The Moving Picture World (November 1907)

56o THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD. the fire in the metal booth where the apparatus is installed. In this city many of the companies insure the building qccupied by the pictures, and that without any added rate of interest. In other places it is different, for they cannot be kept under the constant supervision of the underwriter and the danger of de- fective apparatus is much increased." "The study of the safeguards against accidents from moving pictures is now occupying much of the attention of electricians and insurance men," said Mr. Sydney Andrews, of the Middle Underwriters' Association, 316 Walnut street "So satisfactorily has the problem been solved, however, that it would appear to me personally that the greatest danger from the moving picture places was that of a stampede from fear of fire rather than from the actual results of fire. You see' the most of these places have only one exit, and that is in the front. Consequently, in case of fire the audience would be,compelled to rush by the booth, which is in front of the building. "Of course," continued Mr. Andrews, "the probability of the combustible celluloid film catching fire from the strong arc light before which it is passed can never be eliminated. Just now the most satisfactory device for the restriction of fire is the fire- proof receptacle into which the film is unrolled. "This receptacle is provided with an aperture which is lined by two brass rollers, so that if, in being unrolled from the first magazine, should the film catch fire, it would be caught by these rollers of the second magazine with sufficient force to extinguish the flame. However, even this is not always reliable. The newest booths are of fire-proof metal, the doors of which close automatically in case of fire." * * * Preparations for instituting suit to secure an injunction against the nerve-racking phonographs and so-called orchestras of mov- ing picture shows have been completed by the Market street busi- ness men, who have started the movement to suppress the noises. Conferences were held by the business men, who have de- cided to follow out Director of Public Safety Cla/s suggestion that the best way to restrain the nickel shows will be to file a bill in equity in the courts, asking for an injunction. It was decided to start action as soon as the business men's lawyers have the case properly prepared. C. Eastburn, of the Eastburn Company, 929 Market street, who heads the business men in their fight against the moving picture noises, declares that the chances of victory are bright. "I feel sure that the court will uphold the contention of the merchants and business men," said Mr. Eastburn. "These nickel parlors, with their deafening orchestras, are ruining our busi- ness. We hope to obtain an injunction stopping the bands and phonographs. "Then again, the crowds that stop in front of these places to hear the jangling tunes block up the sidewalk and congest travel in an unwarrantable manner. The firms in the vicinity of these nickel amusement parlors have their employees nearly driven distracted by the discordant sounds that assail their ears all day long. SANGUINE OF VICTORY. "The court will certainly grant an injunction compelling these places to cease their musical exhibitions in the daytime, during business hours. It is a different proposition at night The stores are closed, and there is no business being done. It is bad enough to permit the objectionable noise even then, but for the present we shall have to put up with it All our efforts will be directed just now to abolishing the nuisance between 10 A. M. and 6 P. M." Miles Bros. Cause Arrest of Trusted Employees. One of the most gigantic schemes ever. formulated to rob an employer was culminated Wednesday afternoon, October 30, when Miles Bros, caused the arrest of C. B. Purdy and John S. Clark on the charge^ of grand larceny and breach of trust It had been remarked in the house of Miles Bros, for some time that a coterie of employees had been engaged in the rather ques- tionable task of forming a new corporation with Miles Bros.' goods. It developed, in the course of detective inquiry, that the parties it. this movement had practically adopted methods that were contrary to the statutes, inasmuch as they were providing their alleged backers with secret inside information concerning the firm. Miles Bros, have exercised unusual tact in running these de- ceptors to the end. It is not advisable at the present moment to state how they first learned of the scheme; sufficient to say, they gleaned enough information concerning the above, together with perhaps the most trusted employee being engaged in gigantic scheme, but through the usual alertness of one of 1 heads of the concern, Miles Bros, were made acquainted the conditions, and without taking anyone into their confida. put the Drummonds people to work, with the result that 1 above-mentioned employees were arrested. It is said that the scheme of the conspirators was to interj Jersey capitalists by disclosing to them positive proofs of business by showing them what had been actually accomplisl by the firm in the last three years; for instance, it was sk that the receipts of Miles Bros. for. the first twelve days l October were approximately $30,000 and that the business L the firm covering a.. period of twelve months ending Juljl amounted to at least $600,000. It was the contention of the < spirators that owing to certain internal dissensions, which not be enumerated here, the new concern would gain at lta. 40 per cent, of this business. In fact, it was definitely sut4 to a well-known man connected with Miles Bros, that out] October business they would secure at least $5,000. It was 1 stated that C B. Purdy secured many of the largest subscribi of Miles Bros, and that, their income for the first week we; be not less than $600 or $1,000, and this had. all been ao -plished by improperly booking Miles Bros.' best customers l through causing their dissatisfaction, had thrown the business^ the new combination. The arrest caused considerable interest and excitement in I office of Miles Bros., for it was carried out with the firm's tomary completeness, and the drag-net process uncovered, many petty larcenies, which are frequently brought to light! the affairs of concerns having so many employees as the of Miles Bros., no matter how carefully managed. Many inst were discovered where the crooked work extended even to I sending of "repeaters" three times in immediate success! together with "junk" films. Moving Picture Fire FUsKs. As they Appeal to the Insurance Peop The dangers which surround the operation of a moving ture machine were illustrated by William McDevitt, chief spector of the Board of Fire Underwriters, in an address befo the Insurance Society of Philadelphia.. Mr. McDevitt urged better protection to the public by B rigid restrictions in the operation of the machines and advoa the licensing' of the operators who should, in his opinion, experienced machinists. The speaker also advised that only proved machines be allowed in theaters, halls, churches, or sto operated by experienced and capable men. Representatives of nearly every insurance firm in the heard Inspector McDevitt, and it was agreed generally the municipal authorities should take up the subject, and with it by legislation. ' Several styles of apparatus were set up and handled by lecturer and his assistant, William Devereux. It was sbo that the up-to-date moving picture machine originated from zoetrope, an ancient toy. This was gradually developed t to-day it is an elaborate and costly affair, which produces I wonderful results. Mr. McDevitt took an old machine 1 placed a celluloid film above it. It was shown that the cellul would ignite if exposed a short time to a temperature of degrees. The focus heat was allowed to remain directed against celluloid for eight seconds when it burst into flame and c municated fire to the reel. Mr. McDevitt used a small reel said they are usually from twelve to eighteen inches in diai and may contain 1,000 feet of film. This, if ignited, would duce an immense body of flame. Mr. McDevitt showed other defects and difficulties in haw the machine, illustrating the lack of quick thought and action the part of the operators. He showed the importance and W sity of having a skilled man work the machines, not only cause of the dangers from the celluloid film, but also from electricity, used in producing light. The lecturer showed defects in many of the earlier machines and then illust how many of these defects had been- obviated. Notwithstandig the latest safeguards on the different chines, the lecturer recommended some legal action by the thorities allowing the use of only approved machines, and examination of operators as to the knowledge of the otten. dangers and its prevention. Cases have occurred where purchasers of machines were nished with skilled operators at a reasonable salary and for first week the owner would place a boy or other person to w the method of operating which, in the meantime, would be