In the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, petitioner, vs. Motion Picture Patents Company, et al., defendants (1913)

Page scan 000124 from In the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, petitioner, vs. Motion Picture Patents Company, et al., defendants

Record Details:

Title:
In the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, petitioner, vs. Motion Picture Patents Company, et al., defendants
Date:
1913
Publisher:
New York, Appeal Printing Co.
Volume:
In the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, petitioner, vs. Motion Picture Patents Company, et al., defendants : record volume 2
Leaf #:
000124
Language:
English
Collection:
Government & Law and Early Cinema
Format:
Periodicals
Contributor:
The Museum of Modern Art Library, New York
Sponsor:
Media History Digital Library
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:
These seven volumes contain the testimonies and supporting documents from the U.S. District Court's antitrust lawsuit against the Motion Picture Patents Company (MPPC). Formed in 1908, the MPPC (sometimes referred to asœ"the Edison Trust" or just "the Trust") sought to control the American film industry through pooling patents and demanding that producers and exhibitors acquire licenses to those patents. Independent producers and exhibitors, who refused to license the patents, argued that the MPPC was an unlawful monopoly. In 1912 and 1913, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania heard testimonies from both MPPC members, such as Siegmund Lubin, and "Independents" who later became Hollywood moguls, such as William Fox. Ultimately, in 1915, the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which found the MPPC in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act and spelled the end for the already weakening MPPC. -- Eric Hoyt, 2012
Date Added:
September 12, 2024
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742 William H. Swanson, Cross Examination. Thereupon WILLIAM H. SWANSON resumed the stand for further cross examination. Cross examination continued: By Mr. Kingsley: Q. Mr. Swanson, I understand you have been sworn before in this case? A. Yes, sir. Q. And have given testimony here? A. Yes, sir. Q. Mr. Swanson, how much do you depreciate film after you get it into your place on your books? A. It is according to what period of time you are referring to. Q. How much do you depreciate it right away on your books? A. At the present time? Q. Yes. A. Well, I have two methods of depreciation. Q. WThat are they? A. One, I depreciate eighty-five per cent, upon purchase, and the other I depreciate it twentyfive per cent, four times, twenty-five per cent, each month — Q. How long a period? A. I mean by that I depreciate it 25 per cent, the first month. Q. The first month? A. Yes, sir. Q. And twenty-five per cent, more the second month? A. Yes, sir. Q. And twenty-five per cent, the third? A. Yes, sir, and 25 per cent, the fourth month. Q. And twenty-five per cent, the fourth month? A. Yes, sir. Q. So that at the end of four months you have marked it off your books so far as the value goes? A. Yes, sir. Q. So far then, as the depreciation goes on the books? A. Yes, sir, you understand that does not mean twentyfive per cent. — Q. (interrupting) : I am just asking you about the method of depreciating it on your books. A. Yes. Q. Now, in making a statement of your assets, do you make it at the cost, or at the depreciated price, as to which you have just testified? A. I show it at the depreciated value, of course. That depreciation proposition, that is very recent, you know. Q. You have been doing that right along recently, have you not? A. Oh, no.