Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1956)

PERSONNEL RELATIONS MAJOR BATTLES BEGUN BY BOTH SIDES IN AFM HOLLYWOOD LOCAL'S CIVIL WAR Union's International Executive Board begins secret investigation of revolt against Petrillo "dictatorship." Special membership meet tonight seeks to formally impeach Local 47 President John te Groen. THE WEST COAST civil war against American Federation of Musicians President James Caesar Petrillo was on the brink of three major battles last week as both anti-Petrillo and pro-Petrillo forces within Hollywood Local 47 held legal strategy meetings in neighboring offices of the $1.5 million clubhouse and quietly nursed their wounds from several weeks of sharp verbal skirmishes [B®T, March 5]. The first major engagement began Thursday afternoon at the Hollywood Plaza Hotel as a special committee of the AFM International Executive Board began its secret investigation of the open revolt against Mr. Petrillo's "dictatorship." The second big battle begins at midnight tonight (Monday) at the Hollywood Paladium .in a special membership meeting called through a petition by anti-Petrillo members to formally impeach Local 47 President John te Groen for siding with Mr. Petrillo contrary to the majority vote of a Feb. 27 general membership meeting. The Feb. 27 gathering, advertised for the purpose of hearing Vice President Cecil F. Read report on his futile January appeal before the International Executive Board in New York on trust fund issues, culminated in a voice vote which "temporarily suspended" Mr. te Groen and named Mr. Read as "acting president." Hollywood musicians are fighting extra payments put in the $14 million national trust fund when movies are released to tv. They want part of this money since they made the films. All but musicians get extra pay, they claim. Major fight number three is scheduled March 16 when Mr. Read and other anti-Petrillo leaders must stand trial before AFM and answer charges brought against them by Mr. te Groen. Mr. Read meanwhile warned west coast radio-tv and movie firms to refrain from any interference in the fight and pointed out reports that some employers of musicians were taking sides. He cautioned that any threats or discriminations are in violation of the National Labor Relations Act. All through the March 3-4 weekend, auto shuttle services to key Hollywood drive-in restaurants were operated by the Read group to compile a petition of more than 500 names to call for today's special membership meetings since formal board approval could not be obtained. The never-before-used procedure requires 300 signatures to order a membership meeting when the officers fail to do so. Last Monday afternoon Mr. Read filed the petition with Local 47 Recording Secretary ® * c i ■ft ft*. ft'ft -'i'ftftfcftv: Maury Paul and at the same time served Mr. te Groen with the formal charges. The notice said "written charges will be presented of a nature justifying the removal from office of John te Groen, president, pursuant to article one, sections 14 and 16 of the (Local 47) bylaws, and action will be taken thereon by secret ballot." Signed by Read supporters Uan Rasey, Marshall Cram, Earl Evans and William Ulyate, the written charges against Mr. te Groen released to B«T state: "(1). That said John te Groen has been guilty of improper conduct in office, in that he has failed and refused to accept the policies endorsed by the general membership of this association (Local 47) in the protection of its best interests. "(2). That on Feb. 27, 1956, during a general membership meeting, said John te Groen demonstrated his disloyalty to the membership of this association and to the better protection of their interests by stating that in any contest or issue in which this association has taken or will take one position and James Caesar Petrillo an adverse position, that said John te Groen will obey the instructions and directions of Petrillo. "(3). That said John te Groen is subservient to and dominated by his personal loyalty to James Caesar Petrillo individually and as president of the American Federation of Musicians, and has openly affirmed his willingness to follow the instructions and directions of Petrillo and the federation, although such instructions or directions are directly contrary to the wishes, desires and instructions of the general membership of this association, and to I • • II till • • I i SHOWMANSHIP is the key to Birmingham's new radio sound — showmanship sparked by the fresh, new ideas of the Gordon Broadcasting Co. On WILD-Radio there's excitement for listeners — excitement for advertisers — sales excitement that means in Birmingham your best radio buy is the new WILD! THE NEW SOUND IN BIRMINGHAM WITH A CASH REGISTER RING! ■ft v ?■ , 1 : ft ^ ■: ft ,-■ ft ' ft; Page 54 • March 12, 1956 IN BIRMINGHAM... EVERYBODY LOVES THE NEW SOUND ON wild GORDON BROADCASTING CO. Sherwood R. Gordon, President Charles A. 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