Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

14 EXHIBITORS HERALD from Southern exhibitors, it is not likely that he will succeed this year unless there is an unexpected bolt in the rartks of the independents. The Northwestern exhibitors apparently are back of the Rogers-FurnissOchs legions. New York is divided in its choice, with Levine and Trigger leading the opposition against Ochs. Pennsylvania, from all reports, favors Herrington, the National Organizer and former president. Indiana is divided, according to reports this week, between Ochs and Rembusch. Many Indiana exhibitors hope to make the president of the state organization national president, but neither Rembusch's campaign plans nor a list of Indiana delegates and alternates have so far been given out. Illinois is divided, with a majority of the most representative exhibitors against the re-election of Ochs. Henry Schoenstadt, Maurice Choynski and other representative exhibitors operating chains of theaters in Chicago and throughout the surrounding states are back of this opposition. Ochs Made Campaign Trip Early in the spring Ochs made a campaign tour visiting the league branches throughout the United States, which was offset by the campaigns of others. Despite his work in the various centers to get the favor of exhibitors for the purpose of re-election, it was common gossip from coast to coast that "there is too much rumbling of scandal in the organization." The various branch organizations during the past two months have made no attempt to conceal the fact that delegates would come to the convention "instructed." Moreover, it has become common gossip that salvos of burning questions will be asked which will stir the convention. Clean Up League, Is Word A terrain faction, which plans to elect a new president in place of Ochs, has lined up a big force of delegates from coast to coast — and this, it is asserted, is outside of the forces already lined up and instructed to "go and clean-up tlic league." Nobody this week would divulge plans of great import which have been framed during the past two months, but there is an air of certainty and outspoken confidence that before the greatest convention of exhibitors ends in Chicago that prospects for brighter conditions in the organization for the coming year will not be overshadowed with doubt and fear of highhanded ruling by cliques and factions. Delegates to the convention officially named are as follows: Nebraska President H. M. Thomas, R. D. Shirley, A. R. Pramer, Wilfred Ladoux, Oscar Rohlff of Omaha, F. D. Eager of Lincoln, A. W. Ballingcr of York, R. B. Thomas of Fremont and L. M. Gorman of Lincoln. Wisconsin J. Grauman, George Fischer, Henry Trinz of Milwaukee, Thomas A. Lee of Fond du Lac, H. Rhode of Kenosha. Ohio Samuel Bullock of Cleveland, B. J. Sawyer, Dave Schumann and Samuel Aublee. Mississippi P. E. Schilling of Greenwood, E. M. Clark of Natchez, A. B. Cook of Jackson, M. Cupero of Canton, William Isenbcrg of Greenville and Miss M. E. Rollins of Grenada. Northwest James Gilosky of Minneapolis, Joseph Friedman and Chrrles Campbell of St. Paul, Minn.; C. H. Hitchcock, Edward Hinz, M. A. Hoppcnrath, D. G. Rogers, H. P. Greene, William H. Dceth, C. E. VanDuzen, D. W. Cham berlain, Thomas Furniss of Duluth, Tom Foster of Stanley, Wis.; afl C. W. Gates of Aberdeen, S. D. North Carolina Percy W. Wells, Henry B. Varn« A. F. Sams, B. S. Aronson, S. W White, H. k. Mason, H. J, Paradi< and H. White Ware. New Jersey Louis F. Blumenthal, J. G. CraJj ford, Ira K. Hecht, William <fl Maschke, H. Charles Hespe, F. ■ Cross, Herbert Collins and John Collins. New York William Hilkemcicr, Morris Xcedle, Henry Haring, S. Cohen, Charles Steiner and Sidney Ascher. Pennsylvania John < I'Donnell, C. H. Goodwin afl M. Feitler. Virginia E. T. Crall of Newport News. Harry Bernstein, Richmond; Otto Wells, Norfolk; R. D. Craver, Lynchburg, and R. W. Hamilton, Martinsville. ' EXHIBITORS MUST OUST OCHS IN ORDER THAT LEAGUE MAY SURVIVE, SAYS TRIGGER Samuel H. Trigger, president of the Manhattan local in New York of the Motion Picture Exhibitors League of America, is opposed to the reelection of Lee Ochs as National President of Exhibitors League. Mr. Trigger advises the choosing of a man "for the betterment of the league" and warns exhibitors to "consider the candidates carefully" and when voting "vote for the man who is cleancut and not involved in any petty league politics." [Editor of "Exhibitors Herald"] : Have received numerous letters as to my position on the presidential election at the coming convention of the Motion Picture Exhibitors League of America. Can only reiterate my statement made in the trade journals two months ago: "For president of this organization we must have a cleancut man who is not involved in any petty league politics." He must remember that the organization is permanent, and it does not exist solely for the good of the individual. He must have qualities for leadership that require strength, stability, and be a man of vision, one that can lead by the confidence of rightness. This is a time when great things are to be done and we want a man to do them. There are several such exhibitors who will be at the convention in Chicago. I would advise, for the betterment of the league, to consider the candidates carefully and when voting, cast the vote for the man with the above qualifications. At the present time we are suffering from too much regulation. Those that are in the field for presidency are Fred Herrington, Pittsburgh; H. B. Varner, North Carolina; Lee A. Ochs, New York; Rogers, Minnesota; Frank J. Rembusch, Indiana, and one or two others. Fellow exhibitors, kindly choose the man that is vigorous, generous in instincts, one that can get his heels in the ground and march forward to a solid position at the head of a bigger and better organization; and I ask the young exhibitors to help, and by self sacrifice, to take up the management of the local, State and National League, for under no other condition will our organization survive. My personal opinion is that if we can secure a man from the1 West, or South to fill the responsible office of president, it would be most advisable to do so, as the present incumbent has proven himself to be anything but the man required to make the Motion Picture Exhibitors League o) America the power for usefulness to the exhibitors of the countrj that it should be. (Signed) SAM H. TRIGGER, President Manhattan Local, No.