Moving Picture World (July-Dec 1909)

4io THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD National Independent Moving Picture Alliance Important Meeting at Chicago, September 18-19, 1909. There have for a long time been attempts in the Indej.endent movement to accomplish a concentration of Independent forces and establish an organization of strength — a united body — to carry the Independent cause to decided success, but the Independents have always heretofore lacked one necessary element of success — unity of purpose. Indications of unusual activity have been very marked of late that there was something doing in the way of organiza ' tion. The formation of the United Film Mfg. Co. and the meeting in Chicago August 26 was the embryo of an organization that began to assume a distinct character. Film men from every part of the country met here and exchanged ideas to decide" what steps should be taken. A committee of by-laws, with Wm. H. Swanson, Maurice Fleckles and Luke II. Mithcn as officers, was appointed. An organization committee was also appointed, with J. W. Morgan, Joplin, Mo., chairman; H. Fischtcnberg, of Dixie Film Co., New Orleans, vice-chairman; J. Schuchat. of U. S. Film, Chicago, secretary, and G. F. Kearney, of Wolverine Film Exchange; R. G. Rachman, of 20th Century Opt. Co., Chicago; H. D. Brackett, Detroit, Mich.: Manager Pacific Film Exchange, Seattle, Wash.; C J. Sherer, of Bijou Amusement Co., Kansas City, Mo.; H. McMahon, of Cincinnati Film Exchange, Cincinnati, and A. S. Davis, of Independent Film Exchange, Pittsburg, members. The meeting resolved to call a general convention in Chicago, at the Sherman House, 10:30 A. M., September II, and for the committee to have plans of the new organization mapped out to be presented for the approval of the convention. Invitations were issued by the entertainment committee, composed of Wm. H. Swanson, J. W. Morgan and R. G. Bachman. There was an earnest hope among the men that started this movement that everybody should come and September 11. when the convention assembled, there was a representation that spoke strongly for the Independent cause. The meeting assembled in one of the luxurious reception halls of the new La Salle Hotel. The Sherman House closed that very day for reconstruction. Few were notified of this alteration and everybody went first to the Sherman House from where they had to be directed to the new place of the meeting. This and other things took considerable time and it was after 2 o'clock before Chairman Swanson announced that the meeting was opened. Chairman Swanson called the meeting to order and requested everybody present, as the first step on the programme, to register, which took place in the following order: LIST OF DELEGATES. Motion Picture Supply Co., Rochester, N. Y.: Savannah Film Co., Savannah. Ga., Arthur Lucas; Empire Film Co., New York. A. Kessel. Jr.; Electric Film F,\\. New York. Jas. L. Mclntire: International Film Co., Chas. W. Bauman; Wolwercine Film Ex., Detroit. Mich., Ceo. F. Kearney; World Film Mfg. Co.. Portland, Ore. S. Atkinson: Chicago Film Ex.. Chicago. Max Lewis: Cincinnati Film. Cincinnati. O., McMahon & Jackson; Michigan Film and Supplq Co.. Detroit. Midi.. Louis C. Wnrzer. Wm. J. Klatt; Consoldated iAni. Co Baltimore, Md., IT. A. Fitzgerald; Eureka Film Ex.. Akron. 0.. P. D. Stratton; Bijou Film. Kansas City, Mo., C. J. Scherer: Toledo Film Ex.. Toledo o H. F. Smith: Oklahoma Film Ex'.. Okla. City. Okla., M. C. G. Fearis Independent Film Ex.. Pittsburg, A. S. Davis; Ind. West & Ex., Portland Ore L. Truscott; Eldred Film Service. Chicago, A. I. Eldred: Acme Film Ex Pittsburg Pa., W. N. Barlow, J. Frank Hatch; Central Film Supply Saginaw. Midi.. W. S. Smith: U. S. Film Ex.. Chicago. J. M. Hayes. ,T." Schuchat: Wm. II. Swanson. St. Louis Film Co.. Jos. W. Engel: Wm. H. Swanson & Co Chicago, Wm. II. Swanson: Swanson's Omaha Film Co.. W. H. Rwnnson: Snroeketless Proi. Camera, A. F. Hamacek; Billboard, Chicago, Watersori I? Rothaeker: Nickelodeon, Chicago, A. P. Cock: Nickelodeon. Chicago. Paul II. Woodruff; Nickelodeon. Chicago. R. M. Mock; Camera. NonTuf New York. A. Meredith Jones: Peerless Kinetoiraph, Oshkosh. Wis.. ' \ Knaak; Billboard, Chicago, A. W. Jackson: Hoard of Examination. M p operators Chicago. Wm. II. Havill. Pros.: Moving Picture News. New York Ufred M Saunders: Moving Picii.ro World. Chi. -ago. G. P. von Ilarle,,.,.,■ Moving Picture World. Chirac. I. A. Marcus: Show World. Chicago, Warren A. Patrick; Show World. Chicago, Claude R. Erhy: Phoenix Film. Chicago \ W Rubel; Columbia Cinematograph Co.. Petersburg, Va., Dr. i: v Gamble: J"' Patent Camera. New York: Croat Northern Film Co.. Wvv York. Trigvnld E. Oes; Motiograph Picture Mach.. New York: U. S. Film Mf„ Co Beley Cermanatte; New York Motion PMure Co., New York. E. 0. Banman" Columbia Film Mfg. Co.. New York. 1. W. fllman: American Photo Motogranh Co . New Y...I;. A. T. Moore; International P. P. Co.. Chicago. I t Murdock; Geo. E. Knaak Co. (cameras), Milwaukee Wis.. W. E. Jones; lTar-.ni & Co.. New York, L. Ilarsln: New Encland Film Ex.. Boston. L. Rarstn Keystone Film Co.. Scranton, Pa.: Granite Film Co.. Burlington. Yt.: Dl ie Film Co Mew Orleans. La.. IL Fisohtonl.org: American Film Ex.. Pittsi.hi I toes ). Rellly; Southern Film Ex.. Cincinnati. 0.. James L. Iloilly: I aemmle Film Service, Chicago, M. Fleckles; Imp. Film Mfg. Co.. Chion >. M Fleckles; Golden Gate Film F\.. San Francisco. L. Lesser: Wagner film Co St Louis Mo.. T. Wagner: J. W. Morgan, Joplin. Mo.. J. W. Morgan: Villi Trnsi Film Co.. Chicago, C. R. Plough: Eugene Cline Co., Chicago. Eugene Cline; Ink.' II. Milken. Chicago: Texas Film Ex.. Dallas. Tex E. W. Peters Snperior Film Ex.. Toledo. 0., Less: Unique Film Co.. Chicago. Clint. .ie Film Imoorl and Trading Co.. 0. M. Freeman: Lnmiere. New i. ork. Brulatour 20th Cent. Opt.. Chicago, n. G. Bachmann: 20th Cent. Opt.. Kaniiv. IL G. Laehmann: Western Film Mfg. Co.. Baker; Indianapolis Cal. Light Co.. W. M. Swain. Several persons arrived during the course of the meeting and completed the list with a total number of 70 members present. The registration showed at the opening of the meeting a representation of 39 film exchanges, 10 manufacturers and importers, 5 camera and projecting machine manufacturers and 10 representatives of press and other interests. Seated at the table with the chairman was -Maurice Fleckles, A. T. Aioore, G. Schuchat, J. W. Morgan and Luke H. Mithen. The chairman introduced Mr. J. J. Murdock, of the International P. P. Co., to the meeting with a few remarks as to the important part Mr. Murdock had taken in the Independent movement. The chairman also introduced Mr. Wm. H. Havill, president of the Board of Exam. Mov. Pic. Operators in Chicago. Mr. Havill made a brief address in regard to the purpose and work of the examining board and the value of efficient operators. Mr. Alfred Harstn was appointed sergeant-at-arms. The chairman read the following, which had been drafted by the organization committee as the platform of the association : Purpose of the Organization. Section 1. The name of this Association shall be National Impendent Moving Picture Alliance. Section 2. This Association is organized for the purpose of promoting and safeguarding the interests of the film manufacturers and film renters of the United States, of their customers, the exhibitors and that portion of the public who patronize the moving picture shows; Of creating and fostering good-fellowship and friendly feeling among those engaged in the business and to acquaint each other with the advancement and progress made in the business so that all may work harmoniously in making the business a great educational and moral for|'; Of improving the moral and artistic character as well as the photographic and pictorial quality of the films and other devices used for the renting business by offering approval and reward by notice and publication to its members and exhibitors at large through its proper officers; By exerting its influence iu preventing, in all lawful ways, the passage of oppressive local ordinances and State legislation and of furnishing funds by which to test the legality of such ordinances and State legislation as well as claims of others it may deem illegal; Of checking and correcting those evils which at present threaten the stability and permanency of the business such as misrepresentations, copyrights, duplicating and renting obsolete and worn-out film, sub-renting by circumvention and fraud, and correcting such other evils and impositions as may appear from time to time and become public; Of preventing the production, sale and renting of suggestive, obscene, immoral or highly sensational films so that all films exhibited shall be such as give improved character and dignity to the business and remove all the cause for harsh criticism which it has had in the public press; Of giving legal protection to members in eases where their property may be in jeopardy or unjustly and illegally confiscated or retained or enjoined or in such other cases as may affect the interest of the trade as a whole; Of using its influence to compel film manufacturers by reward and merit and by inducement to heighten the moral and artistic character as well as the photographic and pictorial qualities of their film used for renting business; Of preventing the use by any film renting concern of any name similar to or liable to be mistaken for the name of any member of the Association irrespective of where they may be located, and in case of such conflicting names already existing, to endeavor to adjust the matter that only one concern will make use of and do business under any stated name. Of preventing any manufacturer, film exchange or other person from advertising or holding out to the public that inferior film manufactured and put upon the market is duplicated or copied or renovated old film in order to heighten his own production, as such statements scandalize and discredit the legitimate film renting business; Of preventing the duplication of film and of recognizing the right of the original manufacturer both foreign and American to have the benefit of his production; Of promoting the use by exhibitors of such means and appliances as will furnish ample protection to their film as well as adequate protection to their audience against fire; Of acquiring and distributing among members information as to any disreputable conduct on the part of schemers Or impostors who may impose upon film exchanges or manufacturers and furnish such information as to the credit and reliability of their customers and as to the mauner in which ihey use and treat rented film; And of using all legitimate means to further the interests of the manufacturers of film and exchanges or renting concerns and the manufacture of such sun. Iri.s ami accessories as are incident to the business, and to further the interest of all members of this Association and improve general trade conditions. The chairman then addressed the meeting with a desire (hat everybody lay aside personal feeling and work in harmony to make a stride this time that would bring success to the Independent movement; keeping before the eye the mistakes of the old association and trying to solve the problem now before them. The speaker expressed his desire to hear from everybody. With so many present certainly some good ideas would develop that should be to the benefit for us all. The chairman then read a letter from the Moving Picture World which expressed the editor's regret not being able to attend but wishing the meeting all success and hoping the Independents this time would come together and accomplish something of benefit for themselves and the moving picture business.