The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-06-06
STUDIOS POST HAYS
| CLEAN up ORDER
Film Men Approve His Stand
(, for Pictures and Actors
Above Reproach.
OFFENDERS MAY SUFFER
employees in Famous Players
Plant Among First to
Read Ukase.

The edict of Will n. Hays to the
pictures Immediately and keep them
clean met with general chorus OF APP
prevail from leaders in photoplay making
yesterday, as might have been expected
from the fact that the principal mem
bers of the Motion Picture Producers
and Distributors of America h2d off,
cially supported his letter warning all
employees at a meeting nearly a month
ago.
One film executive expressed the belief
thst this utimatum. which was posted
yesterday in all studios in Los Angeles
and the East. sounded the keynote OF an
implied caution that directors and actors
must keep watch over their personal
conduct off the screen. as vel! as see
that the character of their pictures was
above reproach. When Mr.. Hays was
asked whether he intended this extern
sion of his pronunciamento. the mentor
of the movies answered that the letter
is self-explanatory in that respect"
When Mr.. Hays was asked whether
director who violated his edict. which is
regarded as the first important step in
showing the public that the producers
can keep the screen clean without the
interference of the censors, would be
barred by the exchanges or in other
ways subjected to disciplinary treatment.
he said:
OBVIOUSLY the producers themselves
would uphold 1t, since they have all sup
ported it. The question whether a d.
rector or any other employee who vio-
lated such standards would be dis
missed and barred from future employ
1nent by any other producer is a matter
that we haven't yet considered. 1t Is
very deep problem, touching as 1t does
upon the rights OF individuals, the power
of employers to hire employees, &c. l
don't think could discuss that detail
now"
Mr.. Hays indicated that the matter
of dealing with irresponsible subordi-
mates would be left to the producers
themselves
sThey wouldn't be likely he said.
ITO pay large sums into the treasury of
the organization without taking means
10 insure that the regulations Of the
organization were obeyed. You low
how 1t Is when a lawless autom lie
driver comes tearing along at a reck IS
pace in a street fllled with other auto
mobile drivers. You can leave that
driver TO be handled by the other
drivers"
Adolph Zukor, president OF the
Famous Players-Lasky Corporation,
told his associates that his standard to
purify the movies had been In existence
for about year In the industry. 1t
came into being. he said. when various
leading producers adopted fourteen
points which defined the Objectionable
features to eliminate from pictures.
IT was at the Famous Players studio at
Long Island City yesterday that the
edict first went into effect in the max
ing of a new picture in the East When
the big plant was reopcned in the MORN
tng after an fdleness of eleven months.
Mr.. Hays's letter was posted there and
was read by about fifty employees. They
consisted Of actors. cameramen. property
men and others. They had gathered to
assist Miss Alice Brady in her return
tic the screen after a years absence In
Missing Millions" directed by Joseph
Henabery.