Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1916)

3014 MO TION PIGTU RE NEW S Vol. 14. No. 13 'Exhibitor Complains of Treatment by Inconsiderate "Releasing Companies Rolla, Missouri, Aug. 25, 1916. .Wm. A. Johnston, Esq., New York City. My dear Sir : I read with much interest the two letters-, you pubHshed in your September 2nd , issue of Motion Picture News, regarding Federal tax and the manner that releasing companies are treating exhibitors. The Federal tax having been settled by the Senate for the time being, I wish to back up the letter of Mr. H. L. S. Robinson of Bedford, Va. He has the right spirit to make a good exhibitor, which, notwithstanding the releasing companies, there are more " good " than " bad " exhibitors. I have been in the game a little over three years, long enough to see that the releasing companies " are killing the goose that lays the golden eggs " for them. Not so long ago, advertising matter was free, express was paid one way, and we were extended a line of credit. Now every film company charges an exhorbitant rate for paper, force exhibitor to pay express both ways, pay in advance, and several of them demanding a deposit. Had the releasing companies improved their service, according to the extra charges, it would have been for the betterment of the business, but the paper (from some of them) comes out in the same old ragged condition. The photos may or may not come at all, and should they come, THE following notice has been sent out to all the exhibitors in the State of New Jersey : Dear Sir : A convention for the purpose of effecting an organization of the exhibitors of the State of New Jersey has been called by the Hudson and Essex 'County organization for October 4, 11 A. M., at Achtelsteller's Hall, 842 Broad ■street, Newark, New Jersey. It is imperative that all of the counties in the state be represented, and that you attend as matters directly affecteing your business will be thoroughly discussed, such as the abolition of the deposit system ; the reduction of electric light and power rates as has been accomplished by the New York exhibitors ; the correction of arbitrary practices by some of the film exchanges and the submission of a comprehensive, political and legislative program for the coming season. Mayor Thomas L. Raymond, of Newark, will make the opening address and such men as William A. Brady, president of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry ; Lee A. Ochs, president of the M. P. E. L. of America; W. W. Irwin, general manager of V.L.S.E. ; W. Stephen Bush of the Moving Picture World; William A. Johnston of Motion Picture News and H. H. Hill of the C. and C. Electric and Manufacturing Company, will address the meeting on topics of vital interest. The gubernatorial candidates of New Jersey have been invited. the advertising clerk has been too careless to sec that they belong to the picture you have ordered ; the films booked and paid for will come, providing the releasing company received them back from the previous exhibitors ; they may or may not have been examined; all haphazard, no system ; their one and only idea is to charge, send your bill, get the money, and then let you hold the bag. The exhibitors of to-day, owing to competition, have to invest more money for buildings and equipment, more money for pictures, as patrons' tastes have improved, and must charge the same prices of adtnission as of old, while the releasing companies are gouging them on all sides. The only method of release from this petty tyrany of the releasing companies is for exhibitors to be honest in their dealing with the film companies, and pick out from the bunch those who are giving us the squarest deal, for organization amongst all the small exhibitors seems almost an impossibility. I trust you will see fit to publish this letter in your invaluable Motion Picture News, as I know it will be read by the majority of motion picture interests. Thanking you for the great opportunity of using your valuable columns for the exhibitor as well as the releasing companies. Yours, etc., Fred W. Smith. A luncheon will be served in which you are invited to participate. If unable to attend, please be sure and write a letter to Secretary F. J. Leschke, 967 Summit avenue, Jersey City, N. J., stating whether you are in accord with the movement and wish to join a state organization. By order of H. Charles Hespe, president of the Hudson County Exhibitors, and B. Stern, president of the Essex County Exhibitors. [Signed] F. J. Leschke, Secretary. AT a meeting held last week. New York Local No. 1 of the Motion Picture Exhibitors League of America, made further plans in connection with the ball to be given under the auspices of the National body, in Madison Square Garden, New York City, on Nevember 29. A committee of arrangements was appointed, and this body has already contracted with G. H. Masten and Company to decorate the interior of the Garden at a cost of $6,000. Producers and accessory manufacturers have already given assurance of their support and some have gone so far as to contract for space at this early date. These include, V-L-S-E, Nicholas Power, Precision Machine, General Decorating Company, Masten and Company, Charles LUCAS VISITS CAPITAL CITY FOR TRIANGLE special to Motion Pictvke NEWf. Washington, D. C, Sept. 16. Arthur .'Lucas, general district manager for Triangle, was a recent visitor in the Capitol City. He found Triangle matters in tiptop shape under the local management of J. H. Butler, but declared that the offices were only temporary and would be moved as soon as more suitable quarters could be secured. As Mr. Lucas was a former local exchangeman in Washington he took occasion to visit several of his former associates and friends. Film circles generally always welcome the periodical visits of Mr. Lucas. From his offices at 708 Thirteenth street, Mr. Butler is making Triangle productions more popular with the picture patrons and more possible with the exhibitor. Washington is well represented with these features, is is also the territory under the control of the local office. BRING SUIT TO STOP THEATRE DEAL George W. Mercer and Walter St. John are the defendants in a suit filed in the District Court, Des Moines, la., recently by Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Rathbun, the controversy arising from a deal wherein Mercer and St. John sold the Rathbuns the Alamo theatre there, now operated by Grace Wiley. The plaintiffs charge that they paid $3,600 for the theatre, $500 cash, some real estate and $1,880 in notes. The suit is for the purpose of restraining the defendants from disposing of said notes, the Rathbuns claiming that the place was not worth more than $500. EXHIBITORS AND EXCHANGE MEN IN DETROIT HOLD MEET Sj'ccial to Motion Picture News. Detroit, Mich., Sept. 16. Exhibitors and exchange managers to the number of fiftten met at the Griswold Hotel, Tuesday afternoon, September 12, and decided to drop the idea of a joint organization, but to have committees from each branch work together for the uplift and protection of the motion picture business in Detroit and Michigan. Mayer, B. S. Moss, Lewis J. Selznick. Excelsior Illustrating Company, and Al Harsten. The committee of arrangements follows : General Committee. I. N. Hartstall, L. F. Blumenthal and William Hilkemeier; Reception Committee, Lee A. Ochs ; Arrangement Committee. I. N. Hartstall ; Entertainment Committee, L. F. Blumenthal ; Ticket Committee. William Hilkemeier; Floor Committee, Chas. Steiner ; Badge Committee. Otto Lederer; Decorations Committee, Chas. Haring; Music Committee, Gus Koenigswald ; Press, Publicity and Program Committee, Thos. Howard ; Master of Ceremonies, S. H. Trigger ; Invitation Committee. C. R. Martineau, and Wardrobe Committee, Ben J. Lyons. State Convention of New Jersey Exhibitors Set for October 4; Mayor of Neivark to Address Gathering New York League Develops Plans for Ball in NovemberCommittee of Arrangements Makes Contract to Decorate Garden