The Moving Picture World (November 1907)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD. 611 Were this operator asked just a few searching ques- tions in regard to different points pertaining to the proper operation and adjustment of a machine, all of which would appear seemingly simple to an operator of experi- ence and worth, he would miserably fail. Then, again, are you in favor of and do you advoc**» from your own standpoint of view this idea of wage cutting? Are you not compelled ninety-five times out of a hundred to labor the full seven days in the week, under a high temperature, and perhaps surrounded by the most unfavorable conditions? You say yes. Then put the question of reduced wages seriously to your mind. If you are wise, your verdict will certainly be no. Does a manager want to take the chance of having his films lost by fire or an explosion, which would probably cause a disastrous fire to his theater, or cause a wild panic, resulting in probably the loss of life, and then find himself face to face with several damage suits, all because his so-called economical management brought him an inexperienced man for less money? No wise manager would care to gamble in this way, if he were fully aware of the true circumstances in the first place. Then the. question appears as to how to detect and remedy such a dangerous and growing condition, which is by far more detrimental to the future welfare of all American operators than that of the film renters who are slashing prices. There is only one way of satisfac- torily adjusting such a matter, and that is in the strong organization of all moving picture operators. A per- manent scale of wages could then be effected, and each member would be required to pass a rigid examination covering in detail each and every department concerned in the operation and projection of a perfect picture, to- gether with every other particle of kowledge tending to apply toward the safety of "any theater in which they may be employed. This examination would be similar in construction to that required of the operators in Great Britain and ex- actly as rigid, but would contain, in particular, far-reach- ing questions, dwelling upon the proper precautions, safety arid fire regulations of each theater. After an operator has succeeded in passing such an examination, he is entitled to a certificate clearly defining his true ability, experience, etc., and which would not only protect him, but would restore confidence in any manager having the slightest fear for his patrons' safety. The organization of every worker in this line could and would be launched with very gratifying success. The result would not only be unanimously praised and sup- ported by nearly every operator in this country, as well as reaching and satisfying the expectations of the or- ganizers, but would, after careful investigation, be strongly approved by the manager, who is endowed with the average amount of intelligence. It is to this end and no .other that I strongly urge all M American operators to fall in line and organize. Con- ations may seem satisfactory to you at the present time, put there is a future to everything, and as our vocation is practically a new one—one which has developed in amazing proportions, especially during the last two years, we must take out some sort of an insurance policy to protect the safety of our profession in time to come. Speaking purely personally, I would heartily endorse md welcome such an association tending to elevate and advance the iterests of my fellowmen. The operators of America to-day are in need of an organization that will boost them ahead—one whose out- lines will be characterized by a policy of progressiveness, whose reputation, as a peaceful association, will be looked upon by other unions, as well as by the citizens of Amer- ica, as a model, always alert to the wish of the employee as well as the employer. The CIarostat ■*l"his is the name given to a new invention of the Pitts- burg Calcium Light Company; its object is to take the place of the rheostat on alternating current for cinemator graph work. The inventor informed us that the idea of producing an instrument to be used in lieu of the rheostat" occurred to him in this particular form about 1897. But not seeing the immediate need for such an article, he waited until such time that a request for it was in evi- dence before placing it on the market. As proof that it is not a new idea of his, he states that he took out letters patent on the following dates: September 27, 1898; Sepr tember 13,1900; February 16, 1904, and August 18,1907. It certainly has the advantage of originality as far as dates are concerned. The inventor claims that while it may seem strange to the average electrician the clarostat only carries 38 volts at the primary or low tension point, that is the points of contact of the carbons, using 100 to 115 volts on the high tension side. It has a capacity of 5 kilowatts, using only 1V2 to 1% kilowatts, thus it can be used for three machines at once. Pulling from 13 to 15% amps., it can be raised by chang- ing plug to 25 amps, for long-distance projection, 60 to 150 feet from cinematograph to screen. Further ad- vantages claimed are the great saving in current and cost of electricity, as the following figures show: A multiple rheostat uses 5,000 kilowatts. The clarostat uses 1,250 to 1,500 kilowatts. Saving a miximum of 3,500 kilowatts.* Clarostat at a minimum uses 1,250 kilowatts. Or double this amount uses 2,500 kilowatts. A rheostat at 50 amps, uses 5,000 kilowatts. Showing a saving at least of 2,500 kilowatts. This per hour at 5c. rate per kilowatt, I2%c. This per day of 10 hours, $1.25. This per month of 25 days, $31.25. Shows the amount actually saved by the use of the clarostat at its maximum working capacity, and much j more if used at its minimum. The Wonderland Amusement Company, of Nanticoke, Pa., have struck a new idea in the way of rheostats that they are using successfully that can be made by any operator at a cost of but fifty cents, which they claim is superior to anything on the market. The Imperial Moving Picture Company, of New York, took a series of motion pictures at the corner of Main and Center streets. New Haven, Conn., in which a donkey, a big cop, a tramp and Mr. Washington Broadwell figured. The machine was placed in front of Gerace's store in Center street and an empty barrel set up on the sidewalk near the corner. The tramp, closely pursued by the cop, ran at full speed down the street, and jumped into the barrel before the cop turned the corner. Mr. Broadwell got into the mix-up next, pouring a pail of sawdust into the barrel on top of the tramp, who was then dis-