International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1950)

fN THE SPOTLIGHT By HARRY SHERMAN THE latest "economy" antics of Hollywood run true to the form established many years ago when the industry was a pup, but this time the procedure is so weird and so obvious that it prompted some very outspoken comment by several of the nationally-syndicated columnists, hard-boiled though these fellows be. These commentators refer bitingly to those studio tactics which result in wiping off the payroll scores of workers who are in the $40-to-$100 bracket the while a huge mass of executive and so-called artistic talent, some of whom receive v/eekly paychecks ranging from several hundreds into the thousands of dollars, are unmolested — in fact, even ignored to the point of not being given a definite assignment. Such happenings merely strengthen our conviction of long standing that the real workers in this industry — the fellows who must work a given number of hours , weekly — are grossly underpaid and, further, that they should not budge , an inch when the "economy" wave sweeps out of the studios and over the theater field, as it usually does. • A bill introduced in the N. Y. State Legislature by Assemblyman Ashcroft of Utica suggests the following amendment to the labor law, in relation to motion picture projection rooms in the state: "Motion picture projection booths in places of public assembly shall be equipped with facilities to promote and preserve the general health, convenience and comfort of the occupants thereof, and to discourage the development of diseases, ailments or other physical impairments. . . . "Such rules and regulations may provide minimum standards for cubic foot capacity of projection booths; for ventilation and regulation of the temperature thereof; of adequate and proper lighting facilities and for such other appurtenances as in the judgment of the board may tend to promote the general physical welfare of occupants of projection booths. Such rules and regulations may limit the number of consecutive hours that an operator may be permitted to work with a rest period, and may prescribe the minimum duration of rest periods." Such an enactment has long been needed in N. Y. State, where so many projection rooms are little more than pest holes, with practically no ventilation or sanitary facilities. • Cecil R. Wood, Sr., veteran member of Local 306 and former president of the 25-30 Club of Greater New York, has recovered from his recent illness and is back at work at the ultra-modern Paris Theater. Cecil celebrated his 77th birthday not so long ago, but his stamina and enthusiasm for craft welfare belie his age. Smooth sailing, Cecil. • The 50th birthday of IA President Walsh was celebrated several weeks ago with a testimonial dinner-dance in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel St. George, Brooklyn, N. Y. The affair was attended by numerous labor leaders from all parts of the country, headed by William Green, president of the AF of L and by IA President Dick Walsh presented retiring general manager Edward Johnson of the Metropolitan Opera House a wrist watch and a gold life membership in the IA. Shown here (I. to r.) are John B. Fitzgerald, IA representative and president of Cleveland L. 27; Johnson, John C. McDowell, secretary of L. 1, N. Y. City, and President Walsh. government officials and industry executives. The event, sponsored by IA Local Unions comprising the 10th District (New York State), was under the direction of the District executive board, whose members include Thomas Murtha, Local 4, Brooklyn; H. Paul Shay, Local 289, Elmira; Albert Ryde, Local 233, Buffalo; Don Rood, Local 128, Utica; M. J. Mungovan, Local 25, Rochester; Nat Storch, Local 366, Westchester County; John McDowell, Local 1, N.Y.C., and Sal J. Scoppa, Local 798, N.Y.C. Eric A. Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, addressed the gathering, paying tribute to Walsh as an intelligent and determined fighter for a cause that he considers just, and as a frank critic of a cause that he believes to be unjust. AF of L President Green commended Walsh for guiding the IA to "an enviable position in the entertainment industry." He also praised Walsh for his work as a member of the administrative committee of Labor's League for Political Education. On behalf of the 10th District, Green presented Walsh with a gold life membership card in Brooklyn Local 4, of which Dick is president. Accepting the card, Walsh pointed out to the gathering that 90% of all union contracts are successfully negotiated without any work stoppages. Toastmaster Tom Murtha was introduced by John McDowell, secretary of Local 1. Invocation was by Rev. Francis A. Growney, of Buffalo, chaplain of the 10th District. The national anthem was sung beautifully by Lenore Pernick, daughter of Solly Pernick, popular business representative for Local 1. Tom Loy, director of public relations for the Alliance, did a grand job in handling the press. About 1500 people attended the celebration. Representatives of IA Local Unions from all parts of the country were present, as were all the members of the official family, headed by William P. Raoul, IA secretary-treasurer; Thomas J. Shea, assistant IA president; IA VicePresidents Harland Holmden, Cleveland; William Covert, Toronto; Floyd Billings 18 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST • MARCH 1950