The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1943-01-02
Motion Picture Heeds
In Row With owl
Film Industry Seems
To Be Over q Barre
Man Cannot Live By
Bread Alone
Canadians Get "lnection
And BuneIine," Too
BY RAY TUCKER

ANAA'NA snip "a At'N+etA f-e
The big shots dare not buck
Uncle Sam openly but they are
eager to tell their story to SYM
pathetic ears. Here is the situa-
ton:
Contrary TO the public state
ments OF Lowell Mellett, the
owl chief in charge of this par
tioular branch. federal scrutiny
Of all ideas, manuscripts and
final texts is not voluntary" In
letter dated Dec. 5. which the
war information member sent IN
all studio arrangements, he
warned them that they must
submit questions affecting future
screen productions to his office.
Incidentally, Mr.. Mellett's per-
gonal California representative is
Nelson Poynter, who was elevated
from a minor status TO business
manager of a Washington news
paper when Lowell ran the local
Scripps- Howard shop. They see
and think alike.
President Roosevelt, through
Mellett, has a powerful weapon
hanging over filmland's head.
This explains the apparent will
ingness to cooperate. Producers
depend upon the export of flick
ers TO friendly and neutral coun-
tries for at least 80 per cent Of
their net profits. The revenue
from foreign showings, despite
the wars effect on theeters, pro-
vides them with their gravy"
They also obtain help from com
merce, navy and war depart
ments. Unless they abide by
government orders this all-im-
portant trade can be cut off.
For various reasons the movies
have never dared to emulate
newspaper and radio interests in
fighting back against New Deal
entertainments. So many moguls
have been fined or sent to jail
for alleged income tax violations
that the top men are quite de-
moralized. Therefore they submit
meekly to bureaucratic bossing.
Confidential sdvices that the
wars end will precipitate dan
gerous food riots abroad have
intensified Washington prepare
tons for widespread relief. For
eign Rehabilitation Director Her
bert Lehman has holed into a tiny
office at the state department
and is mobilizing experts ac-
quainted with future overseas
needs.
The task ahead is appalling.
Representatives of exiled govern
ments-and they represent a
comparatively small population
total-haye already learned
bitter supply and demand lesson.
They submitted a list OF require
ments, asking for balanced diets,
but the state department had to
curtail the items sharply. II was
impossible to fill orders.
Regardless Of great strides
here in expanding the dehydrs-
ton industry. the cry for treat
ed pork. beef. eggs and vege-
tables will strain our maximum
facilities. And shipping an d
packing problems necessitate re-
lance on concentrated products.
Canadian fisher folk on the far
off Gaspe peninsula tell strange
tales Of Ottawa's complaeency or
inability to cope with U-boats IN
the St. Lawrence river. Besides
being a primitive paradise for
American tourists before the
war. the picturesque resort has
historic interest. II was mere the
New England Tories fled TO es-
cape reprisals after the Revo-
luton,
A local mayor saw 2,0O0-ton
sub lettering within a mile Of
shore. He warned the nearest
airdrome officials, but they sim
rly ordered the police to investi-
gate and report Two Mounties
drove IS miles 10 discover that
the tip was correct. They COM
municated with the Dominion
capital. which sent a bomber 10
the place. Il arrived eight hours
after the enemy vessel had van
ished. A member Of parliament
spotted an underseas craft while
walking along a road late one
afternoon. He notified the su-
thorities at once. A plane did not
appear until the next day.
Despite government secrecy.
? leading French-speaking news
paper IN Quebec has verified and
published these items IN the De
lief that "Canadas safety IL
threatened by Ottawa inacuon
and bungling"
Some Washington women were
discussing articles they had in
cluded in Christmas boxes TO
their sons overseas Lifted eye
brows and gasps greeted the re-
mark Of one who saio she mad
sent q dozen lipsticks to her boy.
To their bewiidered questions she
replied quietly, y know Of MOTH
INK more helpful for my Young
ster IN getting him dates with
English EirlI-"