The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1919-05-29
New York Trade Magazine Ad-
vises Theater Managers to
Plant Red Flags. -.
LABOR DEPT is AROUSED
Secretary Wilson Calls Upon Other
Departments to Aid in Stopping
Move "Calculated to Produce
Violent Disorder"

by staging riots, if the ADVICE of the
Motion Picture World. prominent
New York magazine, is followed by
local theater managers.
| In it's issue dated April 10, this
magazine carries four-page flaming
red advertisement of Thomas Dixon's
| "Bolshevism on Trial." taken from his
recent novel Comrades" and full
page of editorial advice on how to
boost 1t for local managers.
Put up red flags about town and
hire soldiers to tear them down, il
necessary" runs the advice, land then
come out with flaming handful, ex:
planning that the play is not an argu-
ment for anarchy
AS a reward for success in produc-
ing a riot at this time. the Motion
Picture World holds out the follow
ing:
Work out the limit on this. and
you'll not only clean up, but profit on
future business
| Would Use Ministers.
In addition the local managers are
usged to get ministers to preach on
the subject of bolshevism, to persuade
employers to buy blocks of seats for
their employees, and to start a letter.
writing series in the local papers.
When this attempt. to disturb the
peace for profits was brought to the
attention of Secretary of Labor Will
son he at once urged the postmaster
general and the attorney general to
take action against the Motion Picture
world.
Never in all my life have l seen
more dangerous editorial advice" Sec
rotary Wilson wrote the postmaster
general. 1T is calculated to produce
violent disorder wherever the play. may
be advertised in the manner proposed"
In asking the attorney general to
take action he said: AT a time when
our country is struggling with the
problem of reimbursement from war to
a peace basis, when there is of neces-
sity great difficulty in making read
justments and consequent spirit
of unrest, this publication proposes by
deceptive methods of advertising to
stir every community in the United
States into riotous demonstrations for
the purpose of making profits for the
moving picture business and the own
ers of this particular photoplay
call this to your attention so that you
may take such action as you think
appropriate and legally possible"
Against All Reform.
The play undoubtedly has the back
ing of several special interest organ
izations of recent growth, the purpose
of which is not to oppose bolshevism
as it is known in Russia or Europe,
but to strike at all reform movements.
Prominent among these organizations
is the National Defense league and
the American Anti-Bolsheviki associa-
ton, which appear to be taking up
the work of the now thoroughly dis
credited National Security league.
The National Security league was
organized my certain special interests
to strike at all reform under the mask
of patriotism and promollng tho war.
Now that the war is over the same
groups are using the so-called bolshe-
visit DOGGY and new organizations for
the same purpose. The use Of motion
pictures to put over their propaganda
Is prominent in the new plans. They
will thus reach many who are not
reached by the controlled press.
How the play can be turned against
reform, not only by advertising but
by general press work, is indicated In
the Motion Picture Worlds advice as
to how to stir up the Socialists in the
larger cities:
LET the management write a cou-
pie of letters to the press attacking
the socialistic story and linking It up
with bolshevism. There IS almost GER
tain to be a reply from some local
high thinker. The battle is on.
Work gradually to the contention
that socialism will not be possible In
this or the succeeding generation be-
cause people are not yet prepared for
liberty such as socialism aims at. All
of this should be worked under a
pseudonym.
Then come out under your own
signature and apparently get into the
controversy for the first time. II you
can write cleverly or can get some
one to do it for you, you can run for
a couple weeks on the local daily
without ever suggesting that the dis
cussion has any advertising intent
Hire Soldiers for Stunt.
Have a special showing for school
children. Work all of the crowd
stunts. Put up red flags about town
and hire soldiers to tear them down,
If necessary, and then come out with
flaming handful, explaining that the
play is not an argument for anarchy.
Have the bills ready printed that you
may get them out quickly or the idea
may boomerang" 49,