Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan - Mar 1951)

SUPPLY FORMULA Electronic Makers Suggest FORMULA for acquisition of critical raw materials by electronics makers was worked out last week by the Assn. of Electronic Parts and Equipment Mfrs. and the Sales Managers Club eastern group in Washington. Kenneth G. Prince, acting for both, said at Chicago headquai'ters Thursday that the formula was in the shape of a resolution submitted to the Electronics Products Div. of the National Production Authority, and concerns makers of maintenance, repair and operating parts which keep electronic equipment "in good operating order." The resolution was passed at a meeting of committees from the two associations after informal discussions with John G. Daley, director of the Electronic Products Div. of NPA; Donald H. Parris, deputy director, and Lester Doidge of the Office, of Civilian Requirements. Nine-Point Resolution The nine-point resolution, based on the six-month period ended June 30, 1950, recommends that distributors who buy maintenance, repair and operating supplies from manufacturers be restricted to a 180-dav inventory; that distributors sell these supplies only to customers who certify in writing that material will be used for repair and replacement; that the parts will not increase the inventories above the restrictions, and that a manufacturers' priority rating be established for the purchase orders. In "Washington Mr. Daley said he felt there is a definite need for "MRO" priorities and that NPA is now developing orders for issu GIVEAWAY SHOWS May Lack Prizes THREATENED curtailment of production of appliances may cause some shortages in merchandise distributed on radio and television giveaway shows, Broadcasting • Telecasting learned last week. Bill Murphy, head of V. I. P. Service, New York, which collects giveaway items from manufacturers for 10 network and 30 local programs, said that the manufacturers who had been in the practice of donating appliances were, by and large, intending to continue. Those who have been supplying appliances to giveaways feel that it is inexpensive and effective advertising. But Mr. Murphy said it was becoming increasingly difficult to interest manufacturers who have not participated in giveaways. The opportunity to solicit merchandise in exchange for mentions on the air from manufacturers new to the technique is dwindling, Mr. Murphy reported. Such manufacturers, fearing production cuts, wish to reserve all their production for their dealers. Page 26 • February 12, 1951 ance soon. Additionally, the Electronics Products Div. is encouraging other NPA divisions to expedite plans which would guarantee accredited civilian users with adequate materials. Mr. Daley said he had suggested that the formula be submitted to the proper authorities vested with the responsibility of preparing such orders. In approving the resolution, the manufaceurers (estimated at over 200) cited the need for maintaining present equipment in good working order and repair as part of the national defense program and the public interest. The manufacturers and sales units noted that some governmental regulations already have recognized the importance of maintenance by permitting "a greater use of critical raw materials." But, they added, no such regulations have been issued by which manu NBC Plans Agenda For Feb. 74-75 NEW SPAC PARLEY NBC's newly-elected Stations Planning and Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting this week in New York. Although NBC executives were mum about the subjects to be discussed at the meeting, it was considered probable that among them would be summer programming, promotional and advertising efforts and, certainly, sales. The question of network sales in radio, it was believed, was sure to provoke at least some discussion of NBC's proposal to reduce evening radio rates in television markets. That proposal was abandoned early this year after affiliates expressed overwhelming opposition to it. The network, however, was understood at the time to have clung to its belief that rate reductions should eventually come about. The question, it was thought, was bound to come up at the SPAC meeting this week. Pew major network radio sales have been consummated since NBC let the rate-cut proposal drop. The meeting will be held Feb. 14 and 15. Expected to attend are: Robert Thompson, general man ager, WBEN Buffalo, N. Y.; B. T. Whitmire, general manager, WFBC Greenville, S. C; Milton L. Greenebaum, president and general manager, WSAM Saginaw, Mich.; Howard E. Pill, president, WSFA Montgomery, Ala.; Ralph Evans, executive vice president, Central Broadcasting Co., representing WHO Des Moines and WOC Davenport, Iowa; Jack Harris, general manager, KPRC Houston, Tex.; S. S. Fox, president, KDYL Salt Lake City, and Richard O. Dunning, president and general manager of KHQ Spokane, Wash. Also Martin Campbell, general manager, WFAA-TV Dallas, representing the non-interconnected television network. The interconnected television network is represented by E. R. Vadeboncoeur, vice president and general manager, WSYR-TV Syracuse; John T. Murphy, director of television for Crosley Broadcasting Corp., and Dean Fitzer, general manager, WDAF-TV Kansas City. BRIG. GEN. DAVID SARNOFF (standing, r), chairman of the RCA board of directors and 1951 national campaign chairman for the Red Cross, and Lloyd E. Yoder (standing, I), general manager, KNBC San Francisco, look on as Ray V. Johnson, KNBC staff newswriter, makes a blood donation in KNBC's Studio "A" Blood Bank. The bank was set up in cooperation with the Red Cross to spur blood donations for the armed forces in Korea. facturers of MRO supplier acquire these materials. Sue] ders could maintain million dollars worth of equipment, it| explained. Such a program, the resol continued, is essential becau involves the armed forces, goment monitoring agencies, and local governments, labor ies, schools, nre-police-health, fare agencies, common car public utilities, radio and TV tions, radio amateurs, civiliai fense agencies and manufactc The formula covers equip which requires the use of ele tubes and is limited to "r tenance, repair and operating plies" related to the base p ended last June 30. Distribi. limited to a 180-day invei based on that period, would supplies only to customers have written certifications, ai turn could purchase supplies similar authority. Manufacturers of MRO sup would assign a priority ratin all purchase orders for the ac< tion of raw materials, part components they need, pro they did not acquire over a month period more than 150' amount used during the base The resolution was submitted by Liberman and A. Shanes, Talk-A-I Co.; Herb W. Clough, Belden Mfg S. N. Shure, Shure Bros.; A. Delii Standard Transformer Corp.; Ei Laird, Ohmite Mfg. Co.; Sam I United Transformer Co.; S. J. Sp Insuline Corp. of America; Jerry I baum, Precision Apparatus Co., John Hauser, Sylvania Electric j ucts Co. 'FIVE PERCENTER Congress Drive Si A TWIN DRIVE is on in Con; to crack down on the "five center" (or "seven-and-one percenter"). In the Senate, Sen. Clyd Hoey (D-N. C.) has asked bus to help his Expenditures sufc mittee in tracking down "five centers" why try to chisel fe< defense contracts. Sen. Hoey i his investigators to step up efforts in the face of renewei tivity by a new crop of "infli peddlers." A similar probe is underwa the House Armed Services j mittee under Chairman Carl son (D-Ga.). The Congresi reported that the number of plaints has been increasing. J. Courtney, former special a: ant to the Attorney General, added to the committee sta: help conduct the investigatioi Meanwhile, the Dept. of De: said it was considering the d ing of experienced U. S. Cha of Commerce staffs throughou country to break apart the ] tice of hiring by smaller bus of "contact" and "influence" The defense officials pointer that retention of such agents unnecessary. A New Jersey C' ber official suggested the use o association's service, asserting staffs in from 500 to 750 citi' the country could represent nesses in their areas will charging fees. BROADCASTING Telecast !>