Evening star., 1928-11-15
RADIO MAY ADOPT
SOUND,F|LM STRIPS
Inspiration Born of Talking
Movies May RevoIutionize
Chain Broadcasting.
BY MARTIN CODEL.

FAN inspiration born Of the talking
movies may lead soon to radio de-
velopment which may revolutioniSe
chain broadcasting. In its simplest
the plan is to take "continuities," or
full-length programs Of one hour or
more, from sound-fllm strips ard broad
cast them to radio listeners from their
accustomed stations.
Because the project is In an incepttve
commercial stage, its sponsors are keep
ing their identity and their plans con-
fidential at this time. The neral
nature of the scheme is known, how
ever, and it was learned today that
demonstrations. will soon take place be-
fore Government radio officials in
Washington.
The idea grew out of the development
of the talkieS and the common practice
among broadcaSting stations, large AID
small, of transmitting programs taken
from photographic records or player
pianos. Instead of using these, the
music or speech would be reproduced
from films like those used for the talkieS.
Moving pictures By radio, often men
toned as the first prospective step IN
practical televiSion, do not enter into
the enterprise at all. The plan is
merely to use either the oscillograph,
or the Eight and dark" methods Of
imposing sound on films, and then to
broadcast uninterrupted programs taken
directly of the sound track and sent
out through the normal ether channels.
The advantage over other mechanical
reproduction is that station announce
ments can be made from the continu-
ing film itself without the required in
terruption of announcing the phono-
graph record or player roll after chang
ing it.
Booked Like Films.
These films, carrying programs rang
ing from short selections to full-length
operas, would be distributed among
broadcaSting stations in the same way
that motion picture films are sent out
from central points to large and small
movie houses. They would be obtained
from the producers on rental basis.
They would be vastly cheaper, of course,
than station talent or the routine pro-
grams obtainable over leased telephone
wires from the chain organizations. The
commercial sponsorship, the announc-
ing and the type of programs could be
Of the same quality.
Such an enterprise could never be
expected to replace independent sta
ton offerings and the great national
"snot" coverage provided by the net
works. Possibly it would affect chain
broadcasting only slightly, for there is
a certain onus that seems to attach to
the broadcasting of mechanically re-
produced music. It would be of obvious
tremendous benefit to the small local
station unable to afford talent and
devoting most Of its hours to phono-
graph records.
A somewhat similar project was dis
cuSsed about a year ago. The Victor
Talking Machine Co. was said to be In.
terested in promoting scheme sug
gested by Charles Bowman of San
Francisco. 1t contemplated using series
of records with programs and announce
nlents specially prepared for broadcast
ing stations. These would be played on
monographs with mechanical record
changers that would permit continued
p-ooram.
FAIRS Are Dissatisfied.
Reports now beginning to pour into
the Offices of the Federal Radio Com
mission indicate intense dissatisfaction
with the recent reallocation prevailing
in certain sections Of the country,
notably in the New York. Boston, Balti-
more and Chicago areas. From the
same parts of the country and from
others many favorable reports have
been received, indicating to the COM
mission that the complainants must
look either to the stations or to their
own receiving sets for the trouble.
There is an inclination on the part of
the commission to await longer trial
of the reallocation, which leading engi-
neerS generally agree Is sound in theory.
Meanwhile the "kickerS" appear to
outnumber those pleased, although it is
stated at the commission that this Is to
be expected, because the dissatisfied are
more likely to complain than are the
satisfied listeners to send in expressions
of favor.
Practically no adverse criticism has
come as yet from any part Of the third
zone of Southern States or the fifth
zone Of Rocky Mountain and Pacific
Coast States. Apparent sources of the
major disturbance are being traced
down by the supervisory staff Of the
Department Of Commerce. whose re-
norts will soon begin to filter in regu-
larly
A suggestion received from Carl
Trauerman Of Butte, Mont, is being
for the consideration Of station man.
ayers. It is that station; announce
their call letters at more frequent in
tervals, so that fans who want to re-
log their receiving sets may do so more
readily.
From Baltimore, one of the spots of
greatest apparent disturbance. came
nointed telegram, signed by Alexander
r. Greenwald, which caused consider
nble merriment around commission
headquarters today.
a"Dear boys" read the night letter.
will you please put rope around your
necks and tie an anchor at the other
end and drop into the Potomac? Balti-
more would then feel perfectly AVENGED
for havoc you have brought about loc-
cally"
(Copyright, 1928, by North American
Newspaper Alliance.)