Evening Star Newspaper, December 22, 1929, Page 66

10 YULE RADIO HOURS PREPARED AHEAD Christmas Week On Air Is THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGERON, D. C, | DECEMBER 22, 1929—PART FOUR. RADIOS ESSENTIAL | [ Behind the Miicrophone | |TELEVISION SHOWS PART IN'YULE SEEN ¢ PROGRESS IN TESTS Contrast Is Drawn Between| Experiments Breaking Down FEATURED IN CHRISTMAS WEEK NETWORK PROGRAMS BY THE RADIO EDITOR. HRISTMAS day has been selected by the National Broadcasting Co. for in- should know, particularly relative to the method of operation, in| order to obtain the best results| Called High Spot of the Year. BY WILLIAM S. PALEY, President, Columbia Broadcasting System Radio can properly count its birth- days by Christmases. Christmas pro- grams, no doubt, reach to greater heights of inspiration on the part of their directors than any other presen- | tations during the year. The season leading up to Christmas | is one of increasing anticipation and | in the program departments of the broadcasting chains program makers rise to the occasion. | Neither time, nor energy, nor expense | is considered when, early in November, the program, continuity and artist bureau departments begin their prep- arations for Christmas week, that high- spot of the year—Christmas eve and Christmas day. Beginning with the impelling Cathedral hour, at 4 o'clock this afternoon, the spirit of the best talent before and behind the micro- phone in the Columbia Broadcasting MERLE ALcock System will carry through a series of programs for Christmas week, 1929, which will be climaxed by Charles Dick- | ens' inspired “A Christmas Carol,” at midnight, heralding the birth of Christ- | mas day. | kens' Story In Drama. Dickens’ immortal story will be| dramatized with the full facilities and | talent of the Columbia Broadcasting System, under the direction of Julius Seebach. program manager, with a beautifully conceived continuity by Don Clark, continuity director. Musical scores have been adapted by Howard Barlow, director of Columbia’s sym- phony orchestra. So electric was the response to Co- Jumbia’s Christmas program of 1928, | under the direction of Mr. Seebach, that Columbia’s telephone system was | literally paralyzed for hours after the| rendition of the program and the vol- ume of telegrams and letters which ' poured in for days indicated to Colum- bia that a repetition in character of the 1928 program would touch the heart-strings of radio listeners more deeply than any other program which might be devised. ‘The midnight service of the Colum- bia system, emanating from its key sta- tion, WABC, will begin with an organ carol, in which the symphony of the great mixed chorus will blend into renditions of sacred Christmas music. Special Morning Service. 1 On Christmas morning “Around the Christmas Tree” is conceived for the younger folks who, with their elders, gathered around their own Christmas trees, will be entertained with a special continuity to accentuate holiday cheer. An especial radio service then will be broadcast from the Washington Cathe- dral over the Columbia network. The Yuletide of 1929, I believe, on the whole will be a joyous celebration of a happy people. Recent stock mar- ket disturbances for a time threatened to diminish the cheer of this approach- ing Christmas. Stock in trade quickly was taken by a cheerful people, the national administration quickly halted a trend toward pessimism, and now, having taken stock and found that in- dustry and finance are stable, our opti- mism is quickened, and we stand ready to march forward into a sounder eco- nomic period. We Americans customarily are quick to overcome danger. The element which most particularly endangered our national economic well-being was psychological. Had we been allowed to drift along after the severe shake-up in security values, a panic, indeed, might now be gripping us. Used to Calamity. Fortunately, we possess a leader who long has been accustomed to deal with calamity. He did not get panicky, and the essence of his program was to pre- vent the country from getting panicky. Leaders in banking, commerce, labor and industry foregathered in Washing- ton and programmed not only a recov- ery from the national cloudy state of mind, but the progress of prosperity which even now forebodes a 1930 of opportunity for every one with the will to put his shoulder to the wheel and win. So we face in" 1930 a real holiday spirit_in which there are no serious underlying qualms; with our shoulders | squared, with our eyes bright end our | countenances cheerful. Radio w.l add | its usual charm to the people’s enjoy ment of this Christmas. Merry and | gay, the programs of Christmas week will be a further contributing factor | in the plan for a happy and prosperous | people to be thinking and acting with | optimism and good cheer. HOOVER TO TAKE PART . IN CHRISTMAS PARTY| S RO | Ceremonies at Open-Air Tree to Be Broadcast Over National Network. A Christmas eve party to be held in the open air near the White House with | the President and Mrs. Hoover partici pating will be broadcast over the Na tional Broadcasting Co. system Tuesday afternoon at 5:45 o'clock. | President Hoover will press a- button flluminating the National Community Christmas tree. This giant tree, cov- ered with hundreds of electric bulbs, is | annually placed in Sherman Square, | adjacent to the Executive Mansion. Mrs. Hoover will be the recipient of Christmas_greetings extended by the people of Washington. These greetings will be given by a y and girl Scout, selected from the hundreds of Scouts in_Washington. Secretary of the Interior Wilbur is scheduled to make the only address at the Christmas eve party. He also will introduce President Hoover before the Chief Executive lights the tree. Although many thousands of people are expected to attend the party, ar- Tangements have been made for all of ‘Washington to be notified when the tree is actually lighted. At the same time President Hoover presses a button under the tree, buglers throughout the city will sound call informing every- one that the tres is lighted. Another feature of the party will be singing of Christmas carols by a group of several hundred school children. The carols to be heard are “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” “Silent Night,” “Deck the Halls” and “Joy to the World.” ‘There will be a concert by the United States Marine Band under the direction of Capt. Taylor Branson, leader. In ad- dition Arthur Whitcomb, assistant lead- er of the Marine Band, will be heard in a cornet solo. “Cantique de Noel.” Immediately after th: President ar- rives under the tree, the school children will join in singing “O Come All Ye Faithful” PHILCO CHA.NGES CHAIN. Programs on N. B. C. for Three Years to Be Heard on C. B. S. After nearly three years the Theater Memories program, sponsored by Philco on N. B. C. is to be replaced by a new program on C. B. S. The program will continue to be un- Countess OLGA ALBANI- C. chain. in the Palmolive Hour Wednesday night associated stations. Thursday night over WRC and the N. Donat role of Tiny Tim in a dramatized version of Dickens' “Christmas Carol,” N JEANETTE MAcDONALD- \ over WRC and associated stations. B. C. system. “family party” tomorrow night over WRC and the He has arranged a special Christmas program for his broad The diminutive Donald Hughes will play the to be broadcast Tuesday night by V Countess Olga Mendolago Albani, soprano, is co-starred with Rudy Vallee in the Sunshine Hour PauL OLIVER- Jeanette MacDonald and Mary Brian, both popular motion -picture artists, will take prominent parts in the | Paramount-Publix Hour Saturday night over WMAL and the Columbia network. Opera contralto, will be the guest soloist in the General Motors The photograph of Paul Oliver is his latest. Merle Alcock, former Metropolitan B. 'MAL and District Nat First-hand information as to what the Regular Army inspectors will look for at the annual inspections of the Na- tional Guard of the District of Colum- bia to be held shortly after the begin- ning of the new year has been imparted to the various commands by Regular Army officers on duty with the local guard. These inspections are the annual ones of the War Department to deter- mine, among other things, the general preparedness of the Guard for field ser ice, how well they are drilled, what fa- cilities for training the troops have and whether proper storage facilities are available for the protection of the Fed- eral Government property loaned to the troops for drilling. With the information imparted by the local inspector, the local troop com- manders are armed with sufficient data to go ahead and correct any defects which they now have, if any. There is still plenty of time in which to make in the circular to be the subject of spe- cial marks. With the drills suspended during the holiday season, it is expected that the militiamen will return to their regular drills soon in the new year to begin active preparation for their inspections. Upon their return from these holidays, the citizen soldiers will have their train- ing schedule mapped out with a view to passing high marks. However, there is a certainty that the local Guard will not ?et a perfect mark, no matter how hard its personnel works to that end. The armory facilities have not improved in the past year: in fact. they have become worse, because one of the buildings available and used last year has been taken away from the Guard and all of the troop activities confined to one building on th Union Station Plaza. For years the inspectors have reported most unfavorably on the armory situation, but these reports have | just gone into the files and been for- gotten along with other things. The criticism of the Army inspectors has had absolutely no effect on Congress, or any other Government agency with power to aid the local militia, so far as improving the facilities is concerned. The same unfavorable report is expected next year, although there is a possibility from its North Capitol street quarters. But it is doubtful that if they will be much better, from a strictly military training standpoint, that is unless it is possible to get the Pension Office Build- ing. This, however, seems very remote at this time, as other Government agencies are seeking the building as soon as it is vacated by the General Accounting Of- fice. And judging by past experiences, it is very likely that the Public Buildings Ccmmission will consider other agencies before it considers the Guard, as BE- pears to have been the practice in the past. This, in spite of the fact that the | Department of Justice has ruled the local Guard is such a Federal activity as to require the Public Buildings Com- mission to allocate quarters to it th same as it does for the Federal depart- institutions here. The armory which has been given to the local or- ::snxzathms by the Army instructor fol- ows: Scope of the Inspection.—It is the desire of the Militia Bureau that the inspection be confined to administra- | tion, care and storage of Federal prop- | erty and equipment, adequacy of armory | facilities and to those phases of basic | training which can actually be demon- |strated in the armory and which have | been included in the training programs and schedules of the organization or unit undergoing inspection. In further- ance of this idea, the Militia Bureau policy will be to have considered at the annual field inspection the more ad- | vanced phases of training and to rate the unit at that time upon its combat efficiency. | ~Standardization of Inspections.—It is | desired that the inspections within each | corps area be made as uniform as pos- sible. To this end, corps area com- manders have been requested to set up a guide for the use of officers making the inspections in their corps areas. | Features of Particular Note—It is desired that inspectors note_particularly {the following features during the con- duct of their inspections and give them careful consideration before finally rat- ing the unit: Initiative of both com- |missioned and non-commissioned offi- cers; leadership of both commissioned and non-commissioned officers; quacy of instruction in schools of non- commissioned officers and selected key men; adequacy, suitability, neatness and cleanliness of supply and orderly rooms; general condition of armory other than above; neatness of both officers and en- | listed ‘men; smartness of enlisted per- sonnel in standing at attention and sa- luting; general atmosphere and morale within the unit as a military organiza- tion. Deficiencies of previous year should be noted and the inspector should determine whether or not they have been corrected. The following suggestions have been der the direction of Henry M. Neely, the “old stager,” and is to feature lead- ing names of the theatrical, sporting. literary and news fields. offered with the idea that they may be of some aid: Completeness of armory drill schedules approved by higher au- thority; does the state of training as improvement on any of the items noted | that the Guard may be transferred | ments and independent governmental | | inspection information ade- | ional Guard observed indicate that drill schedules have been followed; do the armory drill schedules conform to the training program; completeness and accuracy of enlistment and service records and physical examinations; National Guard and training regulations, Militia Bureau circulars and general and special or- ders on hand and properly bound; is a progress chart used or is it just made for inspection; condition and appear- ance of motor transportation_ while being operated; condition of Federal | Property as to care and preservation; adequacy, suitability and neatness of garages or storage space for motor trans- portation on hand; adequacy of range for pistol practice; completeness of property accounts, memorandum re- ceipts and requisitions; completeness of individual clothing and equipment records; completeness of personal equip- ment of officers; manning tables show- ing artillery organization and unit mo- bilization plan to date. The above suggestions, it is stated, cover practically all items upon which the inspector will base his rating of the various organizations. ‘The Hezdquarters Detachment, 29th Division, closed its drill season for the current year last Tuesday night with a grand entertainment and feast, to which were invited high ranking officers of the Guard to help them enjoy the min- strel show and other features furnished entirely by talent in the company. Lieut. W. L. Hammer acted as master of ceremonies. The Yuletide greeting was delivered by Maj. E. H. Grove, to which answer was made by Lieut. Ham- mer. There was a vocal solo by Iry Krider, a banjo solo by Charles S. East, & recitation by Bus Kettler and a spe- cialty number by Jimmie Lynch. Maj. Gen. Stephan and Lieut. Col. Smith attended the entertainment. During the ceremonies Gen. Stephan presented to Master Sergt. Thomas P. Baxter, quartermaster section, the medal which he won for finishing sec- ond in the instructor's rifie match dur- ing the recent competitions on the local range. Gen. Stephan last week presented to members of Company A, 372d Infantry, I!hu medals which they won as a result !of the recent rifie competitions on the to the company team members for win- ning a match between the above or- ganization and one representing the 1st Separate Company of the Maryland National Guard. The individual members and their scores follow: Corpl. Merrill Tomlin, 219; Corpl. Edward W. Young, 210; Sergt. Oscar G. Blue, 202; Lieut, S. T. i Blackwell, 201, and Pvt. Richard Small- | wood, 180. | The following were awarded medals | as the winners in the individual cham- | plonship match: Corpl. Merrill Tomlin, score 214, gold medal; Sergt. Oscar G. Blue, score 213, silver medal, and Sergt. Hognlrd M. Sparrow, score 209, bronze medal. The officer in charge of citizens’ military training affairs of the Third Corps Area has forwarded to the 260th Coast Artillery a list containing the names of all the students of the camps of 1929. It was sent for the purpose of having this organization communicate with and inform the students how this regiment is equipped to assist them in completing their military training. This Tegiment, the statement continues, has an excellent staff of Regular Army per- sonnel assigned to it for the purpose of assisting and instructing the artillery personnel in the many and complicated military problems. They are available at all times. At the present time this organization consists of the following units: Head- quarters, Headquarters Detachment and Combat Train, two gun batteries, a | searchlight battery and a medical de- | tachment. A machine-gun battery has | been authorized and will be a part of the regiment about January 15. It can be seen, it is pointed out, that the 260th Coast Artillery has everything to be de- sired from the standpoint of one who wishes to be in active contact with the military game. It made an honorable record during the World War, as indi- cated by the battle streamers on its regimental colors, and also has enjoyed «an excellent rating since the date of reorganization, as indicated in the an- nual Federal inspection reports. It is understood that all C. M. T. C. students are working for their commis- slons in the Reserve Corps of the United States Army. There is no better way than through the National Guard. All officers of the National Guard are commissioned from the ranks after having passed the required examination. All members of the National Guard are eligible after six months’ service to take the examination for commission in the Guard and the Organized Reserves, This regiment is said now to be well cquipped in all the materiel necessary to an anti-aircraft artillery organiza- tion and is therefore an excellent means of training for commission. The follow- ing will be of interest: Instruction in basic training, instruction in anti-air- craft fire control, instruction in all anti- afrcraft instruments of communication, local range. Gold medals were awarded | small arms instruction and firing, ma- chine-gun instruction and firing. There is a range available all the year for target practice. Special attention is dirccted to the new machinc gun battery now being organized which has already created much interest in the District. The commanding officer extends an invita- tion to all interested to visit the armory on any drill night to ascertain first hand what the Coast Artillery regiment has to offer. Those interested also are urged to communicate with Lieut. Mil- ler, plans and training officer, at the armory, National 3635. The following have been ordered transferred from the active to the re- serve lists of their respective organiza- tions for the reasons stated: Business interference with the per- formance of military duty: Pvt. Beverly A. Davenport; Battery A, 260th Coast Artillery; Pvt. Edward R. Dovers, Head- quarters and Service Company, 121st Engineers; Pvt. Lester E. OlIff, Head- quarters and Service Company, 121st Engineers; Pvt. Lester S. Keefauver, Company E, 121st Engineers. Educational interference with the performance of military duty—Pvt. Jo- seph S. Goodkowitz, Company E, 121st Engineers; Pvt. George P. Hill, jr., Com~ pany E, 121st Engineers. Temporary absence from the District of Columbia—Pvt. Thomas L. Edmon- ston, Company D, 121st Engineers. The following have been transferred from the active to the reserve lists of their respective organizations for the reasons given: Business interference with the per- formance of military duty—Pvt. Joseph J. Miles, Headquarters Detachment, 29th Division; Pvt. George E. Reynolds, Headquarters Detachment, 29th Di- vision. g Temporary absence from the District of Columbia—Pvt. Harry L. Ferguson, 29th Division Military Police Company. ‘The_ Goldorick, official organ of the Division Headquarters Troops, last week contained a laudation of Lieut, Willard L. Hammer upon completion of three years of service without missing a single drill. Brigade Headquarters last week re- ceived notice from the Takoma Park Citizens’ Association that that body has passed a resolution urging the provision of an armory for the training of the local troops. Lieut. Col. Frederick H. Smith, ad- jutant general of the local Guard, this week will go to West Point to visit his son, who is a cadet at the United States Military Academy. Col. Smith has been granted five days' leave of absence. The applications of First Lieut. John G. May and Second Licut. Samuel W. Marsh to attend the Engineer School at Fort Humphreys, Va., from March 7 to June 6, next, have been forwarded by brigade headquarters to the Militia Bureau. Capt. Arthur L. Smith, chaplain of the 121st Regiment of Engineers, has accepted a commission in the Chap- lain’s Corps of the Officers’ Reserve. ‘Weeding out of officers in the National Guard Reserve throughout the country is indicated in a report of the Militia Bureau. During the past year, it was said, the Militia Bureau has made & very thorough study of the subject of the status of officers in the National Guard Reserve and, in communicating with the various State authorities, re- celved many excellent suggestions, which have been given careful con- sideration in the preparation of recom- mendations for appropriate and neces- sary legislation held to be desirable for increasing the efficiency of the Na- tional Guard Reserve. A number of the States have made a thorough investi- gation of the officer personnel under their jurisdiction and discharged many who were not desired for retention for various reasons. Notwithstanding the discharge of several hundred officers, the result has been a net increase in' the National Guard Reserve as a whole, Pending legislation, the Militia Bu- erau says that it is continuing its con- sideration of the National Guard Re- serve with a view to taking such ad- ministrative action as may be feasible to increase its efficiency. The studies being made include the question of the assignment of officers to active organi- zations of the National Guard ta fill positions authorized by war strength tables of organization. It is believed that the making of an increased num- ber of such assignments will stimulate and develop the interest of National Guard Reserve officers in military mat- ters and have a tendency to increase their efficiency and dependability as a reserve force to a considerable extent over what exists at the present time. As In the case of officers of the Guard Reserve, it is believed by the Army au- thorities that the interest of the en- listed personnel in military matters can best be maintained by essigning them to organizations in which instruction and training may be given them, rather than by permitting them to remain in an unassigned status in which there are no practical means for increasing their efficiency. The authorities say that un- less there is some appropriate action taken by the various State authorities to maintain the military efficiency of the enlisted men of the National Guard Reserve it is evident that it cannot be depended upon as a reliable body of men ready for use in time of either State or national emergency. 0Old and New Observance of Christmas Day. BY M. H. AYLESWORTH, President National Broadcasting Co. Christmas—and the radio! Christmas means much to radio, and radio means much to Christmas. This wonderful new method of mass com- munication brings to us each year more of those things which become an in- tegral part of our lives. The radio set at Christmas is as much a part of the observance of the day as is the Christ- mas dinner, the Christmas tree and the Christmas greetings of our friends. We in broadcasting feel an obligation about Christmas day that causes us to approach it as am almost sacred enter- prise. We realize that in many homes the radio must furnish the center of the holiday cheer. It .must be attuned to the spirit of the day; it must be a welcome and desirable visitor. We try to give the world on Christ- mas day programs that will reflect the various activities peculiar to the season. We realize that more than half of our people have radio sets and that they depend, in some measure, on the radio to bring to them the messages of the | rest of the world. Radio Makes Contrast. What a difference from the old-time Christmas! There was the Christmas tree in the morning, with the job of denuding it before any one had a mouthful of breakfast. And after that —a long, often dreary day—perhaps an hour or two of church for the religious- minded, and a dinner that didn't seem to be a fitting climax. Somehow, Christmas, after the weeks of rushing and buying and preparations, once it arrived, seemed to sag and grow uninteresting. Now the radio has worked another miracle. It has put into Christmas the joy, the sparkle, the spirit that it seemed to lack. We may wake to hear the bright cheerful carols greeting the new day. Swift moving music, attuned to the occasion, brings to us a realiza- tion of the holiday spirit. Holiday Program Variety. And throughout the day and the eve- ning something is availabie on the radio every minute, something that is part of the holiday. ‘We have a variety of entertainment. The ringing words of a great preacher of the Gospel come to us, bringing the inspiration of the story of Bethlehem. If we be in the mood, we may listen and find enjoyment. If we are not so minded, we turn the dials to something less serious. Great orchestras, wonderful soloists, contribute their parts to making Christ- mas day a real Christmas for the mil- lions of radio listeners. Oratorios and cantatas fill the air with their age-old stories, Before the birth of radio the indi- vidual was restricted by time and physical limitations to a limited num- ber of experiences on Christmas. To- day, with some 600 radio broadcasting stations presenting programs of great diversity, there is a multiplicity of ma- terial of entertainment, cultural or in- spirational ~desirability’ that comes to the user at the twist of the dial. Growing Understanding. ‘We leap from a religious service thou- sands of miles across the continent to a symphony orchestra, back somewhere else for a ‘thrilling description of sports event, into a great theater for a few minutes of grand opera; perhaps we hear voices coming to us from across the oceans. There is something about radio that draws its hearers into a closer under- standing of each other. Though they may be separated by tremendous spaces, they share a common feeling when they listen to the same radio program. It is the bond that grows between persons who have had the same or similar ex- periences. We find an instinctive liking for the person, stranger or otherwise, who lived in the same home town, who has climbed the same mountain or who has stopped at the same hotels as our- selves. Radio forms a great common denom- inator in the lives of our people. It knots them together with a common understanding and a mutual sympathy for each other. The International Influence. In the not distant future, radio will be carrying more frequent programs from America to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to America. Already we have heard voices coming across the wastes from Great Britain, Holland and Germany. Radio has sent the voices and music from America around the world. Scientists and engineers are deep into tne prob- lems of international exchange of pro- grams on a_definite series of program schedules. Hands -across the sea have been supplemented by voices across the sea. Apd the radio programs that go out to our neighbors of other nations will help to bring us closer to them, just as they have served to bring Americans to a closer appreciation of each other. Radio is destined to act as the great medium for promotion of international understanding and international amity. It is a tremendous power, working for the full consummation of the glorious messages of Christmastide: “Peace on earth; good will to men.’ RADIO MAKERS HAVE FAITH IN THE FUTURE The “Industry” Joins President Hoover's Movement to Stimu- late Business of U. S. By the Associated Pres: Radio, represented by the section de- scribed as “the industry,” is full of con- fidence for the future. In expressing its opinion about the outlook the industry has joined the movement initiated by President Hoo- ver to stimulate business. Decision to do its part was made at a conference sponsored by the Radio Manufacturers’ Association at which encouraging reports were heard. H. B. Richmond of Cambridge, Mass., president of the association, summed up the situation thus: “As long as the Nation's purchasing power is unimpaired there is no need of fear in the radio industry. Its con- dition is improving, although there was a recession, both practical and psych logical, resulting from the stock mar- ket_decline. i “The present general situation is unique in that overproduction, which means unpaid-for merchandise, is in the hands of the consumer. We have both unpaid-for merchandise in the hands of the consumer and in our dis- tributors or our own warehouses as well. We also have a potential produc- tion much larger than current de- mand, causing part-time operation of lants. 5 “Conditions now are much improved and the industry can look forward with confidence to the business of 1930.” Plan Santa Program. ‘A special Santa Claus program is to be put on the air by N. B. C. through WEAF and stations Christmas eve. Will Present Carols. Christmas carols of many ages and climes will be sung by the Salon 8 ers on WJZ Tuesday evening. & troducing the first of the series of long-promised interna- |tional exchange of radio pro- grams. Barring adverse atmospheric conditions the American radio audience, according to an official announcement by the National Broadcasting Co., will be given a real Christmas present in the form of programs from England,| Holland and Germany. Under| the reciprocal arrangement the National Broadcasting Co. will send a special program to Eng-| land and Holland Christmas day | and on the following day to Ger- | many. The schedule worked out for| the epochal exchange of pro-| grams will bring the Holland broadcast over the National| Broadcasting Co. network at 12| o'clock Christmas day. Forty-five minutes later an attempt will be made to pick up a half-hour pro- | gram from Germany, and at 2:45 o'clock the same afternoon the| London studios of the British Broadcasting Co. will flash a Christmas program across the At- lantic for dissemination over the | National Broadcasting Co. net- work. America’s first radio Christmas greetings to Europe will go on the air at 11 o’clock Christmas morn- ing. The program will be dedi- cated jointly to the British Broadcasting Co. and the N. V. Philips Co. of Eindhoven, Holland. It will be provided by an orches- tra under the direction of| Nathaniel Shilkret, Gladys Rice and a group of other prominent American radio artists. Typically American selections are included in the programs. The program Thursday, planned for Germany, will be dedicated to the Reichs Rund- funk Gesellschaft, the leading broadcasting organization in that country. It will be broadcast from 11:45 to 12:15 o’clock. Shil- kret also will direct the orchestra for this program and Jessica Dragonette will be the featured soloist. * ok k %k With the coming of each New Year it has become the custom to ask radio manufacturers to fore-| cast the development in radio for the coming 12 .months. Powell Crosley, president of the Crosley Radio Corporation, is the first to come forward with his prediction. “It is difficult to dnticipate radical changes or improvement,” he said. “First we saw the crys- tal detector sets; then came the vacuum tube, with storage bat- teries or dry cells, which held the center of the stage for several years. “In 1927 came the completely revolutionary change to the A. C tube sets, which would operate direct off the electric light cur- rent. The past year has seen what has been pronounced to be the greatest development of all in radio—the screen grid tube and its application to cir- cuits in radio receiving sets. Per- haps the development of the moving coil type of speaker should be mentioned, for it has greatly improved radio reception in the past two years. “There now seems to be noth- ing radically new and different on the horizon. It now appears that radio set manufacturers face no radical changes for some time to come. The development of the modern screen grid tube receiver, with moving coil speaker, leaves little to be desired in the way of further improvement. The radio manufacturer can now concen- trate his efforts on the perfection of detail and reduction in manu- facturing cost, while the radio public can be assured that a mod-= ern set purchased today should give satisfactory performance for years to come.” * K % x WRC, the Washington outlet of the National Broadcasting Co., is on the lookout for young men with good voices who desire to be- come announcers, according to a statement _issued last week by Frank M. Russell, vice president. “There are scores of young men who, if given the opportunity, would soon develop into satisfac- |tory radio announcers, but for one reason or another this satis- factory type of young man does not frequently apply for' a posi- tion,” said Mr. Russell. “I pre- sume they are now ‘satisfactorily employed in good' positions or it is quite likely that they do not realize they have the proper qualifications to appear over the radio. “The Washington studios of the National Broadcasting Co. are Ifast becoming a training school |for network radio announcers. During the past few months three men have been summoned to the New York studio after a short training in the Nation's Capital. The last man to go to New York was George F. Hicks, who is familiarly known to the Washington radio audience. “A good voice is naturally of utmost importance in an an- nouncer, but there are other qualifications of equal impor- tance, and among these we have energy, enthusiasm and a pleas- ing personality. Our policy is to secure men who not only have the ability as competent an- nouncers for Washington, but who also have definite prospects for qualifying for more responsi- ble work in our central studios| in New York.” * ¥ ¥ ¥ At this season of the year, when thousands of radio receiv- ing sets are given as Christmas presents, there are bound to be numerous problems of installa- tion. For instance, while com- paratively elementary to the ex- perienced listener, such questions as: How long to make the aerial? where to attach the ground? method of operation? etc., fre- quently baffle the new owner of a receiving set. Development during the last ew years of the all-electric re- ceiver, with its extreme sensi- tivity and selectivity, has greatly simplified the installation of the new- set. Of course, in most cases, when a new set is pur- chased from a reliable dealer, it is usually delivered and installed. However, there are certain things possible. Probably the most important, and that which should be given the greatest of care, is the inser- tion of the vacuum tubes. While this may appear simple, confu- sion of the tubes by placing them in the wrong socket may do con- siderable damage. The detector tube and the screen-grid valves, of course, are not easily confused, because of their five-prong base. | Even if these two kinds of tubes were confused, however, while no damage would result, the set would not function properly. is also possible to confuse the rectifier with one of the amplifier tubes, in which case the fllament might be burned out. However, in practically all re- ceivers on the market today the sockets are clearly marked with the type number of the tube re- quired. A corresponding number is on the base of the tube. If | these numbers are watched care- fully there will be no difficulty. Probably the most important and helpful to the new listeners is the method of operation. This information is usually supplied in the form of an instruction book with the receiver. The modern set has only three controls—a tuning dial, volume control and an on-and-off switch. However, with the inception of the screen-grid radio receiver during tha last year a new con- trol is frequently found ¢n the front panel. This is so-called “distance” and “local” switch. Its purpose is to facilitate the re- duction of the volume on the local stations in order to prevent distortion through the overload- ing of the detector tube. It should always be set on “local” while listening to stations within approximately 50 miles of the set. This will insure the highest de- gree of selectivity and quality on the more nearly located broad- casters. Tuning the new radio receiver is, of course, a simple procedure. However, to locate desired sta- tions without some knowledge of their relative position the dial makes tuning difficult to the new listener. Modern receiver dials are usually calibrated in either kilocycles or wave length. How- ever, the former designation is more or less standard on the latest types of sets. This is help- ful in that it literally spots the stations on the dial. Programs published ifi newspapers usually give the station, its wave length and frequency in kilocycles. Ref- erence to these charts tells the frequency of the station and, by comparison, enable the listener to locate the station without diffi- culty. It will be noticed that the lower kilocycle stations will be found at the maximum dial set- tings. Erection of an efficient aerial is important to the successful op- eration of the receiver. Because of the extreme sensitivity and se- lectivity of the modern screen- grid receiver only a small aerial is required. In general they are classified into three groups, namely, indoor, outdoor and loop antenna. For the most reliable all- around reception, including dis- tance as well as local, the outdoor aerial is best. A well insulated wire between 75 and 80 feet long, including the lead-in, is ample for the modern receiver. Longer wires are likely to give too much pick-up, causing poor selectivity, resulting in interference from stations operating on adjacent wave lengths. In order to function at its best, only the highest grade of mate- rials should be used in the con- struction of the outdoor aerial. For the wire, enamel coated cop- per wire, supported with glass insulators, is the best. For the listener who does not desire to use an outdoor antenna, and is to be contented with local and medium distance stations, the indoor aerial will suffice. It is, of course, the easiest to install. With a modern sensitive set, a wire between 15 and 25 feet strung about the molding of the room will give reliable reception of local stations. The loop aerial should be used only with receivers which are supplied with this type of antenna. They usually consist of several-turns of wire wound on a rigid form. Sets operating from such antenna must be sensitive in order to give good results, and for this reason should be used only with those designed to operate from the loop. Another important factor in the successful operation of the new radio receiver is the ground con- nection. For ordinary receiving purposes in the average home the cold-water pipe will give excellent results. A ground should always be used with the electric set. While it may be found that good results may be obtained without it, its use will have the tendency to eliminate any hum which might filter through the ap- paratus. ‘Where a water pipe is not avail- | able a radiator may be used and will usually give results compar- able to those obtained when a water pipe is employed. A gas | pipe, however, should never be used, because of its poor conduc- tivity. Location of the receiver in the home frequently has an impor- tant bearing on the quality of output obtained. A good receiver has been known to give poor re- production because of undesirable room accoustics. For instance, a set placed squarely against the wall will tend to give the effect of closing the back of the cabinet and will cause reproduction to sound as if it were emanating from a barrel. This may be over- come by allowing at least three inches between the cabinet and the wall. It is advisable also to place something soft against the wall directly behind the set. An- other way of overcoming this dif- | ficulty is to place the receiver in a corner of the room. A room which has papered| walls or heavy drapes and a num- ber of pictures will be best for fidelity of reproduction. Hard walls, with nothing on them to break up sound reverberations, will reflect the sound in such a way that an echo will be heard about the new set the listener and give the effect of distortion. - It f Barriers Keeping It in Laboratory Stage. By the Associated Press, NEW YORK.—Televison slowly io breaking down, the barriers that con- tinue to keep it in the laboratory stage Such is the impression obtained at the | Baird Television laboratories which have { been establisned in New York as a step toward making possible home reception | of pictures by radio. How soon the ob- ject will be an accomplished fact can b: determined only by the future. In the local development rooms, part of which resembles a studio, various types of television “cameras” and re- celvers have been set up and tests are being made by the use of wires connect- ing the two units, In all of the tests both voice and picture ef the speaker are fed into the receiver over separate channels, Englishmen In Charge The work is in charge of an English staff sent from the John L. Baird labo- ratories in London, and is headed by Capt. William J. Jarrard. Synchronization of transmitter and receiver, so that the scanning disk of the latter will maintain the same speed as the transmitter, has been one of the serious “obstacles to reliable television. Various methods have been proposed including the use of special motors. Baird, who gave his first television demonstration before members of the Royal Institution in London early in 1926, tackled the problem by developing a device to control the speed of th motor with a signal taken out of the received picture. It consists of a small iron wheel con- taining as many sprockets as there arc holes in the scanning disk. At each |side of the wheel is an electro magnet. | which makes contact with the sproket and which accelcrates or slows down the motor. The speed correcting signa which actually is a part of the pictur is fed directly to the magnets. Turns Before Lamps. ‘The Baird scanning disk consists very thin metal having 30 holes running, in a spiral around the outer edge. Th. disk turns in front of the neon lamp. which fluctuates in step with the re- ceived current, and builds what the eye accepts as a moving picture. The disk is no thicker than cardboard. An all-electric television - receiver powered from the AC lines, is part of the equipment. It also contal the automatic synchronizer. Laboratories were established on this side of the Atlantic, Capt. Jarrard in- dicated, to make possible the broad- casting of radio pictures for home re- ception in America. Ultimately it is hoped to’ use the broadcast channels, which at present are restricted to tele- | vision between the hours of 1 and 6 .m. Television broadcasts are now being made in Germany by Baird, and nego- tiations have been completed with the British Broadcasting Co. for such tran:- OF RADIO ALL PHASES SUBJECT OF INQUIRY Hearings to Be Resumed on Couzens Bill Seeking Com- mission. By the Assoclated Press. Every phase of radio operation and regulation is to be investigated by the Senate committee on interstate com- merce, which has resumed hearings on the Couzens bill for creation of a com- mission on communications. Radio telegraph problems, program broadcasting, manufacturing, the rela- tionship of wireless to wire communica- | tions and the general question of mon- opoly are included in an outline of the subjects prepared for the committee by William C. Green, its :~ecial counsel. One of the %rlnclpal questions to be determined is Whether program broad- casting statfons should be classed ¢ ccmmon cdrriers and required to serv the public on demand in the same man- ner as point to point communication: systems. In that connection it will ba decided whether chain systems be com- pelled to furnish service upon demand. The committee will tackle three prob- lems which have been the subject of considerable controversy. It will de- cide whether Congress shall regulate cleared channels, shall fix the limits of power of broadcasting stations and re- strict the operation of chain stations. The advisability of continuing, modi- fying or abolishing the zone system of radio administration will be considered | Prasident Hoover’s message to Congres | advocated discontinuing the selection of commissioners from specified zones. | Other questicns of particular concern 1o broadcasters are the requiring of license fees for stations and the granting o! larger powers of censorship to the com - mission, EQUIPMENT IS MOVED. R. C. A. Short-Wave Receiving Ap paratus in Larger Quarters. Short wave receiving equipment of the Radio Corporation of America has been moved from the small building it formerly occupied at Riverhead, Long Island, to a larger and more substantial structure erected especially for the pur- pose nearby. All European radio programs re- broadcast through the N. B. C. system are picked up with this equipment, movement of which places the foreign experiments on a permanent basis, en- gineers say. WILL FEATURE HOLIDAY. Many Stations Building Programs Around Christmas Spirit. The week of December 22 on the radio, reflecting the spirit of the sea- son, will be devoted largely to Christ- mas programs. Both individual stations and chains are building their features around Christmas music and plays. Some sta- tions will be off the air on Christm: while others will have only evening programs