International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1935)

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8 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST January 1935 threatening its members through operaation of the electrics' servicing plan, International Projectionist obtained exclusively the following statement relative to the official stand of the Alliance on the matter: "The General Executive Board of the International Alliance has thoroughly investigated the projected general theatre servicing plan. The Alliance will insist, without qualification, that this work be maintained by the members of its Local organizations, and that the jurisdictional rights of the Alliance be fully protected. There will be no deviation from this policy nationally or locally. "Intensive work looking toward the maintenance of I. A. rights is now proceeding, upon the completion of which the I. A. will instruct its affiliated Local Unions." Opposition to the plan from Labor was entirely unexpected by the electrics, and it is likely that their program will be disrupted badly as a result thereof. No longer is it a secret, of course, that the General Office of the I. A. has been aware of the electrics' intention for some months past and has, in fact, done intensive investigational work in various sections of the country in an effort to uncover the true picture of the electrics' activities, some of the information appearing this month and last in these columns being culled from this source. Attending the session of the General Executive Board which considered the servicing problem was James J. Finn, editor of International Projectionist, who outlined his views on the matter and advocated strenuous opposition to the electrics' plans, plus the participation by I. A. men throughout the country in servicing work of every description. Loew's Drops Erpi Service Erpi sustained another hard blow during the month when Loew's Theatres, Inc., dispensed with Erpi service in 63 Loew theatres in the Metropolitan New York area and barred Erpi service engineers from the houses. Announcement of policy with respect to the other 72 Loew theatres throughout the country is expected shortly, and it appears certain that Erpi will lose these accounts also. Loew is the latest major exhibition company to adopt this course, Warner theatres having discontinued Erpi service in all its theatres on January 1 last. Significantly, the move implies no obligation on the part of either Warner or Loew to purchase only Erpi replacement parts and accessories. It became known that, subsequent to publication of the last issue of I. P., Erpi gave "verbal assurances" to I. A. officials that their "extended servicing" plan had been misrepresented in the press and that its operation would not encroach in any way upon the jurisdiction of I. A. members working in theatres. Upon learning of this happening, International Projectionist sought to have a responsible official of Erpi reduce this view to a formal written statement. The statement was not forthcoming, being turned aside with the answer that "Erpi has nothing to say about the servicing plan at present." Meanwhile, even while giving "verbal assurances" of non-encroachment on projectionists' work, Erpi continued to manifest a keen interest in projection equipment and technique. I. P. learned from a very reliable source that Erpi purchased recently in New York City 20 new projector heads, possibly for their laboratory, cited in these columns last month as containing every conceivable type of projection equipment: lamps, arcs, carbons, generators, rectifiers, lenses, condensers, screens, expensive illuminometers and other equipment. I. P. has a complete list of all equipment in one such shop. Not to mention the fact, of course, that Erpi is recorded as having purchased two complete sets of projector repair tools. Erpi's investment in projection equipment, surveys and general preparation to date is conservatively estimated as exceeding $25,000. The offices of I. P. were deluged with requests from projectionist organizations and individuals relating to the electrics' all-embracing servicing plan, as well as with inquiries as to how best projectionists could move to resist this latest threat to their security. I. P. is servicing these correspondents as fast as its facilities permit. Detailed reference to this phase of the situation is appended to this article. RCA's Position The attitude of RCA Manufacturing Co., makers of RCA Photophone sound equipment, toward the reception accorded the all-inclusive servicing plan by the field was in marked favorable contrast to the typical policy of silence adhered to by Erpi. A representative of RCA in the course of a two-hour session with this writer informally summed up the RCA stand as follows: 1. RCA contemplates an "extended servicing" plan, but — 2. It would be launched solely as a "goodwill" maker in the exhibition field and without additional cost to those theatres now using RCA service; and 3. The RCA plan positively would not conflict with the interests of either projectionists or stagehands, or anv other crafts, and, in fact, RCA would scrupulously avoid even an appearance of conflict; also 4. RCA does not now and will not (Continued on second page following) Servicing Situation Highlights Erpi's Stand "We have no statement anent servicing plans to make at this time," said Erpi representative in typical fashion of avoiding enlightening comment and forcing the industry press to print the "misleading and misinformed" information which Erpi subsequently criticizes. RCA's Stand RCA in a frank, straightforward statement admits plans for "extended servicing" and outlines its position with respect to charges, equipment sales, and policy with respect to Labor's rights. Loew Drops Erpi Service The 63 Loew theatres in Metropolitan New York territory drop Erpi sound service. Loew policy with respect to 72 theatres elsewhere in country to be announced shortly. Likely will also drop Erpi service. Warner Theatres dropped Erpi service on January 1 last. /. A. T. S. E. Stand The International Alliance announces "unqalified opposition" to any general theatre servicing plan which will threaten even remotely the jurisdictional rights of its members. Advocates handling of service, for projection and sound equipment, by affiliated Local Unions. Is now formulating policy which will govern its activities on a national scale, to be announced shortly. Theatre Supply Dealers Theatre supply dealers band together to resist electrics' servicing plans. J. E. Robin, president of independent dealers, threatens a Federal investigation of sound company activities in motion picture field. He also derides electrics' statements that service will be free and used solely to build goodwill. Erpi's Projection Interest Reliable reports of recent purchase by Erpi of 20 new projector heads in New York area; plus another purchase of two complete sets of projector repair tools. Laboratory housing every conceivable type of projection equipment continues to operate and acquire more equipment. Countrywide Opposition Projectionist organizations move quickly to offer service to theatres either free or for small charge which electrics could not possibly match. Service to include both projection and sound equipment.