XER Silenced

Into small Villa Acuna one night last week marched Mexican troops on business. Next day thousands of U. S. radio-listeners set their dials for Villa Acuna's station XER, got nothing but a hum from across the Rio Grande. Mexico had slapped an angry hand over the mouthpiece of "Dr." John Richard ("Goat Gland") Brinkley, onetime Milford, Kans. rejuvenator and nostrum seller.

Despite fines and warnings Dr. Brinkley had repeatedly let his station overrun its allotted time on the air, had broadcast solely in English, had advertised his medical services and remedies without a Mexican license. He had also caused Mexico "constant trouble" with the U. S. by hogging channels assigned to weak Southwestern U. S. radio stations. Last fortnight Mexico's Department of Communications issued an order suspending XER for 30 days. Resourceful Dr. Brinkley got a restraining injunction, went on broadcasting by remote control. A higher court quashed the injunction. Still cowboy songs, jazz and unctuous medical advice continued to gush out from XER.

One day last week a Mexican radio inspector appeared in Villa Acuna to enforce the closing order. Villagers threatened to lynch him. Stomping off, he returned a few days later with troops to shut down XER for good. Dr. Brinkley, ordered communications officials, would dismantle his station within 30 days or they would do it themselves at his expense.

Just over the border in Del Rio, Tex. suave, goateed Dr. Brinkley kept calm. Hurrying his lawyer off to Mexico City he boasted that he would be back on the air in a few days.

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