New Britain herald., 1925-09-03
NEW DISAGREEMENT
 IN MOVIE FIELD
SpokSmen for Independents Make Contradictory Statements

New Haven, Sept. 8 R,-lnde- Sendent producers will not place 1ams in Connecticut because of the action of the Win H. Hays organi2a- ton in withdrawing the film ex- changes. Lester Tobias, regional director for the independents, said today. In making such a statement Mir. Tobias found himself in direct opposition to what Frederick H. El- llott, general manager of the inde- pendents, was quoted as saying at meeting in New York yesterday, and Mir. Tobias declared 1t was his in- tention to Immediately notify Mir. Elliot by letter that films of inde- pendents will be kept out of the state.
 MT. Tobias said that when present contracts expire. the supply of films into the state will cease. He also said that some of the independents have already closed their offices here.
 Theater owners will be asked to join a mutual organization to better meet conditions which exist and which impend. If something of this kind is not done. according to the- ater men here, many of the small town movie theaters will be obliged to close. It is proposed to raise a fund to meet the tax on films so that he one night theaters may not be put out of business.
 Exhibitors to Raise Funds
 New Haven, Sept. R-Plans to raise funds to pay back to the dis tributors the money advanced to pay the state taxes on motion picture films and to establish an exhibitors fund from which to make future payments on taxes were made at a meeting of the board of directors of the Connecticut Motion Picture The ater Owners association here today. Under the arrangements made bu. reau in this city will be established 10 handle such a fund which is to he raised by assessing exhibitors.
 The meeting was addressed by Charles C. Pettijohn. chief counsel for the organized producers and distributors, who during the day con- ferred with Tax Commissioner Blodgett In Hartford. Mir. Pettiohn explained the conclusions reached at the Hartford conference.
 After the meeting Joseph Walsh, president of the State Association of Exhibitors, said that the new bureau will be opened in the Kilfcather building for the purpose of raising m exhibitors revolving fund.
 Payments will be made from time io time by the exhibitors and gradu- ally the fund placed in a Hartford "ank by the distributors will be paid back and a revolving fund of exhi- hitors' money established here. The fund in Hartford was loaned by the distributors for payment of the tax on Aims exhibited beginning this week, for which the exhibitors are liable. The tax for films delivered prior to last Sunday and after July s, will be borne directly by the dis tributors. 1t Is understood.
 Matters which are to be discussed Sunday at a general meeting of the theater owners were discussed by the directors Mir. Walsh said that the main purpose of the Sunday meet in gis 10 acqusint the theater own- CTS with the latest developments in the situation,
 One instance of the situation ere ated by the withdrawal of the film exchanges from this city and the re- fusal of distributors 10 make new contracts was given when it was learned that Charles Schneider, To- cal real estate dealer who has built new theater. finds himself unable 10 secure films.
 Mr. Schneider said that his new house, the Strand in Hamden, will he open next week, but he is in a quandary as to where he will get som mething 10 thrown upon the screen