Educational film magazine; (January-December 1920)

TAKING SAFETY MOVIES TO MINERS Big Compensation Insurance Company in Michigan Screens "Safety First" Lessons Une-quarter Mile Below the Earth's Surface By F. A. CHRISTIANCY III miners it line one-quarter mile below the earth's sur- face watching safety films. Above—Two of the insurance company's men who had charge of the movies. ~^NE of the greatest developments of the motion pic- ( I ture, in practical application, is the use to which it ^_7 is being put by some of the most progressive in- surance companies in educating the industrial work- ( ill safe practices and safe methods of doing his work. 1 lifre are now in force in most states compensation laws nil h impose a definite responsibility upon the employer r accidental injuries to his employees, specifying the aounts which must be paid the latter while disabled from juries received in the course of his einployment. As the cost of the insurance protection against this risk directly affected by the number of accidents occurring, iturally it is to the interest of the employer that every jssible effort be made to prevent the accidents. As it is a demonstrated fact that the greater proportion industrial accidents are due to the human factor—care- ssness and thoughtlessness—the most fertile field for the safety First" worker lies in the education of the working an and the moving picture is particularly well adapted this purpose. The picture shown on this page gives a good exaiuple of e lengths to which the Michigan Mutual Liability Com- iny, of Detroit, goes in prosecuting this educational work nong the employees of its policyholders. Movies in the Bowels of the Earth This display of pictures was given in the mine of the Detroit Rock Salt Company, at Oakwood, Michigan, nearly a quarter of a mile below the surface of the earth. That every man might have an opportunity to learn the lessons taught by the pictures, all operations were suspended for the hour or more which the entertainment lasted. The screen used is a sheet, fastened to a rude framework of wood improvised for the occasion, while the "'['arquet seats" consisted principally of the bare floor of solid salt, although a few fortunate ones enjoyed the doubtful com- fort afforded by empty dynamite boxes. Some idea of the difficulties encountered in giving this entertainment may be gathered from the attire of the two representatives of the insurance company, shown in the insert. Although the floor of the mine itself is perfectly dry, the trip to the bottom, with all the paraphernalia, was made in one of the '"skips," or buckets, used to bring the salt to the surface, through a shaft in which the dripping water was like a continuous rain. A number of cotton mills and other industrial plants have been equipped with motion pictures, according to the Lucas Theater Supply Co., of Alanta., Ga., and Dallas. Texas. These plants are using films for safety work among employees, for instruction in manufacturing processes, for welfare work, and for entertainment purposes. is* ^ A standard-width motion picture projector has been installed in Liberty Ha'l, Bellingham, Wash., for the use of social welfare organizations. Tlj,: funds for the purchase of the machine were contributed at a hi cheon called by the committee on boy's work of the Rotary Club, at which representatives of various civic bodies were present. 15