New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-25
NO CENSORSHIP EXPECTED
Advocates Convinced Mayor
Will Veto "Movie" Clause.
SAYS HE DOUBTS LEGALITY
Also Fears 1t Might Grow Into
Great Interference with
Personal Liberty.

Clergymen, citizens and public officials
who attended the public hearing yester-
day forenoon OH the proposed moving
picture ordinance came away firmly con-
WINGED that Mayor Gaynor would veto
the clause in the ordinance establishing
censorship Of moving picture films
under the authority Of the Board Of Edu-
cation.
II is still possible. il is believed. that
the Mayors veto will be applied specif-
caly TO the censorship clause. In that
event the remainder or the ordinance
affecting the structural part will not be
disturbed. The arguments presented to
him by representative citizens strongly
advocating the retention OF the censorship
clause elected nothing but an admission
that he was IN doubt regarding the proper
course 10 pursue and would accordingly
go over all the statements carefully and
consult his authorities before he made
known his decision.
In opening the hearing Manor Gaynor
spoke in general terms. announcing his
approval Of the purpose OF the ordinance
This ordinance" he said was drawn
by commission appointed by the Mayor.
That this ordinance meets with my an
prevail is not necessary 10 state now.
There is only one point In the ordinance
passed by the Board OF Aldermen which
may be Of doubtful legality. and that is
In placing the censorship within the con-
troll OF the Board OF Education or that
Of any other body Of men or women
MY commission carefully considered
that point I'm all its phases. There IS no
other point to he discussed here to-day. -
On the ingenious plea that # would be
"a fine Christmas present" one of the
speakers at the hearing. Alderman Nor
rison. who acted as chairman Of the dele
cation in favor of censorship. presented
a petition from the Society for the Pre-
ventlon OF Crime and asked for the
Mayors approval. In reply, Mayor Gay
nor said
Eve ave learned here OF new things.
The aJfe npt 10 censor the press was
tried. ~ failed Our founders did away
with the censorship OF religion because
Il had been abused. So II 7 sign this
ordinance II may not be good Christmas
present after all. IL may be something
which. growing little by little. may prove
20 be a great interference with our per-
sonal liberty.
"As the representatives OF various re-
lgious denominations have appeared be-
fore me this morning. could not help
thinking that each one OF these denom-
nations at some time has been under
censorship. The spirit OF the desire 10
avoid all such mistakes is that In which
approach consideration OF this ordl-
nance. II has been said here that one
OF the pictures shown in a theatre where
children go depict a scene IN n vile den
OF thieves. Might not such A picture
net as deterrent TO crime? As Pope
says:
''Vice is a monster OF 80 frightful mien
As TO be hated needs but 10 be seen
Canon Chase and other clergymen pres
ent called attention to the fact that the
Mayor had neglected TO complete the quo
tation. which runs:
Yet seen too oft. familiar with her face
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
"If the Mayor had quoted the whole
verse his argument would have been I'm
our favor" said Canon Chase.