The Moving picture world (May 1922)

246 MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 20, 1923 i;le.\x harper First I'icc-Prcsident And he stepped down from the platform. No Chance for O'Reilly Mr. Cohen called then on Mr. O'Reilly, who had been calling for the chance to speak. But when Mr. O'Reilly started, the demonstration again attained a noisy aspect. "Gentlemen, gentlemen," shouted Cohen, trying to quiet the crowd. "Mr. Chairman, I want " But before Mr. O'Reilly could complete the sentence, the excitement became so intense that he sat down, realizing the futility of trying to address the convention. The invitation motion was then put to a vote and passed. Until Cohen explained his side of the controversy the convention was quiet and peaceful. The delegates listened attentively to every speaker and demonstrated remarkable patience during the reading of the 13,0()0-word report of President Cohen. Many important suggestions were embodied in the report and these suggestions were slated for consideration by the delegates in future sessions of the convention. All Seats Occupied Every seat in the convention hall was occupied at 12:45 o'clock by delegates, their wives, sweethearts, families and friends and film men. While hundreds of exhibitors had arrived at the various hotels by Sunday night, it was not until early Monday morning that the railroads dumped their heaviest load of humanity into this city. Fully 2,000 people were crowded into the hall. By 1 o'clock, the time set for the opening of the convention, all was in readiness for the firing of the opening gun. The famous orchestra from the Metropolitan Theatre here entertained from noon until ten minutes of two when President Cohen, together with other officials of the national organizations and members of the committees which made preparations for the convention, marched down the centre aisle amid applause that lasted for several minutes. The New York delegation took no part in this rousing reception to Cohen, however. At 1 :54 President Cohen pounded the gavel that marked the opening of the third annual convention of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America. Invocation was pronounced by the Rev. James Shera Montgomery, chaiplain of the House of Representatives, who urged harmony, unity and co-operation among the exhibitors. Brylawski Welcomes A. Julian Brylawski, a member of the national executive committee from Washington, and chairman of the committee in charge of the preliminary work for the convention, was introduced. He welcomed the delegates, their womenfolk and guests to Washington, '"not as strangers but as neiglibors," calling at JOSEPH MOGLER Second Vice-President tention to the fact that every citizen in the United States has an interest in the Capital and should consider it as his other home. Mr. Brylawski made a strong plea for peace and harmony among the exhibitors, pointing out the necessity of co-operation. "We Washington exhibitors," said Mr. Brylawski, "cannot offer you the key to the city, but we can offer you the hearts of the theatre owners of the District of Columbia. Our aims are one. Peace and freedom we must find. And it is in peace that we, your neighbors in Washington, bid you welcome here and in peace also we bid you stay." In turn he introduced the following local exhibitors who had worked on the plans preliminary to the convention : Sidney Lust, S. M. Boyd, Nelson B. Bell, Thomas Grant. Harry M. Crandall, Lawrence Beatus, M. David, Maurice Davis, Mark Gates, W. C. Murphy, Fritz Hoffman and Earl Dorsey. All were enthusiastically received. Sidney Lust read the program outlining the arrangements that had been made for the entertainment of the exhibitors and women. He called attention to the national accessories exhibit in the Coliseum, inviting all to visit it. Hays Gets First Laugh Theodore L. Hays of Minneapolis was recognized by the chair and he extended the thanks of the exhibitors to Mr. Brylawski and the local committees for their efficient work, stating that the Minnesota delegation could realize from their experience of last year just what hard work the committee had to contend with. He thanked the committee "particularly for the ideal weather it had provided" and apologized for the hot weather that greeted them in Minneapolis. The first laugh of the convention came with his apologetically humorous remark disclaiming all "responsibility for the intense heat." Ed H. Bingham of Indianapolis, a member of the executive committee, read a letter from President Harding. Mr. Bingham explained that it had been intended that George F. Christian, Mr. Harding's secretary, deliver the address of welcome, but the latter was not able to attend. The President expressed his "conviction that your organization in seeking to open lines of public service is moving precisely in the right direction. Just as the press, though of necessity a business enterprise first, is always a potent force in behalf of the public interest, so I am very sure that the screen will most securely establish itself as an accepted and useful factor in national life in proportion as it shall recognize its duty in behalf of the widest concerns of the community. It possesses potentialities of vast service, civic, educational, moral. .... Because of your strong beliefs in this direction, I am much gratified to know of the plans for your department of public service." C. A. LICK Third i'ice-President