Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

84 EXHIBITORS HERALD September 2, 1922 LETTERS From Readers A forum at which the exhibitor is invited to express his opinion on matters of current interest. Brevity adds forcefulness to any statement. Unsigned letters will not be printed. Foreign Loans and U. S. Taxes GIBSON. NEB.— To the Editor: All this talk about forgiving the foreign nations their debts to the United States for the big loans made them in war times gives a person a very bad pain when he stops to think how our own people are treated by the government when it comes to financial obligations to the government and how we are being taxed in every direction to meet this country's share of expense incurred in helping win the world war. If there is any forgiving and forgetting to be done, let's commence a little nearer home. At least, let's not be so exacting with our own people and so easy with the foreigner. The internal revenue department has a set of iron-clad rules which if enforced by a private citizen in his business would put him in jail — the government would never allow him to employ such tactics. Doubtless it is necessary to have some strict rules in the collection of special taxes but to bear down so hard on patriotic, law-abiding citizens for some very slight infraction of the rules, while at the same time foreign nations are allowed to take their own time to repay loans or interest and even high government officials advocate donating the millions of good money (which was supplied by American citizens), loaned in good faith at a low rate of interest, is too much. In the matter of the amusement tax, for instance: The writer, through an oversight, failed to make his monthly returns until one day overdue — just one day remember. For this heinous offense, he receives notice that he is assessed twenty-five per cent penalty and a month's interest at five per cent in addition, and is threatened with seizure and sale of his property unless this additional payment is made in ten days. In the matter of the interest penalty alone, to say nothing of the twenty-five per cent, five per cent for one day means at the rate of 1725 per cent for one year, which all will allow is some interestmore than most small town show houses make, anyway! What business man would be allowed to enforce his claims in this way ? Let's cut out this chatter about helping foreign nations out by donating a few billions until we can give our own citizens a fair deal, whether they are engaged in the amusement business or some other line. What do you think about it? — C. E. Tohnson, Paramount theatre, Gibbon, Neb. A Suggestion on Scenics DANVILLE, ILL. — To the Editor: Here is a question I would like tp ask: Why does the exhibitor of this country pay out perfectly good money for these one reel travel pictures when eight per cent of them show only that one country, India? Why all of the travel pictures should deal with India, I fail to see. Once in a while, they give us a variety and show us some colored gentleman doing a hula dance in the south sea islands. Why couldn't we have a series of travel pictures showing some of the places in this country? Why not a one reel picture of Chicago, New York, Washington or Boston? I am sure there are many people in this country who have never been to any of these cities, who would appreciate seeing them a whole lot more than India. Wouldn't State street, Chicago, look better than a bunch of naked negroes in Africa? Then there is Canada. Why not a trip through the cities and country to the north of us? Then there is London. If all the travel pictures I have seen, there has been only one of London. Here's hoping there may be a change. — J. T. O'Flaherty, Jr., Oaklawn theatre, Danville, 111. FILM LAUGHS FROM TOPICS THE: S ELECTED BY TIMELY FILMS INC. Mamie : How's John doing at his new job as life saver? Mayme: Getting along just swimmingly! — Flushing Times. * May : The less a girl looks like the family skeleton the oftener she goes in swimming. Ray : Righto ! You said an eyeful. — "Topics of the Day" Films. * There was a young lady from Gaum, Who said, "Now the sea is so caum, "I will swim for a lark." But she met with a shark. We will now sing the 99th psaum. Texas Scalper. * Patience : Did you know that Peggy is taking swimming lessons? Patrice : Rather late in the season, isn't it? Patience : Oh, no ; she's going to take up skating this winter. — Yonkcrs Statesman. * May: I'm afraid you saw too much of me — dancing all winter. Ray : Never ! I'm hoping to see more of you — swimming all summer. — "Topics of the Day" Films. * "Mother, may I go for a swim?" "Yes, my darling daughter. "Hang your clothes — display each limb. "But don't go near the water." Portland Express. * Curtiss : Mrs. Herbert got another son stroke in swimming this morning. Mansfield : Impossible, the sun's been under a cloud all day. Curtiss : No, no. Her son taught her the stroke. — "Topics of the Day" Films. Ted : Do you know that girl who won the swimming race? Ned : Yes, I have a date with her tomorrow to teach her how to swim. — New York Sun. ABOVE are three stills, the first ever published, of "The Fo gotten Law," the first of a series of six pictures starring Milton Sills which will be produced by Max Graf. Mr. Graf passed through Chicago recently on his way to New York, where it is understood he will close distribution arrangements with one of the large distributing organizations. He carried with him a print of the first picture. Mr. Graf is confident that Milton Sills will immediatelv take his place among the most popular male stars. During the past year, Mr. Sills appeared in the casts of "Smilin' Through," "The Cat That Walked Alone." "One Clear Call," "Skin Deep," and "Burning Sands." The series will be produced in San Francisco. "The Forgotten Law" is a screen adaptation of Carolyn Abbott Stanley's novel, "The Modern Madonna." The supporting cast includes Jack Mulhall, Lucretia Harris, Alec Frances and Cleo Ridgley.