New Britain herald., 1929-08-08
MINISTER HITS AT 'THEATER MAGNATES
Rev. Samuel Satellite | a". 2s%.
 Council for Its Stand OL ..O
CRITICIzES (, Q. P. HEAD
Clcrgymcp Did Not Get Square Deal in Opposition to Sunday Afternoon Movies, He Informs Rotary Club At Luncheon.

At Luncheon.
 That a member of the common council has been presented with a pass to every Hoffman theater in the state of Connecticut, that the minis tors of New Britain Werc up against q "set up at the last hearing when the ordinance committee rccom- mended that the common council permit Sunday afternoon movies; that the theater interests are pre- pared to spend money to gain their roint, and that the theatrical men were so sure of the ordinance com- llttec chairmans stand and the fact that by retaining the chairman of the republican city committee as their lawyer tlat they would get what they wanted that they did not even ind it necessary to attend :hc hearing, were statements mace by Rev. Samuel SutCliffe, rector of St. Marks Episcopal church 10 mem- bers of the Rotary club at the noon luncheon at the Burritt hotel today
 Rev. MT. Satellites address brought from President George H. Dyson before closing the meeting the statement that "I am surprised and shocked to learn that such condi- tions exist"
 The minister took as his subject "A Square Deal" He announced that he would state facts and men ton names" through his talk.
 Did Not Get Square Deal
 "The cergy of New Britain have not received a squate deal on this question of Sunday afternoon motion pictures" the minister began. He continued by saying that early last June at q meeting of the ministers one member said he had informa- ton that the motion picture interests would make their fourth appeal and that this time they had "set up" "He said" continued Nr. Sutcliffe, the theatrical men were saying that they had been able 10 change the mind of the chairman Of the ordi- il.-iNC NOlllI ut ltt, MI. JpllllSOll. anu had engaged as their attorney the new chairman of the republican town committee.
 Rev. Mir. Alderson reported that he had had a conversation with Mir. Contaras, one of the owners of the theaters, and that MT. Contaras had told him that it had been rumored the theatrical men would put in their petition at a time when most Of the clergy were away on their va cations. He has authorized mo 10 state that Mir. Contaras said We will not do anything as unfair as that
 "A few days later the council met and the petition came in, signed by Mir. Ginsburg.
 Free Pass to Theatcrs
 "One member of the common council has admitted that he has re- ceived from the Hoffman brothers a season pass admitting him free to every Hoffman theater in the state of Connecticut.
 Twenty-Five years ago the rail- roads used to issue passes to all the leading political leaders Each po- Iitical leader could easily get trip pass for one of his lieutenants.
 Because this became notorious as a method of currying political favor it was stopped. One railroad man told me het was happy to get out from under. that it was nothing but petty bribery.
 If only one theater pass has been issued in New Britain it ought to be enough to give the common council sufficient reason for refusing the theater mems request.
 Ut indicates that these men are willing to pay to get what they want.
 Finds Crime in Pictures
 "Motion pictures are among the determining factors in the life of America. They constitute the fifth largest industry Independent groups of educators have made careful study and have learned that so per cent of the pictures made today have a bandit a robber or wom- an chaser. The last picture l saw in New Britain made q hero out of
 Continued on Page Two)