The Golden Silence

Twenty-five seconds of radio silence mushroomed last week into a pressagent's dream. Acid-tongued Fred Allen started it on Sunday night with a verbal swat at NBC's executives: "There is a little man in the company we work for. He is a vice president in charge of program ends. . . ." After the first eleven words, NBC huffily cut the gag off the air.

Straightway a storm of protest broke around radio's brasshats. The big wind mounted to cyclone velocity after the net works gave the silent treatment to Bob Hope (eight seconds) and to Red Skelton (twelve seconds), who both tried to get in the act on their Tuesday night programs.

By the comedians Wednesday it and was the open vice war presidents-- between with gravy-boats of wonderful, front page publicity for all concerned. On Thursday, NBC suddenly took it all back, blandly admitted having "regained our sense of humor," proved they had caught the spirit by offering honorary vice-presidencies to Allen, Skelton and Hope.

Skeptics wondered if it was entirely fortuitous that the well-publicized gag came along just as radio's summer dol drums were setting in.

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