July 1, 1916.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



565 



KEEPING EMPLOYES CONTENTED. 



By Ernest A. Dcnch. 

 IT is difficult lo keep employes who work in outlying districts 

 * thoroughly contented, for the call of the city is strong. It is 

 possible, however, to curb this desire somewhat by entertaining 

 the workers with motion pictures, a method that the Beacon Falls 

 Rubber Shoe Co., Beacon Falls, Connecticut, has found highly 

 satisfactory. The theater is the only one in the village, has seat- 

 ing accommodation for 400, and standing room for an additional 

 hundred. Only tlie men and women employed at the plant and 

 their families are admitted. The building, constructed of stucco, 

 is equipped with two projection machines, in order to present 

 feature productions without an intermission at the end of every 

 reel. 



Photoplays are the same, whether shown at the most preten- 

 tious theater in New York or at the smallest hamlet. There is 

 no such thing as a Number One Company, the only difference 

 being that some of those presented may not be in perfect con- 

 dition, though still capable of giving satisfaction. 



The first thing needed for a moving-picture show is an adapta- 

 ble building. In the early days of the film industry the ex- 

 hibitor usually did business in a converte<l store. Since that time 

 the authorities have become far more strict and the public much 

 more fastidious, consequently the modern exhibitor has had to 

 erect a pretentious building in its stead. .\s a result makeshifts 

 are not so general. 



But the position of an operator in a manufacturing plant is 

 entirely different from that of a proprietor of a picture house in 

 the city. The employes will not protest, because they do not view 

 photoplays under such perfect conditions as prevail in the towns 

 and cities. 



In selecting an existing building on the plant which can be 

 remodeled into a passable photoplay theater, the following points 

 should be borne in mind : The room should be lofty, well- 

 ventilated and large enough to accommodate all the employes 

 and their families. It should also be free of obstructions in the 

 way of pillars and other supports, and should, moreover, be 

 situated on the ground floor. 



If the building is constructed of wood, this does not make it 

 wholly unsuitable ; but to make it safe, plastered metal laths or 

 wire mesh should cover the walls and ceilings. 



There should be at least four exits, which must open outward. 

 It is advisable to divide the rows of seats into sections so as to 

 provide for an aisle on each side, not less than three feet wide. 



Chairs or benches should be fastened to the floor because if a 

 fire occurs the scats will be overthrown and will interefere with 

 the orderly egress of the crowd. It is customary in the design of 

 such buildings to allow each spectator four and a half square 

 feet of floor space. 



The projection machine will cost from J250 to $300, accord- 

 ing to make selected. The best standard makes include : The 

 Simplex, which has many pleasing features in its construction, 

 simplicity and safety being its outstanding points. The price is 

 $300. The Motiograph is also popular, owing to its durability 

 and guarantee given by its manufacturers. The F.dison Kineto- 

 fcope may be recommended because it is easy to manipulate 

 with little experience and stands hard wear. There are two 

 models, one priced at $155 and the other at $250. The Eden- 

 graph excels in that it produces perfect projection when operated 

 by an experienced operator, and possesses several improvements 

 not contained in oth.er machines. The selling price is $250. The 

 distinguishing feature about the Cameragraph No. 6a is that a 

 special device les.sens the danger from fire. This costs $250. 



The authorities insist that the projection machine be enclosed 

 in a fireproof booth, so that if there is an outbreak of fire, it 

 cannot spread beyond. Here an- expense of $65 is involved, but 

 it is worth it in the interests of safety. The booth, made of 

 galvanized iron, is shipped in sections which are easily put 



together by means of bolts and nuts provided for that purpose. 



In the days gone by a bed sheet or a table cloth has been 

 used as a screen, but science has come to the rescue, and now 

 there are screens and screens. To obtain the best results it will 

 be necessary to pay about $1.50 per square foot for the materials 

 used for that purpose. 



The light by which to throw the pictures on the screen is 

 usually obtained from an electric power plant. Failing this, a 

 calcium gas-making outfit can be secured for $35 ; the gas can 

 be manufactured at five minutes' notice and gives a 700-candle- 

 powcr light. 



In selecting suitable lens for the projection machine, the size 

 of room, make of projection machine, the length and height of 

 screen and distance from the booth must be taken into consid- 

 eration. It is false economy to purchase a cheap lens, and the 



Pilturk Thk.xtkr Built by ti 

 Shoe Co. 



foregoing particulars should Ije furnished to the supply firm at 

 the time of ordering. 



Carbons are needed to run the projector. A case containing 

 1,000 costs from $17 to $45, according to market conditions, 



A reliable operator will also be required. To obtain the serv- 

 ices of one on full time will cost from $20 to $30 per week, but 

 as he will only be on the job in the evenings, and then perhaps 

 not every night in the week, it might be possible to arrange with 

 someone on the staff, who has a practical knowledge of elec- 

 tricity, to undertake the work, and who would be paid, of course, 

 for the additional time occupied by the work. 



The operator will need a toul outfit, which should include 

 cement for mending brok"!! lilms. a file for sharpenin.ir carbons, 

 lugs, reels and machine on. 



The average feature, at first, commands from $50 to $100 per 

 day. but the price eventually drops to $10. But this type of pro- 

 duction provides a whole evening's entertainment. As four single 

 reels may be rented for $1.50 and upward, one is apt to decide 

 in favor of the latter. It will be best to give both forms of en- 

 tertainment a fair trial in order to determine which gives the 

 most satisfaction. 



The reels are rented from the nearest film excliange. It is 

 customary to contract for a service and pay a week in advance. 

 After this, the weekly requirements can be mailed, telephoned 

 or telegraphed to the branch house and the films are dc.-;patched 

 as required. 



This plan of providing modern entertainment for employes is 

 being considered by other prominent rubber manufacturing con- 

 cerns in connection with their welfare work already under way. 



