The Moving picture world (May 1920-June 1920)

1246 THE MOVIhfG PICTURE WORLD May 29, 1920 the right way by getting lens charts, a bandbook, eto. I think brother Kitzman is in error as to the title of the books required. What he wants is probably "Optic Projection," an excellent work by Simon Henry and Henry Phelps Gage. Yes, the Duluth men have started right. It is an astounding thing that there are still a large number of projectionists who do not own one single thing in the way of books bearing on their profession, or even so much as a lens chart. They read nothing, study nothing and make no efiFort to advance in knowledge, though they are right there when there is a chance for more money. They want the coin all right, but make no eflort to give efficient service in return for it. Daytona, Florida J. A. Rehkopf, projectionist New Daytona Theatre, Daytona, Florida, sends the following letter, which is also signed by W. K. Perkins, projectionist, Lyric Theatre, and Harold M. Pellet, projectionist, Chrystal Theatre, Daytona: Prlend Richardson: Met you once in the long ago. It was In the office of the American Pilm Service, Chicago, when that concern was quartered In the American Trust Building of that city. Some considerable time ago, wasn't It? This letter la to let you know that we of this little Florida city are interested in your efforts to improve projection nationally; alBO I wanted to say hello. Things have changed some in the projection field since 1908, haven't they, but we still have the same trouble with incomi>etent men in charge of projection. I believe the unions were the cause of the keeping of incompetents in the business in the beginning. That was why I cut loose from the Chicago local some years ago. It admitted any old "crank twister," if he had the price, though I guess that has been stopped of late years. Record Breaking SeaaoB. We have Just finished a record breaking tourist season here, and now have a chance to breathe easy for a while. The New Daytona, where I work, closes next week until next winter season. The other two houses remain open the year round. They are all operated by the Chrystal Amusement Company, and as we have no competition everything comes our way. We have no Chief Projectionist. Each niian is entirely responsible for his own equipment, makes his own repairs, etc. We are not restricted when It comes to purchasing repair parts. Uae Altematlns' Cnrrent. A C is the rule here, and we use Columbia Special A C carbons. Have had some trouble with them recently, and have sent samples to the factory, but have not yet had report as to the finding. Have never had a projection critic visit us, but we believe we know when things are as they should be and do our best to keep them that way. Mr. Titus, president of the company, wants the best, and is willing to pay the price to get It Our running time is two to five and seven to eleven daily, except Sundays, which we have free. Our salary is thirty-five dollars per, 80 take it up one side and down the other we are perhaps a bit better oft than most projectionists in larger cities. If you need a wee bit rest next winter take a run down to Florida and spend a little time in Daytona, We'll do the honors, and when you leave it will be with that "want to go back" feeling. How Memory Jumps, And right in the very last line he says: "As this letter is not for publication, you may heave it into the waste basket and I'll have something interesting later." Well, dang you, it's going to get itself publicationed anyhow. Chatty letters such as this ARE interesting, don't make any mistake about it either. The American Film Exchange I Lord, man, how memory jumped the chasm of years, and we again looked upon Van Ronckle's little six by eight office, and his desk piled high with a jumble of letters, papers, checks, contracts and so forth. It was the standing joke of Chicago exchanges that when Van interviewed two customers at once he hung the cuspidor out of the window to make more room. And did he do a business? I'll tell the wide world he did. How he did in those cigar box quarters only Von Ronckle knows. It was the joke and the wonder of the business at that time. Wonder where Van Ronckle is now? Unions Not to Blame. You are in error in blaming the union for the retention of the incompetent, because as a matter of fact there were nothing but incompetents (myself included) then, and the union must forsooth take them in. But we will cheerfully admit that the Chicago local was pretty awful — so much so that we refused point blank to join it. We have been in labor unions ever since 1884, and the old Chicago local was the worst we ever knew of anywhere. But of late years most unions have tightened the lines somewhat, though it is a very hard problem to handle. The union proceeds on the theory that the non-union projectionist is a menace, even though incompetent, but there is a perhaps equally grave danger in taking him in, and there you are. We think the unions, as a whole, are trying to do the best they can with this problem. Unions are now chiefly at fault in not making some real effort to compel their members to educate themselves in their profession, and put themselves in position to do credit to the organization and justice to their employer, the public, the exchange, the producer and the artists whose art they must reproduce. Your President is wise in understanding that the man who wants the best must be willing to pay a commensurate price. One does NOT get a high grade shoe for the price of a brogan. My compliments to Mr. Titus. If I ever get down to Florida again I will try to visit your little city. Have been there once, many years ago. Seems to me I remember a street in Daytona where the branches of great trees form a complete arch, and from them depend long stringers of moss. Carbon Capacity Manuel Nosti, Tampa, Florida, writes: In April 17 issue. Question No. 3 of the optical questions asks what is the economical limit of a projection carbon, and the answer is given as about five amperes below the point where needling or penciling begins. My own answer to this would be as follows: For A C 7/9 cored 80 amperes, ^ cored 70 amperes, % cored 60 amperes and 9/16 cored EC amperes. For D C % cored BB amperes, % cored 40 to 4B amperes, Inch cored 20 amperes and 9/16 cored 2B amperes. For solid lower, D C, % fifty amperes, % forty amperes, 9/16 forty to forty-five amperes and 7/16 twenty-five amperes. I woud ask that you correct the foregoing if you find It to be wrong at any point, as I am not sure of it. Those first ten questions seem simple, but if one attempts to trace them out to their finer points it will be necessary to do some digging, and that Is precisely what I am doing. Only wish you would continue to ask ten questions every week, for it certainly will cause all men who have any real ambition to study, and that is what we all need. Impossible to Check. It would be impossible to check up the carbon capacity chart you present, because I think it will be found that different makes of carbon will vary considerably in carrying capacity; also the point has been raised recently that current from different generators acts differently on carbons. It will therefore, it seems to me, be up to theprojectionist to select the carbons he proposes to use, and then ascertain for himself just what the amperage capacity of that particular carbon, on that particular current is, based on the proposition that the economical limit is about five amperes below the needling or penciling point. My regards to the Tampa men. And bye the way, what ever happened to friend Barnhill, of Miami, and his charming better half. I have recollections of strenuous, though very pleasant hours of entertainment in those two of Florida's most beautiful cities, Miami and Tampa. My best regards to all the very cordial, wholesouled folks whom I met in those two gera» of the sunny Southland. The Old Argument Recently B. Ludesher, Alpena, Michigan, wrote concerning wounded soldiers and schools for projectionists. I commented on same and sent him a carbon copy. Brother Ludesher is here again, with the following : I did not mean that every soldier should be taught projection, but only such as are incapacitated for heavy manual labor. They;, or qome of them, might well be taught the trade — if it Is a trade. And now with regard to another matter. You will note I said "If It is a trade." Well, I want to write of that, and trust you will be able to understand my meaning, even though I do not make myself very clear. Discharged. After my discbarge from the army I made quite a number of stops on my way home, seeking a position In every city, little or big, I came to. In one of them I introduced myself to a manager, who said he needed a GOOD man, with emphasis on the "good." The work was seven nights a week and three matinees. On matinee days it would be two to five and five to about eleven. He wanted a man who would be an all-around man. When I named thirty-five dollars a week he nearly fell off the box he was sitting on. "Why, man," said he, "I can get all the men I want to do the same work for twenty dollars"! To prove his statement he took me to one of his houses, and told me to go up and see his projectionist, which I did. A Good Picture. Now, Rich, this chap was getting some considerable picture. It was really all that a man could expect. The projection room was clean. The man sat at his machine all the time I talked with him and kept a steady light all through the show. After the show I Invited him out to eat, and during the conversation asked what he received as pay, to which he replied: "Twenty dollars a week." Said he had learned projection while the other projectionist was away in the army, and that all the experience he had had was one year. To my inquiry as to why he did not demand decent remuneration he replied to the effect that If he asked for more money he would promptly be told to get out. "The manager can get all the men he wants for twenty," was his summing up of the sltu*tlon. And there are many situations like that all over the country. On my way to the train next day the manager met me and asked if T would consider his proposition. He was promptly told there was nothing doing. I could make more than that husking pumpkins or digging the lowly sewer. ArgTunenta Rejected. I laid before him several arguments, one of which was that by employing a cheap man at the end of a year he would lose the difference in wages in wear and tear on machinery alone. He wanted to know how I could prove to him that it would be a good Investment to pay me fifteen dollars more than the prevailing wage, to which I replied by offering to go to work, and unless I could convince him I was worth the Increase he might keep the entire week's pay, but he got cold feet. Said he could save enough in a year by paying twenty to buy two new projectors, allow