Hungry Broadcast

"Because our studio telephones have been cut off," shouted Senor Ramon Perez, "we have moved to the power station on Mixcoac Hill. We shall continue to broadcast without food or sleep until the Ericsson Telephone Co. pays us 13,000 pesos for three months' back pay! We represent 62 Station XEAL employes! The orchestra will now play 'Carioca'."

Such was the astounding announcement broadcast throughout Mexico City last week. Ericsson Telephone Co. promptly announced in full page advertisements that it did not own XEAL, that Pan-American Radio Co. must pay to end the strike. Meanwhile XEAL performers sang, told jokes, crooned, played music, demanded their money.

Red Cross nurses with stimulants and concentrated food preparations moved to Mixcoac Hill on the second day. The newspaper National thought the broadcasters were improving as their hunger increased. Senor Esperanza Estrada sang "A Cup of Coffee, a Sandwich and You," fainted dead away.

On the third day Pan-American Radio Co. offered to compromise with 4,000 pesos. The offer was refused. Two women singers fainted. Frijole and tortilla vendors did a thriving business selling to the crowd which gathered to watch the performers who were now weakly croaking their songs and demands but stoutly refusing all food. Young bloods from Mexico City and one blind fiddler volunteered to help the strikers, most of whom tied towels around their heads to prevent giddiness.

Pan-American Radio Co. on the fourth day sent a check for the full 13,000 pesos ($3,621), applied for receivership. The Red Cross fed grapes and milk to the prostrate strikers. Four who disobeyed orders and ate sandwiches grew violently ill. Senor Ramon Perez announced a new mass hunger strike record of 106 hours, added that he had established Mexico City's individual record with 104 sleepless. foodless hours at the microphone. History's longest continuous broadcast thus came to an end.

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