Moving Picture News (Jan-Dec 1911)

[12 THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS current and voltage required, expressed in kilovoltamperes, while the size of the prime mover is determined by the energy required, expressed in kilowatts. Both the kilovoltampere capacity of the generator and the kilowatts of the load, with the power factor, should be known in order that the generator and the engine may have the proger relative capacities. The kilowatt capacity is equal to the kilovoltampere capacity at 100 per cent, lower factor only, a condition that practically never exists with commercial loads. At lower power factors the kilowatt capacity is less than the kilovoltampere capacity in the ratio of the power factor. It is necessary to know the average power factor of the load to be carried by the generator in order to insure its successful operation, since, as already stated, the operating requirements become much more severe as the power factor is reduced. Recent developments in alternating current power practice require generators capable of operating under loads of low power factor. The cut in Figure 35 shows a stationary armature of a Westinghouse Alternator; the reader will no doubt ask why the armature in an alternator is stationary while the magnetic field revolves, and in a direct current generator the magnetic field is stationary and the armature revolves. ■ The reason of this is that in direct current generators the voltage is very seldom more than 600 volts, which can be collected from the commutator by means of brushes, and as the difference of potential in the armature coils is low the amount of insulation required is not large. Now in alternators the voltage generated in the armature may reach several thousands of volts, and as the amount of insulation required to insulate the armature coils is quite large and if the armature was of the revolving type the windings would have a tendency to work themselves loose. It has been found the better practice to make the armature stationary and thereby giving better facilities for insulating these high voltages. The cut in Figure 36 shows the collector rings used for furnishing direct current to the field magnets; these rings are made of brass and are insulated from the shaft by means of mica and fibre. If the reader will look at the Figure 34 in last week's News, he will observe that there are only two of these rings used. In all alternators the field magnets must be supplied with direct current furnished either from a storage battery or a small direct current generator either separately driven or directly connected to the shaft of the alternators. In some machines there is a small commutator used for rectifying the alternating currents into direct currents for exciting the field magnets. (To Be Continued.) Position Wanted Mr. J. A. Brumley of 417 Emory Street, Harriman, Tenn., who is a first-class operator and electrician, seeks a position in the south. If there is any one who desires a first-class man here is their chance to secure one. A Fakir — Look Out for Him My attention has been called to some party or parties who are going among the operators and the different manufacturers claiming to be Wm. E. Smith of the "Moving Picture News." He is a fakir who is up to some swindling game, so beware of him when he calls. Ask him to show his credentials. The editor of this department asks that he be turned over to the police, where he shall be proceeded against to the full extent of the law. (We are in full accord with the above, written by our Wm. E. Smith. If the so-called fakir has not a Moving Picture News card call us up on 'phone, 4090 Chelsea. — Editor, M. P. N.) : Portland, Ore. — H. E. Brons will erect a new moving picture theater on Foster avenue. Allison Hill, Pa. — J. M. Lenney, of Harrisburg, will erect a new moving picture theater at 7 South Thirteenth Street. . Hutchinson, Kan. — C. B. Yost has sold his interest in tile Elite theater here to Wayne Martin. Venica, Cal. — Davis Evans is preparing to erect a new theater at the corner of Horizon avenue and Ocean Front. Chicago, 111. — The Columbia moving picture theater at 2409 West North avenue, was badly damaged by fire. Silver City, la. — L. H, Zanders has purchased from George A. Piatt the Malvern theater outfit. The Presto Emergency Clamp Company of Syracuse, New York, are putting on the market a device which will fill a long felt want by motion picture operators in the shape of an emergency carbon clamp, which is a quick action device to remedy short circuited or grounded arms or wires burning off. It is adapted for use on arc lamps of picture machines, and spotlights, and is so constructed to obtain the quickest possible action for putting a lamp into commission. The device is applied directly to the carbon. It can be adjusted in less than one minute, making little or no delay at all. Two insulating bushings are provided with each pair of clamps which insulate carbon from holder to be used only in case of a short circuited or grounded arm. The Presto Emergency Clamp consists of two bodies of solid construction hinged together. One end is adapted to grip the carbon, while the other end is adapted to grip the wire, including insulation. If you ever had an accident to your lamp during a performance you will readily appreciate the value of a device of this kind, and can see how a great deal of worry and delay can be avoided by having a pair of these clamps on hand for emergency. The Moving Picture Operators' Benevolent Association Ball This ball was held last Friday evening, April 21st, at Arlington Hall, 19-23 St. Marks Place, New York City, and was a grand success from start to finish, both financial and otherwise, under the abled management of the arrangement committee, which was composed of El. DeCosta, chairman; Sam Kaplan, Jacob Cohen, James Daisie and James Girvan. This ball was conducted in such an orderly manner that those who attended were unable to find words to express their appreciation of it to the entertainment committee. Among the prominent men in the motion picture field who were present were: Mr. Farrell, assistant sales manager of the Edison Company; Mr. Hodges, traveling agent of the Edison Company; Mr. Feorring, Mr. Thomas Kelly of the Life-o-Graph; Mr. Harry A. Mackie; Mr. J. A. LeRoy of the Acmegraph; Messrs. A. and C. Kessel of the Empire Film Exchange; Mr, F. B. Cannock, Mr. Bauman of the New York Motion Picture Company; Mr. Rosenbluh of the Greater New York Film Exchange; Mr. Goritz, Mr. Brandenburg. The editor of this department wishes to compliment the following officers of the Moving Picture Operators' Benevolent Association upon the grand success of this ball: Robert Goldblat, president; El. DeCosta, vice-president; Robert Sanders, recording secretary; Jacob Cohen, financial secretary; Henry Weinberger, treasurer; Sol Spivok, seargent-atarms; James Daisie, James Girvan and Jessie Levine. CROWN MOVING PICTURE SUPPLIES CO. The Crown M. P. Supplies Co., located at 138 Third Ave., New York City, has been in existence not quite a year, yet in that time they have become very popular with many exchanges and exhibitors alike, because of their fair, business methods; their slogan is Forward, and by honest dealings, energy, and strict attention to the necessities of their patrons, they have gone forward. The advance made by this firm in the short time of its business career, speaks for its integrity and reliability. OLD HOUSE BURNED FOR M. P. FILMS The historic Sicard House, one of the oldest in New Rochelle, was burned on the afternoon of April 21st by a motion picture concern (Thanhouser Co.) in the presence of 3,000 spectators. A child was "rescued," a bucket brigade strove to put out the flames, and a mournful family viewed the ruins. The house was built late in the seventeenth century by the Sicard family, which was amon<? the Huguenots that settled New Rochelle. When John H. Tremor, at one time dancing master in New York socially, retired and came to New Rochelle, he bought the Sicard place and moved the house to Mayflower avenue. It was occupied by his gardener until three months ago. Powers No. 5 — 6120. Stolen from Reid Ave., corner of Fulton, Thursday, 27th of April. Liberal reward will be given for the recovery of this machine by AMERICAN FILM EXCHANGE, 630 Halsey St., Brooklyn.