The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Nov-Dec 1922)

November 18, 1922. THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. 39 THE PRESENT STRANGLEHOLD OF THE PERFORMING RIGHTS SOCIETY. The C.E.A. and the P.R.S. (By WM. HY. HUISH.) BVERAL of iny exhibitor friends lave called any attention to a circular that they have quite recently received trem the general secretary of the CELA. (br. W. King), In the last) paragraph ol this cireular letter ao special appeal is made to those to whom the same tas been addressed, Gavuzsi und Mr. Kine asks that the matter should receive their carmest. personal attention, and that) tue particulars asked for should be supplied in their own interests and that of other members, Mr. King then goes on fo ask that the purpose for whieh the particulars are required should be kept private, particularly as resgurds the amusiclans. Tam at the present moment in possession of three copies of this circular, two of have been forwarded musical directors who sare vreat supporters of tt free music.’ I have satisfied myself before writing this article that the cireuhku letter was not in any way of a private qiature, and was uot which to ame by addressed to members of the C.B.A. only, as the members of the C.PLM.A. and other exhibitors have received copies, FT therefore fecl perfectly at Jiberty under these circumstances to comment upon the matter, It will be seen from the following extract from the detter that Mr. King himself has provided ine with a title for this article : “With the object: of devising methods to deal with the present stranglehold of the Performing Rights Society upon our members, information is) needed concerning the amount expended bys members of the Association upon the purchase of music annuals, and it will be very helpful if we can learn the aaimes of the publishers whose miusie has been purchased.’? T have quoted the above paragraph from the circular letter in full, so that my readers may have an opportunity of having all the tacts: placed before them. Lt will be seen from the above that the general seerctary of the C.BLA. admits that the Performing Tights Society is ut present a stranglehold upon the members ot his Association. Those of us who dave made many sacrifices i support. of uncontrolled music have realised this tact for a number of years past, and imany loval members of the CARA. in West Lancashire, in March, 1921, pledged themselves to play only uncontroiled music and to support those publishers who liad remained outside the Performing Rights Seciety. The outcome of this action by a few exhibitors was that the whole of the members, without a single exception, supported the movement, with the result that the West Lancashire Branch of the CLELA, was the first body in this country connected with the kinens industry to take a firm: stand on the question of uncentrolled music, and more than one strong reselution was sent to (he General Council by the West) Lancashire Branch with regard to this important question, and in consequence of the pressure brousht to bear by the Northern Branch of the C.B.A. at the Conference held at Morecambe in September, 1921, the General Council appointed a sub-committee to consider the whole question of controlled and uncontrolled music. To was appointed on this sub-ecmimittee as the delegate from the West Lancashire Branch, and at the first meeting of the sub-committee T arranged for Mr. W. Cartwright Newsam to be in’ attendance in order to explain to the committee the exact position with regard to uncontrolled music. Google Mr. Newsame is considered | the best authority it is possible to have ou this sabject, and he proved to the conunittee that there were limedreds of thousands: of iusieal Composit ious vncontrelled, amd lie also cave a dist of over fitts publishers Who were not members of the Performing Mights Sie, Mt this meeting he tunudert wok to compile a catalogue of fiir compositions, aud to eet cach publisher to vive a written under. taking thet all the music contained in the jists supplied by thean Mr. Newstin undertook to supervise the work of compiling: this ‘ : ; ; ; 2 could be plased without paying any performing right: fee. catalogue entirely without dee or reward, but Toregret to have to say that this eentlemua’s noble offer was ait only turned down, but he was treated with very seant courtesy: by the Alter Mr. Nowsai hil stated) his In. New boul put up aostrome argent in favour of accepting the offer made general seerctary alterwards, case und retired frome the committer: roam, Mr A, by Mir. Newstin, and he stated that in his opinion the opportunity nad now been given to the CLELA. to terminate their aereement with the Perlorming Wights Seciety in the following Apeil, and to supply their members with sufficient music from pubbshers whe PRS. Mi. Newb ald te vet any support for his resolution, and in eousequence the scheme of Mr. Newsam fell through. The West) Lanea-hire their When Loo reported what) had transpired at the sub-committee imeetine, passed ao resoluricn Were not dmembers of the was unable Branch at next omeetine, condemning the action of the General Council and pointing out that the branch was so soliton this question that unless they could: receive some promise of support fron the General Couneil in their Helit for uneontrolled anusie the branch as a body weauld secode. The reply received Ly the ranch through their delegates wis that a new aereement with the PALS. was being evotiated, the result beine that the West Lancashire Branch of the CLEA, exist. The exhibitors inthat asked by Mr. Binge to assist him in devising metheds to deal with the present stranglehold of the PLRLS, hy mans of these same exhibitors why Mr. King should) expect ceased to area are now being Tohave been asked to receive any support from: Lancashire, where he is well aware a daree number of late members of the CLELAS have not. taken out a PARIS. Peence, and are now menibers af the C.PLMAAL. the Association which was formed te support those who realiscd fone veo what aostranclehold, im’ Mr. Nine’s own words, the PLRLS, would eventually become, and had he. as the veneral seeretany , eiven this question of uneont rolled music more cloze attention, the would have remained Joval members, and the position of the PRLS. to-day would lave been entirely ditferent. Io dive asked if Mr. Kine has seen the red Heht with resurd to this important question, or is he cut to steal the thimder of these wits Members of his Asscetation who seceded in Laneushipe been have sacrificed time, money, and position in support of unecntrolled miusie, whilst he has all alone been a great supporter of the Performing Rights Society, and advised his members to take out them Heences,