Exhibitors Herald (Mar-Jun 1919)

EXHIBITORS HERALD AND MO Four Men Indicted In Fire Prevention Bureau Graft Case New York Exhibitors Win in Fight to Stop Tribute Collecting NEW YORK.— The grand jury investigating graft charges against the Fire Prevention Bureau and certain motion picture theatres returned indictments against Dr. William P. Doyle, chief of the bureau; Captain Frank McGinnis, head of the Department of Public Assemblies of the bureau; Leon Wallace, a manager of Healy restaurant, land Frank McGoey of Far Rockaway, on charges of conspiracy and bribery. Captain McGinnis, Wallace, and McGoey appeared before Judge Rosalsky in General Sessions to answer to the indictments. Wallace was released in $1,000 bail and the others in $2,500 each. It was said that Dr. Doyle would appear today. Fire Commissioner Drennan, who had received complaints from several motion picture houses, referred them to the District Attorney with the evidence he had obtained. The indictments are based on allegations that certain favors were to be granted to motion picture houses in return for payments of various amounts, through the Colonial Film exchange at 144 Columbus avenue. According to Assistant District Attorney Talley, this exchange sold no films and was used exclusively for collections, ranging from $10 to $25, and reaching a total of $1,500 weekly. N. A. M. P. I. Officials Enjoy Chicago Visit Officials of the N. A. M. P. I., who came to Chicago last Friday to attend a meeting of the Chicago censorship commission and express the views of the industry on the problem, remained in Chicago until Sunday, returning via the Twentieth Century. Friday noon they were entertained at luncheon at the Blackstone Hotel by Martin J. Quigley, publisher of the Herald and secretary of the censorship commission. Those present were William A. Brady, Walter W. Irwin, Paul H. Cromelin, Gabriel L. Hess, Peter J. Schaefer, Roy D. Keehn, and Arthur Ryan. Tippett in Country John D. Tippett, managing director of the Trans-Atlantic Film Co., Ltd. of London, has arrived in New York for a brief business visit prior to a visit to Universal City, Cal., and returning abroad. Mr. Tippett is in charge of Universal's film distribution abroad and is in America for the purpose of conferring with Carl Laemmle, president of the firm, and to arrange for great distribution of the Big U's productions in Europe and Africa during the present year. Wharton Feature The Wharton Brothers started work Monday on a new production, which it is expected will be ready within three months. Pennsylvania Buri Outlook Bright Theatre Men Win and Opening of Pictur Easter (Special to The Herald.) HARRISBURG, Pa.— The Judiciary Special Committee of the House of Representatives voted, 18 to 6, to report with a negative recommendation, the Rorke bill which would have amended the Blue Law of 1794 so as to permit the showing of motion pictures on Sundays, in Pennsylvania. Thus vanished the hopes of the motion picture industry which was practically a unit behind the bill and which had made a vigorous fight for its passage. It was in behalf of this measure that William A. Brady appeared in Harrisburg last week, in company of a number of other prominent motion picture men, and argued before the committee for its adoption. The famous Philadelphia Orchestra gave three free public concerts at legislative hearings in three parts of the state to prove that the kind of music it played could not offend any one on the Sabbath. There is now no hope for the Rorke measure unless it should be voted on the floor of the House to revive it despite the committee's negative report, but such action is out of the realm of probability. Wins Point In New York ALBANY, N. Y.— The codes committees of both branches of the Legislature took favorable action on the Sunday motion picture and Sunday baseball bills, by reporting them out of the committees so that action may be taken on the floor. The Assembly committee, which had under consideration the bill introduced by Assemblyman Charles D. Donohue, the Democratic leader in the lower house providing for Sunday motion pictures, reported it out of committee, but decided to make amendments to the bill so that it would conform with Senator George F. Thompson's bill, which was also reported favorably out of the Senate Codes Committee recently by a vote of 6 to 4. One member of the committee was absent, but desired that he be recorded in favor of the bill, which would make the vote seven to four. It appears that the provisions of the Sunday motion picture measure prepared by Senator Thompson was considered more favorable than the similar bills prepared by Senator Foley and Assemblyman Donohue, and for that reason the Thompson bill was substituted. The full text of Senator Thompson's bill follows: "If. in any citv, town or village, motion pictures are now exhibited on the first day of the week, they may continue to be so exhibited during such time after two o'clock in the afternoon as' the exhibition of motion pictures shall not have been prohibited by an ordinanc hereafter adonted by the common council or other legislative body of such city, town, or village, the adoption, repeal or rcadoption of which is hereby authorized. "If, in ally city, town or village, motion pictures are not now exhibited on the first day of the week, they shall not be so exhibited except during such time after two o'clock in the afternoon as shall be permitted by an ordinance hereafter adopted by the common council or other legisla tions in the various municipalities. Mayor Charles P. Gillen, of Newark; Mayor George N. Seger, of Passaic, and Henry Hilfers, secretary of the State Federation of Labor, also spoke in favor of the bill. "The miner, who works in the bowels of the earth for six days a week," said Mr. Brady, "cannot be made to sit for any length of time on his porch, sucking his thumbs, because he has no place to go, while the wealthy man enjoys himself in his automobile. The miner must have some sort of recreation." Mayor Gillen said ninety per cent of the residents of Newark want Sunday motion pictures and Mr. Hilfers said organized labor also favors them. Prospect Bright in Ohio CLEVELAND, OHIO. — The bill introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives by the Ohio State Screen league, to make the showing of moving pictures on Sundays possible in all communities, through local option elections, scored considerable success the week ending March 29, when it was reported upon favorably by the Cities committee which was considering it, and went back to the house for an early vote. The vote on the bill is expected before April 10. If the house acts favorably, it has excellent chances of passing the senate. A big delegation of exhibitors from Cleveland, Toledo, Akron. Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati will be in Columbus when the bill comes to a vote in the house of representatives. Injured Watching Parade Joe Blaisdell of the Winnipeg Film Exchange was injured while viewing the 27th Division parade at 23rd Street, New York, by being caught in a jam which wedged him up against an iron railing, which resulted in two broken ribs. Beecroft Gets Comedies Chester Beecroft has just consummated a deal by which he is to handle the entire European rights on the Post Travel Series, said to be one of the best series of one reel comedies on the market today. 27