Exhibitor's Trade Review (May-Aug 1925)

Page 26 Exhibitors Trade Review News of Exhibitor Activities NEW BUILDING CODE TO BE ENFORCED BY N. Y. STATE POLICE ALBANY, N. Y., June 26. — New York State's Standard Building Code, covering motion picture theatres and all places of public assemblage, and which represents several years' study by a special committee, becomes effective July 1. It is retroactive. After that date not only will the work of inspecting motion picture theatres in New York State be done by State troopers, but also all certificates of compliance with the law, such as have been issued by the New York State Labor Department, will come direct from the State troopers. Adoption of a standard building code and the decision to let the State troopers not only inspect all motion picture theatres, but likewise to issue the necessary certificates, is of i'ar-reaching importance to the theatre owners of the Empire State, many of whom will undoubtedly be forced to spend considerable sums in the remodeling of their houses to meet the demands of the Code. Twenty-eight cities in the state, having their own enforcing authorities, will enforce the provisions of the State Code through their own governing bodies. These cities are Amsterdam, Auburn, Beacon, Canandaigua, Cohoes, Cortland, Dunkirk, Fulton, Gloversville, Hornell, Ithaca, Jamestown, Johnstown, Kingston, Lackawanna, Little Falls, Middletown, Norwich, Olean, Oneida, Oneonta, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Rensselaer, Rome, Saratoga Springs, Sherrill, Watervliet. There are twenty cities in the state which have their own building code, and which may be said to supersede that just adopted by the state, as owners of motion picture theatres in such cities will be called upon to have their buildings conform with the city's code rather than the state standard code. These cities are Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Elmira, Lockport. Long Beach, Mount Vernon. Newburgh, New Rochelle, New York, Niagara Falls, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Schenectady, Syracuse, Troy, Utica, Watertown, White Plains and Yonkers. The Industrial Commissioner of the State will be called upon to enforce the state code in Batavia, Corning, Geneva, Glen Cove, Glens Falls, Hudson, Mechanicville, North Tonawanda, Ogdensburg, Port Jervis, Salamanca and Tonawanda, not only making the necessary inspections, but likewise issuing the certificates of compliance. The State troopers will enforce the State Standard Building: Code in all towns and villages in New York State where there is no authority enforcing their own building code. The new building code does not change, however, any of the provisions and regulations governing the projection booth. Although the code contains a considerable section dealing with the projection booth, the section has been taken bodily from the general business law as adopted in 1913. Seeking to lessen fire hazards, much attention has been paid in the code to the question of exits. Each tier or floor of a motion picture theatre shall be provided with the following number of exits: Cap. of tier or floor Min. No. of Exits 100 to 500 persons Not less than two 501 to 700 persons Not less than three 700 and over Not less than four The required aggregate width of exits on any tier or floor must not be less than 36 inches to each 100 persons capacity. This capacity shall be determined by the number of fived seats plus an allowance of one person for every three square feet, where standing room is possible, but such standing room shall not include aisles, passageways or lobbies. If benches without arms between seats are used, their capacity must be figured on the basis of not more than one person to each 18 inches in width. In cases where fixed seats are not provided, such capacity must be based on one person for each six square feet of floor area. "Where required exit stairs from any floor terminate on the main floor, then the aggregate width of exits on the main floor shall be increased so as to provide for not (Continued on Page 28) Survey Reveals 280 Theatres Play Year 'Round in N. Y. Zone ALBANY, N. Y., June 26. — There are 280 motion picture theatres in the Albany Zone, which run throughout the entire year, according to the secretary of the zone. There are seventy-five motion picture theatres in the same territory that run only during the summer months and twenty theatres that operate only during the winter. Out of the 280 houses, 107 are now members of the Albany Zone. * * * CANADIAN UNION DELEGATES HOLD OTTAWA MEETING OTTAWA, Ont., June 26. — Twenty-five delegates of Moving Picture Operators' unions and of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes from all eastern Provinces of Canada, attended an annual convention of District No. 11 at the Chateau Laurier here. The Provinces represented included Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotja and Prince Edward Island. Addresses were given by E. ' Andrews, representing the Ottawa Moving Picture Operators' Local; J. Roberts, president of the Ottawa Musicians' Union; Tom Moore, president of the Dorninion Trades Congress; Ottawa; Captain J. A. P. Haydon, president of the Ottawa Trades and Labor Council, and Mayor J. P. Balharrie, of Ottawa. International officers present included W. Canavan, President of the I. A. T. S. E., R. J. Green. Secretary Treasurer, of New York, and W. P. Covert, of Toronto, International vice-president representing Canada. Ottawa projection machine operators aj^d stage employes who assisted in making arrangements for the convention included. R. R. Marcil, R. Gelletly, H. Ladouceur, G. Graham, W. Lodge, A. L. Goold, W. Clarke, S. Waggoner and others. EIGHT PHOTOPLAYS WIN PLACES ON K. C. APPROVED LISTINGS KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 26. — The Better Films Committee of the Kansas City Parent-Teacher Association approved the fol lowing films: Central "Stepping Lively." Strand "Excuse Me." Roanoke "Seven Chances." Bancroft "Captain January." South Troost "The Air Mail. Murray "The Silent Accuser." Royal "The Lost World." Isis "East of Broadway." * * * HERRINGTON ON TOUR PHILADELPHIA, June 26. — Fred J. Herring-ton, secretary of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Western Pennsylvania, is spending five weeks visiting members c?f the organization. W. VA. THEATRE SOLD NEW CUMBERLAND, Md., June 26. — B. Rabinowitz and his sons, Myers and Saul, of Weirton, W. Va., have purchased from Thomas ■ G. Hale the Manas theatre and post office building here. The Manas Amusement Company is leasing the show house. * * * MERGE MAINE THEATRES BANGOR, Me., June 26. — Consolidation of two theatres here is planned. * * * RUYS DELAWARE HOUSE MILFORD, Del., June 26. — William H. Warren acquired the Palace theatre which was operated by the Nixon-Nirdlinger interests. EXHIBITOR VICTORY FOLLOWS FIGHT ON PROHIBITIVE LICENSE KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 26. — Seldom has the benefit of organized effort been more forcefully demonstrated than this case in the Kansas-Missouri territory. The latest victory for the exhibitors is the lowering of a prohibitive license on theatres in Jackson County, in which Kansas City is located. The decrease was obtained through an appeal by the exhibitor body to the county court. The old license scale called for an annual tax of $100 for all theatres of more than 600 seats and for $50 for theatres with less than 600 seats. The new court order, which will be in effect after July 4, reads: "Upon each motion picture show in Jackson County, Missouri, given or conducted in a building in an inclosure in said county, the license tax therefore, is hereby fixed and imposed in the sum of $5 per year for each 100 seats or fraction thereof, provided that the minimum license tax for any motion picture theatre shall be $25 per year or pro rata for a shorter period thereof, and that the maximum license tax for any motion picture theatre shall be $25 per year or pro rata for a shorter period thereof. and that the maximum license for any motion picture theatre shall be $50 per year or pro rata for a shorter period thereof." (signed) F. H. DeCOU, "License Inspector." Kansas City exhibitors are satisfied with the new order,' which follows closely upon the heels of a proposed revision in a new building code, the adoption of which is held detrimental to the exhibitors. DES MOINES PICKS STOLTE TO MANAGE "SEASON" CAMPAIGN DES MOINES, Iowa, June 26. — Arthur G. Stolte, manager of Capitol theatre, was elected general manager of the "Greater Movie Season" celebration here. Harry Hersteiner, of Family theatre, was appointed chairman of the finance committee. Herbert Grove, of Des Moines theatre, is chairman of the outdoor advertising committee, "Doc" Banford. manager of MetroGoldwyn exchange, will head the parade committee. Harry Mitchnik, of Rialto theatre, will have charge of decorations. A parade, advertising new pictures, is planned for Saturday, August 2. Robert Irwin, of New York City, representing Will H. Haye, president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc., attended the meeting. MANY CHANGES IN ST. LOUIS DISTRICT ST. LOUIS, June 26. — Following changes were reported here: Donnellson, 111., Home Theatre closed. Paris, Mo., Star Theatre closing Monday and Tuesday nights until cool weather. Leachvlle, Ark., Gem Theatre closed. Lepanto, Ark., Majestic Theatre to three nights a week until October 1. Eldorado, 111., Casino Theatre, to three changes a week. Pocahontas, Ark., John R. Kizer has purchased the Cozy Theatre from E. L| Duty. MANAGER TO FAMOUS • LOCKPORT, N. Y., June 26. — Robert Kane resigned as manager of the Hi-Art theatre. It is rumored he may be appointed manager of the new. theatre which Paramount has leased here. Mr. Kane has been at the HiArt for many years.