Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1914)

24 THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS and speeches by exhibitors and others were Hinited to three minutes each. THE Wednesday morning session of the convention commenced at 11.15 A. M., with the officials in their places. There was an attendance of 115 delegates present. The most important item taken up in the morning session was the solution of the censorship problem. An amendment was added by Sam Bullock as follows : "Be it further resolved that we urge all exhibitors to apply for associate membership in the National Board of Censorship in order that they may be entitled to receive the weekly bulletin and all the information regarding the work and decisions of the Board." After considerable talk, the entire resolution, together with the resolution above mentioned, was passed by a unanimous vote. Lester C. Smith, of the National Board, suggested that the amendment be made to read, "That all manufacturers be asked to submit all their films to the National Board for inspection." Orrin G. Cocks, one of the secretaries of the National 'Board, stated that, on consultation with other officials of the National Board, they had decided that it would be possible to give exhibitors each week all of their literature with the exception of their bulletins for $2 a year, and that all literature and bulletins could be had for $5. Delegate Denton, of New Jersey, suggested that the exhibitors should have a representation on the Board. Sam Bullock, of Ohio, by a unanimous vote, was requested to speak on what he had accomplished in that state against censorship. Mr. Bullock, one of the hardest workers against legalized censorship in the country, read the bulletins sent out by the Cleveland Photoplay Board of Trade. This was followed by letters until the interest of all the Ohio exhibitors had been aroused. The results showed that out of 846 exhibitors asked regarding their views on Censorship, only two were for legalized censorship in any form. The 814 were for the repeal of the Ohio state censorship law and, concluding his remarks, Mr. Bullock stated just what the intentions of himself and his associates were. "We will put in a repeal bill and will work our screens until next winter, at which time there won't be a single censorite left. The exhibitor can and must become his own censor by getting bulletins of the National Board." This was followed by an address by W. Stephen Bush. Mr. Bush spoke for probably twenty minutes and was given an ovation for his speech, "The Moving Picture and the Press." Tuesday's session began at approximately 11 o'clock, with seventy-eight delegates present. Frederick P. Howe, Director of the People's Institute and head of the National Board of Censorship, was introduced by Mr. Phillips, the National President, to speak on "Censorship." His introduction consisted of a short review of the original plans of the Censorship Board. "I am in absolute sympathy with those who believe in the freedom of the films," said he, ''but at the present time it is an impossibility. We will say that there are twenty manufacturers. Nineteen of them are absolutely straight, and are working for the uplift of the business and are doing everything in their power to make it desirable. "The twentieth man, however, is the one that causes the need for censorship. The motion-picture industry is cleaner by far than thousands of other trades, but the power which it has over its tremendous following is another justification for censorship." Mr. Howe followed this by some illuminating remarks regarding the system used by the National Board of Censorship, "li the exhibitors of the country would co-operate with the National Board, the question of censorship would immediately become something tangible," he went on. "You who are gathered here to-day are indeed a representative of the other men in this great industry. If a picture reaches you in which the eliminations have not been made, which you feel necessary, why not write the National Board regarding that picture? It very often happens that we order pictures cut and which the exchange, for some reason or other, does not alter ; it is then up to you." "In conclusion," he said, "I want the motion pictures to be free. I want the Federal Board out of it because with the Government interfering in something which they know nothing about, the freedom of the picture is sacrificed." [A prolonged clapping followed the talk.] Orrin G. Cocks was also called on to speak. Following Mr. Howe's thought, he brought strongly to bear on the necessity of strong co-operation between the board and the exhibitor. Considering the fact that they were passing on 185 pictures a week, this co-operation was imperative. The merits of several plans was discussed by him, principally the method now being woiked in Detroit. "In Detroit a number of exhibitors got together and resolved to do away with the official censor. To this end a committee composed of their own members passed on all the films and in this manner controlled the situation. "You must get hold of wild-cat manufacturers and force them to do the right thing or force them out of business. Why will you allow one man to show poor pictures made by these so-called 'wild-cat' manufacturers, and in this manner make the whole of you look like horse thieves?" The afternoon session was a little late in getting under way. Practically the entire session was taken up in debating the various clauses in the report of H. A. Victor, Chairman of the Grievance Committee. J. Stuart Blackton, of the Vitagraph Company, was not present. Edward M. Saunders, manager of the Universal Film Exchange, was on hand and spoke for fifteen minutes, following which a general debate was had. It was at first intended that a discussion of the report be held between' the manufacturers, exchange men and the exhibitors. However as so few of the former were present, the discussion took place between the assembled members. A committee consisting of the Grievance Committee was appointed to see the manufacturers and show them the report and return their findings to the convention by Friday morning. It was the opinion of a number that the manufacturers had always been willing to meet any exhibitors more than half way in the explaining of difficulties. Mr. Rosengarten, of the Cosmos Feature Film Company, was among those present representing the manufacturers and stated his willingness to meet any of the exhibitors half way and straighten out their hardships. The report was then taken up by sections and discussed by various members. The exposition and convention was opened exactly on scheduled time by President Woodrow Wilson on Monday, June 8. The opening ceremonies consisted of the undraping of the President's picture at the north side of the huge hall when a button, connected electrically with the White House, was pressed by Mr. Wilson. At the same time the New York Catholic Protectory Band rendered "The Star Spangled Banner" and the representative throng loudly applauded. The tableau was a most impressive one. Unfortunately, Mayor John Purroy Mitchel, of New York, was unable to be present, but a welcome was extended to the gathered exhibitors by the City of New York through the Borough President, Marcus Marks. In a few strong words. Mr. Marks bid the visiting delegates feel at home and assured them that figuratively the keys of the world's second city was at their disposal "On behalf of the city administration." said Mr. Marks, "I welcome the motion-picture exhibitors of the United States and Canada. We offer them not merely the welcome of the city's streets, buildings, hotels, theatres ! we offer them the welcome of the heart of the world." The Reverend W. Miller Reid, of Lincolnshire, England, also addressed a few remarks from the platform. Madame Alma Gluck, prima donna of the Metropolitan Opera House, and undoubtedly one of the world's greatest (ContiiiHcd on Pacje CO