Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1920)

34 EXHIBITORS HERALD June 26, 1920 "1 know you all want to get away," he began, "but I know you are all happy. 1 knew you could not go wrong if you came to Cleveland and I knew this would be a success. Everybody has worked hard and diligently, and it now takes but one step to put the final stamp of approval on this convention, and that is, to say to these men who have worked so hard and diligently, go forward; we are with you. Go to it Sydney, we stand by you. "1 move that the secretary of this convention be instructed to cast a ballot of the convention for the nominees as read by the chairman of the committee on nominations." It will probably never be known who seconded Mr. Sawyer's motion. Bedlam broke lose and the convention reached a frenzy of enthusiasm unknown in the earlier deliberations. The shouting and cheering subsided momentarily but rose to increased heights as Sydney S. Cohen, first president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, accepted the gavel from Henry H. Lustig, retiring permanent chairman. After expressing his thanks for the honor paid him and characterizing the convention as a "wonderful triumph" President Cohen said: "On all Fides by abuses of the worst kind, but some months ago when the octopus set out their plans to crowd up and put us out of business, the first thing that presented itself for our consideration was, if we fellows were going to allow ourselves to be stampeded. I felt that was the time to keep both feet on the ground. We called in all the independent theatre owners, and now you have been here for three or four days. "The Executive Committee has been sincerely and honestly elected, and I am sure these men understand the problem of the smallest exhibitor in this country. These men I am sure sincerely want to function so they will protect every independent motion picture theatre owner in the United States, and I pledge you my word that I shall give my best effort, the best things in me, to build up an organization on a National scope Fayetteville, Ala., Goes on the Map Fayetteville, Alabama, is on the map for keeps. Exhibitor Putnam of that town, fifty per cent of the state's delegation to the convention, put it there. Mr. Putnam may be from a small town but his spirit and passion for organization is exceeded by none. He was the first one on the roll call when the voluntary contributions to defray immediate expenses was taken. His story typifies the earnestness of the men who formed the rank and file of the delegates. "I own a two hundred and forty seat house," he began. "My wife sells the tickets, I take them up, my daughter plays the piano and my son runs the machine. I drew practically my last cent out of the bank to come up here and what's more, I am glad I did. It's worth it" Mr. Putnam's donation of a five dollar bill brought the greatest applause of any during the day. that we may all be proud of, and one that will be productive of results. "My office will be in New York, and if there is anything that I can do I would be glad to hear from you. If there is anything that I can do in your particular section let me hear from you. If you are threatened by anyone because you won't abide by him, or a lot of other things that happen, we have elected a capable executive committee and the man from your territory will keep in communication with the main office and we will be open to transact any business for you. "You must understand we have now a national organization where every independent theatre owner in the United States has been invited to belong. I did not know but two of them when we came to the City of Cleveland, but I telt it made no difference because these men which were selected by the exhiitors in that territory for an important position were good enough for me because I had confidence in the independent exhibitors of every territory in the country. "It is getting late, it is very warm, and all I will say to you is that I am a business man, I don't possess any magician's wand, there is nothing concealed up my sleeves, and this proposition consists of laying out a plan, and then working your plan. That is what we did in New York and we propose to do the same thing throughout the nation. We are going to the bat, we feel the bases are loaded, and we want to clean up. We want your cooperation, we want your counsel, wc want your advice, and I assure you we will give the best that is in us to the Motion Theatre Owners of America." One by one the new officers took their places beside Mr. Cohen, a great ovation greeting W. C. Paterson of Atlanta, who called the famous "pack your grip" meeting of exhibitors in Chicago, declared by many to have been the foundation for the successful convention just closed. Many resolutions were passed by the convention designed to rectify existing ills foremost among them that directed against the Famous Players-Lasky corporation for its alleged unfair methods and theatre activities. The corporation is described as "the most flagrant offender against the independent exhibitor movement" and exhibitors are advised to protect themselves by all lawful means. A stinging rebuke was handed the Society of Authors, Publishers and Composers, and action will be taken in an attempt to have national legislation passed to assure equity. Other resolutions included those against the advance deposit system, loaning of films by producers to nontheatrical institutions, producers' organizations pledging the use of the screens of the country for any purpose whatever; exi^ti-ig film contracts, compulsory purchase of posters or any kind of film exploitation and technicalities "Home Office" dictation. Resolutions were passed pledging hearty support to the independent pro (Continued on page 38) FAMOUS PLAYERS PRESENTS Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" By AL LICHTMAN General Manager of the Department of Distribution, Famous Players-Lasky (Statement made to the Committee of Seventeen in New York before the convention concerning what Famous Players-Lasky intended to do about getting out of the theatre business.) "We don't know anything about the proposition. We are not interested. We won't do business with an organization of exhibitors. We will deal with the exhibitor as an individual only. "We have a right to take every dollar away from the exhibitor we can get." By ADOLPH ZUKOR President Famous Players-Lasky (Made on the ground at Cleveland during the convention and after he was refused permission to address the delegates.) " Famous Players-Lasky Corporation will be very glad at all times to confer with a committee representing all exhibitors, including exhibitors who are producing and distributing pictures, for the purpose of bringing about harmony and understandingin all branches of our industry for the mutual benefit of all." ps.ir.r