Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-10-29
PICTURE THEATERS
Must Meet Rigid Requirements Under
New Laws.

Running a picture show is getting
to be an occupation as hedged by legal
restrictions as one other business tnat
is legal in Danielson this week and will
be otherwise next week. At least, that
is the way the moving picture people
feel about it. For the past few days
the, picture men in Danielson have
been reading over the lengthy list of
rules and regulations recently left with
them by a representative of the state
police. who have supervision in the
matter. and they have learned how
much is expected of them in the way
of safeguarding their patrons from the
possibility of injury. The rules leave
nothing dependent on the good judg-
ment of the patrons in case anything
goes wrong: the managers are required
to see that everything goes right. If
an audience gets the idea of rushing
panic stricken from the house they are
supposed to be protected by the rules.
There are many rules some old and
some new. Hereafter all seats must be
fastened to the floor in such a way as
to make them immoVable: there is to
be no more standing in the aisles or
Overcrowding Of the house: the exits
must be kept clear at all times during
a show; the operators must be licensed
and when in tine opera ting booths must
have their licenses with them no
smoking is to be allowed in the operat-
ing booth and no inf1ammable materials
kept there: the picture machine must
not be operated more than twenty
minutes at any one time without a rest
of at least five minutes. and the booth
must be thoroughly fireproof.
Nearly all of the above rules have
been in force for a long time i'm Dan
ielson's picture houses, but there are
few of the requirements that are new.
The one requiring that the seats be
fastened is regarded as particularly
embarrassing i'm that it necessitates
fixing many nails or screws in the
floors of the halls. This will not only
spoil the floors for dancing, but the
local halls being frequently used for
that purpose. but will also prevent tie
removal Of the seats on the frequent
occasions when the halls are used for
purposes other than showing motion
pictures.
The men in the picture business in
Danielson are as conscious as anyone
OF the responsibilities that rest upon
them in taking all proper precaution
to protect their audiences from injury.
but they also feel that there should be
a reasonable limit to what they are
asked to do. They cite for one thing
that they are asked to furnish asbestos
lined booths and the question that the
booths viii be any more fireproof than
the steel ones now in use. All of the
new rules must be complied with with
in two weeks or the places will be
closed.
Waldo Block Modernzed.
Tho transformation of the Waldo
block recently purchased and TO be
occupied by J. w. Gallup progresses
with the days and the building has
commenced to take on more modern
appearance. The old fashioned veran-
da has been removed and the flag walk,
tread upon for more than half a cen
tGry. has been torn up and replaced
ny I smooth walk OF cement. This
walk is not completed, but will be by
the emo of this week. The interior is
Frightened by additional light admit
tea through plate glass windows thai
have replaced the little old ones. When
all Of the inside changes are COM
pleted the building will have under
gone a big change.
Supper and RollcaII.
The annual supper and rollcall of
tn, members of the Westfield Congre-
g5tiCnal church was held in the church
Thur sday evening.
RolIcaIl and Church Supper
More than 200 persons responded to
the ir n;Dnes at the annual rOilcall Of
the Westfield Congregational church on
thursday evening ana more than thirty
letters We're read from out of town
members unable to be present. Miss
Flora Fuller called the roll and the
letters were read by various members
of the congregation. Among the let
tiers were one from Rev. and Mrs John
Rowland OF Mexico. one from Mrs.
Simon Waldo, who is spending the
winter in Florida. and one from Miss
Maria Williams Of Kansas. formerly or
D2nielson. The rollcall was an excep-
tionally pleasant social event
HI connection with the rolcall the
annual church supper was also held
and about 225 we're served. After the
supper hymns were sung and there
were remarks by Rev Mr.. Barber ana
others.