Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1934 - Aug 1935)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1935 3 PA. THEATRE OWNERS MARCH ON STATE CAPITOL TO PROTEST AMUSEMENT TAX Governor Earle Insists On His Program Despite Sales Tax Demands HARRISBURG, MARCH 5.— A delegation of some 300 independent theatre owners swarmed into this Capitol city of Pennsylvania today to protest the proposed 10 per cent amusement tax asked for by Governor Earle in his financial program presented to the state legislature several weeks ago. The theatremen attended the public hearings before the House Ways and Means Committee. From Philadelphia and vicinity, a group of over 100 exhibitors arrived about noon, headed by the leaders of the IEPA and the MPTO. This delegation was met by a larger group from the western part of the state, members of Allied of Western Pennsylvania. Oscar Neufeld, business manager of the IEPA, arrived Monday afternoon and immediately went into conference with the members of the steering committee which is directing the theatremen's activities to defeat the tax measure. Governor Insistent Governor Earle, despite the many protests being registered against the discriminatory taxes listed in his program, is insisting upon the entire measure being passed in toto. He has refused to accept the suggestions of the State Bar Association and the Chamber of Commerce to levy a flat sales tax in place of the taxes on gasoline, tobacco and amusements only. A graduated income tax which would hit the rich much harder than the poor and middle classes has also been proposed, but has found no favor with the Governor. Senate May Defeat It The Republican Senate is known to be determined to squash the Governor's taxation program when it reaches the upper house for a vote. While Republican leaders do not wish to be placed in the position of playing politics with the misery of the poor, they believe that their counter tax proposals are finding more public favor than the Administration's measures. However, the gasoline, tobacco and theatre people are wary of the legislature's actions, since it is known that Governor Earle is seeking to make a deal with the Republicans to put through his program in exchange for political favors. Producers Must Share At a meeting held last Thursday at the IEPA headquarters in Philadelphia, the independent exhibitors asserted that if a tax is to be placed on theatre admissions, the film producers be compelled to carry a share of the burden. The demand was first voiced by Jack Cohen, former Warner Bros, attorney, and now an independent exhibitor in Philadelphia. The general sales tax proposal is gaining considerable favor with individuals and business organizations throughout the state and there is an excellent possibility that this sort of levy will finally result from all the bickering. By WYSS Bill Zelko, manager of the Harlem and exploiter extraordinary, is doing a grand job in putting over other houses in his circuit as well as his own. Hs specialty seems to be constructing clever and elaborate lobby displays at amazingly low costs. Barry Goldman, maestro of the Diane Theatre, still remembers a certain ride to Philly. Herman and Max Weinberg, of the Little Theatre, are getting two to four week runs with independent product. After an unusually short siege with foreign talkies, the Auditorium went dark last week. The attempt was made by Matty Radin, who operates several similar houses in New York. Fields Bros., Joe and Lew, of the Rivoli and Embassy on the Gay Way, are smiling every time they scan their boxoffice reports. Mike Levinthal's pet peeve, the New Essex Theatre, Essex, Md., is off to a good start. Moe Cohen is kept stepping these days between guiding the destinies of the Earle, Ellicott City, and the Leader, South Broadway. The Baltimore branch of Metropolitan Printing Co., with Harry Goodman directing and Jack Weiss on the road, is now swinging along at a rapid pace. PHILA. EXHIBITORS OFF TO PROTEST 10<7b MOVIE TAX The Phila. Evening Ledger cameraman was on the job at 8 o'clock Tuesday morning to photograph the delegation of independent theatremen as they were boarding the train for Harrisburg, where they voiced their opposition to Governor Earle's proposed 10 per cent amusement tax.