Moving Picture World (July-Dec 1909)

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THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 383 CORRESPONDENCE. ii THE WAGES OF OPERATORS. Chicago, September 4, 1909. Editors Moving Picture World: Dear Sirs — In a letter I have been informed that the remarks of the "Man About Town" come so near the truth as regards the New York operators that "it hurts." I have made some inquiries and find that the average New York operator "is paid from $12 to $15 for long hours, only the best men getting the latter figure, which is regarded as top notch pay. 1 believe my information is correct. Now what do you expect, Mr. New York Manager? Do you really imagine you can employ a man of experience and brains for such a sum as that? You invest from two to fifty thousand dollars in a house and then place the operating room, on which depends absolutely the income from your investment, in the hands of a $12 a week man. Is that common sense? You simply cannot have a first-class show without a first -class man in the operating-room. If your show is poor your crowds are likely to soon become slim. Is it good business to risk your entire investment income to save $10 * a week in operator salary? I put it to you as a matter of common sense. Mindi you I know nothing of New York operators save that a really good man cannot ordinarily be had at $12 a week even for an evening show. It takes a man of brains and ability to get the best results out of a moving picture machine at all times, and you may take it from me that brains coupled with ability are not to be had at $12 a week except in businesses which offer opportunities for advancement, and this is not the case with operating. Pay the price and get good men, gentlemen, or stop kicking. Please do not understand me as implying that the mere matter of high pay makes a good man. It might make the poor one somewhat better, but he will still be mediocre. What I mean is that by paying decent salaries you will be able to get good operators, which you cannot do for $12 per week, in New York or anywhere else. F. H. RICHARDSON. INDEPENDENT MANUFACTURERS ORGANIZE. Joplin, Mo., September 4, 1909Editor Moving Picture World: Dear Sir — I will thank you to kindly publish the following open letter in your columns, knowing that a clear statement of such an important movement will prove of vast interest to your readers: "Since the formation of the Trust, the Independents have lacked the one necessary element of success — concentration of effort. It was justly to be expected. "When the Trust was formed, it took in the important firms in every branch, leaving a number of firms in the field whose objects and interests differed so greatly as to make co-relationship almost impossible. "The atmosphere has cleared since then, and the Independents have all learned through hard experience that to achieve the success which the cause deserves, a common purpose and a common goal must be in mind. "This sentiment took root in the meetings held in Chicago, and the Independent Film Service Protective Association was formed. The membership of this Association will include. beside the manufacturers of moving picture films and the film exchanges, also manufacturers of machines and accessories, and, in fact, all manufacturers and handlers of any commodity used in the exhibition of moving pictures. "Since this movement has already the support of many of the best Independent concerns, there is no question but what it will be carried through to a successful issue. Its purposes will be fourfold: "First: To cause to be created and to Assist in creating an ample supply of high-class American film which will take first rank in artistic and photographic qualities, and to provide a ready market fur the manufacturer who invests his money and efforts in the production of such film. "Second: To assist the Independent film exchanges, through sound advice and necessary regulation, to gain the support of the exhibitor, so as to enable him to purchase new film and practically consign the junk to the furnace. "Third: To instil into the mind of the exhibitor a confidence in the product of the independent manufacturer and in the business methods of the rental exchange, and to cause him to lend his moral and financial support to attain the permanent supremacy of the Independent films. "Fourth: To provide a common fund to resist legal oppression which the Trust, by virtue of its power and wealth, would be enabled to impose upon individuals, whose weakness otherwise would be an easy prey for unjust attacks." 1 am sure that the exhibitor will be glad to know that this movement is now being fostered by the entire Independent industry; that the plans will be worked out on clean, honest lines, and that the entire working out of the business end will be placed in charge of men whose ability and integrity is sure to gain for the Independents the recognition of high merit. Very truly yours, J. W. MORGAN, Chairman Organization Committee. Simpson's Celebrated ong Slides A. L. SIMPSON, 113 W. 132 St., New York City The Finest Made. $5 per Set All of the New Song Hits. J. E. NAYLOR (SL COMPANY SLIDES ILLUSTRATED SONG ADVERTISING ANNOUNCEMENT SPECIAL Special Slides Made to Order 58-GO WABASH AVE., ROOM 614 CHICAGO MARYLAND FILM COMPANY 400 Carroll Building : : Baltimore, Md. BALTIMORE'S FOREMOST INDEPENDENT RENTERS Write for our special money making proposition, it will pay you. Good clean films, and a square deal is what we offer you. When you want a good slide, there are several — when you want the best, there is but one: BRAYTON Brayton Manufacturing Co. 122 E. Randolph Street, Chicago Advertising Announcement Contest SPECIAL UNTIL OCTOBER 1st 1909 A Slide of Your Singer, 75 cts., Postpaid