The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-10-11
PICTURE CENSORSHIP
IN DISTRICT ASKED
\ Northeast Washington Citi-
zenS' Association Urges
Closer Supervision.
CRIME DEPICTED,
ASSERTS SPEAKER
Effect on Children Declared Harm
full Through Kind of Scenes
Presented.

Str1Cter censorship Of moving picture
shows IS advocated by the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association.
Following a debate on the character
OF these exhibitions and their infiu-
ences on the minds of patrons, espe-
cially children, resolutions were adopt-
ed recommending closer supervision. at
meeting of the association in North
east Temple last night. The subject was
introduced by T. P. Foster, Of the eX
ecutive committee.
Z have witnessed many Of these
shows" said Mr.. Foster. Some are
good, some are not so bad. and some
are very bad In view of the fact that
a large per cent OF the patrons are
children, there should be, in my opinion,
a stricter censorship of the pictures.
Another objection is that these thea
tiers attract children from their homes
at night. have seen the theaters
crowded with little ones at 10 o'clock,
and that hour they should be home in
bed"
Similar views were expressed by 5.
Sowerbutts. secretary Of the associa-
ton.
NIlle Is OeplCltQ.
While there can be no objection to
some OF the shows, many OF the pic
lures depict scenes OF murder, assass-
ination and intrigue, which cannot
but have a harmful influence on the
minds Of children" said Mr.. Sewer
butts. Crime is not the proper sub
Ject for the contemplation of infant
minds.
These pictures can be made the
means for good, and there should be in
Washington a stricter censorship Of this
character Of entertainment ] am not
opposed TO the scent theaters, as they
provide resting place for tired women
who have spent the day in shopping, and
are in need Of "A half hours rest and
recreation. But the character Of the
films presented in many instances can
undoubtedly be improved.
Closer censorship was advocated also
by W. S. Ransom.
4 am a frequent visitor TO the moving
picture shows said Mr.. Ransom, and
some of the pictures ! have seen are
nothing less than degrading
ION the other hand, l have spent
many profitable half hours in these
places, where the character Of the exhi-
bition Is above reproach- A closer cen
SOrship Will not hurt the good shows
and viii put the bad ones out Of that
business
The resolution was Endorsed by C. H.
Aschenbach. on the ground that it led
children into the habits Of eXtrava-
Eance-
Il have four children" said Mr.
Aschenbach. and none Of them have
ever seen the inside Of one Of these
moving picture shows"
DR.. Walter Finds No Fault.
Opposition to the resolution was ex-
pressed by DR.. /. D. Walter. who said
that he had visited the moving picture
shows on many occasions and had never
seen anything Objectionable in any Of
them.
Resolutions urging the appointment OF
dental surgeons for the public schools
were adopted. DR.. Starr Parsons was
appointed a committee Of one TO bring
this subject TO the attention Of other
citizens associations.
on motion Of Or. Parsons, the asso-
citation adopted a r\OlutiOn thanking
Representative William J. Carey, OF
Wisconsin, for his work on the House
committee Of the District OF Columbia
IN the interest Of northeast washington.
Criticism Of the Engineer Department
of the District was made by ". J. FriZ-
zel, who declared that northeast Wash
tngtOn was not receiving its share OF
the appropriations for improvements.
by resolution, the executive committee
hdS NIecltu 10 enuedNOr 10 nave IN
cluded in the Commissioners estimates
an item for the Improvement OF the
streets, ALLEYS. and roadways in the
northeast section.
The following officers were elected
Evan II. Tucker, president, Dr. !. d.
Walter. vice president. DR. Starr Par
sons. second vice president. \ Sewer
butts, secretary. W. G.. Lane. financial
secretary. A II. f Holster. treasurer:
w. G. FriZzel. f. p. Foster. W. A
Linton. and ". s Branson, executive
committee