The Film Daily (1920)

Wednesday, June 9, 1920 jMi DAILV Page 17 ASSN. MEETING {ContinKed from page S) through the presentation of a lot of advertising pictures." Directors for the ensuing year were elected as follows: Producers' Division — Adolph Zuk or, J. Stuart Blacktoi^, Wm. A. Brady, Paul Brunet, Wm. Fox, Samuel Goldwyn, D. W. Griffith, Richard A. Rowland, Joseph M. Schenck, Myron Selznick, Albert E. Smith. Distributors' Division — Percy L. Waters, W. E. Atkinson, B. N. Busch, R. H. Cochrane, Arthur S. Friend, Gabriel L. Hess, Levds Innerarity, Walter W. Irwin, Charles C. Pettijohn, Wm. Wright, W. R. Sheehan, J. D. Williams. Supply and Equipment Division — J. E. Brulator, Harry H. Allen, Willard B. Cook, Joseph F. Coufal, Walter J. Moore, B. F. Porter, E. M. Porter, Will C. Smith. General Division — John C. Flinn, George Blaisdell, Fred J. Beecroft, Paul H. Cromelin, Paul Gulick, Leshe Mason, James R. Quirk, Fred Rothenberg, Thomas G. Wiley. BLACK OUT ( Continued from page 1) and his associates finally winding up by his self appointed (not from the floor of the convention and with no New England member) credential committee, Mr. Chas. Reilly, chairman, challenging my right as an independent exhibitor to take part in the convention. "For the sake of harmony at the present time, I was willing to have our organization placed in some embarrassment but am unwilling to be placed under possible humiliation by a self-appointed credential committee to be used as they see fit. "The so-called 'Cleveland Plan' of Screen Advertising was passed (many present probably not understanding the plan) by accepting the report of the committee. "This is the plan that has been so strenuously opposed through the Trade papers by our organization during the past several months, one that is possible for large profits for those on the inside furnishing the advertising film and one that the film is censored only by a self appointed committee and incurring the greatest danger possible to the success of any big exhibitor organization that has the best interests of its members at heart and not for ulterior purposes by its officers. Until a disposition of fair play is shown by the convention assembled the Motion Picture Exhibitors of America prefers to retain its present identity." BATTLE STARTS (Continued Jrom page 16) ness. They also said that they thought the exhibitor should stay away from the producing end of the game. This remark brought applause from the convention. They do not own any theaters and do not intend to. J. D. Williams, of First National, told Rembusch that he was in favor of the Patterson movement from its inception. He would like to see a strong body formed to enforce rules that would protect the industry. He stated that although First National had made many mistakes they were going out on a broader plan in the future. Williams was pronounced in offering financial support to any organization that would be framed as an outcome of the convention. When it was announced that Rembusch, with his committee, had visited Marcus Loew a deep lull covered the entire house. He said Marcus Loew frankly stated that he hoped the strongest organization imaginable would be formed at Cleveland for the mutual benefit of independent exhibitors. Loew said he bought into Metro because he wanted to be sure of films for his theaters. He also told the committee that he had advanced loans to a small film producing company for the reason that he did not want to see them forced out of business. He said that the exhibitor must help the small producer to stay in business and support them. Rembusch told Loew that exhibitors had protested against the name of Loew appearing on Metro pictures on the gorund that it advertised a competitor and Loew told him he would immediately have the name Loew removed from all Metro films. Goldwyn told the committee that they would promise not to enlarge their present holdings but they would reserve the right to build theaters in towns where they did not have representation. William Fox was out of town when the committee called to see him. Several wires and letters were sent to Mr. Fox, but he did not reply to any of them. Rembusch said he did not know what Fox's attitude would be on the question. Circulars were distributed in the convention by the Fox people but nothing was said about Fox buying more theaters. Great interest was expressed when it was announced that the committee had called upon Adolph Zakor of Famous Players. Rembusch told them that Zukor was out of town when he called and that a statement was not availble. The report of the committee of 17 was ordered tabled until tomorrow morning at which time it was agreed to dissect it piece by piece for final approval. The meeting was adjourned at sixfifteen and it was decided to begin Wednesday morning's session at ten o'clock and continue until 12. The afternoon sessions were to be from 1:30 until 5 o'clock. It was agreed that each exhibitor should have one vote and that the majority should rule. Rembusch suggested that the permanent organization consist of one delegate from each congressional district in each state and that the state delegations elect one director to the national body which would give a working organization of forty-eight. He further recommended that the nresidency be held by a man such as former President Taft. Hodkinwn Bulletin TO MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITORS IN SESSION IN CLEVELAND Eternal Vig-ilance is the Price of Liberty. Individual exhibitors will escape schemes of national operation of theatres only by encouraging their friends the independent producers of good quality pictures. The way lies open through that distributor who is not a producer and is not a rival exhibitor. This distributor selects pictures from the open market on a basis of merit and quality. He does not handle producers' mistakes. He cannot afford to. Can you? Select your pictures through the independent distributor so organized to select only those pictures that promote the welfare and prestige of motion pictures. Greetings from a Former Exhibitor. W. W . Hodki?ison Vv • Vv . riodkinson corporation 527 Fifth Avenue, New York