The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-02
Bv The REV. HI. E. ROBBINS
Pastor St. James Church, West Hartford, conr

huge correspondence which resulted leads me to believe that the clergy and social workers generally are vitally interested in the subject, and more than a score have written me that they have taken up similar un- dertakings.
 The Hartford press was solidly, enthusiastically and helpfully back of me as were most of the more in fiuential clergy. From other quart CTS some of the opposition amounted to persecution. The wide interest and numerous inquiries from all over the United States and Canada have convinced me, however. that the clergy generally are deeply in terested and wish to make use of the motion pictures in some practical and helpful way.
 After more or less thorough sur vey of conditions in New England as secretary of the Episcopal Social Service Commission for Connecticut, some general deductions were the result, which may prove of interest.
 First, as to the, motion picture theatre in large towns. So far as the city Is concerned there is little that is unsatisfactory. The theatres are carefully supervised, the local censorship is without exception in New England beyond criticism, and the safest, cleanest place for enter tainment in the larger places is the motion picture theatre.
 Along this line much can be done by the clergy in advising the man. agers to use pictures which have special teaching power. There is wide field to select from in the soci- ological line, and the managers are generally glad to have the co-opera- ton of the clergy.
 Even the small five cent houses are generally safe and clean. They are well lighted and the law as to juve- nile admission is well enforced. In the city, the larger parishes can use motion pictures to the advantage of parish work. The very best fire proof equipment can be installed at a cost of less than $500.
 The National Board of Censor ship in New York will supply without charge complete lists of pictures, to- gether with the name of the firm that makes them. These reels may be rented for an average of $2 night. Six reels make a fair evenings en- tertainment. Religious, sociological, educational, classic, scientific and clean fun may be selected from thou ands of the best subjects as listed in the catalogues sent out on request by the National Board of Censorship.
 In the rural community the situa- tion resolves itself into a problem. If the motion picture man has opened a place, it is usually an old hall or abandoned store. The sanitary and fire conditions would not be toler- ated for one day in city. Clap trap, and dishonest methods are used to work up trade. In half of the vii. lages in straight-laced old Connecti- cut, to-day, the local motion picture theatre is running a lottery once week in order to draw"
 In some places which visited the hall is kept dark so that the boys and girls may not be embarrassed in their "love-making." In many small places the children's admission law is entirely ignored. In one little town in Massachusetts where the Grand Theatre" is dirty old fire trap hall up flight of narrow stairs the place is so dark that one has to grope for seat. l saw little girls of from eight years old up going in alone. Many men and boys also went in alone. I asked the manager (who is factory hand by day) why he kept the place so dark. He said that the boys and girls liked it tha. way.
 Here also are shown the silliest, bloodiest. cheapest sballowest filIps that are published. Taste is deliber- ately vulgarized and ideals constant ly lowered. Nothing good is show