Evening journal., 1916-01-20
THURSDAY JAN. 20. 1916
A DANGEROUS CENSORSHIP BILL.

4
WE have here in Wilmington several moving pic
w turo theatres. In the main they well man
aged The owners have high regard for the sens-
biltes Of the people Of the community in which they
operate. The shows are all entertaining. Many OF
them instructive Almost invariably the moral
taught is wholesome.
Wilmingtonians. in common with those of other
munities therefore have an interest in the Hughes
bin creating legal censorship of motion pictures
That bill which is in Washington. is being denounced
first step toward general theatrical censorship and
curbing Of free speech in the press
Edward A. Morce who represents the New York State
Mayors Conference on the National Board of Motion
Picture Censors, has sounded before the House Com
mttee Education. warning relative to the dan
gerous tendency of the Hughes bill, which seeks to
establish Federal Motion Picture Commission He
said in part:
Il contemplate With little short of horror this at
tempt to control by politically appointed board, one
OF the most educational forces and one Of the most
valuable means OF human expression.
Il believe it is the first step toward legazed censor
ship Of tho press All of wish to protect the morals
OF children all Of us would prevent any act that
would incitc crime impair the health corrupt
the morals OF either children adults; much that
appears in the newspapers do all Of these things Yet
we find no move national legalized censorship OF
the press. The destruction that would be visited upon
person advocating guch thns from any such talla-
cious grounds would be well deserved and swift
Those wlo advocate eealized censorship OF motion
pictures arc creating Frankensein that will haunt
them for years
Imagine the attitude Of a national legal board of
consors under the control those interested in per-
petuatng child aber toward a film showing the evils
OF child labor Imagine the attitude Of board under
the control of the liquor interest toward film show
ing the evils OF the sale Of alcohol Imagine the att-
ft1a aoFa n,rI ,fi,I
other toward IA film. series OF films showing the
evil effects Of particular policy Of the party in
power Imagine, If you the kind OF political pres
sure that would be brought upon legal board CON
nection with highly controversial film.
"Legalized censorship is founded upon a theory Of
government that is utterly obnoxious to all that is
best in American tradition It would legalize a moral
hierarchy that will Immediately begin TO seek new
authority and in carrying out the purposes
for which il created, namely. exert suppress
siye influence Of the most important means Of
social expression.
"As example Of the dangerous powers given to
this board and Of the dangerous extremes TO which
move OF this kind may 60 may be cited one power
given TO the board It shall prohibit tho showing Of
any film that would ince' TO crime either children or
adults A film dealing with any form of some of the
controversial aspects OF social injustice would
in the minds Of many who might become members Of
such board incite to violence.
THE attitude this question of the Mayors OF New
York State may be judged from the fact con
ference sought membership the National Board Of
Motion Picture Censors. and has supported that un-
official volunteer body, composed OF representative
citizens in its opposition legalized censorship II
has drawn up a model ordinance dealing with motion
pictures and sent it with recommendation for adop-
ton to every Mayor in the State of New York This
ordinance would prohibit the showing of any film
not passed by the present National Board Of Motion
Picture Censors
The bill should not pass and I venture TO say II
ested in free speech and unbrdled press rise Ut
and make themselves heard"
It is significant fact that amonv ,bo ,no,,..us J.
VINO are opposing the Hughes bill are Miss Helen Var
lex Boswell, chairman Of the Committee on Educat,o,
Of the General Federation Of women's Clubs. Mic
Mary Gray Peck, Of the Faculty OF the University .
Wisconsin; W Frank Persons, Director OF the Chart
Organization Society of New York city; John NJ Case
OF Boston. Director of the License Bureau and Gran,
ton Brenton Chairman of the National Board OF Motto
Picture Censors. the present volunteer organizatic
that views all pictures shown in this country
Those who behind the Hughes bill are full
of the terrible repressive and promotive DOW
that would be exercised by a Federal Motion Pictu
Commission such is proposed. II conscionless mi
in control OF such commission the polite,
social. commercial and industrial harm they might
is simply incalcuable. The supervision Of such pla
that exists today is infinitely less dangerous than
substitute for it that is proposed by Congressm
Hughes.
Have mercy upon me O God according unto the mn