The Film Daily (1945)

Thursday, September 20, 1945 j3i^ DAILY 13 Johnston Brings Films International Viewpoint New MPPDA President Regarded as U. S. Business' LeadingLiberalSpokesman An international viewpoint, sharp. ened by world travel and keen obf servation of business trends in all countries, is brought to the motion picture industry by Eric Allen Johnston, newly elected president of the MPPDA. As an American business leader, Johnston's observations on labor-management co-operation, his understanding of economic problems and advocacy of free enterprise have made him perhaps the best known liberal spokesman American industry has had in many years. As president of the Chamber of Commerce of the U. S. since 1942. Johnston has available the ears of business men of the nation of all levels. He was chairman of the Inter-American Development Commission and, followinar a trip to South America, presented ? report to the late Presi'^°nt Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1943 he vii=ited Eneland as a renresentatwe of the Economic Stabilization Board and later spent a w^ek with Premier Josenh Stalin at the Kremlin at the latter's request. Jnim'nq the U. S. Marine Corps in 1917. Johnston w^s a captain when demobilized in 19?2. Returning to Snokane, he organized the BrownJohnston Co. in 1923 and has been president since. He also heads the Columbia Elentric Co. which he organized in 1933. Other posts include chairman of the boavd of Washington ■Rri'>k, Lime & Sewer Pipe Co., president of Colu'-^bia Electric Instrument Co.. director of the S^attlp First National Bank, New World Life Insurance Co., Spokane & EastI err Trust Co.. and Uni<-pd Air Lines. Johnston was president of the : SnoVanp Chamber of Commerce in 1931-1932 and a director of the Chai-'-iber of Commerce of the U. S. i in 1934-41, nrior to his election as pi-Psident. He is a member of the Illuminating Engineors Sofie+v, the Ameri''-an Legion. Theta Delta Chi and Scabbard and Blade. Clubs include thp Bohemian and California Ranier. Seattle, and the Metropolitan. Washington, D. C. He was born in Washington, D. C. on Dec. 21, 1896. Education include^ an LL.B. from the University of Washington and honorarv LL.D. degrees from Witworth Colles-e in SnnVane, Whitman Collpge in Walla Walla and Rhode Island State College. He is married to the former Inn Harriet Hughes and has two children. Harriet Ballinger and Elizabeth Hughes. MPPDA BOARD'S TRIBUTE TO HAYS The MPPDA Board yesterday spread upon the minutes of its adjourned meeting the jollouing tribute to Will H. Hays, retiring president: "WHEREAS, since the founding of this Association on March 11, 1922, Will H. Hays has been continuously its president and distinguished leader, and "WHEREAS, during the life of this Association the American motion picture has grown to a maturity and attained a world influence which is universally recognized, and "WHEREAS under the leadership of Will H. Hays this Association in behalf of the entire moving picture industry has, by the establishment and administration of the Motion Picture Production Code, held up for the industry the highest moral and artistic standards and through the practice of self-regulation by the industry has earned for this great medium of expression — the motion picture — that freedom which it so largely enjoys in the United States, and "WHEREAS, Mr. Hays has been unfaltering in his devotion to the highest ideals of the motion picture and by his unremitting efforts has served the industry faithfully and well, "NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this Association accepts with profound regret Mr. Hays' decision to cease active executive services to it but the Association takes great satisfaction in the knowledge that his successor and the Board of Directors of the Association may be able to draw upon his rich experience and may continue to benefit by his wise counsel in dealing with the tasks and problems of the days to come." Borzege Signs Ro"**!-'? f<5 F1'»r'' West Coast Bnreov ff THE FTTAf D.^Trt Hollywood — Henry C. Rogers has been named Publicity Director of Frank Borzage Productions. Pix Quality to Climb-Hays Sees Audience Appreciation Keeping Pace "Both quality of pictures and of audience appreciation will continue steadily to climb," it was predicted yesterday by Will H. Hays, retiring MPPDA prexy, in a statement released with the announcement of the election of Eric A. Johnston as his successor. Text of Hays' statement follows: "Be sure that my intense interest in the motion picture industry will continually increase. I know its capabilities; and furthermore no man can give almost a quarter of a century to a cause without its ' becoming an integral part of him. "It has been a privilege to have been intimately associated with the destinies of a form of communication that I truly believe to be of immeasurable usefulness in universal entertainment, information and education. To all those who have so greatly aided us along an ever upward, but sometimes not too easy road, I can predict that both quality of pictures and of audience apprecia:ion will continue steadily to climb, and I can assure them of the certain progress of every artistic, cultural and social gain that time has brought. "Through the years there has been continuity of support from those within the industry for all that was importantly consti'uctive, as there has been from public leaders — interBsted in the public good. That it is of universal concern to the peojDle oi the land which gave it birth is ine of the greatest assets of the American motion picture. "Whatever degree of success has accompanied my own endeavor has been largely due to the united teamwork of the members of the Board of the Association, its oflScers and staff, and devoted industry leaders and trade-press all of whom have labored unselfishly in behalf of the progress of the screen. "The industry's unique achievement in self -regulation; the amazing technological progress which has given us sound, spoken words, music, color and fine-grain film; the development in the artistry of storytelling which has resulted in an allencompassing program of screen entertainment and a corresponding increase in worldwide audience appreciation— all these advances have come from the vision, the labor, and the collaboration of the executives, producers, distributors, exhibitors, writers, artists, artisans and technicians with whom it has been one of the great privileges of my life to be intimately associated. "I am thinking also today in a very special sense of the men and women — both individuals and groups through the nation — whose devoted interest has been continuous in the effort to accomplish the Association's purpose, set forth in its Articles of Incorporation March 11, 1922: 'establishing and maintaining the highest possible moral and artistic standards of motion picture production by developing the educational as well as the entertainment value and the general usefulness of the motion picture.' "From that day to the present moment, thousands of our friends in schools, churches, libraries, women's clubs, in art, literary, social and economic groups, in national and community organizations — all leaders in the public welfare and cultural life of America — have steadfastly believed in our ob.iectives and have strengthened our hands in all which we have been able to accomplish. For the constructive aid of the American Press we are under the greatest obligation. I bespeak for my successor and for this great art medium a continuance of all of this support." 5-Year MPPDA Deals For Johnston, Hays (Continued from Page 1) a new five-year contract, starting in March, 1946, at a reported straight salary of $100,000 a year. Johnston's contract, too, is said to be for five years at a yearly salary of $150,000, plus $50,000 for expenses. Johnston continues as president of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce until the end of his term. May 1, 1946. It is understood that Francis S. Harmon and Joseph I. Breen were elected to vice-presidencies at yesterday's meeting of the board of directors. Harmon, who during the war years has been executive vicechairman of the War Activities Committee, will be, according to reports, in charge of the MPPDA New York office, while Johnston largely will headquarter in Washington. Harmon, formerly MPPDA executive, is expected to give up his WAC duties shortly. It is expected that Joyce O'Hara, Johnston's assistant, will be elected to a vice-president berth. It has been reported that one of John.ston's first chores will be to try to get Warner Bros, and United Artists back into the MPPDA fold. Because of his insistence on industry unity, Warners and UA affiliation will be essential to achieve the goal. Johnston, it is understood, is slated to go to the Coast shortly to confer on the matter. Hays, then Postmaster General, upon the invitation of film executives, organized the MPPDA and became its first president in March, 1922, plunging immediately into the problems that were besetting the industry at the time. He tackled the dual problem of improving pictures and increasing public support for better films. A native of Indiana, Hays entered the practice of law upon his graduation from Wabash College in 1904, joining his father in the firm of Hays & Hays. Active in Republican party affairs from the time of his graduation, he became state chairman in 1914 and chairman of the national committee in 1918. During, his tenure of office, Warren G. Harding was elected President of the United States by the biggest majority up to that time ever given a candidate. Hays became Postmaster General in March, 1921, resigning a year later to head the new motion picture association. Johnston's entry into the MPPDA will not affect his direction of his electrical manufactui-ing and contracting enterprises on the West Coast, it is understood. Johnston returned to Washington yesterday following his attendance at the MPPDA board session at which he spoke.