The motion picture projectionist (Nov 1931-Jan 1933)

Motion Picture Projectionist More Machinery More Jobs November, 1932 UNEMPLOYMENT is a matter of world-wide concern, and it is only fair that some thought be given to the part played by technical progress and its production of laborsaving machinery, in creating such a condition. As one walks through great factories, or studies the processes of modern industry, they cannot fail to be impressed by the great amount of labor-saving machinery and, consequently, the large output of product per unit of labor employed. However, it is not safe to draw conclusions from that observation alone. Some of these vast industries have been created from nothing, insofar as their effect on labor is concerned. This is apparent when, for example, we think of the millions employed today in the automobile industry — in the making, the selling and servicing of the large number of such mechanisms, whereas fifty years ago there were none. The same lesson can be learned from studies of the electrical industry, of which there was none one hundred years ago; of the radio; of the telephone and telegraph; of the motion pictures and a number of other industries created as it were from nothing, but now employing millions. The general use of power, developed by waterfalls or steam and distributed by means of electricity, and of power produced by the mobile internal combustion engine, in contrast to one hundred years ago when the efforts of beasts of burden and those of human beings were the principal sources of power, has completely changed our methods of living. The effects of this general use of power has revolutionized the construction of our cities — a change that has taken place within the memory of many of those now reading these lines. Out at Hoover Dam is being done a job larger than the Egyptian pyramids. It is being done in a few years, instead of in several lifetimes — by electric shovels and cableways and other machinery, instead of by an army of straining slaves, bleeding under the lash. The equivalent of the machinery on that construction job, in terms of human labor, would run into figures that would rival those of the census, and yet machinery has not robbed that vast imaginary multitude of work; for with hand labor the enterprise could not have been thought of and, even as it is, there is a very respectable city of workers on the spot. Technical progress is still hard at work, creating good new jobs by the millions for tomorrow, not only in new fVice President, Westinghouse Co. By S. M. KINTNER* lines, but in old ones. When hard times struck three years ago, billions of dollars worth of machinery in plants all over the country was carefully put away, until it should be needed. When its owners take it out again to use, they will find much of it as useless as if they had let it rust — technical progress since 1929 has made it as out of date as a silent movie. Even in three years, new machinery has been made so much faster, lighter, safer, more efficient, that it will not pay to use the old. And the reequiping of the country with modern machinery will alone go far to make prosperity. Still greater possibilities lie in the now undreamed-of arts, businesses and industries that this fairy of technical progress will almost certainly produce from her magic box. Fifty years ago, men found they could use electricity for light. Forty years ago it was lighting everywhere. Thirty years ago, it was running factories, and producing new materials. It is only twelve years since it began to be a voice to reach the universal ear, and it seems only yesterday that it became the universal amusement, the sole actor in ten thousand theaters. Why should we suppose that its possibilities are exhausted? It is not reasonable to expect that new industries, each demanding an army of workers, will appear from the source whence so many have already miraculously appeared? So many prophesies of the past that have sounded a warning of a finished world, have proven so foolish when viewed in the light of subsequent events, that it must take a brave, and I might add, foolish man to record his opinion to that effect as a result of our present troubles. Imagine what the present day farmer must think of Malthus warning at the beginning of the 19th Century, that unless the rate of growth of the population was controlled, humanity would starve — as they would not be able to raise sufficient food to sustain themselves. Malthus lived long enough to see the start of the machine age, but short of a time when he could realize that it had completely nullified the conditions that aroused his fears. No doubt the tendency of the age towards shorter and shorter working time will continue. Furthermore, it is highly probable that as we work more into this new order of things, workers will enter active work at a later period than now, and similarly retire at an earlier period in their lives. Such a plan will be necessary if the worker is to have an opportunity to enjoy the many new devices that are to find their way into existence as well as assist in the better distribution of jobs. Many of us have witnessed the change in working hours, first from sun-up to sun-down in the earliest days of this generation, to a twelvehour day, then a ten-hour day; to be followed by an eight-hour day — now we are likely approaching a six-hour day, and the present change is much greater than the preceding ones and, consequently, more difficult to adjust. Who would want to retrace our steps and throw away all our laborsaving machines, in order that we might have more jobs? Surely no one who gives the question serious thought. What is needed is a new plan of operation that will give due consideration to our new order of things and permit us to enjoy this millenium of freedom from drudgery and leisure for thought and pleasure — the end towards which we have all striven for so long. Such a plan to be successful must still hold out rewards for the ones who do the best in still further improving condition. The incentive to do better must still be preserved. Geared Motors IDEAL Geared Motors have devised a gear reduction unit which is built integral with the motor. No motor coupling is used as the high speed gear is mounted directly upon the motor shaft. These units are available in all gear ratios from 2.09 to 1 up to 376 to 1, giving output speeds of from 861 r.p.m. to 4.7 r.p.m., using the standard 1800 r.p.m. motor supplied with these units. For reduction ratios up to about 6 ot 1, the reducer consists of a single stage helical gear unit. For higher ratios up to and including 24.5 to 1, a twostage helical gear reducer is used. For reduction ratios of 30 to 1 and higher, one stage of helical and one stage of heliocentric gears gives the required reduction. All gears run in an oil bath and anti-friction ball or roller bearings are used throughout. The units employing heliocentric gears have the motor hung on the reducer. Other units have the reducer hung on the motor. Geared Motors are supplied in all horsepowers from % to 20. Either open or enclosed type motors are furnished, for 2 or 3 phase alternating current, or for direct current. The motors are the recently developed IDEAL "Unit Type" construction with feet on the end brackets and with standardized rotors and stators which are interchangeable throughout all types. Two, three or four speed motors can also be supplied.