The Mankato free press., 1921-09-23
FAVOR FILM CENSOR
Catholic Charities Hear
Subject Discussed
$1,000 THEATRESL|STED
Chairman Chicago Movie Com
mission Says Revenue Reaches
Two Millions Daily
rAssociated Press Dispatch. I

Associated Press Dispatch.l
Milwaukee, Wis, September I'll
There are 10000 motion picture thea
tres in the United States and the re-
venue taken, in at these places OF
amusement amounts to an average of
81, 100000 a day. Hon. Timothy D.
Hurley, chairman of the motion pic
ture commission of Chicago told the
National Conference of Catholic Charl-
ties here tonight. 1t follows, con
vidual or combination of individuals
engaged in producing films for exhlbl :
tion should have the uncensored right
that any or every film produced should
be exhibited without RESTRICTION. Such
exhibitions rightly come within state
control under its police power. and
have repeatedly so been held by the
court OF last resort.
Seating Capacity Theatres
1.-THE seating capacity OF tneaters
in this country is more than 6,40o, 600.
On the average this is hlied severai
times daily. According to the govern
mental figures motion picture thea
ters in this country took in admis-
sions $767,000,000 in the fiscal year
ending in June, 1920.
The supreme court has held that
the motion picture business is not to
be regarded as part of the press or
as an organ or organs of public opin-
ion an dare subject at all times to
Municipal control. notwithstanding
court decisions the motion picture
people have instead at all times that
they have the right to exhibit any pic
Fture that they see fit to produce, limit
ing themselves only to the borderline
of criminal procesution for producing
pictures which are prohibited by the
These interests do not question
the health regulations provided Tor by
the Municipal government, and relat-
ing solely to the physical condltlons
of the place of public, exhibitions.
They insist, however, that the police
power of the municipal government
should not intervene with their <exhi, :,
bits. but that they should be allowed
to exhibit any film that may appeal to
their judgment-that judgment being
based largely upon the condition OF
profit and loss as disclosed by their
ledger.
"The city council of Chicago recent
ly took 1900 pages OF testimony OF
various persons having control ana
education of children and coming in
direct contact with the family, Tnese
uuestionaires, after being analyzed by
versity of Chicago showed:
1-Motion pictures interferes with
school work.
"2-The moral effect is bad.
"3-The view of life and life's du-
ties are false and distorted.
"4-That the sex and vampire films
appeal to the children:
"5-That there is less respect Tor
authority than heretofore.
"6AThat children from seven years
up are precocious about the sex qltes-
THAT there is a noticeable dis
regard in reference to the marriage
ties, and bad effect on modesty and
"SEThat the children disregard the
home. and are dissatisfied Herewith.
"9-That the physical effects on the
children, as whole, are harmful; the
eye strain is severe, the nerves at:
fected decreased vitality and dull
"1OMThat the effect on the rising
generation, on the whole, is bad.
1.-THE average attendance. Of
children of school age is two to three
times week.
Opinion Of VIM. A. Brady
"The motion pictures, however, re.
late to and directly bear upon and
control to an unbelievable extent,
the trend of the mind and the educa-
ton and morals of every man, woman
and child in the community. MI. VIII
liam A. Brady, speaking. for the mo.
onablity the day Is coming when the
N, rtiou ricture viii he fha education