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MOTION PICTURE COMMISSION. 125 you do not belieAe in producing any film that is not approved by tlie national board. Mr. Brylawski. Because we feel that the National Board of Cen- sorship, in line with what you heard here, is a voluntary organization and does not really censor films in the strict sense of the word, but approves them. Mr. ToAVNER. Then it is not censor, but the character of the censor- ship ? Mr. Brtlawski. We exhibit films that the National Board of Cen- sorship has approved, because we know^ their approval has placed them on a higher standard. In other words, they set a certain stand- ard, and we know the film will not be objectionable, as a rule. Mr. Towner, Would you say that that results because of the char- acter of the men who compose the board? Your statement would indicate to the committee that you are afraid a national board would not be of the same high character as the national board that is now a voluntary association. Mr. Brylawski. We are afraid of a national board because we know no national board of 5, 10, or 20 members can properly censor moving pictures and that their best eft'orts w^ould be injurious to the moving picture industry of the countiy. Mr. Towner. You think so; you do not know it. Mr. Brylawski. We think so, and Ave believe it. I Avant to say, so far as the National Board of Censorship is concerned, that the national board Avill approve a moving picture otherAvise unobjection- able Avhich contains a bull fight or a cockfight or even a prizefight, but our regulations here say no, we can not shoAV them, and so, although the national board does approve, Ave must nevertheless eliminate those features. But that does not aHect the matter. We recognize the standards, not the hard and fast standards of any local board, but the moral standards, wliich would be for the benefit and uplift of the moving picture business. Mr. ToAVNER. Are you afraid of the action of the national board because you think it Avould be too strict? Mr. Brylaavski. No. Because Ave feel they Avould not be able to do justice to the matter. Mr. ToAVNER. HoAv fibout not doing justice? If you are not afraid they Avould establish a too puritanical state, Avhat are you afraid of? Mr. Bry'laavski. As I say, we have not the same fear that other organizations might have, in that the national board Avould be the only board, so far as Ave are concerned. The national association, as Avell as our local organization, is opposed to all forms of official censorship. Mr. Toavner. Yes; I knoAv you are. I avouIcI like you to state your grounds as to Avliy you are afraid of censorship. What are the elements in it? Are you afraid you Avoidd not have the same high cliaracter of men to pass upon the ])ictures as you have now? Mr. Brylaavski. Possibly. Mr. Toavner. Are you afraid the standard Avould be too strict? Mr. Brylaa\skt. Possibly, We do not fear so much as we object as a matter of principle. In other Avords, Ave believe that all official , censorship is unnecessary: that it is distinctly un-American and en- tirely u.nwarranted, and that any official comijulsory censorship 44071.'—.\( p. 2—14 5