International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1956)

RENEWING AN OLD FRIENDSHIP Sn. Ihsi. SPOTLI The function of this department is to provide a forum for the exchange of news and views relative to individual and group activities by members of the organized projectionist craft and its affiliates. Contributions relative to technical and social phases of craft activity are invited. IF THE nation's economy continues to expand at its present pace, then by 1975 it is more than likely that every retired person over 65 will have a monthly income of $200. This prediction was made recently by Clark Tibbitts, chairman of the committee on aging for the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The $200 monthly figure is more than twice the amount the majority of over65ers are receiving today. Tibbitts accounted for his high estimate by pointing to the continuing rise of deferred earnings, such as old age and survivors insurance, private pension plans, and personal savings. The discussion arose in connection with a federal-state conference sponsored by the Federal Council on Aging and the Council of State Governments. It was revealed that only nine states have actually set aside money for offices and personnel to deal with the problems of the aged. These states are New York, California, Maine, Washington, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Florida, Illinois, and Michigan. The conference on aging is designed to investigate both state and federal responsibility on such topics as employment, retirement, income, housing, health, and recreation for people over 65. Readers should refer to the May and June issues of the Spotlight for interesting information concerning social security benefits and job opportunities for the worker over 45. • In practically every field you will find people devoting a goodly amount of time, effort, and money toward a specific cause aimed at relieving the afflictions of their fellow workers, and at the same time striving to do the same for the public at large. This is particularly true of the entertainment field, where the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital stands out like a powerful beacon to members of the various segments of show business who have been stricken with tuberculosis — whether they be actors or musicians, projectionists or stagehands, etc. In preparation for this month's drive for funds, more than 50 amusement industry leaders, including IA President Richard F. Walsh, who is a member of the board of directors, visited the milliondollar Will Rogers Hospital at Saranac Lake, N. Y., to discuss future plans as well as review progress already made. Opinion among the visitors was unanimous that the hospital was doing a wonderful job in taking care of the tubercular patients, but there still remained a tremendous amount of work to be done. As can be expected, the problem of raising money for the support of the hospital and its research laboratories is one of prime importance. A very heartening revelation made by Dr. Morris Dworski, director of the Will Rogers Research Laboratories, disclosed Leo (Muggs) Curry (left), veteran member of Local 396, Binghamton, N. Y., welcomes James J. Brennan, IA first vice-president, to the Local's recent 41st anniversary celebration. that progress was achieved in the development of an anti-TB vaccine. It was reported further that the hospital may expand its facilities to include treatment of chest diseases other than tuberculosis. All that is needed for admission to the Will Rogers Hospital is proof of employment in the amusement field and a doctor's recommendation for hospitabzation. A reserve fund goal of $1,000,000 by 1960 has been set for the hospital by treasurer S. H. Fabian. To achieve that goal every theatre and everyone in any way connected with show business must cooperate to make this 1956 summer fund-raising drive a success. The week of July 16 has been selected for theatre collections — let's all chip in and do our share in supporting this worthy cause. • Cameramen's Local 659, Hollywood, Calif., has started a campaign to extend its jurisdiction in aircraft plants and other industrial fields having motion picture units. At present the Local is organizing a unit at the Lockheed plant in Burbank. The National Labor Relations Board recently completed hearings at the Boeing plant in Seattle, and WILL ROGERS HOSPITAL BOARD DISCUSSES 1956 FUND DRIVE ^tmam Members of the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital board of directors at the recent annual meeting. Shown here, left to right: John H. Rowley, president, Rowley Theatres; Alex Harrison, general sales manager, 20th Century-Fox Film Corp.; IA President Richard F. Walsh; Abe Montague, vice-president, Columbia Pictures; Robert O'Donnell, general manager, Interstate Theatres Corp.; Samuel Rosen, vice-president, Stanley Warner Corp. and Fabian Theatres; and Jack Cohn, executive vice-president, Columbia Pictures. 18 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST JULY 1956