argus eyesVolume 7, No. 4 ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN September, 1949

ARGUS WORKMANSHIPPRAISED BY SUPPLIER

REVERE BRASS AND COPPERFEATURES STORY ABOUT ARGUS

The "Argus Story" is one which is of con-stant interest to all of us because of our dailypartnership in Argus production and sales.But, when our story is spread over fourmagazine pages by a leading industrial firm,that becomes a real mark of distinction, and apat on the back which we can all share.

The July issue of Revere Patriot, employeemagazine of Revere Copper and Brass In-corporated featured a complete story onArgus products, production methods, andreputation for leadership in the photo field.The cover of the magazine carried a largeview of the Argoflex "75," cleverly tied inwith one of Sam Schneider's "Argus Girl"photos.

Thousands of Revere employees in millsand offices throughout the country learnedfrom the article of the many ways in whichtheir metal products are used in the cameraswe produce. They also were given a quicktour of the Argus plants through photos ofour assembly lines, machine shop, paint shopand lens centering operations.

This is only one of many articles aboutArgus which are published from time to time

If you've ever wondered what other people,and other manufacturing firms think of yourCompany, take a few minutes to read thecomplete Revere Patriot article now on dis-play in the center hall of Plant I.

This is only one of many articles aboutArgus which are published from time to time

BAUER FAMILY

BUSINESS-PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

When the national economic conditionstook a downward trend in the late fall of1948, Argus felt the slump immediately. Al-though always subject to some seasonal fluc-tuation, Argus' previous experience hadfound November and December good monthsdue to the Christmas trade. But in these

i months of 1948, retail sales were off all overthe country; business was slow, dealers hadoverstocked shelves and the manufacturerswere forced with a large inventory and nosales. Added to that, the Argus Minneapolisinvestment was proving a loss.

It was necessary to cut production some inlate October and November, more drasticallyin December. Sales became worse. Januaryand February of 1949 were very bad months,necessitating cutbacks to a minimum produc-tion force, essential maintenance and plan-ning. Bank payment was overdue. Our in-ventory was high and unbalanced. It had tobe turned into money.

The national economy continued down-ward and national unemployment gained,manufacturing industries were still facedwith big inventories and lack of sales. Whilethese inventories were being liquidated, pro-duction was almost at a standstill.

Strangely enough, while the national eco-nomic trend continued downward, Argussales began to pick up. March of 1949 show-ed some increase, April a substantial increase,the following months showed continued andsteady sales. During this time, the inventorywas substantially reduced and a more bal-anced inventory established; the Minneapolisplants were sold, the overdue bank obligationwas partially paid, and a loan is now beingnegotiated with the Reconstruction FinanceCorporation to provide working capital.When this loan has been made, the detailswill be published in a future issue of ARGUSEYES.

As of this date, sales are holding up, ourpurchasing commitments have substantiallyincreased, our dealers have used up their in-ventories and are understocked. The com-pany is operating at a profit, and barring amajor strike in one of the basic industrieswhich would definitely affect the immediateprogress of this company, there is everyprobability of a continuing productive andmore stable future.

Helen, Charles, Richard, and Jimmy are thechildren of Herman Bauer, Salvage Depart-ment.

in various company or trade magazines. Inthis way your efforts to maintain top qual-ity workmanship are gaining recognitionthroughout the Industrial world.

ENGINEERINGIt is time to tear the inventory ticket off the

chair you sit on and get back to work. Vaca-tion was certainly swell, but all too short. Itwill be tough waiting fifty weeks until thenext vacation, but buck up, things could beworse.

Chevrolet is getting a lot of business fromArgus employees. Curt Adams and Jan Van-denBroek both have the suburban carry-allmodel. It is really sturdy and has a nice ap-pearance, but the adaptability for haulinggoods or carrying several passengers is thebest feature.

Advice to the precautionists: If therearen't any chairs around, don't sit on top ofthe waste basket. Just ask Larry Jones if youwant to know why—he'll tell you.

Argus has many new video fans. LeonardThomas and Jim Meldrum are two more whowill enjoy the long winter evenings viewingthe television screen.

Glad to see that Joe Dianetti has com-pletely recovered from his recent operation.

LES APPOINTED CAPTAINLeslie Schwanbeck, manager of our tabulat-

ing department, was recently appointed cap-tain of a team of the National Associationof Cost Accountants.

Mr. and Mrs. George Bock, Jr.

Ruth Laughlin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.Paul Laughlin of Ann Arbor, and GeorgeBock, Jr, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Bock,also of Ann Arbor, exchanged weddingvows Saturday evening, July 30, at theZion Lutheran Church.

Page Two A R G U S E Y E S September, 1949

AROU§ t I f *Argus Eyes is published for the employees

of Argus, Incorporated and their families.It is intended to be a means of friendly

communication between them, and to providea reliable source of information concerningthe company's business.

Beverly Bullis of the Personnel departmentmakes sure that news is gathered and thatpictures are obtained and arranged in read-able fashion for publication about the 10th ofeach month.

Sam Schneider of the Photographic Depart-ment furnishes pictures*.

Charles A. Barker, "Jimmy" to all, is Art Di-rector and Art Consultant. The profiles aredone by Harry Rookes.

Reporters for this month's Argus Eyes were:Mary Devine, Jim Meldrum, Ed Drutchas, Eliz-abeth Robinson, George Kennedy, BonnieGriffith, Nina Fahrner, and Ethel Huffman.

POLISHED PROSEAlthough we are suffering from exposure,

lack of sleep, improper diet, and mosquitobites, everyone, tho' admitting they are wornto a frazzle, had a grand time during vaca-tion.

Eddie Dow took a little jaunt to Paris,Illinois to visit relatives and friends, and alsotook in a night ball game in St. Louis. Hesays his vacation put him in excellent shapefor playing cribbage. Ed and Connie Ganz-horn have been giving Redhead and Rosssome stiff competition every noon.

Ted Tirb and Humpy Allmendinger spenttheir vacation, as usual, at Ted's cottage atIsland Lake. They say they had plenty offish to eat, and did their share of loafing.Speaking of loafing—Mel Bahnmiller andErnie Billau were at the cottage for a day,and believe me, those two really know howit is done.

Ray Taylor and his family visited his home,friends and relatives in Buffalo, New York.

At a recent Haddix and Son talent show,a contest open to four counties, our boyKinnie Whitaker, and his sister, Karen, wonfirst prize. Kinnie played the banjo, and hissister played a guitar, while both sang. Nicegoing, Kinnie.

John Rumsey toured the PennsylvaniaMountains in his new Plymouth. He stoppedto visit relatives in Philadelphia.

While Paul McCoy was in Cruthersville,Missouri, visiting his family, he caught a 38pound blue-channel catfish. The largest evercaught weighed 40 pounds, so you can see hehad a prize winning catch.

Bob McFarland and family motored toDuluth, Minnesota, where they visited rela-tives.

Chicago's' night spots attracted Bob Whit-more and his wife for a few days—Bob re-turned with a stiff neck.

Familyman, Brice Bennett enjoyed thequiet comforts of home and a couple ofbaseball games in Detroit. After all that rest,Brice should be in perfect condition.

Howard Schwichtenberg (Spitz), and wife

CAMERA CLIQUESSo far,so good—no fatalities, no accidents

or serious illnesses to mar the vacation newson third floor this year. That is, with theexception of Marion Quackenbush who nowowns a smashed car. The mishap occurrednear Marquette at the beginning of her trip,and though it prevented completion of hertrip, she is happy she wasn't injured in anyway.

Irene McCowan, her son, Jerry, and Flor-ence Basler went to Tennessee and Missouri.They didn't bring back a drawl but—-oh,those southern fried fritters n' stuff.

Harvey Bennett is not sure of the Canadianwomen and he didn't stay long enough toreally get to know them. He cut his journeyin Canada short and went home to Illinois sohe could bring his mother to Ann Arbor. Hecertainly gets around doesn't he?

Ila Sutfin and her daughter, Oneeda, tooka boat trip from Chicago to Benton Harbor.The going was pretty rough for awhile. Thewater was so choppy that most all the pas-sengers were seasick during the entire trip.All ended well though. They went to arodeo after their return home which made upfor previous vacation discomforts.

Instead of dashing all over the countryside like most of us, Frieda Wackenhut toreher house apart and redecorated. Huntingfor wallpaper and mixing paint was a bittiring, but she is further ahead than the restof us.

Our boy Willie, when asked what he did,just grinned and said, '"nothin!" He didtell us later that he was quite perturbed withhis wife and kiddies when they made himmove from under the tree so they could mowthe lawn.

Sid Spannuth is so crazy about the westcoast that she took her family there this year.Last year she and several other women tookthe trip with more enjoyment in mind andless deliberation.

went to Kentucky to visit their parents. Theyalso saw Cumberland Falls.

Autrain, Michigan must be a wonderfulplace because George and Helen Kennedyhad to go back there again this year. Al-though George's brother has a cabin there,they spent most of their time in a boat.

Bill Fischer left Argus recently to furtherhis education in radio and television. Bill,who came from Buffalo, started working atArgus in 1941. It was here he met HelenVan Eyck, now his wife. In 1944 he was in-ducted into the Army and was shipped toEurope. After his discharge in 1946, he re-turned to Argus, and also began to studyradio and television at night school. Thejob and schooling together left little time foranything else. With only six months moreto complete his studies, he decided to quitwork and devote all his time to school. Whenhe finishes, he will move his family to theirnew home in Grand Rapids, where he willhave a business of his own. We will all missyou Bill—the best of luck.

/Irqus Profilesby H. J. R.

Harding, Warren Simmonds

Foreman of the paint shop, born in AnnArbor, January 25, 1904, and has been withArgus over 15 years, having previously work-ed in the cabinet making and furniture repairbusiness. Has been married twenty one years,lives at 110 Crest and has two boys 14 and19 years old, and one girl 12 years old.Obvious hobbies are hunting and fishing,and plans to make this a full time businesswhen he retires. Was a corporal in the in-fantry during 1919-20, and was stationed inArkansas and Washington. Coached andmanaged the Argus Basketball team duringthe last war and got all the way to the semi-finals of the State Industrial League.

ARGUS REMBRANDTSWhen Esther Haworth returned from a

visit by plane to Milwaukee "to see her par-ents, she was happy to find that her husbandwas to be released from the hospital. He hadbeen in the hospital for some time as a resultof an automobile accident, but he is nowable to be up and about with the aid ofcrutches.

Harold Peterson and his family spent theirtwo weeks at a cottage on Half Moon Lake.

Some of our people thought vacation anopportune time to visit parents. Don andPeggy Crump went to Iowa; Ida and WalterHubbard to Illinois; Jim Barth and familyto Wisconsin; and Hazel Pedigo to theOzark Mountains. Hazel said she found herfather's health had improved.

Herbert Roberts went to the straits for afew days.

Dutch Englehardt said he went fishing hereand there and that the fish he caught weren'tworth talking about. Knowing Dutch like

September, 1949 A R G U S E Y E S Page Three

we do—we figure those fish must have beenmighty small.

If a lot of excitement was what you werecraving, you should have attended the Amer-ican Legion convention with Cecille Fitzger-ald and her husband. It took Cecille a wholeweek at Portage Lake to re-cuperate.

Robert Allan and family were at BentonHarbor for a week. They enjoyed lots ofswimming and fishing.

Edna and Steve also went to a. cottage.They were at Indian Lake.

Ambitious Laura Snearly helped paint herhouse. Then she went to Detroit and losther vacation money on the races, oh well,payday isn't too far away.

Leona Smith has been on the sick list, butshe hopes to be back with us in another week.

The stay at home gals this year were:Marie, Dorothy, Erna, Delia, and Luella.

After a trip by boat, Clara Dickinson wentto Battle Creek to get acquainted with hernew grandson.

Rube says he stayed home to play nurse-maid for his wife, Laura, who is ill.

Did any of you see the bass that Si proudlybrought in one day? It weighed Ay2 pounds.That should be good for a prize—or elsedinner.

The very latest—George Helek was pass-ing out cigars and candy a few days ago.Yep, a brand new baby girl.

OPTICAL ILLUSIONSVacations are over, and tho' we had lots

of fun visiting many states, we came backtired as ever.

Northern Michigan was the vacation spotfor Dick Dorow, Bessie Green, and KayStotts.

Eva Baker and Edith went to Arkansas,while Kentucky claimed Thressell Conley andDorothy Warren.

Virginia Busch and her hubby took a boatcruise to Buffalo—second honeymoon??

Johnny Barnes and family went to Roches-ter, New York. He said they had a wonder-ful trip, especially the traveling. What's thestory of the Man in Blue who stopped youJohn?

Esther Woelper and family spent theirvacation at Whitmore Lake. Had a swelltime even if it was a little cooool!

Pauline Johnson and hubby visited herparents in Missouri. They even broughtMom and Dad back to Ann Arbor with them.Hope they like it here in Michigan.

Helen Snyder and family went to Minne-sota for two weeks. Roily said it rainedeveryday, but he sure enjoyed traveling inthat new car.

Shirley Taylor went to Meadyille, Penn-sylvania.

Barbara and Betty will be leaving Septem-ber 15 for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.Their husbands are going along, so theywon't be foot loose and fancy free.

No news was available from the othergals so guess Edna B., Bessie G, Mary, Ann,Ruth, Gert, Dorothy, Alice, Helene, and Jen-nie just took it easy—let's hope so anyway.

SERVICE SCOOPSOnce again vacation time has come and, at

this writing, has just about come to a con-clusion. According to our survey, there hasbeen more diversified vacationing for ourservice department members than ever before.Brief two week motor trips to all parts ofthe country seemed to be very much thevogue.

Jim Rohrbaugh, wife, and offspring, JimJr., hit the season right by choosing the hot-test week of the year to cool off in LakeOrion. They were fortunate enough to rent alovely lake front cottage. Their second weekthey motored around the thumb area. Theystopped in Caseville to relax a few days, andto celebrate Butch, Jr's. birthday—his second,no less.

Oh yes, Pauline Murphy and Don (herbrand new husband) took off in a shiny autofor a honeymoon trip to Washington, D.C.They also drove on the Skyline Drive in Vir-ginia.

Gloria Bourdelais spent a week up northvisiting her family. While there she attendeda double ring ceremony uniting in marriageher younger sister, Bernita Gerard.

Speaking of the north, Bob Smith andfamily enjoyed visiting relatives this year inIron Mountain, Michigan, and Fort Atkinson,Wisconsin. The family buggy got stubbornon the return trip and Bob was forced to dosome general overhauling, which apparentlywas successful because" they got home okay.

Bud Farrell and wife drove m their spank-ing new "49" Ford to Houghton Lake wherethey spent most of their time fishing for thebig ones.

Lida Hackbarth, the girl with the tan, anda girl friend, enjoyed swimming in the Mack-inac Island pool that Esther Williams madefamous. They stayed at the Grand Hotel,did some successful perch fishing, and youwouldn't believe it, but she now considersherself a master of the surf board.

Cecil Lewis, voted best fisherman in ourtribe is now trying his superb skill at Hub-bard Lake. Although he claims never tohave fished this pond before—we know hewill have a good catch (or story) when hecomes back.

Frances Riggs had an ideal vacation shevisited her sister in Battle Creek. She saidshe enjoyed the different atmosphere.

Merriem Merrell is taking one of thoseextended vacations to await the arrival of asmall addition to the family. Martha Adams,better known as "Pat" is taking Merriem'splace as dictaphone operator. Pat commutesto and from Ypsilanti each day. Her hus-band is a senior at Ypsilanti Normal College,where he is majoring in athletics.

It must be that Ada Karr's heart beats forher old hometown, for she plans to stayright here in Ann Arbor the two weeks she isoff. Evidently, she is holding to her theorythat summer is delightful right here at home.

Lester Michael and Tom Kentes do notbelieve in short jaunts; they are leaving short-ly for Denver and St. Louis respectively.Both are visiting relatives, and being photo-

SALES SLIPSAfter twisting several arms and pulling

teeth, your roving reporters compiled the fol-lowing facts about vacation time in the SalesOffice.

It seems that Grace Schwind Neumier tookher vacation at a convenient time—to go withher husband, Danny, on a honeymoon atPinehurst, Indian River. She declined toelaborate on the subject.

Irene Schneider spent one week of hervacation finding out the facts of being aGrandmother. The other week she took inthe races, golfing, dancing and several dinnerengagements. Oh, by the way, she wasn'talone!

Georgie Drevdahl spent a wonderful vaca-tion at Crystal Lake with all the conveniencesof home. From what we gather the bell-boywas more than glad to be of assistance.

Barbara Galpin spent a perfect vacation,doing what everyone dreams of doing, justplain loafing.

Sault Ste. Marie was the vacation spot forPat Yek. Even though the weather was poor,she had a swell time. Do you suppose thatthe foresters had anything to do with it?Could Be.

Carolyn Dancer went to Copper Harborand also Sault Ste. Marie for her two weeks.She really enjoyed herself, doing nothing butliving.

Jerry Hepner will know from now on whatparking tickets look like, and we don't thinkshe'll put any more pennies in five-centmeters. This little escapade took place at PortHuron where she attended the State AmateurGolf Tournament.

Lee Feldhiser went home to the roaringmetropolis of Roger City, Michigan, for hertwo weeks.

Dick Cutting and daughter, Nancy, tookan extended vacation through 11 of the 48states, stopping principally at New York,Cape Cod, Vermont, and Connecticut. Whilein New York, Mr. O. W. Ray obtainedtickets for them to see "Kiss Me Kate" and11 Mr. Roberts." They had wonderful seats—three rows from the front. On the way homethey came by boat from Buffalo.

Bill Armstrong, otherwise known as"Mother Armstrong" went to Indian River,Michigan. He claims he caught a rock bass,only this fish story differs from the usual.It was too small. During the second weekhis wife became ill and he dolled up in anapron and acquired his name of "Mother."

graphic bugs, they are planning a picture re-cording of everything of interest they maymeet on the way.

Bob Lucas is really what you call photo-graphically equipped for his journey to Col-orado. He will be taking his C-3, Argon1 ex,and an 8mm movie camera. He will beshooting color only—so he tells us. Goodluck Bob—we hope you get the picture of theyear.

Page Four ARGUS EYES September, 1949

BEAUTIES AT THE BEACH

.,̂

Making a pretty picture is Edna Kappler,above, sunning herself at Rehoboth Beach,Delaware.

[la Sutfin. and her daughter, Oneda.age 11,above, are relaxing at Silver Beach, St. Jo-seph, Michigan

SPORTSHIGHLIGHTS

LADIES' BOWLING LEAGUEThe fall meeting of the Argus Ladies'

Bowling League was held August 18, at theTwentieth Century Bowling Alley, withabout forty members present.

Vice President, Juanita Boyd, presided, dueto the illness of Laura Egeler, president.

Illness of Laura Egeler and E. Burd neces-sitated election of two officers. Juanita Boydwas elected president, Rhea McLaughlin, vicepresident, and Doris Robbins, secretary.

Plant I and Plant II girls consolidatedtheir teams in one league this year.

The twelve teams will begin their seasonSeptember 7. Dead line for team line-upsand captains will be August 30.

ANOTHER PRIZE TOMATOWalter Smith produced prize

again this year. He brought intipped the scales at 14 ounces.

tomatoesone that

nnnset5a.ti.e5

Melvin BahnmillerGlass Salvage

10 years

Mary WilsonFinal Inspection

5 years

August KrumreiPaint Shop

5 years

Robert AllanPaint Shop

5 years

Henry SmithMachine Shop

5 years

James KaneMachine Shop

5 years

Vincent SwickerathMachine Shop

10 years

Edward HillerMachine Shop

5 years

Maurice HoweMachine Shop

10 years

Bill ParadiseMachine Shop

5 years

Rolland SnyderMech. Maintenance

10 years

LeVersa KinneyGeneral Accounting

5 years

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