Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1923)

better^ Equipment CONDUCTED T. KEYSER Eastern Zone A. M. P. E. D. A. Holds Convention. Apple Would Eliminate Store Space. He Asks the World. THE eastern zone of the Association of Motion Picture Equipment Dealers of America held a most enjoyable convention and two banquets at the Hotel Astor, November 12 and 13. President Oldnow, whom it was hoped would be in attendance, was obliged to send his regrets, but Secretary Barth was there in full force and explained in detail the benefits conferred by membership in the organization, and spoke hopefully of progress already made and of achievements yet to come. Decision on many important matters was deferred owing to the desire of the association that the decisions made should be final and several important questions, which were brought before the association, were referred to committees appointed to take action on same. Mr. Green, of the Precision Machine Company, expressed his views on the undesirability of charging a rental on loan mechanisms while projectors were being repaired, at least for the present. As a reason for this opinion on his part, he cited the fact that projector manufacturers were several weeks behind in repair work and that he did not believe exhibitors should be penalized for the delay. Mr. Griffin, of the Nicholas Power Company, addressed the meeting with a clear and logical statement of the evils of the utilization for repair purposes of parts other than those manufactured by the projection machine builders. The one jolt to the perfect harmony which prevailed at the meeting was provided by Mr. Katz, of the Crown Motion Picture Supply Company, who spilled the beans by inquiring “what in a repair man was going to do when he could not get a trade discount on parts from the projector manufacturer and exhibitors were yelling for quick repairs.” This is the second time that Mr. Katz, who is the official enfant terrible of the A. M. P. E. D. A., has asked embarrassing questions at the wrong time. ON another page, the owner of Troy’s American Theatre adds to the wealth of experience which exhibitors have been contributing to this department during the past month. It will be noted that Mr. Apple would eliminate the store space which he is now renting out and devote increased area to house seating. While at first sight, this might appear to constitute an indictment against the practice which is quite common, of devoting a portion of the floor space of moderate sized houses to rental purposes, with a view of diminishing the overhead, it actually proves that Mr. Apple is a good swimmer and does not need the life preserver which he wore when making his plunge into the industry. Not every new house could be increased both in area and seating capacity to advantage within three vears of its building and we still hold that for the average <mall house provision for reducing the overhead by rentals for store purposes is a wise financial precaution. THE following inquiry is just another illustration of the fact that when anyone wants to know where to get anything, they come to the Moving Picture World for the information : Denver, Colo., Nov. 7, 1923. Chalmers Publishing Co., New York City. Can you give us the name of the company who manufactures the “Fulco Gold Seal 2 in 1 Film Cement?” We would like to have the address of this company. Very truly yours, FORD OPTICAL COMPANY. W. R. Yale. Yes, Mr. Yale, we can tell you. The article in question is built by the E. E. Fulton Company, 3208 Carroll avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Incidentally, these people had a page advertisement in a recent issue of one of our contemporaries, which you must have overlooked. FRED J. BIRD, for some time past with the Independent Movie Supply Company, of New York. City, has transferred his allegiance to the Raven Screen Company, 165 Broadway, New York City. Mr. Bird, who was connected with the Nicholas Power Company for many years and left the late Motion Picture Equipment Corporation to go to the Independent Movie Supply Company, knows the equipment business from top to bottom. We don’t know whether to extend our congratulations to Bird or to his new boss, but we are going to play safe and do both.