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94 MOTION PICTUEE COMMISSION. Powers, Mr. Ziikor, Mr. Frohman, who has long been interested in the production of the highest-class dramas; likewise Mr. Belasco, Klaw & Erlanger, and a great many other gentlemen. Mr. Towner. Is Mr. Edison at the head Mr. ScHECHTER (interposing). Of the Edison Co., yes. Mr. Towner (continuing). Of a film manufacturing company? Mr. ScHECHi-ER. Yes; of the Edison Moving Picture Co. Mr. Towner. What do they do? Mr. ScHECHTER. They produce the negative and sell prints of mov- mg pictures, which they manufacture, to the exchange. Mr. TowNER. AVhat I meant was, does this particular company have a particular line of subjects? Do they take up the scientific tnd, for instance? Mr. ScHECHTER. They do not limit themselves; they produce films on various subjects. Mr. Towner. They do not confine themselves to any one subject? Mr. ScHECHTER. No, sir; I do not know of any company that does (hat. Mr. Fess. You said you were opposed to the censorship of the pic- tures, and you gave certain reasons, and you said some people might think certain films were not in order, while others might think they were. All of 3^our films are censored, are they not ? Mr. ScHECHTER. Ycs, sir; by the National Board of Censors, which is not an official board, and not arbitrary in nature. Mr. Fess (interposing). Well, then, why do you have it done? There is no law about it; you are not really bound to have it done? Mr. ScHECHi'ER. Absolutely not. Mr. Fess. ^Yhy do you do it ? Mr. SciiECH'i-ER. Simply because it has resulted in raising the tone of the pictures; its criticisms have been helpful; its sense of fairness and honesty have been beyond question. Such a censorship is not objected to because it is a purely voluntary censorship. The CHAn{MAN. After they have been censored by this national board of censorship do you not find that there is less objection on the part of the dift'erent States after they know that they have been censored ? Mr. ScHECHTER. It is only within the past few months that censors have sprung up in several States. There is only one State censorship actually in operation, and that is in Ohio. In Kansas it has been enjoined by order of the court. In Pennsylvania, I think, it has not become operative. An appeal has been taken from the decision in the Ohio case to the Su])reme Court of the United States, which appeal is now pending and will be heard shortly. Mr. Thacher. There is one in Californa? Mr. ScHECHTER. I liavc no knowledge of that fact. Mr. Fess. Do you not think there is a better character of films by virtue of having a board of censors? Mr. ScHECHTER. Not bccausc there is a board of censors but because the public demand better and better pictures every day, and the man- ufacturer in order to be successful must meet the demand of the public. Mr. Fess. Do you not think tliere is greater assurance on the part of the going public? Do you not think that the attendance upon moving pictures is increased by virtue of the censorship?