South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-16
BY LINCOLN J. CARTER. JR

binculr
Twas ,. ). Lodge
We happened TO be sitting n the
lobby or the Oliver that afternoon
md both OF us would rather have
- sited. but-weu after ALL / wasn't
ere for pleasure.
Tell me about t."
SO Lincoln j. Carter CsenIor) tool,
} pun on his murdcr0us black clear
some would say BE- looked viHanous
enough TO play part in one of his
famous Old melOdram3s--an began.
We'll. kid. that was J. J. Lodge.
Tie was In South Bend about 1901
though I don't exactly remember
whether he was managing one OF the
lheaters or nOt Anyway, it was
here that he conceived the idea Of
breakirR into the movies. which was
hard thing 20 do in those days
Finally ne went to Chicago. where
Pc began a search for some man who
Eould be willing 10 put up about
$4,000. which he figured would be
the needed amount lodge soon dis
lowered that one could not get in
merely by wishing.
II NEFilAE NiA4A tAtA lfthANA % 49,
made under the Thomas A. Edison
PATENTS without a license one
couldn't begin 20 start anything re-
lembIing a movie Edison had sold
licenses to eight concerns. Vitagraph,
Biograph. Essanay Selig. Lubin,
Ealem. Pathe and an other that
don't recall Lodge tried TO get
lnother from Edison You see, he
hgured that tho movies were a great
md growing game and provided
treat opportunity for a man who
knew the show business. because
Scrv few OF the old theatrical pro
lession were in any way connected
With them IN those days Lodge
vent to see Edison. 1t developed
hat he could not get license for
3pve or money. because when Edison
lad sold those eight he had promised
Tin fact I guess there was con-
tract. that he would not sell an
Ather. He was to get a royalty OF so
much a foot IN return and the East
ran Kodak people were making all
Kinds OF money because they had
he sole and exclusive right 10 manu-
.acture the film.
Found Ninth license.
Lodge had set hiA-heart on the
idea and hung around New York
desperately hoping against hope.
One day he discovered that there
pas ninth license out. This license
HAS TO George and Castor Melee, OF
Paris giving them the right to inn
Dor; and manufacture pictures in
his country. The Melees were only
using the import clause OF the con-
kract though. as they had studio in
Paris and we're turning out all those
pId trick photography pictures OF
Witches suddenly coming up out OF
he ground and devils vanishing into
he air. al of which they shipped 10
America. They were not taking ad-
fantage Of their privilege Of making
lhem on these shores and didn't con-
template doing so Lodge imme-
slately got into touch with them
leeking 10 purchase their unused
privilege. He found them willing 70
bell for a song provided they got
pertain percentage Of the profits and
llso so much per foot OF negative
You can imagine how fast he grab
BED hold OF Il.
Then Lodge came back 20 Chi
kaso to the man who had tentatively
.greed to put up the money neces-
ANY 10 start things But he found
hat man unable to get the money al
hat time His search began again
Be drifted all over the city with a
license that was worth millions II
people only knew IL. Perhaps he
wasn't a salesman. but he had ar
awful time trying 10 get someone &c
70 in with him They all baked at
going into anything as cheap as
burning out stun for the nickel movie
houses.
Regulate Film Output
There was a little man IN towr
Nha ran one or the film exchanges
A. that time the eight concerns
which we're COINS had formed agree
nent with each other whereby they
we're 20 produce an equal number Of
pictures per week and market then
through those film exchanges
Through fear. I suppose. Il was eN
pressly stipulated none OF then
Should have am rkrest in the ex
changes nor were the exchanges q
be able ohold a controlling interes
n the manufacturing end"
Why was that done. dad p
Well. rather think they were
afraid n such a thing happened tn
e.. haugce would ruv more copies
from one producer than another an'
they would lose money because o.
such discrimination.
Remember son. that about al
ms world Is after is money and Il
one man can beat another out
Now YOU are forgetting that thi'
b a purely business meeting"
so 7 had so had" asserted th'
r7eiodrama king as he looked az nj
NOV unlighted cigar IN a Theodort
3oberts sort 81 way Where was
Gown 90 the point where Lodge start
81 after backing He found tn
\ Necessary money ir the person o
Lewis But Lewis objected 20 put
ring up a red cent unless he had ~
controlling interest Lodge showeS
him where he could not sell out tina
F. much under the terms Or The Ncens
b-remember Lewis was in eVchanC'
end they managed 20 couprornis,
or an even 50 percent Lewis was q
put up about $50 0o2 On return 20 &c
everything ready for work The
rented an old factory and started q