Evening journal., 1922-07-01
BY DEAN CHARLES N. LATHRoP
OF the Social Service Commission of
the Federal Council of Churches

of tho Social Service Commission Of
the Federal Council of Churches
This tho fourth OF a series OF
four articles summarizing a studv
OF motion pictures made by the
Social Service Commission Of the
Federal Council of Churches ~
Is q remarkable survey of condI
tons. and Its findings and con-
illusions are practicable and sane.
IL should be read not only by nro-
ducers, distributors and exhibitors
but also by parents and ali who at
tend the motion picture performs
ances-
A number OF conclusions are nre-
scented in this concluding section OF
the study Of the motion picture prob
lens Of the country by the Social
Service Commission of the Federal
Council OF the Churches of christ
in America. The chief of them &c
that motion pictures should he
thought Of and talked of not as n
troublesome problem but as ona of
the chief assets OF the community
for education and betterment.
A number OF conclusions are obvi-
Gus. First the mass of people recor-
nize the need OF some social control
OF moving pictures. They have he
come the greatest source of amuse-
ment and recreation, we can fairly
say, In the world. And they are a
commerclallsed amusement.
The mere fact that the movfne nic-
ture interest can afford to draw into
their employ member of the Cab
met Of the President of the United
states TO be their head and represen-
tatlve suggests their positjon and
power. A great commercializad
amusement calls for some measure
of social control. Tho princinla
holds true quite without regard to
the opinion one may hold OF the
standards Of art and morals main
tained in the moving pictures that
are being shown.
The only question is, what measure
and what kind OF social control?
Il certainly ought TO be a control
that places the responsibility square
ly upon those who produce the mic
lures. And-since they produce for
the whole nation-it ought to be ma
tional control. There will always be
great opposition on the part of a
large proportion of American oiti-
zens to law establishing a Federal
Board Of Censorship.
A large part of the American peo-
pie object to censorship. They feel
rightly or wrongly. that It suggests
limitation of American liberty. es-
pecially in a situation where there
are no settled standards and where
he pictures often present the news
md opinions Of the day. The Board
II Censors can easily be capriclous.
oreiudioed and narrow.
Many are thus brought TO the con-
'luslon that the system of licensing
would obvlate this criticism and offer
better method. The decision as to
he wisest and fairest method of con-
rol is left to the reader.
Another conclusion stands out
dearly. The people locally. in a
can effect good resuss
" organized cooperation, in fur
fishing a medium through which the
community can register its Judgment
nd its desires in the matter of the
hoice Of films, working in co-opera-
Ion with the producers. This kind
4 effort Is easily within the reach
Il any local group of people who
eally want better things.
Certain situations exist in which
he pnnFnh or 1rI1 |
an exert a direct and immediate in
uence on the screen. When the So
ial ana recreational life of a com
lunity Is conferred in such an insti-
itlon the exhibitions which II pro-
ides tend to be a substitute for com
lercialiged amusement. The true
ommunity church-that is. a church
.hich actually ministers TO a physi-
al community as whole=can
60 far toward filling the
opular demand for recreation.
But all social betterment IS ulti-
lately matter of educating the on .
1ming generation. Whatever may
done to enrich the lives of all or ,
who control the present order OF ,
lings. should. OF course, be done, =
VI the process of the world IS
ainly in the hands of those who ;
e still young.
The public school and the religious 2
iucation departments OF the
lurches can do more to improve :
'creational standards than all 9TH !
agencies combined. The meth I
may be indirect but none the less )
fectlve. :
Romantic love is the dominant
our OF the screen, as of the stage
III novel The education of this
lpulse both on its. instructive side
III IN Its more voluntary and spir-
lal phases will furnish the per-
anent corrective that we seek. Sex 8
lucation IS too generally a half Z
'ologeuc and uncertain approach I
the unmentIonable. This is be- )
use II is mainly negative. 1t needs s
De spiritualized by the intrduc- s
IN OF a definite motive-the cul- s
re or love. AS this motive be- 8
mes more dominant in all educa- 3
IN 1t will aid in overcoming the :
us OF eroticism and sensuallty. :
The prevalence of the bad picture s
que to the prevalence of bad taste s
md in marriage" 5