The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-11-29
SUPPRESSION Of
PROHIBIT \
FILMS CHARGED

Z
tcrests induced Exhibitors Not 10
Show John Esrlcycorn'' and Other
Temperance Plays.
Boston, Mass, Nov. 2S.--Evidence
is accommodating which leads Massa-
ehusetts Anti-saioon League officials
to believe that there is a systematic
movement by the liquor traffic to
check the presentation Of prohibi-
ton and temperance films in motion
picture houses.
Owners of many picture houses
have been reached by the liquor
traffic in a variety of ways. say the
temperance officials With the result
that it has been found impossible to
show prohibition films in the regu-
lar theaters Of numerous big cities.
Another method used by the liquor
interests is to deal with some of the
film exhibitors attempting by this
means to limit the use of a prohibit
ton film or to prevent its presenta-
ton.
As an Illustration of how the liquor
dealers are working against the tenn
perance films, the Massachusetts, Anti
Saloon League has authorized public
alton of the following circular COM
munication addressed to Members
and nonmembers' of the National
Wholesale Liquor Dealers Associa-
| ton, a copy of which fell into the
( hands of a Massachusetts, temper
ance leader. Inciosed with the letter
was an advertise of a temper
ance film. entitled prohibition The
letter. signed by the chairman of the
executive committee. follows
-" Nsttoasi1 Wholesale Liquor Deal
ers Association of America, executive
Offices 30l United Bank building.
Cincinnati, O., May IA, 1915.
ITO members and onmembers,- Il
enclose herewith facsimile Of an ad-
vertisement which is being widely
published in prominent newspapers all
over the country.
There is no doubt but what some
action must be taken in regard to the
moving picture proposition. although
! just at present We are not able to
clearly define a plan of action.
las an experiment, / sent a copy
of this same advertisement to the
owner of large moving picture house
in this city, who also has large liberal
interests He telephoned today that
he had succeeded in stopping the film
at seventeen of the large houses.
II tell YOU this as an example Of
+ what DefteFe can De uoHe with d
| little personal effort. If the matter OF
obnoxious films is taken up person.
| ally or by letter with the owners of
your best houses, / believe that in the
majority of cases we will be able to
have them taken off. provided. OF
course, the matter is taken up in time
I to allow the manager to provide an
other picture.
This film Prohibition is probably
! the most offensive that has Yet been
produced. think a protest from al!
of our people TO their local moving
picture people will meet with success.
VIII you kindly use your best per-
sonal efforts in this direction? l shall
: be Interested In hearing from you
as to the results"
/ Recently the Massa chusetts Anti
Saloon League found that difflculhes
were being placed in the way OF a
presentation of the film. John Bar
! leycorn,' a temperance photo play.
shown in some Massachusetts, cities
and towns but was practically exclud-
ed from Boston and other cities.
In other cities, however, there was
more definite knowledge OF the source
Of opposition to the film John Bar
Ileycorn." The publicity manager OF
American Feature Film Company
showed a photograp phi Of letter from
a personal liberty league OF one
Of the Middle Western States to the
/ company then controlling the. rights
TO John RarIeycorn.'' in which $685.
ooo was offered If the Aim was sup
pressed in several States which were
mentioned. This liberty league was
one OF the many formed in various
Estates where the prohibition issue was
inrominent TO combat the temperance
movement.
/ The letter was written on the Of
lfcial stationery OF the liberty LEAGUE
under date of February 15, 1914, and
was signed with the name of the cor
responding secretary, IT reads, IN
part. as follows: Your wire OF the
iI5th in response to our request Tor
information regarding the John bar
,leycorn Aim rights receiNeu
The matter was laid before our ooara
Of directors at meeting on the 4th.
We regret that you are not IN a
nosition to make US a definite prop
osition or give us full Information
concerning the territory contracted
for.
ITO be perfectly frank, We do not
want the films for exhibition pur-
noses. II is our desire to secure the
rights for the sole purpose OF posi-
poning for a few months their eXhloi-
{tion. Inc un1nlnhIlE anu i'ai y "
persons are moving against legitimate
LIQUOR interests. We are making every
effort to withhold from this class OF
persons anything tending to add Tue
to the flames.
4 "Mr - reported that the 'Johr
Rarlaycorn. films were OF nature
calculated to do our interests mucE
harm IL shown prior to coming sum
! mer and fall elections. The nims
Will be worth just as much to YOU
after these elections as before, and
we are ready to pay you substantial
sum to withhold them until the mrs.
tof December.
III you will suppress them IN the
States OF -~~-- we are ready TO enter
INTO such contract with you ano
wsu pay you the sum or szs'Vvu I,
: us. We to pay the money over &c
: You as soon as the contract i con-
summarized
r Another method OF stepping the
V uya,,, 10 rlovcnrY'' Aim atteil tied bS