The Moving picture world (May 1922)

262 MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 20, 1922 stored, the chairman announced 348 votes for Cohen and the secretary was instructed to cast one vote in favor of Cohen. Chairman Brylawski then officially announced the re-election. A royal reception was accorded Cohen, who made his way to the platform and pledged himself to "fulfill the every trust you have shown in me." Cohen's Speech He thanked the delegates and then said : "I would rather have the friendship of all you exhibitors than all the money in the world. I want to correct the impression that I am a rich man. I am not. Some people have different ideas than others on riches." He said that he had earlier in the year confided in intimate friends that he would not be a candidate for re-election. He said that he would like to see others take more interest in the organization and added that the office proved a costly one. He pointed out the immediate need of funds, saying that the organization was in dire need of money immediately. He outlined the program for the coming year, including the campaigns for cleaner and better pictures, the elimination of non-theatrical and pro ducer-exhibitor competition and the curbing of the road showing system. Won't Run Again Cohen then said that he positively would not run for office again next year. He paid tribute to Senator Walker and expressed the hope that the new board of directors would make some sort of ar rangement whereby the services of Walker could be retained. He expressed indignation at the demonstration of hostility of other delegates to the New York outfit. "They have big men in New York and I'm proud of my friends there," he said. "I am happy for the honor you have bestowed upon me and I again pledge you my word that I'll carry out your trust in me to the very best of my ability." For Directors The following candidates were named from the floor for the board of directors : W. A. True of Hartford, Conn. ; A. Julian Brylawski of Washington ; W. D. P)Urf ord of Aurora, 111. ; Gus Schmidt of Indianapolis; Michael Comerford of Scranton, Pa.; Henry Lustig of Cleveland; Claude Cady of Lansing, Mich.; W. A. StefFes of Minneapolis; I. W. McMahon of Cincinnati ; H. B. Varner of Charlotte, N. C. Jake Wells of Richmond, Va.; R. F. Woodhull of Dover, N. J.; A. R. Pramer of Omaha ; Jake Lourie of Boston ; C. C. Griffin of San Francisco ; Edward Fay of Providence, R. I. The following were also nominated for places on the board of directors, but voluntarily withdrew from the contest: Charles L. O'Reilly of New York; John I. Manheimer of Brooklyn, N. Y., and Michael Rosenbloom of Charleroi, Pa. When Manheimer's nomination was made following the declination of O'Reilly, who was named by California delegates who insisted that the State of New York should be represented on the board, hisses filled the air. No surprise was occasioned when he withdrew his name. The states voted on the candidates, the twelve receiving the highest total number of votes being declared elected. The voting was by roll call of the state delegations. The votes were recorded and tallied. Announcement was made by the chair that tlie results would be made known at the Thursday session. On motion, at 4.25 o'clock, the meeting adjourned to meet on Thursday afternoon promptly at 1 o'clock. Tiie early adjournment was made necessary in order to clear the hall for the dinner to be held in the evening. Co-ordination Throughout Industry Sought C>^ONFIDENCE, co-operation and I co-ordination were the keynotes of the great majority of the speeches delivered at the banquet held in the Salon des Nations in the Hotel Washington the evening of May 10. It was attended by about 700 persons, including exhibitors and their wives and members of the trade press, and which had as their guests men whose presence reflects the growth of the industry in power, prestige and esteem, including Will H.iys, Governor Price, of Minnesota ; Edwin Denby, Secretary of the Navy ; Congressman Clyde Kelly, of Pennsylvania; Assistant Secretary of Labor Henning, Judge Murphy, of Michigan; Adolph Zukor, W. W. Hodkinson, Marcus Loew, and Sydney S. Cohen. Those among the distinguished guests who are not allied with the industry praised its great potential power for public good, many stating that as a moulder of public opinion, and in shaping the minds of the masses its power even exceeds that of the press. Will Hays sounded the call for confidence and co-operation between the oroducers themselves, between producers, distributors and exhibitors, and between exhibitors and the public. Adolph Zukor expressed his desire to co-operate through Will Hays with the exhibitors and the hope that the next convention might be one not of the exhibitors alone but of the entire industry. Sydney Cohen declared that tlie theatre owners are for cooperation and stand rfeady to meet Mr. Hays or any of the producers in order to arrive at a better understanding for the purpose of developing the common good of the industry. Of the entire list of speakers undoubtedly the greatest interest was attached to the remarks of Will Hays. The entire assemblage arose and applauded his entrance, and did the same thing when it was necessary for him to leave to catch a train. Referring to his previous utterances at the Hotel Astor, theatre owners. Chamber of Commerce and publishers dinner, Mr. Hays' remarks followed largely along those lines. "I know America," said Mr. Hays, "and I know the influence this industry has had, is having, and will have on America, and that is, the most potent power for practical progress in the world." Referring to the absolute need for amusement, he continued : "The people of America are going to have amusement or we are going 'Red' in America." Referring to the aim of his organization to attain and maintain the highest moral standard in the production of pic* tures and to develop to the highest possible plane the educational and entertainment v|lue, he stated nothing has a greater eff'ect on the youth of the land than the motion picture, and pleaded that {Continued on page 266) Seek to Make Whole Country Blue THE drive of professional reformers on the motion picture industry continues with unabated vigor. The latest campaign inaugurated by the Lord's Day Alliance board of directors will, however, also seek to end Sunday baseball and all other Sunday activities for which an admission is charged. It will be carried into the legislatures of the diflercnt states. A new headquarters is being opened in Chicago to push the Alliance's work in the Middle West, an organization is being launched in Indiana and plans are developing in Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, the Rocky Mountain states and the South. Coincident with this announcement came word of the appearance of the Rev. Dr. S. Paterson Todd of Milwaukee before a judiciary subcommittee of the Senate. He urged passage of a resolution for the investigation of the motion picture industry. He suggested that the use of the screen in political campaigns be regulated. Senator Shortridge of California, chairman of the subcommittee, asked if this, if done, might not involve an attempt to restrict the "political activity of newspapers."