Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1917-01-18
The Movies and The
Children Discussed
By Parent Teachers

The parent-teachersi association
held a meeting last Friday evening
to discuss the film situation with re
gard to children. The meeting was
held in the auditorium of the central
building and, despite the inclement
weather, there was a good attend,
ance.
Mrs. F. C. Blodgett presided, first
asking for a roll call of the parents
present for the various rooms in the
central school.
Mrs. Blodgett introduced Mrs. S.
X. Way who outlined the work which
the committee has in mind concern
ing the movies for the little folks.
1--WE are not striking at anybody or
any theater," she said, to begin with,
"for we think that the Watertown
theaters deserve praise for the man
ma in which the managers have
sought to improve conditions. What
we have to say, therefore, should not
be accepted as a criticism of the local
theaters, which seem to be doing the
best they can do under the circum-
stances. 4 have heard much favor
able comment regarding the high
class of films that have been intro
duced lately.
The Des Moines Plan.
Mrs. Way then went on to outline,
in brief, the plan which has been
adopted at Des Moines, Ia, where the
movement has gained considerable
Roadway under the direction of the
mothers clubs of the city.
Mrs. Way did not advocate the in
PRODUCTION of educational features.
The children go to the movies, she
said, largely for amusement, not for
education, and we should be careful
not to overdo the matter in showing
educational features.
Mayor Hopkins Substitute.
Mayor A. T. Hopkins had planned
to be present, but, having been called
away Mrs. Hopkins was prevailed
upon to deliver a short address, which
she did, acquitting herself with
credit.
Zone good show a week." she
ayerred, "is better than more, If we
properly direct the work. If we can
make plans that will interest the chill.
dren for good we shall have done
good work and will receive our re-
ward"
The Churches.
Rev. F. F. Lewis, responding to a
request, said that the motion picture
has come to stay, in his opinion. The
churches in some of the larger cities,
he continued, have taken up with the
motion picture features and have in
troduced the apparatus in some
phases OF their public services.
He thought it a matter for congrat-
ulation that the managers of theaters
are themselves doing something for
betterment with a view to improving
the class OF films.
Mr.. Lewis said that 1t may not be
practical for a city of the size of Wa.
tertown, but he had thought now and
might be introduced in the Watertown
uated as the First Methodist church.
Describes Des Moines Plan.
Mrs. A. D. George, formerly a resi-
dent of Des Moines, was asked to ex-
plain the Des Moines plan. She spoke
briefly but to the point, giving the de-
tails to some extent, of the operations
OF the system in the Hawkeye capital
where the mothers clubs have been
at the forefront in the movement for
the elimination of the undesirable
features Of the motion picture films.
She quoted from the Register and
Leader of that city to show that un-
der the stimulus of the mothers, in
conjunction with the teachers and the
public, Des Moines has wrought vast
improvement in the line OF motion pic.
lures, especially those features par
ticularly adapted to the little folks.
Cooperation Urged.
George Schlosser, secretary OF the
Chamber OF Commerce, was the next
speaker. Il think he said, in open
Ing, that n thing is lacking in this
city, and that is the spirit Of cooper.
alton in such movements as we have
before US. We want to make Water.
town q greater and a better city, and
INC OF the means by which it can be
Drought about is cooperation. We
need TO be sort of braced UP along
this line, 4 think, especially In regard
to what some of us may think are
merely incidental affairs, but which,
after all,,shaNe q direct bearing upon
the City,secommercial and social life
hope the movement which has. been
inaugurated will move on to a full
realization Of our hopes. For myself,
and ~ think can assure you that the
Chamber Of Commerce. stands ready
q willing to cooperate to- the ex-
tent of its ability, to place my shout,
Az ~ the wheel of progress"
sss4sgssThs City sehcais.
(Esx0f.aL Parsons spoke briefly 81
Nun eRccess gof the movement ia soma
IN smaller towns of Minnesota,
Where ne hed incidentally visited.
SEgsssa AMsF mot aetnre he said. ri
msttSxtha VIII stay With Us. /