International projectionist (Oct 1931-Sept 1933)

December 1931 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST 27 conditions, it has two of the most significant and perplexing problems in its history to deal with: wage reductions and unemployment. The American Federation of Labor firmly believes that maintaining wages is a preventive measure. "Workers' buying power must be maintained so that the demand for goods will be kept up and employment may not fall to any lower levels. It is essential also to maintain the American living standard, for wage levels recover slowly. The wage liquidations of 1921 retarded workers' progress by more than eight years. For by 1929, wage earners had not entirely regained the 1921 losses." "Falling wages have an effect on business comparable to falling prices. Falling prices start a competition in price reductions, each firm trying to secure business by cutting prices a little below others. Thus, the price is driven down, in some cases even below production costs. At such times purchasers hold back their orders as long as possible to take advantage of the lowest price. Wage reductions would start a toboggan slide of wages similar to prices in the last year and a half. Though wages were reduced below the minimum living standard, customers would still put off their orders to wait for further reductions. Both commodity and labor markets would be thoroughly disorganized. Such a policy would retard business recovery." A. F. of L. Program To meet the crisis that is expected to be created by at least 7,000,000 people being unemployed this winter, the Federation advocates, besides the maintenance of wages, the following program: 1. Shorten work hours. Dividing work hours will provide work for more men. 2. Assure employment to minimum work ' forces. By assuring employment to minimum work forces some 20,000,000 wage-earners could plan their purchases with confidence over a definite period. 3. Each employer take on additional ivorkers. If all employers were to take on an average of two workers each, all but 1,000,000 of the unemployed would be given work. 4. Create work through public building. It is estimated that work was created in 1930 for 75,000 men in public building in addition to those already at work, and for 150,000 men in the industries supplying materials for this work. If every effort be made to create work through public construction this coming winter, it should be possible to give work to over 100,000 in addition to those now employed. 5. Strengthen employment agencies. Attention should be concentrated on building up the present system of employment bureaus and supplementing it where necessary. Local communities must undertake the main effort, but the federal and state governments can support and encourage, and undertake the essential function of coordination, putting local bureaus in touch with needs in other parts of the state or country. 6. Keep young persons in school to pre vent their taking jobs from older men and women. Every effort should be made to keep boys and girls in their teens in school. Not only will their efforts to secure work take jobs from older men and women, but they will find it difficult to get work. 7. Give preference to workers with de pendents. Employment should be given workers whose wages must maintain dependents. Fathers of families and workers who must support dependents should have TWO LEADERS IN THE A. P. S. George Edwards, of New York, past Supreme Preiident, and Frank Seavier, of SaUi Francisco, who is slated to be the next president prior consideration when additional employees are needed or when personnel is being reduced. 8. Give financial relief from public and private funds. Without question there will be millions this coming winter who will depend for existence on charity. Funds should be used primarily to furnish work rather than relief work wherever possible. The collection and administration of funds for relief purposes is of utmost importance to Labor, and Labor, with other groups, should be represented on boards responsible for this work. The I. A.'s Record The affiliation of what is now the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Operators of the United States and Canada with the American Federation of Labor has been a long and active one. Chartered by the Federation July 20. 1894, as the National Alliance of Stage Employees, the organization retained this title until September 25, 1902, when, at the 10th annual convention, "General Secretary-Treasurer Lee M. Hart addressed the Convention on the necessity of the National alliance making application to the American Federation of Labor for a change of name and charter from a National Alliance to that of an International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees." Following Mr. Hart's address, a motion was unanimously carried to have the American Federation of Labor change the name of the National Alliance to that of an International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees "with trade rights of all theatrical mechanical work and construction that in any way has to do with the successful production and rendering of any theatrical or operatic entertainment." Except for the issuance of a duplicate charter in 1912, there were no changes in the title of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees until 1929, when the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Machine Operators superseded the latter organization. The strength and interest of the LA. T.S.E. in Federation affairs is concretely demonstrated by an inspection of the table of voting statistics of the affiliated unions of the American Federation of Labor. For the years 1923 up to and including 1931, it is shown that the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Operators of the United States and Canada, now ranks 32nd in voting strength among 107 organizations, and that since 1923, the I.A.T.S.E. has shown a very favorable standing, while other groups have failed to progress or retain the growth they had once obtained.