The Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1913)

3§4 THI MOVINC PICTURI WORLI, designated in the said certificate or permit for all original new reels, and one-twentieth (1/20) of one cent per linear foot for all duplicates thereof; and for reels issued or released more than ten days prior to the time this act becomes a law, one-twentieth (1/20) of one cent per linear foot. All fees charged and collected under this section shall be paid at least once each month into the state treasury, to the credit of a fund to be known as the motion picture censor fund, which is hereby created. "Section 10. It shall be unlawful for any exchange to sell, lease, rent, give, loan or vend any film or reel to any exhibitor in the state of California unless and until the said film or reel has first been approved and passed by a board; provided, that the neglect or failure of any exchange to comply with this or any other section of this act shall not excuse any exhibitor from compliance with all the terms of this act. "Section 11. It shall be unlawful for any person to exhibit any motion picture of any human figure in such detail as to offend public morality or decency; or of any lewd or lascivious or sensual act; or of any other matter or thing of an obscene, indecent, immoral or suggestive nature, or offensive to the moral sense, or against public policy; or of any murder, suicide, robbery, hold-up, shooting, stabbing, clubbing or beating of any human being wherein such acts or any of them are shown in gruesome detail or in a revolting manner or in any manner objectionable to the moral sense; or of any act of brutality, cruelty or barbarity shown in gruesome detail or in a revolting, disgusting or horrible manner." Section 12 provides a fine of not less than $50 for a first violation, not less than $250 for a second violation, and obligatory imprisonment for not less than one year for third and subsequent violations. Section 13 appropriates $5,000 to inaugurate the work of the commission, and provides that all fines shall be paid into the commission's fund. Section 16 is the usual repealing section. TO ATTACK KANSAS CENSOR LAW. The Mutual Film Corporation will contest the constitutionality of the Censorship Act of Kansas, on the following grounds: 1. That the act is in violation of Section 10, Article 1, of the Federal Constitution, in that it attempts to lay a tax on imports into the state of Kansas. 2. That it violates Section 1, Article 14, of the Federal Constitution, as amended, in that no state shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States, in that it imposes a charge, duty and tax on importation. 3. That the act is in violation of the Constitution as to the freedom of the press and the freedom of speech, in that it censors, before trial, privileged matters exempt under the freedom of the press. 4. That the act is unconstitutional, being an act of pure censorship, attempting to invest the power in one man to censor the matter of films, both good and bad, and impose a penalty upon the good, as well as the bad, without judicial hearing. 5. The act itself is unconstitutional because, under the guise of inspection law, it provides a state revenue, and the act itself makes no provision by reason of the want of an appropriation by the Legislature to defray the expenses of such censorship, which makes the law impracticable and unenforcable. The question involving the rights of censorship under the act will test the question of all such matters in the entire United States. Eugene Batavia and Thomas F. Gatts are attorneys for the Mutual Film Corporation in this action. WISCONSIN CONVENTION. MURPHYSBORO, ILL., EXHIBITORS' MEETING. A meeting of Branch No. 2 of the Illinois League, of Murphysboro, 111., was held in that city on April 6th. There was a large attendance and matters of importance was disposed of. The organization is growing rapidly, new members being received at each meeting. ROCHESTER EXHIBITORS' BALL A SUCCESS. The entertainment and ball given by the Rochester Exhibitors' League, of Rochester, N. Y., on April 3rd, was a social and financial success. The grand march was led by President A. N. Wolff and Miss Pearl White, of the Crystal Film Company. There was a large delegation from New York City, headed by President Samuel Trigger and Secretary Rosenthal, of the State League, with Darwin Karr, Hugh Mack, Tom Powers, James Morrison and many others. Motion pictures and vaudeville formed the entertainment program, and the dancing continued till the early morning hours. Large Gathering of Picturemen and a Big Time at Milwaukee — A Successful Meeting. THE Wisconsin State branch of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America, held their annual convention at the Plankinton Hotel, Milwaukee, Wis., April 8th and 9th. The convention was called to order by President C. H. Phillips of Milwaukee, promptly at 10 A. M. Tuesday. The out of town members in attendance numbered about 150 and local members about 60, making a total attendance of 210. From outside of the state were Wm. J. Sweeney, President of the Illinois State League and C. M. Christenson, National Secretary of Cleveland, Ohio. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : President, Charles Phillips, Milwaukee; secretary, B. K. Fischer, Milwaukee; treasurer, Tom Saxe, Milwaukee; first vice-president, M. Prince, Milwaukee; second vice-president, F. H. Smith, Menomonie ; third vice-president, Joseph Rhode, Menomonie ; fourth vice-president, William McCenna, Appleton; fifth vicepresident, Henry Goldman, Green Bay; Sergeant at arms, Frank Bruemmer, Milwaukee; delegates to national convention, Gust Frellsin, Waukesha; Roy Cummings, Madison; Frank Bruemmer, Milwaukee; H. Burford, La Crosse, and Henry Trinz, Milwaukee; alternates, Henry Klein, Milwaukee; M. B. Hackett, Stevens Point; A. V. Johnson, Milwaukee; James Cochrane, Milwaukee, and Albert Schoenleber, Milwaukee Green Bay was selected for next Convention City, to be held June 26. 1914. President C. H. Phillips in his opening address welcomed the members on behalf of the Chief Executive of the city and the citizens of Milwaukee. President Wm. J. Sweeney of the Illinois League was the next speaker. He spoke of the wonderful good accomplishments of the league and the harmonious conditions existing in Illinois through its efforts. C. M. Christenson, National Secretary of Cleveland. O.. was the next speaker. Mr. Christenson took up the subject of organization. He had just received a telegram from President Neff saying that Deleware, Rhode Island and Maryland had just been admitted to the league, making a total of forty states now represented in the Motion Picture Exhibitors League of America. He touched upon the necessities of an organization of this kind for mutual protection for the Motion Picture Exhibitors of the country and for the entire industry as well. He told about adverse legislation that had come up in most of the states in the Union and how well the various branches of the league had defended themselves and had won in most every case at very little cost to any individual. President Phillips took up the state censor bill, how pending in the legislature. A telegram was sent asking Chairman Johnson who has the bill in charge to hold same in obeyance until the exhibitors could be heard from. The convention went on record favoring a state censor board if certain charges were made in the proposed bill as now presented. The exhibitors want the appointive power in the hands of the Governor and they ask for two motion picture men on the board, they also want a reduction of salaries paid to the members of the board, they also want a reduction of cost on censoring old films now in stock in film exchanges. The meeting adjourned at 2 P. M. and the entertainment committee had in waiting twenty automobiles. All the visitors were given a joy ride through the beautiful residence district and boulevards of the city. Wednesday's meeting was called to order by President Phillips at 10 :30 A. M. By this time many more exhibitors had arrived from up state. The Milwaukee local made a report that on Monday. March 31, every motion picture theater had turned over to the Mayor the entire receipts on that night to be given to the Ohio flood sufferers, amounting to $2,100. Mr. C. M. Christenson on behalf of citizens of Ohio thanked the exhibitors of Milwaukee for their kind and generous donation and said he would call the Governor of Ohio's attention to the kindness and assured the exhibitors of Milwaukee that Governor James M. Cox would appreciate the gift, also he was a staunch friend of the motion picture exhibitors the country over. At 7 P. M. the members all donned night robes and gobling caps and paraded the down town streets led by a band of 20 pieces and in their ghost appearance, they had the citizens all guessing which one was John Bunny ; and the girls, of course, wanted to know which one was Francis Bushman. After the parade all were ushered to the Eagles Hall_, where all kinds of gambling games were soon in full blast with "stage money." After everybody was broke the grafters and game keepers had provided a Dutch spread and everybody was introduced to Pabst, Schlitz, P.latz and High Life and after speeches and