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https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis JOBS FOR CRIPPLED SOLDIERS. • Movie Concern Offerm to Train Fifty at Once to Becorne Operators. Crippled soldiers who have lost a leg on the battlefields of France are to be given an opportunity to become moving picture operators. Senator Fletcher. of Florida, has received a letter from one of the big movie concerns of the South making the offer. Jobs are open at once for 50 onelegged soldiers. Later there will be a chance for 50 more. The concern is prepared to open schools in any of the camps. From 60 to 90 days are necessary tri learn the trade, and the lobs Day f rn tan 1110/1 & rettaLth. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis I Beef Liver Pound Cabbage P ( New York State Lb. 3c PECK (15 lbs.) BREA https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Memorandum: (Mrs. Edson) Ethel R. Palmer macie report on motion picture investigation September. 26th, 1916. REPRESENTING EMPLOYERS LOYALL A. OSBORNE C. E. MICHAEL W. H. VAN DERVOORT B. L. WORDEN F. C. HOOD https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis REPRESENTING LABOR FRANK P. WALSH WILLIAM H. TAFT JOINT CHAIRMEN FRANK J. HAYES WILLIAM L. HUTCHESON THOMAS J. SAVAGE VICTOR A. OLANDER T. A. RICKERT W. JETT LAUCK, SECRETARY NATIONAL WAR LABOR BOARD WASHINGTON October 30. Miss Mary Van Kleeck, Director, Women in Industry Service, Department of Labor, Washington, D.O. My dear Miss VanKleeck, your request of October 25 In answer I enclose herewith a memorandum 9x ared by one of my staff on the Lasky Studio. case. There is in our files no mention of wotaen involved or of the possible substition of women for men in the projecting room of the studio. Very - er y yours, kb( (---4-tr https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis bya . Memazalum Controvcrs;/ between Local # 33 I.A.T.S.E. on and The Lasky Studio of Famous ?layers- Lasky Co9ration, Los Angelost Cal. Original grievances about wages,hours p overtime,work#Ig c, -,alitions and all points of difference affecting other studios as well as.The Lasky, were settlea before Aug. 27. No answer was had from thesi studio and on that date 1^0 ,2mployes quit work. After several attempts to settle on the main point as to haw many and in what manner men should be re-instated it was determined that the two following points be submitted to the National War Labor Boardtboth side s agreeing to abide by this decision; 1. Return of former employes to work who wer/employed prior to August 28 191S. 2. Removal from position of Supt. of Construction, Mr. James Souter. Pending decision 50 employes were put back to work Sept. 24. That the Lasky studio is an open shop is conceded but contends that the emnloysant of the new superintendent the union of conitruction will seriously endanger the percentage of organization that they have maintained because he has a record of strie-breaking. Firm contends that it does not a-Trove in general of the standardization requested by the first wage demands of the men, that it raised tie wages of all the competent employes and was willing that the rest of the men seek"employment elsewhere" us they had threatened to do in their original wage demand, that they had the right to retain employes hired to replace strikers and that they dould not break the*r contract with the new construction supt. who othey promise, will act under their orders not to discriminate against the union. • R7,1PORT GEITRAL SITUATION Theater Owners' Point of View. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis or IDTIor PIcTnE OP'n'_TCS' SITUATION IN LOS ANGELES At the instigation of the Theater Owners' Association of Southern California, Incorporated, comprising about eighty per cent of all motion picture theatres in Southern California, a school for the training of women motion picture operators was started by one of their members, Leo L. Hyan. This school is officially endorsed and supported by the Theater Owners' Association. At present there are enrolled about thirty-five studekts in this school. The reasons given by the Theater Owners for the founding of this school are as follows: 1. A patriotic projection for the training of dependent women of men in service to earn their living. 2. Dissatisfaction with the type of work performed by union operators. (a) '2,ecent fires due to carelessness on part of operators. (b) Inexperienced men being supplied to theaters by union because of shortage caused by draft. instance of lack of operators concrete :Co cou_d be found. Before operating a machine the City of Los Angeles demands that an examination given by the Electrical Department be passed before a license is issued. This examination previously consisted of an oral interview. At present there has been a complete change in the type of examination held. A written series of Questions is asked, also a Practical test in a booth with a skilled operator is given. So far ten women from the school in question have taken this examination. All of whom have nassed the written but no license has as yet been issued to a woman as they have all failed in the practical test. It is claimed by the Theater Owners that a union man has been in the booth to 2';ve this practidal test, wires have been grounded making such an examination unsafe, and unfair tests and reouire—ents have been made. Er. Beecher of the 7.1ectrical Denartment who is in charge of the examinations, stated that so far the women have been only theoretically trained and not T)ractically; that the department is a'osolutely willing to r,rant licenses to women when women are efficient. 4 JO= At the time this school of the Theater Owners was orzanized the enclosed contract (copy) was presented to all theater owners who employed union men. This contract is signed by most of the theater owners but is aprarently not being lived pp to by them, nor has the alternative been enforced by the union. Undoubtedly this contract discriminates against mmen, and according to Er. Dale, a local A. F. of L. representative, the Operators Union wo-ild not be upheld from that point of view. The attitude of the local Motion Picture Operators' Union was given in a talk with hr. Preston, Business _ailaier, and is as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. • (11.11 k. iL1.112:.1D TO https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Ho immediate need for women operators. Many qualified male operators without positions. Fear that women will lower scale of -7a:es. Uill admit women into Union after -being licensed. The occupation is a hazardous one and not considered healthful one for women. The reneral situation can best be summed up as a fight between the Theater Owners' Association and Union Operators. The Union says it is to break them that the school was started. Theater Owners say that women would make better operators than a union man. Wages. The Union scale cally all the motion picture 30 per week depending on to owners state that same scale the women. of wages controls practihouses, ranging from :;16.50 the t:Tme of house. Theater of -Jaes will -oaid to Hours. The Union will permit no operator to wcr' lon;-;er than six hours without one hour relief. There is a six hour day standard in vaudeville and larger houses, eiht hor day standard in smaller houses. standards of Labor and Health Hazards. The standard ])rojecting room is a fire-proof booth. All films in booth are kept in a fire -proof box. Fires are mainly caused by smoking of operators, which .is against a City Ordinance, and running the film too slowly through the machine. Operators say that small burns are practically unavoidable. The accident rate for insurance for operators as given by the Pacific Mutual Insurance Company is two and one-half times a ,)referred risk. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Ventilation is obtained by an air shaft at the top of the booth and a71 electric fan. Despite this the booths are hot and close and colds are often contracted by the operator after leaving booth for open air. The mot serious health menace lc that of the carbon ash. This ash is composed of small particles of burnt carbon from the lamp. The ash circulates in the booth and even in the hono -,rorer. OL,,rbon ::ono::ide is jenerated which mai:es for a vicious atz.ocphere and is directly injurious to th_ health of the operator. A full report of this condition has been made by the 3ureau of Tuberculosis of the State Board of Health (this report is not as yet in c irculation but will be mailed as soon as it ca# be obtained). There seems to be no immediate :Teed of ':iomon. need Jor women o-perators. :To theater miner has complained of being unable to get operators, though many say that t.Le standard of men is not as high as it previously had been. As a general rule the men in this occupation are young men and within the draft age, but since the motion picture industry has been classed as essential there will be in the future operators needed to take the places of the men drafted. This is a skilled occupation and -bakes anywhere from one month to three months of training, depending upon nrevious experience. It reouiros florou .21 electrical .nowledge as Jell as 1;ractical experience in order to Jecome a skilled operator. Undoubtedly women who are mechanically inclined, properly trained and aressed, (shirt, cep and trousers) could be as efficient s men. It is an occunation depending on individual iniative, skill and beneral ability. -•••-nnwomm.”•.•••••iimmr.•••••••-",, • it =ORA= a oz. c=.1,=L:1I1T day of THI6 ':11/2..:EITT made and enterej '_nto this 1916, by and between a motion 'icure exhi,itor in the City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, ",;tate of Canifornia, party of the first )art, and the ::oving Picture and :rojecting :=achi.Le CPerators Local 2o. 150, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage 317ployees of the United StrAes dCanr,An„ party of the second -oart, -7 the first is engaged in giving regular moving -L icture exhibitiorr for - aid admissions in said e o Ci f ,skilled motion os Angeles, and. is desirous of securini picture machine operators, and in 21avirc; the assurance that such skilled and dependable operators are at all times avdLlable for such exhibitions; and, JKa_nL, a ruling has been made by the Provost 1:arshall of the United States that the motion Picture industry, and all skilled labor employed in connection therewith, are essential, and that motion picture machine operators are classed as skilled mechanics and employed in an essential industry within the meaning of said ruling; and THERSAS, party of the second part is composed of men skilled. and experienced in the operation of motion picture machines and the electrical and other work in connection therewith, and desire to place it.; Lombe2s in .-perl_anent positions at an agreed standard of compensation. IT IS TI=201 1:UTU.ILLY COVii D JiD A21IED that in consideration of the premises, and the mutual benefits accruing and to accrue to the respective -2,arties hereto, that said party of tilleftmaa444.D.Arti-44z tg-l'uraish..to-xat.v.arty, upon • able notice, such skilled motion picture machine operators as said first party may from time to time reouire. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis And said first https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis party agrees to employ only the skilled and licensed ::Aotion picture achine operators ihich comprise the n:emLors, ip of, and are tarnished by said second party. Said first party further agrees lot to srrport :or encourage any school for the instruction of women or :Arls in the operation of motion picture machines, nor employ women or girl machine operators so long as sec,nd parties' membership are classed by the United States Government as employees of an essential industry. It is further distinctly understood and agreed between the parties hereto that should party of the first part violate any of the terns or conditions of this contract, that second party shall have the right to withdraw any of its rembers employed in the establishment of first party upon giving twenty-four hours notice to said :irst Party. if 1SS 71=0F, the party of thtt fir s-u rtey- La nere- unto affixed his hand and seal, and the party of the second rart has, pursuant to a resolution duly passed by its executive board, authorized its president and secretary to execute the foregoing contract as of the day and year first above written. Party of the First tart MOVIEG PICTU_T] '1TD PRCJIIICTING OPRATOS LOCUJ ro. 150, l.A. o_ T. S. I. of the United States and Canada. Ey President 2y Secretary WAGE SCALE AND CLASSIFICATION OF THEATRES IN THE JURISDICTION OF LOCAL NO. 150, I. A. T. S. E. Class AA. Moving Picure Theatres, with a capacity of 1500 or more, charging 10 cents or more admission. Head operator to work 6 hours per day; salary, $30.00 per week; all overtime 75 cents per hour; all fractions of an hour over 20 minutes to constitute an hour. Relief man not to work over 6 hours per day; A cents per hour; overtime same as head operator. salary, 71, Class A. Recognized vaudeville or other theatres using scenery, stage lights and one or more stage hands, and giving regular afternoon and evening performances, not continuously, and not to exceed 6 hours per day; salary, $30.00 per week; overtime, 75 cents per hour; all fractions of an hour over 30 minutes to constitute an hour. Coninuous vaudeville or other theatres using scenery, stage lights and one or more stage hands. Head operator to work not over 6 hours per day; salary, $30.00 per week; overtime, 75 cents per hour; all fractions of an hour over 20 minutes to constitute an hour. Relief man to receive 712 cents per hour; overtime same as head operator. All Class A theatres are entiled to one rehearsal each week without exra cost; rehearsal not to last over 2% hours. Class BB. Moving Picture Theatres, between 500 to 1500 seats. Head operator to work not over 8 hours per day; salary, $25.00 per week; all overtime 60 cents per hour; all fractions of an hour over 20 minutes to constitute an hour. Relief man shall receive 42 cents per hour; overtime same as head operator. Class B. Moving Picture Theatres with less than 500 seats. Head operator to work not more than 8 hours per day; salary, $22.50 per week; overtime 50 cents per hour; all fractions of an hour over 20 minutes to constitute an hour. Relief man to receive 38 cents per hour; overtime same as head operator. Classes AA, A, BB or B, do not include an ysuburban theatre in the limits of Los Angeles. Class C. Moving Picture Theartes, other than those included in Clasess AA, A, BB or B, giving regular afternoon and evening performances, not continuously, said performances not to last over 3/2 hours a wee. Salary, $22.50 per week; all overtime 50 cents per hour; all froctions of an hour over 20 minutes to constitute an hour. Class D. Moving Picture Theatres, other than those in Classes AA, A, BB 2 hours or B, giving evening performances only, performances not to last over 3/ 2 a piece. Salary, $16.50 per week. Extra matinee performances not to exceed 3/ hours each, $1.50 per matinee. If more than 3 matinees are run in any one week the salary to be the same as Class C theatres. All overtime to be paid at the rate of 50 cents per hour; all fractions of an hour over 20 minutes to constitute an hour. Class E. Motion Picture Studios. Operators not to work more than 8 hours per day, and 6 days per week; salary, $25.00 per week. All overtime to be paid at the rate of 75 cents per hour; Sunday work to be classified as overtime; all fractions of an hour over 20 minutes to constitute an hour. Class E. Operators working for special exhibitions, such as convetnions, fairs, commercial, church or school exhibitions. Salary at the rate of $32.00 per week. Operator not to work more than 7 hours per day. Class G. Special entertainments, where machine must be set up and taken - down. Salary, $7.00 per day. Entertainments, or night performances, where machine is already installed, and performance not to last more than PA hours. Salary, $4.00 per performance. Operator shall not be required to transport machine to or from job. Any theatre or theatres not covered in the above classification, the Executive Board shall have the power to make a scale for such theatre or theatres. No operator will be permitted to work more than 6 hours without at least a one-hour relief. Endorsed by th I. A. T. S. E. of U. S. & C., M. A. GARNEY, General Secretary https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis IMIMMIIIMIL '11..IIIIMI 0 0 0 _ gEllIMIIIMMI '3 28 'S '11 J° '3 'S a 'V 'I 'OS! 1V301 VIN110.111V3'S313ONV 501 a S31V3S 39VM PH S311111 9WINHOM NOINfl .S1101V113d0.31111131c1 9NIAOTAI Members must confine themselves to working in Picture Booth ONLY ultuopirip `oalafinv 001 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 0 nimMML 0 0 .11.1.1.10111Mk '111=r g 4 , 11/5 as,r, a 6, /re, 1,7 'i‘a47 7Z-em-/weel, a ado, .Lemz.%,z-i .4h r>z4 L4% 4 ,c/rvAl >frld42-9 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis *7-rziA 74;, ,01140-60 edh yp744 - ‘frywe /(Z4.‘eo%eA g--e-(-& di-(.eSee-7a1 &.e 7-zt ,7,„e<,e/' 4;4ff v a77t,c /-/ Zzid fip / 1/ evitr,(A:itz,g ab.tain r /t-ezexl eon eee, tt.r, )144em,olzff iT iKee) aelek-r "er& vc‘oAt "e6r-Zi : 6r. ze-9./1./ k,(/1711 d44#4e/k-z ;/-e/Le leek‘gf,„ 7t/w e/w 4 e/r: , 714-e7"47 vAalu/ e'af7z0774,i,v, a/r netfe, ; S/61/44711 tdca ?e).(/ A.176V a44 https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 7<%-e/ 4AA-tiee,ciL vr4Ad, 4/2,4011e, 7.1 -770raniAm: referring to the employment of women as operatore of moving picture projecting machines. I. No insurmountable difficulties presented by thi3 type of ‘,ork. A. Necessity of mechinical knowledge. 1. Lacked by majority of women. B. Impossibility of division of lnbor. 1. Women must learn all processes. C. Possibility of Attaining the needed mechanical skill. 1. Experience of Great Britain xith the women munition workers. D. Specill knowledge re,uired to me,rt the needs of this trade. repair. 1. To keep actual machin ry of the projecting apparatus in 2. To menl film quickly ani neatly. 3. To understand th,,J principles of optical projection enough to obtain a cleAr picture. 4. To uni-rstAnd thoroughly electrical currents and more simple electrical wiring. II. Difficulties presented .py hours of labor. A. Involves night work. p. m. 1. Usual performances lasting every night till 11.00 a. In large theaters alternation of operators would give part time off, showing possibility of night work only every other night. B. Involves, certainly in the larger cities, Sunday work. 1. Alternation of operators, again, would nodify this conlition. C. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Consideration of Act,m1 number of hours in workinP. day. 1. Ten hour iqj easily obtainable. a. Two hours in a. m. for inspection of film. b. Eight hours for afternoon and evening performance. oW e, 2. Eight hour obtainable except in a case of continous performanc operators two alternate. hen : , m.), (11.00 A. M. to 11.00 p. 2. III. Consideration of question of health and safety. A. Construction of booth tends to create unheathful conditions. I. Necessity of fire proof construction. a. Ventillation by air flue. a. Necessity of darkness. B. Physical strain involved. 1. Almost continuous standing. 2. Eye strain, in focusing pictures. 3. No strain on the muscles through, a. Liftilrhetivy weights b. Cramped posture c. Over reaching. C. Highly inflammable character of films. 1. Guarded against now by State laws and fire insurance rules. IV. Consideration of attitude of Lahor Unions. 4. Men operators, at the present time, have well organized ani active union. B. No available information as to attitude toard the adimittance of 'vomen to this field. Consideration of the possibility of .using ,kounded men in this work to a V. better advantage. A li -t of material froT '.hich useful con3lusioni c'ur. be drwin, is appended. As far as my work has gone, I hive founi no material bearing di— rectly on the points in que3tion. been employed in such a capacity. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis There is no record of any woman h9ving AVAILABLE MATERIAL I. None iealing iirectly with this s'ibject. That dealin; with the moving picture blsiness. "A)tion ricture theater", American School of Correspondence, k. Chicago, Ill., 1911. ";:totion picture operation", Horstmann and Tousley, Drake & Co. B. Chicago, Ill., 1917. "Picture theater facta", Hodges, J. F., Scenario Publishing C. Co., New York City, 1912. "Motion picture handbook", Richardson, F. H., Lioving Picture D. World, New York City, 1916. III. Th-tt dealing with women in trades reguiring mechanical skill. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis A. Great Britain, l!inistry of munitiona, "Health of munition lorkers committee, memorandum no. 4, 1916, Employment of women." "Women in modern industry", Hutchins, B. L., G. Bell & sons, B. London, 1915. "Woman's aork in war time", Bullard, W. I., Merchants National C. Bank, Boston, 1917. Ireat Britain, Vinistry cf munitions, Healt=t of munition workers D. committee, "Health of the munition worker." ezhi2
