Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1937)

Wednesday, March 3, 1937 MOTION PICTURE DAILY NRA Chiefly Aided Labor Report Finds {Continued from page 1) competition," the committee felt, "if only because some industries learned on their own account that some of i these things did not work." NRA attempted to cover more ground, and at greater speed than could possibly be covered effectively, the report charged. "Both management and labor went too far, with the result that many impracticable and unenforceable provisions were put into the codes to the detriment of the more worth-while provisions." On the whole, it was said, codes were more successful in closely knit industries with a limited number of producers. No analysis of individual codes is attempted in the report, but the activities of the various boards and sections of the NRA are carefully analyzed, as are the results of the various steps taken to develop codes and secure enforcement. Fewer Firms to Be Included "If controls of the NRA type are to be tried again," the committee suggested, "the experience indicates that the attempt should be limited to a few important industries in order that proper standards of investigation and adequate supervision may be maintained, and should be guided from the start by such definite principles and policies as NRA experience indicates are likely to stand the test of application. Under the type of policy finally adopted by NRA, if strongly adhered to, there is little chance that codes would be proposed in such large numbers as to create serious difficulties, but even that chance might well be guarded against." And, it was added, if trade practice rules again are to be formulated, they should be initiated by the industries rather than by the Government. Agnew and linger to Attend Para, Meet Neil Agnew, Paramount vice-president, and J. J. Unger, eastern division manager, are expected to join Adolph Zukor in attending the company's three-day conference of theatre partners and operators at Miami, following the M.P.T.O.A. convention there. Al Wilkie, Paramount publicity manager, leaves for Miami today, and will be followed next week by Robert M. Gillham, director of advertising and publicity. Paramount theatre men from all over the country and Canada will attend the meeting, which will fje presided over by Y. Frank Freeman, Paramount vice-president, and will be held at the Roney-Plaza, March 18-20. Hotel reservations already run to 100 rooms. Zukor Leaves Coast March 12 Hollywood, March 2. — Adolph Zukor will leave here March 12 for the M. P. T. O. A. convention at Miami and the meeting of Paramount partners. He will then go to New York after which he plans to return here March 30. Navy's Film Costs $310,000 Annually Washington, March 2. — The annual cost of film programs for the U. S. Navy is about $310,000, it was disclosed today with submission to the House of Representatives of the annual appropriation bill for the department. The Government provides $85,000 toward that amount, the remaining $225,000 coming from the profits of the ship's stores in vessels and at navy stations, it was explained by Lieutenant Commander C. D. Kirk of the Bureau of Navigation. Each ship or station that shows the films is assessed at the rate of 30 or 35 cents per month, per man. This pays for the pictures and additional funds are drawn from the ship's stores profits from time to time for replacement of equipment. The present equipment now has an average of about six years and a replacement program has been initiated. "Amusement and recreation are contributory means of improving morale," Kirk said during hearings on the bill. "Motion pictures are considered the most important single source of recreational entertainment, with athletics a close second. Both are important factors in the development of a high state of morale." The total cost of the equipment acquired by the navy was $650,000. Take Theatre Payroll Two men robbed the manager, his assistant and the cashier of the Public, 2nd Ave. and 4th St., Sunday night of a $2,100 payroll, it was revealed yesterday. The gunmen fled after binding and gagging the three. Greenthal on Coast Hollywood, March 2. — Monroe Greenthal, director of advertising and publicity for United Artists, arrived from New York yesterday by air. Harley Lunch Guest Of 20th-Fox Heads F. L. Harley, managing director for 20th Century-Fox in London, was guest of honor at a luncheon tendered by Walter J. Hutchinson, head of the foreign department, at the Hotel Plaza yesterday. Harley will sail today on the Berengaria with Russell Muth. Among those present were : W. C. Michel, F. S. Irby, Charles E. McCarthy, Felix Jenkins, Leslie F. Whalen, William Sussman, E. S. Fraser, H. H. Buxbaum, Irving A. Mass, J. Carlo Bavetta, C. F. Minck, Sidney Towell, E. P. Kilroe, William Kupper, Truman Talley, Clarence V. Hake, W. J. Eadie, William J. Clark, O. W. Bolle, S. S. Horen, Alan Freedman and Roger Ferri. Testimonial Dinner To Maloney of MGM Pittsburgh, March 2. — More than 350 gathered here last night in the William Penn Hotel at a testimonial dinner to John J. Maloney, M-G-M exchange manager, who is celebrating his 15th year with the company. Attorney Edward O. Tabor presented the guest of honor a gold watch, the gift of his friends, and Arch Dunsmore, director of education at the Western Penitentiary, gave him a humidor made by the inmates of the institution in appreciation for Maloney's interest in the welfare of the prisoners. Rosey Roswell was toastmaster. The guests included Judges Frank Patterson, John Egan and George Moore. Fete Indiana Legislators Indianapolis, March 1. — Members of the Associated Theatre Owners of Indiana held open house at the Variety Club here tonight for members of the Indiana Legislature and their wives. More than 200 attended. W. C. Carpenter, Marc J. Wolf and Carl Niesse had charge of the arrangements. New Nebraska Taxes Are Aimed at Films (Continued from page 1) a gas tax proposal of six cents per gallon for old age assistance and relief. There are two bills pending asking a 10 per cent gross film rental tax and a 10 per cent tax on theatre grosses. Two New Bills in Albany Albany, March 2. — Two bills affecting theatres have been introduced in the Assembly here by Nicholas Rossi, Democrat, of New York. The first bill seeks to prohibit the sale of an admission ticket unless a seat for the purchaser is actually available, violation of the ruling to bring a fine of $25 to $100. Rossi's second measure asks that a matron be required for every 25 children present in a theatre. The law now in force requires one matron for each house. Will Await B.N. Complaints New Orleans, March 2. — No action against the continuance of Bank Night will be taken unless specific complaint is made, it was stated here today by District Attorney Charles A. Byrne. The games were barred yesterday by a decision of the State Supreme Court. Kill Another Censor Bill Boston, March 2. — A second censorship bill has been killed by the Legislature. This one was sponsored by Jacob A. Riis of the Youth Foundation. The State Administration Committee gave leave to withdraw. Weil Starts Swing East Hollywood, March 2. — Joe Weil, Universal exploitation head, left today by plane for Dallas, St. Louis, Kansas City and Chicago. He will make brief stops at each city to check on the progress of the campaign for "Top of the Town." Hospital Deed Goes to Jesse H. Jones Will H. Hays, representing the industry, presents the deed to the hospital at Saranac Lake, N. Y., to Jesse H. Jones, chairman of the board, Reconstruction Finance Corp., in his capacity as treasurer of the Will Rogers Memorial Commission, in ceremonies at Fox Movietone Studios. Seated, left to right: Senator J. Henry Walters, RKO ; W. C. Michel, 20th Century-Fox ; Hays; Jones; H. M. Warner; Charles C. Moskowitz, Loew's. Standing, left to right: Arthur S. Cherouny ; Leopold Friedman, Loew's; Spyros P. Skouras, National Theatres ; Jules Brulatour, Eastman Kodak; Y. Frank Freeman, Paramount; Amon G. Carter, publisher, Ft. Worth Star Telegram; Capt. E. V. Rickenbacker ; Ed Kuykendall, M.P.T.O.A.; Harold Rodner, I Warners; George J. Schaefer, United Artists, and Major L. E. Thompson, RKO.