The Film Daily (1918)

7/eBftADSTREET of FILMDOM DAIfcYf Authority Vol. VI, No. 49 Monday, November 25, 1918 Price 5 Cents RENTAL TAX CUT IN HALF Action of Senate Finance Committee Brings Welcome Relief to Industry — Question of Admission High executives of the motion pic | they possibly could on the senators ture industry are jubilant over the action of the Senate Finance Committee on Friday in cutting the tax on the purchase or leased price of motion picture films directly in half. In the common parlance of the industry this tax has been called "the rental tax," and provided that ten per cent, be levied on the price at which a picture was sold or leased by the manufacturer, producer or importer. The action of the Senate Finance Committee reduced this percentage to five per cent. It was stated in the report of the action of the committee that consideration had also been given to the question of reducing the admission taxes. The committee voted against this at the present time but it is understood that its action was not final and that at another session the question of the admission tax to theatres will be reconsidered and in all probability changed before the bill is reported to the Senate by the Committee. Early Friday afternoon President Wm. A. Brady of the National Association received an urgent message calling him to Washington immediately. The message was of such import that he left on the Congressional that same afternoon. It is not known at the present time whether this had to do with the tax situation or not. The campaign inaugurated by the Association had its inception on October 19th in a letter that was sent to every member of the finance committee setting forth in detail the reasons why the industry at this time could not stand the levy of a ten per cent, "rental tax" in addition to all of the other burdens under which it was laboring. This was followed on October 24 by letters to the members of the finance committee enclosing reprints of editorials from two New York newspapers. On October 25th a letter was sent to all of the state chairmen of the industry enclosing copies of the two letters that had been sent to the members of the finance committee and urging upon the local chairman to bring all of the pressure to bear that from their states and especially so if either one of these senators was member of the finance committee Hodkinson Corp. Moves CHICAGO.—The W. W. Hodkinson Corporation has moved its effects from the General Film Company's offices to the Pathe exchange in the Consumers building. S. J. Stoughton is representing the Hod No Standing Room Drastic Ruling Affects All Theatres In Michigan DETROIT.— A drastic ruling has been handed down from the state fire marshall's office, wjiich prohibits the sale of standing room in any Michigan theatre. Last Sunday the rule was rigidly enforced and not one person is allowed to stand in the aisle or at the back of the theatres. Heretofore a waiting crowd has been allowed to assemble two or three deep in the foyer of the theatres, but under the new ruling, backed by Governor Sleeper, this is not permitted. Detroit kinson pictures in the central west i theatre managers are obeying, but not with William Cook as his assistant. ( without considerable objection. INDEPENDENT SALES CO. LAUNCHED To Begin Operations Immediately in Association With Film Clearing Houses Confining all of its activities to the actual booking of productions and operating as a separate and distinct unit from all producing companies and exchange organizations, a new company has now been formed under the name of Independent Sales Corporation. As the name indicates, the problem of sales will occupy the whole attention of the new concern. From its headquarters in New York City, it will direct the activities of film salesmen in every territory in the United States and Canada, and any producing company or group of producers may arrange with the Independent Sales Corporation to book pictures. It is the idea of the incorporators that by specializing on sales, they can overcome many of the handicaps now met by salesmen affiliated with regulation exchanges. Arrangements have been completed by Independent Sales Corporation whereby it will maintain headquarters for its salesmen in every section of the country with its main offices at 130 West 46th St., New York City. It has taken advantage of the establishment of the new system of exchanges called Film Clearing Houses, concerned only in the physical distribution of productions, to begin operations immediately and agreements have been made with Film Clearing House, Inc., whereby Independent Sales Corporation representatives will be located in each unit of that organization. "The Profiteer" Nearly Ready Arrow Film Corporation announces for early release, the six-part special attraction entitled "The Profiteer." in which Alma Hanlon and Jack Sherrill are starred. The production was directed by J. K. Holbrook at the Wharton studios in Ithaca, N. Y., and deals with the after-war intrigues of a captain of industry to secure control of an invention so that he may profit at the expense of the American government. The picture is now being edited by Jesse J. Goldburg and will be ready for release about Derember 15. Closed Again CHICAGO.— A fresh outbreak of influenza has closed the moving picture theatres of Gary, Ind. Twenty deaths have been reported in two days from the Chicago suburb and at Chicago Heights, schools have again been ordered closed. Lila Lee made a personal appearance a few days ago at the hospital at Camp Upton where she talked to 1,000 crippled soldiers returned from France. Her first Paramount picture, "The Cruise of the Make-Believe" was shown.