Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

H. P. THEATER OWNERS' ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS FORMED Organization Launched in Chicago With 160 Theaters Represented; to'Apply for M. P. E. L. Charter; Schoenstadt and Choynski Made Temporary Officers. The new Motion Picture Theater Owners' Association of Illinois, with representative membership of 160 theaters, was launched in Chicago Friday, June 22. Twenty-seven members attended the meeting in Fraternity Hall, 19 West Adams street, at which Henry Schoenstadt was made temporary chairman, and Maurice A. Choynski emporary secretary. Mr. Schoenstadt, in business with his sons, owns and operates a chain f film theaters which span Chicago, while Choynski owns and operates two theaters on the North Side. Fred Herrington, the national organizer from Pittsburgh, laid the preliminary plans of organization, which were followed successfully despite the fact that Herrington left Chicago before the initial organization step. Members Donate $380 The twenty-seven members of the new association who were present donated $380 for expenses and organization purposes. Mr. Choynski states that the association will immediately apply for a state charter in Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America during the coming week after the election of permanent officers. Also, a corporate charter will be secured under the laws of Illinois. The committee appointed to frame by-laws and draft a constitution follow?: M. A. Choynski, A. J. Krug, G. Trculich and Henry Schoenstadt. This committee, shortly after being appointed by the twenty-seven theater owners, who represent eighty-three film houses in Chicago, started work on the constitution and by-laws. Just as soon as this work is completed, which will consume the major portion of three days, it is estimated, permanent officers will be elected. Doubt on M. P. E. L. Charter The slogan already adopted by the association is: "Open and AbovcBoard — One for All and All for One." While the association will apply immediately for a state charter as a branch of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League, there is some doubt in the minds of the organizers whether this charter will be granted. However, at the meeting it was emphatically pointed out that if the' national body spurns the association's application, that the new organization will operate independently. Only bona fide theater owners will be admitted to membership in the new association. This move, it was stated at the meeting, will tend to eliminate "politics,'' which in the past has caused considerable dissension in the ranks of other organizations. Exhibitors throughout the state of Illinois have signified their intention of joining the new association, which, with a membership composed exclusively of theater owners, is designed for intensive protection of theater men's interests. Will Present Solid Front Pernicious legislation of state-wide scope, as well as local law-making which will injure business or shackle exhibitors in any way, will hereafter face a solid front of owners of theaters who will fight tenaciously to preserve their business. One glaring need of a powerful theater owners' organization was brought to the attention of the association in Chicago this week in the form of a new license fee schedule, which was practically neglected because no organization exists at present in Illinois capable of handling the situation. It is announced that the new association's meetings will be open to trade press representatives regardless of the import of matters under discussion. GEORGE KLEINE ABOLISHES DEPOSIT SYSTEM; WILL RETURN $150,000 TO EXHIBITORS Move Will Be Greeted by Theater Men as Another Step to Long-Sought Victory; Producer Follows Plan of Other Big Concerns The George Kleine Company of Chicago is the latest concern to announce the abolition of the deposit system. In the future exhibitors using the Kleine service can select their films and will not be required to pay a deposit on advance bookings. Will Return $150,000 The Kleine Company will return approximately $150,000 to exhibitors who have been using its service, which money has been paid by them as advance booking deposits. This move on the part of Mr. Kleine is in keeping with the open booking plan adopted by Triangle Distributing Corporation a short time ago and the Paramount Pictures Corporation, which will drop the old system August 5. Step Toward Victory Mr. Kleine states that he expects within a very short time to see all manufacturers abolish the deposit system. Exhibitors throughout the country have been fighting for some time to bring this about, and no doubt Mr. Kleine's announcement will be greeted as another step toward victory. It is an establishment of the manufacturers' faith in the word of exhibitors. OKLAHOMA DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES TO CHICAGO M. P. E. L. CONVENTION ARE PICKED Herrington Attends Meeting at Which Organization Votes Exhibitors Are to Go Uninstructed ; President Monnand and Secretary Brophy Will Attend At a meeting of the M. P. E. L. of Oklahoma, held June 19, at the Lee Huckins Hotel, Oklahoma City, the following delegates were elected to attend the Chicago convention in July: A. B. Monnand, president, of Shawnee; L. \Y. Brophy, secretary, of Muskogee; S. H. Jones, of Altus: John Fesney, of Okmulgee; Thomas H. Boland, of Oklahoma City; J. L. Olive, of Chickasha, and John Slocum, of Mangum, Okla. The following alternates were also selected: J. H. Moller, of Sapulpa; Maurice Lovvenstein, of Oklahoma City; J. S. Clayman, of dishing; J. L. Carr, of Kingfisher: and H. W. McCall, of Oklahoma City. National Organizer Fred J. Herrington attended the special meeting, as well as forty of the leading exhibitors of the state. It was voted to send the delegates to the convention uninstructed. The meeting marked the opening of (Continued on page 14, column 3)