The New York herald., 1922-01-17
FILM DISTRIBUTION
HAYS'S MAIN TASK
He Is Expected to Stop$1, ,000,-
600 Leakage Each Month :
by Duplication.
TO WARD OFF CENSORSHIP
Postmaster General Holds Con-
ference Here With Film
Magnates.

Will Hays. Postma ster-General of the
United States, came to New York from
Washington yesterday to meet motion
picture men and to learn further details
of the task ahead of him as the Lands
o. the Movies"
the conference took place in the after
room in the headquarters of the Roose-
Welt Memorial Association In the Metro
rolitan Tower, and afterward the screen
executives issued statement expressing
appreciation of Mr.. Hays's acceptance
OF their offer.
Nine of the principal film companies
OF the country were represented, the
United Artists Corporation, Robertson
Colo Pictures Corporation. Fox Film
Corporation. Goldwyn Pictures Corpora
tion. Universal Film Manufacturing
Company, Metro Pictures Corporation,
SelzniclS Pictures Corporation. Triangle
distributing Corporation and Famous
Players-Lasky Corporation. The new
tody has not crystalized its organization
or even chosen a name. The men pres
cent we're acting as an informal subcom-
nittce for tho reorganization of the
business.
To Organize Distribution.
The new organization will empha size
the Importance of distribution systems
which was disregarded in the old asso-
citation. That Is the particular activity
Tor which Mr.. Hays has been selected.
Aside from his generalship in the fight
10 ward Off further censorship large Y
by circularizing exhibitors to warn
against the showing of pictures known
to be offensive, Mr.. Hayss chier service
viii lie in reorganizing distribution
methods.
Ills name was at first proposed tc-
cause of his work in the post Office de-
partment, the largest distributing system
in the world. In the film industry this
is looked upon as the main source of
financial leaks in big overhead charges.
One film expert estimated $1,000.00o a
month is lost through duplication and
conflict in tho distributing system Of
various companies.
Conflicting reports were current yes
terday concerning the report Mr.. Hays
would be insured for $2,000.000 through
out the three years he would receive a
salary of $150.o00 year. Gabriel L.
Hess, one of the committee which first
brought Mr.. Hays's name forward. said
he had not heard Of the proposition.
Statement II Issued.
The producers and distributors repre-
sented at the conference issued the fol-
lowing:
"In order to raise to The highest point
the education and moral value of our
great industry we desired to secure the
cooperation of the man best adapted to
inspire public confidence and interest as
guiding and directing mind in all
questions affecting simultaneously the
public welfare and the interests and du-
tics Of our industry We know that we
have secured the right man and the best
man in Mr.. Hays.
"As a director and supervisor OF the
mails. as promoter OF the national SER
vice that touches daily every citizen. Mr..
Hays has shown himself master I'm
management and good judgment. We
consider ourselves and our industry
most fortunate In securing one whom
President Harding chose. for his Cabi-
net as of such high ability and integ-
rity. as to be intrusted with tho nations
most important service. its universal SER
vice TO the citizens.