Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-01-30
NEWS, VIEWS
AND GOSSIP
RsfOrm Moving Picture Bust
ness Awakening Of Trinity
Church Corporation
tBysGlenn Guernsey

NEW i, YORK, Jan. 30.-Canvas-
hask drama will hereafter be pro-
dueed oflg under the most moral and
saaitary. conditions, If the rules i'm
pOsed by the alleged trust controlling
tbe moving picture business are put
into effect. These new regulations
vere adopted at a recent meeting OF
tbe film manufacturers and rental
AGENCIES, held in this city, and will
become effective on Monday.
Pictures of crimes and immoral
and indecent scenes are now under
taboo of the ten manufacturers and
importers who supply America with
its moving pictures. The small fry
among the moving picture theaters,
whose places of amusement consist
Of unsafe and ill-ventilated store
rooms, are to be driven out of bust
ness by so per cent raise in the
renting price of Aims.
The films exchanges, which act as
mlddlemen between manufacturers
and theatres, are to be given chance
to reform the business, but it they
fail 1t is alleged that the manufact-
urers threaten to deal directly with
the showmen. A license fee of 81 a
week will be charged against all ex
hlbitors 1t is also provided that sf
ter Monday no theatre will be pro
yded with films unless it uses a reg
alarly licensed, picture projecting ma
chine. 1t is stated that this rule was
adopted to prevent accidents likely tc
follow the use of cheap and unreliable
machines.
Another ruling that has caused
much discussion, and which may bt
abandoned owing to the opposition o
the theatres affected. demands thu
elimination of all vaudeville stunts
with the exception of illustrated
songs.
It is admitted by the film maker
and distributors that the new regula
tons we're adopted as defensiv
measure against the crusade that !
now being waged against canvAsbaeI
drama on account of immortality an
lack of physical safety. The reform
are similar to those enforced by tn
Chicago authorities in regulating tn
moving picture business in that cit!
In order that the film manufactul
ers may be forced to live up to the
resolve to eliminate all immoral pi'
lures, a $4,000 fine is to be assesse
against any firm violating this rul'
A censorship has been established .
the makers themselves, and in case
doubt as to the moral standing OF an
picture, it will be referred to a con
mittee whose decision will be fina
Inis rule has already served to p'
the pictures now being shown on
AigheF moral plane. As a case
point, one manufacturer designed
series of pictures, graphically settiI
iorth the horrible details of the Gui
eSs murders at Laporte. Ind. III
ether manufacturers promptly deci
60 that such a picture would serve
bring the business into disrepute. al
caused the offending firm to wit
afaw the film.
Although the articles of agreeme
between the picture makers are
made public, the salient features a
AID to be as follows:
No pictures of an immoral. inc
eent' or shocking character or e.
sodying suggestions pernieious to I
minds Of youth shall be manufa
sfed, the penalty for each violati
eeing a fine Of $4,000.
The establishment of large, co
aOdious and safe theatels shall
saeouraged. while the multiplieati
y The small mushroom type of sh
aoase shall be strongly discourag
Theaters shall be required to +
alah expert operators and to obey
aealth. fire and police regulatio
Moving picture theaters shall
eeqaired to eliminate vaudeville a