Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

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January 5, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 1917, designed to tax the film industry at its source, has, by the manufacturers, been forced upon the exhibitors to the extent of an arbitrary requirement on the part of the exhibitor to pay fifteen cents per reel per day. If this tax is to be applied in addition to the tax on admissions and the special tax hereinabove mentioned, the exhibitors face triple taxation. That it is important for our government to analyze carefully the situation as to the picture industry and particularly the department of exhibition in view of the splendid revenue return the taxation of this industry will afford. That the present law should be so revised as to distribute the burden equitably and on a basis that will permit the exhibitor to exist. Much Business Is Lost The owners and managers of the minor theaters, particularly of the residential and rural districts, where they should be especially encouraged, have suffered much loss in business and many of them will be forced to close unless the conditions as to taxation are remedied. The government is vitally interested in keeping every theater possible open for business from the fact of the revenue received therefrom. The Motion Picture Exhibitors Association of the Northwest, representing many hundreds of exhibitors in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and Wisconsin, in meeting assembled at the West Hotel at Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Friday, November 30th, adopted the following resolution : RESOLVED that we, the Motion Picture Exhibitors Association of the Northwest, go on record as being in favor of paying the United States Government an amount equal to ten per cent of our gross receipts, and recommend to our Representatives in Washington that the present special war revenue seat tax and that the footage tax on motion picture film be abolished. Motion Picture Exhibitors Association of the Northwest James Gilosky, President. Clyde H. Hitchcock, Secretary. Refuse to Pay in Detroit The tax situation in Detroit is explained in the following note received by Motography from E. V. McGrath of the Straford Theater, Detroit, Mich. "Ninety-five per cent of Detroit's motion picture theaters are not paying the fifteen cent per reel tax or signing contracts with the reel tax clause inserted. Most of the cancellations received by exhititors are very welcome missives. Business generally is showing a big slump, hitting the neighborhood houses worse than down town." Kane Visits Select Offices General Manager Arthur S. Kane, of the Select Pictures organization, left last week for a trip to Cleveland, Detroit and Buffalo, which points he was unable to visit during his recent tour of branches in the middle west, owing to pressure of business in the home office which resulted in his returning earlier than he had expected. Cleveland was Mr. Kane's first objective, where he was received by Sam E. Morris, Select's Cleveland branch manager, and who also has supervision over the Cincinnati and Detroit exchanges. After a day's stay in Cleveland, Mr. Kane, accompanied by Mr. Morris, moved on Do You Always Get What You Want? Many exhibitors have difficulty locating the pictures their patrons request them to book. Patrons do not always remember the name of the producer. Your exchange man may not be able to put you right unless the picture you seek happens to be one of his releases. Motography can always help you. Our Service Department is at your disposal. Make use of it. Ask us anything. to Detroit, where they were in conference with W. D. Ward, manager of the Select exchange in that city. Last Thursday Mr. Kane arrived in Buffalo, and spent the day with Charles R. Rogers, manager of the Select branch there, returning to New York the following day. Gives Auto to His Director After attending a projection of "A Modern Musketeer" Douglas Fairbanks last week presented Allan Dwan, his new director, with a twin six Packard automobile. This indicates what Douglas thinks of his new picture, which sets a new standard for speed, story and subtitles, written by Director Dwan, Fairbanks and Art Rosson. The ceremonies attached to presenting said automobile were effective. Fairbanks suggested that Dwan try the new car that he was considering purchasing. Dwan started down the boulevard, where he was hailed by a planted traffic officer. The latter told Dwan he must report immediately at police headquarters for breaking speed laws, when the Fairbanks director complained that it was not his machine. The officer compared license numbers with his new list, which confirmed that Dwan was listed as the owner. Douglas came along at this moment and explained. Council Favors Sunday Pictures The city council of Lake Forest, 111., has decided in favor of Sunday moving picture shows. A resolution to amend the blue laws and allow the theaters to remain open was passed by a vote of 3 to 2. Poolrooms and bowling alleys will continue to remain closed over Sunday as usual, it was stated. Attorney George Eddy Newcomb, representing the Presbyterians and Methodists, spoke against the resolution. John J. Spelman, president of the Lake Forest Ice Company, spoke in favor of it. Ray Griffith Resumes Work Director Harry Edwards has completed his dumbwaiter story, titled "Ruined by a DumbWaiter," and has started production on a new Triangle-Keystone comedy which will give Ray Griffith the camouflage role of a hard-working father. This comedy has not been titled as yet. The supporting cast will include Claire Anderson, Dorothy Hagar, Alice Davenport, Jack Henderson, Chris Richards and Fred Mack. This is Ray Griffith's first comedy since his return from Camp Lewis.