Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1928)

October 27. 1928 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTTRE WORLD ■2: Exhibitors Bring Home Wealth Of Ideas from Toronto Session Allied Leaders Only Observers; Chains Given MPTOA Offices A Constructive Convention Closes The Toronto convention is now historv. In many respects, it will go down as one of the most constructive in the history of the national organization. Probably at no previous convention was as imposing a list of speakers assembled. And certainly at no previous convention were the invited speakers brought before the convention at more favorable times or given more attentive audiences. Anyone attending the convention realized that, for a time at least, there are to be two organizations instead of one. « * « Allied Takes No Part The Allied States, headed by H. M. Richey oi Michigan and Al Steffes of Minnesota, took no part in the proceedings of the M P T O A. Nor did they make any effort to interfere with the proceedings. There is no doubt but that considerable feeling exists between the two groups of leaders. But to the credit of both, it must be stated that there was no unpleasantness — no hurled accusations — nothing of the bitter clash of oratory in meetings or outside of meetings, which have disrupted constructive effort at previous conventions. Representatives of the Allied States wen: through with their announcement that they .were present only as "observers." During the foor days, they qufetly discussed disputed points with various delegates to the MPT O A. Possibly they were seeking converts — possibly they obtained some. But there was no noisy ballahoo. * * * Two Groups of Sincere Men To the writer, it appeared that here were two groups of sincere men. who differed honestly as to the most effective way in which the theatre owners as a whole can make progress through organization. There was no camouflage on the part of tfce M P T O A. Its leaders declared they not only wanted but sought the cooperation of the big chain owners and even the distributor-owned theatres. The slate of officers, including names prominently identified with the distributing end of the business, is a clear declaration of the organization's attitude. • mm Interesting Year Promised On the other hand, the leaders of the Allied States organization take the attitude that the distributor is not just cooperating with the MPTOA, bnt is actually dominating it. Knee, they elect to fight it out on their own, with what assistance they can muster. The M P T O A as at present constructed is a far cry from the organization born al Cleveland eight years ago. It is one of the most interesting developments in a business, every branch of which has been completely revolutionized in the last eight years. Which theory of organization is the most effective can only be measured by the developments of the coming year. It will be interesting to watch. EDIT/V S. CLIFFORD. Colvin Brown, Franklin and Crandall Among New Directors— Woodhull Is Re-elected President By ERNEST A. ROVELSTAD \\ e said it would be an Efficiency Convention. That is just what the MPTO A meeting at Toronto proved to be. There was less bickering over non-essentials on the convention floor than has been experienced in years — perhaps in the entire history of the organization. The accomplishments of the convention and the addresses were uniformly constructive. Allied Leaders Present As Observers Allied States leaders who decided to revive their organization at Kalamazoo the previous week did not participate in the sessions. They were at the King Edward hotel, convention headquarters — YV. A. Steffes. H. M. Richey, A. A. Kaplan. Glenn A. Cross. Col. H. A. Cole, Frank J. Rembusch. Fred J. Herrington — but they limited themselves to the role of observers though of course thev had manv a conversation with attending: exhibitors. At no time was Allied mentioned byname on the convention floor. However, practically the final action of the convention was adoption of a resolution offered by Jack Miller of Chicago, commending the uniform contract committee for its work. It will be recalled that the contract committee was criticized by Col. Cole when he announced at Kalamazoo that he had resigned as alternate of the non-affiliated exhibitors' group and Richey threatened to quit as secretary of the group. Large Chains Represented Greater participation of the large chains and distributor-owned circuits in the affairs of the M P T O A is noted in their representation on the list of incoming officers. Among the new directors are Colvin \Y. Brown of Keith-Albee-Orpheum and Pathe; Harold B. Franklin, president of West Coast Theatres: Harry M. Crandall of the Stanley-Crandall Theatres at Washington, D. C, and Sam Dembow of Publix. Harry Marx of Publix is a vice presidentelect. (The complete list of officers, headed by R. F. Woodhull, appears on the following page.) Outstanding among the other decisions of the convention were these: Empowered its directorate to investigate the entire problem of interchangeability of sound devices and pictures. (Details in Sound Pictures department.) Voted to create a department of labor, members to be appointed by the directors. Established a national conference committee for contact in all film zones. Commended the work of the auxiliary and service department in reducing insurance rates and in supervising electric light and power service and sanitation. Attacked the Hudson and Brookhart bills and all legislative or governmental efforts to harass the industry. Denounced the so-called sex hygiene pictures. Urged distributors to provide at regular rates a reasonable amount of block paper with title of picture, name of star or director, producing company and nothing more. The convention opened auspiciously Tuesday noon with a luncheon in the Crystal ball room of the King Edward hotel at which the city was host. This was called the first time that a convention city had taken over an entire event in welcoming the theatre owners. Speakers included J. C. Brady, head of the M P T O A of Canada: Speaker of Parliament J. J. Thompson and Controller Gibbons, acting mayor; Woodhull; and Joseph W. Walsh, chairman of the administrative committee of the na (ConSinved on r.ezt page) Among MPTO A*s New Leaders Harry M. Crandall Col-in W. Bro»t Harold B. Franklin