Good Man

Back in 1917, Frank C. Goodman was one of New York City's top bookies. He cleared $25,000 a year from horse players, employed a large staff, operated seven hat stores in New York and Brooklyn as blinds for his bookmaking headquarters. One spring day, "just out of curiosity," he dropped into the New York City Tabernacle to hear the preaching of Evangelist Billy Sunday. That was the end of Gambler Goodman.

He gave away all his ready cash--including 145 pawn tickets--and went to work for $25 a week at the Greater New York Federation of Churches. Five years later he was responsible for what is believed to be the first religious radio program broadcast in the U.S.*

Last week, now 70, Methodist Frank C. Goodman retired as executive secretary of the Federal Council of Churches' department of religious radio. The sponsor of some 12,000 network and 10,000 local radio programs, Dr. Goodman has never once spoken over the air. Said he last week: "I felt that I was not qualified to speak on religious subjects."

*On March 23, 1922, over WEAF, from the stage of the Palace Theater, featuring the late Dr. S. Parkes Cadman and Dr. William B. Millar.

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