The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-02-07

the best atmospheric conditions
that have existed for many eve.
lings, and all sections responded
to the WIlinls Of the timer. The
Pacific Coast, South, North and
Middle West all seemed eager to
give Of their best both Saturday
and Sunday evening, with the for
lner having shade the best
Of it.
In perhaps one Of the most re.
markable weekend assortments of
entertainment loud speakers have
ever provided, the power of speech
asserted itself over music and in
the minds of most radiotics the
palm for excellent performance will
probably rest between the Walter
Damrosch lecture on Der Meister-
singer" Saturday evening from
WEAF, and the production of
Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler" from the
same station, and the new National
Weekly Revue program from WIZ
which came to listeners last night.
But for the utter incapacity of
the National Broadcasting Company
TO realize its program obligations,
the Beethoven performance OF the
Philharmonic Orchestra in New
York Saturday night, broadcast by
the WIZ chain, might have been
made the most important event OF
the season. Aruro Toscanini made
his appearance as director of the
orchestra and gave a mastery per-
Torrance OF Beethoven's First SYM.
phony and what we could hear of
the sublime Ninth Symphony. But
the latter was emasculated by the
omission of the finale because. the
announcer explained, the contracts
of Mines, Louise Homer,y Elizabeth
Rethberg and Richard Crooks would
not permit their voices being broad
cast! - .sta
The names of these artists had
been used by the National Broad
casting Company in the publicity
given the impending concert--which
would make thu failure to broad
cast them a criminal offense in
some States-and each of these
artists has appeared before a mi
crophone and broadcast their
precious voices within month!
NO EXCUSE
FOR FRASER
There is no excuse whatever for
such utter disregard of its public
as the great corporation showed
in this instance which, i'm spirit
of charity, we ascribe to the Grass
ignorance of the business execu-
tives and scientists directing its
destinies, of the. elemental prin.
ciples of program integrity and
the obligations of the entertainer
to the public he seeks to enter
tain.
However all that might he, the
lecture of Damrosch on Der Meis'
tersinger" Saturday evening was
all anyone could have anticipated
and just a bit more. The enthused
lecturer completely enveloped mis-
audience with the spirit Of the
wonderful Wagnerian music and
philosophy and built a second act
climax that showed the quintessence
of showmanship and artistry.
While there may be some question
as to the advisability of ending
Sunday evening program with so
tragic and somber a bit of theater
as Ibsen's ''Hedda Gabler," there can
be no question in the minds of those
who stayed with WRC and WEAF
and heard it that Ibsen can be
adapted to the wave lengths and
that his drama can be given a radio
technique that completely estab-
fishes it's idea in the minds of an
unseeing audience
NEW NATIONAL
WEEKLY CLEVER
The clever production of the new
national weekly program from WIZ
we believe is largely due to our old
friends, Col. c.. T. Davis and Nal.
colin LaPrade, who figured in the
affair rather conspicuously. OF
course Richard Washburn Child and
'Uncle Henry" should have their
share Of credit for good perform
ances. The author-diplomat, how
ever, was simply interviewed and
repeated some things he had already
written for Golfers. The two ex.
perienced producers, writer's and
radio actors, however, undo 'ntedly
conceived the idea-and executed
much of it--of combining news
stories, music and verbally acted