Tombstone epitaph., 1922-07-16


My Dear NJ. Giraei:
have read with interest and appreciation
your editorial IL the issue Of June 10.
shall be glad if YOU will read some remarks
made on the subject Of better motion pictures.
also some newspaper clippings the subject.
With klnGest regards and best wishes ] am.
Signed WILL H. HAYS.
The editorial referred by Mr.. HAYS commented on
the magnitude Of the task he has undertaken III cleaning
up the movie industry, preserving it We're that i'm
poftant branch OF American industry within the power
of which lies inesmable educational wealth.
When Mr. Hays assigned TO his present task. the
popular movies fast slipping into the discard.
the direct result doubt Of the unjust mastery Of those
influences which disregarded the better and the educa
tiOna for immediate monetary gain
The announcement Of Mr.. Hays proposed campaign
of cleansing the movie world OF all Objectionable
ter and furthering the instructive and educational ea
tuers of motion pictures which had almost reached the
classes as to whether this could be successfully accom-
plished.
Here in our little city. devotees Of the phantom
plays, openly expressed Opinions that VIII Hays had
tackled seemingly impossible task.
Some believe that it couldn't be done.
that the decline of motion pictures educational mater
ial could not be stayed.
Will Hays began his task. and he started right!
The first thing he sought was the cooperation OF the
newspapers of America
Speaking a banquet rendered him by the Publish
of the United States New York City April Doth.
and outlining the movie industry from its beginning to
the present day, Mr.. Hays said. in part
49, The vital thing now is the certain
good faith of those who have about these
ior purposes. and do know OF the certainty of
that good faith know that these with mil
lions invested VIII go through with this thing.
This industry must and shall maintain its high
place in the business world along with the other
great industries offering enterprising capital
legitimate opportunity for profitable invest
ment established solid foundation. operat-
ed with reasonable economy and supported
properly, as are our other great industries, by
the investing public. And it must and shall and
will take its very high place in public estimation.
So certainly is all this a matter of your
that earnestly ask your advice in the
situation. ] have thought the problems would
be solved if could make certain the estab-
lishment of two things: Confidence and Coop
Grafton We must have Confidence and Cooper
alton between those in the industry, a Conf
dence and Cooperation that will bring mutual
appreciation and action together in those things
in which mutually interested. And in this
include, Of course, the exhibitors as well as the
producers and distributors. With this estab-
lished. and it is being established, if we can Just
have the confidence and cooperation of you of
the Press, our Elder Brother having been
through much of the same travail and having
out victorious, then if We can have the de-
served confidence and cooperation of the public
problems will be solved.
1t is true that Mr. Hays in confronted with Hercu-
lean task that of undong the evils wrought by
of years But gigantic the task may nothing
is impossible to him who openly seeks advice and deserv
ed cooperation to be applied to problem which, when
solved will revert to the benefit of the public in general
With the weapons Mr.. Hays has succeeded in bring
ing into the fight his victory is already half won