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MOTION PICTURE COMMISSION. 33 and one State may permit such exhibitions, but siu-h pictures can not go from one State to another. They may be hiwful in both State.s, but they could not cross the line, because of this law prohibiting the exhibition of pictures of prize fights in interstate commerce. Mr. RuPLEY. However, that Is a matter that is entirely settled, that films shoAving prize fights may not be transported from "one State to another. Mr, Chase. But New Jersey might show pictures of prize fights and Xew York might show pictures of prize fights. It might bo legal in New Jersey to liave prize fight exhibitions and it might be legal in Xew York. Mr. Platt. Would it not be absolutely impossible to get a jury to convict in such cases ^ Mr. Ch.\se. Yes: I think you will find that where there is am'' board that aj^proves of a picture it would be pretty difficult to get another board to disapprove of it. Mr. Platt. Suppose New York and New Jersey approved a cer- tain film and the Federal Government tried to convict somebody for carrying it across the line; would any jury in New York or New Jersey convict anybody? Mr. Chase. If it was the Federal authority that attempted it it would not be in a State court. Mr. Platt. But I sup])ose they would have to get a local jury? Mr. Chase. Yes. Mr. Platt. And I do not believe any jury would ever convict. Mr. Chase. I do not think so. Mr. RuPLEY. Tlie court would instruct the jury in that case that it W'as in violation of a Federal statute. Mr. Platt. But juries have been known to take the law into their own hands in tliose matters. Mr. Baker. Are there boards of censorship in all the States now? Mr. Chase. There are village and city censorships, but there are boards in only four States, so far as I know. California, Kansas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have State censorship. But that is what is coming. You can well say that before long we Avill have 45 or 46 censorships and all the expense placed upon motion-picture manu- facturers.' Bnt Avhen this law is passed I think the effect will'be to stop States having any State boards and will stop cities and towns having local boards. They will say, "The United States Board is satisfactory to us and we will accept it." They will probably pass a. law saying that any film that has not the approval of the United States Federal Board of Commissioners will be contrary to the law. They will no doubt locally pass some such regulation as that. Of course, if they at any time do not like what is done here in Washing- ton they can make any substitute provision which will make things satisfactory to them. Mr. Treadavay. Of how many members do the boards consist that are already in existence if Mr. Chase. The number varies. There is a request now pending in New York for three. I do not remember how many there are on all of these boards. Mr. Treadway. Do you approve of this number here—five at sal- aries of $3,000, a chairman at $3,500, and a secretary at $1,500? J4072—Xo. 1—14—-3