Reel and Slide (Jan-Sep 1919)

(MM 2\ W* 0GLg4281?8 M A G A Z. I NT E VOL. II MARCH, 1919 NO. 3 Accident Prevention Work Filmed National Safety Council Keeps Many Reels Busy in Various Institutions Productions Built on Entertainment Lines to Get and Hold Public Attention T By S. J. Williams (Manager, Accident Prevention Division, National Safety Council) |HOUGHTLESSNESS is the cause of most accidents which happen in the industries, public places, homes. It thus follows that the main function of all accident prevention activity is to make people "think safety." It is necessary that the mass of humanity should desire to be "safe" men and women, and know how best to attain this. The making of strong impressions is dependent upon the arousing of real interest. Experience has proved that a most effective interest in safety can be secured by the use of motion pictures. The reason for this is evident. The motion picture is the one universal language : its message is clear, graphic and convincing. The impressions it makes upon the mind live when written or spoken words are forgotten. As a consequence it is not surprising that the National Safety Council — now the leading accident prevention organization of the world, with headquarters in Chicago — is finding that its propaganda in the industries, the public places and the 1 ;i .Jm: lc~* Christinas scene in the home of brakeman Jack Foster homes of the nation is receiving a decided impetus through the use of motion pictures dealing with safety subjects. Pamphlet Lists Films The National Safety Council has issued a pamphlet, entitled "Motion Picture Films," which lists and describes about sixty subjects dealing with industrial safety, public safety, railroad saiety, gas and electrical safety, fire prevention ; also some dealing with alcohol, and others of an educational and entertainment nature. The National Safety Council places these reels at the disposition of its members (as part of its service to them), and the use of the majority of the films involve no outlay except the payment of expressage both ways. Here is the synopsis of a typical industrial film, "The Workman's Lesson," which has been shown thousands of times all over the country : "This film unfolds a story that bears out the old saying: 'It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.' Old Wenzel, who works in the _ machine shdp of a big plant, lives in a nearbv cottage with his daughter, Lischen. A young Italian, Bokko, who is out of work, passes the cottage and meets Lischen. Bokko, with Wenzel's help, secures a job in the machine shop, working at a lathe. He is interested in a safety device which covers the chuck, though Wenzel snorts at it with contempt. One day Bokko, influenced by Wenzel, leaves the safety device open. There is an accident and his arm is badly mangled. Old Wenzel blames himself, realizing that he led Bokko into carelessness. Bokko and Lischen become betrothed. Wenzel, upon seeing Bokko's bandaged, but now nearly normal arm, breaks down. He has been taught an impressive safety lesson." Here, again, is the synopsis of a public safety film : "Dangers of the Street" : "Dangers of the Street" "This film shows a boy stealing rides on street cars, crossing in front of moving cars and a boy run down by car. The lineman is repairing broken wires and let a live wire fall to the ground, where it is picked up by boys playing in the street. Boy is shocked and revived by pulmotor. Women and two children alight from a car and cross track in rear of car. Car approaching from opposite direction is not seen until one of the children is struck by the car and crippled for life." In what specific manner are these safety films utilized? 1. They are presented at industrial plants where workmen see them. 2. They may be shown at safety mass meetings for workmen and their families in a hall, school or theater. 3. They are used at open-air safety meetings in the parks of many cities during the summer. In Rochester, New York, from March 1 to September 1, 1918, the National Safety Council conducted a public safety campaign to prove conclusively that results could come about through activities properly organized and actively directed. These results were achieved — and in the report presented by the director of that campaign, the following appears under the caption, "Motion Pictures." "In the five most prominent moving picture houses in the city we used each week a short film on safety, called 'Minute Films.' • These were taken under o u r direction, and each depicted some one specific hazard. They were interspersed 'with proper leaders and the motion picture houses, as a rule, made them a^part of the pictorial weekly. These films were extremely effective and enabled us to keep our work continually before the public. We also used at many of our meetings a safety film called "The Price of Thoughtlessness." In the great national move Jack's conductor giving him a lesson in safety