Evening star., 1921-03-01

The Commissioners are considering
the enactment of general police regu-
lations to govern the exhibition of
motion pictures in Washington with
out creating a board Of censorship.
This was the course taken today,
following the public hearing yester-
day on regulation of the movies,
which was one of the most dramatic
and spirited sessions ever staged be-
fore a board of Commissioners.
Led by David w. Griffith the pro-
ducer, business men and private citi-
zens argued against censorship by a
board that would judge in advance
what the public should and should
not see.
The local exhibitors, through Attor-
ney Charles w. Darr, contended that
existing police regulations governing
improper entertainments of all kinds
are ample to prevent the exhibition
of improper motion pictures and that
no further regulation is needed.
Views Of Censorship Proponents.
The advocates of regulation. led by
Federal ton of Churches. did not con-
tend for a board of censorS to pre-
review pictures. AS announced in The
Star yesterday, they recommended
that for three months the motion pic
ture theaters be put on probation and
sylvania. which specify certain kinds
of pictures and scenes which shall not
be shown.
Mr.. Griffith. in the course Of his ap-
peal against censorship, frankly ad-
mitted that some pictures have been
never have been made" He pointed
out, however. that many words have
been spoken and many books written
that should have been left unsaid and
unpublished.
Mr.. Griffith presented his argu-
and when he had finished there was
prolonged applause. He painted a
vivid picture Of what he regards as
the danger to American liberty in
censorship of anything.
Query by Commissioner Kutx.
When he had finished Engineer
Commissioner Charles W. Kutz said:
II think we all realize the dangers
of censorship. but you have admitted
that there are some pictures that
should not be exhibited. Don't you
think we could draft regulations to
stop those pictures? The Commits
ing police regulations cover motion
pictures"
what we oppose" replied Griffith.
"is the stopping of pictures by pre-
review-the old method of law by
Injunction. If your local police regu-
lations do not put motion pictures
under the same rules as the
state, then by all means, put US
under the same heading for our own
protection"
That is the viewpoint of the Com
missioners,' was the brief reply of
Col. Kutz. and the hearing proceed
ed.
A bitter controversy arose toward
the close of the hearing when Thorn
as Donovan, appearing as an indi-
vidual and patron of the movies,
challenged the right of Charles A.
Mcmahon of the National Catholic
Welfare Council to speak for the
Catholics Of Washington in favor of
further regulation OF films.
Summing Up by Mr.. Graves.
After Mr.. Donovan had arraigned
him for appearing as the spokesman
of local Catholics and Mcmahon had
replied that the welfare council had
the backing of the hierarchy. Com
missioner Hendrick brought the Incl
dent to a close by calling on John
Temple Graves.
Mr. Graves summed up the case
for those who advocated additional
regulation of the movies.
Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts. superintend-
ent of the Interpational Reform Bu-
reau. was the fist speaker in behalf
Of new rules for the movies. He laid
stress on, the fact that motion picture