New Britain herald., 1916-07-19
A CENSORSHIP HERE.

& Mae announcement that the ordinance
 ommtttee will tonight present to the &pInmon council a report recommend @g the establishment of a board of ensors to pass on all moving pictures &1own in New Britain. The subject &as been discussed pro and con for period of more than six months, or, &nce a galaxy of boys in this com &unity went on a rampage and their &pings, which finally led to the police Burt, were perfunctorily blamed on &fered drastic methods to curtai1 the &ctures shown in this city. Now, after Be fever has somewhat abated, the Enhance committee proposes to go
 Ffore the council with 8 safe and *afe recommendation. Recognizir.g &aa the national board of censorship not entirely a dead issue but that it lhrforns a very good service for the
 buutTy at large, the plan proposed #lIl institute local committee to CO.,
 beRate with the members of the larg- one. There can be no objection to sas.
 # Looking at the whole problem in a Hbry broadminded manner, 1t must be Est admitted that the moving pic #res of today are one of the greatest #eans of education as we'll as enter Ninment placed before the public Whether they are to be a force for bod or evil depends largely upon the Banner in which they are conducted. Aprtance of the campaign started Sgainst the "movies'' by various or hnizations and communities through Slt the United States, have striven for zetter films. As a result, many of Be objectionaI picture-plays have Zen discarded and even those that orality are side tracked, if only for se moment. Thus the producers kaye taken away most of the thunder. ahe managers of the various picture Fay theaters also saw the handwrit- 8g on the wall and have been in srumental in securing a marked i'm srovement. These are the salient s.atures in the case. The national bard of censorship has devoted great he and energy to the betterment films and has succeeded to some
 egree. But there is still margin left br improvement and, without en- Eoaching on tho rights of producers br managers of small theaters the bcal censors can accomplish goo6 fork. By getting In touch with the managers of local playhouses and pouring f1rst-hand information about Ilms to be exhibited to the public,
 y viewing these films before they are |hown to the boys and girls. the mem |ers of any local board, providing hey are not too purtanical, may Ereak a good influence upon the
 hunger movie patrons.
 
 It has been some time now since lew Britain voiced disapproval at its moving picture shows. There have
 cen films shown here that were not xact1y proper entertainment for
 hildren, nor for the younger set Eoung men and women viewing the anne pictorial subjects have been
 omewhat abashed. Whether old leads were shocked has not been
 accorded. Anyway, therein is one of he objections to a censorship, either aere or in any other town. The folk vho have glided past the half century mark do not want their entertainment .erved up after it has been through
 he process of pruning. They do not want to be put back on the level of ehildhood and made to nourish their mental faculties on the same bread fed To youngsters. But, since no provi- lion seems likely to be made toward Ehe setting off of hours during which he two classes, young and old, may enjoy their movies" there Is but one way to serve the pudding,
 -through a censor. This the common eouncil will probably approve. If It does let us hope those appointed Lo the board are men and women of EIe right calibre.