Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

138 Better Theatres Section October 25, 1930 A Tribute to a Great Inventive Genius TRIBUTE of inspiring grandeur was paid October 6, to one of America's earliest inventive geniuses whose works directly and indirectly contributed importantly to the motion picture. On that day leaders in industry, business and science gathered at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh to attend the unveiling of a magnificent memorial to George Westinghouse. Assembled in a setting of unusual natural beauty, they observed the unveiling of the monument erected by the Westinghouse Memorial Association, composed of 54,251 members, mostly Westinghouse employes, who, with the assistance of appropriations made by the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company and the Westinghouse Airbrake Company, financed the undertaking. The dedicatory ceremony, which begran at 2 o'clock, was presided over by E. M. Herr, vice chairman of the board cf directors of the Westinghouse Elec tric & Manufacturing Company. The program included addresses by A. L. Humphrey, president of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company and one of the leaders in the movement for providing the memorial; James Francis Burke, former congressman and now general counsel of the Republican national committee; and Bishop Alexander Mann of the Pittsburgh Episcopal diocese. Following these addresses, George Munro, representing the Westinghouse Veterans, presented the memorial. The monument was unveiled. Then Mayor Charles H. Kline of Pittsburgh, made the speech of acceptance in behalf of the city. The program was interspersed with musical numbers by the Westinghouse Employes' band and the Westinghouse Employes' chorus. In the evening the guests attended a banquet at the William Penn Hotel, where a program of music and speeches was presented. Dr. E. J. Van Etten delivered the invocation, and after the dinner, the toastmaster, A. W. Robertson, chairman of the board of directors of the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, was introduced by Mr. Humphrey. Addresses by Congressman James M. Beck of Philadelphia, former solicitor general of the United States, and by Right Honorable Lord Southborough, G.C.B., prominent industrialist of England, followed. The program was concluded by an address, "George Westinghouse— An Appreciation," by John F. Miller, vice chairman of the board of directors of the Westinghouse Airbrake Company. Both the afternoon and evening programs were broadcast by Westinghouse Electric Radio Station KDKA. The memorial thus dedicated represents the combined efforts of Henry Hornbostel, the architect, and Daniel Chester French, and Paul Fjelde, the sculptors, as well as other talented artists who were associated with them. The Lowering of Theatre Building Costs (Continued from page 23) 90 per cent of the wage earners with approximately their normal income. It is precisely for the acceleration of recovery that the lessons learned in financing and management during the last year and a half be applied toward the prevention, so far as possible, of the conditions that gave rise to the present recession. In this connection, it is interesting to note the thesis asserting a greater share in prosperity of a greater number of individuals in the future. Statistics recently published as to the increasing share of labor in the total national income realized by manufacturers, property owners and workers, show that during the period from 1909 to 1928, inclusive, the proportion of the total income received by the property-owning group declined from 49.03 per cent to 42.83 per cent. A continuance of this increasing percentage to labor is indicated for the future, a factor that is being carefully watched by every business man whose own revenues are dependent upon the increased purchasing power of the general public. Even more interesting, perhaps, as showing the growth in the purchasing power of the nation as a whole during this same period, are the absolute figures that show an increase in income from $14,515,000,000 to $38,296,000,000 for the property owners and enterpreneurs, and from $15,090,000,000 to $36,033,000,000 for labor. Factual signs are noticeable that the general business recession is approaching an end and that increasing activity will gradually manifest itself more and more in a large number of lines, increasing the purchasing power of a considerable part of that relatively small number of consumers whose buying is nevertheless so effective as to provide the marginal factor between prosperity and depression. It is generally agreed that the liquidation of raw material inventories throughout the world, and a stabilization of commodity prices is a necessary prerequisite for the return of normal business activity. Lacking assurance that prices may not fall lower, manufacturers and retailers both refuse to purchase for future needs. Raw material prices throughout the world are in many instances, however, at the lowest point in decades, and inventories of many commodities in this group are at lower levels than have been seen for many years, a large part of this havin^been effected as the result of underproduction and liquidation the last year. The over-production of a year and a half and two years ago formed an inventory problem that, while not always apparent, has been nevertheless present. This is being overcome, retailers figures show more and more each day, at least partlv by the natural demand for commodities which at last are wearing out, making continuance of such rigid economy as has been obtaining, no longer possible. To return to theatre construction itself, it should be remembered that as general business conditions improve, the ensuing activity is likely to result in an increase in the cost of materials, labor and also money. The cost of building materials at the present time, according to the F. W. Dodge Corporation, is the lowest since 1917, and at least a good share of this decline can be attributed to a decline in demand. The lowered cost of labor in construction at present are of two kinds, direct and indirect. In the larger cities, union scales have been largely maintained, although even here there is reason to believe that in many instances men are being obtained well below the scale. In the smaller cities and towns, wages in the building trades are frankly well below the level of two or three years ago. Again, this is a condition likely to be radically changed with the increase of general business activity. In connection with labor costs, the greater effectiveness of labor at the present time should not be overlooked as a factor in reducing the total cost of any construction project. Men working at a time when a job is important may be expected to be more efficient, and of course speed, a highly important consideration in construction costs, is a natural concomitant of efficiency. Available money is at the present time abundant, awaiting an outlet on somewhat more favorable terms than are offered by the low returns on current loanings, etc. While a number of real estate loans have fallen into disfavor, the proven stability of the motion picture business and the excellent security afforded by the good motion picture theatre, undoubtedly place such enterprises among those favored by the banking institutions seeking profitable investment channels.