New-York tribune., 1911-11-29
ALDERMAN'S FIST FLIES
Dispute in Board Reaches Per.
SonaI Encounter.
WHITE AND LEVINE IN ROW
Quarrel Over Proposed Picture
Show Ordinance-Deny That
Any One Was Hit.

Did Alderman Johnnie" White. VINO al
one time had some reputation among pusi-
lists, give Alderman Max Levine stralgh'
arm jab in the neck ct the meeting OF the
city fathers yesterday afternoon. or ala ne
! simply reach over 10 straighten the necktle
OF his brother alderman? That is the ques-
ton which was agitatins the members OF
the board last night
In the course Of a heated dispute between
the two as TO whose committee should hoid
public hearing on IA proposed ordinance
for the regulation Of moving picture SHOWS
the two aldermen walked out in front OF
the presidents desk. Alderman Do"llng'
the majority leader, who always acts as
pachcator when disputes arise, manPuNred
around TO get between the combatants.
suddenly the good right arm Of Alderman
White was seen TO shoot out over bowling 5
shoulder. Some say that IL reached the
neck of Levine. At any rate, his face and
neck were as red as beet when Downing
separated the two and they went back to
their seats
"He never touched me-" said Levine later
and denied that any attempt had been
made 10 strike him.
SlnDlN GedcUeu over ~ HAi a. isi''''-
Max's necktie," said White.
When Alderman White, as chairman Of a
special committee on the subject presented
report to regulate moving picture shows
he announced that his committee would
hold a public hearing on ii on Friday at
p m.
Alderman Levine protested. saying that
after the report had been made 10 tine board
it should go 10 the Committee on Laws and
Legislation. Of which he was chairman. and
that no other committee had any right to
hold a public hearing. Various aldermen
took sides and the dispute waxed warm
until it reached the personal encounter
climax. After It was all over Alderman
Walsh. who was presiding in the absence Of
President Mitchell. ruled that the report OF
Alderman White wss simply preliminary
and that his committee had a perfect right
to hold hearings on the subject.
The proposed ordinance Of the Board of
Aldermen has nothing 20 do with the report
on the regulation Of moving picture shows,
which is now being drafted by special
committee Of citizens appointed some time
ago by the Mayor.
Alderman Whites committee purposes to
place upon the Police Commissioner the
DUTY Of censoring all films and the licensing
Of moving picture shows. The censoring is
now done by the National Board Of Cen
sors an unofficial body. and the licenses are
granted by the Mayors Bureau Of Licenses.
The report OF the committee advocates
placing the censorinS in the hands OF the
Police Commissioner on the ground that the
national board. so-called, has no official
power. and also because it simply invites
manufacturers to show their films leaving
it optional whether they are submitted or
not.
From information in the hands Of the
committee" the report goes on to say. the
national board is supported wholly or in
part by the manufacturers md while prob
ably not subject to the influence Of the
manufacturers, is susceptible TO such in
iuence"
It is proposed that for moving picture
shows now running the regulations for safe
guarding life remain the same as now, but
that all places started in the future be sub
iect in that regard 70 the same regulations
now provided for regular theatres. This, II
is believed, would oe practically prohibi-
tive.