Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 17 think he will dislike it. There is a proper curiosity in the great motion picture field to know something of the personalities of the pioneers — the real working pioneers. Not the advertised butcher, the baker, the candlestick-maker, but the REAL WORKERS. That is why I am writing this article. Nicholas Power is and has been a good worker and that is why I write about him on the front page of this number of the Motion Picture News. T. B. SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY MOTION PICTURE SCHOOL {Continued from page 14) while the C. P. Goerz American Optical Company has loaned a fine anastigmat lens. It may save many applicants trouble if it be explained that the course extends over two years and comprises the necessary art and chemical training required to fit any one to qualify either as an expert with the camera, in the laboratory, or the studio. The demand for skilled workers is greater than the supply and already posts are open to those who graduate, not only in connection with the motion picture, but also in photographic factories. This explanation is necessary, as many seem to think that photography can be learned in two or three months ; but it takes longer than this to become an expert motion-picture or studio operator. The school was only started last January, with Mr. Wall as instructor, but he has now been made professor and the outlook for the future is more than encouraging. Such a school as this, absolutely independent of any manufacturing concern, ought to take its position in the States as the final court of appeal in all photographic matters. It certainly deserves support, not only that of the motion-picture men, but that of photographic manufacturers and the trade generally, since its work will be in the interests of every branch of the photographic art. "What's the Use?" THE following article is written, not so much for the benefit of the operators of New York City (and yet in a way it applies to them), as it is for that of the men who hope to become operators and procure license cards. The point of the article is contained in the following paragraph and the writer wishes there was some more emphatic way of making it plain to you than by just the use of printer's ink. ''It is absolutely impossible and likewise more than foolish for men who are trying to obtain license cards to attempt to bribe the Examining Board, or by the use of influence, political or otherwise, force the issue of a license unless they are competent to pass the examination given to them by the Board." Before proceeding to show how unwise the bribery method is, let me first state the experience of a few of the deluded ones that have tried it; these are: ''Orlandi Baldi attempted bribery by passing a sum of money to one of the Examining Board, was promptly arrested and at a hearing before Magistrate Breen was held for further action under $1,000 bail. At his next hearing before Magistrate Barlow his bail of $1,000 was continued and he was held to await the action of the Grand Jury. When the case was again called it was found that he had jumped his bail and evidently left the city. A bench warrant has been issued for his arrest. "Jacob Targoff, attempted bribery by passing a twenty-dollar note to the Examiners at the conclusion of his examination. He was detained until an officer arrived, arrested, and at his hearing, at the Criminal Court Building before Magistrate House, he was held under $1,500 bail for trial May 16th last. At his hearing before Magistrate McAdoo he was held without bail for the action of the Grand Jury. "Julius Tietze, charged with bribery, sent money and cigars through the mail to the Electrical Engineer, and also wrote promising more money if 'helped across.' At his hearing before Magistrate Campbell he was held for the action of the Grand Jury." There are numerous other cases of attempts to bribe the Examining Board, and as you can see even the Engineers of the Department have not escaped, and sums ranging from $5 to $100 have been offered, not only money bribes, but presents of every kind from cigars to wax dolls have been offered. They have all met with failure, and most of those who have tried this method are facing serious trouble, and in spite of all rumors to the contrary the Examining Board is as innocent of accepting graft as ever, will undoubtedly remain so. Not so much blame can be attached to these men for trying to bribe their way through the examination as to those who are directly responsible for their action (and in most cases these parties are operators), who tell these men that they had to pay for their cards and that that method is the only sure way to get by the Board. The Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity is in possession of information which is slowly but surely cornering these parties, and very soon they will find themselves in just as bad a fix as the men they have told to try bribery — the license cards of several of these "agents" have been taken away by the Commissioner. There are many men holding cards in New York City to-day who obtained their cards by paying money for them, and who actually think that the money they paid found its way to the Examining Board, but such is not the case, and I will prove it to you by introducing to you the slick "Mr. Fix It" and by doing so show you where the money went. Having been told that paying for a card is the only sure way of obtaining one, the candidate is introduced to this "Mr. Fix It," who, to hear HIM tell it, is a personal friend of not only the members of the Examining Board, but of the whole department from the Commissioner down to the office boy. "Mr. Fix It" takes the candidate down to the department, shows him the place to get his application blank, helps him to prepare it, and likewise file it. He then tells him that it will be necessary to answer a few of the questions before the Board, which questions he attempts to give the answers of. He then takes his money and awaits the day of the examination. Down-town with him he goes, leaves him in the hallway while he goes in to talk with the Commissioner, the Engineer, the Examination Board as the case may be, comes out, tells him that he has fixed it, and he goes ahead and tries his luck. If he is successful by his own efforts "Mr. Fix It" is in just as much money as he has given him ; if not, he tells him that something was wrong and either returns his money or keeps it until he tries again. "Mr. Fix It's" talk with the powers that be has not in any way concerned him or his examination, and has only been used for the purpose of deceiving him. Of course if he passes he gives him to understand that the money went to the Examination Board.