Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-08
NOT TO WAR ON
PUBLIC SENTIMENT
vitagraph Company Will Not
Go to Law to Show Pictures
of the Big Fight.
DECLARED UNNECESSARY
TO GET OUT INJUNCTIONS
Films Will Be Shelved If Public
Opinion Opposes Them.
CHICAGO MAY NOT OPPOSE
Mayor Reyburn Of Philadelphia Re-
fuses to Promise That He Will
Forbid Exhibition.
Films Will Be Shelved IF Public
Opinion Opposes Them.
CHICAGO MAY NOT OPPOSE

CHICAGO, ILL.,. July S.-Stirred by the
growing sentiment throughout the country
against the exhibition Of the Jeffries-
johnson fight films, George Kleine, VIII
liam Selig and George A. spoor, repre-.
sentatives of the moving picture syndi-
cate. issued the following statement last
night:
NO efforts will be made to show the
pictures in any city or town where ad-
verse legislation has been taken. 1t will
not be necessary to get out injunctions
for this combine does not intend to buck
the law in any city or state. We do not
think these pictures are any different
| from those which have been displayed Of
the Johnson-B Burns and Johnson Ketchell
fights. but II we find' that popular senti-
ment is against them we will lay them
on the shelf and not show them at ALL"
Legal Fight Not Expected.
NEW YORK, July S.-"The statement
of Messrs. Kleine. Selig & Spoor as to
our attitude on the exhibition Of the
Jeffries-Johnson fight pictures correct
ly represents our attitude as nearly as
can be stated at this time,'' said Will
liam T. Rock Of the Vitagraph Com
pany of America, at his Office today
shortly after his arrival here from Reno
with the original films of the fight pic
lures in his possession.
Il can think of nothing to add at this
time to the statement these gentlemen
made in Chicago" continued Mr.. Rock.
unless it be to say that while opposi-
tion to the production OF the pictures
In certain localities Is expected. 1T is
my belief that the general public senti-
ment Of the country will not favor
their total suppression. The public as
q whole. / think, 1t will be found, want
to see the reproduction of the great
battle, and while we do not expect to
combat adverse sentiment by legal
means. there is every reason to expect
that the views will be very generally
shown"
Mr.. Rock said that at a meeting Of all
those interested in the fight pictures to
be held later it was expected that defi-
mite plan of action would be decided upon
and announced. The films themselves are
turning out well. he added. Tentative
earlysnext week.
Ch1cago May Not oppose.
CHICAGO. ILL.,, July s.-Unless Chief
of Police Steward and Mayor Busse
change their minds the motion pictures
Of the Jeffries-Johnson fight will not be
barred from Chicago.
Although the chief remains silent on
the subject, merely saying Il will cross
that bridge when i come to it, it is said
that personally he does not think the
ill., L. 1T, h,, h0
pictures.
In order to block the pictures the CHIEF,
under the city ordinances. would have to
declare them to be either immoral or OBJ
scene. Assistant Corporation Counsel
Bielman pointed this out yesterday In an
informal opinion prepared at the request
of Corporation Counsel Brundage.
While my opinion" said Mr.. Bielman.
'is based on a hurried examination OF
the ordinances, / believe that unless the
chief could convince a court that the ex-
hibition Of the pictures would injure pub
lie morals. or were In some sense OBJ
scene, he couldn't prohibit them. An
application fora permit to show the pic
lures must be made first to Chief Stew
ard, and II he turns the Aim people down
they have the right to appeal 10 the
mayor and IL the mayor sides with the
chief, then, of course. they can take the
matter into the courts and try to man
-damus the city.
Reyburn Declines to Promise.
PHILADELPHIA. July s.-A committee
from various civic organizations of this
city which called upon Mayor Reyburn
today to protest against the production In
Philadelphia Of moving pictures Of the
Reno fight left the city hall with but
slight encouragement that the mayor
would prohibit the pictures.
'I understand the entire matter. and
will consider your request said Mr..
Reyburn after he had listened to a half
dozen arguments by those who asked
that the fight pictures be prohibited by
executive order the mayor said later
to interviewers: II think the whole thing
a nightmare l have had no request for
permission to show the pictures, and
why should l make an announcement
now? 1t will be time to take a stand
when an attempt is made to show the
pictures"
The committee which visited the mayor
was composed Of seven prominent women
and a half dozen men, including one ne
gro lawyer.
Prohibited in Havana.
HAVANA, July S.-The government has
nrohihtte cd the exhibition of Jeffries- John