Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

1234 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD August 31, 1918 House to Lay 5 Per Cent. Rental Tax Ways and Means Committee Also to Recommend Doubling of Annual Impost on Theatres. MOTION PICTURES are to pay a much larger share of the war expenses during the coming year, if the provisions of the proposed new war revenue bill, tentatively agreed to by the members of the House Ways and Means Committee are later adopted by the House itself and by the Senate. It is expected the committee will conclude its deliberations and present a bill and its report and recommendations August 19. There will probably be some changes made in the House of Representatives, but substantially it will be adopted in the lower house as reported by the committee. Congress has to raise eight billion dollars. To do so, it is said by the financial experts of the Government, necessitates doubling present taxes and the institution of new methods of revenue-raising because of changes that must be made to smooth out the laws. The .film industry will, unless the business takes a slump as a result of the extra burden, pay more than double what it is now called upon to provide. When the committee representing the whole industry was here some time ago it recommended the adoption of a rentals tax to be paid by the exhibitor, presumably to replace the present footage tax. The congress committee has seized upon the idea and has figured out a rate of 5 per cent of the amount paid by the exhibitor for his films to go into Uncle Sam's coffers. At present it is the contention of the exhibitors that the manufacturers make a profit on the 15 cents a reel a day assessment made upon them to meet the footage tax. This means a total of 75 cents upon a five-reel show. The contention has been that this is burdensome, particularly on the cheaper shows, but it will not be half as burdensome as the 5 per cent tax. While the exhibitors whose daily rentals are under $15 will benefit by the new plan, the exhibitor who is in the habit of paying $50 a day for his films will have to come across with $2.50, more than three times his present tax cost. The manufacturers get out from under. Would Double Annual Tax. Theatres, including moving picture shows, museums and concert halls having a seating capacity of not over 250 will be called upon to pay $50 per annum, instead of as at present $25; where the seating capacity is between 25(1 and 500 the rate is increased from $50 t<> $100; where between 500 and 800 to $150 from $75, and where the capacity is over 800, the tax is jumped from $100 to $200. As tentatively agreed upon, the admission taxes are doubled and, further, a one-cent tax is to be imposed upon all admissions which do not exceed seven cents. As stated above, all of the taxes are doubled or more than doubled, and the exhibitors will have to pay taxes of the same nature as they are paying now. There are the levies on freight and express shipments, railroad transportation, telephone and telegraph messages, and many others, all of which go to increase the overhead cost in theatre operation. If the industry is to do anything toward easing up this burden, the problem should be taken up by a committee of exhibitors — for it is the exhibitors who are vitally interested— with the members of the Senate Finance Committee. It is declared that many theatres will darken their doors under so heavy a burden as this. Congress wants to get $8,000,000,000, but not at the risk of closing up any industryit does not want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. LINZ. which a Handel's Kommission certificate or an importing association certificate is required will be considered only in the event that the said certificate has been issued subsequent to June 14. Certificates issued prior to that date will be treated as void. Film Now May Be Exported to Sweden War Trade Board Will Consider Applications for Licenses Subject to Specified Regulations. EXTORTERS interested in the movement of merchandise to Sweden are being informed that the War Trade Board will now consider applications for the exportation of all commodities to that country. Exporters in the United States, before filing applications for export licenses, must obtain from the prospective importer in Sweden advice that there has been issued by an appropriate importing association or by the States Handel's Kommission a certificate covering the proposed consignment. The number of the certificate should be forwarded by the importer in Sweden to the American exporter. This number should be specified on Supplemental Information Sheet X-104, which must be duly executed and annexed to the application for an export license. Applications for licenses to Sweden of commodities for Porto Rico Has a Censorship Rumble Moral Crusade Sweeping Over Island Aims a Shot at Two Motion Pictures But Fails to Score Hit. San Juan, Porto Rico, August 1. THE moral crusade that has been sweeping over San Juan of late seems to have led to an outcry against some of the films exhibited in the theatre and resulted, on Saturday, in the seizure of two films by orders of Insular Chief of Police Shanton, who had them placed in charge of Municipal Judge Castejon, at the same time making a statement to the court of just why the films had been seized. On Saturday afternoon, at the suggestion of Judge Castejon, a party of about twenty well-known persons gathered at the Cine Luna to witness an exhibition of the films in question and to act as a censorship committee, in conjunction with Judge Castejon and Colonel Shanton and to assist them in determining as to whether the moral tone of the picture plays in question is detrimental to the public morals. The general consensus of opinion expressed by members of the committee was that the pictures were perfectly proper. The opinion was expressed that the pictures were intended for grown ups, and perhaps might not be suitable for young girls and boys not familiar with the ways of the world, in just the same way that many books now published and found in public libraries are not intended for young people. But there is nothing essentially indecent or immoral in the scenes depicted. The suggestion was made that, in these days when pictures to be shown are so well advertised in the press, it is more a matter for parents ermine whether or not their children shall visit the house where such pictures are exhibited The two tilnis that were seized ar< "One Hour," which was shown to large audience at the Park Cine a few nights ago, and "The Victim," a powerful picture of the melodrama type that has been largely advertised. Both of these photoplays have been passed by the censors on the mainland. I pon the findings of the special committee, Judge Caste jon decided to release the films and they will accordingly \hibited. Colonel Shanton made the statement that his action in ng the films was based upon the fact that both Governor Yager and himself had received a number of complaints from persons who had seen the pictures to the effect that they were of a high immoral character and not fit to be seen by girls and young women. "My Four Years in Germany" is being widely advertised throughout the island and one or two private exhibitions have been given prior to its public release here. The film is being shown by West Indies Films. Inc., represented here by Raphael P. Martin. Judging from the popularity of "The Kaiser." "My Four Years in Germany" will have big business. HULL BOARD OF REVIEW PRAISES "SALOME." In a special report, the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures has declared, following a private screening of "Salome," that the Fox-Theda Bara drama "should rank with the best screen productions." The report of the board was as follows: "We wish to advise you that the majority comment on your photoplay 'Salome' was as follows : Entertainment value, excellent; educational value, good; technical handling, good; costuming, fine; atmospheric quality, scenic setting, convincing; historical value, considerable; moral effect, good. General comment: In the opinion of those present this production was a serious and dignified portrayal of the story of Salome, imaginative and dramatic, and presented in a way that should rank with the best screen productions." LOCKWOOD COMPANY GOES TO SAENGER STUDIOS. The Harold Lockwood Company, one of Metro's producing units, has changed its base of operations and has moved from the Bacon Backer studios, which it occupied since its arrival in the East, early last month, to the Saenger studios, at 134th street and Park avenue, New York, where it will remain for the remainder of its eastern stay.