The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-03-27
MAYOR REFUSES
TO See BARRED
LABOR PICTURE
Too Busy Talking of
Traction to Bankers

The motion picture, prisoners for
Progress" submitted to Mayor VIM. E.
Dever, of Chicago, in accordance with
the terms Of the city ordinance, has
been passed back to the superintend-
ent Of police by his honor. There is
an election coming on, and the mayor
is a candidate to succeed himself So
he does not intend to be mixed up in
any freedom Of the films" case.
This film is to be shown at the In
ternational Unity Demonstration at
Ashland Auditorium, next Sunday af-
ternoon, March 20, benefit show for
the Irish Famine Relief and for the
Labor Defense Council. 1t takes the
form of Paris Commune celebration
and very aptly comes at a time
which gives Chicago's masses of
working class supporters of Soviet
Russia chance to answer the poorly
attended anti-Soviet meetings adj
dressed by Abramovich and Macken-
Eie.
Film Shows Repression.
The film appropriately shows the
struggles Of the workers in several
countries, and efforts at repression by
the state power. It demonstrates the
need for international solidarity in
support of the victims Of this bloody
repression.
When the film was first submitted
the censors were shocked at the mill
fancy of the workers who marched
across the screen. Not the pictures
but the events themselves were what
drew the disapproval Of the gentle
ladies. The film was held over night
for another review by the fedeeal de-
partment Of justice and after the local
chief spy catcher, Max Burgher, was
also properly shocked, the film was
rejected because "it might tend to in
cite to disorder and riot"
Appeal was Immediately made to
the chief Of police. But the chief
neatly passed the buck back to the
censors and Mr.. W. A. Foust, as "act-
ing censor in charge" stuck to his
role of lord high executioner and re
piled, "The board has expressed its
intention to stand by the decision
reached upon review Of the picture
Of March g."
Mayor Dodees.
But the ordinance states that the
word Of the mayor shall be final SO
or.vNfnn ffCr. n
ately filed. But it was too close to
election to be committed on anything
so fundamental as a free speech issue.
He was too busy talking subway trac.
ton to automobile owners clubs, and
wrote:
Il regret that I have not the time
to personally view moving pictures as
l am frequently asked to do. OF ne
cessity 1 am compelled to refer your
letter to the chief of police"
So the matter stands. Censors are
shocked. vote to reject Appeal from
the censor to the chief of police, re-
ferred back to censor. Appeal from
chief to mayor, referred back to chief.
Next? 1t is expected that action on
the appeal will permit the pictures
TO be shown on March Goth, but one
way or another the pictured informa-
ton which the censors seek to keep
from the workers Of Chicago will be
shown.
Varied Program.
The picture is only one item Of a
very rich program which included
short speeches by Lovett Fort-White-
man, VIM. Dunno and Robert Minor.
Art Comiacoff, formerly Of the Petro-
grad Opera Ballet will dance with two
OF his pupils. F. George Lambert,
noted Lettish baritone viii sing. There
viii be an Irish play, 1.-THE Tinker's
Wedding" and a gorgeous pageant
showing the Paris Commune.
The affair begins at o'clock at
Ashland Auditorium, Ashland and Van
Buren, streets, Sunday, March 29.