Motion Picture News (Jul-Oct 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS The Operator's Exchange | HARRISBURG FIGHT OVER Harrisburg, Fa., Julj' 30. TXylTH the settlement of a long standing controversy between the union motion picture machine operators and the management of the \'ictoria Theatre all the motion picture theatres of the city are now on a tmion basis. Several months ago the union and George Brothers, who manage the theatre, had a falling out on the subject of overtime pay for motion picture machine operators with the A Live Wire On this page the reader will find the photo of Brother H. S. Smith, of Kochester, N, Y., who has not only thought and argued in the interest of his lellow craftsmen, hut has put his shoulder to the wheel and helped to establish conditions in the city of Rochester that cannot help but improve the motion picture business, from both the manager's and the operator's standpoint. With a man in the operating room whom the manager feels that he can depend upon owing to the fact that the operator is licensed, presupposes that he is competent, the manager will be in a position to devote more of his time and attention to the safety and comfort of his audience, The operator having no fear of a boy or other incompetent being employed, for less money, will strive to improve the character of his projection, so as to convince the manager and the public that the confidence of the examining authorities was not misplaced. And the public, the safety of which should, after all, be the first consideration, will feel that the public officials have at last done their duty insofar as lay in their power, by formulating an ordinance for the proper protection of the said public. The city of Rochester is to be congratulated for one thing in particular, and that is that the mayor had the courage to appoint a practical operator on the board of examiners, I do not hesitate to say that I expect Rochester to eclipse every other city in the Empire State for projection within the next six months, as a direct result of the new license law, and the fact that it is the only examining authority in the state where a PRACTICAL OPERATOR is employed on the Board, I am proud to find that a man of Brother Smith's calibre thinks the same as I do in regard to the question of state license, and hope that all interested parties give this matter more thought, as it cannot help but work out for the ultimate good of the business at large, W, D, CHANEY. result that the union operators went o'ut on a strike. Several efforts at adjustment were made without success. ileantime the theatre employed non-union operators who, it is understood, did not give good satisfaction. On last Thursday, however, Maxwell Hite, head of the union in this city, announced that an understanding had been reached with George Brothers under an arrangement by which only union operators will be employed hereafter. The union will be recognized and the union scale of wages will be paid. This places all the motion picture theatres in Harrisburg on the same basis with regard to organized labor which is very strong in this city and has caused the union men to spread broadcast the fact that the Victoria Jio longer is to be considered an "unfair" theatre. V. H. Berghaus, Jr. BOSTON BITS Local No. 182 held its anual outing and field day at Elcock Grove, Stoughton, Mass., on July 86. Prof. Maloney, a member of Local No. 182, made a balloon ascension and double parachute drop. Brother Maloney is a past master in this line. The Massachusetts Legislature has passed a law making it compulsory for anyone desiring a motion picture operator's license to serve an apprenticeship under a licensed operator before he can file an application for a license. Of course, this does not apply to any operator from another city, as this would make it unconstitutional, as in the case of the New York license law. The new and magnificent Modern Theatre opened with a policy of high-class feature photoplays. Brothers -Andrews and Berkholm are employed at this house and delivering the goods. Brother Tim Fuller, of Local No. 182, has given up operating for a while, to accept a position as manager of Keith's Theatre at Orange, N. J. The Alston Theatre, seating 1,800, will open September 1 with Brother Watson, better known as Teddy, as part owner and manager. Los Angeles Operators Entertain The motion picture operators of Los Angeles, Cal., will give an entertainment on the evening of August 27, and from all indications this will eclipse any previous affair of its sort ever held in the "City of ^gels." I am pleased to state that The Motion Picture News contracted for advertising space to the extent of a half-page in the program, which will be issued on this occasion. along these Knes endorsing the proposed state lic.nsc. Perhaps a remark about the necessity or rather advisability of each local having a representative at this convention would not be out of place. The State F. of L. is the body which secures legislation for the working Operators "Au Naturel" Of course we have all suffered more or less at different times from the heat and lack of ventilation in the operating room, but Brother Cecil Wood, of late with the Atsco Company, reports an experience that eclipses anything that has ever been reported before, to the best of my knowledge and belief. When the famous picture known as "Dope" opened at the Victoria Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pa., Brothers Cecil Wood and Chas. Sheppard were employed as operators. The performance started at 2 p. m. on last Decoration Day, and at about S p. m. the heat of the operating room was so intense that the fuses blew out, releasing the automatic sprinkler, and the water in the operating room was up to the knees of the operators. The leads to the lamps were immersed, and every time the men touched anything in the booth it was most decidedly interesting, "don't you know." Brothers Wood and Sheppard discarded all clothing as superfluous, and Max Speigel stated that that was the first time he had ever seen a NATURAL operator. In spite of the deplorable state of affairs the show ended at 11:00 p. m. on schedule time. For State License W. D. Chaney, MotionPicture News, New York. Dear Chaney: — Your communication of the 23d inst. at hand, and wish to say that I most heartily agree with you in regard to the state license law governing motion picture operators. We" fellows here in Rochester have thought of this thing ever since we organized, and grew tired of waiting for the state license law, so went into it independently, and last May put across a city regulation which has been a great thing for us. I am an advocate of state license, and am intending to do more than talk about it. It is my intention to get in touch with all "movie" delegates who attend the State Federation of Labor Convention in Schenectady in August (fourth week) and draft resolutions H. S, SMITH classes, and just at this time we, the motion p.cture operators, are entitled to some consideration and support, and all that we have to do to get it, is to get onto the job and make ourselves known. It is not the fault of the legislative committee of that body that we have never been taken care of. We have only ourselves to blame. If we would affiliate and then get to the conventions and make ourselves known we would get the much-needed and wished-for legislation. But, Friend Chaney, we will never accomplish anything by you sitting in New Y'ork, myself in Rochester, another fellow in Buffalo, and the rest of our craftsmen somewhere else, and writing letters to each othai-. Let's get together soon. Let's make it in Schenectady on the fourth Tuesday of August, and let's all of us have credentials admitting us as delegates to the N. Y. State F. of L. Convention. If our organization cannot afford to send us, let us go at our own expense, and let's do something for the "movies." Why be drones and make the labor movement carry us? Why not put our shoulders to the wheel and lift our pound? Why not get on the labor map, and let other tradesmen say of us, "They are a live bunch and are deserving of our support," rather than have the feeling that we are a burden? I know that some will be represented, and hope that each I. .\. local in the state will be on the job in Schenectady in August, and wish to say that if they doubt the truth of my statements they will act wisely to write I. A. President Shay and get his views on the subject. I hope most sincerely that you will see your way clear to publish my communication, as it is an honest expression of my thoughts. I am fraternally, (Signed) H. S. Smith, Secretary, Local No. 253, I. A. T. S. E.. P O. Box SSo, Rochester, N. Y. Office, 104 Reynolds Arcade.