The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-13
UGLY CHARGES
OF GRAFT MADE
Moving Picture Theatres
Said to Be Robbing
Charities.

Especial Cable to The Times Dispatch.)
London. October 12.-Ugly charges
Of graft are being made in connection
with the takinss Of the moving picture
theatres permitted to remain open In
London on Sunday. Although charities
are supposed to get s5 per cent Of the
takings. the great disparity between
the Dor ONCE receipts Of the Sunday
shows and the disbursements 70 hos
pitfalls and other philanthropie insti-
tutions 10 rather startling.
1t 10 charged that certain favored
charities agree to accept donations
from the moving picture places with
out scrutintzing the figures Of gross
and net takings too closely Il they
are assured their share win be rsgu-
lar and certain. During the period OF
nine months, according to the figures
submitted TO tho London County Coun-
ell, the total receipts amounted to
$4,000. while charitable societies
benefited to the extent OF only $4,000.
The proprietors Of the theatres ex-
plain these figures by declaring that
the expenses Of Sunday opening are 90
great that many times there are no
profits At all. The charities are
charged for rent wear and tear and
the operating expenses OF the theatre.
and 1t is argued that in the cases Of
the least scrupulous houses tho Sunday
opening pays running expenses for q
week and naturally there are no net
pronts left to be shared with charity.
Bitter Fight 10 On.
A bitter municipal night IL bsing
waged between the various parties
preparing for the approaching council
elections in London. They usually at
tract little attention. but the issue
between the Moderates. who now con-
troll most OF the boroughs. And the
Progressives has become % sharp
that the campaign is as exciting a. q
parliamentary contest Each borough
has its own particular pet problem.
but running through all Of them 10
tho feeling that the Moderates repre-
sent the privately controlled interests
while the ProGressives stand Tor the
public control Of utiIitiea-
Many Of tho local councils will be
split on the question Of the control of
motor bus trafio, and the Progressives
will make q strong fight for the regula-
ton OF this most formidable competitor
Of the municipally-owned street car
systems. Even the Moderatas win
whereby the motor bus companies will
be compelled to bear Q fairer share Of
the cost Of keeping up the roads-
In some districts Of London the
councils are almost as Backward a. the
old vestries which they succeeded, and
in these boroughs the Labor par15. ~
well as the Progressives. will make q
determined effort to overthrow the
Moderates, who are accused Of OBJ
structing the most elementary and
necessary housing and sanitary regu-
lationA It 10 expected that the cam
patgn for social reform win bring ont
a number Of women candidates for the
councils.
Outeries Cause Alarm.
The loud outcry in London against
the motor omnibus companies owing
to the numerous accidents caused by
their vehicles has caused those con-
Germs much alarm. The companies
have now begun q campaign to detect
and punish their drivers who exceed
the speed limit.
This step has irritated the drivers,
who already cherish numerous Griev.