Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1906-12-20

New York.-"The New York Idea
has been a much-discussed play. Peo-
pie have wanted to know why Mr..
Langdon Mitchell, leveling his satire
at divorce, was at pains to describe
IL as New York idea.
4 chose New York for my title be-
cause New York is the greatest Of
American cities and reflects American
2ife," Mr. Mitchell explained: "The
play might have been called The
Chicago Idea or The Philadelphia
idea just as well, l suppose. The
most explicit title would probably be
The American Idea"
In other words" remarked the re-
porter, you used the words New
York TO mean America, just as we say
Paris when we mean France, or
speak of London when we think Of
,ESngland?"
Precisely"
why do you assume the attitude
you do on the divorce question ?"
The author settled back in his chair
as if to weigh his words. Mr.. Mitch
ell is anything but a flippant young
man OF the town. His urbane manner
and an almost imperceptible impress
sion of reserve at once recall his ia
ther, DR.. S. Weir Mitchell. the noted
physician, and himself a famous au-
thor.
Mrs. Fiske suggested several years
ago" he said, gravely, that l write
II play with divorce as the theme"
ko
IF there were children in a drama
ccf divorce it would be great tragedy.
z decided. however, that my play
should be a comedy"
Acting, | suppose, on the principle
shat rldicule is the most dangerous of
weapons" suggested a representative
,nf the New York Times.
mo. There is a great drama in the
divorce question, if treated as a seri-
Gus problem. I should like to write
such play. Ny decision was reached,
however to make my play a
comedy
~ft has been suggested that your
methods resemble those of Bernard
Shaw. Did you have his work in
IrniuiT''
"Any resemblance to Mr.. Shaw's
plays IN The New York Idea is quite
unconscious, assure you," Mr.. Mitch
ell replied. 81 know Mr.. Shaw, having
met him in London while | was liv.
ITag there. He was very kind to me
when my first play was produced in
England ! have never been student
OF his plays, though. | can almost
say I have not seen performances OF
them Of course, | make a round OF
Ghe theaters every season, but l &c
away into the country to write my
ptags"
Life as the Author Sees 1t.
-'Then your criticisms of modern
conditions merely reflect life as you
see it?'
Marriages based on affection, 10y
atty, and sense of duty are not
affected by the satire and rebuke in
my play. Nearly all married people
2iavc quarrels. Where the husband
;3nd wife have a sense of loyalty and
obligation they pass an unpleasant
Sfzy or so and then are good friends
again. With people like Cynthia and
John Karslake, on the other hand, q
etiporce is the first thing that sug
gests itself-the easy the usual end
of a quarrel in married life.
~Who is to blame for such condi
ton? The law makes marriage a civi
contract; divorces are easy to OBJ
tain. The church may place ban or
divorce. Why does not that keel
HEsSand and wife out of the divorce
'coart? Can 1t be that the people | an
GriGicising have ceased to be guided
by Gne church,"
Mrs. Parsons recently suggested
marriages on probation" suggested
the reporter. rs such a system pos
safsle?"
when we come right down to it,
MT Mitchell replied "do not some
FHarriages amount to precisely that?
~'E1se real trouble and the blame,
CONTINUED Mr.. Mitchell lies deeper
Cifza the foolish husbands and wive!
z t1ave sought to typify in Mr. ant
Mrs. Karslake. The people | really
afEn ut are the fathers and mother!
VI such husbands and wives. WHY
81 t,iey not teach their children tha