Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-02
Behind the Microphone
BY THE RADIO EDITOR.

thaniel Shilkret and Andy San
nela, who gave them typical
American works such as Gersh-
wins Rhapsody in Blue" various
Foster airs and the Jazz classic,
"St. Louis Blues"
4 Listeners of the European Con-
tinent point out that American
jazz there is all the rage and or
cheStraS playing it are in great
demand, but that they are seldom
privileged to hear such elaborate
symphonic jazz as American lis
tenerS enjoy by the twist of a dial
any night.
They further emphasize that
even genuine American orches-
traS abroad, except in the most
important capitals, are unable to
keep their music abreast of the
latest developments on Broadway,
and hence consider an authentic
program Of current favorites from
the shows as good as a trip to
New York" r.
BY far the greatest number of
comments, however, was received
from American listeners. IA Ma
| tion-wide audience here over
heard the programs addressed to
Europe, as well as those sent here
from London, Berlin and Amster-
dam. Some of those who COM
planned diSliked certain parts of
/ these foreign relays, and took oc-
casion to point out the superiority
of American programs over the
general run abroad, judging by
such samples.
But the majority of listeners re-
allied the difficult problem fac
ing program builders on both
sides of the Atlantic and recog-
nized the impoSsibility of con-
densing real croSS-section OF
any nations programs into the
time available. Those who dis
liked any part of the programs,
however, expressed themselves in
no uncertain terms.
4 4 4
When Judge Ira E. Robinson,
chairman of the Federal Radio
Commission, introduces the first
broadcast of the American School
of the Air over 48 stations Of the
Columbia Broadcasting System
Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock,
millions of school children, teach
erS, educators and parents are ex-
pected to be tuned in on one OF
the most significant events in ra-
dio broadcaSting'S brief but spec
tacular history.
In less than a years time the
attitude Of the public and the ed
ucational world toward the par
ticipation of broadcaSting in edu-
cation has changed from compar-
alive apathy to intense interest
and active cooperation in fur
thering radios newest function.
Leaders OF the educational field
have thrown their support whole
heartedly behind the movement.
Thousands of schools throughout
the Nation have purchased or
borrowed radio receivers in order
to hear the broadcast lessons
Parent-teacher associations and
women's clubs in every State have
planned special meetings to tune
in for the broadcaSts.
Appropriately enough, the first
program of the American School
will be q dramatitzation built on
the life and deeds of CHRISTOPHER
Columbus. The story of his in
tereSt in the sea as youth, his
eager attention to the stories of
seafarers who told strange tales
of new lands far to the west, his
growing conviction that he could
!; discover q new passage to India
, by sailing west and how he over
came the enormous difficulties
, surrounding his task of securing
ships and men, all will be graphi-
: cally portrayed in a radio drama
written by Henry Fisk Carlton
and William Ford Manley, famous
radio playwrights.
| owing to the fact that the pro-
grams are designed primarily for
! reception in school rooms, the ut
most care Is being exercised to
. assure the educational correct
: ness of each program before 1t is
/ broadcast. DR.. William C. Bagley,
: noted educational authority of
} Teachers College, Columbia Uni
yersity. heads as dean an advi-
sorry faculty of Is distinguished
, educators. each Of whom has been
J selected as a high authority in
: his particular field. These faculty
: members will criticize and edit
: the programs to assure their au-
thenticity.
i Nearly 5000 schools have been
2 selected from every State in the
: country to serve as official obSer-
/ walton posts for the purpose OF
S evaluating the programs present
5 ed Questionnaires are being pre-
] pared covering each OF the broad
} casts, and these will be Allied out