Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

COVERING MICHIGAN. OHIO. KENTUCKY, WEST VIRGINIA LAUNCH AHACK ON PA. CHAIN TAX Gene Buck Testifies for Ascap in Mich. Lansing, Mich. — Gene Buck, former Detroit “corktown” product who made good in the big city, returned to the Michigan capital here this week to appear against the Ascap bill introduced into the state legislature. Buck is president of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Producers. The bill, similar to the one introduced in other state legislatures this year, would prohibit Ascap from collecting on the copyright fees it feels belong to its members. Before leaving Detroit, Buck is understood to have said that he would be surprised if the bill is reported out of the senate committee onto the floor for action. 60 WARNER MANAGERS HOLD REGIONAL MEET Pittsburgh— More than 60 managers of Warner theatres in the tri-state area attended a one-day convention in the Hotel William Penn here last Wednesday. Speakers included Roy H. Haines, eastern and Canadian sales manager; S. Charles Einfeld, director of advertising; Norman Moray, in charge of sales for Vitaphone short subjects; Harry M. Kalmine, Pittsburgh zone manager, and Joseph Bernhard, general manager of the nattional Warner circuit. To Republic Meet Pittsburgh — James H. Alexander, Sam Pineberg, George W. Collins, Hymen M. Wheeler and Louis Hanna of the Republic exchange here will attend a regional sales meeting in New York, scheduled for June 14. Pineberg returned this week from Hollywood where he attended the national convention and witnessed production on several of the new seasons Republic pictures. Wage Raise Asked by Union Cleveland — Following the election of officers by the newly -formed Film Exchange Employes union, local No. B-5, lATSE, the union is asking for a five dollar weekly raise. J. K. Johnson of Columbia, who was elected president, reports that while no agreement has been reached in regard to the wage increase asked, negotiations are now pending in New York between lATSE officials and home office distributor representatives. Other officers elected are Miss B. Rice of RKO, vice-president; Miss L. Appell of Columbia, recording secretary, and Sheldon Levy of RKO, financial secretary. Vague on Policg of Chain Tax for Mich. Detroit — “I don’t know” was all that H. M. Richey would say this week in answer to whether Allied’s chain tax bill would be introduced during this session of the Michigan state legislature in Lansing. Richey, general manager of Allied’s Michigan unit, is at present busy fighting the numerous adverse bills before the legislature. However, with the many influential friends he has in Lansing, both in and out of the legislature, it is doubtful if any of the pending bills will become law. With this in mind, he may decide to have the chain tax bill presented. Observers, however, believe that this measure, too, would not have much chance of getting out of committee this session, since the members are now staying overtime trying to clear the docket. It is expected the legislature will be in session until some time about July 1. Litigation Follows on Heels of State Legislature's Adjournment Pittsburgh — With the passage of the graduated tax on chain stores and chain theatres by the Pennsylvania legislature preceding its adjournment, came the first constitutional test, which may be a forerunner of extended litigation, of the chain store tax, when large mercantile chains filed suit in Dauphin county. The A & P Tea Company and the American Stores, Inc. joined in the court attack on the chain tax on the ground that it violates the uniform tax clause of the state constitution and that it is discriminatory because it exempts chain news stands. Minimum Wage Law Enactment The legislature passed all but 6 of the 371 Earle bills. The general minimum wage bill, introduced in the closing days of the session, remained in a Senate committee while the general 44-hour working week for nearly all employed persons in Pennsylvania was enacted as was a minimum wage law for employed women and children. Before adjournment the senate adopted a conference report on the 161million-dollar general appropriation bill for the next two years. Two weeks ago Governor Earle vetoed the Sunday show amendment act. Several Film Bills Passed Three dozen measures affecting the motion picture industry expired in committees, while several bills were enacted which had to do with building regulations and emergency exits. Theatre employes rest bill was approved early in the session. Acts to prohibit blind booking, block booking and compulsory designation of playdates died in committee as did bills which demanded two men in the projection booth and the employment of a special switchboard attendant. Fred J. Herrington, MPTO secretary and William J. Walker and William L. Brown, members of the local exhibitors’ organization legislative committee, made a hurried trip to Harrisburg last Friday following a phone call from Governor Earle. The nature of this conference was not disclosed. The amusement tax will be dropped July 22. MIDEAST EDITION Is One of the Seven Sectional Editions in Which BOXOFPICE Is Published Weekly. The Other Six Editions Are; NEW ENGLAND, CENTRAL, MIDWEST, WESTERN, SOUTHERN. EASTERN. ELSIE LOEB, 12805 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. R. F. KLINGENSMITH, 1701 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pa. EUGENE D. RICH, 2425 Cass Ave., Detroit, Mich., Phone Randolph 7978. CLARA HYDE, 127 Tremont St., Ft. Thomas, Ky., Phone Highland 1667.