The Moving Picture World (1907)

36 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD. EDITORIAL. Massachusetts and the Cinemato* graph or Moving Picture Machines. An Operators' League, or School of Instruction. Our Correspondent "G" is very enthusiastic about the suggested League of Operators, where they may learn the rudiments, or advance themselves in the use of tech- nical knowledge of projection. We gather from his letters, in our issues Nos. I and 2, and the present issue, that his suggestions are not to form an union or to antagonize any existing or pending unions of electrical workers, but rather to enlarge-their sphere, by forming a class or classes, under a competent instructor, who will coach them fully in all the require- ments'of the' use of a moving picture machine and its appurtenances. Several correspondents have expressed themselves in full accord with this idea, and their will- ingness' to form such a league. ■ Our position in the matter is at present neutral; it is for the profession to say if they need such a scheme brought ,to perfection, and if a sufficient number step forward to make it a success, we will do our utmost to give it the required publicity, and once it becomes an accomplished fact, other cities or centers will be ready to fall in line and do likewise, and a growing industry filled with capable men fully equipped for any emer- gency that may arise in the course of their career. . We would point to the Polytechnic of London, where successful pupils are being turned out with full knowl- edge of all requirements necessary to make success in taking, developing, printing, and projecting of films, thus making a man doubly competent, and there is no reason why New York should not have the same facilities, and when the unions about to start are at work they might amalgamate to advance this idea. We have done our part and are willing to do more when the time is ripe and the scheme matures. It is now up to the operator. Edison vs. Olograph. We have received a large number of enquiries for our opinion on the recent decision in the Courts of Appeal, re Edison vs. Biograph, asking us to define the position of the manufacturers of films^ and the effect it will have upon the profession at large in relation to imported films. We must ask our readers' patience for a short time until we gain reliable information, but may say this, that as the decision now reads, only Edison and Biograph companies can make films in the United States. - This is made manifest by the fact that one of the large manufacturers has already put negotiations in operation for removal of their studio to Canada, and to the present extent of our information, imported films do not come within the scope of the decision. The Legislature of 1905 enacted a law restricting the use of moving picture machines. Said law is contained in Chapter 176, Acts of 1905, and Chapter 437, Acts of 1905. The wisdom of this law has been demonstrated by the fact that but one accident has occurred during the year, and that not serious. A man brought into this State a machine which was not approved by this depart- ment, and which he had no permit to operate. His ma- chine was so arranged that the film was allowed to escape upon the floor, and his rheostat, not being protected as the rules of this department provide for, being upset, caused a short circuit, thereby burning the film and caus- ing something of a panic The party operating the ma- chine is how a fugitive from justice, there being a war- rant issued for his arrest Following are copies of the law, with the rules and <^ No. 1. Approved Motion Picture Machine, showing guard Tail and manner of fastening machine to floor. "v The film passes through a tube, provided with a tongue, into an iron box and is considered the safest and most emcieut manner of guarding it. regulations issued by this department in accordance with said law; also, a copy of the permit, and illustrations of die machine as approved by this department: Chapter 176, Acts of 1905. An Act to regulate the use of the cinematograph. Be it enacted, etc., as follows: ~ Section 1. No cinematograph, or other .'similar ap- paratus involving the use of a combustible film more than ten inches in length, shall be kept or exhibited on prem- ises licensed for entertainments, until such cinematograph or other similar apparatus has been inspected and ap- proved by the district police, and until such precautions against fire as the district police may designate have been taken by the owner, user or exhibitor of such cinemato- graph or other similar apparatus. --•-•-■ -