Moving Picture World (May 1919)

May 3, 1919 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 643 FIRST NATIONALS HOLD CONVENTION Second Annual Gathering Brings Exchange Managers Into New York to Devise New Method for Go-operation — With One Exception Entire Board of Directors Is Re-elected, with James D. Williams Again Ghosen as Gircuit Manager AT the Hotel Astor matters First National centered and seethed from Easter Sunday until Wednesday evening, April 23, when the second annual convention of franchise owners in the First National Exhibitors' Circuit was held. Coincident with these sessions the managers of the circuit met in their first conclave. In both divisions the delegates worked continuously for three days, stopping only for luncheon and dinner, the social features being also interspersed with such matters of business as might be openly discussed. ' Announcements of importance to franchise holders and picture showmen who serve the public with First National attractions were made during the three days' session. Marshall Neilan will begin work on a series of special features in July, the first issue being promised for an early date in October. Charles Ray has been placed under contract to become a First National star January 1 next, meanwhile finishing off his present engagement with Thomas H. Ince by making eight releases between now and the end of the current year. Paid Up Capital Stock Increased. The capital stock was increased from $50,000 to $150,000, the additional allotments being subscribed to immediately. The election of officers and directors resulted in only one change in the directorate. At the personal request of Walter F. Hayes, he was replaced on the board by Ralph Clark, of New York, other interests demanding Mr. Hayes' undivided attention. James D. Williams was re-elected manager of First National for another year and Harry Schwalbe continues as secretary-treasurer. The exchange managers decided to form the First National Sales Club and to meet with the franchise holders in subsequent annual conventions here in New York. James D. Williams was elected president of the exchange men's organization, with Harry Weiss, of Chicago, secretary. It was determined that a "house organ" should be published as essential to the efficacy of the Sales Club, und to this end C. L. Yearsley vves made publisher and Earl Hudson editor of the "booster" sheet to be published at weekly intevals and bearing the message of co-operation that has built up the First National to its present enviable station in the film market. Exchange Men Form Sales Club. It is a striking tribute to Mr. Williams that he was chosen to head the Sales Club without consulting him. Likewise did the exchange managers express their appreciation of the help Messrs. Yearsley and Hudson have given them in insisting upon their running the new publication. When Lieut. Jim Anderson made these announcement on behalf of his co-workers he declared that the exchange men demanded these men and would not countenance any declinations. While "work" was the slogan of the joint conventions, "play" was not entirely eliminated ; but the delegates stayed under the shelter of their own hotel roof to gambol at two luncheons and two dinners, the Tuesday evening meal really being worthy of classification as a banquet, when both exchange managers and franchise owners assembled in the Belvidere Room to eat, to listen to several felicitous addresses and to be entertained by professional singers delegated by Waterson, Berlin & Snyder, publishers of several vocal numbers that are based on the titles of First National Film features. James D. Williams Greatly Popular. Here it was that James D. Williams came in for the presentation of a mas sive silver cup, a tribute from the exchange managers. The inscription on the beautiful token tells the whole story: "To Our Dynamo." Lieut. James Anderson, on behalf of the exchange managers, made the presentation speech, while Harry Weiss presented the cup. There was an impelling note of sincerity and earnestness in Lieutenant Jim's tribute to Mr. Williams, and in acknowledging his personal gratitude for the gift the manager of the First National voiced the appreciation of the franchise owners for the concerted efforts of the exchange managers, who have worked enthusiastically in building up, in a little more than a year, a business of the importance and influence in the trade First National has achieved. Delegations Join in Banqueting. During the early period of banqueting, Col. Fred Levy, of Louisville, held the gavel and interjected a spirit of convivial brightness into the occasion by his conspicuously easy and magnetic methods and manners. Later on President Lieber assumed command only to impress the spirit of earnestness that pervaded the convention by calling the franchise holders into an evening session, but not until the menu had been disposed of and the banquet had reached its happy conclusion. It was conspicuously noticable that the First Nationalites had come here to get down to business and dispose of matters swiftly and thoroughly. What happened in the meetings of the franchise holders is not of record, but the exchange managers met forenoon, afternoon and evening in sessions that are declared to have been inspired by the co-operative spirit that has brought First National to the front in speedy order. Trade newspaper men got their only If "The Road Called Straight" Leads to the So ene on the Right, We'll Take a One-Way Ticket. Louis Bennison in the Betzwood feature released through Goldwyn is an apostle of the straight and narrow path.