Evening star., 1934-07-08

while jazz, comedy and other
ephemeral, will gradually Wane
More Classics Now.
Bearing out the conclusion that
classical music is winning listener
favor is a new analysis by the Colum-
bia Broadcasting System, which dis
closes that such music, including
symphonies, artists recitals, string en-
sembles and similar features, now
occupies % per cent of the total air
time on its network. This is an in
crease of II per cent over five years
ago. when such programs averaged
only per cent Of the program
schedule,
Columbia contends that the dra-
matte sketch, rather than jazz music,
is the real leader among the many
types Of programs,
For the current season, 1t states, y
per cent of its evening programs are
classified as dramatic, while only l3
per cent consist of jazz orchestras.
This was an actual program survey
made by c. B. S. and not popular
ity' survey, although it is said to CO.
incide with listeners desires.
National Broadcasting Co. has COM
pleted a different type of study-one
in which listener likes and dislikes
were tabulated. Nearly $1,000 visitors
who have visited the new Radio City
Studios during the last few months
were asked more than 100000 individ-
ual questions about their program
preferences. OF these 273 per cent
said they preferred dance music.
N B. c actually broadcastS 30.4 per
cent of that kind Of music. Only SO
per cent said they liked symphonic
music. as against 83 per cent actually
broadcast. Here, however. the question
did not include reCitals and other
classical renditions, and this perhaps
cannot be construed as an adequate
cross section.
Mystery Programs.
OF the visitors interviewed by n. B.
C.. 8.8 per cent liked comedy skitS
and comedians. as compared with 7.2
per cent actually broadcast. Drama
and mystery programs won IL per
cent of the votes, whereas N. B. c.
devotes 1876 per cent of time TO such
programs. Variety shows were the
preferred attraction for So per cent,
as against 48 per cent broadcast. The
widest divergence was in news broad
casts for which 81 per cent expressed
fV1C
brCadcasting of only l per cent.
Further proof that the public likes
classical music was procured by a
large oil company in California which
has sponsored a symphony orchestra
over a West Coast network for six
wears. It asked listeners to indicate
whether they wished to have the hour
continued. Nearly 10000 replies were
received, and of these SO per cent
desired continuance and the remain
ing 2 per cent favored a broadcast Of
some other type. Some listeners, ap-
parently apprehensive lest the pro-
gram be discontinued, offered financial
support for the program, and one
suggested that 1-cent tax on the
company's gasoline might be added to
cover the expense of the symphony
program.
x = 4 4
NEEp secrecy continues to sur
~ round the experiments with
power by radio reported to have
started last March. when it was said
that two motor handcars of the Santa
Fe Railroad had Travelled several miles
under power drawn from the ether
Since that time it has been learned
that a company calling itself the
wireless Power Transmission Corpo-
ration, with headquarters at 7 Eddy
street. Providence, R. l., has been
formed to promote a 1000, ,000-watt
power-by-radio transmitting station
Announcement of this gigantic prof.
ect was made by John c. Roberts,
president of the company, who stated:
"I am looking forward to a thousand
kilowatt transmitting station which
will enable me to transmit power to
trains by wireless without the neces-
sity Of engines or fuel, and running
from 100 to $50 miles in circumfer-
ence." In other words, Mr.. Roberts
thinks his proposed giant transmitter
can furnish the requisite power for
propelling trains within radius of
100 to $50 miles.
Radio engineers consulted about the
scheme were inclined to give it little
Credence. although the power byradio
idea has long been coniured within
their ranks. notably by Nikola Tesla.
the eminent electrical scientist. No
one knows whether the Santa Fe ex-
pertinent scheduled to occur near Boise
City, Idaho, ever took place, and
there is no record in the files of the
Federal Radio Commission to indi-
cate that the necessary wave lengths
were ever authorized for such an ex-
pertinent
The inventor is said to be Marion