Evening star., 1933-04-30
ED WYNN HERE TO PLAN RADIO
CHAIN TO ASSIST UNEMPLOYED
Proposes to Put JobIess
Actors to Work in Novel
Scheme.
Hopes to Present Musical
Comedies and Draws Ad-
vertising Line.

Ed Wynn, celebrated stage and radio
comedian, came to Washington in the
role Of q business man yesterday, and
between sips Of lemon favored tea at
the Madrillon Cafe unfolded to a group
OF radio writer's some of the details
Of his admittedly fantastic plans for
operating a big Independent network OF
radio stations.
Wynn said he came to town primarily
to confer with members Of the Federal
Radio Commission and q couple OF
Senators about his new business ven
ture, but before leaving he expected to
tell few Of his "antiquated" jokes at
the Gridiron Club dinner.
Directing Small Network.
Wynn already is directing the des-
ttnies OF small independent network
OF stations In Michigan. and by May Is
he promises to have his Atlantic Sea-
board chain in operation, which will be
made up Of II small powered stations
from Boston to Washington. The
Washington outlet is to be VOL.
Although Wynn expects to make q
profit out Of his new venture he claims
ne has all the money he wants, and
that his idea in going into the radio
business is predicated chiefly on altru-
ism. He wants to put to work some OF
the country's 27,000 odd jobless actols
while at the same time provide the
little 100 J. watt independent stations
with a superior type of what he calls
human" and not canned" entertain
ment.
Wynn claims he already has under
contract 5000 actors who have been
panhandling along Broadway for money
for buns and coffee. and, as his chain
develops, as he expects it to, he may
have work for every unemployed actor.
To Present Musical Comedies.
His ideas about radio program struc-
ture are plainly revolutionary. For in
stance, he proposes to put on the air
from time to time entire musical
comedies running for three hours. He
also has planned 15-minute daily
lift the country out of its. doldrums
And Wynn himself, when the present
fire chief" contract runs out in Octo-
Der. intends to appear on the air at
least four hours day, serving as
master of ceremonies on a number OF
his contemplated broadcast features
He insists he has enough humor left
to keep up that pace for months.
Il know million Jokes" he said
not egotistically, land can reel them of
at the rate Of 40 a minute, II neces-
sary. I've been telling them for 80
years and they still draw laugh"
Against Advertising.
Another new departure in Wynn's
chain broadcasts will be the elimination
of advertising He proposes. however
to mention the name of the firms that
sponsor the programs-the ones who
pay the bills-but to tell the radio
audience If they want to know any,
thing about the merits Of the firm S
products to read their favorite news
paper.
wynn said his Atlantic Seaboard
chain would operate on 16-hour daily
schedule, and that for the first month
Of operation, the experimental period
he would bear the entire cost-the wire
bills. the salaries Of the entertainers
and all other hired help.
The broadcasts also are to be fed to
the stations on the chain over tele-
graph instead Of telephone lines.
The network programs will originate
in New York. where Wynn has already
established studios.