Exhibitors Herald (1927)

October 22, 1927 EXHIBITORS HERALD 21 Public Group Asks Clean Films Commends Industry’s Outline of Policies Barred from Entering Discussions on Floor , Hands Resolution to Commissioner Myers (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Oct. 18. — That the public was keenly interested in the Federal Trade Practice conference held in New York last week, is evidenced by the fact that representatives of many civic, educational and church societies were in attendance at every session. At the close of the first day’s session these representatives formed themselves into an organization which became generally known as the “Public Group.” Commissioner Myers ruled the first day of the conference that as this was a motion picture conference no one outside of the industry would be accorded the privilege of speaking from the floor. This prevented the Public Group from participating in the discussions during the conference. Constructive Work, Says T. O. C. C. (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Oct. i8.—The following official statement, issued by the T. O. C. C. on the results of the conference, zvas signed by J. Arthur Hirscli as chairman: For those who believed that a new constitution could be written for the industry in a week, the conference might be considered a failure, but for those who looked to it for a constructive step towards such a constitution I believe the conference proved itself a success. The outstanding accomplishment, in my opinion, was the agreement to give the exhibitors an equal part in the writing of a new contract. The outstanding achievement was the placing before the commission of evidence that, unless the present special privileges being enjoyed by the producerowned circuits were curtailed, an eventual trustification of the industry, through the elimination of the independent exhibitor, would take place. The fact that a group of unorganized exhibitors drawn from all parts of the country could, within twenty-four hours, agree upon the major unfair practices that were affecting all, is significant when compared to the failure of the splendidly organized and prepared producers to bring in one major practice that was affecting them and that, when confronted with the statement of facts on these major ills, they became so divided as to end the conference by refusing to approve their own resolution. The change from the spirit of arrogant obstinacy by the producers and of sarcastic distrust by the exhibitors as shown on the opening days of the conference to the get-together policy that was displayed at the final sessions is a tribute to the genius, ability and fairness of the presiding commissioner. To us laymen, his chairmanship was a mental treat. A meeting was held Friday night by the Public Group and the following was handed in the next day to Commissioner Myers: “Moved by Mrs. Alonzo Richardson, Secretary of the Board of Review of Atlanta, Georgia, and seconded by Mr. Lee F. Hanmer, Director of the Recreation Department of the Russell Sage Foundation, New York City, that this public group, which formed voluntarily at the conclusion of the first day’s session of the Trade Practice conference of the motion picture industry in New York City for the purpose of discussing the action taken by the industry, and with a view to expressing its opinions upon those subjects in which the public has a valid interest, if, and when, the Federal Trade Commission so desired (which opinions, however, in no way were to commit the organizations with which the individuals here gathered are affiliated), do herewith record itself as favorable to a broad interpretation of policies outlined for the motion picture industry, particularly with reference to those principles of self-government which the industry has wisely set up for its own direction, in contradistinction to any and all programs of political, or legal supervision. “And further, that the group commend the following specified resolutions which were introduced and adopted unanimously by the producers, distributors and exhibitors attending the Trade Practice conference, which, in the substance, insure: “That books and plays containing objectionable subject matter shall not be produced on the motion picture screen. “That the screen shall not lend itself to suggestions of willful flaunting of laws, ridicule of clergy or races, or to dissemination of salaciousness or profanity. “That there shall be an uninterrupted flow of pictures wherever they are not in direct competition with regularly operated motion picture theatres. “This motion was made and carried by the public group. The chairman who signed the statement was Col. Roy W. Winton, Managing Director and Secretary, Amateur Cinema League. The secretary was Mrs. Malcolm Parker MacCoy, Motion Picture Chairman of the N. Y. State Federation of Women’s Clubs. This Public Group is composed of the following individuals: Rev. Harry Myers, Secretary, Motion Picture Division, Northern Baptist Convention. Miss Eva J. Boh, International Federation of Catholic Alumnae. Lee F. Hanmer, Director of the Recreation Department, Russell Sage Foundation. Mrs. Harry Lilly, Director of Public Relations, Outdoor Advertising Association. Mrs. Lillian Sire, President, National Women’s Democratic Club. Miss Edna Wakefield, New York County Chapter, American Red Cross. Mrs. Joseph Kendrick Butler, State Chairman ( Continued on page 32) Ohio Exhibitors to Air Parley Results at Meet Nov . 15-16 (Special to the Herald) COLLIMBTJS, Oct., 18 — One of the chief questions to be considered at the annual convention of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Ohio, to be held November 15-16 at the Deshler-Wallick Hotel here, will be the conclusions reached by the Federal Trade Commission now meetingin New York City. New England Association Frolics BOSTON. — The New England Bookers’ Association will hold its first social gathering of the season Oct. 28 with a Hallowe’en party at Canton, Mass. Establishing of Contact Is Important Result of Conference , Declares Myers Commissioner Abram S. Myers, after the close of the Trade Practice conference, made the following statement : "In the matter of formal resolutions adopted, the accomplishments of the conferences were substained but not full as I had hoped they might be. "The committee appointed to negotiate a new contract have an opportunity to do much in the way of providing against conditions that are now the subject of complaint, and thus add to the tangible benefits of the conference. "No industry can be , said to be in a healthy, happy condition so long as the largest group numerically feels that it is victimized or exploited by the other branch, and to the extent that such misunderstanding results from lack of acquaintance, it can be largely overcome by association and conference. “A very important result of the conference has been the contact established between the several groups, which will continue during the negotiations for a new contract. "All branches manifested a cooperative spirit."