The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1950-12-07
BY DAN SMYTH

Chicago.-The Chicago Fedora
tion of Labor, which has owned
and operated its own radio station
for "a years, is planning to go into
television.
Federation delegates unanimous
ly adopted an executive board re-
commendation that the board Of
directors of radio station VIGIL
be instructed to take any steps
necessary to obtain a television
channel.
The executive board had exam
ined the subject previously, and
concluded a television outlet would
be as essential for protection of
labors interest in the future as
radio has been in the past.
The AFL Executive Council en-
dorsed the project and has pledged
to help in all possible ways toward
its realization.
VIGIL, the Voice of Labor in
Chicago, for quarter-century has
been a testimonial to the foresight
of the late Ed Nockels, who pre-
ceded Joseph d. keenan, as secre-
tary of .the federation.
In the early 20s, the radio indus
try was small, expensive to play
with, with an uncertain future.
Many leaders in the Chicago labor
movement were doubtful of its
value as a medium of communica
tion with the public. But Nockels
demanded radio station for
Chicago labor, and he got it.
Contribute" he urged of the
city's great unions. Labor deser-
yes its own radio station
On July 27, 1926, VIGIL broad
cast its first program. Because it
was a pioneer, it is today a major
outlet, operating on $4,000 kilo
watts, the strongest power the Fed
eral Communications Commission
will let any radio station use. The
station is looking toward its 25th
next year.
Equal in power to any station in
the country, VIGIL also is equal
in the quality of its programs.
In the field of classical music, it
has presented weekly broadcasts
of the Chicago Symphony Orch
estra concerts, and 2 favorite re-
programs-the Treasury
of Music and the Music Lovers
Hour.
In sports, it carries the entirel
schedule of the Chicago Cardinals
professional football team, the en-l
tire schedule of the University of
Notre Dame football team, up-to-
,he-second summaries of racing
activities with trackside descrip-
lions of the daily feature race, anG
sport reviews and spec
al features.
In news reporting it presents its
)wn commentator, Vic Barnes, a
1eteran Chicago newspaperman, at
p. m. nightly. At 8 p. m. it is the
Chicago outlet for the nationwide |
of Frank Edwards,
who is sponsored by the American
Federation of Labor.
In public service VIGIL alsoI
eads. In 1949 it broadcast an all
hight entertainment, featuring Ed
lie Cantor, Fran Warren and Other
vell-known stars to help raise
unds for the Polio Foundation.
During Gov. Stevenson's Confer
nee of Labor and Management foi
Industrial Safety early in Ma,
NCFL broadcast the proceeding
rom a Chicago hotel. Two week
ater VIGIL handled the addres.
f President Truman from Chicago
stadium during tn e jefferson
ubilee.
But the stations primary respon
ibility is to the 100000 members
f local unions affiliated with the
ederation. 1t is available at al |
ines to unions in strike Difficult
les or in organizing drives. Re
emily it was credited with helping
yin an AFL victory in a depart
lent store chain bargaining elec
ion.
During the big printers strike
gainst the major Chicago daily
ewspapers, VIGIL told the print