International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1952)

VOLUME XXVII AUGUST 1952 NUMBER 8 41 st I A Convention Theatre Industry Asks Labor for Help SOS from management to labor sums up the most spectacular and remarkable feature of the IATSE's 41st Convention at Minneapolis, August 4th to 8th. A goodly portion of the first three days of the five-day gathering was occupied by such appeals, which were voiced by Eric Johnston, President of the Motion Picture Association of America; by Major Leslie E. Thompson of RKO, and other exhibitor representatives. Gist of the appeals were that the industry is sick — not desperately, it was stressed, but seriously — and that labor is a partner and has a stake in the well-being of the industry. In spite of the industry's troubles any possibility of wage-cutting or lengthening of hours in these times of rising prices were disclaimed as absurd by all the industry spokesmen who addressed the gathering; it was pointed out, however, that theatres are closing and more may close and that labor, specifically the IATSE, can help keep them open. IA members can do this, the Convention was told, by spreading the gospel that the theater is the place to go for good entertainment; by praising pictures when they deserve praise; by joining with COMPO (Council of Motion Picture Organizations) in political pressure looking toward repeal or reduction of the 20 per cent Federal admission tax (a step specifically endorsed by President Richard F. Walsh) ; and by exerting every effort to promote efficiency and prevent waste in theatres and studios. The delegates were welcomed to Minneapolis by the Governor of the State of Minnesota, the Honorable C. Elmer Anderson; by the Mayor of the city, Hon. Eric G. Hoyer; by U. S. Congressman Roy Wier (who is also a member of Local 13) ; by the Chief of Police, Tom Jones, IATSE Convention Hears Repeated Appeals from Industry Leaders for Help in Promoting Public Good Will and Attendance, in Reducing the Federal Admission Tax, and Improving General Efficiency of all Operation. and the Sheriff of Hennepin County, Ed Ryan; and were addressed by a Methodist minister, a Catholic priest and a Jewish rabbi. They were entertained by committees of Minneapolis IA locals under chairmanship of Fred W. Berglund; and by courtesy of local theater owners their IA "delegate" or "guest" badges were open sesame to every theatre in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Highlights from Pres. Walsh's Report Some of the highlights of the report President Richard F. Walsh presented to the Convention included these remarks: "Through cautious procedures, we have Temporary chairman, Congressman Roy Wier of Minneapolis and former president of Local 13, hands gavel to IA President Richard F. Walsh. been able to avoid most of the ravages threatened by the Taft-Hartley law and similar measures on the state and local levels. But we must never be lulled to sleep by our success thus far in this respect. If there should be a clear-cut reactionary majority in Congress — and an administration which goes along with it — then, I am convinced, the unions would really begin to suffer. To help avoid such a calamity, I have continued wholeheartedly to advance the program of Labor's League for Political Education. "Whenever organized labor endorses a candidate, his election hinges to a substantial degree, upon how organized labor is regarded. . . . The esteem in which labor is held by the voting public as a whole will have a tremendous bearing on labor's future. "I want to express my gratitude to those locals and individuals who are doing so much for the good name of the Internationa] Alliance. . . . Your response to the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital drive, and to numerous other causes, has been overwhelming. The list of members heading community drives and serving in a wide range of community posts has increased . . . several pioneering locals have stepped forth as sponsors of Boy Scout troops. Little League baseball teams and similar worthy projects. "All told, we now have 982 local unions, a new record, and the total membership of the Alliance is higher than ever before in history. "In the war years, the employer got in such a rut that no matter what you gave the public, they would buy, and they did buy. No matter what kind of a theatre they would have to come in and look at it, no matter what kind of projection equipment you gave them, the public INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST August 1952