Evening star., 1932-03-15
HOLLYWOOD CHAINS
ARE DENOUNCED AT
movie CONVENTION
Giant Systems Refuse Films
on Fair Terms, Theater
Owner Charges.
SENATOR DAVIS PAYS
TRIBUTE TO INDUSTRY
Former Gov. Milliken of Maine
Also Speaks-Picture Stars
to Be Honored.

blast at the organized moving pic
ture theater and production chains
was lcoSed in the second session of the
Motion Picture Theater Owners Asso-
ciation at the Mayf1ower Hotel this
morning
Jacob Conn of Providence, r. l., an
independent theater owner, charged
two of the giant Hollywood producing
and distributing systems consistently
refused to give him pictures of his own
selection on fair terms
In one case, Conn said, a picture for
which he offered to pay $500 was denied
him, but went to chain operator for
SlOO. In another instance he was un-
able to obtain a serial for his house
at any price because chain establish
ment wanted it for one hour a week,
Conn alleged.
Davis Hears Charge.
Conn's speech was made in the pres
ence of Senator James j. Davis, who
was seated on the convention hall plat
form awaiting his turn as first official
speaker of the program.
Senator Davis in his address stressed
the educational possibilities of the mov-
ing picture. citing the use of films to
educate workers in industrial safety, to
illustrate to the public the horrors Of
war and otherwise assist in bettering
conditions of modern civilization. The
motion picture business has the max
ing OF the greatest industry in the
United States because of its direct and
widespread contact with the masses,
Senator Davis said.
The second speaker of the morning
was G. E. Milliken, former Governor of
Maine, now public relations executive
in the Will Hays organization. Sidney
r. Kent, vice president in charge of
Fox Film operations, will address the
afternoon session on Basic Problems
of the Industry" Other speakers in
the. afternoon will be Jacqueline Logan,
film star: William Orr of the Metro
Ioldwyn-Mayer organization, and others
prominent in cinema work.
Stars to Be Honored.
A dozen or more film stars will be
honored guests at the conventions gala
banquet tonight at the Mayhower.
More than 1000 persons are expected to
attend the festivities which will be
under the direction of Eddie Dowling,
master Of ceremonies. Conrad Nagle,
president of the Motion Picture Acad-
eny of Arts and Sciences, is scheduled
to address the diners. Others who will
speak are President M A Lightman,
WIZ Woo 4C-CACNICQ W OA44SC Adot lllsAlI,
and NJ E. Comerford, vice president Of
the organization.
Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon, Claud-
cite Colbert, Lee Morse, Ernst Lubitsch,
Bert Lytel, Jacqueline Logan, Give
Brooke and Patsy Ruth Miller are
among the screen celebrities expected
20 appear.
The closing session of the convention
will be held tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock.
Lightman Reelected.
Eight national officers were elected at
an executive meeting of the associations
directors last night. M. A. Lightman
Of Memphis, Tenn, was reelected ma
tional president M. j. O'Toole of Penn
sylvania, national secretary, and jay
Emanuel of Philadelphia national
treasurer
Five vice presidents chosen included
A. Julian Brylawski, Love Harrell, M. e.
Comerford, Walter Vincent and John
Denniston
A new electoral system adopted by
the convention provides for one direc-
tor to represent each organization unit
in the country, these directors to choose
the national officers without submitting
the election to a direct vote of the
membership. special executive COM
mittee is named to act with the officers
on official matters arising between con-
vention dates.