The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-03-25
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN
THE UNITED STATES
The address by Mr.. Neils follows.

Inc ADDRESS ny MI. REIlS IOlloWs.
Some time ago your president invited
me to speak to you and tell you some
thing about our industry and the part
it plays in the lives of the people Of
this community. Before doing this /
would like to tell you something about
few of our industries of national
scope and how their development has
influenced the lives of our people and
our standard Of living.
Only about Is years ago you clamped
pair of ear phones to your head. Be-
fore you on a table stood crystal
set, which you had probably made
yourself. You listened intently. Pres
ently-Oh miracle-you heard some
thing that sounded like music. There
were about 1000 receiving sets in the
United States at that time.
Ten years ago the ear phones had
disappeared Instead, you listened to
loud speaker that looked like tin
hat set on edge. There were "A" bat
teries and B" batteries and a re-
charger to save you the trouble of go
ing to a service station when your
power ran low. Reception was bet
ter, but there still was plenty of static,
whistling and whining, interference,
blasting and fading. However, you
said with pride Il got Chicago last
night. Came in clear as bell" There
were then 100000 receiving sets in
the United States. Five years ago the
loud speaker had disappeared into a
beautiful cabinet You were no long
er troubled with "A" and "B" bat
teries You simply plugged in on your
light circuit. National networks were
being established and it was common
place to hear the stations of the Pa
cific Coast and Middle West.
Reception was better, but there still
was plenty of work to be done. Sc
lective sets were still high priced. They
had yet to be brought within reach Of
persons with moderate incomes.
Nevertheless, there were 100000
sets in the United States.
Today for as little as $500 you car
buy a set that operates by plugging
into an outlet and turning on dial
Reception is clear. Short wave band.
bring in programs from London, Paris
Berlin and Rome-give you police call.
aviation reports and amateur sta
tions.
A Marvellous Development
There now are 623 broadcasting sta,
tons and 26,000,000 radios in the United
States
1t is estimated that 100000 peopl
listened in on the broadcast of tn
election returns last November. TIL
development of radio has been mucl
more rapid In this country than else
where in the world. We have a radi
for every five persons in the Unite
States. ~
In Great Britain there is one for ev
cry rs persons.
In Sweden one for every 90.
In Germany one for every 1916.
In France one for every 229
In Italy one for every 1045
With few minor exceptions TIL
United States is the only country i
. the world in which radio broadcastin
Is not government owned and operate
The choice of program Of the averaf
} listener abroad is very limited. II.
ually the government operated broac
Y casts offer two programs simultant
! ously. If one does not like either
! them programs can be heard fro
!. neighboring countries; but some cour
$ tries forbid this and violating this la
s will soon bring a visit from the ub
0 quitous secret police.
!. But, even If the government permi
$ tuning in on foreign stations, recel
o ton will be poor on account of di
$, Continued on page q