Nappanee High School - Napanet Yearbook (Nappanee, IN)

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ander Black. The idea was a result of hi.? experience in showing pictures in an illus- trated talk. lie seized the idea to choose characters “to illustrate a consecutive story”. lie thought that by taking a group of pictures “with the same setting, lantern slides might he made to register perfectly enough to give the effect of slow movement in the figures.” Previous to this time, it had been accomplished with short series and Ed- ison had been successful in enlarging the idea with much longer series in his kincto- graph. He had difficulty in persuading others, however, that such a thing might be done. The mechanical experts felt that the result would be too jerky to give an effect of real- ity. Moreover, it was believed that a dis- play of more than a few minutes would he too great a strain on the eyes. Others feared that the result would be “stilted and ab- surd.” However, Mr. Black did not give up an 1 as a result the picture play “Miss Jerry” was given before such an audience as, Wil- liam Dean Ilowells, Frank Stockton, Mar- garet Deland, Kdward Everett Hale and other distinguished writers. This play was quite a success and many believed that this showed, to some extent, what could be ac- complished, when Mr. Fdison’s kinetograph idea had been developed to its highest point of efficiency. But it was more than sixteen years later before full length plays in full motion began to be exhibited. The two brothers Lumierc of Lyons, in- troduced the “Cinematograph” in 1895. This was constructed on much the same prin- ciple as Edison’s kinetograph. While these discoveries were being made in America, the people of Great Britain were not idle. They were able to represent a galloping horse in 1818. Fifty-two years later, Mr. Friese-Greene had accomplished quite a great deal along this line. One of his first pictures showed a girl moving her eyes from side to side and one woman would not believe the reality of the pictures until she went up to the sheet on which the pic- tures were being thrown and touched the eyes. But the invention of the Cinematograph was not yet. There is always a forerunner to any great inventicn. For instance, “there had been reaping-machines before McCor- mick and telegraphs before Morse.” The in- vention of the celluloid roll film made the Cinematograph possible. Friese-Greene pro- duced a picture which greatlv resembled a film of today. Although it was only twen- ty feet long, it was a great success at that time. To quote Mr. Friese-Greene himself, “The Americans and Germans, particularly the Germans seized upon my invention, and working on it for all they were worth, soon left me with little but the satisfaction of knowing I had discovered something which marked an epoch.” As a result, we have the motion pictures of today; but we must remember that, as yet, it has only passed Horn its first crude stage. Today, there are comparatively few pco- l le not in eaqv reach of some motion picture theatre. That it is wielding an immense in- fluence is shown by several letters published recently by one of our leading magazines. These letters stated definitely some good that the motion picture theatre had done for a town—for an individual. One person states that the “movies” had been the means of causing her town to vote “dry.” Anoth- er speaks of a an inveterate drunkard who was raised to a position of respectful citizen- ship by their influence, and another mentions the “movies’' as a common basis on which to help and meet people, as they appeal to all—the “young, the old, the lame, the deaf and the dumb”—the blind alone cannot en- joy them. Moving pictures make otherwise dull facts interesting. Art, science, literature, history are given to us in a form easy to understand. There is nothing better for the man. woman or child who does not possess the means of travel. The wonders of the world are placed in his reach if he but cares to take advantage given him. Take such men as Lyman II. Howe, with his splendid educational pic- tures. Such men are doing untold good in our country year after year. “The ‘Movie’ is the poor man’s motor car, his trip to Europe, his grand opera.” Acccrdng to Billy Sunday, the moving picture shows are cleaning up the theatres. He has nothing to say against the theatre as an institution, but he does say that a big part of the great influence of the theatre is “rotten” influence. As a result, people who are beginning to tire of such conditions “arc leaving the theatre for the ‘movies.’ ” Mr. Sunday says further that he is in favor of the ‘movies’ when they are the right kind.” Today moving pictures are found in ev- ery civilized country upon the globe and ev- en in some half civilized countries. In Jap- pall they are known as the “Cinemato- graph” and in the Malay peninsula and In- dia by the shorter term “Cinema”. Many of the films in these countries por- tray scenes of American life. A native of one of these countries asked a tourist about the cowboys of America. He thought there were many of them in America and that

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should he composed of the best judges and the most competent and experienced lawyers of the different countries. This Court should give as impartial and impersonal judgments as those which the Suprme Court of the I'nited States give to the questions with which it deals; and should base its decisions on the statements and facts from the records before it. If such a Court were established. I believe that there is but little doubt but that nations would be more ready to submit their disputes to arbitration. Of course, only such questions and disputes as the nations themselves are not able to settle by diplomacy, should be submitted to such a court. Another thing that must be accomplished in order to insure the success of Inter- national Arbitration is that Arbitration must be made obligatory; or there are many eases especially those in which boundaries are in- volved, where nations really prefer to fight than to surrender any of their claims. At the present time. The Hague Confer- ence does not have the power to make arbi- tration obligatory; but it excepts nothing from the scope of arbitration, thus leaving to the different countries the choice as to whether or not they will employ it. Many treaties have been concluded for the pur- pose of rendering arbitration obligatory, but about the only obligation which they impose is the arbitration of differences of a legal nature or relating to the interpretation ot treaties. And so far, cases in which a na- tion’s ‘Honor, independence or vital inter- ests' have been concerned, have not, as a rule, been considered as questions which a nation might honorably submit to arbitra- tion; although both the I’nited States and Great Britain have often submitted such eases to arbitration, particularly the case ot The Alabama Claims which was successfully settled by arbitration at Geneva While Secretary of State. Mr. Bryan drew up a treaty which was signed by several countries. It provided that at least one year should elapse between the time, when a dispute arose between two nations, and the declaration of hostilities by one or the other of these nations, in this time the controver- sy was to be investigated by an international court, which should, if possible, suggest some peaceable way to settling it. During this time neither nation was to be enlarging either its army or navy unless endangered by a third party. As yet, this treaty has not passed the Senate. In the past twenty-five years, some diffi- cult and serious questions have been settled by arbitration, as in February, 1895, the case of Argentine and Brazil in regard to the title of Missions, was settled through tin efforts of the President of the I’nited States; and in 189:1, the Paris Tribunal ren- dered judgment between the I’nited States and Great Britain on the Bering Sea con- troversy. Judging, however, from the past two years, the outlook for a time when international disputes will be settled by arbitration, is not very bright. Few notable cases have been up before the Hague Conference: probabL the most notable is that of Portugal on one side, and France, Great Britain and Spain on the other. War has been almost continu- ous in the Balkan peninsula for the last three years: first, the allied powers against Tur- key, and then the same powers fighting among themselves. Mexico has long been in a state of revolution, and the present European war makes the time when disputes will be settled by arbitration and not by the sword, seem far away. It seems that one of the greatest factors for the bringing about of a time of Interna- tional Arbitration, is public opinion. If a world wide sentiment is created in favor of Arbitration, we would soon see disputes set- tled by it. for an enlightened public opinion is coming to have more and more force over a nations lawmakers. U The Movies Alice Noli» One of the most important questions now before the American people, from the tiniest “kiddie” to the wisest man, is that concern- ing moving pictures. It is of importance because of the part it plays in the life of the individual. It is of importance in its relation to art, science and education. Let us consider for a short time its history and development. In 1889, Thomas A. Edison invented a ee u- era for producing motion pictures which he called the “Kinetograph . It was not how- ever, until 1894 that the first picture play was given under the management of Alex

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“exhibitions of their skill, shooting up of towns” etc., were frequently seen all over our country. Another asked about train robberies, which he thought were a daily occurence. They could hardly believe that one could travel many miles over our coun- try without seeing a cowboy and without much danger of a hold-up. They had received their information from the “Cinemato- graph.” Everywhere the moving picture is a factor in the education of both the old and the young. Its first aim has been heretofore, entertainment, but it has also been a means of scattering information both good and bad. And much information found in the “movies” shows the worst to be found in this world, rather than the best. Not only are people in other lands apt to acquire incorrect notions from the moving pictures, but the people in our own country, especially children, are apt to get a wrong impression of life and to become so infatuat- ed with all that is sensational that their or- dinary life seems uninteresting . One of the foremost questions in the minds of the Amer- ican people today is how to avoid this evil. On the other hand, all moving pictures arc not intended for children. Neither is all literature. That this fact is realized is shown bv the fact that in a city of northern Illinois, placards were recently seen over the doors of several moving picture shows which read, ‘‘Children not admitted today.” An ordinance to prohibit children from the pub- lic moving picture shows was recently intro- duced in the city of Bombay, India, at the same time a plan was brought forward to give clean plays in the schools, for children. Likewise, in America men and women are asking for legislation against the “movies”. Bills are being brought before Congress ask- ing for the censorship of the film as it is be- ing placed before us today. The leading magazines are full of arguments for ami against them and many are putting lists of the best pictures before the people so that they may take advantage of them when they have the opportunity. In many of the larger cities, steps are be- ing taken to provide films especially for the young. Some picture shows make a special- ty of films for children. There is also a National Board of Censors, which criticizes about ninety-live per cent of the films produced in this country. It does not discard all films which are not produced for children but it does remember the fact the children under sixteen make up fifteen per cent of the “movie” audience. Its work is chiefly in preventing the manufacture of undesirable films. As a result of all this agitation, the film producers are being compelled to put out better films. “The screen play has made all the world a stage”. What could not this powerful agent, the moving picture, accomplish in bettering the condition of mankind, mental- ly, physically and morally if correctly man- aged? Certainly it would be an important factor in the moulding of the future Amer- ica for the young American of today is dis- tinctly under the influence of the picture show and he will be the man, the citizen of tomorrow. Another point to be considered is Ameri- ca’s influence through the ‘‘movie” upon the little foreigner in this, his adopted home. .Millions of them come to our shores each year .Many of them cannot read nor speak our language, nor can their parents. Nat- urally they turn to the “movie” for enter- tainment. It is one thing they can under- stand in a strange land. They can see be- fore they can speak and the “movie” speaks. What has it to say to these, who in a few years, are to become naturalized citizens of the Cnited States and help to make her laws? Shall the institutions of America be represented by vulgarity, crime and “all the vagaries of a low-toned and sensational order or by that which speaks of that which is highest and best in our upward striving?” Shall America stand as a light to all peo- ple in this thing, or shall she wait until some semi-barbaric nation sets the example? It is for us to say. The Modern Kitchen Mary Prick The kitchen is the workshop of the home for it is the room in which most housekeep- ers spend most of their waking hours. Hence it should be the lightest, airiest and the most cheerful room in the house. It is safe to say that much more attention might well be given to the matter of kitchen conven- iences than they usually receive. There are very few housekeepers, indeed, who could not, by intelligent forethought in planning