The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

5 More Industry Bills Introduced in Jersey Harold Kline Heads New York City Bookers Installation of Officers February 5 New York City — Harold Kline is the new president of the Motion Picture Bookers Club following an election last week. Other officers follow: Alec Arnswalder, vice-president; Ben Levine, treasurer; Ed Susse, financial secretary; Dora Fried, recording secretary; Herb Richek, sergeant-at-arms. Trustees: Bernie Brooks, Dan Ponticelle. Directors: Eddie Richter, Harry Margolies, Henry Suchman, Max Fried. Installation takes place February 5. Trade Receipts Announced Albany — Actual receipts from the motion picture tax on film amounted to $300,331.50 for the year 1938-1939, according to a comparative statement of receipts of the state announced last week. Estimated receipts for the current year, 19391940, are $300,000, with same amount also expected to be taken in during the 19401941 year. Horse Birth Fight Looms Albany — Objections of state censors were overruled last week by the Supreme Court, which granted a temporary injunction allowing the showing as a “newsreel” of the eight-reel film, “Life in the Hortobagy,” owned by Levrad Amusement Corporation. Jack Haupt, who fought for a license for “Ecstasy,” has distribution rights. Censors object to the film because it shows the birth of a horse. Carkey Takes Utica House Utica — Rivoli, formerly the Lyric, for some time closed, is to be thoroughly remodeled and redecorated prior to opening in about three weeks, it was announced last week. It has been leased from Carmen Scala by the Carkey Enterprises, Inc., newlyformed theatre operation company headed by L. J. Carkey, Gloversville, as general manager. Equality Bill Introduced New York City — Daniel Burrows, Harlem Assemblyman, last week introduced a bill into the state legislature whereby licensed owners or operators of places of public accommodation or amusement would have their licenses suspended or revoked if equal accommodations were not granted all persons. January 31, 1940 Mitch Conery Quits Albany Zone Allied Group Split Develops in Upstate Ranks Albany — A split in the ranks of the local Allied unit appeared last week when Mitch Conery announced that six members of the group were resigning from the organization. At the same meeting, a resolution favoring passage of the Neely Bill was passed, which is contrary to the attitude of the state organization. The state Allied unit is not a part of the national Allied States Association. Resigning with Conery were Clarence Dopp, Robert Jenner, Abe Stone, Charles Wilson and John Gardiner. The men who walked out of the organization and resigned favor the Neely Bill, it is understood, and are dissatisfied with the state body’s stand against the measure. 3 06 Wins SLRB Decision New York City — Local 306 proved the victor last fortnight in a decision of the State Labor Relations Board which upheld the union in a dispute following the discharge of Empire Union operators from an ITOA theatre which was a member of the group which had a contract with Local. Following the deal between the ITOA and Local 306, Empire projectionists at the Arion, Middle Village, Long Island, were discharged, with 306 men going in. Empire protested to the SLRB on the grounds that they were discharged for belonging to a union. If this be a precedent, it is believed Local 306 men would replace Empire operators in similar situations. Ellis Wants to Be Fair NEW YORK CITY — Because he doesn’t wish to be installed as president of the Motion Picture Associates while some of the members are still grumbling over the 62-61 count by which he defeated Moe Sanders, Jack Ellis claimed last week that he has asked the organization’s board of directors to review the election and to call for another if they find that everything had not been legally in keeping with parliamentary procedure. THE EXHIBITOR Several Measures Affect Trade Trenton — The following bills of interest to motion picture exhibitors throughout the state were introduced last fortnight in the New Jersey Legislature: Senate 45 — Introduced by Alfred E. Driscoll, Camden, New Jersey, January 22. An Act to define the terms of “labor or dispute” and “dispute” concerning terms or conditions of employment and other related terms. Referred to the Labor and Industries Committee. Assembly 40 — Introduced by Samuel S. Ferster, Newark, New Jersey, January 22. Provides for minimum wage and hour standards; appropriates $70,000 for enforcement. Referred to the Labor and Industries Committee. Assembly 53 — Introduced by Harold Pierson, Morristown, New Jersey, January 22. To create a Labor Relations Commission to promote equality of bargaining power between employer and employee and diminish causes of industrial dispute. Referred to the Labor and Industries Committee. Assembly 54 — Introduced by Harold A. Pierson, Morristown, New Jersey, January 22. Provides that eight hours shall constitute a day’s work and regulates payments of prevailing wage on State and municipal contracts. Referred to the Labor and Industries Committee. Assembly 58 — Introduced by William J. Hanna, Paterson, New Jersey, January 22. To create a board of mediation for the arbitration of labor strikes and disputes. Referred to the Labor and Industries Committee. Assembly 86 — Introduced by Frank S. Farley, Atlantic City, New Jersey, January 22. To make Saturday a bank holiday throughout the year. Referred to the Insurance and Banks Committee. Assembly 95 — Introduced by Jacob Friedland, Jersey City, New Jersey. To make it a misdemeanor to transport or import strike-breakers. Referred to the Judiciary Committee. Assembly 96 — Introduced by Jacob Friedland, Jersey City, New Jersey, January 22. To fix the penalty at $50 fine for persons failing to appear in proceedings for fixing minimum wage standards by the Commissioner of Labor; reduces from nine months to 90 days the period after which a commissioner may make a directory order affecting wage standards mandatory. Referred to the Labor and Industries Committee. Admission Bill Introduced Albany — An amendment to the civil law regarding admission to places of public amusement was introduced last week by Assemblyman Davidson. It provides that persons over 21 presenting tickets of admission at a reasonable time before the opening of a performance must be admitted, nor can they be ejected except for disorderly conduct. ITOA Aiding Finns New York City — Two hundred motion picture houses of the Independent Theatre Owners Association last week added their support to the nation-wide campaign of the industry to support the Finnish Relief Fund February 17-18, Harry Brandt, president, announced. NYS.