Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-17
District Manager Hennessey
Declines to Commensurate
Censor Maintains Silence
Under Attack as Breach
Widens.


Breitinger, State moving picture censor
In his annual report to the State. admits
among other things, the contention OF tn,
film men that they paid for the censor's
headquarters in Philadelphia and for the
room and board Of the assistant censor,
Mrs Niver. lie also admits that tbc
General Film Company furnished anS
equipped the Philadelphia operating room
at Its own expense. as the censor had no
allowance on which to draw, and that
this company also advanced further
moneys for operating expenses In his
report covering from June to December
81, 1914. Dir. BretInger says:
May %. 1914. Minutes read and APP
proved MIR. BreltinEer reported that
the ilm companies and exchanges had
agreed to provide a projection room In
Philadelphia without expense to the
board including expenses OF the pro-
lection rooms, clerk. and the addi-
tional expense of additional censor
while in Philadelphia, providing all the
censoring was done in Philadelphia,
SO as to save inconvenience and eN-
penses to the film companies for such
work. Mr. Breitinger reported that
the General Film Company had under
taken to furnish and equip the rooms
for the purpose and pay the costs in
connection Herewith, the various film
companies TO return to the General
Film Company their pro rata share
for the films censored on their behalf.
The second floor of the southeast
corner 13th and Vine streets was Sc
lected for the projection room. and
the lease was entered into at the
rental of $50 q month. to include heat
ing and ordinary lighting, but not
electricity consumed for projection
purposes. The necessary furniture
was installed by the General Film
Company.
The remainder of the report indicates
that this ARRANGEMENT was in full force
when the report was filed.
When the attention Of J. Il. Hennessey.
district manager of the General Film Com
pany in this city, was called to the above
report lie declined to comment or explain
in any way. He also refused to explain
the meaning OF the check OF $3.50 given
to Mr.. Breitinger by the General Film
Company. as reported by Mr.. Breitinger
to Mr., Walsh, treasurer of the Exhibitors
League under date of February "a, 1913.
BREACH GROWS WIDER.
The break between the motion picture
film exchange men and the Exhibitors
League and the State Censor, j. Louis
Breitinger assumed larger proportions
today. The film men have gathered
new ammunition in the shape of let
ters and cancelled checks TO be used In
their efforts to have the Governor remove
the censor. In addition, Arthur Lucas,
OF the Mutual Film Corporation, who pre-
cipitated the fight, left for upstate on p
quest for further evidence to be used II
an investigation is ordered.
Mr.. Breitinger refused to explain or
reply to the charges openly made and
current gossip in the hlm district for
months.
When the petition asking for Mr. Brett
inger's removal is laid before the Cover
nor, there will be presented to him GER
tain documents, which the film men be-
lieve will prove their contentious that the
censor imposed Illegal and onerous re-
strictlons on them.
THE CENSORSHIP LAW
The law under which Mr. Breitinger
acts was passed on April l9, 1911, but as
no appropriation was made it became eff
fective only June of last year. Mr..
Breitinger took office April / last year
The law is clear on the point of expenses.
TO which Section refers
Said censor and shall be
reimbursed for all expenses actually
and necessarily incurred in the per-
formance of his duties herein pre-
scribed. Such fees (S2.50 for
the censoring OF each reel) when paid
the said board, shall constitute
fund to further the purposes OF this
act
Section covers the question OF physical
IL shall be the duty to
exhibit or display for their Cthe
censorsO examination and approval.
the said moving picture film, or reel.
or stereopticon view.
There Is not a word in the act which |
itates. directly or by innuendo, that the /
lin men must pay the expenses OF an /
nice In this city. This is the main |
'oint TO be raised in the petition asking |
he Governor TO remove Mr., Breltinger
rom ONCE.
Mr.. Breltinger, II is alleged by the OF.
GERS of the Exhibitors League OF Penn,
ylvania, which includes practically every
ne OF the 5000 moving-picture exhibitors
a the State, acted as counsel for the !
sague while a member of the State |
.egislature; that he drafted the censor.
hip bill and voted for IT, In support OF
ness contentious, they have made public
ome of the correspondence which passed |
rom Mr.. Breitinger 10 them,
Tie first OF these letters is dated Feb
lsry a. 9i3, after Mr.. Breitingers exit
'om the Legislature. At that time he
as acting as counsel for the league and
is alleged that the fund to which the
'tter refess. amounting TO $500. was used
connection with Mr. Breitinger's work
J shaping legislation affecting motion
Ictures. While all the contributors are
I'm men. the most interesting item re-
RS 10 the check OF $3.50 from the General
iim Company. This check Is said to
avs come from New York.
AccUsERs PRODUCE LETTER.
Another exhibit is a check for $3.50
ased April s, 1914. after Mr.. Bretineer
ad become censor, drawn on the Ken
ngton Trust Company by NJ. j. Walsh
) treasurer OF the Exhibitors League.
bis check was indorsed by Mr.. Breitin-
er. Acknowledgment OF tine receipt OF
lis check was made two days later, Mr.
reitinEer's letter reading:
April s. 1914
Mr, NJ j. Walsh.
Care OF Iris Amusement Co,
Kensington Allegheny aYes
Dear SIR
4 bes 10 acknowledge receipt OF yours
of the eth inst with inclosure OF check
IN the sum Of $3.50 On account OF serv-
ices rendered, leaving a balance due
of $40. ] understand from you over
lhe phone that this was to be paid
within the next six months Under
the circumstances ! feel that | can
40 nothing except TO walt until that