Around Your Rail Dial Tonight
By Dick Diespecker [from Daily Province, Dec. 10, 1949]
SMELTER STATION
Radio station CJAT at Trail has a policy which I like the sound of very much. It says “The basic policy of CJAT is to provide facilities for expression of cultural development within the coverage area rather than to attempt to establish a culture.”
That is a very sensible outlook, and their operation proves that they are doing their best to adhere to it. For example they have an Italian program broadcast each Monday night, originated by Sylvio Romano, an employee of the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Co. Mr. Romano has been active for years in arranging concerts at the Italian Club in Trail and the broadcast introduces new vocalists and instrumentalists every week. The show is introduced and explained in English after which the Italian language is used throughout.
Like the Italian group, the John Barwis instrumental quartet is a home-grown group of amateurs. CJAT has also presented a Doukhobor male choir on many occasions, and the Trial High School Band of 44 pieces.
In the educational line, CJAT often carries University of British Columbia lectures provided by the UBC Radio Society. Like most rural stations, CJAT works closely with the Provincial Police and other official organizations, and during the disastrous 1948 floods, Trail’s city engineer described the station’s work as a “godsend.”
CJAT has also produced some distinguished talent. Outstanding alumni are Mercer McLeod and his wife and sportscaster Doug Smith. McLeod started his career on CJAT with a series called The Ghost Walker. Later he moved to Vancouver, then to Winnipeg, then to Toronto, where he now commuters to New York to transcribe the NBC series The Man With a Story.
Transcribed by cArtie.