The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-08-20
'NBC BROADCAST
BREAKS MAR
PROGRAMS

Coed reception over ire week
ensL was reported from broad
casts Of all sections, particularly
the North ard Midwest. There
were occasional crashes Of static
which could be almost eliminated
from high power brOadcasts and
were not as annoying as the
fading that distinguished many
programs.
The most distinctive feature of the
radio weekend in loud speakers was
the breakdown of the National
Broadcasting Company's transmits
son last night after Grahaml Nc
Nance had sung one song in his
much advertised Atwater Kent re
cital. A second hiatus in the pro-
gram prevented listeners from re-
ceiving more than half of the Ma
tional Symphony Orchestra concert.
However. the breakdown enabled
George Ross. of WRC. TO rescue
the broadcasting in the way for
which he is distinguished and, pro
vide listeners with two of the best
impromptu piano programs ne mas
played for them in many weeks
The break in the broadcast served
to emphasize the rather stupid poilcy
of the National Broadcasting Com
many in failing TO attempt any eX-
PLANTATION for lapses in its programs.
The bradcasting stopped AFTER NC
Nance had displayed his pleasing
baritone voice in purely exhibition
piece. After a silence punctuated
with odd noises. George Ross. from
WRC announced technical dlIfl-
culties'' that prevented broadcasting
and started his impromptu program.
The Atwater Kent time sped away
and the excellent biblical drama was
presented without a word from the
New York broadcasters TO Indicate
they had even been off the ar.
After the biblical drama there WIS
4. wait and George Ross again an
nounced technical difficulties and
pIaved the plano half an hour or
more. stopping between numbers,
evidently to query New York. The
National symphony Orchestra then
PLAYED two numbers and quit
without any attempt being made to
explain why or even recognizing
the fact that the big chain had
been silent.
PROGRAM CHANGED
WITHOUT EXPLANATION
The same absolute ignoring a.
the natural interest of the radio au.
dience was observed Saturday eve
ming. in a way it has been observed
many, many times. TschaikoWsky'.
Fifth Symphony was on the pro
gram for the Lewiston Stadium Or
chestra and those of us familiar
with that symphony had commendsd
it highly to listeners. The or
chestra played the Cesare Franck
Second Symphony instead, but An
nouncer John Daniels, who is sery
absolutely nothing to say about the
change of program numbers, or why
This seems to be a settled policy
of the National Broadcasting Com
pany. No other concern engaged
in entertaining the public and de-
pending on It's success for public
favor would dare be so discourteous
The theater manager, the concert
manager and all others dealing
with audiences recognize a certain
debt to the public and make some
sort of explanation for failure to
provide advertised features or for
to the continuity uf
programs. Any kind of explanation !
would suffice. But the National |
Broadcasting Company does no such |
thing and never has. 1t makes it |
very hard for its friends to explain
its rather inexplicable system of |
doing things-ands it is gradually I
losing friends in q period when 1T |
needs them most. Likewise It places |
a very severe burden on the broad
casting stations that buy its pro
grams and must tell their audiences |
why the programs are not forth |
coming.
The programs over the weekend |
were particularly, good, in spots. |
The broadcast OF the Curtis accept
ance speech, which the news col
umns yesterday dealt with fully, |
was the chief feature of the Satur
day evening affair. The symphony |
concert with Willem Van Hoog
straaten directing, and our own |
John Daniels doing a very good job
Of announcing. was a rather dull
affair. the beautiful Cesar Franck
being only approXimated
because of the lifeless way In which +
it was PLAYED.
Last evening the big feature Of
the pr ograms was the playing of
the Anante of Tschaikowsky's fifth
by the Cesare Sodero
Orchestra in the piecemeal broad
cast received from New York.
This bit of work is one of the
most beautiful compositions we
know and Sodero and his men gave
it an interesting Interpretation.