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Censor Asked of Legislature in Movie Drive

July 29, 1934
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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The current drive for clean movies has received recognition in Albany. A bill was introduced before the special session of the legislature by Assemblyman Charles H. Breitbart, Democrat, Brooklyn, asking for a special censorship of motion pictures that would be viewed by children.

The bill provides that pictures to be shown to children must pass special examinations by the Board of Review of the State Department of Education. Theatres must not allow children under sixteen to view a picture not passed by the board, according to the proposed bill.

Although the bill, if passed, will apply only to children, it will constitute official censorship of the sort to which Rabbi Sidney E. Goldstein and Father Joseph C. McCaffrey, members of the Inter-faith Committee of New York, are unalterably opposed.

Fraternal organizations are showing interest in the drive. Many local chapters of the Knights of Columbus have passed resolutions in favor of joining forces with the Church. The New York chapter of the organization has not yet voted on the proposal. Joseph F. Lambe, chairman of the New York chapter, feels certain that a resolution will be passed in favor of the campaign, when meetings are resumed in September.

The national councils of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks and the Masons have gone on record as favoring the movement, according to the secretaries of these organizations. It remains only for the local chapters to adopt resolutions, which probably will be forthcoming in the Fall, since there is a lull in general activity during the Summer months.

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