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)

336 MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES penters to the extent of 350. that was tlie usual uumher that was quoted. Now, whether it was 300 or 400 or 500 I woukhrt know, but that was the usual quotation — that the carpenters would lose the jurisdiction of some 350 men. Mr. McCann, Now, Mr. Cobb has indicated that wdiat he wants is not the number of men that were affected, but what work, Mr. Murphy, did this decision of December 26, 1945, take away from the carpenter group, if you know. Mr. ;MuRPiiY. AVell, I explained my position. I work with carl^enters and with painters and with everybody in the studio. My job is acting. I think that possibly your question could be better answered by the representatives of the carpenters. If I were to answer it, I would probably be answering it by hearsay, sir, and not from actual knowledge of the agreement. Mr. McCann. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Cobb has requested that he would like to hear that hearsay. I don't like it, personally, and I say this wdth reluctance — I want to ask any question, but I believe that the point made by Mr. Murphy is very sound, that this information should come from the carpenters rather than from an actor. Mr. Murphy. I don't think I am qualified to give it. I will answer your question this way, sir: That there certainly, from hearsay and my knowledge of the meetings, was some work that was taken away from the carpenters. That was what, in my understanding, started the trouble. Mr. McCann. Were there any set erectors before December 26, 1945 ? Mr. Murphy. I can't answer that, sir. I think that, for the same reason, would be better answered by people who are concerned with set erection. My concern is with acting. Mr. McCann. Was the February 5, 1925, agreement ever fully executed or put in effect { Mr. Murphy. I couldn't answer that either. I am not qualified to answer. I will, however, state that I was instrumental in getting the producers' group to finally read that agreement, because I asked for a copy of it and read it — because at that time I hadn't read it; I had not been able to find one. I was the one that was in a meeting of writers and directors and actors and grips. Mr. McCann. We have two more questions coming up here. Another question by Mr. Cobb : Are you qualified to state what work was taken away from the carpenters by the December 26, 1945, decision ? Mr. Murphy. I think I have made my position clear on that. I would rather not state any technical arrangements or agreements for the carpenters. I think thej^ are better qualified, and I think, since the committee is there and sitting with us and has the records, that they have the information, you might j)ass that to them. Mr. McCann. Mr. Beilenson asks the following question — he represents the guild: Did the three men mention that Mr. Hutcheson understood their December decision and exerted pressure on them to change it ? Mr. Murphy. I certainly got that impression; j'-es, sir. That led up to their statement that they were ready to resign if the council reversed their decision. Mr. McCann. That was the reason for that statement, no matter what form it took, because of this pressure on them to change it?