Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

OCHS' HIGH-HANDED METHODS DISRUPT LEAGUE Twenty-Eight State Delegations Refusing to Submit to "Steam Roller" Leave Convention Floor and Organize New National Association POLITICS" AND TRADE REVIEW BOASTS DISGUST DELEGATES By J. RAY MURRAY The most dramatic incident in the history of exhibitors' conventions — the disruption of the Motion Picture Exhibitors League of America — occurred at the Coliseum, Chicago. Wednesday, July 18. Just prior to midnight delegates representing twenty-eight of the most active states in the exhibitors' association came to the conclusion definitely that Lee A. Ochs and the principals of the "Trade Review" could not be swerved from their plan of "steam rollering" the convention and withdrew from the convention hall. THIS POINT MARKED THE DISRUPTION OF THE MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITORS LEAGUE OF AMERICA AND THE FORMATION OF THE NEW AMERICAN EXHIBITORS ASSOCIATION. COULD NOT HALT HIGH-HANDED METHODS Prior to the dramatic walk-out every effort was made to have Mr. Ochs and his associates abandon their high-handed methods and give consideration to the future of the organization and to the rights of the various state delegations which had not come under the sway of the Ochs machine. But the Ochs machine remained obdurate and took the position that Ochs' re-election was to be accomplished at any and all cost. It was whispered generally about the convention hall and in the hotel lobbies that the Ochs machine recognized that without the re-election of Mr. Ochs and the perseverance of the league the future of the "Trade Review" would be very problematical. And the personal interests of the Ochs clique made the future of the exhibitors' organization of secondary consideration alongside of the publication enterprise. The disruption of the league occurred just following the nominating speech by Louis Levine of New York. The nomination of Mr. Ochs was seconded by Peter J. Schaefer of Chicago. Mr. Levine, after a lengthy compliment to the president and a fierce tirade against all opposing factions which was repeatedly objected to, placed the name of Mr. Ochs before the convention. JACOB WELLS MAKES DEMAND While the tellers were being appointed Jacob Wells of Virginia arose and demanded to know if Mr. Ochs intended to accept the "steam-rollered" nomination. This was done after repeated efforts were made to have Mr. Ochs withdraw in favor of any other candidate which a conference committee would select. "I am not on trial," replied Mr. Ochs, endeavoring to avoid the issue. MR. OCHS' RETORT WAS THE SIGNAL FOR THE QUIET. ORGANIZED WITHDRAWAL FROM THE CONVENTION HALL OF DELEGATES REPRESENTING TWENTY-EIGHT STATES AND THE CREAM OF THE EXHIBITORS' BODY. The exhibitors who remained on the floor, those affiliated with the Ochs machine, stood about for a few minutes gazing blankly at one another while the fact that their conduct had disrupted the league was gradually being realized. Later the vote was taken, which was a perfunctory matter, and immediately following Mr. Ochs gave his memorable speech of acceptance, which is printed on another page. Charles Pettijohn of Indiana spoke following Mr. Ochs and his remarks also are given on another page. Roster of M. P. E. L. Officers Joseph Hopp was nominated and elected first vice president. Other officers elected were.: William Isenberg of Mississippi, second vice president: H. M. Thomas of Nebraska, third vice president; E. J. Fisher of Washington, D. C, fourth vice president; William Brandt of New York, corresponding secretary; William J. Sweeney of Illinois, financial secretary; E. H.' Horstman of Massachusetts, treasurer. It was decided to hold the next convention in Boston, Mass., in lulv. 1918. The Thursday session met at 3:30 o'clock and went into executive session. Routine business was transacted. About eighteen delegates were present. A banquet was held at the Hotel Morrison Thursday evening. W illiam A. Brady, at the Wednesday evening session, introduced Rev. Christian F. Riezner, pastor of Grace Church. New York, whose few remarks served to relieve the tedium of the meeting. William McCormack Blair, representing the "Four Minute Men," addressed the delegates, as did Fred C. Woodward, representing Mr. Hoover, the United States food administrator. Evans Evans and J. J. O'Connor of the Red Cross delivered short messages also. Mr. Brad} in an address said he would be ashamed of the delegates as American citizens if they did not get down to business, drop petty politics and be real men and make good. "HERALD" WINS FIGHT; CURBS OCHS' CLIQUE When Lee A. Ochs last fall announced his program of highhanded methods aimed to dominate completely the motion picture industry and especially the exhibitors' organization the "Exhibitors Herald" commenced a campaign of publicity which has borne great fruit in the convention just held, when the majority of exhibitors present utterly repudiated Ochs and his associates. The "Exhibitors Herald" alone among the trade papers consistently opposed the autocratic methods of Ochs. This publication continually has pointed out that the efforts of Ochs were not directed to accomplish the greatest good for the majority of exhibitors, but were aimed to promote his personal aims and the personal aims of his associates who are interested in the Trade Review. It is with considerable gratification that the "Herald" notes that its views regarding the menace of Ochs to the motion picture trade is shared by the majority of bona fide theater owners in convention assembled; this intolerance of the methods of Ochs compelling the exhibitors even to take the radical step of abandoning the Motion Picture Exhibitors League of America and forming the new American Exhibitors Association. The "Herald" realizing the splendid co-operation of the most representative exhibitors of the country is encouraged even to greater efforts toward the elimination of objectionable elements in the trade and the promotion of the exhibitors' best interests. — The Editor.