New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-18
as h. thinks Of all those double-headers
| coming ''-Washtngton Herald.
REGULATING MOTION PICTURES
Canon Chase Discusses Ordinances No"
Before Board of Aldermen.

TO tho Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The Morrison motion picture or
dlnances are considered by some very GOOD
people to embody so many desirable iea',
ures that there is no hope that the boaiu
OF Aldermen can be induced TO enact then
into law They feel that each good provls-
ion has an enemy who will become actlVe
either to bride. deceive or frighten the Al
dermen so that they will not vote for 80
good a measure as Alderman Morrison pre-
sents They forget that each good feature
creates more friends. and with muc"
larger enthusiasm. than for bill ike the
Folks measure which does much for the
motion picture trust, but little for the chill
dren Of our city. The Morrison ordinances
bavs the same protection against fire as the
ordinance drawn UP by the Mayors legal
adviser with the assistance OF the Mayor >
Committee on Motion Pictures and pre-
scented by Alderman Folks. but the Nor
rIson measure would compel the existing
motion picture shows TO obey these pro-
visions whereas the Folks measure would
reou,re obedience only from the motion
ricture shows that are 10 he built in the
future
Yet these good people say that the ooolly
welfare OF the child IL more important than
his moral welfare and urge the immediate
massage Of the Folks ordinance to protect
the children against fire, though they Know
Its fire provisions would not affect single
existing show II IL true the FOLKS ornl-
nance provides a vent OF air which must
20 from the iron casing which the state
law provides must M around the motion
picture apparatus 10 protect against nre'
This vent makes II more comfortable TOT
the operator but does not increase the pro-
lection against fire. The Morrison measure
has this provision concerning tho vent
but II also has many good features such
az requiring not only the indoor shows Out
also tho open air motion picture theatres 70
he we'll lighted, and also 10 have the chairs
nroperlv fastened 70 the floor in saloon
or restaurant, as a protection against panic
IN case Of fire. features which are omitted
I'm the Folks measure.
The Board Of Education spends over N,-
ono.0oO 10 make the children into good citi-
gems They would seem TO be tho proper
persons IN decide whether motion picture
would tend 10 corrupt the morals of youth.
II 40 the penal law ~ our state says It has
no flEnt 10 eNlsT anu tp Hdo wv Ii'l''N'
value. The manufacturer Is the one who
should bear the responsibility and stand
the loss The Folks bill puts tho responsi-
billy wrongly upon the exhibitor and pun
ishes him for showing IT, He Is not the
responsible person. FOR he did not choose
the picture ~ came IN him with four
other films for one day r. he did not show
H. he had nothing else 10 show his pa
irons. To let that had picture he shown
and niure some o' the children and then
put the police and the courts 10 the expense
Of proving the picture 20 he bad IL for the
city to act in an expensive and inefhclent
manner. having the supposed business In
terests Of the film maker rather than that
OF the children in view.
hearing at the city Hall which has
been requested will give An opportunity 10
the teachers and parents and TO the
| churches 10 make their wishes In this mat
ter known. Any one who desires a copy OF
the Morrison ordinance or a notif cation as
TO the date Of tho hearing should write 10
| the Society for the Prevention OF Crime,
| No "A Union Square He should send AL
derman Morrison No. al3 Sterling Place.
Brooklyn. any suggestions az TO amend
ments 10 strengthen the bill
Some may say the Morrison measure Is
too good n succeed. VIII not your readers
say the measure is 80 good that they will
be enthusiastic In working among the al
dermen and the Republican party man
ayers to secure It's adoption?
San Francisco and about twenty-three
other clties-American ciues-havs some
form Of efficient censorship. Seven cities
have adopted n censorship since January !.
being disconnected with what Is improperly
called the National Board OF Censorship.
whose expenses are paid by tho moving
picture interests and really have not tho
fun powers OF censorship.
The Folks ordinance gives 30 many spe-
cial favors 10 moving pictures and places
m many unreasonable hardships on the
vaudeville that there Is grave question
whether the Folks measure Is not uucon-
stltutlonal. as being special legislation. The
reason for this special legislation is said TO
Ia the low and degrading character OF
vaudeville shows. The most demoraliSlng
features Of vaudeville are the indecent
foxes and songs by fast women. AS songs
ara not forbidden in motion picture shows
BY the Folks ordinance. It would seem 20
b. unconstitutional unless there is added an
efficient official censorship OF the pictures
and songs, such as the Morrison ordinance
provides
The Folks measure so unfairly favors
motion picture business interests that It is
not surprising that the vaudeville business
interests. through Tammany, oppose It.
The Morrison measure is fair 10 both In
terests. but, above all. protects the children
Of tho city from the attempt OF all amuse-
ment businesses to make money through
the corruption Of the morals Of the young.
WILLIAM SlIEAFD CHASE.
No 4l Bedford avenue. Brooklyn, June
II 1912.