Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

20 EXHIBITORS HERALD July 8, 1922 Carolina, the first southern exhibitor to install a radio in his theatre, gave an interesting address on "Radio in the Theatre." Secretary Varner, reporting on the progress of the negotiations between Will H. Hays and the M. P. T. O. A., declared that he is "100 per cent sold" on Hays and expressed "implicit confidence" in his sincerity. Resolutions Are Adopted Miss Anna Eugene Aiken, secretary of the Better Films Committee of Atlanta, explained the success obtained by that organization in cooperating with women's and civic clubs. The following resolutions were adopted: RESOLVED, That we wish to commend for their masterful handling of the work of their offices during the past year our President. Percy W. Wells and Secretary-Treasurer Henry B. Varner, also our executive committee for the past year and to extend to them a vote of thanks and expression of appreciation for the sacrifices they have made for the good of the organization. Be it further RESOLVED, That a vote of thanks and comradeship be extended to Sydney S. Cohen, president of the M. P. T. O. of America, and that we re-affirm our confidence in the national organization and its officers. It is the sense of this convention that only through the continued support and allegiance of every state unit that our National body can maintain and preserve its usefulness to the exhibitors of America and at the same time be in a position at all times to present a strong united body for meeting with the organization of producers and distributors in the discussion and settlement of all differences that may arise from time to time and to use our influence and strength at all times to counteract any unjust legislation or other menaces that threaten the industry. Be it further RESOLVED, That it is the sense of this convention that an expression of confidence and commendation be given to the efforts now being put forth by the Motion Picture Producers' and Distributors' newly-formed organization to bring about an affiliation between the different organizations of the industry to bring our industry up to a standard on a par with the other large industries of our country, and to express the hope that their efforts will be productive of a constructive policy that will be of mutual benefit to the industry as a whole. Be it further RESOLVED, That we decry the actions of any and all individuals, papers, house organs, tradepapers and organization bulletins in any and all efforts to disrupt, hamper or interfere with the workings and effects of any branch of the industry or any organization, whether local or natural, within the industry and that it is to be the sense of this meeting that we do condemn the use of personalities, either spoken or written, which have in the past been somewhat of a fad in the industry and which have had so much to do with retarding of much constructive work for and on behalf of the industry as a whole. Be it further RESOLVED, That this convention goes on record as desiring to put forth eery possible aid and cooperation to the Exchange Managers' Association of Charlotte and their efforts to bring about a closer spirit of cooperation with the exhibitors of this territory, as we believe that a closer affiliation with them will be of mutual benefit to all. Be it further RESOLVED, That to be successful in its aims and purposes, our State organization should be one hundred per cent strong within the State and to this end it is suggested that the executive committee be empowered to appoint an official organizer who shall undertake to enlist the cooperation and membership of every theatre owner in the State and that this action should be taken and arrangements made to finance the proposition before adjournment of this convention. Annual dues were raised to $50 and a proposition to accept slide advertising in payment, similar to the Michigan plan, was approved. Greensboro was selected as the place for the midwinter meeting of the league. Texas DALLAS, TEX., June 27.— In response to a call from C. J. Musselman, president of the M. P. T. O. of Texas, the executive committee met recently in this city and passed the following resolution in an effort to ease the booking situation for independent theatres: Whereas, Independent exhibitors operating individual houses in the key cities and important towns of Texas have been deprived frequently of contracts already entered into for outstanding open market pictures through the power of opposition block buying, and, Whereas, Independent exchanges need and require a well rounded and economical outlet for pictures of exceptional merit sold on the open market or individual picture plan, and, Whereas, The procuring of this class of product for the screens of the independent exhibitors is necessary to the profitable and continuing operation of their houses; now therefore, be it Resolved: That members of the M. P. T. O. of Texas situated in 'key cities' and in important towns, offer their screens in bulk to the independent exchanges for the showing of the above described product, at prices right and proper to be paid. Provided, however, that nothing herein contained can be construed as depriving the individual exhibitor of his right to make his own purchases, the purposes and intent of this resolution being that the exchanges can prepare contracts in bulk, to be executed by each individual exhibitor. Further resolved: That each exhibitor party hereto shall pay two per centum of the amount of each contract for administration costs, time and method of payment to be determined by the said committee; that any surplus of said per centum over administration costs shall be placed in the general treasury of the M. P. T. O. of Texas. The question of financing' the state organization was discussed, several plans being taken under consideration. New Jersey LAKE HOPATCONG, N. J., June 27.— Sydney S. Cohen, president of the natio.ial organization, was a guest at the annual meeting of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of New Jersey, which took place at Hotel Alamat, Lake Hopatcong, June 20 to 23. H i s appearance was the signal for prolonged applause and he was given a vote of confidence. In his brief address, Mr. Cohen expressed himself as optimistic of the OUt John T. Collins come of the negotiations now being conducted between the M. P. T. O. A. and the M. P. P. D. A. Only passing notice was given the recent Walker-Cohen fight, President Woodhull referring in his address to what he termed "the weak effort to overthrow President Cohen" at Washington. Officers elected for the coming year are : President — R. F. Woodhull, Dover. First Vice President — W. C. Hunt, Wildwood. Second Vice President — Peter A. Adams, Paterson. Secretary — Sidney Samuelsqn, Newton. Treasurer — Louis Bollinger, Union Hill. National Committeeman— D. J. Hennessey, Newark. Directors — J. T. Collins, Rutherford ; Charles A. Hirdlinger, Trenton; W. C. Hunt, Wildwood; D. J. Hennessey, Newark; Sidney Samuelson, Newton; David Keiserstein, Bayonne; Herman F. Jans, Newark, and A. D. Austin, Wildwood. Resolutions were adopted condemning the music tax, activities of reformers, censorship and other reform legislation. Official Urban Movie Chats were endorsed with an urgent plea to members to book the series. Hudson Maxim, the noted scientist, was among the speakers at the banquet Wednesday evening. Others who spoke were : M. J. O'Toole, Sydney S. Cohen, State President Woodhull, Rev. Henry Rose, Hugo Ballin, Mayor Breigenback of Newark, and A. M. Fabin of Paterson. Marcus Loew, president of Metro Pictures, was among the notables attracted to the convention. Mabel Ballin, Zena Keefe, Edward Earle, and other players were also present. Chairman Harry Nelson of the entertainment committee proved an able host and was thanked in appropriate resolutions. Kansas M. Van Praag KANSAS CITY, MO, June 27.— After an all-day session, lasting until midnight, Wednesday night, June 21, the executive board of the M. P. T. O. of Kansas completed one of the most important meetings in the history of the organization. The strength of the anti-Cohen faction, which, it has been rumored persistently, existed in the organization and was contemplating secession from the state organization, was put to an acid test and failed to develop any opposition. Endorse National Body The following resolution was introduced by President M. Van Praag and adopted by the board: Whereas the M. P. T. O. Kansas has always been affiliated with the M. P. T. O. A., and was one of the state units to aid in pioneering its formation and whereas there have been persistent rumors from seemingly authentic sources that there was dissension among this board, its officers and members, and that Kansas would secede from the national organization, and whereas we have always had high regard, confidence and esteem for our national president, Sydney Cohen, and whereas our president and vice-president have denied these false rumors, Therefore, be it resolved that we extend and express a vote of sincere confidence in our national president, Sydney Cohen, and pledge our hearty co-operation to the program by constructive work laid out by the M. P. T. O. A. The secretary will give copies to the trade press and Cohen. Much discussion ensued before Van Praag and Richard Liggett, vice president, finally succeeded in winning the adoption of the resolution, the opposition being not so much of a direct attack on Cohen as it was as to the feasibility of adopting the resolution, some of the members of the board contending that to adopt the resolution would be to recognize the anti-Cohen force. Salina Is Convention City The date of the next convention was set for Salina, Kan, September 25 and 26. Herbert and James Barclay, preminent attorneys for Kansas City, were nominated for the position of business manager of the Kansas organization. Negotiations will be opened with both of the men and one of them probably will enter office within thirty days. Attorney S. A. Handy warned the members of the board to refrain from paying any music tax, stating that an important decision of the supreme court recently greatly handicaps the music tax society and that a victory for the exhibitors is virtually assured. Start Bookkeeping System A regular bookkeeping system will be opened by the Kansas organization and exhibitors who are not running slides in behalf of the organization, and whose dues are behind, probably will be "billed out" of the association.