The Moving picture world (May 1922)

May 6, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 33 SENATOR JAMES J. WALKER anybody but Cohen, i hree of the Toledo exhibitors will be down in Washington and they are not going to back Smith, who, in the course of an interview with the writer, said in conclusion : "Well, after all, what I am interested in is organization. Organization must be continued and if it is for the best interests of organization not to have Cohen why I guess that is all right." Just before the writer bade him a good evening, Mr. Smith wired Cohen seeking to ascertain "what's all the shooting for?" While the national exhibitor headquarters have been seeking power of attorney from every State official during the past week, the fact remains that a number of those whose names were signed to the telegrams and statements, claimed they never authorized use of those names. Jerome Casper of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Western New Jersey wired New York this week forbidding Sydney Cohen or any one else from using his name for any purpose whatsoever. Harry Stevenson, who is in the employ of Ed Fay in Philadelphia and who is President of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Eastern Pennsylvania, was another whose name has been used to statements that Senator Walker characterizes as "libelous and untrue." It is the intention of Senator Walker to hold responsible every man whose name was signed to these statements, he said. But while Stevenson's name has been used considerably by the Cohen faction, George P. Aarons, secretary of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Eastern Pennsylvania, wired Senator Walker, in part, the following: "Believe your purpose sincere for benefit of entire industry and prompted by desire to raise all elements to highest plane. Faith in you so well founded. God speed." Mr. Aarons had evidently read the newspaper story, for he congratulated Senator Walker and added: "Feel you consented to enter the field to serve your friends, the exhibitors, rather than disrupt, doublecross or break down this organization." Mr. Aarons has since been informed of the true situation, namely, that the newspaper report was re-written by a reporter from a trade journal which suggested that Walker be made the head of the exhibitor organization. Mr. Berman directed the attention of the writer to fact that had "Sydney Cohen confined his statement regarding Walker to the trade press, the only medium from which he could derive any political benefit, it would not have been so hard, but aside from ignoring the trade press he took steps to see that the story was telegraphed over the Associated Press wires." It was pointed out, too, by Mr. Berman that in the list of those who gave New York offices power of attorney there were eight names. These included, he said, two members of the national executive committee, three members of the National Board of Directors, two State Presidents and one national VicePresident. He said there are 48 State organizations, thirty-one members on the Executive Committee, nine on the Board of Directors and eight executive officers. Sydney Nutt, President of the Arkansas organization, late this week telegraphed New York that he had not allowed any one his power of attorney. President J. C. Duncan of Iowa also wired that he had given no one permission to use his name. Senator Walker has in his possession wires from ofher executives who claim they have not given any one permission to use their names to any statement or telegram. That a scandal will result from the attitude maintained by certain State executives is certain. Senator Walker has retained Joseph A. Warren as his attorney. Another Cohen lieutenant who has been bitterly attacked and whose name was attached to the statements given out to the press, con demning and making charges against Walker, is A. J. Moeller, General Manager of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of .\merica. The latter receives $150 a week for his services as general manager, according to Sam Berman. He was characterized by Senator Walker "as an irresponsible tool and figurehead." Another interesting development was the resignation of E. T. Peters as manager of the "Movie Chats" Department of the M. P. T. O. A. Still another who aided Cohen in getting the Presidency of the organization and who helped establish the latter, being largely responsible for the famous Cleveland convention, is Sam Bullock of Ohio. He, too, has sided with those who are opposed to Cohen. Until Wednesday there was considerable speculation as to status of Walker and Cohen. After the Chamber of Commerce session there was no doubt but that Walker meant everything that he said, that he was "going to fight to the last ditch." For the past two weeks exhibitors, who have admired the Senator and appreciated the excellent service he rendered the organization, had seriously considered nominating him for the Presidency. Senator Walker was not consulted. His friends had come to the conclusion that it would be to the best interests of exhibitors in general if the latter were given the post. These same exhibitors urged that the organization co-operate with General Hays. As a matter of fact, Hays was invited to Washington by Charles O'Reilly at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon several weeks ago, but he hinted that Cohen would have to write him. Cohen personally told the writer that "Hays is coming to Washington." When told by the writer that the general would require a written invitation from him. he made a memorandum and said he would do so. On Thursday night of last week at William Brandt's M. P. T. O. C. C. "party" at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New York, Cohen approached Mr. Hays and personally invited him to come to Washington. General Hays is expected to be in Washington and address the exhibitors. Senator Walker, too. will be there, according to those in a position to know and on that occasion he has "promised to tell the exhibitors what I have told the Chamber of Commerce." Theatre owners in New York are urging the Senator to go to Washington and demand "a show