Evening star., 1911-06-10
are the censors Of moving pictures h

are the censors Of moving pictures In
Washington.
A great deal Of reform in the moving
picture business has come from within.
A number OF flm-producing companies.
foreseeing danger to their growing busi-
ness by allowing questionable films to 60
forth. concluded to issue only those that
would be above censure from q moral
standpoint. Most Of the picture houses
in Washington. II not all Of them. are
served by these pre-censored films.
In discussing the moving picture matter
the chief OF police in his late report
said:
public influence for better or for worse
| In cities and towns has received the at
tentiOn and consideration during the last
year as has the moving picture theaters:
to the subject that expensively conducted
publications have devoted criticisms, ia
vorable or otherwise. as might be reQuir-
ed, in the interests of decency of the
lows all innovations placed in effect as
financial ventures, the spirit of rivalry
was early manifest, and the disposition
to carry the attractions to extremes was
evident. New laws and ordinances were
enacted in many states and municipal
tiles to enable the authorities to meet the
situation.
In the District Of Columbia it must
be stated to the credit of those concern
ed that the managements have generally
acceded to the requirements Of the po-
lice in eliminating presentations of a
questionable character, those tending to
degenerate or to excite prejudices. The
prompt and general acquiescence of the
proprietors to the wishes of the depart
ment to avoid pictures of q recent battle
which came off in Nevada was commend
able, and the continued disposition to
comply with police censorship should be
work of supervising these constantly
shifting displays falls upon the captains.
lieutenants and sergeants of the several
precincts, comprising comparatively
small board. when 1t Is remembered that
they must review the new picture sets
at all places, in addition to their many
other duties. and make reports to the
major and superintendent. avoiding. omis-
sions If those interested will but
scrutinize the picture films afforded the
citizens of some other communities and
compare them with those in the Dis
trict they will pronounce very clear
bill of health for their own
The growth Of popularity OF the mo-
ton picture is amazing. Outside of it's
entertaining aspect the moving picture
is being given popular recognition as an
enlightening influence, and Is coming into
recognition by educational authorities. A
moving picture show is being conducted,
under official sanction. of course, in the
public library at Madison. Wis. The
pictures thrown on the screen are deemed
to be cultural. 1t is argued that the eye
in this way can inform the mind. For
eign scenes. immortal paintings and stat
ues. great ceremonies, notable men and
women, when thus pictured, help one to
apprehend and appreciate places one can
not visit, and to look on the images of
things and persons one may not see.
The public school system of Boston has
experimental with the moving picture as
an educational aid or cultural supple
ment, but the experiment was temporari-
ly abandoned, not, it is said, because the
results achieved were not satisfactory,
but because of fear of fire. The pictures
were such a drawing card that the as
sembly rooms in which the exhibitions
were held were crowded to the danger
point. This would argue that the pic
lures were in high favor with the pupils.