Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-07
RADIO CONDITIONS
IN WEST IMPROVE
Sets in Use Almost Doubled in
Eighteen Months, Lafount
Reports.

Returned from a six-week inspec-
ton Of radio conditions in the West.
Federal Radio Commissioner Harold A.
Lafount tells of tremendously improved
conditions. with practically all broad
casting stations operating at a profit
and with the number of receiving sets
in use almost doubled in the past Is
months.
The commissioner who represents the
nth (or WESTERN zone. conferred with
breadcasters and radio people through
out the zone In the six weeks he was
away from Washington he conferred
with 276 individuals representing 90
broadcasting stations. 90 persons repre-
senting radio committees of chambers
of commerce, as persons desiring con-
struction permits for 81 new broadcast
ing stations, 118 representatives and
members of listeners clubs from 10
cities, l72 individuals representing A
public or private companies who desire
to use radio for private communication
and Is amateurs.
Besides this, he delivered 18 addresses
at luncheons and dinners in his honor,
visited 18 airports, and discussed thor
oughly the radio communication prob
lens in Alaska with officials of the Ter
ritory and with representatives of the
cannerieS there, which are entirely de-
pendent upon radio for their communi-
cation.
Reception Improved Materially.
. Commissioner Lafount returned to his
Office convinced more than ever that
the only way the rural listener will get
his radio progress is through the cleared
channel and with high power. He said
that reception without doubt has i'm
proved since the Nationwide realloca-
ton of broAdcasting facilities last No
Vember, when 40 cleared channels were
set aside for high power, essentially to
serve the farmer and remote listeners.
He admitted that there still are some
rough spots" which should be ironed
out.
The public having turned largely to
electric receiving sets. use them 100 per
cent more than they used battery re-
ceiving SETS" the commissioner said.
"The result is that the daytime audi
ence has increased very materially.
THE sale of radio receiving sets has
been much larger during the Summer
than had been anticipated. Indications
are that during the Fall and Winter
months there will be very substantial
increase in the sale of receiving sets
over last year.
Supply of Artists Increases.
There is plenty of talent in Los
Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and
Denver. These cities are drawing from
the Middle and Far West and to some
extent from the East, with the result
that the available supply of artists has
increased 40 per cent in q year. Cali
fornia's climate is partly responsible for
the assembling of artists in that State.
THE rapid strides made by aviation
in the West is responsible for the de-
maf1d for short waves by the many air
transportation companies. visited
many Of the landing fields of the West,
and am convinced that radio facili-
ties are essential in the development of
aviation. I was aStounded at the ire
merdous growth of that industry and
of the comforts and safety of air travel.
We must make radio communication
available as an aid to aviation as rap
Idly as possible.
THE West is highly appreciatiVe of
the wonderful programs broadcast by
the two Eastern chain broadcasting
companies. These programs, originating
in New York City, are extremely popu.
lar and thoroughly enjoyed. The West
ern chain stations are also presenting
programs of unusual merit. Little or
no complaint is made about duplication
Of programs"
There is a great improvement In
Western programs, the commissioner
declared. He said, however, that there
are yet stations which rely too much on
photograph records, and there still is
too much advertising and talk over
some stations, but. generally speaking.
programs are much better than they
were year ago"
The commissioner said he was de
lighted" with the results of his trip.
at has been very strenuous but e.
tremely educational to me. and I be-
lieve beneficial to those with whom I
have made contact. l feel that they
better understand the commissions
problems, and certainly I know much
more about theirs.
Copyright, 1929 by Consolidated Press
AsSociationD