Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

NEW UNION SEEKS WAGE ACCORD Conn. Admission Tax Hearing Set Hartford — Following further hearing on the two-men-in-a-booth bills, H. B. 800 and H. B. 795, and the Sunday theatricals and vaudeville bills, S. B. 349 and S. B. 993 by the judiciary committee on April 8, a hearing by the finance committee on S. B. 507 concerning theatre admission tax, has been set for April 13. 107o Assessment The latter bill imposes a tax of one cent for each ten cents or fraction thereof of the amount paid for admission, to be paid by the patron, on or after July 1, 1937. All places of amusement, including theatres, sports arenas, cabarets and restaurants having floor shows are included. In the latter classification, the tax would be based on 20 per cent of the check. A similar tax would be placed on club dues and initiations, but charitable institutions, military service organizations and non-profit musical and cultural events would be exempt. Tax Commissioner in Charge Under the provisions of this bill, exhibitors would be required to keep records for one year or until the tax commissioner has checked the same. The tax commissioner is empowered to regulate the method of printing and selling tickets. Monthly returns under oath, unless the tax is under $10, would be required, accompanied by the tax collected. Penalties are prescribed for omission, delinquency and fraud in the matter of returns. The tax on boxing and wrestling matches is also raised from 5 per cent to 10 per cent by this bill. Filing of certificate of ownership of business before August 1, 1937, is also provided. CORRECTION Boston — The correct telephone numbers of the Wholesome Film Service, Inc., on 48 Melrose St. are Hancock 0155 and Hancock 0156. By error, these were given incorrectly in the March 20 issue. Record Registration of 580 at MPTOA Meet New York — Attendance at the recent convention of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America in Miami surpassed all previous annual meetings, according to a final tabulation of registration made this week by the MPTOA office here. There was a total of 580 registrations and the banquet drew 730, the latter figure including many of the Paramount theatre associates who held a meeting in Miami at the same time. Me. House Defeats Sunday Show Bill Portland, Me. — After debating the measure for two d8,ys, the house of representatives March 25 defeated a bill legalizing Sunday motion picture shows by accepting, 95 to 44, a minority “ought not to pass” report from the legal affairs committee. Defeat of the bill was effected shortly after a fiery address was made by Rep. Clifford E. McGlauflin of Portland who declared that if the bill were passed it would affect harmfully future generations and “offend the sensibilities of thousands of Christian men and women of this state who believe Sunday is a sacred day.” Dogtrack in Metheun Boston — Work on a dogtrack in Metheun started last week, following the granting of a permit for pari-mutuel dog racing by the board of selectmen. The application was introduced unexpectedly, so that opposition was not given a chance to form. Announced plans to apply for a permit in nearby Peabody had been abandoned a few days previously because of rising local sentiment. James J. Carney, former president of the Merrimac Amusement Co., heads the Metheun enterprise. Labor in Boston Exchange Preparing Uniform Scale Boston — A standard wage agreement for shippers, rewinders and inspectresses of this New England film center is being drawn up by the Boston Film Exchange Workers Union, Local 20450, it has been learned upon reliable authority. Although it is understood that a number of local motion picture establishments have already offered these workers wage increases, it remains to be seen whether or not demands for a uniform wage scale for shipping and inspection departments throughout the district will be met amicably. Higher Wages Will Be Sought It is almost a certainty that the newly formed union is going to make a strong demand for higher wages in a number of instances. Improved working conditions will also be sought in some cases. No matter which way the wind is blowing, distributors and exhibitors still continue strongly in their opinion that if there had to be a union, the American Federation of Labor was by far the best organization with which to ally it. Memories of the stormy meeting which the CIO called in the district are still potent. Independent exchanges are skeptical of being able to abide by a standard wage scale if one is adopted. Considerations here are financial. “I’d like to pay my kids more,” one independent head told Boxoffice, “but it’s been all I could do to keep them all on the past few weeks. There wasn’t enough work to keep them busy, that’s sure. If the union demands more money, I’ll have to let them go, that’s all.” Wage Scale Is Low Reports that a standard wage scale is being sought by the new union has increased exhibitor tension. Trouble seems imminent, according to one theatre owner who, although he declared that too many exchanges are paying low wages to such employes, is of the opinion that at least some of the major distributors are (Continued on page 19) NEW ENGLAND EDITION Is One of the Seven Sectional Editions in Which BOXOFFICE Is Published Weekly. The Other Six Editions Are: MIDEAST, CENTRAL, MIDWEST, WESTERN, SOUTHERN, EASTERN. BRAD ANGIER, New England Editor, 14 Piedmont St., Boston, Mass., Phone: Liberty 9305. GERTRUDE PEARSON, Suite 915, 42 Church St., New Haven, Conn. C. A. ROSSKAM, 106 Miller Ave., Providence, R. I.