Canadian Film Weekly (Feb 28, 1945)

Page 2 War Labor Board Wpa. Dispute to (Continued from Page 1) the Winnipeg territory of a rival union under the wing of the One Big Union. The latter group, of which R. B. Russell is the organizer, had trouble with Local Union 229 in 1937 for the same reason. Purpose of the strike was to cause Famous Players to bring influence to bear on its partner, Western Theatres, to recognize Local Union 229 as the only labor bargaining agency represented in a closed shop policy. No OBU projectionists are employed in Famous Players’ houses. Winnipeg and District Labor Council, in supporting the IA position that there should be a single bargaining agency and .OBU members should join its ranks, issued a statement in which it pointed out that “the theatrical industry is not an essential war industry and this protest. of its members would have no unfavorable effect on the successful prosecution of the war.” It was urged by Mr. Justice Richards, chairman of the Manitoba Wartime Labor Relations Board, that the dispute be postponed until after the war. The strike was illegal under the provincial labor code. His views were expressed at a conference held at his request which was attended by representatives of the union and of the theatres involved. Those present, it was learned, were: Ww. P. Covert, Toronto, Canadian second vice-president, International Alliance of ‘Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Machine Operators of the United States and Canada; E. L. Turner, president, Local 299 of the union; J. E. Biggerstaff, business manager of the union; Victor Armand, Vancouver, B.C., Famous Players Canadian Corporation; C. W. Brock, K.C., the union’s counsel, and M. J. Finkelstein, K.C., legal counsel for the theatres. . Cessation of work by members of the International Alliance, under whatever name the union might call it, was legal under the labor code, Mr. Justice Richards told the meeting. Theatre proprietors would have no right to coerce their em-~ployees belonging to the One Big Union, against whose jurisdiction in some theatres the international union was protesting, to change their union affiliation. The conference was called by W. Elliott Wilson, chief executive officer of the board. In a communication to the interested parties Wilson said that the international union was mistaken in Canadian FILM WEEKLY Predict Post-War Yellow Light (Continued from Page 1) dozen new post-war houses and Ontario about 35. Because of this anxiety of investors of private capital to begin construction, the federal government will establish, support or encourage as few federal, provincial and municipal post-war public works projects as is reasonably possible, with the exception of housing. Gov ‘ernment ministers do not see the need of federal projects to keep unemployment away and wages stable after the men and women of the armed forces come home. All but public works immediately necessary will likely be discouraged until private capital declines in interest and activity. Then Ottawa will step in with its projects, aimed at continuing work and wages. It is thought that private capital will keep Canada busy building for five years or so. An outline of the government policy will be issued shortly by the Hon. D. C. Howe, minister of munitions and supply, who is expected to control reconstruction if the present regime is returned to office at the forthcoming elections. In order for the country as a whole to enjoy the benefits of a building boom inaugurated and continued by private control of men and material will continue to be exercised, either as now or in some relaxed form. A free flow of materials to any particular industry or area, if it affects other industries and areas, will not be permitted. How will this affect theatre building ? At present, as is the case with believing that the board had no jurisdiction in its dispute. The motion picture industry was within the board’s administration, Mr. Wilson said. “The code aims at the protection of employees’ rights to choose their own bargaining agency and.union affiliation without any pressure either from employers or others. The union now involved is one of those which participated in the framing of the code,” Mr. Wilson said. capital, the construction of other edifices, federal and provincial authorities work together to determine whether permits for theatre building or repair deserve to be granted. The advice of the chief inspector of theatres is sought by federal authorities— the only source of final permits —as to whether building or alteration is essential. There is every indication that this co-operation will be even closer after the war. Applications for the building of shows in villages are even now being looked into to see if the citizens are without sufficient recreation, whether the community is located near a war plant, or not. The result of the inspector’s report has much to do with whether building or conversion should be permitted now or held off until after the war. The extension of government controls may hinder the muchheralded theatre boom. The gov ernment, with a view to an equitable expenditure of men and materials, will determine the essentiality of theatre locations before granting permits. It is easily possible that overseating towns. just for the sake of being represented in them with a theatre—on the part of circuits—will be regarded as toofree enterprise and permits not granted. Even extensive alterations, unless necessary, may be held back. In any case, there will be a yellow light period before the green light will be permitted to flash after the war. Olga Sharabura to Capitol, Soo, Ont. Miss Olga Sharabura, former assistant manager of the Capitol, Sudbury, has become assistant manager of the Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie, replacing Arthur Lefebvre, who is leaving Famous Players. University Effort Relationship of Canadian universities to the nation’s war effort is shown in the latest National Film Board short, ‘“Universities at War,” one of the Canada Carries On series, Vol 10, No. 9 Feb. 28, 1945 ——— EE eae HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Published by Film Publications of Canada Ltd., 25. Dundas Square, Toronto, Ontario Canada. Phone ADelaide 4317. Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year. ; Entered as Second Class Matter. Printed by Eveready Printers Limited, 78 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario, February 28, 1945 Deplores Talk of Show Shutdowns (Continued from Page 1) to coal exchange. Mr. MacLaren regretted the rushing into print | with all ill-founded analysis of the effect of fuel reduction because, as he pointed out, it would cause confusion in the public mind and “make theatre owners nervous.” Mayor Saunders, after a conference with officials of the fuel controller’s office, informed the press that he had changed his mind. “At the present time there is certainly no immediate concern with the closing of theatres and public places,” he _ said. George T. Pepall, regional coal administrator, said that “there seems to be no reason for the theatres being closed. The situation is not as serious as some people claim.” The mayor had supported his statement about possible theatre closings with the explanation that formerly delivery, impeded by storms, was the major factor, but ‘‘Now there is a definite shortage of coal; there has been a drastic reduction in _ the amount coming into Toronto.” Mr. MacLaren, the next day, declared there were sufficient supplies of coal in Toronto as long as the distribution system operated effectively. As for the actual closing of theatres if necessary, the few that would be closed would assist the situation little. Most theatres have living quarters and stores in their structure and heat would have to be maintained in these in any case. There are large neighborhood theatres which house no other activity but these are open in the evenings only. Thieves Scoreless In Show Break-in Thieves who broke into the Capitol, Rouyn, Quebec, made a mess but failed to crack the safe. They got in between the time the manager, Sam Korman, left at 2 a.m. and the janitor, Frank Boch, showed up at 4.15 a.m. Aubey Cohen Eases Up and Back Away Aubey Cohen has retired from the operation and active management of the Mount Dennis Theatre, Mount Dennis, Ontario, but will continue to book and | supervise, Premier Operating has moved Walter Lackenbeur from the Waterloo Theatre, Waterloo, to manage the Mount Dennis. Gordon Ringle, assistant manager of the Lyric, Kitchener, will replace Lackenbeur, _,.