The Moving Picture World (January 1908)

38 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD ment of this class is guilty of a misdemeanor under their statute. But the statute on which the opinion is based was' materially different from our statute, insofar as it did not modify labor in any way, but used the term labor in its broad sense. But we are confronted with the phrase 'servile labor.' Now, for sake of discussion, suppose we admit that there are people who, as a matter of fact, are performing servile labor, then we are confronted with that clause in our United States Constitution, which provides against class legislation, and this is entirely too elementary to be given any consideration. And _ after consid- ering the law and facts we are clearly of the opinion that there .was no offense committed against this particular provision of the statute, and in order to secure a conviction for offenses of this class it will be absolutely necessary for the present statute to be changed to the extent of omitting the adjective 'servile.' "In treating of the provision of the statute which prohibits public sports on Sunday, we can only say that to classify the offense complained of in this case as a public sport would be absolutely ridiculous from a legal standpoint. And was so treated by the attorney for the State in his argument." * * * The Sunday moving picture shows and theaters in Utica are a thing of the past. They always were contrary to law in Utica, Oswego or any other except a few large cities which have special legal provisions making it possible to license them. These shows and theaters on Sunday had no right to operate. There are different classes of people. Some want such en- tertainments and some do not, but the law is clear and the entertainments are illegal. Rome has not suffered them to ex- ist, so there are none here to close. * * * ■ . The Brooklyn, N. Y., police ignored the injunction obtained by the Majestic Theater and arrested Thomas Finn,_ who oper- ated a moving picture machine there. His attorney said he would apply to Justice Carr in the Supreme Court for an order of arrest for Commissioner Bingham on the grounds of contempt. * * * In his annual report, sent to the mayor of New York, Police Commissioner Bingham urges further legislation to help the police "in dealing with the forces of crime, vice and lawbreaking graft." The commissioner declares that under present conditions law- breaking is "the easiest business and the most lucrative, for the work involved, of any business now conducted in New York." The police force is coping with the situation and is competent and able to carry on its work, short-handed though it is. Its activity and efficiency are proved by the very resistance given it by lawbreakers, and the better work done by the police the more stubborn and active is the resistance they meet from lawbreakers. As an illustration of one of the technical legal difficulties en- countered in police work, take the following: December 2, 1907, a clear decision on Sabbaih breaking was handed down. It was easily understood by the police and rigidly enforced. December 19, 1907, a relieving ordinance was passed by the Board of Aldermen. * * * RECTOR CHASE FOUND GUILTY OF CONTEMPT. Rev. Canon William Sheaf Chase, Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, on Bedford avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y., was found guilty of criminal contempt of court by Supreme Court Justice Marean, Monday, January 13, for having "viciously and maliciously criti- cized" a decision of the justice in connection with the Sunday closing law. Under the law the rector might have been sent to jail and fined $250, but Justice Marean permitted him to go. "From the evidence," said the justice, "I am convinced that Rector Chase is guilty of criminal contempt of court. But I have no desire to punish him. He is a clergyman, and_ we must respect his cloth. I, therefore, will allow him to go with a sus- pended sentence." The rector, as his own star witness, created a stir in court when he exclaimed: "When I received this outrageous order to come to court"— but before he could continue the justice interrupted him. "What do you mean, sir, by 'outrageous order?' You will have to apologize for the use of that word." Tne rector, boiling with indignation, explained that he meant no disrespect He testified that he did not remember having made the statement attributed to him in the printed interview. Edward J. Denice, the reporter -who secured the interview, testified that it had been dictated to him, word for word. For some time past Dr. Chase has been actively engaged in trying to close saloons and amusement places on Sundays. Tak- ing exception to a decision handed down by Judge Marean, it is alleged, Dr. Chase had an article inserted in a morning news. paper of December 8 declaring Judge Marean's decision illegal. According to Judge Marean, who says he has an affidavit of the reporter who took the interview, other remarks of a reflect- ing nature were made. * * * Fort Worth, Tex.—Judge Steer imposed a fine of $20 on W. F. Carr, whose arrest occurred several weeks ago on a charge of violating the Stmday closing ordinance by operating a moving picture show. The court overruled the contention that the City Court had no jurisdiction in such matters, and stated that such rights were given. the Corporation Court in the city charter. Notice of appeal was given, with the announcement that the case will be fought through the highest courts) of the State, if netcssary. * * * Dixie Electric Theater Company, Columbus, Ga., % incorpo- rated, with capital of $10,000, will operate moving picture thea- ters. Incorporators are: Z. A. Brooks,-R. I. Zachrias, E. J. Brooks. * * * Ware, Mass.—The expressions of popular approval that have I Deen accorded moving picture theaters-in various parts of the country have reached .Ware," and the apparent demand for such ;f .theater in the town- has culminated-in negotiations for the establishment of such; an amusement enterprise. Springfield and Holyoke parties have decided that-Ware is an ideal location for a moving. picture theater, and several persons interested to the project looked over the ground thoroughly. While no least has yet been secured, a moving picture • theater will be open for business in Ware within a month, if the parties have to build-a new building, in order to get a suitable location. Ware has no amusement theater of this nature, and it is the belief of many that such a theater -would be. a paying investment and would be much patronized because of the popular prices usuallj charged for admission. »•*.».■ Grand Union Vaudeville Co., New York; moving pictures, amusements; capital,- $4,000. Incorporators: Stephen J. Scherer and John F. Wickens, No. 116b ■ Broadway; Samuel Hoffman, No. 302 Broadway, all of New York. >■-*•• J. C. Hewitt, of Wm. H. Swanson & Co., tells an amusing story which happened in a five-cent show house where "Toe Passion Play" was being featured. . It happened that the pro- prietor had purposely concealed ■ himself in the ticket booth, not wishing to see his caller, who, having lots of time on his hands, thought he would review the sacred pictures. It canit to the part where Christ was walking on the water, when an old squeaky phonograph warbled out from behind the screen, playing and singing, Alice Where Art Thou Going." Need- less to say the audience burst out laughing, and not being able to keep in hiding without knowing the cause of the laughing Mr. Prop, came out of his concealment straight, into the pres- ence of Mr. Hewitt, who made his collection, thanks to the sacrilegious goings on of an old phonograph. * * * Reports from various places in the vicinity of St. Louis and Southern Illinois say that business has increased nicely since the first of January. This is gratifying to the proprietors n small towns of 3,000 and up, who were about to give up the ghost, thinking the moving picture business played out, W now they have taken a new lease of-life, due to the increased business, which goes to show that 'there ain't going to be no ending in moving pictures. "The Morrison" is the name of a new five-cent moviiiE pic- ture and illustrated song theater that was opened in St. Johns. Mich., by A. W. Morrison, an old resident and former business man of St Johns. The building lias been changed from a rather unsightly one Tbs liBsnteppli and ,lanbni Weekly The only English paper devoted entirely to the projection trade. American buyera desiring films trill find the- most detailed and best Informed description of the new subjects in the VWeekly." American taanufnctUMM Trill find it the best medium through whicn to reach the English markets. We guarantee our cjrcclation is Great Britain, on the Cbatuieat and hi the Colonies. __ Ad. rates may ba obtained through the Moving Picture Worldi wb" 6 is authorized to accept advertisements for us. Subscriptions $1.75 per annum. Specimen copies free on application. Li.mmnh sa, 1 Tett«ta.:simt f '-upB v w.