Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1914)

8o THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS DO EXHIBITORS WANT CENSORSHIP ? {Continued from page 66) sider the National Board of Censorship adequate to cope with the situation." Sam Pylet, owner and manager of the Murray Theatre, Milwaukee, stated that he was against state censorship because the picture was already censored by the National Board. He prefers local to state censorship but thinks that thcM-e is no need of either. Mr. Wolfberg, head of the Milwaukee branch of the General Film Exchange, stated that he was not in favor of state censorship, because it zrns too apt to be a political issue. He said that he preferred local to state censorship, but did not think either was necessary. Manager Quinn, of the Lyric, Beloit, Wis.: "It seems to me that state censorship viay work out all right, although it has failed to do so thus far. But local censorship, I fear, can never succeed and I am strongly opposed to it. "I think that the present National Board of Censorship is very efficient." Manager Olson, of the Star, Beloit, Wis.: •'I am opposed to local censorship. It is expensive and it cannot prove efficient. "The National Board of Censorship is, I think, doing its work well. I believe that the films which pass through it are fairly censored." W. J. Flynn, manager, the Associated Theatres (Park Broadway, St. Charles, Junita, Arco, Union and Airdome), St. Louis: "I am not in favor of censorship of any kind. Let the people, the public at large, censor their own pictures. "If there had to be a choice, I would perefer state to local censorship. I think the National Board of Censorship is able to handle the censorship problem." E. W. Dustin, manager. Eclectic Film Exchange, 3210 Locust street, St. Louis: "I am not in favor of a state censor. I think the exhibitors are the best censors we can have. They will not run pictures that will cause them to lose money, and there is no doubt that if a manager uses questionable films he will lose money, because the public want good, clean entertainment. I regard the National Board of Censorship as a body well qualified to handle the censorship problem." Edward Stevison, manager of Old Grand Central Theatre, Sixth and Market streets: "I am not in favor of state censorship. I do not think it is necessary. If I had to have any I would prefer state censorship. I have no fault to find with the National Board of Censorship, and consider their work well done." John W. Cornelius, the Lyric, on Sixth street, St. Louis: "I am not in favor of state censorship. I do not believe that there could be a censor appointed who could do any more than the exhibitors themselves are doing." Meyer & Prack, managers of the Knickerbocker Theatre, at Park and Compton avenues: "We do not want state censorship. We do not see that it would improve the situation any; there is no fault to find with the present system of censoring pictures. We would prefer state to local. We think the National Board of Censorship is doing good work." George Horning, manager, the Americas Theatre, Northside, Cincinnati, O.: "1 have been opposed to state censorship from the beginning. At the last state convention in Columbus, I told the exhibitors who favored it then that they were making a big mistake. State censorship is unnecessary because the National Board of Censorship is adequate for our protection." What League Heads Think "The National Board is my idea of ideal censorship. THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS is doing an excellent work in fighting such unreasonable censorship, and I am with you." — Frank Harris, President, the Nebraska State Branch No. 23, M. P. E. L. of A. V* ^ ^ ^ •j^ *»• ^ "I am opposed to state censorship. We are able to take care of our business and keep it clean without any censorship. There is no demand for state censorship in Michigan. "^ — Peter Jeup, President, the Michigan State Branch and of the Detroit Exhibitors' League. Frank Ramsdell, Manager Mutual Exchange, Omaha: "I was in Kansas when that farce of a censorship law was passed there. It was as objectionable as the Ohio law. It still stands on the books, but it is not enforced. "/ am in favor of a national board, and decidedly opposed to ^either state or local censorship. The Motion Picture News is helping us with a fight that fits in exactly with my opinions." E. R. Pearson, Manager General Film Exchange, Omaha: "A national board of censors with authority is my choice. It would be more economical and more effective." C. M. Orth, Secretary of the Detroit league and the Michigan league: "/ am opposed to all censorship. We don't need it. But I have no complaint to make of the National Board." J. C. Ritter, Boulevard Theatre, Detroit, Mich. "/ oppose state or local censorship boards. Persons are likely to be appointed who know nothing of motion pictures and whose criticism will be trivial rather than helpful. I approve of the National Board and the way it does its work." A. M. Blankmeyer, Grand Circus Theatre: ''There is no necessity for any form of censorship. Motion picture exhibitors have too much invested in their business to run anything objectionable. The public will not stand for it and the exhibitors will not risk their displeasure." Ruby Fischer, Wariield Theatre: "/ am opposed to state or local censorship. It isn't needed. The work of the National Board of Censors is all right. There is no public demand for state or local censorship." A. M. Renne, Ypsilanti Opera House, Ypsilanti, Mich.: "There would be an advantage to me in a state censorship." Douglas Dickerson, Detroit Manager World Special Films Corporation: "/ ai)i opposed to slate censorship. It would create confusion throughout the country. Manufacturers would have to eliminate one thing for one state, something else for another. Local censorship is worse." Manager Ward, Mutual Exchange, Detroit: ''There is no demand for state censorship and no necessity for it. Local censorship is expensive and unsatisfactory. It puts the expense of eliminations on the exchanges where the manufacturers ought to stand it. It is not fair. The action of the National Hoard should he sufficient and final." Manager Hogan, of the Rex Theatre, Beloit, Wis. "/ want no censorship of any kind. But if we must have censorship, let it be by the National Board. Only if we had {Continued on page 82)