Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-31
RADIO ANNOUNCERS
DRAWING PROTEST
Neglect of Call Letters and
Lack of Education
Cited by Fans.


Now that the fans are apparently
getting the type of entertainment
they like and broadcasting itself is
being presented in an approved
manner. it. seems that the time is
most propifious TO advocate "a much
needed reform in the gentle art of
radio announcing.
There has been some criticism OF
the announcers and their style in the
past. much of it too mild, however 10
have any decided influence on the
movers that be" in the broadcast
world. except, perhaps. among some
of the older stations which have taken
particular pains to select ana sciooi
their official spokesman.
1t is really surprising that so few
of these men who actually make the
contact for their stations and artists
with the thousands of listeners are
not better educated, trained and re-
hearsed before they are permitted to
go on the air. Every profession yet
known trains it's embryo artists or
artisans before they are licensed or
permitted to actually operate. Even IN
the studio speakers and singers. as
well as musicians who are not skilled
in broadcasting are given tests or an
opportunity to practice before INTRO
duction to the fans. Accompanies
have to practice their selections. many
speakers have to submit Il written
Grafton before it is permitted to be
broadcast but the announcerS seem
unhampered and unpracticed.
ono critic says there are three types
OF announcerS that he deSpiseS: Those
who drive the DN fans crazy by never
announcing the call letters, except,
maybe. once every hour or two; the
kind that is. forever talking, and,
finally. those who don't talk very
much, but what they do say is UNI
grammatical, inaccurate and often
times mispronounced However, there
are some good announcers, and it is
hoped that the general run will inn
prove i'll 1927.
Wants Call Letters.
While on this subject of poor an
nouncing. it will not be amisS to call
attention TO "a letter which came in
the radio editors mail bag today.
buried beneath an avalanche of
protests against code and other sorts
of interference. The writer is William
r. Bryant, 4606 Thirteenth street
lie says:
"As one of the unaligned listen
ers-in, ] am writing on the subject
of applause card sending. We
listeners do appreciate good pro-
grams, but to whom shall we send
our acknowledgements when, in
spite of interference of all sorts, we
do not get good number? There
is no telling in most cases where
the number comes from, for an
nouncementS are few and far be-
tween and the announcers seem
to think their call letters, when
given, as of no Importance, for
they get them out as quickly as
possible-slurred together SO that
they sound like a train dispatcher's
announcement.
LET us have frequent announce
ments and clear pronunciation of
the call letters"
Protests against the unusual type
of interference first reported by W. W.
Massey continue to grow. First con-
fined to small area within visible
distance OF the White House, the com
plants now are coming from the up
town residential sections. Edwin j.
shade, 1863 Hobart street, and John
c. Haley, 3214 Thirteenth street, are
the latest to complain. The latter
suggested a possible source OF the
trouble He thinks that the old street
arc lamps still I'm use i'll certain sec
lions may be the cause.
Referring to the interference, he
says:
Il have heard it so many times
that, like atmospherics, 'bloopers.
and other radio nuisances. ] had
accepted it as a condition TO be
tolerated in silence. Both the
tempo and character of sound sug
Rest to me the feed of an arc
lamp, and as j am only n block
from Fourteenth and Kenyon
streets, l have believed that to be
the source. j believe that q canvass
of the city will show If all parts are
equally affected. and if not so. if it
is more noticeable In those parts
where arc lamps are still used for
street lighting"
The blanket that has laid heaV~y
over the ether channels most of the
week lifted somewhat last night and
made reception of distant stations
fairly audible. Conditions improved
as the night Wore on and between !
O'Clock and midnight it was possible
To bring in stations in the Middle
West with clarity and volume.
The Chicago stations, notably
WJAZ. WE'VE, WBCN and WIS.
could be heard with a finesse of pre-
else tuning. Attention was called To
the inaccurate time report given by
the announcer at WE'VE on the
stroke of midnight. Eastern standard
time. he announced to the world that
1t was y O'Clock. Central standard
time; L O'Clock. Eastern standard
time. and 10 O'Clock, Pacific time An
hours difference in time means moth
ing TO radio fans. but what about the
Western farmers who set their clocks
by Wt'WFs studio clock?
The reception Of WPG. Atlantic
City. and WGY. Schenectady. was
marred by the characteristic fading.
The signals of VIZ. New York, also
faded considerably during the Iare
test program, which was being fur
nished by Jack Dennys Orchestra.
Our greatest range was woo. Out
in Davenport, Iowa. We tuned out
this station, however. in favor Of
WEAF, which was Lroadcasting q
dance program by Vincent Lopez and
his orchestra, interspersed with vocal
duets by the Keller Sisters
Pretentious New Year eve pro
grams will lie provided tonight by
both of Washington's hroadcasters.
WRC and WMAL NAA also has
scheduled short patriotic program.
which viii be broadcast from the of
flee Of Secretary OF Navy Wilbur
The big feature will be the tolling
or the famous old Liberty bell in In.
dependence Hall, in Philadelphia, to