Motion Picture News (May-Jul 1916)

June 24, 1916 MOTION PICTURE NEWS 3875 Broader Trade Association Projected at Luncheon Over Sixty Prominent Men in the Motion Picture Industry Meet at Luncheon at Delmonico's, New York, on June 8, to Initiate Plans for the Formation of a Trade Association Which Shall Come Up to the Expectations of Producers, Exchangemen and Exhibitors Alike MORE than sixty of the most prominent men in the motion picture industry at a luncheon held at Delmonico's June 8, initiated plans for the formation of a trade association which should be thoroughly representative of the whole industry. A subcommittee was appointed, with Walter W. Irwin, chairman of the meeting, as the head, to formulate definite plans for the association, and report back to the committee of the whole, consisting of all those who were present at the June 8 luncheon. The report of the sub-committee will be heard at a meeting to be held June 29. Besides Chairman Irwin, this organization committee consists of the following: Jules E. Brulatour, Nicholas Power, J. H. Hallberg, Lee A. Ochs, John J. Whittman, L. L. Levine, W. Stephen Bush, William A. Johnston, Tracey Lewis, William W. Hodkinson, and Jesse L. Lasky. It was the sense of the meeting that each branch of the industry is an important member of the motion picture family; that family diiferences and disputes ought to be amicably adjusted within the family circle, so that the industry as a whole could present a solid front, not only in opposition to adverse legislation, but liekwise in support of constructive measures, as well as all other matters pertaining to the welfare and further development of the business. It was also the consensus of opinion that in the formation of such an association, this industry owes a duty not only to itself, but to the public, to see to it that so great a vehicle of entertainment and education should not be handicapped or harassed in its development, but on the contrary should be permitted to advance constantly in those qualities that make for enlightenment, education and entertainment. Purpose of Meeting Outlined by Irwin The purpose of the meeting was outlined by Mr. Irwin, who spoke in part as follows : In order to save time, we will get down to work at once. This meeting, gentlemen, was not called by the Motion Picture Board of Trade, it is not a meeting of the Board of Trade, it is a meeting of the entire industry, for the purpose of considering the formation of an association which will be representative of the entire industry, and which wUl gain the confidence of every one in it. No business has progressed and gained the prominence, the degree of success, and in many respects the stability, that this industry has gained in so short a time; and at the same time so neglected to know itself, to know those who constitute it, or to form an association for its protection and promotion. Frankly and honestly speaking, the Motion Picture Board of Trade has not been able to fulfill its objects. It was formed with the best of intentions. It was the intention of every one who had anything to do with it that it should gain the confidence of the entire industry, and that each branch of the industry should come into it with a proper representation. The fear seems to have existed that the Motion Picture Board of Trade is a manufacturers' association. Now, the o£Bcers and directors of the Board otf Trade are quite VFilling to relinquish their positions to others who may be selected by the entire industry. I think I can confidently say to you that they are quite willing to amend the charter in any respect that this meeting may consider that it should be amended. In the first place, it has been suggested that its name ought to be changed. With that suggestion I agree. The name, the Motion Picture Board of Trade, seems to smack too much of manufacturing. Two Directors from Exchangemen Suggested It has also been nrged by the exhibitors tha* the exchangemen have two directors and the producers two directors, and that the exchangemen and producers are one and the same, because in every instance the exchange is controlled by the producers, or the producers are controlled by the exchange organizations, and that, therefore, the exhibitors ought tp have a representation equal to the representation of exchangemen and exhibitors. In this respect I think they are right, and I know the Board, at least those whom I have heard express an opinion, agree as to this; and the Board of Trade is perfectly willing to do anything this meeting may think proper to bring about an association that will have the full confidence and co-operation of the whola Industry. They are willing to go further than that. They are quite willing to dissolve the Board of Trade, so that the Board of Trade will not be in a position of inviting manufacturers or exhibitors to come into it. The purpose of this meeting is to form an association by which no one is invited to come in, by which we have all come together of our own TOlilion for the purpose of forming an association which is thoroughly representative. The fact that the Board of Trade has not been able to carry out the purposes and intentions with which it was formed is not unusual; in fact, is quite natural. Other trade organizations, as you know, when first formed In an industry, go tlirough this same period of uncertainty, of suspicion and of misunderstanding; and It is not until vital questions confront the whole industry and cause the entire industry to get together, just as we are here in this splendidly representative gathering, that those comprising an industry are able to understand each other, to do away with the differences, and, as we propose to do to-day, amend the existing trade organization so that it meets the requirements of the entire industry, or else discard it and create a new association which will be able to present a solid front to questiona that affect the entire industry. Now, there are but a few questions that we ought to consider this afternoon. The first one is, do we agree that this industry has arrived at the point where we ought to have an association based upon proper representation jErom each branch of the industry, so that all questions affecting the whole industry may be determined by the Industry, and with the agreement that the minority shall abide by the decision of the majority. If we agree that such an association ought to be created, the next question Is the method of establishing its budget by a proper contribution from every branch of the industry. Understanding and Friendship Desired Therefore, gentlemen, the paramoimt question to be discussed this afternoon is whether we have arrived, or may arrive, at a degree of understanding, acquaintanceship and friendship, each branch of the industry vntb each of the other branches, so that we may have an association which will gain not only the confidence of the manufacturers and equipment men, but the confidence of the exhibitors. No association that you will be able to form can meet the situation on questions such as censorship, railroad and express rules, insurance, and a host of other questions that must be considered, unless we have the exhibitors with us. As the Board of Trade was formed with the best intentions, sincere intentions, and as the Board of Trade stlU possesses those same intentions, it is our purpose, if it be the will of this meeting, either to permit the Board of Trade to be so amended that it will meet with the desires, squarely, of each branch of the industry, or to dissolve it, and form a new assiociation which will obtain the necessary cooperation and confidence of every one In the industry. Commodore J. Stuart Blackton spoke next, after which there was a general discussion in which many of those present participated. J. W. Binder, Executive Secretary of the Motion Picture Board of Trade of America, after the meeting, made this statement : I am much gratified at the representative attendance at the meeting. I believe the action taken Is wise and along constmctve lines. The original plan of organization and the budget of the Board of Trade were never considered by me as being permanent. The plan was tentative, and the budget intended to suffice only for the organization period, until the full membership had been secured. When it became apparent that, from whatever reason, the full strength of the different branches of the industry could not be enrolled, I at once began work upon a broader plan, a larger budget and a more equitable method of raising the same. Under the former procedure, a few concerns bore the brunt of the expense connected with the Board's work. Careful study of existing Trade organizations In other industries showed that in the majority of cases the money to be raised for trade organization purposes was secured through a selfimposed tax on the unit of production. In the film industry this is the thousand-foot reel of film. The plan evolved, after discussion with the Board of Directors, has been placed at the disposal of the new committee. If adopted, it vrlll raise a budget adequate for the things which must be done by a trade association without being burdensome to any one In the industry. I am sure that the Committee appointed will work out a plan which will be fair and equitable, and which wUl enlarge upon the beginnings made by the Board of Trade, the result being an efficient trade organization, thoroughly representative of the whole industry. If this is done, I shall feel thoroughly repaid for the time and energy I have personally given to the work in the past. I do not feel, nor does any one, I believe, familiar with what the Board has accomplished that it has In any sense been a failure, I have only to i>oint to the splendid fight made against the Federal censorship bill in Washington, the achievement of the Wilson dinner, and to the fact that in the eleven States in which the legislatures met this year, out of sixty-four bills hostile to the motion picture Industry introduced, only eleven became laws, to prove this assertion. It is a source of keen regret to me that I «hall not be here to take an active part in the srganization to be bnUt. I am sailing for I/Ondon on Saturday to execute a private commission of an extremely important nature, which it is a great honor to have been asked to undertake. I shall be absent until July 15. If the committee has not completed Its labors at that tune, my best efforts, and as much time as I can give, will be at its disposal. Those present were: A. H. F. Banshof, H. Berbamn, J. A. Berst, J. W. Binder, J. Stuart Blackton, L. P. Blumenthal, I^ouis J. Bull, William Brandt, Cranston Brenton, WiUiam A. T. Brady, J. E. Brulatour, W. Stephen Bush, John F. Chalmers, Harry Cochrane, Paul H. Cromelin, Edward Earl, Jack Edwards, Joseph W. T. Engel, WlUlam Fox, Arthur S. Friend, Samuel M. Field, E. K. Gillett, Huntly Gordon, J. C. Graham, B. B. Hampton, I. N. HartsaU, Balph W. Ince, W. W. Irwin, L. B. Jennings, Wm. A. Johnston, Ad. T. Kessell, Jr., Jesse Lasky, Arthur Leslie, Tra«y Lewis, Lewis L. Levine, Ben Lyons, Lesley Mason, McDonald, Lee A. Ochs, M. Oestreicher, Carl H. Pierce, Nicholas Power, P. A. Powers, John F. Robertson, S. L. Rothapfel, Richard T. Rowland, William M. Seabury, S. M. Spedon, W. N. Selingsberg, John Semler, W. E. Shallenberger, B. Tietel, Sam Trigger, Carl Wilson, Charles Urban, John J. Wittman, Charles Condon, C. K. Von Dousen, J. H. HaUberg, Terry Ramsaye, H. T. Edwards and Lloyd B. Willis. NELLIE PHILLIPS, GENERAL FILM, KILLED IN STREET CAR ACCIDENT Nellie Phillips, a bookkeeper employed in the General Film Company branch office at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., was killed Saturday, June 3, when a street car in which she was riding was struck by a train. Miss Phillips had been employed in the Wilkes-Barre office for more than two years and her efficiency and fidelity were highly appreciated by the General Film Company.