Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-06
BUSINESS BUREAUS
RADIO AID SOUGHT.
BroadcaSters Resist intro
duction of Sales Talk of
Doubtful Character.
BY MARTIN CoDEL.

BY MARTIN CODEL.
WEST BADEN, Ind, November
(N.ANA).-Behind the business scenes
in many radio broadcasting studios is a
recurring story of the effort on the part
Of certain elements to use the radio fol-
the dissemination of commercial infor-
nation of doubtful or Objectionable
character. Radio station managers are
almost daily called upon to lend the use
Of their facilities to exploiters of patent
medicines, quack nostrums, stock pro-
motion schemes and the like.
More than that. the chains and indi-
vidual stations alike are constantly be-
sought for time on the air for the
description or mention of certain prod
ucts whose qualities can be eXtolled
gracefully in print but not to the ear.
Such products are the "unmentionables
Of polite conversation.
Working Agreement Sought.
In order to combat an influx of radio
programs of doubtful contents, the Ma
tional Association of Broadcasters, hold
ing its annual meeting here, has adopted
a resolution authorizing the managing
director, L. S. Baker, to negotiate a
working agreement and arrangement
with the better business bureau of the
Advertising Clubs of America. Mem
bers of the association are asked to sub
NIT all propositions from doubtful ad-
vertisers and all complaints of unfair
practices, so that they can be presented
to the better business bureau for con-
sideration.
Reafirming its code of ethics for
broadcasting stations, promulgated last
year, the association also resolved to
recommend that the Federal Radio
Commission adopt the code as part of
the proceedings in determining whether
a radio station is operating "in public
interest, convenience or necessity"
Protection to Revenue.
No specific action was taken on COM
plants of recommendation of ra-
do programs, particularly in the mat
ter of too frequent and too lengthy an
nouncementS. 1t was the sense of the
meeting that broadcaSting, which is only
now approaching a sound economic
foundation, must protect its legitimate
source of revenue. The only other
is Government ownership and opera
ton, with perhaps the collection of
license fees on all radio receiving SETS
This is the way broadcasting is sup
ported in foreign countries.
With respect to the cry against too
much "Sales talk" on the radio, the
broadcasters informally asked only that
they be given time to develop and sta
billie their industry. In other resolu-
lions they pointed out that radio must
not continue to be subjected to political
whim and caprice. Stabilize broadcast
ing by establishing a permanent Fed
era1 control authority, repeal the Davis
amendment so that bad spots" can be
remedied, give the broadcaSters longer
lease of life than the mere 90-day
duration on their licenses, and the In
dustry will be in a better position to
serve the public and respond to its de-
mands, they declared.
Legislative Program.
Repeal of the Davis amendment and
the zone system, extension of license
periods to one year and correction of
procedure before the Federal Radio
Commission were the most important
new features of the legislative program
commission be placed over radio,
whether or not it has authority over
other forms of communications, the as
ISOLATION proposes shortly to open a
Washington office and Ito make definite
recommendations to the President Of
the United States regarding candidates
for appointment when and as vacancies
In the commission may occur"
William S. HergeS of Station WMAC,
Chicago, was reelected president Of the
association. A. J. MacCosker of WOR,
Newark, was reelected treasurer. The
new vice presidents are Edwin M. Spen-
Ger Of WPG, Atlantic City, and o. w.
Fisher Of KOMO, Seattle. The board
Of directors will include Eugene p.
OFallon, KEEL, Denver; Walter j.
Damn, WTMJ, Milwaukee; Don Lee,
KFRC, San Francisco, and XIII, Los
Angeles: John j. Storey. WTAG, Wor-
cester, Mass; j. G. Cummings, WOAI,
San Antonio, Tex; Edgar L. Bill, WIS,
Chicago, and Arthur B. Church,
KMBC, Kansas City.
(Copyright, 1929. by North American News
nanar AllfancaN