The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-20
many DEADHEADS
AT PICTURE SHOWS
Proprietors Say Supervision Is
Now Exercised by Many
Departments.
HEALTH ORDINANCE TABLED
Theatre Men Say They Will
Welcome Suggestions as
to Ventilation.

Theatres sind moving picture houses
are already subject to a multitude OF
local regulations, ana to supervision of
an army of officials, who claim the
right to pass in free according to
statements made at a hearing last
night before subcommittee of the
Committee or Ordinances, on an ordi-
nance regulating tho ventilation of
such places. Tho ordinance was per-
pared and recommended by the Board
OF Health. Chief Health officer T. c.
Levy stated that while the board has
general powers in health matters. II
desired in this instance the specific
right to make rules and regulations,
government the heating and ventilation
Of picture houses. Most OF the thea
tres. he thought. were we'll equipped
and what he had in mind would re-
auire no very expensive alterations.
the chief items being exhaust fans
and a prohibition of heating by gas
where there was no vent fct the
fumes.
Army of Instructors.
Representatives. OF many picture
houses We're present NJ. l.. liofheimer.
owner of the Little Theatre. and Ed
Lyons. manager of the Colonial, were
the speakers. They did not object to
any reasonable regulation, and, in fact,
they said, had equipped their houses
far in excess OF anything that would
reasonably be required, both for venti-
lation and for sanitation. Speaking
for the other houses. they believed
that any of them would welcome sug-
gestions. and would make any reason
able changes desired by the health
authorities But 1t was pointed out
that the motion picture houses are
already supervised by the Police De-
partment-both plain clothes and In
uniformity khc Fire Department.
both firemen and members OF the Fire
Board-by the Electrical Department
including the City Electrician and in
spectors, and what has proved most
serious OF all. by the Building Inspec-
tor and his deputies. Willing enough
to comply with any proper regulations
the picture house proprietors thought
they had enough bosses-and as Grca-
nor Neal. lessee OF the Academy of
Music, suggested. enough dead heads
TO carry" ms 1T is. IL more vents were
needed, il was said the Building In
spector could order them without add
ing another board OF five members to
the already large official free list.
Has Very Broad Powers.
The committee decided that mas
much as the Health Board has very
broad general powers, and as no case
could be shown where any picture
house has failed 10 comply with any
suggestion or order OF the Board OF
Health as 10 heating, sanitation or
ventilation. the ordinance be tabled
for the present, and the Health Board
notified that the committee recon-
mended IAN inspection OF the picture
houses. with the Understanding that
if any of the propretors fail to pro-
vide adequately for ventilation and
sanitation. the ordinance or I some
similar paper can be revived and re-
ported at any time.
The discussion came to an end when
there was general agreement that
neither tho Health Department nor the
City Council has ever succeeded in in
auguratinG any system OF ventilation
at the City Hall. the meeting rooms
court rooms and Offices being notori-
ously overhcated close and i'll vcnti-
lated. Notwithstanding the fact that
nearly all of the supervising officers
who pass in free At theatre entrances
have their Offices at tho City Hall