The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1924-03-14

In letter to Q. q. Christgau on
March }, Mr.. L. T. Mcdonald, presi-
dent OF the Zenith Radio Corporation.
gave the following explanation OF what
led to the radio referendum;
'On Sunday, January 20 at 1880 p.
IN. VIC read from the Zenith Edge
water Beach Hotel station, the adj
dress of General Sherwood to Con-
gress attacking prohibition. In the
week that followed we received over
two thousand letters. About 50 per
cent OF these letters protested against
our so-called attack on prohibition
and the other so per cent praised us
for having the courage to put it ON the
air.
ION February 10 we read a great
many of these letters over our broad
casting station, read both the letters
OF protest and the letters OF praise.
I'VE then read all answer to the at
tack by General Sherwood written by
Mr. Wayne B. Wheeler, national at
torney for the Anti-Saloon League,
and we asked our radio audience
whether or not they desired us to
take referendum. The response was
enormous from both the vets and the
drys, and as result we will, in the
twenty-four hours following 1000
p. M, March 8, take the first refer
endum ever attempted over the radio"
Mr.. Mcdonald invited Mr.. Christgau
to supply speakers for the dry side in
the debate TO be given in connection
with the referendum. After careful
consideration the invitation was ac-
cepted with the understanding that
the dry debaters would have no con-
nection either with the referendum or
with the prize contest. The prize con-
test was not approved and the con-
ditons OF the referendum were highly
unfavorable to the dry side, but new
erthelcss it was decided not to re-
fuse the opportunity to reach great
many people by radio with the law
enforcement message.
On March the following letter
was sent:
Chicago, Illinois,
March 5, 1924.
"E F. Mcdonald, Jr.,
President Zenith Radio Corp,
1872 S. Michigan Avenue,
Chicago, Illinois.
"Dear Sir
"As things stand now the dry side
in the radio debate will be presented
by myself and John w. Langley. We
are to participate in the debate as in
dividuals and not as the representa-
tives of any organization. 1t is UNI
derstood that we are not to participate
in the referendum and drawing of
prizes feature of the debate We will
simply present our side and have no
connection with the referendum and
the drawings.
~ am sending this notation so that
you will have the advance notice OF
exactly what our position wll'be in
connection with completing the ar
rangements for the debate.
very truly yours,
(Signed) 20. G. Chrstgau."
On March 6 the following statement
was given to all the newspapers in
Chicago as we'll as the Associated and
United Press:
Statement by o. G. Christgau Relative
to Radio Debate from Station
WJAZ March s and 9, 1924
Tln taking part in the radio debate
being put on by WJAZ, Mr.. John w.
Langley and / will act as individuals
and not as representatives of the Anti
Saloon League or any other organiza
ton. We have accepted the invitation
OF WJAZ to defend the dry side of
the question entirely upon our own
responsibility.
Furthermore, we had no part in
fixing the conditions under which the
referendum will be taken, and VIC shall
not in any way participate or be in
tcrested in this referendum. The ref
crendum, so far as we are concerned,
will be entirely in charge of and upon
the responsibility of station WJAZ.
Mr.. Langley and I as individuals will
simply present our arguments against
RADIO DEBATE ADDRESSES