Moving Picture World (Jul-Sep 1913)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 323 Third National Convention. {Continued from page 302.) I recommend a shorter program, not to exceed four reels, regardless of price. I recommend that on the twelfth day of September, 1913, the third anniversary, each member of the League contribute one dollar. I recommend that a special session of this body be devoted to the discussion of the Censor question. I recommend that all future conventions be under the supervision of the Executive Committee of the League. Taking into consideration the conditions under which wehave had to work, including a lack of funds, we have, indeed, made remarkable progress. Some plan should be devised whereby a sufficient amount of money should be in the treasury to pay the running expenses of the League. The Motion Picture Exhibitors' League, as it stands today, represents millions of dollars, and is fast becoming one of the most powerful organizations in this country. The financing of the League will, undoubtedly, be provided for in the future. I am pleased to report that harmony and good feeling prevail throughout the organization. We are thoroughly organized on a fine basis. We are co-operating with many societies for the uplift of our business; also with manufacturers of films, film exchanges and others interested in our line of business. There is no strife existing between the film manufacturers or exchanges and the Exhibitors' League. As evidence we point to the large attendance and the states represented at this splendid exposition of the arts. weekly are made. Mr. McMahon, of Connecticut, was inclined to blame New York State for some of the existing evils prevailing among exhibitors in certain sections of the East, but Mr. Friedman, of Buffalo, offered evidence in defense. It is expected that the convention will take up the question, for solution, sometime before closing. THIRD DAY'S EVENTS— THURSDAY, JUNE 10. The convention was opened Thursday morning at 11 o'clock, and the first motion carried was to the effect that the wives and children of visiting exhibitors be allowed to remain in the hall during the proceedings, except at the nomination and election of officers. A roll call of delegates was then 'in order, after which the following telegrams to president Neff, from Gov. Jas. M. Cox, of Ohio, and exSenator Jos. B. Foraker, of Cincinnati, were read: "It will be impossible now to leave Ohio. We are in the midst of the work of exposing fraud on the referendum. Must remain here, and I am determined to prosecute it to the bitter end. *'JAMES M. COX." "In all probability will be in New York to address convention. "JOSEPH B. FORAKER." It was announced by the chair that all other telegrams received during the convention would be read in due course, later. The Auditing Committee, by motion, was given thirty minutes' extra time to make its report, which was then approved and accepted by the convention. The report of the Committee on By-Laws, Minutes and Constitution was next read and accepted, and this was followed by the reading and acceptance of the report of the Ways and Means Committee. Considerable time was devoted to the discussion of the good will and welfare of the League. Mr. Boss, of Norfolk, Va., advocated 2 reels for 5 cents and 4 reels for 10 cents; Mr. Joseph, of Detroit, favored 3 for 5 cents and 5 for 10 cents; Mr. Herbst, of Washington, the elimination of airdomes, on the ground that the exhibitor who presents pictures the year round should be protected. Mr. Herbst read a resolution, approved and adopted by the Washington local. to the effect that no pictures be shown except those passed by the National Board of Censors. F. J. Rembusch, of Shelbj'ville, Ind., advocated 2 reels for 5 cents and 3 for 10 cents; Mr. Phillips, of Milwaukee, stated that his nearby competitor ran 6 reels for 5 cents, but that he had refused to run over 4 for 5 cents, regardless of competition. W. A. Corey, of California, informed the convention that when the League was organized in that State, some exhibitors were running 7 reels of pictures and 3 acts of vaudeville for 5 cents, but that 3 reels are now being run for 5 cents, and 5 for 10 cents, owing to the influence of the organization. Sam Segall. of Philadelphia, stirred the convention by the announcement that in one section of the city as many as 20 reels were offered for 5 cents, in a continuous program. Fred J. Herrington, of Pittsburgh, said that the local organization had brought about better conditions by means of the Exhibitors' Co-Operative Film Exchange, and that no less than 57 theaters in the city are owned bv the Exchanges! Mr. McMann, of Connecticut, stated that Boston programs are changed only twice weekly, while in Maine three changes Thursday Afternoon Session. Thursday afternoon session was taken up by the nomination of national officers, and lasted from 3:00 p. m. until after 6 o'clock. Before entering on the set program, the convention passed a motion limiting all nominating speeches to eight minutes and the seconding speeches to three minutes. Lem S. Miller, a delegate from Cincinnati, whose modesty has kept him in the background throughout the preceding sessions of the convention, showed his forcefulness as a speaker in his nominating speech for the re-election of M. A. Neff. It follows, in part: Nominating Speech for M. A. Neff as President. The greatest facility offered for the education and edification of mankind has come through the medium of moving pictures. They accurately record and preserve history so that In the distant future our posterity can see with their own eyes the events of the past. They bring all of the world within the vision of the humblest fo.r a modest price. The most resourceful minds have thus far produced nothing more beneficial for the common good of humanity, and their possibilities are not yet fully developed. When we think of the enormous wealth invested in producing and exhibiting motion pictures and the vast expanse of these United States, with Its millions of people, who are daily attending moving picture shows, we can, in only a limited degree, comprehend the greatness and power of the industry. As we look over this assemblage and ="" representatives present from practically every state, organized and united into concerted effort, working in harmony for a common cause, we are profoundly impressed with the master m*" ' that made this organization possible. And that Is a .sreat r and more monumental tribute to that man of genius and executive ability than thought or words can portray. This League, crowned with its vast achievements, demands a man who has proven himself worthy in the past, and who is equal in the present to be its leader of the future. The man whom I have the pleasure of nominating is personally known to every member of our League. His fame alone is not of things written or said, but of the greatness of things done. We should not be unmindful of his unselfish and untiring work; of the great personal and financial sacrifices on his part, and of his earnest and fervent devotion to our cause. Ohio places in nomination the man who has been weighed in the balance and been found not wanting — 'M. A. Neff. Mr. Robinson, president of the New Jersey League, seconded Mr. Neff's nomination. Samuel S. Trigger, president of New York City Local, named J. L. Phillips, of Fort Worth, Tex., for National President, and Mr. Phillips was seconded by Mr. Stern, of New Jersey. Mr. Phillips is known in the Lone Star State as "Happy Jack." His cowboy costume, worn at the Imperial Hotel and on the street during his present visit to the city, has excited considerable attention. In an able speech, Mr. Chamberlin, of Minnesota, next placed in nomination Wm. J. Sweeney, national vice-president of Illinois, and Mr. Phillips, of Milwaukee, was the second speaker In his behalf. There are two candidates for National Secretary — H. A. Sherman, of Minneapolis, and G. H. Wiley, of Kansas City. F. J. Herrington, of Pittsburgh, placed the former in nomination, and F. J. Rembusch. of Shelby\^ille. Ind., named the latter candidate. J. J. RIeder. of Jackson, Mich., the present National Treasurer, was nominated to succeed himself by W. A. Pittis. of Ohio. Dr. J. M. Rhodes, of Indianapolis, and J. Howard Bennett, of Baltimore, are also candidates, the former being nominated by F. J. Herrington. of Pittsburgh, and the latter by Dr. Wm. Herbst, of Washington, D. C. After the nominations were concluded, the president appointed Julius Alcock, president of Chicago Local, No. 2. to fill the place of J. M. Kauffman. of California, in the Committee on Constitution and Bylaws. In addition to Mr. Alcock. there are at present on this committee: Mr. Phillips, of Milwaukee; Mr. FInnegan, of Texas; Mr. Blumenthal. of New Jersey, and Mr. Rembusch, of Indiana." During the election of officers, at Friday morning's session, a motion will be introduced by Peter J. Jeup, Detroit, to elect a First Vice President of the National League. This will be done in order to create a head for the League, should the president die or meet with serious accident.