Reviewing Argus Progress

Those of you who have been involved in recent schedule cutbacks are well aware of the fact that we are in the slow period of our year. January, February and March are traditionallythepoorest sales months for the photographic trade. As most of you realize, we build inventory during this period which far out-produces our sales requirements. Our employment and production schedules are much greater than the demand for our products. The advantage is evident. We are able to keep a much more stable work f orce- holding layoffs to a minimum. This is not done, of course, without risk. Building heavy inventories which are not sold later in the year could mean real trouble down the road. However, this risk is controlled considerably by the use of all forecasting material available to make accurate predictions of range sales. We have an additional problem this year which is the pending production of several new items. In order to accomplish the introduction of new products effectively, it is difficult to maintain a normal sales volume of items which are going to be replaced. I think that you can readily appreciate the dealer 's point of view if he were permitted to stock heavily those products which are going to be changed in the next few months. Consequently, with the introduction of new products, we have periods in which sales of replaced items amount to practically nothing. This was apparent in the low sales volume last month, and probably will also be reflected in our February sales. The obyious advantage, of course, is that we expect much higher sales of the new products when they are introduced and the longrange benefit is increased employment. It was reported to me the other day that there is confusión in some of our minds as to the relation

tween the Profit-Sharing Fund, the money in the Credit Union, and the money being put into the Supplemental Une mploy ment Benefit Plan. Actually, all three of these funds are separate. The Profit-Sharing Fund is established from employee contributions and by distribution of Company profits. The fund is invested in a separate trust of which the Ann Arbor Trust Company is trustee. Employee shares in this fund cannot be used as collateral for any loans which individuals may obtain from other persons or institutions. The Credit Union fund is composed of investments made solely by the employee members and contains no Company contributions . Loans made to employees from this fund are not automatically covered by the employees1 share in the Profit-Sharing Fund. The two funds are entirely separate. The fund now being established for the SUB Plan is also entirely separate. It consists solely of Company contributions made on the basis of hours worked by hourly employees. This fund will not be used until employees become eligióle and are subsequently laid off. It will be used to increase the unemployment benefits paid to these employees.

Our sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Lenora M. Sech, who died January 10. Lenora came to Argus in September of 1952 and was employed in Final Inspection.

About The Cover

The February cover photo was sent in by Alan Stuart, Office Manager of Argus Cameras of Canada. Alanfs 2-12 year-old daughter Pamela is shown here on refrigerator inspection. The picture was taken with a Super 75.

Check Beneficiaries Now

Have you checked your insurance policy or profit sharing recently to be sure the beneficiarles are listed properly? This should be done periodically by all employees to be sure the proper beneficiarles are listed. In the case of insurance, it would be well, too, to check on dependent coverage. Children may receive dependent coverage af ter they are 14 days old but cannot be carried on the policy af ter they reach the age of 19.

Four Argus Scholarships Available For Fall Term

This year Argus will again make available four scholarships of $250 each to the University of Michigan or Michigan State Normal College for Argus employees and their children. Under the terms of the scholarship, active employees of one or more years service and their sons and daughters are eligible for the awards. Only entering Freshmen may apply and children of Company officers are not eligible. Each scholarship award may be renewed, at the discretion of the Committee on University Scholarships, for three additional years or until a maximum of $1,000 has been granted. Selections will be made by the University of Michigan Committee on University Scholarships and will be based on leadership qualifications, personality, integrity, and general aptitude for college work. These will be determined by application, references, and examination. Application for the Argus scholarships for next fall!s term must be made by April 30, 1956. Application material is available in the Personnel Services Office or at the office of the Secretary of the Committee on University Scholarships, 1020 Administration Building, University of Michigan. Applicants will be notified of the Committee1 s decisión on or bef ore August 1, 1956. Interested employees please file your applications as soon as possible.

Service Settled In Plant Iii

The Service Department, after much preparation and much confusión, has now been settled in its spacious rooms on the second floor of Plant III for several weeks. Not having to work elbow-to-elbow any longer, as they used to do in Plant I, Service employees must feel like theyfre working in the wide-open spaces.

Argus Eyes Pictures Available To Employees

One print of any picture which appears in Argus Eyes is available free of charge to any employee who is in that picture. A charge of $.07 per print will be made if additional prints are desired. Take advantage of this opportunity to keep a remembrance of a special occasion or simply have another snapshot for your scrapbook. Fill out the order form below and take it to the Personnel Services Office before the end of the month. This form will be published in each future issue of Argus Eyes. Photo Coupon Name ___ Dept. No. of Prints

"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right , . ."

"Let us raise a Standard to whieh the wise and honest can repair, the rest is in the hands of God."

Governor Williams Receives C-4, Visits Argus

An interesting story preceded Governor G. Mennen Williams' visit to Argus last month. The Governor, it seems, was seen at the Rose Bowl game car ry ing a camera which was not an Argus product. Feeling that the Governor of Michigan should certainly own a camera that was a Michigan product, Argus made arrangements to present a C-4 to the Governor. Governor WilliamsT travel schedule was such that he was able to be in Ann Arbor and to come to Argus personally to receive his camers. (And yes, he was wearing his green polka-dot bow tie!) In the absence of Mr. Lewis, Mr. Detweiler, Vice President and Sec retar y of the Company, greeted the Governor and presented him with the camera. Governor Williams then took a short tour through the Glass Plant, stopping frequently to watch Argusites at their work and to chat with them. At the right in the pictures above the Governor watches Rudy Janci center a lens and learns about the lens-polishing process f rom Ernest Billau. Following is a letter sent by Governor Williams in reply to our offer of an Argus C-4. Dear Mr. Lewis: Thanks for your letter of January 12. Congratulations on a sharp West Coast representative and my appreciation for your follow-up. Your advertising and equipment has caught my eye more than once. But my Leica days go back to 1933 or 1935, so some years anda number of lenses later, to say nothing of thousands of pictures, I'm rather confirmed. However, I await the C-4 with excitement and a high degree of alertness because my son has threatened to take over. I shall use vour fine Michigan product as soon as I can, and I know with much pleasure.

Again, Pin delighted to see our Michigan industry so much on the ball - and VU try to do my part. With every good wish. Sincerely, jAjUyM Gover nor

Elect Psf Committeemen

Credit Union Holds Meeting

The Argus Credit Union held its second annual meeting January 17 to elect new officers. Shown above left to right are Paul Haines, Director; Herb Pfabe, Director; Russell Trombley, Vice President and Director; Jesse Cope, Supervisory Committee; Les Schwanbeck, Supervisory Committee; Bill Brackney, Treasur er; Héctor Haas, President; and Wilma Simmons, former Secretary. Officers not pictured are Jeanine Groomes, Secretary; Dick Wood and Jesse Cope, Supervisory Committee; Bill Doyle, Cari Heselschwerdt, and Roger Westphal, Credit Committee; and Chuck McClune, Director.

Lucille Miller Wins $477 Award

Virgil Boyd and Chuck Ceronsky, Paint Shop, look almost as pleased as Lucille Miller as she receives a suggestion award for $477.04. Lucille s suggestion resulted in the elimination of a portion of the burring done on the C-3 front plate. Charles Renner, Mechanical Finishing, collected $96.78 for suggesting the combining of the use of old and new buffing wheels in color buffing the C-3 reflectors. An award of $51.96 went to Dan Smith, Machine Shop, for his suggestion that the burring of two holes done during an operation on the rear retaining ring be eliminated. EltonGuenther, Polishing, received two suggestion awards last month. The suggestion that small platforms be made to be used on the f loor in front of the sinks located in the polishing room netted him $20. He received ano the r award of $14. 50. Orrin Decker, Blocking, collected a suggestion award of $20 for suggesting the replacementof the sponge rubber pressure tooi used in blocking lenses with a hard rubber pressure tooi. Awards of $17 went to Dorothy Haarer, General Administration; and Iva Schramm, Final Inspection. Bill Betke, Machine Shop, hit the jackpot with three awards - awards of $17, $13, and $10. Last month seems to have been the month for multiple awards. Harold Green, Machine Shop received checks for $17 and $10; and John Kerns, Polishing, received awards for $15 and $10. Virginia Vernon, Camera Assembly, and Veola Conn, Paint Shop, each received suggestion awards of $13.50. A $10 award went to Bill Miller, Polishing.

Needed...

. . .smart young people who can organize their own corporations, float stock, produce and merchandise their products, earn a profit and even pay dividends to stockholders . Where can you find such talented youngsters? That's easy: there are thousands of them in the Junior Achievement movement. They're doing all these things . . . learning the American way of do ing business. . . seeing for themselves that f ree enterprise pays off self-reliance with profit, progress and freedom. Junior Achievement is sponsored by many of America's businesses, including the most famous corporations, to give enthusiastic youngsters practical training in business and citizenship. Volunteer advisors from all fields of business guide them and their junior corporations towards success and profit. The kids get business experience and understanding that will be mighty valuable when they're on their own. And they have a lot of fun, tob, seeing their pastime pay off in cash! Most important of all, Junior Achievement helps young people think for themselves. It helps develop responsible, young citizens who will be America's biggest asset some day.

Arco And Arvico Attend Luncheon

Junior Achievement PUTTING YOUTH IN BUSINESS

Jerry Craig, President of Arvico; and Norm Westphal, Treasurer of Arco Enterprises (and son of Roger, Receiving) were on hand to present Mr. Lewis with a plaque expres sing the appreciation of the Junior Achievement groups for Argus' sponsorship. (In picture at left Norm presents the plaque to Mr. Lewis while Bob Cuny, Engineering, looks on.) The Argus advisors for our Junior Achievement groups are: Business Advisors - Dick Wood and Will VanDyke, Accounting. Sales Advisors - Harold Hale, Standards; and Chuck McClune, Engineering. Production Advisors - Alex Krezel, Service; and Dick Dorow, Projector Assembly and Central Packing.

Let's Take A Long Look At Job Posting-- The Pink Sheets That Provide Job Opportunities

Job postings are a subject of interest to all of us. At least they would seem to be from the number of questions the Personnel Department has received lately. Let's first take a look at the job posting picture in general, what its purposes are and how it operates. Then we can get down to cases on a few of the most frequently asked questions . The idea for job postings came about as the result of Argus' growth. Before the job posting system began, promotions were giventopeople from within the Company whenever possible. If the supervisor or foreman knew of someone who was interested in an open job he would usually consider that man before he tried to hire someone from outside the plant. However, as the Company grew, it became obvious that no one supervisor of foreman could hope to know everyone in the plant. He would have no way of knowing for certain how many people were interested in any opening. Also, employees who had skills which were not being used had no way of knowing when a job was open for which they might qualify.

As a result of this situation it was decided that we needed a system to accomplish what had been done before on a hit or miss basis. This system of job posting enables all of us to know when a job is available and at the same time gives us the chance to fill out an application for the job. Of course, the mere signing of an application for a posting does not assure us of getting the job. When you enter an application you are only saying "I want to talk with someone about that job. " If you possess the minimum requirements as listed on the posting, you are guaranteed when you sign the application that you will have the opportunity not only to talk with the man who has the opening but to talk with him before he filis the job. If you can convince him through your personnel record and your knowledge and skills that you' re the best man for the job, you' 11 get it. The purpose of job posting then is to enable all Argus employees to know of promotional opportunities available, and to insure that present employees are carefully considered for the job before anyone else is hired. Now let's talk about the way the posting system operates. When a foreman or department head has an opening which he feels he cannot fill within his department, he filis out an employment requisition in the Personnel Office. The pink posting notice copies are then prepared and posted on all bulletin boards by the plant guards. These postings remain on the bulletin boards for two full working days. They contain the name of the job, a description of the job duties, minimum qualifications for the job, and the date on which the posting closes. Applications are available in the Personnel Office and may be filled out at any time prior to the closing date. At the closing time of the posting all applications are assembled and discussed with the foreman or department head. He then examines the personnel records of all applicants.

Now we are ready for the interviews. Each person who has applied and meets the minimum requirements talks with the foreman or department head concerning his interest in and his qualifications for the job. Some of the applicants are usually eliminated during the interviews as it becomes apparent that there are better qualified people available. Sometimes tests are necessary to determine which applicant is best suited for the opening. If this is necessary the tests are given after all interviews are completed. Finally, after the test results are in, one man is chosen as best qualified, and he usually gets the job. It is possible, though, that even the best qualified man within the plant does not meet the desired qualifications for the job and it is necessary to hire someone f rom outside the plant. However, this does not happen too often. In fact, during the last two years, 56.5% of all jobs posted' were filled by inside applicants. This is especially significant when we realize that there are not applicants for all jobs due to the particular skills desired. In fact, there were only applicants for 66% of the jobs posted, so that 86% of jobs applied for were filled by inside applicants. Now that we know why we have job postings and how the system operates, we can turn our attention to some of the questions most frequently asked about postings. Q. Why don!t we post all jobs? Who decides whe the r a job will be posted or not? A. No one person decides which jobs will be posted. This is a matter of Company policy and cannot be changed by any individual. There are only two types of jobs which are not posted. These are jobs in pay grade one and Keymen's jobs. If a class one operator applied and was placed on a different class one job it would mean nothing in terms of promotion. Since the posting system is designed to

improve promotion opportunities, jobs which would not offer financial gain are not posted. Key positions are very important to the Company and the knowledge required for these positions can only be gained through experience. Any person working in an área where he could have gained this experience would be well known to Management. For this reason Keymen's positions are no longer posted. Q. With whom do I compete when I apply for a posted job? A. Every employee within the plant may be considered for a position regardless of whether or not he has applied. However, when you fill out an application you are sure of being considered bef ore the position is filled. Q. Does seniority mean anything when being considered for a job? A. Seniority is the deciding factor when two or more individuals are qualified for the position and equal in all such respects as ability, experience, potential, etc. Q. How long do I have to be at Argus bef ore I can apply for a posted job? A. You must have gained seniority with the Company. Normally, an employee gains seniority 90 days after hire. In the case of extended probationary period, this may increase up to 120 days. Q. How many jobs can I apply for at once? A. You may apply for as many jobs at one time as you wish. However, if you are offer ed any one of the positions applied for you must either accept or reject the job immediately without waiting for the results of your other applications.

Q. If I have just been placed on a new job through a posting and a better job is posted, can I apply for it? A. If you are placed on a new job through a posting you are not eligible to apply for another posted job until you complete the probationary period of the job you are presently on. It is feit that having asked for the job places an obligation on the individual for at least 90 days. Q. Why does it take so long to get an answer when you apply for a job? A. This is a good question but a tough one to answer. Many times postings involve arranging interviews between a supervisor and f rom three to fifteen applicants. Naturally the supervisor cannot take too much time away f rom his department at once, and the applicants are not always able to leave their jobs at a few momentsf notice. As a result the interviews have to be scheduled when convenient for all parties concerned and aiso when space is available in Personnel. Many times some testing is involved and this of course tends to lengthen the time. All those involved

are trying to keep the length of time to a minimum ana everyonefs cooperation will help. Q. Why are jobs posted for positions which cannot be filled f rom inside? For instance, what is the point of posting for a Product Engineer? A. Many people at Argus are trying by means of parttime schooling, correspondencecourses, night schools, etc., to prepare themselves for better positions. Many jobs are posted two or three times without response and then a posting receives a reply from someone who has been studying and preparing himself in hope that the position would open up again. The jobs are posted for the benefit of these people. However, a job is not reposted sooner than 60 days after the first posting. Q. Why can't people in a department be considered for jobs in that department bef ore they are posted? A. Each member of the department which has an opening is considered for that opening before the job is posted. Usually the foreman or department head talks with a few persons regarding the opening. At any rate, whenever an opening comes in your department you may be sure that you were considered for it even though you were not interviewed formally for the job. Q. If a job is posted does it mean that the job can only be filled by those who apply for the job? A. No. As mentioned above, everyone in the plant may be considered, but those who fill out applications are sure to be considered.

New Projectors

As pioneers in the field of 35 mm photography and color slide projection, Argus is constantly studying, testing - to make each piece of photographic equipment a finer precisión instrument than bef ore. And the latest result of these painstaking efforts is a new high in quality projection- the all-new Argus projectors. These new projectors are available in standard and automatic models and a remote control power unit is available for attachment to the automatic projector. This unit, complete with 15 f eet of cord, makes it possible to opérate the projector from anywhere in the room by simply pushing a button.

Cooler-than-ever operation is present in the new projectors. An entirely new, dual-airflow cooling system, together with a big powerful blower, keeps slides and projector cool for showings of any length.

A brand-new optical system let's more light through. A new precisión, 4-inch, wide-angle f:3Í lens and powerful 300-watt lamp mean brighter pictures with no dimmedout edges and no hot spots. One hundred of the standard model projectors were distributed recently to Argus employees for survey purposes. The survey pointed up some minor "bugs" and those were corrected before the projectors went into actual production. It is a known fact that people who make a product and see the parts that go into it are more critical than the buying public, so it was gratifying to find that the Argus employees were very well pleased with the many features and fine performance of this new item.

February Anniversaries For 15 Argusites

Thank You!

Compliments and thank yous are always appreciated. They help make the extra things we do worthwhile. Each year after the holiday season (and all through the year, for that matter) many Argusites and their families express thanks and appreciation for the extra services that Argus provides. Published below are some of the letters received by Mrs. Radford, Personnel Services Manager. MDear Mrs. Radford: Will you please convey to the management my very sincere thanks for the fine Christmas gift. Never having received a Christmas gift from any Corporation I had previously worked for, I found this gift especially gratifying. The "bird" was delicious. Again thank you and best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Yours very sincerely, Jean B. Simpson" (Tabulating) "Dear Mrs. Radford: Thanks again for the Christmas party for the children - I know what a lot of work goes into it and think you ought to know we had fun . That really was a very good animal act, and as always the presents were splendid. Our oldest boy has now graduated from these annual affairs; he will be thirteen in March, and it only seems yesterday that he went to his first Argus party - just a little thing all starry-eyed over the Santa Claus! Incidentally, we think Mrs. Claus a real addition. Sincerely, Virginia VandenBroek" (wife of Jan, Engineering) "Dear Mrs. Radford: Through you I would like to thank our Company for the fine ham I received as a Christmas gift. It was a really outstanding and delicious ham, and was very much enjoyed by all who were fortúnate enough to share it. The Company' s thoughtfulness in contributing to so many Christmas dinners is a nice thing to think about. Sincerely, Barbara Titus" (Sales)

A message comes to us through a friend from August Krumrei, who retired last month: T1August Krumrei wishes to say 'thank youT to his former co-workers for the beautiful Christmas gift. He also wants to thank those who remembered him with a card or took time out to pay him a personal visit during his recent stay in Ann Arbor. He appreciated your thoughtfulness very much. Sincerely, F. Lindemann

Family Life In Germany

George Deojay, who is employed in the Argus plant in Germany, sends us this picture of nis wife and daughter. Daughter Susan Dorette was four months old at the time this picture was taken. George, if you remember f rom the October issue of Argus Eyes, handles the purchasing and some of the bookkeeping at the Germany plant. He is an American citizen who came to Europe with the army, attended a Germán college, and made his home in Germany. My family and I cannot find words to fully express our deep gratitude to the Argus people and their families who were so very generous recently when fire destroyed our home. Your kind words and generous contributions brought us through our misfortune with a deep feeling of appreciation for our wonde rf ui friends at Argus. We would like to thank all of you and to give special thanks to the thoughtful little girl who sent a dolí for our daughter Sherrie. Thank you very much, Sincerely,

Have A Cigar!

A girl, Kathleen Marie, was born December 5 to Ron Arnst, Paint Shop. Kathleen weighed in at 8 lbs. , 2 oz. Dorothy Lavin, Accounting, has a son Torn August, who was born December 19 weighing 9 lbs., 1 oz. Dorothy has two other sons, Michael, 7; and Mark, 5. The first addition to the Howard Schwichtenberg (Engineering) family was a girl, Deborah Ann. She was born December 26 weighing 5 lbs., 8 oz.

The little bundie pictured above is Marsha Kay Rowley, new daughter of Joel, Advertising. Marsha was born December 29 weighing 7 lbs. , 4 oz. and has a sister Cheryl, 9. John Kampas (Machine Shop) daughter Karen Sue was born January 14 and weighed in at 6 lbs. , 14 oz. Karen has a sister Vickie, 3-12.

Eileen Ann Doyle, daughter of Sue (formerly of Advertising) and Bill, Personnel, looks up from her comfortable spot on the bathinet. Lee was born January 22 and weighed in at 6 lbs., 13 oz.

Fishing Contest Results

The results of the Recreation Club's annual Fishing Contest were announced recently. The categories were divided into fish caught at Independence Lake and fish caught in local waters. Ethel Huffman, Paint Shop, received $10 for a 2 lb. , 15-12 inch bass and $10 for a 34 lb. , 10 inch bluegill, both caught at Independence Lake. Paul Haines' (Receiving) 12 lb. , 12 inch perch netted him a $10 Independence Lake prize. Local Waters winners of $10 prizes were as follows:

Sports Review

Only twelve weeks of bowling left. With the pressure the Hi-LoTs are applying, the top teams had better look out. This team is showing surprising strength with Fred Alchin setting the pace. The teams in first, second and third positions had better hang on tight. Fred has rolled the second highest series of the year, with games of 214, 202, 178-594. We have an addition to our Honor Roll, who is Eugene Kline with a 226. Standings so f ar this year:

High single team game (actual) - Argus Q.C. - 932 MenTs Afternoon Bowling League We have one member of this League who has rolled the highest single game this season. Nick Bandrofchak rolled a single game of 245. High single team game (actual) - Four Roses - 859 Standings so f ar this year:

Women's Bowling League I am happy to report that we have two new bowlers to add to the Women's Honor Roll. They are Inez Flint with 211, and Mary Briggs with 200. Standings so f ar this year:

ARGUS BOWLING HONOR ROLL

NOTE: THREE MONTHS UNTIL GOLF!

Ralph Fairchild, Machine Shop opened his own sport shop at Portage Lake on January 28th. Ralph's Sport Shop, located at 9280 McGreger Road at Portage Lake, car - ries all kinds of fishing tackle, line, bait, boats, and motors.

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' HARE, 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, Suggestion Office - ART PARKER, Jr. , Govt. Opt. Assembly - THRESSEL CONLEY, Sales - IRMA VARNER, State Street Warehouse - BOB MILLER, Paint Shop - RON ARNST, Night Shift - GEORGE NAVARRE and LEO WIEDERHOFT. Feature writers: Robert Lewis, Andy Argus, Don Crump Photoprinting: Jan Gala

Wil mot Gray 306 Maple Ridge Arm Arbor, Mich.

Freedom -- To Risk And Compete

Americans don't want any interference with their political freedom - or religious or educational freedom; freedom of speech and press. But sometimes, people f all for the line that economie freedom is "different" - that it would be better if government controlled such things as business size, production, profits, wages, andprices. This theory follows from the old socialist complaint that our free economie system is "laissez faire," meaning a do-as-you-please, anything goes, way of running the nation's business. However, economie freedom does not mean that business does as it pleases. Every form of freedom has its own natural laws and obligations. The laws of the free economy are hard - but they work.

In our American system, competition sets up the laws. The business man must compete for capital. . .for new ideas. . .better quality. . . lower costs. . . skilled employees ...above all, to win and hold the customer's choice. He must faithfully meet obligations to the public, to employees, to government, and investors. Economie freedom is the freedom to risk everything on an idea and get into the thick of competition, in the hope of building a profitable enterprise. By contrast, socialism discourages risk-taking, stops competition, and profits hardly anyone. American business does not do as it pleases; it does as the customer pleases - which is the hard way, but the best way for all of us, as employees and as consumers.