Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-17
! Ado census figures released
thus far by the Census
! Bureau, showing that there
m fnNs Anrrrnre cate ..nn

H thus far by the Census
N Bureau, showing that there
are far fewer sets in use
in many of the States than the
stations in those States have been
won't to claim, have been dis
couraging to some broadcasters,
although the information is
heartening to the radio trade.
With nearly half the States re-
ported, the figures reveal that less
than one-third of the homes in
the average State have radios. In
other words, they show that, far
from having reached a saturation
point, the market for radio re-
ceivers is still very large. Only a
handful Of States or communities
within those States show radios
in as many as one out of every
two homes.
An upturn in business condi-
tions, accompanied by the stimu-
lus OF advertising, will mark and
inevitable new boom in the radio
trade, some radio leaders affirm.
The replacement market for
radio receiving sets which be-
cause OF the extensive manufac-
turing operations of previous
years now represents large part
of the present market-has been
severely affected by the general
economic depression" reported
David Sarnoff, president of Radio
Corporation of America, to stock
holders of that corporation re-
Gently.
Notwithstanding the fact that
the public has been offered the
best value in the history of this
corporation or of the radio in
duStry, the volume of sales has
been diminished from that which
obtained two or three years ago.
However, 1t is gratifying to report
that there has been an improve
ment in respect to sales within
recent months.
I'm considering the future of
the radio set business, we have as
a guide recent figures gathered
by the United States Census
Bureau, which are being reported
by States at the present time.
These show that in relatively few
States are more than approx
mately one-half of the families
provided with radio receivers.
while in a substantial number of
States the ownership averages
much lower.
This means that in addition to
the normal increase in the num-
Der Of new families each year,
there is still market for radio
receivers which has not been filled,
and while sales are more difficult
now than they have been in the
past, the low-priced radio sets are
acting as stimulant in the in
dustry. When general business
conditions are improved higher
volume Of sales of radio sets
should be possible. At the present
time the second set market is
developing and the smaller radio
is filing a distinct place in this
market"
ESTABLISHMENT Of a per-
~ manent radio equipment ex-
hibit in Washington has practi-
cally been assured. Negotiations
are now being concluded with sew
eral Of the leading manufacturers
OF radio transmission and sound
reproducing equipment for large
sections of space in the exhibition
hall located in the National Press
Building, according to Carl H.
Butman, former secretary of the
Federal Radio Commission and
now chairman of the Board of
Managers of the National Radio
Equipment Exhibitors.
THE great interest being shown
by manufacturers in this project
definitely marks the recognition
of Washington as the country's
leading market place for their
products" Butman said. "These
makers of radio and sound equip
ment recognize that Washington
is the focal point of contact of
users Of the ether channels. In