The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-26
Attorney for Exhibitors Alone
Opposes Bill to Safeguard
Public Morals
FILMS FOUND UNFIT
FOR MARYLAND SENT
TO VIRGINIA CITIES
Dr.. James Cannon. Jr. Explains
Operations Of Law in Other
States-Will Not Entail Ad-
ditional Expense

The senate chamber yesterday was
Srowdsd when the committees on moral
and social welfare from both houses
of the general assembly met In joint
session for hearing on tho bill pro-
viding for state censorship of mo
!, tion pictures.
Advocates of the measure reviewed
che entire subject at length. Only
enc person spoke in opposition to the
bill. He was Attorney Samuel L. Kelly.
representing the exhibitors organiza-
sion.
The measure has been introduced IN
both houses; In the senate by Mr.. AiRpp
and In the house by Delegate James p,
Jones.
DR.. James Cannon, Jr.. spoke on be-
half OF number OF organizations Of
ministers who are interested In elimi-
mating undesirable features of many
Aims now shown throughout the state.
The bin. he said, Is modelled ON the
Maryland law and was prepared for
Introduction In the general assem- bl y
Mt the request of the organization
which is dghting for national cen
sorship. Before the bill was drawn. he
said. he had gone to Maryland for n
conference with Chairman Harper, of
the board of censors OF that state.
whom he has known for thirty rears.
/ Ewko freely Informed him OF the bene-
rclal results OF the law since II has
been In operation in that state.
Purpose of the Law,
The purpose OF the law is set forth
In section Of the bill. which pro.
viUes The board shall examine Or sa-
- wise the examination Of all films.
reels nr views to be exhibited or to
Ne used In the state OF Virginia ard
saail approve such films. reels or vtsws
which are moral and proper. and shall
disarprove such are sacriiegious,
obscene, indecent or immoral. or such
as tend. In the judgment OF the board.
to dehase or corrupt morals
DIR. Cannon said that the report OF
the Maryland board OF censorship for
tthe year ending last june showed that
they had examined 476S Aims. that
they had rejected nineteen subjects en-
tifely and had cut out parts of $50
others
Though the Maryland law provides
That m appea! may be taken TO the
courts from anv ruling OF the board.
mot one OF the DECISIONS has been go
questioned.
The distribution office for the Aim
Industry In Delaware. Maryland. Vir-
Yfnia and the District ~ Columbia is
located in Wa shtreton. IL has often
happened that sims thst were cut by
tSe MARYLAND board were afterwards
sert hack 70 the District of Columbia
aaid the portions cut out were restor-
~ for exhibition in Washington.
These same films. with the objec-
xicnable pictures still in them. were
also sent to Virginia for exhibition IN
the theaters OF this state.
Tees Cover All Expenses.
!. The receipts from fees I'm Mary
- "A
and will he even greater this year
Al the end Of the first year the board
turned $4,000 into the state treasury
after having paid all salaries and all
the exnerses OF equipping Offices and
prov!dipg apparatus FOR exhibiting
Aims. The question OF added ex-
pensr TO the state Is therefore eliuni-
nNfei and, in view OF the condition
~ the motion picture industry. the
com panies DIR. Cannon said. can we'll
afford to paw the small fees required
Cor passing the films,
He then read resolutions in sup
Fort OF the bill sent TO him by or
Examinations OF ministers in Lynch
burg. Alexandria, Charlottesville.
Roanoke. and Clifton Forge. which
he turned over 70 the committee.
DR. W. A. Christian presented res
clutions to the same effect recently
adopted by the Methodist ministers
~ this city and stated that similar
resolution. had been passed by the
Petersburg Methodist ministers He
enferei into a lengthy discussion of
khc necessity for the proposed csu-
oorsfip He said that the state pays
more attention to the punishment Of
crime than the prevention CT crime.
And cised ar incident within his own
knowfsics OF a bow who had com
Knitted burglary because he had seen
= similar crime shown In motion
pfcture Hs Quoted the head cfthe
pfnkerton detective agency in saying
that uncensored motion pictures are
khe most vicious influence In the lives
vf the children OF the nation.
Showing that the motion picture
men realize themselves the influence
Df their shows. he quoted from a let
ter from a large exhibitor Indicating
hiN own willingness to have his films
eIaced under state control. DR. Chris
Han referred TO the so-calied ma
kfonal board of censorship. which he
lid had no authority and was or
anixed and supported hvx the NOV
Eng picture industry. This situation,
he said, created circle from which
No effective action could be expect-
u. He anticipated that Attorney
xsily would try to claim for them a
nfacfent degree OF censorship. The
uoeaker earnestly protested aRafnst
nwaral pictures recently exhibited In
nfchmond. which discussed subjects
mlted only to discussion in profess
6cnAl classes
I. 2ssIf the people of Richmond want
8 study medicine he said. '.let
eContinusd on Second Pase)