The Moving picture world (May 1922)

May 20, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 243 Producers Releasing Directly While New Yorkers Protest Steamroller Cohen-Walker Controversy Ended by Resolution Voting Confidence in Both Men, Though Each in Addresses Passed the Lie to the Other — Walker "Through" Though Effort Will Be Made to Placate Him held. That it did not develop into a battle royal was remarkable, for threats flew back and forth among the exhibitors in record fashion. Later in the day the New York delegation issued a statement in which it explained its stand and attacked the procedure, its legality and the status of "those who made it impossible for us to express ourselves." This statement is published elsewhere in its entirety. So far as Senator James J. Walker's controversy with President Cohen and others is concerned, in the eyes of the M. P. T. O. A., it is a closed issue. The convention, after hearing both the senator and Cohen, passed a resolution giving each a vote of confidence. This resolution furnished the outstanding laugh of the convention, for the reason that while the delegates differed as to who was telling the truth, all participated and voted its adoption. The New York delegation voted with the others on this resolution, which also extended similar confidence in the executive committee. Anent the Walker-Cohen controversy it developed that the executive committee of the organization had voted to dispense with the sei'vices of the senator on April 15, but at the "urgent request of Mr. Cohen," the matter was dropped and Walker allowed to continue as counsel. This statement was made by the president on Tuesday. Despite the bitter attack made on Walker by Cohen and his supporters, the president suggested that every effort be made to bring him back into the fold as counsel. At press time, with the convention still in session, it was indicated that a special committee would be appointed to wait on the senator and utilize its good graces in an attempt to again retain his services. Senator Walker, when told of this move, made it plain that he would under no conditions return to the organization and added the statement that he was "through with the business and that his interest in pictures would be as a fan, and that they would begin and end there." He stated that he will in the future concentrate all efforts on his law and political careers, the general belief prevailing here that he will be a candidate for either governor or re-election to the New York Senate. While the exhibitor organization has taken it for granted that what differences existed with Walker have been satisfactorily ad justed, the senator has made it known that he has only just begun to fight and intends to carry his battle into the New York courts. Whether or not he will do this, however, remains to be seen. The gulf that has developed between the national and New York organization is a dangerous one, and a movement already has been started by certain members of the latter to establish an independent body in that state. However, it is not believed that this will in any way mar the status of the New York organization in so far as the M. P. T. O. A. is concerned. Following the Wednesday session the New York delegation took little part in the proceedings, the attack on that state by other delegates clearly indicated hostile feeling on the part of the other delegations. Just what situation this ill feeling will bring about time alone will decide. That the organization, however, has not been strengthened as a consequence of the differences that arose here, is something generally conceded to be a fact. The fight has split a number of states. However, the convention, although tardy in getting down to actual business, most of the important issues being decided by the executive committee behind closed doors, did develop many important points. That the general counsel will be selected within the next few weeks is certain. Just who will represent the organization at the music tax hearing has not been determined. The address of Senator Walker, in def ense of charges made against him, was not the determined one that he made before the New York Theatre Owners' Chamber of Commerce. The senator complained of a sore throat. His address was disappointing to most of those who had heard him before. He made charges, but substantiated only a few. He did say that he had ample evidence to prove most of the charges he hurled at Cohen and members of the executive committee, but he did not submit it.