The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-24
'ALL RIGHT TO KISS
IN PICTURE SHOWS
But 1t Must Be Done on Screen,
While Films Are Spin
ming Along.
THE MORALITY OF MOVIES
President Neff Asserts That They
Are Educational and Point
Great Lesson.
HE MORALITY OF MOVIES

Kissing is an innocent diversion, and
moving picture reels in which kissing
and similar scenes are shown should
not be censored, except in extreme
cases. according to NJ. A. Neff, prcs!-
dent of the Notion Picture Exhibitors
League of America, who attended the
organization Of Virginia branch at
the Jefferson Hotel yesterday.
Mr. NeH strongly urged that IL tho
moving picture is to retain Its drama
tic and educational value. 1t must show
J life as 1t is, and he believes that CEN
sorship should be neither prudish nor
prejudiced. He asserted that classical
works of art which are exhibited and
admired in galleries In all of the large
Cities IL thrown on moving picture
screen. would start something like a
riot. and he cites this example TO show
that many people regard the movies"
with the eye of suspicion. He expressed
] the same view with regard to depicting
suicide and murder scenes In moving
pictures. No lurid or gruesome details
should be shown, he declared, but as
these things are a part or life. and may
contain valuable moral lessons they
ought not to be excluded altogether.
Pictures on Sunday.
one thing for which the league stands
I is open moving picture shows on sun
day, wherever the people want them.
and Mr.. Neff defended this practice in
I b,
whence Mr.. Neff halls. the picture shows
are all open on Sunday. and he as
serted that they are filled with men
who would otherwise be using the side
doors to saloons or taking a hand in
clandestine poker games The working
people. who have no time for any
amusement during the week he said
find an hour of relaxation at the pic
ture shows on Sunday, u whole fam
! lily going for quarter.
Mr.. Neff modestly termed tho NOV
ing picture as one of the greatest bene-
hts to humanity, asserting that ii has
educational and moral possibilities that
are as yet entirely undeveloped He
said he could prove by figures that both
crime and the use of intoXiCants have
been reduced by the Introduction of
picture shows, and that they have al
most driven the dino novel out of
existence
The morning meeting of the delegates
was open to the public An address of
welcome was made by Attorney ID. c.
O'Flaherty, and President Neff made
the response. In the afternoon the
meeting got down TO business and the
Virginia branch of the national league
was formally organized and officers
elected. Delegates to the national con-
vcntion to be held in New York July
10 and 16, and alternates were also
chosen.
In the evening banquet was given
at the Jefferson, when speeches were
made by l.. r. Thomas, organizer OF
the Virginia branch. President NeT, c.
z. Tandy, w c. Smith. NJ L. Hofheimer
and others
No Local Authority.
President Neff spoke at some length
upon the subject of the national board
OF censors, saying in substance, that
1t was ineifectual because II was self
constituted. and has no authority over
local consorships, and that 1t is in
| efficient because most of its members
know nothing about moving pictures.
He unfolded plan for a national con-
gress of censors. In which all OF the
states were TO have part He also
attacked the injustice Of high license
! Tor moving picture shows, asserting
/ that they are placed on n par with
Whiskey. as though they were merely a
dissipation, their high educational and
I moral value being entirely overlooked.
1 II c. Stradford was elected national
vice president. each State branch hav-
ing one. c. f. Tandy. OF Richmond.
was elected president of the State
! branch; G. a. Turner. of Portsmouth.
/ first vice president: A II Camphell
Harrisonbure. treasurer; f. ] Sparks
secretary; and a. F. Parrish, of Rich
mond. sergeant-at-arm
Delegates to the national convention
are Mrs. a. Il. Thorp. of Richmond: c.
r. Tandy, Of Richmond: J. w Myrtle
OF stanton; j. G. Boss. OF Norfolk, and
! W. Grail. Of Norfolk. The alter
! mates are NJ. l.. Hofheimor, OF Rich
mond; j. Weinberg. of Lexington; d. P
Wine, Of Harrisonburg: j. r. Hill and
K r Holstein, of Petersburg
Members OF the grievance committee
elected were j. 7. Hill. c. A Turner
Mrs a. r. Thorp, NJ L. Hofheimer and
j. w. Myrtle.
The convention also adopted con
/, sttution and bylaws and chose Nor.
! folk as the place OF the next conycn.
ton.
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