Exhibitor's Trade Review (May-Aug 1925)

Page 22 Exhibitors Trade Review COHEN EXPLAINS IN DETAIL RESULTS OF MILWAUKEE SESSIONS {Continued from page 17) or inventive genius is concerned, and the theatre owner no longer looks for quality pictures solely from some two or three sources. At least half a dozen producing concerns who do not operate theatres will make, and have made, pictures for this coming season which will far transcend in merit most of the recent output of the socalled aristocrats of producers. In line with their decision to place all of their workings upon a sound business basis a Bureau of Trade and Commerce has been established with which Independent producing and distributing companies — one national company — have become affiliated, and negotiations are now being concluded with several others. The theatre owners have also arranged to have the board of directors develop in each regional zone facilities for better service to theatre owner and exchange alike, by appointing paid business managers who will be not only points of contact but who will render services of a nature hitherto only hoped for. A recommendation was also made for the establishment of a Court of Appeals in re arbitration cases, said court to consist of five members, two theatre owners, two exchange representatives, and one unbiassed party, preferably from another industry. This is being done to prevent any injustice being done to any theatre owner or distributor by arbitration boards in any exchange centre. Every move made at Milwaukee was made with the avowed purpose of advancement, and we feel that the purpose has been achieved. We sought Unity — and Unity is an accomplished fact. We endeavored to instill our own abiding confidence in Independence into our fellow theatre owners, and we have succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. We tried to put on a firm business basis our entire proceedings, and our ster Calif ornia Calls Glenn Harper, of Los Angeles, Aided Delegation in Landing 1926 Convention for His City. Chosen Treasurer! Louis M. Sagal, of New Haven, Conn., Elected Treasurer for Ensuing Year by M. P. T. O. A. Directors. ling associates justified our faith in them by using the brains God gave them — those same brains which they have successfully used in developing their personal business enterprises — and giving us the benefit of their counsel and support. So, united, confident, and businesslike, we approach the problems confronting us with the firm hope that Milwaukee will prove to have been the turning point of the industry, from which, hand in hand, the theatre owner and producer will go forward, with a better understanding, with more assurance of dividends for them both, to heights of success which neither could scale without the other. And being thus united to be freed forever from the fear and dread of domination or destruction at the hands of any one or two "all powerful" producing, distributing and exhibiting companies. This resolution was adopted : "Resolved, That this convention approve, endorse and support most vigorously a plan to extend the principles of arbitration to grievances of exhibitors against producers and distributors arising out of their inability to secure service of film because of the unfair competitive methods of circuits and chains of theatres owned by these producers and distributors, and also because of the inability of theatre owners to secure films for the operation of their theatres, because of the unfair competitive methods of circuits and chains of theatre operators, and to that end the board of directors meet in conference in New York City with the representatives of the producers and distributors for the purpose of drafting an agreement embodying such plan. "Inasmuch as rumors have come to our attention that the Department of Justice is investigating the various Film Boards of Trade, and inasmuch as the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America have never approved or subscribed to the forms of this so-called 'Uniform Contract' for the purchase of pictures, "Be it therefore Resolved, That if there is any foundation to these rumors, that this convention assembled in Milwaukee, May 15th, 1925, hereby goes on record to render all assistance and co-operation within our power to the Department of Justice in its endeavors." PITTSBURGH OWNER AT CONCLAVE HITS AT FIRST NATIONAL First National came in for heavy flaying at the Milwaukee convention in an address by Harry Davis, of Pittsburgh. He denounced the organization, which, he said, had members on its board of directors who were bent on gobbling up theatres in every direction. "I, for one," he declared, "have been confronted by unfair competition and threats of reprisal by not only members of the 'big three' but by representatives, whose connections with them are withheld. "There is only one way to act for your own preservation," he added, "that is to lay off of buying productions from those who would destroy you. "You must help the independent producer and distributor. Hold your play-dates open. "In Pittsburgh, I am confronted by a serious situation as a result of dealings with the First National. This organization was laudable in its inception, but the co-operative idea that dominated it then has since gone astray. Today its motto is 'pay or play.' Where only a few years ago its product never cost more than $2,500, today the price is $5,000. Heretofore I have been able to shelve one of their poor pictures and play an independent production of greater merit. The high valuation placed on the film now by the company no longer enables me to do so. "Who are members of the First National Board of Directors? If you scan the list you will find names of the men who are gobbling up theatres in every direction. It is these men that run up the valuations of film to a point that shuts out all other product." Shouts of "Go Ahead: Tell us more about it !" greeted Mr. Keeny when he paused. (Continued on page 24) Flays Arbitration Sydney Samuelson, of New Jersey. Storm Center in Debate Following His Denunciation of Methods.