The Moving Picture World (April 1908)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD. 285 the whole back or top out of the lamphouse and a big fan in the room and he doesn't break many lenses, either; which seems to prove that draft has little to do with it. The man who has a perfectly tight lamphouse and keeps his condenser casing tightly closed breaks just as many lenses as the other fellow, I have observed. The writer, after careful study of the matter, is of the opinion that breakage is due mainly to four causes: (a) The round (metal casing) which holds the lenses, too small, thus binding the lens when it expands under heat. Lenses should, never fit tight. There should be one-sixteenth inch play when they are placed in the round and the ring should not be screwed down tight. The lenses should rattle when the case is shaken. This does not mean that they should be too loose. There is room here for exer- cise of a little judgment. But of the two (too loose or too tight) better far too loose, (b) Circulation of air in lamphouse and vent-holes in condenser casing closed, thus allowing circulation of air on one side and not on the other, producing unequal cooling and consequent lia- bility of breakage, (c) Stoppage of screen over lamp- house by clogging with carbon ash. This produces ex- cessive heat in lamphouse, with consequent abnormal heating of lenses. The perforated screen at top of lamp- house should be kept clean, as well as the one below (see "Lamphouse"). Some lamphouses have no screen, (d) Light too close to condenser, caused by lenses of wrong focus. This is disastrous to lenses, if you allow any flaming of the carbons. Get condenser lenses of right focus and lamp will be far enough away that blaze from flaming carbons will not strike the lens, also heat on condenser will not be so excessive. No matter what you do, however, you will break a condenser lens occasion- ally, and a stock of them should always be kept in the operating room. (The Spot and the Machine next.) Hints to Operators. By " Leicht. The first and main thing an operator should bear in mind before entering his "coop" is the responsibility be- fore him. * * * Never imagine that you know it all. * * * When you need advice, ask for it. . » *. * * Donot experiment during work. * * * Don't light any matches in your "coop." * * * Refrain from smoking. * * • Always attend to your business. Keep your eyes on your arc and screen. See to it that your automatic shutter works right. * * * See that your take-up works well. » * * Clean your machine every day. ' , * * * -- Keep your "coop" in good condition. * * Allow no one in your'"coop" during a performance. ■ * * * V Don't loaf, for there is always something for you to do. Tf * * * I " you want to make a suggestion, ;nake it to the boss. Keep your film in a tin box when not in use. * * * Have your tools always in a handy position. * * * Make it your duty to examine your machine every day' before starting your show. * * * Keep the door of your booth always closed. » * * ' Keep oils, cement, waste or anything inflammable, when not in use, in a metal box with cover. * * * Everything well done is done right. . * * * When you are not turning the crank see that your- light is shifted toward the stereopticon. • ' j * * * . 1 Do not fool or crack jokes from your booth during a performance. You have barrels' of time to enjdy yourself during- your leisure moments. , * * * Enjoyment for you in your "coop" may sometimes re- ' suit in disaster to others. ■11 • -* * « If you are a good man and have a good job, don't try to be the "boss," for there are a lot of "crank turners" ready to fill the bill at a lower salary. * * • If all that you understand about operating is to turn the crank, thread your film and feed your light, I wouldn't want to be bearing the burden of your responsibility. * • * Don't try to mix in any other branches of the business but your own. You have your own troubles to look out for. * * » If there is anything you wish to know that has not . appeared in this paper heretofore, I would be pleased to hear from you. * * * * If you are an operator, don't try to be a sign painter. It's a case of a "Jack of all trades and master of none." * * * Always keep your head clear and know what you have to do next, then you will have no trouble in holding the . situation safely. * ' • « If you are an experienced- and competent man and out of work, send us your name and address and references. NEW MOVING PICTURE THEATERS TO BE OPENED G. Johnson, manager, Auditorium, Crookston, Minn. Grenon & Floyd, care Moving Picture Theater, Eveleth, Minn. Manager Moving Picture Theater, Ottumwa. Iowa. Manager Bijou Dream, Loomis-Miller Blk., Fremont, Neb. Bill-Jay Theater, Belvidere, 111. Manager Plaza Electric Theater, Hillsdale, Mich. Mr. Bonney, manager Gairy Moving Picture Theater. Up- per Sandusky, Ohio. ^\ Mr. Smith, manager Reno Moving Picture Theater, Bluff- ton, Ind. A. L. Lee. manager Moving Picture Show, Dixon, 111. Sullivan & Collins, managers Dreamland Theater, Syndi- cate Blk., Canton, S. D. *"" Manager Bijou Theater, Burlington, Iowa. Manager Casino Moving Picture Theater, Trescott street, Taunton, Mass. ■""'". C. W. Floyd, care Moving Picture Theater, Tecumseh, Okla. . Rascoe & Johnson, managers Moving Picture Theater, Holdenville, Okla, .