International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1935)

^Jl e Vol. 8, No. 4 EDITORIAL PAGE APRIL 1935 Craft Action Enoug,h ""t have been spread J over these columns to acquaint in Necessary dustry workers with the grave f\ c • • dangers inherent in the threatened Un Servicing extension of the electrics' influence in the theatre field. We are not ordering the destinies of the craft, being content merely to point the way and let the craft choose that course which will best bring it home safely. As long as International Projectionist is published, however, it will offer vigorous opposition to any schemes which aim at domination of the exhibition field, whether fostered by the electrics or any other group. This is sound business practice, viewed even at its worst. We emphasize anew that which was stated herein several months ago: that throughout this clash of interests over servicing work RCA has done nothing which could be regarded as detrimental to the welfare of projectionists. RCA has been strictly on the up-and-up, has dealt the cards above the table, has come forward with a frank and detailed statement of its position, has offered guarantees of non-interference with craft interests, and overall has acted like the businesslike organization that it is. Also, as previously stated, RCA has given this industry its money's worth in the way of good equipment, a liberal sales policy which included outright sale and no compulsory servicing, and has ever been first to bring its equipment in line with approved modern practice. Erpi's attitude and actions, on the other hand, have been in sharp contrast to the RCA policy. Erpi has ducked and dodged around every corner that offered even momentary protection from the winds of projectionist ire (as long as it didn't have to face the issue today, you know) ; it has handed out large doses of silence in response to repeated direct requests for details of its plans; it has — worst of all — permitted itself to be quoted as the source of misleading statements, and it has conducted itself overall in such a manner as to occasion grave doubts as to its sincerity in dealing with the craft. Now, it is not enough to merely cite this record and let it go at that. The situation demands action. For this and other reasons which may be held in reserve for some future date, International Projectionist now advises projectionists, whenever and however possible, to favor RCA equipment. This advice, let it be said, is in line with Labor's traditional policy of rewarding its friends. To be more explicit: until such time as Erpi's servicing plans are so clarified as to be acceptable to the craft at large, we urge that projectionists exert every influence they can possibly muster and employ every means at their command to favor RCA or any other sound equipment manufacturer whose product they may wish to use. Undoubtedly such action will better acquaint Erpi with the temper of the craft. Through the industry trade press, which will print almost anything, Erpi has sought to convey the impression that the organized craft is not opposed to, but actually favors, extension of its servicing influence. To one and all, including Erpi, we declare that this statement is positively untrue. It is quite true, of course, that a couple of Erpi brass hats hurried West and camped on the doorstep of an organization leader, probably to counteract the influence of that dreadful Finn person. After filling the air for quite a spell with some rather aimless verbiage that never even remotely approached solid fact, these Erpi satellites carried away the impression that everything was hunky-dory along the Labor front. Subsequently they issued a trade paper statement that not only was there no "official" operator protest but, indeed, the operators favored the new Erpi servicing plan. Now, whether the Erpi brass hats visited San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta or even Hong Kong, the fact remains that the organized craft is not only opposed to any extension of Erpi's servicing activities but actually opposes the continuation of even their present somewhat restricted (through organization pressure) servicing operations. Erpi can issue statements from now until October, but it is understood very well that International Projectionist is better qualified than Erpi to interpret the attitude of the organized craft. We stand ready to accommodate Erpi or anybody else who desires to test the accuracy of the foregoing statement. And they needn't waste time running to organization headquarters for a denial, either. International Projectionist is not unaware of the effect upon Erpi and others of its campaign against them to date. Craft sentiment throughout the country has been so effectively marshalled against the electrics' servicing plans that scores of busybody service men in various territories have ceased abruptly their survey work and, instead, have dogged the footsteps of organization leaders to find out where they stand should Erpi eventually be moved out of the servicing field. Erpi was never prepared for the storm of anger and protest which hit it from all sides. We are firmly convinced that Erpi's particular plan is of long-range significance in that it embraces something more than merely general theatre servicing. We can see where within a short time after a raft of such contracts are written the industry might wake up some morning to find Erpi actively embarked on a program of manufacturing and distribution of all units of theatre equipment. In fact, we have had several reliable reports that this is precisely what Erpi plans to do. Need we emphasize the danger to the craft, and to the theatre field generally, of any such set-up? And thus we come by a somewhat circuitous route to the pressing question: What is to be done about it? The first thing to be done, as previously stated, is to fight back against Erpi with those weapons immediately available by exerting every possible influence on sound equipment sales, service and parts contracts, and in the all-important matter of general good will. The results of such a campaign by the thousands of projectionists scattered throughout the country should be devastating. Reward your friends! The next step by every organization is to PREPARE to take over servicing work. This is something that can not be done overnight but requires careful preparation and planning, the assembling of the necessary tools, parts and other equipment, and insurance against any possible shortcomings in the type of service rendered. Private advices by this publication have outlined these requirements in detail. Once prepared, and only then, give your enemies both barrels. But most important of all, and while active preparation (Continued on next page) [15]