The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-26
Topeka Labor VIII Show "The
Contrast" Film Saturday.
Disregard Condemnation of the
State Movie Board.
HAD NO RIGHT TO REJECT IT
Unions Say Law Doesn't RecOg-
nize Glass Propaganda.
Hint That estate House"
Ordered Killing of Picture.

Determination to disregard the rul-
ing of the Kansas movie censor board
and show the film. 1.-The Contrast" on
scheduled time despite the fact that
it was condemned, was expressed to-
day by w. Bush, president of the
Topeka Typogra phical Union No. 121.
The picture, which depicts labor
conditions in the Virginia coal mines
and elsewhere, was rejected in its en-
tircty by the censor board following a
second showing Thursday, on the
ground that it has the influence of
arraying class against class and caus-
ing general unrest
The film had been advertised for
showing al the city auditorium Satur-
dav afternoon and evening and several
hundred tickets had already been sold.
it was stated. Bush asserted today
that the picture would be shown, re-
gardless of the censor boards action.
The board, he declared, has no au-
thority to reject a picture on the
grounds stated, and that it can only
be rejected according to statute, on
the grounds that it is "cruel obscene,
indecent or immoral" or tends to de-
base or corrupt morals
Refusal a Surprise.
1.-THE turning down of this film by
the board of review was surprise to
us" said Bush Mr.. Harris says
thew turned it down because it has the
influence of arraying class against
class. and causing general unrest.
Where the board finds any 1ustlflca-
ton in law for turning the picture
down on these grounds 1 do not know.
1--WE propose to show the picture.
Our attorneys inform US that the
board has gone far beyond its au-
thority, and that We are clearly within
our legal rights. If the picture tends
to array class against class the proper
remedy is in correcting the evils it
depicts, not in suppressing the truth"
State House Influence.
Bush declared that rumors are
afloat in Topeka that the film was
condemned after the second showing
when members of the movie board
had gotten in touch with the state
house"
The following telegram was sent
from labor headquarters here this
morning to the movie censor board:
Dwight Thacher Harris. Kansas Board
of Review. Kansas City. Kan.
Typographical Union No. 121 pro-
labor 1lm, The Contrast The film
is very mild and conservative presen-
tation of conditions as they actually
exist in our industrial system and if
such conditions create class prejudice,
class distinction and class hatred the
public should have the opportunity to
know the truth Inc him Is not cruel,
obscene, indecent or immoral, nor
does it tend to debase or corrupt
morals. on the contrary 1t is essential
lv educational in that it pOrtrays con-
ditiOns as they really are. Suppression
of the truth can never mitigate an evil
wv. f. BUSH.
President Topeka Typographical Union
No. 121."
The picture was made by the Labor
Film service. Harris declared that in
vestigation had revealed to him that
the picture was not intended for the
humanitarian and educational pur-
pose represented for it here and that
he had received information that it
was promoted by Robert Blackstone,
one of the leading Socialist leaders of
New York. He also was informed, he
said, that the Labor Film service is
headed by Joseph E. Cannon, declared
to be a leading New York Socialist.