International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1935)

10 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST January 1935 in the future sell any equipment that it does not itself make in its own plant, and 5. Since its servicing plan is based entirely upon its worth as a goodwill builder, extensive opposition to the plan within the field likely would mean that RCA would abandon the plan rather than have it operate to defeat the very purpose behind its introduction; and 6. RCA would readily give positive assurance on any or all of the aforementioned points. Citing a paragraph in these columns last month, as follows: "If, on the other hand, such a servicing plan will not operate to encroach further upon the projectionist's domain . . . and if it will help the projectionist to produce a better show through keeping his equipment up to snuff by obtaining parts and effecting needed repairs — then, and only then, the plan might be acceptable to Labor," RCA holds that its plan would certainly write an affirmative answer to the foregoing ifs. Erpi maintained a discreet silence on its intentions, as stated previously, evidently thinking the situation not im: portant enough to warrant a statement or being too busy furthering its servicing plans. Thus it is impossible for the electrics to deny any longer that they contemplate "extended servicing" plans. I. P.'s disclosures smoked out this fact, at any rate. In fact, Motion Picture Daily not only confirmed Erpi's servicing intentions but actually printed a list of names of those who will supervise such activities in various territories. With their plans uncovered and further denial of intentions being quite futile, there now remains to be answered only the question as to just how far the electrics' activities in this direction will lead. Possible Federal Action Should the supply dealers carry through on their threat to force a Federal investigation of the electrics' activities in the motion picture field, interesting possibilities loom up on the horizon, particularly in view of the fact that hearings on pending communications legislation, in which A. T. & T., Erpi parent body, will be subjected to the glare of the publicity spotlight, will be begun in Washington early in February. A rumpus in the picture field, in which an A. T. & T. subsidiary was involved, might affect adversely the communications interests of A. T. & T. It is no secret, of course, that supply dealers throughout the country are lining up support for their cause and urging that pressure be put on Washington legislators to the end that the communications investigation be supplied with ample funds and backed to the limit. This is only one phase of the dealers' attack on the general servic SOMETHING FOR NOTHING: HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? J. E. Robin PRESIDENT, INDEPENDENT THEATRE SUPPLY DEALERS ASSOCIATION IN THE December issue of this publication, James J. Finn analyzed the projected super-servicing plans of the "electrics" and pointed out clearly that projectionists and stagehands could not but be unfavorably affected by this development. Mr. Finn could not, of course, dwell at great length on the position of the dealers and the manufacturers in this dangerous situation. It is, therefore, a privilege to accept his invitation to state the case of these two groups, particularly the first-named. We have been reliably informed that the "electrics" intend to furnish this remarkable service at no cost to the exhibitors and purely for the purpose of developing "goodwill." This is really too good to be true and makes us wonder whether the millenium has arrived. We would not think of intimating that this magnanimous and well-meaning cooperation is inspired by any ulterior motive. But history has a way of repeating itself, and our memory of what happened with regard to sound apparatus somehow makes us feel that the superservicing plan is only the first step in the wrong direction, that is, as far as dealers, manufacturers, exhibitors and Labor are concerned. Manufacturers' Stand Now, will the manufacturers jump at an opportunity to sell to the "electrics" quantities of equipment that will no doubt exceed those that the independent dealers could absorb? Of course, they will; but we maintain that they would eventually regret the adoption of such a policy. Again, experience supplys us with the answer. It will be but a short while before the "electrics" will be turning out all the various forms of equipment that their servicing will require. Logically, what is the next step? It requires no great amount of intelligence and imagination to paint the ing plan. If, on top of this, Labor should utter a few deep-throated and well-directed growls at the psychological moment, the electrics might find themselves in pretty deep water, speaking in terms of public relations. International Projectionist is advocating intense resistance by Labor, supply dealers, manufacturers and others to any extension of theatre servicing by the electrics. In fact, this publication is not content that the opposition confine itself merely to resisting an "ex picture. It is unavoidable that the exhibitors who have been the recipients of this "free" and all-embracing service will show their deep appreciation by following the "recommendations" of the "electrics' " experts and purchase from the latter the parts and equipment which they may (or may not) need. This will leave the manufacturers out in the cold without even the possibility of turning to the independent dealers who, by that time, will have been entirely squeezed out of the picture. It is a well-known fact that rca and erpi have for some time past been selling complete projection and sound equipments for industrial use, schools and others which may be classed as the nontheatrical field. In many instances, the projection equipment, with the exception of the sound apparatus and screens, has been procured from a dealer, and on almost all jobs the sale has been made by the "electrics" and billed by them. The RCA Radiotron Co., Inc., tube manufacturers and a unit of the RCA Manufacturing Co., are so concerned with the welfare of the independent theatre supply dealers that they have been selling Radiotron tubes at list less 40% to theatre owners who have signed a contract covering their tube requirements for one year. The distributors, who have an overhead and a payroll to meet, cannot in many instances buy these tubes for resale on a competitive basis. Eliminate Service Charges If the "electrics" are so interested in building up "goodwill" that they are desirous of rendering a free consulting service in addition to the regular inspection and maintenance service agreement that they have, it occurs to us, as businessmen, that they could do this much more expeditiously and effectively by eliminating the service charge on {Continued on page 34) tension" of electrics' servicing, but is backing the plan of projectionists taking over the servicing not only of projection equipment but of sound systems as well. With a large majority of electrics' contracts now expiring, or already expired, I. P. advances the thought that there will never exist a better time than the present for projectionists to move in and displace the sound system engineers. This publication holds that this new servicing plan is merely the