Evening star., 1922-01-08
SENATOR ATTACKS
HAYS MOVIE JOB
Pat Harrison Views With
Suspicion Offer to Post
master General.

| Protesting against acceptance by
Postmaster General Hays of the ten
dered position as head Of the motion
picture industry, Senator Harrison,
democrat, Mississippi. declared in the
Senate late yesterday that II the mo-
tion picture producers get the big
gest politician in the republican party
to head that industry we must look
upon 1t with suspicion"
Stating that he had no doubt MT.
Hays would accent the offer and re-
tire from the cabinet, Senator Harri-
son said he was fearful" that II the
former republican national chairman
becomes the head Of the motion pic
ture industry he will place a censor
ship upon democratic pictures that
should be shown"
Otter Condemned,
After describing the size of the mo-
tion picture business and it's influ-
ence and freedom from politics up to
this time, the Mississippi senator de-
clared that should the United States
Steel Corporation come to Washing
ton and make an offer to a cabinet
member of a salary equal to that re-
puted to have been rendered Mr. Hays
to direct it's policies. and be accepted.
1t mot only would be condemned, but
the administration to which he be-
longed would also be condemned"
Senator Harrison referred in con-
demnatory terms to the offer which
Judge Lands accepted from organized
base ball. and asked:
Why is Mr.. Hays selected by the
motion picture industry to accept q
fabulous salary? What is the purpose
of making this tender2 Is it because
he is close to the powers that be? Is
1t because he controls four or five
hundred thousand post offices through
out the country and the mails? Is
it because he has the ear of the Presi-,
dent of the United States and sits in
the circles OF the administration? Is
It because he helped to elect the
House Of Representatives, whose duty
it is to frame tax laws and. tariff
such a large part in the election Of
senators who control the policy of the
administration in this body?'
speaks FacetiousIy.
Senator Harrison. speaking at times
facetiouSly. said he could not imagine
that the industry sought Mr.. Hays as
star to show with Mary Pickford,
Douglas Fairbanks and Fatty" Ar
buckle.
They. have chosen him because
they think he can do the work" he
continued. rs 1t because of any ex-
ceptional ability which he has shown
as Postmaster General? Is 1t because
dustry? No. These are not the uuaIi-
fications that have caused the tempt
ing offer. There is more significance
to the offer being made to the Post
master General than to any other
cabinet officer. He came into promi-
nence because he was great organ
izer and a politician.
Il believe the motion picture people
are making a false step" the senator
continued. When they get the big
gest politician in the republican
party to head that industry, we must
look upon it with suspicion. l know
the attractiveness of this man. I
know he is smart and is a good or
ganizer. AS one who desires to have
the industry kept out of politics, re-
greet the tender.
Il am sorry to see the industry
come into the cabinet and get a mem
ber who was chairman of>the republic
can national committee. The industry
is hurting itself when it stirs up poll
tics like that"