Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-24
Municipal Affairs
CALLS PICTURE SHOW
ORDINANCE ASININE'
Council Committee Slams Freak
Measure Barring Lads Under
Fl from AmuSementS

"Why. it is the most asinine ordi-
nance that we've had before us in
many a day." exclaimed Councilman
Gregory yesterday when the proposed
ordinance prohibiting minors from Wis
iting moving picture shows, penny ar
cades and similar places of amusement,
unless accompanied by a parent or
guardian, was being discussed at a
meeting of the legislative committee of
the council.
The measure will be sent to the coun-
ell with the recommendation that it
be not adopted. At present minors
less than fourteen years old are pro-
hibited from visiting such amusement
places. The proposed ordinance raises
the age limit from fourteen to twenty
one years.
Just imagine" said Councilman
Gregory, 1.-The picture of Little Will
lie a few months this side of voting
age, who is forced to cool his heels
outside a moving picture show house
because his mamma is too busy at
home to accompany him. Just imag-
inc Little Willie" with mustache
as expansive as that of a Spanish
pirate, crying outside the gates of the
Chutes because his legal guardian
failed to show up in time to pass him
by the gatekeeper
"We've got about all the fool and
unenforceable ordinances in this city
that we care for, and 1, for one, shall
vote that this joke before us be con-
signed to oblivion by Withholding
recommendation for its passage. The
sooner we arrive at conclusion that
this city is in need of sane legisla-
ton, and that alone, the better it will
be for us and the ones who elected
us"
A deputation of moving picture men
appeared to ask that the committee
report unfavorably on the ordinance
claiming that its passage would put
them out of business.
AGAINST PRESENT LAW
Thomas Baker of the Theatrical
Managers association pointed out that
to raise the age limit would be an in
Justice to the film theaters, as the
major portion of the audiences at these
theaters are of the younger element.
''Why don't the police enforce the
present ordinance if there are any OBJ
iectionable shows in the city?" in
ouired Councilman Andrews. Il think
this matter should be brought to the
attention of the chief"
at believe" said Councilman O'Brien,
chat the age limit should be elm
mated altogether from the ordinance.
children should be allowed to VISIT
these theaters without their parents,
for it is the custom OF many lLlollieIs Iii,l :,
to leave their little ones at moving
picture show while they go shopping
calling for them when the shopping
tour is over"
M. A. Hamburger, who was present
To oppose the passage of the ordinance,
told the council committee that he mad
established a feature In his store that
would have to be eliminated II the Or
dinance went into effect, for he was
rI,nnino. a moving picture show at
which many parents left their children
while shopping in another part OF MS
department store.
WHY MEASURE WAS DRAWN
It is stated this measure was drawn
as a result of an inspection or penny
arcades which was made a few weeks
ago by Police Commissioners Iophanl
and Johnson, who found objectionab!e
oictures in several arcades, which were
heinr viewed by youths of fifteen ana
sivteen Years of age. The police COM
mission recommended to the city coun-
ciI that the ordinance regulating such
nlaces he amended to exclude persons
of tender years.
II is said that 1t was not INTENDED
nv the commission that reputable NOV
in n1Cture SHOWS SlOulu ooLAOA' D@N
was aiming it's attack at penny ar
cades wherein suggestive pictures were
exhibited.
Councilman Gregory intimated that
should the ordinance be allowed TO go
into effect the small boy would pc
robbed of his greatest joy, attendance
at ia bali game, for there is a provision
that legislates against "any public
park M or place of amusement" and, -
continued Gregory, mothers are not
aIwavs prone to accompany. thelr
Tonro,----q W to a ball game, for bleache,rr
seats are hard, and no real small
how would sit in the grandstand."
1t was suggested to the moving pic
ture managers that they call upon
CIV Attorney Hewitt and discuss an
amendment to the present ordinance,
Which puts the age limit at fourteen
Wears' ,a' SO that younger children may
be admitted to these shows Wltnouu Ut
being accompanied by a parent or
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