New-York tribune., 1922-01-15
Declares Intention 10 Re-
sign From Cabinet, After
LAX With Harding, to
Become Picture Dictator
Insists ON Having
Widest Authority
P'ans a Reorganization
to Assure Only Best
Productions in Future

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1i.4Will r.
Hays will resign soon as Postmaster
"ehera' to head national organization
OF moving picture interests. il WAS an
nounccd at the White House to-day.
alter forty y-minute conference be-
tween President Harding and Mr.. Hays.
in which the offer made to the POST
master General by the picture interests
was discussed
NO contract has yet been signed be-
tween Mr.. Hays and the picture orpan;-
zatlon, it was said. but one Is expected
% De drawn up at an early meeting in
New York. 1t has been reported that
Mr.. Hays would get an annual salary
of s15o,000, but he indicated that this
was an exaggcration. The Postmaster
General said that he would not quit the
Presidents Cabinet until mis- successor
mad been named.
At the conclusion of the con 'crencc
the President made this statement:
Inc Postmaster General and ! have
necn discussing at considerable length
the proposal which has been made to
him to become the heed Of al
association of motion picture produc-
ers and distributors. If the arrange
ment proves to be, when the details
arc worked out, what it seems to be,
cannot we'll interpose any objection to
Mr. Hays retiring from the Cabinet to
take up work so important. 1t is too
great an opportunity for a helpful pub
lie service for him to refuse. ] shall
be more than sorry to have him retire
a v1ho bo !, i
made so fine a record, but we have
agreed to look upon the situation from
the broadest viewpoint and seek the
highest public good
Hays Issues Statement
Postmaster General Hays issued this
statements:
with the Presidents consent have
decided to undertake the work sug-
gested by the motion picture producers
and distributors. No contract has been
executed as yet. am assuming, of
course, that satisfactory contract will
be possible and one which will make
certain the carrying out of the high
purposes contemplated for this great
industry"
No date has been set for confer
ence between the Postmaster General
and the representatives of the moving
pictures to complete the details of the
contract and the duties of his new po-
sltlon. He will continue to devote
practically all of his time to the Post
office Department.
1t was indicated that in accepting
the motion picture offer Mr.. Hays is
actuated to large extent by the op-
portunity to render a public service.
In the event of his coming to terms
with the film interests he will regard
himself as the leader in a great cam
paign to rid the movies of existing
evils. He will strive for better and
cleaner pictures, for films of wide edu-
cational appeal and constructive
His job will be to aid the producers
and distributors to combine and unite
where they have mutual but not nom
competitive interests. No combinations
of companies or firms are contemplated,
he understands, which would involve
artists and pictures, but efforts will be
made to unite in developing motion
picture standards.
The question of censorship of pic
lures and personnel is one with which
Mr.. Hays and his associates will deal
Will Insist on Reform
The Postmaster General feels that
the motion picture representatives have
accomplished steps IN THIS direction al
ready, and he intends putting his
shoulder to the wheel in completing
the job. Since coming here the Post
master General has stated more than
once that he regarded the Postoffice
Department as the biggest business in
the United States. To-day he said that
the motion picture business afforded
even greater opportunities, and that
was one Of the reasons which prompted
him to relinquish his Cabinet post.
Before he signs a contract he will
insist upon an understanding with the
motion picture producers and distribu
tors that the industry be reorganized
under his general supervision. Unde-
sirable features will be eliminated and
Mr.. Hays in his efforts to raise the
'ntire standard of motion picture pro-
duction will fill a position in the movie
world not unlike that occupied by
Judge K. NJ. Landis, supreme arbiter
in the baseball world.
Reprcs of the Motion Pic
ture Theater Owners of America, who
represent 10000 owners, made it clear
to-day that their association is in no
sense party to any arrangement con-
corning Mr.. Hays. 1t is understood
CONTINUED on page three)