Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1919)

1148 Motion. Picture Newt National Association Activities Censorship Committee Gets Response Gabriel Hess, chairman of the Association's Censorship Committee, has received twenty-nine acceptances in response to a telegram requesting prominent exhibitors in forty-eight states to organize committees to co-operate with the Association. A canvass just completed shows that censorship bills have been introduced in six states, as follows: Colorado, one bill; Indiana, two bills; Massachusetts, one bill; Nebraska, one bill ; North Carolina, one bill, and New York, one bill. The states from which acceptances have been received are as follows : Colorado, Harry T. Nolan ; Delaware, Benjamin Schwartz; District of Columbia, Harry T. Crandall; Florida, C. D. Cooley; Idaho, Herman J. Brown; Indiana, Frank J. Rembusch; Iowa, A. H. Black; Kentucky, Lee L. Goldberg; Maine, Alfred S. Black; Massachusetts, Ernest H. Horstman; Michigan, John H. Kunsky ; Minnesota, Theodore Hayes; Missouri, Hector Pazamazoglu; Montana, E. M. Taylor; Nebraska, H. M. Thomas; Nevada, Dale Hurst; New Hampshire, C. H. Bean; New Jersey, Dr. H. Charles Hespe; New Mexico, James Carrigean ; North Carolina, H. B. Varner; Ohio, H. H. Lustig; Rhode Island, Chas. H. Williams; South Carolina, George C. Warner; Texas, E. H. Hulsey; Vermont, 4. R. Hutchinson; Virginia, Jake Wells; West Virginia, Chas. A. Feinler; Wisconsin, J. F. McWiTliams. Fight Still on Against Five Per Cent Tax Even though the revenue bill has been reported out by the conference committee of the Senate and House with the expectation of an early vote in its favor, the National Association is still fighting hopefully for a repeal of the five per cent tax on rentals. It is the intention to follow the plan of campaign of the Newspaper Publishers' Association and the retail merchants in fighting the postal zone tax and luxury taxes, and urge the introduction of resolutions repealing the five per cent tax when the bill reaches the floor of the Senate and House. The Association's campaign is being carried on under the active direction of Walter W. Irwin, and exchanges in every section of the country are co-operating together with exhibitors. Transportation Committee Meets Inspector W. S. Topping, of the Bureau of Explosives, was present last week at a meeting of the Association's Transportation Committee to consider the new film shipping cases. An exhaustive examination was made of shipping cases conforming to the new Interstate Commerce regulations, submitted by the various manufacturers, and four were finally selected with a view to giving them a try-out under actual working conditions. After a trial the one that stands up best will be selected with a view to standardization. A census of shipping cases now in use is being taken. Exchange managers of Cleveland requested the committee's co-operation in securing legislation permitting postmaster to THEY CAUGHT ON! Classified Ads Just the Thing for the "Boys" HHERE they are— the Classified Ads. On page 1204 are the adver^ tisements of experienced men in" their line who are coming back from the great war, some with medals and all with keen desires to get back into the industry where they left off to aid Uncle Sam. These small ads have struck the popular chord, stepping in as they do to bridge the gap between employer and employee while each is seeking the other. If you are an employer we are willing to bet two bits to the hole in a doughnut that you are going to give that job to a soldier or sailor. You'll find him among the ads on this page. This is his introduction and his loyal service is one of his recommendations. Get together in these columns and see how much cheerfulness we can mix with the business of bringing things down to normal. return C. O. D. shipments without waiting for the forwarding of the necessary' postage. Present at the meeting were, P. H. Stilson, chairman ; Frederick H. Elliott, secretary; Aiiolph DuMahant, J. V. Ward. C. C. Ryan, Lewis Innerarity, J. S. MacLeod, and A. I. Siegel. A special meeting of the members of the National Association will be held at the Times Building headquarters next Monday, February 24. The meeting will consider various amendments, including one covering the admission of exhibitors as individuals, and changes covering the number of directors representing each of the Association's five classes. Quinn Boosters Dine J. A. Quinn's Los Angeles friends held a dinner last week at the Los Angeles Athletic Club under the auspices of the Theatre Owners' Association of Los Angeles. President MacDonald was toastmaster, while representatives of local civic organizations and a few from the producing colony were present. Thanks to Famous Players David S. Niles, chief of the motion picture section of the department of the U. S. Department of Labor, has requested the privilege of thanking Famous PlayersLasky through Motion Picture News for the assistance rendered during the recent campaign for the U. S. Boys Working Reserve. Famous Players distributed, without cost, approximately ten thousand slides. Henry Scully Joins Metro in Boston (Special Correspondence to Motion Picture , News.) Henry Scully, for the past seven years New Haven branch manager for Paramount, has tendered his resignation to that corporation to join the Metro organization in Boston. Report in New Haven has it that his brother, Frank Scully, will succeed him in the Paramount post. Antonio Geronimo has sold his interests in the Alhambra Theatre, Stamford, Conn., to the Weiss Bros., well-known exhibitors of New York and Brooklyn. The theatre seats 1100 and plays highclass vaudeville and pictures. Peter Murphy, manager of . Pali's Garden Theatre, Waterbury. has been laid up with the " flu." It is said he is now recovering. The Colonial Theatre, New Canaan, Conn., was sold last week by Chick & Jones to A. Schumann, formerly advertising man at Regent Theatre, Norwalk. It is rumored as coming from very good authority that the B. F. Keith interests have purchased a piece of land next to the Davenport Hotel in Stamford where they will build a high-class vaudeville and picture theatre. Walter Griffith has been transferred from Poli's Theatre. Meriden, Conn., to take charge of the Bijou, New Haven, a larger Poli house. Mr. Vanni succeeds him at Meriden. S. Z. Poli enterprises have already laid plans for the erection of a new picture and vaudeville theatre in Waterbury. It will, perhaps, be the finest on the circuit. Manv Changes in Kansas City (Special Correspondence to Motion Picture News.) P. C. Wreath has taken over the handling of the Hodkinson Service in Kansas City. He also has the Oklahoma City branch under his jurisdiction. Mr. Wreath succeeds J. C. Shannon, who has been transferred to Dallas. Another change of management has taken place in Kansas City, W. E. Truog leaving the World desk to go to Texas and take personal charge of his oil interests. W. G. Carter is the new World manager. Leo Doty, formerly booker for the " U," is head of a newly created efficiency department, while Don Woods has succeeded him as booker. With Universal's General Managers Berman and local manager Feld both on the job, " The Heart of Humanity " was given a special midnight show last week for prominent local people. It is booked for the Shubert Theater at top prices, week of March 16. After a few weeks in Florida. Mr. Flynn. of Richards & Flynn, has returned to town. William Sievers, holder of the First National franchise for Missouri, was a recent Kansas City visitor. Felix F. Feist, Goldwyn vice-president, was a recent visitor. Rothacker Film Directors Elect Officers The annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the Rothacker Film Manufacturing Company. Chicago, was held January 28, at which meeting the following officers were elected : Watterson R. Rothacker, president ; David Beaton. Jr., vice-president; H. J. Aldous, secretary and treasurer, and J. G. Mammoser, assistant treasurer.