Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-12-08

The Clansman," Thomas Dixon, Jr's. play. will not appear at Polls on Saturday evening, December 15, as billed, for Mayor Thomas has stepped in and decided to stop the play. To-day he sent the following letter to Manager Harry Parsons o. Polls theater:
 To the Manager of Polls ~heater,
 City:
 Dear Sir: In regard to the per- formance of 'The Clansmar," which l understand is advertised 10 take place at your theater on Saturday evening, December 15. 1906, would respectfully advise you that I have examined the play referred to and the book upon which it is founded with some care and am of the opinion that various scenes therein are of such nature that they ought not to be represented on the public stage in Waterbury. l have therefore to-day instructed the superintendent of DO lice not to permit the production of The Clansman" at your theater on the night in question.
 Yours very truly,
 Mayor.
 He also sent the following letter to Superintendent of Police Reach:
 December 8. George NJ. Beach. Esq, Super,nten-
 dent of Police. City:
 Dear Sir: I send you herewith copy of letter to-day sent to the manager of Polls theater. You will in accordance with said letter. pre- vent the production of the play men toned therein, giving due notice 10 the proprietor of the theater
 If an attempt is made to produce said play. you will cause the arrest of the persons attempting to take any part therein, charging them with vio- lation of section 1,347 of the general statutes. Very truly yours,
 Mayor.
 A Democrat reporter talked with Mayor Thoms to-day and asked why he had decided finally to prevert the production. He said h.s reasons were explained in the letter to M- Parsons.
 The mayors act comes as a sur prise, especially when 1t was the general opinion that he was resL onsi- ble for the statement of City Clerk in the early part O the week that the production would ex- hibit at Polls. As he had real the book and seen the play some tine ago he must have drawn his conclu- sions before the statement of the city | clerk was given out. In Mir Sand lands opinion the show is all right, | but the mayor has stepped ovar the clerks head. The announcement that the playl would be stopped came as surprise | 10 the colored people. as to- fay they | were around getting names for De- tition that is to be presented to the | aldermen on Monday evening asking | that the show be preyente. frc'a ap- bearing in this city. In view Uf the mayors part. it will now be unreces- ,ary to present the petition.
 Section 1347 of the general starrtes reads as follows: Each one of any company of players who shall rnlaw- 'ully exhibit any theatrical show for yain shall be fined not mere than I50, and every person who shall ..n- awfully for gain exhibit fin any pub ic hall any gamse. tricks plays. shows. rope dancing O seats of dexterity shall be fined lot more than s200."
 Manager Harry Parsons of Polls alked with the writer this af'e noon, md at that time he had received no etter from the mayor. He said that le would not attempt 10 rt On the ,roduction since the mayor had de- ided to stop 1t.
 "I regret that Mayor Thorls has aken such action. and I sn sure Mir 'oli will feel the same abort It. nm confident that the colorcd peofle fl Waterbury would not te offended f they saw the show, as It is not early as bad as it is painted. The ter Manager Smith of Bridge: ort Is o,nr to put it on and Tseatsr Man ger Wilkes expects to do the same- am also of the opinion .hst Mayor Ienpey will allow the play to exhibit