Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-24
tcontinued From First rsge.l

GATORS. "Oniy education has Jagged be-
hind" writes Z. A. Alderman, president
Of the University Of Virginia, In COM
pairing accomplishments In this neld
with those In music, drama, religion,
politics and business. Continuing, he
Gays: 1.-THE fact remains that educators
a. such have failed 10 build programs
en- O national scale, either for the school
e for the home"
Confusion and Reorganization among
educators Is due to several causes. The
radio developed so rapidly that the edu-
eational world, always conservative and
slow TO adopt and adapt new methods
or agencies, was not prepared for 1t.
Here and there were outspoken leaders
who visualized educational possibilities
and urged the utilization Of radio for
Institutional purposes, but the seed
which they sowed fell, for the time at
least, on barren ground.
Lacked Resources.
Again the educational institutions
were without resources with which to
develop their own broadcasting stations
or to establish proper relations with
commercial broadcasting stations, or to
employ and train the additional talent
needed for this new service. Still fur
ther confusion was due to the conten-
ton OF one group for Government
owned and controlled stations for edu-
eational purposes, O system similar to
that employed In many European
countries.
While for these and other reasons the
educational world was for the most part
marking time, commercial broadcasting
was developing by leaps and bounds.
BY 1889 the industry, from small begin
ntngs about 10 years before, had grown
into one of the foremost In America,
representing In 1929 Q business Of
obtained the most powerful stations and
the most desirable air channels. Effec-
tive networks were perfected. The radio
audience, due largely to the high quality
Of entertainment supplied through COM
n1ercial advertising, grew from $4,000 In
1922 to 100000 In eight years.
Educators Unorganized.
The proportions Of this new industry,
dictions of further refinements in radio
equipment and of further development
OF far-reaching adaptations of the
principles of radio transmission, and
the tremendous costs of operation eff
fective broadcasting stations have con-
founded the educators still further.
Today they know only that they are
UttOIBdI12cu, LldItlCuldDc, III large
measure out of the picture and that
they are thinking all the while that
the cause which should receive first
consideration-that Is, education---is, in
fact. receiving little from any well d.
Tected source or sources.
But today there are more hopeful
signs for something like order and
concerted action. Commercial interests
are giving assurances Of cooperation
with educational interests, both In
providing without cost air time and in
conducting needed experiments. Edu-
cetional committees of prominent
leaders In the profession are being
formed. Experiments Of far-reaching
consequences. some Of which have been
mentioned already, are In progress.
Operates SO Stations.
Education institutions owning and
operating stations, representing 90 Of
the more than 600 licensed stations
in this country. are more thoroughly
attacking the problem and are either
abandoning the attempt at educational
broadcasting or are defining purposes
and formulating plans in light OF needs
and available resources.
There has been added to the United
States Bureau Of Education q division
on radio education with q specialist in
charge. There Is TO be set up In con-
nection with this unit an advisory
committee composed Of outstanding
educators, broadcasters and laymen.