Holiday Covers

The fascination which children always hold for the wonderful Christmas stories depicted on the cover of Argus Eyes this month won the prize for Elmer Kalmbach, Receiving. The Kalmbach children are Linda, 6, and Michael, 8 months. Once again this year it was very difficult for the judges to select the Christmas cover picture. For this reason, we thought you might like to see three runner -up photos which stayed in the running until the very last minute. Runner-up prizes of $5 will be awarded to these three people.

Reviewing Argus Progress

As this issue is being published, we are completing our biggest Christmas business in the history of the Company. This, of course, comes as no surprise since most of the major economists forecast that 1955 would be a record breaker. I'm sure that those of you who have delayed your Christmas shopping know what I mean. The stores are crowded and many items have been sold out already. In contrast to the past several years, we were able to produce most of our products in sufficient quantity this year to meet the needs of our dealers. This means that anyone who enters our dealer stores asking for Argus products generally can be satisfied. Naturally, this is a good position to be in. It is discouraging to hear that our dealers cannot make Argus sales to their customers because they are sold out of our products. Often this has meant sales of competitorTs products and lost sales for us. It is especially true when Christmas gifts are

being purchased and the customer has to select an item. This encouraging picture probably seems to be out of character to those of you who are facing layoffs. Most of you, I think, realize that these layoffs have been expected for some time. Although we build quite a sizable inventory during the first half of each year, it still is necessary to work overtime and to hire extra help during the pre-Christmas season . This inventory is built at considerable expense and risk to the Company. The payments for raw material and wages are met at the time we build the products - not when they are sold. Therefore, there is considerable money invested in these products waiting until the Christmas sales period. When you consider that our products depend upon the desires of the American public and their ability to buy, you can readily see what risk there is in

carrying a larger warehouse full of finished goods. We have always been concerned with the f act that our sales and production volume result in some layoffs just prior to the Christmas holidays. This condition was a contributing factor in our recent decisión to establish a Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Plan for all hourly paid employees and a Wage Continuation Plan for salaried employees. The S.U.B, plan will not help employees who are being laid off this year, but will help eligible employees who are laid off after November 1, 1956. We had to wait until this date in order to build up a fund from which to make payments and in order to obtain the necessary government approvals . It is the intent of these plans to supplement the income of laid-off employees so that the effect of the sudden stopping of wages is not so great. It is our goal, however, to reduce the number of layoffs to a minimum - the best solution for both the employees and the Company. In just a few days we will be lining up to receive our Christmas turkey or ham. This is an enjoyable beginning to the Yuletide season for most of us. At least, our households take a little time in entering into the spirit of the season. Best wishes to each of you for a Very Merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year.

Schools Send Thanks For Argus School Kits

The new Educational Services División, directed by Rob Wilson, has received many letters of appreciation since it was formed. The letters printed here are certainly an indication of how much our Argus School Camera Kits are appreciated by the junior and senior high schools to which they are sent. The School Camera Kit contains a C -3 Kit and two Super 75 Kits. "Dear Sirs: Last August I wrote to you concerning the offer you were making to High School Camera Clubs of a School Camera Kit. When I arrived here for the opening of the school year I found your gift waiting, and I was absolutely amazed at its contents! The Company is to be highly praised and congratulated for this service to the country1 s schools. I have spread your fame among the

student body here, and recommend your product when asked about a camera to buy. The first issue of the school newspaper contains some photos of football taken with your Argus C-3. Being a private school with no financial support other than tuition, we certainly appreciate the generosity of the Argus Company. We started a Club this year, and 80 boys carne to our first meeting. Rochester is a photography-minded city! We have a darkroom for the boys with as much equipment as our humble budget would allow. If your Company supplies services to school clubs, I wish y ou would put us on your mailing list. I am most gratefully yours,Tt Reverend John E. Browning McQuaid Jesuit High School Rochester, New York

"Dear Mr. Wilson: I am very grateful to Argus Cameras for giving us a School Camera Kit. In order to bring it dramatically to the attention of our people, I unpacked the Kit in their presence just before my annual talk at a recent evening meeting of our P.T.A. There were about 230 parents in the audience. They were just as thrilled as I was at this generous gift from your Company. The cameras will be wonderfully helpful to our Camera Club. We have boys and girls who hesitate to buy a good camera because they are not sure that they will enjoy photography as a major hobby. Now they will have an opportunity to gain camera experience in the Club and know what kind of camera they would like to buy." Henry H. Bormann, Principal East Rockaway High School East Rockaway, New York

November Suggestion Plan Brings Darwin Cox $103

Torn Loy, Machine Shop, was presented with a check for $93.50 for his suggestion that the chamfering and diamond turning operations on the C-4 wind and rewind knobs be combined. A check for $68.13 went to Henry Minges, Screw Machine, for suggesting a change in the sequence of operation on the C-3 rewind button. Art Selent, Machine Shop, has a check for $51.82 to add to his Christmas money. His suggestion was the elimination of an operation on the C-4 shutter driving lever. Suggestion awards of $25 went to Stanley Ruffin, Plant Safety Protection, and Arnie Justice, Blocking. Stanley suggested an improved methodof cleaning partsfrom rejected T41 scopes. Arnie' s suggestion was the installation of masonite covering around the adapters on the Lepel machines located in Blocking. Don Clark, Machine Shop, received a suggestion award of $20 for suggesting increasing the chamfer on the C-4 synchronizer inertia wheel . Ten dollar awards were won by the following people last month: Georgia Betke, Cleaning; Evelyn Geiger, Optical Assembly, Gene Ronde, Machine Shop; Wilhio Kelly, Raw Inspection; Dolores Helzerman, Purchasing; and Val White, Engineering.

You Asked Andy

The Christmas spirit must really be in the air ! No letters last month and only one this month. This month' s

letter asked the reason why employees may not work when they are alone m their departments . It also pointed out that the plant guards tour the plants and warehouses alone. Torn Spitier told me that it is the advice of our insurance carrier for workmen's compensation that we never assign an employee to be working at a machine alone. The risk of not having help nearby is considered f ar too great to warrant changing this practice. As far as the plant guards are concerned, they are in regular contact with the guard desk in Plant I while they are touring the warehouses. If they fail to make this contact, we are immediately aware of some difficulty. Also, the guards are not working on machines and the risk of having them tour 'the plants and warehouses alone is not considered great enough to warrant their traveling in pairs.

Start Your Home Workshop Right

If you're like millions of other homeowners, you!ll find the best way to get odd jobs and improvements done around the house is to pitch in and do them yourself. Besides the money saved, there's a lot of personal pride and satisfaction to be gained . As a gift, home workshop tools are always appreciated - something to be enjoyed for a long, long time. Your home workshop will be one gift that keeps on giving. ItT s never too late to start a home workshop. But to give the greatest pleasure - and to get the best value for your money - there are some facts about home workshops you should know. To begin with, itTs a good idea to spend cautiously. One of the big reasons why over 12 million homeowners have their own workshops is to save money, and saving should begin when you buy your first tools. ItTs Easy to Get Started Don't feel that you have to set up a whole workshop at once. Instead, acquire a basic set of tools to begin with, then add other tools as ability and space permit. The first consideration in planning your workshop is its location. Delta Power Tool suggests you consider the following conditions: 1. Space available. 2. Nearness to the rest of the house and family. 3. Available household facilities such as water, electricity and heat. 4. Light and ventilation. 5. Floor space and room for future expansión.

Make Yourself Comfortable Electrical wiring in your shop should be adequate not only for good lighting, but also for operating your power tools. Good heavy extensión cords will do the job, at least temporarily. Give yourself plenty of light- a little sun brightens things up and allows you to do more accurate work. Windows also provide ventilation when painting. Uniform heating will be important on blustery winter evenings, so piek a warm spot. If you have a concrete f loor, a few boards in front of your work bench and power tools will make it easier on your f eet. About the first thing to get is a work bench. This can be a sturdy table, raised a few inches with blocks to the proper height - or you can build it as your first project. With this you will want a few hand tools. Right here is where you should start a precedent and follow it always - get the best tools. Good tools mean good results . They last longer, keep sharp longer and have a feel and balance that even the inexperienced can detect. Requirements for the average beginners projects are few. If you want a list, here's a good selection to start with: Nail hammer, screw driver, combination square, jack plane, set of auger bits, ratchet brace, combination oil stone, nail set, set of wood chisels, folding rule, cut-off saw, rip saw, hack saw, hand drill, level, combination pliers and several C clamps. Another thing youTll want to pay attention to is storage of nails,

screws, lumber and odds and ends. Tools can be placed on pegs on the wall. Put nails and screws in glass jars with screw tops - theyTre easy to see and handy to get at. Build shelves for them and for paint cans. Lumber can bestood on endor placed on a wide well-supported shelf where it won't sag and bow. NEXT MONTH- POWER TOOLS DO THE WORK.

Thanks To Company Dinner Helpers

Several printed rounds of applause are in order for the many Argusites who contributed more than their sharetoward making the Annual Company Dinner a success. Among these are Betty Bliss and her hostesses, Rachael Rodriquez, Lida Koeppe, Dorothy Weir, Thelma Burke, Rosie Smith, Hilda White, June Osborne, Terry Sheetz, Mary Lou Ander son, Kay Walker, Catherine Deanhofer, Lydia Karn, Donna Gilbert, Lois Niles, Evelyn Weindorf, Mary Jane Alexander, Juanita Boyd, Leona Smith, Hazel Egeler, Margaret Hardy, and Liz Clapham. Thanks should also go to Les Schwanbeck, who was in charge of the distribution of the Profit Sharing Books. Les was ably assisted by helpers Patt Du Charme, Margaret Eisele, Mary Jane Rutledge, Isabelle Nash, Ken Geiger, and Wilma Hague. Jim Lodwick saved many steps in distribution of souvenirs.

700 Argus Employees Gather For Annual Company Dinner

Congratulations! On Your Argus Anniversary

Official For A Day

Janet Ford, daughter of Margaret, Purchasing, was elected by her classmates to represent the Welfare and County Physician (Social Welfare Director) on November 10, County Day. Janet, who is in the Ninth grade at Slauson Junior High School, was elected through a letter she wrote telling why she would like to have that position.

Correction

The article on the new packaging for Kodachrome film, which appeared in OctoberTs Argus Eyes, stated that Kodachrome sold without theprocessing charge included in the film price could be sent directly to Kodak for. processing. Kodak has issued a correction on this. It cannot be returned directly but should be handled through your local dealer.

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NOTICEI All Argus children must have their own tickets in order to attend the Christmas Party December 17

Herman Koegler Retires -- Will Live Life Of Leisure

Friends and co-workers in the Machine Shop gave a party for Herman Koegler upon his retirement this month. Herm, who had about as many friends at Argus as a man could want, received a card (see picture at left) on which his friends had written their names. Machine Shop workers gave Herm a gold watch as a farewell token. Herm will spend the winter in California, no less, and then return to Ann Arbor. Friends who want to keep in touch with Herm would do well to attend the Michigan football games next season. Herm hasn't missed a game for years!

Small Fry Department

Have A Cigar!

But only one cigar this month because Nor man Johnston's (Standards) house was the only Argus house the stork visited. Norman has a daughter Diane Lynn, born November 2, weighing 8 lbs., 14 oz. He is f ast becoming outnumbered by the women, for he has Karen Marie, two years , and Peggy Ann, 3 years, also at home.

Sports Review

With the halfway mark drawing near, the teams seem to be settling down and dropping into place waiting for the breaks to move them up the ladder. This past month there was one bowler, Torn Knight, who rolled a single game of 222 to get his name on the honor roll. Ted Little rolled a 210 but was ten pins short for the honor roll. To date the same three teams are battling it out for first place. At the present time, here are their standings: Argus Q.C. in first place; Thirsty-Five in second, and the Tool Room in third. The season is still early and there is plenty of time for the rest of the teams to move up and beat the top teams out of their present standings. Listed below are the keglers who rolled the highest scores this season.

High single game (actual) John Sartori - 235 High three-game series (actual). . .Les Schwanbeck - 586

WOMEN'S LEAGUE STANDINGS

Highest single score rolled this season: High Single Game - Rosetta Smith - 231 High Three-Game Series - Liz Clapham - 504

NIGHT SHIFT MEN'S LEAGUE The standing so f ar this year and the won and lost records:

HONOR ROLL

To be on the Honor Roll, bowlers must bowl a single game (actual) as follows: Men: 220 or higher Women: 200 or higher

Deer Hunters Display Success

Deer hunting season, aside f rom setting a record in the Personnel Department for leaves of absence and vacations, netted bucks for several Argusites. Marvin Harger, Maintenance, got his 8-point buck in Livingston County. It weighed 160 pounds. George Bock was the only nimrod f rom the Tool Room to bag a buck. George bagged his 125-pound spike horn near Lewiston.

What's Behind Our Christmas Traditions?

Our name for the day, Christmas, dates back to the llth century when it was called Cristes Maesse - liter - ally, Christ Mass. The Germans cali the day Weihnachtsfest - Holy Night Feast; the French cali it Noel, which derives from the Latin "Natilis," meaning birthday. The Date The date of December 25 as the birthday of Jesús and, henee, Christmas, became generally observed in most Christian nations in the fourth and fifth centuries. In Shakespeare1 s time (1564-1616), Christmas was observed for 12 days. The Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree is deeply rooted in old legends. One is that an evergreen protected Joseph and Mary and the Infant Jesus from HerodTs soldiers; another is that the Lord sent heavenly messengers to earth to find a tree "as high as Faith, as eternal as Hope, and as widespread as Love" to symbolize the birth of Jesus. They chose the balsam f ir which, the story goes, had all these qualities and bore "many crosses on each branch." The Wreath

Most popular of Christmas decorations is the evergreen wreath. It represents the crown of thorns which was pressed on the brow of Jesus as He hung on the cross. The red berries symbolize drops of the blood He shed for us.

The Christmas Gifts

The custom of giving presents at Christmas dates back to the gifts which the Three Wise Men carried to Bethlehem to lay before the Christ Child. Their gifts, given in adoration, were of gold, frankincense, and myrrh - the latter two being gum resins used in medicines and perfumes . The Tree Decorations

In the deep forest a man kind and good, says a French legend of the thirteenth century, found on Christmas Eve a tree whose branches stood erect while others hung upside down. Crowning the tree was the visión of the haloed head of a child. The tree, according to the legend, represented mankind; the child image represented Jesus, and the candles good and bad humans. As early as 1604 a Germán manuscript mentioned f ir trees decorated at Christmas with flowers made of color ed paper, ornaments of gold foil, and apples. The Christmas Card

The sending of Christmas cards seems to have begun in England about the middle of the last century, among members of the nobility who didnTt get around much. The idea was taken up by the King and Queen; they commissioned famed artists to decórate their missives of greeting. The custom came on down to us today and weTve made much of it - ask any mailman !

Why Santa Claus?

The name of Santa Claus for the patrón saint of Christmas derives from a German-Dutch corruption of the name of Saint Nicholas, who lived in the fourth century. Legend was thatthis good saint learned that three young women were without suitors because their father was too poor to provide a dowry. St. Nick tossed three bags of gold into their room one night, and they all lived happily ever after. "San Niklaus" of the Germans became "Sinteklass" of the Dutch, and those who settled New York wound up with "Santa Claus." Down the Chimney Why does Santa Claus come down the chimney - at least, on greeting cards and in the ads? The myth which old-time Englishmen favored was that Santa was thereby cleaning the chimney of soot, to allow good luck to enter the house at the New Year. Silent Night . . . '

The time, the day before Christmas Eve, 1818; the place, a tiny mountain village in Austria. The organ of St. Nicholas Church was broken, and the organist, Franz Gruber, could not repair it in time for the midnight mass, for which he had planned a musical program. He went to the young parish priest, Joseph Mohr, in distress. Father Mohr agreedto write words for a simple melody if Gruber would compose one which could be sung to the accompaniment of a guitar, which the organist played. Walking home that cold, clear night, af ter having administered the last rites to a dying woman, the priest gazed upon the heavenly canopy of stars, and the inspiration for the verses carne to him. Next day, Gruber set them to music, and "Silent Night, Holy Night" was given to the world.

Argus Eyes

Published 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, Purchasing - 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 Gala

A Joyous Christmas To All!