Front Page
Reviewing Argus Progress
As was announced last week, the stockholders of our Company have met and approved our joining
with Sylvania. Now all that remains to be done is the completion of the paper work with the state
and federal governments. This should be accomplished by January 2. After the first of the year our
Company will be known as ARGUS CAMERAS División of Sylvania Electric Products Inc. I was
asked the other day if Argus would not lose its identity in the larger Sylvania organization. I
guess this question sterns from the belief that the larger company might dominate the smaller. My
answer to this question was, "No, Argus will continue to opérate very much like a
separate company. " In fact, that is one of the great advantagep of being associated with
Sylvania. They offer us the stability and security of a larger firm but believe and practice the
philosophy of operating in smaller separate divisions. Argus will be one of these separate
divisions. We consider it very important to retain the Argus identity both with our plant and with
our products. Sylvania has a fine name in the fields in which it operates, which include the
photographic business. However, Argus is an extremely powerful name in the camera and
tor fields. As a result, you will notie e little change in our display material, our advertising,
or our shipping material, as it is our intention to continue to promote the Argus name. Speaking of
the Argus products, I wonder if we are all aware of how well our projector is doing this year. Those
working on the projector line must know, as they have been operating the line at an extremely high
production figure all this f all. The forecasts for the coming year also indicate continued high
projector sales. Many dealers have remarked that our projector is the finest and best selling
projector in the amateur market. This shows again that it pays off to follow the Argus policy of
giving the photographic buyer a real valué for his money. Along this same line, we continue
to receive congratulations on our C44 camera system. We are still in a back order stage with that
camera, as the demand has f ar exceeded the supply. It is planned to continue the relatively high
production for this model after the Christmas season so that we can relieve the back order situation
bef ore spring. The rest of our products are continuing to sell at a high rate. In fact, our October
commercial sales were the highest in the CompanyTs history. This certainly promises a banner
Christmas sales period this year.
Sub Plan In Full Swing
The Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Plan adopted by Argus a year ago became effective November
1. Under this Plan, eligible hourlyrated employees who are laid off through no fault of their own
may receive payments in addition to their weekly State unemployment Compensation checks. These
payments will be made f rom a Trust Fund to which the Company contributes 5? for each hour for which
each hourly-paid employee receives pay. Copies of the Plan and booklets explaining the Plan in
detail will be distributed to all hourly-rated employees in the near future. At the same time, these
employees will be given ballots for the purpose of electing six fellow employees to the Board of
Administration of the Plan (three members and three alternates).
Applications for benefits and SUB payments will be processed by Betty Bliss in the Personnel
Office. (See photo above.) She will be glad to answer your SUB questions. SUB is another fringe
benefit provided for its employees by Argus.
About The Cover
Loyal Crawford couldn't resist stopping at Argus on his way home from the North country to show
off the f ruits of his hunting labors. Johnny-on-the-spot Art Parker, Jr. snapped this photo of
Loyal and his pal forthis month's cover. The $25 Savings Bond Cover Contest Prize still stands and
the editors could use some more entries. Can't anyone use $25?
Sylvania Announces Further Expansion Plans
On November 13 Sylvania Electric and Corning Glass Works announced a proposal to form a
jointly-owned company for the purpose of expanding research, development, and production activities
in the atomic energy field. The announcement stated that the new organization, to be known as the
Sylvania-Corning Nuclear
poration, will be incorporated in the state of Delaware and that each company will own one-half
of the new company stock. It was further stated that MThis joint enterprise will represent an
extremely significant step in the continued development of the atomic energy industry and the advent
of a large-scale atomic power. "
Maintenance On The Move
Grumbling about the wife's furniture movíng ideas .'ill raise little, if any, syinpathy
from our maintenance department personnel because they must do it on a king-size scale, The recent
arrival oí a new 6,300 pound Blanchard glass grinding machine on our Plant I receiving doek
presented just another routine moving job to these experts. However, there were many bystanders
wondering just who was going to carry this three-ton piece of precisión machinery to its
permanent location in Plant II.
Ënlisting the aid of various special tools, the fork lift truck and a great deal of
know-how, these men made the job look easy. The Blanchard is one of two new pieces of equipment
recently added to our operation. The second machine is a rotary multiple spindle drilling machine
built here at Argus by our own technicians which will be put into operation in the Machine Shop
shortly. This represents a total investment of $18,000 by the Company and indicates in a small way
the cost of keeping our method and operations ahead of our competition.
Not For Sleepy Gardeners
If you' re a lover of unconventional plant life and you don 't mind getting up in the middle of
the night once a year, the Night Blooming Cerius is the plant for you. This unusual plant blooms
only once a year and only for a few hours. And those few hours happen to be around midnight.
Henry Wirszyllo, Raw Inspection, took the photo above of a Night Blooming Cerius which belongs to
a friend, Eugene Staebler. True to their word, the pale pink blossoms appeared around midnight and
lasted for several hours. Mr. Staebler has only to wait another year to see them again.
Employees Win $1,200 For Sept., Oct. Suggestions
Paul Higgins, Machine Shop, topped the list of September suggestion award winners with his award
of $265.28. Paul's suggestion resulted in the shortening of an operation on the C-44 focusing screw
part. An award of $69. 70 went to Lucille Harvey, Lens Cleaning, for her suggestion that the C-44
rear lens assembly doublets be cleaned with acetone only. A suggestion concerning a change in the
location of the stick stand on the centering machines resulted in a $46.97 award for Dorothy Wier,
Centering. Other September awards we re as follows: Hazel Egeler, Mechanical $16. 50; Lauren Lutz,
Paint $15; Frank Reger, Tool Room$10; and Norman Treadwell, Inspection-$10. Cecille FitzGeraldfs
(Final Inspection) suggestion award of $363.86 headed the October list. Cecille's suggestion was to
discontinue painting the screws and screw holes on the C-44 drive ring. (See photo in next
column.)
Ernie Billau, Polishing, was a two time winner for one suggestion. Last August Ernie received
$165.30 for suggesting that the speed of one of the polishing machines be reduced in pitch polishing
second side flint projector lenses. Last month it was discovered that this idea could also be used
in pitch polishing crown
lenses. Another phase of the suggestion included C-4, C-44, Super 75, and 300 projector lenses.
An additional award of $228.95 was made, which brings Ernie's total award for this suggestion up to
$394.25. A check for $95.64 went to John Burkhart, Tabulating, for suggesting the elimination of
listing and balancing the paid cash cards at the end of the month. A suggestion that hydraulic
tappers be used for two operations on the C-4 and C-44 film spool support blocks netted Amual
Bergey, Machine Shop, $33.81. An award of $23. 57 went to George Jordán, Optical Assembly for
suggesting thatan operation for preparation for degreasing on the C-3 lens assembly be eliminated.
Other October awards we re: Ed Sayer, Polishing-$15; Lida Hoeppe, $13; and Wilhio Kelly, Raw
Inspection-$12.50. During the months of September and October $1,219.78 was paid to employees for
suggestions.
Argusites Contribute $8,500 To United Fund
Argus employees met the challenge of this year's United Fund campaign with their usual fine
generosity. A total of $8,548 was contributed by employees to Ann Arbor and outlying areas' Funds.
The Company matched the total employee contribution, making the grand total $17,096. All employees
who gave a day's pay or more were eligible for the prizes of Argus products. At right Torn Spitier
holds the name slips high as Tony Bell, Maintenance, draws a winner. All winners are pictured
below.
Classified_ad
ÉPIan Now to Attend the New Year's Party ; Sponsored by the Recreation Club _ December 31
at the VFW
Classified_ad
Photo Coupon Name_ Dept. No. of Prints Black and white prints of any photos published in Argus
Eyes may be obtained by filling out the coupon at right and taking it to the Personnel Services
Office. One photo will be f ree of charge. There will be a charge of 7 cents for each additional
copy.
Sylvania, Argus Presidents Work Together On A.m.a.
Donald G. Mitchell, Chairman of the Board and President of Sylvania, has been elected Chairman of
the Board of the American Management Association. He also was elected Chairman of the Board of the
International Management Association, which is the A. M.A.'s international affiliate. This
announcement follows closely on the heels of the news that our own President, Robert Lewis, was
elected to the A. M.A. Board of Directors and will serve under chairman Mitchell. The American
Management Association is an organization that provides an interchange of management information
andexperiences for companies and executives interested in modern and efficiënt management
method for their own organizations. It is a non-profit organization whose sole interests are in the
practical solution of current business problems and the development of the science of
management.
All For Not
The alarm occurred due to a mecí hanic al failure in the automatic alarm system, somewhere
between Argus and the Fire Department. As a precautionary measure, all industrial alarms are
answered by a complete fire company, instead of just one truck. Those who had an opportunity to see
this rolling equipment noticed that all the units were of the latest and most effective type.
The recent false alarm answered by the Ann Arbor Fire Department gives comforting assurance that
our local tax dollars are well spent on this protection facility.
All the excitement provided an added attraction for a group of Manchester grade school pupils who
were tour ing the plant at the time.
A Sign Of The Times
The Fletcher-Mack Drug Comparry store, located on State Street in Arm Arbor, is sporting a new
overhanging sign which is of special interest to Argus. This electrically lighted sign, shown in the
photo above, very effectively announces the fact that Fletcher-Mack carries a complete line of Argus
products. Fletcher-Mack has a very large photographic department in their establishment which they
cali a store within a store. Photography and photographic supplies, as they point out, is their
business and is not a sideline. This indicates the need and the value of this new sign to
FletcherMack as a retailer and to Argus as a manufacturer.
Where Credit? Is Due
It seems fitting that someone has finally given recognition to the skill of complaining. The
credit for the idea goes to the Production Engineering group, who have pressed an old bowling trophy
into service as the form of recognition. The trophy is not necessarily presented to the Engineer
with the most problems, but rather to the individual who is verbally the most disturbed by his
problems. It remains in this person's possession until conditions become unbearable for someone
else, whereupon it is presented to that someone else. While the trophy is more fondly called by a
different and much shorter name, its proper title is "The Frustration, Indignation and Verbal
Sanitation Award. "
Children's Christmas Party
■ Saturday, December 15 P at the late hwÉ3 Michigan Theater
For Argus Children Ages 2 through 12 THIS YEAR FEATURING THE BONELLFS America's Most Tuneful
Family Doors Open at 9:45 A. M. Reservations are not necessary
Getting Things Done On Wheels--our Fleet And The Men Who Man It
It is doubtful that many of us have ever realized how important a part the trucking industry
plays in our everyday living. Nearly everything we eat, wear, or use has been carried by a
commercial vehicle at one time or another. Of no less importance to you and I is the role our
company trucks play in the daily operations at Argus. Under the watchful eyes of Ken Geiger, our
five trucks perform a multitude of services covering everything f rom the handling of small parts in
process to delivering the Advertising Department 's display properties to the location of the
National Photographic show. Generally, however, the trucks perform
ciñe daily tasks and are purchased to best suit these needs. Of the five trucks, our
smallest is a 34 ton Ford pick-up (ton designation indicates the load carrying capacity of the
trucks). The primary function of this small truck is fast delivery and pick-up of the many small
parts that are processed in one form or another by companies in the Detroit metropolitan area. It is
also used by the Guard Force when making security checks of the warehouses at night and on
week-ends. Next in size, and newest of our fleet, is the 1 and 12 ton Chevrolet which is our mail
truck. In addition to the tremendous volume of mail carried, this truck also handles a large number
of products repaired (Continued on next page)
Getting Things Done On Wheels--our Fleet And The Men Who Man It
and returned by our Service Department. Rounding out the fleet are three 2-ton trucks. The G.M.C,
is our duty material handling truck and is also a familiar sight at the Family Picnic, where it
serves all sorts of purposes including the "Toy Fish Pond. t! By next picnic time this truck
will be replaced with a brand new one. Hourly round trips between the State Street shipping
department and the Plant I central packing department consume the time of one of our big Chevrolets.
Every Argus product made at the plant is moved on this truck as well as every Argus product sold
through the employee store.
The remaining truck is used as a spare, and is pressed into service when any of the other trucks
are down for repairs. It is also frequently used for handling special tasks when the other units are
not available. Beyond the initial investment in purchase and periodic replacement of the trucks,
Argus spends approximately $4,000 annually for licenses, insurance, gas, oil and maintenance and
many thousands more for the drivers to man the trucks. Our drivers, of which there are f our regular
and three bys, are very proud of their safety record and rightfully so, since we have had no serious
accidents in almost half a million miles of driving.
TliEY DON'T BUILD' EM LIKE THEY USED TO
The handsome vehicle pictured above is a Reo Speedwagon built in the middle 1920fs. It belonged
to our predecessor, Precisión Products C om pan y (Arborphone Radio) and was fondly
chauffeured by the late Arthur Gerstier, Sr. (also in the picture), who was an employee of Argus
until the time of his death in 1952.
The Detroit Run
Twelve Celebrate November Anniveraries
Leave Argus
Wedding Bells
Betty Jane Williams, Lens Cleaning, and William C. Dusterhoft, forme r Argus employee now in the
Army, were wed November 10 in the Faith Lutheran Church in Ypsilanti. Mr. and Mrs. Rodney
Dusterhoft, b rot her and sister-in-law of the groom, were best man and matron of honor. Among the
guests at the wedding were Argus employees Cecile Lally and Irene and Jim Swaney. Official
photographer was Eddie Sayer, who took the photo of Betty Jane shown at right. Cooperation would
solve many problems. For instance, freckles would make a nice coat of tan if they'd just get
together.
Miss Nancy Arm Cannon of Ypsilanti was wed November 17 to Norman Cannis, son of Katherine Cannis,
Addressograph Clerk at Argus. The ceremony took place at the Faith Lutheran Church in Ypsilanti.
Thé couple honeymooned in Canada and are now living in Patuxent River, Maryland, where Norm
is stationed with the Navy. The boy who continúes to pull on the oars doesn't have much time
to rock the boat.
October 19 was the birth date of Joanne Melinda Ingling, son of Bob, Standards. Joanne weighed in
at 6 lbs., 12 oz. She has sisters Barbara, 4; and Laurie, 2. Dolores Bauer's (Accounting) son Larry
James was born November 20. He weighed 7 lbs., 14 oz. Bill Groves, Engineering, has a daughter,
Carol Louise, born November '22, weighing 6 lbs., 3 oz. Carol has an older sister Ann Elizabeth.
It Is Not Easy...
. . . to apologize, to begin over, to take advice, to admit error, to be unselfish, to be
charitable, to be considérate, to keep on trying, to profit by mistakes, to forgive and f
orget, to think and then act, to shoulder a deserved blame . . . BUTIt Always Pays!
25th Anniversary
Anna Royal's Silver Wedding Anniversary was the occasion for a celebration in Central Packing
this month. Many co-workers were on hand to offer congratulations and to present Anna with a lazy
Susan in honor of the occasion. Cake and coffee completed the festivities.
"careless Clem" Says
"Like roller skating? Here's a good way to start...use an office swivel chair to reach the
top of a high filing cabinet!"
A Short Course In Cost Accounting And Its Relationship To Job Security
(Following is paraphrase of an editorial written in 1945 by W. C. Carter, former president of
Link-Belt Company, Chicago, Illinois. What Mr. Carter said 11 years ago is still so applicable today
that it was reproduced recently in Link-Belt 's house magazine, "The Controller" and
appears now in "Argus Eyes.") I want you to imagine a cylindrical container like the one
at the left above. Down at the bottom is a layer of material. On top of this is a layer of labor.
Next is a layer of manufacturing departments' overheads (their correct share of power, heat, light,
taxes, repairs, insurance, replacement costs, store keeping, and all the other kinds of expenses
that cannot be charged directly to an order number). The height of these three layers is
manufacturing cost. On top of manufacturing cost comes a layer of selling and administrative
expense. The height now is selling cost. On the very top is the thinnest layer of the lot, the
profit layer. Our total height now is selling price. Now imagine, close by, another container like
the one at the right. Lying across the top of this vessel is a rifle, pointed directly at our
container. Behind it is our competitor with a touch trigger finger. His container has in it the same
kinds of costs as ours. He shoots at us loud and often. If our height is less than his, the shot
goes over and does no harm; but if a single one of our layers is thicker than it ought to be, and
our assembled height is above his level, his bullet lands in our target. Our first casual ty is the
thin layer of profit. Ha ving lost this if none of the lower layers is able to contract and get us
down below his elevation, our sales representative has lost an order and our competitor has
transferred the prize to his order book and goes off with it. How can we avoid this result? Remember
that every one of us is in one or another of these layers of cost. The cost of the buildings we work
in- the cost of our pay- the cost of all the material we use- the cost of equipment and tools used-
their repairs and eventual replacement, are all a part of the layers that make up the total height
of selling cost. If the selling cost is so high that we can't add a profit to it we soon go broke
and out of business- and job security has vanished. It is only by working intelligently- by
improving our products- by avoiding breakage and waste and extravagance- by working together as a
team- that we can win out over our competitor and secure the customerfs orders. Remember, always,
that it is the buyer of our products- the customer- and he alone, who makes our jobs and keeps them
going; but he isn't crazy in the head and he wonTt pay us more for what he wants, if he can get the
same valué for less money, f rom our competitor.
C-3 Survives Quarter Mile Fall
At least one Argus camera has taken to the air recently, so writes an Argus C-3 owner to our
Sales Service División. The letter carne from a member of the 139th Airborne Field Artillery
Battalion stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Paratrooper Kenneth Neustel explains that he had
nis Argus C-3 strapped over nis shoulder when he made a jump from an altitude of 1400 feet. At
somewhere around 1300 feet, our writer and his C-3 parted company, with the C-3 making the final
quarter mile to the ground unassisted by the parachute. Neustel describes it this way: "I had
your camera strapped over my shoulder with the camera itself in my armpit with the intention of
taking a few picture s after my 'chute opened. Upon leaving the door of the aircraft my body was
turned upside down by a poor body position on my part. When the parachute jerked me into a correct
position upon opening, it also jerked the strap of the camera case, breaking it. When I reached for
the C-3 to start taking pictures it wasn't under my arm. Looking down I watched it drop and then hit
our drop zone with a puff of dust. ..." To satisfy the curiosity of a fellow trooper, Neustel
made a search for the remains and was amazed to find the C-3 completely intact and apparently none
the worse for the wear. Further checking by a photo equipment repair shop indicated that all the
camera needed was a good cleaning to remove the sand picked up when it hit the ground. Since that
time, this same C-3 has logged eight more jumps of the normal variety and is functioning perfectly.
While the Company does not recommend this procedure for testing our products, it does indicate that
they are ruggedly built.
Sports Review
With about one-third of the season completed, the battle for first place is very close. With the
schedule made up the way it is this year, the scheduling of so many position nights, it should make
for a very close league. The top teams will be bowling each other more often, which should eliminate
the top teams f rom winning so many points. This type of schedule should make for a more interesting
league.
We have only one member to add to the Bowling Honor Roll this past month. The bowler to achieve
this honor is Ernie Billau with a 234 game. The person to bowl the highest three game series this
month was Chuck McClune with games of 224-157-220 for 601. Chuck is the Bowler of the Month for this
issue of Argus Eyes. The Thirsty Five team took high honors for the team events. They had games of
879-853-943 for a total of 2675, which is good for the highest team series and highest single game
of the season so f ar. The Pin Poppers still retain their lead by one point. Although they do not
boast one of the highest team averages, they get the pins when they need them. This team is one nf
the liveliest teams in the leaeue.
and can be heard from one end of the alley to the other. Close on the heels of the front running
Pin Poppers are the Thirsty Five. This team sports the highest team average in the league with an
849. In third place are the Liters with only two points out of first. There are two teams tied for
fourth, the Atomic Five captained by George Calado; and Argus Q. C. , captained by Chuck McClune.
Standines so far this season:
High three game series - Jim Fraser - 616 (actual) NIGHT SHIFT BOWLING Standines so far this
season:
If the night shift secretary will turn in the high game, series, or any highlights of the league,
I will be glad to see that they are published in this column.
WOMEN'S BOWLING LEAGUE Standings so far this season: Won Lost 1. Shutter Bugs 29 15 2. Snap Shots
25 18 3. Lucky Strikes 23 21 4. Keyliners 21 23 5. C-4's and Flash ... 17 27 6. Argusettes 16 27
High single game: Mar y Jane Rutledge - 194 High three games: June Os borne - 513 High team game:
Shutter Bugs - 741 High team series: Shutter Bugs - 2051 (All scores based on actual pin f all.
)
Tony And His Wife Bring Home The Bacon
Tony Bell, Maintenance, and his wife bagged these deer at Kalkaska, Michigan. Looks like Argus
deer hunters had a pretty good season this year. See next month!s issue of Argus Eyes for more deer
season success stories.
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 - BETTY
FORSYTH, 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 - BONNIE
GRIFFITH, State Street Warehouse - LIZ CLAPHAM, Paint Shop - RON ARNST, Night Shift - ART SELENT and
LEO WIEDERHOFT. Feature writers: Robert Lewis, Andy Argus, Don Crump, Art Parker, Jr. Photoprinting:
Jan Gala
Argus Cameras, Inc.
ANN ARBOR. MICHIGAN Return Postage Guaranteed
Sc 56t, P. L. R. U. S. POSTAGE P A I D Ann AiW, Michifftii PfmH No. 59f
Federal Help Or 'do-it-ourselves'?
Yesterday they may not have been able to teil a drill chuck f rom a screwdriver, but today
millions of Americans are making or repairing everything their home tools will handle. While it may
appear to be a new development, the "do-it-yourself" idea is not really new in this
country. It is deeply rooted. nDo-it-yourself " is simply another outlet for the same kinds of
traits that enabled the pioneers to build a new nation out of an unknown wilderness: self-reliance.
. . resourcefulness. OÓ.Z.15P
In some ways, the ndo-it-yourselfM spirit has been smothered by "let government do it. M
There has been a trend toward looking to Washington for whatever we needed. WeTve turned to federal
government for all sorts of economie help; for aid in our local community needs. When we invite
Washington to take over our responsibilities, we invite it to take control, too. The
"doit-yourselfM spirit is still very much alive in America. But we need to put it to work in
our own public and community affairs.