§ 18. License to operate moving picture apparatus. It shall not be lawful for any person or persons, save as excepted in section eighteen-a of this article, to operate any moving picture apparatus and its connections in a city of the first class unless such person or persons so operating such apparatus is duly licensed as hereinafter provided. Any person desiring to act as such operator shall make application for a license to so act to the mayor or licensing authority designated by the mayor, unless the charter of said city so designates, which officer shall furnish to each applicant blank forms of application which the applicant shall fill out. Such officer shall make rules and regulations governing the examination of applicants and the issuance of licenses and certificates. A license shall not be granted to an applicant unless he shall have served as an apprentice under a licensed operator, for a period of not less than six months prior to the date of the application; the application must be made in writing, and contain a verified statement to that effect; it must be accompanied by the affidavit of the licensed operator to the same effect; before entering upon the period of apprenticeship the applicant must register his name and address with the officer issuing such license. The applicant shall be given a practical examination under the direction of the officer required to issue such license and if found competent as to his ability to operate moving picture apparatus and its connections shall receive within six days after such examination a license as herein provided. Such license may be revoked or suspended at any time by the officer issuing the same. Every license shall continue in force for one year from the date of issue unless sooner revoked or suspended. Every license, unless revoked or suspended, as herein provided, may at the end of one year from the date of issue thereof be renewed by the officer issuing it in his discretion upon application and with or without further examination as he may direct. Every application for renewal of license must be made within the thirty days previous to the expiration of such license. With every license granted there shall be issued to every person obtaining such license a certificate, certifying that the person named therein is duly authorized to operate moving picture apparatus and its connections. Such certificate shall be displayed in a conspicuous place in the room where the person to whom it is issued operates moving picture apparatus and its connections. No person shall be eligible to procure a license unless he shall be of full age. Any person offending against the provisions of this section, as well as any person who employs or permits a person not licensed as herein provided to operate moving picture apparatus and its connections, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding the sum of one hundred dollars, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months, or both.
