Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-01-10
OFFER Of MOVIES
To HAYS SCORED

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7.-Protest-
ing against acceptance by Postmas-
ter-General Hays of the rendered po-
sition las head of the motion picture
industry, Senator Pat Harrison,
Democrat, Mississippi, declared in
the senate late today that if the
motion picture products "get the
biggest politician in the Republican
party to head that indust we must
look upon it with suspicion"
Stating that he had no doubt Mr..
Hays would accept the offer and re-
tire from the cabinet. Senator Har-
rison said he was fearful that if
the former Republican national
chairman becomes the head of the
motion picture industry he will place
a censorship upon some democratic
pictures that should be shown"
Not Sought AS Star
After describing the size of the
motion picture business. and it's in
fluence and freedom from politics
up to this time, the Mississippi SEN
ALOT oCCAo1 GU thai SL1OOAu LA1C - l1lCo
States Steel corporation come to
Washington and make an offer to
q cabinet member of a salary equal
to that reputed to have been ten
dered Mr.. Hays, to direct its poll
cies, and he accepted 1t, mot only
would he be condemned. but the adj
ministration to which he belonged
would also be condemned" Senator
Harrison referred in condemnatory
terms to the offer which Judge Lam
dis accepted from organized base
ball, and asked:
s"Why is Mr.. Hays selected by
the motion picture industry to &C
cept q fabulous salary? What is the
purpose of making this tender? Is
It because he is close to the powers
that be? Is it because he controls
four or five hundred thousand post
offices throughout the country and
the mails? Is it because he has the
ear of the president of the United
States and sits in the circles of the
administration? Is it because he
helped to elect the house of repre-
sentatiyes whose duty it is to frame
tax laws and tariff measures? Is
It because he played such a large
part in the election of senators who
control the policy of the administra-
ton in this body?"
Senator Harrison, speaking at
times facetiously, said he could not
imagine that the industry sought
Mr.. Hays as a star to show, with
Mary Pickford. Douglas Fairbanks
and Fatty" Arbuckle.
"They have chosen him because
they think he can do the work"
he continued. 'Ts it because of any
exceptional ability which he had
shown as postmaster general? Is It
because he can elevate the morals OF
the industry? No, these are not the
qualifications that have caused the
tempting offer. There is more sig
nificance to the offer being made
to the postmaster general than to
any other cabinet officer. He came
into prominence because he was
great organizer and q Politician
Industry Hurting Itself
"Many questions come up in the
senate and the house that affect
the motion picture industry" the
senator stated, as he referred to the
tax upon it which had been pro-
posed as we'll as to- items in the
tariff bill now pending which might
be of importance to it.
"I do not know whether they
think that through his cioseness to
certain senator's here. or because OF
his attachment to the president,
that he can work wonders in the
new tariff bill or the supplemental
tax bill that will be presented" the
aauator declared
Senator Sutherland, Republican,
West Virginia, suggested that for
merry treasury Secretary William U.
McAdoo had accepted an offer from
the same industry. Senator Har.
rison, rejoined that the nature OF
ACKNOWLEDGMENT was different, In
that McAdoo represented three or
four stars and not the whole indus
try, and had accepted the tender
after he severed his official connec'
ton with the cabinet. !
"I believe the motion picture peo--
ple are making a false step" the sem
ator continued. "When they get the
biggest politician in the Republican
party to head that industry. we
must look upon it with suspicion.
know the attractiveness of this man.
I know he Is smart and is a good
organizer. AS one who desires TO
have the industry kept out of poll
tics. I regret the tender.
EST. am sorry to see the industry
come into the cabinet and get
member who was chairman Of the
Republican national committee. TIL"
industry Is hurting itself when 1t
ct;yc ,,n v,oIffias lil<n that "