Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-31
j. S. MAY PRESERVE
HISTORICAL FILMS
President Readily Assents to
Plan to Set Aside Vaults
for Purpose.
by j. RUSSELL YOUNG,
staff Correspondent of The Star.


Washington, TO serve as a place to
preserve motion pictures recording his
toric events.
Already there are several thousand
reels of this nature. as well as those
dealing with other subjects that are
considered worthy of preservation.
Therefore, it is estimated that space
for about 80 vaults of 80 cubic feet
capacity each should be allotted for
this purpose in the Archives Building.
1nasmuch as the President has signi-
fled his approval of the general idea.
there is little question about the neces-
sary authority being obtained when
the time comes.
This was made known here today
following a talk between President
Coolidge and Will H. Hays, former
Postmaster General, now car Of the
cinema, who is a guest at White Pine
Camp.
Now that the President has assented
to this plan the next step of its back
ers is to obtain the consent of the
members of the United States Public
Buildings Commission. and possibly
the members of the Senate and House
public buildings and library commit
tees.
Smoot Is Consulted.
Mr.. HAYS said he has discussed the
plan with Senator SmoOt OF Utah.
chairman of the United States Public
Buildings Commission, who probably
will have more to say about the mat
ter than any one else. and he found
him enthusiastic over the idea. Sena-
tor F'ess OF Ohio, chairman OF the
library committee. also has sienit1ed
his approval, according to Mr.. Hays.
While discussing the plan the Presi-
dent said today, through his spokes-
man, that there is no question about
the films being of incalculable value
and that they would become more in
teresting and valuable rs time went on.
1t was pointed out that the second
inauguration of President Mckinley
is recorded in the motion picture, and
this would be one of the first TO be
given q position in the Archives
Building. Then would follow the in
auSuration pictures of the succeed.
ing Preside ntS. the pictures of Theo-
dore Roosevelt. of President Wilson
inspecting the American soldiers and
in attendance at the peace neCotia.
tions in Paris and the burial Of the
Unknown Soldier. In addition. there
will be the war pictures. the signing
of the armistice. the signing OF the
peace treaty ami scenes of great pub
lie. civic, religious and political in
terest
Successes May BE Saved.
1t is suggested to include some of
the worthy PLAYS. such as The Gov
cred Wagon" "The Iron Horse" and
others of that nature The first mo.
ton picture ever shown publicly, 4
Girl giving the serpentne dance, prob
ably will be inC'utied. as will the first
movie thriller. The Great Train Rob
berry"
While recitinE some of the historic
events that have been recorded hv
the motion picture and considering
their value to post Gritty. tho P'eei-
dents spokesman said what WOr.
derful thing it would he fnr those
Of the present period 10 he able IL
see a motion picture record of Presl-
dent Lincoln delivering his Gettrs.
burg address. or to he able TO goo
other great events that tran&pir.d
before the motion picture was IN
vented.
Mr.. Hays. IN Celebrating on the
Presidents outline of the proposition
to preserve these films in the archives
building. said that scientists have per.
fected means Of preserving the
films for an Indefinite period. He
added. however, that il Will be neCes-
sary to have q sufficient sum oi
money allotted annually for main
tenanCe.
According to Mr.. Hays. no ieCisla-
ton will be necessary. TO carry out
this plan. lie said probably not
move than ~ vaults. with an indi-
vidual capacity of | 900 reels. would
be sufficient 70 meet the require
mentS for some time.
The pictures that would be included
in those to be pre- served in this man.
ner. are now being protected by the
motion picture industry. There also
are many interesting and valuable
films taken by Government depart
nents \ number of the departments
now have motion picture sections
which record their activities. The
War and Navy and the Departments
of Commerce. Agriculture and Interior
have many films of an interest and
value worthy OF preservation.
ACQUISITION Method in Air.
According to the plan as outlined
by Mr.. Hays. some definite method
should he worked out fov acquiring
the pictures desired for preservation.
It is understood some of the films
would he presented and some would
be purchased by ;he Government at
nominal figure.
Mr.. HAYS told the President that
the films should he shown to present
generations from time to time. prob
ably as a feature of some timely cele-
bration.
This plan first was preached during
President Harding administration
and he heartily approved the idea.
At first II was proposed TO have the
vaults constructed in connection with
the White House or executive offices.
but the money was never appro
rriated.
Although the President and Mr.
Hays gave no indication that they
talked politics while they were TO-
cether. it is natural To assume that
because of the interest OF each IN
this subject. it just couldn't help
hobbing up. However. Mr.. HAYS de
Clined TO make any comment on the
general political situation. He de-
r!ared he is too far back on the side
lines TO make comment for publica-
tion. but added that business APP
reared TO he flourshinS generally and
that everybody seemed TO be salts
fed and happy.
Debt Policy to Stand.
The Presidents spokesman, confirm
ing dispatches in yesterdays news, TO-
dav indicated that there would he no
change in the administration atti-
tude toward debt settlements or can
collation.. which was again brought TO
the fore in the declaration of Newton
D. Baker Of Cleveland. former Secre
tary of War. that a change is neces-
sary II the nations OF the world are
TO have stability.
In the view OF the President, who
ia mindful of Mr.. Bakers sincerity
and patriotism. il is very much easier
for n man no longer charged with ad