Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1928)

20 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 22, 1928 LEADERS OF ALLIED STATES ASSOCIATION OF MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITORS, photographed at their Chicago meeting. Seated, left to right — James C. Ritter, W. Al Steffes, Abram F. Myers, H. M. Richey and Col. H. A. Cole. Standing — B. D. Cockrill, S. Bauer, A. C. Gutenberg, Herman Blum, E. P. Smith and Chas. L. Casanave. (Photo by A. B. C. Studio.) Constitution of Allied States Association We, the undersigned subscribers, being duly organized associations of motion picture exhibitors within designated political subdivisions of the United States, mutually agree to form a National association for the object and under the plan set forth below. By causing our names to be attached hereto through proper organization action, we agree to the provisions of this constitution. ARTICLE I Name The name of this Association shall be the Alliel States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors. ARTICLE II Object The object of the Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors shall be to promote and protect the interests of the motion picture exhibitors of the United States in every lawful way ; and. to the extent that the interests of the exhibitors coincide with the interests of other branches of the motion picture industry, to promote and protect the interests of the industry as a whole. ARTICLE III Powers In attaining its declared object the Allied S ates Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors shall have and exercise power (a) To co-operate with and by agreement represent the subscribers and the exhibitor interests represented by them in public relations. (b) To co-operate with and by agreement represent the subscribers and the exhibitor interests represented by them in negotiations with other branches of the industry and the suppliers of equipment. (c) To use its endeavors to secure for exh'bitors an adequate supply and equitable distribution of motion picture film and necessary theatre equipment. (d) To use its endeavors to promote fair methods of competition in the motion picture industry and to oppose restraint of trade and monopoly wherever the same shall appear. (e) To gather, compile and disseminate for the benefit of the subscribers and the interests represented by them useful information concerning operating conditions, including relation* with the suppliers of film and equipment, labor organizations and the various agencies of government. (f) To acquaint the public and the various agencies of government with conditions in the motion picture industry from the viewpoint of the exhibitors of motion pictures. (g) To aid and encourage directly and by co-oncration with others the development of hUher standards of artistry and of moral and cultural values in the production of motion pictures. (h) To do all other arts and things proper or re cesiiary to the attainment of the objects of the Association. ARTICLE IV Membership Any duly organized association of motion plc'ure exhibitors is eligible for membership In the Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors. Execution of a copy of this constitution through proper organization action shall admit any such association to the privileges and obligations of membership, subject to the action of the Board of Directors as hereinafter provided. ARTICLE V Management The management and control of the Allied States Motion Picture Exhibitors' Association shall be vested in a Board of Directors and an Executive Committee of the Board empowered to act, ad interim, in accordance with the provisions of the by-laws. The Board of Directors and the Executive Committee may debgate all or any part of their authority to the President (who shall also be the General Counsel). The only limitation on the power of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee is that they shall do nothing to impair the obligation of any contract made by the organizers and underwriters of the Association with the person chosen to be President and General Counsel. ARTICLE VI Officers The officers of the Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors shall be (a) a President and General Counsel, (b) a Secretary, and (c) such other officers as the Board of Directors of the Executive Committee may provide. The President and General Counsel of the Association shall have the custody of and shall receive and disburse all the funds of the Association. Except as herein provided, the duties of the officers shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee. ARTICLE VII Expenses The expenses of the Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors shall be borne by contributions from the members to be apportioned by the Board of Directors or Executive Committee and thereafter provided in the by-laws. ARTICLE VIII Member Representation Each member association shall be entitled to representation in the Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors by designating one represent tive on the Board of Directors. ARTICLE IX Tt}l-\.awn and Amendments The by-laws of the Allit-d Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors shnll provide the rules and regulations governing the management and conduct of the Association not otherwise provided by this constitution. This constitution, and the by-lawH, may be amended at any meeting of the Board of Directors by a majority vote in person or by written consent, provided three (3) weeks' notice of the meeting shall have been given, together with a copy of the proposed amendment : provided, however, that no amendment mny be made which will impnir the obligation of any contract between the organizers and underwriters and the President and General Counsel. Until added to or amended, the by-lnws shall be of the terms and tenor of the by-laws attached hereto, bearing even date herewith. In Witness Whereof we have caused our names to be subscribed hereto, by our respective proper officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the 17th day of December, 1928. By. BY-LAWS OF THE ALLIED STATES ASSOCIATION OF MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITORS Dated as of December 17, 1928 ARTICLE I Membership Section 1. Application for membership shall consist in forwarding to the principal office of the Association, in Washington, D. C, a duly executed copy of the Constitution, together with information as to the name and (in general) the organization of the applicant, the territory covered by the applicant, and the name of applicant's representative on the Board of Directors. Applications for membership in the Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors shall be acted upon, following their receipt, at the next meeting of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee. A majority vote shall elect an applicant to membership. In the interim between receipt of the application and action by the Board or Committee, the applicant shall be deemed a member. Sec. 2. Each member shall have one representative on the Board of Directors who shall have one vote and all members shall have the same status. ARTICLE II Meetings of the Directors Section 1. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held semi-annually on the Becond Wednesday in December and June. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President and General Counsel. Notice of the time and place of all meetings shall be given to each member in writing or by telegraph at least ten days before the meeting. A majority of the duly elected directors shall constitute a quorum. The President and General Counsel shall preside at all meetings of the Board and shall vote in case of a tie. Representation by proxy is permissible. The President and General Counsel msy poll the Board by mail or telegraph on emergent matters. ARTICLE III Executive Committee Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of five directors elected by the Hoard of Directors. The Executive Committee shall act on behalf of the Association in any matter upon which the Board of Directors is qunlified to art. when the Board l> not in session. The Board of Directors in electing the members of the Executive CommitU'c shall designate one such member to serve as chairman of the Committee. Two members of the Executive Committee (Continued on page 22)