Jurisdictional disputes in the motion-picture Industry : hearings before a special subcommittee of the Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Eightieth Congress, first-session, pursuant to H. Res. 111 (1948)

250 MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES Mr. Knight. There was a carpenters' protest in that. Mr. Arnold. What did you mean when you issued your original directive? Mr. Reagan. You meant the clarification that you issued Mr. Knight. 'Jliat spealis for itself. Mr. Reagan. Did you intend the clarification to change your December position? Mr. Knight. No. ]\Ir. Arnold. You intended to clarify the word "erection"? Mr. Knight. We intended to clarify the whole thing. Mr. Reagan. May I ask this question, EddieV Mr. Kuight and Mr. Birthright, you intended to give jurisdiction over set erection to the lATSE? Mr. Knight. Who is talking, Reagan? Mr. Reagan. Reagan ; yes. Mr. Knight. In submitting the report, we recognized that the carpenters had jurisdiction over all trim and inillwork in connection with the studios. Mr. Reagan. Yes? Mr. Knight. All woi'k in the carpenter shops. Mr. Reagan. Yes? Mr. Knight. All iiermanent construction on the exterior sets. Mr. Reagan. Yes; that is for the carpenters? Mr. Knight. That is erection of permanent sets as provided in section 1. Mr. Reagan. Which was merely mill and trim work? Mr. Knight. Erection of all sets— — Mr. Reagan. You mean that that is the 1926 agreement now? Is that the basis of your jurisdiction award? Mr. Knight. Yes. Mr. Reagan. Gentlemen, could I ask you a question? I don't want to put you on the spot, but I want to ask you something else. This is Ronald Reagan again. Do you care to say at this time — wlieu you discussed this with us, was there any pressure put on you to try to get you to alter that decision? (No answer audible to the reporter.) Mr. Reagan. Just what does the clarification say? (Answer not audible.) Mr. Reagan. A little louder, please. I missed some of that. Mr. Knight. The committee hereby directs that all participants in the Hollywood motion-picture studios should adhere to the provisions of the directive handed down on December 26, 1945. Mr. Skelton. Mr. Knight, this is Jim Skelton for the carpenters. Mr. Knight, I would like to ask you one question on your clarification of August 16, where you ruled that the erection work should be assemblage, and it was to be construed that all construction work was to come under the purview of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. Was that your decision in clarification of your original directive? Mr. Knight. I have not a copy of that decision before me. If Mr. Birthright has it, let him answer. Mr. Birthright. I only have it from memory, but I can recall that full jurisdiction was given to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, on all mills where carpenter work is done in connection with studios, all permanent construction, and all construction on exterior sets. Mr. Skelton. Mr. Knight and Mr. Birthright, in your clarification, you clarified the word "erection" to mean assemblage. Is that right? Mr. Birthright. I have the clarification before me now, and I will read it to you. "Instructions handed down by the executive council, December 26, 1945, Hollywood decision for United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joinei-s, December 26, 1945, and we affirm the allegations submitted to President Green by Organizer Flannagan, according to carpenters local 946 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, whereby the cai-penters' jurisdiction has been * * *" (Voice became inaudible to the x'eporter at this point.) Mr. Birthright [continuing] : "Therefore, your committee reiterates that the words of the decision set forth [inaudible] be adhered to by all parties concerned." Did you get that? Mr. Skelton. Yes ; that is not all of it, though. What about the point where you clarify the words "assemblage" and "erection"?