Evening star., 1938-11-15
Forum Speakers Tell
OF Plans 10 Push
American Travel
Discuss U. S. Efforts in
Dedicotory Program
Of Interior Studio

DISSuSS ~. ,. 6IIOTtS III
Dedicotory Program
Of Interior Studio
Five men spoke last night on the
National Radio Forum, arranged by
The Star and broadcast over Ma
tion-wide network of the National
BroadcaSting Co. They were Secre-
tary of the Interior Ickes, Secretary
of Commerce Roper. Assistant Sec
retary of State Messersmith; Max
ORell Truitt, of the Maritime Com
mission, and Newbold Noyes, asso-
ciate editor of The Star. They con-
Quoted a discussion of Federal acti-
vities relating to transportation and
communications.
The discussion was broadcast
from the new radio broadcasting
studio of the Department of the In
terror, which the Forum program
served to dedicate The studio is in
the north penthouse of the new In
terror Building and is the latest in
modern studio development. The
program last night was heard locally
,ver Station WMAL.
The dedication marked the Gov
'rnment's entry for the first time
nto the field of official broadcasting
through its own studio facilities
Hook-ups can be made with the big
commercial chains and the Naval
Radio Station at Arlington if the
occasion should arise. The texts of
last nights talks follow:
Text of Broadcast.
Announcer-Ladies and Gentle
men: The Star Radio Forum will
now take you to the United States
Department of the Interior, Wash
ington, D. c., for the dedication of
it's new radio studio Shannon Al
len. director of the studio will open
the broadcast.
Mr.. Allen:-Tonight, we present
the first radio program ever broad
cast from the new Interior Building
in Washington. In few minutes
Secretary Ickes will dedicate the
new radio studio of the United
States Department of the Interior
on the roof of its new building. The
subject this evening-"Domestic
and 1nter-American Travel'-af-
fects the lives and welfare of the
citizens of all nations. The United
States Travel Bureau has arranged
for certain Cabinet officers and
other Government officials concern
ed with various phases of this prob
lem to meet here for a round table
discussion of this subject. They will
discuss the related activities of their
respective departments. Our radio
audience will hear at first hand how
Federal agencies cooperate to solve
problem Of international scope I
now present Newbold Noyes, asso-
ciate editor of The Washington Star
who will comment on the travel in
dustry and introduce Harold l..
Ickes, Secretary of the Interior.
Mr.. NoyeS-1 am greatly honored
to have the privilege of inaugurating
this important discussion. Accord
ing to the Passport Division of the
State Department, 48.7 per cent of
all travel to foreign countries is for
recreational purposes. Recreational
travel is now the third largest
industry in the United States and
represents an annual expenditure of
S5,000,000 American money is
spent abroad at the rate of $60O,OO0,-
600 annually, while travellers from
other lands spend approximately
Sl50,000,000 in this country each year.
This is due in large measure to the
travel promotion activities of other
governments.
Cooperative Need Seen.
Nearly two years ago, Secretary
Ickes foresaw the need of a cooper
ative program between American
travel interests, the States, and the
Federal Government. He, therefore
established the United States Travel
Bureau in the National Park Serv-
ice as the instrumentality through
which this might be accomplished
Tonight's discussion will illustrate
how this is being done. Commenta-
ries on this subject have been pre-
pared by Frank r. McNinch, chair
man of the Federal Communications
Commission; Dr. L. S. Rowe, director
general of the Pan American Union
and Edward j. Noble, chairman OF
the Civil Aeronautics Authority
These will be presented shortly.
1t is fitting that we should begin
this discussion by presenting the
views of President Roosevelt, as
expressed in recent letter to Sec
retary Ickes. The President stated:
1T is my belief that the Depart
ment of the Interior, through the
facilities for information and assist
ance to travellers organized in the
, Travel Bureau, will render not only
nation wide but world wide
service in the name of the United
States. l hope that it will encourage
more Americans to see and know
their own country, and that it will be
, regarded as personal service bu-
reau by the peoples of other countrie.
to whom we extend the hand OF
warmest friendship and the friendly
invitation of good neighbor tt
visit America" That concludes the
Presidents statement.
1t is now my privilege to present
to our radio audience, Harold L
Ickes, Secretary of the Interior.
Mr.. Ickes-Thank you, Mr.. Noyes
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank the National Radio Forum
and the National Broadcasting CO
for making their facilities available
for this program. 1t is a pleasure
to dedicate this studio to the dissem.
ination of knowledge concerning oul
Government, our Nation and oul
people
Variety for Travellers.
Nowhere in the world is there {
wider variety of attractions for thu