International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1947)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT MflpP^l -*£►"*■ By HARRY SHERMAN OF EXCEPTIONAL import to the craft In general is the case brought recently before the Supreme Court for the County of Rensselaer, N. Y., by a former member of Local 285, Troy, N. Y. The plaintiff, John J. McGraw, withdrew from the Local in March, 1917, but not until almost two years later did he enlist in the U. S. Navy. For 27 years thereafter, or until January, 1946, McGraw served in the Navy. Upon his discharge from the service McGraw, citing a veteran's preference resolution alleged to have been passed by the Local in 1916 and which he contended was still vaHd, sought reinstatement for full membership in Local 285. Local 285 denied having ever adopted such a resolution, and even if it had, contended the Local, McGraw, not being considered a member in good standing by reason of his voluntary withdrawal, could not be continued as a "member in good standing." Furthermore, stated the Local, McGraw withdrew from the Local in 1917 and did not enlist in the Navy until February 1919, 23 months later, taking up employment of another nature in the interim. During that period and for the 27 years following he failed to pay any dues. Supreme Court Justice Roscoe E. Elsworth denied McGraw's application to examine the Local's records, his decision, in part, stating: "If the resolution under which the plaintiff asserts his alleged rights and upon which his claims for relief is based, was in fact adopted by Local 285 in 1916, it seems rather incredulous that the defendant would have kept the same in continuous force and effect to the present day, thereby making possible the retention by this plaintiff of membership rights therein without financial obligation thereto for a period of some 25 years following World War I and during all of which time it seems undisputed that he adopted and was following the United States Navy as his occupation and career." • From reports reaching this corner, the first annual dinner-dance held by Hollywood Local 165 (studio projectionists) was a real bang-up affair. Many stage, screen and radio stars were present at the party, a number of them doing their Photo— Courtesy Leo Moore, L. 165 ATTENDING THE RECENT DINNER-DANCE OF HOLLYWOOD LOCAL 165 Standing: Don Frieling and Jim Eddy, president and business agent, respectively. Local 165. particular specialities for the entertainment of the guests. Among the guests were International Vice-President Carl Cooper, Internationl Representative Roy Brewer, members of several studio crafts and of out-of-town Local Unions. Hilarity prevailed, as could be expected, with the one and only Jimmy (Schnozzola) Durante performing in his inimitable manner. The entertainment committee — Merle Chamberlin, Pat Offer, and Charles Groman — received warm praise from all present for the excellent job they did in making Local I65's first dinner-dance a grand party. • Another indication of the humanitarian principles that have long guided the thoughts and actions of the officers of Local 233, Buffalo, N. Y., is the Blood Bank they inaugurated a year ago. The purpose of the Blood Bank is to provide free blood transfusions to members of the Local. Only members of Local 233 are on the Blood Bank roll call and all blood donations are voluntary. Each member fills out a card stating his willingness and physical ability to join the Blood Bank, and a complete record is kept of each donor's type of blood and other vital information. To date three members of Local 233 who were seriously ill during the past year have received free blood transfusions, and owe their recovery to the unselfish ' acts of their brother members. • Morris Kravitz, business agent of New York Local 306, who has been on sick leave for the past few months, is sojourning in Florida in an effort to regain his health. He is most anxious to hear from his many friends in the Alliance, and a note addressed to him in care of the Nassau Hotel, Miami Beach, would be most welcome. • At the Third District meeting held in Boston recently, International President Walsh recommended that no contracts then being negotiated be extended beyond August 31, 1949. Several Locals in that district, however, had already concluded negotiations and had accepted Seated (left to right): Roy Brewer, I. A. Representative; Mrs. Brewer, Carl Cooper, I. A. Vice-Pres. 18 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST • January 1947