George A. Richards Explained

George A. Richards
Image Upright:.95
Birth Name:George Arthur Richards
Birth Date:9 March 1889
Birth Place:Crete, Illinois, U.S.
Death Place:Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Children:1

George Arthur Richards (March 9, 1889 – May 28, 1951) was an American radio executive who owned stations WJR in Detroit, KMPC in Los Angeles, and WGAR in Cleveland. From 1934 to 1940, he also owned the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He played a major role in sponsoring the nationwide radio program of the politicized Catholic priest Charles Coughlin.

Early life

Richards was born on March 9, 1889, in Crete, Illinois. At the age of fourteen he moved to Chicago and worked as an elevator operator. He held a variety of jobs until 1911, when he became a tire salesman for the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. In 1912 he became the manager of the Firestone's Columbus, Ohio, branch. He was the youngest branch manager in company history. In 1917 he joined Firestone's sales department in Detroit.[1] Richards married Frances Stevenson on February 22, 1922, having met as the result of a horseback riding accident.[2]

Automotive dealer

Richards left Firestone in 1921 to form the Cunningham-Richards Co., which was one of the highest selling Cunningham dealerships in the country. In 1924 he became the Oakland dealer for Metro Detroit.[3] He sold Oaklands and Pontiacs until 1929, when he gave up his dealership to focus on radio.[4]

Radio

Richards first became involved in radio through advertising. His dealership was one of the first businesses in Detroit to advertise on radio. On December 25, 1926, Richards took over operations of Detroit station WJR[5] (which officially operated as "WJR-WCX", a consolidated license where Richards owned "WJR" while the Detroit Free Press owned "WCX"). The takeover happened when founding owner Jewett Radio & Phonographic Co. was forced to put the station into bankruptcy; Richards was credited for helping the station successfully turn a profit. General Order 40, a major reorganization of radio frequencies by the Federal Radio Commission (FRC) implemented later in the year, allowed WJR-WCX to be designated a clear-channel station. Richards moved "WJR" to new studios in the Fisher Building in December 1929, while WCX remained at the Free Press Building.[6] By April 1929, Richards purchased WCX from the Free Press and WJR-WCX dropped the "WCX" call letters. WJR was upgraded to in 1935.

In September 1930, Richards, along with WJR associates Leo J. Fitzpatrick and P. M. Thomas,[7] purchased the assets of two stations—WCSO in Springfield, Ohio,[8] and WFJC in Akron, Ohio,[9] both operating on the same frequency under a time-share agreement[10] —and consolidated them to form WGAR in Cleveland, Ohio, bearing his initials.[11] [12] WGAR signed on as the first NBC Blue affiliate in Cleveland.[13] [14] By September 1937, WGAR switched from NBC Blue to CBS.[15] It was as a CBS affiliate that WGAR began producing multiple influential programs, including Wings Over Jordan[16] [17] and Cleveland Orchestra broadcasts[18] over the network, and became a starting point for comedian Jack Paar's career.[19] Originally operating under facilities much weaker than WJR by comparison,[20] a series of upgrades followed, including a frequency switch to in June 1944[21] and a power increase to in July 1947.[22] In both cases, WGAR fought extensively in court with Akron CBS affiliate WADC, which twice petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take over WGAR's facilities.[23] [24]

After acquiring an option to purchase Los Angeles station KNX, only to relinquish it to CBS, Richards purchased crosstown KMPC on May 5, 1937.[25] The purchase came as Richards began suffering varied health ailments, including a coronary thrombosis in 1938 that left him unable to do much heavy exercise, and necessitated his taking up a second residence in Beverly Hills.[26]

Support for Father Coughlin

See main article: Charles Coughlin.

When Richards acquired WJR in Detroit in 1929, he encouraged Frather Charles Coughlin to continue his weekly broadcasts and to focus on politics instead of religious topics.[27] He became the chief financial backer and confidant for many years.[28] In 1931, with backing by Richards, Coughlin established his own independently financed radio network for the Golden Hour of the Shrine of the Little Flower, with flagship WJR and WGAR in Cleveland, Ohio as core stations. Coughlin was reaching a weekly audience between 16 million and 30 million listeners, and every day he received 10,000 letters. Throughout the 1930s, Coughlin's views changed as his audience grew. Eventually he was "openly antidemocratic", according to Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, "calling for the abolition of political parties and questioning the value of elections".[29] His views were seen as mirroring those of Richards himself, who had held reactionary conservative beliefs. Leo Fitzpatrick, who had given Coughlin his initial airtime over WJR in 1926 and was retained as a part-owner when Richards purchased the station,[30] continued to serve as a confidant and advisor to Coughlin.[31]

Detroit Lions

In 1934, Richards purchased the Portsmouth Spartans for approximately $15,000 and moved the team to Detroit. He used his connections to have NBC broadcast Lions Thanksgiving Day games on its Blue Network. The game set a team attendance record and gave the fledgling league vital national exposure.[32] In 1940, Richards, then living in Beverly Hills and in poor health, sold the team to Fred L. Mandel Jr. on the advice of his physician.[33]

Investigation into bias

Richards would be ensnared in 1948 by allegations of news policies instituted at KMPC under his name that encouraged manipulation and bias. The March 6, 1948, issue of Billboard[34] contained memos attributed to Richards heavily implying antisemitism and anti-communism, repeatedly insisting that Jews were "all Communists" and insisted news personnel "keep hammering away at the Jews".[35] Former KMPC newscaster Clete Roberts, accused Richards of firing him on insubordination grounds after refusing to omit unflattering details on a profile of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.[36] Roberts also stated Richards encouraged favorable reports on MacArthur and unfavorable coverage towards members of the Roosevelt family, Henry A. Wallace, the Truman administration and the New Deal, along with any stories on Palestine to be spiked so as not to "give aid and comfort to Jews and Communists". Maurie Starrels, another former KMPC staffer, charged that Richards demanded multiple news figures, including Bugsy Siegel, have their Jewish backgrounds heavily emphasized, and ordered the fabrication of a story regarding Edwin W. Pauley pursuing a Truman cabinet post.[37]

Multiple members of Congress,[38] the American Jewish Congress (AJC), the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) and the Radio News Club of Hollywood (RNC), along with James Roosevelt, all called on the FCC to investigate.[39] The AJC's petition stated that Richards "fomented hate among minorities" by blatantly flouting the Mayflower doctrine.[40] [41] The RNC's petition, based on the Billboard evidence, was taken up by the FCC, which ordered an initial examination of all three stations on March 25, 1948.[42] The commission then ordered a public investigation for the stations[43] on November 16, amid questions over Richards's qualifications as a license holder.[44] This investigation was delayed throughout 1949 as Richards proposed transferring all three stations to three trustees,[45] and advised for a personal appearance before the FCC given his health condition; his physicians insisted any hearing could potentially kill Richards given his heart condition.[46] [47] The proposal was criticized by the National Community Relations Advisory Council (NCRAC) as neither of the three trustees were residents of Cleveland, Detroit or Los Angeles, while two of the trustees were known to espouse deeply conservative viewpoints.[48]

Hearings commenced in Los Angeles on March 13, 1950, with FCC chief counsel Frederick W. Ford's opening statement accusing Richards of "slanting" and distorting news on his stations to "substantiate his personal dislikes".[49] [50] Clete Roberts testified Richards asked him to minimize coverage of President Harry S. Truman's speeches and present Republicans editorials during newscasts without labeling them as editorials, and link prominent Democrats to Communism.[51] Roberts stated Richards insisted at a KMPC news staff meeting that there was "a plot afoot, a Jewish plot" involving CBS's William S. Paley, NBC's David Sarnoff and ABC's Robert E. Kintner, with Richards firing him after his news story about Gen. MacArthur denoted graying hair and a quivering hand.[52] A third former KMPC newscaster claimed Richards insisted "the CIO, Negroes, Jews, the Roosevelt family, and the New Deal never be presented in a favorable light".[53] Another announcer testified Richards ordered the removal of be-bop recordings, viewing them as having "communistic influence".[54] (Jack Paar later corroborated a ban on "swing music" by Richards existed in his memoir, detailing a directive for WGAR to temporarily drop out of CBS programming whenever they played any selections.[55]) Sen. Styles Bridges demanded on the Senate floor for the FCC to be investigated over their FCC's investigation into Richards, considering it a punishment exerted by the agency for his political views.[56] Representatives Anthony F. Tauriello and Harry J. Davenport denounced Roberts on the House floor based on prior comments made by Roberts about southern Italians,[57] while Rep. Stephen M. Young considered the hearings an overreach of the commission's authority.[58] Richards' attorney Hugh Fulton accused the FCC of attempting to censor Richards because he did not support the Truman administration.[59]

Presiding examiner J. Frederick Johnson Jr. died after recessing the hearings, which were restarted by James D. Cunningham on June 15.[60] The FCC requested 7,000 news scripts from KMPC, and indicated the same request would be made for WJR and WGAR.[61] A subpoena for Richards was issued at the insistence of Benedict Cottone but his health again became an issue when he did not obey the order.[62] KMPC manager Robert O. Reynolds—who was on the witness stand for over a month—stated Richards' prior thrombosis left him physically unable to walk or climb steps,[26] which was countered by an x-ray specialist who saw little evidence existed of an abnormal enlargement on his heart.[63] The FCC completed their prosecution at the end of August 1950, which saw 34 witnesses give 2,000,000 words on 8,000 pages of transcript during the course of 13 weeks.[64] Richards' defense included Los Angeles mayor Fletcher Bowron praising Richards for KMPC's wartime public service record[65] while his legal counsel cited coverage in People's World and The Nation[66] as evidence that the hearings were inspired by the Communist Party.[67] The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) condemned the investigation as an invasion of Richards' free speech right and privacy, prompting NCRAC to issue a reply criticizing the NAB's "misunderstanding of the necessary and natural functions" of the FCC.[68] The hearings ended in mid-December 1950 with Richards' legal team withdrawing the trusteeship proposal and propose advisory councils for all three stations; Examiner Cunningham deemed the hearings for WGAR as unnecessary.[69]

Death and dispersals

On May 15, 1951, FCC chief counsel Benedict Cottone recommended the agency shut down Richards' stations as they had been put to partisan use,[70] repeatedly violated FCC policy and failed to serve the public interest.[71] [72] Cottone also assailed the "contempt" Richards held for the agency. after the ruling, and before en banc oral arguments could take place,[73] Richards died of an abdominal aortic aneurysm at age 62.[74] [75] Fr. Coughlin was among the attendees at his funeral, while Rev. James W. Fifield Jr.—who delivered the eulogy—condemned the FCC investigation, saying Richards had been "murdered ... by those who sought to destroy freedom".[76] [77] All proceedings were dismissed as moot on June 14, 1951; the legal fight ultimately cost Richards $2 million.

Widow Frances S. Richards was bequeathed all three stations[78] [79] and assured the FCC that they would adhere to a code eschewing bias in news reporting.[80] The FCC renewed all three licenses and approved the ownership transfers to her name on November 28, 1951.[81]

Early in 1952, Goodwill filed applications for multiple TV stations, including UHF signals in Cleveland and Detroit and VHF signals in Toledo, Ohio, Bay City, Michigan, and Flint, in hopes of establishing a regional television network.[82] The June 30, 1952, issue of Broadcasting, however, reported NBC had been "negotiating intermittently" with Richards and his estate "for years" on a purchase of KMPC, with NBC recently selling off their Denver radio station to make it possible.[83] KMPC was sold that November, but to a group headed by Gene Autry for $800,000 (equivalent to $ in).[84] WGAR and WGAR-FM were purchased by Peoples Broadcasting Corp. (a subsidiary of Farm Bureau Mutual, forerunner to Nationwide Insurance) on December 4, 1953, for $1.75 million (equivalent to $ in),[85] the largest purchase price for a radio station at that time.[86]

WJR continued to operate under the Richards estate and "Goodwill" name, signing on Flint station WJRT-TV in 1958[87] and purchasing WSAZ-AM-TV in 1961.[88] The Goodwill Stations were sold to Capital Cities Broadcasting in 1964 in a $21 million group deal.[89] Richards's son-in-law, F. Sibley Moore, became a WJR executive in the early 1950s and became vice president of Capital Cities, a role he held until his death in June 1967.[90]

Notes and References

  1. News: Tire Trade Happenings . March 3, 2023 . The Rubber Age . May 25, 1917 . March 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313043204/https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Rubber_Age/LGU-AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq . live .
  2. News: June 4, 1951 . George Arthur Richards: 1889–1951 . 40 . 25, 91 . Broadcasting–Telecasting . 23 . August 29, 2021 . World Radio History . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830043250/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1951/BC-1951-06-04.pdf . live .
  3. News: New Firm Will Handle Oakland . March 2, 2023 . The Detroiter . January 5, 1925 . March 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313043205/https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Detroiter/SA-2EC3pK38C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq . live .
  4. Book: The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography . 1958 . J.T. White . 238.
  5. News: December 26, 1926 . Richards-Oakland To Show Its Broadcasts in Action . 7, part 4 . Detroit Free Press . Detroit, Michigan . March 12, 2023 . Newspapers.com . March 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313043206/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120712815/richards-oakland-to-show-its-broadcasts/ . live .
  6. News: December 16, 1928 . WJR Will Open Fisher Studios: Elaborate Equipment of Richards-Oakland Company Ready Today. . 12, part 1 . Detroit Free Press . Detroit, Michigan . March 13, 2023 . Newspapers.com . March 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313043208/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120742091/wjr-will-open-fisher-studios-elaborate/ . live .
  7. News: September 26, 1930 . WJR Back of New Radio Studio Here . 11 . Cleveland Plain Dealer . Cleveland, Ohio.
  8. News: October 31, 1930 . Radio Station WCSO Stops Broadcasting . 25 . Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio . live . August 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053220/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83342185/radio-station-wcso-stops-broadcasting/ . August 13, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  9. News: September 26, 1930 . Sale Of WFJC Confirmed, U.S. Commission Approves . 1 . Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio . live . August 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053223/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83345445/sale-of-wfjc-confirmed-us-commission/ . August 13, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. News: September 20, 1930 . See Sale Of WFJC As Network Move . 3 . Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio . live . August 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053226/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83347009/see-sale-of-wfjc-as-network-move/ . August 13, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  13. News: December 16, 1930 . WGAR Goes On the Air Without a Hitch . 8 . Cleveland Plain Dealer . Cleveland, Ohio.
  14. Book: . In re Applications of G.A. Richards, transferor, and Harry J. Klinger, Lawrence P. Fisher and John H. Hannah, transferees, for consent to the transfer of control of KMPC, the Station of the Stars, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., Docket No. 9402, WJR, the Goodwill Station, Inc., Detroit, Michigan, Docket No. 9403 [and] WGAR Broadcasting Company, Cleveland, Ohio, Docket No. 9404. For renewal of license of Radio Stations KMPC, the Station of the Stars, Inc. ... Docket No. 9468, File No. BR-18, WJR, the Goodwill Station, Inc. ... Docket No. 9469, File No. BR-331 [and] WGAR Broadcasting Company ... Docket No. 9405, File No. BR-283: Exhibits of the WGAR Broadcasting Company ]. Fulton, Walter & Halley . 1948 . 1 . Washington, D.C. . August 25, 2021 . World Radio History . September 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210929015111/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-File-Cabinet/WGAR-1948-License-Renwal-1.pdf . live.
  15. News: September 15, 1937 . Cleveland Switch to Occur Sept. 26 . 13 . 15 . Broadcasting-Broadcast Advertising . 6 . live . December 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151225/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1937/1937-09-15-BC.pdf . November 8, 2021 . World Radio History.
  16. News: Barnett . David C. . March 3, 2008 . Radio Show Chronicled Blacks' Harsh Realities . en . NPR.org . . live . September 2, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210902231253/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87780799 . September 2, 2021.
  17. News: Hill . Edward . April 1, 1990 . Heyday of Negro spirituals highlighted singer's mission . The Plain Dealer . Cleveland, Ohio . live . subscription . September 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220804190755/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/173EFEED4641C2C8&f=basic . August 4, 2022 . NewsBank.
  18. News: September 14, 1942 . WGAR to resume Symphony Series . 24 . 55 . Broadcasting-Broadcast Advertising . 11 . live . August 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151338/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1942/1942-09-14-BC.pdf . November 8, 2021 . World Radio History.
  19. News: Feran . Tom . May 6, 1997 . Master of Monologue: Jack Paar . 9E . The Plain Dealer . Cleveland, Ohio . live . subscription . September 3, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220804190754/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F80C5A5B32F3AE5&f=basic . August 4, 2022 . NewsBank.
  20. News: December 16, 1930 . High Power Stations Are Urged In Report . 26 . Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio . live . August 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053223/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83347369/high-power-stations-are-urged-in-report/ . August 13, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  21. News: June 5, 1944 . WGAR Makes a Move . 26 . 20 . Broadcasting and Broadcast Advertising . 23 . live . August 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210925212403/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1944/1944-06-05-BC.pdf . September 25, 2021 . World Radio History.
  22. News: July 7, 1947 . WGAR's Power Output Is Boosted to 50 KW . 33 . 17 . Broadcasting–Telecasting . Broadcasting . 1 . live . August 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210925215013/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1947/1947-07-07-BC.pdf . September 25, 2021.
  23. News: Doran . Dorothy . February 11, 1942 . WADC Petitions FCC For Fifty Kilowatt Power . 20 . Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio . live . August 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210826050716/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84157457/wadc-petitions-fcc-for-fifty-kilowatt/ . August 26, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  24. News: October 14, 1946 . WGAR Given Proposed 50-kw Grant: FCC Bolts Precedent; Would Deny Two At Biloxi . 31 . 88 . Broadcasting–Telecasting . 15 . live . August 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210925214340/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1946/1946-10-14-BC.pdf . September 25, 2021 . World Radio History.
  25. News: Harper . James . May 5, 1937 . FCC Okays KMPC Sale To Richards . 35 . Daily News . Los Angeles, California . live . August 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220810000407/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107296161/fcc-okays-kmpc-sale-to-richards/ . August 10, 2022 . Newspapers.com.
  26. News: July 12, 1950 . Richards' Health Issue Up Again in FCC Case . 2-II . Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles, California . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831214151/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84490525/richards-health-issue-up-again-in-fcc/ . August 31, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  27. Schneider . John . September 1, 2018 . The Rabble-Rousers of Early Radio Broadcasting . . . 42 . 16–18 . 22 . August 12, 2022 . August 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220812211922/https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/the-rabble-rousers-of-early-radio-broadcasting . live .
  28. Donald Warren, Radio Priest: Charles Coughlin, the Father of Hate Radio (1996) pp. 21–22, 311
  29. Book: Levitsky. Steven. Ziblatt. Daniel. How Democracies Die. limited. January 16, 2018. Crown Publishing. 978-1524762957. 31. First edition, ebook.
  30. News: September 17, 1971 . Leo J. Fitzpatrick Is Dead at 77; Served on Forerunner of F. C. C. . en-US . . Associated Press . New York, New York . August 15, 2022 . 0362-4331.
  31. March 21, 1938 . Music: Musical Mayhem . . en-US . XXXI . 13 . 0040-781X . August 7, 2022 . August 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220812211930/https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,788253,00.html . live .
  32. News: Reineking . Jim . Why Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving . USA Today . November 24, 2022.
  33. News: Detroit Lions Sold in a $200,000 Deal . The New York Times . January 17, 1940.
  34. Zhito . Lee . March 6, 1948 . Ex-KMPC'ers Blow Whistle: Charge Richards Ordered News Slanted To Promote Own Political Beliefs, Also Claim Smear Orders on Roosevelts, Hughes, Jews, Etc. . live . . 60 . 10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924040857/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/40s/1948/Billboard%201948-03-06.pdf . September 24, 2021 . August 29, 2021 . World Radio History.
  35. News: Crosby . John . John Crosby (media critic) . March 9, 1948 . Radio In Review: Freedom Of Speech On The Air . 16 . The Evening Review . New York Herald Tribune . East Liverpool, Ohio . live . August 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210829064120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84336684/radio-in-review-freedom-of-speech-on/ . August 29, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  36. March 20, 1948 . Roberts Hits KMPC Defense; Insists News Slant Fight, Not Economy, Forced Exit, Ex-News Chief Adds To Richards Charges . live . . 60 . 12 . 3–4 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924041010/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/40s/1948/Billboard%201948-03-20.pdf . September 24, 2021 . August 29, 2021 . World Radio History.
  37. March 13, 1948 . Starrels Adds New Statement Against KMPC: 'Bugsy Was a Jew' . live . . 60 . 11 . 3, 8 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924040939/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/40s/1948/Billboard%201948-03-13.pdf . September 24, 2021 . August 29, 2021 . World Radio History.
  38. March 13, 1948 . Charges Against KMPC Stir FCC & Congressional Reaction . live . . 60 . 11 . 3, 8, 14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924040939/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/40s/1948/Billboard%201948-03-13.pdf . September 24, 2021 . August 29, 2021.
  39. March 20, 1948 . Richards Tiff Joined by AJC And Politicos, James Roosevelt Involved . live . . 60 . 12 . 3, 8 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924041010/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/40s/1948/Billboard%201948-03-20.pdf . September 24, 2021 . August 29, 2021 . World Radio History.
  40. Carson . Saul . December 6, 1948 . RADIO: Freedom and License . . 119 . 23 . 34–36 . . EBSCOHost.
  41. March 20, 1948 . FCC Studies KMPC Fuss; Delays Decish on Hearing . live . . 60 . 12 . 3–4 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924041010/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/40s/1948/Billboard%201948-03-20.pdf . September 24, 2021 . August 29, 2021 . World Radio History.
  42. News: March 29, 1948 . KMPC Probe: FCC Takes Formal Action . 34 . Broadcasting-Telecasting . 13 . live . August 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210925215715/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1948/1948-03-29-BC.pdf . September 25, 2021 . World Radio History.
  43. News: Offineer . Bee . February 24, 1949 . Cartoon Suggests TV Idea . 10 . Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio . live . August 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210829152146/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84346586/cartoon-suggests-tv-idea/ . August 29, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  44. News: November 16, 1948 . Public Hearing Called On KMPC Newscasting . 9 . Los Angeles Evening Citizen News . Hollywood, California . live . August 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210829152149/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84346120/public-hearing-called-on-kmpc/ . August 29, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  45. News: April 25, 1949 . Richards' Plan: Trusteeship Outlined . 36 . 30, 40 . Broadcasting-Telecasting . 17 . live . August 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210829152149/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1949/1949-04-25-BC.pdf . August 29, 2021 . World Radio History.
  46. News: March 21, 1949 . Richards: Health, Trusteeship Win FCC Delay . 36 . 26, 63 . Broadcasting-Telecasting . 12 . live . August 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210829152146/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1949/1949-03-21-BC.pdf . August 29, 2021 . World Radio History.
  47. News: August 1, 1949 . Richards: Hearing Planned on Trusteeship, Renewal . 37 . 27, 42 . Broadcasting-Telecasting . 5 . live . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830043247/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1949/1949-08-01-BC.pdf . August 30, 2021 . World Radio History.
  48. Web site: April 25, 1949 . Minutes of meeting of Committee on Overt Anti-Semitism held at the office of the NCRAC Monday, April 25, 1949 at 12:30. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200714010113/http://www.ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/TV4.PDF . July 14, 2020 . August 30, 2021 . American Jewish Committee Archives.
  49. News: March 14, 1950 . Radio License Renewal Fight Goes Into FCC Hearing Here . 1-II, 2-II . Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles, California . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831214151/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84491277/radio-license-renewal-fight-goes-into/ . August 31, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  50. News: F.C.C. Charges Bias in News Inflection . The New York Times . March 14, 1950.
  51. News: March 15, 1950 . Newscaster Tells of Order to 'Slant' . The New York Times.
  52. News: March 15, 1950 . Anti-Semitism Charge Made at FCC Hearing . 26 . The Bakersfield Californian . Associated Press . Bakersfield, California . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831214153/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1683530/1950-antisemitism-and-sarnoff-nbc/ . August 31, 2021.
  53. News: March 24, 1950 . Mrs. F.D.R. Broadcast Cited at Richards Quiz . 24 . Detroit Free Press . live . March 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313043235/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11994888/mrs-fdr-broadcast-cited-at-richards/ . March 13, 2023 . Newspapers.com.
  54. News: March 29, 1950 . 'Be-bop' Ban At KMPC, Witness Says . 1 . Hollywood Citizen-News . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831214156/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84487419/be-bop-ban-at-kmpc-witness-says/ . August 31, 2021.
  55. Book: Paar, Jack . P.S. Jack Paar . . 1983 . 0-385-18743-2 . 1st . Garden City, New York . 49 . 82-45938 . Jack Paar . August 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210825205236/https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/Biography/PS-Jack-Parr-Parr-1983.pdf . August 25, 2021 . live . World Radio History.
  56. News: March 25, 1950 . Ex-KMPC Employee Says He Ignored Richards . 8 . Los Angeles Evening Citizen News . Hollywood, California . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831214155/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84488533/ex-kmpc-employee-says-he-ignored/ . August 31, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  57. News: May 5, 1950 . Rap Roberts, FCC Witness In Congress . 1-Section 2 . Pasadena Independent . International News Service . Pasadena, California . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831214148/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84488022/rap-roberts-fcc-witness-in-congress/ . August 31, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  58. News: June 12, 1950 . Laud Richards: 'Hill' Defenders Rally . 38 . 89 . Broadcasting-Telecasting . 24 . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831214149/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1950/BC-1950-06-12.pdf . August 31, 2021 . World Radio History.
  59. News: Radio Owner Says F.C.C. is Capricious . The New York Times . June 9, 1950.
  60. News: June 1, 1950 . Richards Granted New Hearing in KMPC Radio Case . 5-Section 3 . . Associated Press . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831214150/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84487754/richards-granted-new-hearing-in-kmpc/ . August 31, 2021.
  61. News: June 7, 1950 . FCC to Get 7000 KMPC News Scripts . 19 . Hollywood Citizen-News . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831214148/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84491643/fcc-to-get-7000-kmpc-news-scripts/ . August 31, 2021.
  62. News: June 30, 1950 . One Phase of Hearing In KMPC Case Near End . 3 . Hollywood Citizen-News . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831214151/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84492048/one-phase-of-hearing-in-kmpc-case-near/ . August 31, 2021.
  63. News: July 28, 1950 . FCC Makes New Demand for Richards' Testimony . 10-I . Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles, California . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831214152/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84492239/fcc-makes-new-demand-for-richards/ . August 31, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  64. News: August 31, 1950 . KMPC Hearing Recesses; Defense to Call Bowron . 2 . Hollywood Citizen-News . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831214153/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84493005/kmpc-hearing-recesses-defense-to-call/ . August 31, 2021.
  65. News: September 6, 1950 . Bowron Snaps at FCC Man in KMPC Hearing . 7-II . Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles, California . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831231712/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84499245/bowron-snaps-at-fcc-man-in-kmpc-hearing/ . August 31, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  66. Morse . Arthur D. . February 12, 1949 . Poison on the Air? . . 168 . 7 . 182–185 . . EBSCOhost.
  67. News: October 17, 1950 . Red Influence in KMPC License Dispute Charged . 27-I . Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles, California . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831231712/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84499131/red-influence-in-kmpc-license-dispute/ . August 31, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  68. News: November 24, 1950 . NCRAC Defends FCC's Investigation of Richards . 18 . . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831231714/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1950.11.24.001/18 . August 31, 2021 . University of Michigan.
  69. News: December 25, 1950 . Richards Probe: To Drop Trustee Plan . 39 . 34 . Broadcasting-Telecasting . 26 . live . September 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210901051316/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1950/BC-1950-12-25.pdf . September 1, 2021 . World Radio History.
  70. News: May 15, 1951 . Plea to Silence Radio KMPC Filed With FCC . 1 . Hollywood Citizen-News . United Press . August 29, 2021 . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830043300/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84393227/plea-to-silence-radio-kmpc-filed-with/ . live .
  71. News: Francis . Warren B. . May 16, 1951 . Ban Urged on Richards Radio Chain . I-17 . Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles, California . August 29, 2021 . Newspapers.com . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830043251/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84393193/ban-urged-on-richards-radio-chain/ . live .
  72. News: May 20, 1951 . FCC Has Not Taken Any Action on KMPC, Manager Emphasizes . II-7 . Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles, California . August 29, 2021 . Newspapers.com . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830043253/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84394471/fcc-has-not-taken-any-action-on-kmpc/ . live .
  73. News: June 18, 1951 . Richards Case: Examiner Proposes Dismissal . 40 . 26 . Broadcasting–Telecasting . 25 . August 30, 2021 . World Radio History . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830201103/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1951/BC-1951-06-18.pdf . live .
  74. News: G.A. Richards, Owner of 3 Radio Stations . The New York Times . May 28, 1951.
  75. News: May 28, 1951 . Owner Of Radio Stations Dies . 25 . Dayton Daily News . United Press . Dayton, Ohio . August 29, 2021 . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830043250/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84394336/owner-of-radio-stations-dies/ . live .
  76. News: May 31, 1951 . Pastor Calls G. A. Richards Death 'Murder' . I-9 . Los Angeles Times . United Press . Los Angeles, California . August 30, 2021 . Newspapers.com . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830043249/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84395421/pastor-calls-g-a-richards-death/ . live .
  77. News: Services Wednesday for George A. Richards . March 2, 2023 . Detroit Free Press . May 29, 1951 . March 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230302234648/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23502645/george-a-richards/ . live .
  78. News: July 2, 1951 . Goodwill Stations: Ask Immediate Renewal . 41 . 29, 38 . Broadcasting–Telecasting . 1 . August 30, 2021 . World Radio History . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830201106/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1951/BC-1951-07-02.pdf . live .
  79. News: June 11, 1951 . Trust Fund Created In G. A. Richards Will . 40 . Broadcasting–Telecasting . 24 . August 30, 2021 . World Radio History . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830201102/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1951/BC-1951-06-11.pdf . live .
  80. News: December 3, 1951 . Richards's Renewals: FCC Ends Lang Case . 41 . 23, 104 . Broadcasting–Telecasting . 23 . August 30, 2021 . World Radio History . August 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210826215545/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1951/BC-1951-12-03.pdf . live .
  81. News: Francis . Lorania K. . November 29, 1951 . Licenses Given Three Richards Radio Stations . I-25 . Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles, California . August 30, 2021 . Newspapers.com . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830201103/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84425840/licenses-given-three-richards-radio/ . live .
  82. News: May 5, 1952 . Goodwill Plans . 42 . 66 . Broadcasting–Telecasting . 18 . March 16, 2020 . World Radio History . March 8, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210308033054/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1952/BC-1952-05-05.pdf . live .
  83. June 30, 1952 . NBC's KOA Sale; Now Seeks L.A. Outlet . live . Broadcasting–Telecasting . 42 . 26 . 27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131025927/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1952/BC-1952-06-30.pdf . January 31, 2023 . February 22, 2023 . World Radio History.
  84. News: January 5, 1953 . KMPC Sale Okayed: FCC Also Grants KSWB . 44 . 25, 32 . Broadcasting–Telecasting . 1 . live . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830201105/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1953/BC-1953-01-05.pdf . August 30, 2021 . World Radio History.
  85. News: December 6, 1953 . Insurance Firm Buys Station . SECOND-18 . Dayton Daily News . Associated Press . Dayton, Ohio . live . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830201102/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84423568/insurance-firm-buys-station/ . August 30, 2021.
  86. News: December 7, 1953 . Radio Stations Are Sold In Cleveland, Spokane . 21 . The Cincinnati Enquirer . International News Service . Cincinnati, Ohio . live . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830201103/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84425698/radio-stations-are-sold-in-cleveland/ . August 30, 2021.
  87. News: Flinn . Gary . October 4, 2008 . Local, live programs once filled the airwaves . The Flint Journal . Mlive Media Group . November 26, 2014 . December 5, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141205003631/http://www.mlive.com/opinion/flint/index.ssf/2008/10/local_live_programs_once_lled.html . live .
  88. February 6, 1961 . WJR officials sign to purchase WSAZ-AM-TV . Broadcasting . 60 . 6 . 51 . August 9, 2018 . World Radio History . March 8, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210308025217/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1961/1961-02-06-BC.pdf . live .
  89. News: March 2, 1964 . Another group gets bigger: Five Goodwill stations to be sold to Capital Cities for $21 million; buyer will have to sell one of TV outlets to keep within FCC regulations . 66 . 64 . Broadcasting . 9 . live . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830201104/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-03-02-BC.pdf . August 30, 2021 . World Radio History.
  90. News: June 16, 1967 . F. S. Moore Dies; Radio Executive, Philanthropist . 11C . Detroit Free Press . Detroit, Michigan . March 13, 2023 . Newspapers.com . March 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313043209/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120741799/f-s-moore-dies-radio-executive/ . live .

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