We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
rooked Producers:
Do you imagine that because the Universal has been long suffering in the past and has never considered any star worth fighting for when that star developed a sense of dishonor, that we will continue to let you pick our pockets hereafter ?
Let this sink into your consciousness: — The Universal has engaged counsel at both coasts to prosecute to the fullest limit of the law any one of you who hereafter befouls the moving picture business by trying to continue your rotten dealings of the past. We intend to exercise our rights at any cost and without a let-up. We will not confine ourselves to enforcing contracts with individuals, but we will punish, as much as the law permits, any crooked agent or corporation who tries to induce any artist to jump a contract with us.
You, and the exhibitors who support you, are directly to blame for the present frightful costs of making pictures. Drunk with easy money, you have tried to use the power of that money to corrupt or dissatisfy artist after artist who had none but honorable intentions and the best of good faith until you came along with your almost irresistible bribes.
You are not going to get away with it any longer. I am going to turn the spotlight on your activities every time those activities are crooked. I am going to frizzle you on the grill of redhot public opinion. I am going to use the one weapon that you are afraid of —The Truth!
This is my final warning. I will not write you any more polite private letters asking you to let our artists alone. As fast as I get the goods on you I will address you publicly and fight the matter out before the eyes of the exhibitors as well as before the courts.
I have tried working with you in National Associations and have found they are not worth a tinker's dam. I have tried every way I can think of to induce you to play the game with the cards on the table. But you don't know how. You used marked cards and you deal from the bottom of the deck !
Crooks of the world, which one of you will be first to take
UNIVERSAL FILM MFG. CO.