New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-26

The injustice and abuse OF power
which are inevitable IN the case of local
motion picture ccnsoring bodies acting
under the control Of politicians have
beer strikingly illustrated during the
week in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The
politically made 10 censor boards in
both OF these states have made de
ternined stand to try 70 prevent the
showing Of "John Harleycorn," film
version Of Jack Lcndon's remarkable
story.
T. IS hardly necessary 20 say that
there IS not single line in John Bar
levco~7" 20 which any one could hon
estly object. Il was produced N Cali
fo-nia 5y Herbe-t Bosworth, Inc. and
i, isa fne example OF the motion pict-
u-e acting. The idea OF the producers
vas 20 turn out film which would de
PIC. the evils OF the drink habit with
az mucn force AS the original story.
Obviously this did not mean that all
ne scenes would be pretty, but that
has nothing to do with their proprlety.
J. lie their very realism which makes
.hcr, moral and which has earned the
film the enthusiastic Endorsement OF
ministers % all denominations. the
Young Mems Christian Association.
the An'i-Saloor League, the Women $
Christian Temperance Union and many
rvominent citizens who are opposed 10
the HauOr interests.
The biggest boom which the pictures
ever received. however. came from the
Touor dealers themselves. Some time
ago. wher the production was complet-
ed and had been shown privately. one
q the national organizations OF hquor
manufacturers and dealers offered bos-
worth. Inc. $4,000 in cash 20 keep the
picture ont of six states until after De-
cember !. These states were ones in
which great wet or dry campaigns
will be carried on this fall. and the
wet" interests feared the influence OF
the film. Ohio was one OF the states
mentioned. or course. the offer was
refused. but j. showed as nothing else
could the value Of the picture.
Sensitive ]. Louis.
John Barleycorn" thus came before
N. Pennsylvania State Censor BOARD
with something Of a history. II nae
received the Inducements mentioned
above. as well as that OF the National
urss The houor interests had tried 70
suppress II in the states where they
thought IL would do them the mos
harm. II TIE censors intended 20 ac'
in accordance with the principles which
they are supposed 20 represent, anC
which were so touchingly outlined u
the Aowery speeches delivered By the ad
vocates Of censorship in the Legs
lature. they would have passed the tiln
without 4 word.
J. Louis Breitinger is the Chairman
% the state censors. Now, !. Louis u
man Of parts On number Of occs
sions he has eloouently advocated th'
renewal Of saloon licenses in case
where j. was necessary 20 take suc'
applications before the Court OF Quar-
ter Sessions lie is member Of tn
law firm % Breitinger & Breitlnger
which is known and recognized as on
which handles this class Of business
He is also orc Of ex-senator Penrose'
sdherents. So, al things considered
John Bsrleycorn" didn't look yer,
good 20 J. Louis Blu, whats the use o
being state censor II you can't i'm
prove each shining hour
j was when William T. Smith. N
head % the exchange which handle
Bosworth films in Philadelphia. wen
20 the censor headquarters that he frs
realized what censors can do whe
'hey really get started J. Louis.
seems. has sensitive soul. and he he
II gan 20 tell Mr.. Smith all about n
~ things IN the picture that shocked an
panied him. When he concluded nj
confession Mr. Smith requested a wri,
zen copy 81 the list Of scenes 20 whjc
the censor objected. Perhaps J. Lou
did not wish % bare The inne
thoughts Of MS yiOletlike nature 20 N
public gaze. IN any case. the list wa
refused. and Mr Smith WAS told N,
tis memory should serve him. As N
list had included every vital and in
pOrtsnt scene IN the picture there W.
much truth in the assertion.
viii Ignore Censors.
4 mere tfiAe Ike ordering the be-
parts 81 q fine picture cut out was NJ
sufficient FOR J Louis. Not only al
mis- emotions 20 refined IS 20 mai
those 81 an acO.y'e appear excesses
licentiouaness. but. a. was state
above. he is person % parts. He Ia
an inventive turn - mind. 50
calmly Insisted that 500 70 1000 fe'
b. added 20 the story along lines sui
geSted b. himself or course. N
picture va completed months ago ar
me cast is zcattered far and vide. J
MAKE such an addition would be utter
Impossible Perhaps J. Louis kne
M, and thought IL would help % wee
TIE picture out Of Pcnnsylysnis. Pei
hsps - VA sheer ignorance. Who ca
,sy? But is either reason 3 good on
fer the chairman Of stat. board
oman
Happily. Ar. Smith is net man WI