Evening star., 1932-03-16
THEATER MEN HIT
METHODS OF SALES
Exhibitors Protest Contracts
Linking Short Subjects
With Features.

second attack on alleged unfair
trade practices of motion picture pro-
ducers and distributors was made today
at the closing session Of ghe three-day
convention Of the Motion Picture Thss.
ter Owners Of America at the Mayfiover
Hotel.
A resolution was presented recon-
mending that producers and distributors
be warned that cinema exhibitors will
no longer accept contracts in which film
short subjects are tied in with feature
pictures.
A secondary clause in the recon-
mendation suggested that any instances
Of this practice noted after warning his
been issued should be reported to the
Federal Trade Commission, which In
the past has condemned this selling Gus
tom in the motion picture industry.
While controversy ragged between fac
tlonS seeking to adjust the matter by
negotiations between distributors and
the supporters of the resolution. who
demanded that the offenders be brought
to Federal justice, general agreemen.
was evident in the contention that the
unfair practice had not been eliminated
by promises recently given by the
producing organization.
Discrimination Charged.
The first attack on the motion pic
producing organizations was made
yesterday by Jacob Conn, q Rhode "a.
land theater owner, who charged dis
elimination was shown against him In
favor OF the large chain theater owners.
The resolution finally was adopted in
revised form. Provisions for reports tc
the Federal Trade Commission and re-
curing cancellation of all contracts.
made under unfair conditions were
eliminated. AS accepted, the resolution
calls for a protest to the distributors
and, in the event no action Is OBJ
tanned, legal action" is suggested.
Other recommendations IN regard 10
alleged unfair practices Of producing
organizations also were adopted this
morning. The remainder Of the report
OF the Resolutions Committee dealt
Chiefly with matters Of technical I'm
portance 10 the cinema industry.
approximately 1000 persons at-
tended the banquet in the grand ball
room Of the Mayfiower last night, given
by the association, honoring movie
stars, Congressman and notahles from
various fields of business.
Vice President Charles Curtis was
among the guests, as were Louis
York Times; Rev. Norman Mcleod
OF North Carolina, Conrad NaRel.
Jacqueline Logan, Claudette Colbert,
Stuart Erwin, June Collyer, Ben Lyon,
Bebe Daniels, Senator Joseph T. Rob
mSon and other public figures.
Mr.. Wiley in brief address to the
delegates and their guests drew a par
allel between the close association Of
newspapers and moving pictures with
the public. He congratulated the the
ater owners CT their choice Of WASH
ington as convention place, pointing
out that this city Is center Of national
activity as well the central source 81
news relating to Government admins
tration.
Outstanding among the agencies Of
news dissemination here is the Asso-
ciated Press, which, like yourselves,
serves universal public" Mr.. Wiley
said. Under the able and efficient
direction Of Frank B. Noyes, its presi-
Gent, the Associated Press has contirs-
ued its vital part in American life. The
very atmosphere Of Washington seems
to bring out the best in every form Of
JOuA AAaAotl. Ainous tilc OuIoth1tu4lBy
successful newspapers In the United
States is The Washington Star, which
is one of the leaders in advertising IN
the entire world It Is q cheering note
In the business horizon to see this
newspaper forging ahead in volume of
business in the face of difdculties which
beset us on every side"
Huge Salaries Scarce.
Headline salaries in the motion pic
ture industry are few and far between,
Conrad Nagel. president of the Motion
Picture Academy Of Arts and Sciences,
told the diners. Only % out of 5000
registered actors and actresses in Holly
wood are recompensed on the five, six
and seven figure scale reported by gos-
sip and other unreliable sources, Nagel
said. While engaged In examining
salary lists prior to campaign for
relief fund contributions, Nagel said he
discovered the proportion of exciting
wages to commonplace returns was rela-
lively small.
Entertainers from stage shows in the
local theaters presented varied pro-
gram. Eddie Dowling was master Of
ceremonies. A Myer Davis orchestra
played before and during the dinner.
The visiting movie stars were intro
duced at the conclusion Of the speak
ing program. Among others who spoke
were Senator Dill of Washington, who
discussed his bill proposing changes in
the copyright law to benefit movie
owners; Carl E. Milliken, former Gov
ernor Of Maine and now secretary of
VIII Hays Motion Picture Producers
and Distributors Of America, and Sid
ney E. Kent. vice president Of the Fox