The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1910-11-09
Observations BY One Who j.
Regarded as High Au-
tEorIty on Subject.

given by Hayon. the veteran Wrtter
ana esteemed authority:
"a great ado Is made oyer the
prospectiYe exhibition OF moving
pictures representing the hight be-
tween Jack johnson and James Jeff
fries for the boxing championship
OF the World at Reno, New. on the
Fourth OF July.
According to reports the pictures
of this fight are to be made the main
pretext to injure an industry that
promises far greater benefits than
the fanatlca7 agitators and jealous
opponents, who are instigating this
clamor and persecution are capable
of bringing about.
After nearly forty years. connes-
ton with the press. during which
time L have had an abundance OF
proof that the great leaders in the
newspaper field are sincere In their
assertion that they oRer "a fair field
and no favor" I do not hesitate soi
ask for space enough to make q
statement that will help fafr-minde-f
men to a rational conclusion as to-
the rabid refermers to cause trouble
and immense loss without further
warrant than bare assertion based
on distorted and grossly exaggerated
reports of evil being. and further to
be wrought by the exhibition OF a
series of pictures that show what a
man can do with the weapons ma
ture gave him, instead of using the
towards knife or pistol.
~. fan 10
ing picture industry has developed
from its crude experimental stage
as a cheap amusement for the pop
ulace into a form of entertainment
that appeals to the most Intelligent
classes of people in all civilized coun-
tries.
In it's vast diversity of attractive
features the taste of vast majority
lis fully satisfied and the bearer of
the slender purse is able to enjoy
himself on equal terms with the
richest.
Like every other great innovation
that threatens to diminish the power
and revenue of established institu-
tions, the moving picture was bound
to meet with violent opposition by
Jealous, greedy and fanatica1 oppo-
nents: but, notwithstanding all the
obstacles put in its way. the moving
picture is firmly established as the
dominant entertainment of the
masses.
The cause for the rapid and ire
mendous expansion of the moving
picture industry is obvious. A man
can take his entire family to such
an entertainment for the price OF
one seat in the gallery of regular
theater." thousands upon thous-
ands of men who had spent their
leisure hours and money in salons
and gambling houses, whom the re-
formers could not bring to a reali-
zation of their wrong-dolng. now
find it more profitable and agree
able to spend their spare time and
money in the picture houses with
their wives and children.
The usual program of pictures pre-
scented at all the moving picture the
nters OF the better class consist of
three reels OF /, 900 feet OF Aim each;
one reel drama; the second
scenic or purely educational series
of pictures, and the third comedy.
whoever will take the trouble to
investigate the moving picture the
atre without prejudice and talk with
many OF its most intelligent regular
patrons, as have done. for the pur-
nose OF ascartaining the truth as to
it's influence, WAL be greatly sur
prised at the iudisputable good done
by this vlclously lampooned indus
try.
The dramatic part frequently Is
a religious subject that is far more
impressive and inspiring than the
remembrance OF sermons heard. Or
It may be an historic production that
gives a much better conception of
race of men or OF events and the
customs OF period than is fixed IN
the mind by The forced examining OF
any text Or 1t may be scenes that
arouse patriotIsm: more chivalric
spirit in meas Who have found no
such emulation in their earlier en-
vironment. other OF these dramas
depict social conditions true to life
that impress one strongly that evil
doing is an .errer that sooner or
later leads to misery and disas-
Itrous end While good Impulses and
noble deeds bring happiness and