Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-02-26

that it will do more for Maine than
any one thing. ut is essential tnat
YOU consider this in a serious man
ner and not let the question OF loca-
ton interfere" He said that it is
ESSENTIAL that the legislature take
some steps whereby it can be made
possible.
Charles A. Hill of Belgrade
Charles Hill of Belgrade was then
called upon by Senator NIaher, who
referred to him as 1.-The dean of the
unpaid lobby" Mr.. Hill said he had
Just begun to realise the Importance
of the matter and that the state must
he behind it in order to get voluntary
subscriptions. There is no question
about the unlimited need for it and
can see the greatest possibilities Tor
it, 1t will have great effect on
publicity in Maine"
Hiram p. Kicker Of Poland
Hiram z. Kicker of Poland Spring
appeared as another booster for the
project He said that there is no
question III his mind regarding this
being a financial benefit to the state
and he said that this is one of the
ways to advertise. Names winter
sports could be advertised and people
of other states would know when
sports.
Il consider it an Investment and
hope the state will favor l." said MI
Kicker.
Rev. A. T. McWhorter
Rev. Andrew T. McWholter, pastor
of the South Parish Congregational
church of Augusta, was next called
upon by Senator Maher. '"The only
objection to the project that | can
| find" he said, sis that it may kill the
congregations in the churches and
that we may be preaching to empty
pews." He asserted. however, that
he had no fear along that line and
| that as an advertising proposition 1t
could not be beat.
Radio Engineer from New York
George Chase of New York, broad
casting sales engineer for the Wes-
! tern Electric Company and an expert
! in the radio field. said that it is esi-
F., mated that there are over 100000
{ radio receiving stations Installed in
! the country and that there are four
people listening in on every import
| ant program, which means a possible
, listening audience of upwards of co.
! 000.0 people.
He said that he had had charge Of
! installing Sc stations and five years
! ago it was not believed possible to
reach the audience which is now
reached by means of the radio.
| Very little improvement can be eX-
pected in improving the transmitting
! line, but the receiving sets are way
| below tha transmitting and import
ant Improvements may be made on
them.
| II don't believe radio advertising
! will replace newspaper advertising,
! but it will supplement it, said Mr..
| Chase. 81 don't believe it will keep
people from church; I believe it will
| be a benefit to mankind and that 1t
will go to better society in general.
| The real possibilities are along edu-
cational lines, although entertainment
plays big part in the programs
| broadcast.
| In response to a question by Sena-
! tor Maher as to the probable cost Of
maintenance and operation of a sta
ton such as is proposed. Engineer
Chase said that it is usually figured at
| $40, 600 to $35,000 per year. He said
that the items entering into the cost
are fixed charges, rent. taxes, insur-
ance, depreciation. obsolescence, inter-
est. power supply and maintenance.
Senator Maher pointed out that there
would be no charges for rent, interest.
! power supply or taxes. and also that
the personnel would be public en-
! ployes, and asked if the yearly cost
might not thus be cut practically in
| half
Mr.. Chase agreed that it might, thus
bringing it to about $1,000.
rs there any chance for a publicly
owned station to become self-support-
ing" inquired Senator Maher.
Mr.. Chase explained that the broad
casting equipment made and sold by
| his company under federal license
permits stations to sell their service,
and in reply to a further question
along the same line from Chairman
Holley of the committee. it was ex-
planned by J. p. Lynch of Boston. tel
ephone specialist for the Western
Electric Co, that numerous business
concerns are now putting on weekly
entertainments through several broad
casting stations at fixed charge of
/ so much per hour. lie said that some
| of the stations are now able to pay
their personnel from the income thus
received. and that the entertainments
indirectly advertise the firms which
pay for them.
In answer to question from Mr.
! Gannett as to the cost of broadcasting
a performance in one town or city
from station in another. Mr. Chase
said that the cost of the installation
locally of apparatus for the purpose
is about $4,000 plls the cost OF wire
! circuits.
! In response to other questions Mr..
| Chase said that he felt the Iocat, N
of broadca sting station in the most
eastern state of the Union would be
| of advantage In t.urDpGdn MD ii-iIDS and
that it would have n value to the
United states in that the field for
! opening new stations is rapidly grow
ing smaller and Maine Should get in
on the ground floor"
| Mr.. Niles wanted to know if the To-
cation of a station in central Maine
would not enable Maine people to re-
ceive its programs on inexpensive
| sets. and was told that while local
conditions might make variations, in
general that would be possible except
for dead spots
| When Senator Maher inquired if the
dead spots" do not indicate metal de-