Argus Eyes

Argus Eyes is published for the employees of Argus Cameras, Inc. and their families. It is intended to be a means of friendly communication between them, and to provide a reliable source of information concerning the company's business. Doris Walle of the Personnel Department makes sure that news is gathered and that pictures are obtained and arranged in readable fashion for publication the first week of each month. Sam Schneider, Eddie Girvan and Bill Sturgis furnish photos. Reporters for this month' s Argus Eyes were: Tess Canja, Art Parker, Jr. , Andy Argus, Babe Peter son, Leo Wiederhoft, Jim Meidrum, and Jim Rohrbaugh.

Beverly Braatz

In a recent speech to members of her Sales Class at the Ann Arbor High School, Beverly Braatz described the functions of the Argus 40 Camera. Bev has been an ardent camera enthusiast since receiving her M40M as a birthday gift from her dad, Erv Braatz, and has many excellent pictures in her collection. Beverly explained the various intricacies of the Argus 40 in her talk and found she had really ftsold" her classmates on her camera.

Reviewing Argus Progress

I have just returned from a business trip to Germany and Switzerland. There appears to be a general state of prosperity in Europe and employment is high. The reconstruction of Germany has made great progress which is due in a substantial degree to its people's industriousness. German industry has become very active, and throughout the world competition from the Germans is becoming greater every day. One of the things that makes this competition so keen is the fact that average wages are from 1-12 to 2 marks an hour. This is equivalent to 37-12? to 50L in our money. Even with a 20% duty on Germán cameras coming into this country, they provide very stiff competition. The way we can meet this competition is by continuing to provide value in our products, both in price and quality. Our advertising also has a great deal to do with our success in selling. Through our advertising, the American public gets to know us and to recognize that an Argus product will give them satisfaction. As business gets more competitive we must be efficiënt in every respect and be prepared to reduce our prices if the necessity arises. CHRISTMAS BUSINESS GOOD Our Christmas business is living up to expectations. As a matter of fact, we were sold out on practically all of our products for more than six weeks bef ore Christmas. Many dealers sent their cars to Ann Arbor to piek up rush shipments so that they could satisfy their Christmas trade. OUTLOOK FOR 1953 PROMISING The 1953 outlook appears to be good. We expect to keep up our present production rate in all products except the 75 which will be reduced slightly because of the seasonal nature of this camera. We hope to increase production of the C4 as soon as certain bottlenecks are solved. We hope to improve the drilling in the Machine Shop by using multiple-head drills. Castings from Doehler-Jarvis are expected to be improved by new molds now being made by them. Our military production is proceeding at a steady pace, and we expect it to be very active all through 1953. The new wing on the second f loor of Plant II is now practically in full operation. We are starting the new year with thorough evaluations completed for all jobs. As soon as our petition has been approved by the Wage Stabilization Board, the new rates and job classifications which resulted from the study will be put into effect, retroactive to the first pay period beginning on or after August 1, as I mentioned last month. OIL TANKS ADDED TO BOTH PLANTS As you no doubt have noticed, we have installed a new 10,000 gallon oil tank for Plant I. This was done so that in the event of any oil shortage we would have a sufficient supply of fuel to keep the plant operating. When we built the new addition to Plant II we installed another 10,000 gallon tank there. Now we are in excellent shape to avoid a shutdown due to any shortage of oil. As usual our Children's Christmas Party was a big success, thanks to Mrs. Radford and her committee. The toys this year were better than we've ever had before. The Lewis children added to the general confusión by most of them being there. EMPLOYEE'S MEETING SET FOR JANUARY 15 My next opportunity to talk with many of you together will be at the employee's meeting scheduled for 3:30 p.m., Thursday, January 15, in the cafeteria. I firmly believe that all the people working for a company should feel free to ask questions about their jobs at any time, and they should get straightforward answers. Br ing y our questions to the meeting. I will do my best to answer them.

Oil Tank Buried

The new 10,000 gallon oil tank is covered with concrete after being placed in excavation in front of Plant I. The oil in this tank would heat the plant from 12 to 14 days in zero weather. It holds enough oil to heat an average 5 room house 10 to 12 winters.

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RECREATION CLUB TO SPONSOR DANCE Plans are in the making for a Valentine Dance to be held in February. Watch the bulletin boards for details.

Suggestion Awards Reach High Of $4278.57

The largest amount ever paid for a suggestion was awarded to Ken Geiger for his idea of anodizing the 76 flashgun reflector. This new method replaces polishing, buffing and painting, formally done in Department 15, with a special process done by an outside vendor. A closer look showed us that af ter the parts are blanked, drawn and formed by our own Press Room, they are then shipped to the Vendor. His process starts with a bright dip operation which is done by emersing the parts in an acid solution which attacks or etches the surface. This action is then neutralized. Following this, the part is again placed in an acid solution and an electric charge is passed through the part. This electric charge changes the physical structure of the surface of the part and serves to harden it. This is anodizing. The result is a reflector which is not only less expensive to make but actually reflects about 20 % more light. Ken plans to make some minor household improvements, with the money, but plans to set the bulk of it aside for his youngest son's college education.

Ted Adams Scores Twice For Total Of $975.44

A twin tooi holder for boring two dimensions at the same time on the inside of the C-4 and C-3 lens mounts was suggested by Ted Adams of the Machine Shop. The investigation which followed indicated that the idea was pretty sound. The special tooi holder was built, tried and proved to be satisfactory. The savings passed on to Ted was $745.34. Not satisfied with this, he proposed that we omit a rough boring tooi used on the C-3 lens mount, because it appeared not too necessary to hold the dimensión being bored. We discovered he was right and passed on another award based on the savings involved to him. This one amounted to $230.09. In the picture on the left, Art Parker Jr. , Suggestion Plan Manager, presents Ted with his award winning check of $975.44.

Fourteen Departments Represented In Winnings

The month of December saw 24 Argus employees representing 14 Departments sharing in the award winnings. The winners follow: Department 10, Machine Shop. Walter Clawson - $15.65, Orviel Harrison - $10. Department 15, Paint Shop. A new method of spray painting the shutter mount of the 75 camera brought Sylvia Nicholson $113.55. Department 19, Camera Assembly. Henry Christopher - son was paid $80. 04 for his idea on revising an assembly fixture to prevent the reflector mirror on the PBB200 from breaking. Department 20, Optical Assembly. Esther Byers and Bennie Koernke each received $10 awards. Department 22, Government Optical Assembly. Jim Barkley $37.91. Phoebe Johnson $10. Department 31, Cementing and Cleaning. Marguerite Canine $10. Department 44, Final Inspection. Dave Trail $10. Department 46, Engineering. Bob Gramprie $10. DepartmenT42, Salvage. Elroy Abeldt $10.

Department 53, Production Planning. Bob Schleicher Harry Rookes, and Joseph Jaroszyk each received $10 awards. Department 54, Tool Room. Claude Stoner received $10, Bob Kennedy $29. 14, and a clever idea to use a cast iron ring magnet during the grinding operations of the M90D shoe paid Dave McCormick $266.72. Department 64, Timekeeping. Rolly White $10. Department 68, Tabulating. Bob Hayes suggested a new tabulating method and was awarded $95.13. Bill Crise, Jr. received a $10 award. Why not resolve in 1953 to turn your ideas and suggestions into money making awards? Suggestion blanks are available at all times in the lobby of Plant I and Plant II. Your suggestions are always welcomed.

Anniversaries

Santa's Helpers At Work

66 Entrants In Photo Contest

Competition was keen in the recent Color Slide Contest with 66 employees enter ing a total of 264 slides. Sponsored by the Recreation Club, the contest was open to all Argus employees. Each slide was numbered and no means of identification was available for the judges. After much deliberation, the judges picked the following entries: ANÍMATE INANIMATE First Place John Shattuck Cecille Fitzgerald Second Place Bob Barsantee, Jr. Irv Halman Third Place Roy Craik Herb Pfabe First place winners received two 8 x 10 color enlargements, second place -two 5x7 color enlargements, and third place - two 4x6 color enlargements. Two wallet size color enlargements were presented to those receiving honorable mention including Jim Meidrum, Dave Merriman, Bob Barsantee, Sr. , Bill Fike, E. C. Schlenker, Will VanDyke, Fred Leeman, Doe Benson, Claude Stoner and Mary Burris.

Christmas Dance Festive Event

1300 Receive Turkeys

Andy Kokinakes and the rest of the fellows from Production Planning were "men of the hour" on the day before Christmas. Between 11 and 12 they passed out close to 1300 turkeys to all employees. The families of Argus men in service, as well as all employees who were laid off or on leave, were also contacted to come in for a Christmas turkey. Here Andy hands one of the 19-20 lb. frozen birds to Doris Walle. Behind Doris, Roy Hiscock collects turkey cards.

Machine Shop Takes Lead In Argus Blood Bank Drive

The Machine Shop snatched away the lead from Camera Assembly in the Argus Drive for the Ann Arbor Industrial Blood Bank, and from all appearances they' re out to keep it ! One hundred and two persons from the Machine Shop signed their blood donor cards which raised participation from the Machine Shop, Screw Machine, and Punch Press group to 79 per cent of its quota. Close behind are: Blocking, Polishing, Grinding, and Maintenance with 59 per cent. Office Personnel with 55 per cent; Paint Shop, Service and Repair, Receiving and Shipping with 50 per cent; Camera Assembly with 42 per cent. Really "tops" though is the Purchasing Department which signed up 100 per cent to give blood. In all, 444 persons have answered the cali in the current drive, by signing their blood donor cards. Twentysix transfusions have already been given to Argus employees or members of their families under the industrial blood bank program. Twenty per cent of the blood contributed so far has been shipped to Korea, where it is desperately needed. If you haven't signed your blood donor card yet, sign it now and turn it into Personnel!

750 Argus Children Attend Annual Christmas Party

With the ringing of sleigh bells by Santa Claus (in the per son of Russ Warren) on December 20, the Christmas Season was heralded in. The children gather ed at Tappan Junior High School to be enter - tained by the marionettes of Ed Johnson, as he g sented "Wonder Mountain" a story about the Philippines. Santa, with his pack loaded with toys and candy, made the day a memorable one as the pictures on this page indicate. Tired but happy the youngsters left for their homes looking forward to seeing Santa again next year at the jj Argus Children' s Christmas Party. B JÍ

You Asked Andy

No rest for Andy last month! A tree to trim--lights to string--and ten letters to answer. Here's the first one: Job Evaluation "How about som e answer s on job evaluation stuff? November we thought. " The evaluations are done now, Bill Sturgis télls me, but the proposed job classifications and rate ranges still have to be reviewed with department heads and employees. Then the changes will be filed with the Wage Stabilization Board. We need the Board' s okay, of cour se, bef ore any new rates or classifications can take effect. Bill and the fellows from the Methods Engineering Council (they conducted the study) found that Argus rates have been well in line with those in the area. So the increases being requested arenTt quite as high or as numerous as some people might hope. Incidentally, the MEC representatives said they've never worked with a group who wanted such a thorough study. That's why it's taken s o long here--the original finish date was based on the MEC's experience with other companies. Early Checks "How about getting our checks before the morning rest period," someone from Department 15 asked. MIt is a convenience to get our checks early. Can explain if necessary. " nAndy could use an explanation on that one! How about a note letting me know why you want your check that early? Plant II Rest Rooms From Plant II somebody wants to know why "most everyone insists on using the two small rest rooms at the front of the plant when there are two huge ones on the second f loor. " That's a question for some of you patrons of the front rest rooms! Anything wrong with the ones upstairs? Let me know and Pil see what can be done. Time Clocks Got two nice letters from Department 22, one from the girls, the other from Bob Jackson and Cari Rothfuss. They'd all like a time clock for the new addition. You

might get one too, I hear. The company's studying locations for additional time clocks right now, and some extras may be put in as soon as the study is finished and the clocks arrive. Absence Policy "Why do we have to get our cards from Personnel when we have been absent one day? It makes you feel like going to kindergarten, " was the next question. Went straight to Mrs. Radford and here's what she said: Personnel has to keep a record of the company's daily productive f orce. The number of daily -how many men, how many women, what departments are affected, and the reasons for absence make up these statistics. This record is needed for sound company operations, and from time to time it is called in by the federal government for overall manpower statistics. Keeping absentee time cards in the Personnel Department is the only accurate way to maintain these records without creating more clerical work for your department head. Night Shift News The "Forgotten MenM want more news of the night shift in the Argus Eyes from now on. Talked to Doris Walle about it, and she said that all the news for the Eyes comes from reporters throughout the plant who collect the news in their departments and turn it in for the paper. Right away she got Leo Wiederhof t to report for the night shift bowlers. But she needs more reporters- -how about some of you "forgotten" fellows? Just get your news to Doris bef ore the 15th of each month. As she says, "All the news that fits --we print. " Gosh, thought I was about done and here are a couple more. Guess we fellows aren't the only ones who blow off steam now and then. Some of the gals on the night shift have been doing a pretty good job of it. I'm told. Thought Emily Post might have a few choice remarks on the subject, but life's a little too complicated for Emily. What is it my kids say? "Sticks and stones may break my bones--." Wish we could all take life as easy as they do. Maybe we can try. The P.A. system sounds pretty good now, donTt you think? Only people who couldn't hear how it sounded bef ore were the switchboard operators themselves. So Andy passed the word along to them. ThatTs the end of the pile this month folks. Hate to see those boxes so empty. You fill Tem--ril round up the answers. Be hearing from you, ANDY

Argus C3 Stars In Movie

Quite a few folks at Argus turned out for the big family evening, Saturday, December 20, at the State Theater. The show was "My Pal GusM starring Richard Widmark and the Argus C3. For four minutes Widmark used a C3 on the screen. At the Children's Christmas Party in the afternoon, Robin Graves, daughter of Forrest W. Graves, Machine Shop, and Patty Smith, whose mother, Dorothy Smith, works in the Paint Shop, won C3 cameras personally autographed by Richard Widmark. Their entries in the "My Dad Is My Best PalM contest were judged best by our advertising agency, Young and Rubicam. Three-year-old Robin won a camera as the best of the youngest entries. Patty's camera was the contestTs first prize. Phyllis Baker, whose mother is Lucille Baker of Camera Assem - bly won the second prize, a $25 Government Savings Bond. Bruce Schauer, whose dad is Harold Schauer, Shipping, received $5 as the third prize. Sam Schneider snapped this picture of the Argus display in the State Theater lobby. Anybody know who the pretty little miss is?

Christmas Time At Argus

Argus Mixed Doubles Bowling Tournament

Doris And Jay Bardell Win Mixed Bowling Doubles

A very successful Mixed Doubles bowling tournament was held at the Hurón Lañes on Sunday, December 7. The interest in the event is shown by the f act that 148 bowlers toed the line to try for fame and fortune. Four beautiful trophies which were donated by Mr. Lewis, and the numerous cash prizes offered a challenge that was accepted by most of the bowlers her e at Argus. The competition for the top spots was exceedingly sharp with many stellar performances turned in. It is doubtful if any tournament produced the high winning total that was turned in by the winning couple of Jay and Doris Bardell. Doris and Jay started their bombarding in the opening frame, and continued to f ir e throughout the three games. When the final ball had been rolled and the totals added up, the King and Queen of the Argus bowlers had reached the astronomical figure of 1377. This grand total was 106 pins higher than the second place winners. Congratulations to Doris and Jay Bardell for a sparkling exhibition of ten-pin spilling. MARIAN AND TOM KNIGHT TAKE SECOND PLACE While the Bardells were walking off with top honors, the battle for second place developed into a torrid battle between the teams of Marian and Torn Knight and that of Irene McCowan and Sam McCarry. These two entries waged a down-to-earth struggle, which was decided in the final two frames of the third game when Marian and Torn marked out to win by the slender margin of sixpins. LYONS, BURNS, HOADLEY TAKE INDIVIDUAL HONORS Most of the interest was centered on the team results, but some of the individual efforts des erve comment. Joe Lyons garnered most of the laurels for the men bowlers by opening with a 232 game and then following with another two good lines to take both the high single and the high three game total. For the women Stephanie (Gala) Burns captured the high single game with a well-rolled 199. Dolores Hoadley showed exceptional ability by stringing together games of 170, 174, and 186 for a 530 total. This series gave Dolores the distinction of being the only girl to enter the select circle of 500 bowlers. Congratulations to all the winners, and to all who participated in the event. The success of the tournament most likely means that f rom now on this will be an annual event. The tournament' s success was duelargely to the tireless efforts of Héctor Haas and Don Crump, who arranged the event.

Sports Review

Sportó áeview by Babe Peterson MEN'S DAY SHIFT BOWLING

MACHINE SHOP LEADS LEAGUE Despite the fact that their opponents are going all out to knock them off their lofty per ch, Bill Betke's red-hot Machine Shop team is maintaining a blistering pace. After twelve weeks of bowling, they have a sensational 38-10 won and lost record. Chuck Ceronski, Bill Betke, Lou Belleau, and Hank Smith have all been giving top-notch performances, but in the past few weeks, Chuck Meyers has been the main cog in this well running team. DEMONS HQLD ON TO SECOND PLACE The continued pace set by the league leaders has widened their margin over the runner-up Demon rivals to a margin of seven points. The surprising Demons are stubbornly hanging close to the leaders. The team has found this lofty spot much to their liking, and have finally convinced themselves that they are definitely title contenders in this Argus classic. PAINT SHOP FIVE MOVE UP TO THIRD Bill Fraser's Paint Shop five has continued on the prowl, and have now moved up to third place. Rube Egeler has been exceptionally sharp in the past outings, and the other members of the team seem to have reached their potential, so this team will bear watching f rom here to the end of the season. Rube's outbreak has raised his average to 182, and now gives him a ten-point bulge over his nearest challenger. Again this year it looks like another title for Rube. The rest of the league is waging a battle to keep over the 500 per cent mark, but with more than half of the season remaining, anything can happen and perhaps will in this unpredictable Argus league. NIGHT SHIFT BOWLING LEAGUE FOUR POINTS SEPARATE TOP FOUR TEAMS The Night Shift League has developed into a free-for-all with only four points separating the top four teams. At the present time Ken HubbelPs Press Room Five is at the top of the heap with a 31-17 record. The leaders also pace the league in team averages, but their road to the championship will prove plenty rough before the season is completed. One of the many rocks in their march will be the Hot Shots, captained by Torn Mitchell, who are now in second place only two points off the pace. The Hot Shots are a happy-golucky outfit who seem to take delight in knocking off their more serious opponents. Leonard MotsingerTs Gutter Guys and Nick Bandrofchak's Lucky Strikes follow with only a one-point difference

Detween them and the second place entry, so the standings can easily be scrambled within a short time. This is the second year that the night shift has organized a separate league, and the members of the j league deserve praise for the manner in which it has been conducted. It's an example of a job well done. A MATCH BETWEEN SHIFT LEAGUES? Fr om an anonymous "Night Shift ! Reporter" comes a challenge to Bill ] Betke's Machine Shop team and the rest of the day-shift league for a 1 match with the best of the night shift league. The reporter suggests a off between the leading night 1 and day teams, or between two hand picked teams, each represent - ing a shift. The night shift, incidentally, bowls Friday afternoons . Night shift women started to form a league, but had to break up when enough pin-setters couldn't be found.

The third Mdear" in the picture is Nancy, 2-year-old daughter of TomLoy, Machine Shop. Nancy' s mom and dad each caught a dear on consecutive days during the fall hunting sea son.

Hi!

Meet The Barkleys

The tiny miss pictured above is Karen Jean Barkley just five weeks old. Herbigbrother,twoyear old Ricky, is mighty proud of his baby sister. Ricky, pictured below, and Karen are the children of Helene and Jim Barkley. Helene is employed in the Polishing Department, while Jim is in the Optical Assembly Department.

Argus Cameras, Inc.

ANN ARBOR. MICHIGAN Return Postage Guara nteed Wil mot Gray 306 Maple Ridge Arm Arbor, Mich

Sc 561, P. L. R. U. S. POSTAGE P A I D Ann Afbor, Michino PfmH No. 59

Girvan's Photo Corner

Clip and save in Loóse Leaf Noceboofc to build a Photo Manual ' Prints Without a Darkroom ■ OPerhaps you would like to make pictures at home, but you don't , have a darkroom. Well, donTt let that stop you--you can always , use VELITE paper. This marvelous photographic paper can be used , in a room with regular illumination provided you do not have the , room light too close. ■ It is also a good project for the children or your Cub Scout group. , Velite as supplied can be used only for making contact prints, that , is, photographs which are the same size as your negative. With , this method you can make up the first prints from your film and , then order larger prints of only the ones you want. ■ , It isn't necessary to buy a lot of fancy equipment as this list of i , material, or substitutes shows you need: ■ i Velite paper i A thermometer or be able to judge approximately 70 F. . i 3 5x7 -inch trays or 3 soup plates i 1 printing frame or a piece of clear glass ■ i 1 qt. Dektol Developer and bottle with bakelite cap i i 1 qt. Kodak Stop Bath and bottle with bakelite cap i 1 qt. Kodak Acid Fixer and bottle with bakelite cap O (As a substitute for the last three items, you could use a Kodak ■ Tri Chem pack which consists of packet of developer, stop bath, and fixer, each sufficient for 8 oz. of solution, which can be i mixed, used, and discarded that same evening. ) ' Let's assume you have the required mater ials, have mixed the Tripack according to the instructions furnished with the packets, ' and are going to start off with the substitutes. Make sur e that the ' room light is no stronger than 60 watts and is at least 5 feet away. ' 1 Do not keep the unexposed Velite in the open light for more than ' 1 two minutes. 1 Place a piece of Velite, the same size as your negative, on the 1 table, glossy side up. Place your negative on top of it, also glossy ' 1 side up. Put your piece of clear glass on top of this sandwich and ' 1 hold it firmly while you hold a 60-watt bulb about three or four ' 1 inches away for about 15 seconds. Then immer se the exposed Velite ' 1 in the developer, face up, and be sur e it is cover ed quickly and 1 evenly. Develop for about one minute at 68 F. Move the print ■ 1 during developing. Take it out of the developer for at least 15 ! 1 onds. Then put it in the fixing bath and leave it for five or ten O minutes. After the prints are fixed, put them in a larger bowl or tray and wash in running water for at least an hour. Keep the prints moving. If the print is too dark, it is evident that 15 seconds was too much time; if it is too light, 15 seconds was not enough. You can J adjust your time accordingly. This decisión can be made immediately after you put the print in the fixing bath as the tones do not t change after that. , ( To dry the pictures, they should be placed between photo blotters. v If you want them glossy, however, you have to squeegee them face J K down on "ferrotype plates" to remain until dry. y v_- „ - - „„. - ..._. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ■ -"" '