Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-25


MoV1es. is constantly accumu-
lating. and in missionary effort for the
adoption of it's discoveries by the "ul-
innate citizen" is strikingly shown by
experiments in the production of mo-
ton pictures being carried on by the
Department of Agriculture.
Although not yet in position to
furnish films to outside organizations
or commercial theaters, or even to sup
ply any considerable part of the de-
mand made by its own field agents, the
department is carrying on promising
work In both experimentation and pro-
duction- Through its force of motion
picture experts, many of whom have
had extensive experience in CONNER
cial fields, it has already turned out
/ In little more than a year approx
mately $4,000 feet Of excellent mega
tive. and has printed from this about
able for public projection. The ulti-
mate intention Is to put out education
al films Of the departments work
through every available channel. Just
now, however, every effort Is being
turned to supplying departmental
needs and some films for the Panama
Pacific exposition. and detailed plans
for general educational work have not
been mapped out.
Before this phase of Uncle Sans
iHoNlc dCtlVltiGS Is reached ne" 1es
islation will be required. Under ex-
listing law there Is nothing directly tc
prevent the Agricultural Department :
engaging in the production and sale OF
films; but II 1t took up this business ii
would be in the anomalous position OF
losing money in proportion as it's trans
actions increased, however great the
margin of profit might be. This would
come about because the expenses OF
producing films are paid from the de-
partment's appropriations, but all re-
ceipts must be deposited in the Treas
ury to the general credit of the United
States. the department receiving nc
benefit from them. If legislation can
be secured authorizing the expenditure
Of receipts from film sales and leases
to pay the expenses of production, 1t
is believed that the motion picture en-
terprise can be put on practically a
self supporting basis. at the same time
that pictures of the greatest educa-
tional value are given wide distribu-
ton.
While officials in charge of the mo-
ton picture activities of the Agrlcul-
tural Department have this wide use
Of their developing plant In the backs
of their minds. they are going about
the business of filming interesting and
instructive activities of the department
and adding to their stock of positive
films Subjects already on their shelves
represent such varied activities as test
ing cows in Vermont. raising pigs in
the south. grating trees. canning vege-
tables, building roads and hghtlng for
est fires The laboratory Is also doing
work in Photographic research, and has
already improved numerous methods
and appliances.
While this work of production is go
ing on thought Is also being given to
the chief problem in connection with
the whole matter-the problem of TAX
ing the pictures to the farmer.
The greatest obstacle has been the
impossibility of securing so far sat
isfactory portable light. Gas tanks are
heavy and cumbersome and their con-
tents often difficult to renew; while
electric current is not often to be
found in the country communities
where it is most desirable to show the
pictures The problem seems likely TO
be solved by the co-"peration OF the
automobile manufacturers. After an IN
genious county agent had rugged a
DYNAMO to his automobile engine ana
had used the current successfully 10
project pictures department offciais
called on a number of automobile man.