April, 1937
AUTOMATIC AGE
13
C O O P E R A T I O N . . . the Key to
Stabilizing the Coin Machine Industry
B y
H E Coin Machine Industry to
day is in a position comparable
to the long distance runner in
a gruelling race, who is just recover
ing his “second wind,” preparatory to
the concentration of all of his re
sources for the final effort and spurt
which will carry him to the goal
ahead of all competition. The runner
is pressed by many rivals who are
seeking to defeat him, in a game con
ducted according to a code of rules,
with only himself and his own natural
ability and fortitude to carry him on
to victory.
The coin industry is now recover
ing its “second wind” for the final
spurt in the race, which will carry
it on to victory and recognition, a
prize for which it has striven so
valiantly. To attain that victory and
the plaudits and recognition for which
it has carried on, it will need the
combined efforts of all the people
now associated with the industry, to
get behind it, grit their teeth and
work together. No one faction or
group of men or women can make this
possible. W hat it needs is — CO
OPE RA T IO N . Each and every one
of us has to assume our part in the
race and carry on collectively,
together.
T
We Must Take Inventory
It is necessary for each and every
one of us to ask ourselves very frank
ly, just how much effort and con
centration we have given to the
stabilizing of our industry and its
proper maintenance and recognition
in the eyes of the business world.
Have we permitted our own mer
cenary efforts to outstrip our efforts
on behalf of the entire industry, or
have we given of ourselves unstinting
ly to establishing the coin machine
industry on a sound basis, in order
that it might secure its proper recog
nition and place, which the efforts of
so many thousand of its personnel
merit?
A r th u r
W . L u c h s
No matter what we believe, or what
part we play in our various positions,
the success of each and every one
of us is dependent upon the success
and well being of our many thousands
of associates. It is not the operator,
jobber, distributor, or manufacturer,
who can accomplish this alone. It
takes the cooperation of each and
every one of us to secure, and main
tain for the entire industry, its proper
place in the business and industrial
world. It may be summed up rather
tritely in a statement, smacking
somewhat of our school day algebra,
by saying that the coin machine in
dustry is the sum total of all of its
parts, including personnel, machines,
equipment and finances, but is greater
than any one of its parts. Without a
combined sum of all the component
parts working together cooperatively,
there will be many losses and set
backs, which will be a detriment to
it in attaining the recognition, for
which it has been so earnestly seeking.
Cooperation Requires Effort
Because the cooperation of all will
be required in the establishing and
stabilizing of the industry, and co
operation will require effort, many will
be inclined to shirk their burden of
work and effort, expecting that some
other person will go ahead and do their
part for them. That is always a possi
bility where the human element is con
cerned; somebody or other will shirk
their part and “lay down.” They want
to be included in on the rewards
which may accrue, but they do not
want to add their efforts to the
struggle which will attain those
rewards.
From the manufacturer to the oper
ator, everybody associated with the
industry has a definite responsibility
to the other fellow who is helping to
“carry on.” It is no longer the fight
of any one faction, for as one benefits
or suffers, we all benefit or suffer. No
© International Arcade Museum
matter how inconsequential we rate
ourselves, there is still work for us
to do in assisting the industry, which
is giving us and so many thousands
of others like us, our living, to main
tain itself in the face of all the adverse
legislation and unfair propaganda
which is continually being levelled at
it from some sources.
Associations Are Big Factors
Many operators and distributors in
various sections and states have taken
their responsibility seriously and have
taken steps to organize, or are plan
ning to do so in the very near future.
That is one forward step now being
taken, which will assist the industry
tremendously at the present time. The
local associations especially, are favor
ably situated in regard to arresting
unfair legislation and propaganda, be
fore it can become permanently estab
lished and unfairly injure the industry.
They have their finger on the local
pulse, so to speak, and can diagnose
the symptoms of these two evils, so
that they might be combated and the
true facts presented, before injury is
done. The members of an association
also take it upon themselves, much
more seriously, probably, than a non
member, to fight unfair legislation
and propaganda and nip it in the
bud, by keeping the true facts of their
work and efforts before the general
public. They are in a position to
squelch the publicity seeking politician
who spouts forth various and sundry
adjectives against the coin machine
industry, whenever he thinks it is
necessary to “save his face.”
To have good associations, we must
have cooperation. When all of us
wake up to the possibilities which we
can attain through the cooperation
of good, sound associations, then and
only then, will we be building the
solid base upon which the coin ma
chine industry will be stabilized in
the face of all the hardships and
adversity confronting it.
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