The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

February 7, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 863 Maryland Exhibitors Vote Against Percentage and Bond Themselves THE Governor of Maryland has promised to appoint a Baltimore exhibitor on the Censor Board of Maryland. Governor Ritchie will give a hearing to the exhibitors' side of any question which may come up pertaining to the film business in Maryland. These facts were given out in the reading of the minutes of a meeting which was held by the Exhibitors' League of Maryland on January 19, by Secretary William E. Stumpf, at the rousing meeting held by this body of exhibitors on Sunday afternoon, January 25, in the Baltimore headquarters of the league. The meeting on January 28 was called to order by President Eugene B. McCurdy. Those at the table with him included Samuel Berman, executive secretary of the New York State League; Thomas D. Goldberg, vice-president, and William M. Stumpf, secretary of the Maryland body. The minutes of the preceding meeting as well as the financial report were read by Mr. Stumpf, which were both approved and accepted by the members present. The Maryland League is well on its feet according to the financial report. According to the report of Mr. Goldberg, chairman of the Business Committee, the method of utilizing the screen for advertising slides, has proved a success and is progressing very favorably. Screen Advertising a Topic. A point was made by Mr. Goldberg, however, that if any prospective screen advertisers approach an exhibitor, he should refer them to the business committee of the league and co-operate with them so that the project will be a success. That several exhibitors had told prospective advertisers that they knew nothing about advertising on the screen as arranged by the league, had been called to his attention, said Mr. Goldberg, and this was his reason for saying what he did. Frank H. Durkee, chairman of the Legislative Committee, which also includes Frank A. Hornig and Harry Reddish, reported that as the Maryland Legislature is now in session, information about any bill or discussion which may come before that body will be communicated to him immediately. He has arranged for someone to watch out for the interests of the league. Vote Against Percentage. The new plan of percentage booking by producing companies was thoroughly condemned by those present and the following motion was made by Thomas D. Goldberg and seconded by Myer Fox: That all members of the league are not to book an/ pictures on a percentage basis and that each member of the league is to deposit $100 or the equivalent thereof, to be forfeited if they play kny picture on a percentage basis. This motion to take effect immediately for a period of one year after the signing of the necessary legal papers. A. storm was created at the meeting by that part of the motion relative to the depositing of $100 to show good faith. Those present became divided into two factions. Discussion Over Percentage. Frank Durkee lead the one against that part of the motion which was originally introduced as an amendment and later incorporated in the motion which was suggested by Goldberg, moved by Rome and seconded by Pacey The other side was lead by Thomas Goldberg. A heated discussion between the two factions followed and a vote was taken. Of the 34 members voting, 20 favored the motion while 14 were against it. So the motion was adopted. Mr. Pacey then suggested that a committee be appointed to interview the various members as to who would back it up, and Frank H. Durkee, Myer Fox and Marion S. Pearce were appointed. Stirring speeches were made by Samuel Berman and Thomas D. Goldberg relative to the danger to be incurred by percentage booking. Some of the shots that Mr. Goldberg put over were : Goldberg Fires Hot Shot. It is none of the producer's business what the expenses of a theatre are. What right has a producer to see the books of any theatre. We want to buy pictures on a flat basis and let the producer figure his overhead and charge accordingly. Pictures should be sold like any other merchandise, so that producer and exhibitor can make a fair profit. No other manufacturers ask to see the books of the retailers, and banks are the only people who want itemized statements and that is because they are lending you money. The producers do not offer to help make up your losses. Mr. Berman sounded a warning to the exhibitors by stating that the profits to the theatre manager or owner, if they accepted the percentage booking proposition, would in a short time, not be a fifty-fifty proposition, but would probably be a 75-25 per cent, basis — 75 per cent, being in favor of the producer. "It may come to the point where there will never be a flat rate again for booking pictures, if the percentage basis gains headway," he said. He also stated that he had been down south recently to get a line on business conditions and he found most of the exhibitors very nervous relative to business at the present time and explained that the Lynch interests had bought out 176 theatres. Berman Sounds a Warning. How the owner is approached and his theatre bought, notes being given, and then the profits of the theatre being used to pay ofif the notes, which practically means that the theatres pay for themselves, Mr. Berman explained. Louis Schlichter said that only recently in New York he had heard someone connected with a producing company brag about how the percentage basis had been put over in Baltimore and what big chumpj they were. Mr. Berman next spoke about adver tising reels that are now being produced by a certain company regularly, which are rented through state leagues to exhibitors on a fifty-fifty basis and half the rental thereof being given to the league for its territory A list of names which are to be submitted to Governor Ritchie, from which he is to make a selection for an exhibitor to be appointed on the censor board was made up. The next appointment for the censor board that will be vacant will be the chairman of the board As the Democratic party is now in power in Maryland, it was decided that this appointment would have to be a Democrat, so all the names on the list are staunch Democrats. Governor Shows Fairness. When Governor Ritchie spoke to the exhibitors at the meeting on January 19, he is reported to have said that he was willing to co-operate with all businesses and industries in the state of Maryland regarding their troubles and complaints But he wanted a man who was in the business to come and talk to him rather than have someone outside of the industry talk to him as its representative. There is also a chance, it is understood, to have an exhibitor of Baltimore appointed on the State Board of Moving Picture Operator Examiners. Harry Cluster and Louis A. DeHoff were the names mentioned for this appointment. Elect Officers and Directors. Next the election of officers and Board of Directors for ensuing year was held and the following members were unanimously chosen : Eugene B. McCurdy, president; Thomas D. Goldberg, vice-president; J. Louis Rome, treasurer, and William E. Stumpf, secretary. Sixteen names were nominated for election to the board of directors, and an election followed with the result that the seven members were elected as follows : Charles A. Hicks, Walter Pacey, Frank H. Durkee, Frank A. Hornig, Louis Schlichter, Benjamin Cluster and Wallace High. List of Those Present Those present at the convention were: Harry Morstein, Wallace High, Arthur B. Price, Harry Reddish, Myer Fox, Vincent Valentini, Miss Ulman, Mr. Ulman, J. Louis Schlichter and Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Miller. William Kolb, Charles Nolte, Frank Holmes, Guy L. Wonders, Frank H. Durkee, C. A. Hicks, Joseph Brodie, M. A. Berger, Harry Cluster and Joseph Fields. William Tyler, Frank A. Hornig, Louis A. DeHoflF, Ben Cluster, Marion S. Pearce, Phillip Scheck and Greenburg Brothers. W. E. Stumpf, E. B. McCurdy, Milton Caplon, B. Rosenbear, Mr. Strobele, J. Louis Rome, Morris A. Rome, M. T. Eiser, J. Rabinovich, Walter Pacey, R. L. Byrum and Julius Goodman. 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