Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22
RADIOS ESSENTIAL
PART IN YULE SEEN
Contrast Is Drawn Between
Old and New Observance
of Christmas Day.
BY M. H. AYLESWORTH,.
President National Broadcasting co.
ChriStmas-and the radio.


President National Broadcasting Co.
Christmas-and the radio!
Christmas means much to radio, and
radio means much to Christmas. This
wonderful new method of mass COM
munication brings to us each year more
of those things which become an in
tegral part of our lives. The radio set
at Christmas is as much part of the
observance of the day as Is the Christ
mas dinner, the Christmas tree and the
Christmas greetings of our friends.
We in broadcasting feel an obligation
about Christmas day that causes us to
approach it as an almost sacred enter
prise. We realize that in many homes
the radio must furnish the center of
the holiday cheer. It must be attuned
to the spirit of the day; it must be a
welcome and desirable visitor.
We try to give the world on Christ
mas day programs that will reflect the
various activities peculiar to the season.
We realize that more than half of our
people have radio sets and that they
depend, in some measure, on the radio
to bring to them the messages OF the
rest of the world.
Radio Makes Contrast.
What a difference from the old-time
Christmas! There was the Christmas
tree in the morning, with the job of
denuding it before any one had a
mouthful of breakfast. And after that
"a long, often dreary day-perhaps an
hour or two of church for the religious
minded, and dinner that didn't seem
to be fitting climax.
Somehow, Christmas after the weeks
rushing r
once 1t arrived, seemed to sag and grow
undressing
Now the radio has worked another
miracle. 1t has put into Christmas the
joy, the sparkle. the spirit that it
seemed to lack. We may wake to hear
the bright cheerful carols greeting the
new day. Swift moving music, attuned
to the occasion. brings to us a realiza-
ton Of the holiday spirit.
Holiday Program Variety.
And throughout the day and the eve
ming something is available on the radio
every minute, something that is part
OF the holiday. We have a variety of
entertainment. The ringing words of a
great preacher of the Gospel come to
us, bringing the inspiration of the story
of Bethlehem. If we be in the mood,
we may listen and find enjoyment If
we are not so minded, We turn the dials
to something less serious.
Great orchestraS, wonderful soloiSts
contribute their parts to making Christ
mas day real Christmas for the mill
lions of radio listeners. Oratorios and
cantatas fill the air with their age-old
stories.
Before the birth of radio the indi-
vidual was restricted by time and
physical limitations to limited num-
Der of experiences on Christmas. To-
day, with some 600 radio broadcastine
stations presenting programs of great
diversity. there is a multiplicity of ma
terial Of entertainment, cultural or in
spirational deSirability that comes tc
the user at the twist of the dial.
Growing Understanding.
We leap from religious service thou.
sands of miles across the continent tt
symphony orchestra, back somewhere
else for thrilling description of a
sports event, into great theater for q
few minutes of grand opera; perhaps
across the oceans.
There is something about radio that
draws its hearers into closer under
standing of each other. Though they
may be separated by tremendous spaces
they share common feeling when they
listen to the same radio program. II
is the bond that grows between persons
who have had the same or similar ex-
periences. We find an instructive liking
for the person, stranger or otherwise
who lived in the same home town, who
has climbed the same mountain or who
has stopped at the same hotels as our
selves.
Radio forms great common denom-
inator in the lives of our people. II
knots them together with a common
understanding and mutual sympathy
for each other.
The International Influence.
In the not distant future, radio will
be carrying more frequent programs
from America to the rest of the world
and from the rest of the world tc
America. Already we have heard voices
coming across the wastes from Great
Britain, Holland and Germany. Radio
has sent the voices and music from
America around the world. Scientists
and engineers are deep into the prob.
lens of international exchange of pro-
grams on definite series of program
schedules. Hands across the sea have
been supplemented by voices across the
sea.
Apd the radio programs that go out
! to our neighborS of other nations viii
help to bring us closer to them, just
as they have served to bring Americans
to a closer appreciation of each other
Radio is destined to act as the great
medium for promotion of international
understanding and international amity
1t Is tremendous power, working fol
the full contamination of the glorious
| messages of Christmastide: Peace on
earth; good will to men,"