The Miami Herald from Miami, Florida • 27

rhnrviar IttMff 16 1958 THE MIAMI HERALD vfl WPS T-TV President George Baker Talk Television Channel 10 Plans Dedication Friday Of New TV Studios Executive Favors More Community Television Coverage TED (or George to be By jack Anderson llrrald 7 -Radio tdilut haptismally correct about it) I Baker airline pioneer and iU newly embarked on a collat- MORE THAN 500 south Floridians-county and mueral career as tdevision he Mnt this t0 me Nice nicipal officials business men newspaper advertising and station president wasn't sure guy" television representatives will attend ceremonies dedi he ought to have his picture it was finally agreed he taken the other day should wear the Jacket any- Herald photographer John way for the picture-taking Walther and this reporter Walther snapped the neces-had called on Baker in his sary views and departed eating WPST-TV's new million-dollar studio buiiding Friday at NE 21st St and Biscayne Blvd The ceremonies will be telecast by the station at 7 that night Walter Koessler station manager will be master of ceremonies and will represent the station's president George Baker on the air WPST-TV plans to do a lot of this kind of programming Baker declared It wants also to place an emphasis on local human interest on focusing on real people and their activities "We think we have all the facilities now to do a fine job for the community" he went on "If we don't do the As founder president and he will inform you with fierce pride still senior pilot of National Airlines Baker has been enamored of flying machines since he was a boy in Chicago A barnstorming pilot whom he did odd jobs for in those days repaid him with occasional rides aloft and he has never been completely earthbound since He became a pilot himself as soon as he was bc enough tn handle the controls but it was many years before flying became more than avocation private office of the handsome new WPST-TV building at 21st St and Biscayne Blvd I wanted to talk television Then Baker settled back in his chair He talked about the world of Wyatt Earp called television as filled with hazards as anything encountered aloft bv the bie planes of his National Air- Wt then we have only our selves to blame lines He is himself an avid TV viewer Baker said as are his wife and 10-year-old daughter Barbara He has a It was in 1934 when he came to Florida that his cher- with him The office a small but plushly snug room with satiny wood paneling and wall-to-wall carpeting is just off the front lobby Baker was seated at the desk his elbows braced determinedly on its top Hp wore a Glen plaid sports jacket and under it chareoal-h sweater ith a vellnw V-line over a checked shirt with a black knitted tie We disposed first with a few basic questions such as whether he expected the television business to be any more challenging than the airline business and how much of his time did he expect to devote to his TV station Nahl Collins ivin horsvlrr TV set in his airport office ished plans for an aviation and four of them including a career came to fruition On color set at home Oct 10 of that year Baker "I think that's enough Aew a tiny Ryan monoplane sets" he laughed "to keep out St- Petersburg bound myself posted on what's han- for Daytona Beach on what UK mri' EEb jM bpIebbseT- 1 To the challenge question pening on the other stations uas he inaugural flight of National Airlines now one of as well as our own he replied precisely "We think we can run as good a "I don't think this is quite The half-hour program will include filmed congratulatory messages from Vice President Richard Nixon Gov LeRoy Collins President Leonard Goldenson of the American Broadcasting Co and Oliver Treyz that network's vice president in charge of television An invocation will be given by the Rev Dr William Wahl interim director of the Greater Miami Council of Churches Koessler will deliver the station's credo I isitnrs In Tour lluildinu the nation's most flourishing domestic air services Although airline administrative duties have kept him from doing as much piloting as he used to Baker has lost none of the buoyancy and blue yonder informality of His own program likes run to such shows as The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet Still Top Pilot IT IS debatable whether for the outfit to be photographed TV station as we do an air-in" he said to Walther who line They're both govern-had unlimbered a Leica and ment regulated businesses was ready to work We said the airline more so than this he looked perfectly fine but This should be easier in many suggested if it would make ways" invited guests will be taken on guided tours ot the him feci anv better he might About the question of time impressive new two-story television center which with its take off the sweater he devotes to the TV station all his enthusiasm for this the sky jockey technical facilities including those at its transmitter site! think I'd look better in he said "I spend as much new business of his whether It's a fortifying personality it can make as strong a claim for the business of television on his attention and affection in which all the approaches as aviation are instrument ones Station President George Baker new venture for airline pioneer the sweater" said Baker and time on it as is required to suddenly he stood up peeled be spent on any business en-off the jacket and put his terprise "I live right up the way hands on his hips at Bay Point you know in north Dade County represents an investment or over $1000000 The new building extends 154 feet along Biscayne Blvd and 82 feet into NE 21st St Its exterior is finished in black granite and natural pebble stone Its studio is 8(1 fppt long 50 feet wide and 81 feet hih and Is divided into two sections for double programming use A 21-foot by 9-foot corner window enables passers-by to watch programs in progress from out- Kir usually drive on down here in the mornings and put in some time then spend the "How do you like this sweater? Hugh O'Brian (TV's Wyatt Earp) gave it to me When he was down here I took him out skin-diving and he loved it Before he left rest of the day at our air line office at the airport" The building contains administrative offices dressing -l' Old Clothes Haunt Hint II ill Speak Out rooms a client conference room with visual access to the studio control centers a newsroom production art and copy offices and a film department The building is entirely fire-proofed and air WE GOT around to the new station's programming Chinese actor Key Luke who has been starred in many mo- objectives Baker feels tion pictures received a mild TV station should provide a window on community af Designed by Stefan Zachar fairs more so than it has "I'd like to see more TV coverage of our courts and With the opening of its new quarters the station will abandon the old house which has served as temporary quarters This building will be demolished and this and the surprise on the set of Californians" the other day Prior to the filming of a scene in "The China Doll" episode of the series Luke went over to the wardrobe to pick up some costumes Among the clothes he select CHlYtNNi SUGARF00T CELEBRITY PLAYHOUSE W0R0OFFPfE0OM YOUTH ASKS BUSINESS sw MIAMI JA1 AIM legislative bodies" he said "They're conducting the public's business and the public has the right to know what rest of the area will become a parking area and landscaped patio The building was designed by architect Stefan Zachar ed was one hich bore the in and constructed bv John Orr Inc The transmitter build-! rnntion in the back of the1 they're doing ing in Hallandale was constructed by Edward Fleming collar: The Good Earth 1935 'And I'm all in favor of Construction Co Keye Luke editorializing I think our It was an outfit Luke had station has the right to say The station is owned by Public Service Telex Nion Inc worn during the filming of the what it thinks on community Chinese picture "The Good i issues" Earth" twenty-two years ago I a wholly owned subsidiary of National Airlines It received its construction permit from the Federal Communications Commission Feb 8 1957 It went on the air Aug 2 1957 The studio site the transmitter tower in Hallandale and much of the equipment was purchased by Public Service from Storer Broadcasting Co after the Storer firm closed down its WGBS-TV (Ch 23) more than a year ago WELCOME WED NIGHT FIGHTS i DflTf WITH THE ANGELS AfjUmird ttt tfU WPST-TV is a prime affiliate of the American Broad-CMting Co and carries the complete schedule of the ABC network's day-to-day programs These include such top TV programs as Maverick Disneyland the Frank Sinatra Show the Patrice Munsel Show You Asked For It Bold Journey the two Lawrence Welk shows Cheyenne Broken Arrow Wyatt Earp Telephone Time West Point Ozzie and Harriet Nelson Zorro the Real The "Station of the Stars" McCoys the Pat Boone Show Walter Winchell File Colt 45 the Adventures of Jim Bowie and the Wednesday Night Fights In addition the station has a schedule of locally produced news sports weather variety and public service shows and nightly screened re-issue of Hollywood movies WPST-TV Watcfr for these fine Filmed Programs produced by TELEVISION SUBSIDIARY OP COLUMBIA PICTURES HAS A BRAND NEW HOME Wtn in a celebration mooH because our home is but olrj home or the "Station of The Stars" needs no introduction to Miami area TV watchers Every day and night of the veek Channel 10 brings mu the finest PiT R00NE SHOW THEATRE Of THE STAtt I00 HOUSE HUNTeT MICKEY MOUSE ClU! A UL WINCHEll CONGRATULATIONS CHANNEL 10 ACE LETTERSERVICE CO television entertainment in America SINCI Iff 3HOO 1st AVENUE rhrno PL 7-4577 BEST WISHES to actors and actresses th- top-ranking "hit" programs of the great ABC network And of course our nun sports news and children's programs all originating right here in Miami from the studios of WPST-TV! You can regularly follow all your favorites on Channel 10 the "Station of The Look for our new home under the distinctive 10-EVISION at 21t Street and Biscavne Boulevard PUBLIC SERVICE TELEVISION INC "Station of the Stan" ujdctYtu rill I III JjjJfl 10 NEWS IAWRINCI WEIK WALTER WINCHEll 00 tAt TOMBSTONE rERRT0RY PATR' MUNSEl SVfftu' rtW imUHQlLm mike'waiuce f-fWfo When it comes to SAVING come to DADE FEDERAL IfSMk EEEfiillL 1 Always something new specially for you dial 4 i A(Hh 4 CONVENIENT OFFICES tint Avnu INSURED JJ4 WPST EVISION SAVINGS EARN 1 10' SW iih Si'-" Tin Avnu MOO 3th V-t Ef AM FREE PARKING EVENING HOURS SE HABLA ESPaNOL RESOURCES EXCEED 115 MILLION DOLLARS MIAMI.