Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-25
FARMERS OPINION
OF RADIO SOUGHT
Federal Commission to Ask
5000 Their Views on
Programs.

To ascertain whether the farmer Is
satisfied with the radio programs he re-
ceives m whether he feels broadcast
ing conditions nave improved since the
sweeping reallocation of last November
the Federal Radio Commission will send
a QUESTIONABLE to 5000 representative
farmer listeners throughout the country.
The farm canvass will be a part Of
the Decentralization survey begun by
the commission last March when a Sc
lected group of 10000 radio amateurs
were circulariZed with missionaries
and when b~roadcasting stations were
asked to submit their comments. Re-
ports still are trickling in from the
amateurs, and they denote, approx
improved. The broadcasters' reports
have not yet been analysed.
From the Department Of Agriculture
the commission mas obtained the list Of
5000 farmers, all of whom are anxious
to have first-class receiving sets. The
questionable to be sent them will be
virtually identical with that sent the
amateurs, although less technical. 1t
will contain a dozen questions relating
to the outstanding listener = interest
phases OF broadcasting.
About 1000 of the amateurs have re-
turned thsir questionnaires. The COM
mission q not yet tabulated the re-
suits of some of the more complicated
questions. But as to reception condi-
tions they seem to be about two. to one
that conditions have improved in each
Of the five zones. They are practically
unanimous in their opposition to direct
advertising by Stations-that is. the quo
tation Of prices Of commodities by the
advertiser.
Too Many Stations.
The amateurs likewise are in virtual
agreement that there are too many sta
lions on the air. The specific question
asked was hat in order to give best
possible radio service to the entire coun-
try should the humber of stations be
increased or decreased. They said de
creased" on the whole.
Generally, the amateurs do not OBJ
ject to the use of photograph records
or mechanical reproductions during the
day, but they do oppose canned music"
at night. The percentage Of those OBJ
jecting to night mechanical reproduce
ton programs has not yet been COM
puted.
The vexatious question Of duplication
OF chain programs is n of those con-
tanned in the QUESTIONABLE and one
which the commission hopes it may
solve by the comments Of the average
listener. Although the commission has
not finally analysed them, those replies
already received from the amateurs
seem to indicate that there is little
cause for worry about the duplication
situation for the country at large.
Ratings In Particular Areas.
Other questions asked, and the results
OF which still are being computed. in.
clude the rating of stations received
most satisfactorily in particular sec
films SfoftOng rAnAiVAA cofiefa otor;l,, k,,k
whose programs do not appeal. inter-
terence impeding reception and the all
important question Of cleared channels
and power for cleared channel stations.
With regard to the latter question, the
commission asks whether the listeners
consider that the number OF cleared
channels should be increased or de-
creased in order to give the best possible
reception to the country as a whole. 1t
also asks what the listener considers
should be the power OF stations on
cleared channels.
OF course. the question as to the
character of programs the particular
listeners enjoy the most is asked.
From the farmer the commission
hopes to learn whether the cleared
channel and high power have worked TO
ms beneht; The reallocation Of last
November. in which the assignments of
"a per cent of the 60O-odd stations were
changed. was designed primarily to i'm
prove reception for the farmer and the
remote listener. For that reason 40
cleared channels were set aside for the
operation Of high-powered stations. one
to a channel, during evening hours.
If the farmer listeners report ma
terial improvement in reception. and
that the cleared channel is Serving its
intended purpose, then the Judgment of
the majority of the commission which
voted the reallocation will have been
INDICATED.