The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-04-05
London Letter
By II. L. PERCY
Omitted Press staG Correspondent

| UNITED Press STAFF Correspondent
1 London, (UP)-There is trouble
in Britain's radio camp.
| Whispers of "revolt" among the
employees and artists against the
alleged "Prussianism,' red-tape
and "barrack square" methods of
the executives are being heard,
even in the press.
That there is certain amount
of dissension at Radio House,
headquarters of the British Broad
casting corporation, which has
| the nment-controlled mo-
nopoly Of broadcasting throughout
the country, there is little doubt.
Protest Revealed Dissension
1t was first brought to the pub
lies notice when William Ferrie.
a young automobile worker, broad
cast a strong protest against the
| character he was scheduled to give.
Before tibet B. B. c. officials could
stop him he had already told mill
lions of listeners that he would
not give the talk because 1t had
been "cut" beyond recognition.
The Mortified officials then faded"
him out for photograph recital.
The next day, oliver Baldwin,
son of Stanley Baldwin. lord pres
ident of the council, and the B. B.
c. & film critic. in a lecture to the
National Trade Union club, re-
| ferred to the B. B. C.'s "Prus-
! sianism" and ''red-tapeism,' and
said: IT am very prob. B.. c.. but
I have nothing but contempt for
| the headquarters department.
He said that Ferries protest was
one of the finest things that ever
happened. ;.
driving out all the intelligent men
| from the B. B. G. The 'red-tape-
ism does not go with art. have
a terrific admiration for those
who are left and are fighting for
their art"
Baldwin to Resign
Baldwin is not member of the
| B. B. c. staff. He has a contract
which ends in June, with an OBJ
| ton of extensions to September.
| Practically certain that the OPP
ton will not be taken up. Bald
win is reported to have decided to
/ offer his resignation.
Official information on the stu
alton is usually couched IN the
formal language OF Whitenau-.-.
eve have no statement to make
or 1--WE know nothing about it
but ordinary members OF the star
have aired their views much more
freely.
1 Apparently the first step to
combat the alleged dominating
officiald om' is a proposal to form
an organization or union among
the employees. So far, however
It is only in the talk" stage.
| b. b. @. Rules
/ Meanwhile here are some OF
the B. b. C.'s innumerable rules:
Hours are from 9:30 a. m. to
l6 o. M, whether or not the en-
ploye has been working late the
/ previous evening. There are strong
reprimands for unpunctuality. and
"time off" for working overtime
has been refused.
4 No inter-departmen telephone
instruction il accepted unless fol-
lowed by q typed memorandum
Some Of these bear 20 signatures
before reaching their destination.
All male artists and announcer
must wear evening dress In the
studios in the evening, whether
audiences are present or not.
il No member OF the. staff can be-
come engaged to be married with.
out submitting full particulars te
"the director OF internal affairs
Also he has TO be informed wher
. any member OF the staff In expect.
ing an increase in his or her fam
] lily.
Divorce Cause Of Dismissal
Any member OF the staff who \
the guilty party in q divorce sui
is immedediately dismissed.
4 Visitors are escorted TO the per.
son they wish to interview. II
while there, they wish to: see some
other official. they have to return
to the reception hall clerk ant
make representations again.
II Members Of the staff are tor.
, hidden to whistle or hum in ths
, corridors.
Il