The Washington herald., 1908-05-25
WANT NO BARMAIDS
Mass Meeting Opposes Their
Introduction Here.
SUNDAY THEATERS DENOUNCED
WOmeR's INSTRUMENTATION Mis-
sion Speakers Demand Their Aboli-
tiOn and Score Manngers-COmmit-
tee Appointed to Prepare ResOIu-
tiOns for Presentation to President.

Protestations against the Sunday thea
ters, the sale Of liquor at the Union
Sta ton, and the introduction here OF The
English barmaid system were embodied
in a resolution adopted at the mass
meeting held yesterday at the First Con-
gregatlonal Church under the auspices OF
the .Womens Interdenominational Mis-
slonary Union.
Persons prominent in the reform move
ment in Washington addressed the gath
ering, and advocated legislation TO pro-
vide a more stringent era OF civic right
eousness In the District OF Columbia.
Mrs. Frank NJ. Bristol opened the meet
ing by reading prayers and passages from
Scripture. Judge William II. De Lacy.
OF the Juvenile Court. in his address,
The evils OF the cheap theater." told
Of the investigations ne had made to
determine the status OF these amuse-
ments. He said. IN part:
Two years ago / visited many OF the
cheap theaters OF this city. and was
shocked to see the immoral and sug-
gestive pictures that were portrayed for
the children TO gaze upon. More re-
Gently I made a tour or inspection OF
these amusement places, and found them
to be more elevated in tone. In fact
many OF them were offering productions
that tend to instruct the patrons in
matters religious.
Would Keep Children Away.
The theater is one of the best edu-.
Gators OF the masses II conducted along
the proper lines. The productions. how
ever, must not be too high for the lower
classes TO understand In this regard
the method OF censorship in vogue in
England would be OF great value here.
No play should be presented until after
IL has been passed upon by a competent
critic under orders from a special official.
In my. opinion, no child under the age Of
sixteen should be allowed to attend some
theaters unless accompanied by An adult"
said Judge De Lacy.
Rev. zed II. COpp told OF his investga-
tons into the cheap theaters of Wash
ington during the past year He said
they were in most cases insanltary and
poorly lighted.
Rev. Randolph II. McKlm, rector of the
Church OF the Epiphany. congratulated
the members of the Missionary Union
upon their efforts to close the Sunday the
aters. He denounced the managers of
such places Of amusement as persons who
lead children astray
In her denunciation Of the English bar
maid system. Mrs. w F. Crafts said this
system had already gained a foothold in
this city. Herein lies a danger that
threatens to lead young women astray II
IT is allowed TO spread" she concluded.
Mrs Margaret Dye Ellis spoke against
the establishment of a liquor saloon In the
new Union Station, saying Il was useless
70 appeal to the Commissioners for its
abolition. She commended the efforts Of
Representative c. 3. lands. Of Indiana.
and quoted an extract from his speech
delivered May g.
Wants n Curfew Law.
That a ''modihed' curfew law be estab-
lished In Washington was the purport of
short talk by Mrs. s. d. La Fetra.
Peto Penick Of Africa, urged his hear
ers 10 send missionaries to his country.
and advocated the spread Of the gospel.
Mrs. John N. CulbertsOn, president.
named the following committee to prepare
resolutions protesting against the barmaid
system for presentation 10 President
Roosevelt in the near future: Mrs. Mar
gaTet Dye Ellis, Mrs. Bradley, Mrs. S. d.
la Fetra, Mrs. John ShIck and Mrs
Samuel Kookogey.
II was decided 20 invite Gov. ]. Frank
Hanly, Of Indiana. to address the union
.on a date 10 be selected later.