Moving Picture World (Aug 1919)

662 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD August 2, 1919 COMMITTEE PASSES SHIPMENT BILL Measure Soon to Come Before House Provides Return or Forwarding of Film Consignments THE House Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, on July 21, instructed its chairman, Congressman Halvor Steenerson, to make a favorable report to the House of Representatives of his bill authorizing the return to the sender or the forwarding of undeliverable second, third and fourth class mail matter. It develops that this legislation, which will mean much to the industry, was suggested by Harry Sigmond, general counsel for the Northwest Film Board of Trade, of Seattle, who secured also the assistance of Congressman John F. Miller, of that State. The Post Office Department has expressed its approval of the proposed legislation and, in fact, suggested the wording therefor. Exchanges Now Deprived of Rent. Under existing law matter other than of the first class which cannot be delivered at the post office to which it is addressed, may not be forwarded to the addressee or returned to the sender at another post office until the postage for its forwarding or return is first prepaid. This procedure necessitates the holding of such undeliverable matter at the office of original address pending notification of the addressee or the sender and the receipt of the required postage for its transmission to its ultimate destination, and the delay which necessarily is involved frequently causes inconvenience, loss and hardship to the sender or addressee, or both. In the case of parcels containing motion picture films, the owners are deprived of the rental for the films during the period they are being held for the forwarding or return postage. Matter to Bear Pledges. The Post Office Department informed Congressman Steenerson that under the circumstances it is believed that provision should be made for the prompt forwarding or return of undeliverable perishable matter and also for the return of other undeliverable fourth-class matter and that of the second and third classes bearing the pledge of the sender to pay the return postage, the collection of such postage to be made upon delivery of the matter. This would expedite the handling and disposition of such matter in the mails and would relieve the postal service of the labor and expense of sending notices that the matter is held and will be returned on receipt of the postage. "In view of these facts and the widespread demand for this postal facility as evidenced by the numerous communications concerning the subject received by the Department," said Postmaster General Burleson, "I am heartily in favor of the forwarding and return of mail under the conditions indicated and to this end recommend the enactment of legislation as follows : Wording of New Bill. "That hereafter, under such regulations as the Postmaster General may prescribe, fourth-class matter of obvious value which is of a perishable nature may be forwarded to the addressee at another post office charged with the amount of the forwarding postage, and is undeliverable to the addressee it may when such matter of a perishable nature be returned to the sender charged with the return postage : Provided, That other undeliverable matter of the second, third, and fourth classes may be forwarded to the addressee or to such other person as the sender may direct, at another post office, charged with the amount of the forwarding postage, or it may be returned to the sender charged with the return postage, when it bears the sender's pledge that the postage for forwarding and return will be paid, such postage to be collected on delivery: Provided further, That when the sender refuses to furnish such postage in accordance with his pledge, the acceptance from him of further matter bearing such pledge may be refused." Feminine Sphere in the Field of Movies Is Large Indeed, Says Clara S. Beranger o F all the different industries that have offered opportunities to women, none have given them the chance that motion pictures have," says Clara S. Beranger, scenario and continuity writer. "In every department of the industry women have shown an aptitude that has earned for them the appreciation of their superiors in the form of substantial salaries. "If women had shown that their sphere was limited in pictures then the number employed outside of purely clerical positions would have been no greater than what holds in other commercial lines. But women have scored as directors. They have shown a marked value in the creation of scenic ideas and artistic stage settings. It is also true that women who have invaded the hitherto sacred precincts given over to men of handling exchanges, have more than succeeded. Women Hold Reins in Fiction Field. "In passing judgment on the value of pictures for foreign markets, women are now being employed and so down the list. But in one particular branch women are more than holding their own and in many instances proving that the female angle is worth serious consideration and that is in the contriving of situations in building up a continuity. It is also true that women are the equal of men in writing original stories just as it is true that women today in the held of fiction are holding the reins. Na man among the current successful authors has a larger following than Mary Roberts Rinehart or Gertrude Atherton. "In the writing of picture stories women seem to have the call and just why this should be is easily understood. The largest proportion of motion picture 'fans' are women. Women writersknow better what pleases their sisters than men for has it not been true since time immemorial that men never understood women but the baby girl just beginning to toddle knows men?" Films on Sericulture Are Needed by Chinese Trade T HE United States "commerce report" for July 11 gives the information quoted below on the possibilities for American educational films in China : The following letter has been received by this office from the British Chamber of Commerce of Chefoo, China: With a view to fostering the pongeesilk industry in this district and to enlighten the Chinese as to the possibilities in the development of the scrub oak and cocoons, this chamber is desirous of exhibiting cinema pictures demonstrating the process of cultivation from the silkworm to the finished article, and my committee would deeply appreciate your services in putting us in touch with some one who could supply such pictures, especially those taken from the Chinese field of operation, which we feel sure would intensify the interest. As American mills are the principal users of the tussah silk reeled in this district, the importance of this educational movement from an American standpoint will be readily appreciated. [Firms who can supply motion pictures on this subject are requested to communicate with the American consul or direct with the British Chamber of Commerce, at Chefoo, China.] Figures Do Not Lie. 'Measured" by this view of Vera Stedman, Rainbow-Universal comedy girl, the old adage is still good. Vera is "figuring" on a new kind of dive. Anita Stewart in Vitagraph Film. Vitagraph announces that it is soon torelease an Anita Stewart feature, "Shadows of the Past." As the title would indicate, the story has to do with the efforts of three ex-convicts to tread' the straight and narrow path. As the sympathy of the spectator is with them throughout it follows naturally that they were not guilty in the first place. But the fact remains that they are jailbirds and the prey of those who would' do them harm.