour's debate.
When the Senate amendment went back to the House without
debate, the House insisted upon. its prior refusal and for a time
the fate of Dr. Watson blocked the bill. Had the House prevailed,
Watson would have been dropped from the FCC payroll June 3Cth.
XXXXXXXX
FCC CLEARS APPLICATIONS FILES FOR THE DURATION
The Federal Communications Commission cleared its docket
Wednesday of applications for the construction or expansion of
broadcasting stations, through dismissal, without prejudice, of
twenty- two applications for new standard broadcast stations;
seventeen for new frequency modulation stations, and nine petitions
for Increases to 500 kilowatts power.
A spokesman for the FCC said that the action removed
from the files all such applications as had but slim prospect of
being granted for the duration of the war.
It was indicated, however, that they may be reinstated
after the war.
Stations that sought Increases to 500 kilowatts and the
licenses Included:
WJZ, National Broadcasting Company, New York; WGN, WGN,
Inc., Chicago; KFI, Earl C, Anthony & Co,, Los Angeles; WJR, The
Goodwill Station, Detroit; WSM, the National Life & Accident Insur¬
ance Coraoany, Nashville, Tenn. ; WOR, Bamberger Broadcasting Service,
fJIBS, Newark, N. J. ; WGY, the General Electric Company, Schenectady,
N. Y, ; WSB, the Atlanta Journal Company, Atlanta, and WHO, the
Central Broadcasting Company, Des Moines, Iowa,
XXXXXXXX
9
6/19/45
RADIO MANUFACTURERS SET UP MILITARY STANDARDS
Fallowing the decision to resolve the activities of the
Radio Manufacturers' Association from the peace time commercial
field to' direct contribution to the war effort, its Engineering
Department has been continuously studying the problems of the com¬
plete conversion of its efforts. It is now felt that a suitable
organization has been developed for military standardization
required by the war effort and, accordingly, the peace time organi¬
zation and methods of operation are being subordinated to this work.
The Engineering Department now comprises five sections,
as follows;
Military Components Section, Military Tube Section,
Military Receiver Section, Military Transmitter Section, Military
Electronics Application Section.
These sections work under the direction of Dr. W. R. G,
Baker, Director of the MA Engineering Department, and L. C. F,
Horle, Coordinator of Military Standardization.
In view of the need for speed in formulating and adopting
standards for these purposes, the slowly moving standardization
procedure of peace time operations is revised to pennlt final appro¬
val by a Military Standards Committee composed of the Chairman and
Vice Chairman of the five above-mentioned sections, as well as repre¬
sentatives from the armed forces, the N.D. R. C. and the W.P.B.
XXXXXXXXXX
FRAENCKEL APPOINTED TO G-E RADIO , TELEVISION lEPT.
V. H. Fraenckel will have charge of the coordination of
commercial engineering of all product lines of the General Electric
Radio, Television and Electronics Department. G. F, Metcalf, for¬
merly in charge of this work, has entered the U, S. Army with the
rank of Lieut. Col. , Signal Corps.
A native of Illinois, Mr. Fraenckel attended L'Ecole
Polytechnique. Later he took graduate work in physics at the Univ¬
ersity of Chicago and the University of Michigan.
He was employed by the General Electric Company in October,
1937, working In the Vacuum Tube Engineering Department. In October,
1939, he was transferred to the Research Laboratory where he was
engaged in research on electronics and television problems until his
recent appointment.
XXXXXXXXXXX
10 -
J
ii
6/19/42
COLO. , NEBR. , OKLA. , MISS. , MONTMA MDIO CENSUS REPORTS
The Census report shows the following radios in homes for
the following States;
OCCUPIED DWELLINC UNITS WITH RADIO FOR STATE AND CITIES
OF 25,000 OR MORE: 1940
(a dwelling unit was enumerated as ’’with radio” if it contained
a usable radio set or one only temporarily out of repair)
Area - Colorado
The State
Total
With
Radio
No
Radio
Not
Reporting
Radio
Total Dwelling Units
( including urban)
316,000
258,573
47,251
10,176
Rural- nonfarm
dwelling units
77,956
59,231
16,623
2,102
Rural- farm
dwelling units
63,285
45,187
16,307
1,791
Colorado Springs
Denver
Pueblo
11,842
96,777
13.941
10, 661
86, 621
12.279
835
5,855
1.359
346
4,301
303
Area - Nebraska
The State
Total Dwelling Units
(including urban)
360,744
298,790
53,872
8,082
Rural- nonfara
dwelling units
89,390
72,446
14,986
1,958
Rural- farm
dwellin^^ units
125,095
93,916
28,491
2, 688
Lincoln
Omaha
24,633
62.135
22,887
56.757
1,281
3.564
465
1.814
Area - Oklahoma
The State
Total Dwelling Units
( Including urban)
610,481
405,754
184,165
20,562
Rural-nonfarm
dwelling units
139,605
87,273
47,889
4,443
Rural-fann
dwelling; units
216,097
114,069
95,739
6,289
Enid
Mus]rx)gee
Oklahoma City
Tulsa
8,353
9,309
59,494
41.344
7,084
6,995
49,854
35.927
1,095
1,959
7,341
4.034
174
355
2,299
1.383
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6/19/42
Not
Total
With
Radio
No
Radio
Reporting
Fladlo
Area - Mississippi
The State
Total Dwelling Units
(including urban)
534, 956
205, 613
309,756
19,587
Rural-nonfarm
dwelling units
95,920
47,177
45,515
3,228
Rural- farm
dwelling units
318, 676
87,147
219,554
11,975
■Tackson
':eri dian
16,423
9. 648
11,527
5,486
4,187
3,903
709
259
Area - Montana
The State
Total Dwelling Units
(including urban)
159, 963
134,503
21,521
3,939
Total Rural -nonfarm
dwelling units
49,737
40,924
7,556
1,257
Rural- farm
dwelling units
46,078
36, 465
8,498
1,115
Butte
Great Falls
11,881
9.125
10,396
Qx511 ..
1,108
638
377
176
xxxxxxxxx
; : ; : TRADE NOTES : : ; ;
"Control operators at WRVA in FUchmond, Va* , have made a
pact among themselves whereby any man viho muffs a cue or otherwise
mishandles a program will voluntarily buy a War Stamp for every
other member of the control room staff on duty at the time", the
Broadcasters Victory Council reports. "’I hope', write WRVA General
Manager C. T. Lucy, 'no one will wisecrack that such a plan would
not be worthwhile in their establishment because of the scarcity of
mis-cues, because we all have them and perhaps this raore-or~less
unique plan will not only make the boys more efficient, but also
contribute to the sale of War Stamps and Bonds. ' "
General Electric has shipped an FM broadcast transmitter
to New York City's newest FM station, W75NY, to be operated by
Metropolitan Television, Inc. It is owned jointly by Bloomingdale ' s
and Abraham & Straus department stores. Construction of the station,
atop the Hotel Pierre, was begun in mid-March.
Bruce Barton, former Congressman from New York and Presi¬
dent of the advertising firm of Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborn,
Inc. , speaks over Columbia network on the subject of wartime adver¬
tising Monday, June 22 (CBS, S30 to 4:00 P.M. , EWT) . Barton delivers
the keynote speech at the convention of the Advertising Federation
of America in the Commodore Hotel, New York City.
XXXXXXXXXX
- 12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMPANY, lN&
GEix'ERAl LIBRARY
30 ROCKEFtLLLR PLAZA, NEW YORK, N, Y.
/
INDEX TO ISSUE OF JUNE,- 63, 1942
!
Radio Engineers To Study Further War Requirements . 2
Fly Approval Seen Certain Despite Senate Coolness . 3
Radios Galore In Iowa Where The Tall Radio Men Grow . 4
Great Progress Reported In Recording On A Wire . 6
Sees Amateurs Favored Over Commercial Circuits.
Nelson Takes Up Cudgel For Reed,., .
Forbes Replaces Earl Gammons As Manager Of WCCO
Radio Doing Better Job Than Man, Expert States.
W.U. -Postal Merger Bill Does Not Affect Foreign Radio
Radio Wisecrack Contributes To Congressman's Defeat
How Would "Governor McCosker" Sound? .
Press Agent Tightening Up As New War Chief Begins..
Trade Notes . . . 11
Majority Depend Upon Radio For War News, OFF Claims . .12
No. 1440
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RADIO ENGI^EERS TO STUDY FURTHER WAR REQUIREMENTS
Spurred on to renewed efforts by the war, the Institute of
Radio Engineers will meet in Cleveland next Monday, June 29, for a
three day session. Headliners to speak Tuesday will be J. A. Oulraet
of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; Paul V. Galvin, President
of the Radio Manufacturers' Association and Neville Miller, President
of the National Association of Broadcasters. A. F, Van Dyck,
President of the Institute of Radio Engineers will preside.
The program follows, in part:
Monday, June 29
"Recording Standards", by I. P. Rodman, Columbia Recording
Corp. , New York.
"A New Approach to the Problem of Phonograph Reproduction",
by G. L. Beers and C. M. Sinnett, RCA Mfg. Co. , Camden.
"Measuring Transcription - Turntable- Speed Variations",
by H. E* Roys, RCA filfg, Co. , Indlanajpolis.
"A New Type of Practical Distortion Meters", by J. E.
Hayes, Canadian Broadcasting Corp., Montreal.
"Frequency-Modulation Distortion in Loudspeakers", by
G. L. Beers and H. Belar, RCA Mfg. Co. , Camden.
"The Scanning Microscope " by V. K. Zworykin, J. Hillier and
R. Snyder, RCA Mfg. Co. , Camden.
"Spectroscopic Analysis in the Manufacture of Radio Tubes",
by S. L. Parsons, Hygrade Sylvania Corp. , Emporium, Pa.
Tuesday. June 30
"Maintenance of Broadcasting Operations During Wartime",
by J. A, Oulraet, Canadian Broadcasting Corp. , Montreal.
"High-Power Television Transmitter", by H. B. Fancher,
General Electric Co. , Schenectady.
"Frequency Modulation Transmitter- Receiver for Studio
Transmitter Relay", W. F. Goetter, General Electric Co., Schenectady.
"Effect of Solar Activity on Radio Communication", by H. W.
Wells, Carnegie Institution of Washington.
"Television Video Relay System" by J. E. Keister, Creneral
Electric Company, Schenectady.
"Mercury Lighting for Television Studios", by A. Breeding,
General Electric Co. , Schenectady,
"The Focusing-View~ Finder Problem in Television Cameras",
by G, L. Beers, RCA Mfg. Co. , Camden.
"Automatic Frequency and Phase Control of Synchronization
in Television Receivers" by K. R. Wendt and G. L. Fredenall, RCA
Mfg. Co, , Camden.
-• 2 ••
6/83/42
Wednesday, July 1
"Radio Strain Insulators for High Voltage and Low Capaci¬
tance", by A. 0. Austin, Barberton, 0.
"Brief Discussion of the Design of a 900- Foot Uniform-
Cross- Section Guyed Ra.dio Tower", by A. c. Waller, Truscon Steel
Co. , Youngstown, 0.
"Circular Antenna", by M. W, Scheldorf, General Electric
Co., Schenectady.
XXXXXXXXXX
FLY APPROVAL SEEN CERTAIN DESPITE SENATE COOLNESS
Although called last Monday morning to consider the
renomination of James L. Fly, Chairman of the Federal Communications
Commission, the meeting of the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee,
of which Senator Burton K. Wheeler is the head, was postponed "for
several days". Just what caused the postponement, if anything
other than the usual pressure of business due to the war, is not
known.
The new seven year, ^10,000 a year terra of the Chairman,
who has had the Job since 1935, begins July 1st. So there is no
time to be lost if he is to serve continuously. Despite the delay,
there seems to be no doubt but that Mr. Fly will be confirmed.
"There will be a lot of spitting and sputtering in the
Senate Interstate Commerce Committee and maybe on the Senate floor,
but I think Fly will be reaffirmed without any particular difficulty",
a well-informed member of Congress declared. "I believe the general
opinion is that Mr. Fly has not made a favorable impression in his
appearances before the House Interstate Commerce Committee at the
Sanders Bill hearings. He has been inconclusive, indecisive and
not always respectful.
"Possibly advance knowledge that the President intended
to reappoint him for another seven years made Mr. Fly a little
cockier than usual. ^Tiatever it is, I think as the result of his
attitude on the witness stand, certain House members have become
resentful. I believe there is somewhat the same feeling in the
Senate. A lot of the fellows over there would like to take a poke
at him but cannot do so because they have not any real reason. "
X X X X X X X X
A book Just announced "Ra.dio Network Contributions to
Education" by Carroll Atkinson, published by the Meador Publishing
Company, of Boston, analyzes the various types of broadcasts, includ¬
ing the forum-panel type with the University of Chicago, and others
as examples. Children’s type. Information- Quiz type, and the Music
type (Damrosch) of program,
XXXXXXXXXX
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6/23/42
RADIOS GALORE IN IOWA WHERE THE TALL RADIO MEN GROW
Iowa, noted as the birthplace of prominent Washington radio
men, also rates high in the number of homes with radio sets, the
Census report reveals.
Among those who hall from Iowa, who have landed with both
feet in the Nation’s Capital, are Earl Gammons, newly appointed
Director of the Washington office of the Columbia Broadcasting
System, succeeding Harry C. Butcher, Vice President, recently called
to active service in the Navy. Mr, Butcher, too, is from Iowa.
Likewise Frank M. Russell, Washington Vice-President of
the National Broadcasting Company was born in Iowa and also Carleton
Smith, newly appointed ffenager of WRC in Washington, and famous
as NBC’s presidential announcer. Frank S. Mullen, Vice President
and General Manager of NBC was also prominently identified with
Iowa having graduated from Iowa State College and served later as
Farm page editor of the Sioux City Journal.
The Census report on radios in Iowa homes is:
OCCUPIED DWELLING UNITS WITH RADIO FOR STATE AND CITIES OF
25,000 or MORE: 1940
(A dwelling unit was enumerated as "with radio” if it contained
a usable rsdio set or one only temporarily out of repair)
Not
Area - Iowa
With
No
Reporting
The State
Total
Radio
Radio
Radio
Total Dwelling Units
701,824
617,006
66,958
17,860
(including urban)
Rural- non farm
dwelling units
161,077
138,016
19,587
3,474
Rural- farm
dwellina; units
228,354
194, 636
28,277
5,441
Burlington
7,861
7,069
611
221
Cedar Raoids
18,488
17,175
856
457
Clinton
7,467
6, 952
362
153
Council Bluffs
11,693
10,487
895
311
Davenport
19,141
17,842
975
324
Des Moines
46, 629
42,318
2,263
2,048
Dubuque
11,513
10, 602
689
222
Mason City
7,238
6, 684
416
138
Ottumwa
9, 262
8,427
657
178
Sioux City
22,851
20, 664
1,510
677
Waterloo
14,930
14.018
552
360
XXXXXXXXXX
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6/23/42
GREAT PROGRESS REPORTED IN FECORDING ON A WIRE
The Armour Research Foundation in Chicago told of a devel¬
opment in recording radio broadcasts on a magnetized wire, a thing
scientists have been working on for years. Recording on wire is not
a new thing but dispatches from Chicago states that this device is
far ahead of anything yet achieved and records sound on steel wire
as thin as a human hair. The opinion is expressed that it may
revolutionize the technique of transcription.
Dr. Harold Vagtborg, Director of the Foundation, affiliat¬
ed with the Illinois Institute of Technology, credited the device
chiefly to Marvin Camras, 26-year-old staff assistant physicist.
The recorder is about the size of a large portable radio
and an eight-hour continuous recording can be wound on a spool 5
inches in diameter and 2 Inches wide. It records sound magnetically
and there is no mechanical change in the wire, which can be demagnet¬
ized and used again.
Once the recording is made, the sounds can be played back
immediately without processing. Dr. Vagtborg said the wire would
retain this recorded sound potential for years or could be wiped
clean instantly by the demagnetizing* process.
The recorder, he said, can be set to start and stop auto¬
matically and needs no attention while running. He said these
advantages give it limitless practical applications, such as:
In airplanes microphones placed in the control cabins could
pick up all conversations and commands. Housed in an asbestos case,
the recorder would survive a crash and tell the story of what preced¬
ed it.
It could record millions of words of enemy propaganda at
government monitoring radio stations and reduce greatly the amount of
critical materials used in making standard type recorders. The
storage problem, too, would be minimized.
In the home radio, the device could record a daytime pro¬
gram - such as a baseball game - so that those away could hear it
later.
XXXXXXXX
Station WMRF, Lewistown, Pa. , has been added to the Red
Network of the National Broadcasting Comoany as a bonus station for
advertisers purchasing the combined facilities of WfBG, Altoona, and
WJAC, Johnstown,
XXXXXXXX
- 5 -
6/83/42
SEES AMATEURS FAVORED OVER COMMERCIAL CIRCUITS
An inconsistency was seen by an official In the Federal
Communications Commission' s closing down all commercial domestic
radio circuits but at almost the same time allowing amateurs to
re Slime operations in the cities.
"Of course these amateurs will operate in behalf of the
OCD and to that we have no objection", this official said, "There
are about 80 commercial domestic wireless circuits being operated
and these were closed down because the FCC said it was impossible
to furnish censors for all of them.
"In almost the same breath, however, the FCC issued an
order to grant permits to hundreds of radio amateurs to resume oper¬
ations apparently without censorship, "
XXXXXXXX
NELSON TAKES UP CUDGEL FOR REED
Donald M, Nelson lost no time defending Philip D. Reed,
Chief of the WPB Bureau of Industry and in private life Chairman
of the General Electric Company, whose work was criticized by the
Truman Senate Committee, Mr. Nelson said:
"I am sorry that the Truman Committee, which has done and
is doing such valuable work, should have been critical of the work
of Philip Reed,
"During the past five months American industry has been
converted from peace to war. Mistakes have, of course, been made.
But the record of the War Production Board speaks for itself. The
production we are getting is due to the teamwork of many able men.
Mr, Reed is entitled to full credit for his participation in this
work. I have full confidence in him and sincerely hope that he will
continue his valuable assistance in the war effort as long as he can
do so. "
Following this Mr. Reed said:
"When the Truman report was issued I told Mr. Nelson that
my resignation was on his desk whenever he wished it. In his state¬
ment Mr. Nelson said all that I could have wished to say and far
more than I myself could have said.
"Ke is more familiar with what I have done and what I have
tried to do than anyone outside the War Production Board could pos¬
sibly be, and his expression of confidence is, so far as I am con¬
cerned, controlling.
"So long as Mr. Nelson b elleves I can be helpful I shall
be proud to serve him and the War Production Board in any capacity
to which he may assigp me. "
XXXXXXXX -6-
6/23/42
FORBES REPLACES EARL GAMIvIONS AS MANAGER OF WCCO
Vifilliam E, Forbes has been appointed General Manager of
WCCO in Minneapolis and St. Paul to succeed Earl Gammons, who is
moving to Washington, D. C. , as Director of Columbia's office in
the Capital city to succeed Harry C. Butcher, former CBS Vice-
President called into the Navy.
Mr. Forbes has been assistant to Donald W. Thornburgli,
CBS Vice-President in Los Angeles, for the last four years. He
brings to WCCO a wide experience in the broadcasting field. His
duties with CBS have Included not only all phases of local opera¬
tion, tut he has handled many network programs in Los Angeles on
which such well known performers as Amos and Andy, Edward G.
Robinson, Cecil B. DeMille, Bob Bums, and others have appeared.
He is a native of Anoka, Nebraska, and is a graduate of
the University of California at Los Angeles.
XXXXXXXXXX
RADIO DOING BETTER JOB THAN fMN, EXPERT STATES
The development and use of radio waves that resemble
light waves in some respects, and which can be formed into beams
and made to do things that cannot be done with light, will be a part
of the contributions to be made by the science of electronics toward
better living when the war is over.
This was explained by William C. White, head of General
Electric's electronic laboratory. As broadcasting was electronics'
contribution to better living after the last war, an equal contribu¬
tion will be made by this science after the present conflict, the
expert said.
The present war has enormously increased the scope and
extent to which electronic devices are being used, Mr, White explain¬
ed, because these devices not only save manpower but also can do
many jobs better than man. The science of electronics was pictured
by the engineer as extending the range and accuracy of the human
senses.
As one of numerous applications of the new radio waves,
Mr. White stated how they can penetrate clouds, smoke, fog, and storm
and thus become a great aid in the navigation of ocean liners and
aircraft.
"Navigation of ocean liners is in many ways based on vis¬
ion, which in turn is based on the use of light and sight", he point¬
ed out. "The steering of a proper course is largely a matter of
noting position of shoreline, lighthouses and buoys. Avoldence of
6/23/42
collision is also largely based on seeing. But night reduces the
effectiveness of these aids to navigation and fog almost renders
them useless.
"Radio beams of the newer high-frequency waves will pro¬
vide a method of locating aids to navigation as well as locating
obstacles when these cannot be seen. Navigation of aircraft will
be aided also, "
XXXXXXXX
W.U. -POSTAL MERGER BILL DOES NOT AFFECT FOREIGN RADIO
Apparently the bill passed by the Senate Thursday, which
would permit a merger of the Western Union and Postal Telegraph
Companies affects only the domestic communications companies and
does not contain any authorization for the merging of U. S. radio
and cable companies in the international field. The bill as origi¬
nally drafted did, but evidently this clause was dropped later.
Senator McFarland (D, ), of Arizona, said the measure
authorizing the voluntary consolidation and merger of all domestic
telegraph operations was "soundly in the public interest".
The Senator asserted that the Postal Telegraph Co. was
"going in the hole" at a rate of $300,000 monthly, while Western
Union suffered "great losses in recent years". He said that merger
should assure an efficient telegraph communication system badly
needed for the war effort.
The bill now goes to the House.
XXXXXXXX
RADIO WISECRACK CONTRIBUTES TO C0NGRESSI4AN‘ S DEFEAT
According to Mark Sullivan, noted columnist. Representative
Luther Patrick ( D. ) , of Ninth Alabama District, made one wisecrack
too many over the air. Mr, Sullivan write sj
"One cause of Mr. ^*atrick's defeat was his own fault. In
a radio address he had tried to be, for a moment, a smart aleck. He
had emitted a wisecrack. His opponent made a phonograph recording
of the wisecrack and played it up and down the district. The unfor¬
tunate Joclsity was only two sentences: 'You know how it is with
Congressmen, We vote a bill out today, and then buy a paper to see
what it was, ' "
X X X X X X X
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6/23/42
HOW WOULD "GOVERNOR McCOSKER" SOUND?
A passing suggestion In his column by a well-known
columnist is said to have caught the eye of President Roosevelt
and resulted in the President appointing Elmer Davis, Director of
the War Information Board. Now comes another columnist, Danton
Walker, who brings up the name of Alfred J. McCosker, President of
WOR and Chairman of the Mutual Broadcasting System, as a possible
candidate for the Governor of New York. Mr. Walker writes:
"Is Alfred J. McCosker, President of WOR and Chairman
of Mutual Broadcasting, the Democratic dark horse for New York's
Governor? McCosker, it seems, is persona grata with FDR and Jim
Farley and a personal and political friend of four out of seven
of Kennedy's new Tammany Hall steering committee which Includes
Alfred E. Smith and Bob Wagner. "
As we have said repeatedly, sooner or later somebody
high in the industry is "going to town" politically on radio. For
years newspaper executives have been rewarded with senatorships ,
ambassadorships and other important positions but up to now, none
of the really big political plums has ever gone to anyone connected
with radio nor has anyone in the broadcasting industry ever cashed
in on it to the slightest degree. It seems, therefore, to be an
unusual chance for our old friend "Hollywood" McCosker if he really
went after it. That is exactly the type of man we have long had
in mind.
XXXXXXXX
PRESS AG-ENT TIGHTENING UP AS NEW WAR CHIEF BEGINS
Although radio would not be affected to any great extent
the salaries and output of all Government press agents and informa¬
tion staffs would receive close Congressional scrutiny under pro¬
visions of a bill introduced Thursday by Senator Tydlngs ( D. ) , of
Maryland.
The measure stipulates that a definite congressional
appropriation or authorization would have to be obtained for all
•^publicity and related activities".
This portion of the bill would become effective July 1,
1943, but it is also provided in the measure that beginning July 1
of this year, all agencies of the executive branch would file with
the Congressional Joint Committee on Printing a copy of all public¬
ity material and releases. Books, pamphlets, magazines, booklets,
circulars, periodicals, releases, scripts, speeches, recommenda¬
tions, reports and other "similar or analogous documents or
material" distributed to the public would be covered in this provi¬
sion.
9
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6/23/42
As a means of getting at the ‘'cost and other ramifications”
of the (jovemment publicity picture, the bill would make It mandatory
for appropriations hereafter made for the Government agencies to
state specifically: amounts for purchasing duplicating, orlntlng,
and "auxiliary equipment; salaries paid all persons engaged In the
operation of such equipment; salaries of all persons engaged, in
whole or in part In the preparation of any publicity material; the
amount, including salaries, and all other expenses, connected with
the dissemination or distribution of such material to the public.
It is significant that Senator Tydings should Introduce
this bill just as Elmer Davis, new War Information chief Is getting
his feet Into the stirrups. Of Mr. Davis, there are some Interest¬
ing comments In the Editor & Publisher:
"It seems that a piece in the March 14 New Yorker magaz¬
ine's Notes and CJorament reviewing Davis' critique, was the first to
nominate him. Apparently it came to White House notice, Davis came
under the official scrutiny as a candidate and eventually was con¬
sidered the ideal man for the job to be done,
"'Bie New Yorker piece was written anonymously by E. B.
White, former staffer who Is now living In Maine. Writing of *12
steps we'd like to see taken to win the war', ‘iThite said the first
was unification of government information bureaus and the appoint¬
ment of Elmer Davis to head them up,
"The other night*, said White, *Davis presented the best
case for unification and the strongest Indictment of the present
mess. In our opinion he is not only right but he is the man to sit
on the de sk,
"*The other 11 recommendations for winning the war, will
be presented as soon as the government acts on the first one. * "
"Davis’ income, it Is understood, has been In the neigh¬
borhood ofSl00,000 a year. What his salary as OWI boss will be
hasn't been told. His guess Is it will be in the |8,000 to ^10,000
bracket.
"To accept the post Davis ended his contract with CBS at
a reported salary of $56,000 a year. The contract had several years
to run. He received additional Income from BBC but turned all of
it over to British war charities and, more recently to American war
relief organizations, Including the Red Cross,
"Although he has been * In the chips* In recent years, Davis
has been unchanged by his success. He is one of the few reporters
carrying a cane, but he's no stuffed shirt. At CBS he liked to chat
with pages, elevator men, and the news staff.* * *
"CBS hired Davis on Aug. 23, 1939, just before the invasion
of Poland, to plnch-hit for H. V. Kaltenborn, who had gone to England
to cover the war crisis. Although his down-to-earth Hoosier twang
had not impressed radio listeners in previous appearances, Davis*
calm delivery clicked in times of tense news. One radio associate’s
explanation is that radio audiences had changed and a calm voice,
though nasal, was preferred to a golden one in war coverage. His
nightly listening audience was estimated at 12,500,000 persons."
XXXXXXXX
- 10 -
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6/23/4S
The name of the Defense Conimunlcations Board (DCB) has
been changed by President Roosevelt to Board ofWar Communications
(BWC).
The establishment of labor management committees in ten
General Electric plants brings to 900 the number of plants partici¬
pating in the War Production Drive, it was announced at War Produc¬
tion Drive Headquarters. One of the latest concerns to report the
establishment of a Labor Management Committee was the Mackay I^dio &
Telegraph Company in San Francisco.
Louis A. Zangaro has been appointed National Supervisor
of the Communications Division of the National Broadcasting Company
Traffic Department.
Reprints of the testimony of William S. Paley before the
House Committee on Interstate Commerce last month are now being
distributed with a card attached which reads:
"To those who are Interested in maintaining freedom of
the air, this booklet is sent with the compliments of the Columbia
Broadcasting System,"
War to the contrary notwithstanding, radio loudspeakers
made of local materials have recently been produced in India under
the guidance of the Board of Scientific and Industrial Research,
Also the Commerce Department states that the manufacture of radio
condensers is being studied, and magnets for the radio and meter
Industries will soon be taken up for research.
An order by Leo T. Crowley, Alien Property Custodian,
requires all persons claiming any interest in patents or patent
applications now or formerly owned by nationals of designated foreign
countries to report their interest, including any license agreement
or claims of ownership by August 15, 1942. The purposes of the
order, Mr. Crowley stated, are to locate and describe enemy-owned
patents and interests in patents, to protect the rights of American
citizens in foreign owned patents and in patents which were once
foreign owned.
Robert M. Morris, a pioneer in radio broadcasting, has
been called to Washington as a Chief Radio Engineer in the U. S,
Army Signal Corps, Mr. Morris started at WEAF as radio engineer
when it was owned by A. T. & T. When the National Broadcasting
Company was formed, Mr. Morris became Chief Development Engineer.
He later became Business Manager of the NBC Radio- Re cording Division.
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An “OEM Handbook describing the Office for Emergency
Management has been issued. The 72-page booklet describes in detail
the organization of the V«ar Production Board, the Office of Price
Administration and the other constituent agencies of the OEM, Per--
sonnel is listed in most cases down to the branch level in each
agency. Included are organization charts of the 1/VPB and the Bureau
of Industry Branches of the V/PB Division of Industry Operations^
Copies of the booklet are available from the Superintendent
of Documents, Washington, D. C. , and at OEM field offices.
Effective as of October 1, Station WTMJ, Milwaukee, rill
increase the network rate from $340 to $360 per evening hour, !^ew
business accepted before October 1 will be protected at the $3^1 0
rate for one year to September 30, 1943.
On the radio the other night Carmen Miranda, telling what
to do when an air raid alarm sounds, said: “First you put out the
light. Then you put out the air-raid warden. ”
XXXXXXXXX
MAJORITY DEPEND UPON RADIO FOR WAR NEWS OFF CLAIMS
According to a confidential study made by the Bureau of
Intelligence, U. S. Office of Facts and Figures, on the “American
Attitude Toward War News“ the radio is now said to be ahead of the
newspapers as the public's source of war news. This study reportedly
states:
“In the present war, however, radio has challenged both
the prestige and the power of the press. In the reporting of news,
it has rivaled, in a number of respects surpassed, the newspaper.
“More than half the American people now regard radio as
their prime news source. In the raontns of January, February, March
and May, the Bureau of Intelligence asked a national cross-section
of the public ' Whei^e do you get most of your news about the war -
from talking to people, from newspapers, or from the radio?' Radio
was chosen over newspapers consistently by nearly two to one.
“It is able to report news more rapidly; its news can be
received almost without cost once the receiving instrument has been
purchased; it can be heard with a minimum of mental effort and while
the listener may be otherwise engaged; and, finally, it affords a
sense of intimate participation in certain events through sound
effects and through the voices of personalities which it transmits. ^
The OFF Survey was said to have asked the question: "Do
you have more confidence in the war news on the radio, or the war
news in the newspapers?”
Radio, it is reported, was chosen by 46*^ and newspapers
by 18^. Unaccounted for was 36^ of the public, which gave answers
not subject to classification in either category. The bureau
c>b6eTved-^'‘*pST’haps many of them were without preference between the
two media,
XXXXXXXX
— 12
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET
WASHINGTON, D. C.
INDEX TO ISSUE OF JUiTO 26, 1942
Censors Clarify Broadcasters Voluntary Code
2
Advertising Seen Essential For Free Press And Padio
5
FCC Dismisses More Applications For Duration . . .
RCA Radiophoto Service Opened Between New York And Cairo
Fly*s Confirmation Goes Over To Monday, June 29 .
Butcher Aide To New U. S. European Commander. . .
Belief Expressed That Sanders Bill Is Dead Rs.bbit .
RCA And Mackay Offer Stations To U. S .
Many States Heard From In Ra.dio In The Homes Census . 9
FCC Action . 11
Trade Notes . 12
No. 1441
to ID ty CO CO
CENSORS CLARIFY BROADCASTERS VOLUNTARY CODE
The Office of Censorship of which Byron Price is Director
and J. Harold Ryan, is Assistant Director in Charge of Radio, pub¬
lished today (Friday) its first revision of the Code of Wartime
Practices for American Broadcasters, based on its experience of five
months since the Code originally was issued on January 15.
The format of the Code has been altered somewhat, with an
aim to clarifying the contents for broadcasters, who will use it as
a handbook in voluntary censorship. The various clauses are present¬
ed in outline form. Tnis made possible a reduction in the number of
words in the Code, although the revision represents an expansion of
the Office of Censorship's suggestions to broadcasters.
The suggestions are presented under two general headings:
News Broadcasts and Programs.
The news section parallels the revised Code issued to the
American Press in all particulars except the clauses covering weather
information, enemy air attacks, and communications. In the weather
clause, as in the original Code, radio stations are asked to broadcast
no weather information unless specifically perrcitted. to do so by an
appropriate authority.
The clause covering possible enemy air attacks is based on
precautions suggested by Director Byron Price some weeks ago. Should
such action occur, broadcasters outside an area under attack are
asked to make no mention of the action unless expressly authorized
for radio by the War Department in Washington. This clause is a new
one which has been added under the revision.
The revised Code contains the original communications
clause, which asks broadcasters to make no mention of the establish¬
ment of new international points of communication.
Several significant changes and additions have been made
in the Program section of the revised Code. The section covering
request programs has been clarified by bracketing the types of such
productions under two general subtitles: Music and talk. The pre¬
cautions to be exercised by foreign language broadcasters have been
expanded. Dramatic programs have been established under a separate
heading. Originally they were covered in a summary paragraph.
The quiz program section, which suggests the elimination
of remote ad lib quiz programs (such as the man- in- the- street inter¬
view), remains unch-anged.
- 2 -
o
6/26/42
Under a new section covering commercial continuity, broad¬
casters are asked to "be alert to prevent the transmission of sub¬
versive information through the use of commercial continuity in pro¬
gram or announcement broadcasts". The dramatic section expresses,
in a similar precautionary tone, the request that brxDadcasters avoid
portraying the horrors of war through dramatic productions, and with¬
hold any sound effects which might be confused with air raid alarms.
The new paragraph covering foreign language programs says:
"Broadcasters have recognized that the loyalty of their personnel is
of supreme importance in voluntary censorship; they recognize the
dangers inherent in those foreign language broadcasts which are not
under the control at all times of responsible station executives.
Station managements, therefore, are requested to require all persons
who broadcast in a foreign language to submit to the management in
advance of broadcast complete scripts or transcriptions of such mat¬
erial, with an English translation. It is further requested that sue]:
material be checked 'on the air' against the approved script, and
that no deviation therefrom be permitted. These scripts or trans¬
criptions with their translations should be kept on file at the
station. "
The original Code did not provide for such pre-censorship
activity on the part of stations carrying foreign language programs.
The program clauses relative to forums and interviews and
commentaries and descriptions have not been changed in the revised
Code.
The revisions in the radio Code were submitted to a repre¬
sentative group of broadcasters before they were approved finally by
Mr. Price.
Among the broadcasters and representatives of broadcasters'
organizations who consulted with the Office of Censorship in revising
the Code were: William B. Dolph, General Manager of WOL, Washington,
D. C. ; Carleton Smith, General Manager of WRC, Washington; K. H.
Berkeley, General Manager of WML, Wasnington; Kenneth Yourd, repre¬
senting the Columbia Broadcasting System, Washington; Neville Miller,
President of the National Association of Broadcasters; C. E. Arney , Jr. ,
Assistant to Mr. Miller; John Shepard III, President of Yankee Net¬
work, Inc. and Chairman of the Broadcasters Victory Council; 0. L,
Taylor, Secretary of the BVC; Victor Sholis, representing the Clear
Channel stations; Philip Loucks, representing the Frequency Modula¬
tion stations; and Paul Spearman, representing Network Affiliates,
Inc.
Paragraphs which contain the principal revisions follow:
"It is requested that news in any of the following clas¬
sifications be kept off the air, unless released or authorized for
release by appropriate authority.*^
3
6/26/42
’’ENEMY AIR ATTACKS - Estimates of number of planes involved;
number of bombs dropped; damage to Fortifications, Docks, Railroads,
Ships, Airfields, Public Utilities, Industrial plants engaged in
war work; All other railitery objectives.
’’Warnings or reports of impending air raids; remote ad lib
broadcasts dealing with raids, during or after action,
’’Mention of raid in the continental United States during its
course by stations OUTSIDE the zone of action, unless expressly
announced for broadcast by the War Department in Washington.
’’News which plays up horror or sensationalism; deals with or
refers to unconfirmed reports or versions; refers to exact routes
taken by enemy planes, or describes counter-measures of defense,
such as troop mobilization or movements, or the number and location
of anti-aircraft guns or searchlights in actions.
’’Exceptions : After an air raid, general descriptions of action
after all-clear has been given. Nothing in this request is intend¬
ed to prevent or curtail constructive reporting or programming of
such matters as feats of heroism, Incidents of personal courage, or
response to duty by the military or by civilian defense workers, ”
"REQUEST programs
"Music - No telephoned or telegraphed requests for musical
selections should be accepted.
"No requests for musical selections made by word-of-mouth at
the origin of broadcast, whether studio or remote, should be honored.
" Talk - No telephoned or telegraphed requests for service
announcements should be honored, except as hereinafter qualified.
Such service announcements would include information relating to
Lost pets; "Swap" ads; Mass meetings; Club meetings; Club programs,
etc.
"No telephoned, telegraphed or word-of-mouth dedications of
program features or segments thereof should be broadcast.
"Exceptions; Emergency announcements, (such as those seeking
blood donors, doctors, lost persons, lost property, etc.) may be
handled in conventional manner if the broadcaster confirms their
origin. They should emanate from the police, the Red Cross, or
similar recognized governmental or civilian agency. Service announce¬
ments may be honored when source is checked and material is subnitted
in writing, subject to re-writing by station continuity staff.
Requests for the broadcast of greetings or other programs to com¬
memorate personal anniversaries may be honored if the actual broad¬
cast is not made on the anniversary date or at the time or on the
date designated in the request. These and ALL requests may be honor¬
ed when submitted via mail, or otherwise in writing if they are
held for an unspecified length of time and if the broadcaster stag¬
gers the order in which such requests are honored, rewriting any
text which may be broadcast. ’’
4
\
J
I
I
n
\
i
t
6/26/42
"DRAMATIC PROG-RATJIS ~ Radio is requested to avoid dramatic pro¬
grams which attempt to portray the horrors of war, and sound effects
which might be mistaken for air raid alarms, or any other defense
alarms, "
"COMIjERCIAL continuity - Broadcasters should be alert to prevent
the transmission of subversive information through the use of com¬
mercial continuity in program or announcement broadcasts. In this
connection, the continuity editor should regard his responsibility
as equal to that of the news editor. "
"Broadcasters should ask themselves, ^Is this information
of value to the enemy?' If the answer is 'yes', they should not
use it. If doubtful, they should measure the material against the
Code.
"If information concerning any phase of the war effort
should be made available anywhere, which seems to come from doubtful
authority, or to be in conflict with the general aims of these
requests; or if special restrictions requested locally or otherwise
by various authorities seem unreasonable or out of harmony with
this summary, it is recommended that the question be submitted at
once to the Office of Censorship. "
XXXXXXXX
ADVERTISING SEEI^^ ESSENTIAL FOR FREE PRESS AND FJ^DIO
Former District Attorney Thomas S. Dewey, of New York,
addressing the Advertising Federation of America said, "You are
enlisted today in the cause of maintaining the instruments of free¬
dom for which we figiit. You must maintain advertising as an instm-
ment of freedom, because after the war is won, you will have another
great job to do.
"There can be no freedom without a free press, and there
can be no free press unless it is able to print its papers without
subsidy from any man, any single industry or any government. ”
He called advertising "the only means yet devised for pro¬
ducing the necessary revenue to support a free press, and I may add,
free radio",
Mr. Dwewy said the German radio under Propaganda Minister
Goebbels was a dispenser of "hogwash".
"Once you stifle free speech and free criticism", he said,
"you stifle the face of the peoole. "
XXXXXXXX
_ 5 -
6/26/42
FCC DISMISSES MORE APPLICATIONS FOR DURATION
In an opinion of April 27, 1942, the Coraraission stated
its policy, among other things, not to grant applications Involving
the use of materials to construct or change transmitting facilities
for standard, FM and television broadcast stations. The Commission
on June 23, in view of this policy, dismissed without prejudice tlB
following applications;
Standard - Frankfort Broadcasting Co., Frankfort, Ky; WTIiiU, Milwaukee,
Wis” ; WMC, Memphis, Tenn. ; KXA, American Radio Telephone Co.,
Seattle, Wash.; KVI, Tacoma, Wash.; WFBR, Baltimore, Md. ; KOWH,
Omaha, Nebr. ; KVAK, Atchison, Kans. ; KOIN, Portland, Ore,; KCIR,
Butte, Mont. ; KVNU, Logan, Utah; Northern Ohio Broadcasting Co. ,
Elyria, Ohio; WCOV, Valdosta, Ca. ; WBAX, Wilkes Barre , Pa.; WTMC,
Ocala, Fla.; KTSW, Emporia, Kans.; KCW, Portland, Ore.; WHIS, Blue-
field, W. Va. ; WJHL, Johnson City, Tenn. ; KBPS, Portland, Ore. ; WJDX,
Jackson, Miss.; WREN, Lawrence, Kans,
Television - Allen 3. DuMont Laboratories, Inc. , Washington, D. C.
Relay - L. B. Wilson, Inc., Portable mobile, area of Cincinnati, Ohio;
WJIM, Portable mobile, Lansing, Mich.
FM - Houston Printing Corp. , Houston, Texas.
xxxxxxxx
RCA RADIOPHOTO SERVICE OPENED BET’iyEEN NEW YOPJC AInID CAIRO
The first direct radiophoto service between this country
and Egypt was opened last Wednesday by R. C.A, Communications, Inc.
The first picture transmitted was that of King Farouk, of Egypt,
and Alexander Kirk, U. S. Minister from the Royal Palace in Cairo,
The pictures will be handled in both directions between New York and
Cairo, a distance of 5,639 miles.
Heretofore, news pictures from Cairo had to be forwarded
by radio to London, and then acress the Atlantic. The new direct
service will greatly reduce the time of transmission and will make
it possible for pictures of current happenings in the near East to
reach the United States without delay.
The Egyptian end of the circuit is operated by the Marconi
Radiotelegraph Company of Egypt, and is equipped with radiophoto
apparatus of RCA design and make. The rate is forty cents a square
centimeter, with a minimum charge of $60.
The new picture-circuit will supplement the RCA direct
radiotelegraph circuit which has been in operation b etween New York
and Cairo since 1940.
Other radiophoto circuits are operated by RCAC between New
York and London, Moscow and Buenos Aires; also between San Francisco
and Honolulu and Melbourne, Australia.
X X X X X X X
- 6 -
6/26/42
FLY’S CONFIRMATION GOES OVER TO MONDAY, .JUKE 29
At the request of Senator McNary, of Oregon, the consider¬
ation of the renomination of Chairman James L. Fly of the Federal
Communications Commission for a term of 7 years from July 1st has
been postponed to Monday, June 29th. Senator McNary explained that
this had been done at the request of two absent members who desired
to be present when the nomination was discussed.
Mr, Fly’s nomination had previously been approved by tte
Senate Interstate Commerce Committee.
The vote was unanimous. Senator To bey, of New Hampshire,
however, questioned Mr. Fly in a closed session for several hours
before the vote was cast.
XXXXXXXX
BUTCHER AIDE TO NEW U.S. EURDPEAIJ COI'^IANDER
Lieut. Coradr. Harry C. Butcher, U. S. Naval Reserve, for¬
mer Washington Vice President for the Columbia Broadcasting System in
Washington, has been assigned as personal aide to MaJ. Gen. Dwight
Eisenhower, newly appointed Commanding General of the European
theater, in London, it was announced yesterday (Thursday).
A member of the Naval Reserve since 1938, Commander Butcher
resigned from the broadcasting system when he reported to the office
of Director of Naval Communications for duty June 1,
Mr. Butcher, a native of Springville, Iowa, and a graduate
of Iowa State College, joined CBS in 1930, opening the Washington
office as Director. Since 1934 he has been Washington Vice Presi¬
dent of the broadcast chain.
Commander Butcher, well-known throughout the radio
industry, is an authority on communications and press relations.
While it is unusual for a naval officer to be named as a personal
aide to an Army General, it is understood Commander Butcher’s selec¬
tion was at the personal request of General Elsenhower.
He resides in Washington with his wife and daughter
Beverly, and is a member of the Burning Tree and National Press
Clubs.
XXXXXXXX
- 7 -
i
6/26/42
BELIEF EXPRESSED THAT SANDERS BILL IS DEAD RABBIT
In one high quarter, the opinion was expressed that the
Sanders Bill to reorganize the Federal Communications Commission,
the hearings of which before the House Interstate Committee have
now slowed down to one a wekk, will never be reported out of the
Committee. '*1 don't think there is a chance for the Sanders Bill'',
this observer declared.
Chairman Fly has still not concluded his testimony and
is scheduled to return again next Tuesday - Tuesday being the one
day the hearings are now being held.
Mr. Fly handled the National Broadcasting Company, the
Columbia Broadcasting System and the National Association of Broad¬
casters roughly. He declared these networks completely dominated
the NAB, The Chairman said the factions fighting the anti-monopoly
regulations are putting on a "false front" of concern about free
speech and public service. Mr. Fly insisted over and over again,
the chains exercise a distasteful and dangerous degree of control
over public opinion, boss the trade associations, and harass the
Commission by Inspiring Congressional hearings or running into
court.
Mr. Fly registered these principal points:
1. Except for specific changes enabling the regulators to do
their war work better, no legislation should be enacted at such
crnjicial times.
2. Outstanding objections to the Sanders bill are the "bifur¬
cation" of the regulatory agency, opportunity for great delay through
hearings and Interventions, loss of control over station sales,
legalizing of management contracts, and Inadequacy of the examiner¬
hearing system.
3. Fear of censorship is a "bugaboo" created by the chains to
cover up efforts to dodge regulation for protection of the public.
4. There is no slighting of common c arriers or over-concentra¬
tion of effort on broadcasting regulation.
XXXXXXXXX
RCA AND MACKAY OFFER STATIONS TO U.S.
Domestic point-to-point radio stations of Mackay F&dio &
Telegraph Co. and rIc. A. Communications, Inc., have been offered to
the Government for the duration of the war, according to an
Associated Press dispatch from New York, Coastal transmitters used
in international traffic would be retained by each company, however.
- 8 -
1
1
6/26/42
The offers grew out of a War Communications Board order
calling for discontinuance of domestic services, effective June 30,
to keep Axis monitors from gaining information.
Mackay Radio and R,C. A. Communications - including prede¬
cessors - have provided radio-telegraph service for more than 30
years.
Mackay will discontinue operating stations in
Portland, Oreg. , Los Angeles, Calif., Seattle, Vifashington, Chicago,
Ill., New Orleans, ^a. , and Washington, D. C. , while R, C. A. will
halt operations in Philadelphia, Pa., Baltimore, Kid., Boston, Mass.,
Camden, N. J. , New Orleans, ^a. , Chicago, Ill., Detroit, Mich.,
Los Angeles, Calif. , and Seattle, Wash.
Land telegraph lines, it was estimated, would have more
than two million dollars in annual business thrown their way because
of the discontinuances.
XXXXXXXX
MANY STATES HEARD FROM IN RADIO IN THE HOMES CENSUS
Numerous States have been heard from during the past few
days in the U. S. Census count of radio sets in the homes. They are:
OCCUPIED DWELLINO UNITS WITH RADIO FOR STATE AND CITIES OF
25,000 OR MORE: 1340
(A dwelling unit was enumerated as "with radio" if it contained
a usable radio set
or one only
temporarily
out of repair)
Not
Area - Arkansas
With
No
Reporting
The State
Total
Radio
Radio
Radio
Total Dwelling Units
(including urban)
495,825
244,586
236,369
14,870
Rural- no nf arm
dwelling units
111, 636
58,001
50,081
3,554
Rural- farm
dwelling units
260 , 661
99.987
153.315
7.359
Fort Snith
10,171
8,119
1,910
142
Little Rock
24. 672
19.201
4.503
968
Area - New Hampshire
Total Dwelling Units
(Including urban)
132,936
116,809
12,949
3,178
Rural- nonfarm
dwelling units
41,550
35,236
5,334
980
Rural-farm
dwelling units
16.031
12.937
2. 667
427
Concord
6,730
6,336
299
95
Manchester
21,038
18, 923
1,575
540
Nashua
8. 606
7.963
427
216
9
i
ilk
6/26/42
Not
Area - 0rep;on
With
No
Reporting
The State
Total
Radio
Radio
Radio
Total Dwel],ing Units
(including urban)
337,492
290, 641
37,165
9, 686
Rural- non farm
dwelling units
92, 667
77,496
12,467
2,704
Rural- farm
dwelling units
72. 265
57.336
13,097
1,833
Portland
102,063
93,068
6. 033
2,962
Salem
8.901
8.143
568
190
Area - Georgia
Total Dwelling Units
(including urban)
752, 241
381,668
345,331
25,242
Rural- non farm
dwelling units
170,595
95,144
70,028
5,423
Rural- farm
dwelling units
292.828
96,193
186,381
10 , 249
Atlanta
82,000
60, 614
18,822
2,564
Augusta
17,510
10,541
6,092
877
Columbus
14,143
9,137
4,507
499
Macon
16,676
9,341
6,821
514
Rome
6,994
4,886
1,690
410
Savannah
26.406
17.282
8,439
685
Area - Maryland
Total Dwelling units
(including urban)
465, 683
396,338
53, 622
15,723
Rural- non farm
dwelling units
124,112
101,547
18,808
3,757
Rural- farm
dwelling units
55,066
36, 619
16, 657
1.790
Baltimore
227,582
206,038
13,288
8,256
Cumberland
10,339
9,333
734
272
Hagerstown
8.704
7.928
580
276
Area - North Carolina
Total Dwelling Units
(including urban)
789, 659
471,863
292, 281
25,515
Rural-nonfarm
dwelling units
217,703
142,468
68, 289
6,946
Rural- farm
dwelling units
332.039
148,939
172.222
10.878
Asheville
13, 290
10,512
2,341
437
Charlotte
24,966
19,077
4,985
904
Durham
15,277
11,944
2,910
423
Greensboro
14,598
12,170
1,796
632
High Point
9,626
7,278
2,057
291
Raleigh
10,557
8,853
1,428
276
Rocky Mount
6, 230
4, 622
1,437
171
Wilmington
8,577
5,529
2,545
503
Winston-Salem
20.177
15.060
4.740
377 6
10 -
6/26/42
Mot
Area - Rhode Island
With
No
Reporting
ihe State
Total
Radio
Radio
Radio
Total Dwelling Units
(including urban)
187,706
176,739
7,922
3,045
Ru ral- non farm
dwelling units
13,860
12, 604
1,006
250
Rural- farm
dwelling units
2. 610
2.244
301
65
Central Falls
6,512
6,082
349
81
Cranston
11,262
10, 740
249
263
East Providence
8,449
8,009
263
177
Newport
7, 663
7,253
265
145
Pawtucket
20,800
19,652
799
349
Providence
67, 501
64,193
2,482
826
Warwick
7,817
7,412
237
168
Woonsocket
13.040
12.068
756
216
Area - South Dakota
Total Dwelling Units
(including urban)
165,428
136,049
24,845
4,534
Ru ral- non f a rm
dwelling units
49,548
39,408
8,795
1,345
Rural- farm
dwelling units
72.322
57,450
12.880
1,992
Sioux Fb-lls
11.245
10.352
634
259
Area - Tennessee
Total Dwelling Units
( including urban)
714,894
434,733
260, 629
19,532
Rural- nonfarm
dwelling units
152,197
96, 620
51 , 800
3,777
Rural- farm
dwelling units
286. 641
129.965
148.963
7.713
Chattanooga
33,471
25, 935
6,657
879
Knoxville
28,601
23,299
4,790
512
Memphis
81,081
58, 268
19,572
3,241
Nashville
45.804
36.003
8. 699
1.102
xxxxxxxx
FCC ACTION
The Evening News Press, Inc., Port Angeles, Wash., denied
petition for grant of aoolication for construction permit for new
station, and designated* said application for further hearing; KINY,
Edwin A. Kraft, Juneau, Alaska, designated for hearing modification
of construction permit to change frequency to 1050 kc. , make changes
in transmitting equipment and commencement and completion dates;
KTBI. Tacoma Broadcasters, Inc., Tacoma, Wash., designated for hear¬
ing application for construction permit to change frequency to 1050
kc, , and increase height of antenna; to be consolidated with hearing
on KINY above; WGRC, New Albany, Ind. , construction permit amended
to change power to 1 KW day and night, change type of transmitter
and employing directional antenna day and night.
XXXXXXXX
11 -
6/26/42
Charles F. Kettering, (general Mana.ger of the Research
Laboratories of General Motors, has been appointed consultant to
the Radio and Radar Branch of the War Production Board.
Five civic groups sponsored a farewell dinner to honor
Earl Gammons, WCCO General Manager, before his departure from
Minneapolis to Washington to become director of the Columbia Broad¬
casting Office there to succeed Harry C. Butcher now a Lieutenant
Commander in the Navy and aide to General Elsenliower. The civic
organizations which honored Mr. Gammons were the Minneapolis Civic
and Commerce Association, Minneapolis Defense Council, Junior Associ¬
ation of Commerce, Aquatennial Association and Minneapolis Civic
Council.
Another high CBS executive was called to colors when
Lawrence W, Lowman, Vice-President in Charge of Operations of the
company in New York was commissioned a Major in the United States
Army, and assigned to the Office of Strategic Service at Washington,
D. C.
Hal Rorke, Assistant Publicity Director of CBS, has been
made a Captain in the Array Air Force and expects to report for duty
on July 2nd in Washington. He formerly was head of the Publicity
Department at KNX, Los Angeles* a CBS outlet.
Station KSEE, Earle C. Anthony, Inc. , Los Angeles, Calif. ,
had its outstanding construction permit cancelled by the Federal
Communications Commission, for commercial television broadcast
station KSEE, and deleted the call letters.
Edward Tomlinson, noted authority on Central and South
America, has been reappointed Adviser on Inter-American Affairs to
the National Broadcasting Company.
Los Angeles war workers faced the cathode-ray tube last
Saturday when Thomas S. Lee’s television station turned the spot¬
light on the Office of Civilian Defense. Wliat their respective
groups are doing to insure the safety of civilians in case of bomb¬
ings, fires and other war catastrophies was told by George HJelte,
Director of the Los Angeles Citizen Defense Corps; James L, Danks,
Battalion Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department; Rosemary
Herring, Captain of the Junior Activities of the Communications
Corps and Miss Judy Merralls of the Red Cross.
Station KYA, Palo Alto Radio Station, Inc. , (Assignee)
Hearst Radio, Inc. (Assignor), San Francisco, Cal., has been grant¬
ed consent to assignment of license of Station KYA from Hearst
Radio, Inc. , to Palo Alto Radio Station, Inc. , for a total consider¬
ation of $50,000.
XXXXX XXXXX
- 12 -
Heinl Radio Business Letter
2400 CALIFORNIA STREET WASHINGTON, D. C.
/fiiL,
1/ t
INDEX TO ISSUE OF JUNE 30, 1942
NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMPANY,
GENERAL LIBRARY jUL
. c!.s7« fJFW YORK, n> Y.
>• t • '
19^2
WCB Tightens Up On Cornmunlcations Construction . 2
, Agree On Principle Of Broadcast Equipment Pool .
’ Mellett Mentioned To Head OWI Radio Section .
; Sees Hope Ftor Sanders Bill .
J U. S. Newspaper War Program Ffebroadcast In Australia
' Nelson Says Radio Needs Somebody Like Kettering
' Sevareid New CBS News Bureau Head in Washington
i Fly Confirmed Without Debate . 7
1 New Scanning Electron Microscope Revealed. . 7
' Navy Moves Cautiously With Alleged Red Operators . 8
Census Shows Suprisingly Large Number Of Home Sets . 9
i Capital Hams Name OCD Coordinator Candidates . 11
RCA Announces F&dlo Tube Packing Principle . 11
Trade Notes . . . 12
No. 1442
Oi (Ti Oi Ol
June 30, 1942
WCB TIGHTENS UP ON COMLIUNICATIONS CONSTRUCTION
The Board of War Coraraunications has recommended to the
War Production Board and the Federal Communications Commission that,
with regard to the construction of certain radio facilities, there
be immediately placed into effect the following policy.
1, No future authorizations involving the use of any materials
shall be issued by the Federal Communications Commission
nor shall further materials be allocated by the War Produc¬
tion Board, to construct or to change the transmitting
facilities of any station in the Agriculture Service.
2. No future authorizations involving the use of any materials
shall be issued by the Federal Communications Commission
nor shall further materials be allocated by the War Produc¬
tion Board, to construct or to change the transmitting
facilities of any station operating in the Coastal, Marine
Relay, or Fixed Public Services; provided, however, that
upon a proper showing that any such station serves an
essential military need or a vital public need, which can¬
not otherwise be met, the Commission and the War Production
Board will take action commensurate with the importance of
the particular facility in question.
The foregoing applies to the following classes of stations
which are defined in the Rules and Regulations of the Federal Commu¬
nications Commission:
1. Fixed Public, Fixed Public Press, and Agriculture Seirvices.
(a) Point-to-point Telegraph Stations
(b) Point-to-point Telephone Stations.
2. Coastal Service.
(a) Coastal Telegraph Stations
(b) Coastal 'T’elephone Stations
(c) Coastal Harbor Stations.
3. Marine Relay Service.
(a) Marine Relay Stations
The War Communications Board ordered that the point-to-
point radiotelegraph circuits described below be, and they are here¬
by exempted from the closure provisions of Order No. 8 recently
announced:
1. R. C. A. Communications, Inc.
(a) Between New York, N.Y. and San Francisco, Calif.
(b) Ultra-high frequency control circuit between New
York, N.Y. and New Brunswick, N.J.
- 2 -
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2. Mackay Radio and Teleftraph Companies
(a) Between New York, N.Y. and San Francisco, Calif.
(b) Ultra-high frequency control circuit between New York,
N.Y. and Brentwood, Long Island
(c) Ultra-high frequency control circuit between Brentwood
Long Island and Southhamoton , Long Island
(d) Ultra-high frequency control circuit between South¬
hampton, Long Island and Amagansett, Long Island
(e) Ultra-high frequency control circuit between San
Francisco, Calif, and Rolling Hills, Calif.
Tropical Radio Telegraph Company
(a) Between Hlngham, Mass., and Miami, Florida
(b) Between Miami, Florida and New Orleans, Louisiana
(c) Between Hingham, Mass., and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Provided, however. That the circuits designated above Shall
be operated only for the domestic portion of the haul of messages of
foreign origin or destination, or for the transmission of service
messages under such regulations as the Director of Censorshlo may
prescribe;
Provided further, that all outbound foreign messages, and
all service messages between domestic points, handled over the fore¬
going circuits shall be submitted to censorship at the first point
of radio transmission within the United States, and all transit and
inbound foreign messages handled over such circuits shall be sub¬
mitted to censorship at the first point of radio reception within
the United States.
It was also ordered that the point-to-point radiotelegraph
circuits below operated by Press Wireless, Inc. , be and they are
hereby exempted from the closure provisions of Order No. 8:
1. Between New York, N.Y. and Los Angeles, Calif.
2. Ultra-high frequency control circuit between
(a) New York, N.Y. and Baldwin Harbor, Long Island;
(b) New York, N.Y. and Hicksville, N.Y. , and
(c) Los Angeles, Calif. , and Rolling Hills, Calif,
3. Domestic Multiple address press circuits
The same provisions aoply to Press Wireless, Inc. , as to
the above-mentioned R. C.A. Communications, Mackay Radio and Tele¬
graph Companies and Tropical Radio Telegraph Company with the
exception of the phrase "shall be operated only for the domestic
portion of the haul of Government, press or service messages of
foreign origin or destination, or for the transmission of domestic
multiple address press or service messages" and in the second provi¬
sion the only change is "and all service and multiple address press
messages between domestic points", etc.
XXXXXXXXX
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AGREE ON PRINCIPLE OF BROADCAST EQUIPMENT POOL
According to James L, Fly, Chairman of the Federal Com¬
munications Commission the War Production Board and the Commission
are continuing to work on the problem of troadcast station equip¬
ment pooling and have agreed in principle how the undertaking will
be carried out.
“We are agreed on the principle of the thing", Mr. Fly
Said, “and from here on we will be discussing the ways and means.
“Could you give us an idea of how much equipment is involv¬
ed", the Chairman was asked.
“No", he replied. "That is one of the things we are shoot¬
ing at. We are talking about broadcast - Domestic broadcast. And
one of the ideas of the pool is to get an accurate inventory of all
of the parts that are available and try to make the Jointly avail¬
able, and it is hoped that by establishing these pools in all parts
of the country that we could then get by on lesser consumption of
materials and at the same time afford some real hope that the
industry as a whole will continue some operation.
"In the broadcasting industry we have a heavy turnover -
tubes and other parts. I think it we didn't have available spare
parts and materials that at the end of one calendar year only about
27^ of the stations would be in operation. That's a pretty ominous
prospect and that is why it is to the interest of all of us that
are interested in seeing radio do the big Job it is doing. "
XXXXXXXX
MELLETT MENTIONED TO HEAD OWI RADIO SECTION
One guess as to the line-up of the new Office of War
Information under Elmer Da.vis is that Lowell Mellett will be in
charge of the Radio and Motion Picture Section. It also proposes
that Bob Sherwood be placed in charge of foreign news. Bob Horton
would be Director of the Press Division, and Archibald MacLeish
would head the Intelligence Division. Mr. MacLeish' s Job would be
to take polls of public ooinion to find out what the peoole were
thinking and talking about.
X X X X X X X X X X
Britain's estimate of the Government subsidy for the
British Broadcasting Corporation for the year ending March 31, 1943,
is $40,000,000, an increase of $12,400,000 over tha.t for the pre¬
vious year.
XXXXXXXXXX
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6/30/42
SEES HOPE FOR SANDERS BILL
Taking exception to an opinion expressed in this letter
last week by one in a high quarter that the Sanders Bill "was a
dead rabbit’’, an official whose opinion is also most highly regarded
declared emphatically;
”I don't think the Sanders Bill is a dead rabbit. I am
informed from an inside source on the Hill that the House Inter¬
state Commerce Committee is serious about it and may make some
strong recommendations in its report to the House. Also I hear if
the bill gets over to the Senate, certain Senators may also be
receptive.
"Of course you can never tell about politicians but I
happen to know that quite a few members of Congress feel that the
FCC has exceeded its powers and want a show-down. It is believed
the House Committee is well aware of this and as a result will come
through with a strong report on the Sa.nders Bill with the hope of
its vigorous discussion and possible adootion by the House, "
XXXXXXXXX
U.S, NEWSPAPER WAR PROGRAL/I REBRDADCAST IN AUSTRALIA
The weekly short wave radio program, "Salute to the Men
In Foreign Service", being arranged by various newspapers all over
the country in cooperation with C. D. Wagoner of the General Electric
News Bureau, and broadcast every Saturday night, will be re broadcast
by long wave throughout Australia under arrangements just completed
by General Electric with the Australia Broadcasting Company. This
is in addition to six short wave broadcasts of each program now
carried on through General Electric’s two stations here, WGEO and
WGEA, and its Pacific coast Station, KGEI, in San Francisco.
Each program is recorded as broadcast and the records are
then rebroadcast the Saturday following from Schenectady and San
Francisco, on a time schedule arranged by the War Department when
the soldiers in foreign camps will be at liberty to listen. For the
long wave Australian re broadcast, the program is transmitted by
W(^0 here at 7 o’clock Sunday morning, which is 9 o'clock the same
evening in the Antipodes, 10,000 miles away.
The re broadcasting of this newspaper salute seven differ¬
ent times is believed to be the most pretentious of any of the
soldier programs now on the air.
XXXXXXXXX X
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NELSON SAYS RADIO NEEDS SOMEBODY LIKE KETTERING
In announcing the appointment of Charles F, Kettering,
President of the General Motors Research Corporation and Vice Presi¬
dent of the General Motors Corporation, as consultant to the Radio
and Radar Branch of the War Production Board, Donald M. Nelson, WpB
Chairman made public a portion of a letter to Mr. Kettering, as
follows:
••Our Ra.dlo and Radar program has assumed such tremendous
proportions that I feel It Is now vitally Imoortant to have someone
of your outstanding capacity and accomplishments In the scientific
world, to whom we can turn from time to time In the difficult task
of meeting the requirements to that program. Your acceptance of
the position of Consultant to us In these matters makes me Increas¬
ingly confident that the Job will be well done and I wish to take
this opportunity of telling you how pleased I am about the arrange¬
ment. ”
The Radio and Radar Branch Is concerned with providing
facilities for the production of radio communications, aircraft
detector, signalling and fire control equipment. Ray Ellis Is Chief
of the Branch, which reports to Harold Talbott, Deputy Director of
the Production Division,
XXXXXXXXX
SEVAREID NEW CBS NEWS BUREAU HEAD IN WASHINGTON
Eric Sevareld has been appointed Chief of the Columbia
Broadcasting System's Washington News Bureau, succeeding Albert
Warner, who tomorrow will be commissioned a ftojor In the public
relations staff of the Army,
Mr, Sevareld Is 32 years old and has been a staff news¬
caster for CBS In Washington the last 18 months, A reporter since
he was 18, one of his outstanding feats was his broadcasts from
Bordeaux while the French Government had emergency headquarters
there after France fell. He was the only link with the outside
world for more than 24 hours,
Sevareld studied at the University of Minnesota, at the
Sorbonne, Paris, and In London, He was night editor for the United
Press In the French capital, became city editor of the Paris Herald,
then Joined the CBS staff In Paris.
Mr, Sevareld went to Bordeaux with meabers of the French
Cabinet, leaving Paris Just before the first German troops arrived.
Later he went to Vichy, then was transferred to the CBS office In
London and finally was sent to Washington.
XXXXXXXX
6
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6/30/42
FLY CONFIRMED WITHOUT DEBATE
Although everyone expected that Chairman James L, Fly of
the Federal Communications Commission would be confirmed, many
thought that when he came up for renomination there might be criti¬
cism of Mr. Fly and the FCC by certain Senators. Color was lent
to this when Senator McNary, of Oregon, Republican leader last
week requested that the nomination be put over until Monday so
that certain Senators could be present. However, it was a false
alarm and the FCC head was confirmed without a voice being raised
against him,
Mr. Fly had been renominated for a term of 7 years at
$10,000 a year beginning July 1st. When the legislative clerk read
the nomination Monday, Mr. McNary arose in his seat and the follow¬
ing exchange took place:
Senator McNary: ”I previously asked that that nomination of
Chairman Fly go over. I shall not renew my request. '•
Senator Hill: ’’Did I understand the Senator to ask that the
nomination not be acted on today; that it go over for the day?”
Senator McNary. ”No. Last Friday I made the request that the
nomination go over until Monday - that is, until today. I do not
desire at this time to renew my request that it go over any further. ”
Senator Hill: "Then, the question is on the confirmation of
the nomination. ”
The President Officer. ’’Without objection, the nomination is
confirmed. "
XXXXXXXX
NEW SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE REVEALED
Perfection by scientists in RCA Laboratories of a scanning
electron microscope, which enables the study of surfaces of opaque
objects, including metal, in far greater detail than heretofore pos¬
sible, was revealed Monday by Dr. V. K. Zworykin, Associate Director
of the Laboratories, in a paper read at the Institute of Radio
Engineers Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, The paper was Jointly pre¬
pared by Dr. Zworykin, Dr. James Hillier and Richard L, Snyder of
RCA Laboratories, who contributed to development of the instrument.
Investigation of grain structure in metals on an order of minute
detail never before realized becomes possible with the new instru¬
ment.
The scanning electron microscope. Dr. Zworykin said, is
the result of utilizing principles and devices taken from three out»^
standing developments in radio and electronics - television, the
electron microscope and radio facsimile.
- 7 -
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6/30/42
So accurate and delicate Is the control of the electrons
in passing chrcugli the instrument to help "see" the surface of the
metal, or object being observed and photographed, that the tiny
electrons pass through the scanning tube about one yard apart.
The mastery achieved is indicated further by the fact chat, theor¬
etically, it v/ould require 30 billion, billion, billion of electrons
to ^v'elgh an ounce.
xxxxxxxx
CORRECTION
An article published in Broadcasting magazine, a portion of
which was later reprinted In this service on June 23rd to the effect
that as shown by a survey made by the Office of Fbets and Figures a
nationwide preference exists In favor of broadcasting as against
the press as a medium to carry war news brought the following denial
from the OFF:
"In today’s (June 22) issue of the radio trade magazine
'Broadcasting’ appears an article in which are reproduced portions
of the report of a survey made by the Intelligence Bureau of the
Office of Facts and Figures, now part of the Office of War Informa¬
tion. This report, which deals with ’American Attitudes Toward War
News' , is a secret document of the United States Government and is
plainly so designated. It is clear that the document could have
been obtained only in an improper, and possibly illegal, manner.
’’Publication of excerpts from the document was without
authorization from the Office of Facts and Figures or the Office of
War Information, which alone could give authorization. The fact
that the document was quoted only in part, and the further fact
that extracts were selected with the apparent purpose of serving
the magazine's self-interest result in giving an incomplete and mis¬
leading picture of the contents of the report, "
XXXXXXXX
NAVY MOVES CAUTIOUSLY WITH ALLEGED RED OPERATORS
The Navy Department has taken precautions to avoid pre¬
mature action against persons suspected of subversive activities as
a means of preventing any injustice, Ralph A, Bard, Assistant
Secretary of the Navy, declared in answer to criticisms by the
American Communications Association (C. I.0.)of the handling of cases
of radio operators in the Merchant Marine.
To date ninety- two operators have been suspended upon the
authority of the Secretary of the Navy. Of this number forty-one
operators appealed their removal and sixteen have been reinstated.
In connection with suspects in short establishments, 205
removals or suspensions were approved by the Secretary from among
the more than 250,000 employees in these establishments, or a figure-
less than one-tenth of 1 per cent of the total. Forty-one person'.’
removed or suspended were reinstated by the Secretary, it was stated
XXXXXXXX
- 8 r.
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6/30/42
CENSUS SHOWS SURPRISINGLY LARGE NUMBER OF HOME SETS
Tlifith the Census reports now rolling in from every direc¬
tion, enough returns have been received to indicate that the number
of radios in the homes of the country is surprisingly large. Addi¬
tional States which have been heard from are;
OCCUPIED DWELLING
UNITS WITH
RADIO, FOR STATE AND FOR
CITIES OF
25,000 OR
MORE: 1940
(a dwelling unit was enumerated
as "with radio
" if it contained a
usable radio set or
one only temporarily out
of repair)
Not
Area - Louisiana
With
No
Reporting
The State
Total
Radio
Radio
Radio
Total Dwelling Units
(including urban)
542,528
307,883
270,082
14,563
Rural- non farm
dwelling units
Rural- farm
136,615
69 , 626
63,061
3,928
dwelling units
192.986
51.344
136.403
5,239
Alexandria
7,276
4,645
2,436
195
Baton Rouge
9,130
7,005
1,973
152
Monroe
7,897
5,333
2,351
215
New Orleans
133,040
100,856
29,861
2,323
Shreveport
26.909
20.029
6.218
662
Area - Wyoming
Total dwelling units
X
(including urban)
69,374
57,126
10,561
1,687
Rural- nonfarm
dwelling units
Rural- farm
22,842
18,603
3,767
472
dwelling units
19.200
14.034
4.516
650
Area - West Virginia
Total dwelling un^ts
(including urban)
Rural- non farm
444,815
326,347
108,039
10,429
dwelling units
Rural- farm
192,771
142,190
46,490
4,091
dwelling units
111.488
61.448
47.487
2,553
Charleston
17,950
15,570
1,768
612
Clarksburg
8, 245
7,336
665
244
Huntington
20,939
17,739
2,590
610
Parkersburg
8, 641
7,708
727
206
Wheeling
16.555
14.921
1.118
516
Area - Connecticut
Total dwelling units
(including urban)
Rural-nonfarm
448, 682
417,259
18,906
12,517
dwelling units
Rural- farm
120,205
111,445
5,454
3,306
dwelling units
24.113
20.746
2,700
667
( continued)
~ 9 -
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6/30/42
Not
Connecticut (continued)
Cities
Total
With
Radio
No
Radio
Reporting
Radio
Bridgeport
Bristol
Hartford
Meriden
Middletown
New Britain
New Haven
New London
Norwalk
Stamford
Torrington
Waterbury
West Hartford town
West Haven town
39,336
7,629
44,253
10,790
5,791
17,256
42,480
8,157
10,904
12,246
7,035
25,387
8,915
8,085
36,828
7,148
41,374
10,119
5,422
16,025
39,912
7,591
10,130
11,468
6,643
23,863
8,556
7. 659
1,358
151
1,235
396
218
578
1,537
431
447
365
281
936
94
195
1,152
330
1,644
275
151
653
981
135
327
413
111
588
265
231
Area - Kansas
Total Dwelling Units
(including urban)
511,109
411,984
84,117
15,008
Rural-nonfarra
dwelling units
128,059
102,849
21,940
3,270
Rural- farm
dwelling units
158.736
112.677
41 . 291
4.7cB
Hutchinson
8,733
7,663
786
284
Kansas City
34,068
30,176
2,813
1,0^=/
Tooeka
20,462
18,437
1,338
687
Wichita
34,775
30.605
2,881
1.289
Area - MINNESOTA
Total Dwelling Units
(including urban)
728,359
647,499
62,479
18,381
Ru r a 1- no n f a rra
dwelling units
125,689
115,860
16,651
3,178
Rural- farm
dwelling units
209.334
173 . 887
30.061
5.386
Duluth
27,819
26,211
1,186
422
Minneapolis
142,834
134,314
4,785
3,735
Rochester
6,303
5, 906
193
204
St„ Paul
80.557
75.866
2. 606
2.085
Area - Florida
Total Dwelling Units
(including urban)
519,887
326,447
177,564
15,876
Rural- non farm
dwelling units
152,395
81,444
66,372
4,579
Rural- farm
dwelling units
73.082
27.959
43 , 008
2.115
Jacksonville
45,377
34,266
9,829
1,282
M iami
48,483
40,710
6,215
1,558
Orlando
10,742
8,408
1,937
397
Pensacola
9,851
6,598
2,864
389
St. Petersburg
19,920
16,255
2, 959
706
Tamoa
29, 914
22,810
6,491
613
West Palm Beach
9.612
7.432
1.972
208
10 ~
6/30/42
CAPITAL HAI^S NAIffi OCD COORDINATOR CANDIDATES
Amateur radio operators of the Washington area, meeting
in the Department of Agriculture auditorium, nominated three of
their number last night as candidates for the post of radio aide to
the Metropolitan Civilian Defense Organization.
The District Commissioners are to select one of the three
nominees, Roy C. Corderman, Fred W. Albertson and Oscar W. B.
Reed, Jr. , to organize radio ’’hams” for emergency communications
work.
Some 70 of the 500 "hams” in the area, heard Donald
McClenon describe the new receiving setup, under which local amat¬
eurs will prepare to act as an emergency communications system in
event of a breakdown of power or transmission lines. He said that
very little new equipment would have to be manufactured or purchased,
and that from now on, amateur equipment as well as the services of
the "hams” themselves, were at the Covernment * s disposal.
Mr. Corderman said the FCC had tightened its rules govern¬
ing war emergency radio service throughout the country, to such an
extent that much of the preliminary organizing already begun in
other cities would have to be undone. The District group, he said,
"is following the FCC line to the letter, and hopes to set a pattern
for the rest of the country".
XXXXXXXXXX
RCA ANNOUNCES RADIO TUBE PACKING PRINCIPLE
What is said to be a revolutionary new principle of pack¬
ing radio tubes which, if utilized by the tube industry, will result
in major contributions to the war effort in shipping space, material,
handling and warehousing savings, has been developed by the manu¬
facturers of RCA radio tubes.
By adopting the new method, RCA alone is said to be sav¬
ing some 120 tons of packing material a year, and is able to ship
approximately twice as many tubes in a box-car or truck, thus halv¬
ing the need for critical shipping space. The new metnod, developed
by Charles I. Elliott, 27 year old employee, supplants packing,
handling, storing and shipping practices which have been common for
many years.
To extend the value of the new packing principle more
quickly, RCA has granted patent rights to the new type cartons to
other tube manufacturers. In addition, other tube manufacturers
have been shown factory routines that have been developed to make
the most efficient use of the new process.
The American Standards Association is studying the possi¬
bilities of setting up an American War Standard covering the pack¬
aging of electronic tubes as a result of RCA*s effort.
XXXXXXXXXX
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6/30/42
TRADE NOTES :
The Federal Communications Commission last week adopted
an order (No. 99-A), which applies the same type of regulations to
manufacturers and dealers of radio transmitters as has been applied
to the Same classes of persons in the diathermy trade. Registra¬
tion requirements are relaxed and hereafter a manufacturer or dealer
will submit a monthly report of stocks on hand and transfers to
other manufacturers or dealers, Instead of applying for registration
of each piece of apparatus. If a transmitter is delivered to some
person other than a manufacturer or dealer, notice must be given to
the Commission by the transferor within 5 days.
The tentative estimated revenue effect of the tax charges
adopted by the House Ways and Means Committee was set forth by the
Treasury last week indicating the Increases and decreases over the
yield of the present law. According to this, telephone, telegraph,
radio and cable facilities, etc. , were expected to yield 126,800,000,
the telephone bills $36,800,000, and coin operated amusement and
gaming devices $4,400,000. All these amounts are Increased over the
present law.
Frances Sprague, Chief Librarian of NBC since 1930, was
married to Robert P. Joy, publishers’ consultant and New York editor
of Current Events, on June 27, Mrs. Joy is a native of Vermontville ,
Michigan, and a graduate of Olivet College. When she Joined NBC in
1930, she set out to compile a general library by merging the book
and magazine collections of the various departments. Starting out
with an empty room and a Bible, she has seen the NBC library grow to
a collection of 13,000 catalogued items.
Ra,dlos, with an Increase of 44 per cent, led sales gains by
departments of department stores in the New York City district during
May, according to the report Issued yesterday by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York City.
Station W2XE0, Capitol Broadcasting Co., Inc., Schenectady,
N.Y. , has asked the FCC for a construction permit for reinstatement
of ST construction permit for new station on 331,000 kc. , 50 watts.
According to Leonard Lyons, columnist, a movement was
started last week among writers, editors and publishers to have
Elmer Davis, the new Director of War Information, return to the
radio. The proposed plan is to have Davis broadcast a report to
the Nation once a week. This will have to await the President’s
approval. Mr. Roosevelt feels that he already accomplished one good
trick in getting Davis to accept his present Job. '’Elmer”, said the
President, "was a hard fish to get to bite. ”
XXXXXXXXXX
12 -
■ 'T-
^ ire Ai'
la¬
id
V V
>
I
HEl^L RADIO BUSINESS LETTEB_ -
J an. - Jme» -
^cik-NA. - Tu,WC
LIBRARY of the
NATIONAL BROADCASTING CO., Inc.
RCA BUILDING
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