The Moving picture world (May 1922)

242 MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 20. 1922 Elimination of Distributor Impends, with to Exhibitors, Cohen Re-elected Seven Propositions of Direct Distribution Service Include Those by Hodkinson, Vitagraph and the Motion Picture Directors Association — Special Committee to Consider Offers — Directors Will Make Decision By ROGER FERRI WASHINGTON, D. C, May 11. — The exhibitors of the country are determined on one thing — the elimination of the present distribution system and the establishment of some sort of arrangement with the producer whereby the pictures will be distributed direct to the exhibitor. This was the outstanding feature of the Third Annual Convention of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners — a convention that will go down into history as one of the greatest, though most boisterous, ever held. The determination of the exhibitors to establish a direct connection with the producers — a proposition first submitted at the Minneapolis convention of last year, although not seriously taken up until this week — furnishes the climax for the insistent demands of the theatre owners of a decided cut in film rentals. The establishment of such an arrangement was characterized and is accepted by the theatre owners as the only solution for the problem of high rentals. This convention had before it at least seven propositions of direct distribution service from not only various delegates but also from W. W. Hodkinson, Vitagraph, The Motion Picture Directors' Association and others. These propositions will all be given due consideration and a special committee appointed for the purpose of reaching some sort of understanding of this issue. The board of directors will be empowered to accept the best proposition. Aside from the expression of determination to eliminate what was characterized as "the unnecessary middleman and a dangerous menace," the delegates also decided to establish a music department to co-operate with independent authors, composers and publishers for the purpose of eliminating the tax. This department would co-operate with the publishers and not only encourage the introduction of compositions of independent authors, but also to directly participate in the distribution of the music. The plan in brief is as follows: To establish a music department in charge of experts, but affiliated with the M. P. T. 0. A. to introduce independent compositions in theatres and to locally effect connections for the distribution of these numbers in department, five and ten-cent stores and music stores. The purpose of this move is to combat the so-called "Music Trust," as it was described by exhibitors. Despite the fact that the hearing on the Lambert Bill, touching on the music tax situation, is slated to be held Monday, May 15, here, the exhibitors have decided to wage a fight against the Authors' and Composers' Association, and have expressed their intention of taking the matter to court. It is planned to make a test case of the problem, the statement having been made at the convention that the last ruling of the United States Supreme Court was not rendered with the motion picture phase of the situation in the minds of the justices. As was expected by everybody excepting New Yorkers and the Empire State exhibitor organization, and as was exclusively predicted in Moving Picture World on April 21, Sydney S. Cohen was re-elected president of the organization. There was no other candidate nominated. A noisy demonstration that lasted for several minutes greeted the election, which resulted after the bitterest contest ever staged within the ranks of the exhibitor body. The Motion Picture Theatre Owners of New York State protested against not only the re-election of Cohen, but also against the election of all officers and against the proceedings, which that delegation charged as "illegal and utilized for the expressed purpose of steamrolling and gagging the New York delegates." Formal notice that the body would take legal steps to adjust that matter was served on the convention by Charles L. O'Reilly, president. WTiile the elections were marred by a demonstration, that was exactly what this writer had predicted when he forecast it would be as quiet as a boiler factors'. Steamroller tactics of a most disappointing and threatening nature ruled the entire Wednesday's session when the elections were