The Screen Guilds’ Magazine (1934-10)

October, 1934 19 T HE questions most often asked the Junior Guild officers are: What has the Guild done! What are you doing now f What do you intend to do f What is the Senior Guild doing to help the Junior Guild? These questions are only natural. In¬ terested members should know the reason we have not answered them before. It has been the policy of the Guild since its inception not to make boastful or threat¬ ening statements, but to do the things others talk about. In the formation of any organization of this kind, after the excitement of the membership drive, there is always a period of waiting. During this period, patience is required and members must understand that everything cannot be accomplished in a day. We are proud of our accomplishments during this period of waiting for recognition. Our first move was to insist upon strict enforcement of the State law for the protection of women and children in the studios, which has been in force in its present form since 1929. This law has been observed by the studios in a very careless manner. We brought violations to the attention of the Division of Indus¬ trial Welfare. Complaints were filed against every major studio, and in every ease, after investigation, violators were given a severe warning' and orders were dispatched to their production depart¬ ments to prevent further violations. As a result, extras today are not kept long hours without food. Hot drinks are served at night. Sanitary conditions are improved, and women are not worked an excessive number of hours. Stricter en¬ forcement of the law has resulted in bet¬ ter treatment for all extras. Our second move was to bring about an understanding with other studio workers. The producers are united in a strong organization. If workers are to he able to bargain effectively, they must work together. Members of various stu¬ dio crafts have infringed upon the rights of extras, by taking extra work which belonged to the legitimate extra. Indi¬ vidual protests against this practice were ineffective. This organization protested with much more effect. The first step was during the Longshoremen ? s strike. Some of the strikers obtained work as extras. The Guild protested to their Union, with the result that a motion pic¬ ture company was forced to send a ‘ * rush call ? 7 for extras when the striking Long¬ shoremen w r ere ordered off the set by their own organization. For many years policemen, when off duty, took extra work. The Guild pro¬ tested to the Police Department and the officers went hack to their beats. We have an understanding with the Police Departments of - Los Angeles, Culver City, and Pasadena, also with the State Highway Patrol. The other towns seem to be keeping their police at home. If they don’t we will pay them a visit. The transportation drivers were ap¬ proached and an agreement was ar¬ ranged. They are to refuse extra work, and in turn the extras are to stay out of the transportation business. Musicians in their spare time were taking extra work. Their Union was willing to talk terms and the Guild secured more jobs for legitimate extras. The property men and the extras have each infringed upon the other for years, but the future will see them pulling together. We have also entered into an agree¬ ment with the electricians, which pro¬ vides that they stay behind the lights and we stay in front of them. These (Continued On Page Twenty-eight) la/mSmooiLUMrW In Reliance Picture's "Count of Monte Cristo," SATIN SMOOTH Make-Up helps turn back the pages of romantic fiction and brings to life the immortal characters in Alexander Dumas' most famous story of all times. Used by 100% of the cast in this and other big time hits of 1934, this smoother, faster, non-fading, longer-lasting make-up is proving itself the sensation of the age! Max Factor’s Make-up Studio HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.