Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

July 29, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 33 Motion Picture Equipment Dealers Form Organization Distributors and Manufacturers in Attendance at ThreeDay Convention at Indianapolis; Leo E. Dwyer Elected President of Association By H. E. HOLQUIST Equipment Editor, Exhibitors Heraid INDIANAPOLIS, IND., July 18.— Following several unsuccessful efforts in the past to foster an organization within their field, distributors and dealers of motion picture equipment and supplies from various parts of the country met in a three-day convention at the Claypool hotel July 13, 14 and 15 and formed a new organization to be known as The Association of Moving Picture Equipment Dealers of America. 68 Per Cent of Money Invested Represented While the total representation, including manufacturers, numbered only thirty persons, the distributors and dealers present, it was stated, represented approximately sixty-eight per cent of the money invested in the equipment distribution business. Under the constitution of the new association manufacturers are eligible as associate members. Mayor Will Retaliate If Plans Are Opposed (Special to Exhibitors Herald) INDIANAPOLIS, IND., July 18.— Mayor Lew Shank has threatened that le will see that motion picture shows ire closed on Sunday if municipal theares promoted by him are closed. The :ity council has moved against the mulicipa! theatres, which are Shank's lobby. The mayor says he believes the heatre interests are behind the movenent to close the municipal theatres vhere plays are presented by stock companies. "If they want to fight me I will fight hem and this Sunday business of theirs vhich is their bread and butter," he de:lared in an address recently. Kansas Censor Cuts Title in Newspicture (Special to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, KAN., July 18.— The Kansas censorship board last week ;liminated a title in a news reel, connectng union labor with the Herrin, 111., coal nine troubles. The eliminated title •ead: "Union Men Set Fire to Coal Loaded on Cars, Mechanical Equipment Df all Kinds Demolished." The title iccording to the board, was possible of eading to serious results if shown in Kansas, a coal producing state. F. B. O. to Establish Salt Lake City Branch (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, July 18.— Film Booking Office of America will open an exchange it Salt Lake City on September 1, it is announced by Harry M. Berman, general nanager of distribution. The Salt Lake branch will make a :otal of twenty-three F. B. O. exchanges n United States. Mexico Bars Entry Of Metro Pictures (Washington Bureau, Exhibitors Herald) WASHINGTON, D. C, July 18.— Motion pictures distributed by Metro Pictures Corporation have been barred entry into Mexico under a decree re:ently published by the Mexican government, according to advices just received at the post office department. Blue Laws Spreading In Southern States (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NASHVILLE, TENN., July 18.— There is a concerted effort on the part of hypocrites :o place the South under the autocratic rule :>f blue laws. "Sour" Sunday was enforced here July 16. The lid was clamped on tight by Chief of Police Smith. Stern On Way Home (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, July 18.— Abe Stern, secretary and treasurer of Century Comedies, sailed for America from Liverpool on July 15, after a three months' tour of Europe. Officers, elected at the second day of the convention are as follows : President — Leo E. Dwyer, Theatre Supply Company, Cleveland. First vice-president — H. J. Smith, Hollis, Smith Morton Company, Pittsburgh. Second vice-president — B. A. Benson, Amusement Supply Company, Chicago. Third vice-president — C. E. Cornwall, Charleston Electrical Supply Company, Charleston, W. Va. Fourth vice-president — S. A. Louis, The Rialto Company, St. Louis. Otto Dieckmann, Dwyer Bros., Cincinnati, was elected secretary-treasurer. Directors Are Appointed The following directors were appointed. For one year; C. E. Cornwall, Harry K. Lucas, Atlanta, Ga., and Robert L. Hosmer, Eastern Theatre Equipment Company, Boston. For two years ; Ed. H. Mohrbacher, Denver Theatre Supply Company, Denver ; Otto Dieckmann and S. A. Louis. Leo E. Dwyer, H. J. Smith and B. A. Benson will serve for three years. Joe Hornstein, Howell Cine Equipment Company, New York, was made chairman of the membership committee. Leo E. Dwyer, was appointed chairman of the committee on credit, terms and allowances. Manufacturers Assure Support One of the outstanding features of the meetings was the spirit and determination expressed, that the present organization would be a lasting one and the means of inaugurating better business standards among the equipment men. Manufacturers present were unanimous in assuring the association the fullest co-operation of their companies and letters read from more than a score of dealers unable to be present, were equally favorable in their expression of approval. The necessity for establishing the business on a better basis was pointed out by President Leo. E. Dwyer who predicted that, despite past failures, present conditions and the co-operation assured, augured for the success of the new organization. Would Amend Methods That equipment dealers have been passing through a depressing period, it was revealed. Aside from the effects of unfavorable business conditions in general, much of this was attributed to the practice of price cutting among the dealers themselves, and to the tendency on the part of some manufacturers to sell direct. These two things, it was stated by numerous speakers, are factors that have been detrimental to the business of the equipment dealer, and ones which it is aimed to remedy through the work of the association. "There are about 80 theatres in St, Louis," stated Sam Lears, wholesaler, of that city, "and of this number almost onehalf are buying direct. The old time exhibitors and manufacturers who have been in business for a number of years are all prosperous. The equipment dealer who has been in the business for years hasn't prospered in comparison. Dealers must learn to co-operate and demand the respect of both exhibitor and manufacturer." Dealer a Big Factor The important part which the dealer plays in the merchandising plan of many concerns was indicated in statements by W. L. Brandel, Nela Specialties Division, General Electric Company, Cleveland ; E. A. Taylor, Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, Rochester, N. Y. ; R. G. Harker, Invincible Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturing Company, Dover, Ohio ; D. C. Cookingham, Hertner Electric Company, Cleveland, and others who declared the dealer formed a virtually indispensable medium for marketing their product. O. F. Spahr, Enterprise Optical Company, Chicago, Motiograph manufacturers, was the only projection machine company representative in attendance, others expressing regrets at their inability to attend in telegrams and letters and assuring the association of their co-operation. Indications that the new organization will be one governed by distributors and dealers primarily was apparent from approval given the statement by D. C. Cookingham who declared that "while manufacturers are interested in, and willing to render the association every support they do not want to run it." This was followed by the suggestion that those, other than distributors and dealers, temporarily withdraw from the meeting while amendments to the constitution and by-laws were being worked out. Other speakers during the three-day session were former congressman Fred K. Landis, of Indiana, acting for Will H. Hays, and Frank Rembusch of Shelbyville, Ind. 130 in Attendance Those in attendance were : Leo E. Dwyer, Theatre Supply Company, Cleveland; H. J. Smith, Hollis, Smith Morton Company, Pittsburgh ; E. A. Taylor, Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, Rochester ; R. G. Harker, (Continued on following page)