The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-02-02
"THE PEOPLES LOBBY"
Continued from page .


raging from one.third to oncahali OF
the usual rates, For want Of capital
70 invest IN theatrical entertainment
OF some instructive value, thousands
OF people to whom such shows as
,"Bertha, the Sewing Machine Girl
and the Queen OF the Highbindcrs,'
Dc not appeal have missed the pleas
urc aud instruction 10 be obtained
from the drama, One oi the surpris-
ing things that the Institutes cheap
rates have shown is a passion on the
East Side lor Shakespeare, The
proof OF this is that $500 tickets were
sold in one week Tor the Shakespear-
can productions OF Robert Mantell,
Some OF the results oi last years
dramatic campaign included the wit
Messing OF THE Man Of the Hour"
by $4,000 persons and OF Peter Pan
by 10000. In two weeks 5000 tickets
for George Bernard Shaw's Satrical
Caesar and Clcopatra" were sold to
people most OF whom had never be
fore seen the inside OF Broadway
playhouse. The drama made out OF
Lew Wallaccs Prince OF India"
drew an audience from the ranks Of
the Institutes clientele numbering
5000. while 600 witnessed Brownings
"Pippa Passes Approximately $4,000
persons altogether were benefited by
this plan, and more than $2S.0O0 ac-
cruded to the theatrical managers
from increased sales OF seats, This
year not only the drama but musical
productions are made available to
those OF limited means. and the cx.
tent of the work seems likely to be
trebled Indeed. i, is possible that
by the end Of the season the record
VIII approach 4 quarter OF million.
On the side OF the theatrical man.
ayers, the Institutes plan OF cduca-
ton by theatre going il welcomed,
SO much so that the incidental ex-
penses are borne by them. As a mat
ter OF fact. il has accomplished the
wonder OF wonders in New York
made the presentation Of Shakespeare
and dramas OF simple life less hazard.
Gus financial propositions. Thus the
work has desirable effect on the
tone OF the stage IN addition to its
educational and plcasurablc value 20
the masses, To make sure that the
productions are OF proper character
they are all passed upon by the Insti-
tute's dramatic committee composed
OF several Representative educators
Others before arrangements are made
to bring them within reach OF the
Institutes clientele
The most widely known side OF the
Institutes activities has TO do with
the promotion OF the public welfare
The general work OF education has
been made TO count heavily in this
direction An organization has been
perfected which enables thousands OF
persons not only to express them
selves through representative gather
ings, say upon question OF legisla-
ton affecting the city or state, but by
reason OF thorough training to make
the expression conservative aud
therefore OF weight. There is cen
tral committee on legislation which
keeps in constant touch with the
work OF the lawmakers at Albany.
Among others of this committee are
Prof George Kirchwey, Dean OF
Columbia Law School, Julius Henry
Cohen, Chairman OF the Citizens
Union Committee on Legislation,
and J. Aspinwall Hodge. William NJ
Twins, chief inquisitor for Governor
Iiughcs's Public Service Commission,
likewise frequently takes hand in
the big mass meetings which the In
sttute calls in Cooper Union when
it is desired publicly to approve or
proposed legislation. For
the matter OF that, Governor Hughes
himself is no stranger either upon the |
Institutes platform or to the influ-
cncc for good which its work exerts,
In a number Of cases this influence
is definitely accredited with having
sounded the death kncll Of grab"
legislation and similarly with having
caused the passage, through aroused
public opinion, Of beneficial measures
by special interests. In
none Of its activities does the Inst-
tutc have political affiliations.
On Sunday nights at Cooper Union
IS shown what may be accomplished
in solving one of the city's most ser-