NAEB Newsletter (February 06, 1932)

OFFICERS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President: R. C. HIGGY, WEAO

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
Columbus, Ohio

Vice-President: carl MENZER, WSUI

STATE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
I OWA C ITY, I OWA

Secretary-Treasurer:

B. B. BRACKETT, KUSD

UNIVERSITY OFSDUTH DAKDTA

College. av\A Un
"B /c>a deoiling

First Zone: DANIEL E. NOBLE, WCAC

Storrs, Connecticut

Second Zone: J. B. HASSELMAN, WKAR

MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE

Third Zdnei GARLAND POWELL, WRUF

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Gainesville, Florida

Fourth Zone: W. I. GRIFFITH, WOI

IOWA STATE COLLEGE OF ADRICULTURE

Office of Executive Secret.
T. M. BEAIRD, WNAD

SPECIAL BULLETIN
Release Date February 6, 1932

fifth zone: H. V. CARPENTER, KW5C

STATE COLLEGE OFWASHINGTON

At LARGE: CHARLES A. CULVER, KFMX

CARLETON COLLEGE

Ngrthfield, Minnesota

TO MEMBERS
of

THE ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY BROADCASTING STATIONS
(ard a special request mailing list in addition to members)

YOU ARE AWARE, OF COURSE, THAT THE CRITICISM OFTEN HEARD, “COLLEGE AND
UNIVERSITY STATIONS CANNOT BE HEARD WELL" IS LARGELY TRUE. AS BRACKETT
OF SOUTH DAKOTA AND DOZENS OF OTHERS STATE, HOWEVER, THIS IS DUE TO THE
FACT THAT UNDER THE PRESENT LAWS*THE FEDERAL RADIO COMMISSION CANNOT EE
MADE TO GIVE EDUCATIONAL, STATIONS A FAIR CHANCE TO USE THE POWER THAT
MANY OF THEM ARB DESIROUS OF USING OR ARE EVEN NOW READY TO USE.

NEED PROOF ON THIS POINT? HERE GOES:

"THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS HAS A FINE VffiSTERN ELECTRIC TRANSMITTER
PRACTICALLY IDENTICAL TO THAT OF WNAX OF YANKTON, BUT IT IS ALLOWED
TO OPERATE IT AT ONLY HALF POWER DURING THE DAY TIME AND ONE FOURTH
POWER AT NIGHT, WHILE CERTAIN SINGLE COMMERCIAL STATIONS IN CHICAGO
ARB BEING ALLOWED TO USE 200 TIMES AS MUCH.”

"THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAS A TRANSMITTER SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE UNI¬
VERSITY OF ILLINOIS BUT CAN USE ONLY HALF LOWER, WHILE COMMERCIAL STA¬
TIONS IN IOWA ARE RECENTLY VOTED IMMENSE INCREASES IN POWER."

"THE NEBRAiSKA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR AH INCREASE
FROM 500 WATTS TO 1000 WATTS AND CANNOT GET IT, WHILE KFAB IN THE SAMS
CITY IS VOTED BY THE COMMISSION AN INCREASE FROM 5000 to 25000."

"THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN BOTH
WISH TO INCRuA.SE THE POWER OF THEIR STATIONS, BUT NEITHER CAiN GET PER¬
MISSION TO DO SO WHILE COMMERCIAL STATIONS ALL ABOUT THEM AiRE BEING
GRANTED UNLIMITED INCREASES."

"THE AUTHORITIES IN WASHINGTON COULD TAKE CARE OF EDUCATIONAL BROADCASTING
UNDER THE PRESENT LAW, BUT THEY ARE NOT DOING SO AND THEY WILL NOT WITHOUT
AMENDMENTS OR NEW LAWS THAT WILL COMPEL A FAIR TREATMENT OF THE EDUCATION¬
AL STATIONS."

In a recent communication from Dr. B. B. Brackett, Director of Radio Station
KUSD, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, we are supplied with the fol¬
lowing information which I am sure will prove of interest to the entire
membership: The South Dakota Society of Engineers and Architects at
Mitchell, South Dakota, on January 7, 1932, passed the following resolution:

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"VillEREASo It appears to this Society in annual convention assembled that
colleges, universities and other educational broadcasting sta¬
tions have not in the past and are not now receiving fair and
just treatment by the Federal Radio Commission, be it
RESOLVED, That we declare ourselves positively in favor of the Fess amend¬
ment to the Radio act of 1927 to the end that 'Not less than 15
per centum, reckoned with due weight to all factors determining
effective service, of the radio broadcasting facilities which are
or may become subject to the control of and to allocation by the
Federal Radio Commission, shall be reserved for educational broad¬
casting exclusively and allocating when and if applications are
made therefore, to educational agencies of the Federal or State
Governments and to educational institutions charactered by the
United States or by the respective States or Territories,”

THE QUESTION IS: WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR STATE? HAVE ANY SIMILAR RESOLUTIONS
BEEN PASSED BY ORGANIZED BODIES RELATIVE TO THE PRESENT UNPLEASANT SITUATION FAC¬
ING EDUCATIONAL STATIONS?

In the same letter Dr. Brackett sends a copy of a resolution adopted in November,
1931, by the South Dakota Education Association in its annual convention. The
following is the essential part:

"That the South Dakota Education I ssociation endorses the Fess bill protecting the
radio rights of college and university radio stations and recommends its passage
at the next session of Congress.”

We need more action ofthis kind. It behooves each of us to stimulate organized
groups to endorse resolutions recognizing the present serious situation. Your
suggestions and advice in regard to this problem are solicited.

FROM R. D. MICHAEL, DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE,
BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA: "Replying to your rush bulletins of recent date, I am
sorry to say that we have not received any questionnaire from the Radio Commis¬
sion, If we do, I can assure you that we will let the Radio Commission know that
although we are broadcasting over a commercial station, we pack our time full to
the gills with educational information. Our greatest wish is that we had more
time and money to extend our work along this line.

"Right now I am conducting a questionnaire survey over our radio audience, and the
replies I have received are more than gratifying. I had no idea that our education¬
al material, limited as it is to certain specific fields, was in so much demand.

”0f course our situation here at Blacksburg is one in which the Federal Radio Com¬
mission is little interested; but I can assure you that everyone interested in
radio work here on the campus is much in sympathy with the fight that educational

broadcasters are putting up. We only wish that we were in a better position to help

further the cause.”

FROM DEM H. M. CROTHERS, DIVISION OF ENGINEERING, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF
AGRICULTURE AND MECHANIC ARTS, BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA: ”1 have your Rush Bulletin
concerning the inquiry received from the Federal Radio Commission. I ha.d already
returned these inquiries, ard I had indicated no time.on chain programs, no time
on local commercial and 100^ on education for Station KFDY.”

FROM MR. E. B. McCARTY, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, STATION WHA, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN,
MADISON: "Thank you for your rush bulletin on the questionnaire from the Federal
Radio Commission.

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w Our reply had been sent in and I recall, a liberal interpretation given to the
term ’Educational Eroadcasting.* You are doing a splendid job of keeping us in¬
formed, and as the Federal Radio Commission ought to say to all of us - ’more power
to you.’

"Many thanks for the copies of the 1EA0 dramatization. The script reads like a
good one and I will write you more fully when we have given it a trial. We have
nothing similar that would be suitable for release to association stations, but
we have hopes of developing some worth while written material this semester.”

FROM MR, J. C. JENSEN, DIRECTOR AND ENGINEER, STATION WCAJ, NEBRASKA WESLEYAN
UNIVERSITY, LINCOLN, NEBRASKA: ”Your special rush bulletin from Dr. Harding has
been received. Dr. Harding has put the case very pointedly when he states that
it is the policy of the Federal Radio Commission *to cut off the arms, legs, and
head of educational stations, and then allow them to die a natural death,’ They
have not yet severed our head, but that stage of the operation may come when the
appeal of WOW is heard on next Monday. I am sending you under separate cover a
copy of our brief in the WOW case. It may be that Dr. Harding, Dr. Culver, and
some of the other stations that are having trouble similar to ours at the present
time can use some of the arguments contained in it. If so you can pass it on. I
have already sent one to Higgy,

"The question is, what are we going to do about it? To what extent are we backing
up Armstrong Perry and others in his group in the fight they are making? Are we
making contacts with our Senators and urging them to support the Fess Bill? If
we are not active in this point, why not? It seems to me that we are coasting
along until we go over the precipice before we begin to call for help. A determin¬
ed cooperative effort on the part of all members of our Association would probably
compel the passage of the Fess Bill and put an end to one phase of our troubles.
Isn’t it possible, even now, to ’start something’ that will bring results? You
may count on me to the limit.

''Regarding the questionnaire, I wired vou as follows: ’Question fifteen of license
applications requires statement of time allotted to various kinds of service. In¬
terpretation suggested in vour bulletin in direct conflict wth affidavit in lic¬
ense applications. Suggest instead explanatory paragraph in questionnaire show¬
ing educational value of civic, agricultural and musical programs.’

"With us it works out a little differently than with the State University Station
which broadcasts no church programs. Out of a total of 12 1/4 hours per week on
the air, we show 6 hours and 47 minutes of programs that are purely educational,
with an additional 1 l/2 hours of musical prpgrams by Nebraska Wesleyan and Neigh¬
boring colleges, making a total of 8 hours and 25 minutes. This with 2 l/2 hours
of religious broadcasts leaves very little time for entertainment and civic features*
I have explained all items rather fully in the questionnaire, and have attempted to
make it as effective as possible.”

NOTE: PLEASE PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE SECOND PARAGRAPH OF MR. JENSEN’S
LETTER QUOTED ABOVE. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY LETTER RECEIVED IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS
ASKING THE SAE QUESTIONS. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT! ALL OF YOU KNOW OF THE
DEVELOPMENTS IN WASHINGTON,

FROM MR. DANIEL E. NOBLE, CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, 3T0RRS, CONNECTICUT:

"We were pleased to receive copies of the radio play, ’An Ohio Enoch Arden.’ I
feel that an arrangement for the distribution of mimeographed copies of plays is
an excellent means of providing satisfactory copy for college stations. We plan
to use the play we have received, and at a later date, we shall write you about
its reception.

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"May I suggest that a definite sum be contributed by each station receiving the
mimeographed plays to cover the cost of mimeographing* I have no idea of the
proper amount that should be charged, but, perhaps if each station would contrib¬
ute $5.00, the fund -would be adequate to carry on the work at the present. 51

FROM MR. CARL MENZER, DIRECTOR OF RADIO STATION TflSUI, STATE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA,

IOWA CITY, IOWAt "This will answer your letter of the 25th. I am very sorry that
I have not prepared the paper on recording equipment as yet. I have been so busy
with our WSUI schedule, our new television station and the usual trouble with the
Federal Radio Commission that I have not had time to work on it.

"Regarding the equipment, its cost complete would be in the neighborhood of $500.00
This includes a new unit complete with microphone for recording continuous programs
on either metal or celluloid and will record the full audio range required for
music. It will of course be equipped with two recording lathes which are necessary
for continuous reproduction. If only speech is required, and that on wax cylinders
such as are used in dictaphone recording, I have equipment which mil cost a great
deal less and will be entirely satisfactory.

"The above prices are approximate and are based on the production of a single unit.
If any amplifying material is available as well as microphone pick-ups, the cost
of recording lathes only will probably not amount to more than $150.00 or $200.00,"

NOTE: This is a portion of a letter dealing with equipment for recording of radio
programs. All educational stations could use equipment sponsored on circuit. I
am wondering how many stations would be interested in contributing to a fund to
have equipment of this type purchased for the Association in order that programs
might be recorded to send out over circuit of member stations. Please give re¬
actions relative to the proposition. Mr. Menzer has promised to supply this of¬
fice with an article he is writing at the present time dealing with the problem
of recording. This will be sent out as a special bulletin to member stations as
soon as it is received.

SEECIAL NOTE: Will you please supply Mr. 0. M. Eittreim of Radio Station KWLC,
Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, with the information requested in the letter below.
Please give this immediate attention in order that he may learn of the experiences
of other station officials relative to G. 0. 116. His letter reads as follows:

"Can you give us any information in regard to what the stations of your Association
are doing in the matter of installing apparatus to comply with the provision of
G. 0. 116 requiring a frequency monitor?

"Y*e had planned to build one at KWLC, but it seems from the latest bulletin of
the Commission regarding the basis on which such apparatus would be approved or
disapproved, that we are obliged to purchase a commercial unit. Any data you can
supply will be appreciated."

FROM MR. H. IMBERGER, CHAIRMAN, RADIO COMMITTEE, ASSOCIATION OF LAND GRANT COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES, KANSAS STATE COLLEGE, MANHATTAN, KANSAS: "I notice your special
rush bulletin, ’The Question is Shall Educational Institutions Sell Time Commerce ■-

ly?

"Our institution has not to my knowledge been approached by commercial interests
in an endeavor to get our station to divert time to commercial broadcasting. I
am very much interested in -the letter of Director A. M. Harding of the University
of Arkansas to Dean Paul L. Vogt of the University of Oklahoma. This is, in my
mind, a most definite influence exerted by the Federal Radio Commission to give
preference to commercial broadcasting.

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;,, I imagine that this instance mil become rather embarrassing to the Federal Radio
Commission in endeavoring to answer question 12 submitted by Sbnate Resolution No.

129, to the Federal Radio Commission which asks* (12) In what cases has the Commis¬
sion given licenses to commercial stations for facilities applied for by educational
institutions?

"This is cehtainly most timely information and it is of very particular interest at
this time. If vou have not already done so, I wish yon would send your special rush
bulletin and copy of Director Harding’s letter to Dean Vogt, to Dr. Joy Morgan,
Chairman, National Committee on Education by Radio at 1201 Sixteenth Street, N.W*,
Washington D. C.”

Please note the two letters I received this morning, one from Mr. J. C. Jensen,
Nebraska Wesleyan, and the other from Mr. Carl Menzer, University of Iowa. Both
submit propositions of great interest. Kindly note them carefully and send react¬
ions relative to both letters.

FROM MR. J. C. JENSEN* n I have been intending to write you for some time regarding
the practicability of a ’technical exchange. 1 Vihat are the college stations going
to do about General Order No. 116? Are we all going to spend from $700 to $2000
with one of the big commercial companies to meet this order, or can we pool our
common interests and devise apparatus which will meet the requirement and save us
a lot of money?

"The power unit giving 100^ modulation which we added to £ur transmitter last summer
cost less than one-half as much when built in our own shop as the lowest figures we
received from commercial firms, and it is doing its work admirably, and is certainly
better constructed than some commercial jobs I have seen. Who has a good circuit
for a microphone amplifier using the new tubes? What tubes are being used as modu¬
lators and what results have been obtained? What is the best amplifier for use in
connection with a condenser microphone? These are some of the questions that all
of us are interested in. Why not send out a request for answer to these questions
and have our Association bear the expense of mimeographing the replies and sending
the copies to all members?"

NOTE: Many of us have discussed the possibility of a technical exchange for months.
There is no reason why such an exchange cannot be made a success. IT MEANS A VAST
SAVING TO YOUR STATION. WE NEED YOUR HELP. KINDLY GIVE US FIFTEEN MINUTES OF YOUR
TIME TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSITION SUBMITTED BY MR. JENSEN.

FROM MR. CARL MENZER* "This refers to your special bulletin of January 29th» As
you perhaps know station TSSUI has received orders to confine its broadcasting periods
to one of four plans submitted by the Commission. Such a schedule would disrupt our
semester’s work and we therefore objected to such an order. We have succeeded in
obtaining a continuance of our schedule until March 1st, the expiration date of our
present license, and meanwhile expect to do everything possible to obtain permission
to continue on that schedule.

"I am wondering whether the Association could bring any pressure to bear which would
relieve the situation which I understand is true in the case of other broadcasting
stations as well as our own."

NOTE* Is your station facing the same situation as the University of Iowa station,
WSUI? The suggestion above from Mr. Mender should stimulate discussion on your pert
as to what the Association can do to relieve the situation that confronts Iowa State
and other institutions at the present.

T. M, Beaird ? Executive Secretary
for Association