Filmo Topics (1942)

ane/Musi/ Uawu/ FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION -tWllA ON the morning of September 7, 1942, an inconspicuous envelope arrived in the mail of J. H. McNabb, President of the Bell & Howell Company — an envelope containing official notification that the Bell & Howell Company had been awarded the Army-Navy "E" for excellence of production. It was a simple message — straightforward and sincere — but its simplicity obscured its significance. For this was a tribute not merely to a few months of pacesetting production. It was a tribute to a task which began more than thirty years ago when a small group of men set their minds and their hearts on a single objective— to build the world's finest motion picture equipment. Through the years, that objective remained unchanged. New men, skilled artisans, talented engineers, far-seeing administrative executives — joined hands with these determined pioneers. With each passing year, the Bell & Howell name appeared on improved products cameras, projectors, studio equipment, all built for a lifetime of dependable service — fashioned by men with whom precision had become a creed. Thus when the call for action sounded, when our fighting men quickly proved to a startled enemy that culture dues not mean cowardice, thousands of Bell & Howell craftsmen were ready. They moved now with quickened steps, and with new determination. Veteran craftsmen guided new and younger hands during the long hours between sundown and sunrise. A new impetus— defense of country — made possible accomplishments which would previously have seemed impossible. Production records melted away. Our military leaders have been quick to recognize that this war, unlike any war O c=p4-watJi FOR EXCELLENCE IN WAH PRODUCTION, RECENTLY RECEIVED BY HELL & HOWELL before it, is a war of scientists as well as soldiers. And in such a War, photographic equipment is indispensable. Our military men need cameras, and projectors, and sighting devices dependable equipment that will perform without regard to desert sands, or wintry blasts, or withering sun the kind of equipment that has borne the name of Hell & Howell for more than .1 quarter of a century the kind of equipment that will continue to come from Hell & Howell until victory is won. Today a pennant Hies above the Hell & Howell plant, the coveted "E" award for excellence in production the award bv which our Army and Navy jointly pay tribute to (hose who serve well beyond the line of duly, on the home front, It was offered as an aw ard lor achievement during the past few' months but accepted as a challenge and an inspiration to even gn atei accomplishment in the months to come. 1. "E" award pin being presented to Mr. Roy Richardson, President of B&H Pioneer Club, representing B&II employees who now proudly wear the emblem signifying their company's outstanding achievement in the war effort 2. Mr. Roy Richardson, Rear Admiral C. II. Woodward, Mr. J. H. McNabb, and Army officer holding Army-Navy "E" pennant which now flies above the Bell & Howell plant 3. Rear Admiral C. H. Woodward delivering speech of presentation of award: ". . . one picture is worth a thousand words ... a hundredfold true in a nation at war" 4. Mr. J. II. McNabb, president of Bell & Howell Company, accepting the award : "This award will . . . Strengthen our resolve to achieve higher goals" 5. Members of American Legion Post INo. .'(56 bear the colors, with eye-filling majorette leading procession 6. Thousands <>f B&II employees, sub-contractors, and friends gathered in front of Boll & Howell's new war production plant at Lincolnwood, Illinois, mi Sunday afternoon, October 11, 1942, to witness the official presentation of the Army-Navy "E" award ***. September 5, 1942 Mr. J. H. McNabb, President Bell & Howell Company 1801-1815 Larchmont Avenue Chicago., Illinois Dear Mr. McNabb: This is to inform you that the Army and Hovy are conferring upon your organization the Army-Navy Production Award for high achievement in the production of war equipment. This award is your nrtlm's tribute to the spirit of patriotism and oroduction effort of your oluit and your employees. The men and women of the Bell and Howell Company have every reason to be Droud of their great work In backing up our soldiers on the fighting fronts. In conferring this award the Amy *nd Navy will present a flag to be flown above your plint, and will give to every member of your organization a pin which they may wear as a symbol of their permanent contribution to human freedom. This symbol is accorded only to those pltnts which ...jeeding ell production expectations in view of the facilities ft their command. I hsv full confidence that your present high achievement is indicative of what you and your employees will do in the future. 'C A'1" .r'2* n.;Z y»ir /J* «»»«,„,,„ r°F •«.., "y, 'v. <•) Sincerely yours,