The Moving picture world (May 1922)

30 MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 6, 1922 Cohen Must Go " Shout Exhibitors as They Accept Presidency and Motion Picture Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce Give Exhibitor President Chance to Back Charges Made Against Senator, But He Develops Bad Case of Cold Feet and Does Not Put in an Appearance HE man who provoked that statement is nothing more than an ordinary, common, everyday. That was the reply, in brief, made by Senator James J. Walker to charges and insinuations embodied in a statement, purporting to come from the executive committee of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, which was published in several New York newspapers. The reply came as a climax to a war officially declared on Sydney S. Cohen this week by a rapidly-growing army of exhibitors from coast to coast who have adopted the slogan: "Cohen must go!" But it was the vindication of Senator Walker in the form of a resolution unanimously passed by members of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners' Chamber of Commerce, before whom he replied to the charges on Wednesday afternoon, April 26, at Hotel Astor, New York, that stood out as the big feature of a week crowded with sensational developments. The meeting has been specially called by the M. P. T. 0. C. C. to give Messrs. Walker and Cohen a chance to talk. It was originally slated for Tuesday, April 25, but at the request of Cohen the meeting was postponed until the following day. Notwithstanding the fact that it was he who had fired the first shot and sensational charges issued against Walker by various members of the "executive committee," Cohen on Wednesday, April 26, developed a bad case of cold feet and did not appear at the meeting. It was explained that he would not attend "on advice of the executive committee." But Senator Walker, as defendant, was there — and there was no doubt left in the minds of those present that he was guiltless of the charges made against him. This acquittal came in the form of the resolution that was passed unanimously. It was the most dramatic meeting ever held under the auspices of a motion picture theatre body in New York. At the conclusion of his address the Senator completely broke down. For three solid hours he answered charge after charge, proving that he was innocent of any of them. For three hours he defended his honor and his reputation as a "square shooter." "I'll go to hell for a pal; but when a pal wrongs me as I have been wronged, then I'll fight and fight to the end," and as these words were rung out by the Senator, the exhibitors enthusiastically applauded and left no doubt but that they were back of him to a man. In that historic gathering at the Astor there were scores of exhibitors whom Cohen counted among his staunchest friends, but when the Senator completed his response, these were the first to take his hand and assure him that they "would see that justice was done." It was apparent, too, that Senator Walker's feelings had been hurt beyond repair; that those statements had had the effect they were intended to have on the man. But "Fighting Jim" is on the warpath. He has been attacked and, according to his friends, without just cause, but he has taken up the challenge and changed his position. i Until the Chamber of Commerce meeting the Senator had been placed on the defensive, but after that meeting, called especially to give Cohen a chance to present his charges in person, it was the present M. P. T. 0. A. head who was thrown on the defensive. Walker took the two statements purported to have been issued by the executive committee of the M. P. T. 0. A. sentence by sentence and proved the authenticity or inaccuracy of each and every one. He backed his denials with indisputable facts, documentary evidence, telegrams, letters and affidavits. And then he read a letter sent by Cohen to him retracting the statements. "But he doesn't repudiate the charges in the statement," commented the Senator. He was on the verge of collapse when he finished his address and he had to J)e helped to a chair by several exhibitors, who had listened to his closing sentences with wet eyes and tears trickling down their cheeks. It was all sincere. It was real. The Senator had touched their hearts. He was plainly affected. And he meant every word he said. "I've stood by you for two years," he said. "For two years I've worked hard and given the exhibitors of the country the best that was in me because I love you all. I have been with you from By ROGER FERRI lying rat.