The Washington times., 1932-10-14

TId1lh WdAAICA W NAoSOoH
terms. The agent told him
later that evening that the ad
vertiser would give him a two
weeks trial on a small Jersey
radio station. If he met with
success there, he would be hired
on contract at $1,000 week.
Franks head spun dizzily
One thousand snackers a week
Gee, it would be like old times
He could again hold his head
up.
But wait a minute" said
Frank. You said that 1 get
the contract provided that I'm
a success on this Jersey sta
ton. It's a sort Of tryout, eh?
Well, how will they be able to
tell whether or not I go over?
How do they figure success on
radio?
Easy" replied the agent
Mail. Fan mail. People who
like to- listen to you will write
in to the station. If you get
the mail. you get the contract
Get it?"
Frank understood. Very, very
well.
And so, with trepidation in
his heart and a throat spray
in his pocket, Frank Martin
went to that small Jersey sta.
ton. The studio officials were
most courteous. They took him
into a big room hung heavy
with drapeS, and pointed out
a small black pancake on a
music stand.
That" they whispered, "is
the microphone." They showed
him how he should stand and
gave his accompanist proper in
StructionS. A few minutes later
Frank Martins golden voice
was pouring out of loud speak
erS in thousands of homes.
Some tool- the time to dial him
in better. Others took the time
to dial him out in favor of tips
on cooking. It's toSS-up which
was the wiser course.
Fan Mail Comes
On the very next morning
the letters started to drift in.
just a few at first. A mere
handful. But on the following
day there were more. And then
. the pile increased. AS the two
weeks drew to close, the mail
was stacked high in the studio
and Frank had broken all rec
ords at the station.
Frank left the studio as
though he were walking on air.
He was unquestionably a great
success. In his mind, he al
ready had spent his first two
weeks salary.
On the third day he received
a call from the advertising spe-
ciaiSt. He went to the mans
office. with a definite thought
in mind. He was going to hold
out for $1,000 instead of the
$1,000 that had been agreed
upon. And why not?
This time the advertising man
was strictly sober. He sat in his
private office. There were let
ters on his desk. Stacks of let
ters. He turned to the singer.
Mr.. Martin" he said, I will
be brief and to the point. When
we met the first time, I was
hardly sober. That's why 1 men
toned the $1,000 salary and the
Jersey try-out. AS you undoubt-
edly know. we do not run our
radio business in that fashion.
II tell you frankly that had
very little faith in the idea when
I sohered up. But after your
first broadcast, 1 was amazed.
The letters began to pour in. AS
the broadcaStS continued, the re-
suits were even more amazing.
There seemed to be no limit to
your fan mail"
The singers chest was moving
outward by degrees. Why, this
was even better than anything
he had hoped for. He would
ask for $4,000 now instead of
$1,500!
yes, sir" the speaker was
saying, "the mail was so terrific
that grew a trifle suspicious.
I ordered some of the letters
sent to me. This is the second
one I read. Would you mind
reading it-and getting out of
my office as soon as you are
through"
Martin gulped. He took the
letter with trembling hands.
Dear Frank" it read. I'VE
got your letter and will be glad
to help you. AS you request,
we will each tell 20 of our
friends to write to the radio sta
ton. telling how much they en-
Joyed your singing. I've written
eight letters myself already, al
though haven't had time to
near your program"