NBC Transmitter

NBC TRANSMITTER

VOL. 4 JANUARY, 1938 NO. 1

NEW MOBILE TELEVISION TOSCANINI 400 CHILDREN ATTEND UNIT COMES TO NBC XMAS PARTY RADIO CITY So far as scores of children of the NBC The first mobile television station in family circle are concerned, the biggest America rolled into Radio City December show of 1937 in Radio City was the NBC 12 and, in historic ceremonies heard by Christmas Party held in Studio 8-H on listeners to the Magic Key of RCA pro- Friday morning, December 24 last. gram, was presented to engineers of the Assisted by Madge Tucker’s juvenile National Broadcasting Company by the actors, Santa Claus, in the appropriately RCA Manufacturing Company. large person of “Jolly” Bill Steinke, pre- The new unit, consisting of two modern sented a short Xmas play which delighted motor vans containing television control about 400 children and almost as many apparatus and a micro-wave transmitter, grown-ups. Following the show, Santa will soon be used in experimental tele- Claus descended from the stage and pre- vision pick-ups of outdoor news events. sented each youngster with a present. NBC engineers will operate the unit in Many of the little boys and girls could connection with the present NBC tele- not wait to get home to open their pack- vision transmitter atop the Empire State ages; hardly had some of them Tower. received their presents when stickers and wrapping Televise News Events paper were torn hastily to see what NBC’s Delivery of the RCA Telemobile unit “The presentation of Signor Toscanini and Santa Claus had brought them. As a re- presages the most intensive activity in a superlative orchestra as its contribution to sult, the eighth floor was turned into a the history of American television. NBC the world on Christmas night was a high pinnacle for radio, and the National Broad- pretty sight of litters of brightly Colored contemplates the experimental televising casting Company is entitled to handsome wrappings and boxes, and jubilant chil- of outdoor sports, parades, scheduled appreciation for it. dren playing with their new toys. news events and other subjects. After be- “Musically, it was an event of the most ing relayed by micro-wave to the Empire obvious importance. The department special- ill State transmitter, the televised events will ists are appraising its technical merits and magnitudes in extra terms. But it also was a Have you any baby pictures? Send them to the be broadcast throughout the Metropolitan NBC Transmitter before January 22 milestone in the radio’s social development, and you might area to receivers in the hands of win an album of Toscanini Victor records. NBC because here a broadcasting network seized built engineers and those by radio ama- upon the thing it could do best and proceeded teurs. to do it in the finest and most dignified and most useful way.” The new mobile unit consists of two —Editorial in the N. Y. World-Telegram motor vans, each the size of a large bus, to be operated by a crew of ten engineers. One van contains complete pick-up apparatus, including cameras, for both picture and accompanying sound. A picture, or “video,” transmitter to operate on a frequency of 177,000 kilocycles is mounted in the other. A special directional antenna,

to be raised on the scene of operations, is used in connection with the mobile unit. In the Metropolitan area, where the steel framework of many skyscrapers impedes ultra-high frequency transmission, the

normal working range of the new unit is expected to be about twenty-five miles.

Pick-Up Equipment The van containing the pick-up equipment is the mobile equivalent of a com-

plete television studio. Apparatus in the NBC Pholo by Hausslcr van, all mounted in racks extending down America’s first mobile television station, to be used by NBC engineers in experimental pick-ups the center of the vehicle, include the syn- of outdoor news events, as they appeared December 12 on delivery to the National Broadcasting Company at Radio City. two large chronizing generators and rectifiers for The motor vans, latest development in RCA television, are connected by coaxial cable when in operation, and contain complete apparatus for picture supplying Iconoscope beam voltages, am- pick-up and transmission with accompanying sound. One, mounting the pick-up apparatus, pro- plifiers for blanking and deflecting poten- vides operating positions on the roof for Iconoscope cameras and special parabolic microphones. tials and line amplifiers. The principal The other, the transmitter, has a special “trolley” antenna which will be used to relay the ( Continued on Page 8) broadcasts to the experimental television transmitter atop the Empire State tower, New York City. 2 NBC TRANSMITTER WORLD'S SMALLEST STATION CHANGES HANDS WGY SCHENECTADY

The famous “coat- by Bob Wilbur pocket” transmitter, The “Parrot Audition” is taking its toll developed by NBC of patience on all sides at this station. engineers, has been Everyone has had something or other to added to the greatest do with catering to the feathered vocalists, collection of minia- and what was supposed to be a simple job ture objects in the has turned out to be more or less a prob- world. The transmit- lem. One parrot used up the entire after- ter has been pre- noon saying nothing, although just be- sented by 0. B. Han- fore his audition he would have given son, vice president Winchell a run for his money. Those who and chief engineer of take a hand at making Polly give, resort NBC, to Jules Char- to almost anything screeching, hair pull- bneau, owner of the — ing, and making faces. Up to date there museum of the world’s seems to be no way of making a parrot tiniest in everything talk if it doesn’t want to. you can imagine. NBC’s “coat-pocket” transmitter becomes a part of the greatest ill This midget micro- collection of miniature objects as O. B. Ilanson (left), NBC wave transmitter, Vice-President and Chief Engineer, presents the tiniest radio Christmas has come and gone, and the station in the world to Jules Charbneau, whose entire museum housed in a three-inch New Year now stands to be taken care of. of nearly 26,000 miniature objects can be carried in a trunk weighing special programs spon- cube and and a traveling bag. Seven Christmas less than a pound, sored by merchants in and out of the Capi- propagates a wave of one meter’s length, his collection at the Paris Exposition in tal district were placed on WGY. The or a frequency of 300,000,000 cycles. It 1900 and constantly tours the world ex- longest was a one-hour variety program, uses a tiny “acorn” tube developed by hibiting his priceless objects. The entire with the International Correspondence RCA and has a special dipole antenna. collection can be carried in a trunk and a Schools footing the bill. Gordie Randall The forerunner of NBC’s famous “beer traveling bag. and his Orchestra headlined the affair mug” transmitter, now frequently used in with John Sheehan MC-eeing. Jack Chap- the field, this midget has a power output man, baritone and John Sheehan, who of 1/10 watt, about 1/500 of an ordinary sings tenor, starred in the vocal end of electric lamp’s rating. things. NBC Encourages High i 1 i The transmitter, incidentally the largest On Thursday afternoon, December 30, item in Charbneau’s collection, was built School Radio Talent Bill Meenam’s Scissors and Paste brought by NBC’s engineers in their exploration to the microphone all the members of the of the possibilities of ultra high fre- Continuing its work toward encourag- WGY staff, to wish the audience a Happy quencies for radio relays of outside pro- ing creative efforts already accomplished New Year. The roster started with Mana- grams. In tests made in New York City, in the fields of symphonic and chamber ger Kolin Hager and included the engi- the transmitter was successful in sending music and children’s dramatic programs, neering, announcing, sales and auditing over a radius of about four miles. NBC is sponsoring jointly with Scholastic, staffs. Bill Meenam acted as master of the American high school weekly, the first The micro-wave unit was developed in ceremonies. nation-wide contest for the best fifteen- NBC’s research for a small transmitter 1 i i minute all-high-school-student produced that would enable foot-loose announcers The new studios are beginning to and planned broadcast. Teachers and really to wander at will among large assem- look like studios. In fact so progress radio or dramatic coaches may plan and much blages, such as political conventions, and has been made that workmen are put- direct the broadcasts, but only students now pick up parts of a program at different ting on the roof. All of the staff members may actually take part in the presentation. points without necessity of extending have been anxiously watching out of the Beginning with local eliminations, the microphone lines. It may be used in con- windows to note how much work is accom- winning school will be selected in each of nection with either a relay to shunt the plished each day. The construction has the four Time Zones (Eastern, Central, been pushed right along, so that workmen program on to the network or to feed a Mountain and Pacific Time). First place will have shelter from the snow and chill- public address system. winners in each of the four time zones will ing winds that are most certainly due dur- The tiny station is now part of a collec- participate in the grand national finals ing some part of the winter. tion that includes such items as a minia- which will be broadcast over an NBC i i 1 ture pipe organ made in France 150 years coast-to-coast network in May, 1938. ago, a script of 295 letters on a space the The holiday season has introduced once size of a needle point, 3,000 spoons in an Prizes, which will be awarded on the again the WGY staff quartet in programs acorn, a seed containing 33 carved ele- basis of originality, radio showmanship, of Christmas Carols. Loudspeakers were phants, and smallest camera, fountain pen human values and entertainment, will be placed in the center of Schenectady’s and radio receiver. Charbneau has re- four velocity microphones of the type used shopping district and their power was so cently added the tiniest cut diamond to his in NBC studios today. First prize will be a great that shoppers everywhere in the collection, but he is still waiting for some gold-finished microphone; second, silver- vicinity could hear the season’s music. The enterprising manufacturer to build him finished; third prize, bronze-finished; and quartet consisted of John Dandurand, first a workable automobile six inches long. He fourth prize, chromium-finished, all of tenor; Bob Wilbur, second tenor; Jack has the motor, one and a half inches long, which will be installed for future student Chapman, baritone and Chet Vedder, ready for installation. Charbneau began use. bass. . . —

JANUARY, 1938 3 NBC WASHINGTON

by Marian P. Gale

It's All in Fun

Congratulations go to Marge Brown, General A young Canadian, accused of assault and robbery, narrowly escaped a prison Manager Berkeley’s sec- term last month with the alibi that he was retary, and Announcer at home listening to Uncle Ezra’s program Bryson Rash for writing at the time of the crime. A script from producing the most and the files of NBC backed his story and amusing skits at the convinced the jury of his innocence. NBC Christmas party in 1 1 i the Wardman Park is Santa Claus?” Hotel on December 15 “Who said there no was the challenge of the pages and guides, last. ... Rash wrote the now famous “Procter who had to work on Xmas Day,—after pounds of candy, and Gamble” perform- they received several and fudge from genial ance in which the guest cookies, cake of the Personnel Office. of honor that evening, George Nelson Officers of NBC Washington told President Lohr what And to top it all off Charlie and Bob, President Lenox R. Lohr, they wanted for Xmas at the employes’ dinner held at caterers de-luxe, gave away free lunches was depicted shooting the Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D. C. L. to R. Room. himself in despair at the Kenneth H. Berkeley, general manager; Frank M. Russell, in the Locker vice-president; P. J. Hennessey, legal counsel; and end of the skit. Mr. Lohr Noel! Noel! John Dodge, commercial manager. These clever quad- ill seemed to get the biggest ruplets out-Bergened Bergen. Our sleuth informs us that Emil Corwin, kick out of the farce editor of the NBC News Service and also which rocked the house with laughter. dinner last year, the quartet felt quite an accomplished musician, quietly made Another stunt at the dinner had Gen- proud after singing a few popular num- his debut at the Metropolitan Opera eral Manager Berkeley paged during all bers (Editor’s note ... off key), and this House one Saturday evening last month. the courses by bellhops with fake mes- year they were summoned to the stage Our informant also added that Emil ren- sages from prominent personages. .. . Mr. ostensibly for the same thing. . . . Before dered a superb, though dumb, perform- Berkeley caught on after the first three .. the bosses knew it they had their heads ance as a supernumerary (equivalent to a though it’s rumored he was in on it all the through a curtain to which was attached spear-toter) in “Carmen.” Other stars in time. . .. The opening act on the evening’s their caricatures . . . their secretaries then the opera were Bruna Castagna and Rene program was conceived and written by pushed their own hands through the cur- Maison. Marge Brown; in fact, all the costumes tain to produce a very funny effect .. . 1 i i were made by Marge, too. lyrics from off stage came over the P. A. For the good of all those concerned— Vice President Russell, Mr. Berkeley, system, announcing for each executive listeners, candidates and campaign man- Attorney P. Hennessey and Sales Man- what he wanted for Christmas from J. agers — this column proposes that no ager John Dodge inadvertently put them- “Santa Claus” Lohr . . . the needs included citizen be allowed to run for a high gov- selves on the spot. ... At the employes a bigger budget, more vacation, more ernment office without first passing a rigid sales and better pro- radio audition.

grams. . . . i i i During a disloyal moment not long Fire Broadcast ago, Carl Cannon, mentor of the NBC Just how quickly NBC guide staff, sat in his room disconsolately Washington can mobilize listening to Station WINS. It was one of on a Sunday morning those bleak days just before pay day and was shown a few weeks Carl’s mind was beclouded with ugly dol- ago when fire was discov- lar signs. ered in a large shoe store But—wait! What’s this? The announcer shortly before noon ... a is offering a $5 prize to the winner of a little while later some- treasure hunt about to be announced. Carl time after 12:00 o’clock listens, goes to work, and speeds to the a general alarm was WINS studios burdened with a book by sounded when a large Shakespeare, a mouse-trap, a roller-skate business block was key, a straw hat, a square button, an un- threatened. At 1:35 paid light bill, and other doo-dads. But, At the Christmas dinner given by the employes of NBC WRC went on the air alas, another listener beats him to the five Washington, WRC and WMAL engineers showed the with a description of the spot. ?xxx! guests how they suffer in the master control room whenever they have to “pipe” the twenty seconds of Arlington time fire, right from the scene. “Wait a minute,” a man says as Carl

signals to the networks. The torture chamber pictured . . . Bud Barry did the starts to go, “you get second prize, any- above exploded at the end of the skit. Bob Terrell (left) announcing and the in- way.” And hands him a couple of tickets is shown turning to the impersonator of A. E. Johnson, terviews, including one to a movie. engineer in charge of WRC and WMAL, to whom the with a fireman who “It’s a frame-up,” cries ribbing was directed. Mr. Johnson was unable to attend was Carl—taking

because of illness. injured. . . the tickets. 4 NBC TRANSMITTER

Jere Baxter 3rd, has turned in his dent in charge of Station Relations. Mrs. guide’s blue uniform for a job in the Sales Kirk, who started in the Company as a NAMES IN Department. Jere joined NBC last sum- correspondent in Audience Mail, has been mer, shortly after he was graduated from with NBC over five years. Yale University with the Class of ’37S. THE NEWS i i i i i i Miss Caroline Herbert who joined Cen-

tral Stenographic Section last April is Ranald MacDougall, who not long ago now in the Local Sales Division. A grad- resigned from the staff of the Radio City NEW YORK uate of Mississippi State College, she was Music Hall in order to work in NBC’s associated with the TVA at Muscle Shoals, Duplicating Section in the daytime and Newcomers: Alabama, before coming to New York. write radio scripts at night, is now in the Michael Weightman-Smith, formerly Electrical Transcription Service Depart- i i i joined with Eva La Gallienne’s company, ment doing what he has long wanted to do Miss Lillian E. Holmlin who completes the Television Program Division as art —scriptwriting. her eleventh year with NBC next month had director December 15. He has much Two half-hour shows written by Scribe has been transferred from the Traffic De- as scenic designer in Holly- experience MacDougall during that period when he partment to the office of Chief Announcer York. wood, San Francisco and New Last was operating mimeograph machines “for Pat Kelly to replace Miss Margaret Swen- season he designed the sets and costumes a livelihood” have been produced by NBC. son. for Eva Gallienne’s production of La This makes Miss Holmlin’s first transfer i i i Hamlet. from one department to another during i i i Gilbert Ralston, who was promoted her entire period with NBC. Miss Swenson resigned from the Com- Edward Nordhoff Beck, a young man from the Guest Relations staff to a scriptwriter’s post in Electrical pany last month in order to join her family from the West Coast, has joined the Dupli- Transcription in Tacoma, Washington. cating Section as a mimeograph operator. Service last May, is now doing production Replacing Miss Holmlin in Traffic, is He has had some experience as a singer work in that department, in addition to Miss Mary Louise Fields, formerly of over KOMO, Red Network outlet in his writing assignments. Station Relations. Seattle. He also sang and accompanied ill himself on the piano in various programs ill Engagements: over other Seattle stations. Before coming Miss Alice Cook has been named secre- secretary The announcement of the engagement East, he was in San Francisco as tary to A. H. Morton, manager of Man- of Walter Wiebel of the Guest Relations to Alfred Hertz, formerly of the Metro- aged and Operated Stations, replacing school sweetheart, Miss politan Opera House and now a well- staff to his high Miss Virginia Latimer who has returned orchestras Virginia L. Figgatt, was made at an in- known conductor of symphohy to her former post in News and Special formal party in the home of his uncle in on the radio. Events. Miss Cook is well known to many Heights on Christmas Day. i i i Washington NBCites. During her two years with NBC, The young couple are well known to many she has worked in various departments. native Californian Lee Blanchard, a attended the Roosevelt High NBCites who Miss Hazel Wisseman, who held Miss graduate of the University of Ari- and a School in Yonkers at the time Walter and Latimer’s post in News and Special Events month. is now zona, joined NBC last He Virginia were there. music while she was in the Managed and Oper- acting as secretary to Walter Koons, has not yet The date of their wedding ated Stations Department, has been trans- editor. He has had some experience in the been announced. ferred to the Local Sales Division. brokerage business and, before coming to ill Radio City, he was associated with the 1 1 i American Telephone & Telegraph Com- Marriages: Miss Dorothy Michel has been trans- Virginia pany as secretary to an executive. Blue-eyed and blonde Miss ferred from Stenographic to Sales Traffic. Forsman of Stenographic was married to i i i i i i Charles Johnson of Bergenfield, N. J., No- vember 6. Following a honeymoon trip Miss Elizabeth Norton, formerly of Cen- Promotions: to Virginia and Washington, D. C., the tral Files, has been transferred to the Hubert Chain who joined the page staff newlyweds returned to their native state. Personnel Office to replace Miss Ellen in last October is now a continuity writer New Jersey, to make their residence in Stock who resigned to accept a position as Electrical Transcription Service. He is West New York. secretary to the Vice President and Gen- his well equipped for new post for he has The groom is with the Federal Reserve eral Manager of the Westinghouse X-Ray had many years of experience in the Bank in New York. Co., Inc., Long Island City. theatre and radio as a writer, actor, direc- ill i i i tor and teacher. Returns: Resignations: til Announcer Neel Enslen has recovered Miss Frances Kelly who became Mrs. from a serious illness which kept him in Mrs. Natalie B. Baker who joined the Edward J. Sheridan last summer (Trans- the hospital several weeks and returned to central Stenographic Section last Septem- mitter, July 15, 1937) resigned from the NBC in time to greet the New Year with ber has been named secretary to Lewis H. Promotion Division December 31. She the rest of us. Titterton, manager of the Script Division. plans to devote more time to her house- i i i She is filling the post vacated by Miss hold and to being Mrs. Sheridan.

Sally Austin who resigned from the Com- Transfers: Miss Shirley Metz from Stenographic is pany to go to Hawaii. Mrs. Baker is a Mrs. Barbara Kirk, formerly of Vice replacing Miss Kelly as secretary to W. B. graduate of Radcliffe College where she President Frank E. Mason’s office, is now Parsons. majored in Fine Arts. secretary to William S. Hedges, vice presi- (Continued on next page) JANUARY, 1938 5

George A. Lowther, who completed his Lindbergh, who recently arrived from Philip Sullivan, who has been studying tenth year with NBC last October, re- their home in England. radio engineering at the RCA Institute Ser- signed from Electrical Transcription i i i since April 1936 when he joined NBC as vice January 1 to form his own radio a page, received his first class radio tele- Henry Arian, until recently an NBC producing and scriptwriting firm. Mr. phone operator’s license December 22. guide, is in Europe doing newspaper work Lowther is the author of several serials on Phil also studied engineering at Johns in France and Spain. the networks, some of them being Terry Hopkins before coming to Radio City. / i i and The Pirates, Dick Tracy and Thatcher i i 1 Colt. Miss Charlotte Holden of Audience i i 1 Mail has the sympathy of her associates in George Engles, director of Artists Ser- the recent death of her father, George H. Office Changes: vice, who recently underwent an appen- Holden, former owner and publisher of Several NBC executives moved their dectomy, is recuperating at home and is The Surveyor and The Insurance Age. offices last month in order to bring them expected back in his Radio City office soon Mr. Holden was well known in the pub- closer to their respective departments and after this issue of the Transmitter comes lishing business as a writer of editorials activities. off the press. and special articles for insurance and William S. Hedges, vice-president in i i i financial journals. charge of Station Relations, has moved 1 i i Members of the Artists Service Depart- into Room 500; and Alfred H. Morton, ment in New York held their annual head of Managed and Operated Stations Miss Mildred Joy, formerly of our Gen- Christmas party at the Hawaiian Room of eral is and Lee B. Wailes have moved into Room Library, now working for the the Hotel Lexington on the evening of 606. National City Bank as a librarian. December 24. Reports are that it was a Clay Morgan, director of promotion, i i i very gay affair. Frank Murtha was, as in now has his office in Room 404, on the Charles Hawel of the Mail Room, who years past, the organizer of the party. same floor with and adjoining the Press is studying advertising at the School of and Promotion Divisions. Business and Civic Administration, was i i i recently awarded one of three prizes for ill George Olenslager, guide, and Mrs. the best advertising copy and layout in a Olenslager celebrated their first wed- contest conducted by the school. Miscellaneous: ding anniversary with a party given at As a result of auditions held last month ill their apartment on Twenty-Sixth Street, by Chief Announcer Pat Kelly, two stu- Robert Meachem, former NBC guide New York City, Wednesday evening, De- dents have been graduated from the an- who is now at Cornell University where he cember 29. A large number of guides and nouncing class to pushing buttons and is technical director of the University’s pages went to the party and several of the making station breaks and a new member Radio Guild, spent most of his Christmas boys entertained with vocal renditions has been added to the class. vacation in Radio City visiting his old while Peter Perrine thumped on the piano. David Adams and F. Colburn Pinkham, friends. Refreshments were served. Jr., both of the Guest Relations staff, are the apprentices and Raymond Feuerstein, also of G. R., is the new student in An- nouncer Dan Russell’s school for mike- BABY PICTURES WANTED men. i 1 i Pictures of NBC babies are wanted by the NBC Transmitter. Are there any babies in your family—whether they be your own children, a young brother George Engles, director of Artists Ser- or sister, or perhaps a niece or nephew? Take their pictures and send them to vice, assumed the role of Diogenes before the Editor. the holidays and went looking for honest Through the courtesy of RCA Manufacturing Company, Inc., the NBC stenographers among his staff. Each was Transmitter will award an album of Victor records* of Toscanini conducting asked, “Is your typewriter in good condi- the of York to the employe submitting tion, or do you feel that you need a new Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra New machine?” the best baby picture each month. Three NBC employes will be asked to pick the winning picture each month. Their judgment will be based on the popular Stenos who turned down the offer of a appeal, humor, interest and photographic quality of the picture. new typewriter were greeted, a few hours Only three Toscanini albums will be given away—one with each of the later, by a uniformed messenger who pre- next three issues of the Transmitter, so hurry and send us your baby pictures sented each one of them with an American NOW! Beauty rose with a tag: “To an honest READ THESE RULES CAREFULLY woman, from her boss.” 1. Do not send negatives. Send prints not smaller than 2^2 x 4". i 1 i 2. Give the name of the baby and its relation to you. Miss Enid Beaupre, of the Promotion 3. Give your name, department and NBC division. Division, was among the fifty-six members 4. Send your pictures for the February issue to the NBC Transmitter, of the Welsh Women’s Chorus of New Room 284, National Broadcasting Company, 30 Rockefeller Center, New York, York who sang in a surprise party for before January 22. Mrs. Dwight W. Morrow, mother-in-law of * The prize-winning photograph in the February issue of the NBC Trans- Col. Charles Lindbergh, at the Morrow mitter will receive a Victor album (M-308) of ff agnerian music as played by estate in Englewood, New Jersey, Satur- the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of New York with Arturo Toscanini day evening, December 18. Miss Beaupre conducting. says it was a very exciting experience for Future prizes will be Toscanini recordings of other composers. her and the other singers because among the guests at the party were Col. and Mrs. 6 NBC TRANSMITTER KOA DENVER by Charles Anderson KYW PHILADELPHIA

by J. A. Aull KOAgrams: It’s entirely too soon after Christmas to diamond shaped piece of sandpaper. And, Carl Wieninger, musical director, is en- attempt to write a column even if it should oh yes, in the center of the flower is a little titled to the office of “Master of Mystic get under the Transmitter deadline. crotcheted job that looks like Sargent’s Seven.” He’s the author of seven beautiful Almost everybody here at KYW is still mother’s headpiece. songs. On Saturdays past you have heard trying to get the white whiskers out of his ill several of the brain-children of this com- teeth. Jack Hammann, sales manager, poser played on the Golden Melodies pro- James Begley, program manager, con- started the ball rolling the early on day tinued the party idea through the gram. The titles go thus: Give Me Your day with before Christmas. To make sure that his a little entertainment Love Today, Sweetheart (That Do You for his staff that force would be on hand he threw a break- started and ended at two. All the announc- Say, Our Melody of Love, In My Little fast. It wasn’t a hunt breakfast. Not by ing shifts were therefore represented, with Flower Garden, The Song of My Soul, My about four hours. It was a jam and coffee A1 Watton and Jim Harvey Mother Father In-Law, and Hot Dog doing most of ( ) affair at 8 A. M. Much to his surprise News. the introductions. It was staged in Mr. “Butch” Beeuwkes, Marie Dixon, Marian Begley’s apartment so Mrs. Begley had Seven varieties, all good. Manuscript Anderson, Kathryn Ulman, Marian Smith, the pleasure of cleaning up. copies are available to NBC conductors on Agnes Everetts and Marie McDermot 1 i i written request to Carl Wieninger. showed up. Special menus were prepared This is a story about Ben, KYW’s gen- and followed out. Gifts were handed ial and brown bootblack, who hangs his 1 1 i around. Everybody had a good time and hat and coat in one of the studio store- wished everybody else a Merry Christmas. Betty Stulla has returned to the IGA rooms. The other morning, as usual, he Musical Menu program following several i i 1 stepped into the pitch-dark storeroom months’ retirement for a blessed event. and walked toward the accustomed peg. Before passing up Mr. Hammann, it is Bill Stulla is still smiling and ready to A pair of bright beady eyes stopped him well to put him on record as having started pass a second round of cigars. as he headed for the peg for which he another It’s contest. another seasonal story was groping. A throaty voice croaked, it all his i 1 1 and came about because Aunt “Hello!” And Ben, pale as a sheet, Tilly in sent for Dubuque him a whatzit streaked out of that room as fast as light- coincidental happi- Scenes of joy and Christmas. Hammann didn’t know what it ning, headed for the elevators and the the Annual Xmas ness were re-enacted at was. Neither did his secretary, Marie wide open spaces. Those who saw him say Audition. The en- Dixon. else Party held in Client’s And nobody has been able to it looked like the Reading’s streamlined tire staff was present. Mr. and Mrs. A. E. give him the answer. As a result, he is train whizzing by. Pittsburgh for the holi- offering a prize to Nelson, back from anyone who can tell At any rate, Ben returned in time to days, were also present. Santa brought him what the whatzit is—or is not. The see an attendant take a talkative parrot everyone a very fine gold pencil equipped gadget in question is a large sunflower from the storeroom. It had been put there with a lighter. The climax was the draw- about eight inches in diameter, made of earlier in the day to await an audition for included oilcloth, ing for special prizes which painted a gaudy red and green, NBC’s parrot broadcast which was re- waffle irons, just plain irons, clocks, mir- with a long oilcloth tail terminating in a cently postponed to a later date. rors, foodstuffs, billfolds, etc., contributed by KOA sponsors.

1 1 i

Vicki Vola, KPO-NBC dramatic star dropped in to say hello to old friends. Denver’s her home town and she’s spending the Xmas holidays with parents.

i i 1

Announcer Robert

Harris, Sr., is now the proud father of a husky son. Cigars and candy? -—Yes sir! And KOA folks endowed the young man with a bag of gold which was deposited in the bank under his name,

Robert Harris, Jr. JANUARY, 1938 7

GUPPIES IN FIDDLES WHO'S WHO IN THE NBC NETWORKS John F. Royal, vice president in charge

of programs, said, “I think this is the fun-

Newcomers to time he won the Seattle Post Intelli- niest report I have ever received.” We also radio could get gencer's contest for the most popular think it’s a riot so we’re reprinting it be- more than a few radio artist in the Northwest. low. This memo was sent by a staff musician to Carney, pointers from In 1930 he left Seattle to join KYA in Ken program manager of NBC’s newly ap- San Francisco as production manager. In NBC San Francisco. pointed Western with a full knowledge of radio, and 1931, TO: Mr. Ken Carney Division Sales with an acquaintance of practically every- Manager, Sydney body in the industry, Mr. Dixon joined FROM: Tony Freeman Dixon. NBC as manager of local sales in the Re: Bass Fiddle Shelf Mr. Dixon, like Golden Gate City. a lot of other NBC When the need of a sales office for NBC Sydney Dixon Dear Mr. Carney: veterans, has a in Hollywood became apparent, Mr. radio experience, wealth of early day Dixon was transferred to the Film Capital May I respectfully direct your atten- of broadcast- which takes in every phase where he later became assistant sales tion to a deplorable condition that exists selling bedtime ing from producing and manager of the Western Division. in the bass fiddle shelf behind “C” studio. story programs to operating a nemo booth. Recently when Harry Anderson re- I realize that this matter lies without the Born in Muskegon, Michigan, May 14, signed to accept a position with the Hono- province of your department, but I rely 1899, Mr. Dixon was four when his family lulu Advertiser, owners of KGU, Don E. upon your sense of direction to forward moved to Seattle, Washington. His educa- Gilman, vice president in charge of the it where it might do some good. tion in Seattle public schools was broken Western Division, appointed Mr. Dixon The shelf in question is located in front for a year in 1918 when he joined the sales manager. of a window which supplies what we Army. Later he attended the University of Mr. Dixon is married to a well-known jocosely call the “air” to “C” studio. The Washington. pianist, the former Guinevere Borgford, window must be left open in order to pre- Possessor of a fine tenor voice, he whom he has known since she was four. serve life in the studio, but the unhappy studied for two summers at the Myers They have two chubby sons, Laurence, result is that all of the fog that blows in School of Voice in New York. To pay for three years old and John, seven months, condenses on the bass fiddles and soaks his tuition he delivered ice to fashionable who each day show indications of catch- them so thoroughly that I hardly know homes around Central Park and Riverside ing up with their dad, who admits weigh- when to use a bow or a blotter. Drive. One of the homes he serviced is ing 230 pounds. now occupied by John F. Royal, NBC vice Mr. Dixon is a member of the board of The effect on the tone is disastrous. My president in charge of programs. directors of the L. A. Advertising Club, poor fiddles, which once had the sonority After he finished school, he turned to and chairman of the Ways and Means of a cathedral organ, now sound like a radio as a singer. Listeners took to his Committee of the PCAA, for the conven- row of carelessly tuned lamb kidneys voice, and in between public appearances, tion to be held in Los Angeles in 1938. played with ping pong paddles. sang which included a tour of Canada, he A member of the Delta Tau Delta Fra- Furthermore, the excessive moisture every station in the West. over well-known ternity and the Phi Mu Alpha national causes the instruments to come apart. I As staff tenor, sports announcer, program fine arts honorary society, Mr. Dixon also have already taken two bull fiddles home and sales manager, he worked for several belongs to the San Francisco Bohemian in a pillow case and have slight hope for Seattle stations, including KOMO. At that Club. a third.

I shouldn’t trouble you about this affair Mail Room Clerk Wins NBC Flying Club were it not for the fact that I am running Prize for Program Idea Being Organized ut of bass fiddles. Many fertile brains in the Guest Rela- Under separate cover I am forwarding A number of NBC employes in Radio tions and Mail—Messenger staffs of the two guppies and a sprig of Wandering City interested in aviation have started a New York Division awaited the announce- Jew that I found growing in my Stradi- movement ment, a few days before Christmas, of the to organize an NBC Flying varius the last time I used it. Club for the winner of John F. Royal’s prize of twenty- purpose of obtaining flying A panel of plywood fitted along the side five dollars for the best idea for an NBC instruction and facilities for its members. of the bass fiddle shelf would render it sustaining program. Finally, it was an- more wholesome for the fiddles, besides It is felt that if twelve or more people nounced on December 17 that a member contributing to the privacy and snugness join the club it will be possible for the of the Mail Room, Richard M. Foulk, was of the people who sleep there when the club to purchase its own airplane. But awarded the prize-money for his program basses don’t. idea entitled, “Youth Answers Age.” until the time comes when the club is suf- Yours respectfully, The winner, a tall handsome fellow, sug- ficiently solvent to buy and maintain its gested a program for young men and own ship the plan is to hire one which can Tony Freeman. women in which they may answer “accusa- be done more inexpensively by a group of cc to F. D. Roosevelt tions of the older generation that the people rather than by individuals. Lenox R. Lohr youth of the country today is lacking in NBCites who would be interested in ambition, industry and progressiveness.” John F. Royal Mr. Foulk suggests that young people forming an NBC Flying Club are re- from different parts of the country be quested to communicate with Paul Burton 1 1 T brought before an NBC microphone to of the air-conditioning staff or the NBC Have you any baby pictures? Send them to the NBC Transmitter before January 22 and you discuss their problems informally. Transmitter, might win an album oi Toscanini Victor records. )

8 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC TRANSMITTER Published for and by the employes of the National Broadcasting Company from coast to coast.

VOL. 4 JANUARY, 1938 No. 1 EDITORIAL BOARD DOM DAVIS Editor CARL CANNON Associate Editor RODERICK MITCHELL Features CHARLES VAN BERGEN Photographs

N. Y. CONTRIBUTORS ALBERT RORABACK Guest Relations

SPENCER McNARY' ..Artists Service \IILLIAM EDDY Engineering RICHARD W. PICKARD Engineering ROBERT WALDROP Announcing

Address all correspondence to: NBC TRANSMITTER Room 284, RCA Bldg., New York Circle 7-8300, Ext. 220

MOBILE TELEVISION UNIT FOR NBC

( Continued from Page 1

sound apparatus consists of microphone ..amplifiers and sound mixing panels.

The control room is also located in this van. Here, in semi-darkness, engineers are

enabled to see the picture as it is actually being transmitted, and also the image being picked up by the second Iconoscope camera preparatory to transmission. Con- trol engineers may switch at will from one camera to the other. Two Iconoscope cameras, connected with this vehicle by several hundred feet of coaxial cable, are the instruments which pick up the scene being televised. Mounted on tripods, they resemble standard studio cameras, except that they are somewhat smaller and lighter in weight. Engineers “Listen, Toots! All you got to do is Act Cold and Lonesome.” check camera focus by looking directly onto the photosensitive plate in the Icono- scope or “electric eye.” In studio cameras Stations Receive NBC Teletypers Terrorize focus is checked through a separate set of Transcription Gift Terrific Traffic Team lenses. Among the microphones used in sound pick-up are several parabolic micro- A recording of Shakespeare’s The Tam- Members of the New York Traffic De- partment recently formed two bowling phones developed in the NBC laboratories. ing of the Shrew was NBC’s Christmas it City gift to over two broad- teams and had out at the Radio Transmitter Van each of hundred “Ter- casting stations that subscribe to recorded Bowling Academy. The self-styled The second van. connected to the first programs produced by the Electrical rific Traffic” team took a terrific shellack- cable, when in oper- by 500 feet of coaxial Tele- Transcription Service of NBC. ing in the hands of the Bowling ation, contains a complete micro-wave re- graphers. The scores, all in favor of the lay transmitter. The principal apparatus The program, which was recorded on teletypists, were: 725-640, 833-739 and here is the radio frequency unit, genera- four large discs, was a full hour in length 724-618. ting the carrier wave for picture signals, and was one of the most elaborate trans- Here is the line up: and modulating apparatus for imposing criptions produced by the Electrical picture signals on this carrier.- Because of BOWLING TELEGRAPHERS: L. A. Transcription Service. The play, with the great amount of heat generated by Zangaro, A1 Schneider, J. S. La Touche, some of the large vacuum tubes used in eleven in the cast, was directed by Reg- Charles A. Kelly, H. A. Purse. television, this vehicle contains an air- inald E. Thomas, assisted by Gilbert TERRIFIC TRAFFIC: Steere Mathew, conditioning unit and a water cooler to Ralston who adapted the text for the Russell Strebel, B. F. McClancy, Joe maintain tubes at operating temperatures. microphone. Sauer, E. B. Lyford. JANUARY, 1938 9 DEMONSTRATION REVEALS PROGRESS IN TELEVISION NBC CHICAGO PROGRAMMING by William E. Lawrence _

of the Junior Nurse Corps, Tom Mix and One of the most ambitious productions Kriss Kringle's Party Ranch Boys shows. All these, in full cos- by the Television Program Division was The children’s Christmas party, which tume, provided an added thrill for the broadcast during a very successful dem- was held in studio “A” after considerable kiddies. onstration on Friday afternoon, December noise from the barkers stationed in all Music for the show was provided by 17. The demonstration featured a tele- parts of the studios and offices, was a Harry Kogen’s Orchestra. vision adaptation by John Gihon of the huge success. Equipped with cowbells, story by Robert Wallsten, “When They booming voices and other noise makers, i i i Play A Waltz.” The play which, for tele- the barkers were portrayed by Chicago Here and There vision, had an unusually large cast of Actors Bill Thompson, Harold Peary, Announcer Don Dowd took his wife and twenty-three, was directed by Thomas H. Murray Forbes and A1 Halus. three-year-old son on a holiday visit to Hutchinson, head of the Television Pro- The most important man in the Yule- his folks in Philadelphia by plane. It gram Division. tide show was that merry old gentleman, was his first trip in the air and it proved Kriss Kringle, whose ample suit and phil- Although only one set was used for the an occasion he’ll never forget as the plane anthropic character was excellently filled entire show, it was a painstaking produc- was grounded twice due to heavy fogs. by Chief Announcer Everett Mitchell. Al- tion, Director Hutchinson explained, be- ill in place, understand, he cause the range of the Iconoscope camera though one we came very near saying, “It’s a beau-tiful Vera Maher, secretary to Night Man- is limited and the stage was only twenty- in Chicago” he hoaxed all the chil- ager Cunningham, is recovering from two by eighteen feet. The story was un- day what thought at first dren, including his two little girls. was to be a fatal folded on this tiny stage whose setting own accident. Besides the gifts from Santa’s proverbial Returning from a visit to Joliet, was that of a night club showing the or- of toys, there her car was sideswiped by a ten-ton truck. chestra, a floor show, the patrons at their bag candy and was a puppet circus She fractured her jaw and lost several tables or dancing on the floor, and waiters, show, a complete with trained dogs, giraffes, teeth and received bad facial lacerations. bustling back and forth. monkeys, horses and several clowns. The old gentleman’s gift to ill Two television cameras, mounted on the adults was a howling satire by the Mul Wood, chief the wheels, were used to take closeups, long soundman, left cast of Kaltenmeyer’s Kindergarten on Company to go to shots and scenes from various angles. Jam Handy Pictures as the members of the Chicago staff. It was production director. Thus, interest and movement was added Thomas Horan is re- enjoyed by everyone. placing him. Bob Graham, former sound to the single setting by “shooting” it from Ransom Sherman, of Club Matinee effects man at in various different angles. WSUI Iowa City, Iowa, fame, was master of ceremonies of the has been added to the staff. The floor show in the story presented show which was aired for five minutes. Laura Suarez, popular Brazilian song- 114 Among some of the other artists who stress and actress, who recently was heard Every member oi NBC is a reporter of his donated their services were the entire cast newsmagazine—NBC Transmitter. on the RCA Magic Key program, a vocal duet, and two girls who tap-danced and did the Big Apple.

The sets were done by Michael Wight- man-Smith, NBC art director for television. Those who watched the demonstration as it was received in Radio City with RCA television sets tuned to the NBC experimental television transmitter atop the Empire State Building on Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street remarked on the marked improvement in the clarity of the pictures and the elaborateness of the production. ill

Did you know that the programs handed out to the 1400 people who are lucky enough to get tickets to the NBC Sym- phony concerts conducted by Toscanini are rattle-proof? The programs are printed on thin blotting paper except the ones used on Christmas night when the Photo by Richard Pickard programs were printed on rayon cloth. Televising a night club scene enacted for the television camera and microphone in the NBC television studio in Radio City. In this demonstration, a cast of twenty-three portrayed complete > ill scenes, simultaneously showing an orchestra, patrons dancing and dining, waiters scuttling back and forth. Televiewers of this experiment noticed the increased scope of the television camera. You can win an album ot Toscanini Victor Iconoscope, records by sending your baby pictures to the and clarity of details. Televiewers did not see the microphone suspended on a boom NBC Transmitter, as shown in this picture. 10 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC SAN FRANCISCO by Louise Landis

Larry Allen gram stretches are now spent in front of manufacturing thunderbolts and wagon News Producer Lee Strahorn’s office. wheel noises, and Don Fleming also has You just can’t keep Larry Allen quies- Frank Barton got so inter- joined the sound department. cent. The former manager of the NBC Announcer ested he thought he’d see what was the Artists Service in San Francisco joined i i i the machine sent out in the Sales Department when Artists Service first message Also new to San Francisco but not to the morning ... he rose early, got to the was discontinued .. . and had hardly radio is Jack Lyman, who has joined the while only the night watchman started on a sales talk to a client when studio Production Division. His career has in- waited expectantly by the Consolidated Radio Artists was ex- was around, and cluded a term as an airline pilot and, silent for the first click to tended to northern California. the machine more recently, responsibility for broad- of the day’s business By arrangement with Charles Green, herald the approach casts from world fairs in Texas and San national head of CRA, Larry became San in news. Diego. to watch the initial item Francisco manager of Consolidated on He leaned over i i i of the morning type itself out. It read like January 1, and is back at his old work And not new to NBC, but to the Con- this: “The quick brown fox jumped over arranging contracts for radio artists and tinuity Department is the dainty little the lazy dog’s back.” bands to be used in broadcasting and figure of Jeanette Spiegelman, smallest public appearance. ill writer on the NBC staff, who now supplies i 1 1 Personnel Changes continuity for the Beaux Arts trio and other musical offerings. Jeannette is a Merry-Making Elvina Jensen, formerly secretary to San pianist whose talent far outruns her size, The NBC staff, busy as it was with Francisco Manager Lloyd E. Yoder when as her colleagues learned when she ap- Christmas programs, found time for a he was Western Division Press head, has peared on the broadcast presented by little merry-making on the side a few resumed that post, and Edwarda Pickett office staff members a year or two ago. days before Christmas. More than a hun- formerly of sales promotion, has joined She formerly was in the Music Rights of the boys and girls gathered to the Press Department as secretary to its dred Department. eat sandwiches, drink punch and trip a new chief, Milton Samuel. i i i measure or two to the strains of music i i i piped from the studios by the resourceful Kennedy's Paraphernalia Two popular girls said goodbye to NBC Engineering Department. Engineer Dave Kennedy and Mrs. when they started the New \ear — Ger- And speaking of resourceful, John move so often that their friends trude Moore, who probably will be in Kennedy

Ribbe deserves a flock of encomiums and are beginning to wonder ... but the Honolulu when this appears, and Lois congratulations for getting up the party, is simple. Dave doesn’t wait for his Lavers, who has gone to Los Angeles to secret shouldering the whole responsibility and day off to plunge into more technical radio join the staff of Lord and Thomas. Ger- stick - all in even making the assessment — work (his hobby) : he does it every night. trude had been with the sales department that characteristic quiet Ribbe style. He As he collects more and more equipment for almost long enough to merit an anni- and Nell Cleary, who handled the cater- more space. only versary chime, and she’ll be missed, as he needs more and Not ing details and Lillian Bain, who formed the usual “ham” operator transmitter and will be Lois. Jessie Babin, of Sales, re- a one-woman receiving line and saw that receiving sets are included in his collec- places Gertrude as secretary to Sales everyone got served, were largely respons- Manager William B. Ryan, and Helen tion but complete home-recording equip- ible for one of the pleasantest get- ment with latest type microphone and Bartlett of Press, has moved into Lois’s togethers NBC has had. everything. post as secretary to Production Manager ill Frank Cope. i i i Jackpot ill Phooey on Santa Claus Dorothy Dumerais, formerly secretary Things are getting better every day: Dee Waller of Program Traffic got to the Woman's Magazine of the Air staff, big Bill Ryan, sales manager, picked the tangled up in one of those holiday auto takes Jessie’s place in Sales, and black- winning ticket at the San Francisco Ad accidents, was thrown clear from the car eyed Sally Parr, lady-Nimrod formerly of Club’s annual luncheon for the second and landed on some bushes that broke her the Typing Department, joins the pub- year in succession . . . took home a hand- fall, leaving her uninjured except for a licity-seekers in Press, while Betty Milli- some electric clock. . . . Last year it was few bruises. gan takes her place in typing. a radio. ... Glen Ticer helped to uphold Dee was just beginning to congratulate i i i the NBC luck by pulling second prize, a herself when, on Christmas Day, some Wallace Ruggles who has been a mem- ten dollar merchandise order . .. and San suspicious swellings appeared. Seems the a radio Francisco Manager Lloyd Yoder proved ber of Sound Effects, became bushes were poison oak and Dee says that 1 when he joined Lee that luck runs in his family ... he won news-man January no matter what anybody tells her, she Strahorn in the new broadcast depart- an order for an expensive hat at a Rotary KNOWS there isn’t any Santa Claus! collected ment, where he will assist Strahorn in the Club luncheon, and Mrs. Yoder i 1 i a silk umbrella order. preparation of stories for Berton Bennett over the ether Baby Pictures Wanted ill and Hal Gibney to deliver several times a day . . . including the Pictures of babies of the NBC family Barton's News Item witching hour of 7:45 a.m., meaning the circle in San Francisco are wanted for Announcers at NBC are like kids with news writer has to be on the job with the publication in the NBC Transmitter. new toys since the installation of the busy teletype machine by 5:30. Read the notice on page five and send International News Service teletype ma- Debonair Keith Wadsworth, formerly your pictures to the Transmitter before chine battery. Those dull, between-proof the mail room, took Wally’s job of January 22. JANUARY, 1938 11 NEW EMERGENCY POWER FARM BUREAU PAYS TRIBUTE TO NBC KDKA STUDIOS PLANT FOR Chicago. A new emergency unit has been in- The American replace stalled in the KDKA studios to Farm Bureau Federa- the old battery supply and the motor- tion at its recent con- generator set that was operated from a vention in Chicago truck when Pittsburgh’s power plants paid tribute to the Na- broke down during the flood in March tional Broadcasting 1936. A spare telephone cable from the studios to the Grant exchange has also Company for its rec- been installed. ord of service to agri- The unit consists of a four-cylinder, culture. Among the 25-horsepower Diesel engine, driving a 10 resolutions adopted KVA, 110-220-volt generator which is by the delegates at capable of furnishing sufficient power to the nineteenth annual light 100 100-watt lamps. It will supply convention is the fol- enough power to run the control room, lowing: the air-conditioning fans, and sufficient lights to eliminate the necessity of can- “We especially dles and lanterns. It will be fully auto- commend the Na- matic and will begin to function instantly tional Broadcasting if and when the regular power from the Company for its ten Those who plan the National Farm and Home Hour are, left to city plants fail. right: Lloyd Harris, director; William E. Drips, director of agri- years of service to In the past KDKA has had to rely in culture; Walter Blaufuss, orchestra conductor; Everett Mitchell, agriculture and to the emergencies on a storage battery supply master of ceremonies. membership of the of electricity, later augmented by a motor- American Farm Bureau Federation in The National Farm and Home Hour is generator set operated from a truck. This carrying the messages of organized agri- broadcast from the NBC studios in Chi- system was adequate to handle broadcast- listeners of the National cago daily except Sundays from 12:30 to ing for one week but it could not be used culture to the to operate the lights and air-conditioning Farm and Home Hour from coast to 1:30 P.M., E.S.T., on the NBC-Blue Net- equipment. coast.” work.

WTAM CLEVELAND: by Bob Dailey

Pribble's Third Year enacted by Stubby Gordon, John Disbrow, Florida on his annual trek. ... Announcer Charlie Avellone, and Bob Swan, the George Hartrick with a bad case of larin- The entire WTAM comedians of the staff. gytis. ... Bob Collins joining the WTAM staff—72 engineers, staff . . . and Helen Forsythe, typist, back announcers, produc- Although a committee was in charge of to work after a long illness. tion men, musicians, the party arrangements, Auditor Pearl office workers and Hummell deserved much of the credit for i i i executives — gath- making the affair a distinct success. Newcomer ered together in a 1 i 1 Ranee Valentine has joined WTAM as local hotel Decem- an announcer, taking the place of Bob ber 20 to honor Ver- Manning Recovers Arthur. Valentine is an experienced an- non H. Pribble, sta- One of WTAM’s leading personalities, nouncer, writer and baritone, having spent tion manager, on his Tom Manning, spent an uncomfortable eight years in radio work on the east and third anniversary V. H. PliIBBLE week in a local hospital with a double west coasts. He was author of The Shadow with WTAM. mastoid. The staff and his friends were mystery series heard on the networks. Following dinner, Mr. Pribble was a greatly concerned over his illness and ill with complete set of golf clubs presented a to see him recover with that were happy "Joe Peno" Returns from the staff. Walter Logan, WTAM determination usually shown by those musical director, and Tom Manning, who born with red hair. While Manning was Another name on the sick list was that made his first appearance after a serious announcer, ill, his daily sports broadcast was handled of Waldo Pooler, director and illness, shared honors as toastmaster. by your correspondent. who suffered a heart attack at the station. A sheepskin scroll containing a tribute He spent a week in a local hospital and i i i to Mr. Pribble and signed by every mem- then returned to his home in the East for ber of the staff was presented to the sta- Sight-Seeing a rest before resuming his work. tion manager by Hal Metzger, program Pooler is author of the Northern Lights Edith Wheeler, program secretary, be- director. It was fashioned and lettered by network program and is known in the ing bitten by one of her two Scotties and Salesman Russell Carter, the artist of United States and Canada as “Joe Peno,” wearing a bandage on the injured finger. the staff. the French-Canadian comedian. . .. Derek Caplane having chili sauce i -t 1 One of the highlights of the party was spilled all over a new suit by a waitress. Pictures ol NBC babies are wanted by the NBC a series of blackout sketches written and .., Bob Oatley, music librarian, off to Transmitter. See notice on page S. 12 NBC TRANSMITTER

The NBC Transmitter salutes these pleasing dark eyes and hair is in charge Isabella Hurst members the National Broadcasting of and booking talent for of managing NBC Ten years as sec- Company who, this month, complete their sustaining programs. retary to Roy C. tenth year continuous of service with the Mr. Sax, a native New Yorker, says Witmer, vice presi- Company. that one of his most memorable experi- dent in charge of ences in NBC was the time he was picked sales, has been the Rudolph J. Teichner from a group of auditioned dialecticians eventful career of NBC’s assistant to give the Greek interpretation of that Miss Isabella Hurst treasurer, Rudolph famous song, The Music Goes Round and in the National

J. Teichner, cele- Round, in an international roundelay with Broadcasting Com- brates the comple- Paul Whiteman’s orchestra. pany. To work with

tion of his tenth year i i 1 him and to have with the Company seen him rise from Isabella Hurst Margaret O'Connor this month. Mr. salesman to vice Teichner started his One of the busiest women in NBC is president is an opportunity she says she career in NBC as an Miss Margaret O’Connor, diminutive wouldn’t exchange for another in the accountant in the blonde secretary of one of NBC’s busiest Company. Treasurer’s Office. executives, John F. Royal, vice-president Miss Hurst has seen the Sales Depart- He became assistant in charge of programs. She likes activity ment grow from a department of fourteen R. J. Teichner treasurer in 1932. and lots of excitement; that is the reason people (including Sales Promotion which Equipped with a degree from New York she joined NBC ten years ago after resign- is now a part of the Publicity Depart- its of University where he majored in Finance, ing from the Disaster Service Division of ment) to what it is today with staff Mr. Teichner worked as an accountant in the American Red Cross which, for Miss fifty employes. Armour and Company, New York, before O’Connor, was not sufficiently exciting. “When I first joined Sales, at the old years entering the field of radio. Previous to her Fifth Avenue headquarters ten ago,” said Miss Hurst, “things weren’t as well That Mr. Teichner is a bachelor is re- experience with the organized as they are today. Everybody vealed by the twinkle in his eye, the Red Cross she stud- did everyone else’s work, it seems. It sparkle of his humor and the lightness of ied law and acted was hectic. And I can even remember his step. And speaking of lightness of on the radio. Short- when some of us girls used to do our bit step, NBCettes who have had the pleasure ly after she joined as ‘extras’ on some programs. Many a time of dancing with the Assistant Treasurer NBC as secretary to have I jarred the microphone with a lusty will vouch for it. a musical director, scream for the usual five dollars.” He is interested in many sports but she gained national Young, charming and business-like, golf and bowling are his favorite pastimes. com- fame when a Miss Hurst has no time for hobbies but Last Spring NBC employes elected him mittee composed of Margaret O’Connor she does spend much time keeping house vice president of their Athletic Associa- F. Scott Fitzgerald, in a New York City apartment where she tion. John Barrymore and Cornelius Vander- and her husband live. It also has been reported through de- bilt, Jr., proclaimed her as “America’s 1 i 1 vious and not wholly reliable channels most beautiful young mother” in a nation- Robert Close that Mr. Teichner is also a musician of wide contest. A picture of her and her son, With seventeen years of experience as sorts, who if urged sufficiently, will play Jimmy, appeared in magazines and news- marine engineer Robert Close joined the the violin. As this issue goes to press the papers. Rudy Vallee saw her and invited staff of the air conditioning plant of NBC NBC Transmitter has not been able to her to appear with him in a movie-short when its headquarters were still at 711 ascertain the extent of his violin-playing called, “Campus Sweethearts.” Fifth Avenue. He was chief engineer of as compared with Jack Benny. It is no wonder that When Miss O’Con- several United Fruit Company boats for

1 i i nor also was recognized as a thoroughly eleven years; and it was then that he efficient secretary she was appropriately George Sax learned a great deal about air-condition- described as being a “blend of business ing on those air- Ten years ago, at acumen and constructive artistic tempera- cooled and refriger- the age of sixteen, ment.” ated fruit -bearing George Sax got tired Thousands of programs have flowed out ships that took him of school, chucked of the NBC Program Department since to almost every port his books, and went Miss O’Connor became secretary to Vice- in South and Cen- to work for NBC as President Royal in 1931 but she is still v tral America. a page. A year later as enthusiastic as she was when she first he was transferred got the job. Today he is the to Artists Service to Outside of NBC Miss O’Connor’s chief supervisor of the work with John interests are her home, her thirteen-year- NBC air-condition- Babb, talent sales- old son, Jimmy O’Connor, and her hus- ing plant in Radio man. Today, this band, William McCaffrey, who was for- City. Robert Close young man with Georce Sax merly with NBC Artists Service. (Continued on next page) JANUARY, 1938 13

Though he still loves the sea, Mr. Close From grammar school he went to the Louise Szombathy is now a happy landlubber with a small Marconi Institute where he studied for When we went to suburban home in Jersey where he seven months New before going to sea as a the Audience Mail lives with his wife and daughter, Mar- radio operator. Later, in he 1920, joined Section to interview garet, seventeen. the Independent Telegraph Company as Miss Louise Szom- 111 an operator of one of the shore stations. bathy, who has been When this company was Edwin Whitney merged with RCA in that section dur- on January 1928, Mr. Hahn decided to It was back in 1, ing her entire dec- join the then young National Broadcast- 1924 that Ed Whit- ade with NBC, we ing Company. This he did at the ney, now an NBC old NBC found a very busy headquarters on Fifth Avenue on January director, first faced woman surrounded 11, 1928. a microphone at the by about thirty-five His first three years with the Company studios of WEAF, other women who Louise Szombathy were devoted to studio work and in De- 195 Broadway, were opening, sort- cember, 1930, he was appointed to the which later became ing, counting and reading bagfuls of mail Master Control crew. a member of the Na- that seemed to flow incessantly from the tional Broadcasting ill Mail Room next door. More than a dozen Company. His debut Jennings Pierce girls, Miss Szombathy explained, had been Edwin Whitney over the air was Although he cele- temporarily employed in December to brought about by brates his tenth an- assist in the handling of the terrific re- Director Jimmie Haupt who had known niversary with NBC sponse to an offer of a golden wish-bone Mr. Whitney in days spent together at this month, Jennings shaped pin made by the sponsors of the Chautaugua and who urged him to play a Pierce, Director of popular NBC serial, Just Plain Bill. part in the old Scott’s Emulsion “Vikings” Agriculture of the There, in Audience Mail, Miss Szom- program. Western Division, bathy has felt the pulse of NBC’s enor-

This engagement was short - lived has been well-known mous listening audience for ten years. Her though, and Ed Whitney went back to the to western radio lis- duties are varied; making up Audience stage — the stage whose boards he had teners for more than Mail reports and taking charge of execu- already trod for twenty-four years. For a decade. tive orders being some of them. ten of those twenty-four years he and three He was associated Jennings Pierce Miss Szombathy, a native New Yorker, of his four brothers toured the Chautau- with KGO for sev- lives up in the Bronx. Her hobbies are qua circuit as a quartet, and the other eral years before that station became an dancing, swimming and reading. That she fourteen were spent doing monologue NBC network outlet in San Francisco. At likes her work, and her boss, Miss Ade- presentation of plays. KGO, Mr. Pierce did everything; he an- laide Piana, and that the radio industry In brief, here is a career to look at: the nounced, sang, directed programs and has always held her interest are Miss son of a Methodist minister and a native performed whatever other job was thrust Szombathy’s reasons for her long and of Palmer Center, N. Y., Ed Whitney has upon him by the exigencies of those early loyal service to the Company. been, besides singer and actor for twenty- days in the industry. ill five years, a cowboy, a soldier in the He joined NBC shortly after the organi- Herman Rolff Spanish-American Division, acted War, a director of his zation of the Western and When Herman Rolff joined the Music own School of Platform Art in Boston, as chief announcer until his promotion to and Division of NBC on January 9, 1928, he since January Director 12, 1928, a member of the his present post. As Agricultural brought with him the fruits of twenty-five production staff of personally NBC, New York. he produces and appears on years of service as the buyer of outside During his ten Agricul- years with us Mr. Whit- the United States Department of publications for G. Shermer, leading ney has directed many prominent NBC ture program the Agricultural Bulletin music publisher. This experience proved productions most noteworthy presented every weekday noon, working of which is of great value to NBC when Mr. Rolff the popular Death large staff of government experts Valley Days now in its with a was put on the job of building up the eighth year. til representing the various phases of the De- Music Library. partment of Agriculture’s work which thus Known as he was to everyone Theodore H. in the Hahn are brought to the attention of western business, he was able to aid Theodore the Company H. Hahn, junior supervisor growers and farmers. He also produces the to a great extent in its purchase of of large the Master Control Board in New York, Vocational Agriculture Tuesday program collections of music both old and new. To- is one of the many engineers of NBC who and the California Agriculture program day, NBC can rightfully boast of one of literally "grew up” in radio. He started in heard on Fridays. the finest music libraries in the country. the field in 1915 and has been in it ever A graduate of the University of Cali- Mr. Rolff received since. fornia’s Davis School of Agriculture, Mr. his early education Born in Darm- Pierce is a member of the Family Club, in New York stadt, Germany, Mr. the National Exchange Club and the schools. His musical Hahn came to Amer- American Rodeo Association. He is active education, however, ica at the age of in 4-H Club tireless in work and the pro- was obtained in the one. In fact, his first motion and development of live stock actual field. Today birthday was cele- shows and other enterprises calculated to he has an amazing brated on the Atlan- make youthful farmers look on their life and practically un- tic. His family set- work with scientific eyes. He, his wife and limited knowledge tled in New York two young sons are ardent lovers of out- of composers and City where he door life, and have acquired a cabin on their works. attended public the Feather River where they hope to put In 1933 he went Herman Rolff schools. T. H. Hahn in much time fishing next summer. (Continued on next page) —

14 NBC TRANSMITTER

NBC HOLLYWOOD ANNIVERSARY CHIMES by Noel Corbett

( Continued from Page 13) The day before Christmas Santa Claus Those boxed-in breezy comments on to Music Rights where he now has charge completely stole the show from micro- best waxes of the week found on Bill of the clearing of musical programs. phone celebrities when he descended upon Bloecher’s radio page in the Hollywood i i i the Hollywood Studios. Reporter are written by Joe Thompson, In the person of Don Wilson, the genial NBC producer and owner of over 4,000 Julia Waska Katona St. Nick held forth in Studio C, which was records. When Mrs. Julia filled with NBCites and their youngsters. i i 1 Waska Katona came Frost and John Don E. Gilman, Lew So that newcomers and their families to NBC ten years Swallow were among those who helped could become better acquainted, the En- ago, she was Miss make the young visitors feel at home. gineering Department held a get-together Julia Waska, aged Children of the following employes at- just before Christmas. To be sure that fifteen. She had just tended: everybody could be on hand, the boys graduated from high Sydney Dixon, Western Division Sales utilized those few hours after midnight school when she Manager; Tracy Moore, Sales; Earl Dix- when the networks are off the air. joined NBC’s Traf- Car- son, Continuity; Joy Storm and Ken Refreshments were served, and Paul fic Department as a pro- penter, announcers; Dave Elton, Green had a record cut for posterity. typist. Today, she is ducer; Donald De Wolf, engineer in i i i Julia W. Katona the secretary to Roy charge; Ted Sherdeman, producer; Bob Murdo MacKenzie’s name was mis- H. Holmes, super- Lamb, maintenance; Helen Wendt, Pro- spelled in a recent issue of Radio Guide visor of program transmission operations. gram; Harry Saz, sound chief; and others. but it was not a mistake on the part of Unlike most employes, Mrs. Katona spent Those who were invited and couldn’t the magazine. It was one of Murdo’s gags all her NBC years in one department attend, didn’t miss out on the gifts, which backfiring on him. Traffic, to which she is very devoted. were collected by parents. He double-talked so much around his And now that she has rounded her 1 1 i fellow engineer, Steve Hobart, that the lat- decade of service with the Company she Dema Harshbarger, head of Artists Ser- ter began to believe his name actually was is going away to live in California with vice, decorated her first Christmas tree on “Heave Stobart.” her husband, an aviator in the U. S. Navy, December 23. And it wasn’t a three-foot The day of reckoning finally arrived, who is being transferred to a post in San pine, either it stood 16 feet high in the — however. Steve told the photographer that Diego. After San Diego they expect to go middle of her living room. the fellow in the control booth was Mac- to Hawaii. Well-equipped with plenty of brilliant Kenzie—“Burdo” MacKenzie. “I am thrilled about going away,” said ornaments, Dema came home only to find 1 i i Mrs. Katona who has always lived in New that the step-ladder with which she had to York. “However, I’ll miss NBC and all my decidedly Earl Dixson, Continuity Department, work was a wobbly one. She friends here. After all, I’ve grown up with finally got his own way as to how his two- solved the problem in the usual Harsh- them and they’re like a family to me.” and-a-half-year old son should wear his barger efficient manner by laying the tree hair. flat on the floor and then decorating it Taking advantage of Mrs. Dixson’s ab- before putting it up again. sence during a Christmas shopping tour, of N. Y. i 1 i New Members Earl took Junior to the barber and had When Matt Barr joined the Press De- Stenographic Section his baby curls sheared. partment, he fell heir to Joe Alvin’s office The following are new members of the and a horse liniment almanac for a wall 1 i 1 Central Stenographic Section. decoration. QUICK PIX . .. After listening in on Miss Alma Brohard, a graduate of In writing up program stories, Barr the recent audition for parrots, Contin- Agnes College in Decatur, Georgia, and finds the calendar invaluable, and he was uity Editor Andy Love, isn’t too excited the Catherine Gibbs Secretarial School in also pleased to note that rain arrived, just about okehing scripts for birds . . . Frank New York, who joined NBC last month is as scheduled, on December 10th. Figgens, Engineering, held open house a native of West Virginia. during Christmas Week for Miss Irma Gohs comes to us from the NBCites . . . Tracy Moore, publishing business. She was with the Sales, spoke before the Met- Butterick Publishing Company for seven ropolitan Club (Dec. 22) years and on the editorial staff of the ... topic was, “We Now American City Magazine for one year. Transfer Controls to Holly- Her home is in Elmhurst, Long Island.

wood’’ . .. Karel Pearson, She has studied advertising and secreta- Traffic, and Murdo MacKen- rial work at the Ballard School. zie, Engineering, took a Miss Marie O’Toole, an Irish girl born chance on the weather and in Dublin, who grew up in Scotland, is an- motored North to' visit their other new member of Stenographic. Ten families in San Francisco over years ago she left Scotland to come to Christmas .. . Earl Dixson is America. organizing some of the boys to Miss O’Toole was a secretary at the W. Swallow, Western Division Program Manager, Mrs. John form an NBC basketball Boy Scout headquarters in New York for Swallow and John F. Royal, Vice-President in Charge of team. They plan to play the three years before coming to NBC. She Programs, at the Trocadero after the recent premiere of Your Hollywood Parade in NBC Hollywood. different studios. is a graduate of Hunter College. JANUARY, 1938 15 KNOW YOUR COMPANY No. 12 — INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM DIVISION

This is the twelfth of a series of articles tion of the South American countries. bera and Lucille Russell handle the pro- which we hope tvill give you a better W3XAL also has a non-directional anten- gram and production routine. understanding of the many units. na which is used on Sunday afternoons. NBC In addition to the numerous daily news broadcasts in six languages including Culminating years of research and ex- A large number of programs from the English, the International Program Divi- perimentation in the international field of Red and Blue networks are carried by short wave broadcasting, the National W3XAL; however, the bulk of programs sion produces regular features on cultural matter, education, scientific progress, Broadcasting Company officially inaugu- heard on this new service are especially music and the acts. of the pro- rated a new and short wave service in six produced for foreign listeners and an- Many languages for European and South and nounced in various languages. News re- grams are expressly designed for foreign countries and built to meet their various Central American listeners on July 26, ports furnished by the NBC News Desk 1937. Station W3XAL, Bound Brook, New are translated into five foreign languages needs. Sports reviews, prize-fights from the ringside, the Metropolitan Opera, and Jersey, and its directional antennae were and broadcast at various intervals of the other special events are also included in used to flash American-made programs to day. Julian Muriel, an Argentine, and Europe and Latin-America. Esteban Balleste, a Venezuelan, read the its service. Major utterances of political figures in the United States are recorded, Lenox R. Lohr, president of NBC, an- Spanish news reports and announce- translated, and broadcast at different nounced that the “new service marks con- ments; Fernando de Sa, a Brazilian, Por- times in order to coincide with propitious tinuation of the Company’s policy of pro- tuguese; Lisa Sergio, Italian; Ernst Kotz, hours in the countries to which the broad- viding the greatest possible service in the German; Fernand Auberjonois, French; casts are directed. field of international short-wave broad and Carlos Bovet announces in English, casting.” French, German, Italian and Spanish. Many good-will programs are produced To produce programs for this new serv- Percy Winner, international journalist, to promote closer and more friendly asso- ice the Program Department created a who is the director of this new division, ciations with countries in the other Ameri- new division, the International Program understands all the languages spoken over cas. A recently initiated policy of NBC is Division, with offices in Room 569 of the W3XAL and speaks French and Italian that of building special programs to honor studio section in Radio City. as fluently as he does his native English. the most important of the national holi- Charles Carvajal, former Some months ago, before the regular NBC studio en- days of our American neighbors. When- gineer, is production manager. too is a service was officially announced, only a He ever possible, these programs are rebroad- linguist; he speaks English, few programs “piped” from the Blue Net- Spanish and cast by local stations in the country where Portuguese. work and some programs especially made the holiday is being celebrated.

for foreign reception were transmitted by The administrative and office routine is That America’s bid for supremacy in W3XAL, but today the International in the hands of Bill Betts. Eugenia Cor- the highly competitive field of interna- Shortwave Service tional short-wave maintains a seven-day radio broadcasting in week schedule, aver- the form of this aging sixteen hours of new program service broadcasting daily. furnished by NBC is W3XAL, whose pow- On th/l t>ksdj ^mL well received by for- er is now twenty-five r eign listeners is at- kilowatts, aims these tested by the hun- The books listed below are recent additions to the NBC General Library in New broadcasts at either York. NBC employes are invited to use the library or borrow the books. dreds of letters re- Europe or South ceived at Radio City FROM SPANISH TRENCHES. Edited by Marcel Acier. Modern Age America with its di- from every country in Books, Inc. 1937. A collection of letters by foreign Loyalist supporters who rectional antennae Europe, and South have gone to Spain to aid the government’s cause. The writers, serving in and two different and Central America. varying capacities in the war zone, come from many countries and from all frequencies. From 9 In spite of the direc- walks of life; their letters provide vivid, eye-witness accounts of the great A.M. to 5:45 P.M., tional antennae, let- Spanish struggle. EST, the service is ters from other parts ELECTRIC WAVES, by Heinrich Hertz. Macmillan. 1900. This book is of aimed at Europe on of the world indicate special interest for it is by the discoverer of electromagnetic, Hertzian, or radio a frequency of 17,780 that W3XAL’s signal waves. It is for the technical student only. This authorized English translation kilocycles. At 5 :45 is also heard clearly is by D. E. Jones. in South Africa and P.M., the station is the southeastern part switched to another KALTENBORN EDITS THE NEWS, by H. V. Kaltenborn. Modern Age of Asia, including antenna beamed at Books, Inc. 1937. Countries and personalities which have been headlines in Indo-China, Australia South and Central the political news during the last few years are the topics of discussion in this and New Zealand. America. Then, at book. Situations and events are explained and analyzed. An introductory chapter, “Radio and the News,” describing the work of a radio news commen- Thus, NBC’s aerial 9:05 P.M., the fre- has been tator, is of particular interest. domain ex- quency of the station tended to all the cor- is 17,- by Austin V. Eastman. changed from FUNDAMENTALS OF VACUUM TUBES, ners of the earth, and McGraw-Hill. 1937. A highly technical book on all phases of the theory 780 to 6,100 kilocy- and NBC coast to coast cles which provides practice in the study of vacuum tubes. has become NBC for a deeper penetra- around the world. —

16 NBC TRANSMITTER KDKA PITTSBURGH by Kay Bar

Maurice Spitalny Better Late Than After weeks of determined effort, Man- It was certainly a Merry Christmas for ager A. E. Nelson of KDKA, has com- Announcer Bill Sutherland although two pleted arrangements for the addition to of his biggest gifts were two days late. his staff of Maurice Spitalny, one of Mildred Reuter Eight years ago Bill was the director of Cleveland’s leading musicians and brother and Engineer Paul the Cornell Musical Clubs when they pre- of the other famous Spitalny’s, Phil, who G. Sloane, both of sented a concert in Pittsburgh. This year has the most famous all-girl orchestra on KDKA, whose en- the Cornell Musical Clubs again appeared the radio, and H. Leopold, well-known gagement was an- in the same Carnegie Music Hall on De- conductor and contractor of the NBC nounced recently. cember 27 and Bill was invited to lead Music Division in New York. them in their performance of “The Alma Maurice will be in Pittsburgh early in years as assistant conductor Maurice fre- Mater.” January and will be welcomed to his new quently conducted the orchestra. That same day the KDKA Kiddies post of musical director of the station with Following an appearance at the Alham- Klub, now being conducted by Suther- a special greeting program January 13. bra Theater as soloist, he became the lead- land, acquired a commercial sponsor for Phil will bring his all-girl band to Pitts- er of the Knickerbocker Theater pit band. its three programs a week. burgh for that occasion. Leopold will Since that beginning he has led orchestras y y y come down from New York to participate. in many other theaters in Cleveland. He KDKA Plays Santa Claus Dave Rubinoff also will join in the wel- also directed an orchestra in the Pom- KDKA co-operated with The Pittsburgh come, and other outstanding features will peian Room of the Statler Hotel for four- Press and the Variety Club in staging four distinguish the reception. teen years. special broadcasts on December 24 to Generations of musicians endowed the Popular dance music interested Mau- raise money for the Milk Fund. Spitalny boys their talent for music. Their rice and seven years ago he organized his The object of the programs was to pro- mother is a noted pianist. Her father was own dance orchestra, which had success- vide a half-pint of milk for each meal of a famous European violinist. Their fath- ful engagements at the Coral Gables Club 1938 for 3,000 poor youngsters in 29 char- er’s father was bass violinist in the Rus- in Florida, hotels, on network programs itable institutions of Pittsburgh and Alle- sian Grand Opera Symphony Orchestra. and at noted night clubs in many cities. gheny County. And incidentally Maurice says that his Parting Kiss, To the Caravan, Broken Financially, the goal was $56,000 but wife, who is also a learned musician, is Dreams and A Gypsy's Love Is Like a Bill Zeuger, a milk dealer, said he would his best and severest critic. Melody, are among the best known of match the radio contributions, dollar for Maurice was graduated from the Amer- more than 100 Maurice Spitalny compo- dollar. Which cut the radio goal down to ican Conservatory of Music in Chicago sitions. half the total figure. where Herbert Butler was his instructor in i i 1 Announcer Ed Schaughency had charge violin. Then he attended the Imperial Con- June in January of the programs. Talent was all donated, servatory in Berlin. Another KDKA wedding is in prospect, other stations in Pittsburgh assisting en- After completing his education, Mau- making a total of eight in recent months. thusiastically. Visiting bands at rice made a concert tour of America and name And this time it’s another combination night clubs and dance spots contributed then returned to Cleveland to join the of Westinghouse and the National Broad- their services and 75 girl volunteers Cleveland Symphony Orchestra as assist- casting Company, both parties being iden- manned the 50 special telephones and ant concertmeister and soloist. That was tified with the personnel of the radio adding machines and performed clerical 25 years ago. During more than three station. duties. Mildred Reuter, secretary to D. F. Dickson, on the NBC side of the house, and Paul G. Sloane, one of the Westing- house engineers at KDKA, are the happy young couple. The date of the wedding has not been decided.

Milly is a native of Pittsburgh. Paul was born in Farmington, Missouri, and came to KDKA via the University of Wis- consin, WCBS in Springfield, Illinois, RMCA and Mackay Radio in New York. i i i Xmas at KDKA Engineered by the girls of the staff, an Xmas party was held on December 24 at the studios of KDKA. The entire staff joined in the merriment and, the men particularly, enjoyed a buffet luncheon. Four lovely members of the KDKA staff trim a Christmas tree in the lobby of the NBC Each guest contributed a twenty-five- Manager A. E. Nelson (left) welcomes his studios in Pittsburgh. Left to right: Mildred cent gift to the tree in the gaily decorated new musical director, Maurice Spitalny, to Reuter (standing), Marcella Campbell, Elea- station KDKA, Pittsburgh. lobby so that everyone received a present. nor Ondek and Relda Garrett. e NBC TRANSMITTER

VOL. 4 FERRUARY, 1 9 3 « NO. 2

RAY KELLY HEADS NEW New NBC Radio Center For Hollywood

SOUND EFFECTS DIVISION Ground for the new Hollywood building was Presaging na- broken on January 20 tional standardiza- with Vice-President Don tion and further de- E. Gilman wielding the velopment of sound spade that turned the effects equipment, first bit of ground. the National Broad- The new building, to casting Company rise at the intersection of has created a Sound Vine Street and Sunset Effects Develop- Boulevard in the heart of ment and Mainte- Hollywood, is on the N. Ray Kelly nance Division, ac- same site that not many cording to a recent years ago cradled the announcement by C. W. Fitch, business motion picture industry. manager of the Program Department. N. There many silent pic- Ray Kelly, former head of the New York Ground-breaking ceremonies attended by Hollywood civic lead- ture stars produced films ers and representatives of the radio industry heralded the begin- Sound Effects Division, has been ap- for the Famous-Players- ning of construction of the new NBC studios in the heart of pointed manager of the new department Lasky Corporation. the film city. Don E. Gilman, vice-president in charge of the which will serve all NBC managed and Western Division of NBC, turned the first shovelful of earth. The rapid and grow- operated stations. Photo Shows: Harlan G. Palmer, Hollywood publisher, Otto ing migration of radio K. Olesen, president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Zale Dillon, former assistant to Mr. programs from other and Don E. Gilman. Kelly, has been appointed supervisor of radio centers to Holly- the New York Sound Effects Division to wood has made it necessary to build the and others assisted in the ground-break- replace the new national head. Major new and larger building to replace the ing. Dillon will be responsible for the man- present NBC building which has been The NBC radio center will follow a de- agement and operation of personnel and outgrown in two years. sign new to radio construction. Instead of equipment used in the Radio City studios, a single building housing a number of reporting to William S. Rainey, manager In addition to several radio stars who studios, the plant will consist of four in- of the Production Division. were present, Lew Frost, assistant to Mr. dividual sound stages not unlike motion Mr. Kelly recently concluded an “analy- Gilman; John Swallow, program man- picture studios. The architecture will be sis tour” of various NBC managed or op- ager; A. H. Saxton, division engineer, modern-classical. erated stations in Boston, Washington and Pittsburgh. Soon he will leave for further discussions with NBC officials in Chi- NEW DIRECTORS cago, Denver and on the West Coast. NAMED 144th STATION ADDED “Many stations are not equipped physi- TO RCA AND NBC BOARDS TO NBC NETWORKS cally, at the present time,” Soundman Kelly said, “to pro- General Charles G. Dawes, former vice The rich Pennsylvania trading zone sur- president duce network proof the United States, author of rounding Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, Nanti- the Dawes Plan, and subsequently ambas- grams. Under the coke, Pittston and Scranton became a part sador to the Court of Saint James; and new setup, all man- of the listening territory of the National aged and operated Gano Dunn, noted scientist, engineer, ad- Broadcasting Company, January ministrator 30, 1938, stations will be sup- and president of The J. G. when WBRE, Wilkes-Barre, became an plied eventually White Engineering Corporation, were NBC outlet supplementary to with equipment elected to the Board of Directors of the both the Radio Blue and Red Networks. The addition comparable to that Corporation of America at the regular meeting brings the now in use in Radio of the Board held last month, total number of NBC stations City studios. W it was announced by David Sarnoff, the to 144. president. They fill the vacancies due to also plan to con- Zale Dillon WBRE is owned and operated by Louis the recent deaths of Frederick tinue our present Strauss, G. Baltimore. It has a frequency of 1310 banker, and Newton D. Baker, information service on sound effects prob- former kilocycles and at present utilizes 100 Secretary of War. lems to all stations affiliated with NBC.” watts, with the expectation that the daytime power will Another of Mr. Kelly’s duties will be Mr. Sarnoff further announced that at be raised to 250 watts this Spring. the supervision of the sound effects shop the meeting of the National Broadcasting in New York. The shop will be used en- Company Board, held the same day, Dr. tirely for the building of new equipment, James Rowland Angell, former president NBC, wT as elected a director of that Com- research work, and the supplying of ap- of Yale University, and now in charge of pany. General Dawes and Gano Dunn

( Continued on Page 15) educational program development for were also elected directors of NBC. — —

2 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC CHICAGO by Rudi Neubauer

3-0 rived on January 23. Jimmie weighed in The NBC Chicago Bowling team took at six pounds, sans the tri-cornered trousers. it on the chin from the Merchandise Mart Hobbies: eating and sleeping. The other morning, as he was rushing Bank Saturday, January 22. The NBC 111 from the subway station to the News Desk five was composed of W. O. Conrad, Engi- Exhibitor in Radio City, Barry Holloway became neering; Ray Neihengen, Credit; H. R. S. Peterson, assistant auditor, was pass- conscious of amused stares from a Guill, TWX; L. Dutton, Engineering; Ed gratified by the selection of one of his what was erby. He was wondering wrong Davies, Artist. The first game was drop- photographs for display at the Fourth In- when he felt something dangling around ped by only three pins, the second by ternational Leica Exhibit in New York his ankles. Shoe strings, he thought, as he twenty-two and the third by thirty-seven. City. The fact that company business took looked down at his feet; but it wasn’t A return match is booked for the middle him to New York during the exhibit was shoestrings. Flying in the breeze below of February.1 merely coincidence and not design. his trousers’ cuffs were his loud-colored i 1 i 111 pajamas. All poise gone, Barry’s quick Rod and Gun New Faces steps broke into a mild run which at- Howard Luttgens, engineer; John Sam- Katherine B. Persons, a member of the tracted more attention, and exposed more ple, Sales Promotion, and Arthur Pear- WLS Continuity Department for the last and more of the pajamas. son, Purchasing, are members of the two years, has been added to the NBC “Must have been in an awful hurry this Saunders Road Rod and Gun Club. They Chicago continuity staff. She fills the va- morning,” mumbled Barry as he emerged meet every Sunday morning at the Pear- cancy left by Leslie Edgley, who will de- from momentary retirement and stuffed son home. The present high is Art’s vote all his time to writing There Was a the bright pajama pants into a filing cabi- twenty out of twenty-five. We have not Woman and Your Health. Miss Persons net. yet found out if these meetings occur be- i i i attended Mount Union College at Al- fore, during or after church services. Walter B. Davison, NBC tour promoter, liance, Ohio, and took post graduate work is selling the idea that, “This is the 111 Personals at the University of Chicago. She should National Broadcasting Company” be feel at home in her new surroundings as Russ Sparks left the Sales Promotion changed to “This is your National Broad- her desk is opposite that of Bill Mere- Department fold on Feburary 1 to join the casting Company.” You got something dith, who formerly worked with her at staff of Station WOWO, NBC affiliate, in there, Walter. > > > WLS. r y / Fort Wayne, Indiana, in a similar ca- The uniformed staff was augmented by Guide Roderick Mitchell was seen the pacity. 111 the recent addition of Robert W. Jensen other day proudly showing around a batch Miss Vera Maher, secretary to Night to the page force. of letters he’d received from a bunch of Manager Edward Cunningham, is mak- fifth-graders from the Roslyn Heights iii ing satisfactory progress on the road to School, Long Island, who had taken the recovery from her accident as reported in Transfers and Promotions studio tour with him. This one, particu- the last issue of the Transmitter. Miss Gertrude Herbes was recently larly, caught our eye 111 transferred from the Central Steno- Dear Mr. Mitchell, E. G. Cerny, Music Library head, was graphic Division to act as secretary to J. We had a very nice time at the snow-bound over a recent week-end in A. McDonald of the Legal Department. NBC Studios. We saw a lot of things Wisconsin, where he had gone to ski. 111 going and a lot of things going back. 111 Miss Madelyn Simmonds, formerly sec- I liked the way you took us around Miss Judith Waller, educational direc- retary in the Night Manager’s office, re- and showed us things. I liked the tor of the Central Division, has returned turns to NBC as dictaphone operator in Children’s room the best. The paint- from a trip to New York where she took Central Stenographic. ings on the wall looked so real too. part in a round table discussion of iii The Studios were very big. “Radio” at the meeting of the American Former Page Captain Bill Weaver re- Sincerely yours, Woman’s Association. places Ken Krantz as special officer fol- (Signed) Audrey Horton. 1 1 1 lowing Ken’s resignation to assume his ill Crib Crys new duties as manager for Frankie Mas- Making her debut at eight pounds on ters and his orchestra. R. Lichtenberg Noted for his trenchant humor. Page January 15, Barbara Joy, daughter of has been made night captain. Supervisor Jack Wahlstrom, while listen- Mrs. and Mr. Bob (Sound Effects) Opper, iii ing to a popular broadcast the other Sun- scored the unique distinction of being the Eric Danielson, employed for the past day evening quipped, “What next? The first baby born in Chicago under the local eight years in the Program Traffic Depart- greatest comedian in the country is a plan for Hospital Care. Attaches at the will confined to the Municipal dummy.” ment, be i i i hospital report both mother and child to Sanitarium for the next six months. A se- all Someone in Sales is looking for an- be taking it very calmly, though they vere attack of the flu left Eric in such a other person who lives in Tudor City to do say that Barbara gets in a few extra weakened condition that the doctor pre- share a cab to work on bad mornings “coos” whenever Bob comes near. scribed a long rest. The members of the call extension 822 .. . They say that 111 Indoor Baseball Team particularly are Horseman D. B. Van Houten took a Former Transmitter correspondent, looking forward to Eric’s return as they header during one of the Wednesday eve- William Lawrence, joined the order of say he is the best umpire money can buy. ning jumping sessions at Aylward’s Rid- amalgamated “I Yawn All Morning, A postcard or letter addressed to the Mu- ing Academy . . . and that he survived the ’Cause I Walked the Floor All Night” so- nicipal Sanitarium, Bryn Mawr and Craw- spill in toto. ciety, when James Phillip Lawrence ar- ford, Chicago, will reach him. FEBRUARY, 1938 3 WCY SCHENECTADY by W. T. Meenam

Bowling League Company, one or two of the structural tireless on the blades. Chester Vedder, the steel workers and Bill Purcell, WGY’s announcer-farmer, is spending his off-time WGY’s staff, augmented by agency engineer in charge. During the sub-zero in harvesting ice, sawing wood and getting representatives and a few whose contact days of January, with the mercury hover- farm equipment ready for the spring with radio is solely by way of a receiver, ing around twelve and fourteen degrees planting. have organized a bowling league. The below, the steel workers continued on the / i i Radio Nuisance League, it is called. The job at the 400 foot elevation. Wind and teams bear such names as Ripples, Stat- Talented Managers snow alone hold up the work. ics, Whistles, Howls, Faders, Squeals and William Fay, manager of WHAM, at in fact that’s the order in which the When completed, the vertical antenna, teams Rochester, paid a graceful compliment to a nine-by-nine-foot square steel structure stand now after three matches. John his friend and one time boss, Kolin Hager, of Sales is the organizer-president which stands on a point, will be as high as Howe manager of WGY. Bill, who entered radio of the pin-topplers. “Tiny” the 42-story Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and Winslow via WGY back in 1924, was soloist last half as high as the Empire State Building. Leighton of the Leighton & Nelson Agency Monday evening on the Blue Network leads in averages the grace by of a high show, Music Is My Hobby. As his con- i i i three of 546 and a high single of 236. cluding number he announced and sang Tiny bowled one match and then left for Winter Sports Ruler of the Day, a ballad with verses by the Bahama Islands. Chet Vedder of the Most of the WGY staff members have Mr. Hager and music by Charles Gilbert announcing staff is well up among the taken up winter sports in a big way. Spross. Mr. Spross, also an old friend of leaders as is Pete Narkon of the engineer- Betty King of Sales and Bill Purcell, en- WGY, accompanied Bill Fay on the piano. ing staff. W. J. Purcell, engineer, bowled gineer, are ski addicts and both have long enough to discover it wasn’t as easy Til made trips to North Creek, in the Adiron- to score as he expected and then quit to dacks, on the week-end ski-train. Practi- Stork News take up skiing. cally all of the staff have taken advantage January 18, when the mercury dropped 111 of the exceptionally fine skating condi- to twelve below zero in Schenectady, a tions near here. Chester Rudowski, of stork took refuge in the home of George Progress Virgil Hasche’s accounting staff, Bob El- White, staff saxophonist and violinist. Mr. Construction of WGY’s studio build- liott of Sales, Betty Lennox Pike, a Sonja and Mrs. White are now cooing to a lively ing which was proceeding at a snail’s Henie rival, and Silvio Caranchini are and healthy baby girl. pace for a time be- A son was born cause of adverse January 17 to Mrs. weather, has picked Douglas Smith, nee up greatly. Tempor- WGY BOWLING LEAGUE Patricia Sheldon. ary enclosures were Patricia is a mem- built and steel work- ber of the WGY ers and bricklayers Players and was also are finishing their heard at one time as jobs behind canvas. Betty Lenox on the The building is now Household Chats being heated in spite program. Later she of the fact that the conducted the Mar- front wall is not ket Basket program. completed and only i i 1 the glass front windows have been put Dilettante- in position. Legislator

It’s a different Folks seeking to story out at South be well informed Schenectady where concerning matters WGY’s 625 foot an- legislative have but tenna pinnacle is to call on Caroline daily rising nearer Osan, secretary to the stratosphere. Kolin Hager. Mrs. Last week the Scis- Osan, president of sors and Paste pro- the Schenectady gram of the station Business & Profes- originated at the an- sional Women’s tenna site and your Club, with 25 of the correspondent inter- members attended Howe, Frank viewed Le Roy Ham- Front row, left to right: Bob Cragin, A. O. Coggeshall, Jack MacGathan, John the evening session Dunn, Bob Elliott, Alex MacDonald. Second row: Gordon Paul, Pete Narkon, John Sheehan, ilton, superintendent of the State Legisla- Virgil Hasche, George Nelson, Bernard Cruger, Radcliffe Hall, Dick Greeley. Back row: Harold in of construction for Root, Tom Fredette, Ed Flynn, Bill Meenam, Howard Tupper, Raymond Strong and Chester ture Albany re- the American Bridge Vedder. cently. 4 NBC TRANSMITTER

York as one of the Ars Musica Guild. Be- for the first time not many pay-days ago fore joining us, he was engaged in selling when Bud called for his check in the NAMES IN on the staff of the Chrysler Dealers News. Cashier’s Office and found Miss Winter Here, he wants to follow music in some behind the wicket where she was pinch- THE NEWS form, either as a singer or as a member of hitting for Miss Mary Lou Irvine who was the Music Department. ill. Elbert D. Tidd, a native of White i 1 1

Plains, is a graduate of White Plains High Marriages: Bert NEW YORK School and Lehigh University. had The Little Church Around The Corner his first radio experience in college, when was the scene of another NBC wedding directed in plays presented Promotions: he acted and on January 5. The former Miss Evelyne by the dramatic club of Lehigh over Following the transfer of Charles Rynd McKibbon, publicity secretary for Civic WCBA, Allentown, Pennsylvania. During from the Sales Traffic Division to the Concerts Service, was married to George his summer vacations he managed a sum- Eastern Sales Division (see New Set-Up Watkins, former NBC guide who is now mer theatre at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. in New York Sales, page 8) several pro- a member of Roy Campbells’ Royalists, Bert, who majored in Physics in college, motions have been made in Sales Traffic well-known singing group on the radio wants to become a radio engineer. during January. and stage. John Kucera, who came to NBC from i i i The wedding, attended by many NBC Yale University in January 1932, has been William Abernathy comes to our an- friends of the couple, was followed by a promoted from Local Sales Traffic into nouncing staff from Washington, D. C., reception given by Roy Campbells’ sing- the position of assistant to F. M. Greene, where, for the last four years, he man- ers. manager of the Sales Traffic Division, fill- aged his own advertising agency. The bride has been with the Company ing the post vacated by Mr. Rynd. Mr. Abernathy started in radio in 1922 one year. She hails from Griffin, Georgia, Willard Butler and Richard H. Close at WWJ, Detroit. He directed an outstand- and the bridegroom came to New York have moved up to handle Local Sales ing male quartet on the Detroit airlanes. from his home in Chawnee, Oklahoma, Traffic. Mr. Butler and Mr. Close started Later he sang in the road companies of three years ago. They are making their in the Company as pages about four years The Student Prince and Rio Rita. In 1930 home in the city. ago. They will be assisted in their new he joined the WRC announcing staff i i i duties by John Cusumano, recently pro- where he remained until 1933. In 1932 Edgar F. Higgins, Jr. of the News and moted from his post as office boy in Sales. Mr. Abernathy tied with Milton J. Cross Special Events Division and Miss Louisa ill for second place in the National Diction Davis Ker of Delmar, Delaware, were Awards. He joined the Radio City an- married January 11th. The ceremony was Ross Martindale, who joined NBC as a nouncers on January 9 last. performed in chambers by County Judge page boy in November 1936, has been William F. O’Dwyer of Brooklyn, a per- transferred from the studio set-up staff to i i i sonal friend of the groom. Sound Effects. Transfers: Dr. Fremont A. Higgins, an interna- i i 1 Miss Ruth Gould who joined NBC in tional lawyer of Berlin, Germany, and Lawrence Wagner who came from the the Central Stenographic Section last Au- brother of the groom, and his wife at- University of Minnesota and his home in gust was transferred to Local Sales Traffic tended the couple. Madison, South Dakota, to join the NBC January 3. Miss Gould is a graduate of The bride is the daughter of the Rev. page staff last October has been trans- Barnard College and the School of Busi- Henry Claude Ker, pastor of the Delmar, ferred to the Press Division as Press Desk ness Practice and Speech. Delaware, Baptist Church. assistant. i i 1 ill The groom is a member of a colonial Miss Gladys Cardon of Stenographic is New York family and the son of Mr. and Newcomers: working temporarily in the Engineering Mrs. Edgar F. Higgins of New York. He Among the latest additions to the Mail Department. joined the NBC staff last March after and Messenger Staff are the following. i i 1 serving on various newspapers for ten J. Emerson Coyle joined NBC on Jan- Engagements: years. uary 23. Previous to that date he was en- Among the papers on which Mr. Hig- Miss Lillian E. Holmlin, secretary to gaged in real estate work, before which gins has worked are the New York Amer- chief announcer Pat Kelly, recently be- he had received a degree of Bachelor of ican, the old New York fUorld, Standard came engaged to Charles T. Anderson. Science from Harvard University in the News Association, the N. Y. City News Both are Brooklynites. The wedding date Class of 1937. His major subject was Association, the Utica Daily Press, and has been set for sometime next fall. Philosophy and he was graduated Magna the Los Angeles Herald. He also was city Cum Laude. Emerson’s first radio experi- i i i editor of the News in San Jose, California, ence came in Brooklyn, while attending The engagement of Miss Helen Winter and managing editor of the Pajaronian, Erasmus Hall High School, when he pre- of the Treasurer’s Office to A. S. Faillace, W'atsonville, California, and the Humbolt sented a 20-week series of sketches over Jr., of Guest Relations was made last Star in Winnemucca, Nevada. In addition, a local station. He’s interested in research month. Their wedding will take place on he served for a time as Berlin correspond- and statistics and does some writing. February 24. ent for the Paris edition of the New York Robert G. Lange, a New Yorker, has Although both have been with NBC Herald. been with us since January 5. He pre- four years they did not meet until about Mr. Higgins attended Hamilton College pared for college at Flushing High School three months ago. Miss Winter is secre- in the Class of ’28 and is a member of the

and was graduated from Colgate this past tary to Assistant Treasurer R. J. Teichner, Psi Upsilon fraternity. June. While there Bob was a member of whose office is in the opposite end of the i i i Beta Theta Pi and followed his favorite RCA Building from where Bud Faillace Edwin W. Deming of the Mail and Mes- hobby, music, as a member of the Glee works in the studio section as assistant senger Section was married to Miss Peg- Club. He continues his avocation in New supervisor of the guide staff. They met (Continued on Next Page) FEBRUARY, 1938 5

to her desk in Guest gie Black in Poughkeepsie, New York, on graduates of Dan Russell’s announcing event has returned girl, according to Wal- December 31 last. The wedding was fol- class, Don Gardiner and Roger Von Roth. Relations. It was a lowed by a small informal reception at Mr. Wilson takes with him many years ter Winchell’s column. the home of Mr. Deming’s parents in New of experience as an actor on the stage i i i York City. and in radio to his announcing assign- Sick List: in the Walden ment in Winston-Salem. His home is in Mrs. Deming is a teacher J. Foster Dickey, guide, who was con- with Springfield, Massachusetts. Public School. Mr. Deming has been fined to the Morrisiana Hospital in the NBC for four years. His associates in the Harry Weir who went to Pittsburgh, Bronx, following a serious automobile ac- electric Pennsylvania, on December 24 last to be Mail Room presented him with an cident last month, is now recuperating in married to the former Miss Alba Cremo- toaster and breakfast set as a wedding his home. nesi of New York City has resigned from gift. i i i ill the page staff to go on a honeymoon trip to Europe. After their honeymoon, Harry Miscellaneous: Another Radio City romance came to plans to stay abroad to do newspaper A. A. (Abe) Schechter, director of a happy climax in The Little Church work. News and Special Events, sailed from Around the Corner on the morning of /A / New York City on the Conte di Savoia December 31 last when a member of the At 1:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 15, January 15 enroute to Cairo, Egypt, where NBC guide staff, Richard D. Barron, mar- the announcer signing off WJZ concluded he is making arrangements for the coro- ried Miss Virginia Cameron who recently “. with . . Charles Tramont saying good- nation of King Farouk. Mr. Schechter is came to New York from her native San night and bidding you all goodbye.” expected back in Radio City the latter Francisco. The young couple first met It was Charles Tramont’s last sign-off part of this month. when she took a studio tour conducted by after eleven years of broadcasting, and Milton Burgh is in charge of the divi- the young man who is now her husband. we want to join his many friends and lis- sion during Mr. Schechter’s absence. Mr. and Mrs. Barron are now at home teners in wishing him good luck as he their friends in their apartment at 348 i i 1 to begins practice as physician at Mt. Ver- City. George Engles, director of Artists Ser- East 50th Street, New York non, Ohio. vice, returned to his office, January 25, i i i For the past five years, Dr. Tramont has following a month’s absence caused by an Oscar C. Turner of the production di- been heard only at night over NBC net- appendectomy. vision of Electrical Transcription Service works. Days were taken up with studies i i i and Miss Grace Allen Toucey of New at the New York Medical College and formerly the Pro- York City were married at St. James subsequent work at the Fifth Avenue William C. Roux, of Church on January 6th. The wedding Flower Hospital. motion Division in New York, is now as- ceremony which was attended by the fam- ill sociated with Hearst Radio Inc., as promotion manager. ilies and a few intimate friends of the Miss Elisabeth Woodard who had been i i couple was followed by a small recep- with the Company three years resigned i tion at the Carlyle. from the Central Stenographic Section on Pat Kelly, chief announcer, was given The bride’s only attendant was Mrs. January 31 to go abroad on a pleasure a surprise party by the members of his Carleton Young, wife of a well-known trip. staff on the Saturday following his birth- NBC actor. Edward Barret, associate edi- i i i day January 4. tor of News-Week and a friend of the Stork News: The party was given in his home in bridegroom since their boyhood days in 1938 brought a six-and-a-half pound West Hempstead, Long Island, where the staff wives their native Birmingham, Alabama, was baby girl to Page Supervisor Jack Wahl- announcing and their and best man. Reginald E. Thomas, director others while he in strom on January 2. Mother and child had congregated was of in Electrical production Transcription are doing very well, Jack reports. town keeping a dinner engagement which Service, was an usher. had been staged to delay his home- i i i Mr. Turner, a graduate of the Univer- coming. Miss Doris Steen (Mrs. David Wil- sity of Alabama, has been with NBC al- Mr. Kelly was really surprised when he liams! who took time out for a blessed most two years. opened his front door and was greeted

i i i by a collective shout of “Happy Birthday” from the merry crowd within. There was Resignations: music by an orchestra, dancing and spe- Theodore Church has resigned from cial entertainment. the Press Division to become associated The party lasted until five in the morn- with Ted Collins, personal representative ing when some of the boys had to take the of Kate Smith. Before joining NBC in De- milk train into town to start another day cember 1936, Mr. Church was a member of broadcasting. of the Republican National Radio Com- ill mittee and before that he was associated Norman Morrell, assistant commercial with Station WJSV, Washington, D. C. program manager, left late last month for i i i the West Coast to confer with program Read Wilson, who joined the Mail and officials in the Western Division. He is not Messenger staff last September and later expected to return to Radio City until became a member of the announcing next month. class, recently passed an audition for an Mr. and Mrs. George Watkins are photo- i i i opening on the announcing staff of WAIR, graphed leaving the Little Church Around the Jack Wyatt, former NBC guide who Corner where they were married last month. Winston-Salem, N. C. He resigned from made his debut on the NBC networks last The bride is the former Miss Evelyn McKib- NBC on January 31 to go to his new winter as master of ceremonies of the bon of the NBC Civic Concerts Service. (See job at WAIR where he will find two other Marriages.) (Continued on Page 14) 6 NBC TRANSMITTER KOA DENVER by Charles Anderson NBC HOLLYWOOD by Noel Corbett

NBC vs. RKO: tinuity stencils that he believes he could The NBC basketball team invaded the write scripts. picture industry to lose their first two “I’d have the jump on the rest of the games of the season to RKO’s crack five, gag-writers,” claims Fred, “because I’d 51-33 and 34-26, respectively. know which jokes hadn’t been used Announcer Ben Gage, lofty center and lately.” ill captain, was high-point man in the second Strike! encounter, with 13 digits. Walter Baker, Marvin Young, Carlton Games with CBS and the different mo- Morse and others spend noon hours now- tion picture studios are planned. adays bowling in the sports pavilion lo- The NBC uniforms are royal blue. The cated across Vine Street from the new pants have red side stripes. Numerals are building site. red, as are the NBC’s on the shirts. Lew Frost is the champ to date. Forwards are: Lee Bridgman, Frank Pittman, “Lefty” Lefler, pages, and Joy i i i Storm, announcer. Guards are: Jack Engineering: Creamer, page, Earl Dixson, Program, Studio and maintenance engineers in Floyd Caton, Hal Dieker, and Virgil Hollywood, under Western Division Engi- A KOA microphone patiently waits for the Reimer, Sound Effects. neer A. H. Saxton, now number twenty- first utterances of little “Miss 1938” while she’s still in the hospital. The newcomer, born one, in addition to Donald De Wolf, engi- i i i on New Year’s Day, is the second child of neer in charge in Hollywood, his secre- engineer, and her name Ruben Isberg, studio Ubiquitous: tary, Kathryn Phelan and Saxton’s secre- is Barbara Louise. Don Gilman has been a busy executive tary, Alice Tyler. ill lately. Recent transfers from Radio City are Berthoud Pass is just an hour-and-a- January 18 he was named a director of Charles L. Norman and Joseph E. Kay. half’s drive from Denver, which means the All-Year Club of Southern California. i i i several staff members enjoy skiing KOA January 20 he officiated at the ground- A.W.O.L.: on their days-off. Addicts include Stan breaking ceremonies on the site of NBC’s One of the imported crickets which Neal, engineer; A. W. Crapsey, commer- new Hollywood building. January 26 he Walter Bunker had so carefully watched cial manager; Clyde Hoyt, page, and was initiated into the Riverside Drive for a week prior to the cricket program, your snow-plowing correspondent. Breakfast Club where he was the only not only refused to sing at air time, but speaker before a group of radio celebri- i i i showed his complete indifference by tak- ties and the following day he spoke be- George McElrath, operating engineer, ing French leave during the broadcast. fore the Women’s Division of the Holly- was a recent KOA visitor. He arrived on Buddy Twiss, in charge of special wood Chamber of Commerce. His subject Sunday, January 23, for a look-see at events, is betting the little fellow will was, “Hollywood’s Growing Importance KOA’s equipment. start chirping on another program. in Radio.” i i i ill ill Lucille Beideck, office staff, has just re- Oasis: Songwriter: turned from her Hawaiian vacation. She Talking about Los Angeles city limits Announcer Joy Storm’s wife, Claribel, says she didn’t get seasick during the voy- extending to such faraway spots as the never heard her composition Sonny until age. Now, it seems to me that since the North Pole, Matt Barr, Press, points out it was played by Jimmie Grier’s orchestra entire football team that also made the that one of NBC’s Hollywood studios is recently. trip did not weather the trip very well, spotted in the middle of a desert over a Mrs. Storm, who used to be in charge there’s some doubt as to that famous hundred miles away. of music at KGW-KEX, Portland, Oregon, “weaker” sex classification. Anyway, Lucy Located in the winter playground, Palm composed the piece without the aid of a wants to go again next year. Springs, Amos ’n’ Andy broadcast from piano. i i i there, and will until the season closes. Mercury: Ray Ferguson is their engineer— the signed lucky guy. Announcer John Frazer literally Accident Silences WEAF i i i off Your Hollyxvood Parade on the run re- Visitor: cently. A power failure silenced the transmit- Roy C. Witmer, vice-president in charge When he got his cue from producer ting station of WEAF at Belmore, Long of sales, gave an interview for the press Ted Hediger, Frazer swung around to Island, for 86 minutes on January 25. The during his recent visit here. make the final announcement, only to see station was off the air from 1:45 to 3:11 He pointed out that the Pacific Coast the mike disappearing across the studio P.M. During that period the commercial is topped only by New York and Chicago in the arms of a stagehand. Latter thought programs scheduled for WEAF were in volume as a radio sales market. the program was over and wanted to be switched over to WJZ which was sched- Mr. Witmer also visited the San Fran- sure the mike wouldn’t be in the way of uled to carry sustaining programs. cisco office in company with Sydney the closing curtain. The accident was caused by a broken Dixon, Western Division Sales Manager. i / > circuit breaker which fell across a high voltage wire in a Belmore automatic sub- i i i Author: station of the Long Island Power and Gag-Proof: A complete manual on radio sound ef- Light Company. Fred Dick has proof-read so many con- fects is being compiled by Harry Saz. FEBRUARY, 1938 7 KDKA PITTSBURGH by Kay Barr

Spitalny's Debut: cess and one of the most spectacular “Maurice is the most talented member of events of its kind in KDKA’s history. the Spitalny family.” No question about it, the big news of the past month at KDKA was the debut Maurice beamed. Manager A. E. Nelson i i i in the of Maurice Spitalny, eminent maestro of was radiant. It was a high spot Incidentally little Mary Ann Bock, a Cleveland, as director of music for the musician’s career, no question about that. Pittsburgh youngster and a KDKA dis- Pittsburgh NBC and Westinghouse sta- But it was also an achievement for the covery, walked away with Phil’s part of for tion. station and for the man responsible the entertainment. She has a sort of throat it all. whistle built Brother Phil and his all-girl singing around which Phil a special orchestra headlined a brilliant two-hour Mr. Nelson conceived the plan from arrangement of Johnny One Note, loyal greeting program on the stage of the Stan- start to finish. A staff helped him i i i carry out the details. Hundreds of no- ley Theater. KDKA broadcast the entire Some day Maurice hopes to be able tables accepted his invitation to the thea- show and thirty minutes of it were carried to do nothing else but compose music— ter party. Millions of listeners enjoyed by the NBC-Blue Network as well as the and go fishing. But his musical master- the broadcast. Hundreds of telegrams stations of the Canadian Broadcasting pieces will not have more feeling and his poured in, congratulating Mr. Nelson and Corporation. Coast-to-coast across two tallest fish story will not bring a bigger Maestro Spitalny. Beautiful baskets of countries! smile than Maurice displayed as he auto- flowers also were received. And if that isn’t news, look at the news- graphed his baton after the debut broad- To get the right pick-up of the Spitalny paper clippings. From New England to cast and presented the souvenir to Mr. broadcast from the stage of the Stanley North Dakota and Texas, with a few out Nelson. i i i Theater January 13th, KDKA engineers on the West Coast. used ten microphones. Chief Engineer Joe Here and There: H. Leopold Spitalny, director of music Baudino took personal charge of the job. Janet Ross directs the KDKA Style and personnel for NBC, opened the network Ted Kenny rode the dials. Glenn Luther Shopping programs. Bob Saudek writes part of the program with a salute by the assisted. continuity for the station. But as sidelines NBC Symphony Orchestra from New 1 i i both have blossomed out in the oratorical York. The KDKA Players presented a Dick Powell, Oliva de Haviland and field recently, filling speaking engage- twenty-minute dramatization. Dot and Errol Flynn were among the scores who ments for Pittsburgh organizations. Pat, Jean Hoff, a new contralto on the sent telegrams congratulating both Maur- ill KDKA staff; and Billy Sherman, who ice and KDKA for “getting together.” In Her files were already filled to flood has sung with Maurice’s orchestras in private conversation Brother Phil paid stage. Then the new director of music, Cleveland, were among the vocalists. this most significant and sincere tribute Maurice Spitalny, began hauling his music Flood-lights illuminated the gay exter- to the youngest of the three famous boys: from Cleveland to KDKA, an auto trailer ior of the theater. Search- load at a time. So Librarian light beams sent their shafts Betty Eisley had to have one sweeping over the sky. Huge grand and glorious house banners proclaimed Maurice cleaning to make room for the Spitalny in a manner befit- $40,000-library of the new ting his musical ability. maestro. KDKA sent out invitations ill reserved 600 seats to take and Foreign countries have This care of the acceptances. made many requests for reserved section was enlarged KDKA program schedules by 200 and then the station since the new 718-foot an- had to buy more than 100 ad- tenna was put into operation ditional chairs in that portion October 30. South American of the house assigned to the points, particularly Brazil box office. Before the doors and the Argentine, are receiv- opened a line of people, standing the signal as clearly as ing four abreast, extended those of their local stations. two blocks from the theater. i i i For two hours the packed Glenn Riggs, KDKA’s sen- house sat without the least ior announcer, recently ap- sign of nervousness or impa- peared on the screens of tience. It was the first broad- movie houses in and around cast most of them had seen. Pittsburgh in a trailer that It was a great show. They told the people of the city of were fascinated. And all but the coming to KDKA of Mau- a dozen of them stayed an- rice Spitalny as the station’s other hour and a half to see NBC officials welcome two of t lie famous Spitalny’s to Pittsburgh. new musical director. It the feature film. L. to R.—Maurice Spitalny, KDKA’s new musical director; Phil wouldn’t surprise us a bit to Spitalny, director of the All-Girl Orchestra; A. H. Morton, This climax of weeks of manager of NBC owned and operated stations; and A. E. Nelson, manager see talent scouts around here hard work was a definite suc- of KDKA. any day now. This is Ellen Louise Gillespie, niece f Ann R. Jockwig, Music Division, N. Y. Constance Judith, daughter of Engi- neer William A. Filch, Radio City, goes out for a stroll.

Miss Diane Dimene, Lynn Morrow, Jr., 5, son of KDKA’s promo- Nanette, daughter of Sydney Desfor niece of Maurice • Lowell, tion and publicity head, tootles with RCA of the N. Y. Photo Section. I NBC director in Chicago. accompaniment. This picture of Pati grine, engineer in ch;

prize-winning baby f NBC Transmitter. ' submitted by A. W. C of KOA, who will ret Toscanini Victor reco, turing Company, Inc. of Promotion and Bari of Guest Relations, h. picture out of the larg graphs submitted.

“Don’t get too close, whose papa is news edi

FOR B A I

t Next month, by ar Manufacturing Compi mitter will award a r ity Victor recordings No. 7 in A Major as p Working his way Symphony Orchestra West. F., Joseph son baton of Arturo Tosci of Joseph A. McDon- submitting the best b; ald, Legal, Western Div. ^ R l 1. Do not send n> smaller than 2 Vi" x 2. Give the name f tion to you. J Triplets. Raymond, 3. Give your nam Joan and June, chil- division. I / J dren of Raymond K. 4. Send your picti Strong, WGY studio to the NBC Transmi engineer. Broadcasting Compar / V New York, before Eel 5. Pictures are j appeal, humor, int quality. N t. : WINNER

WGY Engineer IJ. C. Mosher’s son, Xmas morning with Sylvia Joy< Charles, two and one-half years. daughter of Engineer George Greavi Bruce holds Marilyn up for Daddy’s NBC San Francisco. camera. Daddy is Charles M. Butler, Chicago Engineer. Sally Martin Cope This is Lawrence J. Abbott’s son, daughter of Eunice Adams Vaughan. Mr. Abbott is Dr. Walter “I wanna drive,” says Alvin Robert to Daddy (Mrs. J. Cope) of N. Y Damrosch’s assistant. T R. M. Morris, lighter of C. A. Pere- Development Engineer. Sales. K.OA, Denver, is the in this issue of the ture was taken and commercial— manager ; prize an album of a the RCA Manufac- idges, Enid Beaupre •rmann and Ary Moll rd time picking this er of excellent photo-

Dan Thompson, Jr., Chicago Press.

i ONLY ent with the RCA the NBC Trans-

• set of High Fidel- hoven’s Symphony f the Philharmonic v York under the the NBC employe ure.

. Send prints not baby and its rela- irtment and NBC

the March issue oom 284, National ockefeller Center,

L. on their popular nd photographic 10 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC TRANSMITTER Published for and by the employes of the National Broadcasting Company from coast to coast.

VOL. 4 FEBRUARY, 1938 No. 2 EDITORIAL BOARD DOM DAVIS Editor CARL CANNON Associate Editor RODERICK MITCHELL Features CHARLES VAN BERGEN Photographs

N. Y. CONTRIBUTORS MORTON G. BASSETT Mail and Messenger VAL KALLIGEROS Telegraph ALBERT RORABACK Guest Relations A RADIO STATION IS BEING BUILT on Pitcairn Address all correspondence to: I stand (Mutiny on NBC TRANSMITTER THE BOUNTY*) TO RELAY SPECIAL Room 284, RCA Bldg., New York PROGRAMS OF THE PlTCARN Circle 7-8300, Ext. 220 DIRECTOR OF ARTISTS SER- ISLAND EXPEDITION TO THE (RBC NETWORKS. VICE, GOT HIS START IN 5HCW BUSINESS AS AN USHER WHO Promotions in New York CHANGED CARDS ON EITHER Transcription Service SIDE OE THE STAGE BE-

C. Lloyd Egner, manager of Electrical TWEEN ACTS IN A N.Y THEATRE. Transcription Service, has announced per- which sonnel changes in his department ft® YEARS AGO NBC MADE THE became effective on January 15. Accord- FIRST PARABOLIC MICROPHONE to the announcement, C. Otis Rawalt, ing OUT OE AWOODEN CHOPPING formerly in charge of billing and traffic, BOWL (J2" DIAMETER). has been moved up into the sales division. M iss Louise Finch and Norman Ward have taken charge of billing and traffic New Set-Up In New York Bowling Telegraphers and Daniel E. Schmidt, 3rd from the Mail Sales Department Beat NBC Picked Team and Messenger staff has joined the department as office boy. C. E. Rynd, formerly of General Sales The Bowling Telegraphers of the Traf- Mr. Rawalt who joined NBC in the Traffic, has been transferred to the East- fic Department in New York scored an- Traffic Department in 1934 has been in ern Sales Department. He will work under other victory last month. They defeated Electrical Transcription Service three the direct supervision of I. E. Showerman, an all-around NBC picked team in a three- years. assistant manager of the Eastern Sales game series at the Radio City Bowling Department on the mechanical aspects of Academy. the department’s operations, including The Teletypists, who were reported in Judge Ashby Feted On options, availability requests, special fa- the January issue of the Transmitter as cilities, estimates and other matters of having trounced Traffic team, took Ninth NBC Anniversary another routine nature. In this capacity he will act two of the three contests in last month’s On the evening of January 28 the mem- as liaison between the Eastern Sales De- encounter, winning the first, dropping the bers of the Legal Department in New partment and General Sales Traffic. second and taking the third to win the York gathered at the Maison de Winter A former student of Hamilton College series. in Radio City for a dinner and reception and the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- The scores and line-ups follow. in honor of Judge A. L. Ashby, vice presi- nology, Charles Rynd joined NBC in the Bowling Telegraphers: dent and general counsel of NBC. The oc- Duplicating Room in March 1935. Three 1st 2nd 3rd casion for the dinner was the celebration months later he was promoted to the Sales L. A. Zangaro 161 161 181 of Judge Ashby’s ninth anniversary with Traffic Division as assistant to the mana- J. S. La Touche 178 146 145

the Company. ger, F. M. Greene, where he remained H. A. Purse .... 161 168 176 The Chief of the “nine old men” of the until the appointment to his new post last C. A. Kelly 157 117 154 Legal Department was wined and dined month. A. Schneider 103 148 amidst much merrymaking and all those Miss Martha Howard, former secretary present had a grand time. to E. R. Hitz of the Eastern Sales Depart- Totals 657 695 804 Judge Ashby, recognized authority in ment, has been appointed to coordinate Picked Team: the field of radio law, came to NBC on the department’s handling of all commer- J. W-. Hogan 139 180 121 February 1, 1929 when the Company was cial continuities. F. R. Heitman 123 161 212

yet in its infancy. Due to his foresight, These moves have been made in order H. P. Hayes .... 127 152 163 fairness and conservative planning of to remove from the salesmen’s desks a A. Jiminez 190 123 167 legal policies he has helped to guide NBC considerable amount of routine operation Joe Sauer 127 120 to the fore as the greatest broadcasting with a view toward making more time

system in the world. available for active selling. Totals .... 579 743 783 FEBRUARY, 1938 11 NBC SAN FRANCISCO by Louise Landis

Quelle Delicatesse: your shoulder don’t lose your steering

wheel grip ... it’s probably just Studio Announcer James Matthews, Special Engineer Jim Summers ... Jim has just Events Producer Don Thompson, and installed a compressed air horn, the exact Field Engineers George Greaves, Marvyn duplicate of the type used on the new Adams and E. C. Callahan brought home Southern Pacific streamliner, in his an imposing souvenir of that broadcast coupe. The equipment costs around $100 from Sun Valley, Idaho—an elaborate and the installation was a terrific engi- gold-printed, gold ornamented menu from neering job necessitating construction of the luxurious resort hostelry. Also a mem- air vacuum tanks weighing 50 pounds, ory of the dinner where the NBC lads, and the addition of other items. But Jim solemnly decked in evening clothes, sat doesn’t care. On a clear day you can hear down at the table in the resort, to be the blasts ten miles away. greeted by a waiter who looked like the epitome of all of the impeccable, conti- Safety Valve: nental waiters they had ever seen in films If you wander into the NBC studios or on the stage. late at night almost any night and hear Silently, with just the slightest flourish, mighty chords emanating from B studio, he placed a menu in each hand, then NBC San Francisco has acquired a new port- you can be sure Lee Strahorn is in there, stood at attention. able transmitter which is especially designed The NBCites glanced relaxing with the help of the organ key- for use in airplanes. Here are Western Divi- at the card, then looked at each other board, from his labors as editor of the sion Engineer A. H. Saxton, and Curtis Peck, helplessly. Every item was printed in NBC news broadcasts. engineer in charge of the San Francisco stud- French, and five pairs of eyes fell in em- inspecting the 100-watt transmitter, Lee was a pipe-organist and concert ios, new, barrassment. There was a long silence which weighs only 100 pounds. pianist before he entered the world of while each tried to unravel the pommes radio’s back-stage, and when the teletype de terres from the poulets, and got hope- dio? I’d like to hear you in dramatic clatter gets too loud, he dives into B studio lessly lost the among glaces. A long five and makes beautiful music. work.” minutes passed while the waiter still con- There was a slight silence at the other tinued to stand, immobile as a statue. Visitor: end of the line, then the v.f.v. said sweetly, Suddenly his heart was touched. He bent George McElrath, operations engineer “Well, why don’t you listen to Death Val- —again with a continental flourish—but at Radio City, paid San Francisco a fly- ley Days?” and hung up. he spoke in purest Idaho-ese: ing visit the other day with Mr. Saxton, Chagrin. The voice belonged all the “Don’t worry, boys—just order the din- and left a memory of one of the pleasant- time to Helen Morgan, charming young ner—that’s all there is on the card!” est smiles seen around here for some time. NBC actress whose experience as an ad- Knowing Mr. Saxton, it was with little vertising woman in her pre-radio days $100 Worth of Noise: surprise that we learned that the two had makes her in demand among agencies, If suddenly, in the midst of downtown stopped off in Yosemite and made miles and who occasionally divides her time, traffic, you hear a train whistling over of colored pictures on the way. as at present, between acting and script work. Talent Scout: Now Dick and Helen have lunch to- Dick Bertrandias gether several times a week and are seen of the Press Depart- places together all the time. ment is ever on the alert. So when he Flash—Flash! had occasion to call Peter Abenheim, who finds time to an agency several draw pictures for the Transmitter be- days in succession tween production jobs, had an impressive and each time talked collection of drawings in the rotogravure to the same vibrant section of the San Francisco Chronicle a feminine voice he few days ago. .. . Dee Waller of program felt he had made a traffic won the Shrine East- West game discovery. tickets which Dick Bertrandias raffled off. One day after the .. . Lucille Cummings, who pinch-hitted v.f.v., had given him as a hostess so charmingly last summer, a complete summary is singing over station KGW in Portland of the next Bennie . .. the IFOman’s Magazine the Air Walker Amateur of cast say they feel just like other folks now . . . Hour talent he said released from their long exile on the sixth determinedly: The NBC table at the San Francisco Sales Managers Association’s floor of Hale’s Department Store they annual dinner at the Commercial Club. Left to right, Sales Traffic “Look here, young broadcast from the 111 Sutter studios Manager Henry Maas (back turned), Salesman Gene Grant, West- lady, do you know now. . .. Harry Mayhorn has joined the ern Division Sales Manager Sydney Dixon, KPO-KGO Manager you have a voice office staff and treks Lloyd E. Yoder, San Francisco Sales Manager William B. Ryan, around town like Salesman Glen Ticer, Salesman Edward Barker and Sales Promotion with wonderful pos- fleet-footed Mercury delivering letters, Manager Charles B. Brown. sibilities on the ra- continuities and stories for newspapers. 12 NBC TRANSMITTER

The NBC Transmitter salutes these Kathryn Bauer his radio license in 1920 and immedi- members of the National Broadcasting Among those whom we are saluting this ately shipped on a freighter for New Company who, this month, complete their month on the occasion of their tenth anni- York from which port he sailed on passenger and cargo boats as radio operator tenth year of continuous service with the versary with NBC is an attractive young for six years. Company. brunette in the Sales Department. She is i i i Miss Kathryn Bauer. A New Yorker, she In 1927 Kil, like all sailors, stopped in joined the Company shortly after being the port of San Francisco . . . and here L. Lane Loyal graduated from high found romance. Before long he was tell- young boys ing pretty Most school and business Miss Acenith Wright, whom he head for a circus calls “Kitty,” that he’d glad to settle school. be they run away on shore if when Miss Bauer spent down he had somebody like from home. But her to help in the settling process. Result: her first three NBC Loyal L. Lane’s am- a marriage, preceded by another impor- years in the Sales bitions ran in other tant union with NBC. Promotion Division — channels. He enlist- That was in February, 1927, and NBC, after which she be- ed in the Army. The just organized, was a folksy place where came secretary to year was 1917. He the whole engineering staff consisted of George H. Frey, tie was a gangling boy five persons including Charlie, Division position she still of 16. Two years Engineer Saxton and Alice Tyler, his sec- holds today. Of the other three people earlier he had been “bitten by the radio retary. There were just two studios, and in Sales Promotion when she was in that bug,” to use his own words. So it was the engineers monitored “blind” from the division one is still with NBC— E. P. H. only natural that he was assigned to the control room, which also served as the James who is now manager of the Pro- Signal Corps. office. motion Division. Miss Bauer recalls with Kil is one of the few engineers who Today, he is assistant supervisor of the fondness those early days when NBC was doesn’t go home and talk with other Master Control Board in Radio City. In an infant organization and everyone on since “hams” when he has finished at the stu- the twenty years that have followed the staff knew each other. She even re- dios. His motion picture camera, golf and he left his Florida home, he has had an members the Happiness Boys when they books engross him except during football exciting career that reads like a story in were NBC headliners. an adventu.re magazine. season—and then nothing else matters. 1 i i After three years of Army life, two of 1 i i which were spent in France, he joined C. E. Kilgore Edward Stockmar the Navy. While in the Navy he served as He’s tall and broad with dark hair and On February 15, 1928 a youngster in an instructor at the Great Lakes Radio serious brown eyes that hide the twinkle search of a job wandered into the NBC School. Several of the engineers at NBC in them most of the time, and he doesn’t studios in Chicago at 180 North Michigan and RCAC are former pupils of his. talk much. Avenue. Frank Mullen, manager of De- Then he went to sea and served as a But if you get big Charlie Kilgore, partment of Information of RCA in New radioman on battleships and destroyers. senior control room supervisor, backed in- York, who was then in charge of the NBC He was present at the burning of Smyrna. to a quiet corner he may admit that he Chicago office, hired this boy and so Ed Following his service in the Navy, he likes radio so much that a decade in it Stockmar started what has turned out to returned to civilian life and worked as a has passed so quickly that he didn’t real- be a decade of broadcasting. railroad operator, agent and dispatcher. ize he had been with NBC for ten years, Eddie was the tenth person to be em- During those years he found an outlet until the sound of that anniversary chime ployed in NBC Chicago and his first offi- for his interest in in the radio amateur notified him. ... cial title was “Page Boy”. His duties were field. And having talked that much he may manifold and given the proper provoca- Finally, he could resist the call no continue long enough to confess that the tion he will reminisce about the time he longer and in February of 1928 he came full name is Charles Edwin Kilgore, al- helped Marshall Rife of our Engineering to NBC as a studio engineer. He was though he has been “Kil” from his gram- Department set up equipment in the cab

Cheerio’s favorite engineer for many mar school days . .. that he was born in of the Empire Builder. This was for the years. Mr. Lane continued to monitor Snohomish, Washington, thirty-eight Great Northern program premiere, the Cheerio’s programs even after he had been years ago, and had lived only a few of first BIG show from Chicago. Ed paints assigned to the Master Control Room, those years before he decided he wanted a vivid word picture of Graham McNamee which was in 1930. He was the first to be part of this thing called radio. . .. reading his script in the cab by the light switch-bank operator to use the present He waited just long enough to finish of kerosene lamps. Master Control Board in Radio City. high school then Eddie attended Today, Engineer Lane lives in Baysidc, worked as a locomo- night classes at Long Island. He has a son, twelve. His tive fireman and Northwestern Uni- hobbies are golf and stamps. Some day he later as weigh- versity, matriculat- plans to become a “prestidigitator.” We master for a cement ing in the School of looked it up in the dictionary and it means plant to earn enough Commerce and the “one who practices slight of hand, es- money to finance a School of Liberal pecially that requiring skill with the radio c <*iu r s e in Arts. In true Hora- fingers.” Seattle .. . Obtained ( Continued on Next Page) FEBRUARY, 1938 13

ANNIVERSARY CHIMES NBC BOSTON AND SPRINGFIELD

by Harry D. Goodwin

tio Alger style he successively rose from Appointed Sales Manager: University of Pennsylvania, he played page boy to the head of the Mail varsity football and Frank R. Bowes Room, then from there to Commercial engaged in other is NBC’s new sales Traffic Supervisor, from there to assistant sports. After col- manager of WBZ & to the manager of Station Relations for lege, Evans wrote WBZA. His ap- the Central Division and from that to his and features pointment, dating sports present post as Program Traffic Super- for two years for the from January 1, visor. Cleveland Plain was announced by Eddie was married July 3, 1937 to the Dealer. Bob cut John A. Holman, former Miss Eileen Grohe of Chicago and short his newspaper general manager of settled down amidst his fine collection of WBZ & WBZA. career to enter radio symphony records on the northwest side via WGAR. He will Bowes is the young- of Chicago. He plays a good game of ten- feel completely at Frank R. Bowes est man ever to hold nis and has been known to frequent bowl- home in Boston. His the post. He was alley. ing During his career as page boy father is the widely-known Billy Evans, educated at Harvard College and Harvard he used to lock himself in studios during former American League umpire and at Graduate School of Business Administra- his lunch hour and practice on the piano. present Director of the Boston Red Sox tion. After completing his education In late years he has discontinued this hab- Minor League Clubs. Bowes went to work for the New England it and is now one of the better customers Petroleum Corporation as Sales Manager. ill of the Blue Plate lunch. Later, because radio had always inter- Christopher B. Sykes and C. Herbert 1 i i ested him, he joined the sales force of the Masse have joined the NBC sales staff in Colonial Network in Boston. Resigning in Boston. Sykes, a Harvard graduate, came Evangelo Sangas 1936, Bowes joined the sales staff of WBZ direct to NBC from Draper & Company, Evangelo Sangas, whose job is keeping Boston. & WBZA. Frank is an ardent devotee of Masse was formerly associated the studios in Radio City cool, took up the candid camera and spends much of his with the Yankee Network. work with the Com- time outside the studio photographing his ill pany in and 1928, friends and his three nephews. Bowes was Elected: has kept cool NBC married last spring to Dorothy Healy of Capt. John A. Holman is the new Presi- ever since. Mr. San- Chicago and makes his home on Beacon dent of the Boston Signal Post, American gas, himself a cool Hill in Boston. Signal Corps Association. Captain Hol- and collected per- ill man, who is also the Generalissimo of son, is to be found WBZ & WBZA, was elected President at any of these winter Tournament: the Association’s annual meeting held at days down in the WBZ’s atmosphere is tense with an the NBC studios in the Hotel Bradford, Refrigerating Room intra-office ping pong tournament. Arch Boston. in the sub-basement of the RCA Building, J. Macdonald who is in charge of the i 1 i tearing apart some of the refrigerat- swing contest says that everything is un- four Featured Speaker: ing machines and putting them in order der control and as an added inducement Miss Mildred W. Carlson. Home Forum for next summer’s heat. to lure staff members to participate he has Director, was one of the featured speakers arranged to have the finals broadcast over In the summer time, when the air is at the recent Food Fair held in the WBZ & WBZA by Bill Williams. After Me- warm and humid it has to be put through chanics Building, Boston. The exposition match, Bill will interview both the a process of washing and cooling. The the was sponsored by the winner and the loser for the benefit of New England Gro- water with which the air is washed is cery Market Magazine and many of the kept at a temperature of 45° Fahrenheit. radio listeners. Home Forum clients had attractive booths The same water is used over and over and i i i at the fair. is constantly recirculated. The business Pisciculture: 1 1 i of keeping this water circulating at the C. S. (Cy) Young, office manager, has News Notes: right temperature so that it arrives in the added two new members to his staff. The Robert E. (Bob) White, popular WBZ spray chamber at 45° F., is what keeps new additions are “Pit” and “Hig,” deni- announcer, who was recently married to Mr. Sangas and his crew busy during the zens of the deep and commonly known as Josephine Tierney of Springfield now lives warm and humid months of the year. goldfish. derive their The golden “gillies” in Brookline . . . Jack Wright, production Before joining NBC, he worked for five names from Cy’s secretary, Ruth Higgins manager, and WBZ “finder of finds”, years in the heating plant of the Seamen’s and Cora Pittman, Accounting. claims to have unearthed another likely Saving Bank in New York City and be- ill lady in Lynne Sherman, the Club May- fore that he served about sixteen years in fair songbird . . . Betty Baker is a new the field of marine engineering, working Newcomers: addition to the Program Dept Arch at sea for various steamship lines. Robert B. (Bob) Evans, for three years J. Macdonald has been transferred from Mr. Sangas, a native New Yorker, lives ace sports reviewer of Station WGAR, the News to the Program Department to in Island, with wife Woodside, Long his Cleveland, has joined the news and pro- handle program promotion . .. Gordon and three sons. When we asked him about motion staff of WBZ & WBZA. Although Swan, Traffic Manager, is now completely his outside interests, he said, “My family only 25 years old. Bob has had a thorough ensconsced in a spacious new office ad- and my work are my only interests; there training in reporting and broadcasting joining the Sales Dept. . . . are no others.” news and sports events. Educated at the P.S. Flash: obit—“Pit” has died. —

14 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC WASHINGTON LET'S GET ACQUAINTED by Marian P. Gale Mary Mason our home economics expert can do more than “talk” a good meal Frances Rockefeller King on the air ... The buffet supper she “I book anything from trained fleas to served for the girls in the office at the last opera singers for private parties,” was knitting club gathering met all the rules

Frances Rockefeller King’s reply to a of vitamins and calories ... the fine Ital- question put by a new member of NBC at ian hand with which she marshalled the a business luncheon where several mem- savories in the spaghetti was never taught bers of the New York staff were meeting in any cooking class ... Gladys Murphy each other for the first time. Miss King with her knitting was the second feature should have added that she is the Private of the evening. ... It would take a candid Entertainment Bureau, an adjunct of the camera shot to prove to some people how Artists Service Department, because she really domestic she has become. and she alone with the assistance of two i i 1 secretaries runs the bureau. The inter-office ping pong tournament hundreds of business executives who To will be getting under way this week ... in the past have had to organize private Announcer George Gunn and Tommy parties or employe dinners and conven- Knode of News Department are making tions the of Frances Rockefeller name up the schedules ... There will be doubles Frances Rockefeller King King means good, clean and successful and singles matches for both the men and .. . do the unusual entertainment. Their names are listed in women teams . .. someone said we might Miss King’s files as steady customers. But even broadcast the finals from Studio A The prestige and dignity of NBC go lest you think business executives are the and challenge local staffs of the opposi- hand in hand with Miss King’s high stan- only people for whom Miss King acts as tion stations .. . Inadvertently Bud Barry dards for private entertainment; there- an agent for talent, we hastily add that was divested of his due in the last Trans- fore, her association with NBC has been she also books talent for children and mitter ... It was Bud who did the writing happy and harmonious. And, furthermore, debutante parties, clubs, political cele- job on the now VERY famous Procter and — business is good. So good that she is al- brations and others. “Anything from a Gamble skit at the Xmas dinner. ways on the go. An energetic woman, Miss clam-bake to an ambassador’s dinner,” as i 1 i King says that she keeps a twenty-four Miss King put it. hour schedule. When not in her office she Tom Knode, formerly of the Washing- “But,” Miss King emphasized, “I will Press, is taking over is available at home for calls from all ton Bureau of United not book any kind of entertainment which parts of the country. the duties of Bob Cottingham in News ... is not in good taste and which does not Philadelphia As manager of her bureau she is also the latter is now at KYW measure up to our high standards. No .. rather auspicious debut her own director, property man and light- . Knode made a matter what the occasion might be, there ing expert. Not long ago when she organ- when he promptly trimmed the whole staff is no necessity for entertainment which is - ized a luncheon show for a large company —at ping pong ... up to now General not wholesome and dignified.” on Staten Island, she was also a human Manager Berkeley has been champ ... And Miss King always succeeds in con- alarm clock, arousing her artists and or- Knode whipped him 21 to 1 ... it’s re- vincing entertainment seekers that honest- chestra men long before dawn and herd- ported that a handsome brochure contain- to-goodness talent that is intelligent and ing them all on the 7 A.M. ferry in order ing general information about the ATE at the same time entertaining is what they to get there on time. dance is on sale ... it is said to contain should have at their parties. It is not prud- To those who always want to be sure of only exclusive stories ... never told before ishness, explains Miss King, it is merely . . . Announcer success in entertainment, regardless of . .. and still they come good showmanship. the audience, Miss King advises them “to Dorian St. George is now the latest to Miss King draws her entertainers from . . . Salesman do the unusual.” That, she thinks, will al- undergo an appendectomy many different branches of the show busi- ways hold anybody’s attention. Stanley Bell has just returned after a ness. NBC artists are all listed in her files. three-week lay off for the same trouble She knows them all for she has been in the . . . congratulations are heard on all sides business of entertainment many years NAMES IN THE NEWS for Rudy Schramm and Fred Shawn’s long before even radio entered the field. work on turning out the new house or- ( Continued from Page 5) A graduate of Teacher’s College, chestra .. . the fifteen piece unit is easily Frances Rockefeller King entered the Brass Button Revue, paid us a visit late the best in Washington .. . and they seem last month. He is now a staff announcer of show business by way of press agentry. to sound better with each broadcast. outlet in She was a newspaper reporter and fea- WBEN, NBC — Red Network ture writer before she organized and Buffalo, N. Y. Previous to WBEN, Mike- 0. B. Hanson, chief engineer, left Radio headed the private entertainment depart- man Wyatt announced for WWJ, Detroit. City for the-West Coast on January 31. ment of the B. F. Keith circuit of theaters, He is a graduate of Dan Russell’s an- He will spend most of his time in Holly- class for with which she was associated for many nouncing NBCites. wood to make plans for the installation years before she opened her own inde- i i i of the equipment in the new NBC studios pendent office. In 1932 George Engles, di- Paul Owen, talented member of the which are being constructed in that city. rector of Artists Service, invited her to page staff, is singing on the stage of the i 1 i join NBC. Unable to resist the fascination Paramount Theatre on Times Square. He President Lohr left NBC headquarters that radio held for her. Miss King ac- has a three-week engagement at that in New York on February 7 for his annual cepted the offer and moved her offices into theatre during which period he is on visit to the Western Division. Mrs. Lohr NBC headquarters. leave of absence. accompanied him. FEBRUARY, 1938 15

WTAM CLEVELAND EXCHANGE CORNER by Bob Dailey This classified ad section is available, free charge, to all NBC employes. Rules: forty- WTAM'S New Studios: was settled in the new home that the stu- of five word limit; no regular business or profes- dios really took on life in Mr. Pribble’s Moving day was a hectic one for sional services may be advertised. Address ads mind. WTAM staffmen and women. Saturday to NBC Transmitter, Room 284, RCA Build- It was then that he smilingly walked York. night, February 5th, office desks were ing, New over to shake the hand of J. J. Arnone, All items must be in writing; give name locked and equipment packed into huge construction engineer-in-charge. and address. boxes. Most of the office furniture and NBC much of the carpeting had been taken i 1 i SUBLET — Real bargain — three-room, com- from the old studios previously for re- 500 Girls: pletely furnished apartment, elevator building. Sunshine, nice view. Ideal for two or three. conditioning. But, even so, the halls and Nearly 500 girl singers jammed their Attractively decorated. Complete equipment, offices resembled the rooms of a ware- into for a personality singing way WTAM china, glass, linen. Location; 137 East 28th house. contest jointly sponsored by WTAM, the Street, just off Lexington Avenue. Near all That night and all day Sunday vans Cleveland Press and the Palace Theater. transportation lines; 15 minutes from NBC. Lindsey, Room 404, New York. moved between the former studios and With two studios in operation and two See Miss A. WTAM’s spacious new quarters in the sets of judges, it took seven hours to au- SACRIFICE — 1928 Rolls-Royce roadster. NBC building. Actual shut-down of broad- dition the contestants. The winner got a Motor, paint and tires in good condition. 6 and feel like a casting control in the former studios was week’s stage engagement with Phil Spi- wheels. Drive it away for $250 million dollars. Call or write the NBC Trans- not put into effect until after sign-off talny’s All-Girl Orchestra. Production mitter. Sunday night, however. Director Fred Wilson and Program Direc- But in spite of the difficulty always pres- tor Hal Metzger acted as judges. FOR SALE—Practically new aviator’s suit, leather, full-length, one piece, fleece staff that moved genuine ent on moving day, the 1 i i lined, zipper pockets and fasteners. Valued at into the new building on Monday morn- New program idea handled weekly by $85. Will take first reasonable offer. Call or ing was a happy one. Announcer Bob Swan and Maestro Gor- write NBC Transmitter, Room 284, Ext. 220. The roomy studios, offices and corri- don is a thirty-minute program construct- FREE—NBC employes may secure from Ash- dors, all constructed in the latest designs ed musically and dramatically around a ton Dunn in the Personnel office free guest and with the best lighting and air-condi- cards song title. Swan writes the script and cards to the West Side Y.M.C.A. Guest tioning systems possible, made for a vir- are good for a whole day’s visit to the “Y” Gordon handles the musical end. Broad- tual “radio palace” in contrast to the gymnasium, swimming pools, library and other casts have captured favorable comment abandoned quarters. The new quarters facilities. Call Ext. 494. from many sources. take up four floors. BARGAIN—For sale: pair of women’s riding i Everyone went about his duties with i i boots including hoot-jack, hook and saddle a smile, but the man with the broadest Notes and Dashes: soap. Made in England. Size 8. Call or write Robert Devine, Room 626, N. Y., Ext. 791. grin was Manager Vernon H. Pribble. For Peg Fitzgerald on a leave of absence to

as the organization took over its new visit her parents in the East . .. Chester SUBLET—Until October, 1938, furnished or in City. Liv- working home, he was seeing his dreams Zohn, night program manager, ill in a unfurnished apartment Tudor ing room, bedroom, kitchenette and bath. Call come true. hospital .. . Manager Pribble and Music Caroline Gay, Script Division, Ext. 611. In witnessing the construction of each Director Walter Logan journeying to part of the radio plant, he saw the mater- Pittsburgh for the ceremonies welcoming ials and workmanship that went into the Cleveland’s Maurice Spitalny to KDKA Ray Kelly Heads New staff finished job but it was not until his as music director .. . Sound Effect Division

( Continued from Page 1)

KYW PHILADELPHIA paratus to the managed and operated stations. by J. A. Aull One of the leading radio sound techni- The highlight of the past month was of Marschalk & Pratt; S. D. Gregory, cians in the country and a pioneer in the the annual Poor Richard Club banquet Westinghouse; John Nevius, of Courtland field, N. Ray Kelly has been chief of the held in the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel on D. Ferguson; and C. Cottington of N. W. Sound Effects Division since it was cre- January 17. It’s the town’s big event for Ayer. KYW representatives, in addition ated in 1929. Until then sound effects had advertising men and women and practic- to Mr. Joy, were John Hammann and Dan been provided, when at all, by a snare ally everybody of importance was present. Park of the Sales Department. Mr. E. H. drummer, the traditional sound effects KYW played host to a number of out-of- Gager represented Westinghouse for the man of the old theater. towners in the NBC family and a special station. After graduation from Knox College, 1 1 i NBC table enjoyed a front row position Galesburg, Illinois, Mr. Kelly sought a

to view the elaborate show which went On February 1, Burton Lambert, for the career in the Western oil fields, continu- with the dinner. Will Hays, movie czar, past three years Sales Representative for ing his hobby, however, of creating sound. was the principal speaker and his words Hearst Radio in New York and Philadel- Two years later, he was called to New of wisdom were broadcast over the Red phia, joined the sales staff at KYW. Mr. York to begin radio sound pioneering Network. KYW’s manager, Leslie Joy, Lambert, prior to his association with after a college chum, employed by NBC, was chief handshaker and welcomed the Hearst Radio, was in the editorial and had convinced the authorities that the following from headquarters: John F. advertising department of Sales Manage- production of sound effects was a full- Royal, A. H. Morton, Ken R. Dyke, Doug- ment magazine. He will occupy the former time job. The friend had remembered Mr. las W. Meservey, and James Martin. office of George H. Jaspert who has re- Kelly’s keen interest in sound when they Others at the table were Curt Peterson, signed. both were active in the campus theater. 16 NBC TRANSMITTER KNOW YOUR COMPANY No. 13 — MACHINE SHOP. ENGINEERING DEPT.

JT is a hot Saturday afternoon in the to leave for the week-end. He tells them summer of 1932. The Democratic Na- what has come up. Plans for outings at the tional Convention is in progress in Chi- beach and so on are shelved. Variations of cago. Each day NBC announcers and en- the “I’m going to be detained at the of- gineers canvass vast Chicago Stadium fice, dear” story are given over the phone with microphones on wire extensions to and the work gets under way. pick up voices of the delegates for the Some of the men pore over the drafting radio audience. table plotting the curve of the reflector, George McElrath, supervising the NBC for it must be an accurate parabolic arc.

engineers, is worried. “It seems to me we Another man canvasses mason’s supply could find an easier way to cover this,” he stores, finally finds one about to close for muses. “Those wires seem to get in every- the night and persuades the reluctant one’s way.” Then he thinks of the para- owner to send over an ample supply of bolic reflector microphone they have sand and cement. These are to make the brought along at 0. B. Hanson’s sugges- mould of the reflector. Another man is tion. The device consists of a bowl-shaped dispatched to a lumber yard and returns shield mounted in front of the “live” side with timber to make the initial mould. of a microphone. It may be focused at a First a wooden mould must be made; that distant speaker much in the manner a then a cement one is made from it. Mak- searchlight is trained upon a spot, pick up ing the wooden mould is very painstaking the speaker’s words and exclude all other work. The work proceeds at a snails pace Gustave A. Bosler is shown next to a six-foot parabola with which field engi- sounds not in its “path.” because it must be cut exactly. Any devia- microphone neers can, from the grandstands, pick up the They try out the three-foot reflector. tion from the blue print and it is ruined. crack of the bat hitting the ball or the thud It works! But it doesn’t pick up sounds at Days pass. Forgotten now is the eight- of the ball in the catcher’s mitt during a ball hall very easily. the far end of the A hour day. The men arrive at the shop game. reflector is needed. larger early in the morning and work far into the pry the shield from the mould. The flan- “Well there’s only one thing to do now. night. Such is the spirit that made NBC nel and glue is now a hard-surfaced para- Get me Bosler on the wire.” Soon Gustave what it is today. By Thursday morning bolic reflector. It is placed in a well- A. Bosler, head of the Engineering De- the cement mould has hardened suffi- padded crate and rushed to Newark Air- partment’s Machine Shop, and Mr. Mc- ciently for the last step. It is laboriously port. There, still warm, it is put aboard a Elrath are in a huddle via long distance loaded aboard a truck and sped to the waiting plane and flown to Chicago. On telephone. Mr. McElrath explains that special plant where the reflector itself will Friday morning it is in service at the con- the reflector they have is too small. A be made. Once there, alternate layers of vention hall. larger one is needed. One, say, six feet in flannel cloth and glue are applied to its diameter. They must have it, at the latest, concave surface. When a dozen sheets of This is one example of the assignments of within a week before the convention flannel have been put on, the mould is that are given the Machine Shop. Most exciting as the one we reaches its climax. placed in a furnace. It bakes for hours them are not as have just related. Generally, the work con- “It will be there,” Mr. Bosler hangs up and finally in the late afternoon it is taken sists of building equipment from the and turns to his co-workers who are about out. Risking burnt fingers, the workers rough sketches and blue prints that are given to them by members of the experimental, development and maintenance staffs of the Engineering Department. The Top Hat, Beer Mug and Stratosphere transmitters, that enabled NBC announcers and engineers to secure special-event “scoops” are good examples of the shop’s handiwork.

Most of the work is done in the Machine Shop on the fifth floor of NBC’s Radio City studios. The Machine Shop was installed in 1927. Gustave A. Bosler was its only occupant. The staff grew with the years and today he is assisted by Fred Guber, Clarkson U. Bundick, William Yost, GranvilleillC. Peers and James Breen.

An album ol RCA-Victor records of Bethoven s Seventh Symphony played by the N. Y. Phil- harmonic Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Toscanini, will be given away to the best baby The Machine Shop in Radio City. Pictured are, left to right: Clarkson U. Bundick, picture submitted to the NBC Transmitter this Fred Guber and Gustave A. Bosler. month. —— NBC TRANSMITTER

VOL. 4 MAKCH, 1958 NO. 5

NBC EMPLOYES SHOW NBC Opens New Studios NOTED CONDUCTORS TO ACCLAIMED BY LISTENERS For WTAM Cleveland DIRECT NBC SYMPHONY Saturday afternoon, February 19th, On WTAM, Cleveland managed and oper- Carlos Chavez, noted composer and con- without any advance fanfare, the NBC ated station of the National Broadcast- ductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Employes Show went on the air from ing Company, formally dedicated its new Mexico City, Artur Rodzinski, Pierre Radio City over the Red Network, coast $300,000 studios in the NBC Building Monteux, Sir Adrian Boult and Bernar- to coast. Delighted listeners from twenty Saturday, February 19, with noonday dino Molinari have been scheduled to di- states and Canada wrote over 250 letters ceremonies which were opened with the rect the NBC Symphony Orchestra follow- complimenting the cast. Newspapers com- chimes of Big Ben and a greeting from ing Arturo Toscanini’s last broadcast on mented that “it was of professional cali- London, England, by Fred Bate, NBC Saturday, March 5. ber.” Excerpts from some of the letters British representative. This announcement signifies the contin- are quoted below. WTAM has for many years been a key uance well into June of the Saturday night “Yes! tve want some more programs station for the NBC-Red Network. It pro- concerts by the NBC Symphony Orches- from the employes of the NBC.”—Beaver- duces as many as twenty-five network tra under world-famous conductors over ton, Oregon. the NBC networks, the network fry broadcasts a week. Its new facilities, oc- of the cupying the first four floors of the twenty- Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and “It would be too bad to disorganize your two-story building, are expected to make international short-wave stations. staff and put each and every one this of the station an even stronger link in the Sr. Chavez, distinguished Mexican con- afternoon's artists on NBC programs regu- Network. ductor already known to American con- larly, but you could do nothing that would cert and radio audiences through During the inaugural ceremonies, 1500 his for- .” please your listening public more mer guest appearances in the United pigeons were released, signifying the House of Representatives, W ashington, States, will follow Arturo Toscanini, earliest means of communication, and 800 di- D. C. recting the broadcasts on bandsmen played appropriate music. Na- March 12 y i y and 19. tional Guard planes swooped overhead “. . . and l want to tell you that some and fifteen bombs were exploded, one for COMPANY DANCE NEXT MONTH of your performers have real talent .” each year WTAM has been on the air. The Dance Committee of the NBC Providence, R. I. An evening dedicatory program fea- Athletic Association has announced that y y y tured Margaret Speaks and Mario Cozzi this year’s Company dance will be held “I thought George Andrews’ singing of as soloists with a symphony orchestra dion Friday, April 22, at the Hotel Roose- .” ‘Siboney’ was the best . . J. M. Allen, — rected by Frank Black, NBC music di- velt, New York City. Bristol-Myers Co., New York. rector; the signing of Bob Feller’s 1938 According to the announcement, made y y y contract with the Cleveland Indians; a by Grace Sniffin, chairman of the com- “. . . and I am happy to write you and comedy sketch by Arlene Harris, star of mittee, Peter Van Steeden and his or- tell you in all sincerity that we thought it Al Pearce's Gang, and the music of Lee chestra will furnish the music and radio exceptionally fine and that, by all means, Gordon’s orchestra. Graham McNamee celebrities will give a floor show. Reser- repeat the show whenever possible.” and Tom Manning announced the pro- vations for tables are now being taken by Crete, Nebraska. gram. the Dance Committee. y y y

“Your delightful half-hour just came to a beautiful finish, with four male voices admirably blended, and an announcer [E. P. H. James, manager of the Promo- tion Division] who is in himself a speaking example of how the English language should be spoken. ... I am seventy, more or less a shut-in, listen to radio many hours a day, and speak feelingly.”—Port- land, Oregon.

y y y / was delighted with the lovely composition of ‘Fragments.' ”—Fort Bragg, California.

( Tragments,” composed, and played on the piano by Lewis Lane)

y -r y “. . . the whole show was the best thirty minutes I've heard in a long while.” Members of the NBC staff in Troy, N. Y. Cleveland photographed in the new WTAM quarters during the inaugural ceremonies of the new studios. Left to right: Hal Metzger, program director; Vernon ( Pictures on page 5) H. Pribble, station manager; Tom Manning, sports announcer; and Walter Logan, music director. 2 NBC TRANSMITTER

Joe Daly says that one of his most mem- announcing staff of WCAE, Pittsburgh, orable experiences in the show business reports that he is now announcing for NAMES IN was the time he played for the Prince of KYW, Red Network outlet in Philadel- Wales, now the Duke of Windsor, on phia. He is another graduate of the NBC THE NEWS board ship when the latter was on his School for Announcers in Radio City. way to visit America in 1924. i i i i 1 i Miss Frances Barbour, formerly of I. Richard Diament was promoted from E. Showermans office in the Sales Depart- the studio operations staff to the Music NEW YORK ment, is now acting as assistant to John Library on February 15. Dick joined the McNeil, who is in charge of new business staff in 1935 Promotions: NBC page and subsequently in that department. A member of the com- Wendell H. Wil- was promoted to the guide and set-up pany for many years, Miss Barbour has liams has been staffs. He is studying voice. worked in various departments. transferred from the 1 i i i i i Continuity Accept- Newcomers: Peter Ratyca has been transferred from ance Division in Miss Blanche Byler, formerly with the the page staff to the Telegraph Division New York to Holly- American Gas Products Corp., has joined to replace Val Kalligeros who is now do- wood where he is the Publicity Department. At present she ing clerical work in Traffic. Continuity Ac- now is working in the Photo Section. A native i i i ceptance Editor. The New Yorker, Miss Byler has traveled and appointment was lived abroad for many years. Recently she Resignations: made on February returned from Brazil where she lived for Alan Kent resigned from the announc- 15. four years and learned to speak Portu- ing staff on February 15 to become a free W. H. Williams guese fluently, i i i lance announcer and master of ceremonies Walter D. Scott, formerly with for a commercial program on WNEW, Mr. Williams started in the Company the national sales department of Hearst Radio, New York. i i i as a page shortly after he was graduated Barrett W. Eldridge resigned from the from Dartmouth College with the class of Inc., has joined the Local Sales Division of native guide staff February 24 to accept a posi- ’34. After serving seven months in the uni- NBC New York. A of Missouri, Mr. Scott is a graduate of the University tion with Rockefeller Center; Inc., in the formed staff he was promoted to Con- of Missouri School of Journalism. publicity department. His resignation ter- tinuity Acceptance where he was an as- minated three years of service with NBC. sistant to its head, Miss Janet MacRorie, i i i until his promotion last month. Edward Padilla, a graduate of the Uni- Sick List: i i i versity of Pennsylvania and Yale Univer- i i i Victor van der Linde of the Sales De- sity’s Department of Drama, has joined partment who fell and broke his leg dur- B. the Television Program Division as direc- William Paisley has been moved up ing one of the NBC bowling contents last tor. Mr. Padula had in the Music Division and is now in charge has some experience month, has recovered from the resulting of staff. in motion pictures. Last summer he the Music Library’s maintenance operation and is now learning to walk worked with one of the production units He replaces Wallace R. Magill who re- on crutches, according to reports from his signed from NBC to accept a position as of Twentieth Century-Fox in Hollywood. secretary. Miss Eunice Adams, who makes Heifetz, Previous to that he worked three seasons personal representative of Jascha periodical trips up to Medical Center to February 15. as stage manager of the Westport Coun- Mr. Magill’s resignation see how the patient is doing. Mr. van der terminated try Playhouse in Connecticut. over eight years of employ- Linde is expected back in his office the ment with NBC. Transfers: i i i latter part of this month. Frank Heffer of the Music Library has Miss Nancy Baird of the Promotion Di- ( Continued on Next Page) been assigned to Bill Paisley’s former du- vision has been named secretary to B. J. Hauser of that division. Miss Baird is replacing Miss Edith Jackson who resigned Joseph M. Daly, formerly of the Music last month to become Mrs. Raymond B. Library, is now a member of the Produc- Price. tion Division where he is in charge of The vacancy resulting from these programming sustaining musical shows changes is being filled by Miss Irma Gohs and of coaching singers on sustaining pro- who joined NBC in the Central Steno- grams. graphic Section last December. Miss Gohs Mr. Daly has been with NBC over a brings much valuable experience in the year. Before coming to NBC, he had two publishing business to her new post. acts which were well-known on many Members of the Promotion Division pre- vaudeville circuits. He had an all-girl or sented Miss Jackson with a breakfast set chestra billed as Joe Daly and His Co- as a wedding present on her departure eds and another feature act called Joe from the Company. Daly and His RKO Discoveries. i i i Mr. Daly also was known on the stage Miss Ruth Smith who has been with as a piano accompanist and soloist. He the Company many years was transferred played for many vaudeville stars among from the Music Division to Chief An- Shortly after the judge pronounced Helen whom were Grace Moore, Grace La Rue, nouncer Pat Kelly’s office on February 15. Winter and A. S. Faillace “man and wife” Helen Ford, and Jose Collins with whom 1 i i Walter Wiebel snapped this picture of the he appeared in England as well as in Daniel Munster who resigned from the newlyweds. Looking on is Paul Rittenhouse, this country. page staff last November 1 to join the best man. (See Marriages.) MARCH, 1938 3 ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES NAMES IN THE NEWS BOWLING High scorers in the fast game against American Cyanamid were John Graham ( Continued from Page 2) The Athletic Association’s Bowling and Jim Von Frank. Stork News; League went into its second series of the date the NBC cagers have played Harry Grelck, studio engineer, became season on March 2 with the team cap- To six games, not including three practice a father on February 6. It’s a girl and her tained by Steere Mathew of Traffic out in games played during the month of De- name is Catherine Marie. front. they won two. ill Mr. Mathew’s team won hands down in cember, of which features of these games Emil Dell’Era, audio facilities engineer, the first series with a record of 20 won, 7 The outstanding have been the NBCites’ excellent team- is now the father of a baby girl, Jeanne, lost. Not far behind came Henry Hayes who was born on January 28 last. Jeanne and his team with 17 won, 10 lost. work, the deadly shooting of their south- forwards, Graham and Von Frank, is the first child of the Dell’Era family. The League has four teams of ten men paw Blianey / 1 i each. The first of the season’s series began with Capt. Jack Garland and Ed Emil Corwin, editor of the NBC News last December and ended on February 23. ably assisting them, and the great defen sive work of Kalligeros, Vernon, McHugh Service, is another NBC young man who By means of the Bound Robin system the recently became a father. It’s the Corwins’ different teams played each other in 27 Comidy and Crenshaw. first baby and his name is Tommy. games. At this writing it was undecided As this goes to press, Albert Crenshaw, ill whether six or nine rounds would be manager of the NBC team, reports that Marriages; played in the second series of the season. their next game is a return match with Standing at the close of first series, by William Hillpot. Artists Service repre- the Church of the Intercession Team team captains: they beat by ten points in the first sentative, finally has joined the society of whom benedicts. He was married to Miss Rosita T earns Won Lost tussle. Reachi in Metuchen. New Jersey, on Feb- Steere Mathew 20 7 The Company is well represented on ruary 24. Mrs. Hillpot is the original Henry P. Hayes 17 10 the squad, the team being composed of Rosita of the internationally famous dance Dwight G. Wallace 12 15 players from Guest Relations, Statistical, team, Ramon and Rosita. Charles H. Thurman 5 22 Traffic. Sound Effects, P.B.X., and the r i i Men who made individual scores of 200 Executive Offices. Miss Helen Winter of the Treasurer’s or more were Steere Mathew, J. La- BRIDGE Office and A. S. Faillace of Guest Rela- l’ouche, Courtney Snell, Tommy Dolan, Athletic Associa- tions were married in Larchmont, New Henry Hayes, A1 Frey, Joe Hogan, D. W. Members of the NBC to already long York, on February 24. The wedding, an Wallace, and Bob llennig. tion recently added their by intimate list of activities weekly bridge sessions. informal ceremony attended The ladies also meet on Wednesday eve- of the immediate The group, headed by Edward M. Lowell friends and members nings at the Pythian Temple on 70th place in the of General Service, meets one evening a families of the couple, took Street near Broadway. George 0. Milne, of the bridegroom’s sister, Mrs. Sid- week at Mrs. Grace Brehm’s Bridge Club, home Eastern Division Engineer, who is chair- 250 West 22nd Street, New York City. ney Winkel. man of the Bowling League, expressed the performed by bridge players who The ceremony was Judge wish that more NBCettes turn out for the NBC or members Messersmith. The bride’s sister, wish to learn to play this popular W. M. meetings. Two alleys are held open for how Miss Lillian Winter, was maid of honor them each week. card game are urged to come to the weekly and Paul Rittenhouse, supervisor of the games. Cash prizes are awarded. All meth- NBC guide staff, was best man. R. J. BASKETBALL ods of playing bridge are accepted; Cul- Teichner, assistant treasurer of NBC, gave On February 23 the NBC basketball bertson, The Four Horsemen, Vanderbilt, the bride (and his secretary) away. team scored its fourth victory of the sea- the catch-as-catch-can and other systems The wedding was followed by a recep- son by defeating another Rockefeller are welcome. Instructions are available tion at the Loyale Inn in Larchmont, Center team, American Cyanamid, 32-20. for beginners. whence the newlyweds started on a honeymoon motor trip to Miami, Florida. honor at a party given by her boss, R. J. Pat Bildersee and William Donovan of Among the NBCites present at the wed- Teichner, assistant treasurer, at the the Educational Division, who were in ding were Miss Grace Sniffin of the Treas- French Cafe in Rockefeller Center a few charge of the booth, explained NBC edu- urer’s office, Robert C. Armstrong and evenings before her marriage to A. S. cational activities and distributed pamph- Walter Wiebel, Guest Relations. Faillace of Guest Relations. Many NBC- lets and bulletins on NBC educational ill ites were present at the party. Miss Win- features. They were assisted by Carl Can- Miscellaneous: ter was presented with a set of dinner non of the Guest Relations Division. glasses as a wedding gift from her NBC Fred Johnstone, former NBC guide, ill friends. r r i is announcing for Miss Enid Beaupre of the Promotion , now WLVA, Lynch- burg, Virginia. Edward Bertero, engineer, has returned Division is being congratulated on the i 1 i from a month’s absence caused by pneu- excellence of another Welsh program she Harvey Gannon, of the Night Program monia. > > > organized and produced for the NBC net- Manager’s Office, has been made a mem- President Lohr has returned from his works. The program, dedicated to St. ber of the Hall of Fame of the West Side visit to the Western Division of NBC. David, Welsh patron saint, was heard on YMCA Booster’s Club. Booster Gannon, i i i the Blue Network, February 26. during the month of January, high-pres- An exhibit booth brought NBC’s edu- The program opened in New York with sured fourteen exercise-starved NBCites cational programs and policies to the at- an address by a well-known Welshman, into joining the “Y.” For this, his hand- tention of educators at the convention of Arthur Hopkins, noted play producer. The some picture hangs in the Hall of Fame. the National Association of Progressive Philadelphia Welsh Male Choir and the i 1 i Teachers, held at the Hotel Pennsylvania Cantoresau, a group of Welsh women Miss Helen Winter was the guest of in New York, February 23-26. singers, were heard from Philadelphia. —

4 NBC TRANSMITTER

H. J. BOCK APPOINTED WHO'S WHO IN THE NBC NETWORKS WESTERN PRESS MANAGER

Harold Bock, for three years mana- Clay Morgan J. ger of the Press Department in Holly- several occasions since Clay Morgan On wood, was appointed Press Manager for slipped into the NBC picture a year ago the Western Division of NBC, February last October, the Transmitter has sug- 15. The new Western Division Press Man- gested something in print, but found him ager will continue his headquarters in amiably adamant. He insisted then he was just going to school frying to find out Hollywood. what this radio thing is all about. When Mr. Bock replaces Lloyd E. Yoder he was appointed Director of Promotion who recently became manager of KPO in January, 1937, and took over direction and KGO, NBC stations in San Fran- thought of the Publicity Department, he cisco. Milton Samuel, formerly assistant he ought to shake down in the new job manager of the Press Department in San before discussing it or himself. Subse- Francisco, continues in his present posi- quent attempts to pry loose personal in- tion as head of that department. formation were parried with the urbanity When Mr. Bock joined the NBC Hol- which is an outstanding Morgan charac- Ci.ay Morgan teristic. lywood staff in 1935, he was one of only Director of Public Relations However, when approached recently a dozen employes in the Film City stu- with the hitherto carefully concealed in- dios and the only one in his department. formation that his business cards now During the past three years the Press De- teenth to eighteenth centuries, and snaps “Director of Public Relations,” Mr. has been steadily increased in read an occasional photograph. partment Morgan broke down and consented to “I like people who like the things I size. open up. The following facts were gleaned like,” is the way Mr. Morgan sums up his Mr. Bock joined the Company in 1933, from a highly informal and enjoyable — philosophy of living, and he expatiates taking charge of the news bureau in San interview. people he has upon the number of such Francisco. In addition to handling Pacific Birthplace Jersey City. Date— 1894. coming with NBC. Liking folks — met since Coast news for NBC broadcasters, he did Early history —vaguely theatrical. War and having them like you is the basic for- a nightly news broadcast on KYA, then record— infantry and pioneer infantry mula for public relations, as the subject of operated by NBC. A year later, he joined overseas, two years; last year 2nd Lieu- this interview did not have to explain to the Don Lee System, as their San Fran- tenant 54th Pioneer Infantry; Meuse Ar- your reporter. But a session in his office publicity After a year with gonne and six months in Coblenz, Army with time out every few minutes for dis- cisco manager. of Occupation. After the war— three years cussions and decisions on the continuously that organization he returned to NBC. a 1st Lieutenant, 71st Infantry, N.Y.N.G. popping affairs of the Publicity Depart- Mr. Bock is ope of the youngest divi- Clubs—The Players and Dutch Treat. ment showed plainly that there is a lot of sion managers in NBC. He is under thirty

Member of Council on Public Opinion. know-how to it besides. years old. He was born in Avoca, Wiscon- Mr. Morgan joined the French Line Since the publicity department of an sin, and attended school there. When his after leaving the Army in 1919. In 1923 organization advertises everything except family moved to Long Beach, California, he became publicity director for the Line, itself, Mr. Morgan explained the set-up, he attended Polytechnic High, where he and began a career in public relations which wasn't too clear to the Transmit- was active in student publications. which kept him in the same spot for alter, and therefore may be somewhat ob- He also was on the staff of the Long most fifteen years and won him friends by scure to NBCites in general. The Director Beach Sun. He completed his education the mile. His many years of just plain of Public Relations reports to President at Long Beach Junior College and Uni- hard work in exploiting his company, its Lohr, and his responsibility, obviously, is versity of California at Los Angeles, be- ships and service, culminated in the ex- the public relations of the company, which fore going to San Francisco where he rep- plosion of publicity that made America ramify all over NBC and far outside. He resented Variety, Broadcasting and other and the world Normandie-conscious—con- operates through the Publicity Depart- trade publications. centration of ability and experience on ment, which is in direct charge of the Di- the task of making the new French liner rector of Publicity, Wayne Randall. known to everybody as the last word in The department has two divisions, the ocean transportation. Sales Promotion Division, headed by E. P.

It is a safe guess that Mr. Morgan’s suc- H. James, and the Press Division, of which

cess with steamships stems from his love J. Vance Babb is manager. The handsome of the sea. He haunted the Jersey water- books and folders, the rate cards, sales lit- front as a boy, and trans-Atlantic travel erature advertising and so on come out of became part of his duties. There never the Sales Promotion Division; the pro- was any clear dividing line between work gram listings, news stories, pictures and and fun, he says. If he had any quarrel mentions of the National Broadcasting

with radio (which he hasn’t) it would be Company you see in the papers and maga- that you can’t ride the air waves. zines are the Press Division’s contribution.

Traveling in far places and crossing Mr. Morgan said the principal product water to get to them still rates with Mr. of his department is headaches, but you Morgan as his top hobby. He collects wouldn’t believe that anybody with such

maps and books about Paris of the six- easy-going good-humor ever had one. Harold J. Bock ALENTED members of the NBC staff in Radio City T were featured in their own broadcast over the Red Network on Saturday afternoon, February 19. These candid photographs were taken during the show by Charles Van Bergen of Press.

The Brass Buttons Quartet. Frank Egan, Paul Owen, Rich- The River Avon stood still on February 19 when this streamlined version of The ard Diament and Robert Eastman. Merchant of Venice hit the NBC airwaves. They are, from left to right: Albert Roraback “Should some sponsor get them as a quartet, he’d have as Antonio; Murdock Pemberton, sound effects; George Brcngcl, The Duke of Verona; something.”—Buffalo, New York. Tom Di Matteo, Bassanio; Ray Feuerslein, messenger; Bessie Fcagin, Portia and Frank Egan as Shylock. “Specially enjoyed the parody on The Merchant of Venice, my favorite Shakespearian drama.”—Liberty, New York.

Tom Eldridce George Andrews “. “I liked the page boy ivho sang, 7 M. C. “Jimmy” James introduces Songstress Helen . . whose baritone voice is one of the ” Sec Your Face Before Me.' Winter. best I've heard in recent years .. .” —Hollywood, Calif. “If c fust loved your English accent . . —Chicago, 111. —Stockton, California “Helen If inter has a grand voice.”—Danbury, Iowa

Edward Nohdhokf (Beck) “Such a lovely voice should go far in the radio world.” —San Mateo, Calif.

Emil Corwin and Amelia Umnitz

” “Bravo! to all those who participated and I enjoyed— most the piano 'duo.' — —

6 NBC TRANSMITTER WGY SCHENECTADY

by W. T. Meenam

Won't Be Long Now car lost gasoline, oil and brake fluid; As the days get longer there come in- after these were added at Syracuse, the Halls continued their trip to The most extraordinary tiling about the dications that the staff of WGY will ulti- Schenectady. NBC employes’ show that went on the air mately be transferred to new and larger iii quarters. Virgil Hasche, office manager, last month is the obvious fact that not Personal Tid-Bits has been touring the various departments more than one or two out of every ten fan Some of the eligible young women of plotting desks, typewriters and other fur- letters received by the entire cast were WGY are curious to know whether it’s nishings for the offices that are to be. from relatives, girl friends or just friends. a blonde or a brunette or just the call of Meanwhile the building contractor is wait- Collaborators Murdock Pemberton and home that inspires Bob Elliot to travel ing for the frost to leave the ground be- Dom Davis are so pleased with the re- New Yorkward every two or three weeks. fore starting to landscape the premises of sponse they’re already scratching their Bob refuses to tell. the studio building. heads for another script idea. . . And a iii fairly good agent is saying that Jimmy iii Betty King of Sales is disgusted with James should give up printer’s ink and Ripples Ahead New York State weather. Betty recently turn commentator, after the way he WGY’s Bowling League is now in its acquired a pair of shiny new skis but m.c.’d that show. This is what Ben Gross final round with the Ripples holding a every week-end since her purchase the wrote about the show in his Daily Nctvs one-game margin over* the Statics and weatherman has reported no snow. column : three games ahead of the Whistles. Alex iii “The result was surprisingly profes- MacDonald and Radcliffe Hall are the A1 Taylor, WGY salesman, is another sional—can it be that NBC is planning to mainstays of the leaders, while Announcer winter sports fan. Any Saturday you will become self-sustaining?” Howard Tupper and Salesman Bob Elliot find him with Mrs. Taylor and the two iii are helping the Ripples keep within strik- Taylor children skating on Iroquois Lake, It was a five-and-a-half-pound baby for ing distance of the top. The season will be Schenectady, iii the George M. Bensons (Sales) on Febru- concluded with a Hi-Low tournament and Manager Kolin Hager spent the week ary 11 . . . Her name is Judith and she’s a dinner on March 19. of February 13 hopping between Wash- blonde. And speaking of marital affairs, iii ington, Schenectady and Cleveland, at- they say it was a noisy sound-effect' the Persistence tending the NAB meeting in the Capital boys gave Bud Faillace on the eve of his Radcliffe Hall, accompanied by Mrs. and the WTAM dedication ceremonies in wedding to Helen Winter. Hall, recently journeyed by car to bis Cleveland. Mr. Hager reports a splendid iii achievement in Cleveland studio fa- home in Erie, Pennsylvania. On the re- and I hear that in Chicago heard someone turn trip, while rolling along at a lively cilities that compare with the best in the a bell ring in his belfry the next thing and clip, the Hall car encountered a bit of ice land. * > a he opening a central casting knew he was on Camillus Hill between Auburn and Bob Rissling, former member of the an- bureau for radio programs just like the — Syracuse. The machine turned twice on its nouncing staff who was compelled to give casting bureau for movies in Hollywood. base, left the road, turned over one and u p his duties at WGY by serious illness Sounds like a smart idea, specially with one-half times and slopped against the last April, visited his friends on the staff so many script shows being produced for face of a gravel pit. Both Mr. and Mrs. recently. Bob is well enough to get the networks in the Windy City. Hall escaped with a few bruises. The car, around but he is still under the doctor’s iii except for dented fenders, was little the care. He plans to spend next summer on The other day I walked into 8-H by worse for the accident. Rad had the pres- a farm and concern himself seriously with mistake (mind you, Mr. Thurman. I said ence of mind to shut off the ignition. The vocal practice. “by mistake”! when the NBC Symphony was assembled in that sanctum of sanctor- is ums. Imagine my surprise when I saw peated. “I want the fifth floor!” his voice Clan Chief not a member of the Ca- not Toscanini—but guide Carl Cannon going falsetto on “floor.” nine Club. Not because he hasn’t social waving a baton over the assembled musi- In true the-customer-is-always-right entree. It’s just because Bill can’t afford it. cians who were chatting away without fashion the operator ducked the issue, iii paying him any attention. There was a bit dropped the car to the Main Hall, shot During a lull down in the Main Hall, fifth of commotion up in the balcony. I looked back up to the etage and the absent- an odd-looking person walked up to Guide up and saw movie cameramen poised with minded temperament strutted out tri- Bob Armstrong in the Cashier’s Booth their machines. umphantly. and tried to fenagle a free ticket for the “What the ”, I started to mutter Maybe it’s this Spring weather. Studio Tour on the grounds that NBC to myself when a pussy-footed page pop- iii should entertain him because his initials ped out of nowhere and firmly ushered me I’age Bill Eliscu’s greyhound. Clan were W. J. Z. out of the place. Chief, won a blue ribbon and some cash “That’s nothing,” snapped Bob Arm- is the strong, “Cannon Maestro’s stand-in.” he at last month’s swanky Dog Show in the “my initials are R. C. A. and I’m explained, shutting the in face. not even a vice president door my Madison Square Garden. Bill’s brother is of this club.” iii the enterprising young man who was in- iii One of our announcers stopped an ele- terviewed on the “Smile of Beauty—and Speaking of names it wasn’t until he vator on the fifth storey (the English Health” broadcast by Fred Allen for hav- left us last month to join another New touch) and asked for the fifth floor. The ing organized the Canine Club which of- York station that this column discovered operator reassured him, “This is the fifth fers all kinds of doggy services for that Announcer Alan Kent’s name on his floor.” Whereupon, the mikeman re- wealthy dog-owners in New York. birth certificate is Karl D. Byington, Jr. —

MARCH, 1938 7 =NBC SAN FRANCISCO by Louise Landis

includes a trip to New York. . . . . combines the task which Personnel Changes the studios .. for she of running cattle on the range with song- Announcer Grant Pollock is pinch-hitting Things happen fast in NBC’s San Fran- writing. Her name is Ann Anderson, and for Cliff during his absence. cisco studios these days. Glenn R. Dol- she is an aunt of Helen Wills. A few berg. formerly program manager of KH- Professor forswear civiliza- years ago she decided to Fleming, producer of / Want a KECA, is the new program chief here. ... Van tion. took up cattle-ranching, and now Along with news of the resignation of Divorce and other San Francisco offer- runs her cattle over 40,000 acres of land Starting Ken Carney, who is entering the agency ings, has turned pedagogue. in a lonely part of California where the in field, came the announcement that Mr. March 10 Van inaugurates a course nearest railroad train is a half-day’s ride Dolberg had been promoted to the post radio continuity writing at the University on horseback over roads impassable to of program manager. A few days later of California Extension Division . . . and automobiles. came notice that Cameron Prud’homme any colleagues who are found leering at had been made production manager. He She was disappointed to discover this him from the front row are going to have formerly on the replaces Frank Cope who has decided to time that Arthur Ward, to write “Don’t rib Teacher!” 100 times arranging staff, had gone to Hollywood doff executive duties and return to the on the blackboard before they go home. to arrange music for broadcasts there, for artists’ side of the fence, reviving his pop- Radio Bug Klock program over a San she has a brand-new song. The Coil in My ular Alarm You just can't keep the Press Depart- Riata which she’d like to have somebody Francisco station. ment out of the news! Besides, here’s a NBC's pleasant new San Francisco pro- “put down.” good place to relate the harrowing ex- is the West’s best-known gram chief one of Mikemen perience of Dick Bertrandias and Com- radio personalities, who has been engaged At the sound of the chimes: Announcer mentator Bill Holmes, who came home to in the industry from its pioneer days, with Eddie King who had to describe a frog their apartment not long ago to find a big wide experience in many of its fields. He jumping contest on San Francisco’s Treas- hole drilled right through the top board was program manager at KHJ previous to ure Island, showed up at the studio hardly of their radio. Curious, they poked at the his KFI affiliation. able to speak above a whisper. ... “Must hole with a wire and out ambled a long, Cameron Prud’homme also is a radio have a frog in my throat!” he says gray insect with a nose like a miniature and stage veteran, having directed and sword-fish. glass hoarsely. ... Announcer Larry Keating, They caught him in a played with noted stars like May Robson, who turns into Dr. Puzzlewit every Sun- jar and brought him to Agricultural Di- Leo Carrillo and Marjorie Rambeau be- day to quiz hapless contestants on that rector Jennings Pierce. His name is Poly- fore entering radio. program, asked a man to define a rame- caon Stouti, and he is a solitary wood- Songwriting Rancher kin not long ago ... he thought awhile borer, Jennings explained. They heaved a

NBC folk are enjoying one of their and finally replied, “A little sheep.” .. . sigh of relief at the word “solitary” rare visits with a tall, slender lady who Cliff Engle, who m.c.’s Good Morning “What if he had picked one of us instead has become somewhat of a legend around Tonite is on a vacation, his first in years, of the radio?” Dick wants to know.

WBZ BOSTON = by Bob Evans

Vosmik on the Air absence of Mayor Tobin, issued the City be able to hail the champion in this col- of Boston’s official greeting. umn next issue. Joe Vosmik, latest acquisition of the Red Sox and considered one of Boston Rotarian Holman Sick List the greatest left fielders in baseball his- It has been more than a month since Holman, general manager of tory, was officially welcomed to Boston John A. Grace D. Edmonds, head hostess at W BZ, over WBZ and WBZA on Tuesday eve- WBZ & WBZA. traveled to Portland, was taken ill and confined to a Providence, Maine, to tell the Rotarians about “Radio, ning, February 1. R. I., hospital. Her absence is keenly felt Bulwark of Peace.” As part of the cere- Your reporter was privileged to have among staff members and frequent studio monies of the occasion a program of va- the honor of interviewing the heavy-hit- visitors. riety entertainment was piped from WBZ ting outfielder and it provided a very to the Rotary Banquet Hall in Portland. Forger Foiled pleasant re-union as Vosmik and he faced A pat on the back goes to Miss Marjorie the mike together on numerous occasions Ping Pong Hall, secretary to Plant Manager D. A. when both were in Cleveland. This famil- The intra-office ping pong tournament Myer, for her alertness and retentive mem- iarity made it possible to bring out a progresses with competition being of the ory. Because of these qualities. Miss Hall great many intimate angles concerning keenest. Arthur Feldman, Special Events, made possible the apprehension of a Vosmik that might otherwise have been despite a serious forger has been preying sta- unrevealed. still reigns the favorite who on radio “charley horse” developed when he was tions throughout the country. Miss Hall Boston audiences were greatly im- struck in the leg by a ping pong ball. recognized the man when he called at pressed with the cool and unruffled man- Production Chief Wright is being looked WBZ. She remembered his description ner in which Joe handled himself on the at askance for being the only person in from a letter sent out by other Westing- air. They hope he does the same out at the tourney to draw a bye in the first house stations some time previous. The Fenway Park this summer. round. Reliable sources say that Wright forger is now doing a stretch at Deer Fire Commissioner Reilly, acting in the made the original drawings. We should Island House of Correction. 8 NBC TRANSMITTER

NBC WASH I NCTON by Marian P. Gale

New WRC Transmitter dispatches that Mayor Construction work on WRC’s new trans- Rossi of San Francisco lias mitter on Ager Road in Maryland, just given Moran a whale that outside of the District, is progressing rap- died some time ago on the idly. The new 400-foot vertical radiator rocks of San Francisco is of uniform cross-section from top to Bay. . .. Freda Schmidt, bottom. The Engineering Department re- temporary night hostess, fers to it as a “high-hat” antenna, because who has been filling a sec- of a huge steel saucer that tops the slender retarial position at the structure. Democratic National Com- General Manager Berkeley announced mittee in the daytime, has that the WRC transmitter will be moved realized a seven-year-old on March 15, from 14th Street and Park ambition— that of becom-

Road, the site it has occupied for fifteen ing a permanent NBC years, to the new location. employe. . .. Freda is re-

The new transmitter is of the most replacing Mary Burke as cent design, utilizing class B modulation Secretary to Night Super- “Grunto,” a Fargo, North Dakota piglet, squealed his way into visor Bill in combination with “reversed feedback” Coyle. . .. Mary senatorial attention during the NAB convention in Washington which makes possible advanced standards Bourke has left NBC for last month when he was presented on the Farm and Home Hour from the lobby of the Willard Hotel. The little pigsqueak was of fidelity and absence of background another position. brought to the NAB convention via plane by Barney Lavin (in noise. Harold Thomason, for- The station power supply is pro- costume) of station WDAY, Fargo. Senator Gerald P. Nye, of vided in duplicate, incorporating separate merly of the News Room, North Dakota, shown feeding Grunto a bottle of milk, told Farm buried power cables, transformer sub- is now in charge of WRC and Home Hour listeners that the saying “Pigs is pigs” is not true. “What other pig from any stale has ever entertained in stations and metering equipments with and WMAL commercial the Willard Hotel Lobby?” drily observed Senator Nye. At the an automatic switch which instantly continuity. ... Commercial left is Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Harry Brown, who changes power lines in the event of a fail- Manager John Dodge left welcomed the piglet. Jim McGrath, WRC announcer, inter- ure. This “automatic switch man” will last Friday for a ten-day viewed Grunto with the portable transmitter shown in his hand. change from one power line to the other vacation in Florida. .. . so rapidly that the program is not inter- While he has been basking in the sun Everett is moving his family from North rupted, thus providing better protection Salesmen Jim Sweet, Ben Baylor, and Carolina to Washington and is now in the against . such failures than could be ob- Stanley Bell have kept up the good work throes of house-hunting. . . Lee is a detained by human operation. selling NBC programs. ... In the En- scendant of Pierre Le Grand, the pirate

gineering Department Don Cooper re- .. . his real name is James LeGrand Ever-

ill marks that programs come and programs ett. . .. Mary Mason, WRC’s Home Forum

go . Expert, is expecting visit on 4th Here and There but nothing ever happens .. except a March trouble. from Ida Jeanne Kain, noted dietician Announcer Jim McGrath and Gordon 1 i 1 scheduled for her daily program. . .. Hittenmark, “WRC Timekeeper,” are not Tommy Knode of looking forward to the return of Jim And Everywhere the News Desk and (Mobey Dick) Moran from San Fran- Engineer Dorson Ullman celebrated his Announcer Bill Crage cisco, where the latter has been fishing tenth anniversary with NBC last month. pound out copy twice for whales. Moran promised McGrath and ... Chief Engineer A. E. Johnson an- a week for a new Hittenmark before he left Washington, nounced the addition of a new member movie gossip and re- armed with a copy of Mobey Dick, an in his department —R. W. Chapman. ... view program, Your antique harpoon and ten cents, that he Come news from the announcing staff that Man About Holly- would bring them several large hunks of John Hurley is busy these days welcom- wood, which is going blubber. It has been reported in press ing his folks from California. . . . Lee over very well. .. . Hilmar Baukhage, Washington correspondent and NBC’s news reporter on the National Farm and

Home Hour is presenting a program over WRC now, entitled Cabbages and Kings during which he offers a rambling comment about things that turn up in a news-

paper reporter’s life The new transmitter house and vertical antenna for WRC on Ager Road in Maryland will be placed in operation on March 15. that he doesn’t print. —

PRIZE-WINNING PICTURE

This excellent picture of Elizabeth Ann, taken by her Introducing Frank whose father is father, Carey P. Sweeney of the television engineering “Wonder what we’re having for lunch,” Assistant Auditor R. S. Peterson, staff in New York, wins this month’s prize in the Baby says Diane Waite, niece of James Harvey NBC Chicago. Pictures Contest—an album of Victor Records of Beeth- of the Program Department, Phila- oven's Seventh Symphony as played by the N. Y. Phil- delphia. harmonic Orchestra under the baton of Toscanini.

“How’s this for a smile?” says Patricia May, daughter of Mrs. Deborah Lee, daughter of Elsie Marian C. Smith, Auditing, Wash- Bergler of the Sales Department, ington, D. C. N. Y. - ^

Audrey and Harold (“Chippy”) — This is Rhoda. Her father, Reuben children of the Harold E. Bissons. Metz, plays the viola in the NBC Harold, Sr., works in Radio City in Symphony Orchestra. the Promotion Division.

Phoebe Mink of the N. Y. Press Di- vision has no babies of her own so Robert, son of T. G. Bombaugh she sent us this picture of herself engineer at the W'ENR transmit taken a few years ago. ter, Chicago. 10 NBC TRANSMITTER

CLEVELAND NBC TRANSMITTER LETTERS TO THE EDITOR WTAM by Bob Dailey Published for and by the employes of the National Broadcasting Company Sleep and more sleep was the watch- Dear Sir: from coast to coast. word along WTAM’s radio front after the Noticed a slight error in the Radio-Ana inauguration of the new NBC studios in feature of the NBC Transmitter for Feb- VOL. 4 MARCH. 1938 No. 3 Cleveland. Exhausted with the strenuous ruary 1938 in which it was stated that ten efforts required to stage successfully a years ago NBC made the first Parabolic EDITORIAL BOARD week of dedication activities for the sta- Microphone out of a wooden chopping DOM DAVIS Editor tion’s quarters, practically every member bowl. According to our records, Patent CARL CANNON . ... Associate Editor of the staff took the close of Saturday No. 1635568 filed January 25, 1924 cov- RODERICK MITCHELL Staff IWriter (Feb. 19) night’s dedication party as the ering a sound reception system and issued CHARLES VAN BERGEN Photographs signal for a much needed rest in bed. to J. E. Aiken who was one of our engi- Special previews, parties, luncheons, N. Y. CONTRIBUTORS neers at that time, covers a parabolic re- teas and radio programs during House- SI'ENCER McNARY Artists Service flector for a microphone. warming Week, February 14-19, were cli- MURRY' S. HARRIS Continuity Acceptance As this patent was dated January 1924, maxed with the formal dedication of the ALBERT CRENSHAW Executive Offices KDKA had Parabolic Microphones some studios Saturday noon. ALBERT RORABACK Guest Relations three years before NBC was organized, WALTER WIEBEL Guest Relations and I think the credit for the Parabolic 111 Microphone should be given to KDKA An evening broadcast and party fea- rather than NBC. tured the performances of Margaret Address all correspondence to: (Signed) E. Baudino, Speaks, Mario Cozzi, Frank Black and a NBC TRANSMITTER J. Plant Manager—KDKA. symphony orchestra of 40 members, Ar- Room 284, RCA Bldg., New York Ed.—Thank you. J. E. Baudino, and we lene Harris, Bob Feller, Tom Manning Circle 7-8300, Ext. 220 beg your pardon. J. E. Aiken. We should and Graham McNamee. Alfred H. Mor- have said, “The first ARC parabolic mi- ton, general manager of NBC Managed crophone was made out of a wooden chop- and Operated stations, gave a short ad- TOSCANINI RECORDS FOR ping bowl.” dress. BEST NBC BABY PICTURE 111 NBC PHILATELISTS TO Other NBC officials who attended the longer turn your Though you can no ceremonies included John F. Royal, vice Toscanini on HOLD ANNUAL BANQUET dial and listen to Arturo president in charge of programs; Dr. can lis- The Stamp Club is holding its an- Saturday evenings via NBC. you NBC James R. Angell, educational counselor; records. And nual banquet in the Board Room on Mon- ten to him any time on Victor 0. B. Hanson, vice president and chief the valuable day evening, March 21. The annual elec- here’s your chance to win engineer; Roy C. W'itmer, vice president Beethoven’s tion of officers will take place after the album of Victor recordings of in charge of sales; Robert H. Owen, man- Pastoral) as banquet. Symphony No. 6 (The ager of KOA; A. E. Nelson, manager of Orchestra George M. Nelson, club treasurer, who played by the Philharmonic KDKA; Lloyd Yoder, manager of KPO- the is making the arrangements for the ban- of New York under the baton of KGO; Kolin Hager, manager of WGY; Maestro. By arrangement with the RCA quet reports that a large number of NBC Lee B. Wailes, Managed and Operated stamp collectors are expected at the meet- Manufacturing Company, Inc., the NBC Stations Department; Maurice Spitalny, to ing and that several notable speakers and Transmitter is offering this prize musical director of KDKA; Sam Ross of philatelists will also be present as guests the NBC staff member who submits the Artists Service in New York and George best baby picture to the April issue. of the Club. McElrath, operating engineer. So start the shutters clicking, NOW. Offices which will be filled by the elec- 111 The baby must be one of your children tion and ’lie present incumbents thereof The entire WTAM staff, which worked or a relative—brother, sister, niece or are. President, George 0. Milne; Vice night and day to move nephew. President, Walter Koons; Treasurer, into the new studios and to prepare a week Rules George M. Nelson; Exchange Manager, of gala ceremonies, was Frank 0. Johnson, and Secretary, Frank extremely gratified with the 1. Do not send negatives. Send prints laudatory comments made by the press, J. Reed, Jr. " not smaller than 2^2 x 4". civic and business leaders and friends of the station. 2. Give the name of the baby and its Royal Receives Medal Award relation to you. 111 John F. Royal, vice president in charge But probably the two persons 3. Give your name, department and most of NBC programs, was among those who thrilled were the young daughters NBC division. of Mr. received medal awards at the Annual Ad- and Mrs. Pribble. Betty, 10, and Bunny, 4. Send your pictures for the April vertising Awards Dinner sponsored by 8, stood on a raised platform supporting issue to the NBC Transmitter, Room Advertising and Selling magazine held at the 1500 pigeons and gave the signal 284, National Broadcasting Company, 30 the Waldorf-Astoria, New York City, on which sent the swarm of birds winging Rockefeller Center, New York, before Thursday evening, February 24. their way over the NBC Building. March 22. Vice President Royal was cited for his Each clutching a bird between her 5. Pictures are judged on their popu- “contribution to knowledge or technique hands, the girls smilingly and without lar appeal, humor, interest and photo- of radio advertising” during the presen- hesitation, stepped to a microphone, re- graphic quality. Judges are Enid Beaupre tation of the awards which was broadcast cited a short verse in unison and then re- of the Promotion Division and Barbara by Station WOR. leased the pigeons. It was one of the Biermann and Ary Moll of Guest Rela- Over 200 advertising and publishing proudest days in the lives of Betty and tions. executives were present at the dinner. Bunny. Modernity is the keynote of the These members of the WTAM staff acted new WTAM studios. Pictured as hostesses during the inaugural ceremonies of the station’s new quarters. above are Hazel Finney and Peg L. to R.—Olga Nichols, Peg Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald at the information desk. Edith Wheeler, manager of Traffic; Pearl Hummel, office manager and auditor, and Hazel Finney.

NBC’s new studios in Cleve- land, Ohio, are as modern and as well equipped as

those in Radio City. This is the Main Lobby of WTAM.

Below. NBC’s Master Con- trol Board in Cleveland with Engineer John Disbrow at the controls.

Bunny and Betty, daughters of Bob Feller who signed his Manager Vernon H. Pribble, 1938 contract with the Indians during the dedicatory who gave the signal for releas- WTAM broadcast is shown chatting ing 1500 pigeons as part of with A. H. Morton, general the dedication ceremonies. manager of NBC managed and operated stations. 12 NBC TRANSMITTER

KOA DENVER NBC HOLLYWOOD by Charles Anderson by Noel Corbett

Screen Tests President's Visit season with a couple of losses, it seems now to have hit its stride. Recent victories Buck Owens, star of the Roving Ranger Hollywood will be the western twin of have been over Western Costume, Califor- series on KOA, has decided to make his Radio City, NBC’s president, Lenox R. nia Banks and Pepperdine College. Na- next western picture right here in Colo- Lohr told the entire Hollywood staff at a tional Schools and the Hollenbeck Chap- rado. As a result, KOA dramatic stars recent luncheon held in his honor at the ter of the De Molay cagers copped closely were screen-tested for the picture. Betty Melrose Grotto, adjacent to the studios. contested games from the NBC bpys. Stulla and Louise Wadsworth took turns It was the first meeting of Hollywood Captain Ben Gage manages to be high- at the heroine J immy Herrick was employes, over a hundred strong. playing ; point man at just about every game. How- tested for a character part and Si West- Before introducing President Lohr, Don ever, he gets plenty of support from his brook made a hit as the villain. The tests E. Gilman, vice president in charge of the teammates Lee Bridgman, “Lefty” Lefler, have been sent to Hollywood and we are Western Division, pointed out the growth and Jack Creamer, pages; Floyd Caton. awaiting the decision with bated breath. of the Hollywood office in the past three years. Hal Dieker and Frank Pittman, Sound Ef- Program Manager W'. fects; Joy Storm and Earl Dixson, Pro- Litigation John Swallow, who at one time was the only NBC em- gram. Little did the judges who picked last ploye in Hollywood, was at the speakers’ Gage and Storm are generally first out month’s prize-winner in the Transmit- table, as was Lew Frost, assistant to Mr. of the showers to make their respective ter’s baby picture contest realize the Gilman. nightly stints at the Cocoanut Grove and problem they foisted upon us out here in Following the speeches, President Lohr Trocadero. Denver when they awarded the prize to answered questions from various em- Leave of Absence our commercial manager, A. W. Crapsey. ployes on television, company policies, et Ruth Schooler, secretary to Program The picture which won the Toscanini rec- cetera. Manager John Swallow, is on a month’s ords was of Patricia Peregrine, daughter NBC's Friend and Plug leave of absence due to illness. of KOA’s engineer in charge. The next time Buddy Twiss, head of Janette White, who joined NBC last It seems that Mr. Peregrine feels that special events, Joe Kay or Bob Brooke, November, is taking her place. his household has a partial claim on the engineers, are out Santa Anita way they’re Two Fenders for Two Fingers records—a sort of artist’s fee. Therefore, going to look up a nag named Rommy and Ralph Amato has learned not to mon- an impartial and self-chosen jury is now hand him a bunch of carrots. key around with buzz saws. trying to decide whether Mr. Peregrine Washington’s Birthday the boys had a Working on a piece of sound effects has the right to play the coveted records few anxious moments when it looked as equipment, Amato cut two fingers. on Wednesdays or Thursdays. As we go though the Santa Anita Derby would get Nothing was lost, however, except a to press the jury is still hung. In the started two minutes before the scheduled couple of car fenders. One off Harry Saz’ meantime Mr. Crapsey is enjoying the transcontinental. car when he rushed Amato to the hospital, Toscanini records to the utmost. However, Rommy acted so badly the and the other when he tried to take Mar- start was held up until broadcast time. vin Young’s car along with him. "Dunked" Traffic Expert Elaine Forbes—Juror Bill Stulla’s baby was “dunked” at St. Ever since NBC opened the Melrose In the past few weeks, Elaine Forbes, Thomas Episcopal Church, February 20. Avenue Studios, folks have been denting secretary to Sydney Dixon, has put in The young lady was christened Alice their car fenders trying to get in and out over twenty days of jury duty. Wentworth Stulla. of the crowded parking lot. Dorothy Waknetz from Mimeograph But things are different now. Jack has subbed for her. Bowlers Three Creamer, former member of the USC in- Crime Doesn't Pay! tercollegiate tennis champs, is in charge A common sight these past few weeks At least it didn’t for the two hold-up has been that of three men darting from of the lot. men who tried to climb into soundman the KOA studios to the bowling alleys The white chalk lines which came with Virgil Reimer’s car recently when he stop- across the street immediately after the his second week on the job guide every ped at a signal. late newscasts over this station. car into its own space. Also there are in- Reimer jumped out and tackled the two The three bowling fiends are announcer coming and outgoing lanes. of ’em. Gil Verba, Engineer Walt Morrisey and It's the Truth, Officer The one who didn’t get away was carted your correspondent. Walt, who handles Sydney Dixon, Western Division Sales • to the emergency hospital. the controls for the newscasts and claims Manager, and Tracy Moore really brought Gilman Speaks to be a beginner at bowling is way ahead home the groceries the other night. How- “The Growing Importance of Holly- of the trio. Gil and I are beginning to ever, not before they convinced a couple wood as a Radio Center,” was the topic doubt his amateur standing. of cops that they had won them at the an- of Vice-President Don E. Gilman’s speech nual jamboree of the L. A. Advertising before a gathering of the Los Angeles Baby Pictures Club. Electric Club at the Biltmore Hotel Feb- After the jamboree they were loading To the NBC employe submitting the ruary 21. Dixon’s car, which happened to be parked best baby picture for the April issue of Blanche's New House in front of a grocery, when the law de- the NBC Transmitter, an album of Blanche Davies, secretary to Lew Frost, scended on them. Toscanini recordings will be awarded. has taken a house near Toluca Lake. An Send your pictures to the Transmitter Basketball Victories NBC veteran, she was transferred here before March 22. Though the basketball team started the from San Francisco when Mr. Frost was. NBC HOLLYWOOD Members of the Hollywood staff. Front row, left to The pictures on this page were right: Meredith Willson, taken at a luncheon given by mem- general music director; Ben Gage, announcer; My- bers of the NBC staff in Hollyoood ron Dulton, director; Ted in honor of President L. R. Lohr dur- Sherdeman, director. Back ing his recent visit to the NBC West- row: Ken Carpenter, an- ern Division. nouncer; Karel Pearson, Traffic; Russ Hudson, Traf-

fic; Earl Dixson, Program.

Seated, left to right: Margery Wright, Pro gram; Joe Thompson,

director; Joan Chap- man, Program. Stand-

ing: Joe Parker, announcer; Arnold Ma-

guire, director; Buddy Twiss, announcer; John Frazer, announcer;

“Lefty” Lefler, page. L. to R.—Lew Frost, assistant to the vice president in charge of the Western Division; President Lohr, John W. Swallow (standing), Western Division Program Manager, and Don E. Gilman, V. P. in charge of the Western Division.

Right. Sydney Dixon, Western Division Sales Manager; Roy C. Witmer, Vice President in Charge of Sales, and Don E. Gilman, Vice President in Charge of Western Division.

“I’m not shy,” says Studio Engineer Frank Figgins as he pushes his face into the picture between Auditor Frank Dellett (left) and Western Division Engineer A. H. Saxton. To the right is Donald De Wolf, engineer in charge in Hollywood.

Below. L. to R.—Soundmen Floyd Coton, Bud Miller and Virgil Reimer. Him

Night Program Manager William Andrews and Ruth Schooler, secretary to John W. Swallow, drop their forks for the camera but Helen Wendt, secretary to Marvin Young, is more interested in that steak.

Right. Left to right: Charles Smith and Mae Regan of Artists Service, Bob Moss, studio engineer; David Elton, director, and Honor Holden, Artists Service. 14 NBC TRANSMITTER

The NBC Transmitter salutes these Marie Elbs Max Bauman members of the National Broadcasting On March 19, 1928. a small, slender Max Bauman was born in Berlin, Ger- their Company who, this month, complete girl with fair hair made her first appear- many. When he was eleven years old his the tenth year of continuous service with ance at NBC. It was Marie Elbs who parents brought him to America where Company. came from the newspaper and publicity they settled in New Haven, Connecticut. world to work in the newly organized 1 1 i Later, the Baumans moved to the Bronx Press Department of NBC in San Fran- in New York. There Max attended the Niles Trammell cisco. public schools. In March, 1928, Lloyd E. Yoder, After high school, Max framed his dip- Niles Trammell now manager of loma and went out into the world in search joined the National KPO-KGO, and a of a job. He got one in the Mail Room of the National Broadcasting Company. That • Broadcasting Com- secretary comprised pany. He came to die department at was in 1928. Chicago in May of the time. As Mr. Yo- He wanted to get ahead, so he studied the same year to der’s assistant, Miss accounting in the evenings at New York manage the NBC Elbs saw stories University and a few months after he Central Division. He about radio stars joined NBC he we promoted to the Ac- was elected vice and programs grow counting Division. Today, Max is still in Marie Elbs president the fol- from an orphan Accounting. He has worked in almost Niles Trammell division. lowing year. child of newspapers and magazines to an every section of his celebrates his tenth His assets included infectious enthus- important position in the news of the day. When Mr. Bauman iasm, tireless energy and faith that “Mar- She was one of the pioneers who helped year with NBC this month he will have two with to celebrate his coni’s Folly” was a new, powerful sales to batter down editors’ resistance to radio others whom — medium and a tremendous educational news and made them realize that the en- wife and four-month old baby, Stephen Michael. force. tire public is interested in knowing what Max Bauman still lives in the Bronx. When Mr. Trammell arrived in Chicago is on the air and who is taking part in His hobbies are books and music. He likes only a few programs were being broad- microphone entertainment. history, economics and Beethoven. cast locally and network shows were non- Despite her youth, Miss Elbs came to existent. The total Chicago personnel con- radio prepared for just such a task. In Theodore H. Van Cott sisted of eleven people. His first job was her journalism classes she showed such At fifteen, Theodore H. Van Cott joined to engage, train and inspire additional as- understanding of news that George Mul- NBC in New York as a mail messenger. sistants, as there were few experienced laney, former Associated Press executive, Today, ten years and three promotions men in this new industry. He took this in who was her teacher broke a lifetime rule later, finds him office assistant to Vice- stride and enjoyed the game. Starting and asked an editor friend to talk to one President and Chief Engineer 0. B. from scratch in 1928 to a billing of ap- of his pupils. Result: Marie had a job Hanson. proximately $12,000,000 in 1937 is a rec- waiting for her when she was graduated. Ted, as he is known to his associates, ord which speaks for itself. Looking back For three years, she was the youngest held the job ot mail messenger for three ten years. Vice President Trammell remember of the San Francisco News staff, months before he was transferred to the calls with signal satisfaction the signing of and the most versatile, with drama, music, page staff. Subsequently he turned in his Amos 'n Andy, the leasing and building general news, features and every imagi- uniform for a job on the office staff of the of the studios in the Merchandise Mart, nable story-field as her bailiwick. She Engineering Department. and the purchase of WMAQ and WENR. never wrote society and she never wrote Ted received his high school education Mr. Trammell is of the opinion that one sports—but any other branch of the news- in Roslyn, Long Island, and Jacksonville, of our immediate tasks is to create a bet- paper business was hers. Florida. He was graduated from the latter ter and more sympathetic understanding Then publicity called her and the next school at a remarkably early age and on the part of the radio audience with the year or so were devoted to the Acker- joined NBC soon after. complexities of the problems involved in mann-Harris theatres and to political Today he lives in his home town of Glen- broadcasting. campaign work. One day she answered wood, Long Island. It is very difficult to He also feels that we must, first, con- a blind ad in the Examiner—-and it led get Ted to talk about himself, but Miss tinue to tell and convince the public of straight to NBC. Margaret Primont, the tremendous amount of time, effort and Recently, Miss Elbs’s flair for research with whom he works money that is being devoted by radio to as well as her wide in Mr. Hanson’s of- cultural and educational features; and, knowledge of all the fice, confided that second, that we must develop a still better subjects that radio he is a flash at bad- balanced program schedule and keep pro- continuities cover, minton, a boating gram costs within reasonable bounds so led to her transfer enthusiast, and a that the results obtained are commensur to the Continuity photographer of no ate with the investment involved. Looking Acceptance Division small ability. His fa- forward into the next ten years, he en- where her deft pen- vorite photo subject T. H. Van Cott visages a future for radio and television cil keeps scripts (and he proudly in keeping with the progress made dur- within the bounds told us this) is little Martha, his two and ing the past decade. Max Bauman of NBC policies. a half-year-old daughter. MARCH, 1938 15

NBC CHICAGO EXCHANGE CORNER — by Rudi Neubauer — This classified ad section is available, Conventioneers nounced the arrival of John William free of charge, to all NBC employes. Rules: word limit; no regular Oliver Morton of the Sales Department; Meredith on January 29, wailing in at forty-five business or professional service may be W. W. Smith, local Sales manager; M. S. eight pounds and ten ounces. It’s number advertised. Address ads to Trans- Wetzel, manager of Chicago Electrical one for the Merediths. NBC mitter, Room 284, RCA Building, New Transcription Sales Department, and Wil- Mrs. Bay presented John (Duplicating) York. liam E. Drips, Director of Agriculture, Bay with an armful of little Bonita Marie All items must be in writing: give name attended the special convention of the on February 17, with Bonita balancing the and address. National Association of Broadcasters in indicator at an even seven and one-half Washington, D. C., last month. Maurie pounds. The Bays will now cut their pies FOR SALE-— 1931 Master Buick Sedan, 6 Wetzel attended the meeting of the Cana- in five sections. white-wall tires, seat covers, fancy radiator dian Broadcasters in Ottawa. cap. Complete with crankhandle and can of Hail and Farewell white-wall tire paint. $125. See Dixie in Mail Room, New York. Announcer's School For seven consecutive years anyone The Announcer’s School is again in calling the NBC Chicago offices received SALE or RENT—Modern 8-room house, re- session, sponsored by Sidney Strotz, — and their customary “Good Morning— this is stricted section lower Westchester. Thirty conducted by Chief Announcer Everett the National Broadcasting Company,” minutes from Grand Central Station. Large assisted corner, trees, garden, two-car garage, hot G. Mitchell by Lynn Brandt. The from one of five girls, but on February 1 water heat, fireplace. Near school. Reasonable enrollment has reached the record high the reign of this quintette ended when rental to desirable tenants. Call or write the of 26 boys from all departments and of- Operator Bernice Bydalek decided to NBC Transmitter. fices. Classes are held twice weekly and chuck the Chicago slush for the California subjects include vocal exercises, diction sands—and for keeps! Bernice leaves a FOR SALE—Ford 5-passenger convertible cabriolet, September 1936. Chromium trim- and a thorough study and appreciation of host of friends who join with your corres- mings and wheels. White-wall tires. Perfect lexicography. Interest in classes is keen the best of luck in pondent in wishing her condition throughout. Driven 10,000 miles and the boys report that the stunt intro- her new home. last summer. No winter usage whatever. Great duced this year of having the class voice bargain The second seven-year reign of these $550 cash. Phone Elsie Illingworth, constructive criticism of fellow students Ext. 433, New York. ‘Hello’ Hapsburgs begins with the addi- who are “on the mike,” is the best yet. tion of petite Margaret Catherine Dun- FOR SALE—Girl’s fencing equipment. Al- Eive graduates of the school have al- nett, who replaces Miss Bydalek. Miss most new. Jacket, size 12; white mask; ready secured announcing positions due Dunnett comes to NBC with a diversified two foils, one Spanish—one French, and a to this training. The most recent graduate glove. All in good condition. Call Dorothy experience in PBX work, after having is George E. Hooper (Pinkie), who last Lewis, Ext. 802. completed her primary work at the local week accepted a position as announcer ‘phone company’s main office. BARGAIN— 1928 Rolls-Royce roadster. Mo- and script-writer with station WBEO, tor, paint and tires in good condition. Marquette, Michigan. Tropical Trips Make an offer. Call or write the NBC Trans- mitter. Brochure Ken Carpenter, sales manager, is vacationing in Nassau; Esther Ludwig, Con- The third WENR promotional brochure tinuity, in Florida and Ken Hicks, Engi- in the series being prepared by Emmons Bowling neering, in Hollywood. Carlson of the Sales Promotion Depart- The NBC Bowling Team lost a tough ment is devoted to the America's Town NBC Enters Naval Race match to the Merchandise Mart Bankers Meeting broadcast heard over the NBC- on February 19, by the score of 2674 to Blue Bob Brown, announcer, has recently Network and WENR each Thursday. 2592 pins. The NBC team was composed purchased a 28-foot cutter. He has named of Gale Swift, Music Library, H. Guill, Author it the Apache. This swells the Chicago TWX, L. Dutton, Engineering, Ed Davies, eight craft Don Thompson, director, whose story, NBC navy to of assorted sizes. artist, and R. Neubauer, cashier. Guill Skipper drily Last Public Appearance, appeared in the Brown commented, “this was high man with scores of 232, 181, and October 16, 1937, edition of looks like a tough season for the Coast Liberty maga- 165. zine, has just been informed that his story Guard.” was one of five selected for bonus Mickey, the Meandering Mouse prizes Miscellany: of $100. He’s elated, of course, but says Mickey, the pride of Bloomington, was he would have been ten times as happy Paul Millen has been added to the to appear on a recent singing-mouse with the first prize of $1,000, or five times page staff . .. Vera Maher back at work broadcast, but true to the tradition of as happy with the second prize of $500. after a prolonged absence due to an auto mousedom, Mickey escaped her trap, and

accident ... Bill Ray, Press Manager, sought refuge in a hollow tile wall in Crib Crys the moved to the wilds of Deerfield. He has Receiving Room. Service Man Herman Stork news along the front NBC heralds quickly learned to fall asleep on the train Boettcher, true to the tradition of the the arrival of two new Junior NBCites . and ride past his station . . Paul McCluer, theatre that the ‘show must go on’, rushed during the past few weeks. Future contes- assistant sales manager, is building a in to effect the capture, which was accom- tants in the Transmitter Baby Photo home in Libertyville. Send him your sug- plished by poking a wire through the wall Contest had better look to their laurels, gestion for a name. Medals will be award- and chasing the mouse into a cage held at for it is learned via the grapevine that the ed to the heroes who refrain from sub- the other end by Mickey’s owner. Mickey newcomers are already being groomed for mitting “Liberty Hall”. Visitors to NBC was hurried into a nearby studio just in their debuts in the contest. Chicago during February were Vice Presi- time to make the broadcast, and though a Continuity writer William Meredith an- dents O. B. Hanson and Roy C. Witmer. trifle nervous, acquitted himself nobly. 16 NBC TRANSMITTER KDKA PITTSBURGH by Kay Barr

Morrow to Sales manager of a territory including five states Boy Scouts Run KDKA Lynden Morrow for most of that time. KDKA tossed a was transferred While he has not been actively iden- challenge to the Boy from Sales Promo- tified with radio, Mr. Pettit has been Scouts and did they tion to the Sales De- closely identified with numerous enter- accept! partment, on Febru- tainment projects and has worked closely It was a stunt in in ary 9. with radio stations the presentation of connection with Following several programs. Many of these were in coopera- National Boy Scout years of newspaper tion with Mr. Nelson while the latter was Week. For days in experience, Morrow manager of KOA Denver. advance the Pitts- joined the KDKA Mr. Pettit has arranged and managed burgh Troops had concert for staff to handle pub- programs various Denver or- kept some of their ganizations. has licity in 1933. Later He helped the University camp equipment on Lynden Morrow his activities ex- of Colorado with many of their produc- display in KDKA’s panded to include sales and station pro- tions. lobby. Driving East from Denver, Mr. and Mrs. motion and for the past two years he has Then KDKA said, “Boys, if you run Pettit arrived in Pittsburgh early devoted all of his time to those phases of last the station for a day we’ll let you put on month by their station activity. accompanied Siamese cat half a dozen programs.” and German Police dog. In announcing the transfer. Manager The challenge was accepted. They took A. E. Nelson said, “I feel that a man with The "Bookworm" Returns over Manager A. E. Nelson’s office, al- such a comprehensive background has There is an interesting story behind though three boys were required to swing ideal equipment as a radio salesman. Mr. the weekly KDKA Bookworm, broadcasts that job. Others invaded the news room Morrow has a thorough knowledge of which started March 2nd. and press desk. And so on all around the Pittsburgh, its business and its problems. In 1927, G. Dare Fleck, now traffic place. is manager, went on the air anonymously as He equally well grounded in radio work Six programs were presented during the the “Bookworm,” and from then until from broadcasting of programs to the the afternoon and evening by Scouts and 1931, when the program was discontinued, planning of advertising campaigns.” Bubs and the broadcasts, together with he reviewed more than a thousand books. In addition to his regular work in ex- the lobby display, attracted many visitors programs. A short while ago, Charles Urquhart of ploiting KDKA and its various to the KDKA studios. Morrow has had much actual microphone Production heard of the old broadcasts, experience on news broadcasts and in the read some of the scripts, and recom- Hat Designer minute interviews which were a popular mended a resumption of the series. KDKA proudly hails its new creative feature of KDKA’s programs last year. Manager Nelson approved the idea but genius in the field of millinery, Engineer He also has conceived and planned a num- Fleck bad to go through the regular audi- Charley Bickerton, whose remarkable tal- ber of outstanding special events broad- tion ordeal just like any ambitious un- ents for hat designing were undiscovered casts for the station. known before he could get back the pro- until he came forth recently with his latest gram he had once conducted so success- creation, a tin topper for Janet Ross of In Charge of Sustainings fully. the KDKA Shopping Circle program. Clarence M. Pettit, a business man with years of suc- This is how it happened: cessful experience to his During a creative moment, credit, joined the KDKA staff Engineer Bickerton thought

February 15. it would be fun to present In his new position, Mr. Janet with a tin hat so he Pettit will have charge of the went to work in the shop. He sustaining programming of emerged with a hat made of presentations. He will empha- tin and shaped like a bird. size programs having a maxi- Amused and touched by mum of local interest and he the gift, Janet paid suitable will devote much of his time tribute to her hat stylist to special events programs. new Derby Sproul will continue in her next broadcast. to have charge of commercial Since that time much of her programs, this division of fan mail, many telephone impor- duties being one of the calls and scores of visitors to objectives in Mr. Nel- tant her programs and the studios son’s reorganization of station have mentioned the remark- functions. able head-dress and asked to Before coming to KDKA, see Bickey’s creation. Mr. Pettit was with the Bald- Pittsburgh Boy Scouts had a camping exhibit in the KDKA studios as a win Piano Company in Den- 1 i i presented six programs feature of the National Boy Scout Week. The Scouts Want to buy. sell or trade some- ver, Colorado, for fourteen on February 8 when the station was turned over to them by Manager thing? Advertise in the Exchange and one-half years as general A. E. Nelson. Corner, page IS. NBC TRANSMITTER

VOL. 4 APUIL 1 9 3 8 IN 0 . 4

F. E. MASON APPOINTED WEAF RECEIVES PLAQUE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION TO DIRECT NBC FOR EXCELLENT SERVICE OFFICERS REELECTED

SHORT-WAVE The General Electric Company plaque, At the first annual meeting of the NBC annually for Short-wave radio awarded the best “on the Athleltic Association held in Studio 3F, has assumed such air” record among stations owned and Radio City, on March 10, members of importance both managed by the National Broadcasting the Association unanimously reelected all was presented to the transmit- technically and as Company the officers for another year. The election ter staff of Station winners, the voice of Ameri- W EAF. 1937 followed the reading of a report by can culture and at Bellmore, Long Island, on March 11. George McElrath, president, in which he trophy, ideals beyond our The presented by Chester Lang, summarized the activities and accomplish- Electric executive, borders, that Lenox General Company was ments of the Association during its first accepted by Gerald Gray, station engi- year of existence from March 1937 to Frank E. Mason R- Lohr, president 2, of NBC has as- neer at WEAF. March 10, 1938. silver signed his assistant, Vice-President The plaque is awarded on the He pointed out that over a dozen dif- basis of the least time off the air to activities Frank E. Mason, to superintend all of the due ferent sport were organized by equipment failures or errors of station Company’s activities in this field. members of the Association and several operating In Mr. Mason will have complete direc- personnel. 1937 WEAF, key social affairs were successfully conducted. of Network, off tion of the increasingly numerous NBC station the Red was the Most successful of the latter was the air seconds, broadcasts of news, entertainment and 3 minutes and 29 of which Company Dance held at the Hotel Roose- only 10 seconds to per- other programs transmitted to Europe were chargeable velt on May 7, 1937. Attended by approxi- and South America, and the short-wave sonnel errors. WEAF’s total time on the mately 1,200 people, the dance was a operations of the Company. air during the year was 6,380 hours and huge success—socially and financially. 24 minutes. The receipts from that dance filled the Mr. Lohr said: The WEAF transmitter staff comprises otherwise empty coffers of the A. A., thus “While the licenses under which short- Gerald Gray, station engineer, A. V. Gi- making it possible to finance other activi- wave stations operate are experimental ammatteo, W. A. Haerer, M. D. Holland, ties including an all-day outing for A. A. and carry no public obligation per se, the J. J. Lombardi. W. W. McKinley, J. A. members at the Sewane Country Club National Broadcasting Company feels Miller and Thomas Smith. on September 16 last. Another highlight that it, along with other private broad- Competition for the General Electric of the year was the golf tournament last casters, must see to it that the United plaque is limited to stations owned and summer in which over fifty golfing mem- States does not lag behind other nations managed by NBC because these observe bers and their guests participated. in international short-wave broadcasting. uniform methods of computing time on, The resignation of Gordon H. Mills “In this period of world stress and and off, the air. Competitors are WEAF as chairman of the Rifle and Pistol widely conflicting political ideologies, it and WJZ, New York City; WRC and Shooting Committee was announced by is especially important that NBC be alert WMAL, Washington, D. C.; WGY, the President. Mr. Mills’ successor will to the needs of the United States for Schenectady; WTAM. Cleveland ; WENR be elected at the next meeting. communicating its policies and actions to and WMAQ. Chicago; KOA, Denver, and Edward M. Lowell, temporary chair- all parts of the world. ( Continued on page 7) (Continued on page 7) “Short-wave radio has become increasingly important, as improvements effected over the period of the past twelve months at Station W3XAL increased the range, and consequently the audience, which could be reached by American broadcasts. “With his background of experience as former president of International News Service, and as Vice President in charge of NBC’s Station Relations for a number of years, Mr. Mason is exceptionally well- qualified to guide our short-wave plans and their development. “Mr. Mason has held newspaper positions of importance in various European capitals over a number of years, and, speaking several languages, he is an apt interpreter of the American viewpoint to foreign listeners. “Since the principal feature of short- wave broadcasting is news, his experience as a journalist, and his seven years with the National Broadcasting Company, will enable him to give these highly important The WEAF transmitter staff and the General Electric Company plaque they received for having activities such direction as few others the best record for 1937 among the stations owned and operated by NBC. Left to right: J. A. station could bring to radio’s newest sphere.” Miller, Thomas Smith, J. J. Lombardi, J. M. Flynn, A. V. Giammatteo, Gerald Gray, engineer; W. A. Haerer, M. D. Holland, W. W. McKinley. —

2 NBC TRANSMITTER TWO DIRECTORS PROMOTED WHO'S WHO IN THE NBC NETWORKS IN WESTERN DIVISION Two NBC Holly- George Engles latory messages signed with the illus- wood directors were trious names of Fritz Kreisler, Sergei appointed to execu- His three imposing titles, vice president Rachmaninoff. Ignace Paderewski. From tive positions in the of the National Broadcasting Company, the Coast came another from John Program Depart- managing director of NBC Artists Ser- Charles Thomas. ment of the West- vice and president of Civic Concert Ser- Dr. Walter Damrosch, representing ern Division of vice. rest lightly on his shoulders. To the this amazing collection of musicians, pre- NBC during the galaxy of celebrities whom he manages sented “our boss” with a silver plaque on month of March. he is just “our boss.” That is what which were reproduced all the artists’ They are Marvin Schumann-Heink. grand old trouper, first signatures in facsimile under the inscrip- Young, who was „ . » • . , Marvin Young called him. and the name has stuck. tion: “Presented to our friend and man- named Assistant It is just ten years since George Engles ager, George Engles, on the occasion of Western Program Manager, and Walter came to the National Broadcasting Com- his tenth anniversary as Managing Direc- Bunker. Jr., who was appointed Produc- pany. His artists decided among them- tor of NBC Artists Service, in appreciation Manager for the Hollywood Studios. selves that this was something that tion of his tireless and sympathetic work Mr. Young, who will act as aide to John should be celebrated. Recently Gladys in our behalf.” W. Swallow, program manager of the Swarthout and her husband. Frank Chap- Which gives you a pretty good idea of Western Division, joined NBC in 1932, man. invited him over to their apartment. what his artists think of George Engles. coming from KFI. NBC affiliate in Los He thought it was to be a business con- Under the guidance of its managing Angeles. Although he is just thirty-three ference. director. NBC Artists Service in ten years years old. his experiences in radio and When he got inside the door the sound has become a seven-million dollar organ- the theatre have been many and varied. of a serenade burst upon his ears. He ization,—the largest talent agency in the He has managed and directed several found himself surrounded by some of the world. Mr. Engles and his staff look after West Coast stage productions, written world's greatest concert and operatic the destinies of more than 350 artists. three plays, directed two silent motion stars. With Dr. Walter Damrosch at the that number including everything from pictures, and written a number of NBC piano they were singing. “Du. du liegst prima donnas to trained seals and magi- and First Nighter dramas. folk- cians. They are booked for radio, stage, mir im Herzen,”—that time-honored Mr. Young is married, is a Captain of screen, concert, night clubs, hotels. — song whose title means “You are close to the U. S. Army Re- surprise anywhere that talent is used. But that’s my heart.” It turned out to be a serves. and lectures Engles’ tenth anni- another story. This is supposed to be party in honor of Mr. weekly at the Uni- versary as managing director of NBC about George Engles. versity of California Artists Service. He was born in Albany. His first job Extension Division Considering the box office value of this was in Proctor’s Vaudeville Theater in on advanced Radio impromptu gathering. Mr. Engles had New York. He was the boy who changed WYiting and Pro- been greeted with a million-dollar sere- the cards on either side of the stage be- ducing. nade. There were Kirsten Flagstad, Wal- tween the acts. Later he was made assist- he be- Walter Bunker, ter Damrosch. Efrem Zimbalist, Giovanni ant treasurer of the theatre. Then been Martinelli, Lauritz Melchior. Elisabeth came secretary to Walter Damrosch. who Jr., who has Rethberg. Gladys Swarthout. Marjorie at that time was conductor of the New with NBC since Lawrence. Mischa Levitski, and a score York Symphony Orchestra. It wasn t 1936 as an announc- progressed Walter Bunkkr, Jr. of others. From Europe came congratu- long before Mr. Engles er and producer will position of to the have charge of all production activities manager of the or- in Hollywood. A pioneer in radio and the chestra. theatre, he has been in radio since 1925 step was The next when he started as a singer on a small organizing his own station in Oakland. California, following concert bureau, his graduation from the University of which soon boasted Oregon. He was identified with San Fran- such attractions as for several years as an an- Paderewski. Marion cisco stations prior to joining Anson Week’s Talley. Schumann- nouncer, Heink and others of orchestra as business manager. world-wide reputa- Mr. Bunker has appeared in musical tion. In 1928 when and dramatic stock companies in Hono- the National Broad- lulu and elsewhere, and has collaborated casting Company on several motion picture stories and for was looking radio scripts. someone to organize an artists department, it decided one. It requires patience, tact, intelli- the best person for gence. fortitude — and the combined the job was George talents of a diplomat, salesman and pro- Engles. He accepted fessional father. In fact it s a job that George Engles, vice-president and managing director of Artists Service, the invitation. The requires someone exactly like George is honored on his tenth anniversary with NBC. The picture shows him history. rest is Engles. receiving from Dr. Walter Damrosch a silver plaque bearing the signa- His job of look- tures of many of the world’s greatest musicians. Left to right: Efrem ing after these 350 the Zimbalist, Gladys Swarthout, Dr. Damrosch, Mr. Engles, Lauritz Mel- Everybody is going to the NBC Dance at Roosevelt. New York City. April 22. chior, Elisabeth Rethberg and Frank Chapman. artists isn’t an easy Hotel APRIL, 1938 3

NEW MEMBERS OF N. Y. ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES GUEST RELATIONS STAFF

Five new men have joined the uni- Center Bowling League NBC's Jersey riding group inaugurated formed staff in Radio City to fill vacancies made by recent promotions. its summer season with an outing held at The new are: Alfred With the close of the season of the Closter, April 2. pages H. Temple, A. Ward Rockefeller Center Bowling League this Fenton, William H. Kennedy. Jr., Rich- The riding enthusiasts of Long Island month, tentative plans for the expansion mond L. White and Raymond H. have found the Sunday morning breakfast of NBC’s activities in the League during Rheaume. ride most popular, and expect to start an the 1938-1939 season have been announced evening group shortly. Alfred H. Temple, possessor of a deep, by George 0. Milne, Eastern Division En- pleasant southern voice, comes to us from gineer and chairman of the bowling i i i NBC Newport News, Virginia, where lie an- group. nounced for Station Before Telegraphers Beat Traffic WGH. that If the proposed line-up materializes ac- he had been salesman for an ice cream cording to Mr. Milne’s plans, there will The crack bowlers of the Telegraph concern in Norfolk. Virginia, and guide be a consolidation of eight or ten NBC Room gave the Traffic Team another and lecturer at Natural Bridge, Virginia. teams competing in the League instead of thorough trouncing in a return match at He was graduated from the Cocoanut two as now. At present NBC bowling ac- the Radio City Academy on March 5th. Grove. Florida. High School in 1931. tivities are divided The Teletypists won all the three games among the Rockefeller Ward Fenton, a native of Cleveland, Center League on Friday nights, and the of the series. The total score in games Ohio, was educated in New York City NBC Bowling League (intra-company) on now is, 6-0, the Traffic Team having also schools, at the Macjannet School in Saint Wednesday nights. lost all the games in the first encounter A consolidation would Cloud. France, and at Lenox Preparatory mean greater and stronger repre- last December. NBC School, in Massachusetts. He has worked sentation in the outside league. L. A. Zangaro, lead-off for the Tele- in the export business both at home and graphers, took high honors by scoring As the season of three series of nine abroad, and here at NBC he aspires to 247. A1 Schneider, team-mate, ran a close weeks each nears its close, NBC’s record the announcing staff. second with a score of 217. Both higli is as follows: In series one. Team Num- William H. Kennedy, Jr., another ber scores were made in the first game of the Two, captained by Operating Engi- with ambitions, return match. young man announcing neer George McElrath, tied with three was born in Indiana and attended Prince- others for second place; in series two, Total scores for each of the three games ton University. He also has travelled and Team Number One, with Captain Milne, in their order were: 992-707, 768-752, studied in Europe where he learned to tied for fourth place; and at present, as 860-759. speak French. German, and Italian. series three draws to a close, Team Num- The lineup: TELEGRAPH: L. A. Zan- Richmond L. White, born in Utica, New ber One is in third place, just a few garo, A1 Schneider, J. S. La Touche, C. York, and graduated from preparatory games behind the league-leading RKO A. Kelly, H. A. Purse. school in Berkshire. Massachusetts, comes team. TRAFFIC: W. B. Frederick, Steere to NBC with some experience in stock Individual records ran high with Alex- Mathew. B. F. McClancy, E. B. Lyford, companies. He is primarily interested in ander D. Nicol, Accounting, and Magnus T. J. Dolan. sound effects. Opsal, Engineering, each achieving a sea- Raymond H. Rheaume worked in the son average of 176; and with Joseph ACE REPORTER D’Agostino, G. 0. Milne, M. Opsal and NBC acoustical department of Bell Telephone A. D. Nicol among those bettering the Laboratories. Inc., before coming to Radio City. is a graduate of Stevens 200 mark. Nicol’s 243 is “tops” for single He scores. Institute of Technology with a degree in iii mechanical engineering. Eight Pass Audition The Last Round-Up For Announcing School

The last round-up of the Winter season The Spring term of the NBC Announc- for NBC’s “horsey” set, held Wednesday ing School in Radio City, conducted by night, March 23rd in the ring at Ayl- Dan Russell, began on April 1 with eight ward’s, proved to be only a teaser. The students enrolled. The members of the dozen-odd equine enthusiasts who were announcer’s training class were picked to complete a series of ten jumping les- from over twenty applicants from differ- sons at that time, clamored so insistently ent departments of the Company who for more that the activity was extended were auditioned by Chief Announcer Pat two more weeks, to April 6th. Kelly on March 23.

The final celebration was postponed, All those who passed the audition are but at a pre-celebration held at Child’s, members of the Guest Relations staff. They 59th Street, NBCites in full riding regalia are. Roderick Mitchell. Richard Hogue. Max Jordan, NBC European representative, startled the orchestra by prancing around Albert Roraback. George Brengel. Alfred who, last month, thrilled American listeners the floor a-shaggin’ and a-truckin’, just as H. Temple. Paul Owen, A. ard Fenton, with descriptions of Chancellor Hitler’s coup though they hadn’t just finished a full William H. Kennedy, Jr. in Austria and climaxed a special short-wave Jr., and of a-postin’ a-cluckin’. final hour and The broadcast with the voice of Der Fuehrer mak- iii Buy your tickets and make your table reserva- ride on Wednesday, April 6th, brought to ing his first victory speech on Austrian soil in tions for the NBC Dance NOW. Hotel Roosevelt* a close a most successful season. Linz on Saturday afternoon, March 12. New York City, April 22. 4 NBC TRANSMITTER

an assistant of Phillips Carlin. He will Announcer Spargrove is single, likes assist the sustaining program manager in good music, high-powered rifles and Scot- NAMES IN building up sustaining programs featur- ties. He has raised Scotties for many years ing light popular music. A former mem- and has won several ribbons. THE NEWS ber of the British Broadcasting Corpora- tion. Mr. Croom-Johnson came to NBC iii about two years ago. Miss Virginia Kelly of Brooklyn has iii joined the stenographic staff. Before com- NEW YORK Newcomers: ing to Radio City, she did secretarial Guy C. Hickok, a European corre- work for a foreign trade publication, Promotions: spondent of many years experience, has American Exporter. Thomas Velotta. formerly of the Com- joined NBC as a member of the Publicity She received her education in Brook- lyn schools and St. mercial Program Division, has been ap- Department. Joseph’s College. pointed an assistant to Phillips Carlin, Fresh from Oberlin College in Ohio, iii sustaining program manager. A member Guy C. Hickok began his newspaper ca- of tbe Company for many years, Mr. Ve- reer on a metropolitan New York daily William Bush who joined NBC in lotta replaces William L. Card who re- at the outbreak of the World War. Three January as a temporary employee has been signed from NBC last month in order to years later he went to Europe where he made a permanent member of the steno- accept an executive position with another remained fifteen years as correspondent graphic staff, replacing Reginald Stan- firm. of the Brooklyn Eagle. In 1935 he went borough who is now working in the Night i i i over to the McClure Newspaper Syndi- Program Manager’s office. Before coming cate. Then he spent a year as foreign to NBC. Mr. Bush was in Venezuela for Robert E. Eastman bas. been promoted editor of the Literary Digest. His last over a year as a member of the geological from the page staff to tbe Program De- affiliation before coming to NBC was with department of the Venezuela Gulf Oil Co. partment where he is now assistant to News-Week. Norman Morrell, assistant commercial Mr. Hickok has written many articles iii program manager. A graduate of Ohio on foreign affairs for various newspapers Wesleyan, Mr. Eastman came to New Joseph J. Lilley who has been indi- and magazines. He was co-author of York City last summer with a scholarship rectly connected with NBC during the Arms and the Men in Fortune which in music. He joined NBC in November, past three years as a coach of several caused quite a furor not long ago. 1937. NBC stars, among them being Dorothy i i i iii Lamour. Neila Goodelle and Jean Sablon, has joined the Company in the Program David Garroway, former guide, is now a Miss Alice Bradford, who has been Department. Under a new setup, Mr. member of the announcing staff of KDKA, working in the Central Stenographic Lilley will work with Austen Croom-John- Pittsburgh. His appointment was made on Section on a temporary basis since Janu- son (See Promotions) of the Sustaining March 3, following an audition in which ary 1, bas been made a permanent mem- Program Division in building up NBC over thirty applicants were heard. (See ber of the Company. Formerly with Time sustaining programs and vocalists. KDKA Pittsburgh, Page 6) Inc., in the promotion department. Miss In addition to acting as chief of the Bradford is interested in writing. She has iii staff of arrangers, he will coach NBC worked as a reporter for a newspaper in vocalists. Miss Louise Greene, formerly secretary her home town. New Rochelle, and also to a faculty member of the Howard Medi- has worked for a magazine called Sports iii cal School, who joined the Central Steno- Illustrated. Miss Bradford is a graduate graphic Section last spring is now a mem- of Lawrence College, Wisconsin. She is Eugene Speck, former foreign corre- ber of Miss Janet MacRorie’s staff in an enthusiastic horsewoman and is a spondent for the Chicago Tribune, has Continuity Acceptance. member of the Athletic Association’s joined the staff of the Press Division. horseback riding group. A newspaper writer of many years ex- i i i Ill perience. he started his career in journal- Miss Amelia Umnitz, former assistant ism with the Associated Press after at- fashion editor, bas been appointed NBC Newest addition to the NBC announc- tending Northwestern University. From Fashion Editor, following the resignation ing staff in Radio City is William E. Spar- the A.P.. he went to the Chicago Tribune of Mrs. Betty Goodwin, who left the Press grove who comes to us direct from the where he worked for eight years, five of Division on March 31, exchanging her Iowa Broadcasting System. which were spent as the paper’s foreign variegated publicity activities for domes- correspondent in Paris and London. He During his six years with the I.B.S., of major political and ticity. Mr. Spargrove was announcer, program covered many the sporting events in England and on the Formerly fashion editor of Pathe News, director of WMT in Cedar Rapids, and Continent during that period. Miss Umnitz joined NBC in March, 1937. director of special events for KSO. Des She has had many years experience as Moines, where he also did production He was assistant to the head of the newspaper and magazine writer and is the work and commercial announcing. Chicago Tribune's bureau in London author of a book on music for children. when he was assigned to cover the story He was born in Belle Plaine. Iowa. of Samuel Insull in Greece and Turkey. Mrs. Goodwin, who is well-known pic- December 10, 1908. and studied medicine He trailed the utilities magnate for torially to the public as NBC’s “television at Ohio State University where he re- months and even took the same boat that announcer”, had been with the Company ceived a B.S. degree in 1931. brought Mr. Insull back to the States. four years. Last summer, during a vacation trip to Mr. Speck decided to leave Miss Virginia Blachly, formerly of New York, he met Pat Kelly. Chief An- Last year newspaper business for radio, re- Guest Relations and a member of the nouncer of NBC. who invited him to guest- the from the Chicago Tribune and Press Division since a year ago, will as- announce several dance-band programs. signed to New York. sist the newly appointed fashion editor. He returned to Des Moines, convinced came was a cow- iii that Radio City was the spot for him. and A native of Texas, where he when Alan Kent left NBC to join WNEW. puncher before going to college, Eugene like a Texan, says Austen Croom-Johnson has been trans- Mr. Kelly sent for him to fill the vacated Speck, who still talks States again. ferred from the production staff and made position. it’s good to be back in the .

APRIL, 1938 5

Transfers: The newlyweds spent their honeymoon On April 1 Dr. Dunham addressed the in Atlantic City and are now residing at Sidney Robards, former assistant news Music Educators National Conference in 145 95th Street. Brooklyn. editor in Press left NBC on March 8 to St. Louis, and on April 10 he will speak join the RCA Department of Information iii on “Radio As Good Influence in Life” in Radio City. A native of Kentucky Miss Helen Fencl of Stenographic was before the Brooklyn Alumni Sodality. His where he was educated in public schools, married to George R. Schleier at the Jan future speeches will be on various phases Mr. Robards was Day City Editor of the Hus Presbyterian Church. New York City, of the influence of radio as an educational before he came on Sunday afternoon, March 13. Louisville Courier-Journal factor. iii to NBC a year and a half ago. He got his The newlyweds went on a honeymoon start in newspaper work on the Daily trip to Florida. They returned to New Gordon J. Strang, Robert F. Schuetz. Gleaner of Henderson, Kentucky, in 1925. York last week and Miss Fencl —or Mrs. Edward Nolen and Joseph J. Arnone of iii Schleier— is now hack at her typewriter the Engineering Department in Radio Noel Jordan was transferred from the in Central Stenographic. Mr. Schleier is City are in Hollywood assisting in the Mail and Messenger Section to Central a member of the New York Fire Depart- supervision of the construction of the new Files, March 15. Mr. Jordan joined NBC ment. NBC studios in that city. last summer, shortly after he was gradu- The bride received a set of folding iii ated from Harvard College with the class bridge table and chairs as a wedding of 1937. present from her NBC friends. O. B. Hanson, vice president and chief , , , iii engineer; George McElrath, operating Robert E. Dennison who was trans- Stork News: engineer, and George O. Milne, Eastern ferred from the page staff to the Pro- Division Engineer, were guests of honor gram Department last November is now Robert Meachem. former NBC Guide at a dinner given by the staff of WEAF working in the Music Library. who is now at Cornell University, became at the transmitting station in Bellmore, iii the father of a baby girl on March 11. Long Island, on March 23. The dinner John F. Anderson, formerly in charge ill banquet, given in the transmitter house of ticket distribution in the Program De- Thomas Velotta. recently appointed so that the entire staff of the station partment, is now working in the News assistant commercial program manager, might be able to attend, was in celebra- and Special Events Division. became the father of a baby girl. Vir- tion of WEAF's winning of the General ginia Rose, on March 7. It is the Velotta’s iii Electric Company plaque for excellent Resignations: first child. < / service during 1937 ( see story on Page 1 ) An eight-pound-nine-ounce baby boy, Bill Bailey has resigned from the an- Eric Cushman, was born to the Howard iii nouncing staff in order to do free-lance (Announcer) Petrie’s on March 30. Mrs. Raymond Feuerstein. German-speaking work. However, Announcer Bailey’s voice Petrie is better known to NBCites as Alice guide, has been promoted in the announc- continues to be heard over the NBC net- Wood, one-time NBC hostess. ing class and is now pushing buttons and works as a commercial announcer of various shows. He also has commitments iii making station breaks. As part of his on other New York stations. Miscellaneous: training, he also announces an occasional early-morning program. Kelvin Keech, veteran NBC announc- Dr. Franklin Dunham of the Education- er who resigned from the staff in 1935 to al Division, Program Department, will iii do free-lance announcing and fulfill com- travel several thousand miles during this Miss Margaret Maloney. Chief tele- mercial commitments here and elsewhere, and the next three or four months to ful- phone operator, has returned from two has returned to Pat Kelly’s crew to fill fill speaking engagements in various cities the vacancy created by Mr. Bailey’s resig- including, St. Louis, Kansas City and weeks’ illness. nation. iii Philadelphia. iii Robert F. Devine who did clerical and Miss Florence Schwarzer who was ab- other office work in the Legal Department sent three weeks on account of illness resigned from the Company on March 25 has returned to her desk in the Photo to enter the rookie school of the New Section in Press. York Police Department. A former mem- iii ber of the page staff, Mr. Devine had been with NBC four years. Victor van der Linde. NBC general iii sales counsel, returned to his office on Marriages: March 30. following a month’s absence resulting from a Miss Victoria Geiger, former secretary caused by a broken leg Bowling to 0. W. Farrier, television coordinator, fall while bowling in the NBC and James Wood, Jr., engineer, who an- League. nounced their engagement in February iii to married April in the are be on 23 Guide Roderick Mitchell and Page chapel of St. Bartholomew’s. Murdock T. Pemberton are vacationing Miss Geiger resigned from NBC on in Florida. They motored down, planned March 23. iii to cross the new bridge at Key West and Einar S. Johnson, maintenance engi- promised us they'd come back with a real neer, and Miss Howella McCurdy were tan. Rod. particularly, is very anxious to ’ married in the Good Shepherd Church, do something about his “Snow White Brooklyn, on March 5. The wedding was complexion. a small informal affair attended only by iii members of the families of the bride and groom. Among those present were Mr. John F. Royal, vice president in charge and Mrs. A. W. Christopher. Mr. Chris- of programs, sailed for Europe on the Dorothy Lewis (Stenographic! up during topher is maintenance supervisor in the on March 31 for a month s a meeting of the riding group in New Jersey. Normandie Engineering Department. P.S. Miss can also ride a horse—and ride! vacation abroad. 6 NBC TRANSMITTER

LET S GET ACQUAINTED KDKA PITTSBURGH —— by Kay Barr Alfred H. Sax- Safety Program matic editor and ton, Western Divi- other department sion Engineer, has Dr. Ben Graham. Superintendent of heads will have in- never given a Pittsburgh Public Schools, and Father teresting stories to thought to any Paul E. Campbell. Superintendent of tell and Radio Edi- other profession Parish Schools, head a safety program tor Si Steinhauser but his own. which is heard over KDKA every Friday. also plans to pre- In 1936 when The program is the first in the Junior sent interviews celebrated NBC Patrol series, which will be heard on suc- from time to time its tenth anniver- cessive Fridays under the direction of with celebrities sary. the young ex- who visit T he Alfred H. Saxton Bill Sutherland. KDKA announcer. With ecutive. David Garroway who now increasing attention being paid child Press. is still under forty chalked up a decade safety work, the series aims at giving ad- From the KDKA viewpoint it will give of service also. ditional incentive to safety patrols ope- the station’s listeners a new service to

Born in Babylon. Long Island in 1899. rating in the schools. The program will news and feature stories, it will enable Mr. Saxton was educated at the William not be offered for commercial sponsor- Dale McFeatters. the Press newsreeler, L. Dickson High School in Jersey City ship but will be presented in the interest to include more up-to-the-minute news in where he studied electrical engineering. of civic and community progress. his twice-a-day broadcasts and it will give He had always lived in and around New the invisible audience close touch with York until NBC decided to expand to the many KDKA Heralds Post-Gazette happenings almost as they occur. Pacific Coast and he was appointed engineer in charge of the San Francisco KDKA reached the climax of a series Introducing Announcer Garroway studios and stations. of thirty special broadcasts dedicated to David Garroway was added to the When he was nineteen he joined the the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on March 8. KDKA announcing staff on March 3 and Navy. At twenty he entered the United It was a series conceived and arranged will be heard in his regular turn on sta- States Radio Training School. There he by Station Manager A. E. Nelson in con- tion programs. learned much about the profession which nection with the opening of the news- Dave comes from NBC New York was to lead him to success. paper's modern new $1,500,000 home. where he was page, guide and guide From 1919 to 1921 he was with the So it was also a climax for the Post- trainer for several months. He has had engineering department of the Western Gazette as well as a step forward in ce- announcer training under the skilled Dan Electric Company. Later he became an menting a friendly and co-operative rela- Russell and was approved for the KDKA instructor for a New York radio school tionship between radio and newspapers. staff by the station manager, A. E. Nel- where he taught wireless theory and As the final broadcast was on the air. the son. following an audition. code. presses were rolling on the first official Garroway is a native of Schenectady, edition from the new plant. During the time Mr. Saxton worked N. Y., a graduate of Washington Univer- for NBC in New York he held many posts sity. St. Louis. Missouri, and has taken in the Engineering Department, finally New KDKA— Press Studio extension courses from Harvard. At pres- being assigned to the main control room ent his family resides in Boston. He is as supervisor of operations. Special programs were broadcast on the author of a book on pronunciation As Western Division Engineer. Mr. the week of March 21 to celebrate the and sounds much like the well-known Saxton heads a staff of seventy, including opening of a KDKA studio in the editor- Ford Bond over the air. Peck, engineer in charge in San ial department of The Pittsburgh Press. Curtis D. and Francisco, and Donald DeWolf. engineer The idea was developed jointly by Ed- Here There ward Leech, editor-in-chief of The Press in charge in Hollywood. Senior Announcer Glenn Riggs used and Manager A. E. Nelson of KDKA. Though his headquarters are in Holly- red ink in his date book when he was in- By having a studio ready for instant wood, Mr. Saxton spends much of his vited to emcee a show way out in Fort use just off the news room of the news- time in San Francisco where NBC owns Wayne, Indiana. March 24. The entertain- paper. it will be possible for The Press and operates Station KPO and operates ment was in connection with the annual to present many special broadcasts that the General Electric Station. KGO. meeting of the Fort Wayne Transporta- have been physically inconvenient if not Mr. Saxton and his wife have a home tion Club. Delegations from Chicago, impossible in the past. Frequently the Detroit. Cleveland. Indianapolis and num- in West Los Angeles, half way between society editor, the sports editor, the dra- erous the studios and the ocean. They have one other mid-western cities were daughter, Dorothy Ann. eleven. present. / * < Engineer Saxton's chief hobby is pho- Bob Saudek. scriptwriter, recently tography but when probed for further made a speech before the Pittsburgh chap- details on his diversions from radio, he ter of the American Pen Women. It was Kay Barr, KDKA admits to owning a set of golf clubs. such a hit they have asked him to repeat Press Chief, in- the oration at the National Forum spects The Daily Radio of the National League of American Pen STUDIO FOR NEWS Gleaner in Kings- NEW ton, Jamaica, dur- Women, in the Willard Hotel. Washing- ing his vacation ton. D. C. at 10 P.M., April 25. The News and Special Events Division cruise to the West has its own studio in iii in Radio City now Indies. The picture designed for Room 404. The new studio, was air-mailed to Personnel changes in Press Depart- sports announcers and news commenta- Radio City. ment, KDKA; Gertrude Schaming re- tors who require last minute news from signed to get married. Francis Fitzsim- the teletype machines, is located only a mons is now at the copy desk, editing the few feet from the News Desk. news broadcasts. APRIL, 1938 7 WTAM CLEVELAND NBC ATTORNEYS HOLD RADIO CITY CONFERENCE by Bob Dailey On March 31st NBC attorneys from all Florida Booster Pribble Spot News the branches of the Company convened at Radio City for a two-day conference Florida sunshine has received a great Derek Caplane, who has been a valu- called by A. L. Ashby, vice-president and many testimonials. But the most enthusi- able member of WTAM’s staff for eight general counsel. astic praise to be heard in these parts in years, resigns to take over an insurance some time came from Vernon H. Pribble. position. It was Caplane’s wit and humor The conference was held to consider WTAM’s manager, on his return from a that kept our spirits high, and his excel- legal problems affecting the operations vacation trip. lence at ping-pong that kept us trying of the Company with the idea of so syn- Bronzed after month without success to and pounds heavier, Mr. month chronizing the work and thought of the Pribble was back at his desk ready to capture his crown. members of the Legal Department that resume his duties where he left off follow- i i i uniformity of the Department’s operations ing the strenuous dedication week and will be insured throughout the various studio-moving activities. Eddie Leonard, WTAM’s engineer-in- divisions of NBC. The conference, stated Not only did Mr. Pribble praise the charge, is smiling these days. In addition Judge Ashby, has, as in previous con- sun’s rays in Florida, but in modesty he to having new studios and many improve- ferences of the same nature, produced had to admit that the fishing was excel- ments in the broadcasting pickup system, gratifying results in the interests of the • lent and the golf course one of the best in two of the most recent developments in the country. He caught 21 kingfish and radio transmission have been installed in Company. two black groupers in one day and low- the station’s transmitter at Breckville. Those who attended the conference be- ered the Pribble golf score to 75. Is there A marked reduction of distortion and sides the Vice President and General any wonder that WTAM’s manager is betterment of quality resulted from the Counsel were E. G. Prime, Ira L. Grim- singing the praises of Florida? installation of a “reversed feedback” sys- shaw, Henry Ladner and Robert P. Myers Mr. Pribble spent most of his time on tem and a compressor modifier. The im- of the New York office, P. Hennessey, the keys near St. Petersburg and was ac- J. provements have completely modernized companied by his wife and Bob Oatley, Jr. of Washington, Joseph A. McDonald the transmitter, according to Leonard. station librarian. Oh yes, even Mr. Oatley of Chicago and Frederick Leuschner of was the third NBC station to be broke his golf score of 100. WTAM the Hollywood branch. R. H. Graham of equipped with the “reversed feedback” NBC Hollywood was unable to attend. WTAM Flashes system, WEAF and WJZ getting the im- Lester A. Looney. Harold Gallagher, salesman, riding provement earlier. NBC engineer of the Radio Facilities Division with the sheriff in the latter’s new black WEAF Receives Plaque in New York, made the installation maria at the head of the St. Patrick’s Day Service is on the face For Excellent parade . . . Walter Logan spending four Another smile at WTAM of Walter Logan. The station musical days in New York on business . .. Soloist (Continued from page 1) Jerry Brannon journeying to KDKA for director takes over the important network KPO and KGO. San Francisco. The 1936 a commercial St. Patrick’s Day program hour of 10 to 10:30 p.m. beginning Sun- his popular Sym- winner of the trophy was station WGY, . . . Ray Steck taking over Bob Oatley’s day, April 17, with duties as librarian while Bob was in Flor- phonic Variations program. Schenectady. ida . .. Staff Pianist Dorothy Crandall getting a network solo program ... It was a seven-pound boy, James F. Jr., at the

James F. Hackett’s on February 27 .. . Papa Hackett formerly was field engineer in New York before he was transferred to WTAM in 1936. ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION OFFICERS REELECTED

( Continued from page 1) man of the Bridge Committee, was unanimously elected to the head of the group which he had organized during the preceding month. Alexander D. Nicol, treasurer, gave a very favorable financial report, declaring that the Association had weathered its first year with $390.64 in the till. President McElrath brought the meeting to a close with the appeal that as many members as possible come to the April meeting of the Association in order to elect new chairmen to the various standing committees. Officers of the A. A. who were reelected are the following. George McElrath, president; Rudolph J. Teichner, vice pres- NBC Attorneys Hold a Conference in Radio City. Seated, left to right: P. J. Hennessey, ident; Frances Barbour, vice president; Jr., Washington, D. C. ; A. L. Ashby, vice president and general counsel; E. G. Prime, N. Y. Alexander D. Nicol, treasurer; and Grace Standing: R. P. Myers, N. Y.; J. A. McDonald, Chicago; I. L. Grimshaw, N. Y.; Frederick M. Johnson, secretary. Leuschner, Hollywood; Henry Ladner, N. Y. WINS VICTOR RECORDS

Dennis Alan demonstrates his boarding- house reach while Brother Aryl looks on during their double birthday celebration. “What goes on?” wonders Stephen Dennis was a year old on March 10 and Michael as daddy aims the camera. Aryl was 3 on March 11. They are sons Daddy is Max Bauman, accountant in of A. D. Aldred, WMAQ engineer. NBC New York.

Phil Kneislf.y, Jr. —To this interesting study of his nephew, photographed by Joe Thomp- son, Hollywood director, the judges of the Baby Pictures Contest awarded the third and last album of Toscanini records in the series. Through the courtesy of the RCA Manufactur- ing Co., Inc., Mr. Thompson will receive a complete Victor recording of Beethoven’s Sym- phony No. 6 as played by the Philharmonic Orchestra of New York under the baton of Arturo Toscanini.

This is Gene Welsh. Her brother, Wilbur Welsh, works for NBC in Radio City in the Traffic Dept. (Above) Robert F. lister, nephew of Marguerite Lou- biere, N. Y. Music Division.

(Right) Martha Ann, daughter of T. H Van Cott, N. Y. Engineering Dept.

(Below) Michael must be laughing at one of his daddy’s scripts. Father is Marie Dolan’s niece, Ginger Connolly, Scriptwriter Edmund Birnbryer of N. Y. M iss Dolan is secretary to C. W. Horn, Dir. of Research and Development. (Above) Richard Duane Cotting- ham, stepson of News Editor Bob Cottingham of KYW Philadelphia. I Below) “Whoopee! The water’s fine.” —Alice Joy Stewart, niece of Barbara (Below) Jack goes for a spin. Biermann, N. Y. Guest Relations. His father is KOA Engineer Ruben Isberg.

Simple Simon went a-tishii For to catch a whale;

All the fish that he could f; Was in his mother’s pail. (Fisherman Robert Judd

j Electrical Transcription S| HONORABLE MENTION

ntroduc- whose dwin P. >r of the )ivision.

Puppy Love. Relieve it or not the Don

Juan ( right ) on the wheelbarrow is Emil Corwin before - he started wearing long pants. That little amorous Emil has grown up to he editor of the NBC News Service is Hollywood’s loss.

Leslie \\ . Joy, Jr., whose father tion Manager of kVVi Philad 1 his picture stood out among the pictures received for this issue ar given Honorable Mention.

Joseph Merkert tries out his new hiddy-kar. He has u cousin in NBC Dorothy Michel of Traffic in Radio City.

(Left) “Tinky” is her father’s favorite subject. He took this picture with an old battered camera discarded by a fellow television engineer. Her father is also a good cartoonist (see page 10). Ilis name— Bill Eddy.

is : lady Sally Jane Decker, is Howard E. Wheeler, Con- Engineer, WGY Schenectady. NBC Chicago Engi- neer Ray Bierman’s (Below) Dick’s in hot daughter, Marianne. water anil his father, J. 1). (Scoop ) MeTigue is in the Press Division in New York.

(Left) This handsome fellow is Jerry Wilson. Ilis father is W. W. Wilson, NBC

engineer in Ph i la.

ephew of Norman Ward. S. Y.) 10 NBC TRANSMITTER

NBC TRANSMITTER NBC HALL OF FAME Published for and by the employes of the National Broadcasting Company from coast to coast.

VOL. 4 APRIL, 1938 No. 4

EDITORIAL BOARL DOM DAVIS Editor CARL CANNON Associate Editor RODERICK MITCHELL Staff W riter CHARLES VAN BERGEN Photographs

N. Y. CONTRIBUTORS

SPENCER McNARY Artists Service ALBERT RORABACK Guest Relations WILLIAM EDDY Engineering ALICE BRADFORD Central Stenographic JOHN H. BAXTER Artists Service E. LOUDON HAAKER News and Special Events

Address all correspondence to: NBC TRANSMITTER Room 284, RCA Building, New York Circle 7-8300, Ext. 220

RECOGNITION AT LONG LAST FOR RADIO S GREAT

The motion picture industry with its Academy Award has a tangible way of designating those of the art that have achieved excellence in their chosen field. The French Government has its Legion of Honor and the Nobel Foundation has its numerous Nobel Prizes. The NBC Trans- mitter, not to be outdone, has decided to establish its own “NBC Hall of Fame.” dedicated to the perpetuation of the achievements of the heroes— and heroines -—of radio.

Not only do we hope to compensate in our small way the performance of duty above and beyond the requirements of the industry hut we also hope to add our own mite to the new studio projects, recently completed or now nearing completion, by NBC.

Bill Eddy, television engineer and “ab- stract artist de luxe” has suggested a project for the construction of statues commemorating the great in Radio which PROPOSED NBC STATUE No. 1 AND CITATION PLAQUE would be used to grace and ennoble the interiors of NBC radio centers throughout the land. © O'! A drawing of his first proposed statue Jn every machine there must t>e incorporated a limiting device— appears on this page. In succeeding issues be it a relief valve or an emergency brake. Jhe chime ringer stands other cogs in the gear train of commercial alone as broadcasting s recognition of this need for termination. broadcasting will be similarly honored until, it is hoped, all branches of the Without him programs would continue ad infinitum — net- art will have their permanent memorial works would lock and interlock at random, while vice-presidents transcribed in stone and marble and un- veiled in all their glory in the rotundas, grew grey with worry. lobbies and auditoriums of the NBC And so— we salute the WBC chi me ringer-the essence of com- studios. lie pletion— the elixir of finis— the omega of all alphas—and fojn with The NBC Dance is on April 22. Have you him in another station break- DO LA A1J . bought your ticket and made your table reser- vations? —

APRIL, 1938 11 KYW PHILADELPHIA KOA DENVER LETTERS TO THE EDITOR by J. A. Aull by James Lehmann Esso Scoops Again Farewell Anderson In the March issue ... I noticed an error on top of an error in a letter from Last month the sales staff of the Stan- Fanfare! KOA salutes Charles Ander- J. E. Baudino. Plant Manager of KDKA, dard Oil Company of Pennsylvania had son. We depose our former correspondent to the Editor of the Transmitter, in a surprise first-hand opportunity of see- with this issue in order to tender him which he made a correction concerning ing how their Esso Reporter in this city congratulations and a fqrewell slap on the first Parabolic Microphone. ticks with “up to the minute United the back. Press headline news.” At the last session If you want the whole truth—the patent Charles Anderson, popular KOA an- for the Parabolic (Directive-Reception) of a three-day meeting in the Ritz Carlton nouncer and production man, has been Hotel, Philadelphia, KYW, now broad- Microphone was applied for January 2, awarded a Rockefeller Foundation Fel- 1924, and patent No. 1732722 was issued casting Esso news, moved its entire news lowship for the study of production tech- department into the hotel and to ME October 22, 1929. This was while put on the niques in educational radio. 12:45 broadcast direct from the meeting. I was Manager of Radio Operations for Charley has been with KOA since 1936 Press teletype the Westinghouse Electric and Manufac- United shipped a machine when he left California radio to its own all the way from Chicago for the occasion. turing Company, and before I came with devices and joined the NBC staff in Den- NBC. All other equipment, including personnel ver. He received his A.B. degree from the and typewriters, were carted over from the University Denver in Therefore, the credit can be shared by of 1932. and has since KYW studios. continued with NBC and Westinghouse, although the his graduate work at that delegates were not told about the institution. For the past year he has pro- patent was filed before NBC was formed. The show until a few minutes before it went duced the university’s educational pro- If this controversy gets hot, I can furnish on the air. Then curtains were pulled gram each week over KOA. you with a copy of the patent. The first Parabolic Microphone was made out of aside revealing the miniature news room. He will begin his leave of absence the a solid piece of concrete which weighed The story break came 15 minutes before latter part of April. He knows we’ll miss several tons, and required additional air-time when word was received of a fire him so we won’t mention it. in Bellevue-Stratford Hotel directly bracing in the studio at KDKA, and was the "HO” Gauge the cause of a row between the Broadcast- across the street. ing Division and the Westinghouse Plant Add screwy hobbies. Model railroading 500 Cars Burn Maintenance Department who accused us in those diminutive proportions so popu- of trying to wreck the building. KYW participated in the campaign for lar now. Among the devotees of “HO” we National Used Car Exchange Week by note Bill Stulla, scriptwriter; Anderson (Signed) C. W. Horn, making an exclusive pick-up of a bonfire and Lehmann, announcers and Carl NBC Director of Research and of 500 used cars. Thousands of gallons Schuknecht, engineer. Development. of gas were poured on the cars before they Carl is a renegade, however, having were touched off with the result that bil- deserted “HO” for “0” Gauge. Thus far Ed.—This matter, we must confess, has lows of smoke and soot poured over the none has had the temerity to tackle the gotten out of our control. It may be neces- populace. Leroy Miller, who carried on construction of a locomotive . .. PIC- sary to have an official investigation to the patter during the spectacular blaze TURE! Several assorted freight cars serv- clear the whole matter up. And it all and George Haggerty, engineer for West- ing as mantel decorations. started because we innocently published inghouse, were prepared with gas masks Sukie Shiela O'Larry in the February issue that “Ten years furnished by the Philadelphia Fire De- ago NBC made the first parabolic micro- partment. Announcer Joe Gillespie’s dog, Sukie phone out of a wooden chopping bowl.” Shiela O’Larry, Irish Setter, which is the New Building — (Radio- Ana) proud mother of ten three-month old pup- Local papers are already heralding the pies, walked away with a first prize in forthcoming opening of the new KYW the American-bred class at the Thirty- building on or about May 16. third Annual Show of the Colorado Ken- WHO SHOULD GET IT? nel Club. Dogs were entered in the show from all over the country. Oh, yes—the puppies are for sale and they’re registered in the field dog Stud Book (Adv.) Sukie also won second prize in the Rather than commit the original Novice Class at the Denver Kennell Club drawing of the Proposed Statue No. 1 Show last October. on the opposite page to the ignominy of a waste basket or a filing cabinet Wanted: Script for Operetta there to accumulate unworthy dust Carl Wieninger, musical arranger for the artist, Bill Eddy, has offered to KOA, makes his appeal with this issue have -it beautifully framed and pre- for an original script for a half-hour radio sented to the NBC chime ringer who. musical comedy or operetta. in the opinion of his constituents, is Mr. Wieninger, whose original melodies worthy and deserving of its possession. have been aired from time to time on the Therefore, we entreat you readers of networks with success, wants to thicken the Transmitter to drop us card, a the plot of some clever script with music memo or what-have-you naming the an- of his own composition. No lyrics neces- nouncer whom you nominate to this KYW was on the spot with a microphone sary, says Carl ; he makes them up to fit honorable recognition. Each sig- when 500 used automobiles went up in smoke NBC the songs and situations as he goes along. nature will count as one vote. and flames during the celebration of National Used So to any NBC scriptwriter with an See the next issue of the NBC Car Exchange Week in Philadelphia. Photographed during the exclusive broadcast extra plot or two aimlessly wandering Transmitter for the name of the lucky of around, here’s your chance to have the man. the bonfire are, left to right: A1 Watton, Program; Jack Hammann, sales manager, waif adopted and “done right by,” we’re and Leroy Miller, announcer. sure. 12 NBC TRANSMITTER WBZ BOSTON by Bob Evans NBC CHICAGO Like Father, Like Son by Rudi Neubauer Although he’s not sure whether he William E. Drips, wants to follow in his father’s footsteps, Newcomers and Transfers NBC Director of young Nat Benchley, son of the famous George A. Bolas joined the Advertising Agriculture in Chi- humorist, Robert Benchley. and student at and Sales Promotion Department on cago, displays his Harvard, gave indications that he’s equip- March 1. He was formerly employed by catch while J. T. ped for that type of career when the song Swift & Co., in Defiance, Ohio. His Alma Hopkins, Jr., man- preview of the Harvard Hasty Pudding Mater is the University of Michigan, ager of NBC affili- Club show was aired, coast-to-coast, from where, we understand, he was a mainstay ate WJAJ, Jackson- WBZ and WBZA on March 23. of the football eleven. ville, looks on. Pic- ture was taken by A husky young man, bearing some re- iii Frank Schnepper, semblance to his father, Nat wrote and Miss Marge Kerr has joined the Press Chicago field engi- played the principal role in two sketches Department as writer, replacing Phil neer, during a re- prepared especially for the broadcast. Fortman who resigned owing to ill health. cent Farm and Despite it being his first radio appearance, M iss Kerr comes to NBC from the Fizdale Home Hour pick-up young Benchley was distinctly unruffled. Publicity organization; prior to that she from Florida. ( P.S. His script had the Benchely type of served on the editorial staff of Radio Find the fish.) humor. Guide. In private life she is the wife of Crib Cries Ping-Pong Phil Davis, WLW orchestra leader. i i i Father Stork visited NBC Chicago on As promised in the last issue of the Newcomers to the Central Stenographic March 10 and confined his one-day stop- Transmitter, we are now able to reveal Division are Margaret E. Huffman, Lu- over to the homes of two studio engineers, WBZ and WBZA’s ping-pong champion. cille Hagen and Mary Jean Franzen. George Maher and Joseph Conn. He left From out of nowhere, came Gordon i i i seven-pounds-and-one-ounce baby boy, Norris to top a “Babe” (Sales) grab Mary Kelly recently was transferred honors after a gruelling finals match with Peter Staniford, at the Mahers and a to the Artists Service Department as sec- Art Feldman (Special Events). Feldman lighter package, weighing five and one- retary to Alex Robb. has been pleading for a return match, but iii half pounds and containing a young lady, so far Norris has stalled him off with, Miss Carolyn, at the Conns. Arnold Johnson has taken over the “Go out and get yourself a reputation Peter Staniford is the third son in the duties of Lincoln Douglass as accountant first.” while Carolyn is the first in Artist Service following the transfer Maher dynasty Conns. Mrs. Edmunds Returns of Douglass to serve as assistant music child of the librarian. The staff of WBZ was most happy to Personal Items Ernest Schaper has been moved into welcome Mrs. Frace D. Edmunds upon the spot vacated by Arnold Johnson. Glenn W ebster. studio engineer, is back her return to duties as head hostess. Mrs. i i i on the job after an absence of three Edmunds was ill for six weeks and her William B. Saddin has been added to because of a broken ankle. He is absence keenly felt. On her first day back weeks the Mail and Messenger staff. at work, the girls of the staff gave her a quite pleased at getting back into harness “surprise tea” in the tea room of Floor Fore! as he had read all the mystery stories at Five-and-a-Half. home. C. L. Menser, production manager, iii All the Way? and W. W. Smith, Local Sales manager, Friends of Eric Danielson chipped in Speaking of embarrassing moments, the inaugurated the 1938 golf season. Play- and bought him a radio to help pass the blush exhibited by Arch MacDonald ing in the rain on Saturday. March 21. time while he is convalescing at the Chi- (Program) is still providing heat for the they report that a good time was had by cago Municipal Sanitarium. The boys studios. Joe Lelliot, District Manager of everyone except the caddies. from the Engineering Department helped was in studios displaying RCA. the the Travelling Salesman out by adding head phones. Of course, new RCA-Victor Symphony Radio to it’s an RCA setl Maurie Wetzel, manager of Electrical Office Manager “Cy” Young. To test its iii Transcription Service in Chicago, is now tone, Mr. Elliott asked for a couple of on an 8,000-mile trek through South Charles Hotchkiss, Local Sales, an- records to play on the turntables and pipe the and Southwest, calling on Thesaurus nounced that from April 2 on he will be into the speaker. Young called Arch Mac- NBC prospects and subscribers to sell them the of circulation. that day he is to be Donald. A few moments later, MacDonald out On recorded rushed into the audition room with the two WXYZ Lone Ranger program. married to Miss Carol Jaquith of Los Maurie’s car is equipped with a six-volt Angeles. records, and just as Mr. Elliot was about i , , dictaphone, and every morning the Spe- to offer his thanks, he noticed that one Delivery brings in cylinder Ted Schreyer, operations supervisor, is of the records was a Brunswick, the other cial Mail a latest orders. So far have threatening to dye his hair and grow a a Decaa. Exit MacDonald slightly pink. with the we been unable to detect the gurgling of a beard for disguise. Passing a party of Spring Fever brook or the snapping of fish on these visitors in a corridor. Ted was accosted

While you’re in the mood .. . George cylinders. by a sweet young thing with an autograph Harder, in charge of News and Sales Pro- In Mr. Wetzel’s absence Bill Young and book: “Aren't you Charles Lyon, the an- motion. returning from Bermuda with a Bob Ewing are keeping the home fires nouncer?” Two days later he was passing monogramed “swizzle stick” . . . Bob burning. the door of a studio where a wild west Duffield, studio supervisor, practicing Anniversary show had just concluded and the studio tying a white tie for his forthcoming WMAQ audience, mostly school children, was just duties as best man for Bob Morris, once April 13 marks the sixteenth birthday leaving. Suddenly he found himself sur- of call letters originally were of WBZ ... everyone in general with WMAQ. The crowd of ten-year-olds want- Waller of the Educa- rounded by a a swell case of spring fever .. . your WGU. Miss Judith ing to know “Are you one of the In- reporter, unable to find anything else to tional Department was the station man- tell you about in this issue. ager at that time. dians?” — .

APRIL, 1938 13 WGY SCHENECTADY by W. T. Meenam

Statics Win Bowling League senior year and acquired membership in wave broadcast addressed particularly to a group of Greek-letter societies that al- the countries of South America. The Statics have captured the cham- most run the gamut of the Greek alpha- pionship of WGY’s Radio Nuisance Bowl- New Studios Soon to Open bet. He admits membership in Beta Theta ing League. The team which included an- Pi, Sigma Delta Chi. Phi Delta Epsilon With the balmy days of Spring the nouncer Howard Tupper and Bob Elliot and Tau Theta Upsilon and has all kinds thoughts and hopes of the WGY staff of Sales, withstood a last minute drive of keys to prove it. While at Syracuse, center on the new studio building which by the Ripples and finished two games in Tom gave a weekly commentary of cam- is rapidly taking shape within fifty feet the lead. A feature of the final clash of pus news from Station WSYR and that of the present studios and offices. Man- the season was the surprising reversal experience set his ambitions on radio. ager Hager is particularly interested in of form shown by Elliot. Bob hadn’t been Upon graduation, he got a job with WSYR the dedicatory ceremonies which it is able to exhibit any of his reputed skill as announcer and news editor. Later he now hoped will take place the last week in all season and then in the final match he joined the staff of WIBX in Utica where May. Just at present, workmen are en- turned in a fancy and convincing 607 his duties included announcing, news edit- gaged in “floating” the studios and in to take the high-three prize for the season. ing. special events, a street quiz program, running in wires. Starting from scratch, that is from abso- production and continuity writing. lutely no experience on the alleys, he In Charge of G. E. Short-Wave closed with an average of 144. Announcer-Engineer Caranchini John Sheehan, a former heating con- The season of bowling finished in a Silvo Caranchini, a member of WGY’s tractor who joined the staff of WGY sev- blaze of glory with a high-low match and announcer staff has been transferred to eral years ago as announcer and singer, a dinner. Josephe Fredette and announcer W. J. Purcell’s engineering personnel and later becoming one of the radio broad- Radcliffe Hall carried off the honors with is now taking a daily assignment in the casting staff of General Electric, has been a team total of 1052. Bob Elliot and control room. Silvio’s first love is the tech- made manager in charge of the short- Howard Tupper were in third position. nical side of radio. Before coming to wave broadcasting activities of that com- John Howe, of Sales, secretary of the WGY he was chief engineer at Station WDEV, pany. General Electric is now broadcast- League, presided at the dinner and dis- Waterbury, Vermont. ing on four short-wave channels with tributed the season’s prizes. Mr. Hager directional antennas to Europe and South arranged for a special prize donated by Grover Whalen Appoints Hager WGY. America. Two of these channels are re- Kolin Hager, manager of WGY. has stricted to non-sponsored programs and Announcer Tom Martin been appointed a member of the National it is to these John Sheehan is giving most There’s a new announcer on the staff Advisory Council on Radio for the New of his attention. Thomas Emmet Martin, a native of York World’s Fair. The appointment was Bob Elliot’s Birthday Carthage, N. Y., and a graduate of the made by Grover Whalen, president of the School of Business Administration and Fair. By the way, both Grover Whalen Bob Elliot. Sales, had a birthday Sat- School of Journalism, Syracuse Univer- and John S. Young are familiar with urday, March 19, and he made it an occa- sity. Tom was managing editor of the WGY’s setup as they were in Schenectady sion for a week-end visit to the family University paper The Daily Orange in his a few months ago to take part in a short- in New York City. NBC WASHINGTON by Marian P. Gale

Senate Broadcast “Montana Jack,” is the latest addition Visiting V.P.'s

to the announcing staff . . . When the com- Passage of the Government reorganiz- NBC V.P.’s held a rump convention in petitive announcers’ auditions were held tion bill by the Senate recently had com- Washington on March 12. Occasion was for the Tommy Dorsey network show re- mentators Earl Godwin and H. R. Bauk- the White House Correspondents Associa- cently, Dorian St. George and Bryson hage on the hop. Inasmuch as the Senate, tion dinner to President Roosevelt. At- Rash copped the judges’ decision. unlike the House of Representatives, has tending were: Chicago’s Trammell; Bill Crago spent a week-end in New always refused to allow microphones in Treasury’s Woods; Program’s Royal; and York visiting Frank Fenton, Gertrude the chamber, Godwin and Baukhage were Washington’s Russell. Prexy Lohr was at Lawrence’s leading man in Susan and stationed in the Senate press gallery three the head table. floors above. They worked their broad- God . . Gordon Hittenmark has launched drive on his early Time- ‘‘Little ’ cast in relays — one remaining in the a morning Your Congress to Radio City keeper program to raise $5,000 for a new Chamber while the other talked. When Manager Berkeley’s title has been camp recreation building for the youthful the vote finally came one of the com- changed to “Barker” Berkeley. He per- members of the Boys Club of Metropoli- mentators rushed up stairs to the “mike” sonally conducted 300 odd members of

tan Police . . . Hittenmark is directing his position with the final tally. Incidentally the “Little Congress” (secretaries to mem- appeal to the various state societies in the NBC had the only broadcast of the vote bers of Congress) on their annual trip District ... Night suprevisor Bill Coyle on the bill. to NBC New York on April 1st. made three A’s and two B’s in his mid Kaleidoscope year law course exams. “Hoofprints of 1938"

George (Wheels) Wheeler, former stu- It’s Unbelievable: Gladys Murphy is Spring Fever among the feminine con- dio guide who made his announcing debut reverting to her peasant ancestry—farm- tingent of NBC is taking a strong eques- on the Night WMAL Watchman program ing window boxes for her apartment ... trian bent. The young ladies who weren’t several weeks ago, is taking mikeman Bud Jim McGrath “Brought down the house” able to assist at the opening of the Bowie

Barry’s . place .. Barry sailed for Ger- when he made his entrance at the Gay Track on April 1 were among those many on the Europa March 17 .. . He will Nineties Ball, wearing a knee-length pink present at the la-de-da socialite “Hoof- return to this country in about four beaded evening dress ... Helen Mobberley prints of 1938” over at Fort Meyer, on months with his bride . . . Jack Roney, won $26 on the daily double at Tropical. Saturday. 14 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC SAN FRANCISCO by Louise Landis

Gilman Speaks off to Honolulu Glenn Dolberc, the other day on the Titibu Maru, when one of the other San Francisco’s Commercial Club new program manager of NBC San members in the farewell party got a turned out en masse to greet its former Francisco, has had bright idea. He told the ship news men president and long-time member when Mr. wide experience in confidentially that Ruth was a passenger Gilman attended a luncheon recently as many fields of radio, on the ship and that she and the depart- guest of honor. Almost a thousand per- in the Northwest, in ing guest of honor, George L. Meyers, sons filled the club’s enormous dining Southern California, were to be married in the Islands. Ruth hall to hear him talk on “Behind the and in San Francis- unsuspectingly posed for pictures, and Scenes in Broadcasting”. Speaking, as he co. now she’s still sending out denials. always does, extemporaneously, Mr. Gil- man talked casually, informally and The San Francisco emergency corps Personnel Changes pleasantly, as unmindful of the micro- which stood by for 48 hours included phone which was carrying his words out Promotions and changes are still com- George McElwain, Ed Parkhurst, Bill, on the air as if it were not there. ing thick and fast. Stanley Smith and McAuley, Dick Parks, Jimmy Ball and Robert Sandstrom, formerly of the office One of the highlights of his talk was A1 Aldridge. Company business, word staff, have joined the ranks of reception- his description of the music lover of a cues for programs and numerous other ists. Stan relieves Jane Burns and Ruth few years ago, as “a man who stood in details were sent and received by the Miller on the studio reception desk at a box office line several hours in order to amateurs who used their own sets and night, and Bob presides over the second buy opera tickets, then hurried home to gave their own spare time to the job. don tails and eat a hurried dinner, floor desk in the daytime. Elinor McFad- and One of the freaks of the flood situa- in cab or whatever conveyance den has left the hostess staff for the he used, tion was the message Freeman Gosden to get to the opera house, make his way Production Department where she is now (Amos) got through to his family in Los through the crush to his seat, listen to the secretary for Cameron Prud’homme. Angeles although he was marooned in opera and then spend perhaps several Palm Springs. He got a telegram through hours getting home again.” More Newcomers to Denver, which telephoned it to NBC, “This he did twice or at best several San Francisco, where KGO Transmitter More new faces of 1938: In the Sales times a year,” the NBC western chieftain Engineer Dick Parks relayed it on his Department, C. L. Blonsness, handling said. “Now that same man goes home at own short-wave set to a Los Angeles ham network sales, and hailing from KGW, night, puts on his slippers, turns the dial who telephoned the Gosden home, got a Portland. In Audience Mail, Dorothy of his radio and writes us an indignant return message and sent it back to San McGaha, and on the office staff Calvin letter if he doesn’t get at least the Metro- Francisco which sent it to Denver which Edgerton and David McNutt. politan Opera!” telegraphed it to Amos! The message traveled 6,000 miles to cover a distance KPO Improvements Audience Mail’s Friend of less than 100 miles. Joe Baker, in charge of the K.PO transmitter, is a busy man these days, for KPO Wanda Woodward, sparkling-eyed Named Musical Director is undergoing face-lifting and stream- head of Audience Mail (“The Duchess” lining operations. Lester A. Looney, a to us old-timers) corresponds cheerfully Walter Kelsey, violinist and conductor member of the NBC Radio Facilities Di- with folks in all walks of life. One of her on the NBC staff for several years, has vision, is supervising the addition of most regular writers is a prisoner at San been named Musical Director in San technical equipment and other improve- Quentin. He is a former singer on vaude- Francisco. ments which will mean higher quality ville stages who is called upon frequently transmission and an increased signal for entertainment of his fellow inmates. New Announcers strength at Belmont. Included is an RCA With the prison “grapevine” his only Three new announcers on Dick Ellers’ limiting amplifier which will allow pro- source of information about late songs, he to transmitted at a higher level staff. Euel Labhard, formerly of KFBK, grams be writes to Wanda for aid in unravelling Sacramento; Emerson Smith, formerly of of volume with even greater fidelity. By some of the names of titles and publish- Denver, and John Grover, who enters the the ingenious method of feeding back- ers. Kind-hearted of course, usu- Wanda, into transmitter, field after having had experi- ground noise back the ally announcing commandeers copies of the songs he virtually ence as actor on the staff here. out of phase, such noise will be wants from musicians. Here are an NBC NBC eliminated. some of San Quentin’s recent request- San Francisco Manager Lloyd E. numbers: “Sing-Song in Sing Sing”, Wedding Bells and Denials Yoder and Curtis Peck, Engineer in “The Joint Is Jumpin’ ”, “Lord and Lady charge of the San Francisco studios, point Whoozis” and “Mrs. Lowborough, Good- Those wedding bells will ring this out that the modifications being made are bye”, by Cole Porter. summer for one of the handsomest bache- part of a series of such changes designed lors left in the Engineering Department to keep KPO up to date. —Buddy Sugg (oh, all right, Control Flood Heroes Supervisor P. A. Sugg, if you want to be girl is a lovely Delectable Gadget Not all the heroes of the Los Angeles technical). The lucky the world’s flood disaster were found in Southern peninsula socialite, Betty Ross Taylor. June Shaw of Press wears most delectable gadget which is eyed with California. NBC is lucky to have a large Wedding bells will NOT chime, she every other NBCette . .. It’s a assoftment of “hams” on its engineering announces firmly, for Ruth Chapel (Press envy by tiny clip of green leather from which staff, and it was largely due to their ef- Department) and she is NOT on her way which would forts in conjunction with the army of to Honolulu despite all those stories in hang two tiny green sandals long. amateurs in the Los Angeles area that, the ship news columns of local papers. fit a foot about half an inch when all other means of communication Ruth, who is the kind of subject ship iii flood, cameramen will walk a deck-mile for, any were washed away by the the big Have you tried the Exchange Comer? It sponsored shows went on uninterrupted. day, was busily engaged seeing a friend bring* results—and it's tree. APRIL, 1938 15

FIVE ADDITIONS RAISE NBC STATIONS TO 150 EXCHANGE CORNER

During the month of March, NBC an- This classified ad section is available, nounced the affiliation of six additional free of charge, to all NBC employes. stations with its networks; thus increas- Rules: forty-five word limit; no regular ing the total number of NBC associated business or professional service may be stations to 150. Three of these stations, advertised. Address ads to NBC Trans- KSEI, Pocatello, Idaho; KTFI, Twin mitter, Room 284, RCA Building, New Cities, Idaho, and KPFA, Helena, Mon- Sixteen NBC guides and pages in their York. tana, have already been linked with the neat blue uniforms startled commuters at North Mountain Group. The other new 9 a.m., on March 24 when they marched stations KGKO, Fort Worth-Dallas, Tex- WANTED—A portable electric sewing into the Grand Central to greet the great as; KTOK, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; machine. Call or write Suzanne Cretin- “Love in Bloom” Benny upon his arrival and WALA, Mobile, Alabama, will be con- on, Room 412, Ext. 736, New York. from Hollywood for one Radio City nected with the new Southwestern Group broadcast. during the next two months. “Shucks”, said one of the boys after FOR SALE OR TRADE—Portable Vic- KSEI, owned and operated by the the hubbub, didn’t “he even crack one trola phonograph. Barbara Buck, Radio Service Corporation of Idaho, be- New joke.” York Sales Department. available to both the NBC-Blue and came Only crack riiade was by southern- the Networks on March 12. The NBC-Red accented Guide Joe Allen when a photo- station operates full time on a regional SUBLET — Four-room modern, com- grapher popped a flash bulb: “Shoot him of kilocycles with a day pletely furnished, studio apartment, 15 channel 900 agin, pappy, he’s a revenuer!” power of 1,000 watts and a night power til minutes from Radio City, until October. of 250 watts. Large living room, fireplace, French win- Robert Coveil of Music Research, sang dows overlooking cool KTFI, whose affiliation has been de- garden with foun- with the Schola Cantorum in the Requiem tain. Two bedrooms layed by the installation of transmission with modern opaque played by the NBC Symphony Orchestra glass walls. Suitable for two or circuits which is now under way, is three per- under Toscanini’s baton at Carnegie Hall sons. Apply to owned and operated by the Radio Broad- the NBC transmitter. last month before the Maestro sailed for casting Corporation. It broadcasts full- home. We knew that he (Bob) played the time on a regional frequency of 1,240 BARGAIN—For sale 1937 RCA console, cello but we didn’t know he sang too kilocycles, with a power of 1,000 watts model 9K, radio for A.C. Brand new until we spotted him in the chorus. day and night. tubes, mechanically perfect, finish excep- i / v tionally preserved. KPFA is owned by the People’s Forum List price $150—will of the Air, and operates full-time on a It’s a small world. A man in North sell for $50. Audition on request and per- frequency of 1,210 kilocycles. Daytime Ireland whose brother, he writes, works haps even terms. Call Otto Brandt on Ext. 301 in power is 250 watts; night power 100 in the Rockefeller Center Parking Lot New York. watts. wrote announcer Jack Costello a fan letter of which the latter is very proud. WANTED—The following back numbers KGKO, owned by the Wichita Falls Costello’s admirer says he heard him of “Communication & Broadcast Engi- Broadcasting Company, at present is lo- reading news items via short wave. neering”— 1936 : Feb., Mar., Sept., Oct., Texas, but is be- cated in Wichita Falls, Nov. and 1937 A postscript requests Costello to look ; : Jan. Call or write Philip ing moved to Forth Worth-Dallas, where up the writer’s brother in the Parking Sullivan, Guest Relations, New York. it will operate full-time on 570 kilo- Lot and give him his best regards. cycles with 5,000 watts daytime power FOR SALE— Practically new Royal type- and 1,000 watts at night. Its new location iii writer at half price. Call Edna Mustor will enable it to give concentrated cover- Soundman Manny Segal is going on Extension 802, New York. age of the Fort Worth-Dallas area, the around impressing people with his new Southest’s largest market. gold badge—captain of the Dick Tracy FOR SALE— 100-watt amateur transmit- KTOK is owned by the Oklahoma Secret Service Patrol. ter. CW and phone. Entire equipment operates full- Broadcasting Co., Inc., and iii just two months old. Thordarson parts, time on a frequency of 1370 kilocycles Juan de Jara Almonte one of radio’s RCA tubes. Single button carbon micro- with 100 watts power. most popular veterans, completed his phone. 807’s in the final, modulated by KTOK and KGKO will be hooked up eleventh year with NBC last month. One- 6L6’s. Mounted on single sub-panel, port- with NBC on May 1. time evening manager of the Radio City able type, in black crackle finished metal WALA is owned and operated by W. O. studios, he is now assistant to President cabinet. Operates beautifully. E. Ham- Pape. It operates on a frequency of 1,380 Lohr. mersley. NBC, 1625 California St., Den- kilocycles with a day power of 1,000 iii ver, Colorado. watts and a night power of 500 watts. That tenor who sang at the New York The only station in Mobile, WALA will City Advertising Club Dinner on March of the News Room on the fourth floor .. . 1. be linked to the networks on June 16 was Don Meissner . . . and the pianist John F. Royal and Abe Schechter were was Phil Jeffries . . . both of Artists Ser- starred in a scene about NBC’s coverage vice. Don, you remember, was once a page of the Austrian coup by Der Fuehrer. who gained momentary fame by placing You Have A Date On NBC philatelists are still talking about second in one of Major Bowe’s amateur their annual banquet held in the Board April 22 programs and then going on the road Room last month . . . The NBC Stamp with one of the gong master’s units. Club will soon announce the names of its NBC Athletic Association iii 1938 officers who are being elected as Dance Some wag mailed Director Lester Vail this goes to press. letter Peter Van Steeden and His Orchestra a phoney asking him to act as a Kay Barr (KDKA Press Manager) and stooge to a temperance lecturer in a sum- the Mrs., stopped to say hello to Radio Hotel Roosevelt, New York mer campaign against liquor ... The City friends while on their way back to March of Time people recently took shots Pittsburgh from a West Indies cruise. 16 NBC TRANSMITTER

NBC HOLLYWOOD by Noel Corbett

San Juan Capistrano Each of the games, in which Lee Bridg- ones—this is her hometown. man, “Lefty” Lefler, Jack Creamer, Ed Miller, engineer — Is rolling up NBC’s broadcasts of the going and pages; Ben Gage and Joy Storm, an- plenty of mileage trying to see all of Los coming of the golden-breasted swallows nouncers; and Hal Dieker and Frank Angeles before Summer. of San Juan Capistrano have made the Pittman, Sound, played fast hall with per- Carl Lorenz, engineer—Is also touring birds so popular that at the recent home- fect teamwork, were won by two lone the countryside. Has gone in for deep-sea coming over 4,000 people were in the points. fishing. gardens of the historic mission. A nationwide audience heard “Buddy” Formerly of Radio City Charlie Norman, engineer—Likes the Twiss, in charge of special events, give a Hollywood studios and says the small description of the spectacle. Announcer In case the hoys who were transferred personnel reminds him of the old “711 Joe Parker produced the program, and out from Radio City haven’t been writing days” back in New York. what few of Bob Brooke was the engineer. home regularly, here’s a Wendell Williams, Continuity Accept- them have been doing. Others from NBC who made the trip ance—Is being shown Hollywood and the with their families and friends were John Boh Moss, engineer Is looking for beaches by fellow-worker Andy Love. Swallow, Western Division Program daylight assignment. Somebody lifted the Manager; Hal Bock, Western Division headlights off his car. Otherwise, he and Funny Salesman Sells Self Press head A. H. Saxton, Division Engi- a couple of friends are sharing a house ; Wynn Rocamora, Artists’ Service, re- several blocks from the studios. neer; Walter Baker, Manager Building cently did a good job of selling his own chief Has Maintenance; Bill Andrews, Night Man- Harry Saz, sound effects — acting ability. ager; Frances Scully, Press; Murdo Mc- proven he hasn’t gone Hollywood, and Rocamora arranged for a screen test at Kenzie. Engineer; Karel Pearson, Traf- that his heart is still in his work. It was Republic Studios for Barbara Jo Allen, fic; and Carlton E. Morse, author of One his heartbeats which listeners to the dra- in which she was to do her Vera Vague Mans Family. The latter spent most of matization of “The Telltale Heart” heard characterization. the time shooting colored motion pic- on Chase and Sanborn recently. Has a As he knew the theme of the character tures. new car which his little daughter Mar- thoroughly, Rocamora agreed to play Three years ago, at the first broadcast, nette tried to wreck the other day when stooge before the camera and feed the there were less than twenty-five to wel- she pulled the gear-shift into reverse and straight lines. come the swallows. These included Father gave ’er the gas. Allen gets a contract is Arthur J. Hutchinson, pastor of the mis- Joe Kay, engineer—Has a typical Cali- Whether Miss sion church. Buddy Twiss, Hal Bock and fornia home in Beverly Hills with a fish hanging fire—Rocamora, though, was of- follow- Bob Brooke. pond and a patio. His wife is renewing old fered a comedy role immediately ing the showing of the test film. For the past 162 years flocks of these acquaintances and Kay is making new swallows have flown in, Quick Pix promptly on the Feast of With summer just a St. Joseph. In the Fall, matter of weeks away, on the Feast of St. John, Walter Baker, Manager they fly away again to a of Building Maintenance destination which never and General Service, is has been found. again planning noontime

Father Hutchinson, who trips to the beaches . . . has watched these birds Helen Aldrich, Sales, has come and go for many taken up fencing . .. presented years, lias a warm friend- Rudy Vallee ship for NBCers, and Ted Hediger, Producer, after the program enter- and Harry Jackson, music tained them and their contractor, with handsome friends with luncheon and stop watches before he

.. Mac- refreshments. Speaking went east . Murdo enter- for NBC, John Swallow Kenzie, Engineer, presented the good Father tained Alice Tyler and recently at with the latest model RCA Kay Phelan combination radio and the Brown Derby . . . phonograph. Frances Scully’s recent loss of voice due to a bad cold, caused Andy Devine Basketball to inquire if she were try- Three successive victor- ing to run him competi- These men lost hours of sleep, saw a lot of excitement wlten. headed by Western ies in the Southern Cali- Division Program Manager John Swallow, they got together and pul special tion. fornia Third Annual Open programs on the air to tell the nation all about the recent flood that drenched Bill Sabransky, staff Basketball Tournament Southern California. Standing, left to right: Marvin Young, Assistant Western pianist, hasn’t had the Program Manager; A. H. Saxton, Western Division Engineer; Malt Barr, Press; have put the NBC hoys in top up on his new cabrio- Harrison Holliway, manager of KFI-KECA; Walter Bunker, Jr., production runner-up position for the let since he bought it a manager. Sitting: Joe Parker, announcer; “Buddy” Twiss, announcer in charge championship. of special events; John Swallow, limmy Vandiveer, KFI announcer. few weeks ago. NBC TRANSMITTER

VOL. 4 MAY, 1 9 3 8 NO. 5

NBC EXPERIMENT IN General Service Holds 25,000-WATT STATIONS EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION Informative Discussions FOR NBC SHORT WAVE

Television and educational history were The General Service Department in Two new 25,000-watt transmitters, en- made at Radio City on April 27 when the New York has just terminated an experi- abling American radio programs to pene- first demonstration of television’s appli- mental informative course on personnel trate every country of Europe and all parts cations to educational work was broad- and management problems which was of South and Central America, have been cast before Dr. James Conant, president tested among some of its members. Ac- installed and will go into operation in the of Harvard University; Dr. Harold Dodds, cording to the various executives of the short-wave station, W3XAL, Bound Brook, president of Princeton, and Dr. Livingston department, the experiment, which was New Jersey. Farrand, president emeritus of Cornell started last November and extended over Designed and built by NBC engineers, University. a period of five months, has produced the new transmitters will operate through The three distinguished American edu- favorable results in the interests of the four directive beam systems and two non- cators, as guests of President Lohr, saw Company and the employes. directive antennae, occupying twenty-four the first television program designed spe- The experiment, some of its main ob- acres at Bound Brook. Plans are under cifically for educational purposes in the jects being the education of new employes way to sharpen the directive beams so as series of experiments being conducted by in regard to the structure, functions and to concentrate radio energy even more NBC into possible uses and applications personnel of all the NBC departments, the toward European and South American of the new art. improvement of employe relationships and countries covered by NBC’s transmissions Five prominent figures in educational a better handling of employe readjust- in six languages. fields appeared in the screen of the re- ments by supervisors, was divided into Incorporating the latest developments ceiving set as performers in the program. three series of round-table discussions, in high frequency transmission, the new They were: F. Trubee Davison, president one for division managers and their as- NBC short-wave transmitters will deliver sistants, of the American Museum of Natural His- another for section supervisors international programs with higher field tory, Dr. Roy W. Miner, the museum’s and their assistants and the third for new strength and greatly improved fidelity. curator of living invertebrates, and his members of the department. The output stage of each of the transmit- associate, Herman Mueller; Dr. Clarence The executives met at least once a week ters consists of two water-cooled tubes de- C. Clark, of New York University, and in groups of five or more to discuss their livering a maximum of 12.500 watts each Ambrose Lansing, egyptologist of the problems. The director of the department, to any one of the seven antenna systems. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Walter G. Preston, Jr., presided at some These tubes are excited by two other high of these The demonstration was probably the meetings and participated in the frequency tubes newly developed for this discussions and first in American television in which ideas the settling of theoretical purpose. The modulating stage consists of suggestions for the and educational use (Continued on Page 9) (Continued on Page 9) of the new art materialized. It proved the success of combining film, laboratory experiment and expert running commentary into a single program designed for adult

education. Each medium contributed its special qualities to illustrate and clarify the others and gave an indication of what the American public may expect in education by radio in the future.

TWO STATIONS ADDED TO BLUE NETWORK

Two additions to the NBC-Blue Net- work on May 1 brought the total number of broadcasting stations affiliated with NBC to 152. The new affiliates are WMFF, Plattsburg, N. Y., and KMA, Shenandoah, Iowa. WMFF operates full-time on 1310 kilocycles, with daytime power of 250 watts NBC Photo by Desfor and night power of 100 watts. Television’s place in adult education was demonstrated for the first time in America on KMA, located in a rich agricultural April 27 when a special program devised by NBC was shown before the heads of three of the leading Eastern universities. Following section, operates on a frequency of 930 the Radio City demonstration, Lenox R. Lohr, president of NBC, guided the visitors through the television studios. Left to right: Mr. Lohr. Dr. kilocycles, with daytime power of 5,000 Livingston Farrand, President Emeritus of Cornell; President James Conant of Harvard, and watts and night power of 1000 watts. President Harold Dodds of Princeton. 2 NBC TRANSMITTER

TELEVISION TESTS NOW WHO'S WHO IN THE NBC NETWORKS ON THE AIR WEEKLY

A four-week period of experimental Vernon H. Pribble television transmissions from the RCA- NBC station, W2XBS, in the tower of the Vernon H. Pribble, energetic manager Empire State Building, New York City, of WTAM, can trace back most of the began on April 19. The schedule calls for highlights in his life to the fact that the five full-hour broadcasts a week. state of Illinois operated a rifle range within a few miles of his home and that Having resumed field tests after being he would rather shoot at targets than eat off the air for several months, NBC is now radiating — even at the tender age of 16. two series of telecasts, one at an afternoon hour and the other during For it was to get the chance of using the evening. The evening series, com- the rifle range that young Pribble got the posed of living talent shows and selected written permission of his parents to join films, are broadcast from the NBC studios the National Guard while still in high in Radio City on Tuesday and Thursday school. His home then was Ridgefarm, evenings between eight o’clock and nine Illinois, near Chicago. o’clock. These television programs, al- When his enlistment was up, Pribble though strictly experimental, are being entered the University of Illinois. On broadcast under conditions as near as Vernon H. Pribble March 26, before the United States en- possible to those governing a regular pub- / tered the War in 1917, Pribble was in a Manager of W TAM lic service. rhetofic class half-heartedly listening to The afternoon broadcasts, on Tuesdays, the professor. A long distance telephone Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning at call interrupted his revery. paper” work and who could work on a three o’clock, consist entirely of intricate with It was the captain of his former Na- promotion plan in connection the test charts and still pictures. Of no enter- tional Guard company. “Vern, we’ve been soldier’s bonus. But Mr. Pribble soon real- tainment value but of great assistance in ordered to East Alton with as many ized that a newspaper by-line was not judging quality of transmitted pictures recruits as we can muster. It looks like eatable, and directed his energies toward and testing performance of receivers, these war! Will you enlist?” the more lucrative business departments. images are put on the air for the sole benefit of television experimenters. Pribble stopped only long enough to Over a course of years he worked tell the professor, “Sorry, I’m going to through the classified, local, merchandis- Although the present series of television war. I didn’t have my theme anyway.” He ing, business survey and national sales broadcasts is primarily for the use of was the first student on the campus to departments and when the publishers NBC and RCA officials and engineers enlist. looked around for a man to manage the with receivers in their homes, it is re- newspaper-owned station, WGN, they de- Starting as a private, he worked up the ported that amateurs in the Metropolitan cided that Mr. Pribble had gained the nec- promotion ladder during two years and area also are receiving the telecasts with essary experience to handle the job. eight months service and finally was made home-made receivers. an infantry captain in command of a com- Under his direction, WGN developed Good reception of the broadcasts is pany of 84 men and 450 German prisoners. from a pioneer station to one of the fore- limited to the area north of the station, He was then only 24 years old. most broadcasting institutions in the because the programs are being broad- country. Mr. Pribble fought in the second bat- cast from an experimental antenna array tle of the Somme and the Meuse-Argonne Mr. Pribble left WGN to open a radio on the north side of the Empire State engagement. Like many Army men, he department for the advertising agency of tower. The steel and masonry of the tower attributes his understanding of men to Stack-Goble. From there he came to NBC itself act as a shield and prevent the ultra- active service as an officer. He believes in December 1934 as manager of WTAM. short waves from penetrating directly to that this valuable insight, obtained indi- Though the depression was then at its the south. The only signals received south rectly because of his earlier ability with worst Mr. Pribble tackled the job of of the transmitter are those reflected by a rifle, has assisted him materially in building up WTAM. His ambition to make tall buildings of the north. This results business. a bigger and better station was realized in multiple images at the receiver, each overlapping Back in the United States, the young ex- in February of this year when WTAM was image the others. NBC en- studios in gineers, therefore, are receivers soldier joined a stock company in Dan- moved into modern four-floor using in the ville, Illinois, but his stage career sud- the NBC Building. northern area. denly ended when he was hospitalized Mr. Pribble was married in 1925 to The antenna array regularly used, for a major operation. Work was scarce Agnes Clark, a fellow worker on the mounted on the top of the Empire State when he emerged from the hospital so he Chicago Tribune. They have two children. tower, is being redesigned to incorporate tried his hand at house-to-house selling of Bunny, 9 and Betty, 11. several engineering changes in the array washing machines and vacuum cleaners. itself and the associated transmission He was successful; and later turned sales- 1 1 i lines connecting it with the transmitter on man for Remington Rand. the eighty-fifth floor level. When the work

His Army experience again came in Vacation or sport* picturss of NBCites are wanted is completed the station’s normal service by the NBC Transmitter. handy when the Chicago Tribune was range of about fifty miles in all directions Prizes for the best pictures. Read the rules of the looking for a man who understood “army Photo Contest on page 11. (Continued on Page 10) The NBC Athletic Associa-

tion held its annual dance at the RooseveltHotel, New York City, on Friday evening, April 22. These pictures, by Guide Walter Wiebel, were taken at the dance attended by over 500 NBC members and their friends. Responsible for the success of the dance was the Social Committee composed of Miss Grace H. Sniffin, The President of the Athletic Association, chairman; Miss Frances George McElrath (left), awards the first In between dances. Left to right: Thomas M. Reilly, Miss Mae Sprague, Albert W. Protzman, prize to the winners of the waltz contest, Robert Russell, which was one of the highlights of the NBC Donovan, Miss Dorothy Smith, all of Accounting, Thomas Tart, Frank Lepore dance. The winning couple are Miss Helen John Duggan and Miss Helen Sheehan. and Dorn Davis. Sheehan and Robert Russell, of the Account- ing Dept. The prize was donated by Kauf- man-Bedrick Pharmacy, well patronized by NBC employees and stars in Radio City.

Members of the Legal Department and their friends. Left to right: Harry Left to right: Guide Walter Wiebel, who took the rest of the pictures on this page; Edwards, Miss Charlotte Bcden, Rudy Wasvary, Miss Agnes Locherer, Miss Florence Schwarzer (Press); Carl Plock, Charles Van Bergen (Press); Andrew Young, Miss Cecilia McKenna, Mrs. Harry Edwards and Lester Miss Isabelle Marie Hardman, Fred Walworth (Engineering), Miss Betty Glenn, Richie. radio singer; Jack MacDonald and Miss Gertrude Pailethorp.

The judges of the waltz contest: William B. Miller (Night Program Man- At this table, clockwise, from left to right: Miss Emma Little (Engineering), ager), Miss Helen Walker (Accounting), George McElrath (Operating Mrs. Morton, A. H. Morton (Manager of M. & O. Stations), Mrs. Guy, Mrs. W. Engineer and President of the NBC Athletic Association), A. H. Morton A. Clark, C. W. Horn (Dir. of Research and Development), Raymond F. Guy (Manager of M. & 0. Stations) and Mrs. John Bell whose husband is an (Radio Facilities Engineer), George 0. Milne (Eastern Division Engineer), NBC program director. Gustave A. Bosler (Engineering), Mrs. Milne and W. A. Clarke, back turned, of Eneineerine. 4 NBC TRANSMITTER

of the NBC Transmitter, has been pro- A baby girl was born to the Tom Riley’s moted from the office staff of Guest Rela- on April 11. That makes two for the Rileys NAMES IN tions to the International Program Divi- —the other is a boy. sion where his work will be connected There are three Tom Rileys in NBC. THE NEWS with program operations. A former mem- This bit of news is about the one in Press. ber of the uniformed staff, Mr. Moll has iii been with the Company since January William Haussler, NBC photographer, 1934. became the father of a baby girl on April NEW YORK assistant supervisor of Birger Hagerth, 20. She’s the Hausslers’ first. Need we the guide staff, has been appointed to the Promotions: say that she’ll probably be the most pho- place vacated by Mr. Moll’s promotion; Miss B. Jean Smith has been trans- tographed baby in NBC? and Robert C. Armstrong will take Mr. ferred from the Promotion Division to the i i i Hagerth’s place on the staff. office of Clay Morgan, director of public A baby girl tipping the scales at 8 relations. She is replacing Miss Grace V. pounds and 12 ounces was born to the Ballou who resigned from the Company Marriages: Lester Vails on April 22. Two more girls last month in order to accept a position Announcer Jack McCarthy and Miss and Director Vail will be in the same class with H. Souvaine, radio producer with Elinor Crafts of Oakland, California, were with Eddie Cantor. offices in Radio City. married in the City Magistrate’s Private > > > Miss Smith has been with NBC three Chamber on April 14. Peter Bonardi of Resignations: and a half years. Before going to the Pro- bride’s Guest Relations was best man. The Miss Charlotte Holden resigned her motion Division as assistant to J. K. mother, Mrs. Elizabeth H. Crafts, flew position as a correspondent in Audience Mason, merchandising expert, she did pro- east from California to attend the wed- Mail last month in order to enter the New motion work for Congoleum Narin Inc., ding. Jersey Civil Service. Miss Holden, who and was in charge of the correspondence Immediately after the civil wedding came to NBC in August, 1937, is going and shopping-by-mail departments of couple left for Florida where the young with the State Board of Children’s Guard- Bloomingdale’s for almost two years. they married in the famous St. Au- were ians as a social worker. Miss Ethel Gilchrist of the Sales De- gustine Church. A / / partment, has been appointed to replace Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy returned to Miss Lorraine Fetridge (Mrs. David Fer- M iss Smith in the Promotion Division. New York from their honeymoon in the guson), booking clerk of Artists Service, Formerly associated with the Crowell Pub- South on April 28 and are making their resigned on April 15 in order to devote all lishing Co., in the advertising department. home in the city. Mrs. McCarthy teaches her time to her home and family. Miss Miss Gilchrist has been with NBC one school at Woodmere, Long Island. Fetridge had been with the Company four year. iii years. 111 , , , Guide Hugh A. Savage will be a mar- Edward N. Beck, formerly of the Du- ried man when he returns from his vaca- Engagements: plicating Section, is now secretary to tion on May 12. He and Miss Viola Gan- The engagement of Miss Doris Ruuth Music Editor Walter Koons in the Publi- non of St. Paul, Minnesota, were married and Charles L. Townsend, both of the city Department. He is replacing Lee in the New York City Hall Chapel on Engineering Department, was announced Blanchard who has been transferred to Saturday, Anril 30. A religious wedding on April 10. The wedding date has not the Executive Offices. Mr. Beck came to followed at St. Francis Church. Guide and been set. NBC last December from San Francisco, Mrs. George Olenslager attended the Miss Ruuth has been with the Company where he was secretary to Alfred Hertz, bride and groom. since 1934 and is now secretary to Devel- well-known symphony conductor. The newlyweds are residing at 39-88 opment Engineer R. M. Morris. Mr. Town- A newcomer is taking Mr. Beck’s former 49th Street, Sunnyside, Long Island, send, former studio engineer in NBC post in the Duplicating Room. His name where they are at home to their friends. Chicago, came to Radio City last fall to is George Robbins, a graduate of the The groom, who is also from Minne- join the television staff. A native of Oak University of Michigan, who worked in a sota, was starred in last year’s Brass But- Park, Illinois, Engineer Townsend has stock brokerage firm in Detroit before tons Revue. A recent throat operation pre- been with NBC since 1931. coming to New York. vented him from participating in this y i y year’s pages’ and guides’ show which Jere Baxter 3rd, formerly of Guest Re- Gordon G. Vanderwarker, a graduate is being rehearsed as this goes to press. lations and now of the Sales Department of Wesleyan University, who came to NBC became engaged to Miss Rowena Eloise from R. H. Macy, Inc., last Spring, has Staats of Greenwich, Connecticut, on May been moved up from the uniformed staff Stork News: 3rd. The announcement of the engagement to the Statistical Division. He replaces John H. Baxter of the publicity staff in was made by Miss Staats’ parents, Dr. and John R. Carnell who resigned from the Artists Service recently press-agented the Mrs. Kingsley Roberts. Company last month to go to Europe. arrival of a new star on the Baxter horizon Miss Staats was graduated from the —a nine-pound baby girl. Friends of the i i r Knox School. Cooperstown, N. Y., in 1933 have seen the newcomer say H. has turned in Baxters who Raymond Rheaume and attended Sarah Lawrence College. that is a very well behaved and quiet uniform for desk in the Build- she his page a Mr. Baxter was graduated from Yale last press agent’s child. ing Maintenance Division of General Ser- baby for a year and has been with NBC one year. vice. A graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology with a degree in mechanical George McElrath, operating engineer Miscellaneous: engineering, Mr. Rheaume entered the and president of the NBC Athletic Asso- William L. Card, who recently resigned employ of the Company in March. ciation, became the father of his first where he child — a nine-pound boy named Robert from the Program Department was assistant sustaining program man- Ary R. Moll, one-time associate editor —on April 15. MAY, 1938 5

ager, has returned to NBC to assist Vice Randall, director of publicity. Since she two years’ experience in the entertainment President Frank E. Mason in the handling joined NBC a year ago Miss Lundin has field as booking agent for the Music Cor- of program traffic for NBC’s international worked in Central Stenographic, and in poration of America. short stations. wave the offices of W. G. Preston, Jr., head of Mr. Mack is a native of Nazareth, Penn- i i i General Service, and Dwight G. Wallace, sylvania, is married and his avocation is Engineer Robert of Thatcher the Radio personnel manager. music — especially if it swings. City staff, who has been in Philadelphia, i i i i i i supervising the installation of the eouip- David B. Van Houten has been ap- Newcomers to the Mail and Messenger ment in the new KYW studio building, pointed manager of the Building Main- staff: recently underwent an appendectomy. tenance Division in General Service. He Robert Day, a graduate of Harvard Col- V 1 i has been with NBC almost eight years. lege, comes to NBC with some experience Miss Janet MacRorie, head of Con- 1 1 i in the real estate business. His home is in tinuity Acceptance, is at her home, re- Miss Dorothy Jorgensborg, who has been Laytonsville, Maryland. covering from a major operation. in the Traffic Department almost two Edward Shippen Geer, who is inter- i i / years, is. now secretary to Roy H. Holmes, ested in scriptwriting, is a graduate of Sports Announcer and Mrs. Bill Stern supervisor of the Program Transmission Princeton, class of 1937. In college, he have returned from a brief vacation in Division. wrote for the “Teatre Intime,” a dramatic Bermuda. i i i Miss Claire Conway was transferred group. i i i group of from the office of Douglas Meservey, A about 90 members of the W. A newcomer to the uniformed staff in Filing Program Department, to that of Ernest New York Association and stu- Radio City is Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., 19- dents of filing La Prade, director of Music Research, on from Columbia University year-old son of the famous violinist. Mr. to April 15. Miss Conway is filling the post came NBC on May 3 to inspect our Zimbalist comes to us directly from Yale filing system as part of an vacated by Miss Eleanor Kent (Mrs. G. educational University where he has been majoring in course. Central T. Duane) who resigned from the Com- The NBC Files, which is English for the past two years. considered one of the most modern filing pany to devote more of her time to her He was born in New York City and but systems in the city, is headed by Mrs. home. An accomplished pianist, Miss Con- for two short trips abroad has been a Myrtle Wesenberg. way has been with NBC since last August. steady resident of New York. Before enter- Miss Helen B. Mescal, from the office i i i ing Yale, he attended St. Paul’s Prepara- of C. W. Fitch, business manager of the Charles Anderson, former announcer tory School at Concord, New Hampshire. Program Department, is now secretary to and director at KOA, Denver, is in Radio He says his interests have always in- City with Mr. Meservey. a Rockefeller Foundation fel- clined to the theater and he is here at lowship in Mrs. Dorothy O’Neill replaces Miss for advance study radio broad- NBC to try to get a broad understanding Mescal as secretary to Mr. Fitch. A native casting. He is concentrating on the educa- of the radio business as a whole, with tional phases broadcasting of Cleveland. Ohio, Mrs. O’Neill is a of and ex- his ultimate aspiration the production pects to be with us several months. Mr. graduate of Western Reserve University staff. Anderson is well-known to readers of the and was formerly associated with the Chi- Except for one summer job with Time, Transmitter as their former correspon- cago world’s fair, A Century of Progress. Inc., this is his first real job. Asked the dent for the NBC studios in Denver. i i 1 ever-present question, he said he is not Miss Dorothy Allred has been trans- iii musically inclined and will not attempt to ferred from the General Service Depart- Miss Edna Swenson and Murry S. tread in his father’s footsteps. Harris, both of Continuity Acceptance, ment to the Production Division of Prog- i i i won the tintype contest conducted at the ram where she will act as secretary to Athletic Association Dance on April 22. program directors. John C. Corbett, a graduate of St. For having posed in the funniest tintype i i i John’s College in his home city, Brooklyn, student University’s taken that night. Miss Swenson and Mr. Miss Helen M. Hedeman, formerly of and a at New York School of (evening course), has Harris each will be presented with an the Production Division, is now secretary Law joined our Legal Department. has album of Victor records, donated by the to Thomas H. Hutchinson, director of tele- He had RCA Manufacturing Co., Inc. vision programs. Her place in the casting some experience with other law offices in New York. and booking office is being filled by Miss y y y Transfers: Harriet Holiday. J. E. Burrell comes from the NBC Miss Katherine B. Sturgess, who came ill engineering staff in San Francisco to join to NBC from her native Vandalia, Illi- Miss Laverne Heuer of Stenographic the television staff in Radio City. nois, in February has been transferred is replacing Miss Marguerite Loubiere as Gustav F. Hettich, formerly with the from Central Stenographic to the Per- secretary to Frank Vagnoni, assistant man- Mack Truck Corp., has also been added sonnel Office staff. Before coming to New ager of the orchestra division, until Miss to the television group as mechanic and York, Miss Sturgess taught high school Loubiere returns from a six-month leave driver of the new RCA-NBC telemobile in her home town. She received her col- of absence. Miss Loubiere plans to go to unit. lege education at Webster College, St. , , , Europe during her leave. Louis, and the University of Illinois and Miss Alice Purvis, although a new- took a postgraduate course at Cornell comer to the Central Stenographic Sec- Newcomers: University. Miss Sturgess attended busi- tion, is not a stranger to NBC. She comes ness school for a short period after she Lathrop Mack, formerly with the As- to NBC from the Certified Contest Service gave up school-teaching and while she sociated Press in various American cities where she worked on the NBC Tenth looked for a job in New York City. for eight years, has joined the Company Anniversary Slogan Contest.

i i 1 as a member of the news editing staff in Miss Purvis is a native of Monticello, Miss Lisa Lundin, formerly of the Per- News and Special Events. A graduate of Illinois. She came to New York after sonnel Office, is now secretary to Wayne the University of Illinois, he also has had graduating from high school. 6 NBC TRANSMITTER

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES

NBC Nine Beats RKO meet in the second series, which was won Chairmen Elected by the team captained by Henry Hayes Baring their creaking joints to the At the last meeting of the members of of the General Service Department (see blustery winds of Washington Heights, the Athletic Association, held in Studio cut). Hayes’ team placed third in the first the NBC baseball team inaugurated the 8-H on May 2, all the 1937 chairmen of series of the season, which was headed by Motion Picture Baseball League with a the various committees in charge of dif- Steere Mathews’ team. win of 6 to 4 over the RKO nine on April ferent sports and activities were reelected 25. Behind the masterful pitching of Jim As we go to press two teams are be- for another year with the exception of Von Frank the team managed to give ing picked from the A. A. bowlers to play three chairmen who were elected or re- four opposing pitchers the blues. Von against the two NBC teams which have elected at the April meeting. Vacancies Frank allowed only one hit and three been competing in the Rockefeller Center in chairmanships were also filled. walks in the five-inning twilight game. Bowling League. The following are the chairmen who He pitched ten strike-outs. were re-elected: with The standing of the teams in the order The first inning opened NBC Jack Wahlstrom (G. Relations) Baseball In the second they of their final scores is as follows: scoring two runs. Suzanne Cretinon (Sales) Gym-Women gathered one and in the third, with two Harvey Gannon ( Program) —Gym—Men men on base. Bill Hannah slammed out Team (by captains) Won Lost Albert Grenshaw (Executive Off. 1 Basket- bring in two men, Hannah H. Hayes 19 8 a triple to ball coming in on a hit by A1 W illiams. D. G. Wallace 15 12 E. M. Lowell (Gen. Service) ••• - Bridge In the first three innings only eleven S. Mathew 14 13 Jack Mills (Guest Relations) Ping Pong faced Von Frank. Every man on the men Helen inter C. H. Thurman ••• 6 22 W (Treasurers) Skating squad made at least one hit which cer- Katherine Hoffmeir (Sales) Badminton- good for the NBC team, con- tainly looks The honors for the three-game series Women that no practice pre- sidering the fact high to with the total of went A1 Frey Lee B. Wailes (M&O Stations) Badminton- game. ceded the 583. Single-game high score* of 222 was Men into the fifth and with one man Going taken by S. LaTouche. J. A. Frank Jones (Artists Service) Golf on base the RKO boys, through a series The members of the Wednesday night Ashton Dunn (Personnel) —Membership of errors, made three runs before Von group who have had outstanding scores (Selma Wickers, Program, and C. H. Frank could stop the carnage. At this of 200 or over during the season are A1 Thurman, time the players were playing in the manager of Guest Relations, Frey of the Mail S. LaTouche, are also dark so the game had to be called. Room; J. on the Membership Committee) Starting line-up for NBC: chief telegraph operator; Henry Hayes, Henry Hayes of General Service was Frank Crowley (Guest Relations) • -2b General Service; Coulson Squires, Cen- elected to a vacancy in the Social Com- Ed Nathan (Guest Relations) •••• 3b tral Supply; Anthony M. Hennig. Treas- mittee, resulting from the resignation of Capt. Jack Wahlstrom (G.R.) --cf urers Office; Thomas J. Dolan, Traffic; Grace Sniffin. Dwight G. Wallace, per- Pete Bonardi (Guest Relations) • • lb and Charles H. Thurman, manager of sonnel manager, was elected chairman for Jim Cody (Accounting) Guest Relations. the handball group; Donald H. Castle, Bill Hannah engineer, was elected to (Duplicating) c head the rifle and pistol A1 Williams (General shooting group and Don

Service) • • ss Meissner of Artists Service Jim Shellman was appointed chairman for (Announcing) rf swimming activities. Those Jim Von Frank (Guest interested in swimming were

• Relations) • P not present to elect a chair- replacements: NBC man for their group. Allan Henderson (Mail It also was decided at the Room) 3b meeting that, henceforth, Hugo Seiler (Mail twenty-five instead of thirty Room) • • If Joe Baricak (Guest persons shall constitute a Relations) cf quorum. Those elected to chair- A. A. Bowling League manships in the April meet-

The 1937-38 season for ing were George 0. Milne, the NBC Athletic Associa- Eastern Division Engineer, tion Bowling League came for bowling; Serge A. de to a close on Wednesday Somov, Engineering, for night, April 27, at the Py- tennis, and D. B. Van Hou- thian Temple in New York Thf. Winners of the Second Series of the NBC Bowling Leaciie. Front, ten, Building Maintenance, Luther. Back: Howard when the four participating left to right: Joseph Hogan. Henry Hayes, George for horseback riding. Selger, A1 Frey and Martin Devine. John Gasko is also a member of the team, teams played their final Page 18) all of whose members are in the General Service Department. (Continued on MAY, 1938 7 NBC HOLLYWOOD by Noel Corbett

Hollywood's Radio City more than one employe pointing toward Seward Spencer will act as Noyes’ as- the handsome silver trophy which will be sistant in this department which is so vital Construction on Hollywood’s Radio awarded the winner of the NBC Tourna- in pilblic relations, and which has been City is progressing at a lively pace, and ment being played at the Los Angeles designed by the Company to train young Gordon Strang, job superintendent and Tennis Club. men to fill important openings in the dif- engineer on the project recently trans- Those competing are Lew Frost, assist- ferent departments. ferred from New York, reports that the ant to Mr. Gilman; Walter Bunker, pro- time lost during recent heavy rains and duction manager; Ken Carpenter, Joy flood has been made up. Quick Pix Storm and Ben Gage, announcers; Donald One block down Sunset Boulevard. Nadine Amos, secretary to Mr. Gilman, DeWolf, engineer in charge in Holly- CBS is already installed in its new plant- and Madaline Lee, who plays Genevieve wood; Mttrdo MacKenzie, “Denny” Den- bag and baggage. Blue with Amos ‘n’ Andy, managed to get echaud, Steve Hobart, Ray Ferguson and NBC got off to a good neighborly start in a pleasant weekend at Boulder Dam be- Paul Greene, engineers; Max Hutto, by tossing out all rivet hammers on the fore the hot weather set in. mimeograph; and Jack Creamer, general job and having the Austin Company weld Now that the blackface hoys have aban- maintenance. all steel construction in a nice quiet doned the desert resort. Ray Ferguson, manner. their dial-spinner, is back in Hollywood

Foundation work, which staited imme- Bohemian Club ... redder’n an Indian and covered with diately after Vice President Don E. Gil- Sydney Dixon, Western Division sales freckles. man broke ground, was finished the latter manager; Walter Bunker, production Lew Frost, assistant to Mr. Gilman, re- part of April and at present scaffoldings manager; Harrison Holliwav, manager cently spoke at a Sunday breakfast given and elevator towers are jutting high above KFI-KECA; J. Anthony Smythe, Michael by The Westerners, a group of 20th Cen- the modernistic fence built around the Raffetto and Barton Yarborough, the lat- tury-Fox employes who meet once a month property. ter three of the cast of One Man's Family, Mr. Frost spoke on broadcasting in gen- Dedication of the new broadcasting spent the last weekend of April in San eral and Donald DeWolf, engineer in center is set for the fall. Francisco where they attended the 2nd charge in Hollywood, enlightened the Other New York engineers working on Annual Los Angeles Night at the Bohe- gathering on the technical side. the project are J. J. Arnone, who is re- mian Club. tii sponsible for the architectural details; R. Mr. Bunker and another club member Frances Scully, Press, was recently F. Schuetz, who is in charge of the instal- worked out a Charlie McCarthy act to presented with an official police reporter lation of the broadcast, electrical and climax the evening’s entertainment, which badge by Chief of Police James E. Davis, other mechanical equipment, and Edward Mr. Dixon and the other Hollywoodians at a luncheon gathering of fifty, at which Nolen who is assisting Mr. Schuetz. admitted was worth travelling five hun- she was the only lady present. dred miles to watch. Andy Love, in charge of literary rights, Tennis Tournament addressed the Pasadena Junior Shake- speare Club recently at gathering Tennis is holding the spotlight around Don't Give Up the Ship a of the Hollywood studios nowadays with fifty women. Let’s hope that sea going NBCites have more luck this summer than did Ed Ludes, Jack Wormser and “Bud” Miller, soundmen, who recently set sail in Ludes’ boat. Inasmuch as the boat was up for sale, Ludes had sent the sail out to be cleaned, relying on his outboard motor to keep the craft in motion. The motor did all right until half way

over to Catalina. Then it suddenly became about as lifeless as that parrot Fred Allen tried to make talk on his program sometime ago. Worse luck developed when Ludes discovered somebody had previously relieved him of his emergency oars. Finally when

it began to get dark, the hoys yanked loose a couple of seats and paddled hack to the mainland.

FOR SALE. Ed Ludes, Hollywood Sound Page Boy System WINS “CHIME RINGER" AWARD. An- Effects, in the sail boat which he, Jack nouncer Ken Carpenter of NBC Hollywood first major step in patterning Wormser and “Bud” Miller had to paddle The the strikes a fitting pose as he receives news that half way from Catalina to the mainland. NBC page boy system in Hollywood after the NBC Transmitter, after conducting a Ludes had sent the sail to the laundry and the New York staff, was made when Nor- poll among NBCites, has awarded him the relied upon an outboard motor to make the original drawing in which Bill Eddy has man Noyes was appointed Supervisor of trip. The motor suddenly went dead in mid- immortalized the “Chime Ringer.” (See channel. The boat is now for sale. Pages. Transmitter, April, 1938.) 8 NBC TRANSMITTER KOA DENVER by James Lehmann NBC CHICAGO by Rudi Neubauer Calling All Cars!

Your reporter turned thief-thwarter the Everett Mitchell, senior an- Bats in the Belfry Now all other night aiding in the recovery of by nouncer, needs is a horse. The veteran Bill Joyce, sound technician, took a bus- four silver fox furs for a large NBC Farm and Home Hour announcer furrier merchant, the man’s holiday, when he came down to Denver (which by has received many odd gifts from listeners way, buys time). While conducting work on his day off to see the Boris KOA during the 15 years he has been in radio. late program, your Karloff Lights Out show. His visit was re- a evening recorded He has assembled quite a collection of announcer was roused from that lethargy paid when he found out how to reproduce Americana as a result; but his latest that creeps on about sign-off time by the the sound of bats flying about. The sound gift, a home made hand-knotted fly net effect, never before attempted, was sound of crashing glass. And it wasn’t such as horses wore during the summers from the sound effects department, either. achieved by flapping leather gloves in the of a bygone age, takes the cake. Two enterprising felons who had chosen air. iii the midnight hour to supplement their Miss Gentile of Central Files was sur- wardrobe with some silver fox scarves, Engineers Fight Blizzard prised on her birthday, April 22, with a were gingerly picking their way through During the blizzard of April, unable to corsage presented to her by the girls the splintered glass of furrier’s display pass the outskirts of Downers Grove in from the General Office ... window. an automobile, the day engineering crew Dixon of the production All this, visible the sixth floor Miss Frances from of WENR fought its way on foot, three department received two dozen roses the studio window, was quickly phoned to and a half miles through the howling other day, but, she won’t tell who sent the police radio dispatcher. Meantime storm, to reach the transmitter building. them or why . . . thieves A and B proceeded leisurely down W. R. Lindsay, station engineer of WMAQ, the street with loot draped grotesquely i i i C was forced to employ a team of horses to Schmidt, Central Steno- about their necks . . . They reckoned, how- Miss Gertrude get his car out of the drifts and on its ever, without factor X, (i.e. one pop- graphic, has definitely committed herself way to the transmitter at Bloomingdale. eyed announcer) who was awkwardly to a July wedding. David O’Connell of Marooned at WMAQ for several days were hanging out of a window, his on them Chicago is the lucky man. eye George Maki, R. A. Mingle and W. R. and ’phone in hand describing to the Lindsay. At WENR, A. R. Johnson, J. iii police their progress down the street. Po- Allen, W. J. McDonnell and W. R. Crane. E. G. Eisenmenger, studio engineer, lice cars, arriving within two minutes, re- Emergency rations stored at the trans- was married on April 30th to Miss Phyl- covered the furs but the burglars escaped. mitters insured all hands of three squares lis Regan of Chicago. P.S. Crime Never Pays (when you pick a day. on a KOA client) .. . Just another NBC Newcomers and Transfers service. 27th Anniversary Thomas G. Hargis replaces Howard Keegan, who resigned from the Produc- KOAgrams C. P. McAssey entered Local Sales one Division .. . H. Gilbert Martyn, Jr., The banns have been posted by An- day during Easter Week, exclaiming, tion former California announcer and more re- nouncer Gilbert Verba and Miss Helen “Well, I got it!” Questioned as to the na- cently with WLW, Cincinnati, has joined Spelman. The nuptials are programmed ture of the “it,” he confided that it was a the announcing staff .. . Leslie Edgley for late Spring. present for Mrs. McAssey — the occasion back on the Continuity staff after an ex- being their 27th wedding anniversary. tended “leave of absence” .. . Additions KOA played host recently to charming Mac received the congratulations of the to the engineering force as Vacation Re- Olympe Bradna, a young Paramount star, entire Local Sales Department, and their lief Engineers are George J. Maki, as- who visited Denver for a personal appear- wishes for 27 more happy years. signed to the WMAQ transmitter, and ance at a theatre here. Woodrow R. Crane assigned to the WENR / i < Here and There news- transmitter . . . Jack Ryan, former Several dinner parties preceded the Ray Kelly, sound chief from New York, paper and public relations man, has been recent A.F.R.A. midnight dance. One was in Chicago on a tour of NBC M. and added to the staff of the Press Department such, recorded in these files, included Mr. stations. temporary 0. .. . Verl K. Thomson acted as and Mrs. T. Ellsworth Stepp, Miss Lucille i i i replacement for Charlie Lyon, during Beideck, Miss Jane Weller’d, Miss Charlie’s “leave of absence.” Thelma Erickson, Mr. Ed Sproul and Mr. C. L. Menser, production manager, was Berry Long. toastmaster at a meeting for alumni representing 26 Ohio colleges at the Hotel Fingerprinted Sales was Fashion Note Sherman, on April 9. Marcelle Mitchell of Network elected publicity chairman of the Wo- Honors go to Engineer Bill Williams for iii men’s Advertising Club of Chicago and bravely wearing the first white shoes of editor of Chat, the monthly paper of the season. Bill, defying imminent bad Eddie Stockmar, Program Traffic, turned Ad Club. Miss Mitchell has just returned weather, appeared with a little pre-Easter down an invitation from his colleagues to the vacation, during which finery (including the shoes) on one of play poker one Thursday night. Friday from an eastern City and also the NBC those deceptive early spring days when night he was held up by three ruffians and she visited Radio Washington, D. C. In the latter every one was looking forward to Easter had to give up thirty-five dollars to the studios in Edgar with raincoats and umbrellas. Result: boys with the rod.—Very selfish of Eddie city she was fingerprinted in J. of Justice. Watch Dishevelled engineer lost to snickering not to let his co-workers have first crack Hoover’s Department to be good. weather forecaster. at him. Don’t you think? your step, Marcelle! It pays MAY, 1938 9

General Service Holds WBZ BOSTON Informative Discussions (Continued 1 by Bob Evans from Page ) and actual problems dealing with person- "Lefty" Gomez nel and administration. The case system Guests at the Hotel was used to solve problems dealing with Bradford and people hur- the handling of difficulties with subordi- rying home through the nates, associates and superiors. rain after work were Discussions were conducted with the brought to abrupt atten- object of bringing about a closer and more tion about 6:00 P. M., efficient coordination of the functions of Monday, April 18, by the the various divisions and sections of Gen- wail of a police siren and eral Service. Subjects dealing with em- the screeching of brakes ployes that were studied and discussed as a big green sedan were leadership qualities, job satisfaction, security and the handling of grievances. came to a stop in front of the hotel’s marquees. The meetings of supervisors and their assistants were led by Ashton of Four large men, clad in Dunn the Personnel Office. Their discussions tan polo coats, emerged covered various subjects including theory from the car. Camera Vernon “Lefty” Gomez (right), ace New York Yankee southpaw, and principles of administration, adminis- bulbs flashed, and the tries to pitch himself out of a tight spot on the inaugural coast- tration problems and actual operating immediately rec- crowd Sports broadcast with Paul Douglas (left) to-coast Chesterfield problems. ognized the celebrity of from WBZ studios, April 18. Bob Evans, NBC Boston sports The informative educational courses the foursome which was announcer, appears amused at Lefty’s plight. for new members which comprised ofDonLangan were conducted by Mr. Dunn are still being given when- of Newell-Emmett agency, Arthur Flynn Higgins completely overwhelmed Dun- ever new employes are engaged. Small of The Sporting News, your own reporter, ham, three games to none. Any other teams groups of five or more are formed for this and Vernon “Lefty” Gomez, star southpaw wishing to cross racquets with WBZ will course which lasts about a week for each of the world champion New York Yankees. please contact yours truly, and we’ll see newcomer to General Service. Autograph seekers, who somehow or what kind of a financial settlement can The course, whose primary purpose is other, always seem to be equipped made a be made. to acquaint new employes with the set-up dash for the southpaw pitching ace, but Moonfish Bowes Gives of his and other departments, includes a Gomez had no time for them on this occa- Goldfish seem to have captured the study of the history of RCA and NBC, the sion. He was in a hurry to join Paul staff’s these days. of fancy A couple regulations and policies which affect the Douglas in the studios of WBZ where the weeks ago Josephine White, Traffic, merely employes and other general subjects per- first Chesterfield Sports Broadcast of 1938 dropped a remark that the Traffic office taining to radio and NBC. hit the coast to coast lines at 6:30 P.M. might be greatly enhanced if they had a Mr. Preston is satisfied with the results, The show went on without a hitch, with bowl of goldfish. Little did she realize to date, of the experiment and plans to Gomez turning as good a performance that her casual statement would take form resume the program in the fall as an all- before the mike as he does on the pitch- immediately, but upon her arrival at the inclusive and permanent part of the Gen- ing mound. office the next day, there was Traffic Man- eral Service Department. ager Gordon Swan diligently trying to NBC Trounces CBS arrange various species of seaweed in the 25,000-Watt Transmitters newly purchased aquarium. There were The good old honor of NBC was strongly for Short also three almost microscopic fish NBC Wave upheld Tuesday evening, April 26, when swim- ( Continued from Page 1) the WBZ varsity ping-pong team, accepted ming around the tank. That was three ago. there two great water-cooled tubes, each doing the challenge of, and decisively defeated weeks Now are more than a the dozen goldfish and snails work previously done by six tubes. a team from WEEI, CBS Boston outlet. three residing Design of the in glass It transmitters will greatly The match, played on neutral tables at the house. seems that a number reduce background noises in the short- the Towne Table Tennis Club, saw the of the boys and girls had rushed down to wave transmissions. WBZ outfit whitewash the opposition, win- a pet shop and bought their own entries. Completion of the Each fish is after new transmitters by ning five matches to WEEI's none. Gordon named the person who NBC follows closely on the announcement “Babe” Norris (Sales) and WBZ cham- purchased it. We can’t see where there’s of Frank E. Mason. NBC vice-president, pion, Arthur Feldman (Special Events), anything odd about that, but explanations as director of all of the Company’s activi- Chris Sykes (Sales) and Wright Briggs, were in order when the cute little moon- ties in the field of international fish, bearing the short- staff musician, were all in tip-top form name of Frank Bowes, wave broadcasting. Added to the recent and won handily. However, the worst sales Manager, gave birth to three young enlargement of the NBC International blow to the CBS paddle wielders was the ones. Short-Wave Division, these developments defeat handed their sterling George Dun- News Flash indicate that NBC intends “to see to it ham. Your reporter was originally sched- Discovered between broadcasts: While that the United States does not lag be- uled to face Dunham, but was unable to home for a week-end in Little Falls, N. Y„ hind other nations in international short- play because of sickness. After talking Special Events Feldman wined, dined and wave broadcasting.” the matter over, Captain Norris decided took his lady fair to the movies all for a to < i i substitute Miss Ruth Higgins, secretary dollar an sixty-five cents — tips included. Vacation or sports pictures ol NBCites are wanted to Office Manager Cy Young, and the de- (Those steaks must have been cut with a by the NBC Transmiter. Prizes lor the best pic- cision proved a stroke of genius. Miss razor.) tures. Read the rules ol the Photo Contest on page 11. .

10 NBC TRANSMITTER

NBC TRANSMITTER NBC HALL OF FAME Published for and by the employes of the National Broadcasting Company from coast to coast.

VOL. 4 MAY, 1938 No. 5

EDITORIAL BOARD DOM DAVIS Editor CARL CANNON Associate Editor RODERICK MITCHELL Staff Writer CHARLES VAN BERGEN Photographs BILL EDDY Staff Artist

N. Y. CONTRIBUTORS ALICE BRADFORD Central Stenographic SPENCER McNARY Artists Service CERALD GRAY WEAF Transmitter GEORGE OLENSLAGER Guest Relations

MORTON C. BASSETT. . . .Mail and Messenger

E. LOUDON HA AKER. .. .News and Special Events ROBERT W. WEST Guest Relations ALBERT E. RORABACK Guest Relations

Address all correspondence to: NBC TRANSMITTER .SQUARE PLUGS Building, New York Room 284, RCA I l)OZ Circle 7-8300, Ext. 220 ROUND Hf o © e J et TELEVISION TESTS NOW ON THE AIR WEEKLY

( Continued, from Page 2) COMMERCIAL will be restored. W2XBS has occasionally PLUGS been picked up as far away as seventy miles.

During the period that W2XBS was off the air, new program techniques and devices were developed by the NBC television production staff while the engineers made important changes in the system of transmission. The results of these changes and developments are now being observed.

With definite technical standards yet to be established for common use of television transmitters, the experimental pe riod will enable associated NBC and RCA research men to obtain engineering data Proposed NBC Statue No. 2 and Citation Plaque. for assistance in the formulation of such basic standards. Television will probably be a competitive activity in the United TRANSMISSION ENGINEER States and broadcasters recognize the necessity of adopting uniform technical stan- The modern counterpart of the Dutch Boy at the dyke with an unlimited dards in the interest of the home audience. flood of syllables and monosyllables at his finger tips . . A single receiver must be capable of being tuned to all television stations in a His is the province to cross-connect fireside chats with radiator programs locality. or introduce a bar of swing into Beethoven’s 9th Symphony —

The all-electronic system to be used in His future depends on his getting in a plug at the proper time — a function the tests was developed by the RCA labor- common to radio — atories. It transmits pictures in 441 lines And so — to this constable at the intersection of the airways we bend in at 30 frames a second. Picture signals are this meager ton granite to the perpetuation of broadcast on a frequency of 46.5 mega- humble salute, dedicating of cycles and accompanying sound is on his memory. 49.75 megacycles. — .

MAY, 1938 11

WTAM CLEVELAND by Bob Dailey

Paul Whiteman's Visit Harold Gallagher getting only a couple hours of sleep nightly while his three Letters to the Editor : Walter Logan was host to Paul White- young children have the measles. man and a group of friends at a dinner "DO-LA-MI" As usual, the first real spring days party following a network broadcast May All musicians who read the NBC Trans- found WTAM’s golfing enthusiasts out on 1st during which Whiteman appeared as mitter (April, 1938) will be conscious of the courses. They include Vernon H. Prib- guest conductor of Mr. Logan’s 50-piece the horrible mistake which Engineer- ble, Tom Manning, Bob Oatley, Russell orchestra. The famous orchestra leader Artist Bill Eddy has made. The NBC Carter, Alvin McMahon—and two ama- was in Cleveland for a benefit show. chimes are not DO-LA-MI, but SOL-MI- teurs, Jane Weaver and your correspon- Mr. Logan has been more than busy DO, and the key is not G but C. Besides, dent. these past days. He was conductor for the the picture shows the chime ringer looking Derek Caplane, who left WTAM, after International Water Follies’ orchestra at at music which contains the notes LA-SOL- eight years, to work for an insurance firm, the Arena, and has started rehearsals for DO in the key of G. Perhaps that accounts receiving a traveling bag from the staff ... a new Sunday network program. for the fact that he looks as if he were George Hartrick, WTAM announcer, in a perplexing dilemma, and ready to wearing goat-skin chaps while singing in strike the clock instead of the Notes alarm WTAM . the Rodeo at the Arena .. Salesman chimes. Program Secretary Edith Wheeler Russell Carter spending two weeks ill in Lawrence Abbott the hospital and at home. showing the town to A1 Rickenbacker . . . rii of the Indianapolis Speedway and brother The mother of Hal Metzger, program

of Flier Eddie Rickenbacker . . . Bob director, died in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, Ed. — Below is Mr. Eddy’s reply. The Dailey returning from trip to New April 23rd, after an illness. Many of the Editor refuses to become involved in this York Press Department . . . Announcer station’s staff attended the funeral in musical schism. Russell Wise being nominated as station’s Lorain, Ohio, where Mrs. Metzger made

i i i most versatile story teller ... Salesman her home.

My dear Mr. Abbot, So that is what all those little dots mean on sheet music—I’ve often wondered. WIN THIS ARGUS CANDID CAMERA To be brutally frank, Mr. Abbot, I am ENTER THE NBC TRANSMITTER surprised at your immediate condemna- tion of my new swing arrangement of PHOTO CONTEST SOL-MI-DO. Possibly this modern version, DO-LA-MI, might have more umph Beginning next month the NBC Transmitter will conduct a photo con- I wouldn’t know. test in which you may win an ARGUS candid camera (worth $12.50) or a

I feel, however that until my arrange- copy of the beautiful NBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA book (see review on ment has been tested on the air any further page 12) which recently was published by NBC. The Argus camera is being discussion would tend to stultify the in- donated by PARKER & BATTERSBY, Radio City camera shop, well-known ventive genius of the younger generation to NBC employes and artists for their excellent work in printing and who read the Transmitter. Yours truly developing. READ THESE RULES in the key of G, You don’t have to be an expert photographer to enter this contest; Bill Eddy pictures taken with a box camera will have as many chances of winning as those taken with one of those two-hundred-and-some-dollar candid cameras. Radio City Hospitality Just send us pictures that will comply with the rules below. Type of pictures Hailing, as I do, from that portion of wanted: the South where real hospitality and 1. Candid shots of NBC personalities (maybe one of your boss biting friendliness reputedly begin, it is with into a ham on rye). real pleasure that I recognize those same 2. Pictures of NBC activities or buildings. qualities up here in Yankeeland. 3. Vacation pictures of yourself or other NBCites. Virginia can offer no finer spirit in any 4. Pictures of NBC sporting events. of its organizations than that I have seen Specifications: demonstrated here at NBC. Though I have 1 1. Do not send negatives. Send prints not smaller than 2 A" x 3Mi" been here but a short time, to date I have 2. titles or departments. encountered nothing but real friendliness Give names of persons in picture and their NBC 3. Give your own name, department and division. and sincere efforts to assist me in becom- NBC 4. Send your pictures for the first contest to the NBC Transmitter, ing part of, in my opinion, the finest or- National Broadcasting 30 Rockefeller Center, ganization in the radio world. Room 284, Company. New York, before May 24. Pictures received after the deadline will Such fraternity is really refreshing in be held for subsequent contests. this otherwise rather arid city. 5. Three judges will pick the winning pictures. Pictures will be judged Fred Temple (Guest Relations) on their popular appeal, humor and photographic quality. Prizes for candid pictures of NBCites and their ISSUE WINNING PICTURES. activities. Send your pictures to the NBC Trans- SEE THE JUNE FOR THE mitter before May 24. 12 NBC TRANSMITTER

NBC SYMPHONY BOOK IS NBC AIDS IN GREATER ARTISTIC, INFORMATIVE NEW YORK FUND DRIVE

Let it be made clear at the very outset Walter G. Preston, Jr., Director of Gen- that this is strictly “sustaining” copy. The eral Service, has been appointed a mem- commercial plug lurks at the bottom of ber of the Committee on Employe Solici- this column in the editor’s footnote. This reporter has found the biggest fish tation of the Greater New York Fund The real object of this piece is to give in NBC. It’s in the Sales Department be- which recently launched a campaign to a little blast to the book on the NBC hind a glass door marked “F. M. Thrower, solicit contributions to supplement finan- Symphony Orchestra which has just been Jr.” You should see it. It’s a handsome ces of private welfare and health agencies. published by the National Broadcasting ninety-pound tarpon, over five feet long Firms and employe groups throughout Company. A little blast because we don’t and beautifully mounted. Startles a lot of New York City are being organized to have room for one big enough to do it people, says Secretary Florence Marin. solicit contributions to the $10,000,000 justice. It’s a nifty little first edition- Salesman Thrower has an affidavit to campaign. Mr. Preston is responsible for very nicely turned out, tastefully bound back his story that he himself caught it the solicitation of employes in the radio, and with illustrations and drawings that in the Gulf, off the Florida coast. He entertainment, chain store, movie, export are a major part of the book’s charm. brought the fish to his office not because and import and maritime industries. Hendrik Willem van Loon has written he wanted to show it off but because Mrs. The campaign is New York’s first united the foreword, in which he outlines the Thrower wouldn’t have the thing in the appeal to business interests and employes progress of musical history from the zing house. in behalf of all private welfare and health of the first arrow (the bow was the orig- i Y Y work and is similar to campaigns which inal stringed instrument) right down to Page De Vere Engelback has been have been carried on successfully in other the last word in symphony orchestras— guesting on the Easy Aces program ... he large cities. the NBC Symphony Orchestra, “the first also wants to sing opera some day .. . The employe organization is to be rep- full-time, full-sized symphony orchestra Leonard Braddock, recently made head of resented in each factory, warehouse and established by and for radio in the United the new Information Division and Dwight office by a local committee headed by a States.” B. Herrick of Guest Relations were seen company chairman and including a group Music Editor Walter Koons’ con- NBC and heard discussing engagement rings of volunteer canvassers. Committees of tribution to the book is an account of the displayed in the window of a Radio City executives are being formed to canvass why, wherefore and how of the orchestra jewelry shop. When queried, both gentle- firms in each trade and industry. and biographies of its conductors which men denied anything but academic inter- The Employes Committee of the Fund are thoroughly good reading. est in the sparklers . .. “Just killing a has suggested a common basis of contri- Then, there are compact and informa- lunch hour,” they explained. Yet. we can’t bution by employes of one day’s pay. tive little sketches on the personnel—color- help thinking that Spring might have had Under the Fund plan. New York employes ful glimpses into the personalities of those something to do with it. will be able to budget for a single annual excellent men who make up the orchestra. Y YY gift to all forms of charity and health work Philip Kerby (NBC Sales Promotion Divi- Oddities: NBC employs two gardeners in place of the unpredictable number of sion) merits special commendation for his —Thomas Sprague for the grounds of the appeals to which employe group contribu- clever handling of these brief biographies. WEAF transmitter at Bellmore, Long tions have been requested in the past. The bulk of the book contains the splen- Island, and Joseph Stemple to whom is did charcoal portraits by Bettina Steinke entrusted the horticultural beauty of the Horine who, according to newspapers last who has turned out some exceptionally NBC Blue Network transmitter in Bound month, attended the School for Prospec- fine work in her studies of Toscanini, Brook, New Jersey,—WJZ. tive Fathers at the Maternity Center As- Monteux, Rodzinski and the members of sociation in New York City is none other the organization. Many of her sketches 1 i 1 than our own Agnew H„ of the sound ef- were based on camera studies made by If you see News Editor Francis McCall suit its probably fects staff—we know because we saw his Ray Lee Jackson, NBC portrait photo- wearing a new spring a picture in the Daily News showing him in grapher. William Haussler and Sydney present from his wife who recently won while vacationing in a perplexed pose attempting to diaper a Desfor, NBC staff photographers, have $1,400 at Bingo baby doll. contributed striking shots of Maestro Tos- Miami, Florida. favored this Y YY canini in action, as well as other pictures Dame Fortune has also waiting for This corner recommends the March of of the orchestra and conductors in re- writer—the other day while Time picture depicting NBC’s scoop of hearsal. a subway he guessed his weight and got his penny back from the weighing ma- the Nazi coup in Austria, “the world’s big- All in all, the book is eminently worth- little with Marlene gest news story since the World War while. And now for the plug. chine-plus a card four-star stuff. saying that he gets along days” .. . it’s definitely Ed.—New York members of NBC may Dietrich’s picture with people who like him and that some And it features almost every member of obtain copies of the first edition of the News and Special Events, including John NBC Symphony Orchestra book by apply- day he’ll be famous and rich. F. Royal, Abe Schechter, Milton Burgh, ing in person to Anthony M. Hennig in Ho ... hum . . . Pat Kelly, Don Goddard (whose close-ups Room 313, NBC New York. NBCites not in Y i 1 were excellent), Francis McCall, Bill New York are requested to place their Otto Brandt of Station Relations wants Stern, pretty Virginia Latimer and others. orders with their local station managers. it known that he is NOT the same Otto Y YY The retail price of the book is $1.00 per Brandt who placed a recent ad in the group of theatrically-minded NBCites copy, but the Company is absorbing the Personal Notices column of a metropoli- A banding together to form a drama cost of distribution to employes, thus re- tan newspaper: “Not responsible for debts are it to group . . . rumors are that promises ducing the price to 90c per copy. of my wife, Sophie, . . “Why, I’m not than amateurish . . . y y y even married,” explained NBC’s Otto be slightly better Every member of is a reporter of his or her NBC ... the other hand the Agnew CURTAIN! newsmagazine — the NBC Transmitter. Brandt On MAY, 1938 13 KDKA PITTSBURGH by Kay Barr

"Admiral" Nelson a program the night before the Pirates got spends his spare time scanning the heav- home. Next morning KDKA greeted the ens (and the earth) for new stars. of the newspaper boys started it. Some players with a broadcast at the Pennsyl- “Navigator” Dare Fleck plots the course But the idea has caught on. KDKA’s man- vania station, there was a parade of floats from the traffic desk, and “Pilot” Bernie ager is now “Admiral” Nelson. They never and things and then the first home game Armstrong keeps the craft in the wind picked such a monicker if would have that afternoon, April 22. with his genius for production, music and “A. E.” was not qualified to have it. Ever showmanship. rest play important And five special programs were pre- The since he took command last September he sented by KDKA from the RCA car dur- parts like all good sailors whether it be has been winning one battle after another. look-outs, tooters of the publicity whis- ing its three-day visit in Pittsburgh. as His latest conquests have been of the tle, deck-scrubbers or lowly midshipmen. Almost 133 years ago Admiral Horatio annual show of the Electric League of Nelson made history by declaring that Pittsburgh, the launching of the baseball Tid Bits “England expects every man to do his season and of the visit of the RCA pullman Chief Engineer Joe Baudino of KDKA duty.” exhibit of sound amplification equipment. passed the blessed event cigars April 25. “Admiral” A. E. Nelson of KDKA has It was a girl and No. 4. Eddie Cantor Two or three preliminary programs not said anything like that to his staff. please note. heralded the opening of the Electric Show Such a remark is unnecessary on the good at Motor Square Garden April 16. Mayor i i i ship, KDKA. The whole crew knows what Scully headed a list of notables and May Department, is expected. Eleanor Ondek, Program Singhi Breen and Peter de Rose came in has inaugurated a sort of bulletin service From “Captain” Bill Jackson down the to head the entertainment personnel for that is proving most valuable to the staff. line to the humblest seaman, they’re layin’ a big show at the Garden the night of Several times a day she sends out memos heavy on the ropes and steering a straight the opening. of program additions, changes and new course. “Commander” Clarence Pettit is April 18 practically moved bookings. Which makes her a sort of clear- On KDKA sustaining his chief with a variety of ver- to the Garden. special broadcasting ing house for all program information. A satile talent; “Lieutenant Commander” stage had been set up and before the Show Dave Dickson is proud of his business log; 1 i 1 closed, April 23, KDKA had put on 41 Joe Baudino, “Lieutenant, Senior Grade,” Dare Fleck, the “KDKA Bookworm.” broadcasts and more than a dozen stage has charge of communications. has received many letters of favorable com- shows from the Garden. Derby Sproul, “Lieutenant, Junior ment since he started his weekly book re- A1 Pearce, Arlene Harris, Andy An- Grade,” is setting new sales (programs) views some time ago. One of the best others of the “Gang,” brought drews and every day or two; “Ensign” Charley Ur- comes from Mrs. Ada M. Weston in Mara- it all to a climax the last two days and quhart is riding high as always with his caiba, Central Venezuela. South America. packed the place with customers. six-foot-four altitude above sea level. As Mrs. Weston and her husband are the Meantime the baseball season busted warrant officer, “Chief Gunner” Ted Ken- only Americans among 5,000 Venezuelans wide open and the Pittsburgh Pirates got ney is assisting Baudino in throwing out on a sugar plantation more than 100 miles off to a running start. Mrs. Barney Drey- the lines; “Chief Petty Officer” Bob Sau- from any city. She writes, “The reviews fuss, Mayor Scully, all the sports editors dek is on the continuity dog watch, and you give are just what we, who live far and other big shots extended greetings on “First Class Musician” Maurice Spitalny from civilization, need and appreciate.”

Bread makers over the country are launching a publicity cam- KDKA is using one of the new “Gatling Gun” microphones with paign exploiting their product as a harmony food. The idea is much success on certain types of pick-up broadcasts. Station to take a bite of bread, then a bite of meat, then a bite of bread, engineers took the “Gun” made of 52 small aluminum tubes to then a bite of salad, then another bite of bread, etc. The bread the roof of the Grant Building and trained it on a steamboat harmonizes the other tastes and makes the meal more palatable. down on the Monongahela River. Viola Frazier, KDKA singer, Evelyn Gardiner, director of the KDKA Home Forum programs, put on the earphones just in time to hear the towboat whistle. was the first person to take the test and smiles her approval. 14 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC SAN FRANCISCO by Louise Landis

Engineers' Dance sat down the next day and wrote a com- Thompson. Press Manager Milton Samuel plete synopsis of the book, which is on the and Blue Network Publicist Dick Bertran- Those handsome, dancin’ engineers are development of radio, particularly as re- dias. planning another party, and it promises gards music. Out of the ashes of his music Dick’s blood proved to be the type to be as much fun as that slick affair of he recovered most of the themes, and matching Mrs. Baird’s and he donated a last fall, which is still remembered as a

that Garbett memory brought back all the pint and a half . . . and in less than an high spot in the year. The A.T.E.’s spring essentials of his system for teaching music hour was back at his desk, hammering out dinner dance (evidently the boys are go- composition to school children for which KGO program copy. ing to make their parties seasonal) is set he was awarded the Rockefeller Founda- for May 20; the place. Sir Francis Drake tion fellowship. Personnel Hotel. The Empire and French rooms have Changes been reserved for dining and dancing, and Manager Lloyd E. Yoder didn’t fare so Lots of job shifts this month. Dorothy the Walnut Room, the cocktail lounge, also well, either. His office is directly below Dumerais from the Sales Promotion De- that of the fire scene, of will beexclusiveNBC property for thenight. and one the partment to the production secretarial painters the Jimmy Walsh’s orchestra which was a who discovered second fire desk, with Doris Mathisen, formerly of slid scaffold to inner big item in the success of the last dance, nimbly down a an Music Rights, replacing her as secretary court and broke one of Mr. Yoder’s win- to will supply the music. The hospitable Sales Promotion Manager Brown . . . dows with a shoe in order to get to an engineer sponsors of the dance again in- Bob Sandstrom, who was a page boy for alarm box. vite all of NBC to come. a month, to Traffic to fill the vacancy left Fuerst’s Genial Tommy Watson is chairman of by George promotion; George is now assistant to Traffic Supervisor Paul the A.T.E. committee arranging the Transfusion dance, and George Greaves, Frank Full- Gale, and Juan Trasvina, formerly of the Janet Baird, pretty NBC interviewer, staff, away, Cliff Rothery, Ed Callaway and office replaces Bob as page boy . . . is smiling again; her beloved mother is others are handling. some of the details. pretty Eleanor McFadden who left hostess- recovering from an attack of pneumonia ing to become secretary to Production NBC Fire that made things look pretty dark for Manager Cameron Prudhomme, moved

awhile .. . but one of the things that NBCites whose hobby is chasing fires upstairs to the Continuity Acceptance Di-

anxious just a bit easier to . might just as well stay in their own baili- made moments vision . . and Lola Camaches, who used bear, Janet says is the way her radio pals wick after this. Two fires in two weeks to make those mimeograph machines rallied around in the emergency. make a pretty good record in the excite- stand at attention, has been transferred to ment line, besides making the Press De- Doctors attending Janet’s mother sud- the Sales Promotion Department. partment’s job easy. The first conflagra- denly ordered an immediate blood trans- tion took place Good Friday when most of fusion, and within fifteen minutes a group Trivia the NBC staff was out to lunch or engaging of loyal friends was SDeeding across the Worst observation of the week by Bob in devotional service, but it drew a big bridge to the Paralta Hospital in Oakland, Me Andrews, Press: “1838 marked the audience just the same, and completely to be tested for the transfusion. Among passing of the buckskins; 1938 the pass- wrecked, ruined and devastated three of- them were Kitty Morgan of Program Traf- ing of the buck.”

fices, Educational Director Arthur Gar- fic, Bette Marino (Mrs. Yoder), John bett’s, that of his assistant, Helen Stewart, Wolfe of the Jingletown Gazette, Don Newcomers and the Audience Mail Depart- New face in the Sales De- ment. partment that of Ray Rhodes, The following Friday, at al- 24, blond, handsome and a most exactly the same hour, bachelor. Formerly with the sirens howled again and a Sterling Engraving Company. corps of firemen appeared on Mr. Rhodes is a University of the scene in time to cancel an- California graduate and a other merry blaze in the same member of Alpha Delta Sigma, spot. Painters engaged in re- national advertising honor so- furnishing the space had dis- ciety. He was business manager covered the walls on fire, prob- of the Daily Californian at ably from spontaneous combus- U. C„ and is handling local tion. sales here.

In the first fire, Mr. Garbett More new faces: pretty, dark lost valuable manuscripts and Feme Martin who secretarys notes relating to his work for for George Greaves, supervisor the Rockefeller Foundation, rec- of the Field Group. She hails ords of his Standard Symphony from Seattle; is enjoying her

broadcasts and a quantity of When Waller Kelsey, new Musical Director of NBC San Francisco, re- first radio work and thinks she

original music as well as the turned to his office after his recent illness he found it adorned with hand- likes it and San Francisco just some “murals” done by Producer Peter Abenheim who used to be a manuscript of a book upon fine. painter before microphones lured him away from palettes. Every member which he has been engaged for Also Robert Bishopp, on theof- of the Kelsey Design for Music orchestra has his portrait included in the several years. Cheerfully, he sketches, with a striking “portrait” of Walter on the podium, in the center. fice staff, another radio convert. MAY, 1938 15

WGY SCHENECTADY STAMP CLUB NOTES

by W. T. Meenam Members of the NBC Stamp Club in New York have reelected their officers for another year. The officers are, George 0. Milne (Engineering), president; Walter Koons (Press) vice president; George M. Nelson (Personnel) treasurer; Frank 0. Johnson (Accounting), ex-

change manager; and Frank J. Reed, Jr. (Traffic), secretary.

At the last meeting it was resolved to have a permanent exhibit of NBC stamp collections in the lobby of the fourth floor, studio section. The Club participated in the three-day exhibit of the Associated Business Stamp Club Association held last month in the Metropolitan Life Insurance Building in New York City. NBC was represented in the non-competitive class. Vice Pres'dent Frank E. Mason, who was recently appointed to direct NBC’s short-wave activities, and A. A. Schechter, director of News and Special Events, recently came to Schenectady to confer with officials of General Electric. International General Electric and Manage.- Kolin Hager NBC EXHIBITS TELEVISION (WGY) to discuss wider use of G.E.’s powerful short wave stations. Pictured, seated, are John Sheehan, short wave program manager for G. E„ and Edward PICTURES AND RECEIVERS Roosevelt, commissioner for South American countries participating in the New York World’s The NBC display of experimental tele- Fair. Standing, left to right: Kolin Hager, A. A. Schechter, Chester Lang, Boyd Bullock, W. V. B. vision, portrayed in photographs and an Van Dyck, W. J. Purcell, engineer in charge of WGY; Frank E. Mason, W. J. Decker and W. T. Meenam. exhibit of experimental television receivers, was one of the most popular spots in the recent First International at Cooperstown. “Mosh” had his friends Photo- New Studios Open in June pretty worried for about ten days but he’s graphic Exposition at the Grand Central power machinery was put to When coming through in fine shape now. Palace, New York City. work landscaping around WGY’s new The photographs, illustrating various studio building and when workmen began Historical Programs phases of television, were taken by Wil- polishing windows and burnishing the liam Haussler and Sydney Desfor, NBC Two WGY staff members are delving bronze and chromium trim, members of staff photographers. deeply into New York State history and WGY’s staff took heart in belief that the In another part of the Exposition, are passing the results of their research Ray day of occupancy was at hand. Lee Jackson, also of NBC, exhibited on to radio listeners. Radcliffe Hall, on many However, these proved inaccurate out- of his portrait studies of behalf of the Troy Savings Bank, has a famous radio ward manifestations and the word has stars. weekly historical program under the title gone forth that we won’t move in before The entire History Is Made Where You Live. He NBC display, which was July. Tbe inaugural program once sched- does a dramatic monologue with sound handled by Burke Crotty, picture editor, uled for 28 has been tentatively fixed May and the Photo Section staff, effects and everything, and is winning has been taken at July 9. to heavy applause from listener and client. Philadelphia to be exhibited at the Extra work, outside of the NBC line of Robert Wilbur of Press is sponsored NBC-KYW studios there. duty, caused two recent WGY casualties. by New York State. He has a quarter hour A. O. Coggeshall, trying to do a bit of dialogue with Lithgow Osborne, commis- season to a point just short of assault and remodeling in his home, picked up a sioner of the New York State Conserva- battery. John Howe has been commissioned splinter in his hand which caused a pain- tion Department. Each week listeners are to arrange for a spring outing. ful infection. John Howe of Sales gave up taken to places rich in historic lore and an hour to washing his car and spent two natural beauty. "Arizona" Balks days at home nursing an attack of grippe. Chester Rudowski has taken horse- > > > up Springtime Sports back riding in serious fashion and one Announcer Philip Brook is the father The springtime emergence of recent Sunday experienced the humilia- of a husky son who has been named magno- David Sanborn. lias, daffodils, tulips and blossoming tion of having to walk home. His steed > / > shrubs has forced WGY outdoor lovers bears the name “Arizona,” a gentle beast Allen Taylor of Sales, accompanied by to hang up their skis and skates and pol- that responds to the touch and whim of Mrs. Taylor and their children, a boy ish up the golf clubs. Already W. J. Pur- its rider. Chester was galloping Arizona and girl, passed the Easter week-end in cell, Pete Narkon, Rad Hall and Betty at a lively clip when, five miles from the New York, visiting, among other places, King are exhibiting hand callouses, most riding academy, he came to an intersec- the zoo, the aquarium and the planeta- of them in the wrong spots. Each, if you tion with roads to right and left. Chester rium. will listen, will give a stroke by stroke wanted to go right and Arizona favored > # * story of their progress from tee to green the left road. Both had their wishes. The

Horton Mosher of the control staff is over an eighteen-hole course. Others of rider was pitched into a patch of black- recovering from a major operation per- the staff are looking forward to a re- berry brambles. Arizona and Chester formed at the Hassett Memorial Hospital newal of soft ball rivalry carried out last walked home, but not together. 16 NBC TRANSMITTER

The NBC Transmitter salutes these Mary Coyne few. have had their itineraries prepared members of the National Broadcasting and supervised by Mr. Haas. Mary Coyne, gracious secretary to E. Company who, this month, complete their His most recent trip this Spring, took P. H. James, manager of Sales Promotion, in the South tenth year of continuous service with the him to various universities is a native of Flushing, Long Island. She Company. which are going to book Artists Service attended the public schools there and upon talent during the 1938-39 season. graduation from Flushing High School, “Business is definitely picking up for I. E. Showerman for she went to work a local firm. the recession,” That radio does our type of work despite Six months later states Mr. Haas. “Our concert bookings not always have to she entered NBC calendar draw from other grossed $1,200,000 for the last and was assigned year, an increase of twenty per cent over fields for capable to the Sales De- the previous year.” men to steer its partment. In those Mr. Haas was born in New Milford, ship through its days work not was and at the age of four was ever changing path New Jersey, as specialized as it sent abroad to receive his education. He is exemplified in is today. Miss came back to America when he was four- the person of I. E. Coyne’s activities Showerman who teen and had to learn to speak English all ranged from show- over again, having lost his native tongue I. E. Showerman completeshis tenth ing clients Mary Coyne through in Europe. He was graduated from high year with NBC this month. Coming from the studios to typing scripts. Looking school and then attended New York Uni- NBC Chicago where he was assistant said, to back. Miss Coyne “You had be versity. His first business position was that sales manager until 1936, Mr. Showerman an all-round person then.” of secretary to a Wall Street banker. From is now assistant manager of the Sales In 1934 she was appointed to her pres- there he went to the New York Symphony Department in the Eastern Division. ent position. She spends her spare time Orchestra as assistant to George Engles, He was born in Port Huron, Michigan. designing and making her own clothes. the manager, and while engaged in this He received his early education in the Her favorite indoor sport is broiling two- new position met Walter Damrosch. West. In 1917 the War interrupted his inch steaks. She is a member of the Athle- When the New York Symphony Orchestra schooling when he enlisted in the Army. tic Association’s badminton group and as was amalgamated with the Philharmonic Mr. Showerman served with the 15th we go to press she is preparing to make Orchestra, Mr. Haas went with Mr. Engles Field Artillery of the Second Division her first flight as a member of the newly to NBC. Mr. Engles is now a vice-presi- whose one-time commander was General organized Radio Flying Club, an independent of NBC, and director of Artists Ser- James G. Harbord, chairman of the Board dent organization, the membership of vice; Dr. Damrosch is NBC Musical of Directors- of RCA. He was overseas which is composed principally of NBCites. Counsel and Mr. Haas is in charge of the nineteen months and participated in five Southwest and Pacific Coast territories in major engagements. At Verdun he was in the Concert Division. charge of the wireless station which main- Alexander Haas Mr. Haas is married and the father of tained liaison between the airplane ob- Alexander Haas has been associated two children — a girl, who is a junior at servers and his artillery battalion. with NBC Artists Service in New York the University of Michigan, and a boy in A member of the Veteran Wireless since it was known as Artists Bureau ten high school. His home is in Tuckahoe, in Operators Association, Mr. Showerman is years ago. At that time the department Westchester County, New York. a descendant of Army communications had been formed to keep tabs on the vari- men. His father was a military telegrapher Clifford F. Rothery ous NBC radio artists who were giving in the Spanish-American War and his concerts throughout the country, in order Clifford Rothery is new to the NBC en- grandfather was in the signal corps of the to ascertain their whereabouts for future gineering staff in San Francisco but May 1 Union Army during the Civil War. bookings. Since then the department has starts his eleventh year with NBC. After the War, he finished his scholastic developed many and widely diversified in- Most of the ten years he has spent in the education at the University of Illinois terests in almost every field of entertain- company were in Washington, D.C., where where he majored in journalism. There he he his ment, not the least of which is Mr. Haas’ began radio career at NBC Station became a member of Chi Psi and Sigma own task of preparing bookings from WRC in 1928. Before that however he had Delta Chi, journalism fraternity. Birmingham, Alabama, to Vancouver, B. four years in the United States Navy and From college he went to Chicago to a year as reporter on the ashington C., for NBC concert artists. W Times. work for an advertising agency and, later, The artists who Radio had been for the Chicago Herald & Examiner from have been repre- his hobby all along, which he resigned in 1928 to join the sented by him run and he was an up- newly organized staff of the NBC branch the gamut of talent and-coming, if in the Windy City. in the concert v-ery youthful, radio Mr. Showerman is married, has a six- world. Chaliapin, amateur when the year-old son, Peter, and has a home in Pavlowa, Schu- World War came Tuckahoe, N. Y. His hobbies are golf mann-Heink. El- along and forced and writing. He confesses that his writing man, Jeritza, Alma all the “hams” of to date has produced nothing but rejec- Gluck and Flag- that day off the air tion slips. Alexander Haas stad, to mention a temporarily. C. F. Rothery MAY, 1938 17

Aside from radio “Roth” has two prin- radio operator on lake boats. During the A composer in his own right, Music- cipal interests in life; his family which 1933 Convention of the American Relay ologist Lane belongs to many musical or- includes a four-year-old son, Derek, and League, Miller was one of the eight, out ganizations and clubs among them being his hobby, which is raising hybrid flowers, of 250 entrants, to qualify for the finals the Beethoven Association, MacDowell particularly of the lily and iris family. in the world’s championship code speed Club and The Bohemians. He is a bache- Since he became a San Franciscan last contest. Finalists were required to receive lor, and defiantly hopes to remain one. fall he has purchased some land in Marin and type perfect copy at 40 words a min- County where he expects to build a coun- ute. Gerald Sellar try home. is the father of He married and two One hot day, back in 1925, three youngsters, Nancy Jean IV-i years and A. W. Kaney young men from a ship, one of them the Charles Ralston 3 years old. His hobby, telegraph operator, were strolling along Ask A. W. (Sen) Kaney what he knows it — you guessed amateur radio. an apparently peaceful Shanghai street about radio and he’ll tell you how a free- when there suddenly appeared before for-all graduated into an industry. How Lewis Lane them a group of well-armed and rather radio programs grew from haphazard Lewis Lane’s first job with NBC was in menacing Chinese “student strikers.” somewhat social events into mechanized the Music Library where he served three The three young split-second perfection. years before he was commissioned to or- men came to a cau- And if he weren’t so modest, he could ganize the Music Research Section. When tious halt. As the tell you how Sen the NBC headquarters was moved from armed band moved Kaney himself rose 711 Fifth Avenue to Radio City, Music slowly towards from announcer to Research and Lewis Lane were transferred them, and they were program director from the Music Division to the Script Di- about to make a and to his present vision. More and more, the bulk of his retreat, a squad of job as assistant to work was for the scriptwriters. However, U. S. marines came the vice president Music Research was and still is, to all the to their rescue. Be- in charge of the departments of NBC, the source of any fore they could Central Division of Gerald Sellar kind of information pertaining to serious move, the air in the National Broad- music. this confined “no-man’s land” was A. W. Kaney casting Company. filled Before coming to NBC, Lewis Lane with rocks, rifle slugs, and miscellaneous Born in Cincin- toured the country missiles. As a rock hit one of them, they nati, Sen got his public school education as a concert pianist. took to their heels, and with the telegraph in Oak Park, Illinois, later attending And even today, operator leading the way, flew without Northwestern University where he studied whenever his further casualties back to the law. While managing a brokerage house NBC ship. tasks allow him, he on La Salle Street, he heard about this Today, that same fleet-footed telegraph gives an occasional so-called radio and wandered into the operator can be found at the NBC Master concert in and studios of KYW, where he was taken on Control Board in Radio City. He is Mas- around New York immediately as an announcer. That was in ter Control Supervisor Gerald Sellar, who City. He also has 1922 and Sen has been in radio ever since. this month, completes ten years with been heard on the Mr. Kaney joined NBC on May 16, 1928 NBC. NBC networks and as an announcer and has worked at every- Lewis Lane various York The Shanghai incident took place soon thing in the business with the possible ex- New after Mr. Sellar stations. He played his own composition. graduated from Oakland, ception of engineering. He is vitally inter- California, Fragments, which has just Technical High School. For ested in television. He was married in been published, on the five years he worked at sea, in the Orient, 1925 and has one daughter, Peggy May, 11 NBC Employes Show last February. in Alaskan and Australian waters, and years old. His hobby is yachting and his If you look in Who's Who in New York ashore for the Federal Telegraph Company unbreakable habit is twelve cigars a day. you will find many interesting facts about and the Independent Wireless Telegraph this quiet talented gentleman. There, you Company in ship-to-shore work. He left John R. Miller will see that he studied at the New York the latter company at East Hampton, Long R. Miller came to NBC’s Engineering College of Music and the New School for J. Island, in January, 1928, and four months Department on May 24, 1928. As operator Social Research. He also studied with later joined NBC at its 711 Fifth Avenue Edwin Hughes and the late Rubin Gold- of NBC Chicago’s first central control studios. board, he has seen mark. His life has always been in and for His first the control room music since his early childhood. He started work here was in studio engineering — the grow from eight to play the piano at seven and at fifteen technical handling of programs. He did this work for racks to approxi- he gave his first public concert. three years and was then assigned to the mately 40. As a At the age of twelve he unwittingly Master Con- trol Board. youngster of 13, prepared himself for the job he now holds Mr. Miller was by starting a collection of books, articles Today, Mr. Sellar, a native of Tacoma, granted his ama- and newspaper clippings relative to all Washington, is thirty-two, and an ex-presi- teur radio opera- phases of music. Today, his music collec- dent of the Association of Technical Em- tors license to station, which includes over 4,000 recordings, ployes of John R. Miller NBC. He lives, with his wife and tion W9CP in 1919. fills his New York apartment. His library five-year-old son. Gene, in Sunnyside, His call letters are still the same. often comes in handy for his work in NBC Long Island. And as a hobby — yes, a In 1920 he received his commercial because he possesses many rare books “believe it or not” — he operates a radio license and before he joined NBC was which are out of print. station — his own, W2ALB. 18 NBC TRANSMITTER

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION TENTH ANNIVERSARY CHIMES ( Continued from Page 6) Women Bowling Champs Dorothy Smith of the Accounting De- Thomas Smith until he joined NBC ten years ago. John got the highest score for three has been with the communications depart- partment Thomas Smith, in division of the A. ment since that time with the exception games the women’s WEAF transmitter A. Bowling League. Her score was 466. of one year, 1934-1935, when he served at engineer, was born Dorothy Michel of Sales Traffic copped the WENR transmitter. in Allegheny City, the honors for the highest single-game He is married. His hobbies are amateur Pennsylvania, in radio and gardening. score with 181. July, 1878. Tom, as he is af- Elizabeth Todd NBC Wins Bowling League Prizes fectionately known Elizabeth Todd’s The Rockefeller Center Bowling in Bellmore, was Thomas Smith present output of League came to the end of its third and graduated from 3,000 words a day final period of the season last month with high school in his home town. Then and a five-times-a- the NBC Teams Number 1 and 2 placing he went to Scotland, the land of his fore- week script serial fifth and sixth for the season, respectfully. fathers, to complete his studies. Returning are a far cry from In the third period, NBC Team Number to the United States, he went to work for her (and NBC’s) 1 placed third and Team Number 2 the Long Island Express Company. His modest beginnings placed ninth. next job was with the Skinner and Cook at 711 Fifth Ave- Cash prizes were awarded for high Elizabeth Todd Construction Company, the builders of nue. Almost before scores during the third series, and WEAF. Work on the transmitter opened the ink was dry on her N. Y. U. di- NBCites garnered a goodly share of the new horizons to him and in the Spring of ploma, she joined the three other typists awards. The NBC Team Number 1 took 1928, he joined the staff of the station he of which NBC boasted in May of 1928. third prize for the series; Team Number had helped to build. Possibly inspired by the scripts of 2 took the high-game award; Alexander . He and Mrs. Smith live in a comfort- others which she had to type, but prob- D. Nicol won second prize for individual able home on the Jones Beach inlet water- ably because she had a natural flair for game score, and also the third prize for way at Freeport, Long Island. Tom fol- scriptwriting. Miss Todd soon was typing individual season record. lows the trend of his sea-faring ancestors her own radio plays. She called her first The NBC Team Number 1 was com- in and spends his spare time sailing his program Margie, the Steno and it was one posed of George 0. Milne; Eastern Divi- boat. Ashore he works in his garden, which of the earliest dramatic programs known sion Engineer, captain; Frank R. Heit- is said by many to be a showplace of Long to radio. mann, Building Maintenance; Joseph D’- Island’s South Shore. Soon she was writing all sorts of dra- Agostino, Engineering ; Alexander D. Nicol matic shows. Among the more noted are Accounting; Magnus Opsal, Engineering; John Penaz her adaptations of A. A. Milne’s Winnie, Russel E. Humfreys, Accounting; Peter Gallant, Engineering, and William John Penaz was the Pooh and Fannie Kilbourne’s Dot and J. J. Will Kelly, Engineering. born on September and her own Sue Blake. At present her serial. Mother-in-Law, The players on the Team Number 2 3, 1900, in Racine, keeps her busy. Her thesis is to discredit captained by Operating Engineer George Wisconsin. He be- the unpleasant conception of the mother- McElrath, were Elmore B. Lyford, Traffic; came interested in Albert W. Protzman, Engineering; R. wireless during in-law popularized by the comic strips. J. In private life she is Mrs. Lewis Kagel. Teichner, Treasurer’s Office; Raymond F. 1917. The owner of Mr. Kagel is in the advertising field. They Guy, Engineering; Dwight G. Wallace, a rotary spark have a two-year old son, Colin. Personnel; Louis A. Zangaro, Telegraph; gap, crystal detec- John Penaz Jarrett L. Hathaway, Engineering; H. tor, and other nec- George Greavi Brockman. General Service; B. F. Mc- essary equipment, he was all set to are likely You Clancy, Traffic; J. S. La Touche, Tele- operate when war was declared and all to meet George graph, and C. A. Snell, Engineering. amateur stations were shut down by the Greaves, dark and government. handsome young While working aS a messenger for field supervisor in Hollywood studios, on the RKO lot. the Postal Telegraph Company, he per- San Francisco, any- He handled Amos ’n Andy’s first Holly- fected himself in dots and dashes and soon where that things wood broadcasts, sailed to Honolulu secured a job as a full fledged telegrapher. are happening— in on the Shell Happytime cruise to He worked at this trade until 1920 when he an army plane, on handle the first schedule broadcasts from

enlisted with the U. S. Army Signal Corps a bridge which is a ship at sea, flew in the Macon, and and was sent to Alaska, where for two and being dedicated, on a destroyer during journeyed to Sun Valley, Boulder Dam a half years he acted as radio operator and fleet maneouvers or at a ski jump — it’s and other remote spots. Biggest assign- engineer at Fairbanks, Tanana and Nul- all part of the daily job to George. ment to date he believes is the San Fran-

ato. From Alaska he was transferred to May 7, 1928, which is the day he joined cisco-Oakland Bay Bridge opening when serve on a cable ship and to act as cable the NBC engineering staff in San Fran- seven pick-up points had to be kept open operator in the Seattle office of the U. S. cisco, was his birthday, and evidently the all the time. Army. stars conjoined to wish him an active, suc- Happily married, and finds time to He received an honorable discharge cessful career in radio. photograph his pretty wife and little Syl- from the Army on April 28, 1923. From One of George’s first field assignments via Joyce Greaves, three, from unusual this time on he worked as a telegrapher was the installation of NBC’s first angles. MAY, 1938 19 KNOW YOUR COMPANY

No. 14 Artists Service Department — Part I

It’s an old, old They even had a fellow barge in their sion,” said Mr. Engles, “is finding some- story. offices one day who attempted to sell them one different. There are too many per- At some time or exclusive broadcasting rights to a revolu- formers who sound too much like some another, you’ve tion he was planning to start in South star already big in the business. What heard a singer, America! we want is novelty — something new to and someone near Last year, out of 1,987 auditions, only offer.” you has made the three singers and one team made the Invariably, when a program or per- remark: “Why, I grade. The ones chosen for stardom were former makes good. Artists Service has can do better than Thomas L. Thomas, George Griffin, Jean a flock of imitators knocking at its doors. Ellington and Lucille and Lanny. You’ve Last year, when Minnie, the singing mouse, Georce Engles that!” It’s nothing new. heard them on the air many times because was a radio sensation, people flocked to They’ve said the same thing about jug- the Artists Service is in the process of them with talking parrots, singing cats— glers, trapeze artists, magicians, actors, building them up. even a talking dog. The dog’s master opera stars, comedians— practically every- Thomas L. Thomas got his audition turned out to be a ventriloquist, and the one who has ever faced an audience. through the mail: he was a member dog was strangely silent when he wasn’t The difference is this: The professional of a large chorus on a commercial show. around. has created a demand for his talents. Cre- George Griffin is an example of how an Nowadays, with Charlie McCarthy top- ating a demand for talent is the job of artist can fail to pass an audition and still ping the radio polls, they’re besieged with Artists Service, a department of the Na- be picked up later and given another try. dummy acts. Runner-up is the “Quiz” tional Broadcasting Company. The organi- Mr. Smith happened to visit the Little program. Practically every one and his zation, which is the largest of its kind Church Around The Corner one day and brother has submitted a “sensational” in America, sells $7,000,000 worth of tal- heard him sing. He gave him an audition, idea for this type of show. Then, too, ent every year to more than 5,500 talent even after finding out that another mem- they’ve been bombarded with 57 varieties buyers throughout the country. ber of Artists Service had turned him of the “sidewalk interview” type of Head of Artists Service, and an NBC down a year before. broadcast. vice president, is George Engles. He is Jean Ellington got her chance after Of course, it’s easy to detect an imita- ably assisted by Daniel S. Tuthill in his making good on the Air Breaks program. tion. Finding something new — and get- job of managing Artists Service. Together, Lucille and Lanny had already established ting a sponsor to buy it — is something they head a staff that handles more than themselves on WNEW before they were else again. Gertrude Berg’s “The Rise of 350 artists, ranging from Kirsten Flag- taken under the Artists Service wing. the Goldbergs” is an outstanding example stad, who was sold to pictures last year at “The difficult job of the Audition Divi- of this. Sponsors were convinced that a the highest sum ever paid a single per- ( Continued on Next Page) former, to Dunninger, the “Mentalist,” who will read your mind or expose a spiritualist for you, at the drop of a coin. The Artists Service, as Mr. Engles ex-

plains it, is like a huge department store. “Just as a store manager displays his wares on the counter, we try to display our wares,” Mr. Engles says. “The only difference is that we make use of radio as a sales counter and show window.” “But like every other salesman,” he goes on, “we must get our merchandise somewhere. And our products must always be fresh and new. So, to help us find these people we have our Audition Division.”

This division is headed by Robert E. Smith. Usually, the people that come to him have had some sort of professional

experience. However, if your cousin Bertie from Buffalo thinks he has talent and

wants an audition, tell him to put it in

writing and drop it in the mail. Tell him not to do as some people who call up Artists Service long distance and sing NBC Artists Service receives more than 4,000 requests for auditions every year. Out of these, over the telephone — that’s been tried. more than 2.000 are actually heard. It is sometimes possible for NBC’s 1134 New York employees And tell him not to stand in the street, to listen in, for often an auditioner’s voice is transmitted, to loudspeakers in every part of the building. Seated in the control room listening to the as one woman did, and sing so loudly audition above are, left to right. Daniel Tuthill, Assistant Managing Director of Artists Service, and Robert Smith, head of Music that everyone can hear him. NBC Artists Auditions. One of Mr. Smith’s assistants. Philip Jeffreys, stands behind him while his other Service is calloused to stunts and ruses. assistant, John Collins, remains in the studio to instruct the singer. 20 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC WASHINGTON KNOW YOUR COMPANY EXCHANGE CORNER by Marian P. Gale ( Continued, from Page 19) This classified ad section is available, Jewish dialect program was not general Animal Expert free of charge, to all NBC employes. enough in its appeal for radio. They felt Lee Everett is fast gaining the title of Rules: forty -five word limit; no regular it might offend too many people — Jews “bring’em back alive.” Lee recently did business or professional service may be and non Jews — and would appeal only to an interview with two dachshunds in con- advertised. Address ads to NBC Trans- a limited Metropolitan audience. It took nection with National Capital Kennel mitter, Room 284, RCA Building, New more than seven years to overcome that Week; and now he has been assigned to York. belief. Today, it is one of the most suc- conduct the Washington end of NBC’s cessful shows on the air, and has com- parrot contest. FOR SALE—Kodak No. 116 in excellent con- manded a radio following second only to Armed with a copious memo from the dition F. 6.3 lens. Also leather case. Barbara Amos ’n Andy. New York News and Special Events Divi- Buck, N. Y. Sales, Ext. 735. Edward MacHugh, “The Gospel Singer,” sion to the effect that the “vernal season is is at hand” and parrots another example. This singer of hymns once more can FOR SALE—1937 Pontiac, two-door touring was on the air 13 years before he got his venture out of doors, Lee is urging all sedan, de luxe model. Complete accessories. commercial. Said sponsors: “You can’t Washington to bring its parrots down so Excellent condition. Run only 7,000 miles. Beautiful black finish with red trimming. mix religion with sales.” However, after he can check their vocabulary. The Wash- Worth $1086 new; will sell for $700; terms five years of vigorous promotion. ington end is part of a contest to be broad- Artists or cash. Apply to the NBC Transmitter. Service sold him to Proctor & Gamble, cast over the network near the middle of makers of Ivory Soap. His success for that May. WANTED—Used roadster or convertible sponsor has made radio history, and his Day Off for Wedding coupe, preferably a Ford. Must be in good fan mail has run as high as 2,000 letters running condition and must not cost over a week. John Hogan of Engineering doesn’t be- $100. Vintage negligible. Write or call NBC Late in 1935, an unknown singer from lieve in asking for too much. Recently Transmitter. Interested party is in NBC Phil- adelphia. New Orleans was signed by Artists Ser- John called A. E. Johnson, engineer in vice. They felt that she had what most charge, and asked for an extra day off. radio singers lacked — the appeal of a Johnson asked why. “Well,” said John, FOR SALE—Remington rifle, 38 calibre, re- lovely voice combined with beauty and a “it’s this way. I don’t want to inconvenience peater. In excellent condition. Edna Turner, N. Y. Music Division, Room 293, glamorous personality. Most sponsors, you but I’m going to be married and I’d Ext. 439. however, felt differently. They turned deaf like awfully much to get an extra day off ears on her. Today, after a persistent —if it’s possible, of course,” John added WANTED Girl’s bicycle. Call or write the and determined sales job on the part of . . . He got it. — Transmitter. Artists Service, she is rated as one of Safety First radio’s and Hollywood’s most promising stars. Advertisers vie for the honor of WMAL is laying claim to one of the YACHT CLUB—Would you like to organize a yacht club? Call or write F. Tilden having this lovely and popular lady en- most unique special event broadcasts of Brown, N. Y. Sound Effects, Ext. 366. dorse their products. Her name?—Dorothy the year. Cooperating with the House of Lamour. Representatives’ district sub-committee on

Jean Dickenson is still another example. traffic safety, microphones were set up in WANTED—Used Johnson or Evinrude outboard motor, This talented soprano from Denver’s La- the Emergency Room of Emergency Hos- 4 or 5 horsepower. Herman M. Gurin, Room 1052, N. Y. Ext. 711. monte School of Music was discovered by pital. Broadcast included an actual de- George Engles in 1935. He felt that she scription of an injured traffic victim being had tremendous possibilities — but it took treated, a tour of the emergency room, Notes: interviews with nurses and internes, and him three years to prove it. You can hear Ed Rogers baritoning for Mary Mason her now on the popular American Album a warning for drivers from a policeman. on her Home Forum program .. . Mary The broadcast was arranged and proof Familiar Music program. Mason and Gordon Hittenmark describ- duced in conjunction with the District of —John H. Baxter, Artists Service ing the Washington Easter parade along Columbia Medical Society. The broadcast Connecticut Avenue . . . Bryson Rash and is thought to be the first of its kind in the Bill Coyle with an Easter vacation from Ed. How is a demand created for history of Washington. the law tomes .. . Announcer Jack Roney programs and stars? W'hat is

exhibiting his collection of photos . . . Do- the story behind the successful For Unemployed Only rian St. George waking up the other morn- radio shows you hear on the air

A unique effort to obtain work for ing without a voice . . . Dorian’s today? The Transmitter fellow Washington’s unemployed is being used announcers helped him out by telling of brings you the answer in a by Gordon Hittenmark on his Timekeeper their experiences with people who have future issue. program. Hittenmark has arranged with lost their voices for months at a time. Y YY the District of Columbia Unemployment Rudy Coldenstroth, auditor, has found FREE PASSES — Good for one day’s Center to send persons from the Center’s it doesnt pay to procrastinate in case of visit and use of facilities at Y.M.C.A.’s in rolls to the NBC studios for interviews. jury duty .. . Coldenstroth has been sub- Brooklyn and Queens. Also available is By explaining their qualifications to pro- poened to serve on five occasions and full information on permanent residence spective employers, it is hoped positions each time he has been released . . . Only and membership rates for NBC Employes. will be obtained for the persons inter- Houdini could get Coldenstroth off this

Apply to the New York NBC Personnel viewed. At the end of the first week Hit- time . .. It’s grand jury duty and the NBC Office, Room 308. tenmark had placed five persons in jobs. auditor has been appointed “foreman.” NBC TRANSMITTER

VOL. 4 I UNE, 1 9 3 8 NO. 6

PRESS VIEWS PROGRESS NBC Receives Awards For NBC AND WESTINGHOUSE MADE IN TELEVISION Educational Features OPEN NEW MODERN Educational features presented by NBC Recent developments in the RCA-NBC STUDIOS were honored signally last month when FOR KYW all-electronic television system were re- five out of nine possible first awards were On the afternoon of May 20, while a vealed to members of the press on May 17 made to NBC programs by the Ninth squadron of Navy planes droned overhead in demonstrations by NBC at Radio City. Annual Institute for Education by Radio in tribute, KYW’s new modernistic stu- The demonstrations were designed to at the final meeting of the Institute at dios in the heart of Philadelphia were show the progress made in technical and Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. In officially dedicated as ex-Senator Pepper program development during the seven addition to the five principal awards, rep- of Pennsylvania opened the main door months elapsed since the system was last resenting the greatest number awarded to with a gold key flown by air mail from shown to the press. any station or network, honorable men- KGU, Honolulu, NBC's most distant While no startling innovations have tions also were given two NBC educa- station. been introduced in the RCA system dur- tional programs. This was the signal for a three-day ing the last year, steady advances have Nine programs were entered by NBC celebration which terminated in a ban- been made toward technical perfection of in the Second American Exhibition of quet held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Out- the medium. David Sarnoff, president of Recordings of Educational Radio Pro- standing feature of the banquet, which RCA, in reviewing results of two years of grams, a competition established by the was attended by NBC officials from New experimentation and research in elec- Institute for the purpose of encouraging York, KYW and Westinghouse employes tronic television, said, “Our experiments the broadcasting of educational programs and leaders of Philadelphia’s business with television in the past 18 months have by calling attention to the “most meri- and social world, was the presentation of improved the system by increasing its torious ones of each type.” a large American flag to KYW' by the capabilities and efficiency, thus enabling The winning NBC programs included. Betsy Ross Association of Philadelphia. it to move closer to the inauguration of a Science in the News produced by the Uni- The presentation was made by William television service for the American home.” versity Broadcasting Council, Story Be- A. Carr, president of the Association and NBC’s activities in television at the hind the Headlines, produced by the accepted in behalf of NBC, by A. H. Mor present time are still strictly experimen- American Historical Association and ton, manager of NBC managed and oper- tal. Since 1936 field-test transmissions NBC. NBC Home Symphony, produced ated stations. The ceremony was broad- have been undertaken periodically by by NBC under the direction of Ernest La cast over a coast-to-coast hook-up of the RCA and NBC, under the direction of R. Prade, America's Town Meeting of the NBC-RED Network. R. Beal, RCA research director, and O. B. Air, produced by Town Hall, Inc., and One of the highlights of the celebra- Hanson, NBC vice-president and chief NBC, Your Health, produced by the tion was a race by three convoys of carrier engineer. American Medical Association and NBC. pigeons on Saturday, May 21. Released The demonstration, arranged by C. W. Honorable mentions were awarded to by U. S. Signal Corps officers, one group Farrier, NBC television coordinator, and the University of Chicago Round Table, sped to NBC President Lenox R. Lohr in consisting of a dramatic production drawn produced by the University Broadcasting Radio City, a second to Frank McNinch, from one of the regular evening programs, Council, The World Is Yours, produced Chairman of the Federal Communications was broadcast over Station W2XBS, in by the U. S. Office of Education. Commission in Washington, D.C., and the Empire State tower. The drama. The the third to the Seaboard Homing Club Mysterious Mummy Case, was adapted AMATEUR DRAMA at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. from a Tom Terris adventure script by GROUP The new NBC studios are a striking Thomas H. Hutchinson, television pro- FORMED BY EMPLOYES example of what engineering and radio gram director. Its presentation required The curtain soon will rise on another science have made possible in the past few three studios and four distinct techniques enterprise of the NBC employes in Radio years. Technicians and specialists from to portray the misfortunes attendant upon City. This time the curtain will rise liter- Westinghouse RCA and NBC and others the purchase in Egypt of an ancient mum- ally, because the enterprise is an amateur contributed equipment especially demy case. The main action took place in theatrical production to be produced, di- signed to meet the needs of broadcasting Studio 3H where the actors were located, rected and acted by members of the New in the Philadelphia area. In various de- but auxiliary media in the form of slides, \ ork staff. The play, June Moon, a Broad- tails of design and construction they sur- motion pictures and special television ef- way hit written by Ring Lardner and pass NBC’s famous Radio City studios, fects were contributed from two other George S. Kaufman, will be the first at- built only five years ago. studios. tempt of the group which shall be known The building contains seven Five studios sets were used in the live talent as The Stagecrafters. occupying four floors and is first studio by the on a cast of nine players. Slides The opening night, which will probably record to have a studio in the basement. and motion pictures were scanned in an- take place in one of the large studios in This sub-surface studio is built along the other studio, two floors above, and all the Radio City, has not yet been announced. lines of a theatre and seats 225 people. effects, constructed and operated by En- However, the play is now being cast and The two top floors are reserved for future gineer Bill Eddy and his staff, were tele- the rehearsals are expected to begin this television activities, for which the station vised in a special studio nearby. More month. is admirably located, (Continued being close to the on Page 13) (Continued on Page 13) (Continued on Page 13) 2 NBC TRANSMITTER

WELL-KNOWN WRITER PAGES' AND GUIDES' SHOW JOINS NBC SCRIPT STAFF NETS 3,000 LETTERS

Ernest Boyd, More than 3,000 audience cards, letters well-known writer and telegrams were received by the mem- and editor, has bers of the Guest Relations staff in New joined NBC as York who took part in the Brass Buttons scriptwriter. Al- Revue of 1938, Saturday afternoon, May Double Mystery. The sudden appear- though he has had 7. The letters were received in response ance of an unexplained and unexpected no previous radio to a request made during the show, which hairy arm in a close-up scene of a recent experience, Mr. was broadcast over a coast-to-coast Red television production, The Mysterious Boyd comes to us Network hook-up. Listeners were asked to Mummy Case, intensified the mystery of Ernest Boyd with a rich back- vote for their favorite performer. the show for representatives of the press ground in litera- who were viewing the demonstration and The fan mail combined with the votes ture and a speaking knowledge of a dozen of three judges to added two wrinkles to Director Tom NBC was used de- languages. He also has had years of ex- Hutchinson’s already furrowed brow. termine the best performance in the show. service. perience in the British foreign He The result was a tie between two tenors — It seems that during the shooting of a is an associated member of the Irish Paul Owen who sang Beautiful Dreams mechanized television effect scene in which Academy of Letters and was editor of the by Bill Paisley of the Divi- a book should tip and knock down a bot- NBC Music American Spectator in 1932. sion, and Richard Barron who sang One tle, out of which is spilled a liquid which Born in Dublin, of Scotch-Irish parents Song from the picture, hite produces poisonous fumes, the bottle Snow W and with a “smattering of Spanish,” he re- the Seven merely leaned. Impulsively, the mysterious Dwarfs. As prizes for their ceived his early education from a French performances, Page and Guide arm appeared and knocked the bottle Owen tutor who taught him French literature Barron will down. get a week’s vacation with thoroughly, particularly Moliere and Ra- pay in addition to their regular vacations Through careful roving, this writer found cine. At sixteen he continued his educa- from the Company. The prizes were given the owner of the hairy arm. It was in the tion at continental schools where he by Charles H. Thurman, manager of the television effects studio where it was busily learned Spanish, Italian, German and Guest Relations. The judges were Joyce carving a miniature battleship out of modern Greek. Harris, assistant personnel manager; Wil- wood — another television effect. The arm At twenty-three, he became a member liam S. Rainey, manager of the Produc- belongs to none other than, “The Show of the editorial staff of the Irish Times in tion Division, and E. P. H. James, manager Must Go On” Walter O’Hara who is an Dublin and contributed articles both on of the Sales Promotion Division. assistant to Engineer Bill Eddy, in charge political subjects and on the Irish theatre The Revue, consisting of constructing and operating the mechan- mostly of musi- to London papers. cal talent and emceed by North Carolinian ized effects for NBC television productions, Having studied abroad for the British Joe Allen of the guide staff, received fa- v r 1 consular service, he entered the service in vorable notices from listeners and the 1913, and came to America as British Baritone Webb Tilton, whose rendition

( Continued on Vice-Consul in Baltimore, Maryland. He of The Marching Song from Naughty Page 11) continued in the consular service until Marietta on the Brass Buttons Revue early 1920, serving also in Barcelona, Spain, last month brought him many plaudits, and Copenhagen, Denmark. When he was kept marching on till he copped the top ent autograph book. A member of the in Baltimore, he made the friendship of honors at the finals of an amateur contest supporting cast for THE star, whose, sig- Henry L. Mencken, editor of the American for young singers at the opening of the nature Mr. Nelson was waiting to capture, Mercury, and whose biography (H. L. Japanese Garden at the Ritz Carlton on suddenly missed his spectacles. The actor

Mencken ) he wrote, years later. May 24. Webb’s prize will be a radio au- was frantic. He couldn’t read his lines

In 1920, Mr. Boyd resigned from politi- dition for the J. Walter Thompson adver- without them.

cal service and returned to America to tising agency. Had he witnessed the incident, it would stay. Bill Gordon, who attracted the atten- have warmed the cockles of Dan Beard’s From 1920 to 1922 he wrote editorials tion of a movie talent scout during the heart, to see Mr. Nelson calmly take his on foreign politics for the New York Eve- pages’ and guides’ show in Studio 8G, is glasses off and save the situation with, ning Post. He also contributed to the now being groomed for a Paramount “Here, son, try these.” The show went on Literary Review. Subsequently he served screen test. A tall athletic Apollo, Bill has without a hitch and our hero got his as a reader and adviser on foreign litera- a well-trained baritone voice. glasses back, plus the coveted signature. ture for the publishing house of Alfred Did you notice that Friday, May 13th, * r 1 A. Knopf, read plays for the Theatre was also pay day .. . Guide and Appren- Guild and acted as literary editor of the tice Announcer Roderick Mitchell says More about Brass Buttons Revue stars.

New Freeman. it was a lucky day for him . . . Chief An- Guide Frank Egan sang at the recent N. Mr. Boyd is the author of several books, nouncer Pat Kelly assigned him to his 0. M. A. (National Office Management among them being Contemporary Drama first network show on that Friday, the 13th Association) banquet — got paid for the

of Ireland, Studies in Ten Literatures and ... And Vice President John F. Royal, act! Page Dwane Stewart, composer and Guy de Maupassant. In addition, he has returning from his vacation in Europe, arranger de luxe, shared the fee. He written many translations, criticisms and landed safely in New York on that same played the piano accompaniment. magazine articles. day. The latest accomplishment by one of Referring to his air-conditioned office i i i the Guest Relations stars was Tenor Paul in NBC. Mr. Boyd remarked, “As a writer Nelson’s Good Deed. A recent Rudy Owen’s recent guest-spot on Larry Clin- I think NBC has done a great humani- Vallee broadcast found George M. Nelson ton’s RCA-Victor program from Glen Is- tarian act by furnishing conditioned air.” (Personnel) backstage with his ever-pres- land Casino. It was heard over WJZ. JUNE, 1938 3 NBC CHICAGO by Rudi Neubauer

Horses Horses Horses Sweet Revenge Marge Kerr of the Press Department By whipping the Merchandise Mart returned to the office with a stiff back Bank, 12 to 5, the NBC Chicago baseball after her first horseback ride. She says team gained a measure of revenge for the she asked for a sway-back and they gave two bowling defeats suffered by NBCites her a camel. during the winter. Every member of the iii team got at least one hit, with Neihengen Bill Rosee is planning a week-end trek getting three and Kasper two. Bolas’ one via horseback. He’ll carry a blanket, a hit was a homer with two on. The team mosquito net and a side of bacon. The lined up as follows: horse carries Bill. Bolas (Sales Promotion) ss Flowers (Service) ss Coming and Going Stedman (General Office) 2b W. J. McEdwards, Sales Promotion, re- Neihengen (Credit) cf turned to work from his vacation in Mex- Soule (Reception) lb ico, bitterly complaining about the greasy Kasper (Reception) If food. He has not committed himself about Millen (Reception) c the tequilla and the pulque. Neubauer (Cashier) p Whipple (Reception) 3b i i i Two NBC executives pose beneath an“N.B.C.” Traffic) rf A. R. Johnson, station engineer at the Heilman (Program sign during a recent trip to Nassau. But the WENR transmitter, sailed with his wife sign does not refer to the National Broad- casting Company. It advertises the Nassau and youngster from New York, May 28, NBC Navy News Bicycle Company. The picture shows Niles the Gripsholm, headed for Stromfors, Brown Barry, announ- on Bob and Norman Trammell (left), vice president in charge of Sweden, for a visit with relatives. His cers, recently set out to sail Bob’s new boat the NBC Central Division, and Ken Carpenter, itinerary includes visits to Norway and from Milwaukee to Chicago, over the sales manager of NBC Central Division. Pic- ture was taken by E. Flint Swift of Chicago Denmark Johnson returns to his job week-end. The sailors stood out from who was also vacationing in the Bahamas. August 1. Milwaukee with a fresh favoring breeze. i i i A little later the wind continued to shift Niles Trammell, vice president in and, according to Bob, “Boxed the com- the winner. Rife, Field charge of the NBC Central Division ac- pass in the space of two hours.” After 12 had M. W. Supervisor, returned safely companied Lenox R. Lohr, president, on hours of bouncing around they reached Engineering his holiday. passed the latter’s recent trip to Texas to partici- Kenosha. Wisconsin. Putting in the har- from Cuban He cigarettes that were pate in the ceremonies marking the affili- bor, they moored the shiny new craft and around some Cuban ation of Station KGKO, Fort Worth, decided to continue the Odyssey some knockouts. with NBC. other week-end. iii iii M. W. Wetzel, Transcription Manager, has returned from his southwestern trip Your correspondent plans to be on the Fort Pearson, announcer, caine to work after piling up a mileage total of 8200 high seas, en route to Havana, when you last week in his new cabin cruiser and miles. He called on 82 NBC affiliated sta- read this. He expects to return from his parked on the river in front of the Mart. tions and transcription subscribers. vacation in time to make the next issue She’s a beauty. of the Transmitter. i i A. W. (Sen) Kaney Crib Cries The stork delivered a second daughter is looking forward to lynches and dinners on to the Leonard (General Office) Ander- board his 31-foot cabin sons on April 30. cruiser during the hot iii weather. A boy, Edward Fenton, tipping the Here and There scales at seven and one-half pounds, was on 15. C. L. Menser, produc- born to the Ed Holms May The first child. tion manager, flew Con- newcomer is Engineer Holm’s tinuity Writer Bill Hod- dap and Continuity Edi- Such is Fame tor Ken Robinson to Jack Reese of the mail and messenger Churchill Downs to see staff has been handling other people’s fan the Kentucky Derby. mail for many, many months. Now he

Other Chicagoans who knows how it feels to receive fan mail. Re- saw the race were Paul cently his picture was published in Radio McCluer, assistant sales Guide as part of the illustration for the manager, and Evelyn NBC announcers’ school and he received

Partridge, Mr. Whalley’s two letters commenting on it. Both were Members of the reception staff in NBC Chicago in their new uni- secretary. Reports are from girl admirers — one in Milwaukee, forms. From left to right, they are Arthur Berg, Robert McGinnis, Paul Millen, Gordon Loff, Charles Whipple and Ray Snyder. that only Ken Robinson and the other in Indianapolis. 4 NBC TRANSMITTER

Miss Campp is from Campbell Hall, New ing with NBC two months, resigned from York. She is replacing Miss Lisa Lundin radio to accept a position as cub reporter NAMES IN who was appointed secretary to Wayne for the W ashington Evening Star (D.C.). THE NEWS Randall, directoriiiof publicity, in April. ill John F. Graham, former newspaper- Donna Adams of Warren, Ohio, and man, has joined the Press Division as a a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, writer. He comes to NBC from the New in the class of 1936, is a new member of NEW YORK York Sun where he was a rewrite man. the stenographic staff. She did secretarial Before the Sun, he was with the N. Y. work for the Republic Steel Corporation Promotions Daily Mirror for a year as a reporter. in Ohio before coming to New York. Raymond E. Feuerstein who has been A native New Yorker, Mr. Graham at- Miss Adams is interested in dramatics a member of the NBC school for an- tended New York University. Then he and is a member of the newly-formed NBC nouncers since last December was ap- took a post-graduate course in journal- theatre group. pointed to the announcing staff by Pat iii ism plus courses in speech and history at Kelly, supervisor of announcers, on June Wisconsin University. While at N. Y. U., James Smith, former cadet with the 2. He turned in his guide uniform and he made his only appearance before a U. S. Army Corps for eight months, is a assumed his new duties as an NBC an- radio microphone as a competitor in a new member of the NBC staff of porters. nouncer immediately after the appoint- collegiate speaking contest. He took first A native of Jewell, Kansas, Mr. Smith was ment. prize which, incidentally, was a book on formerly with the National Life Insurance Ray came to NBC in October, 1936, as public speaking. Company in Des Moines, Iowa, as cash- a messenger in the Mail Room from where Before going into the newspaper busi- ier, and more recently with the Holmes he was later transferred to the Guest ness, Mr. Graham spent a year as an Electric Patrol Co. Relations staff. ill actor for Educational Pictures in Astoria, He was born in Germany twenty-two Long Island. The nearest he got to fame The following are new members of years ago and came to this country with in movies, he says, was as a stand-in for the Mail and Messenger staff: his family in 1924. He speaks German as Ernest Truex and Joe Cook. Bruce B. Davidson, who attended Rut- fluently as he does English. He is a grad- iii gers and Antioch Colleges, is from Perth uate of Staunton Military Academy, Vir- Miss Mildred E. Sutton who has been Amboy, New Jersey. He says his only ex- ginia, where he was Cadet Major; and doing statistical work in the General perience in radio before coming to NBC he is now a second lieutenant in the Library since April is among those who was a single appearance before a WHIO, 312th Infantry. The year before he came have been engaged to work in the Statisti- Dayton, Ohio, microphone as a baritone to NBC he was in Europe studying lan- cal Division during the summer. A free- in an opera presented by the Antioch Glee guages in various countries. lance statistician and market research ex- Club. pert, Miss Sutton has worked for the Charles H. Newton, Jr., Harvard ’36. Columbia Broadcasting System and vari- Newcomers comes to Radio City with some experience ous publishing firms and advertising Miss Deirdre P. Campp, formerly sec- as a cub reporter on the Los Angeles Ex- agencies in New York. retary to the personnel director of Loft aminer. He is interested in production Inc., has joined NBC as secretary to our work. Mr. Newton is replacing Robert Transfers personnel manager, Dwight G. Wallace. Day, another Harvard man, who, after be- Miss Gerry Bicking, former secretary of Norman Morrell, assistant commercial program manager, is now secretary to Music Editor Walter Koons of Publicity. She replaces Edward N. Beck who has been transferred to the International Program Division. A graduate of Miami University, Ohio, and formerly associated with an engineering firm. Miss Bicking joined NBC in the Central Stenographic Section about a year ago. She speaks Spanish fluently and has traveled extensively in South and Central America as an interpreter aboard liners of the Grace Line. She also has some knowledge of French and German. Her avocation is musiciiiand she plays the piano. Miss Anna Louise Eberle has been transferred from Central Stenographic to the office of Pat Kelly, supervisor of announcers. iii Miss Jean Gerrard, formerly of the Members of the Guest Relations staff in Radio City who aired their talents on Brass Buttons the Music Division, is now secretary to Austen Revue of 1938 over a coast-to-coast network. May 7. Front, left to right: Richard Barron who Croom-Johnson, who was recently made tied with Paul Owen for the prize of a week off with pay; Frank Egan, Paul Owen. Pat O’Connor, an assistant to Tom Eldridge. Back: Wehh Tilton. Joe Allen, Robert Eastman, Norman Cloutier, NBC staff Sustaining Program Man- conductor, and Bill Gordon. (See story on page 2) ager Phillips Carlin. Mr. Croom-John- JUNE, 1938 5

son’s temporary office is in the studio sec- mitter reporter, against whom, Mr. Bax- Department. They are making their home tion, fourth floor. ter will be pleased to know, disciplinary at the Parc Vendome Hotel in New York Miss Gerrard who has been with NBC action has been taken by the Editorial City. iii secretary to Daniel in the Program Department about nine Board. Miss Ada Mullen, of Artists years was, at one time, secretary to Roy S. Tut hill, business manager desk, follow- Shield. NBC musical director in Chicago. Reunion Service, has returned to her appendectomy early last month. Members of the Production Division ing an iii Engagements gave a party for their friends and families Alvin Foster, who left the Company on May 6. It was held in the spacious Relations Burton M. Adams of Station to work in the Greenwich Village apartment of Director last October, has returned Pub- and Miss Ramona Jean Flagg of the this summer. He did Thomas Riley. Among the seventy-odd Statistical Division Rockefeller lic Relations Department of free-lance work as a statistician for vari- guests at the get-together were many ex- Center Inc., became engaged last month. the interim. members of the Production Division who ous firms during Both are from Springfield, Massachusetts, are now in other departments or with iii but they never met until they came Jo head of Gen- other companies. Some of the “alumni” Miss F rances Sprague, the Radio City. The engagement was an- severe present were: eral Library, is convalescing from a nounced by Miss Flagg’s parents in Frank Chase of Chase and Ludlam, head injury caused by a fall from a Springfield. The wedding date has not in Closter. radio writers and producers; Arthur Daly, horse. The accident happened been announced. rides of the free-lance director; Alberta Hackett, Pro- New Jersey, during one of the gram Department; Helen Hedeman and NBC riding group. Miss Sprague fell when her horse stumbled while going up Marriages her new boss. Thomas H. Hutchinson, tele- trail. is expected to Miss Martha R. Howard of the Sales vision program director; Austin Croom- a steep rocky She Department and Edward M. Lowell, man- Johnson, assistant to Sustaining Program return soon. ager of the Office Services Division, are Manager Phillips Carlin; Kenneth Mac- being married on June 10. The wedding, Gregor, of the radio department at Ben- Miscellaneous which will take place in the home of the ton and Bowles; Polly Polzin, of Lord George Brengel, who distinguished bride’s parents in Jersey City, New Jersey, and Thomas; Soundman John Powers, himself as an announcer on the Brass will be a small informal affair attended Betty Quinn, who is now secretary to the Buttons Revue last month, was the lucky only by the families and intimate friends president of the Schick Razor Co.; and guide chosen to take part in a recent Rush of the bride and groom. Gregory Williamson, head of the radio de- Hughes broadcast which took listeners on They are going to Florida on their partment of Pedlar and Ryan. a microphonic tour of the NBC studios in honeymoon and will make their home at Radio City. George, a former actor in East Rockaway, Long Island, when they Returns college and various stock companies, is return. Miss Howard and Mr. Lowell are a student in Dan Russell’s announcing Mr. and Mrs. James Wood, Jr., have well known to many NBCites, both having school for employes. returned from their honeymoon trip to NBC been with the Company several years. the West Indies and South America. Mrs. iii Vice President Frank E. Mason, whose Wood is the former Miss Victoria Geiger duties as assistant to President in- Stork News who resigned from the Company shortly Lohr clude the supervision of NBC’s interna- Robert P. Myers, Legal Department, before her marriage on April 23. Mr. became the father of a boy, Wood is a member of the Engineering baby Robert ( Continued on Page 9) P. Jr., on May 8. It’s the Myers’ second child; the elderiiione is a girl. Ashton Dunn, of Guest Relations and the Personnel Office, passed around cigars on May 12 when Mrs. Dunn presented him with a baby girl weighing seven pounds and eleven ounces. That makes two for the Dunns — the other is a boy, aged two.

Resignations: Harold K. Haklik has resigned from the Central Stenographic Section in order to join his family in Hollywood, Califor- nia. He joined NBC in the Mail Room about a year ago.

Correction

John II. Baxter of the advertising and publicity staff of Artists Service says that the Transmitter erred in the Stork News column last month. His baby is not a girl Among the 72 entries at the R(.A Invitation Golf Tournament held on May 25 for executives of RCA and its subsidiaries were, —it’s a boy; and he weighed “only” 8 left to right, Charles A. Wall, NBC Treasurer's Office; Walter Roe of RCAC, C. W. Horn, NBC Director of Research and Development, and George pounds and 10 ounces when he was born McElrath, NBC Operating Engineer. Only NBC man to win a prize at the Tournament was Treasurer Mark —not 9 pounds as reported by the Trans- Woods who scored the greatest number of par holes. The Top Hatters Orchestra, with Jan Fingerprints of various NBC and Savitt directing, on the stage of Westinghouse officials were included KYW’s auditorium studio which has in the archives of Station KYW when a seating capacity of 225. Located in the documents were deposited in a the basement of the new seven-story vault as part of the inaugural cere- NBC building in Philadelphia, this monies of the new NBC-KYW build- studio is the first sub-surface theatre ing. Pictured, left to right, are A. H. built especially for broadcasting. In Morton, manager of NBC managed size and design it resembles Studio and operated stations; A. B. Leckie 8G in Radio City. (G-Man), head of the Philadelphia office of the Federal Bureau of Investi- gation; George Wharton Pepper, Jr., son of ex-Senator Pepper and archi- Right. The Master Control Room of tect of the new building, and Leslie the KYW studios W. Joy, manager of KYW.

THE KYW STAFF. Front row, sitting and kneeling on the floor: sales manager; James A. Aull, director of publicity; Joseph F. M. Howard Cook, Irving Leschner, Gabriel Galinas, George White, Carl Proulx. auditor and office manager; Daniel C. Parks. Bubeck, Buddy Kearns, Harry Roberts, John Warrington, Charles Standing, first row: Arthur Hinett, Leroy Miller, Emma May Lyle, Jensen, Nathan Snader, Martin Gabowitz, J. C. Hanson, Joseph Ethel Korn, Helen Pearse, Evelyn Dewees, Kathryn Ullman, Esther Druian, Maury Evens. Cravens, Betty Dickert, Marie Dixon, Janet Millman, Anna Anderson, Second row, sitting: Burton Lambert, Jan Savitt, music director; Agnes McCabe, Gordon Heyworth, John Thorpe, Robert Cottingham. Lambert Beeuwkes, sales promotion manager; James P. Begley, pro- Standing, back row: James Schultz, Wm. Collins, James Harvey, gram manager; Leslie W. Joy, general manager; J. S. K. Hammann, Audrey Mills, Daniel Munster, Betty Parker, Mary Wilcox, William Lang, A. M. Watton, Harry Wood. .

JUNE, 1938 7 NBC WASHINGTON KDKA PITTSBURGH By Marian P. Gale by Kay Barr Philanthropy One of Gordon Hittenmark’s philan- Replacements thropic ambitions is nearing reality these Three of four recent additions to the days — namely, to build a summer rec- staff are chargeable to that mis- KDKA reation camp for the young members of chievous marksman, Dan Cupid. the District’s Police Boys Club. Lorraine Scott became secretary to Joe "WRCTimekeeper” Hittenmark brought Baudino, chief engineer, replacing Sara his drive to raise $5,000 for such a build- Boyd resigned to married. who get ing to a successful close recently. The secretary to Ann Kendlehart became climax of his campaign, “The Dance of Business Manager Dave in Dickson place the States” held at the Willard Hotel, of Mildred Reuter, who married Paul was not only one of the biggest dance sen- Sloane, of the station engineers. 14. one May sations ever held in the District, but was And Mary Kenney took over secretarial an even greater financial success than In the KDKA News Room, Kay Barr, manager duties in the Press Department as the re- was expected. of the station’s publicity department, is shown sult of Gertrude Schaming’s marriage. have using the special equipment with which news Complete returns from the dance Francis Fitzsimmons, “Fitz,” joined bulletins from the teletype machines can be not yet been received but it is estimated as the result of a KDKA re-arrangement conveniently and rapidly broadcast, particu- that more than 3,000 people danced to in the Press Department. larly when it is necessary to interrupt a pro- continuous hot swing music by three or- gram on the air to broadcast an important chestras. event news flash. The was co-sponsored by "You Don't Say!" 20 State societies represented in the KDKA’s new Sunday evening program, would you say juress? District. Marie Gregoire, formerly secretary to Pronunciation Bee, conducted by An- “Admiral” Nelson when he was manager nouncer Dave Garroway, is based on a National Press Club book, Don’t — of KOA, visited her old boss at KDKA on “You Say! Or Do You?”, Several NBCites were guests of the May 21 on her way home from visits in of which he is co-author. Contenders in National Press Club at the newspaper- Montreal and New York. the Bee are selected from the studio audi- men’s annual barbecue party on May 21. ence. The winner gets a five dollar bill, 1 i i Inasmuch as it was a stag affair here’s a others get of the copies book. Marcella Campbell, of the Continuity first hand description of the shindig as Department, started the 1938 vacation reported by News Editor Bill McAndrew: Program Notes routine for KDKA with a motor trip to “In addition to the writer, NBCites pres- Detroit and Canada, visiting relatives. KDKA joined the other four broad- C. ent included Assistant Manager Carleton 0. Wyman, night supervisor on the West- casting stations in Pittsburgh, Tuesday Smith, Gordon Hittenmark, George Gunn, inghouse side of the house, is vacationing night, May 24, in a three-hour broadcast Engineer in Charge A. E. Johnson, Field in Chicago and Memphis. to raise funds for the Salvation Army. Supervisor Keith Williams and A. R. Mc- Just another co-operative activity with i i r Gonegal, engineer. Hittenmark who han- worthy movements. Maurice Spitalny and his KDKA or- dled a ‘beer mug’ transmitter became Officially, Johnny Shiliano is a sound chestra have blossomed out in new sum- very well acquainted with Governor Harry effects man. But he stepped out in a mer uniforms. Combination green and Nice of Maryland and Mayor LaGuardia Round-Up program the other night. He grey, coats double-breasted and shoes of New York, both of whom were present sang about 46 verses of The Martins and white. Very natty. . .. Assistant Manager Smith, handi- the Coys capped by a severe cold, insisted he and accompanied himself with i i i had sound effects. A one-man feud. a wonderful time ... Festivities included The Paul Sloanes are back from their a real old-fashioned barbecue prepared honeymoon. Paul is a KDKA engineer. KDKA Notes by an expert from Texas ... a baseball Mrs. Sloane is the former Miss Mildred game umpired by Gene Tunney . . . and KDKA and The Pittsburgh Press went Reuter, secretary to Dave Dickson, KDKA a ‘silver tongued oratory contest’ between to town in broadcasting the Pennsylvania business manager. Senator Tom Connally of Texas and Primary election returns Tuesday night, iir former Senator Jim Watson of Indiana . . May 17. Staff members were assigned to Announcer Bill Hinds and Francis The latter, presided over by Speaker of cover the headquarters of the numerous Fitzsimmons, Press, were guests of Esso the House Bankhead, was declared a draw candidates and to assist in the tabulation for a full day in New York on June 2. A but almost resulted in a loss for NBC as well as in announcing the results from special movie, luncheon, a boat ride, in- when both participants were delayed by the KDKA studio adjoining the editorial spection traffic of a big refinery, a television dem- a jam . . . During the afternoon department of the Press. onstration, a big broadcast and a tour of a parade of Kentucky Colonels was held Walter Horn, of Sales, who had charge the RCA Building and Radio City were but Colonels Smith and Hittenmark of all the political accounts during the some of the items that they took in that (they’re really colonels) were too busy campaign, was so frazzled when it was day. broadcasting to join the line of march.” over that Manager Nelson ordered him to ill take a five-day rest. You Here Librarian Betty Eisley had an enforced can win an Arqus Candid Camera or a and There copy oi the beautiful NBC Symphony Orchestra “vacation” Bryson Rash and Dorian St. George are of two weeks — jury duty. It book by sending pictures of NBC members at work or at play, the lucky was her first to the NBC Transmitter Photo announcers selected to represent experience as a juror — or Contest. ( Continued on Next Page ) 8 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC TRANSMITTER Published for and by the employes of the National Broadcasting Company from coast to coast.

VOL. 4 JUNE, 1938 No. 6

EDITORIAL BOARD DOM DAVIS Editor CARL CANNON Associate Editor RODERICK MITCHELL Staff Writer GEORGE OLENSLAGER Staff Writer CHARLES VAN BERGEN Photographs BILL EDDY Staff Artist

N. Y. CONTRIBUTORS

MORTON G. BASSETT Mail & Messenger JOHN C. CORBETT Legal MURDOCK T. PEMBERTON Guest Relations FRANK EGAN Guest Relations OTTO BRANDT Stolion Relations MARY T. KENNEDY Production ROBERT W. WEST Guest Relations

NBC WASHINGTON

( Continued from Page 7)

Station WRC as guests of Esso Marketers in New York, June 7th . . . Bill Crago, first of the announcers to take his summer vacation, has returned from Cleveland

. . . While mentioning first things first .. . NBC lost the annual golf tournament to the CBS boys out at Indian Springs Country Club for the first time in seven years . . . The losing team had no alibis except that someone said the opponents had a new man on their team.

Visiting Firemen There were several visiting firemen in the studios during May: Vice President Frank E. Mason, Sheldon B. Hickox, Sta- tion Relations; Vice President and Gen- eral Counsel A. L. Ashby; Announcer Ben Grauer; Clem McCarthy, who incidentally had a special police escort service to the studios following the Preakness in Balti- more; and President Lohr. We mention

Mr. Lohr last in order to elaborate a little on his trip. His visit to Washington to Proposed NBC Statue No. 3 and Citation Plaque. address the Chamber of Commerce meeting, May 4th, reminds many of us of an eventful evening. The girls in the office had planned a surprise house-warming THE FIELD ENGINEERS for Gladys Murphy, Vice President Rus- sell’s secretary, on the evening Mr. Lohr The Field Group — the bucolic offspring of the otherwise cosmopolitan radio arrived. The surprise party took place, industry, the exemplification of the pioneer spirit that exists in us all — bringing to hut it was on all of the girls. No sooner the airways anything submarine excursion to stratosphere had the echo of "surprise” died down than from a a flight. Mrs. Murphy herded and hustled every- With equipment ranging from pay stations to megaphones, this group Marco one off to the office to prepare Mr. Loin’s of speech for distribution to the press. Rose Polos — like the Mounties — always get their man — on the air. Ewell, receptionist, had the most pleasant And so to the Field Group we present this chiselled monolith stone de- surprise that evening .. . she had a hur- of field ried trip to New York to make sure the picting a typical “variable moo” transmitter in action. completed manuscript reached the New Y'ork Press Department safely. JUNE, 1938 9

NAMES IN THE NEWS WGY SCHENECTADY

by W. T. Meenam ( Continued from Page 5) tional short-wave operations, discussed Antenna Dedicated “International Short Wave Broadcasting WGY’s cloud-tickling —Radio’s New Frontier” at the Broadcast- antenna tower has been ing Day Luncheon of the Cleveland Cham- officially dedicated with ber of Commerce on May 17. speech, fireworks and bal- The luncheon was broadcast by local loons. Ceremonies were stations in Cleveland. Mr. Mason’s ad- arranged by General dress traced the history of short-wave Electric in cooperation broadcasting and its development into a with NBC. steadily increasing factor affecting inter- In the afternoon of national relations. He also explained how Saturday, May 7, 500 NBC is striving through short-wave radio gas-filled balloons were to cement international friendship, partic- released from the South ularly with our South American neighbors. Schenectady transmitter site. Two of the balloons F.mil Corwin, editor of the NBC News Photographed at the dedicatory ceremonies of WGY’s new carried prizes for their Service, spoke on radio drama before the 625-foot vertical antenna, left to right, Radcliffe Hall, an- finders, one to the lucky Massachusetts State College on May 27. nouncer; W. R. G. Baker, managing engineer of the G-E person locating the one radio department, and Kolin Hager, manager of the station Mr. Corwin is an alumnus of Massachu- farthest from the trans- for NBC. setts State College where he was a mem- mitter and the other to ber of the dramatic society. to them iii the captor of the balloon bearing a special pleted it was impossible convince yellow label. One of these balloons was re- that anything less than 25 balloons apiece Lewis Lane of Music Research was fea- turned two weeks later from Goderich, was enough. As a result, your correspon- tured as a pianist on the Music Is My Ontario, on the shore of Lake Huron, 540 dent, acting as chauffeur, was compelled Hobby series, Monday evening, May 23. airline miles from Schenectady. to drive home in a small sedan bulging A well-known concert pianist, Musicol- The dedication ceremonies were broad- with 75 inflated balloons and three de- ogist Lane played Mendelssohn’s Hunt- cast by WGY. Radcliffe Hall performed lighted youngsters. ing Song, Edward MacDo well’s To The as commentator and master of ceremonies Sea, and compositions by Bach and introducing two speakers, W. R. G. Baker, Kullak. Blue Prints and Golf managing engineer of General Electric’s i i 1 Willard “Bill” Purcell, chief engineer, radio department, and Kolin Hager, man- N. Ray Kelly, head of the Sound Ef- who has been spending twelve hours a ager of WGY for NBC. fects Development and Maintenance Di- day reading blue prints and wiring dia- vision, made a tour of inspection to vari- grams for the new studio building, has The Studios ous NBC managed and operated stations New been seeking relaxation weekends on the early last month. He returned to Radio The next big event at WGY will be golf course. Ever since George McElrath, City on May 16 after having gone as far the dedication of the station’s studio NBC operating engineer, took Bill to the west as Hollywood and San Francisco. building. Decorators are now getting in cleaners at the MacGregor links at Sara- iii their final licks and the studios, offices, toga, our Bill has been applying himself and spacious reception hall are all begin- to brassie, putter and niblick and now Charles W. Horn, director of research ning to blossom forth in colorful splendor. has his game down to where he is flirting and development, was elected president Landscaping is well underway and should with 99. of the New York Electrical Society at its be completed, with the installation of an annual meeting. May 20. Mr. Horn, who electric fountain, in time for the official has served as first vice-president of the Play Ball opening July 9. In another month WGY organization for the past year, succeeds Practically the entire male personnel should have a new Schenectady show- Arthur H. Kehoe, vice-president of the of the station, except for a skeleton oper- place to attract the vacation tourist. Edison of Consolidated Company New ating crew, enjoyed the first softball out- York. ing of the 1938 season on Wednesday, Triplets and Balloons iii May 11. Members of the Program, Engin- In connection with Bettina Steinke, who drew the charcoal the antenna dedi- eering. Sales and Accounting Depart- portraits in the cation of WGY, the triplet NBC Symphony book, has offspring of ments. augmented by artists, gathered at Raymond String, contributed several of her oil and water control room engineer, Endries’ Grove a few miles from the city were enlisted to color sketches to the Station Relations pose for a publicity yarn. where baseball, quoits and golf were en- for use in the Jean, Joan and Junior, Department department’s now about to cel- gaged in. new Guest Office. The office is used ebrate their fifth birthdav, by were taken The first of the season’s picnics, open visiting officials of NBC’s associated out to the transmitter field to be photo- to all members of the staff, their families stations. graphed amidst a mass of gas-filled bal- and friends, is booked for June 8 at loons. Each youngster was tied to iii a bunch White’s Bathing Beach, an attractive re- of 25 balloons Guides Carl Cannon and Charles Jones which was about all they sort operated by one of W'GY’s clients. could handle and keep their feet were among those who went from New on the The beach is located on Ballston Lake ground. It was the plan York to Philadelphia to assist in the to give each a and the premises afford room for base- opening ceremonies of the new NBC balloon or two in return for their ser- ball. swimming, horseback riding and studios for KYW. vices, but when the pictures were com- dancing. 10 NBC TRANSMITTER ROCKEFELLER FELLOWSHIP NBC SAN FRANCISCO STUDENTS COME TO NBC by Louise Landis

June Moons long one, so Kitty obtained leave of absence and sailed from Seattle May 21. Pretty soon you won’t be able to find She was to be met at Juneau by Miss a bachelor around the KPO transmitter Joyce and transported to Taku Lodge .. . Bob Barnes and his bride, the former either plane, which Miss pilots, Miss Margaret Doble, return June 4 from by Joyce or on the river steamer she operates for their honeymoon—just in time for Bob to Lodge guests. act as best man for Morton Brewer, also of Besides seeing most of Alaska from the Belmont crew, who supported him in the air — Miss Joyce plans to fly her guest a similar capacity March 31. over a large section of the country Don Brewer’s fiancee. Miss Marion Smith Thompson visited on the NBC expedition of Morgan Hill, California, is a graduate there two years ago — Kitty will have as nurse. The young couple will go to Yellow- fellow visitors at the Lodge Father Hub- stone National Park for three weeks. In Radio City with Rockefeller Foundation bard, famed priest-explorer who expects fellowships, left to right, Gerald Bartell, to arrive in July with six Indians he is Bauer and Vacation Notes Charles Anderson, Shackleford bringing from Kodiak Island, and an en- Jack Baird. Other June vacationers who are NOT tire motion picture company engaged in honeymooning: filming Spawn of the North. Field Engineer G. W. (Andy) Andre- Continuing a policy of co-operating with sen, who plans to meander around San Welcome to NBC the Rockefeller Foundation in accepting Diego and Mexico with a camera and Dan M. Weldon, who has joined the fellowship students for training in net- colorfilm .. . Studio Engineer Frank Full- Sales Department, coming from KYA and work broadcasting procedure for the third away who expects to take his vacation in the Hearst Radio Broadcasting Company year, the National Broadcasting Company — style, on a battle-ship he belongs to the . . . Before that, he was associated with enrolled four new students for the has U. S. Naval Reserves . . . Studio Engineers several California stations and also with five-month term, from May 1 to October 1. George Dewing (to Boulder Dam), Lee two outdoor advertising firms, Foster and The fellows are Charles Anderson, an- Kolm (to Portland) and Dave Kennedy Kleiser, and Thomas Cusack of Chicago. nouncer for four years at NBC Station (to Hollywood. He denies there’s a film iir KOA, Denver, who is being trained to test awaiting him there; says he just James (Jim) Parker, who joined the become program manager of the Rocky wants to see some of his pals). San Francisco production staff a few

Mountain Radio Conference, an organi- And ... Announcer Abbott Tessman weeks ago, leaving a financial career in zation with headquarters in Denver set who left for Detroit by train, to buy a new Los Angeles to embark upon a microphone up to create educational programs; Jack car and drive it back to San Francisco, one here. graduate of New Mexico State with a stop-over at his home town, St. Paul Baird, a Exposition Calls

College where educational programs are . . . KPO Transmitter Engineer Joe Baker, Jack Lyman, NBC producer, is on a presented through Station KOB, NBC out- who is sunning himself at Santa Cruz; month’s leave of absence, helping to start let at Albuquerque; Gerald Bartell, a Announcer Mel Vickland, who is golfing the wheels of the San Francisco World’s member of the program department of his vacation away . .. KPO Engineer Fair turning . . . Lyman, who learned Station WHA, Madison, Wisconsin, who Frank Barron, ditto . . . Control Super- about expositions at Dallas, Texas, and will be trained for increased duties at the visor T. B. Palmer and KGO Transmitter San Diego, where he and Art Linklater, station; and Shackleford Bauer, Yale Engineers Addison Eldredge and Richard now publicity director of the San Fran- University ’37, for several Summers past Parks ditto, ditto, ditto ... Assistant cisco Fair, were in charge of radio, has an attache at the League of Nations, Gen- Agricultural Director Anita Bolton who rejoined Linklater for a whirlwind cam- eva, who will be trained to assume the says “Fie upon golf” and hies herself to paign over 29 radio stations, to sell sea- position of radio director of the National the High Sierras, where she and her hus- son tickets for the 1939 event. Peace Conference. band are camping under the stars. Filling the vacancy in the Production The students will be assigned to all Department until his return will be Jack departments of NBC for varying lengths "Yukon Kitty" Edwards, gracefully stepping out of the of time, concentrating, however, in the As for pretty Kitty Morgan of Pro- thespian staff to that of the producing divisions where the most aptitude and gram Traffic, she’s having one of those field for the next few weeks. interest is shown by the individual. A vacations you dream about . . . four Third separate course of study is set up for months long, with Alaska as the locale and NBC Fire! each fellow, devised by Franklin Dunham, Mary Joyce, famous feminine “musher” NBC’s third fire within a month had its educational director of NBC. of the Taku Glacier, as her hostess . .. silver lining — Curtis Peck, engineer-in- Since the procedure was adopted, NBC Kitty met the charming little lady who charge of the San Francisco studios, has a practically has “graduated” six fellows all of whom owns and operates Taku Lodge on the new office as a result of the blaze that started are now successfully engaged in educa- glacier near Juneau, when Miss Joyce, there in the wee hours due to tional broadcasting. who is a former Californian, visited San what firemen ruthlessly pro- Francisco a few months ago and was in- nounced “defective wiring.” Luckily, the i r i terviewed on the Woman's Magazine of flames didn't reach the portrait etchings You can win an Argus Candid Camera or a the Air. The noted Alaskan woman, who of Puccini and Brahms which are the beautiful Symphony Orchestra copy of the NBC inherited a fortune with the Lodge, in- pride of the Peck heart. And Mr. Peck book by sending pictures of NBC members at work or at play, to the NBC Transmitter Photo vited Kitty to spend her vacation with would like to point out that the wiring Contest. her and suggested she make it a good was NOT done by NBC engineers. JUNE, 1938 11

A.T.E. DANCE IN SAN FRANCISCO SPORTS

Baseball

After opening the season with a victory There were many hosts, over RKO, the NBC nine lost the next two only one hostess, at the games and recovered in time to win the Spring Dance of the Asso- fourth, played against the International ciation of Technical Em- Projector ployes of NBC San Fran- Corporation team. The two cisco, held at the Sir Fran- losses were to the Skouras Theatres Cor- cis Drake Hotel on May 20. poration team, by a score of 4-2, and the Here she is. Miss Jane Consolidated Film Industries, 8-5. Burns of the studio recep- The with International tion staff, being swamped game Projector with invitation cards being opened with the movie boys scoring two presented at the door by runs in the first inning and one in the guests arriving at the third after which NBC’s ace pitcher, Jim dance. They are, L. to R., Engineers Frank FuIIaway, Von Frank, held them down to zero for the Guy Cassidy, Cliff Rothery, rest of the encounter. NBC did not score C. E. Kilgore, Tommy Wat- until the sixth when the opposition’s son and Ed Callahan. Lean- pitcher walked a man with bases full. In ing over Callahan’s shoul- the seventh the Radio City boys went to der is Jimmy Walsh, leader of the orchestra which sup- town and scored six runs. The merry-go- plied the music. round started when Bill Hannah hit a homer with Ed Nathan on second base. Jack McCarthy slid home to score the sixth run in the inning. The final score was 7-3. Skating Now that Summer is here NBC roller- skaters have a standing date every Tues- day evening at the Skateland rink on 66th Street, New York City. Over 50 NBCites and their friends were present at the first meeting of the skating group from eight to eleven o’clock on the evening of May 17. Above. Picture of a handsome young sound effects Helen Winter, chairman of the skating man entertaining a beautiful radio actress. They are group, and her husband. Bud Faillace of Miss Ruth Sprague and Keith Wadsworth. Guest Relations, were the winners of two

Upper left. Miss Betty Ross Taylor and Control free passes to Skateland in a numbers con- Engineer P. A. (Buddy) Sugg pictured at the dance test. Had there been a prize for the fan- before they became Mr., and Mrs., on June 4. They ciest fall of the evening, it is reported that are now honeymooning in Yosemite. it probably would have been taken by Left. Announcer Frank Barton and his bride-to-be. Frances Barbour of Sales. Miss Margaret Heilig. Mr. Barton formerly was trumpeter and comic singer for Tom Coakley’s and Carl Ravazza’s orchestras, and director of St. Mary's Pages' Guides' Show College Band. And Nets 3,000 Letters (Continued from Page 2) press. Said Variety, “Smoother than the

average air show by amateurs ... the show had polish.”

It was not altogether an amateur program. The supporting orchestra was composed of NBC staff musicians directed by Norman Cloutier who, for one number, relinquished his baton to red headed Page Dwane Stewart who led the band in one of his own arrangements. The auditions for and the production of the Brass Buttons Revue were handled by a committee composed of Earl Harder, supervisor of the studio operations staff; Jack Wahlstrom, page supervisor; Paul

One of the many gay tables at the dance. They are, 1. to r ; , Mrs. Gyula Ormay. George Ross, Rittenhouse, guide supervisor; DeVere M iss Valerie Ormay, Milton Hayes, Mrs. Lloyd E. Yoder, KPO-KGO Manager Lloyd E. Yoder, Engelbach, page, and Davis, editor Pianist Edna Fischer, Gyula Ormay (Good Morning Tonile’s music director). Actress Phoebe Dom Clark and Radio Editor Claude A. La Belle of the San Francisco News. of the NBC Transmitter. 12 NBC TRANSMITTER

The NBC Transmitter salutes these a few others who were then organizing an Mr. Storrs is married, lives in Plain- members of the National Broadcasting infant industry — radio. field, New Jersey, likes to fish, and in the Company who, this month, complete their She joined (he newly-opened branch of summer often goes swimming in the tenth year of continuous service with the the National Broadcasting Company in waters of his old haunt — the Atlantic Company. the Windy City as secretary to Niles Tram Ocean. C. Harold Campbell mell, vice president of the Central Division of NBC. Since Marion McGovern Radio has been then “NBC Chicago” has grown to be one of the largest broadcast- the motivating in- When Marion McGovern started as a ing centers in the fluence in the life telephone operator with NBC ten years country and Miss ofC. Harold Camp- ago at the old 711 Fifth Avenue studios, Kellie, along with bell, field engineer, she was one of three operators on duty at all the others, since his boyhood. can a three-position switchboard. In four years A look with justifi- she At the age of 15, saw the Company grow to the point able pride upon the he was the young- where it required a thirteen-position great organization est person to hold switchboard; and if things had gone on shehelped to build. an operator’s li- under the old manual system then em- cense in the United Today, after ten ployed there would have to be a thirty-pos- C. H. Campbell years, she States. After aU con- ition board to handle the tremendous tele- tending high school and Trinity College tinues as Mr. Tram- phone demand of the present NBC head- Helen Kellie — at Hartford, Connecticut, he immediately mell’s secretary quarters in Radio City. industrious and poised. followed up his learning and became as- But before NBC moved its studios to sociated with a few other radio “hams” in Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Miss Kellie Radio City the old telephone system was the operation of WCWS, a portable trans- went to Chicago in 1926. She worked for changed to the dial system which operates mitting unit, with which they barnstormed a LaSalle Street brokerage firm until she automatically. However, NBC’s PBX still the New England states. The idea was to gave up stocks and bonds for radio broad- requires six operators during office hours. anchor in a town and persuade the mer- casting. Miss McGovern who is now assistant to chants to sponsor a program for a month. Her hobbies are many, but her favorite the chief operator, Margaret T. Maloney, And that declares that her was 13 years ago! is golf. And if she handles her clubs with job becomes increasingly exciting it After the New England junket, he as calm and capable a hand as she does as keeps abreast of the prog- joined W ICC at Bridgeport as an engineer. her vocation. Old Man Par must take an ress of radio in the world today. Her NBC in New York claimed his services awful beating when she is on the links. most memorable experiences at the two years later and, after having com- switchboard have been those concerning pleted a year in a studio control booth, he special event broadcasts of nation-wide William K. Storrs moved into Field Engineering and has importance, such as the election and re- been there ever since. election of President Roosevelt; the abdi- Among the many veterans of radio on As field engineer, Mr. cation Speech of King Edward VIII, the Campbell has the engineering roster of NBC who recovered many of the present Duke of Windsor, and the various big special event ceived their early training as marine radio broadcasts during the past few years. transatlantic flights. They bring back to He operators is William K. Storrs of the trans- has handled most of the boat races Miss McGovern memories of long hours and mitting staff at WJZ, Bound Brook, New U. S. naval reviews spent at a switchboard that screamed for broadcast by NBC. He Jersey. Following his graduation from the was the first radio attention. man to arrive on the Marconi Wireless Telegraphy School, Mr. scene of the Morro Castle DdLK III LllC U1U disaster off the Storrs sailed the seas for ten years before coast of New Jersey. Engineer days when an Campbell he turned landlubber in 1927 as operator happened to be in that part of the state, S.O.S.came in from of Station WBNY which is no longer on and when the special events a distressed ship NBC crew ar- the air. rived to broadcast the news he had much all stations had to From WBNY he went to RCA as a of the technical foundation for the trans- cease broadcast ac- member of communications staff at Rocky mission ready for the hookup. tivities; and Miss Point, Long Island; thence to the NBC Mr. Campbell is married and lives in McGovern recalls Blue Network’s key ' Mount Vernon. His principal hobby is his many an instance station for New when the Coast own “ham” station W2IP. / f York in J line 1928. “Secondarily,” says he, “I play a rotten Guard would call Engineer Storrs Marion McGovern game of golf, but I like it.” up, give the oper- was born in the ator the simple instruction, “Get off the Helen Kellie Bronx at the turn air,” and hang up. You might say that Helen Kellie was of the century. Odd calls are innumerable. One day psychic or that the Goddess of Fate looked There he attended Miss McGovern got a call asking her to the schools upon her with favor when in June of 1928. local have someone paged at the corner of 50th the year before the stock market crash, before studying Street and Sixth Avenue. she resigned a position with a Chicago wireless tele- A native New Yorker. Miss McGovern stock brokerage firm to cast her lot with graphy. Wm. K. Storrs (Continued on Page 13) JUNE, 1938 13 Amateur Drama Group TENTH ANNIVERSARY CHIMES Formed By Employees (Continued from Page 1) to take form (Continued from Page 12) The Stagecrafters began worked in the central of- several months ago when a small group of fice of the New York Tele- NBC members, headed by Dorothy All- phone Company and in the red, then of General Service and now of New York Clearing House the Production Division, started a drive to before joining NBC. form a drama group. Last month, after a committee of ten, assisted by George M. Blanche Davies Nelson of the Personnel Office, had can- A world traveller and vassed the Company for the names of em- a ten-year veteran in the ployes interested in taking part in the broadcasting business at venture and completed preliminary or-

the age of 28 is the record ganization steps, election of officers took of Blanche Davies of the place at an open meeting in Studio 3G. Hollywood Office. Those who were elected are Dorothy Mrs. Davies who was Allred, president; George M. Nelson, vice Blanche McLaughlin when president; Gilbert Ralston, director; Hu- she came to NBC, San bert V. Chain, business manager; Kirk Blanche Davies, secretary to Lew Frost, and William Quinn, play reader; Miriam Hoffmeir, Francisco, ten years ago Andrews (right), night manager, celebrate their tenth NBC the twentieth of this month, anniversaries this month with Ken Carpenter who rings treasurer; Helen M. Korday, secretary; out their ’‘Tenth Anniversary Chimes” on his special set of was born in Lawrence, In- Frank C. Lepore and Dom Davis, pub- chimes presented to him by President Lenox R. Lohr for diana, November 1909. licity agents. 7, his superlative work as an announcer and chime ringer. of than fifty NBCites Inasmuch as her father Picture was taken by Announcer Joe Parker. As June 1, more was a government civil en- have joined The Stagecrafters. Initiation membership fees are one dollar. gineer whose work demanded consider- a radio expert in a large mail order house. Most of the officers of The Stagecraft- able travelling, Blanche saw quite a lot Mr. Andrews, who is now Night Mana- ers have had previous experience in dra- of the world before she reached her teens. ger in Hollywood, was born in Oakland, matics, either as amateurs or professional Three times the family settled in the Ha- California, April 5, 1905, and educated actors. The important post of Director is waiian Islands. there. He built his first radio set when he held by Gilbert Ralston who is a member When she was nine with as much globe- was in grammar school, and his interest as of the production staff in the Electrical trotting behind her as the average per- an amateur during his high school days Transcription Service Department. Be- son experiences in a lifetime, Blanche led him to enroll at the Western Radio fore entering the employ of over a came to San Francisco. There she attended Institute upon graduation. NBC year ago, Mr. Ralston worked in the the- the Lowell High School, whence she was Later, with an operator’s license in his atre for several years as actor, manager, graduated in 1927. pocket, he joined the Naval Reserve where writer and director. Assisting Mr. Ralston NBC had less than fifty employes when he gained valuable experience. is another member of Electrical Tran- she joined the organization as a typist. As As chief operator of an Oakland station. scription Service, Hubert V. Chain, script- the Company expanded she was trans- Engineer Andrews often found himself writer, who will act as business manager ferred to Traffic, and when C. L. Mc- pinch-hitting for announcers. Soon he be- of the group. Mr. Chain was director of Carthy was appointed assistant to Don E. gan to receive fan mail, and before long the Cornish School in Seattle for three Gilman, she was moved into the executive came an offer to devote his full time to years before coming to last fall. He offices also. She was secretary to the late the mike, at a substantial salary increase. NBC also has had experience as an actor in col- H. J. Maxwell until he resigned, and for Up until last September Mr. Andrews lege and on Broadway. the past couple of years has been secretary was supervisor of NBC announcers in San to Lew Frost. Francisco. Dorothy Allred, president, taught college dramatics and music in her home Mrs. Davies moved to Hollywood when Last fall when the need for a night man- state, Kansas, and was associated with the executive offices were transferred sev- ager became apparent in Hollywood, Mr. groups in Chi- eral months ago. Andrews was chosen and transferred. various professional acting She likes the change, as does her hus- cago before coming to Radio City. The Stagecrafters are also fortunate in band, Hugh W. Davies. Their home is near Press Views Progress Toluca Lake a few blocks from the homes having George M. Nelson as one of their of Bing Crosby and Jimmy Fidler. Made In Television officers. In him they have a devoted fol-

(Continued Page 1 ) a playwright. Mrs. Davies is a brunette with black from lower of the theatre and than twenty switches of action were made eyes. Her hobbies are reading, gardening from one studio to another during the 25- and knitting. Her one pet is a white cat minute performance. All were made in NBC And Westinghouse named “Baby Snooks.” the main control room, adjoining Studio Open New KYW Studios 3H, where both picture and associated William Andrews (Continued from Page 1) sound were monitored. RCA laboratories in Camden, New Jersey, Ten years ago when William Andrews Headed by Clay Morgan, director of and also along the route of a proposed applied for a position with NBC in San public relations, and Wayne Randall, di- television coaxial cable line between New Francisco, his application boasted of years rector of publicity, members of the Press York and Washington, D.C. of radio experience. Division staff acted as hosts to more than a Managed by Leslie W. Joy, KYW is Only 21 at the time, he had already thousand representatives of the press who now one of the most modern and complete worked as an operator, an announcer and attended the demonstrations. broadcasting stations in the country. 14 NBC TRANSMITTER

NBC HOLLYWOOD by Noel Corbett

Results of Tennis Finals have his or her voice recorded. In the midst of the play back. Miss Rounding out the annual NBC Tennis Scully’s voice suddenly boomed out Tournament on May 7, Lew Frost, assis- amongst the others—“My name is Frances tant to Vice President Gilman and Jack Scully, and I’m a member of the Press De- Creamer, of the maintenance staff, took partment of the NATIONAL BROAD- the doubles 6-3, 6-4, from Jack Stewart, Sales, and Paul Greene, studio engineer, CASTING COMPANY!” before a crowd of 200 at the La Cienega Bells Courts in Beverly Hills. Wedding In the singles finals Creamer won from Producer Bob Reed and Gogo DeLys Stewart 6-3, 6-2. both well known to NBCites in San Fran- three-year silver trophy pre- cisco, and also in Radio City, New York, A was Among those at the recent Annual Radio Golf sented to Creamer by A. E. Nugent, and a where Miss DeLys sang on the Lucky Tournament were, left to right: John Swal- three-year gold trophy was given to the Strike and other programs, were granted low, Western Division program manager; Harrison Holliway, manager of Stations winners of the doubles by Walter Norris, a marriage license May 26. NBC KFI and KECA, and Don E. Gilman, Vice representing the Randall Club. By the time this is read, the couple will Motor President in charge of NBC Western Division. Tom Harrington, of Young and Rubi- be honeymooning at Ensenada, Mexico. cam, donated a couple of handsome When they return they will make their the Western Division; Bob Brooke, studio sweaters and home in Beachwood Canyon in the Holly- the Town Lounge added two engineer; Joe Arnone and Bob Schuetz money orders. wood Hills. of the N. Y. Engineering Department who Other employes entered in the NBC are in Hollywood supervising the construc- matches were Joy Storm, announcer, who NBC Wins Golf Trophies tion of the new NBC studios. won last year’s tournament, Walter It was field day for NBCites in Holly- Bunker, Jr., production manager, Ken wood’s Annual Radio Golf Championship Vacation Days Carpenter and Ben Gage, announcers, Tournament played at the Midwick Coun- The only snag which Bob Brooke, Donald De Wolf, engineer in charge in try Club on Sunday, May 30. Claude Hollywood, and Ray Ferguson and Murdo Sweeten, musical director of KFI, NBC studio engineer, struck during his 6,000- mile vacation jaunt, was in of MacKenzie, studio engineers. affiliated station, won the gold cup donated the form a by NBC for having the lowest net score of blizzard in Yellowstone. For the first time The Play-Back 65. The NBC trophy was presented by in history he had the top of his car up ... Bob Moss, studio engineer, vacationed to Frances Scully really proved to be a Vice President Don E. Gilman. York. He’s driving a car loyal press agent when she recently visited Bob Kimic, NBC staff trumpeter, won New new back

from Detroit .. . Charlie Smith, Artists the new CBS building with a group from the CBS trophy. the Los Angeles Advertising Club. Among those from NBC who partici- Service, left for parts unknown . . . Matt Barr, detained his trip to Yosemite by Hal Rorke of CBS arranged for each pated in the tournament were Don E. Gil- three days so that he could attend Hal visitor to speak into a microphone and man, John Swallow, program manager of Bock’s surprise birthday party.

Quick Pix Myron Dutton, producer, arranged a benefit for the Beverly Hills School scholarship fund, at which several stars appeared. Dutton is president of the

Alumni . .. Andy Love, in charge of Lit- erary Rights, recently spoke before 400 ladies and one gentleman at a Tuesday

Afternoon Club of Glendale luncheon . .. Charlie Norman, studio engineer, caught a six-pound Rainbow Trout at Big Bear

Lake which measured 22 inches .. . Don E. Gilman, vice president, was the principal speaker at the Annual College of Com-

merce Banquet at USC . . . Donald De- Wolf, engineer in charge in Hollywood, told Southern California Metermen all about the insides of radio at a dinner at Huntington Park.

Winners and runners-up in the NBC Hollywood Annual Tennis Tournament. Left to right, Paul Arnold Maguire, producer, and Carl Greene, studio engineer; Jack Stewart, Sales; Joe Stauffer, of Toung & Ruhicam, who presented Lorenz, studio engineer, have organized a some of the prizes; Walter Norris who presented the winners of the doubles with a gold trophy rifle and pistol team . . . A. H. Saxton, given by the Randall Motor Club; Lew Frost, assistant to Vice President Gilman, and Jack Division Engineer, is in New York at the Creamer of the maintenance staff. Frost and Creamer won the doubles; and Creamer took the singles from Stewart. Annual Meeting of the Division Engineers. JUNE, 1938 15

EXCHANGE CORNER PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

This classified ad section is available, free of charge, to all NBC employes. limit; no regular Rules : forty -five word business or professional service may be advertised. Address ads to NBC Trans- This candid picture of An- Building, New mitter, Room 284, RCA nouncer Ben Grauer shaving with York. an electric razor wins this month’s prize — an Argus Candid Cam- sport coupe. Rumble BARGAIN— 1931 Ford era donated by Parker & Batters- recently over- seat. New brakes and motor by, camera suppliers in Radio need for your vaca- hauled. Just what you City. The picture was taken with Trans- tion. Make an offer. Call the NBC Grauer’s camera by Program Di- mitter. rector Norman Sweetser of New view of the complica- SUBLET—One room, kitchenette and bath. York. In tions involved, the NBC Trans- Completely furnished. Cheerful, cross ven- mitter will let them flip for the tilation and cool. Available June 1 to October prize. 1. 41 West 54th St., N. Y. C. Call Mary Coyne, Ext. 561.

FREE PASSES—Good for a day’s visit and use of facilities at Y.M.C.A.’s in Brooklyn and Queens. Information on permanent residence and membership rates also available. Apply to the N. Y. Personnel Office, Room 308. “OUTSIDE LOOKING IN” FOR SALE—Auto Graflex press camera. 4" Left This interesting picture of a win- x 5". Zeiss 155 mm. F. 5 lens. Focal shutter dow cleaner was taken by E. B. Lyford 1/10 to 1/1000 sec. Old model but in perfect who was inside looking out from his condition and a bargain if you can use it. E. office in the Traffic Department in Radio B. Lyford, Ext. 844, New York. City. It wins this month’s second prize — a copy of the new NBC Symphony Or- FOR SALE—At sacrifice, eight-room house chestra book which contains charcoal on Hudson River front property in the portraits, photographs and biographies zoned village of Grand View, N. Y. 17 miles of Arturo Toscanini, other famous con- from the George Washington Bridge. All im- ductors, and members of the NBC Sym- provements, garage, unusual grounds and phony Orchestra. magnificent trees, waterfall, brook, pool, ivy- clad garden wall, outdoor fireplace. Three miles from Rockland Country Club. For further details and photographs call Ext. 231.

.” WANTED—To rent or borrow camping tent “WE TAKE YOU NOW TO .. for two weeks beginning July 16. Please Below. pictures of call Bill Robotham, Ext. 704 or Mail Room, Among the many NBC N. Y. people at work and at play submitted to the Transmitter’s photo contest was this SUBLET—Modern two-room apartment with of Engineer Paul Herrold at the Master kitchenette. Attractively furnished; cross Control Board in New York. Taken and ventilation; exceptionally fine library. Eleva- submitted by Frank J. Reed, N. Y. Traf- tor building on 11th St., near Fifth Avenue. fic Dept. Available now until October 1. Call Ext. 715, N. Y.

PHOTO CONTEST Next month the NBC TRANSMITTER will give another Argus Candid Camera to the best NBC picture submitted in the photo contest. The second prize will be a copy ot the beautiful NBC Symphony Orchestra book. The Argus camera (worth $12.50) is being donated by one of the leading camera shops in New York City. Parker & Battersby, in Radio City. This contest is open only to staff members of NBC in all its branches and offices. Pictures must be of NBC people, events, studios, buildings or equipment. The pictures will be judged on their humor, popular appeal and photographic quality. The judges are Florence Marks, Press Division; W. B Parsons, Sales Promotion, and Carl Cannon, Guest Relations, in New York. READ THESE RULES CAREFULLY

1. Do not send negatives. Send glossy prints not smaller than 2j“ x 3i". 2. Give names of persons in pictures and their NBC titles or departments. 3. Give your name, department and NBC division. 4. Send your pictures to the NBC TRANSMITTER, Room 284, National Broadcasting Company, Radio City, New York, before June 23. Pictures received after June 23 will be held for subsequent contests. 16 NBC TRANSMITTER KNOW YOUR COMPANY

No. 14 Artists Service Department — Part II

In movie plots, vision. Through the medium of the printed did not like any of them. That evening as they'd have you be- word, no stone is left unturned in an effort the client was going home, he turned on lieve that a newly to build up a performer’s name, thus en- his auto radio and heard a beautiful tenor discovered star is hancing his commercial value. voice that completely enthralled him. He made famous over- In the case of the French singer Jean couldn’t wait to get home, so he dashed night and it is only Sablon, for instance, they are currently into a drug store, phoned Artists Service a matter of weeks capitalizing on his romantic appeal. and demanded. “Who is that fellow sing- before she begins Countless “ladies’ man” stories and adver- ing on the air right now? I want him for Dan S. Tuthill riding around in a tising pieces have been distributed. “Jean my show. He’s terrific!” white limousine, tossing tiger orchids to Sablon Fan Clubs” have been organized in Artists Service tuned in on the program her adoring public. girls schools throughout the country. and happily discovered that the tenor was in Artists Service, they’ll give Up NBC Photographs of Sablon with Marlene under NBC management. In fact, he was you another picture — one that is notably Dietrich and other acknowledged charm- one of the seven tenors the client had re- different from the Hollywood version. ers have been taken and sent to feminine jected that afternoon! They’ll tell you that stardom is no over- publications. result is that today The In addition to finding radio jobs for its night proposition. It is a carefully-timed, IS ladies’ Whenever he ap- Sablon a man. artists. Artists Service is constantly on the step-by-step climb that takes anywhere scores of girls pears on a broadcast, lookout for engagements for them in other from one to four years — if achieved at all. studio fighting for a clamor outside the fields. The department is in direct contact If a talented newcomer is deemed chance to get his autograph or a peek at with more than 5.500 talent buyers in the worthy of management by NBC Artists their new idol. United States. They book their entertain- Service, he or she is immediately placed in Amanda Snow. “The Hometown Girl.” ers into hotels, night clubs, resorts, private the hands of a well-chosen expert who acts is a case in the opposite extreme. If this parties, recording jobs, theatres and con- as his or her personal representative. Ar- 283-pound singer of hymns and old certs. tists Service employ fifteen such experts. fashioned songs has ever visited a night They are also on the alert to find motion work closely with Daniel S. Tuthill. They her public has never heard club, adoring picture talent among their managed radio assistant managing director of the depart- of it. nor is she allowed to take part in artists. Alice Faye got her start in pictures take care of everything the ment. They frivolous publicity stunts. Every article through them. In the past few years, they starlet does, from advising her what that is written, every picture that is taken have sold to the screen such NBC Artists to take for an clothes to wear to what fee small-town background. emphasizes her Service names as Kirsten Flagstad. Doro- engagement. It is also their duty to see this build-up process is going on. While thy Lamour. Gladys Swarthout. Warren that the artists under their wing are sold artist’s personal representative is busy the Hull. Fibber McGee and Molly. Walter — to the right people. jobs for him to fill. In ex- tracking down Cassel. Doris Weston, the Vass Family, the example, an artist who hadn't been For these jobs, the artist pays a change for Kidoodlers and scores of others. commercial program for some time on a commission. In this way. Artists Service They are now at work — believe it or advised to turn down an offer of $450 was revenue large enough each year makes a not — on building up television stars. a week. There naturally followed some to enable it to build its stars and show a misgivings on the artist’s part, but the —John H. Baxter, Artists Service profit. NBC representative won out. and the fol- No longer do talent salesmen poke their i i i lowing week, the artist got a job at $700. heads into a client’s office and shout, "I ve The artist had failed to consider that tak- Send your vacation pictures with complete got the most colossal act in the world! captions to the NBC Transmitter Photo Contest. ing the first offer would remove him from The talent business today has developed Prizes for best pictures. his sustaining show and out of the public along more subtle eye. an advantage not to be sacrificed for salesmanship lines. anything less than $700 a week. Artists Service sales- However, before an artist can be sold, men study the needs he must he publicized and advertised. of a client or pros- NBC Artists Service has two distinct pro- pective talent buyer, motion divisions for this job. One, headed and then build and by Edward de Salisbury, is devoted to pro- offer an artist to fit moting talent sales in radio, stage, screen this need. and night club entertainers. The other, Sometimes it isn’t supervised by Helen Mobert. tackles the always easy to dis- job of publicizing concert artists. With a cover what a radio combined staff of eight people, they turn sponsor wants. There out more than a thousand pieces of pub- is a classic example licity, promotion and advertising a year. the case of a cli- Some of their booklets, sales presentations in ent wanted a and folders have won international awards who tenor for his radio and commendations in art director’s shows here and abroad. Many of the news hems program. Artists Ser- vice auditioned on stars which you see in newspapers and Edward de Salisbury (center) goes over plans for an Artists Ser- different sing- fan publications are the publicity brain- seven vice promotional piece with his two assistants. Edytlie de Takacs client and John Holt Baxter. children of Artist Service’s Promotion Di- ers. but the . NBC TRANSMITTER

VOL. 4 | LILY, I 9 3 » NO. 7

WGY OPENS NEW STUDIO ENGINEERS READ PAPERS NBC EMPLOYES COMPETE AND OFFICE BUILDING AT I.R.E. CONVENTION IN GOLF TOURNAMENT

The new broad- NBC engineers presented four of the NBC golfers descended on the greens casting headquar- forty-nine technical papers read at the of the Queens Valley Golf Club in Long ters at Schenec- Thirteenth Annual Convention of the In- Island one day last month and competed ^ tady. New York, stitute of Radio Engineers inNew YorkCity in the NBC Athletic Association Golf ^ of General Electric last month. The NBC representatives who Tournament consisting of two major events, presented their papers during the conven- an eighteen-hole qualifying round in the tion, which was attended by more than morning and an eighteen-hole champion- Network of the Na- two thousand engineers from different ship handicap match in the afternoon, in tional Broadcast- parts of the country, are all members of addition to several novel special events ing Company, were the New York staff. and competitions planned by a committee Kolin Hacer opened officially on by that perennial organizer of papers they headed Manager of WGY The read are as follows: Saturday, June 9. NBC golf tournaments, A. Frank Jones “Further Developments in the Design Embodying the most recent technical of Artists Service. There were 51 entries and Technique of Operation of Field In- and structural developments, the building in the tournament which was followed by tensity-Measuring Equipment,” by W. stands on a triangular plot at the junction a banquet in the club house during which A. Fitch of the Radio Facilities Division of two main highways and overlooks the prizes were awarded to the winners in the of NBC. main East-West Highway through the different competitions. “RCA-NBC Television Mobile Units.” Great Western Gateway. The building con- The most important event of the day, by John Evans and C. H. Vose of RCA tains five studios. the championship handicap, was won by Manufacturing Company, Inc., H. and P. Engineer D. C. Shultis whose gross score Studio “A”, largest of' the five studios, See, engineer in charge of the television was 102, his handicap being 37 and the all representing the latest ideas in sound- mobile unit. net score 65. Announcer proof construction, lighting and air-con- Graham Mc- “The Operating Characteristics of and Network ditioning, will accommodate an audience Namee Salesman D. R. Radio-Frequency Transmission Lines as Buckham tied for second place with scores of approximately 150 people. All of the stu- Used With Radio Broadcasting Antennae,” one dios are isolated completely against shocks stroke higher than that of the winner; by C. G. Dietsch, Radio Facilities Division. therefore, they were and vibrations through the use of a sus- requested by Mr. “Design and Tests of Coaxial-Transmis- Jones to play three holes for the runner- pension system, creating the effect of a sion-Line Insulators,” by W. S. Duttera, up prize. Mr. floating compartment or a room within a McNamee won the deciding also of the Radio Facilities Division. room. There are no windows in the studios ( Continued on Page 14) which are ventilated by a modern air-conditioning plant.

One of the unusual features of the new General Electric building is a modern kitchen, completely equipped for broadcasting. The first floor includes, in addition to the studios, a room for artists and offices for the program manager, continuity writers, production men, engineers and announcers. Special audition and file rooms and offices of the sales and press departments are located on the second floor.

Studio equipment includes both velocity and uni-directional microphones of the latest type, assuring fidelity and pur- ity of signal. At least one transcription turn-table for local programs will be located in the large control rooms overlooking each of the studios.

WGY’S new headquarters were put into use not long after the station’s 625-foot vertical antenna was put into service. Aided The world of yesterday salutes the world of tomorrow — a “horseless carriage" of thirty-odd years ago by this new radiator, the 50.000-watt Gen- passes in review before the new RCA-NBC telemobile unit, which is now being used for experimental outdoor pick-ups in and around New York City. The vehicles participated in eral Electric station is reaching a wider the colorful parade held in New York as a preview to the New York World's Fair of 1939. area than ever before Public demonstrations of television broadcasts are planned for the Fair. 2 NBC TRANSMITTER THE STAGECRAFTERS PRESENT JUNE MOON WGY SCHENECTADY by W. T. Meenam In the studios of the world’s greatest broadcasting center footlights and spot- lights will shine for the first time on a Dedication of New Studios WGY Entertains NBC Engineers legitimate dramatic production. The Stage- At this writing the WGV staff is moving NBC engineers, after a serious session crafters, newly formed NBC employe from its outgrown quarters to take pos- in New York, came to Schenectady as the group, is turning one of the largest studios session of the spacious and beautifully ap- guests of the General Electric Company. in Radio City into a theatre for the pres- pointed studio building which will have Chester H. Lang and Boyd Bullock of entation of the rollicking comedy about been officially dedicated when this is read. G-E, aided by WGY’s chief engineer, W. song-pluggers, June Moon. While Manager Kolin Hager grapples J. Purcell, entertained the group which Two performances will be given in Stu- with the infinite detail of the transfer and consisted of George McElrath, operating dio 8G; the first on July 19, in the even- prepares to welcome officialdom, the pro- engineer; G. O. Milne, Eastern Division ing and the second on July 21. Because of gram staff is arranging nearly two weeks engineer; both of New York; A. E. John- the limited capacity of the studio, Dorothy of high lighted and distinctive programs son, engineer in charge of NBC-Washing- Allred, president of The Stagecrafters, has that should make the dedication memor- ton outlets; S. E. Leonard, engineer in announced that admission will be by invi- able for every listener. The engineers too charge of WTAM in Cleveland; H. C. tation only. are familiarizing themselves with the new Luttgens, Central Division engineer, Chi- June Moon is considered an ideal vehicle and handsome control system. cago; C. A. Peregrine, engineer in charge for the group’s initial presentation. Writ- Mayor Robert Baxter of Schenectady at KOA, Denver and A. H. Saxton. West- ten jointly by Ring Lardner and George has issued a proclamation making Satur- ern Division engineer, Hollywood, Cali- S. Kaufman, the comedy opened on Broad- day, July 9, “WGY Day” in recognition of fornia. way in October of 1929 and ran for 273 the dedication of the new building and The men visited the Research Labora- performances. One well-known critic re- the station’s sixteen years of service. tory and some of the factory buildings. ferred to it as a “three-act circus with The Schenectady Chamber of Com- There was a luncheon at the Mohawk Golf song-pluggers as the ring masters.” merce, also in tribute to WGY, has organ- Club and later the attractiveness of the If the director and the cast give the pro- ized a Carnival Parade of children for beautiful greens and smooth fairways over- duction a professional touch, there will Dedication Day. Preliminary plans indi- came the resistance of several of the visi- be a reason. Nearly the entire cast has cate there will be four musical units, three tors who happened to have brought their had experience behind the footlights. The of them junior groups, 500 Boy Scouts, clubs along with them, and they made a director. Gilbert Ralston of the produc- 200 Girl Scouts, large units from each of thorough investigation of the terrain, tion staff of Electrical Transcription Ser- the city’s playgrounds, groups in the native traps, bunkers, rough, ponds and wooded vice, has directed his own stock company costumes of Czecho-Slovakia, Italy. Ger- areas. for the past four years and was associated many and Poland, clowns, acrobats and > > > with the Barter Theater in Abingdon, Vir- twenty-four gigantic papier mache cari- ginia, as production manager during the WGY Outing cature figures. summer of 1935. Before coming to NBC The entire staff of WGY, including > > * he appeared on Broadway as an actor in artists and orchestra, enjoyed the first four plays, including the whimsical fan- Special Dedicatory Programs outing of the 1938 season, June 8 at White’s Bathing ( Continued on Page 13) Beach on the northern The children’s parade, will which be end of Bailston Lake. It was an afternoon described on the air during its programs, of soft ball and swimming, and an evening will be scheduled to at the conclude new of dinner and dancing. A team of soft- building in time for a feature broadcast ballers captained by Howard Tupper suc- — the transmission of the letter “S” from cumbed to the batting prowess of the en- Rome. Italy, by Giulio Marconi, son of gineering crew led by Albert Knapp. Dur- Senator Guglielmo Marconi. This trans- ing the dinner. Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Cogge- mission will detonate sixteen powerful shall were presented with a handsome sil- bombs, one for each year of WGY’s life. ver gift in recognition of their twenty-fifth In the evening NBC and G-E official- wedding anniversary. dom, augmented by state and city officials, prominent educators, publishers and lead- Personal Notes ing Schenectady officials, will participate in Alan Taylor of WGY’s Sales Staff re- the dedication reception and dinner at the cently was elected President of the Schen- Hotel Van Curler. At 10:00 p.m.. a pro- ectady Advertising Club. gram originating at the Hotel, will be fed i i i to Red Network stations. Speakers will include Mr. Lohr and Owen D. Young, chair- A. O. Coggeshall traveled to Manlius man of the Board of Directors of the Na- recently, to attend the graduation cere- tional Broadcasting Co. Dr. Frank Black monies at Manlius Military Academy, will direct the orchestra. Other program where his son Robert was among the DONNA ADAMS of Stenographic and features will be selections by Thomas graduates. HUBERT V. CHAIN of Electrical Tran- Thomas, baritone, Doris Doe, soprano, the ill scription Service who are playing the lead- Tune Twisters and a dramalogue IP GY Horton Mosher of the Control ing roles in June Moon, the forthcoming pro- Staff is duction of The Stagecrafters, newly formed Through the Years, produced by Rad- back at the gain controls after a lengthy NBC employe group. cliffe Hall and Waldo Pooler. absence due to serious illness. WGY SCHENECTADY

The WGY Staff pictured in their new building. On the staircase, they are, from top to bottom and left to right: Albert Knapp, John Howe, Paul Fritchel, Chester Rudowski, Robert Wilbur, Raymond Strong, Howard Wheeler. W. T. Meenam, lone VanDenplas, Tom Martin, Silvio Caranchini, Radcliffe Hall, Chester Vedder, Elizabeth Foy, Robert Elliot, Philip Brook, Allen Taylor, Peter Narkon, Bernard Cruger, Betty King. Horton Mosher, Kenneth Durkee, Caroline Osan and Paul Adanti.

fhe Main Entrance Hall, 152 feet long, 14 feet deep and 23 feet high, on On floor, left to right, Alexander MacDonald, Howard Tupper, Virgil one side of which looms a high wall of glass blocks and on the opposite Hasche, Madoline Neff, Kolin Hager, station manager; W. J. Purcell, engineer are separate entrances to five studios. in charge. A. 0. Coggeshall was unable to pose.

3 •-5

The Auditorium Studio which has a seating capacity of 150. The Main Entrance of the new WGY Building in Schenectady. 4 NBC TRANSMITTER

tistical Division on July 1. He was in Joseph Cassel, formerly with the RCA charge of the account and record books Manufacturing Co., Inc., as an accountant joined the NBC Ac- NAMES IN in the Mail Room and has also done cler- for several years, has ical work in the past for the Personnel counting Department where he has found at RCA, Alex- THE NEWS Office and the Engineering Department. two of his former associates ander D. Nicol and Norman Tyson. Now Newcomers: that he is in Radio City Mr. Cassel is mov- Warren Wade, radio producer, has joining his home and family, his wife and a NEW YORK ed the Program Department as a televi- five-months-old baby, from Camden, New was Jersey, to Staten Island. Promotions: sion program director. Formerly he and writer for a radio road show A1 Robinson has been promoted from producer i i i announcer. He which toured the Middle West and West junior announcer to senior Roger J. Wood, a native New Yorker staff Coast and was sponsored by the Kellogg has been a member of the announcing educated in Manhattan schools, has joined an assis- Company and Ford dealers in the West. since December 1936 and is also the Duplicating Room staff. He is a grad- announcers. From 1928 to 1935 he was with WTAM, tant to Pat Kelly, supervisor of uate of Textile High School and is now NBC station in Cleveland, where he was Mr. Robinson, who is one of the young- taking an evening pre-law course at New of a producer and talent representative. est members of the staff, is a graduate York University. When he was in junior Among the shows Mr. Wade produced Dan Russell’s announcing school and a high school he won a city-wide oratorical at WTAM which are now popular network former member of the Guest Relations contest conducted by the New York Times programs are Gene and Glenn and Lam staff. Before coming to NBC he was an for students in the Metropolitan area. and Abner. He also wrote scripts for Gene announcer for KVOO, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Glenn. i i i for two years. i i 1 George F. Anderson, Jr., has joined the i i i Engineering Department as a member of Jere Baxter 3rd who was married to Miss Harriette Hermann, formerly witn the staff in the Radio Set Repair Shop in Miss Rowena Eloise Staats at St. Bartholo- George A. Hormel and Company, has Room 581. He comes to NBC from his mew’s Church on June 17 probably did not joined NBC as secretary to Norman Mor- home town. Norwalk. Connecticut, where get a better “wedding present” than the rell, assistant commercial program man- he has had five years experience in the line one he received from his boss when he re- ager. She is a native of Austin, Minnesota, of work in which he will be engaged here. turned recently from his honeymoon trip where she worked at the main office of to Colorado. Mr. Baxter has been promoted the Hormel Company for five years as sec- Resignations: in the Sales Department and is now a retary to one of the directors. From there Philip Sullivan, who joined NBC in salesman in the Local Sales Division. A she was transferred to the company’s April 1936, resigned from the Guest Rela- graduate of Yale University in the class of branch in New York as secretary to the tions staff last month in order to accept a 1937, Mr. Baxter has been with NBC since manager, and was there a year before composition as radio operator with American last summer when he joined the Guest Re- ing to Radio City. Airlines, Inc. He received his first class lations staff. Miss Hermann is a graduate of the radio telephone operator’s license last De- Mr. and Mrs. Baxter are residing in University of Minnesota where she was cember after having studied at Johns Hop- Greenwich, Connecticut, until the end of a member of the glee club and the drama kins University and the RCA Institute. summer when they plan to make their group. Although she is a graduate com- home in New York City. mercial teacher Miss Hermann has never Transfers: ill taught in school, preferring to be in busi- Engineer T. D. Christian, who has been G. Thornton Steil has been promoted ness. She is a member of the Delta Gamma with the Company three years, has been from the page staff to the Music Division Sorority. transferred from the Maintenance Divi- where he is now an assistant to Richard ill sion of the Engineering Department to in of music rights. Bannier who is charge E. W. Dinga who was on the WJZ trans- the television staff in the Development of Trinity College where he A graduate mitter staff several years ago has returned Laboratory. Several years ago he was stu- accounting. Ted, as he likes to studied to the NBC family as relief engineer for dio engineer for six months at the old in Although be called, came to NBC May. WEAF at Bellmore, Long Island. Mr. NBC headquarters at 711 Fifth Avenue. still early he is in his twenties he has had Dinga has just completed an extended air- considerable experience as a musician and plane trip throughout South America as Marriages: radio announcer. He has worked in vari- co-pilot and radio man for a private plane. capacities pianist, scriptwriter, an- Studio Engineer Robert Bigwood join- ous — Since he left NBC about eight years ago director — for ed the rank of benedicts during his recent nouncer, program WDRC, he has worked as development and re- vacation when he and Miss Marion Cooney Hartford, WAPI, Birmingham, Alabama, search engineer for Warner Brothers in were married in Burlington. Vermont, the and KMPC, Beverly Hills, California. their Long Island City plant, United Re- bride’s home, on May 26. For best man While in college he formed his own or- search Corporation. chestra with which he crossed the Atlantic Mr. Bigwood had a close friend and a for- 1 i i several times playing on ships. Ted’s hob- mer associate, Jack Tierney, program director of by is songwriting. He has fourteen compo- F. Kenneth Fees, formerly of Station Station WCAX. Burlington, sitions doing the rounds and hopes that, WIP, Philadelphia, where he was an where the bridegroom was a member of someday, he will have the pleasure of engineer for eight months, has joined the the engineering staff before he joined clearing the rights to his own songs for Mail and Messenger staff. He is a grad- NBC in July 1937. NBC programs. uate of Bordentown Military Institute in Mrs. Bigwood resigned a secretarial New Jersey and of a radio school in Kansas position with the Federal Housing Admin- Howard Selger. who has been with City, Missouri, where he studied radio and istration office in Burlington in order to NBC since 1934, was promoted from the television engineering. He holds a first come to New York with her husband. They Mail and Messenger Section to the Sta- class radio operator’s license. will make their home in Jamaica. JULY, 1938 5

Miss Bethany Mather, secretary to At- Evening Press Representative John D. John D. McGhie, former NBC guide torney Robert P. Myers of the Legal De- McTigue’s most prideful story for visiting and staff photographer of the NBC Trans- partment, and George Schuster, a security reporters on June 8, and for nights after- mitter, married Miss Lillian M. Archer analyst well-known in downtown financial ward, was the birth of his second child, of Norwalk, Connecticut, on June 5. Mr. circles, were married in the chapel of the a girl. The elder one is a boy. McGhie is now staff photographer of the Friends’ Meeting House in New York, on Greenwich Times, in his home town, Green- i i i Friday, June 24. wich, Connecticut.

The couple went to the Berkshires on Mrs. Robert Sharpe presented her hus- i i i their honeymoon, and have now taken up band, who is a supervisor in the Guest Relations Division, with a baby boy on their residence in New York City. 0. 0. Bottorff, vice president and gen- June 9. eral manager of Civic Concert Service, i i i sailed on the Georgic, June 25, for a vaca- With two weddings to its credit, the Miscellaneous: tion trip abroad. Mrs. Bottorff accom- Accounting Department more than bal- panied him. They plan an extensive trip Miss Mary Draxwell, who is in charge anced Cupid’s books for the month of through England, France, Belgium. Hol- of the stenographic staff at WTAM, Cleve- June. Wedding bells rang out twice as land, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and land, visited Radio City during her vaca- two brides of the department were feted Greece. tion last month and had a busman’s holi- by their friends. day inspecting the Central Stenographic i i i On June 11, Miss Marjorie Thomson, and Audience Mail sections in New York. of Montclair, New Jersey, was married to Marks Levine, head of the Concert Divi- Artists Harry Lee Barton, Jr., in the rectory of sion of Service, is accompanying St. Cassian’s Church, Upper Montclair, Kirsten Flagstad as her manager on a by the Rev. John T. Brown. Before the four-month trip to Hawaii and Australia. wedding. Miss Thomson was tendered a CRITIC APPOINTED During the voyage Mr. Levine will plan luncheon by her NBC associates. NBC MUSIC CONSULTANT trips abroad for other NBC artists. Following the ceremony and a recep- Samuel Chotzinoff, well-known music 1 1 i tion at Marlboro Inn, Mr. and Mrs. Barton critic, was appointed music consultant for left for a honeymoon at Buck Hill Falls, the National Broadcasting Company on Juan de Jara Almonte represented Pres- Pennsylvania. Upon their return they will ident Lohr at the formal ground-breaking June 14. reside at Forrest Hills, N. Y. Mr. Barton ceremonies for the building As music consultant, Mr. Chotzinoff RCA exhibit is associated with the General Electric in the New York World’s Fair of 1939. will be available to all departments of the in Company New York. Major Lohr is director of RCA’s exhibit at Company for advice and conference on Joan Fitzgerald was the other bride the Fair. matters of interest in the field of music. of the month and she walked to the altar Mr. Chotzinoff’s long experience as a i i i on June 26. She, too, was given a luncheon musician, music critic and journalist will before the ceremony, by the girls of her Several members of the Electrical Tran- enable him to render advice on matters department. She was married to Gerald scription Service Department recently concerning serious music and the Com- A. De Mott, who is associated with United went on a piscatorial expedition off the pany’s press relations concerning musical Features, Inc. coast of Freeport, Long Island, and hook- programs of a classic nature. ed ten good-sized weaks, two flounders, a The nuptials took place at the Ascension Mr. Chotzinoff who is now music critic blackfish and three eels. The Izaac Church in Elmhurst, N. Y. After a honey- for the New York Post was a noted pianist NBC Waltons were Reginald Thomas. Hubert moon at Virginia Beach the newlyweds and accompanist before he turned to Chain, Ranald MacDougall and Danny will make their home at Rego Park, Long journalism. He was also music critic for Island. Schmidt. Charles Facer, of Artists Service, the New York World for five years before and Bill Wirges, he joined the Post. conductor of the Rain- bow Rhythm Orchestra, also had a hand Stork News: He was born in Vitebsk, Russia, and in the catch. came to America with his parents at the James V. McConnell, assistant to the age of seven. He attended New York Being zealous workers in radio, they vice president in charge of sales, became schools and Columbia University; and even had a receiving set aboard; and they the father of a nine-pound boy on June 22. studied piano with Oscar Skach and Dan- almost forgot the fish when someone tuned It is fhe McConnell’s first child. iel Gregory Mason. in an Electrical Transcription production i i i with music by Bill Wirges.

girl A baby was born to the Harry Mal- i i i lens on June 14. Mr. Mallen, who is a member of the studio patrol force, is now Charles H. Thurman, manager of Guest the father of three children. Relations, has returned from his vacation ill in Sawyer, Michigan, where he maintains a summer home. He was accompanied bv Soundman Agnew Horine can now put Mrs. Thurman. to practical use what he learned a few AAA weeks ago at the School for Prospective Fathers at the Maternity Center Associa- PARKER & BATTERSBY, Radio City camera shop, is tion. It’s an eight-pound girl, Frances donating another Argus Candid Camera to be awarded to the NBC employe Jane, and they say she can make more Samuel Chotzinoff submitting the best picture to the next Photo Contest of noise than papa can when she wants to. NBC Music Consultant the NBC Transmitter. Read the rules on page 12. .

6 NBC TRANSMITTER WTAM CLEVELAND by Bob Dailey

ment . .. Information Clerk Olga Nichols Checking Listener Reaction came back from her vacation with such Staff members of WTAM are having a a deep tan that she was hardly recognized lot of fun these days driving around Ohio .. . Musician Pat Ciricillo, with his bride, and into adjoining states on Sundays and is on a three months vacation in Europe .. holidays. WTAM’S new 470 foot vertical Music Librarian Bob Oatley back on the antenna is in operation, and some of the job after an illness . . . Grace Albrecht staff are unofficially checking listener re- working in the Stenographic Department action at points from 150 to 200 miles from temporarily while the girls take their va- Cleveland. cations. Newcomers

Two additions have been made to the staff. Tom Manning off to cover the All-Star Seim Schuller has taken over the musical game at Cincinnati for the networks after rights desk, and Bob Liggett has joined the returning from describing the National office force. Liggett decided to spell his Open Golf Tournament at Denver. Inci- given name Robertt (correct) when he dentally, Tom took a $50 bet on the Louis- learned that there were already eleven Schmeling fight . . . May Draxell, head of Roberts on the staff. steno department, spending her vacation

in New York .. . NBC announcer Gene Author and Narrator Hal Metzger, WTAM’s program director, has Hamilton greeting his old friends at Waldo Pooler, production man and inaugurated a which is “sky-gazers” program WTAM while on a vacation . . . Herbert head of WTAM’S dramatic department, broadcast every Sunday night during the sum- DeBrown, amateur baseball pool opera- is writing a portion of the script to be used mer from the roof of the 22-story building tor, quitting business after Musician for WGY’s dedication in July. Pooler will housing the NBC studios. Mr. Metzger, right, is shown here taking a peek at the skies while Carter won $10 in two successive also be heard in one of the dedicatory net- Tommy Dr. O. L. Dustheimer, professor of astronomy work programs. He was formerly a staff weekly pools and DeBrown was awarded at Baldwin-Wallace College, rehearses his member of WGY. part for the evening broadcast. Cleveland’s only $5 by Lady Luck . . . Field Engineer Terminal Tower is in the background. Alvin McMahon showing his ingenuity by WTAM Notes using a metal ceiling as an aerial for the Vernon H. Pribble, WTAM’S manager, tional open champion, when the golfer radio in the Press Department. Thanks, has a golf date with Ralph Guldahl, na- comes here in August for a local tourna- Mac! NBC WASHINGTON by Marion P. Gale

Songwriters tion last year before he’d finished his Here and There three-year law course, and last month he About two months ago Cicely Brown Bud Barry returned from Germany to was graduated from the Georgetown Law of the Program Department and An- take up his announcing duties after a School. All of which makes him a full- nouncer Lee Everett jokingly announced three months leave of absence . . . Cousin fledged lawyer. that they were writing a song as good as Mary Mason, who conducts the WRC most of the Tin Pan Alley numbers heard Home Forum daily, has returned from a on the networks. Nobody paid much atten- Versatile Coyle speedy trip to Lincoln, Nebraska, to see tion to them, looking on the matter as just Night Supervisor Bill Coyle’s biog- her father. During her trip Mary visited another gag. Now we hear that Captain raphy some day might well read — an- the NBC Chicago studios . . . like the Thomas F. D’Arcy, leader of the Army nouncer, supervisor, lawyer, chief — with proverbial postman on vacation . . . B. E. Band, likes the song so well that he has a dash of professor somewhere along the Stahl, engineer stationed at the new WRC celebrated his eleventh anni- offered to play it on the Army Band’s line too. Bill Coyle came to WRC as a transmitter, regular network program. Title of the versary with NBC last month . . . Rudy staff announcer about five years ago .. . of being song is “If I Were a Writer Of Songs.” sports announcing took his fancy and he Coldenstroth, auditor, is so tired the for the last Lee and Cicely said that they were so made a name for himself in the local field foreman of Grand Jury tired of hearing so-called “new numbers” three months, in addition to his duties at among sport fans . . . Not satisfied with his Building, he's taking his which were no more than outright “steals” knowledge of radio in the Program De- the Trans-Lux on the masters that they decided to write partment he branched out into writing and vacation immediately. a real “stolen” masterpiece. Their song and producing programs . . . that wasn’t Madeline Day, telephone operator, contains bars of the work of Bach, Chopin, enough either, so now Bill has his eye on her husband of a few days will be at home Beethoven and first of Rachmaninoff. becoming a radio lawyer someday . . . in their new apartment after the is cele- From the looks of his first year’s marks at July . .. Francis Childs Brickhouse Cart Before Horse Law School he has a chance of making a brating her birthday and first wedding

Announcer John . .. Hitten- Hurley has proven that good one . . . Now that the school term is anniversary July 15 Gordon he can put the cart before the horse and over Coyle plans to teach a course in radio mark left his WRC Timekeeper program still get there. He passed his bar examina- this summer at Catholic University. for a two-week vacation in California. 7 JULY, 1938 SPORTS PAGE

one of which will be a cup, the Tennis Tournament awarded, first to be awarded by the Athletic Asso- Although the weather has been bad for ciation to the NBC tennis champion. The tennis during the past few week-ends the other prize has not yet been announced NBC Athletic Association Tennis Tourna- but wishful sources have given expres- men. men’s singles, which started in May, sion to the wish that it be a new tennis is, at this writing, ready to play the finals racket for the runner-up player. between Paul Rittenhouse and Joe Merkle, the two seeded players from the upper and lower brackets. The results of the first Front Office vs. Back Office NBC tournament of the season will large- The Engineering Intra-Departmental ly determine the players who will be Soft Ball League is now in its second chosen to represent NBC in an all-com- month with the Designing and Planning pany team which will play with the teams (Front Office) Team leading with two of other companies and organizations in easily won victories on its record. and near New York City. The Front Office nine took both games Frank E. Chizzini (left), in charge of sales Both finalists have been in splendid from the boys in the Back Office formally in Electrical Transcription Service, and B. form since the tournament started and known as the Development and Television F. McClancy, manager of the Traffic Depart- ment, rest between rounds at the NBC golf promise to repeat their excellent perform- Team. The games were played at Alley tournament. (Story on page 1.) ances for NBC in the inter-company games Pond, Long Island, on June 8th and 15th. last season. Merkle, who is inter-collegiate In the first encounter, which ended with Consolidated Film Industries is in first tennis champion in New York, took all his a score of 24 to 9, the Back Office boys at the end of the first half, having opponents in the first tournament in his stayed in the rear during the entire game. place but one. stride. In the quarter-finals he won from In the eighth inning the Front Office soft- won all its games against the Skouras team, Frank Lepore by default and in the semi- ballers blasted the Laboratory and Tele- In the game one run, 6-5, although up to finals he defeated Bud Faillace, 6-0, 6-0. vision Team with nine runs, wearing out NBC lost by inning, Pitcher Jim Von Frank If Rittenhouse keeps his game up to the Lab “ace” pitcher, Lou Hathaway, to the third of three runs, which he lost in the form he has shown thus far this season a frazzle. Umpire Gus Bosler was tempted had a lead fifth. After catching up in their half he will give Merkle stiff competition in the to stop the slaughter before the end of the fifth inning the NBC lads regained finals. He beat Dick DeRaismes, 6-2, 6-3, the game. of the the lead in the sixth, but Skouras rallied in the quarter-finals, and mercilessly pelt- In the second game the Back Office in the eighth with a run, and another in ed Ed Kahn with thunderous drives in the engineers were completely subdued and the ninth, winning the game. semi-finals to win by 6-0, 6-0. Rittenhouse pushed out of the soft-ball picture by the met the Simplex International was junior state tennis champion of Front Office terrors who gave them a sec- NBC Projector team in the next game of the Maine in 1932. ond trimming to the tune of 20-4. The D second half of the season and regained The second NBC intra-company tour- and P gang wore out no less than three her prestige by winning. 10 to 4. Frank nament of the season will be a handi- bewildered pitchers of the opposition. It Crowley rang the bell for NBC in this cap tournament, men’s singles, which wasn’t a ball game — it was a track meet by hitting a homer with one man on. begins this month. Two prizes will be with the Back Office boys as gaping game registered a home-run. spectators! Bill Hanna also hit the jack-pot in the sixth inning Now that they’ve eliminated one NBC with six runs. The game was pitched by team out of the league without any Alan Henderson. question the Development and De- Now that the NBC team has hit its signing players are preparing to take stride, after having started sluggishly this over the Maintenance and Operating season, speculation is rife as to its chances groups. They are riding high and feel of winning the League cup. NBC won the confident that they will not have championship cup of the Motion Picture much trouble winning the entire series League in 1934; and in 1935 they won and the Engineering Pennant. the cup for having won the greatest number of games in the league, after losing NBC Ball Team Is Up in the play-off. It is rumored that some of the NBC players are already smacking The NBC Baseball Team is in a their lips in anticipation of a champion- three-way tie for second place with ship banquet. the Columbia Pictures and Skouras Theatres Corporation teams, after having played the first half of the elimi- Women's Tennis nation contests in the Motion Pic- According to Serge A. de Somov, chair- ture League. The winner of this tri- man of the A.A.’s tennis activities, the This is not the Big Apple. It’s A1 Prolzman, in television cameraman, yelling for the ball as angular tie will divorce the also-rans women’s tennis division is growing Beverly F. Frendendall races into third base. and find a spot in the final round- number and a professional player has The picture was taken by Engineer Donald H. robin play-off to determine the League been engaged to give instruction to those Castle during a game amongst the engineers champion. who wish it. of the New York staff. P.S. Frendendall made it. ;

8 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC CHICAGO by Rudi Neubauer

Golf Tournament Mr. Esser is the author of two plays being conducted in Chicago, June 20 that were produced at the Lyceum Theater through July 15, under the supervision of On June 7, the network salesmen, to- in London. They are Serrat and King of the Radio Council of the Chicago Public gether with Vice President Trammell and the Damned the latter was made into a Schools. Messrs. McEdwards and Bolas of the Sales moving picture by British-Gaumont. He Among those scheduled for half-hour Promotion Department, had a golf tourna- also has written two travel books and speeches from the NBC Central Division ment at the Crystal Lake Country Club. three novels, namely, How To Be Happy Ken Carpenter won the low gross and Jim are Judith Waller, educational director; in Paris, Hour To Be Happy in Berlin, McEdwards was second. Gene Hoge won William Ray, manager of the Press In- Dr. Fras, The Mystery of Norman s Court the Blind Bogey. Fifteen men played golf formation and Service Division; Everett and The Dark God. and Joe McDonald and John Sample Mitchell, senior announcer; Kenneth Rob- joined them for dinner. inson, continuity editor; and C. L. Menser, Sour Nautical Note production manager.

NBCettes Get Together Bob Brown, announcer, is ready to admit he’s a tough luck skipper. Last year Here and There On June 6. 45 girls of NBC Chicago stole his sailboat, stripped it of met for dinner at the Cordon Club. After someone John H. Thompson has been engaged dinner Helen Kellie, secretary to Niles all its removable parts and left a bare as assistant to Ken Fry in Special Events. Trammell, vice-president and manager of hulk for Bob to recover. iii the NBC Central Division, was presented Early in May, Bob went with Announcer with a set of chimes and a cake bearing Norman Barry to sail a new boat down William E. Nelson is a new member of ten candles in honor of her tenth anni- from Milwaukee to Chicago and was our uniformed reception staff. versary with NBC. forced to put in at Kenosha after being The meeting, which may prove to be the tossed around by a storm on Lake Michi- first of monthly get-togethers for the wom- gan for eleven hours. May 31 saw the Pierre Andre from New York has joined en, was instigated by Miss Judith Waller, climax when a hoisting boom at the Navy the NBC staff of announcers in Chicago. educational director. In the lounge follow- Pier in Chicago broke while his boat was Pierre is the regular announcer of the ing the party, a committee consisting of being hauled up for inspection and drop- Betty and Bob serial. Helen Kellie, Evelyn Partridge, Marcelle ped the vessel to a concrete pier, from rii Mitchell, Adele Crawford, with Helen which it slid into the lake and sank. Bob, Shervey acting as chairman, was ap- himself, barely jumped out of the way in Announcer Norman Barry and Director pointed to plan the July meeting. time to avoid being struck. Robert White have succumbed to the lure

of lake and stream. Barry is putting in Promotions Featured Speakers two weeks, vacation time, at Basswood Lodge, W'is. White has departed with Oliver Morton, who has been in charge of Starting with an address delivered on Mrs. White on an automobile jaunt National Spot Sales, has been appointed June 21 by Edward G. Cerny, assistant through Northern Michigan, during which to head the new Local combined and Spot music librarian, six executives of the Na- he will seek trout in every likely looking Sales Department. The department will tional Broadcasting Company will be fea- stream. handle local and national spot sales on tured speakers in the Radio Workshop iii WMAQ and WENR as well as placing spot sales with the other NBC managed Soundman Mike Eisenmenger became and operated stations. W. W. Smith, for- the father of a baby girl — his first child mer head of the Local Sales, has been pro- — on May 24. moted to the Network Sales Department. iii

J. F. Whalley, auditor and office man- Noted Writer Joins NBC ager, was graduated from Northwestern Wright Esser, London-born novelist University in May with a C. P. A. degree. and playwright, has become a member of iii the Central Division Continuity Staff. He was a feature writer for the Paris bureau Ray Neihengen, General Office, has of the International News Service follow- definitely committed himself by buying ing his graduation from Cambridge, and the stone for Miss Virginia Quinn of after several years in that capacity, re- Chicago. The wedding date has not yet turned to London, where he was a con- been decided upon. tinuity writer and producer for the Brit- R. S. Peterson, assistant auditor, has ish Broadcasting Corporation. had three of his photographs accepted for Three years ago, Mr. Esser came to exhibition at the Chicago Exhibition of America and became associated with Leica Photography. Bonnie Larkin of Audience Mail receives Universal Pictures on the West Coast. her work in baskets. Here she is shown re- When he decided to give American radio ceiving from Kenneth Akins of the Mail Room iii to be counted a try, he moved to St. Louis, doing con- two basketfuls of fan mail You can win an Argus Candid Camera or a classified, coded as to its origin by states and copy of the NBC Symphony Orchestra Book by tinuity and production for Stations KW'K counties, and eventually to be answered by sending your NBC snapshots to the NBC Trans- and KSD. the correspondents. mitter Photo Contest before July 25. JULY, 1938 9

°\ Wdlt 'Ifou'i fl&uutcj. B >11 ( \ flejianteA, Ut New- lfosdz

QUESTION : If a talented young man who NBC Musicologist Lewis Lane recently re- has had some experience in college dramatics ceived an invitation from a lady in Hartsdale came to you for advice as to how he may become a radio, screen to take part in one of the frequent musicals she gives in her and stage actor, what training would you prescribe for him? house which is known as the Music Box and is located on Lewis Lane. LESTER VAIL, Director (formerly of screen and stage). Murry Harris of Continuity Acceptance who composes songs ANSWER: No further training. If he has had experience in ama- as a hobby wrote the entire score and some of the lyrics for a teur college dramatics and IF he has talent, all he needs is a recent musical show. White House J amboree, given for charity professional opportunity — a “break.” by amateurs at Lawrence, Long Island. If you ask me how that is obtained, I really wouldn’t know. 111 How the talented amateur gets his first professional engagement Paul Owen who tied for first place on the Brass Buttons Revue is a mystery — unpredictable and often miraculous. two months ago is now singing regularly on the Organ Melodies every Monday morn- ** * program with Organist C. A. J. Parmentier ing, from 8:15 to 8:45 on the Blue Network. Here’s a tip to talent scouts: Paul’s wife is the former Miss Phyla Wood, well-known QUESTION: What qualifications do you look for when choosing West Coast singer — and pianist. Why not team them up? It’s a an announcer? set-up! P. S. I am not their publicity agent. PAT KELLY, Supervisor of Announcers, N. Y.

ANSWER: All the essentials for a radio announcer are of equal Guide Peter Perrine, whose hobbies are songwriting and importance and they include the following: A college education painting, has done some excellent charcoal portraits of NBC or its equivalent. Courses in cultural subjects such as offered in stars, many of which have been purchased by their respective preparation for a B.A. degree are good training. As radio is subjects. iii constantly expanding, and is becoming more international, it is Did You Know That ...Salesman George Frey has been for to the announcer’s advantage to be able to speak at least one two years the golf champion of his club at White Beeches. New foreign language fluently. Jersey? Last month for the nth time he shot under his home The announcer’s personal requisites include command of a course’s par of 72 with 69. To prove it George will gladly show vocabulary, a voice of quality, good English pleasing self-confi- you a clipping from the Bergen Evening Record which he keeps dence, initiative and ability to make quick decisions, to speak in his desk . . . That Television Engineer Bill Eddy can read and sense of extemporaneously, a good news values and the ability speak Chinese ... he learned the lingo while in China with the to describe scenes or actions taking place. U. S. Navy from which he was retired in 1934 with the rank

In addition to these essentials, the announcer should also be of lieutenant, junior grade . .. That you can find all sorts of capable of preparing material for programs, such as writing con- books — fiction, radio, drama, biography, television — in the tinuity. adapting in dramatic form stories for radio broadcasts, General Library. Room 272 ... and that you are welcome to read sufficient dramatic ability to take charge of a radio program and the books in the library or borrow them to take home. direct the actors in their parts. Add to these qualifications the 1 1 i ability of a first-class salesman, plus four years experience in And Did You Know, Girls, That the following are some of the radio; and if he is not too proud to accept constructive criticism, most eligible bachelors in NBC: Vice President and Chief Engi- you will have a good announcer and the millennium. neer 0. B. Hanson, who has a big house with beautiful grounds

in Westport. Connecticut . . . who owns a 30-foot cruiser ... and * * * has a fine sense of humor ... Portrait Photographer Ray Lee Jackson who is a steady theatregoer and likes to go on week-end QUESTION: What outstanding qualifications would you look trips ... Sales Promotion Manager Jimmy James who does prac- for when interviewing a young inexperienced man for the Sales tically everything . .. sings with the Mendelssohn Club . . . acts Department? in amateur productions . . . plays badminton and tennis ... is a

member of the camp committee of Boy Scouts in Bronxville . . . I. E. SHOWERMAN, Asst. Sales Manager. Eastern Division. owns a cottage and motor boat at Candlewood Lake, Connecticut It is our policy, as far as possible, to secure our per- ANSWER: ... AND has a weakness for redheads .. . Local Sales Manager sonnel from other departments of the company, particularly from Maurice M. Boyd who drives a Packard convertible coupe and the Traffic and Sales Traffic Divisions, since this experience is owns a cabin in Metedeconk, New Jersey . .. and is now learning invaluable to a man who is to represent the Sales Department. the latest dance steps at Arthur Murray's along with many other

Obviously, the first qualification is aptitude toward sales work- NBCites ... claims he’s a good cook, salads being his forte . .. ingenuity, personality, appearance, and of course, a desire to sell. News and Special Events Director Abe Srhechter. who is always

Secondly, we look for thorough competence in the work the man on the go . . . and doesn’t play golf but likes to relax, in between has been doing in the other department. It is our hope that we jumps, at the smart niteries on the East Side . . . can secure all of our representatives from this source, assigning And tall, lanky Guide Frank W. Neshitt who also sports a them to the spot sales division and ultimately advance them to Packard convertible, plays tennis, and likes to cool off these hot

network sales. This plan is fundamentally sound in that it gives summer evenings at such smart Manhattan oases as the Stork “21”, us men with a good background and that it gives the newcom- Club. the Lotus Club . . . but also goes slumming occasion- ers every chance to advance. ally with the boys at Radio City’s Hurley’s. I HIS year, as last year, many members of the NBC staff in New

York and their families celebrated the Fourth of July as guests of Lenox

R. Lohr, president of NBC, at his home in Tarrytown, New York. The

all-day festival, climaxed by a fireworks display, was also attended by

members of RCA and their families. Major Lohr's spacious home and

grounds, which are on the banks of the Hudson River, afforded suffi-

cient space and facilities for picnic parties, games and amusement for

the three hundred-odd men, women and children who celebrated Inde-

pendence Day with Major Lohr and his family.

nf Ashton Dunn, Personnel Office, persuades Mrs. Dunn to go to (|S ) movies which were shown in the basement of Major Lohr’s hoi at regular intervals throughout the day.

Many of the guests, particularly the children, enjoyed canoeing and motorboating on the The winner of the NBC Tennis Tour- small lake in front of the house. nament, Joe Merkle (left), is congratulated by his opponent in the finals, Paul Rittenhouse. The score was 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Following the match, played at the Ardsley Country Club, the players went to Major Lohr’s home to join other NBCites in the merrymaking.

This is one of the sports provided by Major |Hr The movies, which featured a March of Time release showing the part NBC played in broad- just many his Koehler aims for a strike Ijoii casting the conquest of Austria by Chancellor Hitler, were one of the most popular attractions Lohr for guests. Francis of the day. while Walter Wiebel waits in the background for his Hi turn. Both are of Guest Relations. Among those who had the envi- able jobs of setting off the fireworks were Charles H. Thurman (left), manager of Guest Rela- tions, and Henry P. Hayes, Gen- eral Service, who are shown here inspecting a giant rocket.

President Lohr smiles for the camera as he enjoys a holiday with scores of members of RCA and NBC and their families at his home in Tarrytown, New York. Shown, left to right, are Major Lohr and his father, G. P. Lohr, Frank E. Mason, vice president, and Walter G. Preston, Jr., director of the General Service Dept.

Mr. and Mrs. Philip I. Merryman (left) look on while their youngest child. Heather Ann, gets acquainted with Miss These are some of the people who gathered on the steps of the house to watch the fireworks Martha S. McGrew, assistant to President Lohr. Mr. Merry- display. man is in Station Relations. (Pictures by NBC Ph otographer Sydney Desfor.) 12 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC TRANSMITTER Published for and by the employes of the National Broadcasting Company from coast to coast.

VOL. 4 JULY, 1938 No. 7

EDITORIAL BOARD DOM DAVIS Editor CARL CANNON Associate Editor GEORGE OLENSLAGER Staff Writer

RODERICK MITCHELL ... Staff Writer CHARLES VAN BERGEN Photographs BILL EDDY Staff Artist

N. Y. CONTRIBUTORS

ALBERT E. RORABACK Guest Relations JOHN C. CORBETT Legal JULIA LARSON Accounting ROBERT W. WEST Guest Relations MORTON G. BASSETT Mail and Messenger WILLIAM B. FREDERICK Traffic ORVILLE HOWLAND Mail and Messenger

Address all correspondence to: NBC TRANSMITTER Room 284, RCA Building, New York Circle 7-8300, Ext. 220

NBC PHOTO CONTEST

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! The third and last Argus Candid Camera to be given as first prize in the Photo Contest will be awarded to the NBC employe submitting the best NBC picture to the next issue of the NBC Transmitter. This is your last chance to compete for an Argus camera or a copy of the NBC Symphony Orchestra Book. Parker & Battersby, Radio City camera shop, well-known to NBC employes and artists for their excellent work in printing and developing, are donating the Argus camera. The judges are Florence Marks. Press Proposed NBC Statue No. 4 and Citation Plaque Division; W. B. Parsons, and Carl Can- non, Guest Relations, in New York. The pictures are judged on their humor, popular appeal and photographic quality. SOUND EFFECTS MEN Read These Rules Carefully The culmination of every small boy’s dream — to make noise and be rewarded 1. Do not send negatives. Send glossy

prints not smaller than 214" x 3 Vi”. for it.

2. Give names of persons in pictures and Such are the soundmen of radio — commercially subsidized noise-makers — their NBC titles or departments. an army of agile technicians that can produce at will the lush collapse of a soap 3. Give your name, department and NBC bubble or the thunderous roar of the Sixth Avenue “El.” division.

To them the word “silence” is but a taunt to shatter all quietude . 4. Send your pictures to the NBC TRANS- To this jovial group of thunder-artists — to whom the creak of a rusty door MITTER, Room 284, National Broad- casting Company, Radio City, New hinge represents the ultimate in engineering — we dedicate this quiet memorial York, before July 25. of granite, chiseled by an expert chiseler from the Singing Rock of Cheboygan. See the winning NBC pictures in this month’s photo contest on the back cover. JULY, 1938 13

The Stagecrafters Present June Moon KOA DENVER by James Lehman ( Continued, from Page 2)

Chinese life, Lady Precious Stream. tasy of (W9LNB), will operate the plane up to Chain, scriptwriter in Electrical Hubert a distance of two miles and permits the Transcription Service, who will play Fred plane to perform most of the maneuvers Stevens, a starry-eyed songwriter who of its full-size prototype. to make his comes to New York City A1 Isberg and Stan Neal have made a fortune, appeared in many stock and has pictorial record of the development and former radio director, summer theaters. A operation of the plane on movie film. Mr. Chain has also had Broadway experience under Max Reinhart in the produc- Chime Ringing tion of The Eternal Road, both as stage But it was wedding chimes this time for manager and actor. Chime-Ringer Verba. A studio audience of 150 witnessed the recent marriage of Donna Adams, who plays the part of the Miss Helen Spelman to Gilbert Verba, ingenue in June Moon, has a wealth of popular KOA announcer. Studio A was amateur theatrical experience behind her the scene of the wedding ceremony. as a member of the dramatic society of Following a reception in the Artists her alma mater, Ohio Wesleyan University. Lobby, the couple hied themselves honey- George Brengel will be seen as Maxie, moonward to Albuquerque, New Mexico. the sympathetic song-plugger. In addi- This might look like a circus trainer to you Vacation Notes tion to consideral le work with college but it is none other than the Manager of Sta- Vacationers Joe Gillespie and Bill Wil- dramatic groups and several stock com- tion KOA, Robert H. Owen, as he appeared liams have returned with movies of Boul- panies, Brengel spent a year and a half at a recent fancy dress ball in Denver. Part der and the new NBC studios now as reader and operator with the famous of the proceedings at the ball in which the Dam guests were disguised to represent famous constructed in Hollywood. Tatterman’s Marionettes. Six months with being characters from the history of the West was Ed Sproul. Public Relations, is vaca- the Federal Theater project in New York broadcast by KOA. None too well Mr. Owen tioning with his brother, Derby of KDKA, has been his most recent theatrical ex- tried to look like Colorado’s colorful H. A. in York. perience. W. Tabor. at their Lake George cabin New James R. McPherson, publicity direc- J ames Costello, as Paul Sears, the would- tor, has turned to the land for comfort be hit writer, traces his love for the the- Sun Paintings and relaxation. He is vacationing on his ater back fifteen years when he appeared During his recent visit to Denver, Rush farm, near Westminster. Colorado, where in the leading role of a minstrel show his Hughes interviewed Pansy Stockton, wife he has a small orchard, a strawberry father produced. Since then he has had of Director Roscoe Stockton, on the patch and other bucolic accessories. his own stock company for five years, writ- Hughes Reel program. Mrs. Stockton is ten. directed and acted in numerous semi- A Restful Blue famous locally for her “sun paintings.” professional and stock productions. The best programs now go out from Sun paintings, to quote Mrs. Stockton, Studio B, they say. Ever since it was re- Jean Harrison, the Lucille of June are, “Framed mosaics of actual scenes painted horizon blue Studio B has become Moon, and Shirley Metz, who will portray made by using only mountain vegetation KOA’s favorite workshop. Its artist’s rat- Lucille’s sister, Eileen, have had experi- without the aid of any paint at all.” ing has definitely gone up. A KOA would- ence in college and semi-professional The flowers and fungi she uses come be psychologist says that since the fifth dramatics. from various parts of Colorado and she floor and the studios have been redeco- gathers them herself. She has reproduced The talents of Agnes Locherer, Dorothy rated there have been fewer cases of her most popular sun painting, that of Allred, Kirk Quinn, William Rippe, Rob- “Mike” fright. Long’s Peak Trail, 102 times. ert Brooks and Ranald MacDougall fill out the cast of a production which prom- The only person known to do this work, Mrs. Stockton has ises to set a new high for employe activi- exhibited her work in many of these United States ties. The production staff is capably head- and her ed by Barbara Kirk who received her paintings have also been taken to South dramatic training in the Yale Department America, Hawaii and the Dutch West of Drama. Indies.

The opening night of June Moon, if one Radio-operated Plane may judge from ticket requests already With the aid of C. A. Peregrine, engi- received, promises to be a gala occasion. neer in charge, A1 Isberg, Stan Neal and Requests for tickets are being filled in the Joe Rohrer, junior control supervisor, order of their receipt, by inter-depart- have built and flown a radio-controlled mental mail only, through Ranald Mac- model airplane. Dougall in Room 255. Only two tickets The ship, with a twelve-foot wing spread are being allowed for each NBC employe. and powered by a one-third horsepower gasoline engine, has already made several successful flights. Built for a local' department store, the model carries a Send your vacation pictures with captions to three-tube receiver weighing three Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Verba the NBC Transmitter Photo Contest. Read the rules on page 12. pounds. The transmitter, a twenty-watt rig They had a studio audience 14 JULY, 1938

Experiments In Radio Wave Bending NBC Employes Compete In Golf Tournament

( Continued from Page 1) Recently, while seeing some people off holes to to Europe on the Normandie, we noticed match but he had to shoot four two large horns, that reminded us very conquer his opponent who tied him at the the best much of automobile horns, perched on end of the third. Both turned in Mc- the bridge of the ship. Naively, we asked scores of their golfing careers, Mr. a gross of 84 with a a passing junior officer if “ those things" Namee scoring and Mr. were fog horns. He said that they were handicap of 18. his net being 66, and not fog horns and that they were a new Buckham with gross 107, handicap 41, invention utilizing radio waves to detect net 66. the championship handi- other ships in the fog. For winning cap, D. C. Shultis received a handsome pig- Later, at NBC we found out that one skin travelling bag. Graham McNamee’s of our engineers, Arthur M. Giamatteo, prize was a smoker’s stand. of the WEAF staff at Bellmore, Long A special prize of a picnic set was Island, knew a great deal about the inven- awarded to George H. Frey. Sales, for tion with which he himself had experi- having the best gross score for both rounds mented as far back as 1928. At that time or 36 holes. His score for the morning he applied for a patent on his discovery Engineer Arthur M. Giamatteo of WEAF round was 75 and for the afternoon 74, a but priority rights were denied to him who, in the accompanying article, tells about total of 149 for 36 holes. because of a French patent on radio wave his interesting experiments with the Radio George McElrath, operating engineer bending. Obstacle Detector which is now being used by some ships as a safety device and president of the Athletic Association, Engineer Giamatteo' s description the of won the Kicker’s Handicap in which every Radio Obstacle Detector and his experi- contestant (a kicker, presumably, unless ments with it were so interesting we he names his own handicap) was allowed asked him to write them the a large .plate removed from an old fifty- for NBC to name his own handicap. Then Mr. Jones T ransmitter. kilowatt tuning condenser. An infra-red picked a slip of paper from a hat con- ray arc light was located in the center of taining slips numbered from 72 to 85. the plate. With this apparatus I was, at by Arthur M. Giamatteo The number picked was 84. Then it was that time, trying to penetrate my body announced that whoever had a net score The Radio Obstacle Detector is a de- with radio and infra-red waves from which of 84, computed by deducting the handicap vice with which some ships are now ex- painful experimentation I was fortunately chosen by the player from his gross score perimenting to detect and locate other distracted by my discovery. Otherwise, I in the handicap tournament, was the win- ships in the fog or under other conditions probably would have continued with my ner of the Kicker’s Handicap. Mr. Mc- when the visibility is poor. The detector quest for a body cure-all treatment at the Elrath whose score was exactly 84 received is composed chiefly of a receiver and di- cost of my own stomach which was the a new golf bag for his clubs. rectional micro-wave transmitter whose target of my infra-red waves. A Member’s Consolation Tournament signal returns to the sender’s position In connection with the use of the Radio prize for the winner of those who were when it strikes a metallic object. By Obstacle Detector as a safety device for unable to play more than one round dur- placing the receiver and the transmitter ships I think that it would be possible to ing the day was presented to Walter E. some distance apart the location of the have a receptor with a cathode ray having Myers of Sales whose score was: gross obstacle that reflects the signal which is complete calibrations to indicate the exact 110, handicap 38, net 72. recorded on its return trip can be deter- location of an approaching ship. Such an The Guest Handicap, open to non-mem- mined by using a triangular plotted scale. indicator would, of course, be mounted bers of the Association who participated I discovered this tendency of micro- right in view of the navigator. in the all-day golfing jam session, was waves to “bounce” back to their point of It is my hope that, some time in the won by Bandleader Horace Heidt with origin when striking a metallic obstacle near future, for the sake of safety at sea, his excellent score of gross 77, handicap several years ago, in 1928, while experi- all ships will be compelled by law to 7, net 70. His prize was a modernistic floor menting with infra-red waves as a cure carry micro-wave beam transmitters and lamp. for cancer and other body ailments. I was receivers. I have that much confidence in Another special event was the “Ball trying to shoot radio waves on an infra- the Radio Obstacle Detector. Nearest the Pin on the Third Hole” which red wave carrier through my body when was won by Studio Engineer John Pawlek. I accidentally discovered that the radio His ball landed eight feet from the cup waves were being reflected back by some for which feat he received an outing kit obstacle in the kitchen of my house WGAL Joins NBC Networks in pigskin, with two thermos bottles, cups next to which I had my small laboratory. Station WGAL, located near Lancaster, and a sandwich box. 1 detected the reflected waves on my re- Pennsylvania, in the heart of one of the The prize for the highest score of the ceiver whenever it was directed in the path richest farming sections of the United day, better known as the Booby Prize, went of the beamed signal from the transmitter. States, joined the National Broadcasting to George M. Benson of the Sales Depart- I soon found that the micro-waves were Company as its 153rd affiliate on July 1. ment. His score was 148. In all fairness to being reflected back to me by the kitchen The station is owned by WGAL, Inc.. Mr. Benson, however, it was disclosed at gas range. and operates full-time on 1,500 kilocycles the banquet when he was awarded the These experiments were carried on with daytime power of 250 watts and night prize, that it was his first attempt at golf with my small transmitter operating on power of 100 watts. Clair R. McCullough and that he had to use women’s clubs at about two meters. It was built in front of is vice president and general manager. that. JULY, 1938 15 NBC HOLLYWOOD by Noel Corbett

vacation. Wind storms and overcast skies, ed here recently . .. Sydney Dixon, West- however, made the holiday so miserable, ern Division Sales Manager, was chair- that Young finally returned home just in man of the Ways and Means Committee time to receive a message from program of the PACA, which held its 35th Annual

Manager John Swallow, calling him back Convention here June 26 to 30 ... Carl- to work while Swallow went East on busi- ton E. Morse, author of One Mans Fam- ness. ily recently bowled 252 in a game with Young has one week coming in July, Buddy Twiss. when he can really “bake-out” on the desert. Vacation Days Joe Parker, announcer, kept the new Happy Birthday boat, which he jointly purchased with Along about seven o’clock June 19. Dutton, producer, chugging around Picture of two NBC Hollywood engineers and Myron Karel Pearson, Traffic, began to believe mementoes of their recent vacations. Bob Balboa Island . . . Came Dutton’s vacation he friend in Moss, left, brought back a home-made “To- just didn’t have a the world. a couple of weeks later and the boat ronto” haircut from Canada while Frank When he arrived home though, and sprang a leak . .. Hal Bock and his wife Figgins sported a brilliant red goatee culti- found a roomful of folks to help him vated during his trek through the South and are motoring to Canada. They'll return celebrate his birthday, his feelings were East. via boat . . . Donald De Wolf and family more than reconciled. plan to repeat at Tahoe this year — not His roommate, Frank Pittman, sound in a trailer though . . . Murdo MacKenzie. effects, and Murdo MacKenzie, studio Extra Curricular studio engineer, to a dude ranch . . . engineer, had spent most of the day in- Don E. Gilman returned from New Jim Hartzell, Guest Relations, learned viting friends and arranging the party. York in time to preside over the Silver the art of riding the surf at La Jolla ... Others from NBC were John Carter, Jubilee Convention of Alpha Delta Sigma, Martha Sherwin, press secretary, is spend- Chase & Sanborn tenor and Bill Sabran- national advertising fraternity, June 24 ing her two weeks decorating her new sky, staff pianist. and 25. home, located near the Fox Hills Studios. A couple of days later he officiated as Andy Love, in charge of Literary Rights, Hollywoodiana chairman of the radio department of the is exploring the gold country . . . Claude PACA. Sydney Dixon, Western Division At a recent get-together on the sands Farrel finally went for that aqua plane

Sales Manager, is vice-chairman of the at Santa Monica were Alice Tyler, Bob ride at Lake Arrowhead . . . Ralph Amato, department. Brooke and Ray Ferguson of Engineering. sound effects, is planning to travel any Others were Joe Thompson, producer, way the wind blows. Probably Oregon — Married Jack Creamer, general maintenance, his wife’s folks live there .. . Joe Alvin. Jane Fleming, Program Traffic, was Norman Noyes, supervisor of pages and Press, will plane to South Bend to visit

married to Bob Morrow, Hollywood adver- “Lefty” Lefler, stock clerk for broadcast- his folks . .. tising man, on July 7. The couple, who ing equipment at the have been engaged for some time, will new building. honeymoon in Northern California. Later Noyes entertained the gang at the Gives Party Amos A Jonathan Beach Club. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Gosden (Amos) 1 1 i entertained several NBCites on June 19 at their Beverly Hills home. William Boone, as- Hal Bock, Western Division Press head, sistant auditor, recent- Joe Parker, announcer, and their wives; ly decided to raise Ray Ferguson, studio engineer; Louise Scotties, and sell them. Summa (Amos ’n’ Andy’s secretary), Five puppiesaround Madaline Lee (“Buzz Me, Miss Blue”), the house for as many and of course the Charlie Corrells, were weeks, with the ma there. and pa helping toliven things, soon caused Softball Boone to reverse his Lee Bridgman’s pitching helped the decision. page boys beat the soundmen softballers twice in a row in inter-department Pix games. Quick NBC engineers atop the last of the studio building roofs to be Later, with Chief Soundman Harry Saz Blanche Davies, sec- constructed in the Radio City of Hollywood which will be ready as captain, for occupancy in the Fall. Standing, left to right. Frank Figgins. the boys got together and retary to Lew Frost, studio engineer; J. .1. Arnone. responsible for architectural details; played the Disney Studios. NBC lost. 16-0. showed Fowler. Kay R. F. Schuetz, in charge of the installation of broadcast and elec- San Francisco Audit- trical equipment; Gordon Strang, job superintendent and engineer; Foiled ing. the interesting O. B. Hanson, NBC vice president and chief engineer; Donald De Wolf, engineer in charge of NBC Hollywood, and Helen Welty, Marvin Young had planned to “bake- places in Hollywood, secretary to Mr. Strang. In front is Edward Nolen, assistant to out” on the desert the first week of his when latter vacation- Mr. Schuetz. 16 NBC TRANSMITTER WBZ BOSTON NBC SAN FRANCISCO by Bob Evans by Louise Landis Scoop by Feldman When more ingenious ideas are con- Rotarian Yoder Low Jinks of 1 938 ceived, Arthur Feldman, Program, likely That proverbial paper-hanger had noth- Larrv Allen, manager of the San Fran- enough will be on the thinking end. Feld- ing on San Francisco Manager Lloyd E. cisco Consolidated Radio Artists, doffs, man’s latest brainchild was an emergency Yoder during the recent Rotarian conven- like a good Bohemian, the last vestige of broadcast from a distressed vessel at sea. Jinks of the tion in town. He lost ten pounds, and no dignity at this year’s Low When the trawler Exeter caught fire of Francisco. wonder, chasing between his NBC office famed Bohemian Club San about 250 miles off Boston and seemed production, and the convention headquarters, where He plays Beelzebub in the in danger of sinking, the U.S. Coast Guard energetically between the Devil his as a running cutter Algonquin picked up her distress usual duties Radio Committee- Girard) and St. doubled drafted (NBC Basso Armand signal and raced to the sinking craft in man were when he was Peter. playwright-actor Hal Burdick into the to NBC time to remove all aboard. House of Friendship, help who has written the show, saved some of As news of the rescue reached WBZ, entertain visiting Rotarians from all parts his choicest lines for Beelzebub, and Announcer Keyes Perrin, acting on pre- of the world. Larry can sign his name Larry B. Allen vious personal cue instructions from Feld- from now on — friends are already ad- man, identified the station with, “You are A. R. E. Elections dressing him that way. tuned to WBZ” instead of the routine sta- The Associated Radio Employes of tion-break. Benedicts NBC held its first annual meeting Mon- Feldman, who was in Providence at Fred Fiorella of the Music Library bids day, June 20, and voted approval of Chi- the time, heard Perrin’s signal, hopped a farewell to bachelorship on July 31 ... cago’s request for a copy of the San Fran- cah for a mad dash to the railroad station. when Miss Mildred Power of Oakland, cisco group’s constitution. Chairman John On the train he burned up the keys of his California, becomes Mrs. Fiorella. Cata- Ribbe’s report for the year was approved portable typewriter, preparing a script lina Island will be the setting for the by an acclamation vote for him to retain for a two-way conversation with the sur- honeymoon. the post for another twelve months. vivors aboard the coast guard boat. In 45 And add to NBC benedicts: Studio Eleanor McFadden of Continuity Ac- minutes he was in WBZ studios and in engineer Donald Hall who was married ceptance was elected secretary short-wave communication with the cut- and Gene to Miss Lorna Finch of Sacramento on Grant of Sales was eleeted ter. Ten minutes later, listeners from treasurer. The June 14. coast-to-coast heard the first-hand story new board of mediators includes Jane Vacations of the disaster and rescue. Burns, Salesman Glen Ticer, Announcer Cliff Engle and your correspondent, Louise NBC folk dotted the horizon in all di- Chief Announcer Names In The News Landis. Also either Florence Allen of rections during July. Program Traffic Dick Ellers divided his vacation between John A. Holman, general manager of or Special Events-News Editor Lake Tahoe and Southern California . .. WBZ & WBZA, was recently elected Vice Don Thompson! So popular are Sales Promotion Manager Charlie Brown President of the Advertising Club of Florence and Don that the A.R.E. mem- went cowboy on a dude ranch . . . Cliff Boston for the 1938-1939 term. bers couldn’t decide between them and Anderson joined the artist colony at the vote was tied. A new ballot will break t r i Carmel for two weeks . . . Music Librarian the tie (hopes the committee) in time for Chris Sykes, Sales, has returned after the next month’s column. Alex Petry visited Hollywood to see five weeks abed recovering from a knee wheels (and the blondes) go round ... operation. Katherine Schmidt, Program, Kathleen Moore, also of the Music Library, has recovered and is back to work after an went camping at Big Sur, optimistically appendectomy. hoping for no snakes. Field Supervisor George Greaves and Your reporter has just returned from Field Engineer T. B. Palmer browsed a two weeks vacation in California and around in their home territory of Brit- after days of sunshine and the blue Paci- ish Columbia while other field men on

fic, finds it mighty difficult to pound this vacation. Tommy Watson and Ed Callahan typewriter again. Incidentally we gave went to Feather River Inn. up the idea of trying to forget the office Other NBC Vacationers: Janet Sligh for two weeks, because the first person we went to Long Beach, where she visited ran into, in our attempt to get away from friends; Jeanette Spiegelman is home

it all, was Frank Bowes, WBZ & WBZA from her holiday with a Santa Cruz tan; sales manager, who was in Chicago on Harry Mayhorn of the Mail Room return- business. ed from two weeks at Lake Tahoe in time

/ i -t to take over the job of receiving visitors News Editors Harry Goodwin and Bob while Juan Trasvina frolicked at Cata- White were among the guests of Esso lina; and Engineer Frank (Tad) Full- his on the U.S.S. Marketers in New York, June 2. The spon- away who spent holiday served two weeks sors of the Esso news broadcasts took all West Virginia where he flew from their announcers through the refineries at Naval Reserve duty and back Kilty Morgan brought this picture back from Francisco at the close of Bayonne, N. J., and showed them a Seattle to San her vacation in Alaska last month to back up the cruise. grand time. those fish stories. JULY, 1938 17 KYW PHILADELPHIA KDKA PITTSBURGH by J. A. Aull by Kay Barr Thank You, Boys Now that the fanfare has died away, For Public Service the shouting ceased, and the new build- Radio stepped into a public emergency ing for KYW is a fait accompli, everybody its newscasts when when KDKA increased has buckled down to carry on the propiti- two afternoon newspapers in Pittsburgh ous beginning. Before turning ourselves suspended operations on June 17 on ac- over to the historic past however, there count of a strike of office employes. should be spread over the record a thick of The As soon as the suspension scent of orchid for the aid and assistance Pittsburgh Press and the Pittsburgh Sun- handed to us by the home office and which Telegraph became a certainty, KDKA’s contributed so definitely to the success E. with manager, A. Nelson, conferred of the party. Although many were called, Ed Leech, editor-in-chief of The Press, many more volunteered; and if anyone and arranged for special newscasts during wants to know what Philadelphia nights He. “Cigarette please . . . Miss . . . er . .. the period of suspension. Normally KDKA look like they should consult Don Glass- ah . . carries two broadcasts by the Press News- - She. “Miss Czajkowski. What kind, please ?” man of the New York Press Division. reeler, in addition to four Esso . . News He. “Miss Tchaikowsky! ? Hmmm . From the preliminaries to the final gong, every (aside) A wise gal, huh . . . (aloud) May programs week-day. Don parked on the KYW' doorstep hand- I present myself, I am Rimsky Korsakoff Each day four fifteen-minute news pro- publicity to keep the Bach. And I will have a package of Turkish ing out pounds of grams were presented, giving KDKA lis- Blend Insulators, (aside) Heh . . . heh . .. Philadelphia presses rolling. His sug-

teners all the local, national, . . . foreign, heh who's laughing now?” gestions and his zeal were alike invaluable. sports and other news as well as fea- Epilogue: Of course, he’s not Rimsky-Kor- some We can’t say too much about Phil Kerby sakoff Bach, silly. He’s really Maurice Spi- tures that had been prepared for both talny, KDKA's musical director — and he who also burned the midnight oil and wit- daily and Sunday editions. Various editors knows it. He was only fooling. But he nessed many a daybreak. When you get of The Press presented the reports. The doesn t know that the cigaret girl’s name is your Pennsy dividends you can thank emergency tie-up lasted really Czajkowski — Isabel Czajkowski — until June 26 Phil Kerby for his trips between New pronounced Tchaikowsky. She works in the when the strike was settled and the papers cigar store in the Grant Building where the York and KYW. resumed operations. KDKA studios are located and she makes Our hats were and are off to Burke the rounds through the offices every now and Crotty, Bill Haussler and Sydney Desfor; Promotions Follow then so that you don't have to go down for Resignation their furniture moving ability was a cigarets. Which is pretty nifty — specially Following her recent marriage to Rich- when it's too hot to move. revelation even to the professionals, but ard Smith, the former Miss Marcella their pictorial turnouts were even more Campbell resigned from KDKA on June extraordinary — not to say stupendous 30, ending six years of service with the Busy Lady and colossal. station. also want to thank Bob Dailey of Evelyn Gardiner of the KDKA Home We As a farewell expression of their re- for his opportune visit, helpful Forum programs was a very busy lady the WTAM spect and affection for a most efficient hints and warnings, and the benefit of his last two weeks of June. In addition to her colleague, the other girls of the staff gave recent experience with the same prob- daily broadcasts, she aided in the prepara- “Marcy” a handkerchief shower in the lems. There are too many more to mentions for the convention of the American studios Tuesday afternoon, June 28. Home Economics Association Convention tion here. Let it suffice to say that we Mrs. Smith’s place in the Continuity thrived on cooperation. in Pittsburgh. June 27 to July 1. Department and as custodian of the Day Numerous advance broadcasts an- Books, has been taken by Alberta Bren- Staff Banquet nounced the coming of the delegates to nan, who has been at the telephone switch- Pittsburgh, On Wednesday. June 8, the entire staff board. and during the convention, executives of the Association were heard had the pleasure of dining with Major on various programs and interviews Lohr on the occasion of his first visit to through KDKA microphones. the new studios. Mr. Joy gave him a gold key to the building with the hope that he Some forty members of the Home Eco- would use it frequently. Mr. Morton was nomics Women in Business, division of the on hand to help celebrate. national organization were entertained by Miss Gardiner at a buffet supper in Studio A on June 24. as one of the preliminary Wedding and Betrothal get-togethers. Miss Betty Dickert, secretary to the general manager, became Mrs. George Vacation Notes Chambers in the Chapel of the Mediator Janet Ross. KDKA Shopping Circle, in Philadelphia on June 25. The bride- returned from a deep-sea fishing visit in groom is a member of the advertising staff Mrs. Richard Smith (left), the former Miss Florida, and Ed Calahan. Artists Service, of Barron’s Financial Weekly. Marcella Campbell, turns the KDKA Day Books over to her successor. Miss Alberta finished a motor tour of Pennsylvania on The engagement of Miss Helen Pearse Brennan, on June 30. the day of her resigna- June 27. Eleanor Ondek. program sec- to John Guluzian of Boston wr as announced tion from KDKA, following her recent mar- retary, left for a tour of New England the last month. No date has been set for the riage. Looking on is Miss June Marshall same day. Don Fitzpatrick, page, and wedding. Miss Pearse is secretary to A1 (standing) who succeeds Miss Brennan at the telephone switchboard. Dave Garroway, announcer, went July 4. W atton in the Program Department. 18 NBC TRANSMITTER

The NBC Transmitter salutes these pects to move in, with Mrs. Shultis and his him. He was at the radio controls when members of the National Broadcasting children, John, six, and Peter, three, in NBC broadcast directly from the Cavalier, Company who, this month, complete their August. He told us that his sons have a the Imperial Airway flying boat, during tenth year with the Company. more than average talent for drawing and her maiden flight from Bermuda to New they are mechanically inclined too. York in 1937. He flew with the Hinden- DeWitt C. Shultis “Are you going to make artists or en- burg. up and down the Atlantic coast, a When De Witt gineers out of them?” he was asked. year before she went down in flames in C. Shultis was a “I think I’ll leave that up to them,” he New Jersey. He was also there with the boy his father said with a Solomon-like smile. NBC mobile unit when the dirigible crum- wanted him to be- bled to ashes and twisted steel at Lake- come an artist. So Dewey Sturgell hurst.

when he was grad- During the war the government main- Field Engineer Sturgell’s latest flight uated from Morris tained a radio school at Harvard Univer- for NBC listeners was aboard one of the High School in New sity where many of the Navy’s radio opera- Army’s “flying fortresses” during the re- York City he en- tors were trained. Dewey Sturgell, a young cent Army maneuvers in New York. rolled in the Art man just out of high school, was among "There are many other exciting as- League. those enlisted in D. C. Shultis Students who the Navy and were signments for field engineers.” says Mr. There he learned sent to Harvard to learn their dots and Sturgell, “but nothing would probably discourse to transfer paint to canvas and to dashes. please me more, at this time, than a but learnedly on the merits of cubism His first assignment as a radio operator round-the-world broadcast by airplane.” often in the middle of a class he would was aboard the Dante Alighieri, one of thinking of the radio set he find himself the ships that zig-zagged American sol- Mary E. Henderson was building at home instead of concen- diers across the Atlantic to France. The Accounting Department in New trating upon the curves of a buxom model. Nothing very exciting happened to Mr. York has claimed the services of Mary So, he decided to do something about Sturgell on the E. Henderson consistently for a decade. this interest in things electrical and en- Dante Alighieri, At present she is in the division which rolled in the evening session of a tech- but later when he handles the fees or salary checks of NBC nical school. Art by day and electricity by was serving aboard artists. night was his schedule now. Eventually, the Alcedo, a yacht A native New Yorker, Miss Henderson he decided to become an engineer and re- which had been embarked on a clerical career after grad- signed from the art school. He attended turned over for pa- uation from the St. Vincent Ferrer School. a succession of technical schools, ulti- trol duty, he had a When she joined its headquarters mately graduating from RCA Institute. narrow escape NBC were in the old Building at 711 His first job was with the Edison Com- when the boat was NBC Fifth Avenue. pany as a laboratory technician. The next torpedoed off the step up the ladder was in Western Elec- coast of Brest, In an interview for the NBC Transmit- Dewey Sturcell tric, for which company he travelled all France. Six were ter Miss Henderson showed much mod- over the country, installing switchboards. killed and many esty by shunning questions about herself; torpedo blew up the A few years later he went into partner- were injured when a therefore, your reporter turned to her the middle of the night. Those who ship with his brother and founded an elec- ship in close associates in the department who ashore in life boats. trical contracting firm. This proved to be survived rowed told him, among other things, that they ex- of the incident,” said Mr. an unhappy move because, in Mr. Shultis’ ‘’The irony pect soon to find a wedding ring next to the consider own words, “I lost my shirt.” Sturgell. who did and still does engagement ring which she has been wear- In 1928 he filed an application in the war as a silly and unnecessary thing, “was ing since last Christmas. They also told Engineering Department of NBC and this that the German submarine which had him that she is a good dancer and an ex- month he completes his tenth year with torpedoed our ship came up afterwards cellent cook. the Company. He is now one of the su- and offered us assistance to find our way Not long ago Miss Henderson’s talents pervisors in the Maintenance Division of ashore. The Germans stood by while we as a singer and dancer were discovered Engineering. He is active in NBC affairs got into our life-boats and then gave us when she was spotted by some NBC and this year he was elected to the presi- helpful directions as to how to get ashore. friends in the chorus of a show given by dency of the Association of Technical Em- It being a calm night we had no trouble the Vera Cruz ployes. He had, previously, served as vice rowing ashore — fifty miles away.” Council of the president. Mr. Sturgell next served on a destroyer. Knights of Colum- Mr. Shultis is quite a golfer. He won the U.S.S. Fanning, until the end of the war. bus in New York. NBC Athletic Association Golf Tourna- Then he went back to sea as merchant They dubbed her

ment last month. ( Read story on page 1.) marine radio operator. After nine years “Hotcha” Hender- Engineer Shultis is a member of that on merchant ships he joined NBC in 1928. son. vast army of New Jersey commuters who During all his ten years with NBC he Miss Henderson daily bolt their breakfast to catch the has served as a field engineer with the lives with her fa- 8:10 for New York City. He leaves on his exception of two months during which he mily in Washing-

vacation soon and plans to spend it kibitz- ton Heights. She is worked as studio engineer. Assignments U ing the construction work on his new to broadcast for NBC from the air have the only girl and the house at River Edge, New Jersey. He ex- been the most exciting and memorable to eldest of 4 children. Mary E. Henderson JULY, 1938 19

John F. Rodenbach concentrated secretarial course, she took enough, his most thrilling experience hap- a position in the advertising pened when he was on a vacation cruise When we hear a department passenger, not as an operator. He heavyweight cham- of System Magazine where she learned as a the of was aboard the S.S. Dixie when the vessel pionship fight, or fundamentals the advertising busi- narrowly escaped being blown ashore dur- music from La Con- ness. After that she sold direct-mail ad- ing a hurricane and during the excitement ga, or a special vertising for a he had the most thrilling hours of that news broadcast couple of years, be- trip in the radio shack, helping the oper- from some out-of- fore coming to N BC ators send out SOS calls. the-way place, the on July 23. 1928. lines that bring She was secre- these programs to tary to I. E. Show- Walter W. McKinley Radio City are set erman in the Sales Many radio engineers started as hams up by the transmis- Department for —young independent experimenters in the sion engineers in eight years until he field of radio to whom the industry owes the Master Control was transferred to much of its progress and scientific dis- Room, one of New York. She now coveries. whom, John F. Ro- Marcelle Mitchell works with Paul Walter McKinley who completes his J. F. Rodenbach has been McCluer, who suc- tenth year with this month started and Tuna denbach, NBC pulling and push- ceeded Mr. Showerman in Chicago. in radio as a ham shortly after he was ing jack plugs for NBC for many years, so Miss Mitchell has been active in the graduated from high school in Seattle, that all sorts of programs may be brought Women’s Advertising Club of Chicago Washington. With his amateur radio sta- to the networks at all times. for several years. This year she was ap- tion he communicated with his fellow Though his work entails a tremendous pointed Publicity Chairman of the club. hams until a strong urge to act behind amount of responsibility, Mr. Rodenbach She likes horseback-riding, swims a the footlights overpowered his interest in science. is apparently not fazed by it. “After all,” little, and usually travels to new places he says, “everything we do up here is done during her vacations and other holidays. He toured the country as a vaudeville on cue or else we have the necessary in- actor for a few years until the United formation right under our noses.” And States entered the War. Actor McKinley Henry J. Treger enlisted in the so, surrounded as he is by a twisting maze Navy which ignored his Many of the vet- histrionic record but his of wires, interspersed with volume re- underlined past eran radio opera- experience as an radio cording dials and hundreds of vari-colored amateur operators today started tor. Consequently, he was assigned to the lights, he continues his easy-going opera- their careers as Harvard Naval Radio Training School tions in an otherwise very complex busi- marine radio oper- after which he was shipped aboard the ness. ators, long before U.S.S. Vermont as radio operator. Mr. Rodenbach first became associated radio waves were After the War. Mr. McKinley returned with radio in 1919 when he worked as used to broadcast to his home in Seattle where he became radio operator on ocean-going vessels, entertainment, ad- a commercial marine radio operator. By after having spent two years with the vertisements, edu- alternating between sea and land duty he A.E.F., thirteen months of his hitch tak- cational programs, managed to attend the University of Wash- ing place in France with the 34th Aero speeches and news. ington for two years. Henry J. Treger Squadron and the U. S. Signal Corps. A Among these is In 1924 he went east and joined the year later he became traffic manager for Henry J. Treger who, this month, com- eastern marine division of RCA. Later he the Independent Wireless-Telegraph Com- pletes his tenth year with NBC and the entered the employ of the Independent pany and worked with C. J. Pannill, who WJZ staff at Bound Brook, New Jersey. W ireless Telegraph Company until it was is now president of RCA Marine. When A native of Jersey City and a graduate consolidated with RCA. From there he his company was absorbed by RCA in was of the RCA Institute, he acquired most transferred to NBC as transmitter 1928, he joined NBC as studio engineer of his early training in radio as ship engineer at W JZ and subsequently to the at 711 Fifth Avenue. He was transferred operator. After obtaining his Commercial WEAF staff. to the transmission group when NBC Radio License he worked in the testing Engineer McKinley keeps up his studies moved into its present headquarters in department of a New York radio manu- in order to keep Radio City. facturing company for a short period be- abreast of the prog- “Rodie,” as he is known to his co- fore he took his license out to sea. ress made in radio. workers, is a native New Yorker and was Three years ago When W'AAT made its debut on the air graduated from the Manual Training High he completed a in Jersey City he took charge of its trans- School and the radio school of the Mar- course at the Capi- mitter and remained there for a year until coni Company. He is married, the father tol Radio Engi- - wanderlust took him back to sea and the f of a boy and a girl, and resides in Willis- neering School. Far East. A few years later, in 1928, he ton Park, Long Island. He prides himself He is married decided to give up sailing and joined on his ability as a gardener and thinks and has two daugh- -* NBC and the WJZ staff. fishing is the greatest sport in the world. ters. His chief hob- That he has conquered the wanderlust And that’s no goldfish he has there, by by is photography. W. W . McKinley that used to haunt him in the old is any means! days evidenced not only by his long period iii with WJZ but also by the fact that he is Marcelle H. Mitchell engaged to be married soon and plans to PARKER 4 BATTERSBY. Radio City camera is donating another Argus Candid Camera Marcelle H. Mitchell is a native Chi- build a home and raise a family. shop, to be awarded to the NBC employe submitting cagoan and a graduate of the Nicholas However, he still recalls nostalgic mem- the best picture to the next Photo Contest of Senn High School. After completing a ories of his experiences at sea. Strangely the NBC Transmitter. Read the rules on page 12. WINNERS IN PHOTO CONTEST

(Read rules on page 12.)

FIRST PRIZEWINNER SECOND PRIZE W. A. R. Brown, assistant development engineer, This excellent candid shot of Radio Facilities Engine* snapped in his office in Radio City by Television Engin- Ray Guy hitting a two-bagger was taken by Engine* eer Richard— W. Pickard who wins this month’s first Donald H. Castle who will receive a copy of the beautifi prize - an Argus Candid Camera donated by Parker NBC Symphony Orchestra souvenir book, second priz & Battersby, well-known camera supply shop in Radio award in the NBC Transmitter Photo Contest. City. You too can win an Argus camera. Read the NBC Photo Contest rules on page 12.

HONORABLE MENTION F. C. Everett, WTAM radio operator, seem- ingly sacrifices his face to save an expensive transmitting tube as he takes a spill. Although the picture was posed, the judges of the photo contest felt that Mr. Everett should get, at least. Honorable Mention for the trouble. Another WTAM engineer, J. A. Cheeks, snapped the camera.

During a visit to NBC Washington Announcer Baton Wielder Jerry Sears was wielding a fishing rod whet Below. GORDON HITTENMARK, an- Ben Grauer took this picture of Announcer Ed this was snapped by Announcer Bob Waldrop. nouncer, bites into barbecued beef during Rogers and Production Manager Bill Coyle. the recent National Press Club Barbecue, Fort Hunt, Va. Picture by Engineer A. R. McGonegal. Both are of NBC Washington.

STEVE ROCHE, NBC Chicago engineer, and his son, Robert, photographed during their vacation at Buffalo Bill’s grave on Lookout Mountain, near Denver.

JOSEPH S. SAUER in the sanctum sanc- torum of the New York Traffic Dept., photographed by Steere Mathew who sits in the opposite desk. NBC TRANSMITTER

VOL. 4 AUGUST, 1938 N 0 . 8

PRESTON TO DIRECT DICK STODDART HONORED A. E. NELSON NAMED BLUE EDUCATIONAL DIVISION BY HIS NBC ASSOCIATES NETWORK SALES MANAG'R

Richard R. Stoddart, NBC staff en- Gilcher Succeeds Preston A. E. Nelson, gineer, who accompanied Howard Hughes in General Service following his brief in the record-breaking flight around the but brilliant rec- world as radio operator, was cited for his ord of spectacular achievements during the as manager has been flight by the National Broadcasting Com- KDKA, appointed to the pany at a luncheon given in his honor at offices of Radio City on July 26. Mr. Stoddart re- executive ceived from Lenox R. Lohr, president, a the N a t i o n a 1 gold microphone and a scroll in which he Broadcasting was cited for his signal contributions to Company in Radio aviation and radio. City where he will The scroll bore the signatures of fill a newly created David A. E. Nelson Sarnoff, president of RCA; Lenox R. position sales W. G. Preston, Jr. V. J. Gilcher Lohr, 0. B. Hanson, vice president and manager of the NBC-Blue Network. chief engineer; John F. Royal, vice presi- According to the announcement made John F. Royal, vice president in charge dent in charge of programs; Mark Woods, by President Lohr, Mr. Nelson has been of programs, announced the appointment vice president and treasurer; A. L. Ashby, transferred from Pittsburgh to New York of Walter J. Preston, Jr., as his assistant vice president and general counsel; Juan in order to direct an “intensive develop- in charge of educational programs on de J. Almonte, assistant to the president; ment of the Blue Network.” Mr. Nelson July 20. Following Mr. Preston’s appoint- George McElrath, operating engineer; G. came to Radio City and assumed his new ment, Vincent J. Gilcher of the Engineer- 0. Milne, Eastern Division engineer; Max duties on July 25. Mr. Nelson’s successor ing Department was appointed to succeed Jacobson, field supervisor; C. W. Fitch, at KDKA has not been named. William Mr. Preston as head of the General Ser- E. business manager of the Program Depart- Jackson, manager of Local Sales vice Department in Radio City. at ment, and A. A. Schechter, director of KDKA, is acting manager of the 0. B. Hanson, vice president and chief station. News and Special Events. Following his appointment engineer, has appointed William A. to Radio The gold microphone carried the en- City, Mr. Nelson named Robert Clarke to succeed Mr. Gilcher as man- Saudek. graved inscription: KDA continuity chief, as his ager of technical services in the Engi- assistant in “Presented to Richard R. Stoddart in the new neering Department. position. recognition of his achievements as radio Mr. Nelson, who has Mr. Preston’s appointment to the Pro- been in radio work engineer on the ‘New York World Fair since he founded in gram Department is the first step in a WIBO Chicago in 1939,’ piloted by Howard Hughes, on its 1923, was reorganization of the educational division manager of KOA, NBC station record-breaking round-the-world flight in Denver, recommended by Dr. James Rowland for more than three years be- July 10-14 — 3 days, 19 hours, 17 minutes fore he went Angell, NBC’s educational counsellor. to Pittsburgh in September, — by his associates in the National Broad- 1937, to become the Walter G. Preston, Jr. was educated at manager of KDKA. casting Company. Lenox R. Lohr, presi- The promotion Phillips Andover and Yale, doing gradu- of Robert Saudek comes dent.” to the brilliant ate work at Creighton, Chicago and Cin- 27-year-old continuity writer cinnati Universities. When Dr. Robert as the well-deserved reward for Maynard Hutchins was selected as presi- five years of outstanding dent of the University of Chicago, Mr. work at KDKA. Following Preston became his assistant, and was his graduation active in the educational and administra- from Harvard College in tive reorganization of the University of 1932, Mr. Saudek spent a year with Chicago. Mr. Preston left the University the Yankee Net- to become administrative vice president work at its headquarters in Boston, and director of the Bankers Reserve Life before joining KDKA Company. as continuity editor in 1933.

He joined NBC three years ago as as- While at KDKA, he stud- sistant to the vice president and treasurer, ied law at Duquesne Univer- and was appointed director of the General sity. He plans to continue his Service Department in 1936. He is a mem- -tV'TJV a. studies in New York. He was ber of the executive committee of the Yale a director of the Advertising For his distinguished services as radio operator on Howard Alumni Board, Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, Hughes’ record-breaking flight around the world, Richard Club of Pittsburgh and Wolf’s Head, the American Management Stoddart, on leave of absence from NBC, received a gold through his KDKA connec- Association and the Yale microphone and an illuminated scroll from his NBC asso- Club of New tion was active in many civic York ciates at a luncheon given in his honor in Radio City on City. movements with July 26. L. to R. 0. B. Hanson, v.p., and chief engineer; which the ( Continued on page 15) Dick Stoddart and President L. R. Lohr. station was identified. 2 NBC TRANSMITTER WBZ BOSTON by Bob Evans WGY SCHENECTADY

Riley Replaces Feldman by W. T. Meenam Newest member of the WBZ and WBZA Soft Ball listeners in the immediate WGY area were staff is Tom Riley, who assumed charge WGY’s soft ball team made up of an- impressed with the fact that the old WGY of news and special events for NBC’s New nouncers and technical men clashed twice was housed in new and modern quarters England Division on July 15. with the team of Schaffer Stores and both from which bigger and better things may Riley came to Boston from the Press times with disastrous results. Howard be expected. Division in New York to replace Arthur Tupper, a graduate of the St. Lawrence On opening day, July 9, thousands of Feldman, who has been transferred to baseball school of Hal Schumacher of the people filed through the building guided Radio City to announce and to assist A. A. New York Giants, captained the WGY by Alvin Van Valkenburgh and Stanley Schechter on special events. nine with Alan Taylor performing in the Godelauski of WGY’s staff, assisted by Tom's return to Boston is somewhat capacity of manager and coach. Carl Cannon and Frank W. Nesbitt of in the nature of a homecoming as he is a the Guest Relations Division in New native of New Bedford. During the four Stork Visitations York. years he spent in New York, Riley worked The stork has made two landings of Special dedication week programs in- in Press and Special Events. late in the homes of WGY folks, and he cluded dramas with early members of the Tom and his family will live at Hing- brought boys on both trips. Mr. and Mrs. WGY’s Players in the cast; a tour of the ham on the South Shore. Paul Adanti welcomed a son several weeks studio building; a pre-dedication issue of Just Call Me "Cy" ago. They have named him Richard and Scissors and Paste with all WGY com- Tom Martin threatens to write a popular mentators as contributing editors; Though he has not yet acquired the Waldo song about “Dick Adanti.” Pooler’s Northern Lights; Reminiscenses paunch that is usually prominent in cari- Virgil Hasche, office manager, became by M. P. Rich, Kolin Hager and Charles catures of politicians. Office Manager Cy the father of a son, Robert Alan Hasche, R. Hoxie; a quartet of singers featured Young is learning more about the forces on July 18. in 1922 broadcasts; the drama, that run the country every day. For the WGY The Salient, with Charles Coburn in the past month aspiring candidates have been The Boss' Vacation lead; Sandy MacFarlane in Scotch songs; wearing a path in Cy’s office rug, in their Manager and Mrs. Kolin Hager, ac- the WGY String Quartet of 1922; Dr. quest for radio time. Worst of it all. he companied by their twin daughters, No- Charles Gilbert Spross reproducing the must display his best Democratic smile rine and Koline, passed two vaca- piano program of The Spot- one day and wildest Republican grin on weeks’ 1922; Studio tion at Horseneck Beach, South Westport, light; On the Other Side the the next day. He’s now working on an of Panel, Massachusetts. For Mr. Hager it produced by Silvio Caranchini and Paul Independent chuckle. When he masters was a welcome rest from the infinite detail in- Adanti, members of the control staff; and that, then all he’ll have to worry about is volved in moving into quarters a Children s Theatre the Air program flashing the right expression on the right WGY’s new of and in the ceremonies attending the introducing the youngsters whose cos- day. move. tumes won prizes in the Dedication Day Promoter Holman Engagements Parade. General Manager John A. Holman has Betty King, of Sales, passed two weeks’ In the midst of WGY’s Dedication Day just returned from a trip to Chicago vacation at Lake George, accompanied by activities, the members of the staff of where he cooperated in an effort to boost her mother whose home is in Chicago. WGY invaded Manager Kolin Hager’s WBZ and WBZA sales. Miss King’s engagement to Lloyd Dona- handsome new office to extend congratu- hue, a young engineer employed by Gen- lations and present him with a beautifully What Goes On eral Electric, was announced recently. engrossed resolution or tribute. Sales Manager and Mrs. Frank Bowes Mrs. Virgil Hasche have moved from Beacon Hill to Hanover, has announced the en- Mass., where they purchased a house and gagement of her daugh- twenty-two acres of land. Frank now ter, lone Van Denplas, spends every minute away from the stu- of WGY Press, to Silvio dios in rural garb, and is even affecting a Caranchini, of WGY farm-hand accent. Engineering. The wed- Post cards from Hamburg, Germany, ding date is August 6. to WBZ and WBZA friends say that Tom Bean, formerly of the Plant Department, WGY Opening is now radio officer on the S. S. President The tumult and the Harding of the United States Lines. shouting have subsided Bob White, staff announcer, and his and the staff of WGY is wife are back from their vacation at Mis- now settled in the new quamicut Beach, R. I., where they found studio building. Program Director John McNamara — two Headed by Manager cottages away from theirs. Bob Henderson, plant department, has Kolin Hager, the staff returned from a week of traveling, but carried out elaborate Photographed at the dedicatory ceremonies of the new WGY building in Schenectady, left to right: Dr. E. F. W. Alexanderson, no one has yet been able to find out where promotional plans and radio inventor; Mrs. Owen D. Young; Kolin Hager, manager of he went. Kay Leatherbee, Press and Pro- pre- and post-dedica- WGY; Obester Lang of General Electric; Owen D. Young, chair- tion programs. Over a motion, is off for two weeks of roughing it man of the board of General Electric; Lenox R. Lohr, president in Connecticut. period of two weeks the of NBC, and Mrs. Lenox R. Lohr. |n the evenings of July 19 and 21, Studio 8G in Radio City was turned into a real theatre by The Stagecrafters, a group composed of NBC employes. Their presentation which was loudly acclaimed by

all who saw it and which marked an auspicious beginning of the group as a permanent acting company was that hilarious comedy about songwriters, "June Moon." Pictures by NBC Photographer Bill Heussler

Act III. A scene in Goebel’s Music Publishing House. Left to right: William Rippe, Hubert Chain, Donna Adams, George Brengel, James Costello, Ranald MacDougall and Agnes Locherer

Making up, left to right: Jean Harrison, Agnes Locherer and Shirley Metz.

Robert West (left) who played the part of Thi s is Matthew Boylan who did much of Mr. Hart, the music publisher, helps George the carpentry work on the sets. Brengel make up to look like Maxie, the songwriter.

Upper right. Gilbert Ralston (right) directs the ingenue, Donna Adams, and the male lead, Hubert Chain, in a love scene.

Right. Bettina Steinke, who designed the sets, grabs a bite during that hectic hour before the curtain goes up.

Left. In which the yokel songwriter, left, has to choose between the blonde siren and the ingenue. L. to R. Hubert Chain, Shirley Metz, George Brengel, Donna Adams. 4 NBC TRANSMITTER

section. His new duties will be to maintain Arthur S. Feldman, director of special all records and memorandums of mail events and announcer of WBZ, Boston, NAMES IN and postage used. was transferred to the announcing staff in Andrew Ferri, also of the Mail Room, Radio City last month. Though still in THE NEWS will take Mr. Hervey ’s place in the even- his early twenties, Mr. Feldman has al- ing staff. ready distinguished himself as a competent all-round announcer and a crack NEW YORK Newcomers: radio reporter. Mr. Feldman announced for Station Richard A. Thomas, former Paris cor- for a year before joining respondent for the Associated Press and WMEX NBC Promotions: in Boston. After two years as an- the New York Herald-Tribune, has joined WBZ Thomas J. Dolan has been appointed to nouncer, he was appointed to take charge the International Program staff as chief succeed Roy H. Holmes, who has resigned of special events programs in that station. of the French section. He will direct and from the Company, as supervisor of the announce French programs. His knowl- ill Program Transmission Division in the Thomas L. Robinson, former secretary edge of the language was gained as a Traffic Department. Mr. Dolan who will and member of the board of directors of member of the Comedie Francaise, French soon complete his tenth year in the Traf- Harold F. Strong Corporation, public re- state theatre. A graduate of Harvard Uni- fic Department, has been with NBC since lations firm, joined the Company on July versity, Mr. Thomas has traveled exten- 1927 when he started in the Company as 20 as an assistant editor in Continuity Ac- sively in Europe. a messenger in the Mail Room. ceptance. i i i A year later he was transferred to A graduate of Harvard, Mr. Robinson John H. Marsching has joined NBC as Traffic where he started as an office boy received his training for the public rela- chief of the German section in the In- and, during the past ten years, has worked tions field at the New York Times where ternational Program Division after six- up to the position as head of one of the he worked for five years, serving in the teen years as an insurance broker in New department’s divisions. circulation, advertising and editorial de- York. He received his education at the Joseph S. Sauer of Traffic has been ap- partments. In 1936 he left the Times to go Oberrealschule and Heidelberg in Ger- pointed to assist Mr. Dolan in his duties as to Balboa as assistant public relations di- many, the Ecole de Hartes Commercials head of Program Transmision. rector of the Panama Canal. A year later in France and at Columbia University Mr. Dolan is married to the former Miss he returned to New York to join the Har- where he majored in banking and com- Jean Scott who was in the Sales Traffic old F. Strong Corporation. mercial business. Division until she resigned from the Mr. Robinson has had some experience When the United States entered the Company on June 30. They were married before a microphone as a speaker. While World War in 1917, he volunteered and, last December and are now residing in with the Times he gave several promo- after a short training period, went to Eu- New York City. tional talks for the newspaper over a local rope with General Pershing’s staff as a > a > station. As a public relations man, he has member of the Military Intelligence Sec- Miss Beulah Jarvis, who has been a written radio speeches for various clients. tion. He was honorably discharged at the member of the Program Department for While in Panama, Mr. Robinson wrote conclusion of the War as a Major. Then several years, was recently transferred articles about the Panama Canal. he spent three years in the export and from the Production Division to the office i i i import business. At present he is a com- of the department’s business manager, C. Crispin Alves dos Santos, formerly missioned Major in the Military Intelli- W. Fitch. She succeeds Mrs. Dorothy with W2XAD, short-wave station in Schen- gence, O.R.C. — 2d Corps Area. O’Neil who resigned from the Company. ectady, has joined the International Pro- ill i 1 i gram Division as Portuguese announcer. Miss Alice Bradford, who came to John A. Barrett has been engaged to Born in Brazil* he was educated in his NBC from Time, Inc., last January has handle Spanish translations and audience native country and in Europe where he been transferred from Central Steno- mail and to act as Spanish announcer in lived for many years.

graphic to Production to fill the vacancy the International Program Division. He i i i resulting from Miss Jarvis’ promotion. was born in Puerto Rico of American Harold B. Flood, formerly of the en- Miss Bradford is a graduate of Lawrence parents and came to the States seven years gineering staff of Paramount Pictures, College in Wisconsin. ago to attend the University of North has joined NBC as studio engineer. He i i i Carolina where he received a master’s de- spent many of his ten years with Para- John P. Mannion, Jr., has been pro- gree in romance languages. He taught mount with the newsreel recording staff moted from the Guest Relations staff to languages at the Hampden-Sydney Col- and during that time he covered many ma-

the Sales Department where he is filling lege in Virginia for a year after which he jor news events and recorded many pub- the vacancy which resulted from the re- returned to his alma mater as faculty ad- lic utterances of Franklin D. Roosevelt, cent promotion of Jere Baxter 3d to the viser. Herbert Hoover, and Alf M. Landon. Be- Local Sales Division. Mr. Mannion came i i i fore Paramount, he was with Station to NBC as a page in 1936 and subse- W. H. Trevarthen has entered the em- WJAR, Red Network outlet in Providence, quently was promoted in the uniformed ploy of NBC as a member of the mainten- Rhode Island, from 1922 to 1928. staff until he became a cashier in the ance staff in Engineering. He was formerly i i i guide staff. He is a graduate of Manhattan with Stewart Warner Corporation in Chi- Robert M. Ward, a new member of the College in the class of 1935. He also at- cago, with General Electric as radio field studio engineers’ staff, comes to us from tended Columbia as a post-graduate stu- engineer for two years, and with Western Station WOR where he served six years dent. Electric as switchboard engineer for more as maintenance, studio and master con- 1 i i than two years. He is married and has trol engineer. His other former affiliations Walter Hervey, senior clerk of the even- decided to make his home at one of the were with the Brunswick Recording Lab- ing staff in the Mail-Messenger Section, NBCites’ favorite suburban districts. Jack- oratories, United Research Corporation, has been promoted to record clerk of the son Heights. and Electrical Testing Laboratory. AUGUST, 1938 5

Miss Martha Duttweiler, a graduate of western University where he studied jour- NBC last December, is a graduate of St. John’s Hospital in Brooklyn, is in the nalism. While in college, he covered the Agnes Scott College in Georgia and the First Aid Room acting as relief nurse North Shore area of Chicago for the City Katherine Gibbs secretarial school in New during the vacation period of NBC’s staff Press Association. He was also an editor York. 1 Y i nurses. of his college paper, Northwestern Daily. M iss Lucile Russell, formerly of the 1 1 Y In addition to newspaper work, he has International Program Division, is now Miss Ethel Gloria Scharn, formerly done publicity for the Cellotex Company secretary to Reginald E. Thomas, pro- in the stock brokerage business in Wall in Chicago and for a banking firm in De- duction director of Electrical Transcrip- Street, has joined the stenographic staff troit. Radio is not a new subject to Mr. tion Service. of the Company. She is a native New Miller. While he was with the Journal, he Y Y Y Yorker and a graduate of Richmond Hill wrote several articles on Radio City and Mrs. Mildred Judge was transferred High School. broadcasting in general. from the Information Division to the office i i i Mr. Miller is married. His wife is also of Pat Kelly, supervisor of announcers, on Benjamin H. Hunnicut, Jr. who was active in newspaper and publicity work. July 15, to fill the secretarial position re- born and educated in Brazil, has joined Her nom de plume, Isabella Taves, is signed by Miss Winifred L. Bantz. Mrs. the International Program staff as a clerk well-known to many readers of magazine Judge joined NBC in the Guest Rela- and Portuguese announcer. Born of and newspaper stories. tions Division in 1935, and, before the American parents, he attended American Transfers: Information Division was created last schools in Brazil operated by missionaries April, she was in the Audience Mail Sec- of the Presbyterian Church. Following Miss Edna Mustor has been appointed tion. in the Sales his graduation from college in Brazil, he secretary to George H. Frey Y YY to replace Miss Kathryn came to the States to take a post graduate Department Albert E. Roraback has been trans- Bauer (Mrs. Gerson Mordo) who resigned course at the University of Florida where ferred from the Guest Relations staff to from the Company to join her husband he completed his first semester in June. the Information Division to replace Ed- Michigan. Miss Bauer’s ill in Grand Rapids, ward Shippen Geer who resigned from resignation took place shortly after she Mrs. Marjorie Fennell has joined the the Company, August 3. A graduate of completed her tenth year of service with Stenographic staff. No newcomer to Radio Yale, Mr. Roraback came to NBC in July, City, she has worked for various other NBC. 1937. firms in Rockefeller Center and recently Miss Mustor has worked in various de- was associated with Douglas E. Elliman, partments of the Company since she came Resignations: Co., Inc., real estate. When asked whether to NBC about a year and a half ago. George Brengel resigned from the she had ever faced a microphone before, She was formerly with Mason and Han- Guest Relations on August 1 to accept a she parried with, “You might add that I’m gar, Inc. position as announcer for WSOC, NBC married and that I’m in my thirteenth YY Y station in Charlotte, North Carolina. He month of marital bliss.” Miss Alma Brohard has been trans- was picked for the job following an audi- i 1 i ferred from Stenographic to the Sales De- tion in which several members of Dan R. Gordon Webber, has joined the staff partment where she is now a typist and Russel’s announcing class for NBC em-

of the Information Division. A native of receptionist. Miss Brohard, who joined ( Continued on page 7) Michigan, he is a graduate of the Uni- versity of Michigan. Y YY Emmet F. Horine, Jr., has joined the International Program Division as a member of the German staff. He will do office work and announcing in German. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he received his college education at Davidson College, North Carolina. He did post-graduate work at the Universities of Bonn and Heidel- berg in Germany. This fall he will conduct a class in German in the Extension De- partment (evenings) of Columbia Uni- versity. Y Y Y William Moscrip Miller, formerly with the U. S. Housing Authority in Washing- ton, D. C., as a publicity writer, has joined our Press Division. He has had many years’ experience as a newspaperman. Among the papers he has worked on are the Chicago Tribune, the Paris edition of the New York Herald and the Evening Journal (now the Journal-American) in New York. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, of a Scotch NBCites, their friends and relatives filled Studio 8G one night last month to see a legitimate show, “June Moon,” presented by Stagecrafters, an amateur theatrical group composed of mother and an American father, Mr. Mil- The NBC employes. The comedy was a great success. Two performances were given. NBCites are ler spent his boyhood in Michigan and re- already looking forward to seeing The Stagecrafters’ next and second play which is now being ceived his college education at North- selected. :

6 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC HOLLYWOOD by Noel Corbett

Promotions Karel Pearson, Traffic, Bill How- ard and George McMenamin The following changes in the Engi- Guest Relations, put on the read- neering Department have been announced ing in Studio B, at which many by Division Engineer A. H. Saxton, as of employes were in the audience. August 1 M. S. Adams will become Field Super- With the first try a complete visor, F. M. Figgins will be Maintenance success, almost everybody in the Supervisor, and C. E. Pickett will be Con- Hollywood Studios fully interested trol Relief Supervisor. Formerly these and talk of a broadcast in the of- three were studio engineers. fing, the gals and boys got together and decided to make the affair a bi-weekly one. Amos n' Andy Trophy On July 27 four plays were put Interest in the recent tennis tournament on. among Hollywood employes has caused McMenamin directed a scene Amos ’n’ Andy to donate a handsome from Much Ado About Nothing, three-year silver trophy to the Hollywood in which he, Blanche Davies, Lew staff of NBC. Competition for the cup, Frost’s secretary; Alice Tyler, A. originally planned for Hollywood, might H. Saxton’s secretary, Elaine Forbes, Sales, was one of the first to ride extend to include the and Dorothy San Francisco offices. through Los Angeles’ new Chinatown, when the tiny Peter Brown, of Continuity Accep- replica of the Far East was opened to visitors recently. tance, participated. Charlo Holden's Wedding Here she is enjoying a rickshaw ride. Grease Paint Ghost with Janet Charlo Holden, daughter of Honor Hol- White, Program, Jean Stoddard and Bill ter, the farce had Janet White, Evelyn den of Artists Service, was married to Howard, was given, with the latter as Hermanson and McMenamin reading. Knowles B. Smith, Jr., on August 8. director. The group plans eventually to work up The young couple will make their home Myron Dutton, producer, directed a a show which can be broadcast. in Cadillac, Michigan. scene from Design For Living, in which Who knows, maybe they’ll be getting Dorothy Lamour, to whom Charlo has Joe Thompson, producer, Evelyn Herman- an offer from a network sponsor one of been secretary for several months, was the son, John Swallow’s secretary; Frances these days. matron of honor. Scully, Press; Walter Snow, Sound Ef- Welcome a la Hollywood fects, and Frances Garland, Auditing, NBC Thespians No movie star or Hollywood big-shot along with Dutton, were the principals. was ever given a greater reception than In their first meeting July 13, the NBC The closing play for the evening was the one Joe Thompson, producer, received Employes Play Reading Group presented an original by Max Hutto of the Mimeo- when he stepped off the train at Glendale School for Scandal. Helen Aldrich, Sales, graph Division. Entitled Big Game Hun- recently. Joe, whose car broke down on the way back from his San Francisco vacation, wired Myron Dutton, producer, that he was training in with his sister, Kathleen and his cousin, Kathleen Benet, and asked him to pick them up at the station. Dutton did — and how. When Joe stepped onto the station platform he was met by a gang of NBCers with screaming banners and a six-piece German band. The reception committee included Joe Parker, announcer; Dave Elton, producer; Evelyn Hermanson, John Swal- low’s secretary; Bob Moss, studio engineer; Ruth Chapel, Press; Billy Gilcher, NBC musical contractor, Ward Byron, Ben Alexander, Bud Wallace, Bob Kimic, Leo Kronman and others.

“I thought I was Corrigan,” quipped Joe later.

Flycaster Bock Hal Bock, Western Division Press Man- ager, came back from his Pacific North- When Producer Joe Thompson trained in from his vacation last month, these NBCites gave west trip with tales about British Colum- him a trans-atlantic flyer’s welcome at the station. Here he is addressing his admirers from ( Continued on next page a baggage truck. ) AUGUST, 1938 7 NBC HOLLYWOOD Continued NAMES IN THE NEWS ( ) bia’s salmon and the swell trout in Wash- ington. ( Continued from page 5) sist the RCA committee in planning and Bock admitted though, that his many preparing technical exhibits for the Fair. tries as a flycaster brought nary a strike, ployes were heard. Mr. Brengel came to Some of his duties in the Engineering De- and the closest he came to any of the fish NBC last December and recently distin- partment will be taken over by Arnold was in a restaurant. guished himself as an actor for his excellent portrayal of the character lead in M. Bacon who is in charge of the Radio An Earful On Ears June Moon, first production of The Stage- Set Repair Shop. Mr. D’Agostino now has In a debate at the Los Angeles Ad era fters. his office in the studio section, fourth floor. Club, entitled ‘"In Advertising Food Pro- irr ducts, is the Eye Mightier than the Ear?” Engagements: Thomas H. Hutchinson, director of the Tracy Moore, salesman, gave his audience Television Program Division, is expected an earful in his support of the ears. The engagement of Miss Florence back from his vacation abroad on August The consensus was that Tracy gave the Edith Cunningham of Station Relations 15. On a combined business and pleasure most logical appeal and had his facts best to Dr. Frederic B. Thomason of Great trip, Mr. Hutchinson is in Europe study- in hand. Neck, Long Island, was announced by her ing the methods used in producing tele- Tracy, incidentally, was just appointed parents last month. The wedding is vision programs in London. Berlin and Chairman of Social Events for the Ad planned for sometime in October. Paris. He is accompanied by Mrs. Hut- Club for the coming year. 1 i i chinson. Miss Jean Sherwood’s engagement to Bud Miller Presents 1 i 1 Bert “Bud” Miller, Guest Relations, did Walter B. Lewis of Englewood, New Jer- Mr. and Mrs. Keith Kiggins were the the cigar-passing act on July 21 when his sey, was recently announced by her par- guests of Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Brophy at wife, Freida, presented him with an eight- ents at their home in Yonkers. New York. the Seignory Country Club in Canada pound baby boy. Miss Sherwood is in the Audience Mail during their vacation last month. Mr. Bud sent out announcements of the Section and Mr. Lewis is associated with Kiggins succeeded Mr. Brophy as man- youngster’s birth on NBC program pro- Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. The wedding ager of the Station Relations Department duction sheets, billing himself as the has not yet been announced. last year when the latter resigned from sponsor. NBC to accept his present post as general Marriages: Quick Pix manager of the Canadian Marconi Com- Blanche Davies will spend her vacation Charles H. Robertson, of the Statistical pany. Division, and Miss Elizabeth Unsworth of in San Francisco visiting with Eleanor i r r Prince Edward Island, Canada, were mar- .. . Hodak, staff orchestra Higby Frank Miss Phoebe Mink of Press recently leader, elected of the ried at St. John’s Protestant Episcopal was Commander returned from a truly busman’s holiday. American Legion Musicians Post of Los Church, Great Choptank, Maryland, on She spent most of her vacation in Chi- July 15. The newlyweds went to Rehobath Angeles ... Dema Harshbarger vaca- cago, in the Merchandise Mart Studios, Beach, Delaware, on their honeymoon. tioned in the high Sierras .. . John Swal- where she visited with many old acquain- low recently spent a on Baron The groom is now back in his office in weekend tances. Spencer Bentley, former Radio NBC. Long’s yacht ... Dorothy Peter Brown City announcer who is now Bob in the and Alice Tyler took a quick trip to San Betty and Bob serial, showed her his new

Francisco to see old friends ... Wendell Stork News: cruiser. Wigwam, with which he commutes Williams and his dad vacationed in Yos- Soundman Charlie Range is now the to work. “It seems that all the actors and emite ... Ed Ludes still has that boat for father of a baby girl who has been named announcers in Chicago, go to work in sale despite the big publicity splurge it Ruth, after her mother, Ruth Russell, yachts,” says Miss Mink. She also saw her got in a recent Transmitter (must be the who is a well-known actress on the NBC first baseball game while in the Windy boat) ... Floyd Caton is spending his af- networks. City. It was a double-header starring Dizzy ternoons in Claude Ferrel’s shop “stream- fii Dean. lining” all the sound effects. Sheldon B. Hickox, Jr. became the /// father of a baby boy on July 15. The new- Clayland T. Morgan, director of public comer is the first child in the family and relations, and R. M. Morris, development will be known as Sheldon B. Hickox 3d. engineer, have returned from European trips. Mr. Morris went abroad to view Sick List: the progress being made in television in

Miss Marjorie A. Winget, secretary to Europe.

Keith Kiggins in Station Relations, is recovering from an operation at the Post Arthur J. Gabarini, announcer, has Graduate Hospital in New York City. returned from a month’s confinement due to illness. Miscellaneous: i 1 i

Joseph D’Agostino has been loaned by Hobbies. It has been suggested that an the Engineering Department to the com- exhibit of NBC hobbies be placed on the Before Joe Alvin, NBC Hollywood Press, flew mittee in charge of the RCA exhibit for mezzanine floor of the studio section. If east recently to visit Radio City, Charlie the World’s Fair of 1939. Mr. D’Agostino, you have hobbies which might be included Correll (Andy) took him up in his plane and gave the NBC publicist a few pointers on air who is custodian of NBC’s valuable mu- in such an exhibit please communicate traveling. seum of broadcasting equipment, will as- with the NBC Transmitter. 8 NBC TRANSMITTER

NBC TRANSMITTER NBC HALL OF FAME Published for and by the employes of the National Broadcasting Company from coast to coast.

VOL. 4 AUGUST, 1938 No. 8

EDITORIAL BOARD DOM DAVIS Editor CARL CANNON Associate Editor GEORGE OLENSLAGER Staff Writer CHARLES VAN BERGEN Photographs BILL EDDY Staff Artist

N. Y. CONTRIBUTORS CHARLES H. NEWTON, JR Mail & Messenger

JOSEPH J. NOVENSON Guest Relations MORTON G. BASSETT Mail and Messenger

Address all correspondence to: NBC TRANSMITTER Room 284, RCA Building, New York Circle 7-8300, Ext. 220

THREE NEW ENGINEERS JOIN TELEVISION STAFF

Three experienced radio research engineers have been added to the television staff of the Research Laboratory in the Engineering Department. They are Erick B. Berglund. formerly of RCA Manufac- turing; A. D. Smith, Jr. formerly of RCA

Radiotron, and Frank J. Somers who comes to NBC from the Farnsworth Tele- vision Corporation in Philadelphia. Erick B. Berglund entered the radio field as an engineer in the Westinghouse Company after he was graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in electrical engineering. From Westing- house he went to RCA Photophone after which he took a year off to study for a master’s degree at Ohio State University. His M. A. degree enabled him to teach science and mathematics in public schools for two years. In 1935, Mr. Berglund returned to RCA at Camden, New Jersey, where he was a member of the television research staff until his appointment to AIR-CONDITIONING MEN NBC last month. As a member of the RCA television staff, he assisted in the design- Air-conditioning, unlike certain other departments, purveys both cold as ing and installation of NBC’s television well as hot air. equipment in the studios and in the new telemobile vans. From coast to coast, NBC challenges mortal man’s tendency to hole up in Winter and go nude in with its private storm centers under the custody A. D. Smith. Jr. has been with RCA six Summer years, two of which he spent with RCAM of the air-conditioning men. With miles of ducts and tunnels at their disposal as wireless operator and four with RCA these wizards of the Typhoon Department can dress up a mess of ordinary street Radiotron. in the research laboratory at air — heat or cool it — wet or dry it — in fact, even clean and press it — to fit any Harrison, New Jersey. He is a graduate climatic condition or the most allergic nostril. of the RCA Institute and he has also had experience as radio service man in Brook- And so to these twentieth-century Thors we bow m humble salute, hoping lyn and as an electrician for a sugar re- that in such a bow we may find cooler air closer to the floor. finery company. (Continued on page 15) AUGUST, 1938 9

NBC WASHINGTON r~ ‘With 1/04PI r by Louise Landis Refi&Ue/i in Neu* lj&Jz

Coyle Barry Succeeds J. K. Mason of Sales Promotion is the father Two changes in personnel have of an idea which recently placed several sets of been announced by General Manager NBC chimes in the trains of the Baltimore & K. H. Berkeley. Bill Coyle, night Ohio Railroad Company. The famous NBC chimes supervisor, has left NBC to work for — “your signal for fine radio entertainment” — are now being the Washington Star .. . However, rung on the B & 0 trains at meal-times. As our contribution Coyle has not severed his relationship to this “unique tie-up” between railroading and broadcasting,

. . du- with NBC entirely . His new we offer the following slogan to the B & 0 Railroad for use with ties are that of a liaison man between the chimes — “Listen for the familiar NBC chimes your signal and The the newspaper WMAL. Bud Barry for fine food in our dining cars.” Star's annexation of Coyle as radio i i r promotion manager, came as a result of the paper’s purchase of Nordhoff Beck, who was heard on the NBC Em- WMAL. Edward ployes Show last February, made another appearance on the Charles (Bud) Barry who joined the WRC-WMAL announc- NBC networks on July 15 as a soloist on the Music Is My Hobby ing staff in February 1937 will succeed Coyle as night supervisor. program. Baritone Beck is now working in the International Barry got his start in radio a number of years ago as a radio Program Division. actor in Boston. Later he came to Washington as a publicity iir director for a men’s clothing store. He also conducted a sports roles in two program for the local haberdashery. Shortly after joining the Read Wilson of the Mail Room played leading Players, a semi-profes- NBC announcing staff, Barry gained the reputation of being the new plays presented by the Bandbox answer to a sponsor’s dream. He has rated right up near the top sional group, at Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, last month. He which is in radio’s list of fast talkers. played the lead in Central Casting, by Nick Consentino, scheduled for a Broadway presentation this fall. The other play M. C. Everett was titled Smuggled In. iii Lee Everett has been chosen master of ceremonies of the Going Native show to be held sometime in August at the Capitol Wanna see a picture of Director Lester Vail when he was Theatre. Each year an outstanding local radio announcer is in movies? Get a copy of Look, August 2, turn to page 17 and selected by the theater management to “emcee” a week of home there you’ll see our own Lester playing the part of a bashful (or talent performances. prudish) gentleman. He is shown with his back turned to Joan Crawford who is pulling up her stockings. Tsk! Tsk! Lester. Thanks for the Ride Tales of hula-hula dancers, strains of sweet music, speed boat By special request from the distaff side this column con- rides and such, are still reverberating around the studios since tinues its list of eligible NBC bachelors. Here they are, girls: the night a prominent Washington physician invited NBC on Eastern Sales Manager Ken Dyke who has a Park Avenue apart- board his yacht for a moonlight cruise down the Potomac. The ment . .. drives a Packard convertible .. . likes to go to night seventeen lucky ones who found it possible to go are now making clubs ... is well-dressed . . . always wears a boutonniere and a thank you transcription to be presented to their charming host has a preference for striped ties ... AND blondes . .. also has a of the evening .. . They say this is not to save ink or elbow grease sense of humor and will sing baritone in any quartet . . . Tele- but to express adequately the full appreciation of NBC employes vision Engineer Dick Pickard who will soon complete his tenth in each and everyone’s own voice. Mary Mason, WRC Home year with NBC but still looks like a college sophomore . . . talks Forum Director, was unanimously elected to write and produce aviation and photography . .. owns a transport plane and a the finest bread and butter program possible. Leica . .. thinks nothing of flying to Arizona for the week-end

.. . you have to draw him out; he’s bashful with girls .. . likes Vacation Highlights the athletic type. Dark-eyed, handsome and bemustached Easton Gordon Hittenmark was the principal speaker at the Los C. Woolley of Station Relations, who vibrates in the presence of Angeles Breakfast Club meeting while sightseeing the West blondes, is another man who owns one (Packard) ... he is a planted Coast ; Gladys Murphy, Vice President Russel’s secretary, student of law .. . his favorite comic strip is Boots and Her string beans and potatoes near Pittsburgh; Assistant Manager Buddies . . . because he likes Boots so much .. .

Fred Shawn bumped into Assistant Manager Carletcn Smith in And if you’re looking for a man who owns more than one

California while the latter was touring the country with President house. Accountant Ray Porrier of Artists Service is your man . . .

Roosevelt ... General Manager K. H. Berkeley, fighting off mos- he owns a string of houses on Long Island ... drives a Nash ... quitos and flies at Bay Ridge, Maryland; Marge Brown, secre- has a charming smile .. . also prefers blondes and home-cooking tary to Mr. Berkeley, is touring to Salt Lake City to see her .. . Program Department’s Douglas Meservey is tall, dark and

folks .. . Martha Cosgriff visited the “World’s Playground” handsome . .. AND dapper . .. athletically built ... is definitely

Atlantic City . . . the glamour type . . . likes to go places . .. has been places, in-

Vic Kissal, Program Department, went to Colonial Beach, cluding continental Europe . . . with emphasis on Paris .. . likes

Virginia . .. Stanley Bell, in Commercial, is going to pass up his to dance ... Announcer David Roberts, who lives in Tudor vacation this summer in order to bask in the Florida sun this City, is looking for a girl . . . medium height, dark wavy hair,

winter . . . Lionel Farr, page boy, will go home to Utah to help roundish face, high cheek bones, grey eyes .. . intelligent but

his family harvest the wheat; Jeanne Butler, night hostess, is not sophisticated .. . His telephone number is Murray Hill

contemplating a trip to New York. 4-4200 . . . ask for Apartment 1415. 10 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC SAN FRANCISCO by Louise Landis

Presidential Visit to San Francisco during July. That little man whom radio signers Mr. Dickson pinch-hitted for used to console because he’d had a busy Mr. Ryan while the San Fran- day, had a lot of big brothers at NBC cisco sales head was on his va- at the close of President Roosevelt’s visit cation at Camp Mather. to San Francisco. Every department was affected of Double Honors course by activities in connection with Ray Rhodes, of Sales, accum- the two broadcasts of the day. But the ulated two honors during the boys who really sighed with relief when last month. He won the three- everything was over were Announcers minute speaking contest for Ad- Cliff Engle, Larry Keating and Emerson vertising Club juniors at the (Trigger) Smith, Special Events Pro- convention of the Pacific Ad- ducer Don Thompson, Assistant Field vertising Clubs Association Supervisor George McElwain and the and was elected president of nine engineers who handled the com- Field Engineer Guy Cassidy photographed by a fellow en- the Junior Departmental of plicated remote control jobs from battle- gineer, Frank Fullaway, in the crows’ nest of the signal tower on Yerba Buena Island from where the Field Group ships, plane and Treasure Island. P.A.C.A. covered part of the elaborate short-wave broadcast — from Announcers and engineers here, were Wins $300 land, sea and sky — of President Roosevelt’s review of the there and everywhere during the Presi- fleet in San Francisco Bay last month. Cassidy finds it dif- Henry Maas, manager of dent’s review of the fleet — 27 minutes of ficult to smile for the camera after he and his companions Sales Traffic, is going around carried 900 pounds of equipment up two staircases, a shortwave. Cliff Engle was on the Houston, looking proud: his smart wife vertical ladder and through a trap-door to this spot. assisting Carlton Smith, the presidential correctly identified all the goofy announcer, with Ed Parkhurst and Cliff photo-close-ups in a Chronicle contest and car caught fire, and they got all the action Rothery manning the short-wave transmit- then proceeded to win the tie-breaker — they craved. ter. On the Pennsylvania Trigger Smith and $300. Press Manager Milton Samuel and Mrs. and Bill McAulay and “Jeff” Jefferson kept listeners apprised of happenings on Samuel went on a leisurely motor trip the flag-ship while Larry Keating, Jerry Plump Pearson through the Northwest .. . Gladys Fer- McKee and Dan Williams were flying When Karel Pearson popped in from guson (Accounting) beats Old Man Time- 5,000 feet above the bay in a United Air Hollywood, his former Traffic Department and-Space by flying to Omaha, allowing Line Mainliner from which Larry de- pals had to look up to him. Hollywood her almost two full weeks holiday there

scribed the scene below. On the signal has added to Karel’s stature literally as . . . Announcer Hal Gibney touring the — tower on Yerba Buena Island, Don Thomp- well as figuratively he admits having national parks .. . Florence Allen (Pro- son, George McElwain, Clark Sanders, gained three inches in height since he left gram Traffic) enjoying what she calls an Frank Fullaway, Dave Kennedy and “Gus San Francisco but refuses to tell how “old-fashioned vacation” with her hand- McCassidy” Cassidy) many more pounds. (Guy were perched, some newsman husband at Camp Mather coordinating the short-wave broadcasts .. . it’ll be streamlined if we know Florence from bay and sky. Cummings Comes Back . . . Producer Dave Drummond feasting his More than a ton of equipment, includ- Lucille Cummings, who was temporary soul on scenery at Crater Lake, Oregon ing four transmitters and nine receivers, hostess during the vacation period last ... Frank Barton and bride, the former were used in the broadcasts. All the en- year, was summoned from Portland by Margaret Heilig, honeymooning in a gineers reported severe cases of jitters

Cheerio to help supply music for his San secret spot . . . Marion Hansen (Engineer- and sun burn when the job was finished. broadcasts, Francisco and has been singing) at Lake Tahoe ... Sophie Dunich ing in the mixed quartet on his program. Promotions (Typing) at Russian River ... Lucille cashier’s cage filled by Joan Pretty, quiet Ruth Miller is missing McAdoo’s from the reception desk. She has been Vacations Peterson while Lucille fishes at Feather

transferred to Music Rights, to track down Jo Elletson (Typing) rides horseback River . . . Field Engineer George Mc- composers and publishers instead of ar- like she types — so they’re still talking up Elwain and his wife leave August 29 for

tists, announcers, and producers. in Sonora, about the blonde, 100-pound the Grand Canyon . .. it’s just a year since girl who could manage any horse in the the Transmitter carried the story of their Jerry McGee, who has traveled through mountains, and who deliberately picked marriage. a lot of NBC departments, has returned to the frisky ones “because the poor things Because of the death of his mother,

the job of noise-making. He has been need exercise!” .. . Norma Del Valle Fred Fiorella’s marriage, announced in promoted from the post of assistant night (Mimeograph) can’t make up her mind the July Transmitter, has been post-

program supervisor to that of supervisor which thrilled her the most . . . Yosemite poned. He and Miss Mildred Power of

of sound effects. National Park or the President .. . “so-o Oakland, California, will be married early close, honestly, I could have shaken hands Bohemians in September. with him if that driver had only slowed iii Bohemian Grove festivities which call up!” . . . George Fuerst (Traffic) went to San Franciscans home from all over the Mexico in search of action ... he and a Every member oi NBC is a reporter oi bis news- world, brought Vice President Gilman and pal invaded the revolution area and were magazine. NBC Transmitter. Send your news Western items to the NBC Transmitter or your local cor- Sales Manager Sydney Dickson so disappointed by its quiet .. . until their respondent. AUGUST, 1938 11 KDK A PITTSBURGH by Kay Barr

Farewell "Admiral" Nelson Vacation Notes and primped her auburn locks.. Manager and Mrs. A. E. Nelson were Pat Haley took in the Cheyenne rodeo So they arrived honor guests at a farewell party given by during his recent vacation out West. Dot in the city for din- the staff July 12. The affair was KDKA ( Dorothy. Bushey) Armstrong and Bernie an expression of appreciation and good ner perfectly Armstrong, visited the screen star, Dick wishes on the eve of Mr. Nelson’s de- groomed. Powell, formerly of Pittsburgh, at his parture for New York to become sales Hollywood home. Janet Ross, KDKA Saviers Wins manager of the NBC Blue Network. Shopping Circle director, returned from Award Maurice Spitalny’s orchestra played her Florida vacation with stories of deep- George B. Sav- Hail to the Chief as the Nelsons entered Robert Shield sea fishing. Studio A for the buffet supper. After sup- iers, Westinghouse radio per, Senior Announcer Glenn Riggs ex- iii engineer, received the circle “W” award of merit from A. W. Robert- pressed the sentiments of the crowd while Charley Urquhart of Production left son, chairman of the Westinghouse a large sign kept ’em smiling with, “Nel- for Denver July 22 on what he said was in board, in a special program from son Pauses Pittsburgh for Station Iden- going to be a vacation . .. catching rattle- tification.” snakes. KDKA July 12. Saviers donned a diver’s Suddenly all lights were extinguished outfit and went down in a pool in mid- During his ramblings in various parts and curtains parted to reveal a large neon winter to fix the pump which supplies of the globe Charley has gathered quite 6ign reading, Feeds Nelson to the water for cooling the big tubes at the “KDKA a collection of snake skins. Charley caught Blue.” Below the sign was a bag of Bobby KDKA transmitter in Saxonburg. each of the specimens personally, also Jones matched golf clubs, the parting tanned their hides. Personnel Changes gift of the staff to the “Admiral.” Each But he needed rattlers to fill out the Some readjustments in the KDKA staff stick bore a tag with the name of one of list of pythons, black snakes, etc., and had to be made as the result of the pro- the departments participating in the pres- decided to go to Denver for them. motion of A. E. Nelson and Bob Saudek entation. to New York. > > > Saudek to Radio City Announcer Bill Beal was transferred Buck Dice, engineer, is back from his Bob Saudek, who left KDKA to be to occupy Saudek’s desk and work with vacation to Minnesota and intermediate Mr. Nelson’s assistant in New York, was Derby Sproul in preparing and handling points. Before he left, Buck fixed car the guest of honor at an informal surprise up continuity for commercial programs and equipment for the use of electrical devices. party given by the staff the day before he those designed for sale. Coming into Fort Wayne, Buck hooked up left Pittsburgh. A walrus traveling bag Bob Shield was added to the staff as the electric razor and removed the stubble. and a companion kit, was the staff’s good- junior announcer to fill the tricks formerly Then his wife hooked the will expression. up curling iron assigned to Beal.

The KDKA staff gave a farewell dinner for Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Nelson in Studio A when the KDKA manager was appointed to the executive offices in Radio City. 12 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC CHICAGO by Rudi Neubauer

He is to remain in the hospital for an in- Newcomer definite period. Director L. G. Barnhart is Wynn Wright, for the past four years directing the show in Lowell’s absence. program director and production manager leave Director Gordon Hughes will of WWJ, NBC affiliated station in Detroit, Chicago on July 21 for a vacation in Mass- has joined the NBC Chicago production achusetts and New York. staff as a director.

y i i A Super-Duper A. D. Scott, director, really put energy Ken Fry, special events director, Ken into his Spring house-cleaning. He worked Robinson, continuity editor, and Lee Gra- so hard recently that he strained his ham, of the Press Department, all former shoulder and is now wearing his arm in newspaper men, were written in the Girl a sling. Alone show of July 1. They claim they did a super-duper job of radio acting, but NBC Beats CBS have no fan mail to back up their pre- tentions. By the score of 7 to 3, NBC’s soft ball 1 1 y team defeated the CBS nine on July 14 in a ding-dong battle which at the end of Vacationists ninth was tied at three all. In the first Florence Moeller, secretary to P & G of the tenth NBC scored four runs and Kopf, has returned from a Caribbean E. C. Sales Promotion of CARLSON, Manager then held CBS safe to win the game. The Cruise, and was Harry glad to have her NBC Chicago, all set to slay the senoritas at fielding of Kasper, Creech, Riordan and the Hacienda de Santa Engracia, Mexico. back. Que hombre, no? Clark, plus the hitting of Anderson and 1 1 i McGinnis, were features of the game. The Alex Robb, Artists Service, returned NBC team lined up as follows: from his vacation in Wisconsin with a ter- Creech (Mimeograph) 3b Dinner Party rific tan and a fine collection of fish stories. Flowers (Service) ss Last month NBCettes had their second monthly dinner party, and while Marcelle McGinnis (Reception) If y y y Mitchell was on the Arrangements Com- Neihengen (Credit) cf Everett Mitchell, senior Chicago an- mittee, she had nothing to do with the Neubauer (Cashier) p nouncer, is back on the job after spending arrangements for making her the guest of (Reception) lb Kasper several weeks in Colorado. He brought honor on the occasion of celebrating her Vic Brown (Program) rf back colored movies which he had tenth anniversary with NBC. She was some (Gen. Office) c vacation to back up his presented with a gardenia corsage and a Anderson taken during his set of NBC chimes. Riordan (Mail Room) sc fish stories. The dinner was held at the Cafe Brauer in Lincoln Park, and after dinner, numbers were drawn for parts in the reading of an old Grand Hotel script. Judith Waller and Isabelle Cooney were the leading characters; and Miss Waller won first prize for “acting”!

Nuptial Notes Miss Gertrude Schmidt of the Central Stenographic Department was married to David O’Connell on the 9th of July. Our fashion editor tells us the bride was “a vision in tulle.”

y i i Edward C. Cunningham, night manager, and Miss Nellie Elizabeth Polling, of Ot- tumwa, Iowa were married on June 25.

News of Directors Maurice Lowell, director of the Story Seven members of the NBC soft ball team in Chicago photographed on the roof of the Mer- of Mary Marlin program has entered Hen- chandise Mart following their victory over the CBS nine. Left to right: Creech, Flowers, rotin Hospital, Chicago, for observation. Riordan, Neihengen, Anderson, Neubauer and Kasper. 13 AUGUST, 1938 KNO W YOUR COMPANY - No. 15—Civic Concert Service

Springsted, Mercedes Walker and S. M. T he American filled auditoriums and deficits for the Harrington. They receive their assign- genius for organi- sponsors. C. C. S. built its large audiences ments either from the main office in New zation has provided in various cities under the Civic Music York or the branch office in Chicago. riches for the peo- Plan, which plan organized Civic Music These are the representatives who, since ple of our country. Associations to which memberships were have created such a market that Through organiza- sold to concert goers. Through the ad- 1935, many associations often have waiting lists tion, American in- vance sale of memberships to the associa- memberships from season to season. dustry has been tions for a full season, the C. C. S. was, for a perma- able to make avail- thus, assured of audiences for its artists Each association functions on only able to everyone even in cities with populations of as little nent membership basis—that is, mem- concerts Georce Engles in the country the as 9,000. bers may attend the association’s and no tickets are sold to single concerts. fruits of this age. Since 1935, when Civic Concert Service Membership enrollment is open one week In 1921 an American organization, called was acquired by NBC, the number of each year. A membership card admits each Civic Concert Service, was created by Civic Music Associations throughout the member to all concerts in a given season. Miss Dema E. Harshbarger to organize United States has been more than doubled Providing the seating capacity of the aud- and build audiences for great musical ar- and, as a result, its artist bookings have itorium permits, members may attend con- tists in cities where it had been unprofit- been proportionately increased. Today, certs of any other Civic Music Associa- able to give concerts, not because apprecia- there are approximately 300,000 Civic tion in the United States. By this plan the tive audiences were lacking but because Music Association members in cities in the Civic Music Association has become the there had been no sound and practical East, West, South and North. These audi- world’s leading musical organization to organization to insure a return for the ences are organized by field representa- build audiences, thus, enabling principal sponsors. At that time, sponsors presented tives of Civic Concert Service who go from cities, from coast to coast in the United concerts only in the largest cities where city to city to establish, organize, and pub- they States, to present concerts on a financially were more certain of filling their licize Civic Music Associations. Each Civic auditoriums sound basis. and the tills in the box office; Music Association is formed as a non- and far too often the concerts resulted in profit making and entirely cooperative or- When the National Broadasting Com- losses to the sponsors who might have been ganization whose affairs are managed by pany acquired Civic Concert Service, In- commercial managers, or strictly musical a group of citizens forming the executive corporated, in 1935, George Engles, vice organizations, women’s clubs and others. committee and the board of directors. president in charge of Artists Service, Such losses naturally had a tendency to These officers rep- was appointed president of the new NBC lessen concert bookings, and for some- resent allphasesof service. To assist Mr. Engles as head of time these bookings had been falling off. the civic and cul- the NBC subsidiary, two former officials of

Civic Concert Service, while it was under Miss Harshbarger, who is now the man- tural life in their another management, were retained by ager of NBC Artists Service in Hollywood cities. Because of and is in charge of West Coast radio and their interest in NBC. They are O. O. Bottorf, who was appointed cinema bookings, was then associated with their communities, vice president and general man- one of the large mid-western lyceum they serve without ager in charge of the New York office, and bureaus and she noticed the downward remuneration, don- D. L. Cornetet, assistant manager in charge of the office. trend of the bookings. She carefully ate their time and Chicago worked out the idea that concert audiences O. O. Bottorf effort, and pay Jeannette Ferreira is secretary and as- should be created first, before contracts their own member- sistant to Mr. Bottorf. She assists him in were made for talent, and that the pur- ship dues. the routing of concerts and the supervision chase of this talent should be governed The officers of the association in each of field activities. She is assisted in her by the amount of money first collected city appoint a talent committee of civic work by Anne Witmer. from the prospective audience, thus pre- and music leaders who are active in the In the Chicago office, Betty Lasch acts venting the occurrence of the deficits association. This committee selects the as secretary and assistant to Mr. Cornetet. which were endangering the concert series of concerts to be presented and the busi- Being a company in itself, though a sub- ness. She put her plans and bookings are made through the Civic ideas into ex- Con- sidiary of NBC, Civic Concert Service has ecution in a small town in Michigan cert Service which can provide artists and its own publicity department which is from this start, twenty years ago, de- from every part of the music world, in- headed by Adeline Ebling. Miss Ebling is veloped the successful concert cluding ballets and famous series dancers. assisted by Evelyne McKibbon. The which are now in operation in several hun- The services of a Civic Concert Service publicity d e- dred cities and towns throughout the representative are made available to the partment has the United States and Canada. Civic Music Association at all times. He cooperation of the Since its inception, Civic Concert Ser- lends his assistance as an experienced or- NBC Publicity De- vice, which is now a subsidiary company ganizer, in establishing and publicizing -sysj- partment and the of the National Broadcasting Company, the association and in selling member- Publicity Division has successfully organized concert aud- ships. Civic Concert Service also supplies in Artists Service

iences throughout the United States so all necessary campaign material and pub- and is often served that, today, world-famous artists are being licity. Some of the senior field representa- by the Music Re- presented in large and small cities in every tives who have been with the C. C. S. for search Section of state in the Union without risking poorly many years are E. H. Schwenker, Murl D. 0. Cornetet the Script Division. 14 NBC TRANSMITTER

The NBC Transmitter salutes these all the proposed sound proofing ideas for works of modern American favorites. members of the National Broadcasting the new NBC headquarters. These included works of Booth Tarking- Company who, this month, complete their At present he is a development and re- ton who was persuaded by Mr. Street to tenth year with the Company. search engineer, a position he has held for permit radio adaptations of his books. the past seven years. His first job at NBC In 1929, he was transferred for some Reid Ramsay Davis was in the Field months to the San Francisco office where Division. field he wrote for the Golden Legends program. Ten years ago, As engineer he has When he returned to three classmates of New York he was done his part in appointed to work in the Clemson College, Commercial who graduated covering three pre- Division of the Program Department. sidential inaugu- In 1935, Mr. Street obtained a six with degrees in el- rations. months’ leave of ectrical engineer- absence from NBC to Hobbies seem to travel to China ing, threw aside and Japan as secretary their caps and be the thing nowa- to the semi-official American Economic days and Allen Mission gowns when the headed by W. Cameron Forbes, Allen A. Walsh is no excep- graduation ceremo- Walsh and on his return to NBC he was trans- tion. His main hob- Davis nies were over, ferred to the Publicity Department where by is radio — he is a radio ham and he he was put packed their things in charge of all magazine operates Station W-3BIH. Not content publicity. has and went to New York, fortified with their He been very successful with one diversion, Mr. Walsh also has a in carrying out his object sheepskins. The three landed jobs in the of “more radio great fancy for gardening. He indulges in articles and Engineering Department of NBC shortly more radio columns in more horticulture at his home in Englewood, magazines.” after their arrival in the Big City. New Jersey. He also blows a mean clar- “Pete” Street lives in Two of those classmates are still with Scarborough-on- inet — a talent he acquired while in high the-Hudson. NBC; the third one died from drowning He is married and has two school. daughters, one seven during a cruise on Lake Erie in the sum- and one four years Mr. Walsh is married, has an eight year old. His hobbies are mer of 1936. The one who lost his life modern architecture old son, Allen Walsh, Jr. (mainly was Earle L. Tyler, who was a design pre-fabrication), writing magazine articles (several engineer at the time of his death. Reid have been published Julian Street, Jr. recently Ramsay Davis and Allen A. Walsh are besides a radio column which he In 1926, a young cub reporter on the wrote for Movie the ones who, this month, complete a de- Mirror for a year and a York Herald-Tribune heard David half), and cutting cade of service in the Company. New down trees. “Old trees? Sarnoff talk about radio broadcasting. Dead trees, maybe?” Reid R. Davis was born in Georgia suggested this re- He was impressed. Two years later, this porter. “No,” replied Street, where he was schooled before going to Mr. “Just- same young man, then working in Paris trees.” Clemson College. He started in NBC as for the Herald-Tribune's paper there, met a field engineer and subsequently served Mr. Sarnoff and again heard him tell Yvette T. Bedard in other divisions of the department until about radio. So interested was he this Pert, pertinacious Yvette Trinette he became a member of the television second time that he decided to go into Bedard entered the National Broadcasting staff a year and a half ago. He was also radio. He came to New York, filed an Company ten years ago a member of the construction group when as a stenographer. application for a job at the National At the time, she had no specially directed the Radio City studios were being built. Broadcasting Company, and was engaged interest in or love for radio. At present, Engineer Davis is now married and as a continuity writer. she says both enthusiastically the father of a year-and-a-half old boy, and au- man in question was Julian thoritatively, “I Reid R. Davis, IV. The young love the place and I hope Street, Jr., Princeton ’25, former edi- I stay on for ten more years — I His hobbies are photography and build- love torial chairman of the Daily Princetonian, everything about it.” Miss Bedard is in ing boat models. He is also an enthusi- co-author of the Princeton Triangle Show, the Sales Department, and such is the astic follower of sports which were his The Scarlet Coat, and president of the stuff of which sales are made. most enjoyable assignments during his college’s International Polity Club. Three Canadian born, of French term as a field engineer. descent, Miss years of reporting, following his gradua- Bedard has been nevertheless a New Allen A. Walsh tion from Princeton, served him well for Yorker since the tender age of eight Allen A. Walsh was born in Greenville, the jack-of-all- months. She spent S.C., attended high school there, was trades work prac- some years at the graduated, and then went to Clemson Col- tised by the NBC Villa Marie Acad- lege to study electrical engineering. continuity writer emy, was grad- His original ambition strangely was not of ten years uated from the Mt. in radio. He studied power transmission ago. He did com- St. Ursula Acad- and for a time worked in the Brooklyn Edi- mercials, musical emy, and worked son Company before coming to NBC. programs, drama- for two years with Mr. Walsh is one of the NBC engineers tizations and adap- the General Motors who played an important part in the tations. Among the Acceptance Cor- actual construction of the present studios latter were the first poration before in Radio City. He and his colleagues tested Julian Street Jr. adaptations for net- (Cont’d. next page ) Yvette T. Bedard AUGUST, 1938 15 KYW PHILADELPHIA THREE NEW ENGINEERS CHIMES ANNIVERSARY by J. A. Aull JOIN TELEVISION STAFF (Continued from page 8) (continued, from preceding page) Ho hum! Of all the dull news months of Frank J. Somers, a graduate of the the year August certainly takes the cooky. joining up with NBC at the old offices at University of Santa Clara, where he stu- No news, no gossip, not even anybody to 711 Fifth Avenue. With the exception of died electrical engineering, and of Stan- talk to. Wish I were up in New Hamp- her first four months in the firm, she has ford University where he took a post-grad- shire with Leslie Joy. I’d even be satisfied acted as secretary for Mr. D. R. Buckham. uate course in communication engineer- to go out and park on Jim Begley’s door- Back in 1929, when the first sound pic- ing, was employed by the Federal Tele- step. I’d even be glad to help him straight- tures were being prepared, Miss Bedard graph Company and the Bell Telephone en out his new house in Merion while he’s auditioned for a part in the Fox Movietone Laboratories, in the research department, on vacation. Thank goodness for the air Follies of 1929. Her audition was a suc- before he became associated with the conditioning in our new building. That’s cess, she was accepted for the part but Farnsworth Television Corporation. He some help. That Joe Proulx certainly Farnsworth Television for five she turned it down coldly to remain with was with thought up a good idea when he picked NBC. “No,” says Miss Bedard, “I do not years as a member of the research and en- that southern cruise. I guess he’s just departments. Somers was a regret it.” And Miss Bedard’s statements gineering Mr. about in the Gulf of Mexico by this time. are not the wavering kind of statements. member of the Radio Manufacturers As- Of course he has nothing to do either but sociation Committee on television stand- lives Street, At present, she on 75th at least you get some sea air. ards for two years. just off Riverside Drive. Her hobbies are Wonder if Jim Harvey is having a good sports such as swimming and skiing, and time on Long Island. That reminds me, traveling— especially traveling. She has he didn’t give me the latest figures on his PRESTON TO DIRECT done a good deal of the latter, has been new KYW Camera Club before he left. EDUCATIONAL DIVISION to Europe twice (she speaks French), Must be getting up near the 1300 enroll- (Continued from page 1) and now takes yearly cruises, mostly in ment now. I hear he packed so much the Gulf of Mexico. “Definitely,” says Vincent J. Gilcher has been a member camera material in his buggy when he left Miss Bedard, “I am not a home girl.” of the Engineering Department since that he had to express his clothes. That 1927. He assisted in the design of the old office must be pretty deserted with A1 NBC studios at 711 Fifth Avenue and John J. DeMaio Watton up in Canada on Lake St. John. also the present plant in Radio City. In John J. DeMaio, of the Accounting De- A little trout and salmon snatching 1929 he was made plant engineer in which partment, has rounded out a decade of wouldn’t be bad either. It’s funny what capacity he supervised the design and handling the revenue end of NBC busi- tastes some people have about vacations. construction of new studio plants. He be- ness — the computing of station time, Watton goes north and Lambert Beeuwkes came manager of technical services two and costs of broadcasting facilities. goes south. They say Charlotte’s a great years ago. Prior to joining town and North Carolina isn’t so bad this Before joining NBC, Mr. Gilcher was NBC, Mr. DeMaio time of year. Maybe Beeuwkes has the associated with the manufacture of radio spent over ten years right idea. Just the same Tod Sloane receivers, first with the firm of William in the wholesale wasn’t so dumb to take a flight out to Tul- Priess and later, as plant manager, with dry goods busi- sa. That wouldn’t be bad only I haven’t the Thermiodyne Radio Corporation. ness, with the ex- any oil well prospects to look over. Wonder He studied electrical and radio engi- ception of an in- what kind of a time Irv Envey and Don neering at various schools, including the terval which he Heyworth are having down on the East- International Correspondence Schools and spent overseas as a ern Shore of Maryland. Nice country the RCA Institute. private in the 5th down there if you have a boat and a mos- DeMaio William A. Clarke, who came to NBC John J. Regiment of the quito net. more than eleven years ago, was Mr. Gil- United States Mar- I’ll bet George Haggerty is sick and cher’s assistant in Engineering at the ines. participated He in the Campaign tired of driving his buggy over the Can- time he was promoted to take direct and Argonne battles and was wounded adian Rockies by this time. I like Denver charge of architectural design and draft- in action in 1918. This necessitated hos- though. Wouldn’t be a bad place to live. ing, equipment purchases, cost analysis, pitalization in until France the early part I’ve always said. Bet that great was a the making of economic studies, prepara- of 1919 when he returned to America. reunion in Boston between Helen Pearse tion of estimates, and several other func- Mr. DeMaio is a native New Yorker her and boy friend. Wonder how Kathryn tions of the department. and was graduated from the High School Ullman is enjoying her visit to Chicago Mr. Clarke studied at Columbia Uni- of Commerce. Golf and swimming are his and how Ethel Korn is making out on versity and Cooper Union and formerly favorite sports. He is unmarried, which that I automobile trip. guess Agnes Mc- was employed in the installation division makes him one of NBC’s eligible bach- Cabe is tearing about New York right of the engineering department of the elors (attention Roving Reporter.) now. Wish I didn’t have a new desk so Western Electric Company and in design- I could put my heels up. Maybe next year i i r ing and installing equipment for the Link it will be sufficiently shop worn. Thank Belt Co. Are you a newcomer to the stall in NBC Radio goodness — there comes some new busi- City? II so, you should take the NBC Studio Tour to leam what it's all about. Complimentary ness down from Jack Hammann’s office. than a month. Think I’ll write a note to tickets are available to NBCites in Room 254. Worth a couple of publicity shots. Maybe the Transmitter and tell them nothing ^ f ^ Evelyn Dewees had the right idea when doing. she stayed at home in Manoa. Maybe At last some entertainment! Here comes U you have any complaints, compliments or suggestions lor the NBC Transmitter, write the that’s what I’ll do if I ever get in the leis- Ben the bootblack. I’ll talk to him for editor. It's YOUR magazine — we want your reaction. ure class. Oh well this can’t last longer the rest of the afternoon. PHOTO CONTEST

John Wehrheim, of General Office in NBC Chicago, who brought this back FIRST PRIZE from a fishing trip, says the biggest one got away. Television Engineer Bill Eddy was pinch-hitting as a stand-in (or lie-down) during a television rehearsal when this was snapped by another engineer Reid R. Davis. For this intimate picture of Bill Eddy, Mr. Davis will receive an Argus Candid Camera, donated to the Photo Contest by Parker < Battersby, camera supply shop in Radio City.

HONORABLE MENTION Waldo D. MacQueen in the Power Room in Radio City. This interesting shot, with light arranged to cast shadows on the ceiling, was taken by Maintenance Engineer Ronald ^ Jordan.

SECOND PRIZE This interesting angle shot of the new NBC-KYW building in Philadelphia was submitted by L. B. Beeuwkes, Director of Sales Promotion at KYW. He wins this month’s second prize — a copy of the NBC Symphony Orchestra book. Right— Robert W. Clark at his desk in the N. Y. Research and Development Division. Photo by Television Engineer Richard Pickard.

Left—Announcers Jim Mc- Grath and Lee Everett of NBC Washington wonder why the egg doesn’t fry from the sun’s heat during a contest broadcast by Station WMAL one torrid day in July. NBC TRANSMITTER

VOL. 4 SEPTEMBER, 1 9 3 8 NO. 9

GREGORY APPOINTED NBC AND RCA RESUME TELEVISION EXHIBIT MANAGER OF KDKA TELEVISION BROADCASTS OPENED TO PUBLIC

Sherman D. Experimental television broadcasts in A television exhibit, covering all phases Gregory, assistant the New York City area have been resumed of the new art, was opened to the public manager of broad- by NBC and RCA. The present test period in the Radio City studios of the National casting for the will last until the end of this month. Broadcasting Company on September 1. Westing house The weekly schedule comprises six one- Hundreds of visitors went through the

Electric and Manu- hour transmissions. Film and live talent exhibit on the day it was opened. facturing Com- programs are broadcast twice weekly, on The new exhibit will augment the NBC pany, has been ap- Tuesdays and Fridays, from 8:00 to 9:00 Studio Tour which has attracted more pointed manager p.m., from the television studios in Radio than 2,500,000 tourists in four and one- of KDKA, Pitts- City. Test charts and still pictures, of no half years. Visitors may now take either burgh, Blue Net- entertainment value but of great assis- tour individually or purchase tickets which Sherman D. Gregory work station of tance to experimenters, are being trans- include both tours. Tickets of admission NBC. Mr. Gregory mitted four afternoons a week, Tuesdays to the television exhibit cost 55 cents; succeeds A. E. Nelson, recently trans- through Fridays, between three and four the same as tickets for the NBC Studio ferred to New York as sales manager of o’clock. All broadcasts are made over Tour. A combination ticket covering both the Blue Network. W2XBS, the NBC transmitter in the Em- tours sells for 90 cents. NBC employes pire State Tower, operating on 46.5 mega- Closely associated with Westinghouse wishing to take the new television tour cycles for picture signals and 49.75 mega- radio activity for more than a decade, Mr. may obtain complimentary passes by cycles for associated sound. Because a Gregory is one of the veterans of broad- showing their employes’ cards at the temporary antenna located on the north casting. Before his graduation from the Guest Relations office in Room 254. side of the Empire State tower is being North Dakota School of Mines, he was used in radiating the present series of tele- The NBC television exhibit is a com- putting his experience to use in “ham” vision broadcasts, good reception is lim- plete unit in itself. Though demonstrat- operating the school’s 100-watt station. ited to the area to the north of the building the same principles and employing While with the Westinghouse Company, ing and defined roughly by the Hudson the same type of apparatus used in RCA- he handled the Pittsburgh controls for River on the west and Long Island Sound ( Continued on page 10) to the east. It is possible, however, accord- the first successful transcontinental broad- ing to 0. B. Hanson, vice-president and cast over the NBC networks in 1927. chief engineer, to receive the programs in Mr. Gregory joined the Westinghouse some sections of New Jersey and on the Electric and Manufacturing Company im- north shore of Long Island beyond Brook- mediately after he was graduated from lyn. college with degrees in science and elec- During the two months the television trical engineering. On completing the station was off the air, studio and transmitter apparatus was almost completely company’s training course for graduate overhauled. Mr. Hanson has stated that engineers, he was assigned to radio study considerable improvement has been made and work. Later he was associated with in picture definition and that an increase the radio manufacturing division of the in power of the transmitter has been ef- Westinghouse Company, first at Pitts- fected through the installation of new ex- burgh, later at Chicopee Falls, Massachu- citer stages. The range of the station re- setts. As assistant manager of the broad- mains the same, approximately fifty miles. casting division of Westinghouse, he was However, satisfactory images have been in charge of the two Westinghouse sta- received, in the past, as far away as Hart- tions at Fort Wayne, Indiana. ford, Connecticut.

In his new post as manager of KDKA, Mr. Gregory will be in charge of the sta- 154th NBC STATION tion’s programming and business activi- Robert Morris, Development En- A new station, KUTA, which was M. NBC ties; and it has been indicated that there gineer, explains to Betty Goodwin, NBC's opened in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Au- first television announcer, the workings of the will be no change in the operating policies gust 1, has been added to the NBC net- early mechanical scanning apparatus used by of KDKA. works as a supplementary outlet to the Dr. E. F. W. Alexanderson in the first dem- iii NBC Mountain Group No. 10. It will be onstration of television in a theater in Albany, N. Y., ten years ago. This early scan- available only to advertisers using Station Would you like to take part in an NBC Hobby ner is on display in the NBC television muse- KLO, NBC affiliated station in Ogden, Exhibit in Radio City? Write the NBC Transmitter, um as a part of the new Television Tour in describing your hobby. Utah. Radio City. 2 NBC TRANSMITTER PREVIEW OF HOLLYWOOD'S RADIO CITY by Noel Corbett

( Special to the NBC Transmitter) impish echoes, which would bounce off or- three different shades of zeon. Zeon is a

Along about the end of August we de- dinary walls and jump right back into the younger cousin of Neon. cided to barge in on Gordon Strang and mike. How the engineer solved this prob- Three tubes of zeon will run parallel have him take us for a tour of the new lem looked to us like a surrealist painting. to one another along the entire length of Hollywood City. the three hundred foot terrace. Radio And though the The walls of the studios zig and zag in tour might have A young New York mural painter by been a little slower and crazy fashion from the stages to the back more tedious than it the name of Ed Trumbull planned the will be in another of the rooms. They are broken up into a month when the new broadcasting plant murals which decorate the three-story series of flat triangles which look like a is open and buzzing lobby. with fall business, pattern of ocean waves arranged with every step and turn was loaded with When we entered we first spotted a fig- new geometrical precision. The back walls are sights and modern innovations, which ure of the genie of radio centering one full of holes which don’t begin to look made up for all the dust we swallowed, of Trumbull’s murals. It was 25 feet high sensible until their purpose is explained. and plaster our clothes and 40 feet wide. The genie’s arms were accumulated. The holes are perforations through which Strang, who is the job superintendent supporting a radio receiving set. and over sound waves enter, to be trapped by soft, and engineer on the project, led us around his head were loudspeakers. All around fibrous material behind the perforations. barrels and over planks through the main him was unfolded the far-flung drama of The long modernistic fence which bord- halls, explaining all the while that though radio broadcasting in scenes from the ers Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street was there was lots of dust around at that time, opera, symphony, theatre, the track, and still standing when we visited the new activity it wouldn’t be long before the air there- other sports and spheres of human building. walked along the rambling abouts would be purer than the pine- So we penetrated by radio. scented breeze of the high Sierras. terrace, onto which the four large studio On the southwest lobby wall was a auditoriums open, having the whole place “Even pure mountain air,” he explain- modernistic clock, which though not run- to ourselves while thousands of people ed. “carries foreign particles injurious to ning yet, was large enough to command just a few feet away passed by on Sunset the lungs. Our ultra-modern filtering more than a single glance from any visitor. Boulevard. plant, though, will pass air into the new Its face is wide enough to admit a main- Radio City almost 100 per cent pure, and Strang explained that the exterior light- tenance man for repairs. On the street at any desired humidity or temperature.” ing has been designed to bring out the side of the same wall is a huge NBC sign. We noticed several portholes on one natural blush of a girl’s cheek, through a Though the clock wasn’t running, the of the walls, and upon poking our beak magenta effect created by harmonizing sight of it reminded us that time was through one, discov- a-wastin’, and that ered an empty tank, we’d better make for 10 feet deep. 30 feet Melrose Avenue, be- wide and 50 feet long, cause in days to come built to hold 65.000 we’d have plenty of gallons of water, which time to explore the ins of the will be maintained at and outs new 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Hollywood Radio City. This “swimming pool” is the first step in the Before we left, though, Gor- air conditioning sys- we had tem. don Strang assemble his staff on the terrace And a swimming for a photo. Walter pool it will be — for Baker, in charge of a one-day period when building maintenance Hal Bock, Western and general service, Division Press Head, who was laboring in and his cameraman the new offices figur- take over for publicity ing out desk space, et pictures featuring al. chanced along so some of our lovely we pulled him into the Hollywood stars like picture also. Helen Wood. Kath- leen Wilson. Bernice Berwin, Irene Rich Ed. As we go to and Madaline Lee press with this issue, splashing around in NBC plans to broad- the new Radio City. cast the first program found that the terrace of new in — We out On NBC’s Radio City Hollywood. L. to R. “Lefty” Lefler. stock from the new studios the radio clerk; Joe Arnone. in charge of architectural supervision; W'alter Baker, production engineer’s in Hollywood during manager; Ted Nolan, assistant to Engineer Robert Schuetz; Helen Welty, secretary to biggest problems in- Gordon Strang; Robert Schuetz. in charge of broadcasting and mechanical equipment; the last week of this side the studios are and Gordon Strang, engineer in charge of the project. month. SEPTEMBER, 1938 3 NBC HOLLYWOOD by Noel Corbett

NBC Caballeros ily) vacationed at Ensenade, Mexico, and Bock . . . Marvin Young, busy working for his on the high Sierras .. . Andrew’s duties out plans with his architect new NBCites, who journeyed north to Santa were taken over by Ted Hediger, producer, home in West Hollywood . . . Walter Barbara to cover the Fiesta, had to wear who also found time to write his two pel Bunker’s new rancho in San Fernando Spanish costumes all the time they were Valley, with backyard fence against Don sustainers . . . Bill Howard, Guest Rela- there. tions, whose hobby is making built-in Wilson’s, will have dog runs for his cham- And never was there a gayer looking phonographs, is putting one in Staff Pian- pion wirehairs .. . Cecil Underwood, crowd of caballeros than Engineers A. H. headquarters have been in Chicago ist Bill Sabransky’s new Laurel Canyon whose Korb, R. G. Denechaud, F. M. Figgins, for the past year, visiting old friends in studio ... Willson, “Miv” Adams and Producer Dave Elton. Meredith back from Hollywood on his vacation . . . Andy Love Don Wilson vanned one of his horses Europe, says his six-year old cat greeted talks at the Redlands Rotary Club the to the Fiesta. Riding the horse, he de- him with affection for the first time when middle of September ... A Saturday morn- scribed the parade through a “beer mug” he picked it up at the vet’s .. . Nadine ing visit to the La Cienega Courts to transmitter. Figgins, with the cue receiver, Amos, secretary to Don E. Gilman, back watch former U.S.C. tennis champ, Jack followed on a nag which was certainly no from her air trip to New York, with tales Creamer, play Lew Frost, found the latter Seabiscuit in appearance. of Radio City hospitality ... Martha surprising with a 6-3, 6-4 victory. Creamer Ken Carpenter gave a color broadcast Sherwin, Hal Bock’s secretary, spending claimed it was his first loss in months — from the Mexican Village, Naturally he her week-ends waxing and shellacking fur- but we only report what we see!. . . Syd had to be in costume, but having none, niture for her new home ... Lew Frost, Dixon, Western Division Sales Manager, borrowed the one which “Buddy” Twiss, assistant to the Vice President, moved brought home two of the largest bucks director of special events, had taken weeks into his new home in Westwood Hills, Sep- ever taken out of Ventura County, a 210’er to assemble. tember 1 . . . Bill Holmes, of NBC San and a 225’er. The largest almost weighed “Buddy” was a good guy about swap- Francisco, spending a week with his old as much as he does. ping clothes, but rebelled when it came friend, Dave Glickman, Hollywood repre-

time to giving up his sombrero. sentative of . Broadcasting magazine .. New Engineers “No sir,” he piped, “I have to have Norman Noyes, supervisor of pages, vaca- The following are new members of the some atmosphere if I’m going to broad- tioned at Catalina — didn’t bring back Engineering staff in Hollywood: John F. cast!” any tan, though! Morris, studio engineer, comes to us from

Hal Bock, ran up a record at Del Mar NBC Chicago; J. R. Kelly, studio engi- Quick Pix the day of the Motion Picture Handicap. neer, transferred here from Radio City; Bill Andrews, night manager, and his Picked five lasts. “My horses even man- Kenneth F. Hicks, formerly of the Chi- wife (she’s Ann Waite in One Mans Fam- aged to get behind Crosby’s!” sighed cago staff.

Red Cross doctors gave NBC engineers in Hollywood a few pointers on First Aid during a meeting in Studio M3 on August 23. Here they are being schooled by Albert Gordon in artificial respiration. Left to right, standing: Donald A. DeWolf, engineer in charge in Hollywood; Paul Greene, studio engineer; S. C. Hobart, control supervisor; A. L. Capstaff, studio engineer; A. H. Saxton. Western Division Engineer; “Miv” Adams, field supervisor; M. F. MacKenzie, J. F. Morris, M. 0. Smith, studio engineers. This is how Frances Scully of the Hollywood Kneeling: E. G. Sorensen, studio engineer; F. M. Figgins, maintenance supervisor; Mr. Press Department managed to stay cool dur- Gordon; J. H. Brown, maintenance engineer; J. E. Kay (on floor), C. L. Norman, R. G. ing that recent hot spell. Miss Scully seems Denechaud, C. H. Lorenz and Bob Brooke, studio engineers. sullen because she would rather cool off at This was the third of a series describing and demonstrating methods of resuscitation and the beaches than sit next to a block of ice. other fundamentals of First Aid. 4 SEPTEMBER, 1938

Lipscomb who resigned from NBC in Henry Howard, Jr., a graduate of the July. Mr. Morrison is from Madison, New Yale Law School, joined the Legal De- NAMES IN Jersey, where he received his high school partment on August 29 as junior attor- education. This is his first job in radio. ney in the New York Division.

THE NEWS He comes to Radio City from Wall Street i i i where he spent the past year in the broker- Miss Janet Coulton, formerly with W age business. & J Sloane in New York, has joined NBC i i 1 NEW YORK in the Stenographic Section. Last winter Miss Ruth Donaldson who was grad- she worked for the Amateur Ski Club and uated from St. Lawrence University last Promotions consequently became an enthusiastic spring has joined the Personnel Office staff Richard Hogue has been promoted from skier. Miss Coulton is a native of Cleve- to replace Miss Martha Peterson who re- land, Ohio. the Guest Relations staff in Radio City signed from the company last month to i i i to the announcing staff of KDKA, Pitts- be married. Miss Donaldson was vice burgh. A graduate of Dan Russell’s an- Robert E. Burholt has been re-employed president of her class in college for two nouncing school in Radio City, Dick by NBC. He is replacing John F. Wagen- years and was president of the St. Law- Hogue was selected to fill the vacancy at man, resigned, as tabulating clerk in the rence chapter of her sorority, Delta Delta KDKA after an audition in which several Statistical Division. Delta, during her senior year. She is also young NBC men who aspire to become an- i i i a member of Sigma Pi Sigma, an honor- nouncers were heard. He has been with Miss Jane Miles, who resigned from the ary physics society. Her home is in Yonk- NBC since February 15, 1937. year in order to accept a ers, New York, where she attended the Company last i i i returned Roosevelt High School. position with another firm, has Miss Marjorie Loeber has been pro- is back at her former i i i to NBC and now moted in the Production Division and is Ray Nelson, former announcer and post of secretary to Personnel Manager now secretary of the Dramatic Auditions program manager of Station WEVD, New Dwight G. Wallace. Committee, succeeding Miss Beulah Jar- York, has joined the NBC announcing vis who was transferred to the office of staff. He is well-known to thousands of C. W. Fitch, business manager of the Resignations metropolitan listeners as the jovial master Program Department. Barry Holloway resigned from the of ceremonies who, until recently, con- J. and Special Events Division last ducted the all-night Jamboree program News accept a position as as- Newcomers broadcast by WEVD. month in order to sistant in charge of public relations, to Miss Florence E. Snyder, who came to Because of his familiarity with the “wee the president of Stevens College, Colum- NBC on a temporary basis in July, has sma hours” programs of recorded music, bia, Missouri. been made a permanent member of the Mr. Nelson will devote most of his time six years Stenographic staff. She was formerly sec- in Radio City announcing the new re- Mr. Holloway came to NBC retary to an executive of the Cities Ser- corded programs (see page 11) now be- ago as a writer in the Press Division. vice Oil Company where she was employed ing aired over WEAF, from 6:30 a.m., to Prior to that he worked for various press for three years. 9 a.m. associations in the U.S., and Mexico. When was ill Though his father, who was a lawyer, the News and Special Events Division Kenneth A. Morrison, Yale ’37, has wanted him to become a lawyer too, Ray formed two years ago, he was assigned to producer been engaged as a secretary in the Sound Nelson went into the more colorful field it as news editor and assistant Effects Division. He replaces Nathan of the show business shortly after he was of special events broadcasts. graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College with an Ll.B., degree. In fact, he was in his father’s law office only two weeks when he decided to give up law practice for an orchestra leader’s baton. He led his own orchestra for two and a half years in radio and on the stage. Three and a half years ago he gave up his baton to become a member of the announcing staff of WEVD where he subsequently rose to the position of program manager.

i i i Glenn Riggs has come from KDKA Pittsburgh to become a member of the announcing staff in Radio City. He joined KDKA in 1929 and during his long term of service with that station his voice became well-known to radio listeners in Pittsburgh and throughout the country.

He is an expert all-round announcer and was instrumental in the design and development of many novelty programs supervisor of the Music Editor Walter Koons and 29 trout in Tom Longmore, assistant broadcast by KDKA. (See KDKA Pitts- during his recent the catching of which he had a big hand dur- set-up staff, photographed ing his recent vacation in Maine. burgh, page 10.) vacation in Maine. 5 SEPTEMBER, 1938

The wedding was followed by a recep- Edgar P. Campf, who left the Engineer- Division. He has had several years’ ex- tion at the home of the bride’s parents, ing Department on a leave of absence on perience as an announcer in Holland, spe- Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Rhoads, at 228 March 1, ha9 resigned from the Company cializing in sports. He has covered many Grove Street, Brooklyn. Seen among those to accept a position as vice president in major sporting events in Europe for listen- who attended the wedding and the recep- charge of engineering and production of ers to the international short-wave station tion were the following members of NBC: the E. V. Brinckerhoff recording com- at Eindhoven. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Dolan, Wilbur pany in New York City. Mr. Campf’s res- Mr. van Riemsdijk is also noted as a Welsh and John Murphy. ignation terminated eight years of con- tennis player in his country, which he has newlyweds returned from their tinuous service with NBC, three as studio represented in various international ten- The trip to New England and engineer and five as Master Control Room nis matches. honeymoon planning operator. iii Canada a few days ago and are i i i their home in Brooklyn. Miss Anne Galesweiler, secretary in the to make Miss Priscilla Yasunas resigned from Sales Department, was married to Harry the Stenographic Section on August 15 to C. Landsidel in Westport, Connecticut, Stork News be married to Richard Sheehan of Brook- on August 3. The wedding was followed assistant sales man- lyn. The wedding took place on August I. E. Showerman, by a reception at the home of the groom’s father of a baby girl, 20 and the newlyweds went to Bermuda ager, became the parents in that city. The newlyweds went makes two for on their honeymoon. They will make their Judith, on August 2. That to Bermuda on their honeymoon and are — and a girl. home in Binghamton, N. Y. the Showermans a boy now residing in New York City. i i i Mr. Landsidel is an accountant at Price, Daniel H. Wells has resigned from the Sick List Waterhouse and Company. guide staff to join the sales training corps Director James Church is recovering i i i of Lord & Taylor in New York. from an operation at the Polyclinic Hos- Walter Wiebel, of the Guest Relations i i i expected back the latter part mar- pital. He is Miss Lillian E. Holmlin, who was re- staff, and Miss Virginia Figgett were of this month. cently promoted from the Announcing Di- ried at the Chester Hill Church in Mt. vision to the office of Vice President Frank Vernon, Long Island, on September 10. Miscellaneous E. Mason, terminated more than eleven A small informal reception, attended by Tuthill, assistant managing years of service with the Company when close friends and members of the imme- Daniel S. director of Artists Service, has been- re- she resigned on August 31. She will be diate families of the young couple, was assistant director of the Adver- married to Charles T. Anderson in Brook- held at the Studio Club in that city after elected tising and Selling course of the N. Y. lyn on October 8. Mr. Anderson is associ- the nuptials. The newlyweds are honey- ated with the New York World’s Fair of mooning at an undisclosed resort. They Advertising Club. i i i 1939. Miss Holmlin spent most of her plan to make their home in the city when Anderson, former KOA an- time with NBC in the Traffic Department. they return. Charles i i i nouncer, who is in Radio City studying Engagements Anthony Cusumano, of the Traffic De- the operations in the NBC headquarters partment, was married to Miss Katharine as a holder of a Rockefeller Foundation Dwight B. Herrick, who was spotted by St. Barbara’s Church in Brook- scholarship, sails for London on the lie the “Roving Reporter” inspecting engage- Rhoads at August 20. His brother, John W. de France on September 22 in order to ment rings in a Rockefeller Center jewelry lyn on Cusumano, who is also a member of NBC continue his studies in the British Broad- shop sometime ago, became betrothed to in the Sales Traffic Department was best casting Corp. He plans to visit Paris be- Miss Ruth Orr Dean on August 6. accord- fore coming home at the end of his term. ing to an announcement made by Miss man. Dean’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dion K. Dean, of Rahway, New Jersey. No date has been set for the wedding. Miss Dean is a graduate of Smith Col- lege and is a member of the Junior Ser- vice League and the Ilderan Outing Club. Mr. Herrick is a graduate of Colgate Uni- versity, class of 1933, where he was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity and the Pi Delta Epsilon Society. He has been with NBC more than four years and is now a member of the office staff in Guest Relations.

Marriages Henk A. C. van Riemsdijk, who came to NBC from Holland last May to learn

American methods of broadcasting, is being married the latter part of this month to Miss Jetty Philips who is coming from Holland for the wedding. A newspaper reporter and radio an-

nouncer, Mr. van Riemsdijk is at present Guide Instructor Carl Cannon, right, is pictured above with crack members of the guide staff working in the News and Special Events who were trained intensively for several weeks for the new Television Tour in Radio City. THE NEW

NBC TELEVISION TOUR

IN RADIO CITY

Guide Raymond Wall explains the workings of the camera studio where the guests are televised while other guests see and hear them through television receivers in an adjoining studio. To the right is Engineer R. W. Clark focusing the Iconoscope camera.

Guide Bill McDaniel right, shows his guests an early television unit “What makes a television receiver work?” someone asked Guide Raymond known as the “Flying Spot Scanner,” in the television museum. In this Wall just as NBC Photographer Bill Haussler snapped this. A glass front museum the guests see how television progressed through the years. on the cabinet facilitates the guide’s explanation of what goes on in a television set.

Guests of NBC’s Television Tour look and lister while Guide Joe Allen, left, points out the differed parts of a television set and explains their fum tions. Through these sets they see other touri being televised in an adjoining studio. Coax! cables carry the “show” from the studio to tF SEPTEMBER, 1938 7 NBC CHICAGO by Rudi Neubauer

Transfers Talent Will Out

Gilbert H. Martyn, Jr., announcer, has Bill Weaver, of the reception staff, has, been transferred to the New York staff for the third consecutive year, won first

. . . Kenneth F. Hicks and Charles F. place in the elimination contests to select Morris, studio engineers, have been trans- the best male voice in the Chicagoland ferred to the Hollywood Studios. District. Bill’s friends are plugging for him to win the finals this year. Tap Dancing Class Gene Sullivan of the Mail Room has Dorothy Frundt, Central Stenographic been singing the part of Ko-Ko in Gilbert Supervisor, and Stenographer Lucile & Sullivan’s Mikado. The operetta is being Hagen have been aproached by various presented in the Chicago Parks during the girls in the organization to organize a tap summer by the Englewood Opera Com- dancing class. As Miss Hagen has had pro- pany. fessional experience, the girls feel that under her teaching they will soon be able to Here and There trip the light fantastic. As soon as a defi- Charlie Butler, studio engineer, has re- nite location has been decided upon, a turned to work after a serious illness. bulletin will be circulated, announcing tii the class. John Katulick, of the Service Depart- NBC Outing ment, is convalescing from an attack of appendicitis. Alice Dinkeloo, left, and Dorothy Masters of Plans are under way to hold an NBC < y / NBC Chicago are shown above at the rail- Field Day. The tentative date is September road station of Portal, N. D., where they 20th and the plans call for golfing, horse- Fred Klein, Jr., has replaced Ernest spent their vacation. back riding and baseball. The committee Schaper in the Mail Room. Ernie left the members are at present investigating suit- Company to accept a position of book- able locations. keeper with a local firm. back, among other things, a heavy tan, i i i several fish stories and a pair of huarachas. Bowling Team An eight-month stay at the Chicago Charles Lyon and Fort Pearson, an- NBC Chicago has entered a team in the Municipal Sanitarium has not dimmed nouncers, back from vacationing in North- Merchandise Mart Bowling League. The Eric Danielson’s bright smile. He is mak- ern Wisconsin... Lynn Brandt, announcer, league consists of 12 teams sponsored by ing satisfactory progress and if you call telling about his best round of golf. Start- firms in the Mart. The teams will bowl Annamae Dorney of the Program Traffic ed out with Joe Guisik, pro of the Cary, every Thursday evening from 7 to 9 P.M., Department she will tell you at what hours Illinois, Country Club . . . later a chap in at the Coast Alleys. starts Gold Play on visitors are admitted to the sanitarium. nifty blue shorts requested permission to September 15 and will continue for 33 go around with them. Brandt became so consecutive Thursdays. Practice sessions excited when he discovered this chap was are now in progress to pick the players Paul Soule of the reception staff was Ralph Guldhal, that he shot an 87—his for the NBC team. married to Miss Anne Rowland on Sep- best score. tember 7. R. Peterson, assistant auditor, by air Vacation Notes to visit Writer Willis Cooper in Holly-

Director Lloyd G. wood . .. Leonard Anderson, assistant

(Bucky) Harris is head- office manager, to Wisconsin with his fish-

ing foT another fishing ing rod .. . Frances Dixon, Production,

expedition in the Dry- to Mexico to see a bull fight . . . K. Chris- berry Lake region in tiansen, Mail Room Supervisor, to Iowa

Canada. He’ll be gone .. . Director Don Thompson off to the

two weeks with Lee Coast for a fortnight in Hollywood . . . Graham of the Press Jules Herbuveaux, assistant production Department. They will manager, who works nights, spends his go into the Canadian in- holiday sleeping nights and playing with

terior by canoe, camp- his family in the daytime . .. saddest fish

ing at night, and search- story of the season is being told by Direct- ing for muskies and or Bob White whose fishing rods and reels black bass. were stolen from his car the night before J. H. Platz, Jr., supervisor, at the Master Control Board of NBC From his recent va- he planned to leave for a weekend of fish- in Chicago. Photo by Studio F.ngineer J. W. Conn who thinks cation trip to Mexico, ing up in Wisconsin . . . Press Chief Bill this looks like the picture of Master Control Engineer Paul C. L. Menser, produc- Ray spent a recent weekend moving his Herrold of Radio City on page 15 of the June issue of the Transmitter. tion manager, brought home to Evanston. 8 NBC TRANSMITTER

NBC TRANSMITTER NBC HALL OF FAME Published for and by the employes of the National Broadcasting Company from coast to coast.

VOL. 4 SEPTEMBER, 1938 NO. 9

EDITORIAL BOARD DOM DAVIS Editor CARL CANNON Associate Editor GEORGE OLENSLAGER Staff Writer CHARLES H. NEWTON, Jr Staff Writer CHARLES VAN BERGEN Photographs BILL EDDY Staff Artist

N. Y. CONTRIBUTORS JOHN C. CORBETT Legal SPENCER McNARY Artists Service RODERICK MITCHELL Guest Relations R. GORDON WEBBER Information

Address all correspondence to: NBC TRANSMITTER Room 284, RCA Building, New York Circle 7-8300, Ext. 220

NBC WINS SECOND PLACE CUP IN BALL LEAGUE

After losing to the Consolidated Film Industries team in a twilight game that

was called off at the end of the sixth inning because of darkness, the NBC baseball team placed second in the Motion Picture League that ended last month. NBC started out strongly in the final game and maintained a lead over Con- solidated Film Industries from the first inning up to the second half of the sixth when the score was 8—5. In its half of the sixth. Consolidated Film Industries turned the tables and went to town, scoring seven runs in a single inning. When the game .. was ended at the beginning of the seventh Proposed NBC Statue No. 6 and Citation Plaque period, the score was 12—8 in favor of C.F.I. Captain Jack Wahlstrom pitched for

NBC the first five innings, and Bill Hen- NBC GUIDES derson took over the mound in the sixth. Winding up in second place at the con- Today we salute the men who conduct the studio television tours of NBC— clusion of the league was a great accom- the gold braid and plush carpet phase of radio. plishment for NBC’s nine in view of the With the studied poise of a pedagogue, these super answer-men dramatically fact that they started out very slowly and pull back the zipper disclosing to the visiting uncles and aunties the viscera of were far from impressive at the beginning the demon known as broadcasting . . . of the season. Though the Radio City boys Maneuvering inquisitive groups visiting and their better halves did not have a training period and did not of firemen play any practice games they showed through the maze of studios, sound effects and kmdred exhibits with all the facil- great courage throughout the season and ity of veteran river pilots, they translate the intricacies of radio engineering into proved their ability to score after over- monosyllabic phrases for consumption by the out of town trade. coming the set-backs early in the season. And so, with chimes ringing gleefully from the Guest Tours cash register in

i i i the rotunda, we consecrate this mute memorial to NBC’s only traveling salesmen.

Every member of the NBC staff is a reporter of his newsmagazine — NBC Transmitter. SEPTEMBER, 1938 9

WBZ BOSTON With QjooSl Ro4M4Uf

by Bob Evans 1 A in New 'Ifa'Jz

Summer Trips Frank W. Nesbitt of Guest Relations, who spirit The vacation seems to have dominated the activities of is at present working in the International Pro- those at WBZ and WBZA during the past hot and very sultry gram Division and who was recently listed in month. this corner as eligible NBC bachelor, has taken Office Manager Cy Young has broken away from political time- the first step toward the relinquishment of his bachelorship . . . seekers long enough to sneak away down to the Cape and aboard he became engaged to Miss Alicia Norma Shea of New York his small cruiser. We have no reports as to his destination, but City and Spring Lake, New Jersey, late last month ... some of the knowing his “Corrigan” navigation instincts, he probably is NBC boys who went to the engagement party at Spring Lake nowhere near where he set his compass. report that it was quite a gala and gay affair . . . Equally gay Also wandering somewhere in the hills of New England is and perhaps a bit noisier was the bachelor’s send-off given to Sales Promotion Manager George A. Harder. Mr. Harder’s assis- Tony Cusumano of Traffic at the Village Barn in Greenwich tant, Harry D. Goodwin, is spending a week down at the Cape. Village a few evenings before his recent marriage ... Paul Owen, Dorothy Miller, secretary to General Manager John A. Hol- star tenor of the page staff, who was recently featured on the man, is off for a two-week holiday. Miss Miller revealed that she Organ Melodies program, is now soloing with Jerry Sears’ orches- was first going to her home in New Bedford, Mass., and from tra every Wednesday morning at 10:15 on the Blue Network ... there — well she just hadn’t made up her mind. The Stagecrafters, who staged a hit when they produced June As we write this column, Ruth Moran, Sales, is packing her Moon in Studio 8G not long ago, are planning another stage show wardrobe for a journey down to Falmouth Heights on the Cape .. . the play has not yet been selected but Gilbert Ralston of ... Gordon Norris, Sales, has just returned from a two-week Electrical Transcription Service has again been chosen to direct. respite at Marshfield . . . Traffic Manager Gordon Swan and Auditor Bob Halloran are back from the wilds of Maine. They i / i

spent two weeks at Enfield, Maine, north of Bangor .. . Charley Vassal of the Plant Department spent his two weeks at his Assistant Special Events Director Jack Hartley recently ac- Westport farm. quired another airplane model to add to his already large collection of miniature planes that adorns his desk. The new one WBZ Covers Corrigan is an airliner with a bright light burning in its cabin. When his General Manager Holman is still receiving praises for the boss, Abe Schechter. saw it he sent Jack a memo telling him he was manner in which WBZ covered the Boston arrival and welcome of sorry but that Jack would have to fly in the dark in order to save Doug Corrigan. Mr. Holman chartered a tri-motored plane to NBC electricity. Just part of an economy drive, explained Abe. meet the Corrigan transport and escort it to East Boston Airport. Unabashed, Jack sat down and figured out that his airliner burns Your reporter was in the NBC plane to describe the triumphal about two cents worth of watts per month. Rashly he scribbled entry of the trans-atlantic hero. During the remainder of the an answer to Abe’s memo, “I won’t fly in the dark! I’ll pay 2c welcoming ceremonies WBZ microphones were in excellent loca- a month!” tions at four other pick-up points. P. S. Last time we saw the plane it was brightly illuminated

I Married An Angel . . . Jack must have paid his light bill. Oh ... by the way, girls, Announcer Keyes Perrin made his debut as a vocalist on the add Jack’s name to your list of eligible NBC bachelors. coast-to-coast Blue Network Little Variety Show on August 12. Keyes gave an excellent rendition of I Married An Angel which song incidentally was very appropriate inasmuch as Mrs. Perrin Ever notice that odd-looking ring Mrs. Enid presented him with a husky son just a few days previous. The Transition. Beaupre (Sales Promotion) wears? It has an interesting history heir is W. Keyes Perrin, Jr.

.. . made in France, by hand, about 150 years ago . .. has a small

Farmer Bowes six-point star-shaped diamond set in an oval amethyst ... was Sales Manager Frank Bowes who recently went rural by mov- given to her by her husband who died in Canada last May. He

ing out to a farm at Hanover, Mass., reports an excellent radish got it as a present from the composer of Taps, the late General

crop to date but complains that the mosquitos keep him awake Butterfield, whose house at one time stood in what is now Rocke- at night. feller Center — to be exact, on the present site of the Maison Francaise. Deutsch Tom Riley r i r Special Events Chief Tom Riley had a chance to exercise his knowledge of the German language during the Inter-zone Finals The new NBC Television Exhibit looks as if it’s going to be as of the Davis Cup play-offs. Riley accompanied Baron Burghard popular as the Studio Tour. We tagged along with one of the Von Receznick, German commentator, who described the play for first groups to visit the exhibit the day it was opened and got the short-wave audience in Germany. After three days of fluent as much fun out of it as they did. The whole thing is rigged up verbal exchange with the Baron, Riley reports that he still has very neatly and with the aid of the guide television is certainly trouble ordering wieners and sauerkraut at the local hofbrau. explained so clearly and simply that any layman can understand there, Benedict its fundamentals . . . you eliminate, right then and any The Mail Department’s Kenneth Strong deserted the single hokus pokus ideas you might have about television. An elderly men’s ranks August 20. Ken married the former Miss Velio Man- lady in the group, who spoke with a Montana drawl, turned to ners of Boston. To keep him radio-minded, the WBZ staff pre- me and said, “Why, son there ain’t nothing to it. Is there? Just sented the couple with an RCA end-table model radio. like a stereopticon.” 10 SEPTEMBER, 1938 HENNESSEY RESIGNS FROM NBC LEGAL STAFF KDKA PITTSBURGH Philip J. Hennessey, Jr. resigned from by Kay Barr the legal staff of the Company on August 1 to enter private practice of the law in Personnel Changes Recent Vacationers Washington, specializing in radio. He will Following A. E. Business Manager Dave Dickson has re- continue, however, to represent the Com- Nelson’s appoint- pany on a retainer basis and has opened turned from his holiday in Ohio . . . Sales- ment to the Radio law offices in the Woodward Building in man Lynn Morrow and Secretaries Relda City staff of NBC Washington. Garrett and Ida Kohlhaas came back from executives, many

their vacations on August 22 ... An- A graduate of Boston University’s Col- personnel changes lege of Liberal Arts and Law School, Mr. were made at nouncer Bill Sutherland went to Madison- Hennessey joined NBC in 1929 as a mem- KDKA last month. on-the-Lake, Ohio . . . and Page Don Fitz- ber of the legal staff in York. In New 1935 Announcer Bill gerald also returned to work recently . . . he was transferred to the Legal Depart- Beal has been looking spry and happy. ment’s Washington office. Last Winter he shifted over to Con- went to the International American Radio tinuity to work Dick Hogue Conference in Havana, Cuba, as the Com- with Derby Sproul Riggs to Radio City pany’s representative. His secretary, Miss and to fill the vacancy caused by Bob Announcer Glenn Riggs, following a Esther Jenkins, has resigned and will Saudek’s transfer to Radio City. Bob competitive audition last month, was continue as Mr. Hennessey’s secretary in Saudek is now assistant to Mr. Nelson who transferred from KDKA to the NBC an- his new office. was appointed Blue Network Sales Man- nouncing staff in Radio City. His transfer John Hurley, formerly an announcer ager in July. to Pat Kelly’s staff in New York brought on WRC-WMAL, will act as a legal assis- Bob Shield, a newcomer, is filling Beal’s to an end nine years of radio work with tant in the Washington office. He is a former post on the announcing staff, and KDKA. graduate of Georgetown University Law Dick Hogue has come from the NBC train- School. ing school for announcers in New York Glenn started out to be a lawyer but to complete the staff. Hogue was a member winning a forensic contest gave him the TELEVISION EXHIBIT of the Guest Relations staff in Radio City ambition to go on the stage. After playing before his appointment to KDKA. stock with Ann Harding and making tours OPENED TO PUBLIC Lloyd Chapman is filling in as page with a little theater group he drifted into (Continued, page and guide during vacations. from 1) radio as a part-time announcer and got The story on the appointment of Sher- NBC experimental television over Station the full-time status after three months. Dur- D. Gregory to the managership of W2XBS in the Empire State Tower, the man ing his service with KDKA, he conceived, appears on page one of this issue. exhibit is entirely separate and distinct KDKA built and handled a number of well-known from it. programs and announced many outstand- The entire exhibit is housed in three The Staff's Picnic ing commercial shows. studios on the ninth floor of the studio Members of KDKA and their imme- section. One studio contains a museum of diate relatives are, at this writing, plan- television equipment showing the progress ning a picnic September 10 at the Crafton made by the engineers during the past home of A. Leroy Hasenbalg, national rep- few years. Here the visitor may learn resentative of the National Broadcasting from the guide something about this new Company at KDKA. Local Sales Manager medium of transmission by radio waves. Bill Jackson, general chairman of ar-

In the next two studios the visitor is rangements has appointed committees on shown how television cameras and re- program, recreation, food and transpor- ceivers operate by means of actual dem- tation. onstrations; visitors are televised in one studio and their images and conversation Adjustment are transmitted to the other studio where Traffic Manager G. Dare Fleck has been another group sees and hears them through placed in charge of the day book and receiving sets. This demonstration is the announcers’ schedules, time requests, both highlight of the television exhibit. sustaining and commercial, and the as- The exhibit includes miniature sets signment of the studios. Alberta Brennan and mechanized sight effects apparatus will be his assistant on the day book part used in experimental telecasts. of the routine. The new NBC television tour is conducted by a special staff of guides who KDKA Babies were in training several weeks for their Ted Kenny, engineer, recently became new duties before the exhibit was opened. the proud papa of a baby girl, Virginia

at is 1 1 v Ann. Another proud father KDKA Carl 0. Wyman, KDKA engineer, and his Charley Fisher, of the station’s orchestra, wife, Gale, are very proud of their new Ger- Would you like to take part in an Hobby NBC who recently passed around cigars to cele- man police dog, Lobo, 135 pounds of canine Exhibit in Radio City? Write the NBC Transmitter, describing your hobby. brate the arrival of George Craig Fisher. personality with an interesting background. SEPTEMBER, 1938 11 NBC NEW YORK NOW NBC WASHINGTON GOES ON AIR AT 6:30 Stations WEAF and WJZ are now open- by Marian P. Gale ing an hour earlier than usual, thus adding another hour of broadcasting to NBC’s with the fatal- Everett vs. Hittenmark police in an effort to halt service for the New York area. The sta- Feudal fireworks exploded between ities. tions now go on the air at 6:30 a.m., daily The campaign got off to a rip-roaring Gordon Hittenmark and Lee Everett, except on Sundays when broadcasting start when WRC WRC and WMAL early morning chat- starts at 7:30 a.m. microphones were terers, during a luncheon of the 1938 The purpose of the extension is to sup- set up in the Dis- President’s Cup Regatta committee reply listeners, including thousands of early- trict morgue to cently, over a question of superior speed- rising commuters, with weather forecasts, broadcast an ac- boat racing ability. frequent announcements of the correct tual inquest to fix Everett asked permission of James A. time, news bulletins and information on the blame in the Councilor, General Chairman of the 1938 road conditions. These informational pro- death of a 14-year Regatta, to enter a speedboat in one of grams are interspersed with recorded mus- old boy. Highlight the hot contests on the Potomac River ical selections. The broadcasting of tran- of the broadcast September 23-25. Hittenmark jeered that scribed music is permitted over local NBC Arthur Daly was an eye witness “Lee wouldn’t know the bow from the J. stations until 9 a.m., although barred over description of the stern” so Everett flashed a challenge at the networks. fatal accident by an 11-year old boy. Hittenmark. Although they were sitting The News played campaign up with right next to one another at the luncheon N.Y. STAFF MEMBERS banner line “Stop Killing Children” and table fisticuffs were averted when Coun- followed up with pictures of morgue PLAN ALL-DAY OUTING cilor granted both permission to enter rac- broadcast and descriptive story. As this goes to press the NBC Ath- ing craft. letic Association is busily completing the Bryan Morse, a local sports writer, of- Newcomers arrangements for an all-day NBC outing at fered the suggestion that Hittenmark and Arthur Daly, formerly with NBC’s New the Crescent Country Club in Hunting- Everett race a couple of wash tubs with York Production Division, and more re- ton, Long Island, on September 13. tiny outboard motors to a whirling finish cently employed as the agency man hand- The plans for the NBC holiday include in the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. ling the Pontiac College Show, is coming all sorts of games and amusements. There Pictures will tell the story of the out- to Washington September 1 as assistant will be facilities for golf, tennis, swim- come of this unique race in the October to Production Manager Fred Shawn. He ming (either in the pool or the ocean), issue of the Transmitter. will be just in time to help take over the horseback riding, horseshoe pitching, In Demand numerous local live-talent shows sched- lawn bowling, dancing and many other uled to begin this fall. Daly is a graduate sports. Announcer Bill Crago’s voice is becom- of Villanova. ticket, will en- ing more in demand these days by com- f The cost of each which title the holder to use the club’s facilities, mercial sponsors . . . the latest came from Clair Harold Shadwell is the latest ad- is $2.50 for A. A. members, and $3.50 for a local haberdasher for a “Sports Resume” dition to the announcing staff. He is fill- non-members. The tickets include bus program. Crago replaces Bill Coyle on the ing the vacancy which resulted when Bud transportation from Radio City to the club program since the latter resigned his du- Barry was recently promoted to Night and back, lunch and dinner. ties with NBC to go with the Washington Supervisor. Shadwell was formerly at The outing is being managed by the Star. WBT, Charlotte, N. C. A. A.’s Social Committee composed of A1 Staff Orchestra WRC Mascot Protzman, chairman, Mary Coyne, Frank The staff orchestra returns on Septem- It’s evidently “poor pickin’s” for a bird C. Lepore, Henry Hayes, A1 Walker and ber 1 after a three-month vacation. Pro- dog around the WRC transmitter site even Bessie Feagin. duction Manager Shawn says there will though it’s in the country. The engineers be a slight change in their instrumenta- on duty have been feeding a poor half Vacations tion. The same number of men will be used starved hunting dog which has been wan- Helen Moberley of Sales spent her two but some changes in personnel have been dering around out there recently and now weeks trying to forget the radio business made to increase the versatility of the they have acquired a mascot on a volun- at Lewes, Delaware; Bill (Flash) Mc- band. tary permanent basis. The mascot has be- Andrew enjoyed the cool mountain air and Rudy Schramm, director of the staff or- come self-appointed guardian of the sea breezes of New England Tom Knode chestra, has been summering up in the premises. ; Michigan woods, where he has been an of News Department took the Connecticut Oral Autograph instructor in radio production at the Inter- valley route to Canada; Announcer Bry- lochen Music Festival. Earl Godwin, NBC news commentator, son Rash went home to St. Louis; The heard daily except Sundays on WMAL, Engineering Department’s Don Cooper Safety Campaign had the honor of making the first oral went to Sunken Meadows, Va., to watch Station WRC and the Washington Daily autograph ever made. When Godwin, who Mrs. Cooper catch the “big ones”; Bill News have just completed a vigorous cam- is president of the White House Corre- Chew — to Virginia Beach; Sammy New- paign to halt children’s traffic deaths in spondents Association, visited the Depart- man — seeing the sights of New York the District. ment of Interior’s new radio studios the City and Atlantic City; Harold Yates — Six children were killed on Washington other day, officials asked him to inaugu- Chesapeake Bay; Barton Stahl to a streets in 16 days during July, and WRC rate the novel way of keeping a “guest wooded retreat in Pennsylvania Hills; and News officials put their heads together record.” Wally English, hometown Sheldon, Iowa. 12 NBC TRANSMITTER

The NBC Transmitter salutes these Fernando R. Rojas each for a year, the majority of his educa- National Broadcasting tion had resulted from a different brand members of the One of the youngest supervisors of the who, this month, complete their of study. He had spent several years Company Master Control Room in Radio City is with the Company. in the sawmills, door factories, logging tenth year Fernando R. Rojas who came to NBC ten camps, and shipyards in and about his years ago as an apprentice engineer. Hastings birthplace, Tacoma. He had dug ditches, Gerald M. Mr. Rojas, who now holds a profes- clerked in a hardware store and in a hab- Ten years ago, sional engineer’s license, studied electrical erdashery, and panted in a pickle factory. NBC inaugurated engineering at Cornell University and the He had worked on a freighter and trav- a new policy of re- Brooklyn Polytech- elled to Alaska and Panama. He had spent cruiting young col- nic School. Follow- a year, paradoxically, at the Corcoran Art lege graduates with ing his graduation School in Washington, D. C., and was engineering de- from Brooklyn finally about to sign up in a school for grees to be put Polytechnic, he ! r through a training the consular service when WRC stretched worked in New 7 forth its talons and claimed him for radio. course in the Engi- York City for some In November, 1929, Mr. Hicks started neering Depart- months as a sur- Gerald M. Hastings in at NBC in New York as a first-string me nt. The recruits veyor and electri- announcer. Since then, he has advanced were assigned to 1 k cal tester before F. R. Rojas to the front row of the class as a special work a short period in each division of the joining NBC. events man. He has covered sports of all department in order to give them a well- After his ap- kinds, political events, aviation events, grounded knowledge of the entire field. prenticeship, which took him through all army maneuvers, floods, Easter Parades, Gerald M. Hastings, a graduate of the the different divisions of the Engineering the Canton Island eclipse — which he con- Sheffield School of Yale University, was Department, Mr. Rojas was assigned to siders his best piece of work — inaugura- one of the first novitiates to take the train- the Field Group. Later he served in the tions, maiden voyages, etc. ing course, which lasted seven months, studio and transmission divisions, and in He is both naturally and perforce a stu- and at the end of which he was assigned 1933 he was transferred to the Master dent of words, and the way they are put to the Design Group which is now known Control Room. Last year he was promoted together. He has forseen the new idioms as the Audio Facilities Group. He has the post of relief supervisor in the Master of speech which are emerging from the served there ever since with the exception Control Room. terse, descriptive patter of the special of one year — 1931 — during which he Engineer Rojas is now married, has an events announcer. The speed and lucidity worked as a studio engineer. eight-year old daughter, Betty Ann, and required are both a test and a bait. He has Most of his work in the Engineering has a home in Malverne, Long Island. He been steadily perfecting a style of ad-lib has been connected with the is national secretary treasurer of the As- Department announcing which has as much individual- designing and installation of broadcast sociation of Technical Employes; and he ity and character as that which the author equipment in the various quarters of has served in the National Guard as a new impinges on the pages of his novel. NBC studios in several cities. His last in- member of the 101st Cavalry. His chief Announcer Hicks is married and has a stallation job was at Cleveland where he hobby is gardening. son. Robert Ivan, age 5. Their home is in was in charge of the installation of the Jackson Heights. equipment in the new WTAM studios. He George Hicks designed and directed the installation of To write much less than a few thousand Thomas Tart all the cabling and wiring in the present words about George Hicks can sound like Thomas Tart, supervisor of the Mail & headquarters of NBC in Radio City. He little more than an epigram, a grudging Messenger Section and former page and also assisted in the construction of the two hundred words or so pinched spar- guide supervisor, entered the National Master Control Board and studio equip- ingly into these crowded columns. How- Broadcasting Company ten years ago this ment. In 1937, he received his professional ever, we shall try to crowd into this page month. At that time he was one of twenty- to engineering license which allows him as much as we can of his interesting life. five young men who were called pages but practice engineering in the State of New In September of 1928 George Hicks en- who must have done a frantic amount of York. tered the NBC studios at Washington as work. They acted as pages, guides occa- Before coming to NBC in 1928, Mr. an announcer. His sionally, mailmen, Hastings was in the accounting depart- “experience” up to messengers, studio ment of a railroad company for a year. that point must set-up assistants An expert banjo player, he used to play have read some- and almost any- professionally during the summer. Inci- what frighteningly thing for which a dentally, he strummed his way through to his prospective department head college on the banjo. employers. Al- might rub his lamp. Engineer Hastings lives in Oradell,New though he had at- Shortly after- Jersey. His game is golf and he also spends tended the College wards, Mr. Tart much of his spare time building model of Puget Sound spent six months in airplanes and other mechanical toys for and the University the Concert Bureau Tart his two young sons, Steve and Jimmie. George Hicks of Washington, {Con t Next Page) Thomas SEPTEMBER, 1938 13

WGY SCHENECTADY FRED WARING PICKS 'EM by W. T. Meenam

World-wide Acclaim MacDonald, in announcing his good for- Among the many congratulatory mes- tune from Schenectady housetops distrib- sages received by WGY’s manager, Kolin uted “Robert Burns” cigars. Hager, on the occasion of the dedication of the new studio building, were two Wedding Bells which were particularly pleasing. Miss lone Van Denplas, of Press, and Roland Bradley, announcer and pro- Silvio Caranchini, control room engineer, were married Saturday, August at the duction man at WGY from 1929 to 1932, 6, First English Lutheran Church, Schenec- and later with Station WINS, New York, tady. and WBAL, Baltimore, wrote that he had October Miss Elizabeth Wini- heard the dedication program direct from On 22, fred King of Sales, will be married to WGY while off the coast of Haiti, aboard Lloyd Donahue, a General Electric stu- a Cities Service tanker. “Brad” who was dent engineer. Seattle-bound to take a position in the University of Washington, was employed "Little Radio City" as a first class seaman aboard the tanker. Three NBC guides in Radio City, who took WGY’s new studio building is rapidly part in the Brass Buttons Revue of 1938 last Many messages were received by Mr. February, and one NBC announcer were gaining renown as “The Little Radio Hager from WGY alumni who were un- among the 19 lucky singers picked from 750 City.” During the first two weeks since applicants by Fred able to attend the reunion and good-wishes Waring for his new male its dedication, the building has been in- chorus. Pictured above, in uniforms, are the also Governor Herbert came from Lehman three guides, left to right: Webb Tilton, Paul spected by 30,000 people and daily tour- and other public men, but there was a Owen and Frank Egan. At the piano is Fred ists flock through the building escorted Waring. The announcer who will also join special thrill in an RCA radiogram from the chorus is Gene Hamilton. by three competent guides. Visitors in- Manila. Its sender was Harry Fenton, clude many from foreign countries. The now known as “The Major Bowes of the distance record, according to the guest Far East.” Fenton, a graduate of Union ANNIVERSARY CHIMES register is Peter W. Turner, a representa- College, Schenectady, class of 1929, wire- ( Continued from preceding page tive of the British General Electric Com- ) lessed congratulations to WGY, recalling (now Artists pany, stationed at Dairen, Southern Mon- Service) , and then proceeded that he had played with the WGY Matinee golia. to the old NBC Times Square Studio in Players in 1928. Fenton, following his grad- the New Amsterdam Theatre roof where uation, spent three years at Dublin Uni- Notes he acted as studio supervisor until 1932. versity, studying medicine. He returned to WGY Members of the staff will At that time, he returned to the page this country and enlisted in the United WGY engage staff at the 711 Fifth Avenue studios where States Army Medical Corps and was as- in another of their bitter soft ball battles he remained until NBC moved to its new signed to Manila. There he renewed his at Endries Grove, Saratoga Road, Wed- quarters in Radio City. At Radio City he interest in radio with such effect that he nesday, August 24. Kolin Hager and Al- was made supervisor of the reception staff is now with Radio Manila as manager of bert Knapp will captain the opposing proof guides, pages and hostesses. KZEG and chief announcer of KZRM. gram and technical teams. In 1936, Mr. Tart took over the desk He got his start by producing an amateur i i 1 of Mail & Messenger Supervisor. hour which won such success that it be- Howard Wheeler, of the Control Room Mr. Tart lives in New York, is single, came a sponsored program within a few staff, accompanied by Mrs. Wheeler and busies himself with a stamp and coin col- weeks. son, Philip, enjoyed an automobile tour lection. He is active in many of the Com- of 3100 miles during their vacation. They pany’s social activities. He has attended Newcomers travelled through Canada, the trip includ- New York City College, and at present is ing a cruise through the Gaspe Peninsula. A son, Robert Alan, was born to Mr. studying Business Administration at the i i i and Mrs. Virgil Hasche. Mr. Hasche is Alexander Hamilton Institute. WGY’s station manager and on his shoul- Mrs. Madeline Neff, secretary to W. J. Mr. Tart was born in a small town near ders rested much of the labor involved in Purcell, vacationed at Provincetown, Naples, Italy, on April 18, 1911. “Do you transferring operations from the old to the Mass. remember much of Italy?” we asked him. new studio headquarters. i i i “No,” he replied. “You see, I was only two Ray Strong and family, including Mrs. iii years old when I sailed for America.” Strong and the triplets, Joan, June and Alan Finch MacDonald has taken up Junior, went to Galway Lake on their va-

his residence at the home of Mr. and Mrs. cation. end into golf is regaling all who will Alexander (Sales Promotion) MacDonald. i i i listen with his 18-hole round of 90. His It is said that the MacDonald offspring W. J. Purcell who deserted fishing, pho- single regret is that George McElrath cries with a burr in its voice and Father tography hunting to and go off the deep wasn’t present to marvel .. . and to pay. . .

14 NBC TRANSMITTER WTAM CLEVELAND by Bob Dailey NBC SAN FRANCISCO by Louise Landis Special Events critic, always too reviewing WTAM’S special eventers are, getting The Weavers Bob was busy

late books to catch up with these . .. saved a workout these days. In one August week If you happen to visit the studios during

them for just such a trip . .. Ruth Young, they broadcast over the networks a por- a quiet period and find a six-foot engineer Audience Mail, will spend part of her va- tion of the Believe It or Not show from the crouched over a needle and a small square

cation in the air ... she and her husband Oakwood Country Club golf course, the of bright wool—don’t be too surprised. Since will fly to Detroit, then go on to Montreal Cleveland $10,000 Open Golf Champion- Edna Fischer, petite red-head who plays

to visit his family .. . Jane Burns, head ship also from Oakwood, and the National the piano and organ for NBC listeners, receptionist, has picked Bucks Lake in Soap Box Derby from Akron. And now took up weaving between stand-by as- northern California for her summer hide- they are preparing for the National Air signments, the whole engineering staff

away . . . because nobody will ask her a Races, the first week in September. has, too. Something about her loom and single question about radio there (That’s Tom Manning, WTAM’S director of its small rectangular squares of wool what she thinks) . . special events, was at the microphone for seems to fascinate the mathematical Agnes Ansell, Mimeograph, killed a all the programs, and was assisted on the minds of radio engineers, and nearly every rattlesnake tha-at long on her vacation golf broadcasts by Ranee Valentine and member of the staff contributed a square in Lake County . . . Florence Crowell, on the Soap Box Derby by Bromley House to the afghan which she has just com- Music Rights, and Jennings Pierce, agri- and Bob Dailey. pleted. cultural broadcasts director, motored all Manager Vernon H. Pribble and Pro- Engaged over British Columbia — but separately! gram Director Hal Metzger made the ar- . . . Stillman Pregman, Music Library, did rangements for the Sophie Dunich of Typing is wearing a Soap Box Annual some heavy loafing under the redwoods classic in Akron and were joined the day gorgeous diamond . . . Harry Esola, San at Richardson Grove .. . Producer Van of the races by Bob White, NBC sales rep- Francisco coffee importer, is the lucky Fleming motored through Mexico . . . and resentative from Detroit. Engineers hand- man . . . “Next summer maybe,” says Mary Hunter, Music Rights, went to Hol- Sophie, pretending to be blase about the ling the pickup included John Disbrttw, lywood. Frank Whittam, C. S. Bidlack and Bob whole thing. At Russian River: Bessie Atkinson, Babcox. PBX; Vera Lashin, Mimeograph, and Commuter Yoder Alice Ryan, Accounting ... At Tahoe: Vacations San Francisco’s head-man is a com- Ed Barker, Sales; A1 Diedericks, Account- muter at last. Mr. Yoder has bought a Edith Wheeler, Traffic Manager, off to ing; Dorothy McGaha, Audience Mail . . beautiful new home in Belvedere, and has Announcers Eddie King and Dresser the Smoky Mountains . .. Program Di- just moved into it. Dahlstead went northwest for their holi- rector Hal Metzger spending his vacation

daying .. . Dick Bertrandias, Press, is let- days fishing . . . Office Manager Pearl Promotion ting the reins fall loose on the neck of Hummell in Atlantic City just resting ... Bob Dwan, formerly night program su- his trusty old steed, Plymouth, and just

ditto Salesman Harold Gallagher . . . En- pervisor, has stepped into another field, traveling wherever the hood is pointed, gineer Harry Caskey traveling all the way and is now a producer, which means he which your correspondent (yawn-yawn) to Miami, Florida, to fish and swim . . . has covered a lot of ground since he joined thinks would be a swell thing to be doing

Chet Zohn, night program manager, NBC in 1936 as one of its junior announc- right now . . . spending his days of rest in moving to ers. Without radio experience, he was one Brecksville where the WTAM transmitter of several university graduates selected to Visitors learn announcing from the ground up. familiar faces, too long, is located ... Stenographer Helen For- Some away sythe traveling through the East and Mail were welcomed back last month — Sylvia Perry, who returned to pinch-hit, while Clerk Katherine O’Connell going home to Vacationers Log Florence Allen vacationed from Program trail- Toledo ... Bob Dailey sail-boating at Lots of NBC hearts are enviously Traffic — Memory Roberts and Ann Hol- ing after Frances Young, Sales, on her Clear Lake, Indiana . . . Mr. Pribble’s sec- den, Womans Magazine of th,e Air alumni, holiday . . . Frances sailed on retary, Mildred Funnell, and Director of Hawaiian who came back for an interview on the the Matsonia August 26, to be gone at Activities, Weaver, enjoy- Women’s Jane Mag with Janet Baird — and were centers least a month .. . Sales Promotion Man- ing cottage life in Pennsylvania. An- of an impromptu reception. ager Bob McAndrews is off on a coast nouncer Russell Wise and Salesman Rus- freighter with a copy of Boswell’s Johnson sell Carter loafed around the house and Wedding and The Story of San Michele as traveling played golf. The marriage of Miss Mildred Power companions . . . during his days as literary of Oakland, California, and Fred Fiorella Tenor-Baritone of the Music Library, took place August 7. Chet Zohn, who has been singing lyric Announcer House Returns i i i since he came to the station tenor ever Bromley House, who resigned from the seven years ago, found out the other day Would you like to take part in an NBC Hobby WTAM announcing staff a year ago to Exhibit in Radio Citv? Write the NBC Transmitter, describing that he has a better baritone voice. Since join a Detroit advertising agency, is back your hobby. local then, he has been appearing on a with the staff as an announcer. House 1 1 t program, Continental Echoes, weekly and also was on a concert tour as a baritone Every member of the NBC staff is a reporter of making a hit with the listeners. soloist while away from the station. his newsmagazine — NBC Transmitter. SEPTEMBER, 1938 15 KOA DENVER CLUB NOTES EXCHANGE CORNER STAMP by James Lehmann

James Campbell, formerly of NBC stations KGW and KEX in Portland, Oregon, This classified ad section is available, THIS STAMP OF has joined our announcing staff. free of charge, to all NBC employe s. Rules: Forty-five word limit; no regular POLAND i i i Announcer Joe Gillespie has been trans- business or professional service may be COMMEMORATING THE GREAT ROUSH COMPOSER ferred to the San Francisco studios. advertised. Address ads to NBC Trans- mitter, Building, FREDERICK CHOPIN iii Room 284, RCA New Vacation Notes: Roscoe Stockton has York. returned from his mountain cabin where, he reports, he was often visited by unin- HOBBY EXHIBIT - It has been sug- vited callers from the animal kingdom of gested that an exhibit of NBC hobbies be

the woods .. . Commercial Manager A1 placed on the mezzanine floor of the studio PRESENTED TO THE Crapsey went to the famous Jackson Hole section. If you have hoLbies which might NBC STAMP CLUB country in Wyoming armed with his cam- be included in such an exhibit please com-

era ... Soundman Hal Dieker of NBC municate with the NBC Transmitter. 8Y Hollywood came to Denver on his vacation but we didn’t see very much of him FOR SALE — Custom-made cello. Excel-

. . . he disappeared in the hills (Rocky lent tone. Price reasonable. Inquire at the Mountains) with his fishing outfit ... NBC Transmitter. Director Bill Stulla is planning a trip to California this month and should be there FOR SALE — Beautiful home in Hunting- when you read this. ton. Long Island. 8-room frame house on Clarence A. Peregrine, engineer-in- 1 Vi acres beautifully landscaped plot. 4 charge, was a guest of the American For- A self-autographed stamp memento bedrooms, bathroom, pantry, large attic, estry Association on a trip into the wilder- from the famous Polish statesman and two-car garage, hardwood floors. Near ness of southern Colorado. These wild pianist, Ignace Jan Paderewski, is the shopping areas, schools, railroad station areas are maintained in various parts of most recent addition to the NBC Stamp and beaches. H. E. Bisson, Sales Promo- the United States and are kept as nearly Club’s collection now on display in the tion, N. Y., Room 416, Ext. 563. free club’s permanent exhibit in the fourth- of civilization’s encroachments as pos- floor lobby of the Radio City studios. sible by the A.F.A. The section Mr. Pere- grine visited was the Snow Mass-Maroon FOR SALE — Radio transmitter, complete The Paderewski gift includes two valu- Bell region south and west of Aspen Colo- on 3-foot rack. Class B Audio, Class C RF. able Polish stamps, one bearing the por- rado. The party’s guide was Len Schu- Power output on 20 meters — 25 watts. Can trait of the great Polish composer, Fred- macker. official representative of the U. S. be used on 160, 80, 40 or 20 meters phone erick Chopin, issued in 1927, and another or E. Forest Service. Len is the man who sup- CW. Reasonable. Gundrum, Room of Paderewski himself which was issued plies material for the series. Uncle Sam’s 564, NBC New York. in 1919. Paderewski’s signature is on the Forest Rangers, heard on the National mounting. Farm and Home Hour. FOR SALE — Great Dane, pedigreed, This new item takes its place in a col- Joe Rohrer, assistant control supervisor, male, age — 5 years. Owner’s illness does lection of many highly prized philatelic drove 4900 miles and visited every not permit proper care. For details call treasures presented to the Stamp Club by national park in the western area. F. A. Wankel, Ext. 284, N. Y. prominent stamp collectors. The collection includes: the first postage stamp, the Great Britain One Penny Black, given by Theodore Steinway; the first postage stamp issued referring to radio, the Guate- mala stamp of 1918 picturing the Guate- malan Government Radio Station, presented by General Ubico, president of Guatemala; the first U. S. postage stamp, five-cent Franklin, of 1847, presented by Harry L. Lindquist; the Austrian Niebe- lungen Ring series of 1924, presented by Dr. Walter Damrosch, and the Austrian Composers series of 1921, presented by Dr. Frank Black.

The NBC collection is divided into three sections: stamps referring to radio, stamps referring to music, and stamps of historic philatelic interest. In order to assure corporate life to the NBC collection, the club Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Stockton were hosts to members of the KOA staff at their mountain lodge near Denver one recent Sunday. These were some of the picnickers. Left to right: has presented it to NBC as a corporate T. Ellsworth Stepp (Transcriptions), Joe Rohrer (asst, control supervisor), Beverly Ward, asset for permanent display. Mrs. Stepp, Ed Sproul (Guest Relations), Mrs. Carl Wieninger (foreground) and Mrs. Rohrer. Lisa Lundin, secretary to Director of Publicity Wayne L. Randall, spends a rural holiday.

Below. “My but the water’s cold,’’ says Betty Van Buren of News and Special Events as she Jeanne Harrison, Sales Telephone Operator Marion Hazel Wissemann, Local wades in the Sound at Northport, Long Island. Traffic, went sailing at Cape Wall rode a great deal at Sales, vacationed in the Cod. Lake George, N. Y. Catskills.

NBCettes On Vacation

New York Division

Liliane “Billie” Mone, PBX operator, went to Goshen, Conn., on her vacation.

This Glamorous Blacksmith is Clara Goldsmith of the Engineering Department. Taken at Maplecrest in the Catskills.

Left. Selma Wickers, of the Commercial Program Di- vision, went to Ireland to visit relatives. Here she is with a nephew. Serving as background is a stack of flax which will probably find its way to America as Irish linen.

Right. Katherine Hoffmeir, General Sales, spent a nautical vacation at Provincetown on Cape Cod. NBC TRANSMITTER

VUL. 4 OCTOBER, 1 9 38 NO. 10

NBC COVERAGE OF THE NBC EXPANDS LATIN FIRST STREET INTERVIEW CZECHOSLOVAK CRISIS AMERICAN SERVICE FOR TELEMOBILE UNIT

The most comprehensive schedule of The man in the street had his say television on September 14 when American shortwave broadcasts to Latin about television side- America ever attempted will be launched NBC conducted its first interview with random passersby in by NBC as a result of assignment by the walk Federal Communications Commission to Rockefeller Plaza with the new RCA-NBC mobile television station. The interviews NBC of two new shortwave frequencies, it to Area was announced on September 26 by Frank were broadcast the Metropolitan over Station as part of a series E. Mason, vice president and director of W2XBS, experiments. the International Division. of RCA-NBC television Under the questioning of Warren The two additional frequencies, 9670 Wade, television program director, a dozen kilocycles or 31.02 meters, and 21,630 New Yorkers and out-of-town visitors kilocycles or 13.76 meters, fill out NBC’s their first before the FRED BATE, left, and JORDAN, made appearance MAX complement of wavelengths necessary to NBC’s European representatives, who brought Iconoscope camera. Opinion as to the render year-round, day and night, service to the NBC microphone international broad- future use of the medium appeared to be casts in connection with the Czechoslovak to Latin American as well as European divided. Men were inclined to favor pro- crisis. In most of these broadcasts both men listeners. grams centered about actual news hap- were heard either as announcers or commen- The assignment of the new frequencies, tators. penings and sports events. The women which were made available for interna- expressed preference for musical and tional broadcasting by the Cairo radio dramatic offerings. For twenty days during the crisis over conference earlier this year, follows the Images and sound were picked up by Czechoslovakia the American radio listeD rapid increase in the popularity of NBC’s a conventional microphone and a single er sat beside his receiver as the tidings programs with foreign listeners. Letters camera mounted on a tripod. from Europe seemed to foretell another received by NBC’s shortwave stations, Monitoring and the addition of nec- great war. The climax of radio’s coverage W3XAL and W3XL, have increased ten- essary synchronizing signals were done came when Max Jordan in Munich scored fold in the past few months, with partic- in the near-by pick-up van, before sound a brilliant beat of forty-six minutes in ular tribute being paid to the news broad- and sight were passed through a newly broadcasting over NBC networks the casts in six languages. installed coaxial cable to the main equip- official text of the Four Power agreement. Listeners in all parts of the world, and ment room inside Radio City. From that Behind that clean cut scoop lies the particularly in Europe, have written NBC point they were transmitted by cable to story of a great radio network marshalled that these American news reports provide the NBC transmitter in the Empire State to give the American people the most a most trustworthy source of information. tower for broadcasting. elaborate coverage of a critical situation ever attempted by an American network broadcaster. To achieve it program men, engineers and traffic experts and members of the Press Division, worked into the early morning hours, snatched a few hours of sleep, and then returned to their posts for early opening of the networks.

The fruit of it all was a series of 443 programs and news bulletins devoted to the Czech situation. The Munich scoop was the high spot of NBC’s coverage, but several other notable beats were made. The text of President Roosevelt’s second message to Chancellor Hitler was on the air over NBC fifteen minutes before any other network had it, because NBC officials rushed it to the studios from the State Depart- ment in a taxi. From Prague, Walter Kerr, of the New York Herald-Tribune, announced the entry of German troops into the Sudetenland almost simultaneously Warren Wade, left, television program director, with the crossing of the first soldier. conducts the first nocturnal man-in-the-street interview for the RCA-NBC television mobile unit. Passersby were interviewed on the sidewalk ( Continued on page 12) in Radio City on the evening of September 16. The cameraman is Engineer Ross J. Plaisted. 2 NBC TRANSMITTER KOA DENVER by Mack Switzer

Wet Labor Day ten months of the year. This is Mr. Hard- Pansy Stockton, wife of Production ing’s first trip out of the North in ten Manager Roscoe Stockton has returned The recent Bear Creek and Big Thomp- years, but we find him well-informed on from Indian Ceremonials at Gallup, New son Canyon flood spoiled many a Labor world affairs which he gets through his Mexico, and the Santa Fe Fiesta, where Day outing, and although Maestro Milton radio. she had an exhibit of her famous “Sun Shrednik and Transmitter Engineer Car- Paintings.” Later she visited the family rier worried much about their cabins in Vacations of Fremont Ellis at Rancho San Sebastian. the mountains, little done to damage was Control Supervisor Walter Morrissey KOA people’s property. Announcer Bob i i 1 vacationed at Grand Lake during Regatta Harris, Engineer Joe Rohrer and Bob Week, but he reports that the din and Announcer Jim Campbell and Junior Ingram of the Denver Post spent a rainy bustle were too much for him, so he Control Supervisor Joe Rohrer hung up night in the mobile unit in the vicinity of hopped the Streamliner for Chicago and a mark aboard a Continental Airline plane Morrison, from where periodic broadcasts the All-Star game, in which Colorado Uni- during the recent air races at the Munici- were made. versity’s “Whizzer” White played. Engi- pal Airport. They averaged about 250 neer Glen Glascock is rumored to be on Distant Listener miles per hour on a flight to Estes Park his way to California for a week or two. A recent visitor to KOA was Verne and Central City. Harding, of St. Lawrence Island— the top Newcomers iii of the world—bordering Siberia. Mr. Hard- Newest member of KOA’s page staff Edward Sproul of KOA and Derby ing to this region to see our famous came is Bill Anderson, brother of Charley An- Sproul of KDKA have the heartfelt sym- Pikes Peak—and to visit Station KOA, derson, formerly of KOA and now en route pathy of their friends at KOA in the death which he hears clearly in his Far North to and fellowship training London a of their father, A. E. Sproul, longtime home. He made his island kingdom, period with BBC, after which he returns Denver resident and prominent member where there are no taxes, no automobiles, to Denver. of the Denver Post staff. and no other white men, sound like such Your regular correspondent, James a paradise, that the KOA staff is about KOA Notes to start on a long trek to the Far North Bill Stulla, director, announcer and Lehman, is on vacation. Accompanied by in a body. KOA is received clearly in St. continuity writer is back from his vaca- the Mrs., he went East and planned to Lawrence at certain times of the day for tion in California. spend a busman’s holiday in Radio City. NBC BOSTON nw R^k

The Storm in Boston charge and even did a lion’s share of mike Primary Elections duty. Despite the fact that its 50,000-watt WBZ & WBZA scored another first with transmitter was rendered useless in the Meanwhile, Plant Manager Dwight A. their coverage of the Massachusetts prim- storm’s early moments, NBC Boston ren- Myer arranged for a two-way circuit be- ary elections. Furnished bulletins by the tween the Boston and Springfield studios, dered yoeman service in the worst hur- Boston Globe and Springfield Republican, ricane to hit so that broadcasting was also possible New England in history. the stations were on the air continuously WBZ’s synchronized station, WBZA in from the Boston studios through Spring- until all important contests were decided. Springfield, fortunately was not damaged field’s transmitter. Lines were also in- As soon as the gubernatorial battles and therefore presented the facilities for stalled to the State House where a pick-up were settled, WBZ & WBZA were first NBC Boston to play such an important point was established in the office of the to present the winning candidates. Former role in the tragedy. emergency commission. Gov. M. Curley, the victorious Immediately appointed as its James official At various intervals this commission outlet by Governor Charles F. Hurley’s democratic candidate, was first put on the released scores of bulletins concerning emergency commission,WBZA lost no time air from his home, and when his opponents conditions throughout the state, road con- in filling the breech. A staff weary from conceded, he brought thousands of fol- ditions, danger zones and precautions of the rigors of a continuous election broad- lowers to the studios all types to be taken in an effort to pre- where he broadcast cast into the early morning hours Wed- vent the spread of disease. his victory message. Mr. Curley was pre- nesday, September 21, barely began to on the air The WBZ studios served as a clearing ceded by Leverett Saltonstall get some rest before they were called in house for public and personal messages, who completely overwhelmed his Repub- entirety and assigned emergency duties. while the boys at kept the wind- lican adversaries early in the evening. General Manager John A. Holman, ac- WBZA torn and flood-stricken NBC was very fortunate in having the companied by a staff announcer and an Springfield area as well informed as possible. Boston engineer, chartered a plane and flew to Globe's political expert, John Springfield. They were met by Chief An- For three days and nights all members Barry, as its election commentator. nouncer Bob White who had previously of the W BZ & WBZA staffs were in action, Much applause is due George A. gone to Springfield for the election broad- getting brief rest periods when they af- Harder, News and Sales Promotion Man- casts. Mr. Holman immediately took forded themselves. ager, who arranged the entire program. OCTOBER, 1938 3 WT AM CLEVELAND by Bob Dailey

.,. Musician Charley Avellone losing "General" Leonard compared the radio pickup to anti-aircraft defense and wrote that if Leonard had his cornet for three days and finding it in S. E. Leonard, WTAM’s engineer-in- been sighting a defense gun instead of his locker .. . Engineer Barney Pruitt charge, has a new nickname. Although he peering through the small hole in the building a new home in North Olmstead has been known as “Eddie” to his friends parabola sounding board, his unerring designed by Bob Alley, husband of Pianist ever since he connected the wires, batteries aim would have wiped out the “enemy.” Dorothy Crandall . . . Jane Weaver, di- and tubes which first put WTAM on the So now Eddie is better known as rector of women’s activities, acting as air, Leonard is now “General.” “General.” mistress of ceremonies at the Cleveland Norm Siegel, Cleveland radio editor,

.. . Uni- dubbed Leonard “General” in a column Introducing Announcer Conrad Fashion Institute Former Miami which he wrote after witnessing a special versity co-ed Betty Bauer joining staff as New member of the WTAM staff is events pickup last month. It took place on information clerk .. . Engineer Bert Pruitt Wilton Conrad Haff, known to listeners as roof of the 22-story NBC building and wife visiting the Gene Hamiltons in the Announcer Wilton Conrad. Haff has a

where Leonard and his assistants, Alvin York .. . Pooler, Chet Zohn colorful background. He was formerly a New Waldo McMahon, John Disbrow and James Bab- newspaperman, ore miner, sailor and an- and Dorothy Crandall dedicating a new cock, were making a short-wave pickup nouncer with western radio stations. He church organ in Brecksville, location of of the commands given from plane to has served as announcer, production man WTAM transmitter ... Tom Manning get- plane in a U. S. Marine squadron during and script writer at KFI, Los Angeles. ting a fine new set of matched golf clubs maneuvers over the city. Personable Haff is 31 years old and as a gift .. . Announcer Russell Wise To provide background noise to An- says his hobbies are sailing, art carica- looking up the pronunciation of a word nouncer Tom Manning’s description of tures and satires written at 4:30 a.m. for ten minutes before finally realizing the maneuvers, Leonard operated a large that he was looking at the telephone book. parabola microphone to catch the sound "Shanghai Nights" of the planes’ motors. Columnist Siegel Announcer Bromley House, who, in 1932, took a night club company to Shanghai, China, for a year’s engagement, is writer and commentator on a new dramatic-musical program known as Shang-

hai Nights. House is including his experiences in the International Settlement as part of the program. Stubby Gordon’s orchestra provides the music. Incident- ally, House recently became a groom. His bride is the former Miss Honor Gregory who heads a Cleveland advertising agency. Vernon H. Pribble, manager of WTAM, WTAM Notes scored 47 out of a possible 50 at the National Donald G. Stratton, NBC national sales rep- Rifle Matches at Camp Perry. Years ago Intimate Notes from the Private Note- resentative in Cleveland, at the National Rifle when Mr. Pribble was in the Army he was Matches, Camp Perry, Ohio. book of Traffic Manager Edith Wheeler: a noted marksman. WGY SCHENECTADY by W. T. Meenam

Bowling Begins White pitched for the Program crew and twenty feet of him and he’s convinced now had the game well in hand until the ninth that there’s more than a touch of the Men of WGY are making ready for the inning, when his defense weakened. The Arctic in those waters. fall-winter-spring bowling season which only mishap of the afternoon was a head- officially opens Saturday, October 29 with Many Visitors to WGY on collision between Tom Williams and a six-team league and John Howe of Sales WGY’s new studio building continues A1 Taylor, the latter of Sales, when both as president. to command the interest of tourists and were trying to field a fly ball. John The schedule this year calls for thirty visitors to the city of Schenectady. The Howe, as usual, performed as master-of- matches for each team and all teams will visitors’ register shows an average of ceremonies for the event. be entered in the American Bowling Con- 2500 names weekly, with about 1500 dur- gress. New men have been enrolled and Friendly Seals ing Saturday and Sunday. Audience only two or three of last year’s pin- A. O. Coggeshall and family passed shows, of which WGY now has four, topplers have dropped out. their vacation at Old Orchard Beach, also command capacity crowds. Late in August, the last of the season’s Maine. Coggie had heard, but never be- Papa Martin soft-ball contests between the Technical lieved, that the Maine waters were cold Friday, September 23, a daughter, and Program staffs was played at Endries for bathing even in mid-summer. While Sharon Kaye, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Grove on the Saratoga Road. The Tech- swimming off Old Orchard he swears two Thomas Martin. nical won by a score of 28 to 22. George friendly seals gamboled about within (Continued on page 7) 4 NBC TRANSMITTER

lywood in August. Theodore T. Clements Thomas A. Styles, formerly associated has been promoted from relief control with oil companies in New York City, has NAMES IN supervisor to junior control supervisor, rejoined the International Program Division placing Mr. Hahn. as secretary to Vice President Frank E. THE NEWS Studio Engineers Henry E. Kenny and Mason. His work will be connected with John J. Kulik have been promoted to the the Spanish broadcasts of NBC’s short- Master Control staff as relief supervisors. wave service. NEW YORK Mr. Kenny is replacing E. P. Kampf who Mr. Styles is a native New Yorker. He resigned from NBC to become associated is a graduate of Columbia University with E. V. Brinckerhoff, recording com- where he majored in History, Economics Promotions pany. Mr. Kulik, who has been with NBC and Spanish. He also did graduate work been transferred Frank W. Nesbitt has nine years, was studio engineer for the in Hispanic-American history and is a International from the guide staff to the NBC Symphony Orchestra last winter. member of the Instituto de las Espanas, a Program Division. He entered the Com- Spanish cultural society at Columbia. i i i He pany as a page two years ago. has just returned from Venezuela where Miss Lucille Lizotte has been appointed i i 1 he traveled for several months. secretary to Vincent J. Gilcher, head of Miss Dorothy Michel has been trans- 1 1 i General Service. Her former job in the ferred from Sales Traffic to the Traffic Miss Ethelen Van Port, who joined the department is being filled by Miss Dorothy is replacing Miss Mary Department. She Stenographic staff last month, is now in the Stenographic Section. Miss to Lewis from Louise Field who resigned as secretary the Traffic Department as an assistant to Lizotte, who has been with NBC one year, to go to the West Steere Mathew in order Miss A. M. Caramore who is in charge of was formerly associated with the Pinaud Indies where she is now visiting her Sustaining Traffic. Corporation in New York as secretary to brother who is in business down there. Miss Van Port comes to NBC from the the vice president. Miss Virginia Kelly who joined the newspaper business. She was formerly Miss Grace Johnsen has been trans- Stenographic staff last March has taken with the New York Journal-American ferred from General Service to Program over Miss Michel’s desk in Sales Traffic. where she was an assistant to one of the where she will continue as secretary to i i i editors. In Boston, her home city, where Walter G. Preston, Jr., former head of Thomas Severin has been transferred she studied drama at the Henry Jewett General Service and now assistant to Vice from the guide staff to the office staff of College of Fine Arts, she worked as a President John F. Royal as head of the Guest Relations to replace Francis Koeh- reporter for the Boston American. She Educational Division. ler who resigned last month in order to iii has also worked for the Long Island Daily become a member of the sales department Press. Production of WRTD, NBC associated station in Wilfred S. Roberts of the Her chief hobby is writing feature sto- Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Severin came to Division was appointed to the Commercial ries for newspapers and magazines. She NBC almost five years ago, starting as a Program Division last month to act as as- is also interested in playwriting. sistant to Miss Bertha Brainard, manager, page and subsequently rising to higher i i i and to work with Assistant Commercial positions in the uniformed staffs. Miss Francis Estelle Thomson, who Program Manager Norman Morrell in the r i r joined the Stenographic staff last month, handling of NBC’s contacts with clients Theodore H. Hahn, who has been with has been chosen to replace Miss Doris and advertising agencies. the Company almost eleven years, has Ruuth, resigned, as secretary to R. M. Mr. Roberts has been with the Company been appointed senior supervisor of the Morris, development engineer. Miss Thom- two years. Formerly he was associated Master Control Room, replacing J. R. son formerly did stenographic and sec- with the Aluminum Company of America O’Kelly who was transferred to NBC Hol- (Continued as a member of the sales and advertising on next page) departments of one of its subsidiaries. He also has had some experience in the the-

atre as an actor. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, class of 1928. iii Newcomers

Adolph J. Schneider, formerly of WHO, NBC station in Des Moines, Iowa, has joined NBC as a member of the news- editing staff in News and Special Events. He has been assigned to write the material to be used on the new Goodyear Farm Service program which includes weather, crop and marketing news. Mr. Schneider was in the news bureau of WHO and was also in charge of the station’s experimental facsimile broadcasts. Previous to that he was with the Omaha World-Herald where he was em- Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Sauer photographed George former Miss ployed for ten years during which he DePue, guide, and the shortly after their wedding in Brooklyn on Alice Emerick who were married on Octo- worked in every department of the news- September 4. Mr. Sauer is a member of the ber 3. Mrs. DePue was chosen Miss America Traffic Dept. paper. in 1937. OCTOBER, 1938 5 retarial work for the Household Finance bride and bridegroom will sail for a Esther Koch were married in Brooklyn on Corporation in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, honeymoon trip to Bermuda. September 4. The wedding, a small in- and the Cutex Nail Corporation. She is i i i formal affair, was attended by relatives a graduate of the New Jersey College for George De Pue of the Guest Relations and close friends of the young couple. Women, ’35. staff was married to Miss Alice Emerick Mr. and Mrs. Sauer went to New Eng- iii at the Grace Episcopal Church in New land on their honeymoon trip and are now Transfers York City on October 3. Harvey J. Gannon residing at 6043 Palmetto Street, Rich- of the Program Department was best man. wood, Long Island. Reid E. Patterson has been transferred Many NBCites attended the wedding i i i from the page staff to the Legal Depart- which was followed by a reception at Finn Pederson, electrician of the air- ment to replace John C. Corbett who re- Huntington House. After the reception, conditioning staff, was married to Miss signed from the Company on September the newlyweds went on a honeymoon trip Lily Gustafson at the Swedish Lutheran 15 in order to continue his law study in to the Pocono Mountains. Church in West New York, New Jersey, the day classes of the Law School of New Mrs. De Pue is a secretary at the on September 23. The wedding was fol- York University. Mr. Patterson came to New York Institute for the Education of the lowed by an informal reception. Mr. and NBC in June. He is completing a pre- Blind. She is from Texas and was Miss Mrs. Pederson are making their home in law course at Columbia University by at- Fort Worth at the Texas Centennial. Union City, N. where Mrs. Pederson is tending night classes. She J., iii was crowned Miss America in 1937 after employed as a telephone operator. which she attended i i i Miss Jean Sherwood and Miss Winifred the Ned Wayburn School of Drama in New York. William Burke Miller, night program L. Ross have been transferred from Au- Then she was heard as a singer on several manager, is no longer one of NBC’s most dience Mail to the Traffic Department. commercial programs on the air. She is also eligible bachelors. He was married to Miss i i i a model and her pictures have appeared Alice Reinheart during his vacation last Miss Janet Coulton, who came to NBC in several national magazines. month. The wedding, a civil ceremony, from W. & J. Sloane Company two months Mr. De Pue attended took place in New York City on Septem- ago, has replaced Mrs. Helen Mescal as Muhlenberg Col- lege and New York University before ber 26. secretary to Douglps W. Meservey, as- coming to NBC. Miss Reinheart, well-known radio act- sistant to Vice President John F. Royal. iii ress, is often heard on the Mrs. Mescal resigned her position, Sep- NBC networks. Miss Doris Ruuth, who resigned from She plays the leading role in the current tember 30, in order to go to Cleveland NBC on September 30, and Charles L. serial, where she and her husband are establish- Life Can Be Beautiful, on the Red Townsend, television engineer, were mar- Network. ing their new residence. iii ried at the Grace Episcopal Church in Rutherford, New Jersey, on October 7. Stork News Marriages P. The wedding was followed by a reception Carey Sweeny of the television transmitter staff at the Miss Marjorie M. Worth, secretary to held at the home of the bride’s parents in Empire State Building George 0. Milne, Eastern Division Engi- Rutherford. became the father of a baby boy, Robert Rees, September 26. neer, and Joseph W. Pepper, Jr., assistant The newlyweds did not disclose their That makes two for the Sweeny’s—the other is girl. supervisor of the Program Transmission destination when they left on their honey- a Division in Traffic, will be married at the moon. They plan to make their home in iii Announcer Jan Hus Presbyterian Church in N >w Bronxville in Westchester when they Stuart Metz was presented York City on October 15. The wedding return. with a baby girl by Mrs. Metz last month. will be the The young lady’s name is culmination of a romance which Mrs. Townsend was secretary to R. Alice May. started last year when Mr. Pepper came M. Morris, development engineer, at the iii to NBC and met Miss Worth. time of her resignation which terminated Resignations Mr. Pepper will have his brother, Sen- a four-year period with NBC. Mr. Town- Miss Virginia Blachly resigned from ator Claude Pepper of Florida, as best send, who came to Radio City from the the Press Division where she was assistant man. NBC staff in Chicago last year, has been to the fashion editor. Miss Amelia Umnitz, Following the wedding ceremonies, a with the Company since 1931. on September 30. She was with the Com- reception will be held on board the S.S. pany five years during which she worked Monarch of Bermuda aboard which the ( Continued on page 16)

In the swimming pool at the NBC outing last month. L. to R.—Virginia Kelly, Sales Traffic; Peggy Anderson,’ Stenographic-ra olenoB Pn,c • PhoebernoeDe Mink Press; Anthony Jimmez, Music; Dorothy " ' • - Michel, Traffic; Harriette Hr[ermann, Program; Jessie Kline, Press. ;

6 NBC TRANSMITTER KDK A PITTSBURGH by Kay Barr

KDKA Program Board The Staff Has A Picnic of public relations W. B. McGill has In order to maintain a uniformly high KDKA folks were all boys and girls been added to the standard of quality in all KDKA pro- again September 10 when they had the staff to have charge grams, General Manager Sherman Greg- annual staff picnic at the home of Roy of sales and station Program Board for the Hasenbalg, national representative of ory has set up a promotion and giving critical clinical consider- NBC with offices at KDKA. purpose of Lloyd Chapman sort ation to existing as well as proposed Sales Manager Bill Jackson was a has been made a broadcasts. of general chairman of the affair and permanent mem- Working with Mr. Gregory on the new through his planning and the work of his ber of the outfit as Board are Program Manager Derby several committees, the affair was en- guide, succeeding W. B. McGill Sproul, Public Relations Director Clar- tirely successful, regardless of your view- Don Fitzpatrick ence Pettit, Sales Manager Bill Jackson, point. who left to enter unique Franklin and Mar- W. B. McGill, head of Sales Promotion, There were games and races, shall College. Fred Saviers, head of the Musical Director Maurice Spitalny and stunts and contests, some for the girls, mail room, has swung over to the night Chief Engineer Joe Baudino. some for the boys, some mixed. guide job so he can attend the University Their first assignment was to analyze Auditions For New Talent of Pittsburgh daytimes. Carl Stasko is that they mea- existing programs and see handling the mail KDKA has resumed its policy of audi- job. sure up to KDKA standards of service and tioning all comers. Each Monday night interest. If not, they will be improved or the candidates start the microphone Four In The replaced with others that meet the re- Bleachers? quirements. The group also will consider Whether the Pittsburgh Pirates will (or new program ideas from all possible view- did) participate in the World Series, their points with the idea of presenting pro- neck-and-neck race down the home stretch of grams that will be of the greatest possible the season sent a flood of requests for tickets potential interest and value to the City of Pitts- from “visiting firemen” burgh. to KDKA. On a recent visit to Pittsburgh, A. H. Roy Hasenbalg, NBC’s national repre- Morton, general manager of all NBC sentative, and Bill Jackson, sales man- operated stations, gave his warm endorse- ager, scratched their heads, w alked in cir- ment to the plan and pledged the support cles and muttered for many hours in their and assistance of the NBC facilities to perplexity. What to do and how to do it! KDKA whenever desired, particularly in Then the Pirate business office said the matter of constructing educational orders would be received if accompanied and other programs for which NBC is so by bank drafts or cashier’s checks or other well equipped. KDKA’s new studio guide for visitors, Lloyd non-bouncing security. BUT only four how the Mr. Gregory believes the KDKA Pro- George Chapman, demonstrates tickets would be sold to any one person. sound effect of marching feet is done on gram Board will give the station’s listen- And Roy and Bill knew they would need the radio. ing audience the finest of radio broadcasts. ten times that number. So ten different members of the KDKA staff each ordered Engagement parade at 8 p.m. and 75 singles, teams, four tickets for the first, second (if acts, etc., are scheduled weekly. and Announcer Bill Hinds is justifying his necessary) Urquhart, production chief, is the sixth game. old nickname, “Sunbeam Billy,” these Charley sifter. or two survive these pre- days. His engagement to Dolores Dollhopf the One auditions and are recalled for KDKA Pageant has just been announced. liminary further hearings. Both popular youngsters live on the One of the most spectacular items on to see how many of what asked for Northside and their romance has thrived Just the long list of entertainment and celebra- Urquhart tabulated 400 of those since schooldays. A grand young couple auditions, tion in connection with Allegheny Coun- last spring at KDKA. He found 73 ty’s was and they have the sincerest congratula- heard Sesqui-Centennial a huge pageant were sopranos, 39 tenors, 30 baritones, 5 staged on a huge revolving stage at South tions and good wishes of their host of 21 hillbillies, 7 blues singers, Park. friends. contraltos, 9 quartets, 18 pianists, 65 actors, 69 act- The history of KDKA was depicted dra- resses and 49 announcers. matically by sets, projected pictures and There were two each of accordionists, other theatrical devices while a narrator harmonica players, philosophers and told the story to the visiting hundreds of sound effects imitators, and one each of thousands for five consecutive nights. And poets, musical saws, globe trotters, organ- the history of KDKA was made the symbol

ists, trick violinists, ventriloquists and of the History of Radio. psycho analysts. One of the most effective bits was the presentation of an orchestra number as

Personnel Shifts it was done over old microphones nearly Staff changes at KDKA since the last 18 years ago and the same number as done Announcer Bill Hinds and Miss Dolores Doll- issue: Derby Sproul has been made pro- by a modern symphony orchestra today. hoff of Pittsburgh whose engagement was announced last month. gram manager; Clarence Pettit is director It really showed some progress. OCTOBER, 1938 7 FOURMICHIGAN STATIONS KDKA PITTSBURGH ADDED TO NBC NETWORKS

The number of stations affiliated with the National Broadcasting Company was Well some of the increased to 158 on September 25 when the listeners took it Michigan Radio Network, comprised of seriously, tried it four stations, was linked with the NBC and now they’re Blue Network. These additions will in- writing to Evelyn crease NBC’s program service to large that “It worked!” and farming areas of Michigan Paging Mr. Rip- industrial which have a total population of 600,000. ley. The new NBC outlets in Michigan are: WFDE in Flint; WJIM, Lansing; WELL, Marshalls Battle Creek; and WIBM, Jackson. Each Meet of the cities is prominently identified with June Marshall, the automotive and other manufacturing evening switch- industries, and in each case the new NBC at board girl affiliate is the only station in its city. KDKA, received a call the other eve- The “Dog House” or wiener table at the KDKA outing. Left to right: from a man Jimtny Spitalny, Mrs. Ed Schaughency and guest. Announcer ning WGY SCHENECTADY Schaughency, Walter Horn, Sales, and Clarence Pettit, director of who said his name public relations. was Marshall. He ( Continued from page 3) just wanted some New Announcers Auto Show On KDKA routine information and got his answer. “You’re very welcome. My KDKA has been made the official “Thanks.” Two new announcing voices are going broadcasting station for the Pittsburgh name’s Marshall too.” out daily on WGY’s 790 kilocycles wave- in which they Automobile Show, November 11-19, and And that led to a chat length. They belong to Wilbur Morrison cousins. Maurice Spitalny and the station orches- discovered they were distant and Robert Mahaney who are especially tra have been engaged for the entire per- Riggs Family Moves delegated to read the Esso news reports. iod of the exposition. Morrison’s previous experience included Betty (Mrs. Glenn) Riggs and the chil- In addition to numerous special pro- microphone work at Plattsburg and dren, Glenn, Junior, and “Cookie,” left grams that will originate at Motor Square Albany stations, and Mahaney worked Pittsburgh for New York late in Septem- Garden, many of the regular broadcasts at stations in Buffalo, Syracuse and Utica. ber to join Papa in their new home. Glenn will also be presented from the special was chief announcer at KDKA until he stage at the Garden. was transferred to the NBC staff some Goodwill Newscast Remedy For Burns weeks ago. They are living at 38 Bayview WGY’s News Department staged a On one of her KDKA Home Forum Terrace, Manhasset, Long Island. five-minute news period at a Schenectady programs some days ago Evelyn Gardiner gathering of district distributors of Colon- read a letter from a listener giving a rem- Narrator Beal ial Beacon products. The broadcast orig- edy for burns which had been handed Being one of the best ad-libbers in the inated at the ball-room of the Hotel Van down from her French grandmother. business. Bill Beal, who was moved from Curler which was directly connected by Evelyn figured it was a joke someone was the KDKA announcing staff to the Con- open wire with WGY’s News Room en- trying to play on her and treated it as tinuity Department a few weeks ago. was include bulletins such. chosen by the Allegheny County Commis- abling the newsmen to received up to the final minute of the The remedy? When you burn your fin- sioners to be the narrator for the Aqua ger just hold to the lobe of your ear with Ballet, one of the big features of the Coun- broadcast. Kolin Hager, manager of WGY, of Press, the burned part and press hard. All the ty’s 150th birthday celebration, Septem- and W. T. Meenam, addressed burn will disappear. ber 2-24. the assembly of dealers.

Announcer Ed Schaugh- ency (in white clothes, back turned) starts the girls’ cracker and balloon race at the KDKA picnic. Each girl has a cracker and a toy balloon. The race was to see who could eat the l-*T«no cracker and then blow up the balloon in the shortest time. 8 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC WASHINGTON by Tom Knode

Hittenmark Wins Regatta largest amount of credit goes to the En- Ordinary interest in the storm was trip- gineering Department for arranging that led due to the number of New Englanders At 2:30 P.M. Saturday, September 24, elaborate short-wave set-up which brought working in the Capital whose families and Washington radio listeners heard a de- the race to a “breathless” public. friends were in the stricken area. With scription of the strangest motorboat race telephone and telegraph facilities either in the history of the President’s Cup Re- Ball On the out or taxed beyond capacity, WRC- gatta — the so-called do-or-die contest Bill Crago, who is “Your Man About WMAL were swamped with inquiries for between Lee Everett and Gordon Hitten- Hollywood” for fifteen minutes three times unheard from relatives. mark, WMAL and WRC announcers. a week, was entertaining the fair sex in NBC news staff here prepared frequent The race, born of an ill-advised chal- groups of four several days ago. In the flood summaries to acquaint listeners with lenge and predicated upon absolutely studios, Bill had three sets of “Four general conditions and referred more nothing, was run over a five-mile, well- Daughters,” winners of a contest he con- pressing calls to official agencies. marked course on the warm waters of the ducted in co-operation with a local the- News that the Federal government and Potomac. The two contestants were nat- atre featuring a picture of the same name. the Red Cross were mobilizing to aid the tily dressed in the very latest nautical Bill was never at a loss for words when injured was carried on the NBC Blue Net- costumes and seated in two of the most he interviewed the charmers, for, after all, work the night of the storm (Sept. 21) “powerful” sea going machines available who could be at a loss for words with when Charles L. Mitchell, chief meterolo- in the nation’s capital. With Lee Everett twelve different individuals? gist of the United States Weather Bureau, in his entry were the owner and Engineer and Richard Allen of the American Red Walter Godwin wrapped up in a short- Bon Voyage Cross spoke. H. R. Baukhage, Washing- wave receiving and sending set. In the The Washington staff stayed up late ton newspaperman and NBC commenta- Hittenmark boat was Engineer John the night before General Manager Berke- tor, interviewed Coast Guard Officials and Hogan similarly enshrouded. On a Coast ley sailed for Europe thinking up “ap- relayed latest information from them. not far removed were An- Guard Cutter propriate” bon voyage gifts. Among them Keith nouncer Jim McGrath and Engineer were the usual cures for mal de mer, a Radio Debut Williams. history of modern Europe with provisions Little Jane Rogers, five-year-old daugh- starter’s gun barked and went The away for easy map revision, telegrams and a ter of Ed Rogers, announcer, made her the boats, beating up into the wind, pound- good deal of cooperating with the New radio debut the other day on the National ing around buoys and smashing down the York News and Special Events Division Children s Frolic Hour over WRC. Little stretches at speeds sometimes reaching in arranging presentation of a “portable” Jane sang I'll Take You Home Again five or six knots. radio listener Our bomb-proof shelter. Mr. Berkeley sailed Kathleen. clutched his receiver feverishly as Everett, September 21. Mrs. Berkeley accompan- Incidentally, Ed completed seven years Hittenmark and McGrath described the ied him. They will meet Max Jordan, NBC with NBC in Washington on September 28. contest. Everett was never more nor less European representative, on their arrival. than twenty boat-lengths behind. Hitten- Farm Service Commentator mark crossed the finish line with a burst For Public Service Earl Godwin, president of the White of terrific speed as Everett closed his val- With local staffs already run ragged House Correspondents Association and iant effort with an attempt to arrive in with extra duty in connection with the NBC commentator in Washington, is now circles. The winner, it was heard, received European crisis, New England’s flood and being heard throughout the southeastern a crocheted wine jug. hurricane drove the News and Special and south central states as a part of the It was a great day for NBC. And the Events personnel still harder last week. new Farm Service program.

Announcers Lee Everett and Gordon Hittenmark fill up their boats with Esso before their sensational race on the Potomac. In the front boat are, left to right, Hittenmark, M. E. Tyrell, owner of boat, and Engi- neer Keith Williams. Back boat: Everett, Ben Hall, boat owner, and Engineer John Hogan. To the left is an Esso attendant. Both boats were equipped with portable NBC transmitters. OCTOBER, 1938 9

lifitU yoo* Rouiny, A Refio*ie* in Afeut yo*k

The NBC Outing last month was a tremendous success despite an early morning shower which failed to dampen the gay spirits of those who went. Almost 300 members of the New picnic at the York staff and their families went to the all-day Crescent Athletic Club on Long Island. Several advertising men the Mu- and officials of the Columbia Broadcasting System and tual Broadcasting System also participated in the NBC holiday. Some went by train, some by automobile, but most of them went by bus from Radio City. Once there, they found it difficult bunch to leave — in fact it was long past midnight when the last well- Page Joe Merkle receives of NBCites called it a day and started for home. It was a the NBC Handicap Ten- planned outing - thanks to the Athletic Association’s social nis Tournament Cup for organized and managed it all. There committee which planned, 1938 from Miss Anne prizes were all sorts of games and sports for everyone and many Johnson. Right: Tom were given away in various contests. Hutchinson, director of television programs, The biggest event of the day was the golf tournament which swings a mean club at the usual, that perennial and indefatig- attracted 88 contestants. As NBC Outing. able organizer of golf tournaments, A. Frank Jones of Artists was in command. Service, brother, George, won the ball-nearest-the-pin-on-the-third-hole Blainey won the low gross contest with a score Soundman Ed contest. For that he was presented with a cocktail shaker and a 77 in the first round and 76 in the second. His of 153. He shot set of glasses. The prize for the highest score of the day, better electric clock — with chimes. George Frey, Sales, prize was an known as the booby prize, was won by Albert Crenshaw of the in this event, his score being 154. Vice President was runner-up Executive Offices. and Treasurer Mark Woods took third prize with 155. Mr. Jones did not neglect the ladies. He also had a contest The championship handicap was taken by R. Gordon Webber for them in which Mrs. Mark Woods won the low-gross event of the Information Division. His score was 94-34-60. Runner-up with a score of 108, and Helen Winters, Treasurer’s Office, won Walter B. Hervey, Jr., of the Mail Room, whose total score was the low net with 119-50-69. was 90, his handicap being 26. Mr. Webber’s prize was a cocktail Engineer Edward Prince won the horse-shoe pitching contest. set of which, he reports, several glasses were broken at a celebra- The tickets to the outing were numbered and prizes were awarded tion he had the day following the outing. to those who held lucky numbers. Those who won door prizes Mark Woods won the kicker’s handicap and was presented with were Bud Faillace of Guest Relations, Mrs. D. B. Van Houten, a picnic kit. The president of the Athletic Association, George Engineer Ted Kruse and Alice T. Wilson of Legal. McElrath, operating engineer, copped the member’s consolation Engineer Serge de Somov, chairman of the tennis group, prize, a serving tray. This contest was for those who were unable awarded the prizes to the winners of the NBC Athletic Associa- to play more than nine holes. tion Handicap Tournament which took place during the summer. John Poppele, chief engineer of WOR, and W. Sniffin, brother Page Joe Merkle, who won the tournament, was presented with of the Sniffin sisters of NBC, were tied for the Guest Handicap. a trophy. Dick De Raismes, Script Division, who was runner-up, Each shot 70. Mr. Sniffin took the prize in the draw which took received a tennis racket as second prize. place during the dinner dance when A. Frank Jones made the prize presentations amidst much cheering and clapping. The final contest of the day was the dance contest which Pho- tographer and Mrs. Bill Haussler won. that Bill Albert Frey of the Mail Room who is as good a golfer as his We understood has been busy explaining to friends who heard about the con-

test that it had nothing to do with one’s ability to dance and that

it was through pure chance that he and the Mrs. won. Not that he can’t waltz or do the shagiiiwhen he wants to — you understand?

One ad that really stopped us last month was a full page in the (P orld-Telegram advertising a certain brand of refrigerators. Grinning at us in five different poses was the handsome face of

Page Jack Cleary alongside an equal number of ice boxes . .. Jack bashfully explained that he makes a little pin money that

way ... We didn’t see it in the papers but we found out that Engineer Lester F. Miles recently became engaged to Miss

The president of the NBC Athletic Association, Operating Engineer Jeanne Marchant of Brooklyn ... they plan to be married next planned George McElrath, left, and members of the committee which month and honeymoon in Bermuda .. . Steve Varley, who goes Club and organized the NBC all-day outing at the Crescent Athletic around every day with a boxful of light bulbs, says that he re- on Long Island, September 13. Left to right: Mr. McElrath, Frank places an average of 100 burnt-out bulbs a day ... Have you Lepore, Information; Bessie Feagin, Press; A1 Walker, Guest Rela- seen the model of the RCA exhibit building for the World’s Fair? tions; Mary Coyne, Sales Promotion; Engineer Albert W. Protzman, chairman, and Henry Hayes, General Service. .. . it’s in one of the glass cases on the fourth floor, studio section. Right: Whoops! Foul Ball! Ted Van Cott, Engineering, catching; John Larson, En- gineering, at the bat, and waiting to bat are Philip Falcone, Eng., Norman Ward, Elec- trical Transcription, and Charles Colledge, Eng.

NBC CtlNI

One Tuesday last m

s of the NBC staff in I tflce thoughts of broadcast day outing, planned by! tCA

ciation, at the Crescen fic ( In mid-air are Anthony Jiminez, Music; Peggy Anderson, Stenographic; John Cusumano, Sales Traffic, and Wilbur Welsh, Traffic. tington, Long Island, went on as usual under

ton staff.

The outing, which stc hi

ing and lasted until mi< lincl

sports competitions, ho tbit and swimming. O" mg* These pictures were and Charles Van Berge

James, manager of Salt moti A. Frank Jones at his favorite task — plotting out a golf tournament.

The winning team in the softball contest in which five teams participated. Front row, left to right: Richard Close, Sales Traffic; Larry Woodleaf, Engineering; John Collins, Artists Service; Burke Crotty, Press; Anthony Jiminez, Program. Back row: Tom Severin, Guest Relations; Charles Van Bergen, Press; Bill Haussler, Press; Syd Desfor, Press.

manager of Sales Right: Among those who went horseback riding were, left to right: E. P. H. James, Engineering; Promotion; Matthew Boylan, Purchasing; Selma Wickers, Program; Edward J. Weille, Traffic; George Luther, Eleanor Covatti, Mr. Weille’s fiance; Margot O'Rorke, Sales; Jeanne Harrison, Sales Audience Mail; Mrs. Brown, proprietor of the stables; Beatrice Hurlbut, Program; Helen Korday, Person- Electrical Transcription, nel; Emma Little, Engineering; A1 Walker, Guest Relations; Norman Ward. horseback riding group, and D B. Van Houten. manager of Building Maintenance and chairman of the ' scores of members i York cast aside all iind went on an all-

I vIBC Athletic Asso- hletic Club in Hun- Above: The Engineering contingent of softball play- ever, broadcasting ers who bowed to a picked l|uidance of a skele- team of non-technical NBC- ites.

' early in the morn- lit, included various lack riding, dancing Left: E. P. H. James could not resist snapping this foursome. Do you blame are i by Sydney Desfor him? They Margot O’Rorke, Martha Howard, Press and E. P. H. Eleanor Nadeje, all of omotion. Sales, and Florence Snyder of Stenographic.

Right: Winners of the swimming contests. Irving Grabo, Engineering, and Elizabeth Morris, Legal.

Below: Lunching on the veranda were, left to right, President L. R. Lohr, Vice President Frank E. Mason and C. W. Fitch, Business Manager of the Program Dept. 12 NBC TRANSMITTER

NBC TRANSMITTER NBC HALL OF FAME Published for and by the employes of the National Broadcasting Company from coast to coast.

VOL. 4 OCTOBER, 1938 "NO. 10

EDITORIAL BOARD DOM DAVIS Editor CARL CANNON Associate Editor GEORGE OLENSLAGER Staff Writer CHARLES H. NEWTON, Jr Staff Writer CHARLES VAN BERGEN Photographs BILL EDDY Staff Artist

N. Y. CONTRIBUTORS

E. P. H. JAMES Sales Promotion

Address all correspondence to: NBC TRANSMITTER Room 284, RCA Building, New York Circle 7-8300, Ext. 220

NBC'S COVERAGE OF THE CZECHOSLOVAK CRISIS

( Continued from page 1)

The credit for the magnificent job must be divided evenly. The News and Special

Events Division, working over all hours of the day under the direction of A. A. Schechter, had Max Jordan and Fred Bate booking programs all over Europe. The scene shifted amazingly fast from Prague to Berlin to London to Paris, Brussels,

Geneva and a dozen other cities. The Press

Division had its men on the job over eighteen hours a day; on several occasions they worked throughout the night to furnish metropolitan dailies and news services with the latest flash bulletins from Proposed NBC Statue No. 7 and Citation Plaque Europe. At one time wire facilities were so clogged that the only news from Prague came out over NBC. The Traffic Depart- ment made and broke schedules with wild THE PRESS ROOM abandon and set networks up and circuits We take you now to the NBC Press Room and our trumpet-tongued legion from Europe on a few minutes’ notice. To of the Fourth Estate — Bivouacked in choice acreage on the fourth deck, this complete the job and get the programs on polymorphic colony of promulgatory Munchausens concoct ream upon ream the air, Master Control handled the cir- of tittle-tattle to the tintinnabulation of strident outcries of FLASH! cuits with amazing deftness and the boys Here the inconsequential doings of Tillie Gilch, NBC songstress, are given at the transmitters either stayed on the the inflationary and aggrandizement treatment, creating from a seed of trivia, the air all night or stayed so close to the job 144 point scare heads of tomorrow’s press release. From this fertile hotbed lexicography they could be on the air on a few minutes of emerges an endless stream of this and that destined to appear later under bucolic by-lines as a private bit big-time eavesdropping. notice. All in all, it was a grand job. of But discarding the cap and bells of the critic we lay our harlequin robes before i i r this granite monolith dedicated to you guys and gals of the Press Room. For further details see your daily newspaper. Would you like to lake pari in an NBC hobby exhibit in Radio City? Write the NBC Trans- mitter. explaining your hobby. OCTOBER, 1938 13

NBC CHICAGO STAMP CLUB NOTES — by Rudi Neubauer - The NBC Stamp Club, after a summer Sign Company. On September 22 the NBC Outing lull, has resumed its activities and bi- team won one and lost two games to On Tuesday, September 20, led by weekly meetings where members trade, the Johns-Manville team. The NBC squad Niles Trammell, vice president in charge sell or auction stamps and discuss new lines up as follows: of the Central Division, 228 members of issues. This season, as in the past, the club Hal Totten, Announcer; Ed Davies, the Chicago staff took over the Medinah plans to have an occasional buffet supper Artist; Larry Dutton, Engineering; Country Club for the first NBC annual with talks by prominent philatelists. George Bolas, Sales Promotion; Hank outing. Membership to the club is open to all Guill, Communications; Ray Neihengen, Golf, horseback riding, tennis, horse- NBC stamp collectors and the club is now General Office. shoe pitching, baseball, ping pong, bridge, conducting a drive to enroll new mem- lunch and dinner, were the order of the Koelker Up bers. If you are interested in the club day. Prizes donated by friends of NBC, you may obtain more information from Anthony J. Koelker, for the past four were awarded in the evening. The prizes George M. Nelson, Room 308, Extension years farm editor of the National Broad- were awarded to athletic contestants and 417. casting Company, has been named assis- handed out as door prizes to the lucky tant agricultural director, according to an winners. An RCA console radio was won announcement by Niles Trammell, vice by Maurie Ellis of the Music Library. Elected to NBC Board president and manager of the Central Di- After dinner, Mr. Trammell thanked Edward F. McGrady, a vice president vision. the committee for putting over such a of the Radio Corporation of America, has Mr. Koelker is a native of Dyersville, successful outing, and Bud Smith, who been elected to the board of directors of chairman, invited Iowa, and a graduate of Iowa State Col- acted as general was the National Broadcasting Company to behalf of the committee. lege. Before joining NBC in 1934. he was to take a bow on fill the vacancy caused by the recent an Associated Press correspondent in The highlight of the after-dinner en- death of James R. Sheffield. His election Ames, Iowa, and handled publicity for tertainment was a “drama” burlesquing took place at the annual meeting of stock- staff meeting with a prospective client. Iowa State College and the Iowa Division a holders of NBC on September 15. On of the United States Forest Service. He (N. B. the client didn’t buy.) Leslie Edg- September 23 he was elected to the board is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma ley was the author of the script and the of directors of RCA. visitor Delta Chi and Alpha Zeta. Mr. Koelker’s show was directed by a from San The following were re-elected to the duties under Francisco, Jennings Peirce, Western Di- new William E. Drips, di- NBC board: James R. Angell, Cornelius rector of Agriculture. The consensus of rector of agriculture, start immediately. N. Bliss, Arthur E. Braun, Charles G. opinion seems to be that we should have ( Continued on page 17) Dawes, Gano Dunn, James G. Harbord, another such outing next year, if not Edward N. Harden, Lenox R. Lohr. De- sooner. Witt Milhauser, Edward J. Nally, Pictures of the outing are on the David Sarnoff, chairman, George K. next two pages. Throckmorton. Personnel Changes Woodrow R. Crane of the WENR Calling All Bowlers transmitter, and George J. Maki of the WMAQ transmitter, have been trans- On Thursday evening, September ferred to our Chicago Studios. 29, NBCites from every department of Francis Riordan has been transfer- the New York staff took over twelve red from the Mail Room to the uni- alleys in the Radio City Bowling Al- formed staff. Ronald F. Norton has re- leys and officially started the 1938-39 placed Mr. Riordan in the Mail Room. Bowling Tournament of the NBC Ath- William E. Lawrence has been pro- letic Association. moted from the reception group to the The first meeting of the bowling Production Department, as assistant to group was devoted to practice games in Fred Schweiker. William H. Henri is which players were picked to form the replacing Bill Lawrence on the page various departmental teams. George staff. 0. Milne, chairman of the bowling The Civic Concert Service committee, reports that a large num- The Civic Concert Service in Chi- ber of men and women turned out for cago has added Messrs. Marion C. the opening games and that this year’s Heath and Pat Hayes, as field repre- tournament promises to be bigger and sentatives, to its staff. Mr. is Heath better than last winter’s league. The working the Pacific Northwest terri- committee in charge is planning to tory and Pat Hayes the Central and give away many prizes at the end of Southwest. Talking over one of the Farm and Home Hour pro- the season. grams in a truly Bowling News rural setting. Front, left to right: Bill Two of the twelve alleys reserved for Drips, agricultural director; Charles Lyon, announc- The NBC Bowling Team opened the NBC every Thursday night are for the er; Bucky Harris, director of the program. Back: Season on September 15 with a bang Tony Koelker, assistant agricultural director, and ladies who will have their own com- by winning three games from the Marx Everett Mitchell, senior announcer of NBC Chicago. petitions. NBC OUTING IN CHICAGO

M ore than two hundred members of the NBC staff in Chicago declared a holiday on September 20 and hied themselves to the Medinah Country Club where they enjoyed an all-day outing, playing golf, ping-pong, tennis and baseball, and pitching horse shoes, riding horseback, dancing, eating and having a wonderful time.

One of the features of the outing was a photo contest. The winning pictures and others, submitted by NBCites who attended the FIRST PRIZE FOR MEN outing, appear on these pages. This excellent shot of Sidney Strotz, Chicago program manager, taken by R. S. Peterson, assistant auditor, won first prize in the men’s contest.

Some of Chicago’s NBCettes. Front, left to| right: Bertha Curran, Educational Divi- sion, and Mary O’Connell, Central Files. Back: Martha Reinecker, Sales Promotion,! and Violet Colliander, Sales.

Left : NilesTram- mell, vice president and general manager of the Central Di- vision of NBC.

Right: Lovely Bonnie Larkin of Audience Mail is absorbed in the tennis matches.

Interested spectator. Alex Robb, manager of Artists Service.

Left: Potential Patty Bergs. Left to right: Dorothy Frundt, Bertha Curran, Martha Reinecke, Helen Kellie, Helen O’Connor, Blanche Brand, Helen Shervey and Helen Heinz. FIRST PRIZE FOR WOMEN Sunset on Scene Lake at the Medinah Country Club. Florence Moeller of Sales won the women’s prize — a vaculator coffee maker — with this beautiful picture.

This is Bill Rosee of Press who was among thos< who enjoyed riding at the outing.

Left: Gilbert McClelland, Press, keeps his eyi on the ball as he is about to tee off.

Below: Some follow through by Leroy Shield music director.

SECOND PRIZE Above: A1 Barker of Continuity takes the pool’s temperature before deciding to go in. Taken by Gale Swift of the Music Division.

Left: C. L. Menser, production manager, snapped on the golf course.

Rjght: Bill Saddin, left, of the Mail Room and Howard Luttgens, Cen- tral Division Engineer, figuring something out in the woods. 16 NBC TRANSMITTER

NBC HOL LYWOOD NAMES IN THE NEWS by Noel Corbett

( Continued, from page 5) Pages Have Par+y Expensive Atmosphere A in the Guest Relations Division and the The page boys had a real get-together During the week the American Legion Publicity Department. She quit NBC in at Bill Brandt’s home in the San Fernando took over, Dave Elton, producer, decided order to join a friend who is opening an Valley last month. on a quick trip to downtown Los Angeles antique shop. With plenty of badminton during the for the purpose of picking up atmosphere afternoon for special programs. to whet their appetites, no one Miss Cecilia McKenna resigned from wasted a moment when time for the The festive crowd had traffic so con- bar- the Legal Department last month in order becue arrived. And according to Walter gested that Dave was gone eight hours. to accept a position with the Aircraft Divi- Baker, manager of Building Maintenance During that time he chartered as many sion of the U.S. Navy Department. and General Service, who was on deck, taxi cabs, paying off as soon as the driver i i i the boys all but ate Bill out of house and would admit defeat. home. “I got the atmosphere, all right,” said Alfred H. Temple has resigned from Norman Noyes, supervisor of Guest Re- Dave. “And a handful of meter checks the guide staff in order to accept a posi- lations, “Lefty” Lefler, George Mc- along with it!” tion as announcer for Station WBAL, NBC Menamin, Dudley outlet in Baltimore, Maryland. Before Kuzell, Jim Hartzell, Mary Louise Saz Bill Howard, “Bud” Miller, Eddie Lip- coming to NBC last March, he announced Harry Saz is a puffed up lad these pert, Jack Parker, Jack Creamer, Peter days, for WGH, Newport News, Virginia. He and his reason for being so is not on ac- Robeck, Paul Crowley and Bill Shaw were was a member of the NBC school for an- count of one of those new sound effects among those who were there. nouncers when he took the audition for gadgets he’s always inventing. “Bud” Spencer, Noyes’ assistant, drew WBAL. It is little Mary Louise who was born the short straw so he held down the lobby iii September 9 at the Wilshire desk. Hospital. Obituary Like her dad, who always does things in L. N. F. Griffith, formerly of the Traf- Send-off for Don Francisco a big way, the little lady made her advent fic Department, died at his home in Staten weighing 9 pounds and 5 ounces. In a talk delivered at the Advertising Island on September 15. His mother and Club of Los Angeles September 20, Don Quick Pix father were at his bedside when he passed E. Gilman discussed Don Francisco’s con- Competitive automobile dealers in Glen- away. His death is felt by his many friends tributions to the development of Southern dale can finally settle down for a rest — at NBC. Because of illness, he resigned California. Andy Love went for a new Ford . . . from NBC in 1936 after having served in Mr. Gilman, whose speech highlighted Margery Wright spent her vacation in the Traffic Department for many years. the farewell luncheon to the new president San Francisco getting acquainted with the He was a veteran in the field of wire of Lord and Thomas, recalled his long Music Rights Department . .. Center of transmission, having worked for the Amer- association with Mr. Francisco in the ad- attraction at the “Good News” rehearsal ican Telephone & Telegraph Company for vertising field. For several years, before was Meredith Willson showing everybody several years before entering the employ Mr. Gilman took over the leadership of the Lambeth Walk ... First to catch the of NBC. NBC in San Francisco, he was a contem- swing of the new step was Joe Thompson, iii porary of Mr. Francisco. producer of that show ... Sydney Dixon Miscellaneous recently toured the Pacific Northwest on Don Wilson's Par+y business ... Norman Noyes back from a J. Harrison Hartley, assistant director At an informal gathering at his San weekend of fishing in the Ojai Valley. of special events; Stockton Helffrich, as- Fernando Valley Ranch, Don Wilson re- sistant manager of the Script Division, cently entertained a group of NBCites and Pat Kelly, chief announcer, will be and other friends. among the visiting lecturers for a course Among those who enjoyed the genial in “Radio Broadcasting: Theory and Wilson hospitality were John Swallow, Practice” at the College of the City of Western Division Program Manager; Hal New York this fall. Bock, Western Division Press Head; Wal- The course, conducted by Seymour N. ter Bunker, Production Manager; Jack Spiegel, program director of the Munici- Votion, Mae Regan, Honor Holden and pal Broadcasting System, is designed to Margaret Kent of Artists Service; Matt equip students for careers in radio, and Barr and Martha Sherwin of Press and the NBC men chosen work daily at highly Vice President Gilman’s secretary, Nadine strategic posts in the preparation and Amos. presentation of broadcasts. Don E. Gilman, Vice President in charge of the Western Division, receiving from Mrs. iii Football William H. Corwith, National Radio Chair- Don Goddard, announcer man, the third annual American Legion Aux- NBC and news First rumble of football season was in- iliary award presented to NBC’s “America’s editor, is one of the three men who were dicated when Announcer Ken Carpenter Town Meeting of the Air” for being the most chosen to act as commentators on the new was seen limping about the acceptable and worthwhile studios. He program to the program series, Goodyear Farm Service, explained his injury general family audience. An acceptance was a “charley heard five times a week over the Blue speech over the air was made by Dr. James R. horse” suffered in a touch football game Network. Angell. NBC Educational Counsellor, from with Los Angeles sports writers. New York. ( Continued on next page ) OCTOBER, 1938 17

NAMES IN THE NEWS NBC SAN FRANCISCO by Louise Landis Continued, from preceding page) ( Elected Bridal Luncheon Mr. Goddard, who has been with NBC Nobody was more surprised than Larry NBC’s feminine contingent turned out two years, came to radio by way of the Allen when he came home from a busi- in full force to say farewell to Dorothy farm, on which he spent his boyhood and ness trip the other day and found that he Dumerais when she left to become a earned his college tuition. He was a news- had been elected to the Republican Coun- missus ... Louis J. Macchia is the lucky paper reporter in New York City for sev- ty Committee from his district .. . the man. The wedding took place September eral years before he established his own San Francisco CRA manager didn’t even 16. The happy pair are honeymooning on country weekly at Homer, N. Y. As a know he was running! Now he regrets a ranch in Humboldt County, and on their rural editor, he was in daily contact with he was out of town and missed the spir- return will live in Marin County, just farmers and their problems, and devoted ited campaign among voters of his dis- across the Golden Gate. Mr. Macchia is the columns of his paper to the better- trict which was waged in his behalf. a mining man. ment of farming conditions. Personnel Changes Showman Samuel 111 Milton Samuel, manager of the Press Lots of personnel shifts these days. Charles H. Thurpian, manager of the Department, made his bow as news-show- Due to one of them, the smiling face of Guest Relations Division, flew to Holly- man this month. Two radio columns of the Cliff Anderson is missed from Program wood late last month in order to assist in air, Let's Listen on KPO, and On the Air Traffic . . . Leading the trek of the Holly- on KGO, are his creations. Read by Ira the opening of the new studios in that wood-bound, Cliff left October 1 for the Blue, the shows bring listeners program city. Mr. Thurman acted as adviser to the new NBC studios in the Film City. stories, personalities and interviews with Hollywood staff in the reorganization of Robert Seal, new production manager, radio stars in compact style. their Guest Relations staff to fit the re- comes from Columbus, Ohio, where he was

quirements of the new studios. It is plan- program manager of WCOL, and where Collision ned to establish a studio tour service in he conducted a man-in-the-street program If you see a handsome young chap driving the new studios, similar to the NBC Studio for Old Gold for two years ... he has along a Northern California highway Tour in New York. taken over the duties of Cameron Prud’- looking nervously right and left, it’ll be fit homme, who returns to his old love, dra- Bob MeAndrews .. . the San Francisco matic production, and who is responsible Sales Promotion manager hasn’t recovered Arthur C. Holub, Master Control engi- now for all casting and dramatic produc- yet from the shock of having a deer jump neer, who underwent a throat operation tion supervision ... Incidentally, produc- over a fence, and collide with his car, last month, is convalescing at his home. tion managers and their secretaries may wrecking it so completely that Mc- 111 come and go, but NBC could afford to Andrews was marooned in Westwood have a metal plate engraved “Dorothy” California for twenty-four hours. Mrs. Katherine Mortlock has returned affixed permanently to to the Bindery following a month’s the secretary’s desk illness. ... all of its inhabi- i r i tants but one have Wayne L. Randall, director of publicity, had the same name. and Mrs. Randall have returned from a When Dorothy Brown left for Hollywood two-week vacation in Maine. there was a brief interlude while Helen NBC CHICAGO Bartlett presided at the desk ... then came ( Continued from page 13) Dorothy Dumerais, Dorothy Simmons, and Crib Cries now Dorothy Hill is Frank Bojan of the Music Library scheduled to carry on passed the cigars on 16. It August was the tradition ... a baby girl, Lois Ann. Lois Ann weighed Other shifts: Bill in at 6 lbs., 13 ozs. Holmes and Wally Tommy Horan of the Sound Division Ruggles from the reported the arrival of the second daugh- News Division where ter. Little Rita made her appearance Sep- Don Thompson is tember 24, weighing in at 6 lbs., 12 ozs. head-man, to Produc- tion. Replacing them Weddings on news broadcasts Two soundmen trod down the aisle to are Bob Ackerley, for- the strains of Lohengrin during Septem- merly with KOMO, ber. They are Ed Bailey, who married the and Bob Anderson, former Miss Jary Jane Powers of Chi- formerly the Call Bul- cago; and Bill Joyce, who married the letin's news broad- former Miss Jean Cormier, of Chicago. caster on KPO. 18 NBC TRANSMITTER

The NBC Transmitter salutes these Theodore T. Clements A quiet and assiduous worker, Miss members the National Broadcasting Hanley is in charge of distributing proof Recently several men were promoted Company who, this month, complete their gram information and schedules to news- in the Master Control Room in Radio City. tenth year with the Company. papers — a big job which requires pa- Among these was Theodore T. Clements who was appointed Junior Control Super- tience and accuracy. NBC broadcasts about different Ferdinand A. Wankel visor. He has been a Master Control en- 1,000 programs a week Ferdinand A. gineer for five years. With the exception and each program involves numerous Wankel was one of of one summer, which he spent with the items of information which must be ac- the apprentice enfield group, Mr. Clements served in the curate when disseminated. She spends gineers whom, ten studio engineers much time calling radio editors, and news years ago, NBC group during his editors, and wiring out-of-town papers to put through an ex- first five years with keep them informed of NBC programs. tensive training NBC. 0 > Miss Hanley says that in the old days course, working on Like many of hers was a nerve-racking job. It meant the principle that radio’s veteran en- many heartbreaks. Everything was sort of the young engi- gineers, Mr. Clem- catch-as-catch can with her running from F. A. Wankel neers in receiving ents began as a one office to another trying to get program a well-rounded ship radio operat- information, last-minute changes, lists of knowledge of all the technical phases of or. He was with 4v stations to be used, and a thousand other T. Clements broadcasting, would one day become the RCA Communica- T. details. prime moving factors behind the scenes. tions for six years “Now, ten years later,” said Miss Han- Today, these men are scattered all over before coming to NBC, and during those ley, “things run a much smoother course. the Engineering Department, every one a years he served on various ships “from Programs are handled more efficiently master in his particular field, and able to tug-boats and tankers to the Leviathan.” through a well organized system of dis- act in an advisory capacity in nearly all As radio operator he went around the tributing and correlating program infor- the others. world several times. He had been radio mation. In addition to the printed pro- Leviathan two years when Mr. Wankel’s first assignment was in officer on the gram schedules which are now sent to decided to give up sea-going for NBC. the studio engineers group. Later he he newspapers and magazines, Press has tele- But “Ted” Clements really started in worked in the transmission section of the type machines through which it is possible the field of communications long before Master Control Room. As a design en- to notify without delay all York he joined RCA. In Amherst, Virginia, New gineer, he aided in the construction of newspapers press all where he “practically grew up in a West- and associations of present studios in Radio City. corrections. I safely that the ern Union Office,” he sent his first tele- program can say set-up for handling for At present he is television operations gram at the age of eleven. In Washington, NBC’s programs is the up-to-date supervisor. He and Robert Shelby, who is D. C., he studied electrical engineering the newspapers most and television supervisor, work closely to- while he earned his room and board by the least confusing system in use.” gether in the experimental television pounding brass for Western Union. He Born and schooled in Chicago, Miss broadcasts originating in Studio 3H. To- finished his engineering course at the RCA Hanley’s first job was as secretary to a gether they supervised the installation of Institute in New York. bank executive in her home city. About RCA television equipment in Radio City, Mr. Clements is married. He owns a fifteen years ago she went to New York a job for which they were well qualified small house with a garden in Queens Vil- where she got a job as secretary to the because of their knowledge of the facili- lage, Long Island. editor of a Hearst magazine and remained requirements concerning ties and space in the publishing business until she was booth apparatus, lighting and Louise Hanley the control attracted by radio and a position in NBC’s “The old days. way the general set-up. Publicity Department. back in ’28, were Engineer Wankel was graduated from very hectic but ex- the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute in 1927 M. Nixon citing and interest- George Be- where he majored in Communications. ing. Press, at that Keeping abreast of the progress and fore coming to NBC he worked for Wes- time, had twelve development of broadcasting equipment, tinghouse in the high voltage laboratory, people to handle the acoustical de- made an industrial power survey for the everything from in- sign of studios is a Brooklyn Edison Company, and spent a terviewing presi- phase of radio year with the Brooklyn Gas Company dential candidates, broadcasting jay-walkers, pri- which has been testing gas appliances. Louise Hanley ma donnas, base- greatly developed He is a New Yorker, is married, and ball players, stars — in fact, anything during the past has a three-year-old daughter named that looked like a good bet. to doubling in few years. One of Gayle. He lives at Westbury, Long Island, brass.” Thus spoke Miss Louise Hanley the young student where he maintains a beautiful garden. when we went to the Press Division to engineers, who Mr. Wankel also dabbles in miniature remind her that she completes her tenth joined NBC ten

trains. year with NBC this month. ( Cont’d next page) George M. Nixon OCTOBER, 1938 19

TENTH ANNIVERSARY CHIMES EXCHANGE CORNER

(Continued, preceding page) the requests for broadcast passes from from This classified ad section is available, years ago, has devoted all his time in the the public. free of charge, to all NBC employes. Engineering Department to that field and Rules : Forty Rudolph J. Bauer five word limit ; no regular its branches. George Nixon was as- M. business or professional service may be Rudolph J. Bauer, studio engineer, was signed to the Development Group after advertised. born, reared and educated in Pennsylvania. Address ads to NBC Trans- his apprenticeship which took him through mitter, After his gradua- Room 284, RCA Building, New all the divisions of Engineering. Ever York. tion from the Penn- since, his work has been concerned with sylvania State acoustical design and audio equipment. FOR SALE—Collector’s items: Japanese University where When the NBC headquarters in Radio Samurai long sword, classic blade by he studied elec- City were being designed, Mr. Nixon Kuni-shige (1720) for noble Makino- trical engineering, was placed in charge of the acoustical Nishigori families, fine condition ($25); he went to New designs and the sound isolation designs Japanese bronze incense burner, 19th Cen- York City where of the new studios as related to the air- tury, about 10 inches high ($8) ; Graflex he found employ- conditioning system. He also has assisted f4.5 214 x 314, revolving back, including ment as an elec- in the design of NBC studios in other filter K-2, soft focus attachment, com- trical tester for the cities. As a development engineer, he had plete with case and folding tripod ($40). New York Edison Rudolph W. Bauer a hand in the development of the para- De Salisbury, Ext. 808, New York. Company. bolic microphone, an indispensable in- After a year and a half with the Edison FOR SALE—8 Irish setters, 4 male, 4 fe- strument to the field engineer of today. Company, he came to NBC as a student male. Registered pedigree. Prize show and Before coming to NBC, Engineer Nixon engineer. He was assigned to the Design field dogs. For further information call worked in the operating department of Group (now known as the Audio Facili- Hazel Wissemann, Ext. 885, New York. Exide Batteries for a year and a half. A ties Group) after his apprenticeship. native New Yorker, he learned electrical WANTED— 1925 Franklin steering post. During his six years with the Design engineering at New York University and Call James McCarthy, Ext. 625, Room Group he handled several important the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. 254, N. Y. construction jobs for NBC studios in He has written various papers and Radio City and elsewhere. He aided in articles for magazines about studio de- FOR SALE—Tuxedo in excellent condi- the installation of the broadcast power signs and acoustics. Last winter, he gave tion. Size 37. Cost $35; will sell for $9. equipment in the NBC studios in the to a series of lectures on his work at the Apply the NBC Transmitter. Merchandise Mart in Chicago and in the Broadcast Engineers Conference held at Building in New York. also did PICTURES ... of the NBC Outing in the Ohio State University. RCA He some work on the plans and designs for New York may be purchased from the Mr. Nixon is married, lives in Kew Transmitter. or the new WTAM studios in Cleveland. NBC Room 284, Charles Gardens, Long Island, and likes sports. On several occasions, Mr. Bauer has Van Bergen of the Photo Desk in Press, He is a member of the Acoustical Society been recruited by the Field Division for Room 400. of America, the Institute of Radio En- important special events broadcasts. He gineers, and the American Institute of assisted in the broadcasting of former Electrical Engineers. K. H. Berkeley Touring President Hoover’s inauguration and also Florence V. Maher in the inauguration of President Roose- Europe for NBC Miss Florence V. Maher of the Guest velt’s first term in 1932. Kenneth H. Berkeley, general manager Relations Division is among those who, From the Design Group, Mr. Bauer of the NBC studios in Washington. D. C., this month, complete their tenth year with went to the Maintenance Division where has been selected by President Lenox R. NBC. She joined NBC at the old 711 he served for a short term before he was Lohr to study European methods of Fifth Avenue studios and was assigned to made a studio engineer. broadcasting during a month’s tour of the office of the evening general manager Engineer Bauer received his profes- continental cities. who, at that time, was Juan de Jara sional engineer’s license in 1927. He has Mr. Berkeley, who sailed with Mrs. Almonte, now an assistant to President written various articles on broadcast Berkeley from New York on the S. S. Lohr. She remained in that office for power supply for technical magazines and Washington, September 21, will observe eight years until she was transferred to has held various offices in the Association European program methods as well as Guest Relations. of Technical Employes. engineering facilities on his trip. In addi- Miss Maher is tion, will a New Yorker. She plays His game is golf, at which he is quite he seek means for a better and the piano and her avocation is music. proficient, as many of his associates more frequent exchange of programs be- Although she told no anecdotes about her probably noticed when he participated in tween the United States and various other long term of service with NBC for this the golf tournament during the NBC out- countries. write-up, Miss Maher undoubtedly can ing last month. In 1936 Mr. Bauer gained While in Europe, he plans to attend write a whole volume on the many celeb- a measure of fame in the NBC organiza- the meeting of the International Broad- rities and famous people she has met tion and a check for fifty dollars when he cast Union which will be held in and talked to during the time she served won second prize in a slogan contest con- Brussels in October. Other cities on Mr. under Mr. Almonte. ducted by NBC during the celebration of Berkeley’s itinerary are Moscow, Stock- Today, as in the past, Miss Maher’s the Company’s tenth anniversary. His holm, London, Paris, Berlin, Geneva and work lies in the field of public relations. prize-winning slogan was, “The National Rome. Max Jordan, NBC European rep- She is a correspondent in the ticket sec- Broadcasting Company — In Tune With resentative, will accompany the Berkeleys tion of Guest Relations which handles all The Nation.” in their tour on the Continent. 20 NBC TRANSMITTER KNOW YOUR COMPANY No. 16—Music Research Section

“It’s a job that’s never finished,” says Handel was caught in a thunderstorm cause conductors vary in pace, as many Lewis Lane of his work at NBC in Radio while walking, and took refuge in a black- performances as possible are clocked to

City, “nor will it ever be, not as long as smith’s shop. The blacksmith sang as he strike an average. Debussy’s L’Epres-Midi music is written and performed.” pounded the anvil. The great composer d’Un Faun is listed at 9 minutes. The first Mr. Lane together with Robert Covell, liked the music, so the story goes, and conductor timed played it in 9 minutes, comprise the Music Research Section of rushed home to write variations on the the second in 8 minutes, 40 seconds, and the Script Division at Radio City. Their tune. A London firm once showed what the third in 9 minutes, 5 seconds. to the anvil actually used. job is to come up instantly with descrip- was claimed be This mundane information on a work tive matter on any given composition, the The truth is that no such thing ever of art is highly useful on the purely technical side of radio’s effort story of how it came to be written, a bio- happened, anymore than that Handel to bring the graphical sketch of the composer, and, if agreed to call his composition The Har- best in music into the homes of America. needed, any human interest material there monious Blacksmith because his publisher, The Music Research Section is another might be about his personality. the son of a blacksmith, wanted him to Topsy that just growed. It isn’t a place his father. When Milton Cross announces an opera honor where scholars pore over musty scores. It performance or a symphony concert over Music Research does much work of is highly utilitarian. The phone rings con- networks, it is that kind, investigating the authenticity the NBC almost certain stantly. In its files there are about 10,000 that Music Research helped him gather of titles and the stories commonly ac- folders containing more than 30,000 items his material. The section supplies the cepted about composers. Radio has of information available at a moment’s Script Division, of which it is a part, with aroused a vast public interest in music of notice. all of the information which goes into the great composers, and is correcting assembling musical programs. gradually many of the misconceptions Mr. Lane, who has been with the Na- tional Broadcasting Company ten years, If an announcer just about to go on the about well known compositions. filed away the first clipping and is still fol- air gets stuck, due to last-minute program An example is the fact that Beethoven changes, he goes running to Lane or Covell did not write the Moonlight Sonata. He lowing the same simple system he began for help. They dig into their files and give did write the music known by that name, with. First come the biographies, followed him whatever he needs to round out the but never dreamed of calling it that. by human interest matter about the man. broadcast. Because of the exacting time require- Next come the compositions with material

Program builders invariably call on ments of radio, Mr. Lane recently added covering the period, the history of how it Music Research. The stock of information a wrinkle to the task of keeping tab on the was written, and other information about world’s music. tell to the sec- in the files is constantly being increased, He can you it. Last are the files covering music by ond how long it takes, on an average, to and this is why Musicologist Lane says his subject. perform all of the more important pieces job never will be finished. The shelves of Any one of the 30,000 items can be of music. several hundred books on music contain found quickly by anyone at NBC. Mr. Mr. Covell gets the timings by attend- all the standard reference works, includ- Lane designed it that way so that, as he ing performances with a stop watch. Be- ing Grove’s Dictionary of Music and says, “He who runs may read.” Thus the

Musicians, Hull’s Dictionary of Modern information is available whether Lane and Musicians, and the musical encyclopedias Covell are there or not. of Pratt, Hughes, Baker and Dunstan, and Both men are musicians. Lewis Lane others. studied at the New York College of Music, The difficulty is that something hap- and privately with Edwin Hughes and pens in the world of music every day, so Rubin Goldmark, toured the country as a that books sometimes are out of date even concert pianist from 1926 to 1928, and is before they are off the presses. Conse- a composer of songs, and music for piano quently Lane and Covell clip and file all and orchestra, notably Green Mountain of the metropolitan newspapers and the Sketches. He is the author of On Listening London Times, storing up information on to Music. premieres of new operas and symphonies, Robert Covell majored in music at Har- and anything new of any importance to vard, where he sang in the Glee Club and music and musicians. played in the orchestra for four years.

The files of human interest material on His favorite instrument is the viola. He composers bring out surprising facts and is a member of the Schola Cantorum, interesting stories. famous choral group conducted by Hugh

Some of the facts behind the composi- Ross. It has appeared with many sym- tions are just as interesting. There are phony orchestras, notably in a perfor- half a dozen fanciful stories about a move- mance of Verdi’s Requiem with the NBC ment of a harpsichord suite written by Robert Covell, left, and Lewis Lane of the Symphony Orchestra last winter with Music Research Section which provides NBC Handel, commonly called The Harmonious Maestro Arturo Toscanini conducting. with information on serious music and com- Blacksmith. One of the legends is that posers. E. S. NBC TRANSMITTER VOL. 4 NOVEMBER, 1958 NO. 11

HOLLYWOOD RADIO CITY TWO MORE STATIONS EIGHTEENTH ANNIVERSARY TO HAVE STUDIO TOUR JOIN NBC NETWORKS CELEBRATED BY KDKA

Hollywood Radio City, NBC’s new Two recent additions to the NBC net- KDKA, the pioneer broadcasting sta- film capital headquarters, will be for- works have increased the total number tion of the world, celebrated its eigh- mally opened to the public on Decem- of NBC affiliated stations to 160. The new teenth anniversary early this month. The ber 1, according to an announcement outlets are WLAK, Lakeland, Florida, anniversary was celebrated during the by Don E. Gilman, vice president in and WAPO, Chattanooga, Tennessee. week beginning November 2 with an ex- charge of the Western Division. WLAK operates fulltime on a fre- hibition at the NBC studios in Pittsburgh,

Although the public already is being quency of 1310 kilocycles with a power a special broadcast Sunday night, Novem- admitted to broadcasts in the four audi- of 100 watts. It is owned by the Lake ber 6, scores of window displays through- torium studios, and the office building is Region Broadcasting Company. Station out the city and a general invitation to open for business, an army of workmen WAPO operates fulltime on 1420 kilo- the public to visit the studios in the is still busy putting on finishing touches. cycles with 250 watts daytime power and Grant Building. “We would like to show the public 100 watts at night. It is owned by W. A. Eighteen years ago, on the night of Patterson. through the building now, but we’re in November 2, 1920, Station KDKA pre- the position of a family which has just sented the first pre-announced program, moved into a new home,” said Gordon The Stagecrafters To the election returns of the Harding-Cox Strang, engineer in charge of construc- presidential campaign. Built by the West- tion. “Papa is too busy fixing up the Present Another Play inghouse Electric and Manufacturing backyard and the basement to entertain The Pursuit of Happiness, the “bund- Company, KDKA first went on the air as company.” ling” play by Armina Marshall Langner an experimental station with the call let- Workmen are still polishing the ter- and Lawrence Langner that rocked New ters 2-WE. Long before its first formal azzo lobby floor, and lobby walls remain York audiences a few years ago, has been broadcast in 1920, KDKA started broad- to be painted. A blank wall still awaits chosen as their second production of the casting speech and phonograph records the Ed Trumbull mural which was dam- year by The Stagecrafters, the amateur in 1912, under the supervision of Dr. aged by the recent eastern storms and dramatic group of the NBC staff in New Frank Conrad. During the War, Dr. Con- is being repaired before shipment from York. NBCites will remember this group rad’s work was very closely coordinated Connecticut. for their successful performance of June with that of the United States Signal Of four non-audience studios, three Moon in Studio 8G, Radio City, last sum- Corps, and the progress made during that are completed. The fourth, an organ mer. period encouraged the establishment of studio, won’t be ready until the delicate The cast for The Pursuit of Happiness the broadcasting industry. organ installation is finished, a job of is now being completed, according to an Among those who celebrated KDKA’s a few more weeks. announcement by Gilbert Ralston, of the eighteenth anniversary early this month production staff in Electrical was that The entrance to the building for em- Transcrip- same Dr. Conrad who first put tion ployes is being paved, and added touches Service, who has been re-elected by the station on the air. A dramatization are required on the parking lot for the (Continued on page 11) ( Continued on page 11) public which will accommodate 200 cars. The basement, which will house RCA and NBC exhibits, is now being prepared for visitors who will be' guided through the new plant in the same manner that visitors are taken through the NBC studios in Radio City, New York. In the basement, which will form almost half of the studio tour through the new Radio City, the public will also see the power and air conditioning apparatus at work under guidance of uniformed members of the Guest Relations Staff who are now being trained for the tour. Patterned after the NBC Studio Tour in New York, the studio tour in Holly- wood will also include a special RCA- made exhibit which will give the public a scientific pictorial explanation of how This is a view of NBC’s new Radio City in Hollywood, radio functions from the broadcasting looking north from Sunset Boulevard along Vine Street, showing part of the 300-foot terrace as it completes a graceful curve at the studios to the home. lobby. Part of the structure in the background is the three-story office building. 2 NBC TRANSMITTER

1, to take charge of the Guest Relations newspaperman, Mr. Langan has been do- staff in the new Radio City of NBC in ing radio scriptwriting for five years, NAMES IN the Film Capital. Mr. Davison entered specializing in comedy. Last winter he the employ of NBC in 1934 as a page wrote the scripts for the Paul Whiteman THE NEWS and in four years rose through the ranks program on the Columbia Broadcasting to an important position in the Guest System and for W. C. Fields on the Chase Relations office. He attended Pratt Insti- and Sanborn program on NBC. He also NEW YORK tute, Rutgers University and New York has ghost-written scripts for various com- University, studying business administra- edians on the networks. In addition to Promotions tion and advertising at the last named. comedy, he has written a number of Part of Fred Weihe has been promoted in the his new duties in Hollywood will straight dramatic plays. be the establishment of a studio Production Division and is now a junior tour Mr. Langan’s last newspaper job was service in the director. The excellent work he did for new NBC building. with the Providence Journal. He has con- the Chesterfield Daily Sports Column tributed much to humor magazines in- series, with Paul Douglas, during the Newcomers cluding the New Yorker, the old Life, summer led to his promotion last month. before it became a, picture magazine, and Miss Annette Johnson, who came to The sponsor of the program commended Judge. NBC in September as a member of Cen- in a letter to his work NBC. Scriptwriter Langan is married and has tral Stenographic, has been transferred as a page Mr. Weihe joined NBC four children—three girls, and one boy. to the News and Special Events Division shortly after his graduation from Broth- where she is now secretary and assistant iii er’s College of Drew University, Madison, to Adolph J. Schneider. Mr. Schneider New Jersey, with the class of 1937. He Thomas A. Bennett, Jr., well known prepares and writes the material for the was active in college dramatics as an radio composer and arranger, has joined commentators on the new Goodyear Farm actor and director. During his senior year the NBC staff of program directors in Radio News program. he taught dramatics to the freshmen and Radio City. As a free-lance musician, he A native of Denver, Colorado, where was assistant dramatics coach. He also has composed special music for many she worked for a newspaper and a mer- has had some experience with little thea- NBC dramatic productions, notably the chandise brokerage firm, Miss Johnson tre groups in New Jersey, his home state; Eugene O’Neill plays presented by NBC came to New York six months ago. Last and he played a major role in a Broad- last year. Until recently he wrote original summer she had a job as secretary and way play which was shortlived. When music for Robert Ripley’s program, Be- publicity agent for a stock company in asked for more information about his lieve It or Not. New London, Connecticut. It had a sad Broadway debut, Mr. Weihe dismissed Born in New York and reared and ending. The company folded before it the subject with: “The less said about schooled in Akron, Ohio, where he learn- even raised the curtain on its first pro- that the better. It folded after two per- ed to play several musical instruments, duction and its members found them- formances.” Tom Bennett started out in life as an selves confronted with hotel bills which Frank Dodge, from the page staff, has interior decorator in his birthplace, New they had to pay out of their own pockets. taken Mr. Weihe’s former position. He York. His first association with was Miss Johnson attended the University NBC will do clerical and general office work. in that capacity. He decorated and fur- of Colorado, and Mills College in Cali- A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, nished the office of NBC’s musical coun- fornia. class of Mr. Dodge has had con- 1933, iii sellor, Dr. Walter Damrosch, in the old siderable experience in radio and the headquarters of the Company at 711 Tom Langan, well known radio writer, theatre. From college he went into radio Fifth Avenue. When the depression came Station has joined the Script Division. A former as an announcer and actor for in 1929, the bottom also fell out of the WJW, Akron, Ohio. Then he went back interior decorating business. Mr. Bennett to his alma mater to teach the freshmen found himself with nothing to do, so he speech and debating. From there he went buried himself among the musical books to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, to teach school. and orchestral scores of great musicians From pedagogy he went back to histrion- in the Public Library. He emerged with ics. He did one-night stands with a stock a vast amount of knowledge as to how company, traveling in Ohio and New Eng- great conductors got their effects from land, and was on the road many months orchestral scores. with a marionette company. Tiring of the With his boyhood training in music, road, he gave up the marionettes and and his newly acquired musical educa- joined NBC last July. tion, he began arranging music for lead- iii ing radio conductors including Frank Miss Frances Goldacker, who joined Black, music director of NBC. Since then the Stenographic staff in April, has been the interior decorating business has named secretary to Maurice M. Boyd, picked up considerably, but obviously Mr.

manager of the National Spot Sales Di- Bennett has decided not to return to it. vision. Before coming to NBC, she was associated with a brokerage firm in Wall Transfers Street. Miss Marie Joslin, formerly in the of- ill fice of C. W. Horn, research and develop- to E. Walter B. Davison, who was in charge ment engineer, is now secretary A. Miss Irma Maria Gohs, Publicity, and Max Nelson, sales manager of the Blue Net- of tour promotion in the Guest Relations Muehlfeld photographed shortly before their the Fitzgibbons Division, left for Hollywood, November marriage on October 29. work. Formerly with NOVEMBER, 1938 3

Company, an engineering firm. Miss Jos- and relatives of the couple who went to Boston, has been a member of the an- year. lin came to NBC in April, 1937, as a Lake Junaluska, near Asheville, North nouncing staff in Radio City for one member of Central Stenographic. Carolina, for their honeymoon. iii Miss Irma Gohs, secretary to Harold i i i Mrs. Croom-Johnson is a member of E. Bisson in the Publicity Department, Miss Helen Sweeney has been trans- the Twin Trio, singing team on Fred was married to Max Muehlfeld in Elm- ferred from the Sustaining Program Di- Waring’s program, and Joe Lilley’s Whis- hurst, Long Island, on October 29. They vision to the Script Division to replace pering Choir. have just returned from their honeymoon Miss Caroline Gay who left the Company, iii in Atlantic City and are now residing at October 7. Miss Gay went to California Earl Wrightson, Page, was married to 6259 83rd Street, Elmhurst. Mr. Muehl- to join her family. With the exception of Miss Alta Markey in Baltimore on Oc- feld is associated with the Pullman Com- a three-month period in Stenographic, tober 15. Before coming to in Au- pany. Miss Sweeney has served in the Program NBC gust, Page Wrightson sang over local sta- Department during her two years with Resignations NBC. tions in Baltimore. He is now studying Miss Florence Marks resigned from the Miss Winifred Wylie, formerly of voice with Robert Weede, Metropolitan Press Division, November 1, to take an- Stenographic, is replacing Miss Sweeney Opera baritone who is often heard over other writing position, and to devote some in Sustaining Program. She came to NBC NBC networks. Previous to his radio ex- of her time to freelance work. Her resig- from the Petroleum Company in New perience in Baltimore, Mr. Wrightson nation ended three years’ employment York in February, 1937. was employed by the Federal Reserve with NBC as publicity writer. iii Bank, and at another time was assistant iii manager of a jewelry store in that city. B. J. Hauser and his secretary, Miss Paul Owen, Webb Tilton, and Frank Nancy Rogers Baird, have been trans- iii Egan have resigned from the Guest Re- ferred from the Sales Promotion Divi- lations staff in order to join Fred Wir- sion to the Operated Stations Depart- Announcer Charles A. Nobles and Miss ing’s Glee Club heard on the New Bromo ment where Mr. Hauser will continue to Olive Happy, radio singer, were married Quinine program, Saturday evenings, on take charge of NBC operated stations’ at St. Paul’s Chapel, New York City, the Red Network. The three young men promotion. Friday afternoon, October 21. The bride were starred in the Guest Relations broad- is a former member of the Happy Sisters cast, Brass Buttons Revue of 1938, last who have been on the Rudy Vallee Marriages heard Spring. program. Mr. Nobles, formerly of WBZ, ( Continued on page 9) Douglas Meservey, assistant to Vice President John F. Royal, and Mrs. Thel- ma Hassett Triest, of New York City, were married at the Fifth Avenue Presby- terian Church, October 11. The ceremony, attended only by close friends and relatives, was performed by Rev. Daniel Edgar Weeks. Following the wedding, a reception was held on the S. S. Queen of Bermuda aboard which Mr. and Mrs. Meservey went to Bermuda for their honeymoon. They retM’-ned late last month and are now residing in New York City. iii Russell Nordstrom, of the Press Divi- sion, and Miss Evelyn Siers, of Flushing, Long Island, were married in September in St. John’s Episcopal Church. The bride’s sister, Mrs. Gladys S. Pardee, was matron of honor. Frederick Hufsmith, well-known NBC tenor, sang at the wedding ceremonies. Following a reception for the bridal party, the young couple went on a motor trip through the South. They are now at home at 42-41 155th Street, Flushing. Photo by Walter Wiebel i i i Members of the Athletic Association’s horseback riding group, headed by D. B. Van Houten, Austen Croom-Johnson, who is in manager of Building Maintenance, gathered at Closter, N. J.. one evening last month for charge of developing NBC sustaining pro- a moonlight ride and rode to Rockleigh where they had dinner at the Pegasus Club. Seated, grams featuring popular music, and Miss left to right, are: Albert W. Frey, Mail Room; Henry Hayes, General Service; Helen Kordav, Loulie Jean Norman, radio singer, were Personnel; Edna Mustor, Sales, and Read Wilson. Mail Room. Standing: Marie McNamara, Martin Devine, Duplicating; Jack Leonhardt, Mail Room; James Henderson, Mrs. D. B. Van married in Birmingham, Alabama, the Houten, Cecilia McKenna. Legal; E. P. H. James, manager of Sales Promotion; George Luther, bride’s home town, on October 17. The Mail Room; Dorothy Lewis. General Service; Alice Bradford. Production; Jeanne Harrison, wedding was attended by close friends Sales Traffic, and George Robbins. Duplicating. 4 NBC TRANSMITTER WT AM CLEVELAND by Bob Dailey

Manning Acclaimed inception, and has been at the NBC mi- together on a third program, Famous Tom Manning, crophone for the World Series in 1932, Concertos, on WTAM. NBC sports an- 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937 'and 1938. iii nouncer whose de- Traffic Manager Edith Wheeler under- Lee scriptions of the Gordon & Band went an appendectomy in a local hospital baseball classics— Lee Gordon, WTAM’s assistant mu- while Night Manager Chet Zohn strug- the all-star game sical director, is leading his dance band gled with her regular office duties. Private at Cincinnati, and on the America Dances series over the jottings from the notebook of Edith the World Series NBC Red Network Saturday nights. Gor- Wheeler: May Draxell, stenographic su- don and Tommy Carter are doing the ar- between the New pervisor, taking cooking lessons . .. and York Yankees and rangements and Wilton Conrad does the we don’t have to be a Clifton Fadiman Tom Manning the Chicago Cubs announcing. to know the reason for May’s sudden in-

—drew the enthu- terest in the culinary art ... Pianist Dor- Notes siastic applause of listeners, was selected WTAM othy Crandall flying to spend the weekend the “baseball announcer whose work was Vernon H. Pribble, station manager, in New York—and the same young lady considered outstanding for the year” by and Walter Logan, musical director, were receiving requests for piano lessons in in New York for the first Toscanini con- E. G. Brande, editor of Sporting News, network fan mail from New York .. . national weekly baseball magazine. cert of the season and the dedication of Announcer Wilton Hoff moving into town The award was based on Manning’s the RCA exhibit building at the World’s with the cold wintry winds in mind. handling of both the all-star game and Fair. , , , Salesman Harold Gallagher giving Hiram the World Series. Manning, himself a Violinists Ben Silverberg and Paul College students the benefits of his ex- former ball-player, has described the an- Gershan, staff musicians, are directing perience by assuming the role of radio

nual all-star game for listeners since its their respective programs and appearing counsellor. KYW PHILADELPHIA

by J. A. Aull

No Note Unturned peace among the males he also inspected New News Spots the Apollo profiles of Bill Lang and Dan the KYW was signally honored last month Interest in news has burst upon Munster of the announcing staff. when Dr. and Mrs. James Rowland An- Program Department as a result of the gell selected the KYW Top Hatters Or- recent crisis abroad. Two fifteen-minute Camera Club chestra, under Jan Savitt’s able baton, Sunday spots have A feature of unusual interest to camera to play at the dance which they gave been added to the fans is in the offing for members of the for Mrs. Angell’s daughter, Miss Caro- roster in recent KYW Camera Club on November 14. line Woodman, at the Lawn Club of New weeks. Bill Lang Arrangements have been made by Jim Haven. From all reports the musicians and Don Heyworth Harvey, director of the club, to demon- left no note unturned toward a successful are handling one evening. strate the intricacies of a three-color print. of them while Dan Harvey is offering cards of admission to Munster and Har- Joiner Joy the first 200 who apply. Incidentally, the ry Wood are do- James Harvev Leslie Camera Club, in its brief existence, has W. Joy, station manager, has Director of the KYW ing the other. started joining again now that the new pushed its membership above 1300— as Camera Club far season is upon us. The latest report is as is known an all-time record for Personal Items that he will serve as chairman of the such an organization. Bob Cottingham, of the Press Depart- radio committee for the Red Cross Roll- ment, took a delayed vacation last month call in Engineer — Pianist Philadelphia. in his shiny new automobile. He went to Early last month KYW basked in the Oklahoma. Screen Possibilities sun as the result of a concert in Town Jack Hammann, sales manager, is This town of beautiful women was sub- Hall given by Roy Anspach, Westing- stumping the neighborhood in the inter- jected to another talent hunt last month house engineer at KYW, for a selected est of sales. He stumped the Kiwanis when Mr. Arnow, of Selznick-Internation- audience. It’s a toss-up of ability between Club of Camden late in the month with al Pictures, dropped in at the KYW Anspach the engineer and Anspach the a dissertation on NBC’s 35 hours a day studios. We haven’t heard of the results concert pianist who is undoubtedly go- in the broadcasting business. Leroy Mil- but at least Mr. Arnow took away an ing places. ler went along with his patter and had eyeful of the beauteous Mary Wilcox, the dignified Jerseyites rolling in the KYW hostess; Bonnie For Sale Stuart, local aisles. thrush, and some pictures of Carlotta A1 Watton, nimrod of the Program Jim Begley has had an extra pillow Dale who, unfortunately, was, at the Department, has nine English setters for put on his chair as a result of his recent time, touring the New England states sale. Guaranteed good hunters. They’re move to a country estate and an ambition with the Top Hatters. KYW To keep about twelve days old as we go to press. to ride horseback. NOVEMBER, 1938 5

WiUt IjooJi Roving RefuvUe* in Aftv fl/o\h 1 hl days last month. Rod, a member of Dan Russell’s announcing class, won a diction contest over at Station WMCA. He went to see the Talk of The. Town program and was picked from the audience to compete in the contest. Out of five contestants, Rod was the only one to get a perfect score (attention Pat Kelly). His prize— a dictionary! Pat O’Connor went to see the Molle show in Radio City, Battle of the Sexes, on his night off and was picked for the men’s team. The males won and each got a Bulova wrist watch. Your THREE ALLENS MEET NBC Guide Joe Allen (left) was the “Person You Didn't Expect to reporter, who needs a watch badly tried to get one the same way Meet” on the Fred Allen program, Wednesday evening, November 2. couldn’t get but even a pass to the show. He is pictured here with Fred Allen and J. M. Allen, advertising manager of Bristol-Myers Company which sponsors “Town Hall Tonight.”

If wasn't hot enough for some of the boys of the pages’ and guides’ locker room last month during the hot spell of Indian Summer so they hied themselves off to Central Park one morning for a brief spell, he did some announcing for WTIC in Hartford. for a hotly contested game of touch football with their super- Mr. Hull is a graduate of the San Diego Army and Navy Academy visors and some ringers from the announcing staff. The pages in California and Washington and Lee University. and guides asserted themselves strongly for a change and i i i trounced their startled opponents to the tune of 13-0. Richard de Raismes who works in the file room of the Script Page Bud Materne, former Hamilton College flash, recovered Division glanced at the date on a Philip Morris script, Thrill kick-off a fumble on the opening to score the first touchdown. of the W eek, and threw it into the wastebasket with other out- The extra point was made with an end-zone pass. The second dated scripts. The next day the Philip Morris people started touchdown for the victors was made by Art Perry, known in the yelling for their scripts for the rehearsal, but the script in the locker room as “the backfield luminary from Rutgers.” He wastebasket was gone. Frantically. Dick de Raismes and Jack snared a pass from the clumsy arms of the opposition and ran Johnstone, author of the script, rushed to a warehouse under 65 yards to score. the Brooklyn Bridge where wastepaper from Radio City is Onlookers report that there was much rough playing— par- dumped. At the warehouse they found 1.400 burlap bags of ticularly by one Pete Bonardi. He was finally squelched by the wastepaper! Undaunted, they took off their coats for the needle- victors who ganged up on him in the second half. The guest in-the-haystack search. Miracles of miracles! They found it in stars from Pat Kelly’s staff were Nelson Case, Ray Diaz, Jim the third bag they emptied. The rehearsal went off— albeit a bit Shellman and Jack McCarthy. delayed—and Johnstone’s Thrill of the W eek went on according iii to schedule and without a hitch.

Bill Eddy, television engineer, video effects expert, writer, And Dick claims that it was all on the level—“Do you think cartoonist, gadgeteer and photographer, recently added radio I like even the idea of searching through 1400 bags of junk announcing to his long list of accomplishments. He described for a script? And by the way will you please say in your column a fellow lieutenant’s escape from a submarine compartment, that I would appreciate it if all scriptwriters will make it a 100 feet under water, during the RCA Magic Key program, point, from now on, to write the correct date of the show on dedicated to the Navy on October 23. Lt. Eddy dramatically their scripts. That Philip Morris script was dated for last week’s described the stunt from a diving bell with a glass porthole. broadcast. That’s why I threw it away.”

i i i i i i

Two famous names have been added to the Guest Relations In a recent questionnaire during a membership drive by the staff. The new pages are Reginald Bryan Owen, grandson of NBC Athletic Association one of our Vice Presidents listed the that famous American statesman, William Jennings Bryan, the following as his favorite sports fox hunting, channel swim-

“silver-tongued orator”, and Henry Hull, Jr., son of the actor ming, finger exercises, steeplechasing, salmon fishing and moose whose name is well-known on the stage, screen and radio. hunting Margaret E. Primont, secretary to Vice President Young Owen, whose mother is Mrs. Ruth Bryan Owen Rohde, and Chief Engineer 0. B. Hanson, caught the bride’s bouquet former American minister to Denmark and one-time member at the wedding of Doris Ruuth Chief Telephone Operator of Congress, is interested in sound effects and already has had Margaret Maloney reports that 800 listeners called NBC when experience in that phase of radio. He has worked as soundman WEAF went off the air for four hours during that recent hurri- for KFAB. Lincoln, Nebraska; KOA, Denver, and WNYC, New cane that almost blew Long Island off the map Guide Joe York. He also has had experience as a traveling salesman out Allen, noted in the locker room for his wit, and who was master West. He studied in New York schools, Staunton Military Acad- of ceremonies of the Brass Buttons Revue of 1938, was the emy in Virginia and Rollins College in Florida. On September “Person You Didn’t Expect to Meet” in a recent Fred Allen 28, shortly after he joined NBC, he was married to Miss Marie broadcast. The young NBC guide really put the ex-juggler’s Louise Weber of Denver. wit to task with his repartee Photographer Bill Haussler’s

Henry Hull, Jr., came to NBC via the theatre. He had a walk- full name is William Edward Crawford Haussler . on in John Gielgud’s Hamlet and better parts in two other plays Have you heard the NBC chimes that ring out the hours produced on Broadway. He has done recorded programs, and, through a giant loudspeaker in the Sunken Plaza? 6 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC HOLLYWOOD by Noel Corbett

Minus Fanfare Jim Lyman, Auditing, has taken an apartment near the Ambassador Hotel. Minus the usual Hollywood fanfare Gladys Ferguson, Auditing, moved into and ballyhoo, Hollywood’s Radio City the apartment building where Maryalice opened its doors last month. Moynihan, also of Auditing, lives. Though all the studios and offices and Dresser Dahlstead, announcer, thought the main lobby were not completed, the he’d be smart and take an apartment different show and some departments within walking distance of the studios, started moving into the new quarters. and to date has had to take a couple of NBCites, however, had a grand “open- the boys home to lunch every day. ing” of their own October 5, which everybody admitted was nothing less than Radio In California colossal and stupendous. The gang, which included employes Speaking before the Junior Chamber Nick Slavich, proprietor of the Melrose of Commerce of Los Angeles, October 19, from KFI-KECA, showed up at about Grotto, bids farewell to Lew Frost, assistant to vice president in charge seven o’clock for barbecue and stuff, and Vice President Don E. Gilman, at the farewell Don E. Gilman, he gave NBCites as they moved Division, pointed out at about eight-thirty the entertainment luncheon of the Western from their old building to Hollywood Cali- began. consisted of a that radio is now one of Southern The entertainment Radio City. industries. program of skits which took off person- fornia’s major topic was “Holly- alities and doings behind the mike. After Mr. Gilman, whose Production Center,” told the show everybody danced in audience wood as a Radio Nick's Farewell Lunch contrary to popular studio D to the music of Frank Hodek business men that, all the excitement and to Hollywood to and his staff orchestra. In the midst of belief that radio came anticipation of moving into the new stu- draw on motion picture talent, the west- Moving Into Radio City dios, there was one person around the ward trend of broadcasting was due to day (October of the screen for December 1 has been set as the date Melrose studios on moving increasing demands That person was when Hollywood’s Radio City will be 8) who felt pretty blue. radio personalities. Melrose the opened to the public. Nick Slavich, owner of the During the luncheon, at which have put city Already thousands have been admitted Grotto, where most of the gang senior Chamber of Commerce and and entertained in to the auditorium studios to watch broad- away a lot of meals officials joined the Junior Chamber on the casts, and the different departments are friends the past two years. extending civic congratulations entertained Radio City, a all going in full swing. However, there As a farewell gesture Nick completion of Hollywood’s the tribute from are many finishing touches to be added the entire NBC staff. wire acknowledging the luncheon read. before the new studios will be completed. Everybody showed up at Major Lenox R. Lohr was into the afternoon. Workmen are still busy on the main which lasted well lobby on Sunset and Vine and a blank High Scorer Frost wall awaits the Ed Trumbull mural which Reinforcements From 'Frisco Bowling fans around NBC were plenty was damaged by the recent eastern storm It didn’t take the bunch who were happy about moving into the new studios in Connecticut. transferred down from San Francisco long because the Hollywood Recreation is right Network switching was transferred to locate comfortable homes in Holly- across Vine Street from Radio City. from the Telephone Company’s Los An- wood. ( Continued on page 8) geles toll office to the new master control Cliff Anderson, Program Traffic Su- pervisor, has a house on the border line of Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Cliff says the place has a swell yard for the baby, and plenty of sunshine—so far. Paul Gale, Western Division Traffic Supervisor, is located high up in Holly- woodland where he commands an aerial view of the city. Farther down in the canyon his secretary, Isabel Menden, has taken an apartment in Beachwood Ter- race. Henry Maas, Sales Traffic This is not a farewell kiss — although it hap- Manager, Gastronomical interlude at the farewell pened at the Melrose Grotto farewell party. has a large home out toward the ocean luncheon given by the Melrose Grotto to They are newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Paul in one of the newer residential districts. NBCites before they left the old studios. Greene of NBC Hollywood. Gordon Strang, engineer in charge of the Jane Burns, supervisor of Duplicating Hollywood Radio City, shows Frances Scully board, which is adjacent to the and Central main Stenography, is stopping at of Press how to make a hard-boiled egg pass lobby, October 31. With this move the the Brevoort Hotel and plans to take an through the mouth of a milk bottle. Robert Engineering personnel, with the excep- apartment soon. F. Schuetz, in charge of broadcasting equipment for the new NBC studios, has that know- tion of the Field Group, was completely Alexander Petry of the Music Library, ing smile because he knows that the egg has transferred from the Melrose Studios. is another holdout at the Brevoort. to be shelled first. "GRAND OPENING PARTY"

Though the new NBC Studios

in Hollywood’s Radio City were opened without ballyhoo and fanfare, members of the NBC staff concocted a "grand opening" of their own and purely for their own pleasure on October

5th. The party was held in the new studios. There were barbecue, a stage show using staff ta-

lent in satirical skits, games and music for dancing.

Arnold Maguire and Dave Elton drew Janette White and Ted Sherdeman acting up to their many laughs with their skit, “Clean- hilts in the Program Department’s skit, ing Up The Airwaves.”

Right. Vice President Don E. Gilman (right) tells a joke to Jane Fleming, Earl Dixson, both of Program, and Carlton E. Morse (in hat), author of “One Man’s Family.”

This trio sang departmental ditties. Left to right: Murdo MacKenzie, studio engineer, “Oh, Mr. Saxton, Oh, Mr. DeWolf;” Karel Pearson, Traffic, “We send our wires on a rush beam, sometimes it seems it’s by dog-team!” — and Joe Alvin, Press, “A tisket, a tasket, our news is in the basket!”

Below. The “grand opening” of Hollywood Radio City was far from formal. Pictured are, from left to right, Hal Bock (Western Division Press Manager), Madeline Lee (Gen- evieve Blue with Amos’n’ Andy) Holli- , Harrison way (Manager of KFI-KECA) and Mrs. Bock.

Above. Master of Ceremonies Andy Love (Manager of Literary Rights) learns his lines for the stage show given for and by NBCites in their new Hollywood studios.

Right. “Radio’s Here to Stay” was the title of the ditty Joe Parker, producer, Max Hutto, mimeograph, and Joe Thompson, producer, had to offer. 8 NBC TRANSMITTER

IV B C TRANSMITTER

Published for and by the employes of the National Broadcasting Company from coast to coast.

VOL. 4 NOVEMBER, 1938 NO. 11

EDITORIAL BOARD DOM DAVIS Editor CARL CANNON Associate Editor CEORCE OLENSLAGER Staff Writer CHARLES H. NEWTON. Jr Staff Writer CHARLES VAN BERGEN Photographs BILL EDDY Staff Artist

N. Y. CONTRIBUTORS W. A. IiAERER W'EAF Transmitter SHIRLEY METZ Publicity

Address all correspondence to: NBC TRANSMITTER Room 284, RCA Building, New York Circle 7-8300, Ext. 220

NBC HOLLYWOOD (Continued, from page 6) Lew Frost, assistant to Vice President Gilman, has kept a consistently high average in his games with Carlton Morse, author of One Mans Family, Buddy Twiss, announcer in charge of special events, and other bowlers. Program Traffic Supervisor Cliff An- derson’s transfer from San Francisco, however, may change the status of things —they say he can really make the pins

fall.

Special Radio Tour Recently Sydney Dixon, Western Divi- sion Sales Manager, conducted a tour of his own around the new Radio City. Included as spectators were Mr. and Mrs. Bert Fisher and Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Feltis. Mr. Fisher is general manager of Proposed NBC Statue No. 8 and Citation Plaque KOMO-KJR, Seattle, and Mr. Feltis is sales manager.

Promotion TELEVISION ENGINEERS Now that Seward “Bud” Spencer has As if the capriciousness of broadcasting alone were not enough to blanch the been transferred from the Guest Relations temples of every front office tycoon—we now add insult to injury with the in- staff to Traffic, Norman Noyes, supervisor troduction of radio’s step-child—Television. of the pages, has a new assistant—Jim The nightmare of dreamers for centuries, the goal of years of scientific re- Hartzell. search, the fruit of Midas’ millions of investment, Television demands from its audience the use of practically every human sensation except smell, and on Air Conditioning Engineers occasional unhappy instances even this sense is indirectly and unintentionally Harry C. Alber, air conditioning en- brought into play. gineer who designed and supervised the Entrenched in Radio City, the Buck Rogers squad, ensnarled in miles of installation of the air conditioning sys- coaxial cable and no gain amplifiers, vie with one another in the creation of new in City, York, is in charge tem Radio New and startling video paroxysms, and consecrating their every effort toward the of operations of the especially designed faultless recreation of Mickey Mouse at your fireside — controls both temperature plant which And so again we dedicate another intimate hunk of masonry, padded and humidity in the new Hollywood stu- and barred on the reverse side, to another worthy group of stalwarts in radio—the with is 0. H. Wil- dios. Working Alber Television Engineers of NBC. kins, air conditioning engineer. NOVEMBER, 1938 9

England coasts, causing so much damage ington, D. C., where they were engaged NAMES IN THE NEWS and loss of life, was indirectly responsible in preparing technical evidence for the for the death of the beloved member of forthcoming federal investigation into the the NBC staff at WEAF. radio industry. (Continued from page 3) Tom, who was on vacation at the iii Miss Jean Sherwood, who was recently time, collapsed with a stroke of apoplexy transferred from Stenographic to the two days after the storm. His illness was Several NBC executives are scheduled Traffic Department, resigned from the undoubtedly the result of over-exertion to give lectures on radio and television Company on October 21. She will be mar- the previous day when he attempted to as part of a dramatic course being given ried to Walter B. Lewis of Englewood, pump out his flooded cellar by hand, by the University Extension of Columbia

N. J., at St. Paul’s Chapel of Columbia working continuously for more than six University this school year. The radio University on November 11. hours. authorities from NBC, who will speak on

Tom Smith’s death is deeply felt by their respective fields of the industry, are iii his many friends at NBC who will al- Lewis Titterton, manager of the Script ways remember him as a diligent worker Division; Dr. Franklin Dunham, educa- Norman Morrell resigned from the with a ready smile and quick Scottish tional director; A. A. Schechter, director Program Department, October 15, to ac- wit. He was with the company ten years. of News and Special Events; Thomas H. cept a position with Lord and Thomas, He is survived by his wife, Kate, to whom Hutchinson, manager of the Television advertising agency. His former duties as he was happily married for thirty-seven Program Division; Margaret Cuthbert, assistant to Miss Bertha Brainard, Com- years. director of Women’s Activities, and 0. B. mercial Program Manager, have been Hanson, vice president and chief engi- assumed by Wilfred S. Roberts, former neer. Radio executives of other broad- member of the production staff, who was Miscellaneous casting companies and of advertising named assistant to Miss Brainard in Sep- Dr. James Rowland Angell, education- agencies and a few well known radio tember. ill al counsellor, addressed a joint meeting artists including Rudy Vallee, Orson of the Good Fellowship Club and the Welles and Clifton Fadiman will also Women’s Club of the New York Life In- Miss Bessie Feagin resigned from the address those who take the course which surance Company at the Waldorf-Astoria is Press Division, November 1, in order to described as “a rapid survey of the on October 11. He spoke on the part radio accept a position on the editorial staff of entire field of radio broadcasting.” plays in the educational field. He will Listeners Digest, a new radio magazine make another speech on the same subject iii which will make its first appearance next at the opening of the second annual month. During her three years with NBC, Lewis Lane, who is in charge of the Southern Conference on Audio-Visual Miss Feagin assisted Julian Street, Jr., Music Research Section in the Script Di- Education, to be held at Atlanta, Georgia, in the handling of NBC publicity for vision, will have two of his compositions. on November 10. magazines. Fragments and Green Mountain Sketches, Listeners Digest, according to Miss iii on the program of Miss Lolita Cabrera Feagin, will be a monthly publication Gainsborg, who will give a piano recital containing reprints of condensed radio Frank E. Mason, vice president and at Town Hall, the evening of November talks and script shows, in addition to director of the International Program Di- 23rd. other items of interest to radio people vision, told members of the Baltimore iii and the public in general. Its slogan will Advertising Club how radio handled news Daniel S. Tuthill, assistant managing be “Good Things From Radio Presented and short-wave broadcasts of the recent director of Artists Service, who went to in Brief.” European crisis in an address in Balti- NBC Hollywood late last iii more on October 19. month, has re- iii turned to his office in New York. Bill Betts resigned his position with iii NBC as secretary to Director of Publicity Dr. Franklin Dunham, educational di- Wayne L. Randall in on October 7 order rector, has been made an honorary fellow Charles Warburton of the production to accept a position with the American in Trinity College of London for his out- staff has been “loaned” to the Canadian Automobile Association as assistant sales standing contributions to the advance- Broadcasting Corporation to direct a manager in charge of promotion. His new ment of fine music in America. The award, series of Shakespearean plays and other office is in Washington, D. C. voted to Dr. Dunham at a meeting of the dramatic productions over a period of board in London last month, will prob- thirteen weeks. Director Warburton, in Stork News ably be bestowed in New York early next addition to directing, is also making the Spring. The board members of Trinity radio adaptations of the Shakespearean Gerald Sellar, junior supervisor of the College, devoted to the maintenance of plays and acting in some of them. Master Control Room, became the father The high standards of classical music all over series, which is receiving favorable no- of a baby girl on October 19. That makes the world, felt that Dr. Dunham’s many tices everywhere, is featuring such fam- two for the Sellars— the other is a boy. years of work in the promotion of music ous actors as Walter Huston, Sir Cedric appreciation deserved signal recognition. Hardwicke, Margaret Anglin, Raymond Obituary iii Massey, Walter Hampden and Maurice Smith, trans- Thomas caretaker of the Evans. The series is being broadcast over mitter of WEAF at Bellmore, Long Is- William S. Duttera, William A. Fitch a network of Canadian stations. land, died on October 6, after an illness and William R. McMillin of the Radio ill of thirteen days. The recent hurricane Facilities Group have returned to Radio Want to buy or sell something? Try the Exchange which lashed the Long Island and New City from their three-month stay in Wash- Corner. Page IS. 10 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC WASHINGTON

by Marian P. Gale

where the Blue Ribbon Winner midshipmen choir was heard NBC friends before she left last month in the Gordon Hittenmark received the blue program finale were Field Super- for California to make her permanent ribbon award from the Washington Ad- visor Keith Williams and Director Ar- home there. thur Daly. vertising Club for the most artistic Amer- The girls of the office gave her a bon ican Red Cross Window Display. Hitten- Aboard the USS Brooklyn, off the Vir- voyage luncheon at the Madrillon Res- ginia mark has been using a store on 14th Capes, were Announcer Edwin Ro- taurant. Bob Callahan, organist, has suc- Street as his broadcast headquarters each gers, and News Editor W. R. McAndrew. ceeded Cicely as Music Clearance Clerk morning to drum up trade for the recent Engineer Harold T. Ashworth of the for WRC and WMAL. Red Cross membership drive. New York office handled the technical / i 1 end of the Brooklyn program which con- Of the seventeen staff announcers on Complicated Pickups sisted of repelling an imaginary enemy the four local radio stations, the home The Washington Engineering and Pro- air attack. team was able to cop only third place gram staffs are quite proud about their Manning the Washington Master Con- this year in the annual announcers control work in connection with the elaborate desk for the broadcast were Assis- test which is sponsored by a local ad- tant Chief Engineer Don Cooper and Con- Navy Day program presented over the vertising agency. . Third place honors RCA Magic Key program. Crews from trol Supervisor Dorwon Ullman. went to Jim McGrath. the Washington office either handled en- iri tirely, or in part, three pickups of the Personal Items Bill Ewing, our page, guide and gen- six in the United States. Laurels have been won by Mary Mason, eral office worker, left for Radio City Taking part in the program at An- WRC’s Home Forum Director she is last month in order to join the Guest acostia Naval Air station where eighteen now known as “Admiral Mary Mason” in Relations staff there. A native of Salt Marine bombing planes simulated an at- aviation circles. American Airlines has Lake City, Utah, Bill did some announc- tack on the airfield were Engineer-in- commissioned Mary—“Admiral of the ing for WJEJ in Hagerstown, Maryland, Charge A. E. Johnson, Engineers Walter Flagship Fleet.” before coming to NBC more than a year Godwin and A. E. McGonigle, Assistant i i 1 ago. During his year here he attended Manager Carleton Smith and Night Su- Cicely Brown, of the Program Depart- George Washington University where he pervisor Charles Barry. At Annapolis ment, was bid a fond adieu by all her was active in dramatics. WGY SCHENECTADY by W. T. Meenam

Morrison Pinch-hifs college band at football games. Coggie hit, his pick cut through the lead cover- trained the boy to sing and to slide a ing and buried itself in copper. Hundreds Radcliffe Hall, announcer, production mean trombone. of telephone lines were silenced and it man and master of ceremonies, recently so happened that WGY’s program was passed a brief vacation at the home of Elizabeth King Wedded traveling through that particular cable his parents in Erie, Pa. During Rad’s Elizabeth Winifred King of Sales was to the transmitter. It took our control absence, Wilbur Morrison of Press acted married to Lloyd Edward Donahue in engineers only two minutes to reroute the as master of ceremonies on the Tete a Baltimore on October 22. The bridegroom program and resume service to the lis- Tete program which WGY produces every is native of Rosalia, a Washington, a teners. weekday morning for the Red Network. graduate of Washington State, and a student engineer at the General Electric WGY's Pack Transmitter Not Guilty plant in Schenectady. Mrs. Donahue, a WGY is making good use of its new Three members of the WGY family native of Oak Park, Illinois, is a graduate pack transmitter. Weekly, on Sunday, it are breaking in new cars—Betty Foy of of the University of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. is used to broadcast the Schenectady Program, Chester Vedder of the announc- Donahue are at home at 1020 Van Ant- Town Meeting of the Air from the Union ing staff and Technician Albert C. Knapp. werp Road. College Chapel. The discussions of reg- All three came to grief with their old ular speakers are picked up on the plat- cars during the same week and at widely Fast Engineers form microphone. Part of the period is separated points. Furthermore, all three WGY’s engineering staff won’t take taken up with audience discussion and escaped without any personal injury and, a back seat it when comes to alertness, questions and whenever a person rises in we are proud to announce, were able ingenuity and skill, but every once in a the audience to put a question or contrib- to establish that they were not respon- while outside and uncontrolled forces con- ute something to the argument, the en- sible for the damage incurred. spire to make the best-laid plans and the gineer carries the portable transmitter best of intentions hopeless. A few days and microphone to him. Coggie's Son ago a workman digging through a pave- Robert Coggeshall, son of A. 0. Cog- ment to reach a leak in the city’s water Miss Peeple's New Job geshall, program manager, entered Union main came upon a telephone conduit. It Gertrude Peeples has succeeded Made-

College this fall, and every Saturday he was a lead-sheathed cable, housing 500 line Neff as secretary to W. J. Purcell, may be found in the front row of the pairs of wires. Before he knew what he engineer in charge of WGY. a

NOVEMBER, 1938 11 NEW PUBLICATION FOR WGY LAUDED BY STATE THE STAGECRAFTERS TO SALES DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL FOR FLOOD AID PRESENT ANOTHER PLAY

The NBC Station Digest is the name The letter reprinted below was re- ( Continued from page 1) of a new publication which made its ceived by WGY, NBC operated station in The Stagecrafters to direct them in their appearance in the Eastern Sales Division Schenectady, N. Y., shortly after it had second play. Production date has been

last month. In its first issue, the “Digest” rendered special assistance to the District tentatively set for the early part of De- stated that its purpose was “to keep its Engineer, J. W. Holler, of the Depart- cember. readers constantly informed of many in- ment of Public Works of the State of The Pursuit of Happiness, which be- teresting facts which are available re- New York during the recent hurricane came widely known as the “bundling”

garding NBC’s Associated Stations.” The that swept through New York and New play when it opened on Broadway in little mimeographed sheet, which is main- England. The telephone lines having been 1933, is a romantic comedy set in Revo- ly distributed among NBC salesmen, destroyed by the storm, radio was the lutionary America. The Langners origi- promises to publish findings regarding only means of communication available nally intended their play to be a satire the popularity of different stations, re- to call an emergency squad to reinforce on the social customs of the times, and, sults of surveys, proof of coverage, re- and repair the dykes that protected West as bundling was one of the most publi- sults of successful advertising campaigns, Sand Lake, a small town upstate, from cized of those customs, it was written into and other items which may be useful or swelling streams. The appeal for assis- the play. The charming naivete with which of interest to members of the Sales De- tance was broadcast by WGY and in less the bundling situation and the entire play partment. than an hour a crew reported for duty were presented, captivated the imagina- at the dykes. tion The “Digest” is written and edited by of blase New York audiences, and The Pursuit of Happiness was an over- Eunice S. Adams and Katherine Hoff- Gentlemen: meir, under the supervision of Victor van night hit! When the flood and wind storm struck der Linde, general sales counsel. It is The Stagecrafters have chosen this us on Tuesday, September 20th, I had printed on colored paper, the color vary- play, not only because of its charms, hu- a call from West Sand Lake that the ing from one issue to another, and its mor and joie de vivre, but also because swollen streams were about to overflow contents are attractively presented under of its timeliness. For underneath the ro- their dykes at this little hamlet and pos- bold headlines and sub-headlines. At mantic plot runs a theme—a theme em- sibly repeat a catastrophe that occurred phasized the present it is published once a week. by dry humor of Aaron, a in a similar situation more than forty Connecticut Yankee, and the vitality and The first two issues, which were warmly years ago. enthusiasm of Max, a young Hessian sol- received by the paper’s prospective read- Our highway maintenance forces are dier who deserts the British army— ers, carried stories on merchandising, the organized so that I can reach them in theme devoted to the American ideals of coverage of the Blue Network facilities emergencies under normal conditions. equality and to “Life—Liberty—and the as determined by a recent survey made Upon such an attempt by telephone, I Pursuit of Happiness.” by NBC, expansion of networks being found all of the lines to have been de- used by advertisers, football scoops by stroyed by wind damage and there were importantly, however, we protected the various NBC associated stations, audi- no means of communication left between village homes of an otherwise peaceful ence surveys by individual stations and my location in Albany and patrolmen community, averting private property new additions to the NBC networks. scattered all throughout Rensselaer Coun- damage and undoubtedly human life de- It being a non-competitive publication, ty- struction. the NBC Transmitter formally salutes In distress I called up your Mr. Swan- I could not very well write you at less The NBC Station Digest and wishes it son, appealing for assistance of your length than this and accomplish a descrip- success and long-life. station. In just a few minutes a dignified tion of circumstances for which I am so announcement interrupting a regular pro- personally grateful and for which I ex- gram came through most clearly, asking tend the sincere appreciation not only our maintenance men in Rensselaer Coun- KDKA Celebrates Its of the New York State Department of ty, together with volunteers to report at Public Works, but the people of the Eighteenth Anniversary our emergency station in West Sand Lake. State of New York as a whole. When I arrived at this alarmed hamlet ( Continued from page 1) I realize that I hardly had a right to only forty minutes later, due to your as- of his early work at KDKA was presented expect any such enormous service from sistance, 89 husky men with shovels, on the air during the special broadcast a radio station of your importance but picks, and other tools, together with 8 on November 6. in sheer desperation in the midst of a trucks, a power shovel and equipment The anniversary exhibition in the NBC hopeless situation I appealed with only stood ready to receive my instructions. ** * studios included a radio facsimile re- a hope. And you responded. This could not have been accomplished ceiver and transmitter in full operation, I do not happen to know names of par- through any other means than that which demonstrating how pictures, news bulle- ticular gentlemen with whom I talked you so generously rendered to me. tins, printed matter and other text may over the telephone at your station, but We were able, through uninterrupted be flashed through the air and reproduced whoever they may be, I extend my fur- labors of this crew throughout the night, by the receiver-printer. Other radio equip- ther thanks. to fill with sand a thousand burlap bags, ment from early crystal sets to the last This is an unforgettable experience raise level of dykes, and confine waters word in modern phonograph-radio con- which will leave me restless until I en- of stream to this artificial channel, there- sole sets was also shown. counter a circumstance permitting me to by averting damage to our highway sys- reciprocate in at least some small 111 tem and two adjacent large bridges which An NBC hobby exhibit is planned ior the mez- measure. zanine floor in Radio City. AU NBCites wishing to would have amounted in monetary value, (Signed) articipate please communicate with the NBC ?ransmitter. to not less than $50,000. Much more J. W. Holler, District Engineer. 12 NBC TRANSMITTER

The NBC Transmitter salutes these Esther Ludwig of Commerce to enlist in the United States members of the National Broadcasting Coast Guard ... so that he could learn November 15, 1928, was a momentous Company who, this month, complete their the technical end of radio. At the end of day for Miss Esther Ludwig in more ways tenth year with the Company. three years the course was finished and than one. Not only was it her birthday, his cruise as Radioman First Class was but it also was the day she was engaged William R. McMillin completed. Wishing to be a landlubber as secretary in the Program Department once more, Mr. Williams joined the In 1928, when radio was still a way- of the National Broadcasting Company, NBC staff as control engineer in Washington. ward and temperamental child, few nurses which only a year before had opened of- During the ten years that have passed Mr. had the training or experience to care fices in Chicago. She has worked in the Williams says he has jumped from con- properly for her. Program Depart- trol room duties, to “field,” to transmitter. William R. McMil- ment ever since, He was appointed Field Supervisor in lin, when he joined and her present NBC as a radio op- 1935. job is seeing that erator at Station Ever since President Coolidge’s admin- continuities are at istration, Mr. Williams has been a mem- WJZ, Bound the right place at Brook, N. in ber of the presidential team. This J., the right time. NBC that year, was one means that virtually every radio speech Miss Ludwig be- of the qualified that each President of the United States ing interested in few. He was a dramatic work, has made, Engineer Williams has covered, graduate of the hustling along to all parts of the country W. R. McMillin tried for a script Esther Ludwig Capital Radio En- show, Keystone to make the necessary technical broad- in Washington, D. C., casting arrangements. During the present gineers Institute Chronicle, in 1929 and got the part of Schools, and administration the Field Supervisor and three U. S. Naval Radio the ingenue in the serial drama. She was Further- other of the presidential our Coast Guard Radio School. a big success and played the part for a members team active service as radio- have traveled with the President more more, he had seen year and a half until the show went off the in S. Navy from 1921 to 1926, than 75,000 miles. man the U. air. Though she has given up radio acting, in the Guard from 1926 to and Coast she is still continuing her vocal studies 1928. which began when she was still in high Frances Mellen After his job at Bound Brook, Mr. Mc- school. She was one of the outstanding Frances Mellen the Radio Ten years ago Mrs. Millin worked steadily with participants in the Tenth Anniversary was faced with the prospect of raising Facilities Group, New York City, help- Chicago Talent Show. a family suddenly left without a father. ing to make the slow painstaking advances favorite sport is golf, Miss Ludwig’s Having devoted all her years as a house- against undelineable factors that so — she the at which she excels in fact, won wife to her home and children, she had plague the vanguard of radio engineering low gross prize at the recent NBC outing. no training for any other occupation; achievement. Much of his work with the Asked what she would do given the however, she gamely sought work, and Radio Facilities Group takes him to other chance to back ten years and start all found it, as a maid at the old 711 Fifth stations in the NBC networks. He recently over again, Miss Ludwig replied, “I’d try Avenue studios of NBC. returned from Washington, D. C., where to get a job at NBC if I could, as the ten he spent several weeks conducting field NBC has grown with the years, and years I have worked here have been in- intensity tests and other work for NBC. today she is kept busy seeing that the teresting, exciting and happy ones.” studios are Mr. McMillin’s home is in Middlesex client’s rooms and speaker doing sewing jobs that Borough, N. J., where he has lived for the kept in order, odd tailor, serving at past ten years. He is married, and has Keith B. Williams cannot wait for the and Mr. Lohr in the three boys, William R., Jr., aged eight, Double congratulations are in order the luncheons given by gatherings she has Thomas Leslie, three, and James Robert, these days for Field Supervisor Keith B. Board Room. At these of our world. “They always one. Besides his work at NBC, Mr. Mc- Williams in Washington. He not only is seen the great she comments. Millin’s interests have thrust him pretty passing his tenth milestone with NBC but talk about business,” Toscanini surprised her. She had squarely into the tide of Middlesex Bor- is celebrating his tenth wedding anniver- Maestro mercurial temper- ough public activities. He has been Demo- sary simultaneously. heard stories about his cratic County Committeeman, a member Mr. Williams ament, but at a of the Beechwood Heights Fire Company, was born and rais- luncheon, he was serving as secretary and assistant engi- ed in Washington. “as natural as any

neer and as driver of fire engine No. 2, He started working other man. He just and for three years was a member of the when he was four- sat there and spoke Borough Police Force with (0, Doubtful teen years old as only when spoken Distinction!) badge No. 13. In the last an office boy with to. You wouldn’t School Board Election, he was defeated the United States think that he was by a scant 67 votes. Chamber of Com- the greatest con- Somehow, besides all this, he finds time merce. In 1925 Mr. ductor in the to pursue with zest his hobbies of garden- Williams resigned world.” Frances Mellen ing, fishing, and cooking. Keith B. Williams from the Chamber ( Cont . next page) NOVEMBER, 1938 13

Joe Hogan’s aptitude for method and During her years with us, Mrs. Mellen H. D. Zimmermann accuracy is as apparent in his favorite has raised a family of three children. Requisitions from the various divisions games — golf and bowling — as it is in John, the oldest, is married and has a of the Engineering Department for tech- his job. His golf is in the nineties and his family of his own. Vera, is a saleswoman, nical stock and supplies have been han- bowling is equally good. He was one of and Peter, the youngest, attends a local dled by H. D. Zim- the high-scorers for the General Service high school. He is mechanically inclined mermann, contact Department team which won the second and his mother plans an engineering ca- man with the Pur- half of the NBC bowling tournament last reer for him. chasing Depart- winter. ment, during his ten years with Richard W. Pickard Joseph F. M. Proulx NBC in New York. In to Phil- 1928, NBC and RCA decided The auditor of the NBC branch in Prior to joining construct special short-wave receiving adelphia, Joseph F. M. Proulx, became a the Company, he ago equipment at Riverhead. Long Island, for member of the NBC staff ten years was with a tractor trans-Atlantic broadcasts. It marked the when he joined the Auditing Department for two H. D. Zimmermann concern the beginning of NBC’s in New York. He was transferred to years, and he also expansion beyond office than two years Philadelphia more spent several years with Western Electric, the borders of the ago. as storekeeper. United States. Born in Richmond, Quebec, Joe Born in Germany, Mr. Zimmermann Among the engi- the Proulx received his early education at came to this country when he was less neers who were en- Sher- St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, than a year old. His family settled in Se- gaged to install brooke, Quebec. From school he went to Jersey, where he was reared caucus, New and operate the work for the Canadian National Railways and educated. At present, he lives in equipment, was a be- as car accountant, and subsequently Brooklyn with his wife and four-year-old twenty - year - old came an assistant agent and yardmaster. son, Robert. J9 youth, Richard W. R. W. Pickard That took him up to 1926 when he be- His chief hobby is driving the old fam- Pickard, who had came assistant agent for various stations ily bus about the countryside during vaca- been a radio operator at WSB, Atlanta, on the Long Island Railroad. In 1927 he tions and week-ends. His mileage so far Georgia. He got into the radio field via took a position in the accounting depart- is upwards of 150,000 miles — covering the “ham” route which then supplied of the International Business Ma- most of the United States as far west as ment many trained men for the growing in- in where St. Louis. chines Corporation New York dustry. remained until he joined NBC. While he Joseph W. Hogan When he was twelve years old, his with the I.B.M. corporation, Mr. Proulx father gave him a Gilbert receiving and If you should want to know what How- studied accounting and business adminis- sending set. That started him off. and by ard Hughes said to NBC listeners during tration at the Pace Institute. After being the time he was fifteen he had built his his recent epochal flight around the world, graduated from Pace, he entered Colum- own ham station and acquired a first NBC not only can tell you exactly what bia University where he majored in in- class telegraph operator’s license. Mr. Hughes said, but can also reproduce dustrial engineering. the broadcasts of that flight because NBC When RCA took over the trans-Atlantic Back in ’28 when the Accounting De- records most of its non-musical programs, equipment at Riverhead, Engineer Pick- partment was housed in a modest-sized particularly special events broadcasts. ard was transferred to the Research and room at 711 Fifth Avenue, everything was About seventy-five large discs contain a Development Division of the Engineering done by hand. Joe’s job was to check the record of the Hughes flight as heard over Department in New York. There he has reports of network programs of affiliated NBC networks. spent many years working on special stations. Those These, and thous- equipment for experimental and field were the hectic ands of other re- broadcasts. He assisted Development En- days when NBC cordings of NBC gineer Robert M. Morris in the design was bounding programs are stor- and construction of the first pack trans- ahead with such ed and methodical- mitter to be used for a parachute jump. rapid strides that ly filed in a small “Pick,” as he is called by his friends, is the accounting rou- air-conditioned now with the television group, as field tine was changed room adjoining the engineer. He has been with the television from month to Reference Record- group since 1936. when he was sent to the month in order to ing Room on the Empire State Building to help in the in- keep.up with ex- fifth floor of the stallation of the NBC television transmit- J. F. M. Proulx panding business. studio section in Radio City. ter in the tower. After a year at report checking, Joe The custodian of the storehouse of Pick is a bachelor. He is a lieutenant was moved to the Disbursement Division NBC programs is Joseph W. Hogan of in the Naval Reserve. His main hobbies under Tom Reilly when the two of them the Central Files Staff, who joined the are flying and photography. He has re- and Ella Sheil comprised the division. Company as a messenger ten years ago. corded the progress of NBC television This personnel was added to from time to He says that NBC is making more and with excellent pictures taken with his time but the most memorable addition, more recordings of its programs and that Leica. He flies his own plane and has a at least to Mr. Proulx, was made in 1934 the records take up most of his time in transport pilot's license. A constant com- when Miss Malene Paulsen, of Brooklyn, Central Files. So far this year, more than panion on many of his flights is his police joined the staff. In one year their ac- five thousand records already have been dog. Boy. Not long ago Pick got a play- quaintanceship budded into romance and cut, whereas in 1935 only 250 recordings mate for Boy— a Scotty pup given to him by romance blossomed into matrimony. were made. the late renowned aviator Frank Hawks. 14 NBC TRANSMITTER KDK A PITTSBURGH by Kay Barr

New Transmitter Site a ravine and up a hill. Horn looked at this Of Music & Musicians carry shot and weakened. Balloon antenna tests are under way Maurice Spitalny and the entire KDKA “Here,” he said, handing the driver to find a new and better location for the orchestra, including the singers, Faye to his caddy, “you shoot this one.” KDKA transmitter, including the 718-foot Parker and Billy Sherman, drove to To- So the boy aimed carefully, got his steel radiator which was dedicated just ledo, Ohio, October 22, to fill an engage- stance and swung. head of a year ago. The the club ment at a country club that night. struck dirt six inches behind the ball, The present transmitter plant at Sax- We Two Together, a new song com- snapped off and flew 30 feet. The ball onburg was designed as a high-power posed by Maurice Spitalny, KDKA di- rolled about a yard. commercial and experimental station in rector of music, and his chief trumpeter, A1 Egizi, was introduced to the audience 1929. It was re-designed a year ago to New Recording Outfit give primary broadcasting service to an by Mary Martha Briney, soloist on the KDKA has just received its new port- area ten times as great as that previously Festival of Music program, October 12. able recording outfit. Chief Engineer Joe provided with strong signals, and the Baudino and his engineers, will cut the Fashion Announcer new tower was a dramatic feature of that discs and at least a dozen uses will be Janet Ross, director of the KDKA improvement. made of the equipment by way of improv- Shopping Circle programs, made a defi- Since that time, it has become ap- ing service to clients, program produc- nite hit as commenting stylist at a (Kauf- parent that several years may elapse be- tion, etc. mann) department store style show, Oc- fore KDKA receives a license for more tober 10-11. power, so Westinghouse Electric and Dixon Joins KDKA The general scheme revolved around Manufacturing owners of Company, the Don Dixon, former director of musical the activities of Career Women, a type station, decided to move the transmitter clubs at Penn State, who has a number which Janet brought into the spotlight to a point within ten miles of the heart of of musical compositions to his credit, has with a series of interview broadcasts the city in order to give the metropolitan joined the KDKA staff as assistant to Li- some months ago, and the 11 scenes were area a more powerful signal immediately. brarian Betty Eisley. He is the talented worked out like so many radio broadcasts Saxonburg is 23 miles from the Golden young man who introduced the Varsiteers from KDKA. Triangle. to the air over KDKA. Detoured Tests with the balloon antenna and a Program Commercial commitments prevented truck transmitter are using 1000 watts. For Emergency Only KDKA from taking Dr. Walter Damrosch Two or three tentative locations are to be A few months ago a reserve telephone and his Music Appreciation Hour. In given thorough investigation before a final cable was laid betwen KDKA and the order that schools and other listeners in selection is made. The four short-wave GRant exchange by a route not likely to Pittsburgh might enjoy the weekly pro- transmitters of the International Broad- be disturbed by floods. Now a Diesel en- grams, an arrangement was made to feed casting Station W8XK will also be moved gine and A-C generator have been in- the broadcasts to WWSW. to the new location. stalled to keep the batteries charged in case the regular power lines fail as they Elk Hasenbalg did in the big flood of 1936. It’s “Hello Bill,” for Roy Hasenbalg, Golf Tournament This equipment will take care of bat- national spot sales representative of the Five foursomes of KDKA staff men, teries, microphones, relays, amplifiers and National Broadcasting Company at engineers and musicians revived the sta- enough lights to insure normal operation KDKA. He just joined Sheraden Lodge tion’s annual golf match at the Stanton during the emergency. No. 949, B. P. O. Elks. Heights Country Club, October 18, but those who didn’t participate doubt whether all the stories have been told. It was one of those kickers’ handicap affairs and rumor says Announcer Dave Garroway won out with an 83. Why shouldn’t he? Wasn’t he city champion in St. Louis for two or three years? But taking the handicaps into consid- eration, Bill Jackson, sales manager, and Buddy Murphy, of the orchestra, split the prize of two dozen golf balls with 72’s. Manager Sherman D. Gregory won a sweater that was given as a “door prize.” However, Walter Hagen Horn, Sales, furnished the best story with his score of “approximately 200.” Walter was doing everything wrong. His ball went so Cor- KDKA’s manager, Sherman D. Gregory, (at left, wearing a coat) helps Westinghouse engineer send up a giant balloon to determine a new site for the KDKA transmitter. Herbert rigan, the rest of the boys couldn’t tell Irving, chief operator of the transmitter, is at the reel to the left. Others in the picture are what hole he was playing. Joe Baudino, chief engineer of KDKA; Ralph N. Harmon, chief engineer for Westinghouse, Finally he came to a tough one over and Art Goodnow, assistant to Mr. Harmon. NOVEMBER, 1938 15

NEWSPAPERMAN JOINS NBC CHICAGO PRESIDENT LOHR'S STAFF by Rudi Neubauer Earl H. Mullin, former newspaperman, has joined NBC as a member of the that the apparition was a bit of tomfoolery New Employes President’s staff. He comes from Chicago arranged by the boys, and that it con- Jack H. Fern, graduate of Ohio Uni- where he worked for the Chicago Tribune sisted of Weddell’s hat rack, draped with versity and holder of a Master’s degree and the Herald Examiner. He also has the hunting togs and shotgun, and a rub- from the University of Missouri, has worked for an advertising agency in Chi- ber balloon with a face painted on it. joined the News and Special Events Di- cago as a writer of publicity and radio with vision. Hobart Donavan, formerly Sales Conference continuity. the John Barnes Company of Milwaukee, Mr. Mullin is a graduate of Northwest- Roy C. Witmer, vice president in Wisconsin, has been added to the Con- ern University. During his last two years charge of sales, accompanied by J. M. tinuity staff. in college he served as a police reporter Greene, of the New York sales force, for the City News Bureau. He is a member paid a visit to the Chicago headquarters. Nimrods of Sigma Chi Delta and Tau Kappa Ep- A luncheon was held at the Merchants and Bucky Harris is anxiously waiting for silon. Manufacturers Club, at which they and a chance to roost in the duck blinds . .. Born in Missouri, he was reared and Niles Trammell, vice president in charge Jack Reese and Fred Klein, of the Mail schooled in small towns along the Missis- of the Central Division, and members of Room, drove to Iowa over the weekend sippi River where the children, Mr. Mul- the Central Division Network Sales De- and brought back three ducks and four lin said, are known as “swamp angels.” partment discussed company sales pol- rabbits. The problem is how to divide Sometimes they are also called “river icies. the bag . .. Bob Brown reports that a rats,” Mr. Mullin added smilingly. tasty dish of partridge was served at his Bowling News In addition to journalism, Mr. Mullin home one recent Sunday. While driving has done various other things — “from The NBC Team of the Merchandise through the Skokie Valley on Saturday, counting railroad ties, to scrubbing decks Mart League is now in fourth place, hav- Bob ran over the unsuspecting bird . .. on river steamboats.” He considers the ing won ten games and lost five. The team Bill Weddell, Sales, recently went to story of the St. Valentine Day’s Massacre, average is 164, with Larry Dutton, Engi- northern Minnesota to join a group of which occurred while he was with the neering, sporting the high average of 175. Minneapolis advertising executives to go Chicago Tribune, as one of his most ex- Chicago employes are holding what is pheasant hunting. It was Bill’s first hunt citing assignments. termed an “NBC Bowling Jamboree” on and as hunting equipment was not in- the first Thursday of every month through- cluded in his wardrobe, his friends in the out the bowling season. The Jamboree William Ray, head of the Chicago Press Sales Department loaned him all the nec- arrival of starts at 9:00 p.m. At the October Jam- Department, announced the essary kit — boots, jacket, gun, hunting boree 24 employes participated. Joe William Bell Ray, 3rd, October 18. Master cap, etc. — and assembled it for him. Alusic, of the Engineering Department, William weighed 8 pounds and 2 ounces Bill bought the bullets. When Bill came with an average of 180, was high for the on his arrival. into the office, the assembled material men. Ruby Downs, of the Sales Depart- til gave him the scare of his life. Looming ment, and Irene Shields, of the Cashier’s up in the far corner was a tall figure with George Bolas, Sales Promotion, joins Department, were high for the girls. No bloodshot eyes leering out of a bloated the ranks of benedicts on November 10. scores were announced. white face. Weddell gasped, looked again, His bride will be Miss May Louise Go- The Chicago Federated Advertising and then mopped his brow. It turned out vanus of Chicago. Club invited NBC to enter a team in their Bowling League, so, on October 18 the NBC team marched up to the Gold Coast Alleys and found that their first opponent was the Columbia Broadcasting System. Our boys acquitted themselves nobly, winning all three games. Jim McEdwards, of the Sales Department, starred.

Here And There Maline Cooper resigned her position in Artists Service as secretary to Robert M. Kendall on October 31. A member of the NBC staff for many years, Miss Cooper

had to resign because of ill health. iii The men in the Communications De- partment broke the record for the number of messages handled in one day in NBC Chicago during the recent European crisis which had them going 24 hours a Bill Weddell (right) finds a fellow hunter Henry Guill, Communications Department, day. in his office in the Sales Department in Chi- and his fiance, Miss Irene Croix. The wedding On September 23 they handled 1971 cago just before he leaves for a weekend of takes place November messages. 24. pheasant hunting. (Read Nimrods.) !

16 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC SAN FRANCISCO by Louise Landis

Wedding Bells then gave it a unique ending which made Comings And Goings it legal. June is supposed to be the month of The recent meeting of Pacific Coast With Verna Osborne, coloratura so- weddings but what do NBC folk care Advertising Agencies at Del Monte prano, as bridesmaid, and Jack Edwards, about seasons? Cupid scored two bull’s- brought Vice President Don E. Gilman NBC scriptwriter, as best man, the couple eyes in the last few weeks, and another is and Sydney Dixon, Western Division met at the altar and Reverend R. L. Ray forecast for December. Sales Manager, so close to San Francisco read the marriage service. Then, while The newlyweds are Program Manager that they dropped in for a welcome visit to the organ pealed, the bridal procession Glenn Dolberg and Mrs. Dolberg, the their old stamping grounds. filed slowly to the front door where it former Miss Eleanor Rennie, and Special i r / broke into a Marathon. In Dolberg’s car, Events Director and News Editor Don he and the bride and the minister raced And Noel Corbett, now of the Holly- Thompson and Mrs. Thompson (Kitty back to San Francisco and to the bride’s wood Press Department, proved during his Morgan to her colleagues at NBC). The home where the reception was to be held. visit here last month that he still has bride and groom-to-be are Soundman Don With ten minutes to spare before the that mike instinct. Ira Blue put him On Fleming and Barbara Storey, also of the guests arrived. Rev. Ray pulled out the the Air (literally, that’s the name of Ira’s NBC staff. chatted little black book and read the service all KGO program) and Noel amiably Glenn Dolberg and his bride are mar- about Hollywood and even tossed in a over again. This time it was for keeps — ried twice as firmly as the ordinary bride “and worth it!” commented the bride- gag or two — just like a trouper. and groom — and thereby hangs a tale. groom as he hauled out a double fee for Transferred to Hollywood Their wedding was set for October 1 in the clergyman by members the First Baptist Church in Oakland The marriage of Kitty Morgan and Don Many farewells were bade of the staff in San Francisco to their col- where the bride sings solo with the choir, Thompson was sandwiched in between transferred to but when they stopped at the San Francisco two feature broadcasts — the inauguration leagues who have been marriage Hollywood’s Radio City during the past license bureau to pick up their of the O’Schaughnessy Dam at Hetch- weeks. Good luck wishes floated after license on their way to the wedding they Hetchy, and a special broadcast from few discovered — — Henry Maas, Jane Burns, Paul Gale, Isa- much to their dismay some foreign ships in port — directed and that since they had filed intention to wed announced by Don. belle Menden, Jimmy Lyman, Gladys in San the Ferguson. David MacPhail, John Wagner, Francisco, license was good On October 17 Kitty joined the NBC Cliff Anderson, Dresser Dahlstead, Wal- only in that county. Though Oakland is group, composed of Don Thompson, connected to San ter Lonner and Flo Clavere. Francisco by a world- George Greaves, field supervisor; Ed Cal- famous bridge it is in a different county. lahan, field engineer, and George Fuerst, What to do? California’s Personnel Shifts marriage law traffic manager, that went to Hetch has that three-day clause that With the transfer of Paul Gale to Hol- prevents Hetchy. As soon as he signed off from impulsive lywood. George Fuerst has been appointed weddings in any county. And the new dam, Don, with Kitty and Greaves, to replace him as head of the Traffic De- the guests already were on their way to embarked for Minden, Nevada, while the Oakland church. partment. and Robert Sandstrom has been What to do, indeed? Callahan and Fuerst headed back for San made assistant manager of the depart- Dolberg, who has been a showman too Francisco with the field equipment. The ment. long to let little problems like that hinder wedding party hopped off for Carson City him, lost no time in solving this one. He on October 18, where minister and license Madeline Attabit and Anita Gilmore raced across the bridge to Oakland with awaited. Thence they journeyed back to have been transferred from Press to Traf- his bride-to-be, arrived at the crowded ’Frisco for the other special events broad fic. church in time for the wedding to be cast — for come what may, “broadcasting Edward Ulrich has joined the staff as held before the assembled guests, and will continue as usual.” supervisor of the receptionists.

Cliff Anderson, who was presented with a red beret as a send-off gift before he left for Hollywood Radio City last month, wouldn’t wear the typical Holly- wood head-gear for this picture but gladly flashed that Anderson smile as the girls lined up for a farewell kiss. Pic- tured from left to right are: KPO-KGO Manager Lloyd E. Yoder, Education Di- rector Arthur Garbett, Production Man- ager Robert Seal, Producer Ned Tollin- ger, Program Traffic’s Frank Nelson, Or- chestra Contractor Rudy Pierce, Doro- thy Hill (at telephone) ,Writer Jeannette Spiegelman, Program Manager Glenn Dolberg, Program Traffic’s Florence Al- len, Soundman Jerry McGee (behind Miss Allen), Janet Sligh (seated), Cliff Anderson, Kitty Morgan Thompson, Helen Stewart, Barbara Storey, Sam Dickson and John Ribbe. NBC TRANSMITTER VOL. 4 DECEMBER, 1938 NO. 12

HOW THE WAGE AND NBC BOARD PROMOTES AMERICANA RECORDINGS HOUR LAW AFFECTS NBC TRAMMELL AND MORTON FOR FOREIGN COUNTRIES

NBC advised its employes last month A kaleidoscopic picture of the as to how the new Federal Wage and United States, of American people at Hour Act, which went into effect Octo- work and at play, is being drawn for ber 24, affects them. The two most im- French and Latin American listeners portant parts of the act dealing with in an ambitious series of recorded pro- minimum wages and maximum work- grams arranged jointly by the National ing hours per week do not materially Broadcasting Company and the Ad- affect NBC employes, all of whose ministration des Postes Telegraphes et salaries exceed the 25-cent minimum Telephones, the official French broad- for each hour’s work and whose work- casting system. than the ing hours are less 44-hour per Representatives of NBC and the week standard set by the law. Niles Trammell Alfred H. Morton P.T.T., will portray in Spanish. Portu- At no time in the history of the Com- guese and French every phase of Amer- pany has an NBC employe been paid Lenox R. Lohr, president, announced ican business, social and industrial less than 25 cents per hour in wages on November 25 the election of Niles life, in an encompassing series of on- and the average NBC employe works Trammell, vice president in charge of the-spot recorded programs to be less than forty hours a week. The law the Central Division, as executive vice broadcast to Latin American countries requires the employer to pay time and president. At the same time Alfred H. and in France by the P.T.T. a half at the regular salary rate for Morton, manager of the Operated Sta- Representatives of both companies, each hour’s work in excess of 44 hours tions Department, was elected a vice who are in charge of making the rec- per work week. NBC employes have president. ordings, left New York early last been advised that, in addition to any The promotions were the result of month for a 20,000-mile tour of the overtime money they may earn for favorable action by the Board of Di- country which will take them from working more than 44 hours in one rectors on Mr. Lohr’s recommendation coast to coast before they return to week, they will continue to receive pay- made at the hoard’s meeting on the Radio City about the middle of next ment of the customary dinner money the same day appointments were an- month. The expedition is in the charge for working at night, two and a half or nounced. Mr. Trammell will assume of J. Harrison Hartley, assistant di- more hours in addition to their regular his new duties on January 1, 1939, and rector of the NBC News and Special daily working schedules. Mr. Morton’s promotion became effec- Events Division. Announcers Arthur S. A 38-hour week, instead of a 44-hour tive on December 1. Deter and John A. Barrett, of the NBC ( Continued on page 15) As executive vice president, Mr. International Division, are making the Trammell will transfer his activities to Portuguese and Spanish recordings, re- LOHR INVITES NBC the Radio City headquarters in New spectively. The French recordings are FAMILY TO XMAS PARTY York where he will assume functions being made by Henri Diament Berger, of a general nature. His new position famous French motion picture pro- President Lohr has invited members will not be identified with any particu- ducer, who has been commissioned by of the NBC staff in New York and their lar department; it will embrace all de- the French Ministry of Communica- families to the annual children’s partments. Mr. Trammell’s successor tions to make a true sketch of the Christmas party in Studio 8H at 10:30 in Chicago has not yet been announced. American scene to better acquaint on Friday morning, December 23. This Mr. Morton is in full charge of Frenchmen with the citizens of the year, as in the past, Santa Claus will NBC’s operated stations and will con- Lhiited States. give away presents to all the children tinue in this capacity. A few of the many American activi- who come, and a Christmas play will Both promotions are in recognition ties the expedition will record are the be shown on the large stage of 8H. of years of service in the radio broad- construction of an automobile, mining The Christmas play, according to casting field. Mr. Trammell is one of the operations, the giant stockyards in Chi- George M. Nelson, of the Personnel youngest and best-known major execu- cago, the Hollywood movie lots, the Office, who is in charge of the prepara- tives in radio. He became associated opening of Congress, and descriptions tions for the party, will feature Madge with the Radio Corporation of America of many interesting landmarks, rang- Tucker’s child radio actors and Jolly in April, 1923, and since that time, his ing from Chinatown in San Francisco Bill Steinke, NBC’s perennial Santa career has paralleled the growth of to the Washington Monument and Claus. American broadcasting. Born in Mari- Lincoln Memorial in W ashington. D. C. Be sure to come with the whole etta, Georgia, July 6, 1894, he attended Frank E. Mason, vice president in family. Mr. Nelson says that he is pre- Sewanee Military Academy and the charge of the International Division, paring to receive a bigger crowd than University of the South. has announced that the Portuguese and ever before and that he’s sure it will be When the United States entered the Spanish recordings would supplement as big a treat for you as for the kiddies. ( Continued on page 8) NBC’s regular short-wave service. —

2 NBC TRANSMITTER

ENGINEERS LEADING IN NBC EMPLOYES VISIT A. A. BOWLING LEAGUE Qlljrtstntas Qireeftttgs RCA SUBSIDIARIES With twelve teams competing, the At the invitation of George K. Transmitter Bowling League sponsored by the NBC The has served Throckmorton, president of the RCA well Athletic Association, which started the happy purpose of Manufacturing Co., Inc., thirty-five better October 15, is winding up the first of acquainting us, one members of NBC from various depart- with the other, in the midst its three periods of the season. NBC ments in Radio City visited the RCA of a business probably more bowlers are divided into ten depart- plant in Camden, N. J., on November mental teams composed of men and complicated and exacting 17. than any other. Through The two teams of women. Late last month Led by Vincent J. Gilcher, director Transmitter, it found Engineering Team, No. 2, cap- is with deep of General Service, the NBC group pleasure I tained by George McElralh. at the head that wish each visited several departments of RCAM family of the list, with Engineering Team, No. NBC a Christmas of during the tour which lasted all day. 1, led by Captain George 0. Milne, in happiness and contentment, They were met by Julius Haber, who and filled second place and the team from the a New Year with is in charge of the Press Department Auditing Department, headed by Cap- health and opportunity. of RCAM, and taken through the tain Alexander D. Nicol, in third place. plant in groups of six conducted by Due largely to the indefatigable RCA men. efforts of George O. Milne, chairman of The tour started in the general offi- Lenox R. Lohr the bowling committee, this year’s ces where the NBCites met Mr. Throck- bowling league is the biggest the staff morton; thence, to the Engineering has ever had. Almost every department Department where the vice president of the Company is represented. So in charge, L. M. a 597; and Alexander D. Nicol, Audit- Clement, gave them many employes have turned out to play demonstration of facsimile broadcasts ing, was second with 583. Highest score on NBC night (Thursday) at the Radio being transmitted and received and for a single game was chalked up by City Bowling Alleys that there often then took them through the Photo- Albert W. Protzman, Engineering, No. has been a shortage of alleys to accom- phone section where sound equipment 2, who rolled a 232. Paul M. Mass- modate everyone. The feminine play- for motion picture houses is manu- mann, Sales, was runner-up with ers, however, have not been fully or- 229. factured. They saw many RCA prod- ganized and it is expected that more 1 he three highest averages for indi- ucts in the company’s showroom. There women players will participate in the vidual scores were made by Albert W. they saw burglar alarms, dressing mir- games during the second period of the Protzman, Engineering, No. 2, whose rors that automatically flashed lighted season which starts on December 22. average was 177 for 18 games; Peter advertisements at short intervals while If sufficient players can be persuaded G. House. Engineering, No. 1, with 175 they looked into them, a piano that to play regularly the committee plans for 9 games, and Alexander D. Nicol. produced its notes electrically instead to form a league. women’s women’s The Auditing, whose average was 174 for of mechanically by strings as in the teams are captained by Dorothy Michel 18 games. (Continued on page 14) of Traffic and Ella M. Shed of Ac- counting, respectively.

The standing of the departmental teams as of November 17 is as follows: TEAM WON LOST Engineering, No. 2 17 1 Engineering, No. 1 14 4 Auditing 11 7 Traffic 9 9 Artists’ Service 9 9 Treasurers 9 9 General Service, No. 2 7 11 Sales 5 13 Guest Relations 5 13

General Service, No. 1 4 14 The players on the leading team. Engineering, No. 2, are Albert W. Protzman, George McElrath, Raymond F. Guy, Courtney A. Snell and Edward R. Cullen. This is one of the two teams that represented NBC in the Rocke- feller Center Bowling League last winter. This year all NBC bowlers are playing in the interdepartmental These members of different departmental teams in the NBC Bowling League each won a league and no teams are playing in turkey for Thanksgiving. For being the high scorers in their respective teams. Lou Lewis, prizes. Front outside leagues. manager of the Radio City Bowling Alleys, presented them with the turkey row, left to right: Louis A. Zangaro, Traffic; Edward R. Hitz. Sales; George 0. Milne, Frank R. ffeitmann of General Serv- Engineering; Robert Thatcher, Engineering: Russell E. Humpfryes, Accounting. Back row: ice Team, No. 2, had the highest score Albert W. Frey, Sales; Alan Henderson, General Service; Robert Burholt, Treasurer; for three games during the series Robert S. Russell, Auditing, and Courtney A. Snell, Engineering. DECEMBER, 1938 3 NBC CHICAGO by John Lagen

Stork News Miss Elizabeth Hart, former an- committee in charge very thoughtfully nouncer at WNAC, NBC outlet in replaced it, presenting him with a huge On the night of October 25, Studio Boston, has joined the announcing ten gallon hat . . . Jack Frazer, Con- Engineer Ry Bierman did the inevi- staff. She is the only woman announcer tinuity, took Announcer Boh Broun in table corridor-pacing in the maternity in NBC Chicago. A native of Benton, their annual fall football betting. Jack ward of Westlake Hospital in Melrose Illinois, Miss Hart attended the Nation- picked the Navy each time— it’s his Park. Mrs. Bierman presented Ray with al Park Seminary in Washington. D.C., Alma Mater . . . Miss Francis Dixon, their second girl. They call her Bar- and received her college education at Production, and Miss Dorolh) Masters, bara. the University of Illinois, the Alliance Press, ardently attending their Spanish

Ship Ahoy! Francaise in Paris and Radcliffe Col- classes .. . Engineer Joe Conn is teach- lege in Cambridge, Mass. She is an ing Announcer Fort Pearson “dots and Engineer H. T. White is the latest accomplished pianist and an active dashes.” Soon Fort will lake his exam- member to join the NBC Navy. Engin- sportswoman. She likes sculling and inations for a radio operator’s license eer White has just acquired a new Sea plays a brilliant game of tennis. . .. The E. C. Cunningham’s, he’s NBC Bird type yawl and has named it Night Manager, gave an informal “Ghost.” AAA Departure Thanksgiving dinner for a small party Howard Marcusson recently resigned of NBCites . . . E. C. Carlson, manager The season over, dry docking has his post as guide on the Guest Rela- of Sales Promotion, is hobbling about replaced sailing for nautical minded tions staff to join the announcing staff with the aid of a cane. It’s not the Announcers Boh Brown and Louis of NBC affiliate station KWK in St. dictates of fashion ... he fell from a with Mrs. Roen Roen. ‘Skipper’ Roen, Louis. horse . .. To Rudi Neubauer goes the their acting as ‘first mate,’ put up yawl. Howard is a graduate of Chief An- credit of making bowling NBC’s favor- “The Owl.” nouncer Everett Mitchell's announcing ite winter sport. AAA school, and proved his talent by win- School Daze Announcer Bob Brown, away on a ning his new position in a competitive special event, enlisted the services of audition. If some of the boys aren't talking Ed Cerny, Music Library, and Rube out loud to themselves, then they car. Etcetera Carlson, Guest Relations, to do the be seen studiously developing the prop- dirty work on his sloop, “Apache.” The W. B. Drips, director of agriculture er technique of opening and closing two ‘sailors’ proved quite capable and of the NBC Central Division, lost his doors—for school is now in full swing. soon “Apache” was away for the sea- hat while attending the National Corn- The sound effects school, under the son. husking Championship. However, the supervision of J oin Horan, supervisor of Sound Effects, and the an- T ransfers nouncing school under the direc- Mrs. Martha Reinecker, form- tion of Chief Announcer Everett erly of Sales Promotion, has been Mitchell, are now conducting appointed secretary to R. M. Ken- weekly classes. dall, in Artists Service. Mrs. Visitor Reinecker fills the post vacated by Miss Maline Cooper who re- Major Lenox R. Lohr, presi- signed. dent. Mrs. Lohr and friends were recent visitors to the NBC Cen- Newcomers tral Division. Miss Mary O’Connell has been Bowling News transferred from the Telephone The NBC team in the Mer- Operating Section to Sales Pro- chandise Mart league is maintain- motion to fill the vacancy created ing a steady pace with an aver- by Mrs. Reinecker’s transfer to age of 18 victories and 12 losses. Artists Service. Miss Norma Ald- The team is in fourth place, only erson, from Central Stenogra- two games behind the league phic, replaces Miss O’Connell in PBX. AAA leaders. AAA The NBC Bowling Jamboree Francis J. Riordan has been attracted 32 participants on No- transferred from Audience Mail vember 3. Special efforts are be- General Charles G. Dawes, former Vice President of the to Guest Relations where he is ing made to attract an entry list United States and now a member of the NBC Board of now a guide, replacing George Directors, gets latest election returns from the News and of at least 50 NBCites for the Turner, deceased. Special Events Division of NBC Chicago on Election Night. Sweepstakes January 5. William Klomann comes to Shown from left to right are: Kenneth D. Fry. manager of In the Chicago Federated Ad- Special Events; General Dawes. Niles Trammell, vice presi- NBC from the Chicago Herald & vertising league, the NBC team dent in charge the Central Division of NBC, and Sidney N. is in Examiner to join the staff in the Strotz, manager of the Program Department and Artists sixth place, with an average Mimeograph Division. Service of NBC Chicago. of 9 wins and 9 losses. 4 NBC TRANSMITTER

William R. Nugent has been pro- Magazine. When the company moved NAMES IN moted in the Sound Effects Division its headquarters to New York, he was and is now an apprentice sound tech- appointed eastern managing editor. nician. John F. Anderson, from News From Fawcett Publications he went to THE NEWS and Special Events, is replacing Mr. the Frank A. Munsey Co., to become Nugent in the Sound Effects stock editor of Detective Fiction Weekly. It room; and William Eliscu of the page was at that time that he and a friend NEW YORK staff has been chosen to replace Mr. went into partnership to publish a new Anderson in News and Special Events. picture magazine, Everyday Photogra- Promotions Bill Nugent started in the Com- phy Magazine. Miss Lisa Lundin has been appoint- pany as a page four years ago and William Kostka is married, has a transferred the set-up staff in four-year-old boy, lives in ed to replace Bill Betts, resigned, as was to and Cos Sound Effects two years later. Jack Cob, Connecticut. staff assistant to Wayne L. Randall, also page, director of publicity. Her former post Anderson, a former has been AAA with NBC since 1931. Bill Eliscu, a Miss Aileen Soares, of the as secretary to Mr. Randall is filled by formerly Miss Elizabeth A. Emerson who joined graduate of Columbia University, class Federal Council of Churches for which of has been here more than one the Central Stenographic staff in Sep- 1936, she handled radio publicity, has joined year. tember. Miss Lundin, a graduate of the the staff of the Press Division. Miss AAA is filling University of Iowa, came to NBC from Soares a newly created post, the Curtis Publishing Company almost Dwane Stewart, page, who was temp- religious editor, and she will be re- two years ago. Miss Emerson, a native orarily working in the International sponsible for NBC publicity in the of Elkhart, Indiana, and a graduate of Division, has been made a regular religious press. She has written articles the Katharine Gibbs School in Boston, member of the division as assistant to for religious magazines and is now radio editor of Christian Herald and was formerly with J. P. Morgan and Carlos E. Bovet, musical director of Company as secretary to the personnel international programs. He is replac- Pageant, church publications, for each manager. ing Edward N. Beck who resigned from of which she writes a regular radio AAA the Company in order to continue his column. Miss Soares is a graduate of musical studies in Paris, France. Mr. Antioch College. Dwight B. Herrick has been pro- Stewart, a graduate of Carleton Col- AAA moted in the Guest Relations office staff lege, Northfield, Minnesota, with a B.A. Hudson Hawley, newspaperman of and is now in charge of studio and degree in music, came to NBC shortly years experience, has joined the television tour promotion. He is re- many after his with the of of placing Walter B. Davison who recent- graduation Class staff of the International Division 1937. the Department as news edi- ly was transferred to NBC Hollywood Program to from the to head the Guest Relations Division in tor. He comes NBC King Hollywood Radio City. Mr. Herrick’s Newcomers Features Syndicate, Inc., where he was a staff writer. promotion resulted in two other pro- William Kostka, former associate Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Mr. motions, namely: Birger Hagerth’s ad- publisher of Everyday Photography Hawley was educated at Andover Aca- vancement to the supervisor’s desk in Magazine, has joined the writing staff demy and Yale University, graduating the Broadcast Tickets Section, and of the Press Division to replace Eugene from the latter with the class of 1914. Walter Wiebel’s transfer from the uni- Speck who was recently transferred to He went to work on the Hartford, Con- formed staff to Mr. Hagerth’s former News and Special Events. necticut, Times, shortly after his gradu- clerical post in the same section. All Of Czech extraction, Mr. Kostka was ation, and left that paper three years three men started in the Company as born in Chicago where he attended the later to join the old morning Sun in pages four or more years ago. Mr. Her- public schools. He attended Knox New York. rick is a graduate of Colgate Univer- College, Galesburg, Illinois, where he sity, Mr. Hagerth attended City College became a member of the Sigma Delta He volunteered for Army service, of New York and Mr. Wiebel went to Chi, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Phi Beta enlisting in the 101st Machine Gun Bat- New York University. Kappa fraternities. After his gradua- talion, 26th Division, and after six AAA tion with the class of 1927, he went months’ service with it was transferred Stars Stripes, Miss Alice Bradford has been trans- to work as a reporter for the Chicago to the staff of The and of the American Ex- ferred from the Production Division Daily Drover Journal. Later, he went the official paper peditionary Forces. Mr. Hawley re- to the Publicity Department where she to New York City to work for the mained with The Stars and Stripes is now assistant and secretary to Julian International News Service of which until its discontinuance. For that work Street, Jr., replacing Miss Bessie Fea- he subsequently became Central Divi- he was awarded the Order of the Pur- gin, resigned. Miss Bradford is suc- sion Manager with offices in Chicago. Heart. ceeded in Production by Miss Alma In 1933 Mr. Kostka went with the ple Brohard from the Sales Department. Fawcett Publications, Inc., in Minne- After a spell in Washington, D. C., Miss Bradford, whose new position apolis, as editor of Modern Mechanix doing news and feature work, he re- deals with NBC publicity in maga- turned to Europe in 1921 where he zines, came to NBC from Time, Inc., NBC CHIMES—Looking for the ideal remained until two and a half years last January. She is a graduate of Law- Xmas gift? If so, you can’t find a more ago, representing American news agen- ingenious present than a set of hand rence College in Wisconsin. Miss Bro- cies and individual newspapers in chimes. Calls the family to dinner ... hard, a graduate of Agnes Scott Col- France, Italy, Germany, England and signals the maid .. . the same three notes lege in Georgia and the Katharine NBC uses on the air. Cost to NBC em- Switzerland. He travelled extensively Gibbs Secretarial School in New York, ployes is $2.00. In New York apply to in other countries as well and for fif- A. S. Hennig, Room 313. In other divi- joined the Company a year ago as a teen years he filed special wires for sions, place orders with your local auditor. member of Central Stenographic. Latin American countries. He was the DECEMBER, 1938 5

International News Service’s chief of in the Carmelite Church, New York Stork News director for City, 19. bureau in Berlin and on Saturday morning, Nov. Thomas J. Dolan, supervisor of the Central Europe during Hitler’s first Mrs. Robert Russell, whose husband Program Transmission Division in year of power, and successively bureau is also in the Accounting Department, Traffic, became the father of a girl, chief for the same agency in London, was matron of honor. The wedding Barbara Jean, on November 9. Mrs. Paris, Geneva and Rome. Returning to ceremony, attended by many NBCites, Dolan, nee Barbara Jean, was former- followed at this country he became staff writer was by a breakfast the ly with NBC in Sales Traffic. Papa for King Features Syndicate. He has Boulevard Tavern, Rego Park, Long Tommy reports that mother and child contributed articles and light verse to Island. have been doing very well. magazines, notably to the American A few days before her wedding, Legion Monthly. Miss Henderson, who has been with Resignations NBC more than ten years, was the George De Pue resigned from the guest of Transfers honor at a luncheon given in Company November 15, in order to Mrs. Beatrice Hurlbut was trans- Radio City by the girls of her depart- accept a position as assistant night ferred from Central Stenographic to ment. program manager at Station WHN, the casting office in the Production Di- Mr. and Mrs. Fautt went to Atlantic New York. During his two years with City their vision, November 15, to replace Miss on honeymoon. They are NBC, Mr. De Pue worked in the Guest in Harriet Holiday who resigned to be now residing Woodside, Long Is- Relations Division and in the office of married next month. Miss Holiday, land. Mr. Fautt is associated with William Burke Miller, night program who was with the Company more than Steinway & Sons.AAA manager. two years, became engaged to Douglas AAA Miss Helen Gugenheim, who re- Mook of Metuchen, N. J., in September. Wendell Banks Toby, who joined the signed from News and Special Events Mrs. Hurlbut, one-time public steno- page force a year ago, has resigned recently after being with the Company grapher in her home town, El Paso, from NBC in order to accept a posi- five years, was married to Dr. David Texas, has worked in various depart- tion with the National Credit Office, Jacobson on October 30, according to ments since she came to NBC in Au- Inc. reports from her home town, gust, 1937. San An- AAA AAA tonio, Texas. They are making their A. Ward Fenton, Jr., resigned from home at 273 East Lullwood Drive, San Engagements the guide staff last month in order to Antonio. Dr. Jacobson is associate Harry F. Wightman of the Music take a position as announcer for Sta- rabbi at the Temple Beth El in that Division and Miss Elsie Inslee became tion WJIM, NBC affiliate in Lansing, city. engaged last month. The wedding is AAA Michigan. A student in the NBC school set for January 12. for announcers, he got the announcing Frank Crowley of the Guest Rela- AAA post after an audition held in Radio tions staff was married to Miss Eleanor The engagement of Miss Katherine City. Dove Hoffmeir of General Sales and H. Fekety at St. Mary’s Church in AAA Yonkers on November 13. Following Scriptwriter Hubert V. Chain of Elec- Miss Dorothy Allred, secretary to trical Transcription Service an- the wedding ceremony, a reception was was Joseph J. Lilley of the Program De- held at the home of the bride’s parents nounced last month. The wedding has partment, resigned from the Company, in Yonkers. been set for it Christmas Day and will December 2, in order to accept a posi- The newlyweds went on a motor trip take place at St. Marks Church in tion with the Lord & Thomas adver- through New England on their honey- Jackson Heights, Long Island. tising agency. Miss Allred was presi- moon. They are now residing at 168 The announcement of their engage- dent of the NBC employes acting Radford, Yonkers. ment and forthcoming wedding came group, The Stagecrafters, which she as a big surprise to their friends. The helped to organize. Stagecrafters, of which they are both AAA active members, probably will never Read Wilson resigned from the Mail portray on the stage a more romantic Room staff, December 2, to accept a episode than the real romance of Kay position as announcer at Station Hoffmeir and Hu Chain, who first met WNOX, Knoxville, Tennessee. A form- when they joined the NBC acting group er radio and stock company actor, Mr. last spring. Wilson was a member of NBC’s train- Miss Hoffmeir, who has been with ing school for announcers. NBC five years, attended Columbia University. Mr. Chain has been with Miscellaneous the Company one year and a half. He Field Engineer Dewey Sturgell was is a graduate of Stanford University chosen to cover the Pan-American Con- and he also attended the Universities gress which is being held in Lima. Peru, of Grenoble and Paris in France. He this month. Mr. Sturgell sailed with was radio director at the Cornish NBC Commentator Edward Tomlinson, in School Seattle for three years before authority on political and cultural life coming to NBC. in South America, on the S. S. Santa Clara, November 25. The American Marriages Mr. and Mrs. Frank Crowley photographed delegation, headed by Secretary of after their wedding at St. Mary’s Church, Miss Mary E. Henderson of the Ac- State Cordell Hull, sailed on the same Yonkers, N. Y., November 13. Mr. Crowley counting Department was married to ship. Following the adjournment of is with the Guest Relations staff. (Read Frederick Fautt, Jr., at a nuptial mass Marriages.) ( Continued on page 15) 6 XBC TRANSMITTER

FIRST TELEVISION AUTO SHOW AIRED BY NBC NBC SAN FRANCISCO

The first experimental television by Louise Landis broadcast of an automobile show was Wedding Bells Lew Frost, executive assistant to Vice put on the air by the National Broad- President Gilman, Hal Bock, Western casting Company during the Auto By the time this issue is out, Bar- bara Storey of Program Traffic will be Division press manager, and Mrs. Show in New York last month. and Bock, were among the guests at a The program, broadcast on the after- Mrs. Don Fleming, honeymooning in Yosemite National Park. The mar- breakfast given by Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd noon of November 10, was witnessed F. Yoder at their beautiful home on by leading executives of automobile riage of Barbara and the NBC sound is scheduled for It Belvedere Island. companies and advertising agencies. man December 10. The program started with a review of will be a quiet, home affair, with rela- Equine Accident tives as guests, and Lois Berne of different makes of automobiles in Elvina Jensen, secretary to KPO- Rights Rockefeller Plaza. As each car drove Music as the bridal attendant. K.GO Manager Lloyd E. Yoder, is a Barbara will wear a gown of metallic up to the RCA Building, its arrival patient in the St. Francis Hospital, re- cloth and a sassy little chapeau to was picked up by the NBC-RCA mobile covering from a fracture to her elbow match. television unit and relayed by coaxial AAA and upper arm, suffered in a riding ac- cable to the transmitter in the Empire cident. The horse on which Elv ina was The days of commuting between State Building tower. The guests seated suddenly began to emulate an Hollywood and San Francisco are over watched the show through RCA tele- equine acrobat at a rodeo, stood on for Dee Waller and Fred Hegelund. vision receivers. his head and then on his hind legs, They were married early in November Representatives of the automobile until Elvina and he parted company. in Mexico, and Dee’s resignation from companies who drove up in their re- She says she can hardly wait until she the Press Department in Hollywood spective cars were greeted by E. P. H. gets out of the harness the doctor put took effect November 15. James, NBC’s sales promotion man- on her arm, to get hack on that horse Dee and the San Francisco producer ager. After the outdoor demonstration, and show him! met in the San Francisco offices of the program switched to the television Alpha Delta Sigma NBC, where she was a member of the studio, 3H. where official demonstra- Sales Manager William B. Ryan was Program Traffic Department. Since her tors discussed and displayed outstand- initiated as an honorary member of transfer to Hollywood last April she ing features of their cars and cutaway Alpha Delta Sigma, national advertis- and Fred have made many flying trips working models of the new engines. ing honor society, at its annual initia- between the two cities. Their marriage Warren Wade directed the televised tion recently. was a complete surprise both to Dee’s automobile show program, under the He is the third member of NBC to fellow workers in Hollywood and supervision of Thomas H. Hutchinson, be so recognized for outstanding work Fred’s colleagues in San Francisco. manager of the Television Program in the advertising profession of the Division. C. W. Farrier, coordinator Facific Coast. Mr. Gilman served last Reunion of television activities, was in charge year as national president of the so- of televising the show. California’s “big little game,” the ciety, and Sydney Dixon, Western Divi- annual conflict between Santa Clara sion sales manager, was made an hon- RADIO TALENT WANTED and St. Mary’s, brought some former orary member during the Pacific Ad- San Franciscans, now Hollywood vertising Clubs Association convention Would you like to take part in boulevardiers, back to Kezar Stadium. in Los Angeles in June. an amateur NBC employes show to be broadcast sometime in the very near future? Members of the NBC staff in New York who are gifted with musical or dramatic talent are urged to communicate with the NBC Trans- mitter. If you can sing, yodel, act, announce, or play the piano, violin, harmonica or some other instrument, or do imitations please write your name and talent on a memo and mail it to the NBC Transmitter. Room 284. You will be notified by mail as to the time and place for auditions. A committee of judges will hear and decide the auditions. Non-professional hut clever play- wrights are invited to submit humor- ous and original playlets of from five to ten minutes in length. Scripts must be submitted on or before December Six newly-wedded members of the NBC family in San Francisco compare notes. Left to 31. Do not hesitate to come to the NBC right: Special Events Director and News Editor Don Thompson. Program Manager Glenn Dolberg and Soundman Don Fleming, who seems to be getting some good advice from the Transmitter if you have any script two grooms who beat him to the altar by a month: Kitty Morgan Thompson. Barbara Storey ideas like to discuss before you would Fleming and Mrs. Glenn DolbeTg. Mrs. Fleming also seems to lie the recipient of a lot of putting them on paper. free advice on how to keep your mate happy. DECEMBER, 1938 7

f Witti l/(uVi fl

Rodney D. Chipps. . .. E. Gardner Prime, Legal, won a specially constructed “Doll House” located at the Willard white ribbon (fourth prize) with one of his horses—Ballela Corner, 14th and F —in the open class for heavyweight hunters at the Horse Streets N. W., were held

Show last month. . .. Page DeVere Englebach was recently on the last day of No- written into the Easy Aces script as singing orphan. . . . vember. Beginning De- Trade News Editor John Graham of Press is overdoing him- cember 1 and every self as an NBC publicist .. . the other day his three-year- morning thereafter un- old daughter’s aunt asked her what she had learned in til Christmas from 6:30 school that day and little Miss Christie Gail Graham replied, to 9:15 a. m. Hitten- .” “My NBC’s. . . mark broadcasts his Portuguese Announcer Arthur Deter of the International Timekeeper programs staff recently won a speech prize for an extemporaneous direct from the Doll address he made before a press luncheon in Chicago. . .. House. People drive Local Salesman and Mrs. Jere Baxter, 3rd. went to Chicago up during the day from during a recent weekend to see the International Livestock 6:30 in the morning

Show. . . . The Stagecrafters are busy rehearsing The Pursuit until 6:00 at night, de- of Happiness which will be ready for an audience very soon positing toys in the

. . . maybe next month ... we dropped in one one of their miniature structure. rehearsals the other night and saw a very earnestly played The doll collection will of the first to kissing scene . .. we’re still wondering whether they were John Law was one ])g turned over a^ain

com A " n cer G° r n HiUcn ' "acting’. .. . George Malcolm, of Guest Relations, says he -- this vear to the Me'tro- f, ?r w , isn’t sure about Santa Claus but lie’s almost sure the Stork politan I 1 D. C., to contribute a doll to his annual once epart- will come down his chimney on Christmas Eve. Christmas Toy Campaign. ment for distribution. 8 NBC TRANSMITTER NBC TRANSMITTER NBC HALL OF FAME Published for and by the employes of the National Broadcasting Company from coast to coast.

VOL. 4 DECEMBER. 1938 NO. 12 EDITORIAL BOARD Dom Davis Editor Carl Cannon Associate Editor George Olenslager Staff Writer Charles H. Newton, Jr. Staff Writer Charles Van Bergen Photographs Bill Eddy Staff Artist N. Y. CONTRIBUTORS William A. Garden Guest Relations Robert Lamkie Guest Relations

NBC BOARD PROMOTES DIRECT WIRE TRAMMELL AND MORTON Greenpeknt JER5EV_Cip

Mr. Morton left the College of En- gineering of the University of Illinois in the Spring of 1917 with a Bachelor of Science degree to attend the first officers training school. After being commissioned as a second lieutenant, he was assigned to the 12th Field Ar- tillery at Camp Deming, New Mexico. In September, 1917, two days prior to his planned sailing for France, he re- Proposed NBC Statue No. 9 and Citation Plaque ceived orders to report for duty as an artillery instructor. He ended his war- time service as instructor in military science at Columbia University, where INTERNATIONAL DIVISION he also did graduate work leading to the ,” degree of Master of Science. With interplanetary broadcasts to New Jersey “un fait accompli we Resigning from the Army with the of NBC in our inimitable nay, parade another group of pansophical rank of Captain, Mr. Morton joined the long distance artists, those nomadic, omniscient, linguistical acrobats, General Electric Company. Two years the International Group. later, he was named manager of the Recognizing full tvell the porosity of national boundaries in this age Washington office of RCA. of micro-waves, our polygot project teas launched to spread abroad in In 1923, he returned to New York brogue and patois, Chinook and Hindustani, the canards and gossip that to become commercial manager of comprise our daily news sheet. RCA Communications, and a year later Boasting aptitude in every language, except pantomime, we find these he was transferred to Paris as Euro- descendants of Babel living and working in utter harmony as they match pean manager of RCA. In January, jargon with gibberish in their eternal joust with perspicuity in the 1934, he again returned to New York mother tongue. as business manager of the Prbgram And so, recognizing full well the shortcomings of English in dedica- Department of NBC, and three years tory phrases, we simply offer this silent slab of granite to the Interna- later he was named general manager of tional Division. NBC Operated Stations. DECEMBER, 1938 9 KDKA PITTSBURGH by Kay Barr

Safety Patrol Series Mrs. H. P. Davis originated the an- Oil City, Pennsylvania, celebrated nual awards six years ago in memory “Million Dollar Holiday Week’’ from Having finished his football broad- of her husband; the custom to be November 25, to December 3, 1938. casts, Announcer Bill Sutherland continued during her lifetime. Judges Wednesday, November 30, was called launched a series of Saturday morning are named by the Microphone Play- “KDKA Day,” featuring personal ap- programs over KDKA in connection house, of which Marjorie Stewart is pearances of Announcer Ed Schaugh- with the School Safety Patrol on No- the director. ency and several acts from the station. vember 26. Safety Council and School Beal was a regular member of the authorities co-operated and some 200 KDKA announcing staff until a few Admiral Byrd At KDKA boys and girls in white harness were months ago when he was moved to the in the studio for the first broadcast. C. Dare Fleck, Traffic Manager, met continuity staff. Since that transfer he Weekly prizes are being given to the Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd face to has retained certain programs and has schools that do outstanding work in face for the first time when the ex- originated the popular Tongue-Twisters safety and the protection of the young- plorer was a guest of Janet Ross on an broadcast, heard every Friday evening. sters in crossing streets near the interview program late in November. He is a graduate of Carnegie Tech schools. Fleck’s voice was the first heard by Drama School. the Byrd parly after they landed at the Sick List Here and There barrier in Little America. That was December 29, 1928, and two days later Derby Sproul’s Program Depart- Announcer Bill Sutherland became Byrd wired KDKA the thanks of the ment at KDKA has been working under the father of a six pound-and-fourteen- expedition for the special broadcast. a triple handicap recently. Charley ounce baby, Charles Sidney, on No- Byrd autographed a photostatic copy Urquart, production chief, is still un- vember 19. That makes two boys for of that telegram for Fleck during his der observation at the Cleveland Clinic the Bill Sutherlands. Hospital with a mysterious malady that AAA visit to the studios. Ted Kenney, engineer, also met the Admiral during the puzzles even the specialists; Johnny And speaking of babies, Janet Ross, broadcast. Ted handled the dials for Shiliano, Sound Effects, has been out director of the KDKA Shopping Circle Fleck’s broadcast. with auto crash injuries, Bernie Arm- programs, has another namesake. Sev- strong, organist and production man, eral regular listeners have named baby KDKA Program Board has been out because of an operation girls for Janet. The last is Janet May on an infected foot, and Librarian Barner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl The KDKA Program Board (see cut) Betty Eisley was out with ptomaine Barner of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. has been so successful as a guardian of poisoning. And the whole KDKA staff AAA the station’s program policies that was handicapped by the ten-day ab- Dave Garroway, announcer, is get- Manager Sherman D. Gregory is plan- sence of Edith Hingley, switchboard ting so much mail on his You Don’t ning to increase its duties and respon- operator, who was down with the grip. Say programs that he has employed sibilities. Margie Anderson to help him take care It is planned to have the board audi- Beal Gets Award of the correspondence. tion new sustaining features and to re- Bill Beal, of KDKA, is the winner AAA organize or replace programs that are of the 1938 H. P. Davis Memorial Officially, Clarence Pettit is director not “clicking” 100 per cent. The board Announcer Award. Walter Sickles, of of public relations at KDKA. Unoffi- will listen to and analyze programs WWSW, received first honorable men- cially he is the staff orator. Radio that are not up to KDKA's standards tion, and David Garroway, of KDKA, Back Stage, and And Now Conies Tele- of program popularity before propos- received the second honorable mention. vision were the titles of his two recent ing any changes to improve them or Beal received a gold medal and $150 addresses before Schenley High School before deciding to replace them with in cash. and the Drama League Institute. new shows.

Announcer Bill Beal (right) accepts the

H. P. Davis Award for Announcers for 1938 KDKA’s Program Board appraises programs, gives auditions, seeks new program ideas and from L. W. Chubb, director of the research cleans house periodically. Left to right, they are Manager Sherman D. Gregory, Clarence laboratory of Westinghouse Electric and Pettit, director of public relations; William E. Jackson, sales manager; W. B. McGill, Manufacturing Co., during a special broad- manager of sales and station promotion; Maurice Spitalny, director of music; Derby Sproul.

cast over KDKA. program manager, and J. E. Baudino, chief engineer. :

10 NBC TRANSMITTER

N B C HOLLYWOOD by Noel Corbett

Charles Brown, sales promotion man- the mail addressed to Crosby’s Toluca ager. and Carlton E. Morse author of Lake home. One Man s Family. Blimp Tour California Fire Most newcomers to Hollywood gen- When brush fires raged throughout erally take their time poking around the Santa Monica Mountains, causing getting acquainted with this part of several millions of dollars damage and California. endangering many homes of movie Jim Lyman, Auditing, decided wast- stars. Buddy Twiss, announcer in ing time and gasoline was too tedious charge of special events, was on hand for him. A couple of weeks after he with his portable mike. Western Division Sales Manager and Mrs. was transferred from San Francisco, Sydney Dixon photographed at the recent Bob Brooke and “Miv” Adams set Jim and Mrs. Lyman took a scenic ride Monte, convention of the A.A.A.A. in Del up the field equipment at a spot where over Hollywood in the Goodyear California. the flames were thickest. blimp, “Volunteer.” Fire travels fast though, and ten

Happy Yuletide minutes later when it came time to go The NBC Dramalogue Christmas message from Don E. Gil- on the aii, the fire was over a mile The NBC Dramalogue put on Act man, vice president in charge of the away. III of l\o More Ladies, November 30, Western Division in Studio B. The program which was ATE Dance heard via the latest public ad- “This Christmas of 1938 is indeed RCA The ATE will have their first annual dress system, with Studio a happy Yuletide for us in the Western Engineer dance in Hollywood right after the Division. Murdo MacKenzie at the controls, fea- holidays. R. G. “Denny” Denechaud, tured Janette White, Evelyn Herman- “In the past decade we have grown studio engineer, expects over four hun- son of Program; Margery Wright of from a tiny group to a vast organiza- dred to attend the affair which will be Music Rights; Myron Dutton and Joe tion. We have entered new fields and given at the Biltmore Hotel. Parker, directors; Helen Aldrich, have accomplished much. Sales; Max Hutto, Mimeograph, and “Now that we are in our new Holly- “Miv” Confesses

’ George McMenamin, General Mainten- wood Radio City, our Christmas is After all this time, Marvin “Miv ance. complete.” Adams admits he was married Septem- Winslow at ber 7 to Miss Emmy Lou Officer Charlie McCarthy NBC Entertains I. R. E. Las Vegas, Nevada. “Miv”, who is Charlie McCarthy is now an honor- A. H. Saxton. Division Engineer, field supervisor in Hollywood, was ary member of NBC’s police force in played host to sound engineers from formerly in the San Francisco office, Hollywood Radio City. It all came motion picture and radio studios Tues- and was one of the lucky men who about when the little wooden-headed day evening, November 22, when more made that trip to Canton Island to gentleman got chummy with Special than 400 I. R. E. members visited Hol- cover the eclipse. Officer Patrick Burns in a lywood Radio City last month. James R. F. Schuetz, engineer in charge of Mail Service De-Luxe equipment installation, spoke on “New Norman Noyes, super- Facilities in Hollywood.” “Miv” Adams visor of pages, reports there gave a talk on field equipment, and shouldn't be any complaints Harry Saz and his boys put on a sound on the mail pick-up service effects exhibit. in his department. The meeting was followed by an in- Bing Crosby was sup- spection tour of the new studios. posed to pose for some still Boh Brooke, studio engineer, is pictures in a tuxedo and chairman of the Los Angeles chapter makeup, so he had his of the I. R. E. valet bring his makeup kit and tux accessories to the Institute of Radio studios. The valet brought Don E. Gilman, vice president in them all right, hut by mis- charge of the Western Division, was take set them down on a the principal speaker before the first desk mail box in one of the annual Institute of Radio held at the offices. Noontime finds these teams making the Hollywood Recrea- University of Southern California, Fri- Two minutes later one of tion Center’s howling alleys really sizzle. Left to right, day, November 18. the pageboys came along, back row. are Myron Dutton, director; Marvin Young, The general session closed a series noticed Crosby’s name on assistant to John Swallow; Waller Bunker, production took it to the of meetings attended by leaders in the package, manager; John Swallow, program manager of Western broadcasting. mail room and five minutes Division. Front row: Buddy Twiss, announcer in charge of Other speakers included Marvin later the tuxedo, accessories, special events; Carlton Morse, author of One Mans Family; Young, assistant program director, and makeup kit and all, were in Joe Parker, director, and Joy Storm, announcer. DECEMBER, 1938 11 NBC HOLLYWOOD

( page Continued from preceding ) KYW PHILADELPHIA

by J. A. Aull

Sock and Buskin Personal Tid Bits

With everybody still digesting While Jan Savitt, music director of Thanksgiving Day turkey at this writ- KYW, and his KYW Top Halters are ing, KYW thoughts already have on another tour of New England states, turned to Christmas. The Sock and Nathan Snader, first violinist of the Buskin group of able amateur actors KYW orchestra, has been named act- have turned their attention toward a ing director until Jan returns some- new opus which they claim will far time after the first of the year. the exceed their first radio efforts of last Snader has been with orchestra Hall owe’en. At that time they socked for the past two years. Before that he their listeners plenty by buskin into was the youngest member of the Wash- Orchestra he the airways for the first lime in their ington Symphony where soloist lives. was assistant concert master and of 19. is of John Thorp, of the announcing staff, at the age He a graduate who guides the destinies of this up and the Curtis Institute.AAA Don E. Gilman, vice president in charge of coming group, is keeping all plans the Western Division, greeting Charlie Mc- safely under the hat. He does promise, Mr. Joy has been appointed a Carthy and Edgar Rergen on the steps of however, that the talent of the last show member of the Radio Council of the t lie new Hollywood Radio City. will be heard from again around De- National Foundation for Infantile crowded corridor after a recent Chase cember 24th. Those who took part in Paralysis. AAA and Sanborn broadcast. the last skit were Kathryn l liman, During the conversation with Char- secretary to Lambert Beeuwkes; Helen Leroy Miller, Musical Clocker and of nonsense, at a lunch- lie, Officer Burns had to go to another Pearse, secretary to A1 Walton; Mary panderer spoke end of the building. He suddenly Wilcox, hostess; Jack Pearce, of the eon meeting of the Camden Fire In- missed the badge on his coat and hur- Mail Department, and Bill Lang and surance Association at the YMCA in 16. invita- ried back to find Charlie in the middle Harry Wood, professional announcers, Camden on December The tion mentioned that they asked him of a lobby directing traffic with the who put the play on and off the air because of the missing badge on his smart evening on schedule. most Association’s members were chronic listeners to his pro- coat. A friendly squabble over the The Mask and Wig gram. badge ensued after which Charlie re- AAA turned the badge to Burns who prom- At the invitation of General Man- Leslie John Thorp, director of the K. F. I). ised to forget the encroachment upon ager Joy, KYW played host to program, heard every morning his territory for an autographed pic- members of the widely known Mask 1020 over complained on the air the ture of Charlie. The photograph, which and Wig Club, dramatic society of the KYW, University of other day that he was saying a lot Burns sent to a relative in County Pennsylvania, last month, in about church suppers and rural fes- Cork, Ireland, was autographed, “From connection with this season’s production of All tivities but so far hadn't been able to one good Irishman to another.” Around the Town. This was quite in keeping for two reasons. attend any of them. The next day the Meredith Willson Resigns First, because Mr. Joy is a Penn grad Hershey Industrial School sent him a Meredith Willson, for six years and a member of the club. Second, be- big box of fried chicken legs and Western Division Musical Director, is cause the show deals with a radio gizzards. resigning from NBC in order to devote studio in the first act and the boys AAA all his time to commercial program wanted first hand comment and criti- Sales Promotion Manager L. B. commitments which are so numerous cism from those “in the know.” On the Beeuwkes has a surprise Christmas he no longer has time to devote to his twenty-eighth, the club reciprocated card in store for several thousand duties with the Company. He will con- with a half-hour program from the friends of KYW. They’re going to re- centrate on his duties as musical direc- studios which was carried by the net- ceive KYW greetings direct from Beth- tor of Good News of 1939 and the works. lehem in Judea. Signal Carnival, NBC programs in KYW broadcasting the which he has been featured. election returns last month direct from the Quick Pix United Press Bureau in Bob Moss has been transferred from Philadelphia. From this corner of the U. P. Bureau

Engineering to the staff .. . Production the words “Governor Earle Andy Love, in charge of Literary concedes the election” were Rights, spoke at Pomona College, No- flashed to a waiting world minutes vember 10. His subject was “Oppor- before any other radio station. Left to right:

tunity in Radio for Ladies” ... Young Announcer Bill Lang. Pub- Bill Howard, page, formerly of the licity Director Jim Aull. New York staff, took a leave of ab- Westinghouse Engineer Les Schumann, Announcer Dan sence to visit relatives in London ... Munster and Auditor Joe Alice Tyler, secretary to A. H. Saxton, Proulx who acted as editor plans to spend Xmas in San Francisco. that night. —-

12 NBC TRANSMITTER

The NBC Transmitter salutes these this—- It is easier to get another ac- the Navy eight years, his first assignment after his graduation from the members of the National Broadcasting count than another script. Company who, this month, complete (Signed) Fred Allen radio school being at NAA, the naval radio their tenth year with the Company. station in Washington, D. C., Wanda Woodward which today gives NBC listeners the Edward R. Hitz Wanda Woodward, efficient head of exact time every day at noon. Mail De- Ten years ago while Edward R. Hitz the San Francisco Audience After serving on land, he was se- is of the most popular lected the was in the advertising department of partment, one by late Admiral W. H. G. personalities in the Western Division. Bullard to the Asia- the New York Daily News he received accompany him on the letters an offer from the She and her staff handle all tic Fleet. He was with the fleet five National Broad- that are received at the KPO-KGO years during which time the terrible casting Company offices, and dispense information on Japanese earthquake of 1927 took the sun. place. to join its sales every subject under Radioman Bennis was among a resi- those of the staff. He hesitated Fong Navy who were sent to Fran- to accept the pre- dent of San Yokohama to help the Red Cross care ferred position cisco, Miss Wood- for American citizens and to assist the because radio was ward was born in Japanese in cleaning up the city and taking care new as an ad- Laurel, Oregon. of the wounded. Near the had end of his service vertising medium Her family Mr. Bennis had one and because NBC just moved to of his most memorable experiences in had cautioned San Francisco the Navy when, while at Gibraltar with Edward R. Hitz the 1906 the Naval yacht, Isabel, he the him that “we when had fire broke out. pleasure of meeting Guglielmo Mar- have something to sell but we are not Although she was coni and the privilege of being among certain yet what it is.” He asked the too young to re- those who were invited by the late in- advice of older men in the advertising Wanda Woodward member of ventor to visit his famous yacht, Elet- field and they all said, “Why not take a much the catastrophe, she does recall living tra. chance? It’s new and it may grow into in “That visit something.” a box car for several weeks when her on the Elettra,” said Mr. Bennis, “was Mr. Hitz took the chance and every- home was burned down. more thrilling to me than all the typhoons, earthquakes and fight- thing seems to have turned out for the The NBC staff was still small when ing I saw in the Orient.” best because he is still with NBC. He Miss Woodward joined it in 1928. She is now a national network salesman was telephone operator, hostess and In December, 1928, Mr. Bennis left in the Sales Department in New York several other things in those days the Navy to join NBC in New York. where he has been during his entire sometimes in turn and sometimes all He started in as telegraph operator, career with NBC, with the exception of at once. handling traffic orders in the Engineer- ing Department. two years he spent as NBC national “What do people write to radio sta- Since then NBC has replaced its sales representative in Philadelphia. tions about?” she was asked. “What telegraph keys with teletype machines. After a short period Mr. Hitz comes from a talented fa- don’t they!” she replied. “Love, money “pounding brass” he was made a studio mily. His sisters, Elsie and Gertrude, troubles, cooking recipes, jobs, family engineer and later he served with the are famous actresses of the stage and problems, religion and of course— Field Group. In 1935 he was appointed radio. He is married and has two ladio programs!” She replies sympa- to the Master Control staff. daughters, one three years and the thetically to the kickers and complain- other six months old. He has a home ers, cheerily to the lonely, and thank- Charles Bennis is married and his in Westport, Connecticut. fully to the appreciative. home is in Brooklyn.

One of Mr. Hitz’s big accounts is the Charles L. Bennis Frank Murtha Bristol-Myers show with Fred Allen. The son of a railroad telegrapher, As the NBC star rose in its ascen- Mr. Hitz recalled how, a number of Charles L. Bennis of the Master Con- dancy, Frank Murtha of Artists Service years ago, when Fred Allen started his trol Board staff in Radio City started rode right along with it. Following present series on the air, the comedian his career in the a respite of a few used to bring his scripts, written in field of communi- years in Wall long hand, to Mr. Hitz who would cations as a rail- Street, Mr. Mur- check them and then have them mimeo- road telegraph tha joined the graphed. Once, much to Mr. Hitz’s operator. Then NBC page staff chagrin, the script was lost while en- he joined the at 711 Fifth Ave- route to the mimeograph room, and Navy in 1919 nue ten years ago Mr. Allen had to sit up all night writ- and studied radio and progressed to ing another from memory. The follow- telegraphy in the the position of ing day Mr. Allen sent him the sub- receptionist for stitute script with the following note: Naval Communi- Dear Ed, cations School. the Artists Bu-

For goodness’ sake don’t lose Charles L. Bennis He remained in Frank Murtha ( Cont . next p.) DECEMBER, 1938 13

reau of that period. When NBC moved the United States at the time he was Jr., and his young assistant, Edward its quarters to Radio City, he was born three months ago when Walter Prince. placed in charge of the records con- Winchell, whose Sunday evening broad- Mr. Prince, who left high school cerning artists’ activities. casts are regulated for the airwaves by when he was sixteen in order to join At present, he is assistant to George Engineer Clayton, announced his birth NBC, completes his tenth year with the Sax, in charge of sustaining bookings. on the air and in his newspaper Company this month. He started in the George and Frank have been buddies column. Mail Room where he was subsequently for over fifteen years. In the NBC tenth Engineer Clayton is active in the placed in charge of the stamp desk and anniversary show, in November, 1936, ATE (Association of Technical Em- of the financial records. That led to they won second prize as a pair of ployes). He has been secretary of the his promotion to the Engineering De- blackface comedians. ATE chapter in New York for four partment in 1934. bachelor, and a native New years. A Edward Prince got married five years Yorker, Mr. Murlha lives in Brooklyn. Stephen Varley after joining NBC and he is now the Included in his extra-curricular activi- Born on a small farm in County father of a two-year-old boy named ties is the job of Master of Ceremonies Galway, Ireland, Stephen Varley of the Edward Robert. Asked about hobbies, at the Hat Social Club. Top Building Maintenance Division came he said he had no lime for them. He Claude L. Clayton to America at the age of 19. He was prefers to study and is, at present, the third of a family of taking an evening course in In 1915 the British Army was ship- member ten Mechanical sons to come to Drafting at Long Island ping troops to Egypt to defend Great High School. this country. Britain’s interests in North Africa He is a native New Yorker and he Shortly after his during the War. received his early education in the arrival, he found Aboard one of city’s public schools. During his last a job in the Gen- the army trans- year in high school, before he came to eral Service De- ports was a young NBC, Edward Pr ince worked nights partment of NBC soldier whose for the New York Daily Mirror as where has duties during the he copy boy. served faithfully voyage were to since December act as “nurse- Waldo D. MacQueen 31, 1928. maid” to a bunch

“Steve,” as he is ~ . ... Waldo D. MacQueen, this month, of mules. Not be- . . , Stephen Varley known to his as- completes his tenth year in the Main- ing very enthusi- sociates in Radio City, received his early tenance Division of the Engineering astic about his assignment, he education in Irish parochial schools. Department in After school he went to work as a gar- New York. He performed his duties inefficiently and dener before deciding to follow his came to NBC was about to be thrown into the brig older brothers to America. Once here from the Navy for his negligence (he failed to clean he continued his studies at the Bryant where he served out two stalls one day) when the radio High School in Long Island City. eight years as shack recruited him for emergency Recently, another of Steve’s brothers radio operator. service. came to America and is now a clerk. Mr. MacQueen And that is how Claude L. Clayton He, Steve and an older brother, who was born i n broke into radio. He had learned about is an accountant, live with an aunt at Maine and reared wireless telegraphy at the military Rego Park, Long Island. The other in Boston where training school in Salisbury Plain in brother in this country is a policeman he attended the the South of England, and during the W. D. MacQueen and he has his own family and home. public schools. remainder of the War he served in the The other six brothers are at home. With the intention of learning radio artillery signal corps of several cavalry Four years ago Steve went to visit them telegraphy in the Naval Radio School, divisions. After the War, he went to and his parents at the old farm. It was he joined the Navy right after his sea as merchant marine radio operator a happy reunion, he said, and he is now graduation from high school. \ear for six years. Then he settled in Bos- A planning to go home again for another later, after his training in the Naval ton for two years, studying music and visit. Radio School, he was assigned to sub- learning to play the piano at the New marine duty for three years until the England Conservatory of Music. Edward Prince end of his enlistment. Yearning for His music studies were not meant to The Cost Accounting Section of the travel abroad, he re-enlisted in the supersede his career in radio; they Engineering Department in New York Navy and joined the European Squad- were planned to complement his train- consists of two ron which took to almost every ing in radio with an eye to radio men whose duties him port in Europe and North Africa. broadcasting. After two years in Bos- are principally ton he got the job he wanted—studio the preparation During his second enlistment, while engineer for the National Broadcasting of appropriation he was on land duty at the Naval radio Company in New York. His musical and budget rec- station in Philadelphia, Radio Opera- training has been invaluable in his ords, and the tor MacQueen got married and that studio work and Mr. Clayton will maintenance of a was the principal reason he did not never regret those two musical years. record of all the re-enlist at the end of his eighth year. Born British, Engineer Clayton is expenditures in Mr. and Mrs. MacQueen now have a now an American. He is married and the department. daughter, Elizabeth, eight years old, has one boy, Claude, Jr., who was They are Engi- and they have a home in Oceanside Edward Prince probably the most well-known baby in neer James Wood, Long Island. -

14 NBC TRANSMITTER

NBC EMPLOYES VISIT WCY SCHENECTADY RCA SUBSIDIARIES by W. T. Meenam ( Continued from page 2) ordinary piano, police and airplane radio equipment, the latest RCA receiving sets and parts, and a dozen other RCA products and recent inventions. Before lunch in the RCA dining hall, the NBC members met Dr. V. K. Zworykin who took them through a section of his laboratory where he showed his latest inventions and developments for television and a new gun- like microphone for picking up sound from a distance without using a parabola. After lunch the tour of inspection was continued in the plant where RCA sets are made. There they saw how the chassis of a set is assembled by assembly lines, in the same manner that automobiles are assembled, and, fin-

7 ally , how the chassis is placed in its cabinet. They also saw practical demonstrations of the manufacture of RCA Victor records. The Kitchen Studio at WGY, Schenectady, which has a large window through which visitors may watch the broadcasts of the station’s cooking experts, Betty Lenox (Tight) and Martha Tom Joyce, advertising and sales Rrooks. promotion manager, addressed the

NBC group before it left Camden at Rabbits that 5000 people attended the ball for Pheasants and the end of a visit which is expected to which NBC had provided three orches- When Howard Wheeler of WGY’s be followed by many7 others from NBC. tras—the units of Blue Barron, Gordie technical staff goes hunting, he takes I lie visit, which was arranged through Randall and Freddie Goodman. In ad- camera as well as gun, knowing that the Personnel Office of NBC, is part dition, there were several entertainers none will believe his tales of success of a reciprocal plan in which mem- headed by Fifi D'Orsay. Rad per- without pictorial evidence. Recently he bers of the RCA Family may learn formed as “straight" man for Fifi’s brought hack a picture of his setter, more about each other’s companies comedy and it is reported that the fea- Don, and the hag for a day’s hunting, by exchanging visits. Three months ture included a demonstration of oscu- two pheasants and a rabbit. ago a number of RCA executives from lation after the D'Orsay manner. Mv— A day or two after this hunting ex- Camden visited the NBC offices and My! pedition Charles J. Dickson of the studios in Radio Citv. New York Engineering staff arrived in On November 22 another large WGY Notes Schenectady to take off for the hunting group of NBC employes, headed by ground. He was accompanied by two Kenneth Hallenbeek has succeeded C. W. Farrier, coordinator of NBC’s other NBC engineers, and all were Mrs. lone Caranchini in the Press De- television activities, visited RCA’s properly fitted and armed. Fortune, partment. lone was married recently to transmitters at Rocky Point and River- however, didn't smile and they returned Silvio Caranchini of the control room head, Long Island, and on December weary and without a trophy. Dickson, staff. 1, a third group, headed by C. A. by the way. borrowed a print of Wheel- AAA Rackey, audio facilities engineer, made er’s dog and the pheasants. Howard a tour of the offices of the RCA Com- Jack Keane, WGY’s chief usher, doesn’t know what use the picture was munications, Inc., on Broad Street. spent the Thanksgiving week-end in put to, but he does wish it understood New York Citv. New York. Jack, who was associated that the dog and the game are all his. with the Ray Strong and Pete Narkon, also New York-NBC Guest Rela- are now in demand and three tions Division for three years, is plan- two of the engineering staff bagged a pair weeks in advance of performances. ning another, and very important trip of pheasants and a rabbit. W. J. Pur- to New York for the Christmas holidays. cell and Albert Knapp also hunted. Bowling While there he will be married to Miss The bowling league is in its fourth My! My! Winifred O’Rourke, on December 26. week, with the Whistles holding a two- Radcliffe Hall, announcer and pro- game lead over the Statics, Faders, Rip- 1 1 ,347 Visitors duction man, proved himself equal to ples and Howls, all tied with five a brilliant personal appearance assign- The Little Radio City'—that’s what games won and four lost. There are ment, Thanksgiving eve, when he per- WGY ’s new studio building is called in six teams in the league, which is pre- formed as master of ceremonies at the the Mohawk Valley—attracted 11,347 sided by John Howe of Sales. At the annual ball of the Schenectady Perma- visitors during the month of October. moment, Radcliffe Hall holds the rec- nent Firemen’s Association, at the new Audience shows continue to attract ord of high single and high three. The Schenectady Armory. It is estimated capacity crowds and admission tickets teams play every Saturday afternoon. 5 :

DECEMBER. 1938 1 DENVER KOA NAMES IN THE NEWS STAMP CLUB NOTES by Mack Switzer Zippered Vest ( Continued page 5 Harry L. Lindquist, chairman of the from ) Jim Lehmann, 150-pound announcer National Federation of Stamp Clubs, the conference, Mr. Sturgell is expected and oft-times writer of this column, and W. S. R. Smith, president of the back in Radio City early next month. bought a suit with a zipper, instead of Associated Business Stamp Clubs, ad- AAA buttons, on the vest. Control Assistant dressed the members of the NBC Stamp Production Manager William S. Supervisor Joe Rohrer saw the vest at Club who attended a stamp collectors’ Rainey, who underwent an appendec- the tailor shop and tried it on. The banquet held in the President’s Confer- tomy early last month, has returned zipper worked perfectly—on the way ence Room in Radio City on the eve- to his office in Rad io City. up, but when the time came to take it ning of November 14th. AAA off Joe’s 175 pounds wouldn’t give, buffet supper, an elaborate Miss Frances Rockefeller King, man- The neither would the stuck zipper, so a spread prepared under the supervision ager of the Private Entertainment sad tailor cut him out of the waist- of the club’s “Oscar,” George M. Nel- Bureau in Artists Service, returned to coat. son, of the Personnel Office, was fol- her office late last month after several To top it off. Announcer Lehmann, lowed by a lively session of stamp weeks’ illness. while wearing the new vest, got terri- AAA trading. bly hungry one evening and ale two Harry Weir, according to reports dinners. Bang! —and the zipper burst received last month by his family, was into a hundred pieces. How The Wage And killed in action, fighting for the Loyal- P.S. Jim Lehmann, defying modern- Hour Affects ist cause in Spain. Onetime member of Law NBC ity, now buttons his vest — the old- the NBC page staff, Mr. Weir sailed ( Continued from page 1 ) fashioned way. for Spain last year to join the Lincoln week, will be used by NBC in deter- Spot News Brigade. mining the basic hourly wage rate at Traffic Manager Helen Loucks dis- His presence on the page staff, of which overtime wages, if any, will be closed her latent talent for acting when which he was a member for three years, paid to those who are eligible, accord- she played the part of a Civil was highlighted by the RCA Family ing to the law, to receive overtime War Circle when his name and picture was wages. soldier’s mother in Light on the West, a dramatic program broadcast by KOA included among those of NBC who Executives, administrative employes, on November 19. were descended from or related to fa- professionals and outside salesmen are mous men. Harry Weir was a great the AAA exempt from act. NBC has classi- grandson of Gustave Dore, artist who fied its according to the Announcer James Lehmann’s wife, employes act was noted for his biblical etchings and Mildred, who won a two-year scholar- and regulations, and each employe will portrait of Napoleon. He was a quiet, he his classification ship to the Juilliard School of Music, notified of by his studious young man—wT ell-liked by his supervisory officer. is now in New York City pursuing many friends among NBC employes her vocal studies. The Company has made the rule that AAA and artists. overtime work is not to be performed The staff of grieved to by any employe subject to the act, ex- KOA was BASKETBALL TEAM WINS cept when such work is necessary and learn of the death of Eddie Cleaves, Playing their first game of the sea- is done with the prior approval of his former KOA announcer, in Nashville, son, the NBC basketball team chalked supervisor. Tennessee. AAA one up on the winning side of their Under the act employers are permit- ledger, in a closely played game Louise Wadsworth, of the KOA staff, ted to make their own rules as to extra against the Roxy Theatre team at Pros- and Swingster Lucien Morgan, is work the who where work week does not pect Hall in Brooklyn, Sunday eve- often heard over KOA, were married exceed 44 hours. However, for work ning, November 20. The game was beyond on November 14 at an informal wed- 44 hours a week employes will played as a preliminary event to a ding at the home of Miss Wadsworth’s be compensated at the rate of time and professional between the Brook- parents. game a half in money for each hour of AAA lyn Visitations and Jersey City Reds overtime. teams. Bill Stulla, Continuity and Produc- Where given classes of employes are The NBC hoys, smartly attired in tion, swears he will cancel his sub- included within labor agreements with their gold and blue uniforms, caught scription to this worthy sheet unless the Company, such agreements as to the fancy of the crowd with their ag- it conducts a camera contest so he can hours and overtime will continue to be gressive playing and their sta\ ing off really put to practical use his new7 observed as long as they are in force, of a last period rally by the opposing Rolleicord camera (Model a-A-174932 excepting that such classes of these em- team. The final score was 14-12. plus). Dear Editor: Please oblige so ployes as are covered by the Wage and The line-up for NBC was as follows: we can hear the last of this. Hour La,w must be paid in money, at Jack Graham (Guest Relations), L.F. the rate of time half, and a for work in Editor’s Note: Mr. Stulla and other Bill Hannah (Duplicating) , R.F.; Jack excess of 44 hours per work week, re- photographers need not wait until the Carmody (Mail Room), C.: Bill

gardless of the provisions of such labor next photo contest to get their pictures Garden (Guest Relations), L.G. : Jack contracts. If such contracts with the published in the NBC Transmitter. Garland (PBX), R.G. Company are approved by the National Pictures deemed by the Editorial Substitutions: John McHugh, Guest Labor Relations Board, the provisions Board of interest to NBCites in general Relations; James von Frank, Guest of those contracts as to overtime will are accepted for publication. Pictures Relations; Robert Robbins. Mail supersede the above regulation. must be completely captioned. Room. 16 NBC TRANSMITTER WTAM CLEVELAND by Bob Dailey

Party For Mr. Pribble Mildred Funnell. tional Amateur Baseball federation; A1 secretary to Man- Sutphin, Cleveland sportsman and A staff committee is busy making ager Vernon H. president of the Arena, and Manager arrangements for the fourth annual Pribble; Pearl Pribble. Stubby Gordon’s orchestra party to be given in honor of Manager Hummell, audi- provided the musical setting with Take Vernon H. Pribble which will be held tor and office Me Out to the Ball Game and other Tuesday, December 20, in the Olmsted manager; Hazel tunes associated with the national pas- hotel. December 20 is the date Mr. Finney, Betty time. Pribble was named manager of WTAM Bauer, Hal Metz- Two weeks previous, Manning was four years ago. ger, assistant sta- presented with a beautiful silver plaque Members of the committee include tion manager and by the Cleveland Baseball Federation Pearl Hummell, Mildred Funnell, S. E. Jane Weaver program direc- in token of his support to amateur Leonard, Hal Metzger, Tom Manning, tor, and Boh baseball, and in recognition of his John Disbrow, Lee Gordon and Dailey, press relations director. winning the best baseball announcer Charles Avellone. award for 1938. Receives Trophy WTAM Entertains Newswomen Manning Edith Wheeler’s Notes Jane Weaver, as director of women’s Presentation of a handsome trophy Bookkeeper Joy Wassem carting her activities at WTAM, was hostess to 75 by the Sporting News to Sports An- school books out to lunch with her members of the Ohio Newspaper Wo- nouncer Tom Manning as the best base- every day to do the homework required men’s association at a party in the stu- ball announcer of 1938 was made dur- in her evening classes at Cleveland Col- held dios during the annual convention ing a half-hour broadcast November lege . . . Harold Winters being added in Cleveland last month. 29. E. G. Brand, editor of the official to the WTAM office staff . . . Night A feature of the evening’s entertain- baseball publication, came to Cleve- Program Manager Chet Zohn stopping ment was a broadcast with Miss land from St. Louis, to make the pre- for cigarettes on his way home and Weaver as mistress of ceremonies and sentation. Other tributes given during taking $15 from a slot machine with interviewer of several convention dele- the program were made by Harold H. a 25-cent investment .. . Jane Weaver gates. Lee Gordon and his orchestra Burton, of Cleveland; Alva Bradley, vacationing in Green Springs, Ohio, provided music for the program and president of the Cleveland Indians; for a week . .. Night Control Super- party. Assisting Miss Weaver were William Duggan, president of the Na- visor Barney Pruitt raising a goatee! !

NBC BOSTON & SPRINGFIELD by Jim Lee

Election Night “Freedom of the Air” and Star, has joined the News and Promotion staff of WBZ and WBZA. The WBZ and WBZA election-night John A. Holman, general manager of He also is your new NBC Transmitter story featuring a diversified program WBZ and WBZA, recently appeared correspondent. Lee, a graduate of Mid- of political highlights and up-to-the- as guest speaker before a large and dlesex School and Harvard College, minute vote tabulations, went over the enthusiastic group of the Village was a lieutenant in the U. S. Navy dur- air without a break. From hundreds Churchmen at Wellesley. He spoke on ing the World War. of reports received by the station and “Freedom of the Air.” cooperating newspapers, NBC in New AAA Studio Notes England again was out in front with Bob Evans is now in charge of Spe- and Promotion staff put its election broadcast. WBZ’s News cial Events. For the past year he has on a special broadcast for the Esso been one of the Esso Reporters and has Governor - elect Leverett Saltonstall dealers in Worcester last month. The broadcast such sport highlights as the of Massachusetts appeared with his show was every bit as successful as the International Fisherman’s Races and family at the studio as the guests of recent Esso performance for Greater various intercollegiate football games. General Manager John A. Holman, to Boston dealers. express his thanks to the voters. AAA AAA John Barry, ace political commenta- Mildred W. Carlson, director of the Evidently many of WBZ’s roster are tor of the Boston Globe, and Walter Home Forum, and Helen Lyman, who vocal minded. Signatures are mounting Bonney, political writer of the Spring- broadcasts WBZ’s Your Home and for enlistment as male and female field Republican, kept up a running Mine program, have inaugurated an choristers. For the present the warb- commentary of the election scene from illustrated four-page monthly bulletin ling will be confined to dead micro- their respective news rooms. for distribution to listeners. The bulle- phones. AAA George Harder, News and Promotion tin includes special recipes, fashion ad- manager, who was assigned the job of vice, table decorations and holiday Harry D. Goodwin, Esso Reporter directing the election broadcast by Mr. gift making. and member of WBZ’s News and Pro- Holman, kept a majority of the operat- AAA motion staff, was recently married to ing and office staff on duty until the James Lee, formerly of the New Miss Priscilla R. Clancy of Arlington early morning hours. York Times and Washington Herald where they are making their home.