The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-09
State Superintendent Entrusted
with Film Censor Law.
Bat He Did Not Enter Into
Spirit Of It.
FILM MEN TOOK HEART
And Went to Colrt-Now the
Ohio Case.
Kansas the Loser in Moral and
Financial Way.

Based on the recent decision OF the
federal court upholding the picture film
censorship law In Ohio. Attorney Cen
eral Dawson expects to establish before
Judge Pollock the constitutionality OF
the Kansas censorship law. Yet the
revenue and moral effect OF the law
will probably be lost for at least two
years. This fact is claimed to be large
ly due to the derelfction Of w. d. Ross.
state superintendent Of public instruc-
ton. to aid In the enforcement OF the
new enactment.
When the 1913 IL ~islature passed the
picture film censorship law, 1t placed d.
rectly on the state superintendent the
responsibility Of inspecting the MINIS
offered for display in Kansas. In Mr..
Ross was vested the power to admit
or reject any picture nlm onered Tor
display. His decision was anal. He
was the court of last resort. Only ex-
pensive litigation in the urts could
overrule his decision, il purchance 1t
could be overruled at all. But the state
superintendent did not enter into the
spirit of the new reform. Largely be-
cause of his failure to aid in the en-
forcement of the new law. it Is claim
ed, the constitutionality Of the act 10
tied up in the federal courts and pic
same freedom that was In evidence be-
fore the law was passed.
There was complaint from many
sources in the state regarding the char
acter OF many picture films. These
complaints came principally from the
smaller towns. Children in the small
towns had been lured to the picture
show houses to see the James Boys
holdup a traia, or view scenes Of crime
or questionable high life on Broadway.
showing women in questionable attire
and in resorts that were new and
strange to the mind Of the boy and girl
who lives on the Kansas prairfes. Many
OF these pictures were suggestive ana
immoral and the legislature sought to
stop this display. 1t provided an in
spection fee of 81 film that would
AFFORD ample funds for all expenses Of
inspection and perhaps leave a surplus
sufficient to meet any emergency. The
legislature provided that the superin-
tendent of public instruction should in
spect these films.
Ross Was Peeyish.
When the law was passed, the state
superintendent was not in a cheerful
mood. The law. makers had trimmed
Superintendent Ross contingent fund
until there was 70 money for summer
tunkets to educational meetings at the
seaports and summer resorts. The leg
islature had enacted q law creating the
educational administration board. 1t
had passed a law providing for the
state publication Of school text books.
The legislature had not provided. as
Ross desired. that all members Of the
textbook commission should be school
teachers. And Ross was in a peevish
and irritable frame Of mind when the
legislature gave him the best advertis-
ing opportunity ever afforded a Kansas
state official, when 1t said he should
inspect the picture films.
Could See Only Sorrow.
Ross saw only sorrow and trouble in
the new law He pointed out to the
newspaper reporters a dozen defects in
the law. For days he didn't know
whether. he would inspect picture films
or not. His statements were published
and the picture film manufacturers saw
a division among state officials regard
ing the operation Of the law and
planned to save $4,000 a year in in
towns the same brand of pictures they
had drawn in former years. These men
called on Superintendent Ross. He as
sured them that he did not have a
very high regard. for the new law. Be-
sides, Ross stated, he was q busy man
and inspecting moving pictures wasn't
within the province of q man chosen
Kansas youths.
So the ultimatum went forth from
Ross Office that he would inspect pic
ture films on snuch days and under
such circumstances as he found his
business affairs would warrant-and
Ross himself would be the Judge and
jury as to whether business did or
did not warrant inspection. That was
the final word. "A few Aims were in
spected. Some were accepted. Some
were rejected. Then the wheels stop
ped.
Film Afeh Took Heart.
Picture film manufacturers saw that
the state superintendent was not en-
tering into the spirit of the law, either
to collect the revenue which is pro-
vided, OF to safeguard the public NOR
ais by the rejection of Objectionable
films. So the Aim manufacturers smil-
ingly went to the federal court to test
the constitutionality Of the state law.
And Superintendent Ross breathed a
sigh Of relief. He was relieved of ex-
ira work and responsibility.
It was a year ago, almost, that the
suit to test the state law was filed in
the federal court. In view of the re-
cent court decision upholding the con-
stitutionality of the OHIO law, Attorney
General Dawson believes the Kansas
law will be declared valid. But the
benefits of the law have been lost dur
ing the two years OF Superintendent
Ross term in Office.
Infe pov><,n To Tliv0rre6