Two Amusing Incidents

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 12, 2 October 1931, Page 5

Two Amusing Incidents

wma Concerning Head of B.B.C. WO of the best anecdotes arising from the broadcasting industry strangely concern Sir John C. W. Reith, head of the B.B.C. The first occurred on’ the occasion of his formal address recently before the National Council for Education by Radio at the Institute for .Social Service in New York, while he was on a visit to U.S.A. Sir John had followed Secretary Wilbur on the list of speakers, which was to conclude with President Toover’s introduction of Prof. Millikan, new president of the council. The director-general, as is his wont, had

referred in positive terms to some of the difficult aspects of the United States method of sponsored _programmes. He concluded his talk a miriute before President Hoover was to go on from Washington. The operator back of the stage immediatly threw the switch and tuned to WJZ, which was to broadcast the Chief Wxecutive’s address. To the astonishment of the members in the auditorium, a voice issued from the loudspeaker on the stage: "You have just listened to a programme presented under the auspices of ...... company, makers of thin sliced ham and bacon. When you go to your dealer, ask for ... ete.’ Sir John indicated that the English are not always slow to appreciate a humorous situation. The second incident was related by Sir John himself as representing the most amusing broadcast "accident" which has come to his attention. A bishop was completing his radio service from one of the B.B.C. studios. Listeners followed him to his last words, which ended: "I hope I meet all my listeners in heaven," but then to the horror of the British came the American slang phrase in the unmistakable voice of the same bishop: "I don’t think!" Investigation showed that the bishop was the victim of slow work on the part of the station operator. As he concluded his address he turneg to the announcer and remarked: "I don’t think I’ve exceeded my time, have I?" but the control operator had failed to "kill" the mike until the first three words had caused thousands of. Iinglish listeners to gasp in amazement,