Evening star., 1933-10-15
\ LMOST too optimistic is the
\ current Dun & Bradstreet
\ report on the radio in

|H report on the radio in
dustry, which paints a
picture of improved trade condi-
tions far more glowing than most
responsible manufacturers and
retailers will agree exists. One
thing stands out indisputable in
the report, hoWever-and that Is
the statement that the prices of
radios are advancing as dealers
are clearing their shelves of old
stock and replacing them with
new stock manufactured under
the electrical code.
Dun & Bradstreet estimates that
production costs In radio manu-
featuring plants have increased
by one-third since the industry
began operating under the code,
but reliable industry sources
calculate the figure to be nearer
one-fourth due to the new wage
scale and shorter hours. Accord
ing to the Dun l. Bradstreet, the
strongest demand continues de-
cidedly in favor of sets priced at
SIS to $50, but during the last so
days more interest has been
manifested in console sets rang
ing from $50 to $40.
"Quotations on some SETS" says
the report, "have been advanced
from 20 to 35 per cent since May
and further increases are in pros
pect when goods now being manu-
factured under N. r. A. regula-
tions will have reached consumers
hands. Retailers now are COM
PEELED to require larger initial pay
ments from customers because of
the higher prices and the mar
rover discounts allowed by dis
tributors."
On the other hand, it is said,
the improved salary and employ
ment situation is helping retail
ers to collect payments. At the
same time orders are said to be
coming through in such volume
that manufacturers are behind in
their deliveries despite increased
operating schedules.
The report shows only II manu-
facturers that were insolvent as
Of September 80. as compared to
40 in 1880. Their liabilities aggre-
gated $2,641,250 as compared to
$3,522,40 in 1880. Insolvencies
among wholesalers and retailers
on September 80 numbered only
80, with liabilities of SLATE, 1855,
as compared to 217 in 1880 with
liabilities of $2,071,392.
THEY'RE going in for more Of
L the lighter forms Of enter
tainment on the British radio,
often accused by visiting Ameri-
cans of being too staid and dull.
Variety shows with comics, most
popular of all the programs regu-
larly presented on the American
radio, are to be offered in the
amount of 16 hours a week. This
will include what the British
Broadcasting Corporation, in an
official statement, calls "a new
kind of vaudeville Of the crazy
order" the first program of which
is entitled "The Fire Station"
For its "craZy" shows, the B. B.
c. is recruiting comedians who
will attempt the difficult, but not
impossible, task of putting broad
humour over the air" Every Sat-
urday afternoon from the end of
September there is to be a vaude-
vile matinee on the British radio
called First Time Here" and pre-
senting artists never before on
the radio.
The other lighter entertain
ment will include musical revues,
a dancing chorus Of eight girls,
operettas, etc. The decision of
the British radio to "go light"
came almost at the same time
that it decided to broadcast light
music from 6 to 8 o'clock on Sum-
day evenings, which hitherto were
silent hours so as not to inter-
fere with churchgoing. This deci-
sion evoked strong criticism from
ViScountess Snowden, a former
governor of the B. B. c., who said
radio should continue to remain
silent at those hours. The B. B. c.
also broadcaSts religious services
between 8 and 8 O'Clock on Sun
day nights.
D Ado communication coupled
n with aviation has placed fire
fighting In Canada's vast forests
on a strictly modern basis.
A generation ago fires were To-
Gated by watchmen whose means
of transportation were limited to
canoes, horseback and foot patrol.
Nowadays the ranger takes to
his airplane and circles a large
area Of wooded land, sights a
wisp Of smoke curling lazily from
tall trees, and Immediately sends