The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-22
|. E::lAI.
Published in the Topeka State journal
March p. 1881
SENATE BILL No. s67.

SENATE BILL No. 361.
AN ACT regulating the exhibiting or
using of moving-picture films or reels;
providing and regulating the examina-
ton and approval of moving picture
films and reels, and fixing penalties for
the violation of this act, and making an
appropriation for clerical help to carry
this act into effect
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the
State of Kansas:
Section l. That on and after April
LIST, 1913, it shall be unlawful for any
person, firm or corporation to exhibit or
use any moving picture film or reel un-
less the said film or reel shall have been
examined and approved by the state
superintendent of public instruction, as
hereinafter provided for; provided that
nothing in this act shall apply to moving
picture films or reels used exclusively
In Institutions of learning in Kansas
Sec 2. In addition to the duties now
imposed upon the state superintendent or
public Instruction it shall be his duty
to examine all moving picture films or
reels intended for exhibition in this state,
and approve such he shall find to be
moral and instructive and to withhold
his approval from such as tend to debase
or corrupt the morals. Upon such moving
picture films reels examined by him,
and which shall be approved by him,
there shall be stamped written a certifi-
cate signed by him showing that Such
picture has been examined and approved
by him. giving the date of such approval
Sec 8. The said superintendent of pub
lie instruction shall keep an accurate
record of all examinations made by him
and the date thereof, and by whom pre-
scented for examination, and noting such
pictures shall be approved ana sucn
as shall not have been approved, ana
briefly stating his reasons for withhold
ing his approval of such as are not ap-
proved.
Sec T. For each examination made by
said officer he shall receive the sum OF
two dollars for each moving picture MIN
or reel. No picture, film or reel shall De
examined until such fee shall have been
paid to him. and all such fees small pc
paid by him On the last day of each
state
said state treasurer credited to the gen
eral revenue fund: provided. that the
treasurer shall issue receipts for such ices
in triplicate, one to the state auditor, one
to the state superintendent and one to
be kept by him and filed in his OFFICE.
Provided, that for good and suflclent
reasons shown, the governor may author
ize the employment by the superintendent
of public instruction, one or more aodl-
ttonal clerks in his office as may be
necessary, at a per diem not to exceed
three dollars per day for each day actual
out of the general revenue FUND on war
rants duly issued and payable in the
same manner as other clerks IN sald
office paid.
Sec s. That the said state superin-
tendent of public instruction shall have
general power and authority to supervise
and regulate the display of all moving
picture films or reels in all places OF
amusement or elsewhere within this state.
Said power and authority shall lnclude
the power to inquire into and investigate, |
and to have displayed for his benefit, TO !
aid him in his investigation, the moving |
picture films or reels which are intended
70 he 5isnIaved and said state superinten- |
dent of public instruction snail approve
such moving picture films or reels as
shall be moral and proper, and disapproVe
such moving-picture films or reels as
are sacrilegious, obscene, indecent or I'M
moral or such as tend to corrupt the /
morals; provided, however IN the case
he should disapprove of any moving |
picture film or reel, the person, 1lrm OF |
corporation Offering the same Tor exam, |
17n
nv a commission consisting of the COVER
nor attorney general and secretary OF |
state, who shall examine SAID reel or |
film. and if they, or IA majority OF tnehl
shall find the same is fit for exhibition
on their order the said superintendent
of public instruction shall endorse MS |
approval thereon.
. Sec. 6. 1t shall be the duty OF every
person. firm or corporation intending 10
sell rent or exhibit any moving-p1cture
film or reel within this state TO 1urhlsn
to said superintendent of public 1nstrucc
ton, he may require, description oA
said moving picture Him or reel descIip-
ing the scenes and purposes OF any him
or reel and to exhibit and display Ior ms
examination and approval OF ulsappl oNai
any such film or reel
sec Z Any person. firm or corporation
exhibiting or permitting to be exnlplteo
reel shall be guilty OF misdeneanor,
and shall be fined not less than twenty
five dollars nor more than one hunoreo
dollars for the first offenSe ana not less
than one hundred dollars for each SUD-
saouent offense Each unapproved NOV
ing-picture film or reel exhibited, and
each day the same shall be exhibited,
shall constitute a separate offense
Sec s. All laws and parts OF laws so
far as they conflict herewith are hereoy
Zee. g. This act shall take effect and
he in force on and after the first day OF
April. 1918, and it's publication in the
OFFICIAL state paper.
I hereby certify that the above bill orig
mated in the Senate, and passed that BODY
SHEFFIELD INGALLS,.
President of the Senate.
BURT Z. BROWN,
Secretary of the Senate.
Passed the House Mar Z, 1913.
W. l.. BROWN,
Speaker of the House.
GEO. F. ROGERS,
Chief Clerk of the House.
Approved Mch. 10, 1918.
GEO. H. HODGES,
Governor
State of Kansas
office of the Secretary of State
L CHAS. H. SESSIONS, Secretary or
State of the State of Kansas, do hereby
certify that the above and foregoing IS
correct copy of the original enrolled bill
now on file in my office.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF. have
hereunto subscribed my name
[Seal.1 and affixed my OFFICIAL seal
this 18th day of March, 1913
CHAS. H. SESSIONS,
Secretary of State
published in The Topeka State Journal
March .. 1881