Evening star., 1925-12-06
AD|OL|STENERS
/ ASKED TO ASSIST
Cooperation Urged by Com
merce Department in Per-
feCting Broadcasting Plan.
BY CARL III. BUTMAN.

Cooperation from the radio listen
ers is urged by officials of the radio
section of the Department of Com
merce as the next step in perfecting
radio broadcasting. which, in recent
months, has improved to marked
degree.
The department has gone as far as
1t can under present appropriations,
the broadcaSterS are striving to give
the fans what they want. and the in
dustry itself is improving both trans
mitting and receiving apparatus, but
the big thing remains undone, accord
ing to Chief Radio Supervisor w. ID.
Terrell. The fans don't tell the sta
tions what they like; at least, not
enough of them report on programs.
Some think this is unnecessary;
others that it is desired only for the
publicity value to broadca sters. while
many will admit that they are too
lazy to send a telegram, letter or
postal. However, Mr.. Terrell is very
serious in his suggestion, urging
that fans assume the responsibility
which rests upon their shoulders and
let the stations know whether they
like a program or not, and why.
No Charge for Listening.
In this country there are no fees
charged for listening in and no taxes
for owning and operating receiving
set. Some fans appreciate this, but
Yet seem unwilling to fulfill the re-
quirement of reporting frequently to
their favorite station managers what,
in their opinions, is good and also
what seems bad or poor
The stations are entitled to crltl-
ciSrn and deserve this small amount
of cooperation, even though the fans
names may not be broadcast or pub
tl. .lltt 100
we all accord good act on the stage,
or a good play in any sporting event.
The stage analogy is even carried to
the 'hissing," which, at least, serves
10 advise the theatrical arrangements
that something is not quite right or
is misunderstood; except, of course,
when we hiss the villain in the melo
dramas-that literally is equivalent
10 applause.
BY an accumulation of reports from
nearby and distant points, and only
through such returns, station man.
ayers can judge whether or not pro-
grams are getting over, whether the
fans are pleased, disappointed or
peeved at entertainn ent offered gratis.
This, 1t is pointed out, is the only
thing lacking in the recent movement
TO improve broadcasting throughout
the country.
This is what Mr.. Terrell would ask
you himself if he were making a
broadcast talk or writing this item. so
the writer is endeavoring to awaken
some of the sleepy or bored fans into
some semblance Of cooperation which
the broadcasters to the number Of
about $40 so well deserve.
Proposes New Slogan.
Let the new slogan of the listeners
be: We tell the broadcasters what we
think of their programs" / wish there
were medals for all the fans who do
respond, but point to the fact that the
real reward is worth far more. since
it is the very thing most of us are
listening in for-better broadcast en-
tertainment. With such keen COM
petition as now exists in the ether
channels, no station can afford to
neglect the suggestions and requests
from a majority of it's listeners, since
1t is endeavoring to please the same
majority by giving it what it wants.
The Department of Commerce re-
grets that it is not in a position to
further aid the fans, but assures them
it is keeping the air lanes clear in
their interest, and hopes to give better
service this year than ever before.
The broadcast programs offered, how
ever, are beyond its Jurisdiction, so it
does not interfere with them.