Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 27 Neff Tries to Gag Censorship Discussion Issues Edict Putting Muzzle on League Exhibitors — Tries Similar Tactics with Trade Journals — Cleveland Photoplay Exhibitors' Canvas Goes on Just the Same — Thirty-two Added to Total of Those Against State Censorship TWO attempts within a week, on the part of M. A. Neff, to "put the lid" on the discussion of the Ohio State Censor Law by exhibitors of the state and by the trade journals of the country, have failed to diminish the returns in the Cleveland Photoplay Exhibitors' Board of Trade canvas in the least. Partially compiled returns for the last week show twenty-four Cleveland exhibitors voting against the law, and eight exhibitors from outside that city following their example. The rest are being classified and will be published as soon as the list is compiled. One hundred and fifty-one in all have voted, all but one against the law. Mr. Neff's edicts — the one signed by him, the other inspired by him — are cunningly devised to choke the exhibitors' expression of opinion, on the one hand, and put an end to the crusade of The Motion Picture News against censorship, on the other. The inconsistencies and contradictions LATEST CENSORSHIP RETURNS The following Ohio exhibitors have voted against the Ohio Censorship Law and for its repeal : H. E. Brown, Photoplay Theatre, 163 E. Erie Street, Painesville, Ohio; A. R. Boyd. Cupid Theatre, Tippecanoe City, Ohio; S. G. Smith, Theatorium Theatre, New Lexington, Ohio; Rogers and Bertzch, Broadway Theatre, Jackson, Ohio; W. C. Sutton, Bijou Theatre, Xenia, Ohio; A. J, Pau, Gallon, Ohio: W. E. McCarty, Gloucester Opera House, Gloucester, Ohio; J. S. Jablonski, Professor Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; B. J. Sawyer, Manhattan Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; F, E, Johnson, Metropolitan Entertainment Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; I. C. Kaiser, Corlett, Cleveland, Oh"io; R. N. Rhodes, New Colonial Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; L. Quail, Fountain Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; E. W. Speosty, Tabor Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; H. Z. Zayley. Jr.. Doan Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; C. J. Goeppinger. Wonderland Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; W. D, Dentler, Pastime Theatre, 11604 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio; W. G, Montgomery, F. C. Balke, Golden Eagle Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; J. H. Simpson, Ideal Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; Max Marcus, United States Theatre, Cleveland, Qfcio; J. T, Evans, Dixie Theatre, CTeveland, Ohio ; Fred Hackbosh, Peerless Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; S. H. Borck, Market Square Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; R. H. Lee, Dnnham Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; C. E. Hutienpiller, Virginia Theatre, 810 East 152nd St., Cleveland, Ohio; W. J. Slimm. Marquis, Cleveland, Ohio; Proctor E. Seas, Priscilla Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; Wm. J. Smith, Manager, Madison Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; Josiah Slimm, Marquis Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; L. C. Goldman, Monarch Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio; A. Wiener, Peerless Theatre, 3431 Cedar Ave, Cleveland, Ohio. in each, viewed in the light of the other, prompt one to ask again the question The Motion Picture News asked last week : WHERE DOES M. A. NEFF STAND ? HERE are the two "edicts." Their motive is as obvious as their pretense to a large-minded view of the situation is shallow : "In view of the publicity and discussion that is being given to the censorship question by the trade papers, the Special Convention Committee of the Fourth Annual Convention of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America wish to have it understood that the parent organization, namely: The Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America, is taking no part in this discussion whatever. "The position of the National League is plainly set forth in a resolution unanimously adopted at the semi-annual meeting of the National Executive Committee, held in Cincinnati, O., Januarv 26 to 28, 1914, which is as follows: "RESOLVED, That it is the sense of this committee by reason of the censor question now being in the hands of the Federal Court and that a decision is pending as to the legality of a Censor Board, that this committee recommend that no further action be taken at this time in regard to the matter and further recommend that League members in all state branches and locals refrain from all agitation and action pertaining to the censor question until the National Convention, to be held at Dayton, O., the week of July 6th, 1914. "We wish to state further that the National League has no jurisdiction over their respective state branches, in regard to matters of this kind, and therefore assume no responsibility. As laid down in the above resolution, no officer of the National League has authority to state what action may be taken by the coming National Convention. "The undersigned committee extend a cordial invitation to manufacturers in all branches of the motion picture industry to attend the coming National Convention to be held in Dayton, O., the week of July 6th, 1914, and we wish to assure them of the hearty co-operation of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America. "(Signed) "Special Convention Committee, "MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITORS' _ LEAGUE OF AMERICA. "G. H. Wiley, chairman ; Peter J. Jeup, secretary ; Orene Parker, treasurer." Then this, three days later: ".After careful and due consideration by the Executive Committee of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America, it has been decided to not AN ANSWER FROM NEFF has been asked, Neff stand on the "The question where does M, A. censor question? "Section 5, of the Ohio State Censor Law positively states that Ohio may work in conjunction with censor boards of other states in forming a national censor congress, and that the action of said congress shall be the same as the action of the Ohio Censor Board, in other words, all pictures censored by a national censor congress shall be shown in the state of Ohio the same as if censored by the Ohio State Censor Board, "I have favored state censorship because it is the only plan that has so far been suggested whereby a national censor board can be established that will relieve all concerned. I stand for a square deal for all, both great and small in the motion picture business, for a national censor board that can protect all, and when a picture passes the board, that the exhibitors may show it in every state and territory in the Union without interference from any source whatsoever. (Signed) M. A. NEFF, President." only invite but urge the attendance of every manufacturer of films, film exchanges, owners and editors of motion picture journals throughout the United States and territories, and the members of the National Censor Board to meet the motion picture exhibitors in conference during the National Convention at Dayton, O., for the purpose of discussing the censor question and agreeing upon a plan to be followed out by all concerned, whereby the exhibitors, the manufacturers, film exchanges and all others interested may work in harmony for the best interests of the public and the uplift of the motion picture business in general. "We believe that this question should be settled definitely and for all time to come. The censor question is not theory, but a stubborn reality, which can be settled easilv and harmoniously by concerted action and co-operation of the exhibitors, the manufacturers and film exchanges. "M. A. Neff, President." At this juncture, the following statement from S. E. Morris, president of the Cleveland Photoplay Exhibitors' Board of Trade, and until recently a strong supporter of Neff, is peculiarly apropos : "It is gratifying, indeed," says Mr. Morris, "to see the way in which our brother exhibitors have responded to our bulletin requesting their opinion of our censor law. It was my idea to be almost the last, if not the last, to make any statement in reference to this great menace that now confronts us. "You who know me are aware that I am an ardent exponent of 'peace and harmonv.' It was with that idea in mind