Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

40 EXHIBITORS HERALD April 22, 1922 not elected by the convention, the board of directors being instructed to name these officials at an early meeting of that body. This meeting undoubtedly will be held within the next two or three weeks. The exhibitors in attendance expressed their disapproval of "waste, extravagance and duplication of expenditure" and urged the president of the M. P. T. O. A. to "bring about a more direct connection between the actual producers and the exhibitor for the good of all elements in the industry." Endorse "Movie Chats" Resolutions adopted endorsed the "Official Movie Chats" and denounced "special campaigns, drives, weeks and other observances of origin with producers or distributors and designed to limit programs to one brand of pictures." W. W. Watts of Springfield and J. B. Dibelka of Chicago were chairman and secretary respectively of the convention. During the appointment of delegates to the national convention in Washington, Mr. Hopp took occasion to appeal for "unanimity of action among the delegates" who make the trip. Censures Delegates "The will of the majority should be adhered to," declared the former president of the state body. "It was not at Minneapolis. The power of the majority was usurped by two or three delegates. These men of whom I speak are not here today." Only nine delegates to the national conclave have been selected thus far. They are: Leo Bernstein, Julius Lamm, Joe Hopp, Sam Rabinowitz, S. H. Selig, Louis Frank, W. W. Watts, John Silha and C. P. Lamtenschlager. On the board of directors are: Nathan Joseph, Ludwig Siegel, George Hopkinson, Julius Lamm, Sam Abraham, D. J. Chrissis, H. Golson, A. Powell, Sid Selig, H. D. Koffman and Vern Langdon, all of Chicago; Glen Reynolds of De Kalb, Dee Robinson of Peoria, W. W. Watts of Springfield, L. M. Rubens of Joliet, Ben L. Berve of Rochelle, Charles Lamb of Rockford, William Pearl of Highland Park, J. C. Miller of Woodstock, J. Tabor of Belvidere, Adam Dornbach of Wheaton, Charles Law of Panna, and Gus Kerestus of Springfield. Others in Attendance Others in attendance at the convention follow: Chicago— R. R. Levy, Revelry theatre; H. I. utz. Century: Aaron Saperstein, Lincoln; Morris Hellman. Erie; Michael Siegal, New Home; Leo Brunhild, Rogers; H. Burns, Shakespeare; Phillip Frank, New Illinois; Mr. Reingold, Vision;. M.. A.. Choynski,. Newberry;. Louis Fichtenberg, Langley; S. Auerbach, New Strand; Abe Perrautter, Oakley; Nathan Wolf, Biltmore; Andrew Cuser, Queen; Arthur J. Haley, Hillside; H. Goldson, Plaza; Frank H. Siem, Stanley; Ludwig Schindler, Schindler's; G. Trculich, Bonita; H. V. Meeteren, Rainbow; Mat Jessclson, Halsted; Geo. Paul, States; M. Smulckoff, Lyceum; R. J. Delly, Delphy; Ashland Photo Play Co., Ashland; William J. Sweeney, Organizer, 111. Motion Picture Theatre Owners, Chicago; John Deis, Elms, Elmhurst; J. F. Dittman, Lindo, Freeport; L. A. Burnshine, Capitol, Springfield; J. E. Condon, Star, De Kalb; H. C. Allstein, Majestic, Rochelle. Jacksonville where it will establish an exchange, a booking office and a supply house. Carl Kettler of West Palm Beach is president of the association which has fifty-two theatre members. Florida (Special to Exhibitors Herald) DAYTONA, FLA., April 11.— Fortyseven exhibitors of this state have organized Independent Producers Association for the purpose of protecting "themselves against theatre-owning organizations operating in the South." The new organization, capitalized at $10,000, plans to have headquarters at Missouri Charles T. Sears (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST. LOUIS, MO., April 11.— Action marked the semi-annual convention of the Motion Pict u r e Theatre Owners of Missouri held at Hotel Statler here April 5 and 6. About two hund r e d members attended the sessions. The gathering was marked by the absence of the usual enactment of meaningless resolutions. The executive committee, on ord e r s from the convention, appointed two special boards of adjustments to handle complaints in the St. Louis and Kansas City districts against high film rentals and non-theatric a 1 competition. Several exhibi s tors cited instances where they had suffered loss through unf a i r competition from churches and schools and s i m i lar institut i o n s, while it was pointed out some exchanges had sent out circular letters soliciting such trade to whip the exhibitors into line. .... Exhibitors wishing to complain either of high film rentals or non-theatrical competition were instructed to forward their complaints to the executive offices of the state organization, 811 Gloyd building, Kansas City, Mo. The adjustment committees comprise: Kansas City district— S. E. Wilhoit, Soringfield, chairman; W. P. Cuff, Chillicothe; W. L. Shelton, Kansas City; Charles T. Sears, Nevada, and Lawrence Goldman, Kansas City. St. Louis district— A. C. Norwein, Bonne Tcrre, chairman; J. R. Pratt, Fulton; Joe Mogler, Harry Koplar and L. C. Hchl, all of St. Louis. The convention decided that the members should use their screens for the protection of the industry; to fight hostile interests and assist friends, but it unanimously voted that under no circumstances should the organization as such engage in partisan politics. Avoid Political Friction It was agreed that the association should not enter into politics unless confronted by a state-wide issue vitally affecting the industry and that unnecessary friction with any political element should be avoided. Members were urged to ask their congressman and the two Missouri senators to support the Lambert bill, now pending before congress, which seeks to repeal the so-called music tax imposed by the Authors, Publishers and Composers Society. The support of the screens of the state Lawrence Goldman were pledged for Children's Sunday School Week, April 30 to May 6. Select Convention Delegates Delegates to the national convention will include: Charles T. Sears, Lawrence Goldman, Ben Levy, Joplin; Frank Newman, Kansas City; Samuel Harding, Kansas City; Joseph Pratt, Fulton; A% C. Norwein, Bonne Terre; S. E. Wilhoit. Springfield; C. R. Wilson, Liberty, Mo.; I. W. Rodgers, Poplar. Bluff; W. P. Cuff. Chillicothe; Spyros Skouras, Joe Mogler, Harry Koplar, Hector Pasmezoglu, Mike Nash, John Karzin, William Goldman, Joseph Walsh, A. Pappas and Fred Wehrenberg, all of St. Louis. Wednesday night Attorney General Jesse W. Barrett of Missouri was the principal speaker and tonstmaster. In vigorous terms he expressed his views against state censorship or national supervision by the government of the screen, but he warned the motion picture men that it is their duty to see that the screen is kept clean and accomplishes those things for the betterment of society within its power. Cooperate With Board Other speakers at the banquet included: Circuit Attorney Howard Sidener, Circuit Clerk Nat Goldstein, Prosecuting Attorney Ernest Oakley, E. J. Sullivan, manager Orpheum theatre, Joe Mogler, Fred Wehrenberg, George McKean, St. Louis manager for Fox, and Edward j Smith, manager of the American theatre. Secretary Goldman announced at the close of the convention that an agreement had been reached with the Kansas City Film Board of Trade whereby a grievance committee composed of three exhibitors and three exchange men will decide all grievances in that district. The credit reference system and dark house policy will be abandoned, he said. He said an effort is being made to obtain a similar arrangement with the F. I. L. M. Club of Sv. Louis. The state organization plans to cooperate closely with the Anti-Blue Law League of America which will hold its annual convention in St. Louis June 22 to 25. F. C. Dailey, national executive secretary of the league, held several conferences with President Sears and Secretary Goldman during the exhibitors convention. ^Wisconsin (Special to Exhibitors Herald) MILWAUKEE, WIS., April ii.-Offi-! cials of the Motion Picture Theatre Own-, ers of Wisconsin have been advised of a general concur rence by otheil exhibitor organ* z a t i o n s in tin Wisconsin resolu lion "for r e 1 i e i against exorbitan film rentals." The Wisconsii resolution make "a demand upoi the stars particu larly, the produc ers, directors am. distributors t< voluntarily reduo their salaries an« demands for remuneration to the exten that film rentals can and will be cut 4' per cent from 19:20 prices." Further, the resolution warns that un less relief is granted "we shall with pitil less publicity lay our case before the tri Joseph G. Rhode