New-York tribune., 1922-11-12
Radio Club of
America Quits
Local Council
Action Taken as Protest TO
Policy of Executive Radio
Council Second District
in Ousting President
Show Policy Began Fight
Council Leaves Field Clear
by Limiting lis Show
to Licensed Amateurs

The Radio Club of America, leading
amateur club of the country. formally
withdrew from membership in the I'd
Dlstrict ~ Radio Council on Friday last.
rms action by the oldest radio club in
TN world comes as climax to one of
the bitterest fights that has been
waged since broadcasting gripped the
general public. 1t marks the end. ac-
cordlng to close observers, of the de-
cislve influence which has hitherto
been welded by the council in local
radio affairs.
The battle commenced over the oues
ton OF the council holding its annual
radio show. Strong influences back Of
some OIL the commercial concerns in
terested in the various shows pIanned
for this year were brought TO hear in
the fight with the result that any seri
Gus competition from the council has
been completely throttled.
Inc only successful radio shows held
IN this city have been under the an
spices oil the council, the others failin~
because Of inadequate planning and
lack of proper supervision.
During the struggle in the executive
committee of the council the group at
present IN control succeeded in ousting
Renvllle II. McMann from the presis
dency of the council through a techni-
cality regarding his delegation to the
council Shortly after this an an
nouncement was made that the annua,
snow. of the council would be held neyt
March and would be limited to licensed
amateurs and their friends.
The action of the Radio Club or
America IN withdrawing from member
ship IN the council was taken as a
protest against the manner in which
n ny l,..-..
presidency. The latter is secretary of
the Radio Club and one of it's direc-
tors. The Importance of the with
drawal IS emphasized in the directorate
OF the Radio Club, which includes such
famous men as Major Edwin n. Arm.
strong, Paul F. Cooley, George Burg
hard, John Grinan, Louis G. Pacent,
p: V. Amy, j. o. Smith, Minton Cronk,
hlte and Walter Lenlnlon.
Ihey We're the men who took active
part in managing the two nrevious
shows held under the superyision ,'nf Of
the council, and under their direction
only manufacturers of standard and
fenaole apparatus were permitted to
exhibit. In addition to this, beinr
technical experts, they were able to
plan real organized display and ar
range an instructive and entertaining
series Of features. Representing a
npo1n-commerclal non body, they were also
aple to exercise powerful influence
over 1he apparatus that could be ad-
mltted to the show
AT the present time there are two
shows planned for this year in this
city, both on an elaborate scale. Roth
are strictly business ventures A care
ful survey of the manufacturing situ.
alton clearly indicates that both can
MOT be successful unless the booths
are opened indiscriminately to everv
one engaged in the manufacture OF
radlo equipment, irrespective of it's
merit. ''
Up to the time that he was forced
from the presidency of the I'd Dis
trict Radio Council, Mr.. McMann had
succeeded in securing assurances from
twenty eight of the country's oldest
manufacturers that they would ex
hibit in show held by the council
for the general public. This assur-
ance will undoubtedly be withdrawn.
since the council is now limiting ad-
mission to licensed amateurs and their
friends.
The Radio Club of America was first
organized III 1908 and. SO far as is
known, was the first club of its kind
in the world. Its membership has been
carefully limited at all times, and
numbers the most famous men IN radio
history. Whether it will branch out
and assume the role which has been
vacated by the I'd District Council has
not yet been decided.
The formal letter of withdrawal was
as follows:
Executive Radio Council, New York.
Gentlemen: This writer has been
Instructed by the board of directors
of the Radio Club of America to in
form you that, in view of the policy
of the council the club has resigned
and has severed all connections with
the Executive Radio Council of the
I'd District.
Every truly yours,
"RENVILLE Fl. MMANN,
Corresponding Secretary"