Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1917 - Jun 1918)

X H B O H N. Y. Exhibitors Conduct Stiff Fight For Motion Picture Option Bill Senator Thompson and Assemblyman Welsh Introduce Measure — Newspapers Assist In Campaign R A took close-ups of Senator Thompson and Assemblyman Welsh. These pictures will he given wide distribution throughout the state during the campaign. Motion picture men are being congratulated upon the tactful way their campaign has been conducted in Albany, and particularly that they were able to secure two such able and distinguished legislators as Senator George F. Thompson and Assemblyman Clarence F. Welsh to sponsor the bill. The Motion Picture Option Bill was introduced into the New York State .Legislature on March 21 by Senator .George F. Thompson, of Niagara, and Assemblyman Clarence F. Welsh, of Albany. The bill will have a hearing before the joint codes committee of the Senate and Assembly on April 3. The fate of the bill in reality now depends upon the organized campaign of the up-state exhibitors. The exhibitors of the lower part of New York have been working shoulder to shoulder for weeks and the campaign is well developed. Whether the Motion Picture Option Bill becomes a law consequently depends entirely upon the handling of the up-state fight to organize public sentiment and influence the votes of the legislators of these districts. The bill is the same as recently approved, with the exception of an added clause suggested by the Conference of Mayors of the State of New York, which has been inserted into the bill as introduced. This clause reads: "Nothing herein contained, however, shall prohibit these Common Council, or other local governing body, from authorizing motion picture exhibitions at any hour after two o'clock in the afternoon on such day." Approved by Mayors This measure was approved by the State Conference of Mayors, and it is also announced that it has the endorsement of the New York State Federation of Lahor. The People's Institute, through its head, John Collier, has emphatically approved of the bill and declared it a public necessity. The introduction of the bill was in charge of a committee representing the motion picture interests, and composed of Max Spiegel, secretary of the Mitchel H. Mark Realty Corporation, controlling the Strand chain of theatres; Henry C. Price, representing the exhibitors of Buffalo, and Frederick H. Elliott, executive secretary of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry. Last week's work on the Motion Picture Option Bill started on March 19 at the Hotel Ten Eyck, Albany, with a twoday conference between the exhibitorcaptains, appointed at the previous Albany session, and the Allied Committee of the Motion Picture Industry. At this previous meeting an exhibitor-captain was appointed for each of the fifty-one senatorial districts of the state, the exhibitor-captain in turn being given the authority of appointing three associate exhibitors as aides to cover the assembly divisions of his district. These exhibitor-captains got together at the Ten Eyck on Tuesday and presented detailed reports of the work accomplished in their individual districts. These reports indicate a general change in the sentiment of legislators toward the exhibition of motion pictures on Sun day since the subject was agitated at the legislative session a year ago. The fruits of the campaign are already manifesting themselves. In Buffalo, for instance, an exhibitors' committee for Sunday opening is conducting a strenuous campaign. In the past week this organization lias secured the unanimous support of all Buffalo daily and Sunday newspapers. These publications are running big news articles and half-column editorials backing the campaign for the exhibition of Sunday motion pictures. Using Newspapers In Schenectady the exhibitors have organized and are pooling their advertiseing, buying half pages in the Schenectady newspapers to tell the public their reasons for wanting Sunday motion pictures. Exhibitors in other cities are doing this, following out a campaign carefully mapped out at the Albany meetings. Meetings are now being held in various cities and towns throughout the state, at which exhibitors are organizing for their individual district campaigns. It is realized that the ultimate fate of the Motion Picture Option Bill entirely depends upon the vigor put into the fight up-state. The Universal Film Manufacturing Company took motion pictures of the Allied Committee in Albany, and also "Hearts of World" To Open at Lyric New York, May 1 5 In all probabilities . David Wark Griffith's latest masterpiece, "Hearts of the World." will open its New York engagement at the Lyric Theatre, on 42nd street, March 31. ' It was at first planned to show the big war picture at the Metropolitar Opera House, and negotiations were under way between the management of the immense Broadway Theatre and S. L Rothapfel, managing director of the Rialto and Rivoli Theatres, whereby the spectacle was to have been presentee from May 15 until some time ne October. However, it was regarded of thi utmost importance to present the pictun at once, and not wait until May 15, thi close of the opera season, and the dat of its eastern presentation has, therefore been advanced to next Monday night. The picture will also be shown in Lon don under the auspices of the Britis government about the same time of it New York premier. A BIG SCENE FROM "STOLEN ORDERS" CARLYLE BLACKWELL, AS AN AMERICAN' NAVAL OFFICER. IS SEEX IN THE CENTER AN INTERESTING GROIP TAKEN ABOARD A V. S. MAN O' WAR. KITTY GORDON AND JUNE ELVIDGE APPEAR ALSO IN THE WILLIAM A. BRADY PRODUCTION. IS