The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

10 CINE TECHNICIAN January 1955 NEW BOOKS MAGNIFICENT JOURNEY, by Francis Williams. (Odhams Press, 8/6). VISCOUNT SOUTHWOOD, by R. J. Minney. (Odhams Press, 25/-). THE TVPOUKAl'HKJAL ASSOCIATION, by A. E. Musson. (Oxford University Press, 30/-). On the whole, Trade Unionists are ill-informed about the history of the Trade Union Movement, many perhaps because they have found the reading of most Trade Union histories heavy going. Magnificent Journey is written just for them, and Odhams have made their contribution by issuing a special Trade Union edition at 8/6, a price which, by today's standards, is low and within the reach of all. It is brightly and vividly written, eschewing footnotes and cross-references, covering the rise of Trade Unions from their foundation at the beginning of the industrial revolution up till the present day. Nowadays Trade Unionism is taken for granted and members readily accept its benefits without realising that but for the tenacious struggles and sacrifices of the pioneers there would not be the organisations to obtain the benefits they enjoy. One can quarrel with some of the author's judgments and opinions — who can't with any historian's — but his sympathetic and readable approach to his subject is beyond criticism and the book is enthusiastically commended. Members requiring copies should send 8/6 to Head Office, which will obtain the book for them at this special Trade Union price. Viscount Southwood, by A.C.T. Executive Committee member R. J. Minney, shows why Odhams came to serve the Trade Union Movement in this and other ways. Mr. J. S. Elias, later Lord Southwood, built up Odhams Press from practically nothing to one of the most powerful publishers in the country. Searching at one period for a daily paper which could keep his printing presses occupied when not engaged in printing a Sunday paper he acquired business control of the " Daily Herald " with 51 per cent of the share capital, the Trades Union Congress having policy control with 49 per cent of the shares. This was a purely business move and not a political one. Any daily paper would have done as the author indicates. First thoughts turned to the old right-wing Tory " Morning Post." The " Daily Herald " was about the last on the list. In fact it was thought at the time that Elias was a Conservative, although to his credit he refused to print the Government General Strike paper in 1926 and may, whilst it was never proved, have been a source from which the T.U.C.'s own strike organ received some of its supplies of paper. The book is an enthralling account of a most remarkable man who built up a business empire from scratch, was a model employer and an indefatigable worker for charities. A.C.T. knows this as Lord Southwood was Chairman of the premiere performance of " Blithe Spirit " which put its own Benevolent Fund on a sound financial basis. I remember that when I approached him to accept this post he quizzed me to make sure the cause was worthwhile and there was no chance of him being associated with a flop. After he had said " yes " I was phoned for daily reports on the sale of tickets and soon realised that he did not intend his office to be a sinecure. This was typical, as R.J. indicates, of everything he handled. But the author's journalist news-sense almost turns the " villain " of the book into the hero. I am sure many other readers will share my view that the accounts of the duels between Elias and Horatio Bottomley over the publication and finances of " John Bull," published by Odhams, filled one with admiration, albeit with no respect, for the wizard who eventually came to an inglorious end. One dislikes finding fault with a memorial volume but at times I wish the author had not been quite so adulatory. Surely Elias made some mistakes some time, but maybe he was such a remarkable man that he didn't! In any case, congratulations to Brother Minney on a first-class book, remarkably well written. Finally, The Typographical Association, the story of a Trade Union with a hundred years' history. Its very production is indeed a joy as should be in the case of a printers' Trade Union, but these things don't always follow. The Oxford University Press have produced a model example of the best type of book production, matching in credit a fine record of service from one of the smaller provincial Unions to those working in one of our country's finest traditional crafts. G.H.E. News from B.A.F. A T recent meeting between Company and A.C.T., -^ it was agreed that Mr. Howells, away ill with T.B., would be offered employment providing a vacancy exists when he is discharged from hospital. British Acoustic also agreed to write to the Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund with a view to this Society giving any necessary assistance to Eric. The Shop Stewards' Committee wish to thank those who donated to a Christmas Box of £16 for Eric. This, with the previous gifts, has been greatly appreciated by Eric himself and his parents. The staff holiday clause of our agreement remains intact but after discussion we agreed not to oppose a credit year system similar to the B.F.P.A., providing the Company gave an undertaking that any anomalies created by this with respect to present clauses of the agreement would be open for discussion between the two parties. With the issue of membership cards it has come to our notice that Jock May is the longest serving A.C.T. member at B.A.F., closely followed by Ivy Bond, Eric Cherry, Charlie Brown, Norm Roper, Harry Wallis, Ted Cann, Peggy Neale, and Mrs. Lee. Yes it was our football team who were defeated by 11 goals to 1 in their cup match last week. We wonder how they still remain at the top of the first division of the Brentford District League. With deep regret, we report the death of Stanley Neale, a founder-member of the A.C.T. branch at B.A.F. A stills foreman, Stanley's cheerful disposition endeared him to all his fellow-workers during his 22 years' service with B.A.F. Sympathy of all at B.A.F. goes to his wife, daughter and mother.