The Washington herald., 1909-07-25

craze some time ago. All over the city
the places Of amusement have put IL
appearance, until there is no excuse for
any one spending a dull evening when the
0-cent theater offers counter attraction.
Every neighbOrhOOd boasts OF its moving
picture theater. where crowds may be
seen going and coming every evening.
The center Of the enterprise in this city
Is In the vicinity Of Pennsylvania avenue
and Ninth street, extending from Seventh
70 Tenth street on the Avenue. AID up as
far as G street on Ninth. Here the thea
ters show blaze OF electric lights every
evening. and the exterior OF the places
presents constant activity until an hour
before midnight
But though a concentration OF moving
pictures may be noticed IN the locality
mentioned. there are many scattered all
over the other parts Of the city Colum-
bia Heights, Georgetown, AnGc0stia, the
northeast. southeast, and southwest sec
lions all have their quota OF we'll
patronized resorts where films are shown
every hour in the day
They instruct, amuse. and entertain 60
per cent OF the citizens Of the District
their wives and their children. every
month.
Upon rough estimate they contribute
1900 year TO the District government
as license fees, and are paying taxes
amounting to thousands OF dollars every
year They are distributing in salaries
a quarter Of million dollars a year, and
are paying more than Si50.000 for rentals.
To Improve Quality OF Pictures.
Owing 10 the fact that the moving
picture business has become so firmly
established as a national institution OF
diversion, there is a movement under way
to improve the quality OF the pictures
shown. It Is now fully realized what an
immense influence for good or evil the
moving picture show can WELD. some
OF these movements emanate from pub
lic-spirited citizens and organizations
others from the film manufacturers
themselves.
There has been such a tremendous de-
mand for pictures that some OF the sub
jects dealt with have been Of a de-
moralizing character. Especially IS this
true Of the films that have a depressing
effect upon children, to whom the moving
picture theater idea was primarily ex-
pected 70 largely appeal The suppress
sion Of palpable fakes is one Of the OBJ
jects OF the reform movement, and the
elimination Of scenes OF suffering or deg
radiation viii also fan under the ban.
Men OF intelligence who occupy posi-
lions as ministers recognize the educas
tiOnal benefits 10 be derived from tia
sermons thrown on the screen. In Vest
ern cities the effect OF Inc moving pic
ture business has been 10 close UP a
great many places where the entertain
ment offered IS OF 2 demoraIizlng nature.
Every picture that IS produced IS cen
sorcd before It is printed 10 be sold to
the exchanges from whom the exhibitors
get the films, 50 that when the film Is
produced before the public nothing IS
offered but clean, moral pictures. The
temperance pictures are sermons driven
wildly home because they are shown TO
people who need the lessons. and who
have neither the time nor the inclination
10 go TO temperance halls.
A Vast Field.
Natural history has received q great
impetus from the moving picture shows.
The phOtographing OF wild birds and
beasts in their native haunts IS one Of
the things which moving pictures have
given TO the world Many OF the pic
lures OF this character have been obtained
at the risk Of personal safety. but IN
every case where success has been met
with the result has been the furtherment
OF the public's share OF knowledge. The
public favor Is by no means all for the
comic or the sto-y telling film. but scenes
from real life and episodes Of Vitality
and historical importance receive quite as
much patronage.
The Peoples institute OF New York.
has made the suggestion that moving
pictures be introduced IN the public
schools IN order 20 emphasize by object
lessons the various studies. such as plant
life. the habits Of birds and animals.
and geographical and historical subjects.
II seems a feasible idea. The boy or girl
who sees the Alps as taken by the NOV
ing picture machine from the rear OF
an observation train viii be APT 20 get
a clearer conception OF those noble noun
tains than by looking at map with Few
dark lines indicating their locality. The
picture VIII leave an indelible impress
sion on the mind. The same viii apply TO
history. OF which pagesnts and episodes
might be reproduced 10 excellent 2dvan-
tage.
AS stated at the outset OF this article.
the moving picture business has come
10 stay.