LOOKING FORWARD
By F R A N K C. P E T R I N E , P resident a n d P u b lis h e r
AUTOMATIC
pictures f-^ortrciij industry
The Chinese philosophers have furnished many
popular quotations, truths unchanged by time.
One is, “ A picture tells more than 10,000 words.”
Automatic Age prints more pictures of the coin
machine industry products than any other publi
cation. Why? Because pictures bring the ma
chines to life.
Seeing the machine from the printed page, the
reader gets a new slant on the product, seeing it
as others see it. The setting in the picture sug
gests use in similar settings. And, of great im
portance, is the fact that these installations por
tray the industry amid swank and class in
outstanding hotels, restaurants, and clubs.
Ibusiness Situation at a Cjdance
Building: Awards in first three weeks of April
maintain 27% gain over corresponding period last
year. Machine Tool Output: Latest figures reveal
98% increase over a year earlier with backlogs
still mounting. Furniture Sales: Running about
20% above a year ago. Cotton Goods: Mills are
booked 5 to 6 months ahead. R. R. Equipment:
Over 42,000 new freight cars on order against
21,000 at this time last year.
Summary and Forecast: Production this month
is expected to regain the record March levels,
with a push into new high ground forecast for
July. Armament output is nearing the mass pro
duction stage, and it is clear that government
outlays will surpass even the most liberal earlier
estimates. Business in coming months will begin
to feel the full impact of defense spending, and
the expected curtailment in consumer lines is un
likely to reach major proportions before the early
part of next year.
*Wjora(e —
muSement Sustains
W e’ll be reading and hearing a lot about the
morale of the boys in uniform. In this issue is
a spirited editorial reprinted from one of the big
newspapers on the subject, “ Boredom is An
Enemy of Defense.” Another an excellent article
is by one of our industry’s leaders, J. E. Broyles,
which presents “ The Value of Music to the Na
tion in Carrying Out Its Defense Program.”
6
Most every day we find newspapers reporting
the fine morale of the young men in Uncle Sam’s
army and navy homes. We also read about the
activities being planned to extend in every way
possible the facilities to keep morale at a high
level. Everything possible should be done, and
will be done, to promote the happiness of the boys
away from home in the service of America.
Civilian morale is important, too. The old
adage, “ All work and no play makes Jack a dull
boy” applies particularly in these times when
nerves are taut with emotional stress.
Relaxation is necessary. Amusement is a
nerve tonic. Both of these elements sustain mor
ale. The ingenuity of coin machine products offer
both — economically, conveniently, and with a
minimum of interference with the man-power or
materials needed in defense production.
ej£)ignitij is ~3ncliSpenSable to Cjood 'lAJifP
“ He’s a nice fellow, but— .” Chances are the
“ but” means the person lacks something—that
something, or character, which enables one to
meet all kinds of situations in a straight-forward,
irreproachable manner.
Dignity is indispensable to an industry, to gain
good will within the industry and from the out
side. Dignified conduct is the beacon light that
guides industry to good will. To uphold and
brighten this beacon light is the duty of manufac
turers, distributors, operators, and of the trade
press as well.
A few in the industry appear to like being
kidded (not by expert kidders, at that!) with
tales of this and that.
But I know that this industry has a big major
ity of hard-working, square-dealing, efficient, and
reliable workers. They are striving to hold their
place in the sun— even as you and I. So I’ll wind
up this whimsy bit with a little note from a
reader:
•
#
“ Dear Frank: Congratulations. Automatic
Age, under your management, will signify integ
rity. Success and nothing less. Your friend,
Lyman Vernon.”
There’s a lot of these fellows— upright, cour
ageous, humanly kind. It’s a pleasure for me to
work with and for them.
AUTOMATIC AGE
© International Arcade Museum
AGE
J u n e , 19 4 1
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