The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-01-15

corrected at once, If only to enhance
the comfort of pa irons"
Securing air samples for testing
purposes is a less difficult feat
than many theater patrons inn
agine, according to DIR. Price. in
charge Of the theater fresh air
drive.
1--WE visit the theater during
the peak of the attendance taking
with us two bottles" he said.
One is filled with distilled water
after the bottle has been steriIized.
The other bottle is empty. We go
IS near the center of the parquet
as possible and placing both bottles
on the floor empty one into the
other. The result is that the bottle
which held the water becomes fill
ed with surrounding air. The bottle
ID corked and sent to the labora-
tory here, where the air content is
subjected to the necessary tests to
determine the percentage of OXYGEN
and Of noxious gases. It is all
very simple and never creates the
slightest excitement among the
audience. In fact I doubt If many
OF the latter have an idea Of what
Is going on when the air sample is
taken"
Purity Below Standard.
Describing the results Of the an
alysis made so far DR.. Price stated
that in about three-fourths of the
cases the air tests proved con-
clusively that the air patrons were
forced to breath was far be-
low the standard fixed by the Gov
eminent as healthful.
1t Is a common occurrence for a
person watching a moving picture
to find himself losing interest and
doing Off," he explained. THAT
is due to the action of the excess
gases contained in the air he IS
breathing. When he leaves the
house he goes away feeling stupid,
'dopey, often the victim OF a head
aches and sometimes of nausea.
He il very uncomfortable and
while 1t is doubtful if he has under
gone any exceptional exposure to
contagious diseases he certainly has
not been fortified against them by
his. experience"
One of the chief causes resulting
in the foul air conditions found to
exist in scores of local theaters, it
IS said, Is the willingness of en-
ployeS to shut off ventilating units
patron who complains Of feeling a
traft. Discontinuance Of this prac-
ice is urged by the Health De-
partment. Theater managers have
been requested to instruct attaches
not to interfer with the proper ven.
tilating of the houses at the instiga-
ton of patrons, but rather make
an effort to seat them in other
sections of the house where thew
will escape the drafts to which
they object.
In several instances where archf-
tects inspected theaters following
the action of the Health Depart.
ment new ventilating systems will
have to be installed, 1T was stated
today. Architects called in by
theater managers readily conceded
that no excuse exists for maintain
ing present conditions and that If
allowed time to work out plans the
necessary changes will be made
without closing the houses.
According to DIR. Fowler each
theater in the city will be air.
tested, and within a week checked
Iup by second test to determine
that the recommendations of the
Health Board have been carried
out. Inc air tests, 1t Is under.
stood, will be extended to embrace
the schools and practically all
auditoriums where large audience
gather regularly or at intervals.
1t is not anticipated that any
drastic action will be required to in.
sure compliance with the recon.
mendations of the department reIa'
tive to improved or enlarged Venti.
llating systems for all such places.
The air tests in the theaters will
take several weeks to complete and
1t will probably be two months be-
fore the last Of the. checking up
tests will be made. Following that.
the Health Department will decide
upon the course to be followed In
forcing compliance where managers
or owners refuse to conform to pre-.
'scribed requirements.