# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S936
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS 863

Relations was appointed in the person of the Rev. Paul Barth,
who contacted individuals in the station’s behalf and presented its
case before conventions and conferences. The Lord has blessed
these efforts and made the hearts of many willing to give liberally,
also through memorial wreaths and bequests. As a result, it has
become possible to pay off $50,000 of what appeared a crushing
debt, and it is confidently hoped that repayment of an additional
$25,000 will be made in the first half of the present year. With
the continued support of our Christians, the debt should be wiped
out entirely within the next year.

The increase in time on the air has also increased the operating
cost of the station. More operators were needed, more programs
had to be provided, and more office help was necessary to handle
the many details of work incident to the operating of a radio station.
This meant an increase in the annual budget ’way beyond anything
dreamed of when KFUO set out in the attic of the old Concordia
Seminary. At the present about $65,000 per year are required
to keep the station functioning efficiently. So far the friends of
KFUO have staunchly given their support. Synod in 1941 granted
a sizable subsidy to the station; congregations, not only those of
the St.Louis area, but also beyond hearing distance, have put
KFUO into their budget or at given periods lifted collections desig-
nated for the station, and thousands of individuals from far and
near have sent in larger or smaller contributions to help support
our station. It is our prayer that KFUO, in view of its inestimable
value as a missionary agency reaching into the populated areas of
Missouri, Illinois, lowa, Tennessee, and even beyond, may be sup-
ported by the prayers of those who love Zion and by the gifts of
their hands. , .

In view of the increased budget, the suggestion has come to us
repeatedly that a simple solution of all of the station’s financial
troubles would be to become a commercial station. The Radio
Committee has taken this matter under serious consideration and
discussed it from all angles, even to the extent of making a survey
of the revenue that might be hoped for from advertising. The
conclusion, however, was reached that going commercial would,
under the circumstances under which our station operates, not
produce the returns expected and, furthermore, would in many
_ Ways prove a definite detriment. The Committee has therefore
discarded the plan. ,

There seems to be some confusion in the minds of our people
that the Lutheran Hour and KFUO are one and the same organiza-
tion. It should be clear to all that our station is an entirely separate
project, although the Lutheran Hour broadcasts emanate from it.
. Reports and Memorials . . 23