Harold W. Ross and The New Yorker for Their Successful Campaign in Stopping Music and Commercial Announcements in Grand Central Station

(Honorable Mention: Institutional) Never one to seek the limelight for himself, Editor Harold Ross, whose life in public has been in inverse ratio to the influence of The New Yorker magazine on American life and letters, gave up his cherished privacy to lead the liberation of the “captive audience” in Grand Central Terminal. The victory which crowned the efforts of him and his staff writers led The New York Times to say editorially: “We tip our hat (to him) for the lance he tilted so successfully. And, tomorrow, as we go through the Grand Central Terminal, we shall pause in the midst of its majesty and stand, silently, of course, in tribute to the men and women who had courage enough to tell a loudspeaker to shut up.” We of the Peabody Board feel that what Mr. Ross and The New Yorker have done is designed to promote among broadcasters a proper regard for the rights of the listener, and in recognition of this outstanding public service to radio, this George Foster Peabody Citation is awarded.