Motion Picture News (Apr-Jul 1915)

June 19, 1915. MOTION PICTURE NEWS 61 READING CONVENTION IS HARMONY MEETING Event Is Made Notable by Large Attendance and a Spirit of Unity in the Organization and Good Fellowship Displayed by Exhibitors, Exchangemen and Other Members of the Industry — Association Will Continue Strong Efforts Against Censorship Special to Motion Picture News Reading, Pa., June 9. UNANIMOUSLY approving the work of the joint legislative committee of film men and members of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of Pennsylvania in obtaining from the past session of the legislature the important concessions in the censorship law and going on record as determined to continue the fight against legalized state censorship until it is wiped off the Pennsylvania statute books, the state league's convention, which opened here Monday and adjourned tonight (Wednesday), decided to enter with renewed vigor a campaign to fight for the rights of the motion picture interests. It is proposed to adhere vigorously to the policy of educating the people of the state to an appreciation of the fact that the screen — uncensored — has the same right to live as an uncensored press, and it is believed that when the public is brought to a full appreciation of that fact it will be impossible for a censorship law to exist in this state. In attendance at the convention was Jacob William Binder, of New York City, director of finance and publicity of the National Board of Censorship, and he told a representative of Motion Picture News that the national board already has taken steps to co-operate with the Pennsylvania League in explaining to the people, through the medium of publicity, the injustice of legalized state censorship. Binder Speaks on Censorship Question The national board, said Mr. Binder, as the first step in this direction has arranged to have Miss Mary Gray Peck, of the National Federation of Women's Clubs, appear before the Pennsylvania branch of the Federation of Women's Clubs and explain the evils of legalized censorship. The women of the state branch, in a mild way, endorsed the Pennsylvania censorship law, but it is hoped through Miss Peck to convince the women of the state branch that state censorship is wrong. The convention opened in Rajah Temple on Monday morning with an attendance of several hundred persons, including exhibitors, owners and proprietors of theatres, film corporation representatives, exchange men and others interested in the business. State President Ben H. Zerr, of Reading, who with Frank A. Gould, State Publicity Representative, also of Reading, has worked night and day for three months to insure the success of the convention, presided. It was brought to light by the report of State Treasurer Charles Segall, of Philadelphia, that although in the January convention in Harrisburg it was decided to apply for a charter in the National League, this had not yet been done, due to delay of some of the locals in paying their initial assessments. The conventio. decided, however, to apply at once for a national charter, to become effective on July 1, in time to permit Pennsylvania to be represented in the national convention in San Francisco in the middle of July. The matter of selection of delegates was discussed, but had not been finally disposed of by Tuesday evening. Other important business included a decision to make the initiation fee ten dollars for new locals joining the league. A state constitution was adopted conforming to the national constitution. Affair Not Lacking in Entertainments The progress the motion picture industry has made in recent months in this state and the partial victories the picture men gained in the legislature in the past winter put all those in attendance in just the humor for a good holiday time. The morning of Tuesday was devoted to business, but at 2 o'clock in the afternoon the amusement feature held sway again in the form of an automobile parade of 75 cars. The ball was held Tuesday night under the auspices of the Reading exhibitors and trophies were awarded. The Wednesday morning business meeting was an open session for exhibitors, exchange men, dealers in motion picture accessories, manufacturers and all interested in the film industry. The Wednesday afternoon program included sight-seeing auto tours and the convention came to an end with a banquet in the Hotel Berkshire in the evening. The important Monday business session was opened by President Zerr, who introduced Mayor Ira W. Stratton, of Reading, who made an address of welcome which was responded to appropriately by G. W. Sahner, of Pittsburgh, first vice-president of the State League. There were speeches by "Live-Wire" Fred J. Herrington, of Pittsburgh, national vicepresident, and others, including practically all the state officers, who, in addition to those mentioned, are: Second vice-president, Gilbert C. Miller, Plymouth; secretary, James Delves, Pittsburgh; treasurer, Charles Segall, Philadelphia. Mr. Sahner, as chairman of the legislative committee, told of its work in obtaining reduction of the fee for examining films by the censorship board from $2.50 to $1; of obtaining the right of appeal to the courts from the censors' rulings, and the other concessions gained for the motion picture interests through the passage of the new censorship law. In the Tuesday business session high praise was given by President Zerr, Peter Magaro, of Harrisburg; Treasurer Segall and others to the trade papers for their unstinted aid in the Pennsylvania fight. Mr. Zerr referred specifically to the Motion Picture News in this connection. Some of the most attractive booths in Rajah Temple were occupied by: The Universal company, Pathe company, William Fox interests, Calehuff Supply company, Williams, Brown & Earle company, Greater New York Film company, and the Department of Labor and Industry of Pennsylvania. One of the cleverest exhibits was that of "Junior Chaplin," a youth impersonating the famous movie comedian. He was brought here by Isaac and Jacob Silverman, of Altoona. Some of Those Who Were Present at the Convention Among the exhibitors, players, exchange men, manufacturers and others who registered Tuesday were : Mary K. Braemer, Lykens; Charles Segall, Philadelphia; Marcus A. Eenn, Philadelphia; David R. Sablosky, Philadelphia; Abraham H. Nace, Quakertown; G. Miciael, Greater New York Film company, Philadelphia; Charles L. Snyder, Reading; J. G. Hansen, Reading; Charles S. Graul, Reading; C. 0. Baird and wife, Portage; Mrs. J. A. Baird, Portage; Arthur Heyman, Calehuff Supply company, Philadelphia; H, C. Si moral, Philadelphia; Samuel Lapin, New York City; Edwin A. Kaufmann, Reading; Fred J. Herrington, Pittsburg; George W. Herbst and wife, Philadelphia; Charles T. Miley, State Factory Inspector, Reading; Edwin Brown, Reading; John H. Spicer, Harrisburg; L. B. Rcinert, Reading; E. W. Booth, Fox Film corporation, Philadelphia; H. C. Kliehm, Pittsburgh; Gebhart W. Sahner, Pittsburgh; Ben H. Zerr, Reading; Jerome Dawson, Gallitzen; George R. Meeker, Paramount Film company, New York City; Charles A. Calehuff, wife and daughter, Philadelphia; Charles A. Bleilevens, New York City; Miss Jean Roller, Drumona Musical company, New York City; 0. J. Miller, St. Clair; Harry J. Schad, Reading; Andrew C. Borzner, the Lunerlite company, Philadelphia; Jay Emanuel, Philadelphia; Robert J. Erlechman, General Film company, Philadelphia; Walter C. Kantner, Reading; W. Stephen Bush, Moving Picture World, New Xork City; J. Frank Gibbons, Universal Film Manufacturing company, New York City; Eugene F. McAtee, Mahanoy City; Frank A, Gould, Reading; James Delves, Pittsburgh; C. Rogerman, New York; Simon Pelswig, Philadelphia; G. H. Atwood, Philadelphia; Charles Greenbaum, New York; B. H. Steam, New York; Benjamin Barr, New York; Harry Curry, Philadelphia; S. E. Rose, New York; C. F. Edmondson, Danville; Clyde D. Klinger, Freeland ; Jacob W. Binder, National Board Censorship, New York ; John W. Semler, New York Telegraph; Chris Peterson, Family theatre, Tamaqua; C. R. Williams, Grand. East Stroudsburg; Francis E, Devlin, Family, WilkesBarre; John J. Meity, Palace, Emaus; Eugene L. Keefe, Supplies, Philadelphia; 1. M. Thomas, Pastime, Easton; P. I. Cropper, Woodland, Philadelphia; G. C. Miller, Lyric, Plymouth; M. Spiers, Plaza, Philadelphia; Harold W. Hoiberger, Lehigh Orpheum, South Bethlehem; Frank F. Seiherling, Franklin, Allentown; L. F. Heiberger, Loronz, Bcthlohem; Abe. L. Einste, Stanley company, Philadelphia; Herbert W. Given. Famous Players exchange, Philadelphia; E. W. Sweigcrt, Philadelphia; W. T. Hcenan, Stanley Booking company, Philadelphia; Philys Adler, V. L. S. E., Philadelphia; Miss Anna L. Schuber, Theatorium, Lebanon; R. C. Jackson's Sons, Theatorium, Lebanon; Frank P. Gilligan, Park, Wilkcs-Barre; Charles F. Kead, Opera House, Minersville; D. P, McNeal, Grand, Lancaster; D. J. Shea, Moving Picture World, Now York; W. W. Wobor, Park, Philadelphia; Ray P. Antrim, Harrisburg; Charles R. Perry, Harrisburg; Pot6r Magaro, Regent, Harrisburg; Isaac Silvorman, Harrisburg and Altoona; M. Lossy, Interstate Films company, Philadelphia; V. R. Carrick, Intorstato Films company, Philadelphia; C. S. Wcrtsner. Philadelphia; W. R. Burns, TriState Star Theatre company, Philadelphia; Jos. S. Hcbrow, V. L. 8. E., Inc., Philadelphia; Horbert McGiven, Famous Playors, Philadelphia; Josoph Boihoff, World Film company, Philadelphia: Jack Levy, Fox Film corporation, Philadelphia; W. C. Schallcs. Family. Hazolton; William H. Riffard, Mutual Film exchango, Wilkos-Barre ; Anna E. Lcssig, Orphoum, Orwigsburg; Earl M. Foeth, Sherwood thoatro, Philadelphia; V. H. Bcrghaus, Jr., Motion Picturo News correspondent, Harrisburg; John D. Clock, Baltimore theatre, Philadelphia; A. H. Dartt, Auditorium, Wollsboro; Sigmund Lubin, Philadelphia; A. Greenberg, Grand theatre, Chester; Charles F. Smith, Grand thoatro, Roading; Albert Pierson. Windsor theatre. Philadelphia ; Arthur Hoyman, Calehuff Supply company, Philadelphia; Jacob Silverman. Altoona; Fr.-.nk P. Gilligan, Park theatre Wilkcs-Barre; Mrs. Clara Kimball Younn and Jack Wilk. World Film corporal tion; Harry Roi-henbach, Metro; Charles R. Perry, Philadelphia; William H. Snyder. Grand, Lancaster.