The Moving picture world (July 1925-August 1925)

254 MOVING PICTURE WORLD July 18, 1925 Eighty Letters on Film Board's Status (Continued from page 250) ally, that every facility is offered for fair adjustment of disputes between distributors and exhibitors, and that in cases in which exhibitors complained against appearing in person the board's value is incalculable in bettering the relationship between the contending parties. I believe that the Arbitration Boards of the Film Board of Trade, from my personal experience and observation during the time it has been functioning in this territory, has done wonders in bringing the distributor and exhibitor closer together and settling many grievances without going to court and saving considerable expense to all parties concerned. The functioning of the Board of Arbitration in this territory is an absolute necessity. Conserving time, expense, good will, with it's findings generally promptly accepted, and not to my knowledge has there been an appeal to a Court of Law in the past year. The Film Board of Arbitration is now in step with like practice in other big business. It has been a pleasure indeed to have sacrificed from business whatever time has been necessary at these joint meetings and it has been the source of considerable information as well. If there has been any adverse criticism of the actions or decisions of the local board, I feel quite safe in saying that it has been made by those who are misinformed. In reply to your request for my opinion of the Film Board of Arbitration, I wish to state that I believe it is fulfilling a good purpose. I believe that exchangemen as well as exhibitors serving on this Board, have given fair and impartial decisions on all questions brought before them. Permit me to congratulate the Arbitration Board in the theatre work that they are doing by bringing together a more pleasant as well as a businesslike feeling between exhibitor and exchange man. From casual observation, it appears to me that the Film Board of New Orleans, as well as those in other parts of tne country, are operating on a businesslike basis and undoubtedly have gone a Ion.; way toward reconciling little differences between exhibitors and exchanges. As having served for foui years as the representative of the Marylr.nl district, f am pleased to say that my associate? on the Arbitration Board were fai.-, capable and conscientious in the decisions rendered to both exhibitor and exchange. The exchange men, in my opinion, have been more than fair in giving the exhibitors a square deal. As a whole, the Arbitration Board is constructive and an evolution and step for higher business ethics and better understanding and relationship between the exhibitors, producers and exchange men, independent or otherwise. biased. I have every respect for you and your associates, but I cannot see the real ne< d for your board. The cost of the Board is pa i by the oxchanges voluntarily with none asked from the exhibitor. Exchanges push creation of these boards. Therefore they figure it will benefit them and be worth the cost. Few, very few, of the exhibitor complaints, mar.y just and right, ever come before the boards, as the distance and trouble and the natural peaceable inclination prevent this. P.xchanges do not use the Board as much as they do the "bluff" of getting an exhibitor on the carpet and it is an expens2 to have to go before them. Therefore the exhibitor usually comes across in fine shape and the Board never hears of it. My candid judgment is that the whole matter is a farce, and ought to be abolished, letting each man fight his own battles in Mississippi. If we had a State organization it might be otherwise. I have never been "up" or threatened, and so my opinion is un First, I believe that it is a poor man's court, an exhibitors' court, where justice is done between the parties in which each is equally represented. Second, it is the most inexpensive way of settling disputes of which I know and has saved the exhibitor many hundreds of dollars when considered from the standpoint of what it might have cost him to take these matters to court and to have them decided tl! any other manner. Third, it has never been necessary to call in a seventh arbitrator although both sides are equally represented. Fourth, at no time has an unfair advantage been taken of either party with reference to the matter in dispute, they having submitted their sides in a manner at which they can set forth all of the facts without employing outside assistance such as attorneys or others. I have been in the exhibiting end of the moving picture business for a period covering over nine years and have seen it in all of its stages, and I can truthfully state, from a private capacity, and also as exhibitor member of the Board of Arbitration that It has been a means of salvation for both. ShowmenShouldSupply Arguments Against Postal Raise Exhibitors using parcel post service in the shipment of films have been mailed a copy of a letter written George H. Moses, chairman of the Special Committee of the United States Senate, by President R. F. Woodhull of the M. P. T. O. A. This committee is designated to consider the Postal Increase Bill. Mr. Woodhull's letter says that "thousands of theatre owners throughout the country use the parcel post service exclusively in the delivery and shipment of films. They pay the fee and have complained to us that it is a considerable increase in the cost of operating their theatres, and they want this increase taken off." The letter to Senator Moses requests that a hearing be arranged. Theatre owners should write President Woodhull their objections to the bill, so that he can compile evidence for presentation before the Senate committee, and also write their senators and congressmen. Chicago Qolf Victors The film men and exhibitors who took part in the golf tournament at the Olympia Fields, Chicago, had plenty of fun with their golf and 86 players teed off for the annual classic. Lewis Nevvhafer of the Ascher circuit had the lowest net score for the 36 holes and took home the loving cup which he must win two times more to "own" it. He also captured a fine diamond studied wrist watch for his efforts. Harry Balaban took first prize for low gross score on 36 holes and his trophy was a leather golf bag. R. C. Seery came away with a silver service set. Aaron Jones of Jones Linick and Schaefer circuit won the champion putting contest with 31 putts in 18 holes and took the loving cup home for that event. 1924 Record In 1924 not a single exhibitor resigned from an arbitration board, Attorney John Pettijohn of the Hays organization told representatives of the trade press at a conference this week. During that year there were fifty distributor vacancies caused mostly by transfers, deaths and etc., the lawyer stated. Work on Chicago's New Theatres Is Progressing The Orpheum Circuit, Chicago, has a large program of openings for the early fall months and preparations are being made now for the opening next month of the new Diversey Theatre at Diversey Parkway and Gark street. Louis Judah assistant manager of the State Lake theatre has been advanced to manager of the new house and George Burdick formerly with Jones Linick and Schaefer circuit has succeeded him at the State Lake theatre. The new Diversey theatre will play both pictures and vaudeville and has a very large stage with a pit for a good sized orchestra. On September 1st, the Orpheum Circuit is scheduled to take over the Riveria theatre from the Balaban and Katz organization, who expect to have the huge new Uptown theatre ready for opening by that date. The stage at the Riveria theatre will be enlarged and several other changes are expected to be made in the house, as the Orpheum policy of big time vaudeville acts and a feature photoplay will no doubt prevail under their management. Work is also progressing rapidly on the new loop house that is going up for the circuit on Randolph street between LaSalle and Wells streets and the steel work is already up to the fourth floor for this big house. Find Body of Pugh, Missing Exchange Manager The body of the late W. C. Pugh who up to the time of his disappearance early in April was the Manager of the Associated Exhibitors' Office in Portland, Oregon, has been found according to a telegram received by John S. Woody, President of the organization. The wire, under date of June 29, stated that the body of W. C. Pugh was found that day in the Williamette River at Portland. The identification, it is stated, is positive and complete. It is understood that the conditions under which the body was found made it quite apparent that the deceased exchange manager had been a victim of foul play. It will be recalled that Mr. Pugh was last seen alive on Friday April 3 about 11.30 P. M. driving an auto from Ninth and Davis Streets, toward Broadway Bridge in Portland. At the time of his reported disappearance neither his wife nor any of Pugh's fellow members of the Elks could shed any light on the matter.