Dear sir—I enclose an article on the subject we talked over to-day. If we can establish a school of operating and issue certificates to graduates and have an enrolment of all duly qualified operators so that you can conduct an Operators' Bureau, I think it would meet a long-needed requirement. Now, if a good operator is required there are no headquarters to which to apply, and the trial of a poor operator is terrible for an entertainer to take chances upon. I enclose my card and would be glad to join you in pushing through an Operators' League and securing proper legislation in New York State.
From the viewpoint of eight years' experience as an operator of moving picture machines, I earnestly voice the necessity of all operators coming under an organization.
I. For Their Own Protection.
An operator sustains a responsible position; the safety of human lives depends on his knowledge. Is he qualified to operate? Has any responsible board of inspection passed upon his qualifications? The League would help to protect the operator by equipping him with full knowledge of the danger points to be guarded against in his occupation.
II. Organize for Mutual Advantage.
At the present time an expert operator who understands about the different electric currents, the capacity of rheostats; how to get as good a result, or nearly so, from an alternating as from a direct current; the perfect adjustment of the lamp; the kind of, and correct positions of the carbons; how to get a steady result without flicker—a man who understands how to meet every condition, whose experience makes every exhibition a first class affair, and whose presence at the machine is a guarantee of safety to the audience, is worthy a fair compensation, and should not be headed off by inexperienced, raw, ignorant experimenters, whose presence at the machine is a menace and peril to the audience, and whose principal qualification is a willingness to try to operate at half-price, or starvation wages.
When operators are licensed, as in Massachusetts, where they are obligated to give evidence of their fitness for the position, such fires as occurred on the Bowery last week could not occur. Cheapness and ignorance of requirements may be blamed for the constantly occurring accidents.
III. Organize for Instruction.
The League could be made a "school of instruction" under the direction of an expert. After three months' instruction, covering a thorough knowledge and demonstration of the science of operating and electricity, a certificate could be issued stating the qualifications of the party, this being a guarantee of efficiency.
How few operators but wish there was some place to go, where they could secure instruction on the different points they do not understand.
Such a course would tend to safeguard every audience against disaster.
The financial interests of operators undertaking the course would be advanced, as then there would be less chance of a failure of a moving picture exhibition. Such instruction would create and maintain a high standard of efficiency among operators.
IV. Organize for Standing.
An operator should be entitled to standing as such by some accredited authority or organization. In Massachusetts it is placed by the legislature under the authority of the Inspection Department District Police.
No operator can give an exhibition with a moving picture machine without a license. He must demonstrate before the Inspector his abilities, and pass a fair examination before he can obtain a license; but, once having this, it is a valuable asset wherever he goes. Further than this, the public are not only safeguarded by the State against ignorant, inefficient operators, but also against the use of machines which are fire-traps. Every machine must also pass a rigid examination, must be equipped with safety magazines, must be sealed and tagged, and for using machines or exhibiting other than above specified a fine of from five to five hundred dollars may be imposed.
Why should the New York Legislature delay regulating until some awful disaster emphasizes the importance of such a measure?
It is earnestly desired that every operator in New York State will at once send his name and address to the editor of The Moving Picture World, 361 Broadway, New York, and by so doing safeguard the welfare of the public who enjoy and patronize the moving picture shows.
"G."
[We are quite willing to allow The Moving Picture World to be the official organ of the league and report its progress from time to time. Operators desirous of carrying out the suggestion of the bureau can use our free register slip in sending in their names for registration.—Ed.]
Operators' Register.
Operators in any locality may register without charge of any kind.
In your application be sure to fill out the "locality" blank.
Fill out blank and send to The Moving Picture World.