New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-15
Truth. He Says, Would
Have Improved Criticism
of His Movie Speech.
WAS NOT DEFENDING
Mr.. HEARST'S FILMS
They Are Too Pure" 10 Need 1t
but Other Screen Plays
Require Censorship.

A reporter for The Tribune asked
Arthur Brisbane what ne had 20 say
about an editorial in yesterday morn
ing's American" referring TO a speech
he had made concerning censorship Of
moving pictures. Mr.. Brisbane said:
Il have a high opinion Of everything
that the morning American says. |
think ms mornings editorial in the
American would have been even bet
ter if the writer had known what ! said.
whether censorship Of moving pic
lures should be carried on by the gov
erumeu. Of the nation or by state gov
eminent 90 not know.
81 do not agree tLat the moving pic
turc stands as yet on level with the
newspaper. Later IL may be as far
above the newspaper as the Hoe press
is above the cunciform inscription.
AS it stands to-day tho moving pic
turc, to my mind, is less like the news
paper and more like the printed book,
the picture or the play.
Nobody questions the right 70 cen
sor an Indecent book. or prohibit the
exhibition of an indecent picture or
play.
Nobody. in my individual opinion,
should object 10 censorship Of nom
political pictures that move any more
thsn to censorship OF pictures that
stand still.
Some Of those who heard the speech
upon which the New York American
comments felt was speaking in the in
terest Of the Hearst moving pictures.
Needles 20 say, 20 moving picture
produced or authorized by the Hearst
organization viii contain anything that
could be censored.
Therefore, from the narrow and sell
fish point OF view, II would be natural
FOR a Hearst man 20 encourage censor
shin. u would be 70 the interest Of
the Hearst organizat ion 20 interfere
with any concern eudeavoring to gain
profit or compete unfairly by indecent
picture enterprises. was not. how
ever. speaking IN favor Of cur own
higher and purcr methods.
Censorship Necessary.
"While the moving picture remains
entertaining story. - should be crlti-
cisod and controlled by law. as ordi
nary pictures, books and plays are con-
trollcd.
when the moving pictures becomes,
as it will. the greatest educating. poll
teal and criticising force in the
United States, it will take its place be-
side and above the daily newspaper.
Then it will be the duty Of the people
Of the United States 10 decide whether
or not the Constitutional freedom and
guarantee given by the people, and
not by individuals, 70 the newspaper
shall apply equally to- the moving pic
turc.
AS reporter and editor. I have
studied for many years efforts TO en-
terrain and instruct the people.
II have observed. as ! said 10 the
gentlemen Of the moving picture indus
try. that a Childs restaurant - more
profitable than a llaymarket or any
other dive.
"Thc American citizen in the long
run devotes mis- energies TO that which
is profitable. 90,
"The decent moving picture will
prove profitable and the censorship Will
not play an important part-as long as
the moving picture remains merely an
amusement.
"Soon the moving picture will be
made TO tell the story of the corrupt
politician or financial organization
then undoubtedly the people will say
that such pictures must not be con-
sored.
For the present. censorship by the
government which by the way is only
threatened does not seem 10 me
great menace 10 the welfare of the
people. as told the moving picture
people. who were good enough to in
wife me TO talk to them without telling
me in advance what | must say"