Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

1026 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 22 New Blow Aimed at Canadian Exhibitors Province of Ontario to Impose License Fee System Based on Number of Seats and Population FOLLOWING up the announcements by A. K. McLean, acting minister of finance for the Dominion of Canada, of the decisions of the federal government to impose a tax of fifteen cents per reel per day, and also to increase the duty on imported films from two to five cents per foot, T. W. McGarry, Ontario provincial treasurer, came across with the statement that the province of Ontario would impose a new scale of license fees "in addition to the recent dominion tax." It is expected that the new tax will net the Ontario government $100,000 per year. The license fee system has been changed from a flat charge to a tax on seats, based on the size of the local population. The new fee in all cities having a population of more than 10,000 will be 25 cents per seat. This will mean that several large Toronto theatres will pay about $400 per year. The former license fee was $150 per year in the larger centers. According to the new arrangement, there is a minimum fee of $135 per year for theatres having a seating capacity of 545 or less. In cities where the population is from 5,000 to 10,000, the license fee is 20 cents per seat. In all municipalities under 5,000 population, a provincial license fee of 15 cents per seat is charged. The povincial license fee for film exchanges has also been raised from $150 to $250 per year. Traveling picture shows will have to pay a license fee of $200 instead of $150 and they receive the same privileges as the film exchanges permanently located in the province. Even the operators have been hit by the new provincial scale. The annual license fee for projectionists was $5. They will now pay $8. The new schedule goes into effect at the end of May, when the annual dues in Ontario become payable. General Film Suit Still On The plaintiff in the $2,000,000 suit brought by the two General Film Company's preferred stockholders against virtually all of the important film producers and motion picture corporations in the country, rested its case on Friday of last week. A motion was then made by Judge Samuel Seabury, as chief of the array of legal talent representing the score of co-defendants, to dismiss the suit. Justice Mullan announced he would reserve his decision until the defendant's case had been entered. Chicago Unit Has Election The board of directors of the Chicago Unit of the Affiliated Distributors' Corporation held a meeting Monday, May 20, and elected officers for the ensuing term as follows: National directors, Joseph Hopp and Louis H. Frank; president, William E. Heaney; vice-president, W. D. Burford; secretary, H. A. Gundling; treasurer, M. A. Choynski; auditor, Sam Gold. A stockholders' meeting was called for May 22. Already fifty-four exhibitors have subscribed for stock and there are a large number of applications. Big New Chicago House Harry and Max Ascher, who, under the firm name of Ascher Brothers, operate a number of motion picture theatres in Chicago, have purchased, or leased the Inter Ocean building at 55-59 West Monroe, and will convert it into a moving picture theatre to seat 3,000 persons. This will make the second largest house in the loop, the Auditorium ranking first and Orchestra hall third. More Canadian Troubles The picture theatres of Sherbrooke, Quebec, will hold no more shows on Sundays. The Lord's Day Alliance of Canada has won its case against the local exhibitors under a Federal Blue Law which dates back several score of years. Judge Mulvena, the local magistrate, imposed fines of $20 and costs on the managers of the Casino and Princess theatres. Miss Conover with World Miss Theresa Maxwell Conover, prominent on the speaking stage, has cast her lot with World Pictures and will appear in important supporting roles. Miss Conover received her training under Augustin Daly and had prominent roles in many of the plays of Charles Frohman. Renew Goldwyn Contracts Madge Kennedy is the latest Goldwyn star to sign a new and still longer-term contract with Goldwyn Pictures Corporation, under whose name and auspices she made her successful debut in motion pictures. Mabel Normand will also continue as a Goldwyn star for a term of years. Asks Open Nominations Joseph Hopp's speech at the recent annual election of the Illinois branch of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League, in which he asked that candidates for offices be nominated from the floor and not in a committee session, is arousing much discussion. Mr. Hopp made this motion because he felt that more open and democratic methods would be better for all concerned. In his speech he stated that he was not a candidate and had no candidates but that for the good of the league he believed a more public policy should be followed in all exhibitor affairs. "We are fighting abroad to make the world safe for democracy. Why not be as democratic as possible right here in this league?" asked Mr. Hopp. "It is for the benefit of the majority. Then let everyone know what is going on." Arrange Canadian Tax Rates After consultation with leaders of the moving picture business in the Dominion, the Canadian authorities have decided to impose a duty of three cents per foot on all moving picture films imported from the United States and to collect a war tax of fifteen cents per reel per day for every day that a picture is exhibited, it is declared. The exchanges will be required to pay the three cent duty while the exhibitors will be asked to pay the fifteen cents per diem charge as their share. New Fox Office in Buffalo Official announcement from the William Fox offices states that a vast increase in business in western New York state has made necessary the opening of a new exchange of the Fox Film Corporation in Buffalo. The company's Syracuse headquarters has been closed. The address of the new Buffalo exchange is 209-211 Franklin street. Pastors Demand Censorship Having been successful in defeating Sunday shows through the recent referendum, members of the Pastors' Union at Birmingham are now seeking to have pictures censored. Michalove to New York Office Dan Michalove has been appointed manager of the New York City exchange of the Triangle Distributing Corporation, succeeding C. B. Price. Essanay Makes Food Films At the suggestion of the United States government as a means of teaching food conservation the Essanay Film Company has begun the production of six short food reels.