New-York tribune., 1920-12-12
Film Interests
Begin War ON
Blue Crusaders
Picture Audiences
All Over Nation To Be Ap-
prised of Agitation and
Asked to Signify Views
Gov. Smith Backs Move
$4,000 Catholic Organiza-
tions Reported Opposed
to Lords Day Alliance

Encouraged by the promised support
OF Governor Smith, the Motion Picture
Theatrical Association, 80 West Forty
seventh Street, of which Mrs. James
Speyer is honorary president and John
A. Quinn the active president, yester-
day announced a program of beliger-
ent activity against the Lords Day AL
lance.
The association, according to Mr..
Quinn, purposes to force the Sunday
blue law fight into the open. so that
those who present clean entertainment
may not suffer for the shortcomings of
persons who offer questionable shows
throughout the week as we'll as on Sun
days. Mr.. Quinn said:
Gas the purpose for which the Mo
tion Picture Theatrical Association Of
the World is functioning is solely TO
procure motion pictures for the pubic
every day of the week, Its fight. for
Sunday movies is being supported by
prominent men and women and civic
and social organizations throughout
the country. Systematically, through
it's field directors and workers, it Will
present the Sunday blue law agitation
| and procure the signed verdict of CT
carnations and individuals throughout
the entire country, to ascertain dcti-
nitely if the people wish to be deprived
of wholesome amusement on Sunday
Mr.. Quinn said that in addition to an
| Endorsement from Governor Smith. he
had received messages of support from
the Rev. Howard L. Clark, of Plaintield.
N. j.; Mrs. Charles Sabin, Mrs. John
Francis Yawger and Judge Wadhams
of the Court Of General Sessions. The
Rev. Mr.. Clark, upon his return yes
terday from Washington, where he at
tended the sessions in connection with
demand for Federal censorship Of
motion pictures. vent Immediately to
the Motion Picture Theatrical Associa-
ton headquarters, Mr.. Quinn said, and
offered his indorsemenv of the associa-
ton and it's fight NJ. Quinn said
Governor Smith sent this telegram:
you may count on me to help you
in every way l possibly can in your
national campaign to suppress the agl-
tation for the prohibiting of whole
some amusement on Sunday.
Mrs. Sabin, the wife Of the president
Of the Guaranty Trust Company, said ::
'I am heartily opposed to any, legis..
lation that will deprive the public OF
wholesome entertainment on Sunday.
# is very logical that the Motion Pic
ture Theatrical Association should
champion the cause of the people in
this respect. I sincerely indorse them
in this fight"
Mrs. Yawger who is president of the
! Woman's Republican Association OF
New York, said:
"For five years I have been opposing
any legislative measures tending to in
terfere with wholesome entertainment
for the people on Sunday and l am
entirely in sympathy with the stand Of
the M. p T. Association of the World
against the blue law campaign COM
mttee. My belief is that the prisons
will have many extra inmates If these
laws pass"
Mr. Quinn will preside at mass
meeting Thursday afternoon at the
Apollo Theater at which speakers will
voice their protests against the Sunday
blue laws. 1t is understood that snould
the Lords Day Alliance desire to send
a speaker he will be given an opportu-
nifty to state his case.
In answer to statement that Catho-
lies are opposed to Sunday motion pic
lures. Mr.. Quinn made public an in
dorsement of the M. p. T. movement
signed by Charles A. Mcmahon. chair
man Of the motion picture section of
the National Catholic Welfare Council
in which Mr.. Mcmahon stated that the
welfare council stands ready to mobil-
ize 5000 Catholic mems and womens
organizations throughout the country to
fight laws which would put an end to