Moving Picture World (Jul 1919)

July 12, 1919 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 237 CINCINNATI MAY HAVE NEW UNION Bookers, Inspectors and Shippers Organize — Attitude of Managers Not Definitely Reported THE main topic of discussion in Cincinnati picture circles for the week ending June 28, has been the proposed organization of a union among the bookers, inspectors, shippers and other employes of the exchanges. Although as yet there is no real reason to believe that serious trouble of any kind will materialize, several meetings have been held by both side. The Associated Film Exchange Managers of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce discussed the possible effects of the proposed organization, but Secretary Zimmerman states that nothing definite has been agreed upon as to the future course of the exchange managers, principally, because as yet there have been no demands made, hence no controversy may be said to exist. Report Threat Made Against Unions. Early in the week the report was spread that the managers would immediately discharge any member of their force who had anything to do with the new union, but nothing along these lines was done, although it was generall> known just who were interested in the new movement. After the publication of this threat in one of the daily papers, President John Stewart, of the Exchange Managers’ Association, said: “The statement that we have decided to discharge every employe of the exchanges who takes part in forming the proposed union is not true. As yet there is no union, and until there is one we will do nothing. We do not think there is any reason for a union organization among our employes, as is proposed, but we have not announced any such decision as appeared in the published statement.’’ Journals Announce Dismissals. However, one of the daily papers on June 28, carried the following: “Em ployes of local film exchanges who admitted affiliation with a union in process of organization were discharged today by managers of four local exchanges after a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, when it was agreed between exchange managers not to rec ognize the union.” No confirmation of this report could be obtained at the offices of the exchanges. Edward A. Kirsch, business agent of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, who is understood to be at the head of the committee attempting to form the new organization, said that the exchange employes were virtually 100 per cent, organized and that he expected a charter from' the American Federation of Labor. He also said a final meeting would be held with the representatives of the exchange managers July 1. Further Kirsch said: “We are organizing the exchange employes under the Labor Council rather than have them organized by some radical labor movement like the I. W. W. No demands, except recognition of the union can be made for a year under the charter. The motion picture operators have promised moral and financial support, but I know no reason for a strike of operators which would shut down the theatres.” No Sympathetic Operators’ Strike. This latter statement probably was made in rebuttal of a report that the operators would strike in sympathy with the exchange employes in case their demands are not met. While Kirsch states officially that no other demands than recognition of the union will be made, that is not the understanding of some of the employes affected, as they freely predict that wage demands increasing their pay to nearly double the present figure will be made, together with other drastic stipulations regarding conditions of employment. The claim that nearly all of the employes of the local exchanges are interested in the new union is not borne out by a canvass of these employes as a considerable number of them do not disguise the fact that they see no chance for a successful termination of the enterprise, and a great many of them are satisfied with conditions as they exist today. One of them said: Bookers Counted Out. “The moving picture business is one in which the opportunity for advancement is very good. Changes are being made almost daily by which the man of intelligence and ambition may secure both better pay and better conditions. If the men who are organizing the proposed union could assure me of the same chance to advance I might join. But I, for one, do not expect to be a booker all my life, so cannot see the benefit to me in affiliation with the new organization.” There seems to be many others who look at the matter in the same light, and in fact, it is believed that this has had some influence on the nature of the organization for it was unofficially announced late in the week that the bookers would not be taken in. It is estimated that the total number of employes in the lines affected is between 125 and 150. Exhibitor Says Nazimova Is Most Popular in India EAST INDIAN motion picture audiences are showing by box-office attendance records that Nazimova is one of the most popular stars of the silent drama in that quarter of the globe. All through India, Ceylon and Burmah, in the territory controlled by the firm of Bijou Limited, which distributes Metro productions in the Far East, the demand for Nazimova’s features is increasing. C. N. Douetil, who is the managing director of Bijou Limited, with main offices in Calcutta, recently passed through Hollywood accompanied by Mr. A. C. Daybeny, one of the stockholders of the company. “Our patrons,” said Mr. Douetil, referring to the Indian fans, “are generally inclined toward the picture with a predominating vein of melodrama. The best business is done with the heavy type of story.” Mr. Douetil declared the East Indians will pack the houses for a good crook story containing plenty of action and thrills, and that the light domestic style of comedy goes for naught. An extensive publicity campaign is now being made through this territory in advance of Nazimova’s spectacular production of “The Red Lantern.” Mary Miles Minter Received the Roses for Rescuing the Little Chap at the Left in “Yvonne from Paris.” She is explaining it all to Alan Forrest in the center. Scenes from her forthcoming American feature.