Moving Picture News (Jan-Dec 1911)

THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS 25 Before these rules went into effect there were already some moving picture places on a second floor, such as the establishment above the Keystone market house, at Third street and Girard avenue. The places already established do not come under the jurisdiction of the bureau of building inspection, but every year are licensed by the board created for this purpose, which is composed of the chief of the electrical bureau and the chief fire marshal. This board has the power to refuse renewal of licenses for moving picture exhibitions which are held in the second floor of a building. Moving Picture Regulations Chief Edwin Clark, in speaking of the rules regarding the erection of moving picture theaters, said: "There are many persons who seem to believe that the laws regarding the erection of moving picture places are made so that they can be evaded. They do not realize that they are made and enforced only to safeguard the lives of the public, and being in a business that derives its profits entirely from the patronage of the public, they should be only too willing to obey the regulations prescribed by this bureau. "Under our present laws, which were framed three or_ four years ago, a moving picture theater seating more than 250 persons must have two 5-foot exits in the front, and two 4-foot exits in the rear. A place seating fewer than 500 must have three 5-foot front exits and two 5-foot rear exits, and those seating up to 750 persons must have five 5-foot front exits and two 6-foot rear exits. Those seating more than 750 must be entirely fireproof. Some Places Are Firetraps "No matter how many are seated, every moving picture parlor built in the city of Philadelphia must be on the first floor. Those buildings in which the second or third floors are used for hall purposes, dwellings, apartment houses, tenement houses, schools or hotels, cannot have a moving picture exhibition on the first floor, because, in case of fire, the danger of a panic of those occupying the floors above is too great. ''As the purpose of this law is to protect the public, it should meet with the hearty support of all interested in the public welfare, and an individual who tries willfully to evade it should not receive the patronage of the public.'' Despite the efforts of the Bureau of Building Inspection, there are numerous moving picture parlors in various sections of the city which are nothing more than firetraps. That they exist is due to a great degree to the laxity of the Board in issuing licenses. It is a frequent occurrence for a man when getting a permit to build a moving picture theater to take an affidavit that he will not seat more than 500 persons, and after the place is finished to crowd 700 chairs in it. F. W. SWETT The Nicholas Powei Company announce that they have engaged ^Nlr. F. W. Swett to act as special representative. He will spend most of hi^ time traveling, principally m the interests of Power's Cameragraph No. 6, which is enjoying unprecedented popularity not only in the United States, but in foreign fields as well, in fact, wherever moving pictures are, shown. Leaving the position of chief electrician of the Dominion Atlantic Railway & Steamship Company, of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1906, he took charge of the Royal Opera House in Yarmouth and there gained his first experience with moving pictures. The pictures projected in this house soon became the standard by which others in that vicinity were judged. Having in view a wider field of activity, Mr. Swett left there to take charge of the repair department of the F. J. Howard Film Exchange, of Boston, Mass. This gave him a thorough knowledge of the mechanical construction of the various makes of machines which he was called upon to repair and adjust. The Southern Pacific Railway Company having added moving pictures to its publicity department, engaged Mr. Swett to travel throughout the country with Prof. James W. Erwin, the official lecturer of the company. In that position he had entire charge of the mechanical apparatus used by the lecturers for the company. After covering the United States, he went to England in 1909, and for five months with Prof. Erwin gave illustrated lectures at the Anglo-American Exposition, Earl's Court, London. At the close of the Exposition they made a tour of the English provincial cities. Since his return to the United States, Mr. Swett has been devoting his entire time and attention to the motion picture machine business and is one of the best posted men on the mechanical construction of the various makes of American and European machines now on the market. He is a member of Local No. 3 I. A. T. S. E., of Chicago. Not only is he an expert in the handling of machines, but he has the rare faculty of quickly imparting his knowledge to others, and, where an inclination is shown to raise the standard of their work, Mr. Swett is always glad to give the operators what knowledge and assistance he can. His electrical training is especially valuable in this connection. We consider the Nicholas Power Company very fortunate in having secured his services and feel sure that he will materially increase the host of friends they already possess. Chicago, 111. — Stang & Mackie will erect a new $6,000 moving picture theater at 114 West Sixty-third street. Lima, O. — Mrs. H. B. Hoffman has purchased the Empire Theater from H. B. Spencer. WE. GREENE • FILM EXCHANGE, Inc. The Oldest and Largest Independent Film Exchange in New England THE HOUSE OF QUALITY AND SATISFACTION. MR. EXHIBITOR: If you are desirous of Finding Out How to Improve your Present Seroice and Increase your Daily Attendance call and have a confidential chat with us. If you are unable to call, drop us a line. W. E. Greene Film Exchange, Inc. 228 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass. Talephone: 3790 Oxford