WFJC explained

WFJC was a radio station in Akron, Ohio. First licensed in 1924 in Cleveland as WDBK, it was moved to Akron in 1927 and deleted in 1930 as part of a consolidation that created WGAR.

History

WFJC's first license, for 100 watts on, was issued in May 1924 under the station's original call sign, WDBK, to the M. F. Broz Furniture, Hardware & Radio Company at 13918 Union Avenue in Cleveland's Mount Pleasant neighborhood.[1] It began broadcasting on May 15, 1924. WDBK was deleted in the fall of 1924,[2] then relicensed the following spring, again with 100 watts, but now on .[3] Programming included jazz selections interspersed with an imitation steamboat whistle as a station identification,[4] along with live musical performances;[5] [6] reception for WDBK was limited outside of Cleveland and was barely audible in Akron.[7] In early 1927 the owner was changed to WDBK Broadcasting (Inc.) (Stanley J. Broz) at the Bolton Square Hotel on Carnegie Avenue,[8] using the slogan "Broadcasting from Cleveland".

Automobile dealer W. F. Jones purchased WDBK on July 15, 1927, with the intent of moving the station to Akron.[9] Jones's involvement in the medium began when—at his insistence[10] —a February 1925 auto show used a temporary station named WADC to broadcast the show's events, with a transmitter built by the Willard Storage Battery Co.[11] After the show ended, Jones tried to sign on the station permanently, but theatre owner Allen T. Simmons launched WADC from the Portage Hotel on April 8, 1925.[12] Jones was granted a permit to move WDBK to Akron[13] but would remain on [14] and sharing time with Cleveland station WJAY. Renamed WFJC,[15] the station made its debut broadcast from the Akron Beacon Journal building on October 22, 1927,[16] but merely as a tenant, the Beacon Journal did not have any ownership stake. Sam Townshend was listed as station manager,[17] secretary and lead engineer.

Following the establishment of the Federal Radio Commission (FRC), stations were initially issued a series of temporary authorizations starting on May 3, 1927.[18] In addition, they were informed that if they wanted to continue operating, they needed to file a formal license application by January 15, 1928, as the first step in determining whether they met the new "public interest, convenience, or necessity" standard.[19] On May 25, 1928, the FRC issued General Order 32, which notified 164 stations, including WFJC, that "From an examination of your application for future license it does not find that public interest, convenience, or necessity would be served by granting it."[20] However, the station successfully convinced the commission that it should remain licensed.

As part of a major reallocation under the provisions of the FRC's General Order 40, on November 11, 1928, WFJC was assigned to, again in a time share with WJAY.[21] WJAY moved to a different frequency allowing WFJC to operate full-time,[22] but this was temporary as WCSO was reassigned to a few months later as WFJC's new timesharing partner.[23] WFJC filed paperwork with the FRC on March 30, 1930, to move to, operate full-time and increase power to ; station management cited what had become a competitive disadvantage against WADC and Cleveland's WHK and WTAM.

At the same time the FRC confirmed a forthcoming hearing for WFJC's application,[24] George A. Richards, Leo J. Fitzpatrick and P. M. Thomas—owners of WJR in Detroit—incorporated the WGAR Broadcasting Company in order to establish "Cleveland's fourth radio station".[25] On September 6, the company filed an application with the FRC for authorization to "consolidate stations WFJC and WCSO into a new station with new equipment at Cleveland Ohio", which was approved that same month.[26] The WGAR Broadcasting Company took over ownership of WCSO on September 26, 1930,[27] later recognized as a casualty of the Great Depression.[28] WFJC was acquired seven days earlier.[29] [30] The deal was approved despite opposition from the chambers of commerce for both Akron and Cleveland,[31] in addition to local community groups[32] and competing Cleveland radio stations.[33]

WCSO made its final broadcast on October 11, 1930, after coverage of the Wittenberg Tigers-Washington & Jefferson Presidents football game[34] and its license was formally deleted at the end of the month.[35] As construction for the new station began immediately,[36] WFJC continued to broadcast from Akron until December 14; the December 13, 1930, Akron Beacon Journal informed its readers that WFJC would cease operations the next day at midnight, "to make way for WGAR, at Cleveland, which purchased its claim to the ether".[37] In its fifth annual report, the FRC reported that, effective June 12, 1931, WCSO and WFJC had been consolidated "to form new station WGAR, Cleveland, Ohio".[38] WADC eventually moved into the Beacon Journal building studios vacated by WFJC.[39]

Notes and References

  1. News: June 2, 1924 . New Stations . 3 . Radio Service Bulletin . U.S. Department of Commerce . 86 . Washington, D.C. . live . August 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210715022337/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221817&view=1up&seq=347 . July 15, 2021 . This source incorrectly renders "Broz" as "Brothers" . HathiTrust.
  2. News: October 1, 1924 . Strike out all particulars . 6 . Radio Service Bulletin . U.S. Department of Commerce . 90 . Washington, D.C. . live . August 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210716115508/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221817&view=1up&seq=422 . July 16, 2021 . HathiTrust.
  3. News: April 1, 1925 . New Stations . 4 . Radio Service Bulletin . U.S. Department of Commerce . 96 . Washington, D.C. . live . August 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210715022357/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221817&view=1up&seq=548 . July 15, 2021 . HathiTrust.
  4. News: Failor. Ralph. May 13, 1925. Last Night On The Radio. 12. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 24, 2021. August 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210824184532/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84052056/last-night-on-the-radio/. live.
  5. News: April 20, 1926. "The Pied Piper of Hamlin" Basis Of Tonight's Everready Program- Wood-Wind Ensemble 'Moorish Moods'. 10. The Lancaster Daily Eagle. Lancaster, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 24, 2021. August 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210824184531/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84058841/the-pied-piper-of-hamlin-basis-of/. live.
  6. News: May 22, 1926. Last Night on the Radio. 2. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 24, 2021. August 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210824184532/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84059002/last-night-on-the-radio/. live.
  7. News: April 13, 1926. Last Night On The Radio. 28. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 24, 2021. August 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210824184531/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84052181/last-night-on-the-radio/. live.
  8. News: January 31, 1927 . Alterations and Corrections . 7 . Radio Service Bulletin . U.S. Department of Commerce . 118 . Washington, D.C. . live . August 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210712202337/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221818&view=1up&seq=253 . July 12, 2021 . HathiTrust.
  9. News: July 15, 1927. W. F. Jones Planning Akron Radio Station. 1. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 24, 2021. August 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210824184536/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84057187/w-f-jones-planning-akron-radio-station/. live.
  10. News: Schetter. Clyde E.. December 31, 1927. Akron Radio Prospects Are Good. 16. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 24, 2021. August 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210824184534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84057881/akron-radio-prospects-are-good/. live.
  11. News: February 21, 1925. More Than 200 Cars On Display as Auto Show Opens. 22. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 24, 2021. August 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210824184532/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84056403/more-than-200-cars-on-display-as-auto/. live.
  12. News: Failor. Ralph. April 8, 1925. City broadcasts on air tonight, station to open. 1, 18. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 24, 2021. August 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210824184534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84058458/city-broadcasts-on-air-tonight-station/. live.
  13. News: July 30, 1927 . Alterations and Corrections . 5 . Radio Service Bulletin . U.S. Department of Commerce . 124 . Washington, D.C. . live . August 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210716115432/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221818&view=1up&seq=371 . July 16, 2021 . HathiTrust.
  14. News: July 21, 1927. W. F. Jones buys radio station for removal to Akron. 1. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 24, 2021. August 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210824184535/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84056874/w-f-jones-buys-radio-station-for/. live.
  15. News: October 31, 1927 . Alterations and Corrections . 9 . Radio Service Bulletin . U.S. Department of Commerce . 127 . Washington, D.C. . live . August 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210712202346/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221818&view=1up&seq=423 . July 12, 2021 . HathiTrust.
  16. News: October 23, 1927 . Radio Station WFJC On Air . TWO-A . Cleveland Plain Dealer . Cleveland, Ohio.
  17. News: April 12, 1948. Our Respects To: Sam Willard Townsend. 34. 56, 60. Broadcasting-Telecasting. 15. August 22, 2021. World Radio History. August 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220804190749/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1948/1948-04-12-BC.pdf. live.
  18. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112106763078&view=1up&seq=60 "List of broadcasting stations issued temporary permits"
  19. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112106763078&view=1up&seq=205 "Extension of Broadcasting Station Licenses"
  20. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015011384305&view=1up&seq=182 "Appendix F (2): Letter to and list of stations included in General Order No. 32, issued May 25, 1928"
  21. News: October 25, 1928 . Revised list of broadcasting stations, by frequencies, effective 3 a. m., November 11, 1928, eastern standard time . 211, 213 . Second Annual Report of the Federal Radio Commission . Federal Radio Commission . Washington, D.C. . live . August 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211228022851/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c021003683&view=1up&seq=247 . December 28, 2021 . HathiTrust.
  22. News: March 29, 1930. High Power, Full Time Requested By WFJC. 18. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 12, 2021. August 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053226/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83345623/high-power-full-time-requested-by-wfjc/. live.
  23. News: June 29, 1929 . Alterations and Corrections . 17 . Radio Service Bulletin . U.S. Department of Commerce . 147 . Washington, D.C. . live . August 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220804190754/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221818&view=1up&seq=955 . August 4, 2022 . HathiTrust.
  24. News: August 29, 1930. Radio Czars To Hear WFJC Plea Sept. 25. 21. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 12, 2021. August 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053221/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83345938/radio-czars-to-hear-wfjc-plea-sept-25/. live.
  25. News: September 26, 1930. WJR Back of New Radio Studio Here. 11. Cleveland Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio.
  26. News: Reeves. Russell H.. September 29, 1930. Checking Over the News of the Week. 10. Cleveland Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio.
  27. Book: Frost, S. E. Jr. . Education's Own Stations . Arno Press, Inc. . 1971 . 0-405-03555-1 . New York, New York . 475–478 . 1937 . World Radio History . August 4, 2022 . September 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210929132558/https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Education%27s-Own-Stations-Frost-1937-HOB.pdf . live .
  28. Book: Kinnison, William A.. Modern Wittenberg. Xlibris Corporation. 2011. 978-1-4628-6058-6. Bloomington, Indiana. 41.
  29. News: October 30, 1930 . Alterations and Corrections . 12 . Radio Service Bulletin . U.S. Department of Commerce . 163 . Washington, D.C. . live . August 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201016133921/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221819&view=1up&seq=292 . October 16, 2020 . HathiTrust.
  30. News: September 20, 1930. See Sale Of WFJC As Network Move. 3. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 13, 2021. August 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053226/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83347009/see-sale-of-wfjc-as-network-move/. live.
  31. News: September 26, 1930. Radio Station Protest Filed. 14. Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. Associated Press. August 12, 2021. August 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220804190751/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83345194/radio-station-protest-filed/. live.
  32. News: September 26, 1930. Sale Of WFJC Confirmed, U.S. Commission Approves. 1. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 12, 2021. August 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053223/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83345445/sale-of-wfjc-confirmed-us-commission/. live.
  33. News: September 27, 1930. Protest Ignored By Federal Radio Body. 3. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 13, 2021. August 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053224/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83346161/protest-ignored-by-federal-radio-body/. live.
  34. News: October 12, 1930. Last Program is Broadcast. 35. The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. Associated Press. August 12, 2021. August 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053228/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83342043/last-program-is-broadcast/. live.
  35. News: October 31, 1930. Radio Station WCSO Stops Broadcasting. 25. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 12, 2021. August 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053220/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83342185/radio-station-wcso-stops-broadcasting/. live.
  36. News: September 28, 1930. Radio Change In Ownership Made. 1. The Mansfield News. Mansfield, Ohio. August 13, 2021. August 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053221/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83346676/radio-change-in-ownership-made/. live.
  37. News: December 13, 1930. WFJC Bids Goodby To Local Radio Fans. 18. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 13, 2021. August 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053225/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83348516/wfjc-bids-goodby-to-local-radio-fans/. live.
  38. News: December 7, 1931 . Radio broadcasting stations consolidated during the fiscal year 1931 . 13 . Fifth Annual Report of the Federal Radio Commission . Federal Radio Commission . Washington, D.C. . live . August 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210716115538/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015011384305&view=1up&seq=545 . July 16, 2021 . HathiTrust.
  39. News: Gloss. Edward E.. January 12, 1931. WADC To Occupy Beacon Journal Building Rooms. 1, 21. Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. Newspapers.com. August 13, 2021. August 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053227/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83348664/wadc-to-occupy-beacon-journal-building/. live.

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