Exhibitor's Trade Review (May-Aug 1925)

May 30. 1925 Page 25 DEMANDS FULL LIST OF PRODUCER-OWNED THEATRES OF HAYS Demand for list of theatres owned by producers-distributors in the Hays organization was made by P. S. Harrison, publisher of Harr son Reports in a letter to Will H. Hays. His letter follows: My dear General Hays: — Many complaints that have reached me from exhibitors who have at some time or other come before a Joint Arbitration Board give me reason to believe that the exhibitor representatives on these Boards are often managers of producer-distributor controlled theatres. In reading over a copy of the rules that are on file in your office as part of the Standard Exhibition Contract, I note under Article I — Election of Board of Arbitration — the following: "The Board of Arbitration shall consist of six persons, three of whom shall be , members of the Film Board of Trade, called distributors' representatives, and three of whom shall be proprietors or managers of theatres in the zone where the Film Board of Trade is located, called exhibitors' representatives; provided, however, that in no event shall such exhibitors' representatives be managers of theatres owned or controlled by producers or distributors." Feeling that it is your desire to have the exhibitors assured that the Joint Arbitration Board trials are conducted in a manner above suspicion, I am prompted to request that a list of theatres owned, controlled or booked by the various producer-distributor members of your organization be made public at the earliest possible date. Such an act on your part wil, I am certain, remove the growing suspicion of bias that now exists in the minds of exhibitors throughout the country, and bring about a renewed confidence and readier co-operation in the work of arbitration. I am sending a copy of this letter to each of the editors of the trade publications so that, when the list is prepared, it may be given the widest possible publicity, thus affording such exhibitors as are "brought before these Boards an opportunity to exercise their contract rights of challenge. Most sincerely yours, P. S. HARRISON.. Strong Independent! "Everything for Independence," Urged W. W. Watts, of Springfield, 111., at National Convention. Active at Session Joseph W. Walsh, President of M. P. T. O. of Connecticut, Played Prominent Role at Conclave. I WISCONSIN OFFICIAL DENOUNCES COMBINE The State Treasurer of Wisconsin, Solomon Levitan, who is also an independent theatre owner assailed by the trust, took time from his many duties to brand the combine as piratical before the M. P. T. O. A. convention in Milwaukee. "The moving picture industry," he declared, "is being throttled by the boa constrictor of monopoly, which threatens to crush thousands of business men who are legitimately engaged in this business and which means the entire nation in the degrading effect it is having upon American motion pictures. "In the motion picture business, fair rules of business do not seem to hold," he asserted. Mr. Levitan assailed the block contracts theatre men are forced to sign. These he said are usually for all the pictures of ordinary value. Extra charges are assessed for the more important ones. "These men of the boa constrictor type," he said, "are pirates and hi-jackers." "The hope of the industry rests with the independents," he concluded. Sydney S. Cohen later explained to the audience that Mr. Levitan's attack on the combine was far-reaching. Mr. Levitan, he said had been threatened, and in retaliation he told the trust: "If you ruin me, I'll ruin you. I'll carry this fight to the legislature." Mr. Cohen po'inted out bringing a fight of this sort before a legislative body was fraught with much danger to every exhibitor. He cited Mr. Levitan's predicament as another reason for united action against the combine. WARNERS NET MILLIONS Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc., for the fiscal year ended March 31, reports net profit of $1,101,950 after all expenses and charges. This w-as equal to $5.55 a share earned on the 200,000 shares of Class A stock outstanding, or 3.67 times the annual dividend requirements. After allowing for Class A dividends, the balance was equal to $2.25 a share on the 350,000 shares of common stock. •4; * * Neil Hamilton is on his way to California in an automobile. EQUIPMENT DEALERS ELECT OFFICERS AT CLOSING DAY SESSION Stormy debates marked the closing sessions of the Association of Motion Picture Theatre Equipment Dealers of America in convention at Milwaukee. As a result of grievances brought before the delegates by New York members. Joseph Bornstein, of New York, resigned from the board of directors. Following were elected to the board of directors : A. Dresner, of Washington, D. C. ; W. H. Reabell, of New York; Max Rubin; H. A. R. Dutton, of Chicago; T. P. Hollis, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and G. A. Doering. C. D. Struble was elected president for the ensuing year. R. M. Combo was chosen vice-president and Carl H. Fulton, treasurer. On the final day Max Rubin, chairman of the committee on the revision of the constitution and bylaws, read to the convention a complete revision of the laws. After discussion, the new bylaws and constitution were placed in the hands of the attorney of the association, and it was decided that after revision by him, they were to be printed and become effective in thirty days. It was unanimously decided to hold the 1926 convention in Detroit at some time during May. The Manufacturers Division of the Association elected the following officers : Board of Directors — Chairman, John J. McCauley; I. L. Nixon, William Kunzman, B. C. Hoefer, and Joseph Worscheck. President, Sam Lears, of Chicago. First Vice-President, J. H. Hertner, of Cleveland. Second Vice-President, D. W. Brenhert, of Detroit. Third Vice-President, L. M. Fulton. Fourth Vice-President, Irving Samuels, of Allentown, Pa. Secretary, Mrs. DuBerri, Chicago. Treasurer, J. C. Kroesen. In the Fight! H. V. Smoots, Member Executive Committee of M. P. T. O. of Ohio, Is in Independence Fight.