Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

INDUSTRY LEADERS LAUNCH NEW WELFARE FOUNDATION BEFORE the meeting: Ted Gamble, R. B. Wilby, Jock Cohn. Spyros Skouras and S. H. Fabian have a preliminary discussion in the lobby of the Hotel Rooseve/t. Company Heads, Theatre Owners on Committee at New Orleans Meeting New Orleans Plans for the establishment of a Motion Picture Foundation to aid needy workers in the film industry were rapidly translated into reality early this week as 65 executives from all branches of the picture field held a two-day organizational meeting in New Orleans. The fundamental purpose of this first all-industry charitable move is the organization of a special fund to serve as the basis for a program of aid, relief and welfare for men and women employed within the industry. As the conference opened at the Hotel Roosevelt, Monday, industry leaders including Barney Balaban, Spyros Skouras, Ted R. Gamble, Fred Wehrenberg, Ned Depinet, S. H. Fabian, Jack Cohn, Leonard Goldenson and Harry Brandt rose to praise the aim of the foundation and to pledge their cooperation for the plan. Interim Committees Are Named to Set Plans Interim committees, representing all branches of the industry, were named Tuesday with instructions to prepare organization plans for the foundation. E. V. Richards, Jr., of Paramount Pictures' Richards Theatres, presided over the first session of the conference. The committees which reported their findings and recommendations to the general meeting on the second day of the conference consisted of: Coordination : Barney Balaban, Tom J. Connors, S. H. Fabian, H. A. Cole, Fred Wehrenberg and Edward G. Zorn; Scope: Myron Blank, Jack Cohn, H. A. Cole, Ned Depinet, Jay Emanuel, Leopold Friedman, Sidney Lust, Ted R. Gamble, E. V. Richards, William German, Spyros Skouras and Leo F. Wolcott; Finance : James W. Cooke, Tom Edwards, Sam Dembow, Karl Hoblitzelle, Ben Kalmenson, H. F. Kincey, Ed Martin, Maurice Bergman, Mitchell Wolfson, Max Yellen and Edward G. Zorn. Committees Represent All Branches of Industry Organization: Norman Ayers, John Balaban, Harry Brandt, Carl Buermele, Guthrie Crowe, Joseph Di Fiore, Sam Gillette, Leonard Goldenson, Rotus Harvey, Robert Mochrie, M. J. Mullin, L. E. Thompson and R. B. Wilby; Promotion and Public Relations: Herbert Golden, Milas Hurley, W. K. Jenkins, A. S. Johnstone, Sherwin Kane, John Kirby, Charles Klein, O. C. Lam, Arthur Lehman, Irving Lesser, Chick Lewis, Irving' Mack and Sam Shain. Walter Vincent, one of the sponsors of the foundation plan, was unable to attend the organizing meeting because of the recent death of his brother in California. The scope of the foundation was defined in the committee recommendations as limited only by "the generosity and imagination of members of the industry in advancing the welfare of its people." At the same time, it was recommended that an initial fund of $10,000,000 be raised within a two-year period and that, when additional amounts are needed, they should be raised in a manner to be determined. The scope committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. Gamble, also proposed that in addition to aiding the sick and needy, the foundation also should make available funds to sponsor educational projects for industry members and to further research in the areas of science and education which are likely to advance industry progress and the welfare of mankind. Present Benefit Programs Will Be Continued At the same time it was emphasized that all companies and employers now providing aid and welfare benefits to their employees are expected to continue this practice and that the purpose of the foundation would be to supplement rather than to duplicate or replace such programs. The report of the committee w as adopted by the general meeting and referred to the coordinating committee headed by Mr. Balaban. This group, with the chairmen of other committees, will meet later to consider all reports submitted. The initial goal of the foundation, the raising of $10,000,000 within a period of two years, was called the absolute minimum. It was recommended that only the interest from the fund and not more than five per cent of the principal be used in any one year. At no time, however, was the principal to be depleted below the $10,000,000 level. The finance committee, headed by Mr. Hoblitzelle, estimated that the working fund would amount to approximately $1,350,000. Several fund-raising suggestions were presented in a supplementary report submitted by Sam Pinanski of M&P Theatres in Boston. All fund raising will be within the industry with no audience collections to be requested. The final proposals will be approved by regional committees including representatives of all branches of the industry. The report of the committee on public relations proposed the employment of a paid, full-time director to disseminate the aims and requirements of the foundation. Plan District Groups in Each Exchange Area Suggestions for the actual organization of the Foundation to have been submitted to the meeting and voted on by the full conence included the establishment of district committees of from 10 to 15 members in each exchange area. The members of these 31 committees would, thereafter, constitute the membership of the Foundation. The actual governing body of the Foundation was to be a national board of trustees consisting of the 31 chairmen of the district committees. Many of these men were expected to be exhibitors. In addition 10 were to be distribution representatives and 10 trustees-at-large to be nominated and elected by the other trustees. It was also suggested that the board should name an executive committee of 10 or 12 of its members to represent the continuing operating body of the organization. Regional administration was to be in the hands of five or six regional committees. Shartin Joins Eagle-Lion William Shartin has been appointed special sales representative for Eagle-Lion Films, and will make his headquarters in Cleveland. In addition to that branch he will supervise sales in Cincinnati, Albany and Buffalo. Mr. Shartin was formerly United Artists district manager in Cleveland. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 7, 1946 19