The Moving picture world (November 1921)

December 3, 1921 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 531 Censorship Representative Is Visiting Theatres to See If Exhibitors Heed Law VISITING Syracuse, Oswego, Hudson, Amsterdam, Schenectady and Troy, Ansel W. Brown, head of the Albany bureau of the New York State Motion Picture Commission, spent the past week in an effort to locate films which are being shown without the seal or permit of the commission. At the conclusion of his trip, Mr. Brown declared that without exception the managers of both picture theatres and exchanges showed "the fullest co-operation." In Schenectady, Mr. Brown found two films in one of the houses which had been received that morning from an Albany exchange and which were without the required seals. There had been no attempt on the part of the management of this house to run the pictures, said Mr. Brown who further explained matters by saying that when he entered the house the man in charge of the operating room spoke of having received the two films without seals, and informed him that the manager had instructed him not to run the pictures at any cost. It is Mr. Brown's plan to continue his work of inspection along the main line of the New York Central clear through to Buffalo. In some of the larger cities, he will probably be required to spend three or four days, and possibly longer, if he makes the rounds of the outlying houses. Mr. Brown's mode of procedure in visiting the theatres is invariably the same. After presenting his pass, which entitles him to admission, he generally proceeds directly to the operating booth, where he watches the running of the pictures, as well as examines any films which may be on hand. Later on, he locates the manager of the house and goes over the law with him. Little activity is necessarily manifest around the Albany office of the Commission, Mr. Brown being the only one occupying the room, and his duties require his being out of the city the good part of the time. Later on it is expected that filing cases will be installed in this office and records which are the duplicate of the New York bureau will be kept there for use when occasion requires. Plan Picture House for Exclusive Chevy Chase Chevy Chase, Washington's most exclusive suburb, is to have a picture theatre early next year, according to plans of the Chevy Chase Amusement Corporation. The amusement company has secured a site on Connecticut avenue, between McKinley and Northampton streets, practically in the center of the suburb, and will begin construction about December 1. The new theatre will seat 1,150 persons. 800 ot whom will be accommodated on the orchestra floor. In addition, there will be a dance hall above the theatre proper, which will accommodate 500 persons. JOHN BARRYMORE in "The Lceus Eaters," a First National Attraction. St. Louis Film Exchanges Establish a Taxi Service St. Louis film exchanges have solved the shipment problem in at least a part of their territory. About a month ago a taxi service was installed between St. Louis and Fredericktown, Mo., and it has already demonstrated its feasibility. The rates are slightly more than parcel post, but the service is from two to three days quicker on a round trip basis. The company sends two trucks out of St. Louis on the film service daily, while six trips for passengers are also made. The film cars leave at midnight and noon. Returning they leave Fredericktown at 4 a. m. and 4 p. m. Films that leave at noon are back in the exchange the next day at 9 a. m. A $500 bond guaranteeing service has been posted by the taxi company. In addition, it pays the exhibitor $50 for any week day show and $75 for a Saturday or Sunday performance he loses because of any fault of the company. It also pays the exchange rental for the film on lost shows. Fight Carnivals An agitation has sprung up in Ontario against traveling carnival companies and a resolution has been prepared which will be presented to the Ontario Government, asking for the enactment of legislation to prohibit the operation of carnivals in Ontario. Exhibitors are heartily in support with the movement. The carnivals were lirst permitted to operate under patriotic auspices on a percentage basis, hut during the past year or two it has been found that the carnivals take a lot of money out of a community. Many Months Will Elapse Before Permanent Tariff Measure Is Enacted POSSIBLY six months will elapse before a permanent tariff measure is enacted, according to leaders in Congress, who realize the futility of attempting to rush this measure through as was done with the revenue bill. While the revenue bill can be amended at any time without great difficulty, the amendment of a tariff law is a more complicated problem, and it is intended to have the new tariff act as sound and waterproof as possible so as to make its amendment unnecessary for some time to come. Acting upon the assumption that considerable time must elapse before the tariff measure can be completed, the Senate has adopted the House bill extending the life of the emergency tariff law providing increased rates of duty on certain agricultural products, but has amended that measure so that the rates will be operative until otherwise provided by law. The original intention was to limit it to February 1, but it was brought out on the floor of the Senate that the adoption of a permanent tariff bill by that date was practically impossible. While Congress intends to adjourn on November 22 until the beginning of the regular session on December 5, it is probable that the Senate Finance Committee will remain in Washington to continue its labors on the tariff measure.