Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-02-26
UP AN
ULT|MATUM TO
SHOW MEN
TO2i30 YESTERDAY
TO STATE INTENTIONS
Up TO Last Night, however,
Managers of Picture Shows
Had Not Announced Their
Course as Regards Firemeh

Acting under instructions from
Mayor Lester. chief OF Police McMil-
lin yesterday morning made the
round OF the moving picture shows,
notifying the managers tina, the or
nance requiring them 10 pay the fire.
men appointed by the city would be
enforced and giving them until 2:3O
yesterday afternoon TO inform the
mayor what they proposed 70 do. 1t
was indicated that a refusal 60 COM
ply with the ordinance and the pro-
vision regarding the lremen would
result in revocation of their licenses.
Up 10 last night none OF the moV-
ing picture show managers had stat
ed what, If any determination had
been reached. Whether they would
pay the firemen as required BY the
ordinance; close up the thaters or al
low the licenses to be revoked.
There is really nothing to say
about the matter said Attorney
Francis r.. Wood, who representa- the
Pastimc and Crystal theaters.
no time have the theater managers re-
FUSED to obey the ordnance and 1t
seems to me moro or less unusual
procedure in enforcing city ordinances
to mako u ratification uf the kind
made today. SO far as 1 tlnow no
decision has been reached By the
ILiltilti men.
Il was notified by the chief of POI
lice this morning tina / would nave
to inform the mayor this afternoon
what we intended doing about the m
ployment of the hremen as required
BY the city ordinance" said Manager
Mum Of the pastime and Crystal the
ters last night. II have not rs yet
notified the mayor and mp 10 this
time / have not made up my mind
81 49,. .A.t. .. .L. -4.FHI fAHaL !. lnF 90
never refused to obey n city or
dinancc and we have carried out the
provisions Of this one Just as far as
we could. But when il nm 10
paying out Sf.00 a day for two useless
men as l would be required ia do for
my two theaters. it is an expense we
cannot stand. Nor can we. for ap-
parent business reasons accept a man
appointed by the city over whom we
have no control. to act rs ticket taker
and fireman combined. As | say
while we nave never refused to obey
this or amy other ordinance, we have
been contending against what We hold
20 be an injustice. We cannot he re-
quired to make up our minds on the
matter in q few minutes and ! have
not yet informed Mayor Lester as to
what We will do. We nave done ev-
erything to reach an understanding
on this matter. We have some rights
here and have gone TO great lengths
to comply with the ordinance. but as
! say we cannot stand the burden i'm
posed; we are sure it is "A useless one
aud We have hoped and still hope
that the council will see its way to
make some satisfactory adjustment.
II have talked with Mayor lester
about this matter. / told him. among
other things. that il the Pastime and
CRYSTAL thpaters are ntp traps, as he
has stated in 4 published interview,
1t becomes his duty to close them up.
The fact IS that these tfeaters are
not fire traps and that every possible
%prccaution has been taken TO protect
the patrons. The Pastime, as is we'll
known by the fire chief, and all the
city officials. Is absolutely fire proof.
1t was built so and will stand any
inspection.
The picture snow managers still
hope that some adjustment OF tho fire.
man requirement may be made.