Show Declaration of Independence MOTION picture executives and players were signing a declaration of independence in Hollywood Friday said a dispatch from the film capital The document calls upon the president to sever economic relations ns with Germany an i outgrowth of the nazi savagery against German Jews Within a few weeks weeks' millions of theater theatergoers theatergoers theatergoers goers will be asked to sign copies of the appeal to the executive and congress The expectation Is that between and names will be obtained Though n not t stated in the n news ws from Hollywood it is to tobe be presumed that theater theater theater thea thea- ter screens will be used to forward the cam cam- aign There is very little doubt but that the expected expected expected ex- ex millions would gladly sign the declara declara- tion It is quite in keeping with the temper of the whole country There was spontaneous revulsion among Americans as first news of the Hitler persecutions was read in m the United States Almost each day since the cables have brought fresh news of growing terror as nazi officials have been able to invent added punishments punishments punishments punish punish- ments to inflict on the non Aryan minorities Americans desire that some practical means be found to make the national opinion felt in Germany Certainly the plans set up in Hollywood are practical but they reflect pure emotionalism as too many things thing do and the program does not appear to hav have been weighed and amI studied for its possible possible possible-if if not highly probable reaching probable reaching far effects within this country True it suggests nothing more than the employment of advanced k I technology in a resort to the constitutionally guaranteed right to petition petition but but it deserves to tobe tobe tobe be pondered whether or not the people of the United States should countenance use of the screen screen and and air waves waveS for for propaganda of this character in the circumstances existing These thoughts provoke another Who is to decide such matters Should the government step in to say when the screen or radio may mayor or may not be used to arouse the people Most certainly not Broadcasters and the whole motion motion motion mo mo- tion picture industry because of the vast power residing in them face the responsibilities confronting confronting confronting con con- fronting all holding a public trust Decision must rest with the wisdom and judgment of those possessing possessing possessing pos pos- su such h enormous power Hollywood has brought forth something new It is a challenge and sober thinking We confess confess' inability to reach a reasoned opinion on the spur of the moment The potentialities of the whole thing are simply too great for immediate immediate immediate im im- im- im mediate comprehension We simply look upon the proposal in the abstract with no regard to the purpose for which it is intended to be used It has brought sudden realization that there is a anew anew anew new force available but it is not clearly understood understood understood under under- stood what its impact may produce |