International projectionist (Oct 1931-Sept 1933)

William F. Canavan WILLIAM F. CANA VAN'S resignation as President of the International Alliance was preceded by one of the most vicious campaigns of personal abuse that this writer has ever seen directed at a man in Canavan's high position and with his record of unparalleled service to an organization and its membership. And these vicious tongues have not yet been stilled. Canavan's resignation followed closely the adverse vote of the Local Unions of the Alliance on the question of a general wage reduction. But the outcome of this vote was no more the reason for Canavan's action than were any number of silly reasons advanced by some of the "bright boys" within the craft and by some of the selfperpetuating local "czars" who saw in the wage reduction proposal, and in Canavan's subsequent resignation, an opportunity for diverting attention from their own delinquencies. Imagine the spectacle of a man like Canavan, who has devoted thirty years of his life to the Alliance, being subjected to the rawest, rankest type of abuse by those who are not worthy of even being seen in his company! Intellectually, Canavan towers head and shoulders over those who now wish to cast him into disrepute. One may honestly question Canavan's judgement, but one may not, cannot question his honesty, his unswerving sense of loyalty and years of zealous efforts in the cause of the Alliance. And before anyone taxes Canavan with an error in judgement in sponsoring the wage reduction plan, one should reflect that the plan was okayed by every Executive, every Executive Board member, every representative and many Local Union leaders prior to its being broadcast. This piece is not written in defence of Canavan. He is too important a personage to require any defence. One of the two outstanding executives in the American labor movement, Canavan has compiled a record that speaks for itself and which would be well-nigh impossible of attainment by anyone of his critics. "Bill" Canavan resigned his office not because of the outcome of the vote on the general wage reduction; not because he was through fig'hting and sweating for the laboring man; not because he had "failed to click" on a "deal", and not because he had "something soft to step into". "Bill" Canavan resigned because he choked on the indigestible mass of rot that he was asked to swallow by a group of dull-witted persons the collective I.Q. of whom would probably be found to be — 3, if that high. "Bill" Canavan had a taste of the rewards he might expect from another 20 years of sweating. "Bill" Canavan didn't "run out" — he just walked out. The Alliance could go on paying Canavan his salary for another ten years, without any work being done by him, and still not even begin to repay him for his labors in its behalf. For a man who has. successfully floated so many "deals", William F. Canavan will probably surprise everyone by going to work for a living in the near future^ The motive behind this little essay is obvious. This little piece is admittedly an effort to pay public homage to one who this writer considers the very salt of the earth, to one who is deserving of nothing but the highest respect from his fellow craftsmen, and to one who has performed a difl&cult task in magnificent fashion. But more than anything else, these few words constitute a feeble effort to pay tribute to a man — a man's man, William F. Canavan. James J. Finn