International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1945)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT (Continued from page 19) of both Democratic and Republican parties can learn a trick or two from these seasoned 306 campaigners. Politics do make strange bedfellows! For the office of president, the incumbent. Herman Gelber. is being opposed by Harry Mackler. former president of the local. Our prediction is after December 26 one of these men will be an expresident of Local 306. # They are at it again — these laborbaiting employers. At the recent Chicago convention of the American Veterans of World War II (AMVETS), the Texas delegates tried to put over a resolution denouncing the closed shop and recommending legislation which would exempt veterans from union affiliations even in plants where closed shop agreements prevail. Had they been successful, it would have paved the way for the anti-labor employers to use ex-service men as pawns in their attempts to break the union shop. Delegates from other states immediately saw the danger of such a proposal and rejected it. According to '"Labor." a national weekly union publication, Edwin Bruder of Chicago, a national executive committeeman of AMVETS, attacked the resolution as a "'direct threat to the union shop, which we don't want to see broken up by unscrupulous employers." It was further pointed out that although the Texas group threatened to resign from AMVETS, they are in pretty much of a pickle in their home state. Veterans in the State of Texas are up in arms over the recent exposure of the fact that Karl Hoblitzelle, president of the Interstate Circuit of Texas and one of the country's leading movie magnates, had been secretly contributing $400 a month in support of a Texas AMVETS paper which had been used for propaganda purposes against organized labor. Mr. Hoblitzelle employs I. A. men in his theatres and although he is a bitter opponent of the two-man shift in theatre projection rooms, we always believed him to be kindly disposed towards labor. It looks now as though we might have been mistaken in our assumption — perhaps Mr. Hoblitzelle's recent appointment as director of a bank has colored his views on labor. • When last heard from, about two months ago. Gordon Keeler of Local No. 597, Waco, Texas, and son of secretary Charlie Keeler, was in Manila Bay, heading for Nagoya, Japan, for occupational duty. 9 Business agent Bill Thompson, of Local No. 171, recently concluded negotiations with theatre circuits in his city which resulted in new three-year contracts calling for an immediate increase of 10c per hour; an additional 5c per hour increase at the beginning of the second year; double time for midnight shows (minimum three hours) ; and vacations with pay. All increases are retroactive to September 1, 1945. ALTEC APPOINTMENTS Lt. Col. Nathaniel L. Mower has been appointed branch manager of the Atlanta district, Altec Service Corporation recently announced. Col. Mower formerly was district service supervisor in Atlanta for ERPI, ^eadon 5 Ljreetin 9* from Motion Picture Operators' LOCAL NO. 233, 1. A. T. S. E. BUFFALO NEW YORK Albert F. Ryde, Business Representative Precision reflectors for replacement in all types and makes of projection arc lamps. For sale by most Independent Theatre Supply Dealers. THE STRONG ELECTRIC CORP. 87 City Park Avenue Toledo 2, Ohio The World's Largest Manufacturer of Projection Arc Lamps. ^rroildau VJteetinaA from Projectionists Local No. 597 WACO, TEXAS DECEMBER 1945 33