Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-06
COMMITTEE HEARS BOTH
SIDES AS TO CENSORSHIP
David Wark Griffith Declares Movie
Measure Is Un-Amcrican
and lntolcrant.
MINISTER'S SPEAK FOR BILL
Film Interests Propose Substitute to
Bring Product Under Provision OF
Statutes Prohibiting Immoral or
Obscene Literature or Pictures.

Obscene Literature or Pictures.
Regulation OF screen productions by
bringing films under the provisions Of
laws prohibiting immoral or obscene
literature and pictures, was proposed
iasT night by motion picture exhibitors
and producers before a Joint session of
Moral and Social Welfare, which had
under consideration a bill creating a
OF no VTsn 1n all rhas ms
both committees will report tho bill
with the recommendation that it do
not pass. was predicted last night by
members This action is expected this
morning.
Willingness to submit 20 proper legal
regulation was the keynote of those
opposing the bill which proposed to
do what only four of the forty-eight
sons, one of whom may be woman
to say whether 4 film may be exhibited
That censorship. such as proposed in
the bill. viii throttle the motion pic
iure business. was stated by both ex-
countsf-pToposal; Offered " Hiii nHi Which VI q
would specifically bring films under
the provisions OF the criminal statutes
prohibiting immoral or obscene litera-
turc, pictures. paintings and other
matter.
Hichnond Ministers Appear.
Three Richmond ministers appeared
ing. powerful ministerial! body. Op-
posing the bill. in addition to Wynd-
exhibitors, was David Wark Griffith,
premier film propducer OF the world,
and Jake Wells. known throughout the
south as theatrical and motion pic
turc maSnate.
opponen,s OF the bill left to Mr.
Griffith the task OF showing the use
lcssness of motion picture Censorship,
as well as its probable harmful effects
on the Industry as whole
!, 1Cl, ant
free american institutions was hayed
by Mr.. Griffith. who stated that nc, rs
. return to tho State Of his birth to
plead for freedom in the halls or the
: Virginia Assembly.
, Calls II Un-American.
, Censorship is un-American" said
r Mr.. Griffith, because it is founded on
the principle OF autocracy--the right of
few to direct the mass: Every .slner-
ican prccept is in opposition to II.
The The screen sss % Of is yirIli,y, thus Invitins
the psneless milk water product
: that will follow IL. Censorship puts
into the hands, of smali-calibercd poll
ticianS the right TO edit our supply OF
IS @eii perm*. these pol,icians to ,Ga, 60
speare or the Bible"
Mr.. Griffith stated that censorship
res'rie.s hs ss,o..g great Industry by building
cities and is an unwarrantcd tax on
an industry.
Calls II Form Of IntoIcrnnce.
Censorship is a form Of intolerance,
Mr.. Griffith stated.
Besides, it is antagonistic to your
State motto which calls for. the de-
makes lie or the principles of lib
erty for WHICH Washington fought:
which Thomas Jefferson wrote into
our fundamental laws, and for which
Patrick Henry so ably pleaded in this
very city"
rsIi,c MT; Gr,mth ain1,,;;N Eaye the committee a
that he had Ia surmouut TO prevent
his ;nr great eat, play nS,n The Birth Of Ma
Rev. J; J. Wicker. d. D.. pastor OF
Leigh Street Baptist Church. repre-
senting the Baptist Ministers Union
favor OF the bill. DR.. Wicker frankly
stated that he was great admircr
pleasure and benefit from the motto n
picture exhibitions he witnesses here
for Aaa hose the sxhbors hfhsst nS wqrds s
come acquainted with here.
Thinks Bill an Asset.
) But 1 feel that this bill will prove
here TO stay and the owners. OF the
houses should do everything possible
on o1 iG"uGn the ls peopi9 n,,d to &c go censorship
itself that nothing harmful would be
seen.
: L nave never seen any
thing, in local picture house that
, would offend"
Dr.. Wicker was cmphaticany
proposed board. He stated that only
the highest caliber of men he selected
men on a par with college instructors
Kev IT, a. Smoot, OF Centenary Meth
odist church, representing the Metho-
dist ministerial Conference. also laud-
ed motion pictures and the houses con-
ducting them here. He stated, how
eyer that censorship was needed. espc
comes through the eye.
Il am not a political preacher such
as are now being condemned wide
a representative OF n ministerial body:
l anG appeal also "A citizen In behalf
OF this bill"
Mr. Meredith in speaking against
siple to find man or men who could
carry out the provisions of the bill
J Rev w. a. Hall. OF Porter Street
. presbyterian Church. representing the
that he was not against a legitimate
business, and that he had never seen
a suggestion OF evil in film pro-
duction.
Denies Censorship Cndcmocrntic.
5 He denied that censorship was un-
Wicker in that he would like to see a
) woman member on the proposed board
The committee then requested Jake
WSES to reply to few questions to
$4,000 feet of film are shown in Viz
ginia daily, which would require eighty
hours to pass on screen. He showed
now impossible 1t would be for three
persons to pass all OF the films
Coast Guard Cutter battles Seas.
NORFOLK. VA. Feb. 6.--Information
l gwen out shortly after midnight at the