International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1940)

pulsion from labor organizations. The Communists were accorded top wordage in the Convention proceedings. • Social Security Bids Two resolutions, of the fifty offered, were of extreme social significance to the general membership. One of these, a group insurance plan advocated by Matthew Woll as president of the Union Labor Life Insurance Co., was decisively beaten in the final reckoning. This resolution, which had the almost solid support of the older stagehand members, was finally beaten by a coalition group which, strangely enough, included some stagehands, the fundamental objection of the opposition group being that the proposed rate was too high. Another resolution provided for the imposition by the I. A. of a special assessment which would go into a fund to provide some manner of retirement pension for aged and incapacitated members no longer able to work. This resolution, which had strong combined support of all crafts within the I. A., was finally referred to the Executive Board after spirited discussion on the convention floor. A flock of resolutions sponsored by District No. 2 (West Coast), and seeking changes in the I. A. Constitution to the end that certain forms of studio work should be more clearly defined, were referred to the Executive Board. Canadian locals, citing the rapid spread of dual unionism in their territory as a result, they charged, of collusion with exhibition interests, asked for the full support of the Alliance in fighting this menace. This was passed. • Beat Procedure Changes Delegates from the Laboratory Technicians Local 683 (Hollywood) in a resolution covering four pages, requested two important changes in current I. A. procedure: first, that the present emergency power vested in the Executive Board be modified to insure some degree of authority in such proceedings by the Local Union affected, and second, that no assessment of whatever character be levied upon the Alliance without a referendum vote by the general membership. Both these resolutions were lost, following recommendations by the Resolutions Committee for nonconcurrence. One resolution dealing with "subversive" propaganda or conduct, passed by the Convention, would seem to invite not a little trouble in the future, including some extensive workouts in various courts. After citing extensive current Communist-Fascist-Nazi propa ganda efforts within local unions the resolution continues: ". . . that the General Executive Board be and is hereby authorized and empowered to promulgate such by-laws, rules and regulations as in its judgment may be deemed proper and expedient to fine, suspend and expel from this International Alliance, or to otherwise discipline, such members thereof as engage in subversive propaganda or conduct, to the detriment of this International Alliance or of its affiliated organizations." This resolution is noteworthy by the absence therein of any definition of "subversive propaganda or conduct," or any means for enabling a member so accused to have a fair trial before an impartial group. Under this resolution it appears that a confirmed pacifist who opposed a declaration of war could be summarily expelled from the Alliance, even though he loathed the very mention of totalitarian government. The request of delegates from B locals for advancement to full A-local status was referred to the General Office. Ditto for a request that the Alliance exert every effort to institute a 30-hour week for I. A. men generally. To the Executive Board was left the decision on a request for a "clear and definite" interpretation of jurisdictional rights over special equipment, including dummy sound heads and auditorium volume control units, which, stated Resolution No. 11, becomes an "integral part of the projection and sound equipment." • 'Inclusive' Service Contract A question of extreme interest to the general Alliance membership, and particularly projectionists, was that of the new inclusive service contract recently introduced by sound equipment service organizations. Discussing this new contract in his report to the Convention, President Browne stated: "... I realize the possibilities of some undesirable provisions creeping in ... I would suggest the appointment of a committee, who could be selected along geographical lines, which would reflect a diversity of opinion. This committee could study the provisions of such agreement, and since they have already had an opportunity during the course of the past two years to become cognizant of any derogatory clauses or commitments, proper recommendations could be made for their deletion, or on the other hand, the inclusion of beneficial features, in the new agreement." This recommendation of President Browne was adopted by the Convention, and a special committee was formed to consider all angles of sound picture equipment servicing, with special emphasis on the "inclusive" angle of parts supply. A definite statement of policy on this question is expected to be forthcoming from the General Office shortly. Locals 17 and 163, of Louisville, did not neglect the social aspects of the Convention. A total of 1,500 delegates and guests were in attendance, with the number of ladies being the largest of any I. A. gathering to date. In behalf of the latter there toiled unceasingly a Ladies Committee which staged many get-togethers, including a standout fish-fry party just out of town. The piece de resistance, of course, was the I. A. Ball held on the evening of the third day of the Convention. The thermometer was up in the 80's, but this did not deter the Convention from putting on a rousing celebration. A cause for keen regret among many delegates was the absence of any organized display of equipment by manufacturers of projection and stage units. These exhibits, when staged in the past, have been of inestimable value to both the delegates and the manufacturers, and the hope was expressed on all sides that future I. A. gatherings will not overlook such a splendid opportunity for the exchange of mutually profitable news and views. COLOR PROJECTION PROCESS History repeating itself: the current announcement that the problem of projecting color films from black-andwhite films has been solved to the "complete satisfaction" of Prismicolor Co., of Chicago. This harks back to twenty years ago and more when Kinemacolor and other companies were "on the verge" of licking color projection. This latest foray on the color projection front utilizes, as did all of its predecessors, projector attachments. These color film sponsors, and those playing with stereoscopic motion pictures, invariably rely upon projector attachments, our opinion of which is too well known to need recounting here. Right now there are more attachments on a projector than is decent or necessary. Pedestal makers please take note. — J. J. F. M. D. Faige, RCA Phorophone Field Engineer in New England, recently completed a two weeks stay in Camden in preparation for new duties as Service Manager of the Atlanta District, replacing G. P. Knapp, assigned to other duties. Mr. Faige is being succeeded by H. I. Hultgren, long associated with theatre sound service and well known to New England exhibitors. 16 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST