The sun., 1908-12-26
NOTMERRYFOR The FILM MIN
MAYOR'S ORDER TAKES JOY
OUT OF THE YULETTDE.
Proprietors or Moving Picture Shows
Obey t., but 500 OF Them Meet
and Talk Over Their Predicament
Will Close Sunday. but Go to Courts.

Will Close Sunday, but Go TO Courts.
The moving picture men we're in un-
pleasant frame of mind yesterday. the
Christmas spirit having all been knocked
out Of them by the Mayors order re-
voking their licenses. As that killed the
Christmas trade deader than dead 1t
was not a merry day for them. They
proceeded to obey the ruling Like good
citizens. however, and merely had repre-
sentatives meet twice at the Murray Hill
Lyceum In the course Of the day.
About 3l4 Of the 400 keepers Of pict
ure shows were represented there,
men from all the FIVE boroughs. The
Moving Picture Association proprietors
used formerly to include only those in
Manhattan and The Bronx. but yester-
days afternoon meeting was seized
upon as an opportunity to reorgani2e
the association.
At the meeting William Fox, Jr., was
elected president; Benjamin Title, vice,
president; Marcus Loew, treasurer, ana
F. NJ. .Doneeaii, secretary. William T.
Rock, president Of the Vitagraph Com
pany OF America, was chosen to lead the
executive committee.
Gustavus A. Rogers, counsel for the
association, advised against making any
test case He said he believed Mayor
Mcclellan did not have the right to revoke
all licenses in that way. He cited case
where Mayor Wurster OF Brooklyn was
overruled when he revoked the license OF
theatre because boxing bout for money
had been held there.
He said he was going to work All night
to search the law In the case ana hoped
by ESQ O'Clock this morning to be able
TO tell the association that the Mayor had
exceeded his rights. Furthermore he
advised the members not to apply Tor new
licenses, but merely to wait. He said
20, 900 men In New York had been thrown
out OF employment because Of the Mayor'e
action and said he thought that vas good
reason to believe the Mayor would recede
from the position he had taken,
President Fox said he believed that here.
after the moving picture shows would
charge 10 cents generally instead OF 8
cents admission.
The theatre folks, who have been warned
RESPECTED, haven't made up their minds
what they are TO do. Tney are going 20
with their Interview with Police COM
missioner Bingham to-day. After they
find out what the Commissioner wants
OF them they will be In better shape to
make some plans.
In the interval. however. they do not
appear to haye given UP. the idea OF run.
ming shows next Sunday. They will
know better about that after they have
talked with Gen. Bingham. The matter
OF concerts at the Manhattan Opera
House and the Metropolitan Opera House.
Is one that the persons running them
feel sure the police win not interfere
with, What all the managers want lie
ruling that viii let them know what
sort of entertainment can be given on
Sunday that will be within the law.
'The trouble started indirectly, said
Hne IN the 1Bsss Herald sf square Theatre. think.
That bothered the Fire Department folks
who were making tests Of the picture show
films and inspecting the places the moving
picture men have. They had to take some
drastic action to clear out those places
and get them started again Oh some safer
basis.
sThen, after that was done, It was up
10 the police to take some action against
the Sunday concerts, just as matter
/ of fairness to the picture shows. Also
| Il was q fine opportunity for those minia-
| tors who are opposed TO any sort Of enter
tainment on Sundays except the preach
/ The following letter was sent yester-
day to the Mayor by r. NJ, Foster, chair
man Of the INSTRUMENTATION COMMITTEES
Of the New York clergy;
Representing the Interdenominational
1 Committee OF the Clergy OF Greater New
York, we wish most sincerely and cor
daily to thank your Honor for the action
you have taken In the matter OF picture
shows and In requiring concert and theatre
cal managers to observe the Sabbath law.
Among your many great and important
services and which have involved material,
educational and financial interests. this.
on behalf OF morality. tho observance Of
law and the safeguarding Of lives. IL worthy