Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-25

ions of the bill which were opposed
to the practical requirements of the
industry. For instance the measure
provided that no film should be given
transportation throughout the coun-
try until 1t was stamped with the seal
OF the commission, certifying that 1t
was of nature not injurious to the
public. Now a motion picture COM
pany taking pictures in Honolulu or
Wyoming is compelled to send the film
back to the home Office for revision,
clipping and getting into form before
the firm considers offering it to the
public. AS an unfinished product, it
would have TO be transported without
the seal. and a provision has now
been inserted to take care of this fac
tor.
1t was also recommended by these
concerns that the commission establish
off1ces both in New York and Los
Angeles, the two headquarters of the
industry. in order that the producers
could take up in person any sugges-
tions or complaints with the official
representatives of the board
In order that the board may give
the highest grade of expert and i'm
partial service in judging films involv-
ing the expenditure of the fifth largest
industrial capital in America, the
censors will be carefully chosen and
upon the work as a career rather than
stepping stone to something else. In
view OF the fact that there are no
universal standards of what is per-
missible in a film and what is not. the
poard is, or course, purely arbitrary
affair, its decisions depending entire
ly upon the personal opinions of its
| members. For this reason, it is
! provided that any producer dissatis-
ned with the decree of the commits
| sion NAV have the privilege of tax
ing the case before court of ap-
peals
One of the greatest objections to the
MINIS now being shown in the motion
picture theaters is that the majority
or them are unfit for children, who
constitute over Is per cent of the
audiences all over the country. 1t is
urged by people interested in the fed
eral board bill that come specific pro-
VISION concerning children should he
torced upon the exhibitors of mo-
ton pictures instead of appealing to
the producers. Either children un.
der certain age should be forbidden
entrance to motion picture theateT
when unsuitable films were being
SHOWN, or special arrangements shouId
pc made for children-s performances
1t is unreasonable to expect the NOV.
ing picture producers to produce onlv
pays Wholly suited to the child OF
fourteen. VI
In Europe. where a great deal more
attention has been paid to censorins .
the movies, there are almost ALWAYS
special regulations for children. Eng.
land, for example, has a conamittee
somewhat similar to the New York
National Board of Censorship, which
passes upon every film distributed in
the motion picture trade of England
/ NG 49, III
fore any audience, it is marked with
a universal" exhibition certificate by
the committee; If it is considered IN.
Mt for children, it is given a "publio,
exhibition label. The exhibitor fash
es these certificates on the screen i'm.
mediately preceding the picture, thus
giving the children opportunity tc
leave the audience. This nrecautio,,
! is made necessary by the demand az
the patrons.