Abuse of Radio

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 38, 3 April 1931, Page 11

Abuse of Radio

Developments in America GPHCIAL problems are developing in America owing to the use being made of the air by radio stations operated for private gain. An extraordinary development is the maintenance of special hours and even stations by scheming fortune-tellers, astrologers, quack weather prophets, and medical shysters of one sort or another. According to a report published in "Hditor and Publisher" there are about 20 psychic persons in New York and its vicinity advertising on the air, and about a dozen in the city proper. Hvidence was obtained recently by a New York newspaper that one dispenser of horoscopes, with a large trade drawn from radio broadcast activities, took care of about 2000 customers without the slight formality of reading their letters. A staff of secretaries merely slipped a prepared card for the victim’s natal month into an envelope and mailed it in return for one dollar. Much publicity has recently been given in the States to a decision by the Radio Commission refusing renewal of the license of a station operated by Dr. John R. Brinkley, on the ground that the character of its programme was inimical to the public health and safety, and for that reason not in the public interest. Through a "Medical Question Box" Brinkley, over the air, invited letters describing symptoms of ailments, In reply, Brinkley would broadcast to such sufferers instructions to purchase at designated drug stores prescriptions obtainable by number only. He organised the "Brinkley Pharmaceutical Association," consisting of druggists handling his prescriptions, and these druggists paid a fixed percentage to him on all prescriptions sold through his broadcasting. In appealing against the commission’s decision, Brinkley contended that its action was tantamount to illegal een-

sorship. In hearing the case, Mr. Justice Robb, however, ruled that this contention was without merit, and the commission merely exercised its undoubted right to take note of appellant’s past conduct, and that was not censorship. This decision will, it is hoped, help broadcasting authorities in effecting control of the numerous radio fortunetellers, mind-readers, and sellers of magic blood-magnetisers, nostrums, and medicines supposed to cure all sorts of _ diseases,