Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-06-24

n censorship that are being consider
II ed and that might be put into op-
H Grafton to good advantage are given
u in brief form below:
Licensing producers and distrib-
utors for carrying on business
through interstate commerce. and
licensing local exhibitors under the
usual regulations governing public
amusements.
Organization OF local clubs,
church organizations. etc. to make
sure OF enforcement of existing laws.
Familiarizing the local exhibitor
with the kind of picture desired IN
his neighborhood.
Organization through women's
clubs particularly to give publicity
to the type OF film desired in order
to encourage exhibitors in the dis
play of good pictures.
Organized effort ito investigate
and force theatres in cheaper dis
tricts and foreign settlements to
keep up a high standard of film.
Organization to have children at
tend shows on certain nights and
matinees and in this way make Il
worth the exhibitors while to show
films adapted for children at these
Itimes-then at other periods show
any films that would be considered
| acearffa1Trr L.
| terest.
Formation of citizen committees
TO serve as advisory boards to study
and work out local plans for amuse-
ment regulations. this particularly
! in small towns.
Interesting press to give space
to reviews of films where they have
several days run.
Exhibitors to make public the
advance summaries of films.
Newspaper and billboard adver-
Using to be carefully watched by
either citizen committees or police
authorities.
Regular inspectors to look out for
the physical cleanliness and proper
sanitation and lighting of theatres
and citizen groups to organize to
check on the type OF films shown.
Greater publicity given to the
lists of commendable pictures issued
by the committee for better films.
Local groups request their exhibit
tors to use these films.
A plan OF control OF motion pic
lures that IS favored by some who
have made a careful study of the
whole matter embraces the follow
Ing specific types of federal. Stats
and local Legislation:
First. Federal licensing of motion
picture producers and distributors
TO do business through the inter-
safe commerce and a specific def
dnition in connection with the
granting OF the license of the kinds
of motion pictures that they would
not be permitted to transport. Sus-
pension and revocation of license
should be the penalty for violating
the conditions under which the
license should be the penalty for
violating the conditions under
which the license in granted
Second. State laws making Il
misdemeaDor, with adequate penal
ties, TO exhibit motion pictures that
in the judgment of the courts are
obscene. indecent and detrimental
TO the morals of the people.
Third, local licensing of exhibit
tors under regulations that would
make possible the caDceling OF
licenses If the exhibitors persist in
holding exhibitions that are detri-
mental to the welfare of the COM
munity.
This would discourage the produce
ton of questionable pictures, as the
producing companies would not care
TO take the chance OF losing their
licenses or OF having their produce
tions barred from interstate COM
merce. The exhibitor would be
placed on his guard against commit
ting a misdemeanor by exhibiting
any unlawful picture and of losing
his local license to carry on business.
Suspension and possible revocation
Of license IS a much more effective
deterrent than the imposing OF
fine. -
There Is evidenry much 20 be said
In favor of placing the burden OF
proof squarely upon the motion pic
ture producers, distributors and ex-
hibitors for carrying on their BUSH
ness in such a way that it shall not b
detrimental to the public. When
boards are established to
pass upon each picture produced and
% say whether or not It may be ex-
libited, the responsibility is at once
shifted from the motion-picture in
iustry to the official boards.
The usual procedure in govern
nent control is to define the condi-
ions under which the special kind OF
business or public service may be
,arried on and to definitely state the
-tandards that must be maintained
n the quality of the commodity Of
cred for public consumption. The
person or firm proposing to do bust
less accepts these prescribed condi-
ions and is granted a permit or
license to operate within the individ-
Ial limits. This places the RESPONSE
ility where it belongs, squarely upon
he Individual or firm conducting thu
BUSINESS.
Why not follow this generally ac-
epted governmental procedure in
ealing with the motion picture bus
ness?
Real Estate ana Automo biles will
a on sale through the medium NJ