The New York herald., 1922-03-07
HAYS BEGINS WORK
AS HEAD OF MOVIES
Former Postmaster General
Puts In First Day i'm New
Offices Here.

Win Fl. Hays put in his first day on
the Job as motion picture dictator yester-
day In suite of expensively furnished
Offices on the second floor Of the old
sherry Building at 5e2 Fifth avenue.
He announced that he had severed all
connection with politics and that he
would devote himself exclusively to the
upbuilding of the movies during the next
three years. His contract will expire
March 5. 1926 Although Mr.. Hays made
no statement regarding his salary. one
of the producers who has been active in
obtaining his services for the industry
satd Yesterday IL was 100000 a year
not S15O.000. as has been reported.
Mr. Hays announced that the new or
ganization he is TO head would be known
as the Motion Picture Producers and
Distributors of America. Inc, and that
the articles OF Incorporation would be
filed within the next fortnight. In adj
dition 10 the nine producers who origin
ally interested themselves In the project
Mr. Hays said that the Pathe and the
Vitagraph companies had Joined the fold
and that the new corporation would In
clude practically all OF the producing and
distributing companies in the country.
mutually, but non-competitively inter-
ested."
"A mans job is just what he makes
IT." said Mr. Hays. II don't know !
may be able to make it much or little.
am not going to start in with splash
and tell what I am going to do. am
going to find out what the situation is
and what has been done. and then go to
work.
1T is a tremendous undertaking. and
approach it with much concern but
with that confidence which springs from
an earnest purpose and from the con-
victlon that we shall have the gener-
Gus help of every one in accomplishing
what must be recognized as an effort
for the good Of all.
"The motion picture is already the
principal amusement of a great ma
iority of the people and the sole amuse-
ment OF millions. Therefore it may
very well become essentially national
stabilizer The potentialities of the
motion picture for moral influence and
education are limitiess. Therefore its
integrity should be protected as we pro-
tect our churches and its quality inn
proved as we develop the quality OF
our schools.
Fifty languages are spoken in this
country. but the picture OF mother
is the same in every one. England sold
the war to its colonies through pic
tures-the possibilities are inestimable.
II 1t is true that 20.o0o.00o people q day
see the movies, they must have a tre-
mendous effect on the mental attitude
and ultimate character of the citizen
ship of the country. Through the
movies we can reach every onc-even
those who can't read This is no per-
sonal thing with me. 7 am just pawn
and I have no idea OF getting out and
rayoli1f fiopizin~ things n all -
silent on Censorship.
details of his work until he had be-
and declined to express an opinion on
censorship OF the movies.
IT was said yesterday that the af-
fairs or the National Association OF
Motion Picture Exhibitors. of which
William A. Brady is the head, would
be wound UP as its members are also
in the new organization. which has been
asked to take over the work of the
Nationals film theft bureau. This is
later expected to. occupy much OF Mr..
Hays's attention, and his experience in
dealing with mail thefts while head OF
the Post Office Department. will be a
valuable asset. The annual value of
films stolen from warehouses and In
process OF transportation Is said to ex-
ceed $4,000. 900. The thieves. It Is
charged, conduct an organized traffic in
stolen films with South American coun-
tries. Mexico. Japan and parts Of Asia.
Every effort is to be made to check the
robberies and the sale OF stolen films.