Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1917)

1166 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 19, 1917 Storage Bill in Indianapolis Every Room Where Film Is Handled or Stored Must Be Fire Proof — Handling of Film in Tenements, Hotels, etc. — Only Four Reels in Operating Rooms of Theaters — Safety Inspectors in Studios and Exchanges. From Indiana Trade News Service, 816 State Life Bldg., Indianapolis, Ind. T NDIANAPOLIS, IND.— Jacob H. Hilkene, A commissioner of public buildings, who took an active part in the investigation of the recent Colfax building fire, in which six persons lost their lives, has completed a tentative draft of a new ordinance, governing the storage and handling of motion picture films, which probably will be submitted to the city council at the next regular meeting. The ordinance will be submitted, it is understood, as an amendment to the present building code. The measure contains recommendations made by W. I. Stone, engineer for the Indiana Inspection Bureau; Paul T. Sullivan, assistant state fire marshal, and Charles M. Biscay, of New York, chairman of the executive committee of the Fire Prevention Regulation and Insurance Committee of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry. Local film men also will be consulted regarding the measure before it is submitted to the council. Mr. Biscay, who arrived in Indianapolis last week to investigate the fire — believed by officials to have been caused by a quantity of motion picture films that were kept in the basement by a film renovating concern— explained to officials the work of the committee of which he is the head, and offered several suggestions regarding the drafting of the proposed ordinance. Among the provisions of the new ordinance is one stating that every room in which film is manufactured, kept, handled or stored shall be of fireproof construction, and it says plainly that no films shall be handled in any building used as a tenement house, residence, lodge hall, hotel or any other public or semi-public purpose. The ordinance, as it now stands, would also prohibit motion picture theaters from having more than four reels of film in the operating booth at one time. Another provision, -pertaining to exchanges, would provide for the installation of a sprinkler system in the fire vaults. Each studio, laboratory or exchange would be required to appoint a safety inspector, who must be familiar with the rules and requirements and with all other laws and ordinances. It would be the duty of the inspector to instruct employes as to the handling of films and to see to it that the rules and laws are observed. These and other provisions which the ordinance will contain will in the long run. It Is believed by officials, lead to a reduction in prevailing fire insurance rates. H. H. Friedley, state fire marshal, completed his investigation of the fire, and in a report of the same urges municipal authorities in cities throughout the state to pass ordinances containing more stringent regulations for the storing and handling of films. He predicts that if they do not take some action in the matter a law will be passed at the next sesison of the State Legislature compelling them to do so. Mr. Friedley, in his report, says the exact cause of the fire probably will never be known, but that the cause of the intense heat and tremendous flames was no doubt due to the storage of several barrels of films in the basement. He says further that Louis R. Cereinsky, president of the firm that owned the films, and possibly other officers of the company, were "criminally careless" in the handling of the material. Film Shows Electrification of Great Railroad. Indianapolis, Tnd. — The Indianapolis Light and Heat Company gave a theater party to its employes Monday night at the Colonial theater. "The King of the Rail," a picture made for the General Electric Company, was presented in addition to the regular program. The picture showed the electrification of a great railroad in the Rocky Mountains and was of interest not only to electric people, but to the general public as well. The theater was crowded at each performance. "Joan the Woman" Has TwoWeek Run. Indianapolis, Ind. — "Joan the Woman" met with such great success at English's theater that it remained there as the attraction for two weeks. The house was crowded twice daily all during the first week, showing that the interest of the theater-going public in the work of Miss Farrar as a screen artist seems on the increase. "Joan the Woman" is considered one of the best pictures that has been shown in Indianapolis for some time. Ezra Rhodes Leases Jefferson Theater at Goshen. Goshen, Ind. — Ezra Rhodes, owner of the LaSalle theater at South Bend, has obtained a five-year lease of the Jefferson theater in this city and 'will assume charge immediately. Mr. Rhodes will turn the Jefferson into a first-class moving picture and vaudeville house. Charles Sweeton Takes Over Evansville's Majestic. Evansville, Ind. — Charles Sweeton, manager of the Orpheum theater, recently destroyed by fire, has taken over the New Majestic theater, at Fifth and Locust streets, and will conduct it along the same policy as the old Orpheum. The lease includes the franchise for Triangle and Keystone pictures and the rights to the exhibition of legitimate attractions. Mr. Sweeton has been associated with the Evansville amusement field for years, and there is every reason to believe that his latest venture will be a success. For years he was manager of the Wells Bijou — now the Strand — and later he devoted his time to his own interests at the Orpheum and North Side theaters. Illinois Film Trade News. By Frank H. Madison, 623 Wabash Ave., Chicago, 111. Fort Dearborn Picture Shown. ROCK ISLAND, ILL. — "Modern Mother Goose," produced by the Fort Dearborn Photoplay company, was shown at the Spencer Square theater under the auspices of the Parent Teachers' Association. This is one of the pictures recommended by the Illinois Parent Teachers' Association and the music to accompany the film was selcted by Mrs. Frederic Michael, chairman of the better films committee. O. A. C. Lund Here to Work for Crystal. Peoria, 111. — O. A. C. Lund, who has been a director-actor with the Universal company, has arrived, to begin work as leading man for the Crystal Photo Play company. New Houses and Changes in Illinois. Gridley, 111. — Mrs. K. Donnelly has sold the Gem theater to Henry Wiser. East St. Louis. 111. — Manager Harry Redmon of the Redmon Majestic theater, on Collinsville avenue near St. Louis avenue, has taken a ten-year lease on that building and will spend about $10,000 in making it an exclusive photoplay house seating 2,000. The alteration work this summer will include raising the ceiling, putting in new floors, removing the stage, reseating throughout, recarpeting and the installation of a new lobby and front. East St. Louis, 111. — Maurice V. Joyce is erecting a two-story, 50x100 foot steel, stone and concrete moving picture theater on Main street near Broadway with an entrance on Main street. It is expected to be ready for occupancy about October 1. It will be designed for both moving picture and vaudeville. About $25,000 will be expended in its construction. Michigan Showmanship Notes. Laurium, Mich. — The People's theater is the latest to do its bit toward the better programs for children. The approving of the pictures shown will be done by the Calumet Women's club. Saturday afternoon has been set aside for these programs. Ishpeming, Mich. — A special showing of films of Sweden was given at the Ishpeming theater under the auspices of the members of Monitor lodge, Order of Vasa. St. Ignace, Mich. — The Grand theater, which was destroyed by fire last winter, is being rebuilt. The restored theater will be modernly equipped in regard to seating and heating. Bay City, Mich. — "Mother of France" was shown at the Bijou theater for four days. Miss Marguerite Campbell, a violinist of prominence, sang. This picture was shown under the auspices of the Bay City Board of Commerce to aid the fund for the development of a local industry. Wisconsin Theater Notes and Changes. Columbus, Wis. — Kit Frankland, who has been operating a moving picture show at the Auditorium, has sold his equipment to Rodloff & Altschwater, proprietors of the Rudalt theater. Manitowoc, Wis. — The Orpheum theater, which has been showing pictures two to four nights a week, increased its schedule so it is now operating nightly. Madison, Wis. — The Strand theater is now open only on Saturdays and Sundays. Atlanta News Letter By A. M. Beatty, 43 Copenhill Avenue. Atlanta, Ga. Arthur Moscowitz and Jack Kuhn Change Jobs. ATLANTA, GA. — Jack Kuhn. popular manager of the Grand theater, has been transferred to Birmingham, and left for that city Sunday night. He will assume the direction of the Bijou, the new Marcus Loew theater in Birmingham, and the third Loew house to be established in the South. He came to Atlanta in the latter part of February, having been sent South from Rochester, N. T., where he managed the Loew theater in that city. Jack Kuhn has won more friends in the Atlanta theatrical and moving picture circles than any newcomer to the city and it was with deep regret that the amusement world learned of his transfer. Arthur Moscowitz, now assistant manager of the Birmingham house, will be brought to Atlanta to manage the Grand under the direct supervision of E. A. Schiller, general manager of Loew's southern circuit. Mr. Moscowitz is a well-known southern theatrical man, and has long been identified with Memphis enterprises. He was, before his transfer to Birmingham, assistant manager of Loew's Lyceum theater in Memphis. Ralph H. De Bruler Becomes General Manager. Macon, Ga. — Ralph H. DeBruler has been made general manager of the Capitol, Palace and Princess in Macon, Ga. This consolidation went into efTect on April 30. May 1 the Palace will be open three days in the week and the Princess will remain open every day and the Capitol will still continue to present the attractive pictures as In the past. Macon Is to be congratu