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)

MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES 2015 The speaker reaffirmed his administration's confidence in Bioff and recited nnmerous A'ictories that Willie had won for California workers. The delegates listened attentively while Browne read a 34-page address. Browne referred to the resignation of John P. Nick, of St. Louis, former vice prexy, whom he said was now under the care of a physician. In case ,you have not followed the sequence of this, I should point out that this is not only after Bioff had been extradited on the pandering charge, but after he had been indicted for income-tax evasion, which stemmed in part from the receipt of $100,000 from a producer. At least that w^as the claim. This is Daily Variety, June 6, 1940 : Bioff Gets IATSE Pat, George Beowne a Medal Louisville, June 5. — Delegates to annual convention of International Alliance Theatrical Stage Employees today endorsed Willie Bioff, gave Prexy George E. Browne a medal, heard a report on coast litigation, and referred to executive board various resolutions, one of which would extend lA studio jurisdiction. Here again we return to the charges of communism which I think unmistakably were thrown up as a smoke screen. George Breslin, Los Angeles attorney, read a written report discussing case of Joseph Carpenter against Browne. Breslin said a vicious concentrated attack is being made against IATSE, and that radical subversive elements of west coast were spearheads in litigation now concluded, aided and abetted from many sources. I might point out, too, that it is clear from the Arthur Ungar editorials, that Bioff was a racketeer as of this time, and if he were not, then Bioff certainly had grounds for libel. Daily Variety, December 17, 1940, headline : Pkobe Labor Racket Charges — Studio Workers Tell About Strike Deals Los Angeles city and county authorities are making a preliminary investigation of charges of labor racketeering here, including the film industry, to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant placing it before the new grand jury. It is understood that Herbert Sorrell, business representative of moving-picture painters, local 644, will be questioned or has already been asked about settlement of the strike of studio painters. At that time, it was disclosed Sorrell had nixed an offer of $55,000 to pay pickets if he would take a 10-percent increase for his men instead of insisting on 15 percent. In urging he accept the offer, it was understood Sorrell was told by a union executive he could pay the pickets and still have half the amount left for himself. Sorrell scorned the offer and demanded the full 15-percent raise for his men. Mr. Landis. Is that the $56,000 deal ? Mr. Sorrell. Yes; that is a misprint; $55,000. Mr. BoDLE. This is Daily Variety, August 19, 1941. Lab Workers Win New Pact — 683 First IA Local To Set Deal Sans Bioff "The producers labor negotiating committee has reached an agreement with local 683." That terse announcement yesterday by the producers' association made studio labor history. Union leaders said it averted a threatened strike of 10,000 film technicians, recognized the rights of local crafts to deal for themselves, and marked the beginning of the end of eastern hoodlum control in industry-labor negotiations. It is the first time that a studio local of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees has been permitted to negotiate a deal for its membership. Contract negotiations formerly were handled by Willie Bioff, a Chicago hood