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)

1094 MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES Perhaps some of us were wrong to try to keep our studios open. Maybe we should have followed Mr. Jonhnston's advice, close the studios and let these two predatory groups battle it out without hav- ing us between them. They made no eit'ort to respect our position. We were in the middle. We were the battleground,. We were what Mr. Dullzell called a few minutes ago, during the whole procedure, innocent bystanders. But we were a lot more than that. We were the battleground on which they fought their battle for jurisdiction. Incident after incident arose where they tried to put us into a posi- tion where we had to move one way or the other. We did not move by conspiracy with one side. We moved in the manner that would permit us to keep our studios open. Mr. McCann. Were you acquainted with the fact, ]Mr. Rath von, that Mr. Walsh advised the producers labor committee on August 16, 1946 —that is wrong, excuse me—on August 22, 1946, that any company that makes one single change in the administration of the A. F. of L. directive in compliance with the new interpretation, will have all v»'ork stopped in the studio, exchanges, and theaters ? Mr. Rathvon. I knew he took a position at that time, but whether it was exactly in that manner or not, I do not know. I certainly know he created a position or a position was created where we had no alternative that would not get us into trouble. We either complied, or we did not comply, and we got into trouble in one direction or the other, depending upon which action we took. Mr. McCann. You did know, then that that position was taken by Mr. Walsh on that date 'I Mr. Rathvon. I don't know what date he took it. I have no doubt but what that is the correct date, if you say so. Mr. McCann. Do you know from whom you received that informa- tion ? Mr. Rathvon. I would guess from Mr. Leon Goldberg, who kept me informed on labor matters in our studio. Mr. McCann. For your information, the record shows that Mr. Leon Goldberg was present at that time when Mr. Walsh is credited with having made that statement. Mr. Rathvon. Then I undoubtedly heard it from him. Mr. McCann. Now, were you informed of the ultimatum issued on the afternoon of September the 11th, by Mr. Cambiano, of the car- penters, at a meeting of the labor producers committee ? Mr. Rathvon. You will have to identify it more directly. Mr. McCann. Wherein Mr. Cambiano stated that he was— here to ask that the interpretation of the directive be put into effect on the first shift Thnrsday morning, September 12, 1946. Mr. Rathvon. I suppose I knew about that. It soiuids to me like one of 50 maneuvers of one kind or another that were vnidertaken by one side or the other to get us into difficult positions to advance their own interests. I do not specifically remember that one. Mr. McCann. Do you not recall that the company was put on the horns of a dilenuna after the interpi-etation of the directive came out ? Mr. Rathvon. It seems to me we bounced about from horn to horn for 2 years. Mr. McCann. Mr. Goldberg was at that meeting, according to the record. Do you assume that you received that informiation from him ?