New-York tribune., 1911-12-02
ARGUE ON PICTURE SHOWS.
Aldermen Hold Hearing on Their
Proposed Ordinance.
HINT AT A TAMMANY MOVE
One Speaker Hears Organization
Wants Municipal Censorship
For It's Own Reasons.

Alderman John White. chairman OF the
special committee on investigation OF laws
applicable to moving picture shows, pre-
sided yesterday afternoon at hearing on
the ordinance proposed by the committee
Henry Moskowitz, Of the National Board
of Censorship. said he had Just received a
copy Of the proposed ordinance and urged
that q later hearing be held 20 that all
might be able 10 express their opinions
after reading the document. he asked the
board to consider very carefully Whether "
was feasible 10 conduct "a safe and very
small moving picture house lie said the
proposed ordinance would make it impos-
,lble 10 conduct a moving picture show IN
any other than a regular theatre, except IN
establishments now operating.
Mr.. Moskowitz said that committee
appointed by the Mayor 20 CONSIDER the
moving picture situation had also prepared
an ordinance. Alderman White said the
MAYORS committee had promised TO CO.
operate with the aldermen. but had gone
ahead independently and prepared an oroi-
nance. which met with much opposlt'oh
from clergymen and others
Chief Wallace, Of the Bureau OF Licenses
attacked the ordinance proposed by the al
dernanic committee. He said, in part:
am onnosed 10 this proposed ordinance
because in seeking 10 take from the Bureau
OF Licenses the power 20 regulate moNlns
picture shows II is wrong IN theory a@Io ar
principle The Police Commissioner ma
plenty TO do without entering upon thls
matter as one Of his duties thlhK tS tnS
moving picture show places. hcenseu az ~
regulated bv the Bureau Of Licenses, are al
issst as we'll regulated as the motion plct-
ure theatres now licensed by the ponce
S. saloron. who said that he represented
the Industrial Workers of the World,
labor union including in its membership
many moving picture operators opposed
the White ordinance, and Bernard Kelly,
of the Theatrical State Union, favored IT,
Gilbert II. Montague. counsel for the
wornan's Municipal League, said the
league was generally inclined TO favor the
proposition OF vesting power in the Police
Commissioner 10 regulate moving picture
shows.
Charles r. Latts, a moving picture show
owner, suggested that the committee ap-
pointed by the Mayor was able TO 'grapple
with the situation"
Don't you think that this act OF the
Board OF Aldermen IS slap IN the face
Of the Mayor" he asked.
Have you stopped to think" demanded
Alderman White, that the Board OF Al
dermen. as a legislative body. may have
received a slap IN the face in the appoint
n1ent OF this other committee
Mr.. Latts said that the Mayors commit
zee was composed Of competent men
we are all worldly men and men OF eN-
perience." said the chairman.
oscar I. Lonberger, Pm. D, who said he
was a Heidelberg man, spoke for the
Bushwick Philosophical Association OF
Brooklyn, and said empnatically:
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
The Police Department has the ISSUING Ol
licenses, as wei as control OF Cne ,rbsSl Ib,S
moving picture theatres IN this city: lnert
are some three hundred places so lcehseu
Iu an but one of the three hundred lu
have visited them ALL nave founu IN,
shows 70 be a disgrace to proprlety aho
decency That Is not so of the small snow
houses controlled by the Bureau OF Ii
Censc$.
Mr.. Montague was again heard from. HC
referred TO the National Censorship Board
and read a circular purporting to have been
issued by It's adherents in which 1t was al
legged that Tammany Hall was endeevoring
10 have % municipal censorship established
through the Board Of Aldermen for It's own
reasons. Mr. Montague declared the women
whom ne represented did not wish 70 have
such IN aspersion cast upon 50 honorable
q body as the Board Of Aldermen.
Chairman White IN closing the hearing
said he hoped to have the ordinance in
shape for presentation TO the board next
TUESDAY II will then in all probability be
referred 20 the Committee on Laws and