Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1918)

488 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 26, 1918 Manhattan Exhibitors Elect Officers Annual Meeting of Local No. 1 Held Thursday, Jan 10. Will Seek New Headquarters. MANHATTAN Exhibitors' Local No. 1 held its annual meeting for the election of officers on Thursday, Jan. 10, at 1 P. M., at its rooms, 218 West 42d street, New York City. The following slate was unanimously elected: John Manheimer, of Brooklyn, president; Charles O. Reilly, of Yorkville, New York, first vice president; Sol Coleman, of Bronx, second vice president; Ben Kelly, of Queens, third vice president; David Weinstock, Manhattan, financial secretary; Sidney Ascher, secretary; Morris Needle, Manhattan, treasurer; Gus Koemgswald, Brooklyn, sergeant-at-arms. The retiring president, C. R. Martineau, was given a rising vote of thanks for the efficient and impartial manner in which he had administered the unexpired term of his predecessor — a well deserved compliment to Mr. Martineau, who had conducted his office in a most creditable way and held the organization together through one of its most trying periods. The committee appointed to secure new quarters for the league made its report and said it had under consideration a building near the Godfrey building, West 49th street, which was eminently suited for the purpose. The committee will again report on this site at a special meeting to be held early in the week of Jan. 13. It is very likely the league will decide upon this location as a permanent club house. Grant Anson called attention to the Sunday opening case to be argued before the Court of Appeals in February and the bill to be brought before the New York Legislature on the same subject. He advised immediate preparation for meeting these movements. It was stated by one of the members that the National Association of the M. P. Industry had these matters under way and would prepare to meet them. Report of Treasurer Needle showed that the league has a considerable amount to its credit in bank. NEW YORK STATE MEETING IN NEW YORK CITY. The officers of the New York State Motion Picture Exhibitors' League have decided to change their place of holding their annual convention from Buffalo to New York City during exposition of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry and the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America, at the Grand Central Palace, on February 2-10. This announcement was made by State President T. A. Buettner, requesting the endorsement of National President Lee A. Ochs. Notice will be sent to all the members of the organization in due course of time. BAY STATE MEN MEET JANUARY 22. The adjourned mass meeting and banquet of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island branch of the National League will be held at the Quincy House, Boston, oh Tuesday, January 22, at 6 p. m. Tickets for the banquet, which may be had from E. R. Gregory at 127 Pleasant street, are $2.50 each. One of the matters of importance to come before the meeting will be the descent of the Boston Boosters on the New York convention the first week in February. H. B. VARNER ILL. Hon. Henry B. Varner has been confined to his home at Lexington, N. C, for several days by sickness. Mr. Varner had made plans to remain in Washington almost the entire month of January, starting January 1, in his capacity as legislative chairman of the national organizations, but has been delayed in going on account of his indisposition. However, he expects to-be able to go to his post this week and will remain until the North Carolina convention, in Raleigh, to be held January 17 and 18. DETROIT EXHIBITORS MEET WEEKLY. The Detroit branch of the A. E. A., now meeting weekly at the Board of Commerce, has added the luncheon feature to its meetings. In other words, the members can now come at 12 o'clock and have their lunch at the building and later go into a private room for its business meeting. The combination is proving quite an attraction to the members judging from the increased attendance each week. Thursday is meeting day. North Carolina Convention Date Meeting at Raleigh Will Be Held January 17 and 18 — Important Matters to Come Up. PRESIDENT PERCY W. WELLS has named Wednesday and Thursday, January 17 and 18, as the dates for holding the semi-annual convention of the North Carolina Exhibitors' Association, and every effort will be made to gather together a large percentage of the exhibitors of the state to go into session with the organization upon some of the gravest problems which ever confronted the industry of the nation and of the state. Raleigh is the place, this having been decided upon at the annual convention last July, this city being selected because it is the State Capital and the State Legislature will be in session at that time. Several legislative matters of serious import to the industry in the state will engage a major portion of the sessions of the convention and an effort will be made to obtain immediate audiences with the various legislative committees touching on these matters while the convention is in session and thus obtain immediate action. An important matter to come before the North Carolina exhibitors at this meeting will be the taking of formal action toward withdrawing from the M. P. E. L. of A. and alligning with the American Exhibitors' Association, and it is the concensus of opinion that the convention will be unanimous upon taking this formal action, notwithstanding the fact that conciliatory sessions between the two organizations at the recent Washington gathering led many to believe that there would be an amalgamation of the two in the near future. However, leaders in North Carolina put forth the argument that two organizations, both strong within themselves, and which will work together in harmony when grave and serious things are to be considered, can accomplish more than a single organization. Another argument put forth is that the presence of two organizations of national scope in the field will tend to keep out petty politics, which has so largely dominated the old league heretofore and changed it from an instrument of power and good into a worthless plaything. As this is the first gathering of Tar Heel exhibitors since the Chicago "bolt," and as two of the North Carolinians, Messrs. H. B. Varner and Percy W. Wells, were prime movers in the framing of the new organization, their attitude at this time will be awaited with much interest, but it is known that Mr. Varner has never become thoroughly imbued with any enthusiastic good fellowship toward the old league since the Chicago proceedings. It is presumed that the pledge of North Carolina's support given to the A. E. A. in Chicago will be formally carried out. Mr. Varner, however, as general legislative chairman for the entire industry at Washington, is representing both the old and the new organizations, and is entering heart and soul into the work before him without any thought whatever of pulling down or boosting either of the organizations, and those who know the man feel certain that nothing but absolute harmony will prevail in his attitude and actions toward and with the two organizations. There are many North Carolina exhibitors who were "fighting mad" right after the Chicago convention who now entertain much more kindly feelings toward the National League, since accomplishments of the past six months have shown them that there is a chance for it to yet be of great value to the industry through proper and sane conduct and management. Another matter which will probably be brought before the convention will be the question as to whether or not North Carolina will be officially represented at the Madison Square convention and exposition to be held in February. No doubt many exhibitors from the state will attend, but whether as official delegates or not will be settled at the Raleigh convention. Convention headquarters will be established at the Yarborough Hotel, and as hotel facilities are always congested at the State Capital during legislative sessions reservations should be made by wire at once. CLEVELAND LEAGUE ELECTION. Cleveland League elected a new set of officers last week. Henry Lustig, president; R. H. Gray, vice president; Joseph Lefkowich, secretary; Adolph Mahrer, treasurer. They were installed immediately and Mr. Lustig in a speech says he intends to rule the league with an iron hand in an effort to build up strong local organization and will not give much time to National or State organizations until this work is completed.