The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-10
ARE
|DUCK|NG MOVING
] PICTURE TRUST
paIvArE EXHIBITION OF SUPERB
FILMS OWEN BEFORE LOCAL
THGArsR OWNERS IN CAM
PAioN or EDUCATION.

81 That the moving picture trust. other
wise known AS the Motion Picture and
Patent Co.. has a formidable adver-
4 oory In the International Projecting
and Producing Co, an independent
concern, was mado clear at private
exhibition in the lafayette theaters
Tuesday morning, Cor the special benc-
1t OF the OWNERS and managers OF
moving picture thcaters in Detroit
The pictures shown. under the direc-
t1on OF Hector Streyckmans, secretary
Of the Independent company. were a
revelation TO most OF those present.
including some trust representatives.
No 6ner pictures were ever thrown
on . local screen and the manner in
which they were received by the
theater owners augured well for the
International Co.
The war between the trust and the
Independents will begin In earnest
next week, when the latter begin re-
leaning their films all over the coun-
try They do not expsct any difficulty
IN placing their pictures. for many Of
the theater owners, IL is said, are
thoroughly dissatisfied with trust
methods and are only too willing 10
patr0nize the independents. Accord
ing to Mr.. Strecyckmans, the trust, in
addition to charging the theater men
rental for the machines and films, has
been wont to collect tax Of from 81
20 IS per week for every machine In
operation. just by way OF tribute. I'm
I'll the independent came into the field
the trust had everything its own way.
but now the proprietors OF the moving
picture shows can snap their fingers
at the octopus.
]. ]. Murdoch, president OF the In
ternational Projecting and Producing
Co. Is the man who. as vice-president
and general manager OF the Western
Vaudeville Managers association, led
the war against Klaw e. Erlanger two
years ago. He Is known as man OF
strong convictions and great daring
and one who will not lie down until
he has exhausted all his resources
and tried every plan.
The independent company has the
backing OF Col. Stuever and coterie
OF influential st. Louis brewers. all OF
whom are heavy stockholders In the
concern E. j. Magerstadt. former
sheriff Of Cook county, Illinois. Is
director.
Secretary Strecyckmans is now tour
ing the country from coast TO coast.
giving private exhibitions. such as
was given In the Lafayette Tuesday
morning, to show the picture men
Just what his concern has To offer In
the way OF films. Those shown In the
Lafayette comprised every variety OF
picture, tragic. comic, historical and
educational. One film particularly ap-
pealed to the audience-Lhe Last Days
/. OF Pompeii. from the studios OF Am
brosio, Turin, Italy. In toning and
lighting effects II is said to be the
most perfect Aim, from photograph
cal standpoint. ever produced. The
picture was heartily applauded by the
theater men present.
I'VE now have $50 reels OF this
sort" said Mr.. Strecyckmans. We
control the output OF % European
manufacturers, which puts us In a
position to reject any Objectionable
reels. We will put on the market only
such films as will meet the approval
Of the public"
A distinguishing feature OF all the
Aims shown was the perfect detail.