Evening star., 1925-01-29
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

The wonderful art of radio broad
casting Is too new to become petrifled
already. Yet that is what seems to
be happening, despite the variety OF
entertainment and instruction fur
nished listeners by the great stations.
The science of broadcasting, a dis
tinct thing from it's art, is advancing
with all the certitude of precise ex-
perimentation, but the actual con-
duct of the studios already shows a
decided tendency to become "sot in
It's ways"
This has come about because broad
casting, like Topsy, Just grew" dis
playing A wonderful growth, with
out parallel, indeed. yet surely not
free from possibilities Of further de-
velopment
Directly to the contrary, radio
broadcasting shows such vigor and
worth that It can and must go on to
new conquests. and will only be held
back by the cries Of enthusiasts who
are foes to progress, or studio di-
rectors who believe In letting a good
thing alone
The first license for radio broad
casting in this country was issued by
the Department of Commerce in
September. 1921. In 1929 the number
OF stat5ons increased rapidly, accord
Ing to the department records, until
today there are more than $40 sta
tions, including the class A, or small
er stations, and the class b, or high
powered broadcasters.
Radio broadcasting therefore, may
properly be said to be in its infancy,
so wonderful babyhood that the
slightest tendency toward Justification
must be watched by its wary parents
and all OF US who love the child.
L have done my full share of sit
ting up with this baby; and, there
fore, when l said in q recent article
that the broadcasting p vrams now
tended to bore me, I meant Just that
Mrs e. r. ]. asks If 1t is varfet y
L want? Since we have had our
crystal set" she writes, 1--WE have had
Presidents message: two political
conventions; funeral; a wedding; a
prize fight; the world series; church
services OF all denominations; cathe-
dral services; talks on every possible
subject; music on every instrument;
songs from grand opera to jazz"
NO, variety Is only a very small part
OF what ! want, or what any one
wants who desires to see broadcas St
Ing expand TO its fullest possible
limits. We want to see the studios
take their heads out of the sand. and
stop playing variations upon the
above list.
Why, the possibilities OF broadcast
Ing are lmitless! Broadcasting of a
wedding, a. funeral, a prize fight and
world series are but the first pratt
things Of the infant. The super
broadcastlng which we shall see, 1 am
firmly convinced, will be transcendent,
In comparison with Mrs. J.s list, as
complete as it may seem.
Because, In the first place, the d.
rectors OF stations and studios have
been too timid. They have done the
very best they could, in a new and
bewildering science and art, and
their efforts are to be commended.
MAY ! add that they have been COM
mended by me, in many articles In The
Star during the past year?)
But they have yet to study the
major points of their art, because
they have yet to come to the point
where they have the proper funds,
the needed authority and the vision
necessary for such super broadcast
ing as was initiated when the glo-
rious radio voice OF Nine. Bori thrilled
through the ether.
Studio directors, instead Of having
to devote their time to raking over q
city for free amateur talent, much Of
It very good. some Of 1t only fair, will
come to the point where they can
devote their entire ability and energy
to tho artistic and educational side
Of their work.
Much remains to be done IN the
study, from the radio standpoint, of:
A. The appeal of the human voice.
B. instrumental combinations.
c. Scientific comparison of sound
vibrations at sending and receiving
ends.
A broadcast college Is possibility,
an Institution of learning where