Los Angeles herald., 1906-05-21
OCCIDENTAL TO-
HAVE GOOD PLAYS
BAN ON STUDENT DRAMAS Is
NOW LIFTED
Senior Glass Will Give Farce nm Class
Day - Preparatory Graduates
Planned Play, but Idea
Must Be Abandoned
BY a Student

Occidental colleges unpardonable sin
or what has for some time past been
considered such in the morals of the
school, has at last been wiped from
her category of sins and placed on
the list of innocent amusements.
In other words, the presentation of
plays by students connected with the
school is no longer forbidden by the
college authorities, and any drama,
provided only it contains not too much
of naughty thought and suggestion,
will be allowed as coming in the sphere
of proper amusement.
The sentiment against the giving of
plays by students has long existed in
certain members of the faculty, who
maintained that the whole moral at
moSphere and standard of the college
was directly opposed to such forms of
amusement and their continuance
would materially detract from the
standing of the institution among those
people who were it's most loyal sup
porters.
The influence of other members of
the faculty and of the student body
was strong enough, however to over
rule this sentiment, and plays were
given and enjoyed on various occasions.
The question of forbidding them was
several times discussed but no action
was ever taken.
Some Opposed Plays
Not to be denied, however, in their
crusade against what they considered
a burning evil, these good professors
bided their time, judging that an op-
portunity would soon present itself
when they might show to the public
| the evil influences of such perform-
! ances upon the students who took part
in them. They had not long to wait.
A play was given by a crowd of the
students. In one scene a drunken man
came upon the stage and went through
a few characteristic antics. Mr. Hag
erman, who took that role, played his
part so we'll that several of the au-
| dience left the room in righteous in
| Gignation.
This was the opportunity for which
| they had been waiting, and the good
professors and ministers fastened to
make the most of it. The trustees OF
| the college were interviewed on the
subject and after much discussion the
| further presentation of plays by any
one connected with the college was
| positively forbidden.
Immediately there arose cry of pro-
| test from the students and their
| friends. A petition asking that this
action be reconsidered was circulated
| in Highland Park and found many
signers. AS result of this agitation
| the trustees. turned the matter over tc
| the faculty for final decision. Tnei1
opinion was favorable to the wish OF
the students and in the future there
will be no interference by the college
authorities in this matter.
| The students are jubilant over the
| outcome, for they have felt before that
they were being deprived of one OF
their most enjoyable and entertaining
| forms of amusement.
The senior class will take advan-
| tage of their new privilege by giving
a farce on their class day.
The graduating preparatory class
| had intended to give a play also, but
were stopped by the action of the trus-
tees. The last decision of the faculty
| came so late that they have given uI
! their plans and will have no class day
| exarCiSeS