The New York herald., 1921-12-09
Hays and Hoover
Mentioned to Head
Picture Industry
Man Of National Reputation
Sought for Leader of New
Central Organization.

A statement was issued last night by
the executive officers OF the Goldwyn
Pictures Corporation, Fox Film Cor
poration, Universal Film Manufacturing
Company. the vitagraph Company and
Pathe Exchange concerning the estab-
lishment OF a body which would sup
plant, If it does not reorganize on a
widely extended scale, the National As
sociation of the Motion Picture Industry.
In the statement 1t was mentioned that
a man of national reputation was being
sought to head this proposed trade or
ganization, designed to strengthen the
film industry, which would include the
exhibitors. hitherto left out OF the N. A
N. p. l.
In motion picture circles ii was be-
lieved that Will II. Hays, Postmaster
General of the United States, and Her
bert Hoover, Secretary of Commerce,
were among the men being considered.
though nothing definite could be learned
on that point in this city. and it was
stated that so far no final choice has
been made The statement follows:
Within the last few weeks representa-
tives of some of the most important
producing and distributing companies
met for the purpose of bringing into
existence new and important organi-
cation in the moving picture industry.
Representatives of Vitagraph Company.
Pathe Exchange. Goldwyn Pictures Cor
porauon. Fox Film Corporation and
Universal Film Manufacturing Com
pnny were the originators of the idea.
The chief purpose of the proposed
organization, which would include prac-
tically all OF the producing and dis
tributing companies of the United
States. was to effect better under
standing of those interested In the pro-
duction and distribution branches of the
business and to work In harmony with
the exhibitors. The general scope and
plan called for much of the same work
that is now being handled by the Ma
tional Association Of the motion picture
industry.
Seek Big Man as Leader.
One of the outstanding features of the
plan submitted was to secure the SER
vices of a man of national reputation to
head this proposed trade organization
and one in no way directly or indirectly
interested in the motion picture busi-
ness. Many names were suggested but
no final choice has been made.
"A premature publication appeared in
a New York newspaper on Thursday,
Dec. 8. and indicated in the headline that
this was a combine OF various produc-
Ing and distributing companies. This is
absolutely untrue and outside of the
facts No combine of any kind has been
or is contemplated by those Interested
In launching the new organization,
which is intended to function solely as
like organizations in other industries.
I'm addition to the above named the
following companies indicated a willing
ness to join the proposed new associa-
ton: Metro Pictures Corporation, Fa-
NOUS Players-Lasky Corporation, As
sociated First National Exhibitors, Inc. !;
Triangle Film Corporation, United Ar
lists Corporation, d. w. Griffith. Real
art Pictures Corporation and r. c. Pic
lures Corporations"
The president of the N. A. NJ. p. I. is
William A. Brady. who is expected in
the trade to retire as such at the be-
ginning of next year. The salary which
the new leader of the film world would
receive was estimated as high as 100000
a year yesterday. The last compen a
tion which Mr.. Brady received was said
to have been $4,000. though travelling
expenses had to come out OF this.
Controls 10000 Theatres.
In film circles the new arrangement
was not considered to presage In any
way a business combination in which
all the activities of the various COM
panies would be pooled. The N. A. NJ.
p. /. has existed simply as an organi-
zation for mutual benefit and protection
In which all the producers and distribu-
ters of consequence in the country were
united. Through its affiliations the or
ganization controls 5000 theatres from
coast to coast.
In trade centres It was generally be-
lieved yesterday that an underlying aim
of this move is to prevent the spread
OF narrow censorship, particularly OF the
Federal variety which the producers re-
Garded as detrimental to their interests.
Consequently an effort is being made, in
the view OF persons in close touch with
the film business. to ally with the pro-
ducers the numerous independent ex.
i,ibitors, who were considered to be cap
able OF exertng strong influence against
censorship all over the country through
their local political affiliations.
To Take In Exhibitors.
The exhibitors who had hitherto been
outside the fold of the N. A. NJ p. I.
are to be brought in, according to the
new plan, through joint committees Re
Gently there have been reports of
strained relations between the n. a. M.
P.sI.. as at present constituted, and
the Motion Picture Theatre owners OF
America, an organization Of independ-
ents which embraces 1900 theatres
throughout the country.
Sydney S. Cohen, president of this
body. made this statement concerning
the reorganization:
"The only information we have on this
subject IL what appeared In the news
papers. The Motion Picture Theatre
Owners Of America, comprising practi-
cally all Of the motion picture theatre
owners In the country. have not been
consdlted in this matter. and 1 have
naturally no comment TO mako on the
situation until IL assumes more tangible
shape
Meanwhile we are glad that the
campaign for clean. wholesome pictures
has met with pleasing reception every
where, and we are gratified at the sue
cess already attained in this direction
as evidenced in the excellent pictures
now being produced"
Jt was stated in film circles that
short time ago communication request
ing that nothing be said about the
proposed reorganization until Il was
perfected was sent out to independent
exhibitors and various publications.
rfsI,is latter was signed accordinsy to re-