Moving Picture News (Jan-Jun 1913)

32 THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS OPERATORS' CHAT By Ralph Knaster MOVING PICTURE MACHINE OPERATORS' UNION OF GREATER NEW YORK, INC., LOCAL No. 1 President— Robert Goldblatt. Vice-President — James Daisie. Secretary-Treasurer — Robert Levy. Recording Secretary — John Rickards. Sergeant-at-Arms — Ed. Spinola. Business Representative — Ralph Knaster. Assistant Business Representative — John Rickards. Telephone — Stuyvesant 619 Office— 133 Third Avenue. The Moving Picture Machine Operators' Union of Greater New York, Local No. 1, was well represented at the Screen Club ball, held last Saturday night at Terrace Garden, New York. The delegation to represent the union were President Robert Goldblatt, Business Representative Ralph J. Knaster, Secretary John Rickards, B. A. Freedman and many others. The first ball of the Screen Club was one great success, and the boys had one big time also making many new acquaintances. Preparations were made for the coming ball of the M. P. M. O. U., Local No. 1, of Greater New York, which will be held next winter, and the place for the big event will be either Madison Square Garden or the New Grand Central Palace. It is anticipated that this coming event will be the greatest of any affair ever held by any picture operators union in this country. The M. P. O. Union, No. 1, held their last regular meeting Monday, April 21, 1913, at Teutonia Hall, 66 Essex street. There was quite a large attendance. Six new members were obligated and eight applications were read off. It is evident that many operators are taking advantage of the $5.00 initiation fee now in force, which will last for another six weeks, and then the entrance fee will be $50.00. The question of sick benefit was taken up again and was laid over until after the convention. Brother John Rickards was elected recording secretary by a unanimous standing vote in place of Brother George Epstein, who had to give up the position on account of other business taking up all of his spare time. The boys were sorry to see Brother Epstein resign from the secretaryship as he had done some grand ivork tor the organization. Brother John Rickards is capable of doing some good work, and has proved it as secretary-treasurer of the last ball committee. Business at the office is excellent, and the organization is progressing so wonderfully that we were compelled to elect an assistant business representative to lighten the heavy work of Brother Ralph Knaster. All the members are working and we were compelled to send exhibitors away from the office without supplying them operators. Brother Rickards, now assistant business agent, was compelled to refuse all telephone calls which came in for operators this last week. The obligation of new members at the last meeting will relieve the situation somewhat at least for the time being. I advise all operators not employed to call at our office and make application for membership. There is no need of going idle, we have plenty of work to hand out to good operators. Take advantage now of the $5.00 fee, for you will never get this chance again. The next meeting of the Moving Picture Machine Operators' Union, Local No. 1, of Greater New York, will be held May 5, 1913, at the regular meeting rooms. Nominations for delegate to attend the Seattle convention and other very important business will be taken up. A full attendance is requested. A trip to Coney Island last Sunday proved that business is not brisk there at present. The projection at the various dance halls and hotels was not up to the mark. I visited the Mardi Gras and walked to the operating booth and had a chat with the operator, who does not belong to any organization, but promised to join the boys of Local No. 1. The projection th-.'re was fair considering the distance to the picture screen. I visited Weisberger's Hotel, on Surf avenue, near Eighth street, Coney Island, and sat down at one of the tables, not being noticed. The projection at this place was the best I have seen for quite some time. I inquired for Mr. Weisberger and was directed to the front _ of the pavilion, there to meet one of Coney Island's brightest exhibitors of motion pictures. Mr. Weisberger greeted me in a most manly way and invited me to his private office. I then told him what I thought of the projection 1 witnessed at his hotel, and praised his operators, also asking him who they were and where he secured them. He laughed a hearty laugh, showing his well-kept teeth, and, as he was wearing eyeglasses, put me in thought of Colonel Roosevelt. "Well," said he, "I don't make a practice of praising people, but those operators (meaning two men in the booth) employed here are the best in this city, and don't feel big because I tell you this; they may get word of it and may get independent. They belong to Local No. 1 of M. P. M. O. U." When I heard this my whole soul lit up with joy. I immediately went to the booth and saw Brother Chas. Hardell at the machine, and Brother Tillman placing carbons in the lamp house of the second machine. I told them what Mr. Weisberger said, and asked them to keep up the good worK. At Dicker's Hotel I visited the booth to find Otto Klein operating the machine. Though he is a member of the new branch of Local No. 35, nothing can be said against his projection. He had a very good light and a clear picture, and I was not backward to let him know, regardless of organization matters, that I was pretty sure Local No. 35 has very few like him. Don't forget the headquarters of Local No. 1. Fall in line with the real operators and place your application for membership. RALPH KNASTER, Business Representative. Office 133 Third avenue, New York. "THE BROTHERS" (Release Monday, May 5, 1913) A Western of genuine worth. Two brothers, opposites in nature, meet a woman. The parting of the ways then commences. "HUMAN KINDNESS" (Release Thursday, May 8, 1913) A heartless head gardener finds the aged gardener too old. He is replaced by a younger man — his staff of life is removed until a kindly neighboring Miss enters the story. "YOUTH AND JEALOUSY" When you were courtin' Sally maybe some fresh young feller tried to bust it up! Sends anonymous notes to her and all that! Well, that's what a jealous suitor tried — but love itself branded it a failure and himself a fraud. A splendid story. You will want it. TO THEATRES:— Handsome lithos of those popular "Flying A" favorites, Jack Kerrigan, Pauline Bush and Jack Richardson. Best of business pullers for lobby display. Ask your exchange. AMERICAN FILM MFG. CO. 6227 Evanston Ave., Chicago, 111, OPERATORS' BANQUET The first banquet and entertainment of the Moving Picture and Projecting Machine Operators' Union, Local No. 160, of Cleveland, O., is now history. Judging by the compliments received from friends who attended, the evening of April 16, 1913, will long be remembered. Vaudeville performers entertained the guests while the "eats" were served. Thanhouser Kid and her sister were there and received a warm welcome. Those who see them on the screen appreciated their act and expressed their delight of an opportunity to see them in person, and understand why the "Kid" is popular as a child actor. Several guests responded to requests of the toastmaster, including prominent labor men of the city and state federations. The toastmaster bid the guests good night and godspeed at 2:10 a. m. Philadelphia, Pa. — M. Shore has contract for moving picture theatre on Woodland avenue, west of Fifty-eighth street, to cost $27,000, for Wolf Bodek. B. A. Rehill is the architect. LUMIERE Negative and Positive MOTION PICTURE FILM Is the Best Wearing Stock Manufactured STANDARD THE WORLD OVER QUALITY UNEXCELLED LOW PRICE ON CONTRACT LUMIERE JOUGLA CO 75 Fifth Avenue, New York City. N. Y. Chicago Branch, 946 First Nat'l Bank Bldg,, Chicago, Ills. In writing to advertisers please mention "MOVING PICTURE NEWS"