The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1917-07-13
GOVERNOR TO LOOK into.
WORK OF MOVIE BOARD
Will Find Out Why Certain Things
Which should Have Been EIimi-
mated Have Remained in Films.

Governor Harrington yesterday re
ceiyed from Mrs. Harrison. member
and secretary of the Board OF Cen
sors of Moving Pictures, request
that he investigate the work of the
board and the omplaints directed
against its judgment in passing upon
films. The Governor said he would
look into the work of the board and
| into lie complaints by others. in ad-
ditiou to Miss Grace II. Turnbull.
The boards letter 10 Governor Har-
rington follows:
My Dear GOV. Harrington:
The board has instructed me 10
inform you that while it has no of
| fetal knowledge of the charges said
to have been made against it by Miss
Grace II. Turnbull, it understands
from what has appeared in the press
that such charges have been made
and are now receiving your consider
| alton.
Miss TurnbuIl has made COM
| plants to the board which have
| been carefully Investigated. Yester-
day we sent her a letter explaining
our position with regard 30 these
| complaints, and at the same time we
| sent a copy to you. Owing to the
| wide publicity that has been given
| the matter there may be a misunder-
| standing in the minds Of some peo-
| pie as to the real situation.
AS part of the State administra-
| ton and as your appointees, We are
! ready and anxious TO have you make
the fullest possible investigation OF
| our standards and methods. We will
be glad TO have you call on us at our
office at the earliest opportunity or
to meet you at any time or place you
may suggest
The Governor viii want to know
why certain eliminations ordered
had remained in the films.
The cards setting forth complaints
which had been received by the Gov
ernOr, We're in most cases sent in re
Spouse to requests by Miss Turnbull,
who sought by these means to con-
vince the Governor Of the wide COM
plants. Most of the cards, it is said,
are not specific. Members of the
board declare it is impossible for
their viewpoints to agree with those
of visitors at moving picture shows.
They add that if those who complain
of off color pictures were mem
bers of the board they would en-
counter the same criticism now being
directed against them.
Miss Turnbull yesterday prepared
a lengthy paper in defense of her po-
sition toward the board. She de-
clares she recognizes the difficulties
under which the board performs its
duties
1t is because the work is so diff
cult and complicated. she adds,
that | felt it would easily absorb
the full time of three more commits
sioners if full justice is to be done
TO it, On one side stand the film
producers, the agents for the films
and the managers of the motion pic
ture theatres; on the other, the great
public, with requirements and de-
mands as various as the individuals
who compose it. \ recent canvass
of the opinion of theatre goers in
Baltimore has revealed the fact that
there is a widespread dissatisfaction
with them and a distinct demand for
reform. | have felt encouraged
therefore, to 90 TO some lengths in
pushing my demand upon the cen
sors for more definite enforcement of
/ the law, which is constantly being
violated In reply to the statement
of the board | would say that | have
at no time asked the board to APP
prove only those films that would
properly be seen by children. Since
the films are designed for the
general public this would be most
unWise. | did write to Mr. Harper to
ask if in passing films dealing with
the underworld and problems unfit
Tor children, he would not consider
granting the seal of approval only
with the DrOyiSo that children under
a certain ago should not be admit
ted TO the theatre during The aXhibi-
I tion of these films.
Though my first complaint was
made about the Middle OF April and
! repeated at intervals since that time.
and thought Mr. Harper expressly
promised me, through his secretary,
that he would call the members OF
the board together early in the first
week of July and let me know at
/ once what decision the board had
! come to regarding that and two
J later complaints. 1t was not until
! yesterday after the affair had been
( made public, that | received the first
Official and specific answer from the
. board. 50
/ Miss Turnbull gives the titles oil
! the several films Of which she had
complained.
, Policy, | fear" SAYS Miss Turn
bull, has been the ruling motive of
the board, and from policy to poll
/ ties is but n short sion