The Moving picture world (May 1922)

266 MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 20, 1922 (Continued from page 262) all bear in mind the responsibility • this entails, stating^ he knows of no more distinguislied public service in which a man can be engaged. "Remember, the producer and the actor must have the screen," he said. "I believe in a coalesced organization and that when we work together they will quit kicking the industry around. I have no new broom idea, but intend to give all I have to the cause of the industry." Mr. Hays expressed the earnest hope that the exhibitors be strongly, closely and efficiently organized as a means for more certain and greater co-operation for the good of the industry and the people. Referring to the power of the press, which it took 600 years to build up, he said that within twenty years the motion picture had become "the greatest influence for good or bad in the world, and you cannot dodge the responsibility." Continuing, he said that the industry accepts the challenge of the American public for the best and highest class entertainment, reiterating the statement: "I am going to give all I've got to this cause which is yours and ours together." After a few humorous jibes, Secretary Denby stated he believed the Navy Department was the biggest exhibitor in this country, using pictures on a majority of its three or four hundred ships. After graphically setting forth what pictures mean to the boys out at sea, and how they hunger for them, he stated he was glad to he able to extend the thanks of the Navy to the industry for what it has done for it. Governor Price of Minnesota, who spoke at the Minneapolis convention, was greeted with ajiplause when he told liow After three days of noisy demonstrations, the convention on Thursday afternoon got down to brass tacks. As the delegates and their guests had visited the White House at noon to be received by the President and Mrs. Harding, only thirty-two of them were in the convention hall when President Cohen at 1.10 o'clock called the meeting to order. Following the report of W. A. Steffeson on the rules for the day's procedure, Mr. Cohen appointed the music tax committee with Fred Seegert as chairman. This committee will take up the music tax situation and consider the advisability of establishing a special music department. This committee also will be in charge of the public hearing on the Lambert bill on Monday, May 15. Air. Cohen in discussing the music tax situation said that immediate action was necessary and that it would be wise to immediately employ counsel to defend the exhibitors. He suggests a test case be made, charging that in the findings of the United States Supreme Court recently the exhibitor angle was not proper he had declined to recommend a censorship bill in his state. He praised the educational force of motion pictures, and said he believes that the Government should not do for the people what they can do for themselves. He was again applauded when he told how, when a bill was about to be introduced giving cities the right to issue bonds to erect municipal picture houses, he asked that the bill be deferred. Adolph Zukor was greeted with applause. Referring to the co-operation of the industry in the charity drive, he said he felt that the class of people, some of the most distinguished in the country, with which the industry was working, indicated that the uphill fight for recognition was being won and that the industry is appreciated. "I want to do some little good some way," said Mr. Zukor. "We will, through Mr. Hays' co-operation with you in every way. You must devise the ways and means." Marcus Loew, introduced by M. J. O'Toole, the toastmaster, representing both ends of the business, said he was please'd to see that we are reaching the goal that brings us co-operation. Referring to Will Hays' work, he said that he had already more than earned his salary. Then, speaking as an exhibitor, he chided the organization on expecting the men who work for them the whole year and give almost their entire time and attention to it, to serve without salary, and hoped that next year the organization would be able to pay them. Congressman Clyde Kelly, in a stirring speech, referred to the way in which many of the smaller nations look to America for guidance and stressed the importance of the screen as a power for good, 1 articularly in I)uilding up public opinion ♦ ly presented. He stated that the opposition has the service of extremely capable and distinguished counsel and that "we should be prepared for him." He said that the exhibitors will fight this issue to the end. The committee on business relations, headed by Mr. StefTes, then reported. Mr. StefTes stated that the committe had held a long session on Wednesday evening and that that body had come into possession of many interesting propositions from producers and directors. He suggested that the delegates hear D. W. Hartford of Los Angeles, president of the Motion Picture Directors Association. Mr. Hartford bitterly attacked the present system of distribution, characterizing it as unfair both to producer and exhibitor. He remarked that a barrier had been erected between director and exhibitor, emphasizing the importance of the latter and the anxiety of the director-producer to effect a direct connection with him. "I am here," he said, "to submit a proposition that the Motion Picture Di and fostering the spirit of co-operation between the different classes of citizens. He urged that the industry make of itself a radioactive power for betterment. Assistant Secretary of Labor Henning, praising the power of the screen for pubhe service, told of the use already being made by his department of this medium in stimulating safety and efficiency in industry. He told of the formation of the Public Service Bureau headed by Dr. Holley, and then stated that the Labor Department has caused to be introduced in Congress a bill for the yearly registration of aliens and that the fees derived were to be largely expended in teaching Americanization. He then heartened his auditors by telling them that the statistics of his department showed in March the peak of imemployment was reached and -Xpril showed the brightest prospects during the last two years. Dr. Francis Holley explained the work of his department and how it operated in promoting education and public ser-. vice. Judge Murphy, counsel for the Michigan organization, praising the high ideals of the exhibitors, spoke also of their difficulty and pleaded for co-operation and co-ordination for the betterment of all. W. W. Hodkinson also spoke for co-operation. Just prior to Sydney Cohen's speecli Morris Beedles presented him with a platinum watch on behalf of his pals in New York. Mr. Cohen, replying to Mr. Loew's remarks, called attention to the period of depression and stated the best way to help build up the treasury was to reduce the price of films. Accepting the challenge for clean, wholesome pictures, and the desire for co-operation, he concludetl by thanking those who had presented the watch as a token of esteem. Business rectors .Association has in mind and which it believes will benefit both producers and exhibitors. We all know that the prices have jumped skyward and right now you gentlemen are complaining of poor business and attributing no small share of responsibility for your failure to attract business to a scarcity of good box office pulling productions and exorbitant rentals, as well as unreasonable salaries given distributing executives. "I here to outline a proposition wherel)y we will distribute direct to you. You have sought and I believe still are fighting for a 40 per cent, decrease in film rentals, lender the proposition I am about to ex[)lain I will venture the prediction that vou will save considerablv more than that." He stated that the plan called for the election of a committee of exhibitors who would work in co-operation with the members of the association. This committee would pass on stories, cast, director, and also sit in conferences at which (Covliniied on page 299) Convention Gets Down to