Argus Eyes, August, 1955

Front PageReviewing Argus ProgressNow that the vacation period is over and weTre headlong into the f all and Christmas business, I think that this is a good time to review just how some of our products are doing. POPULARITY OF PRODUCTS CONTINÚES More and more people are buying our C-4 cameras, and one of our major problems is to keep up with the demand. Those of you who are concerned with the manufacture and assembly of C-4 parts know what I mean since you are putting forth extra effort to meet the requirements of our Sales Department. Also encouraging is the continued popularity of the C-3. Schedule increases in it and several other products were necessary during the past few weeks in order to meet our forecasted fall sales. These expected sales, and the production increases necessary to meet them, mean that jobs have been made available for everyone on lay-off in spite of substantial reductions in our military production over the past several months. SEASONAL UNEMPLOYMENT ELIMINATED For the last several years we have eliminated a great deal of seasonal unemployment by working overtime during the fall rush period when possible, rather than adding extra people. This policy is being continued this year. In addition, several new products are in the development and tooiing stages which will broaden our product line, help us maintain our competitive position in the industry, and hold employment variations to a minimum. OPERATIONS IN GERMANY CONTINUE I am frequently asked how our operations are going in Germany. As many of you know, we have received the official papers establishing Argus Cameras, G.m.b.H. in Stuttgart, Germany. Bruce Pester of our Engineering Department was there in the spring to work with Bill Patton in getting this operation started. It is coming along as we have expected, although no products are being manufactured yet for the world trade. Roy Moore, our engineer working on the Speedmail machine, has been busy at Oberuhldingan in Germany with the manufacture of this product. We are very encouraged about the development of this machine, and we feel that it will be a real addition to our line of products.Rob Wilson Makes Three Television AppearancesRob Wilson, Manager of the Sales Service División, made a personal appearance on WJBK-TV's "Girl Talk" program August 10. He also appeared August 24 on "Picture That!" WBTV, Charlotte, N.C.; and again on August 27 on WFGC-TV, Greenville, N.C., on a photography show. Below, Rob explains the features of the Super 75 to Pat Rousseau on "Girl Talk." Thepicture was taken by George Milroy, Sales, with an Argus EF Camera.About The CoverBob Patterson, Purchasing won a $25 savings bond for this picture of his two nephews. Bob used an Argus C-3 Camera, F. 5.6, at a 5Oth of a second with Plus X Film.Camera Club To Meet With Greater Detroit CouncilAll Argus employees and their wives or husbands are invited to the meeting of the Greater Detroit Camera Club which will be held in our cafeteria on September 16. Exhibition and judging of color slides made by the best amateur photographers in the Detroit área will be a part of the evening program. Free refreshments will be served. Following are some of the advantages to be derived from a $5 membership in the Argus Camera Club: 1. Participation in the functions of the Greater Detroit Camera Club Council (there is always something doing) ! 2. Affiliationwiththe Photographic Society of America. 3. Seeing and hearing the interesting programs and speakers that are secured from Eastman Kodak, Ansco, Weston, and the Greater Detroit Council. 4. Free use of the dark room facilities her e at the plant. (We have everything, thanks to Argus!) 5. Photographic accessories and magazines at a liberal discount. 6. Working with others interested in this exciting hobby. A $5 membership now runs to October 1, 1956. Interested persons please see Gerry Space, Ed Sayer, or Russ Trombly. Watch the Camera Club Bulletin Board for further announcements of coming events.In MemoriamOur sincere sympathy is extended to the families of Joe Brahm and Al Tessmer. Joseph A. Brahm passed away August 16, 1955. With Argus since April of 1939 until retir - ing July 31, 1955, Joe was employed in the Tool Room as Tool Crib-Stockroom Attendant. Albert J. Tessmer died August 9, 1955. Al had been with Argus since July of 1942 until his recent retir ement July 31, 1955. He was Tool Crib Attendant in the Machine Shop.Bates Returns From Strategic Air CommandMany people at Argus saw the movie "Strategie Air Command." The type of overseas operation with airbourne refueling as was illustrated in the movie is very similar to the experiences that Harry Bates, Engineering, had while serving in the Strategie Air Command. Harry, who has recently returned to Argus, was a captain in the Air Force and was stationed at Lockbourne Air Base in Columbus, Ohio. He piloted B-47 Jet Bombers in Florida, Kansas, and overseas in England and several other places. On one mission Harry flew from Columbus, Ohio to Oxford, England in seven hours refueling once while airbourne. Missions 14 to 16 hours long required refueling twice. Congratulations to you, Harry, for your fine work serving your country not only in wartime for four years but also for two and a half years during peacetime.You Asked AndyI guess everyone rested up his writin! arm during vacation because I got a big handful of letters this time.Well, Fm ready for you because I rested up my writinT arm, too! Selection of Keymen: "On what basis is a Keyman chosen?" The Keyman group is composed of all salaried employees in Pay Class 12 and above, supervisory employees in salaried Pay Class 11, and certain individuals who have historically been members of the group. Profit Sharing Maximum Contribution ""When the profit sharing fund began, the contributions to the fund we re to represent the value of the contributing member to the prosperity of the company. That is, those workers making $4000 or more. . .were to share in the profits equally, while those making under $1+000 were to share in the profits in various degrees, measured by their contributions. Since that time, due to inf lationary wage increases alone, a large share of those workers. . .have now risen to the position of sharing equally. . . Because the company contribution to the (Profit Sharing) fund is considered as additional earnings by most members of the fund, the maximum amount of member contribution should be tied to the wage increases in such a marmer that the same ratio of sharing the profits be maintained as when the fund was set up. In other words, the maximum amount allowed to be contributed should be increased to offset the wage increases or the wage increases should not be allowed as a base for contribution to the fund. Has anyone considered this problem?" Torn Spitier helped me with this one. This problem has been considered but to change the provisions of the Profit Sharing Fund requires approval of all members . Mr . Spitier stated that he would bring this up at the next meeting of the Management Committee for their consideration and recommendations as f ar as future amendments are concerned. Tool and Die Making in Job Shops ". . .Please show us, as we are Profit Sharing members, how you save the cost of $5000 on a die being done in job shops when the same job could be done at no extra cost to Argus only by having the work done in our tooi room. . . I think in most cases you getamuch better job done In your own shop by men that are interested in their jobs, knowing they will have to service them. I believe every man should have two or three jobs at his bench so in tie-ups he could altérnate back and forth. . . At our annual banquet you have mentioned team spirit and team play is the motto to our success. . ." Back to Torn Spitier for this answer. As in other areas of the plant, the construction of tools and dies is bid for by our own Tool Room as well as outside job shops. When the work can be performed considerably cheapèr outside, it is only logical to have the tools built there. Working our Tool Room overtime to build dies that can be obtained less expensively outside is not the answer. We are interested in team spirit and do try to keep the Tool Room schedule to 100% capacity. However, it is not always possible or practical to have two and three jobs lined up anead for each tooi maker. Use for the Brewery Building "This noon I was peering into the old brewery building and an idea carne to me. Why couldn't this building be used for the press room, tooi and die room, gage room, and jig bore and jig grinding room and the upper floors for designing? This would relieve the congested areas in other buildings and would be utilizing this old building at a minimum cost. . ." I talked to Jim Thompson about this one. This is what he told me. Plans are already in process for the utilization of the brewery with minimum change. According to present plans, the building will be used for process storage, the Service Department, and some Maintenance facilities. The changeover right now is in the engineering specifications stage. Preparations are now being made for installation of proper plumbing and piping. It is hopedthat the building will be ready for use by October 1, but no definite date has been set. (Continued on page 11)Fellow Workers Honor Retiring Argu Sites Brahm, Dixon, Tessmer, SleezerAugust 1 saw the retirement of four Argusites who have given many years of service to the Company. Hetirements were celebrated in various departments with much gaiety, much good-will, and much cake and coffee. Friends of the retirees in each of their departments contributed toward thoughtful gifts for them. Mr. Lewis attended the parties and Bill Betke, Argus Recreation Club President, was on hand to present the retiree with alifetime membership to the Club. Ed Sleezer, Carpenter Shop Many Argusites will miss the bright blue eyes and impressive figure of Ed Sleezer. Ed, who is an unbelievable 72 years of age, has worked in the Carpenter Shop for 22 years- since 1933. Before that, Ed worked for many years for the furniture company which occupied our Plant I building before the forming of International Industries. Ed and his wife Carrie are at home at 521 South Seventh Street where Ed is catching up on his reading and just plain relaxing. Bill Dixon, Maintenance Bill Dixon came to Argus in 1941. He retired this year with 14 years of service in the Maintenance Department. A joint party was given in the Carpenter Shop for Bill and Ed Sleezer. Bill was presented with a jacket and Ed with a piece of luggage. Each of them cut a cake and helped serve it to co-workers attending the party. Bill and his wife, Viola, are now living at 9095 Forest Street in Whitmore Lake. Joe Brahm, Tool Room Joe Brahm worked as a Tool Crib or Stockroom Attendant at Argus for 16 years. Tool Room pais gave 60-year-old Joe a piece of luggage at a party in his honor. JoeTs wife, Gladys, who worked in Camera Assembly for 10 years, resigned from the Company when husband Joe retired. Farewell party for Gladys was held in the Cafeteria (f ar right).Al Tessmer, Machine Shop Al Tessmer retired from Argus at the age of 69 with 13 years of service behind him. He started at Argus in 1942 as a tooi and die sweeper in the Tool Room . He was a tooi crib attendant in the Machine Shop bef ore he retired. Machine Shop pais took some time off the job to honor Al with cake and coffee bef ore he left.Rain Fails To Daunt Fun-lovers At Recreation Club Family PicnicAnniversaries Boom As 40 Mark Years Of ServiceCarriage TradeA boy, John Thomas, was born June 14 to Alice Alt, C-4 Camera Assembly, and Glen Alt, Production Control. John weighed 7 lbs., 4 oz. Robert Cuny, Engineering, has a new son, Kevin Stuart. Kevin was born August 11, weighing 4 lbs., 6 oz . He has an older brother Steven, who is two years oíd. Richard Sarns, Engineering, has a new son, Steven William, born July 5. He weighed in at 9 lbs., 11-12 oz. He has a brother David, 1-12 years oíd. Donald George was born August 13 to Betty Livingston, Tabulating. Donald weighed in at 8 lbs., 3 oz. A daughter, Barbara Lynn, was born August 16 to Jack Daziens, Sales. Barbara weighed 6 lbs., 11 oz.Sports ReviewWe are proud of the showing the softball team made in the District Tournament. Although they lost in the final game, we all think they are champions . A special thanks goes to Joe OTDonnell for afine job of managing and we hope to see him out there again next year . Congratulations to all members of the team and a special mention to the players who did not have the opportunity to play as much as they would have liked but finished the season out. MEN'S GOLF LEAGUE Saturday, August 6 saw many Argus golf enthusiasts at the MenTs Golf Outing at Plymouth Country Club. Bill Courtright shot low gross of 35, which is two under par. Don Dempsey took high honor s for low net and Dick Towner placed second. The chipping contest was won by Willis Van Dyke and the putting contest by Ray Clark. Ralph Parsons showed his versatility on the golf course by winning a prize for the highest score on a hole and another prize for the lowest score on another hole. This man has talent! League members would like to express appreciation to the members of the Special Events Committee, Torn Heermans, Ctyick McClune, Bob Nickels and Neil Navarre for doing a fine job in planning the Outing. Season winners of the leagues are as follows: Tuesday - 3:30 League - Ted Adams - Ed Selent 5:00 League - Jim Brinkerhoff - Joe Detweiler Wednesday - 3:30 League - Don Crump - Babe Peter son 5:00 League - Bob Barsantee, Jr. - Bill Ambrazevich The winners of each league will have a playoff to establish the league grand champions. No playoff date has been set as y et. The Argus Open will be held as soon as the leagues are finished and will close September 9. Low net for 36 holes will establish the winner of the Open. Trophies for first, second and third place winners will be awarded. WOMEN'S GOLF LEAGUE The Women's Golf League is nearing the end of the season with only a few more rounds to be played. The league will close the last of August and the Outing will be held September 7. Jerry Space, Treasurer and Leona Smith, Golf Chairman, are in charge of the prizes for the season's play. Gert Thompson and Helen Chapman are handling the picnic department. The League hopes that next year it will have enough members interested in golf to be able to have team play. NOTICE: All persons interested in a Mixed Two-Ball Foursome sometime in September, please contact Kathryn DelPrete, Ext. 309. MEN'S NIGHT SHIFT GOLF LEAGUE Two weeks y et for the four team league. September 1 ends it. Torn Mitchell and Jake Milliken are on top so f ar with 94 points. Bob Wood and Nick Bandrofchak are second with 82 points. Torn Loy and Gene Rohde are sitting in third position and Armond Start and Billy Baker are f ourth . The winners of the league are more than anxious to play the day shift representatives for the team championship . Although only eight players showed interest this year, they have all enjoyed the season and have seen many fancy shots on the greens. A special outing is planned for the night league at the end of the season. BOWLING It won't be long bef ore the bowling season will be underway. LetTs make this a big year. All persons who are interested in bowling and are not already on a team, contact the following persons: Days - Men - Jesse Cope Women - Liz Clapham Nights - - Torn MitchellClassified_adOCTOBER IS COMMUNITY CHEST AND RED CROSS MONTH lOth through 24thLadies Bowling League Opens September 14Elizabeth Clapham, President of the Argus Ladies Bowling League, has announced a new schedule for the women bowlers . Instead of bowling at 9:00 P.M. on Fridays, as last year, the six teams will be bowling at 6:45 every Wednesday night at the Ann Arbor Recreation Bowling Alley on Huron Street, starting September 14. At the organizational meeting scheduled for September 7, teams will be set up officially, rules and policies will be discussed, as well as weekly f ees. Anyone interested in bowling, either as a regular or a sub, is asked to contact Liz. Gerry Space, Sales, President of the Hurón Lañes Ladies Bowling League reports that their league will open its season this year on September 14 at 6:45 P.M.(Continued f rom page 3) Membership in the Profit Sharing Fund "Same of our new Profit Sharing members have not been with Argus three years until after August 1 ... How come? Has this date been changed?" The following is quoted from the Profit Sharing Retirement Fund Agreement revised May 19, 1950. "Persons who have been in the employ of the Corporation for a continuous term of at least three (3) full fiscal years, except that an extra grace period up to and including August 31st of the third fiscal year will be allowed those new members who began employment with the Corporation during the month of August, may participate in the benefits of this mutual undertaking and shall be entitledto full membership as "Profit Sharing Members." Replies to Suggestions In regard to the letter that questioned the promptness of notification as to whether or not a suggestion has been adopted under the Employee Suggestion Plan, the matter has been referred to Art Parker, Jr., in the Suggestion Plan Office, and I will have an answer for younext month.Argus EyesPublished monthly for the employees of Argus Cameras, Inc. and their families. Editor - Millie Haynie REPORTERS: Machine Shop - DOROTHY LIXEY, Camera Assembly - RUTH O' HAR E, Pur chas ing - DOLORES HELZERMAN, Lens Processing - BETTY SHATTUCK, Maintenance - EMIL JOHNSON, Optical Assembly-Inspection, JEAN FITZGERALD, Engineering - JIM MELDRUM, Standards - VIRGINIA BIRNEY, Production Planning - PATT DUCHARME, Tool Room - BILL FIKE, Shipping - HILDA WHITE, Accounting - BEULAH NEWMAN, Service - TOM KENTES, Night Shift - GEORGE NAVARRE and LEO WIEDERHOFT. Feature writers: Robert Lewis, Andy Argus, Don Crump Photoprinting: Jan GalaCrowd Gathers At German Park For Beer Picnic