The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1909-02-01

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New York, Feb. 1.-Canvasbavk
drama will hereafter be produced
only under the most moral and sani-
tary conditions, If the rules imposed
by the alleged trust controlling the
moving picture business are put in
to effect. These new regulations were
adopted at a recent meeting of the
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 theatres
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 films.
The film exchanges, which act as
middlemen between manufacturers
and theatres, are to be given
chance to reform the business, but
if they fail it is alleged that the
manufacturers threaten to deal di-
rectly with the showmen. A license
fee of so a week will be charged
against all exhibitors. 1t is also pro-
vided that after Monday no theatre
will be provided with films unless it
uses a regularly licensed picture
projecting machine. 1t is stated that
this rule was adopted to prevent ac
cidents likely to follow the use of
cheap and unreliable machines.
Another ruling that has caused
much discussion, and which may be
abandoned owing to the opposition
of the theatres affected, demands
the elimination of all vaudeville
stunts with the exception of illus
trated songs.
1t is admitted by the film makers
and distributors that the new regu-
lations were adopted as a defensive
measure against the crusade that is
now being waged against canvas
back drama on account of immoral
ity and lack of physical safety. The
reforms are similar to those enforc-
ed by the Chicago authorities In
regulating the moving picture bust
ness in that city.
In order that the film manufac
turers may be forced to live up to
their resolve to eliminate all immor-
al pictures, a So, 900 fine is to be
assessed against any firm violating
this rule. A censorship has been es-
tablished by the makers themselves,
and in case of doubt as to the moral
standing of any picture, it will be re-
ferred to a committee whose decis-
ion viii be final This rule has al
ready served to put the pictures now
being shown on higher moral
plane. AS a case in point, one manu-
facturer designed a series of pictures
graphically setting forth the horrible
details of the Guinness murders at
LaPorte, Ind The other manufac-
turers promptly decided that such
picture would serve to bring the
business into disrepute, and the
threat of imposing the IS, 900 fine
caused the offending firm to with
draw the film.
New Tax Law.
Under the new law governing the
city's right to collect unpaid taxes,
a big auction of liens on property on
which the taxes are unpaid will be
held on Monday. The liens viii be
disposed of to the highest bidder
and the buyers can proceed against
owners should they fail to redeem
their property within three years
after the sale The liens will be sold
for the best offers, none, however, to
20 beyond twelve per cent. Purchas-
ers will become absolute owners on
-oreclosure of the lien should those
interested fail to pay up.
The changes viii doubtless be
iewed by many owners with trepid-
alton, but they are really more equit-
able to owners and the city alike
Tran the tenets of the old law.
First, they will enable the city to
get its money; secondly, they create
instead of a mere lease, tax lien
which is a gilt-edge investment and
i'll attract buyers and finally they
protect delinquent owners in trat
are compelled to go to
the courts to foreclose the lien they
have purchased.