International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1954)

scomb, business representative; Stewart E. Wilson, secretary, with lA Representative Albert S. Johnstone, assisting in the discussions. • AFL and CIO leaders signed a "noraiding" two-year agreement, in Washington, D. C, effective January first. Although the pact is binding only on the parent organizations, leaders of both AFL and CIO predict that the individual Locals will soon fall in line and sign similar agreements. • An amendment requiring only one man in the projection room instead of the two-man law in effect for the past 20 years, was recently introduced before the St. Louis board of alderman. This bill is sponsored by a group of exhibitors who have long tried to reduce the projection room manpower and are determined to make the measure effective before existing contracts with St. Louis Local 143 expire, August 31 next. Needless to say. Local 143 officials are equally determined to defeat the bill. • Evidently remembering the smart showmanship of Local 400 in spotlighting the Christmas parade of the previous year, the Alexandria (La.) Chamber of Commerce once again turned to the Local for assistance in staging the holiday parade last month. The Local's job was to highlight the Santa Claus float — a feature attraction of the parade. A Strong Trouper spotlight with a 50-60 foot throw, was bolted to the floor of a trailer that immediately preceded the Santa float so as to provide a steady light. Nine different color combinations playing on the float achieved a kaleidoscopic effect, producing a striking spectacle. The Local received a rental fee for the use of the spotlight, and three men working the parade — Jerry Clark, Ralph Scott, and Earl Dupree — were well paid for their services. W. Martin Lipscomb, the Local's business representative, was in charge of all arrangements. 25 Years Ago— January 1929 • The lA General Executive Board donated $2,000 to the Gompers' Memorial Fund . . . Warnings were issued against a party who used the name of Lance and represented himself to be a member of Local 185, Spokane, Wash. On the strength of this false representation and forged documents, he borrowed money from the Local at Columbus, Ohio, and left the city before he could be apprehended by the police, presumably "working" his way East . . . This seemed to be open season for imposters — John Downs, claiming membership in Baltimore Local 181, appeared at several Southern Locals for the purpose of obtaining loans. The Baltimore Local denied Downs' claim of membership . . . Minutes of the Geneneral Executive Board meeting, held at the Hotel Roosevelt, New Orleans, La., November 19, 1928, were published in the lA Bulletin for January, 1929. Among the cases heard and acted upon by the Board were the following: Request of Local 348, Vancouver, B. C. to transfer back to the First from the Twelfth District. Unanimously approved . . . Request of Local 289, Elmira, N. Y. to transfer from the Tenth to the Fourth District was denied . . . Appeal of Fred F. Heck, Local 157, Allentown, Penna., against action of the Local in expelling him from membership for violation of Local laws was denied . . . Local 376, Syracuse, N. Y. appealed for the reinstatement of member Robert Sardino, who had been expelled on complaint of Syracuse Local 9 for violation of International By-Law. Appeal was sustained and reinstatement approved . . . Eugene Klingensmith, Local 132, Niles-Warren, Ohio, appealed $10 fine for breaking Local laws. Denied. Turn Your Projection Skills Into Cash ! Many things, from busted toasters, irons and radio sets, need fixing and offer ways to earn spare time pin-money. By MICHAEL SMOLLIN Member, Local 640, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, N. Y. npHE SPECIALIZED skill of the -■ projectionist opens several avenues to sideline income. Many projectionists, including myself, earn extra money, sometimes in considerable amounts, by exploiting their skills outside the theatre. Following are some suggestions for those who like to employ their free time in profitable activities. Careful analysis of sideline activities open to projectionists reveals three basic requirements: (1) Your skill — this includes at least an elementary knowledge of electricity including Ohm's Law, the ability to use a multimeter, soldering iron, electric drill, tape and reamers. Also very important is your ability to find needed information quickly. This is your mental equipment. (2) The second requirement comprises your stock of tools, some of which you probably already own and others, as previously mentioned, you can add as business warrants. You will need a "base of operations" — a room in which to keep your equipment and a work table. (3) The third is a practical and regular method of going after business. Let us take these requirements in order and examine them. Many of us learned our abc's of electricity by bits and snatches from various technical books and articles. Some of us, like myself, were fortunate enough to have to our credit a formal course in elementary electronics. A knowledge of Ohm's Law is very important. It is assumed that every projectionist knows this law in its algebraic form so that he can quickly and accurately determine, when necessary, the dissipation requirements. Every projectionist should be able to use a basic test meter so that he can measure resistance, AC and DC voltages, current consumption, and make continuity checks. Perhaps my own best investment was the $20 I paid for a multimeter. If you can use a meter to tests for leaks and grounds in your lamphouse, you can make money outside the theatre. The foregoing will take on their full importance when, for instance, the lady next door brings you her electric iron which refuses to work (and this is exactly how many of us started on the path to extra income ) . You check the plate marking on the iron, attach the meter prods across the plug prongs, set the selector for the proper range, and you will be able to see the INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST • JANUARY 1954 21