Akt(e) f93 - Ryan, Kathleen, nee Whitton

File consists of a recording of Kathleen Ryan. Topics of the conversation include interview occasioned by 55th anniversary of CFRC (Canada's First Rugby Club) radio station. CFRC as oldest continuously broadcasting station in Canada, originally run and financed by Queen's students: set-up of Prof. Jemmett's equipment on kitchen table in Fleming Hall; 'CFRC, Queen's University: 100 beautiful watts!'. CFRC as Science men's preserve: Arts men tolerated when programming began; women virtually banned. Expansion, help from Margaret Angus, Student Club, and university. Subject's honorary cutting of cable for CFRC stereo broadcasting, recently introduced. 'When the lceworms Nest Again', classic Canadian song played by CFRC during technical difficulties, also by country music band 'The Happy Wanderers' to serenade opening of Upper Canada Village. CFRC as example of Queen's tradition, 'Go ahead if you're broke, you're still going to come through'. Subject's infiltration of CFRC on arm of male student. Science students' aversion to Economics students' use of Fleming Hall. Major fight between Arts and Science men at entrance to Kingston Hall; voluntary parting of bloody sea allowing Dr. Watson to pass through; subject's belief in healthy brawling as opposed to vindictive physical violence. Children's inability to grasp the import of firearms; bearing of practical use of guns on the ethics of firearms. Subject's fascinated observation of creation of Upper Canada Village; sad fate of outhouse-style coverings for anachronistic firehydrants, removed by authorities. 'Happy Wanderers', Ryans' CFRC band, nucleus of later Family Brown Band, CJOH.CFRA beginnings 31 years ago, purchase of second farm-transmitter site necessitated by 'political skulduggery'; selection of Ottawa site, through 5-year survey, as city with poorest radio service in Canada (private license used by owner as erratic hobby). Mistrust of Ryans as outsiders, interfering with station purchase. Household moves, occasioned by husband's communications career. Subject's original choice of Medicine at Queen's, attracted by status; distressing experience of animal dissection; switch to Economics. Recognition of ambition to make money; triumph in financial deal where buyer assumed he was getting the best of an ignorant lady. Present­day retirement funds, pensions, as questionable investments because of inflation; basis of inflation is paid lack of production (UIC). Younger generation's verbal dependence on cliches. Subject's Florida farm investment (location influenced by price of fuel). Ryan horse stables; switch from saddle-horses to hackneys; 'courage, confirmation, coordination' criteria in hackneys; 'period' affair with carriages (George VI lady's phaeton, Sir Vivian Gooch mail phaeton, Viceroys for show).Subject's rugged conscience with regard to extravagant lifestyle. Forfeited option on historic Billings estate, lost through intention to erect apartment building, townhouses; opposition by city planning board, residents' association. Billings' Georgian colonial home, bought by city unable to maintain it; pioneer cemetery, now degraded for lack of care. Billings' history: Lemira as original Canadian business woman, exemplary accountant. Meeting with residents' association, seen from subject's humorous, indignant, scornful point of view. Involvement in Ontario Heritage Foundation preservation of historic buildings. Ironic preservation of ordinary local homes at expense of priceless Billings 'gem'. Subject's sports interests at Queen's; secretarial work for Prof. Gordon, convenor of immigration for lODE; proofreading work for visiting professor; tutoring work in Political Science, Shakespeare.//Virtue as no guarantee of success; unrewarded devotion of many civiI servants. Unaccountable differences in personal ambition: subject's pursuit of exciting prospects ('this margin fades forever and forever when I move'); nephew's insistence on small-scale comfort. Replacement of powerful radio tower used by Ryans since 1946 by Ryan transmitter (1968), rivalled in Canada only by CN tower but with wider applications. Sale of radio stations, retention of transmitter; foreseen subjection of rival broad­ casters, forced to lease space in Ryan transmitter (advantageous to poorer stations such as Carleton). Cablevision companies; interest in satellite broadcasting, not feasible because of competition. Subject's broadcasting experience: 'What's Your Trouble'. show, with woman psychologist Wasserman; Wassermans as German refugees, husband's excellent novels. Enjoyment of 'Farmer's Notebook' report, given something to talk about; hatred of fabricating useless copy; preference for brevity, under 12-minute broadcasting. Editorial manipulation of hot-line shows. Family background: 4 of 8 siblings died young; notorious Canadian infant mortality rate c. 1919, connected with lack of physical confirmation between Celts and Gaels. Liking for Catholicism: Irish-Catholic mother; Catholic husband; lovely experience of convent schooling (Renfrew County). Emphasis on clothing in schools; interviewer's memory of 'Kitten sweater' Toronto snobbery; psychological implications of blue-jean trend. Positive sartorial impression made by men at current Convocation, in contrast with feminine impact. Hard prospects for today's graduates. Views on Canadian unity: no need to preserve French-English Canadian unity, which has never existed; no need to reduce a country to its weakest link. Notion of two founding races 'a damned bit of nonsense'. Goyer's 'French commonwealth'; politicians' insidious desire for French supremacy; expectation of increased difficulty, violence. Injustice of Quebec-Ontario industrial relations, Quebec licensing restrictions. Advantage taken of bulk-restricted Ontario milk shippers by infiltrating Quebec merchants. Dr. Deutsch's comment (Class of '26 Reunion) that 1926 graduates remain unsurpassed; subject's corroborating list of outstanding women (Olive Zeron, Jean Simmons, Marie Stock, Mary Rowland, Frances MacCallum, Janie Anderson, Margaret Guthrie). Reid MacCallum as outstanding Professor of Philosophy.