New-York tribune., 1909-02-10
WOULDSTOP FIVE PLAYS
Theatrical Managers President
agrees scith archbishop Farley.

There i've shows in New York would close
II had my way said Charles Burnham, president
OF the Theatrical Managers Association OF New
York. after he had finished reading yesterday the
eerrnon preached by Archbishop Farley in St Pat
rick's Cathedral on Sunday. Archbishop Farley-
referred to certain plays Broadway as "orstes
Of obscsnity," said:
We and women old enough to know bet
age fnspnS ey WITH eT the minds Of the young
dney 20 to the thsetrHs and 70 P9Dhc vddngster
who cannot escape contagion.
Il don't say that we should have a stage censor
ship" said Mr. Burnham. mo one wants to see
a censorship. and it would be q tremendous power
90 put in the hands Of Polieet Commissioner ot
New York-too great power These things go IN
cycles and Just the managers find out
that the public Is obscenity and ready for
a change will a return 10 decency-
Archbishop Farley was right There are shows
running Broadway to-day TO which no right
minded would take his mother or his wife or
his sister All this talk about the theatre teaching
sermons moral lessons is bosh It's mission IS
purely OF entertainment. and it isn't the moral
sentiments but the rank cracks and rough stuff
that get the applause. The who tries to de
caive himself by declaring that one OF these filthy
spectaces Is Of moral educational value is simply
degenerate.
AS for fixing the blame, that is difficult mat
ter. The actor and the manager produce what they
know the public wants; the press declares that p
certain show is filthy iewd. and the public hocks
the theatre pays any price TO get inside tie
doors. Perhaps they all partly at fault
1T is all traceable to the fact that We permit
the portrayal OF sacred things on the stage. Such
plays The Servant in the House and The
Passion Play are not educational. but entertain
ment. pure and simple They strip us OF our
reverence for holy things and turn the temple over
to the money changers. No word from the Bible
certainly not from the New Testament-shoUld
ever be permitted the stage"
Mr.. Burnhan's statements not generally
conceded by his fellow managers Daniel Froh-
for instance, would not admit that deEener-
acy had taken hold of the stage, He said the fact
that there were number Of unhealthy shows N
town vas not a reasonable premise upon which 20
build the argument that the stage was wholly I'M
moral. Marc Klaw, Charles Frohman. Henry r
Harris, Abraham L Erlanger and other producing
managers of the same opinion They set
forth the fact that the men who have succeeded In
the theatrical business were those who had pre-
scented decent representations.
While Mr. Burnham did not go into details con-
corning the immortal Ave. those who frequent the
theatres and know Mr.. Burnham Intimately did
not need to be told that he had in mind Tho Girl
from Rector g. THE Queen OF the Moulin Rouge,
The Easiest Way" Miss Innocence and The
Blue Mouse
Tho latter comedy is under the management OF
the Messrs Shubert- AS far the public is con-
cerued, there seems TO be a difference or opinion
about its morals 1t is exceedingly laughaole ana
the laughter is provoked by coicaI situations and
appear to afford entertainment to the audiences
It is certainly not a comedy for babes.
Mr. Belasco has defended with eloquence lis
production Of The Easiest Way As to Miss IN
nocance', there is also difference OF opinion. The
frarIng "a a musical mixture composed Of balers,
b,lnoonery and panoramic views The manage
Inent OF the other shows" openly boast o. the
wares they have exhibition.
Marc Klaw said last night:
1T is unfortunate that Archbishop Farley did
not uoint out the plays he had in mind when ae
composed his sermon. His statement is so broad
that 1t reflects on the entire theatrical world It
IS aH right for him to decry the fact that certain
pIays that are being produced ara immoral but
for him TO speak Of the whole stage as being
worse to-day than in the days OF paganism Is un-
fair
For my part 1 believe certain managers go TOO
FAR In the production of immoral plays, and it is
20 he reeretted 1t has slways been the policy or
the firm OF which 1 member to put on me
stage only PLAYS that are clean and wholesome.