The Moving Picture World (1908)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 79 Albany, N. Y„ Jan. 22.—Assemblyman McGrath, of New York, has introduced a bill which places drastic restrictions upon mov- ing picture machine entertainments in cities of the first class. It provides that no such place of amusement shall be conducted without the,written consent of the Fire Department, and that sufficient exits shall be provided; that the moving picture ma- chine be enclosed in a fireproof booth; that there be adequate means for protection against fire; that the operators of the ma- chines shall prove themselves to be at least twenty-one years of age- '..."* Only after an examination is made of the premises by the Fire Department is the proprietor to be permitted to do busi- ness. A fee of-$25 is to.be paid by each proprietor, the amount to be devoted to the pension fund of the Fire Department of the city where such places of amusement are to be conducted. Mr. McGrath admitted that his measure is aimed at the halls and so-called theaters where moving pictures are exhibited, and stated there was urgent need of immediate legislation for cities of the first class, especially New York City. * * • Elizabeth, N. J., Jan. 18.—The Board of Fire Commissioners have served notice on the ten moving picture shows operated here that every machine must dc enclosed in a fireproof booth and more satisfactory exits provided- A careful inspection will follow to ascertain if the demands are complied with, and of- fenders will be punished and the place closed. * * * Norristown, Jan. 18.—The proprietor of a moving picture show located in the remodeled Methodist Church, Conshohocken, closed up because he could not comply with Burgess Bloodall's order to make more exits from the building. * * * To restore the public confidence, the manager of the Arcade, Mobile, Ala., issued broadcast an invitation to die public to call and inspect the perfect equipment and abundance of safe exits. (Good idea.) * • * St Louis, Mo.—Factory Inspector Sykes is rigidly enforcing the law against the employment of minors in nickelodeons and theaters. * * * Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 18.—Orders issued to-night by Building Inspector Newton resulted in closing practically all moving pic- ture shows of-the "five and ten-cent" variety on a charge of vio- lating the ordinance governing public safety. I&eeeg&t Fires. Berryville, Va., Jan. 18.—Another horror came near being added to the long list of disasters in places of amusement last night while a moving picture show was being given at the opera house. The machine exploded, setting fire to the draperies sur- rounding the machine. Men, women and children rushed to the doors and windows, and many carried window sashes with them. Cooler heads stopped the panic and no one was seriously injured. * * * Tampa, Fla.—Moving picture show on Franklin street dam- aged $1,200 January 14. No details. * * * Dowagiac, Mich., Jan. 23.—An audience of about one hundred and fifty, mostly women and children, was thrown into a panic to-night by a fire ; in a moving picture theater opened here to- night by a # New York company. The fire started from the pic- ture machine located near the combined entrance and exit, but all in the audience escaped, some getting out through the regular exit and others crowding their way through the stage entrance. No one was seriously injured, but the two-story frame building was destroyed, and several adjoining buildings were threatened. * * * • _ Newton, N. J., Jan. 15.—Several films were consumed and an audience scared by a blaze which was confined to the fireproof booth of a moving picture theater here to-day. No further dam- age. [We leam that this fire was not caused by ignition in the machine, the film in this being saved, but several reels lying around were consumed. The operator claims that they were ig- nited by a spark of electricity when the current was turned on, more likely from a.lighted match or cigarette. It only goes to prove the necessity of providing tin boxes in which each reel can be placed while not in use.— Ed.] . * * * Statehouse, Annapolis, Md., Jan. 22.—The terrible disaster at Boyertown, Pa., had an echo in the House of Delegates to-day when Delegate Ash, of Baltimore, introduced a bill to place the conduct of moving picture machines under control of the police, and giving them power to make regulations to protect the public and inspect all such machines and premises. BE A LEADER—NOT A HANGER ON by adopting our Premier Film Service Perfect in Quality and We stand alone, pre-eminent in the renting field Pittsburg Galcium Light & Film Go. PITTSBURG, PA. DES MOINES, IA. N.B.—Send for up-to-date film list, just issued. Made according to specifications of New England Insurance Exchange PRICE ACCORDING TO SIZE S. S. GETCHELL & SON W00N80C1CET, R.I.