Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-25
MOVING PICTURE ACTS
Considered BY Committee On Mercan-
tile Affairs and Insurance.

James E. Moore of Portland, man.
ager of keith's theater of tnat city APP
peared Thursday afternoon before the
committee on mercantile affairs and
insurance in opposition to several NOV
ing picture acts introduced by Repre-
sentative Paul of Naples.
Mr.. Moore objected to the portions
of one of the acts limiting the length
of films to 10 minutes and requiring
five minutes of light house and also
to the act requiring minors to present
written permits from parents or
guardians before being admitted to
moving picture show. He said that
he thought these acts were introduced
by persons, w6o desired to work hard
ship upon the proprietors Of moving
picture machines He would amend
one of the bills so as to make the
length of films 10 minutes and the
period for a fully lighted house only
one minute. He said that there was
no need OF the house being absolutely
dark at any time, and that most NOV
ing picture houses ran dip lights 50
that the house was not entirely in
darkness when the pictures We're pre-
scented.
spoke in favor of the bills asked that
| the hearing be continued for one week
as his witnesses were not present He
| said that one argument made by those
who favored the bill which prevented
| the admission Of minors to moving
picture shows without permit from
their parents was that children fire.
| puently stole money entrusted to them
| and ran away to attend moving picture
| shows. The hearing was continued
| for another week in accordance with
| the request Of Mr.. Paul
| George w. Irving of Caribou, Hon.
| Herbert M. Heath of Augusta, and p.
| l.. Cleveland of Houlton, president of
| the association appeared in favor of
| the petition of the ArOostook Potato
| Shippers Association for authority to
| engage in the business of insuring po-
tatoes and potato houses. Mr.. Irving
stated that the potato shippers desired
| the incorporation of a mutual fire in
/ surance company because the rates of
| the standard companies upon potatoes
| and potato houses were practically
prohibitive. Hon. Herbert M. Heath
explained the charter of the Aroostook
! Mutual Fire Insurance Co, which was
drawn by himself and President Cleve-
| land also spoke in regard to the pur-
poses Of the. company for which a
| charter was asked
Senator Colcord asked if the charter
! of the company contemplated taking
risks upon shipments from Aroostook
to Galveston and Mr. Heath replied
| that the company would like to have
| that privilege
A hearing was also held upon the
| act introduced by Representative
| Quinn of NLillinocket amending the
present provision in regard to lien of
mortgages upon policies of fire insur-
! ance. Clinton Stevens of Millinocket
| explained at some length a special case,
which he thought might have been
| corrected had the amendment he fav-
| ored been in force. Judge George {.
Wing of Auburn appeared In OPPOSE
| ton to a provision, which he SAID
would upset the present standard
policy now in force" and argued
against making a statute to cover in
! Gividual cases. Insurance Commits
| sioner Beccher Putnam of HGulton al
so spoke against the measure.