Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

NEWS (Hollywood Office — Suite 219 at 6404 Hollyvxfod Blvd.; Ivan Spear, Western Manager) lA TSE Official Studio Group By Majority Near 2,500 Hollywood’s last remaining major labor dispute, the question of jurisdiction over some 12,000 studio workers, was settled when an official tabulation revealed that workers enrolled under the banners of the lATSE and the United Studio Technicians Guild who trooped 8,000 strong to the polls in a special national labor relations board election had chosen the lATSE as their collective bargaining agency by a majority of nearly 2,500. Balloters were spurred by the pledge of Joseph M. Schenck, president of the producers association, that he would immediately open bargaining negotiations with the winning faction. Pressure by the USTG had earlier caused Schenck and the lA to halt negotiations for a new set of wage scales and working conditions for the various lA locals involved in the election. Schenck and his producer committee had A Design for Probing In Coast Subpoenas Exposition of alleged labor racketeering, possible income tax evasions and various corporate affairs is the design of Charles H. Carr, assistant U. S. attorney general in issuing subpoenas for William Goetz, assistant to Darryl Zanuck and William Dover, until recently an executive at 20th Century-Fox. Immediately following empanelment of a federal grand jury before Federal Judge William P. James, it was said Goetz and Dover were to appear for questioning momentarily. Carr indicated he expects Attorney General Frank Murphy to come here from Washington, September 25 to lend his weight to the investigation, at which time Carr tacitly admitted that William Bioff (ex-IATSE power) , Zanuck, Joseph M. Schenck and other industry figures would be subpoenaed. The assistant attorney general refused to divulge upon what subjects or along what lines the examinations of these executives were to be based. The grand jury is in session under U. S. Attorney Benjamin Harrison, with A. M. Buley, oil operator, as foreman. held one brief meeting with William Bioff, who was conducting negotiations for the lA, at which the decision was reached to postpone the session until after election. The polls were open 18 hours and voters were given three alternatives — choice of representation by the I A, the USTG or a ballot against both organizations. Those participating included cameramen, lamp operators, props, gaffers, laborers, sound technicians, lab workers, projectionists, electricians and machinists. The lA was supported in a “solid front’’ campaign by other AFL affiliates, including the musicians, carpenters, plasterers, and the Screen Actors Guild. The studio painters, also operating under an AFL charter, had thrown its weight in favor of the USTG, indicating they would affiliate with the latter should it be victorious. Meantime the SAG is speeding prepara Urge "All-America Games" As Olympic Alternate Substitution of an “All-America Games” for the 1940 Olympics should Finland, where the latter are scheduled to be held, decide to cancel them because of the European War, has been suggested to the National Amateur Athletic Union by a group of Hollywood notables headed by Walter Wanger, Tay Garnett and Pat O’Brien. The move was launched by O’Brien in a telegram to Daniel Ferris, NAAU official, pointing out the value — in the interests of peace and goodwill — of a major sports program among the countries of the western hemisphere. Lined up in support of the move are Edward Arnold, Broderick Crawford, Bing Crosby and Jean Hersholt. Gross East on Plans For New Film Firm Announcing plans for a new independent production company, Edward Gross, formerly connected with Sol Lesser and David L. Loew as a production associate, has gone to New York to confer on monetary details with Jules Goldstein, eastern financier, who is backing Gross in the venture. tions for its annual election of officers and directors. New pilots for the acting union will be selected at a special meeting October 1. The SAG’s standing committee has mailed out a new questionnaire to all Class B members by which it hopes to complete a general survey of the situation confronting extras, including their average cost of living, average wages and other information. Findings will be incorporated into a thesis recommending a solution of the extras’ and bit players’ problems. The SAG will participate in the annual convention of the California State Federation of Labor at Oakland, September 25, with President Ralph Morgan heading a list of delegates including Edward Arnold, Walter Abel, Noel Madison, Larry Steers and Pat Somerset. Artists Managers Guild has called a meeting of its negotiating committee to study the licensing agreement drafted by the Screen Actors Guild. If approved by that body, the contract will be submitted to the AMG’s general membership. It already has been smiled upon by the SAG directorate. The plan provides for a fiveyear agreement under which agents will be franchised by the SAG, and without which franchise they will not be permitted to represent actors in studio dealings. Aubrey Blair has resigned his post as an SAG executive to join the American Guild of Variety Artists as Pacific Coast organizer. The AGVA is the organization created by the Associated Actors and Artistes of America to replace the American Federation of Actors, charter of which was revoked some time ago. Other labor developments: The board of directors of the Society of Motion Picture Film Editors has rejected requests by various independent producers that the established wage scales be reduced in certain instances. The organization is preparing to open negotiations with Walt Disney on a working agreement for members of that craft working at the cartoon plant. Screen Cartoon Guild has called a mass meeting for October 2 to vote on a proposal that the group affiliate with a national labor organization. Its executive board has approved plans to apply for a charter in the international studio painters local. The SCG membership comprises some 350, workers at the Leon Schlesinger, Walter Lantz, Charles Katz and M-G-M cartoon plants. Negotiations by the Screen Readers Guild for a producer bargaining agreement still are snagged over certain clauses in the suggested contract. BOXOFTICE : : September 23, 1939 H 41