International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1948)

IN THE I SPOTLIGHT By HARRY SHERMAN UNION sponsored health and welfare programs are not of recent origin but date back to the early days of trade unionism in this country. The first agreement calling for these benefits was negotiated back in 1926 by the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employes (AFL) for the employes of the Public Service Corporation of Newburgh, N. Y., and provided for a $1000 life insurance policy and weekly sick benefits of $15. It is estimated that at the present time at least 3 million workers in this country are covered by health, welfare and retirement funds. Some of the benefits provided for under these funds cover hospitalization, life insurance, death, welfare assistance, surgical and medical care. Among the industries covered by these programs are clothing (men's and women's), textiles, construction, machinery (particularly electrical), rubber, paper, furniture, shipbuilding, steel, utilities, fur, leather, cleaning and dyeing, coal mining, commercial telegraphy, and jewelry. Following this trend, several of our more progressive Locals have already adopted similar programs, and we hope the day is not far off when these plans will become an integral part of every union contract. • Howard L. Straub, treasurer of Local 576, Mansfield, Oh'.o, for the past 13 years, has served as an officer of the Local for over 20 years. He was the sponsor of the death benefit resolution introduced at the recent IA convention, which, incidentally, went by the boards. • Pierce N. Bross, sergeant-at-arms for Local 554, Lebanon, Penna., died last month at the U. S. Veterans Hospital in Lebanon. He had been in failing health for some time. • In its recent annual report to the membership, New York Local 306 Retirement Board stated that 42 members are now receiving pension benefits from the Local. The pension fund treasury now amounts to well over $100,000. • Wm. F. Canavan, former International president, observed his 60th birthday last month. The passing years have dealt kindly with Bill, who operates a projection machine at the Shubert theatre in St. Louis. We spent some time with him when we attended the TESMA Convention in St. Louis last month, and we had quite a time recalling the old days. • George T. Rock, Sr., Local 96, Worcester, Mass., and Mrs. Rock celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last month. George has represented Local 96 at all IA conventions since 1909, and FEWER UNITS, UPPED DOLLAR VALUE MARK AMERICAN MOTION PICTURE EXPORTS TYPE OF EQUIPMENT JAN.— JUNE 1948 JAN. — June 1947 Motion Picture Projectors! UNITS VALUE 35 mm. Projectors 3,130 t 1,315,968 16 mm. Silent Projectors 2,825 298, 162 Sound Projectors 4,829 1,395,826 Projectors 4,768 338,769 16 mm. 8 mm. UNITS 3,330 3,796 5,405 4,991 VALUE Total 15,552 $ 3,348,725 $1,281,691 197,621 1,525,109 233,931 17,522 $ 3,238,352 Other Motion Picture Equipment t Sound Recording Equipment — — Sound Reproducing EquipmentArc Lamps for Projection 998 Motion Picture Screens Total 1,567 781,331 2,188,533 414 388 159,359 $ 3,543,611 Figures for comparable six-months periods of 1947-48, as released by U. S. Dept. of Commerce 1,239, 130 1,082,796 219,150 245,838 $ 2,786,914 if the good wishes of his fellow members mean anything, he will be around to attend many more such meetings. • In order to keep all his members in touch with the business of the Local, Herb Aller, business agent of Local 659 (Cameramen), Hollywood, Calif., has hit upon a swell idea. Since many of his members are unable to attend the regular union meetings because of their work assignments, Herb sends to each man, no matter where located, a mimeographed letter giving a detailed report of all matters brought up for consideration at the meetings. In th's way the members are kept informed of all business transactions. We think this plan merits consideration, particularly by those Locals with a membership scattered over a wide area and who for various reasons cannot attend the regular union meetings. • Ben Scher, former Brooklyn business agent for Local 306, resigned from office and was voted 6-months' severance pay by the Local. Harry Garfman was elected to serve Scher's unexpired term. • We missed Larry Cassidy, Chicago Local 2, at the recent IA convention, the first one he failed to attend since 1908. Larry's raspy voice was a familiar sound at all such gatherings, for it was he who always made the motion setting the convention hours. • IA President Walsh was appointed by the AF of L a delegate to the 63rd annual convention of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada, which epened in Victoria, B. C, on Monday, October 11.. • We regret to report the passing of another old-timer. Harry Dobson, vicepresident and charter member of Toronto Local 173, died several weeks ago in his 55th year. Prior to his recent illness he was chief projectionist at the Odeon Fairlawn Theatre, rounding out a career in show business of about 40 years. Dobson started as a projectionist in the early days when the machines were handcranked and a theatre program consisted 20 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST • October 1948