Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

April 29, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 31 Hays May Carry Proffer of Unity to National Conclave Invitation Is Extended By Charles L. O'Reilly Steffes Attitude Deplored by Exhibitor Leaders in New York — Ill-Advised, They Say By JOHN S. SPARGO (Xe-w York Editor, Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 18.— Will H. Hays' plea for confidence and his proffer of co-operation between the distributors and the exhibitors, made at the Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce last week, has met with such a wave of popular approval that it is almost certain that he will be invited to make the same proposition to the exhibitors of the country at the Washington convention next month. This sentiment was voiced at the close of Mr. Hays' address by Charles O'Reilly, president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of New York, who, in a brief speech, thanked Mr. Hays and expressed the hope that he would be with the exhibitors at the national convention and make his proffer personally to the entire country. Cancels Engagements to Attend Feast William Landau, president-elect of the T. O. C. C. then invited Mr. Hays to attend the testimonial dinner to be given William Brandt, the retiring president at the Ritz-Carlton next Thursday evening. Mr. Hays accepted and has announced his intention to cancel other engagements in order to be present. That the idea of harmony, confidence and co-operation has struck a responsive chord is attested by the fact that many of the most prominent exhibitors and producers agree that the movement started by Mr. Hays is one of the most constructive ones in the history of the industry. A Straight Shot WITH customary directness and wholehearted committment to a policy which it >elieved to be right, equitable and or the best interests of exhibitors, he HERALD, in its April 15th ssue, called upon theatre owners, nd particularly members of the oranization, to give the Hays proram a square deal and not at this ime to sacrifice, without reason, he great possible advantages of hat movement. This editorial remains the first nd only utterance of the trade rress on this vital and far-reaching ubject. While this question was ieing diligently avoided by those ditors who either have no opinion •r, what is worse, have not the ourage to express one, this puliation struck at the very root of a tew and groundless antagonism hat was growing up within the ini us try at the very moment that very abstract and every material onsideration demanded better and jeater understanding and cooperaion than this industry has ever nown. Hence, it is with no little gratifiation that the HERALD reviews he events which have followed the ublication of the editorial — "Mr. lays — Friend or Enemy?" On "uesday of last week before the Jew York exhibitors' body, headed y William Brandt, there was creted the definite promise, if not the asis, of a plan of cooperation beween exhibitor and producer which orecasts the coming of the one hing that this industry has long eeded the most. We congratulate all who have ad a hand in turning the ancient ide of dissension and prejudice rom this industry, and particularly hose far-visioned exhibitor leaders /ho were prominent at the New 'ork meeting — Brandt. O'Reilly, terman and Walker. Mr. Hays is particularly gratified over the hearty welcome he received at the hands of the exhibitors and their hearty approval of the move towards harmony. In speaking of the meeting he said: Meeting Is Gratifying "I am very grateful. I met a fine body of sound business men who realized as I do that their interests and the interests of other branches of the industry are so bound up together that only confidence and cooperation can bring about the success that is bound to come to this wonderful business in which we are all engaged. " The exhibitors have a strong organization, a fact for which I am glad. And I hope their organization becomes still stronger, for the stronger it is the greater the results of the work we can do by cooperation. The internal affairs of the exhibitors' organization is no concern oi mine. All I am interested in is that they are strongly organized and that they have confidence in the integrity of my association. That can only mean success and prosperity for the industry as a whole." Effort Is Sincere Charles L. O'Reillv, president of the M. P. T. O. X. Y., in speaking of Mr. Havs' address, said: "The fact that Mr. Hays waited to. come before an organized exhibitor body to make his offer of cooperation and his plea for confidence must be taken by the exhibitors of the country as a sincere effort on his part to create better business relations and present a solid front to the enemies of the industry. "The fact that he laid particular emphasis on the strength of the organized exhibitors and urged the theatre owners to organize even more strongly in their own behalf and for their own protection shows that he has the welfare of the entire industry at heart. The further fact that he made the definite statement that the exhibitors' organization should be separate and distinct from any other branch of the industry, shows clearly that he would not allow himself or his association to attempt to interfere even in the slightest degree, in the internal workings of the exhibitors' organization. Laemmle Issues Statement "I expressed the hope at the T. O. C. C. meeting that Mr. Hays can be with us in Washington and make the same statement just as fully and convincingly to the exhibitors of the entire country-" Carl Laemmle, on his return from the coast last week, said: "The biggest thing that has happened for the good of the whole industry in a long time was the reception given to Mr. Hays by the Motion Picture Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce. I heard the news the minute I stepped off the train on my return from the Coast, and it started my imagination along a mighty happy vision for the future. "Mr. Hays in less than an hour established that friendly relationship between exhibitors and producers which should