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MOTION PICTURE COMMISSION. 101 agree with socialism or syndicalism, but we must agree that these people are each entitled to their own convictions. The Chairman. The picture people show a little of everything, do they not? The members of the board do not seem to come in very serious conflict with each other over the- pictures to be shown, do they? Mr. Seligsberg, Yes; they do. There are very serious conflicts be- tween them. The Chairman. But, anyhow, they come tp a decision. Mr. Seligsberg. Yes; they do by a majority vote, and then the minority appeals. The reason we do not hear there is much of a con- flict is that most of the pictures, I should say 95 per cent of the pic- tures in question, are beyond the realm of controversy. They are perfectly ordinary, everyday pictures of everyday life or pictures of adventures which no one can crjticise at all. The Chairman. On the whole, you do not criticise the judgment or action of the board, do you ? Mr. Seligsberg. On the whole, no; I do not, because I think they are under the restraining influence of Dr. Carter and Dr. Howe and the other gentlemen whose breadth of view is wide. The Chairman. You have come in contact with these gentlemen on the national board? Mr. Seligsberg. I n'ever met the gentlemen before this evening, ex- cept Dr. Howe. Mr. Towner. Do you net believe that a desire for a nation-wide censorship is growing in favor throughout this country ? Mr. Seligsberg. I do not. Mr. Towner. Here is Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas, and California, I believe. They have official State censors, have they not? Mr. Seligsberg. The Kansas law is suspended by injunction. The-CHAiRMAN. If you will pardon me, I think it is important that I should read to you a letter I have just received. The writer says: Dear Sir: I take pleasure iu advising you that the resolved copy inclosed herewith referring yoilr bill for censorship of moving pictures has passed the Massachusetts Senate and is now pending before the House. We will advise you as the matter progresses further. That is signed, " Charles M. Cox, Boston." Mr. Seligsberg. He was the gentleman who introduced the censor- ship bill-in the Massachusetts Senate. Mr. Towner. Do you not think the demand for censorship is going to bring about some form of lawful censorship ? Mr. Seligsberg. I do not believe there is such a demand—either State or National. I do not believe there is such a demand on the part of well intentioned people. Mr. Towner. You ought to know more about it than the rest of us. We have the impression that this demand for censorship is increasing all the time. Mr. Seligsberg. I must confess I get around a little and I have not observed it. Mr. Towner. And you axe reasonably alert. Mr. Seligsberg. I think so. Mr. Towner. In regard to the interests of those you represent. Mr. Seligsberg. I want to be very frank, and I assure you I would not hesitate to say so if I thought there was a demand, because I