The Washington times., 1914-10-14
Senate Controversy
PrOOeS Pictures
Supplemental
to Press.

The moving picture episode in the
United States Senate last week
brought prominently before the pub
lie one phase of film development
that has been given practically no
attention. The film, in addition to
making a place for itself beside the
stage, has also firmly established
itself as the twin brother of the
newspaper. The controversy be-
tween the Vice President of the
United States and Senator Overman,
of the Senate Committee on Rules,
established this fact beyond a doubt.
The idea of turning the Senate
chamber into a moving picture
studio is repugnant to many people.
1t does not seem to comport with
the dignity of the Senate. But when
you twist that description and show
that the photographing of the Sen
ate chamber with the Vice President
and Senators in their places and in
action, was exactly the same thing
Rs the describing of the actions of
the Senators and their presiding Of
fiCcr by the correspondents Of the
newspapers. it puts the matter in
an entirely different light. Further
than that, when you state that the
photographing Of the Senate cham
Der with a motion picture camera
is Of far create" value. as an actual
scene of what takes place in the
Senate chamber, than a description
written by a human being. news
nf
yor establish the right of the
caneraman TO take pictures Of the
Senate when ana how. he pleases so
long as he does not interrupt public
business.
The motion picture supplements
the press in spreading information,
therefore. in the same measure as
II supplements the stage in giving
entertainment II cannot wholly
take the place of the newspaper any
more than it can wholly take the
place OF the stage. But it will be
we'll TO recognize now that the same
rights and privileges that are ac-
corded the newspapers belong 10 the
motion picture camera. II is no
more unseemly or undignitled for
motion pictures TO be made Of the
Senate chamber than IL is for them
10 be made of Pennsylvania avenue.
j will not be very long before every
event of great national importance
viii actually wait upon the motion
p.Cture camera 10 be placed in read
mess TO record il. II will not he
long before every occasion OF mo-
ment in the history of the world
will be recorded on film by man
date OF the law in exactly the same
wav wordy descriptions OF such
actions are recorded on paper and
stored away in some nusty place
20 accumulate dust
The minute the dignity Of any
body Of men or any institution OF
men becomes so great that il is en-
dangered by the filming of the men
or the institution in action, Just
that minute it's dignity becomes too
great for ordinary human Intelh-
EcnCe TO grasp, and there is no o"-
casion for it's further existence where
ordinary human beings are compel-
Cd TO live. Nothing that has so Tar
happened on earth is too dignifled
10 be pictured. The inauguration or
2 President. the coronation OF a
King. the funeral Of a Pope. the
fighting Of a battle. the gathering OF
great masses Of people for any pur-
pose whatsoever, the laying OF
cornerstone, the unVeiling Of a stat
We. all Of these things have been
subjected 10 the motion picture
camera. In this country there are
on file in various government de-
pariments thousands Of feet of mo-
fion picture film showing work done
hy those departments that could
not bc shown in any other way-or
could not he shown in any other way
50 well The people Of this country
arc entitled 10 know exactly how
tho Senate Of the United States.
conducts its business. And now that
tho Senate Of the United States
through it's individual members. is
required 10 ask IN" people of the
country permission to exist. II docs
not seem at all out Of place that the
senate should permit itself 10 be
Eublacted TO the most rigid scrutiny
10y all the people through the agency
~ the film, anv more than il would
injure the dignity OF the Senate 10
have articles printed in the news
papers about them.
Tho sooner realization comes TO the
people that the moving picture
camera is not toy but the most sci
cntific instrument for recording In"
exact facts Of history that has yet
been developed. iust that much soon
- the motion pictures will secure the
recognition that is their due and
much of the controversy and preju-
dice now in existence will be elimi-
aA&sd. G. n.