Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

EXHIBITORS HERALD 15 HOPP DENIES STATEMENT TO "HERALD" THAT HE WISHED OCHS WOULD RESIGN POST Pettijohn Secures Vice President's Letter to Trade Review Asking Cash to Pay for A. E. A. Notes Secured from Stenographer "Dark Horse" Joe Hopp, the president of the Chicago local of Ochs' organization, who figured so prominently in the recent convention in an effort to aid Ochs, secured a copy of the minutes of the meeting of the A. E. A., held at the Morrison Hotel, Chicago, and sent it to the Ochs headquarters — the editorial rooms of the Trade Review — with an urgent request that $54 be sent on at once to pay for the carbon copy of the typewritten report. Below is a copy of Hopp's letter which accompanied the A. E. A. minutes; also an open letter from Charles C. Pettijohn, general manager of the A. E. A., in which letter Mr. Pettijohn advises the members of Ochs' league to refrain from buying any more copies of A. E. A. minutes from stenographers, as they can read them over at the A. E. A. headquarters in New York, if they so desire, without charge. Mr. Hopp misquotes the "Herald" when he states that it printed a statement that Ochs would not keep the presidency more than two months. The article on page 19 of August 4 issue reads: "I wish, for the sake of peace and harmony, that Lee Ochs would resign inside of two months." Hopp, however, refuses to acknowledge making such a statement. New York City, Aug. 6, 1917. To the Motion Picture Industry of the United States. The following letter came to my hands Monday morning, August 6: I feel that its contents will prove interesting to every man and woman connected in any way with the motion picture industry. The American Exhibitors' Association has not been injured in any way as a result of the continuation of the methods employed at the Chicago convention in buying a copy of our minutes from the young man who recorded them. The minutes of all the meetings of the American Exhibitors' Asso'ciation, held in Chicago, are on file at our office, 1110 Times building, New York City. They constitute an "open book," and anybody who is interested in the welfare of motion picture exhibitors is welcome at any time to read them from cover to cover. These gentlemen might have saved $54 by coming to this office instead of tempting a young man who might have needed a little summer vacation during the hot spell just passed. Respectfully, CHARLES C. PETTIJOHN, General Manager American Exhibitors' Association. Here Is Hopp's Letter Chicago, 111., Aug. 2, 1917. Mr. Lee A. Ochs, 1587 Broadway, New York City. Dear Lee: A few days ago Mr. Kent Lockwood, who was the official stenographer at the convention, gave me for delivery to you the stenographic report in type written form of the proceedings of the Hotel Morrison convention of the dissenters. I am sending you this report under separate cover, by registered mail, in care of the Trade Review, and "personal." At the time he gave me this report for delivery Mr. Lockwood also handed me a bill for $54 for same. I was in hopes that I could influence Mr. Schindlcr to pay this $54 and take it out of the national league and of the net profits of the exposition, but thus far he has not honored the request. I suggest that immediately upon receipt of this letter you wire Mr. Schindlcr to pay the $54, or else you send me a check for that amount in favor of Kent Lockwood. I will give same to him and take his receipt, which I will then forward by mail to you. Keep in mind that conditions may arise requiring the services of Mr. Lockwood, and the national body should keep in his good graces by not making this man wait for his money, and especially after considering the real service he has rendered in making possible the securing of this report. I have read the entire report. A perusal of same will throw the calcium on certain people along unexpected lines. After hearing the expression of loyalty at the time of the election of officers at our convention, on the part of Mr. Goldberg of Maryland, it is amusing to also read in the report his expression of loyalty to the Hotel Morrison meeting the following day.. I suggest quick and effective action to meet the garnishment proceedings against Mr. Schindler and thus bring about the release of the moneys to the national and Chicago bodies. Recently, in writing Mr. Brandt, I suggested the advisability of having one of you fellows here in an authoritative capacity regarding this matter. It is very important. Yesterday my attention was called to an item in "Exhibitors Herald" quoting me as having said that you would not keep the presidency more than two months, etc. I hope you will permit it to suffice for me to say that I never gave utterance to such an expression. It is absurd. On the request of Mr. Brandt I mailed him last Friday a complete copy of the Constitution and ByLaws as adopted at the convention. With kindest personal regards I remain, Ver}r truly yours, JOSEPH HOPP, National Vice President. It was announced by the newly elected A. E. A. officers shortly after the inception of the organization in Chicago that the books and correspondence would always be open to the trade, both at the national headquarters and at the various locals and state branches. FISHER GIVES VIEWS ON CARTOON FILM PRODUCING "Thinking up ideas for humorous cartoons is a very serious business," says Bud Fisher. "In fact, it's the most difficult job I have. I simply try to keep myself posted on the principal topics of the day and treat them in a universal way, keeping in mind that the laugh must always be most prominent and at the same time free from malice and unpleasantness. "I believe people want good, wholesome humor, to remove the bad taste so often left in their mouths by suggestive pictures, put on for moral education. And it is the short, light comedy which does the business. The day for the sex picture is gone. The whole game is getting cleaner and going after finer, and less morbid entertainment. "There is a lot in choosing the right material for cither newspaper of animated cartoons. The field for selection is narrow and the subjects must be general. Religion, politics, races of people, and various types of readers and audiences must be taken into consideration and treated according to their standards. For instance, a cartoon which is extremely popular in a democratic community will be anything but well received in :a republican district. The ridiculing or light handling of any particular race must be eliminated. For while using the negro as a butt for comedy might be popular in New England, in the South, where the exhibitor is largely dependent upon colored patronage, it would be very unwise."