The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1921-09-21
TIMOTHY HURLEY
MOTION PICTURE
COMMISSIONER
DELIVERED ADDRESS TO Ma.
TIoNAL CONFERENCE CATH
0LIC CHARITIES IN CHI.
CAGo LAST NIGHT.

/ MILWAUKEE, WIS, Sept. 21.-
There are 10000 motion picture thea
tres in the United States and the rev.
tenue taken in at these places Of
amusement amounts to an average o1
S2,000,000 a day. Hon. Timothy D
Hurley, Chairman of the Motion Pic
ture Commission Of Chicago told thu
National Conference Of Catholic Char,
Iities here last night.
at follows" continued Mr.. Hurley
That no one individual or combina
tion of individuals engaged in pro,
ducing films for exhibition should
have the uncensored right that any
or every film produced should be ex
hibited without restriction. Such ex
hibitions rightly come within state
control under its police power, and
have repeatedly SO been held by the
court Of last resort.
"The seating capacity Of theatres
in this country is more than 5,400,00(
lon the average this is filled several
times daily. According to the govern
mental figures motion picture thea
tires in this country took in in admis-
sions $767,000,000 in the fiscal year
lending in June. 1920.
"The supreme court has held that
the motion picture business is not to
| be regarded as part of the press OF
las an organ or organs Of public opin-
ion and are subject at all times to
Municipal control. Notwithstanding
court decisions the motion picture peo-
Iple have insisted at all times that
they have the right to exhibit any
picture that they see fit to produce
| limiting themselves only to the bor-
lderline Of criminal prosecution for
iproducing pictures which are prohib-
Iited by the Criminal law.
"These interests do not question the
health regulations provided for by the
Municipal government, and relating
solely to the physical conditions Of
the place of public exhibitions. They
insist, however, that the Police Pow
er Of the Municipal government should
not interfere with their exhibits, but
ithat they should be allowed to exhib-
Lie 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 re-
Gently took 1900 pages of testimony
of various persons having control and
education of children and coming in
direct contact with the family. These
missionaries, after being analyzed
by Prof. Ernest w. Burgess, of the
University 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.
a5-That there is less respect for
authority than heretofore.
"6-That children from seven years
up are precocious about the sex ques-
tion. !,
"7---That there is a noticeable dis
regard in reference to the marriage
Ities, and bad effect on modesty and
purity.
"8-That the children disregard the
home, and are dissatisfied Herewith.
"9-That the physical effects on
the children, as whole, are harmful;
the eye-srain is severe, the nerves af-
fected, decreased vitality and dull
mentality,
"10-That the effect on the rising
generation, on the whole, is bad.
"11-The average attendance OF
kchildren of school age is two or three
times week.
"The motion pictures. however, re-
late to and directly bear upon the con-
troll to an unbelievable extent, the
trend of the mind and the education
and morals of every man, woman and
child in the community. Mr.. William
A. Brady, speaking for the motion
Inicture industry says: In all prob
ability the day is coming when the
motion picture will be the educator
~ the world, and perhaps the teacher
of the Word Of God.' This, we take 1t
as conceded, is Of vital Importance. !.
aThe question then narrows itself
down to whether we shall turn over
TO the police, the merchandiser ana
/ the exhibitor, backed by part OF the
nress the education of our children,
~ shall we create departments in the
various communities where we reside,
tbe members Of which shall be ap-
nointed by the chief executive OF the
municipality or state, answerable only
- % him who in turn, is answerable only
the people. to prejudge the films be-
fore exhibition"
-----A--O-------------