State

THE STATE A Weekly Survey of North Carolina Enter'd *l iKOod cliu matter. June 1, 1933. at the Poitoflre at Bateich. North Carolina, under the Act ot March 3. 1379. Vol.VII. No. 30 December 23, 1939 George V. Denny He’s the ringmaster at those in¬ teresting ami exciting Town- Meetings-of-the-air programs. Пе got his start in the tobacco fields near Washington, IV. C. Hi/ HOYT McAFEE SUSPENSE, excitement, and wal¬ lop characterize the Town Meet¬ ing of the air, a radio broadcast which may be heard over the NBC network every Thursday night at 0 :30 o'clock. Eastern .Standard time. Moderator, or chairman, of that lively and exceedingly popular show is blue¬ eyed, bespectacled George V. Denny, Jr., a native North Carolinian, who would have the spirit of fair play, tolerance, and a sincere respect for the other fellow’s convictions perme- ate the minds and hearts of Americans everywhere. lie conceived his present unique pro¬ gram back in 1935, so that speakers of conflicting views and opinions might have a vehicle, a forum, as well as opportunity, to express themselves freely — no punches pulled, so long as they stayed within the bounds of decency. Denny’s idea has grown in¬ to an institution. Millions regularly listen to his Town Meeting feature every Thursday night. It has proved of inestimable worth. It has served, and continues to serve, a very useful purpose. A Worthwhile Institution First, it stimulates constructive thinking. Second, it affords one a chance to speak his piece; to discuss a wide range of topics; and to ap¬ preciate the value and glory of free speech in a democracy like America. Third, it brings about greater con¬ sideration of the other person, en¬ couraging you to hear, with an open mind and in a spirit of fairness, what he has to say— no matter how strongly you may differ with him. East, it promotes a wider measure of under¬ standing, broadens your perspective, and enriches your mind. Denny’s presentation is modeled after the town meeting affairs that held sway in early colonial days. Back then, settlers gathered at intervals to voice their thoughts and opinions on issues of the hour. Denny thinks this custom should have boon perpetuated. Instead, and in spite of the vast bene¬ fits they achieved, these unfettered public discussions were permitted to lapse into disuse from the period American frontiers began to expand until Denny revived them nearly five years ago. It is his hope that his efforts will influence Republicans to give some heed to what the opposition has to offer; and that Democrats and those of other political faiths and social philosophies will respond similarly, lie deems it narrow and asinine when a Republican or a Democrat reads only what one of his own kind writes for print or what a fellow party mem¬ ber has to say over the radio or on the platform. His aim, in a word, is to impress upon everyone the desira¬ bility of according full and fair hear¬ ing to opposing views. Many distinguished speakers have appeared on Denny’s programs. A keen-minded, witty, intelligent, and The camera caught Mr. Denny in a typical pose in New York’s Town Hall. During the discussions, Denny, as shown above, watches the audi¬ ence and indicates which member will be recognized next. well-informed person always gets the call over one whose 1m-sI attribute i* simply a famous name. From one week to another, poets, authors, busi¬ ness men, writers, prominent women, and politicians make their bows n* Town Meeting of the air audiences. Of these, the latter turn out to be the biggest bores, judging from mail re¬ ceived at headquarters. Political chatter of senators and congressmen just doesn’t seem to register favorably with the bulk of listeners, Denny has discovered. Some of the Stars Denny has presented on past broad¬ casts such notables ns Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Pearl Buck, General Hugh S. Johnson, Harold I ekes, John Gunther, Mayor LaGuardia, and others representing widcly-divcrgenl ( Continued on page twenty-four)