The Moving picture world (January 1924-February 1924)

680 MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 23, 1924 2K.W.to25K.W. Four Cylinder ELECTRIC PLANTS mean that no small town need be without its* "movie". No theatre, already established, need suffer the handicap of consistently unreliable current. No city playhouse need face the I | terrific loss that goes with even a single dark-] [ house. Traveling exhibitors can now produce [ the finest pictures — clear and flickerless. More"Universals" are used for permanent k or emergency exhibiting purposes than other make. No other so quiet, compact, simple or sturdy. UNIVERSAL MOTOR CO. 15 Ceape St. ushkosh. Ca\aH ILLUSTRATION SH0WJ4KW Wis. There Are Mighty Good Reason* Why the Best Houses Use TRIMOUNT TICKETS and have used them for the past sixteen years. THE REASONS ARE QUALITY, SERVICE and a SQUARE DEAL Send for samples and prim of the best tickets built, printed in the largest exclusive ticket plant in New England. And learn what a ticket should be. TRIMOUNT PRESS 119 Albany Street Boston, Mass. LA CINEMATOGRAFIA ITALIANA ED ESTERA Official Organ of the Italian Cinematograph Union Published on the 15th and 30th of Each Month Foreign Subscription : $7.00 or 85 francs per Annum Editorial and Business Offices: Via ( umiana, 31, Turin, Italy HALLBERG MOTOR GENERATOM Are the belt for Projectors. J. H. HALLBERG 445 Riverside Drive New York WELDED WIRE REELS For Sale by Howells Cine Equipment Co., 740 ilk A«c. New Tori A Baltimore Architect Comments On Mr. Eichenlaub's Contribution COMMENTING on the article entitled "How Proposed New Theatre Law Affects the Small Town Houses," which appeared in our issue of February 9, John J. Zink, of Baltimore, a member of the American Institute of Architects, says : Moving Picture World, New York: The subject of building laws as they relate to theatres is one of considerable interest, and, as a rule, they are written by people who, while they may be sincere in trying to protect the public against accidents, etc., are nevertheless subject to the influences of all sorts of temptations, with the natural result that some of the stipulations in nearly every code provide no safety whatever, but, on the other hand, increase the cost of building theatres unnecessarily. Experience teaches that the old codes, as well as many that have been recently rewritten, serve to increase the cost of building without producing the intended safety. It is therefore quite natural to suspect that the one in question will follow the traditional methods, and the results will be the same as in other cases. Therefore, on general principles, I find myself in agreement with Mr. Eichenlaub, whose articles in your February the ninth issue warns of the conditions which will exist as a result of the adoption and passage of the new law. If the exhibitors and others are as wideawake as I have reason to believe they are the legislative machinery at Albany will certainly hear from them in no uncertain terms that the new law is objectionable, because I believe it is realized thai, "once passed and adopted, it will be practically impossible to change the law into a reasonable instrument-" Of Nation-Wide Interest There is something more than the interests of the New York exhibitors at stake In this matter. Without agreeing to the oft-repeated statement "that the best always comes from New York" I am nevertheless frank in granting that what New York does is often copied by other communities. Therefore, if the exhibitors allow their lawmakers to put this law over on them it is expected that nearly every other community in the country sooner or later will follow suit, and the fight against prohibitive and nonsensical building laws for theatres will be a long-drawn-out and unsatisfactory proposition. Therefore, since the idea originated in New York, why not keep It there and settle it for the benefit of all concerned? Example* of Inconsistency I shall take the liberty of citing only one point which, I believe, will show some of the inconsistent theories controlling the framing of laws. It is that of live loads for floors. Why should Baltimore and San Francisco, for instance, stipulate as the allowable live load 75 pounds per square foot, and Boston and Pittsburgh demand 125 pounds? Both cannot be correct. Either one is too light and should be made heavier, or the other Is too heavy and should be made lighter, thereby saving the exhibitor considerable expense. History proves that there have been no theatre failures, so far as I know, in Baltimore and San Francisco, due to light construction, and therefore, It Is perfectly safe to assume that the floor loading in these two cities is sufficient for all purposes. That being the case the other stipulations are too heavy and, as stated above, the exhibitor who is building a house bears the burden. The Time Is Ripe It seems to me that the time is ripe for some movement having for its object the elimination of such Inconsistencies in building laws throughout the country; there are manv more. But I do not mean to say that It should be accomplished through the Federal Government; there is too much Federal Gov THE BAIRD REWINDER and DUMMY Will Accommodate 10-lnch and 14-Inch Reels. Durably Constructed to Stand Lone Hard Service. Ask your dealer. THE C. R, BAIRD CO. 2 East 23rd Street New York Manufacturers and Distributors of Moving Picture) Machine Parts Since 1909 ernment in affairs of this kind now. (Mr. Herbert Hoover, some time ago, suggested the framing of a uniform building cede). Such inconsistencies do not only affect theatres, but general building as well and the proper "lining up" of the entire building industry, including engineers, architects, owners and in fact all who are concerned, would develop into such an Impressive body that I venture to say, the authorities would certainly "take notice" and try to accomplish something for the benefit of the entire nation, along the lines above suggested. What we need is less law and worded In such a way that they can be Interpreted In only one way and not as now frequently happens that every officer puts a different construction on them. Very truly yours, JOHN J. ZINK. It's True Economy to Consult an Architect Orangeburg, S. C, February 6, 19J4. Moving Picture World, Xew York City. We are writing you for a little information. The legitimate (road show) house here some time back was condemned and since that time no shows have made this town. We are thinking of taking over the property, tearing out the Inside work, and using the outside walls, remodel It into a modern theatre. Can you give us the name of some book which deals with this subject, that Is giving plans of theatres, etc.? We do not wish to go into anything very expensive, but simply wish to remodel as cheaply as we can to get by. Very truly yours, J. I. SIMS, Manager, Reliance and Bluebird Theater. We know of no book which deals with the alteration of theatres. The best advice that we can give you is to consult an architect who has had experience in designing picture theatres. Either building or altering a picture theatre involves considerably more than a set of plans. Specifications must be in accordance with the State Building Code and local modifications of same, and only an architect or builder with architectural experience is in a position to meet these requirements. You will appreciate this situation when we advise you that the portion of the Building Code for the State of New York affecting picture theatres covers the equivalent of a column of small type 320 inches long by four inches wide and that the violation of any portion of it would cause greater expense than would an architects' fee. Houses Opened FORT PAYNE, ALA.— G. L. Brock plans to open moving picture theatre in new Wright Building. CHARLESTON, ARK— Mrs. N. T. Screeton will move Pastime Theatre to new location. TAMPA, FLA.— New Bonita Theatre, with seating capacity of 1,000, will open soon with first-run pictures. WAUCHULA, FLA.— Royal Theatre will open soon under management of George Stanarus. MT. OLIVE, ILL. — New Grand Theatre, with seating capacity of 500, owned by John Rammes and James Lawson, will open shortly. INDIANA HARBOR, IND.— Garden The