Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-18
by FRANK f. STONE

IF THERE is anything more str1k-
ingly noticeable of late in the dra-
l. matte world than the way some
playwrights, with no known standing
as sociologists-and, to do them justice,
making no great claim that way-are
drifting-I might almost say DRIVING
into channels where economic, lndus-
trial and humanistic questions form
the main themes of interest; If, l say,
there is anything more obtrusively ap-
parent. it is the eagerness ana eclat
with which the play-going pubic Is
seconding their efforts by its mani
fest Willingness to follow them INTO
these new avenues of dramatic express
sion.
Crude in its adumbrated philosophy.
loose to slovenliness in its analyses
and resultant conclusions-all this may
be, and often is, the dramatist's essay
in this unwonted direction, written per-
chance more in the vein OF f1lppant
persiflage than of sober criticism, al
belt the latter may be assumed to I'M
derlie the former in some cases.
Ali this and more that is deplorable
may be the average playgoer's atti-
tude of appreciation toward these eX-
cursions of the dramatic author into
the realms of the economist and the
publicist Yet for all that, the whole
condition and circumstance Is preg-
nant with meaning and big with hope.
Along the line of things that really
matter-as distinguished from the
things that merely interest, excite or
amuse-the people, and with them In
responsive interchange their dramatic
writer's = ARE BEGINNING TO
THINK. and that is much. To begin
to think is at least presumably to be-
gin to understand.
nf ~ mr.
the foregoing remarks are pertinent in
considering the merits of Mr.. Broad
bursts new play, 1.-THE Dollar Mark, :"
which has Just run its sixth week
at the Belasco theater, opinions may
differ, but there can be no gainsaying
that the cleverness and dramatic snap
OF this play count for more, on a level
headed estimate, than anything it Of
fers in the way of contributions to
fundamental economic truths.
This is not to disparage the merits
of this play, even as an essay in
ethico-sociology. For if it Is not close
ly reasoned as to its ultlmates, at
least 1t skins alertly and not undis-
criminatingly the surface of things So
Geological, and that is perhaps as much
as the average audience is as yet ready
for.
1.-The Dollar Mark" malegre its faults
is a strong play. Its authors next
should be. a "stunner." Like another
fine play of recent times, The Servant
in the House." 1.-THE Dollar Mark"
most conspicuously exemplifies that
sterling quality in dramatic compost
ton, the elimination of the superfiuous;
for there is not redundant word In
the piece In little else. however, can a
comparison be instituted. True, both
plays are interesting from dramatic
standpoint alone, but whereas Mr..
Kennedy's play has also it's deeper
meanings, thought out unerrlngly TO
their logical ends, for those possessing
the requisite penetration and expert
ence, Mr.. Broadhurst's play on the con-
trary, while crisply and tellingly perth
nent as a commentary on the surface
facts of it's theme, falls short-llke
Lawson's cleverly presented revela-
tions-directly one looks for the ultl-
mate moral and remedy. In short, the
one fault of 1.-THE Dollar Mark" is that
it's author in his generous Indignation
at the methods of privately owned
Trusts apparently imagines the true
remedy to be the restoration of COM
petition-a setting back of the clock OF
evolution to repeat the old agony ana
end up as before.
The public is not yet "wise," but 1t
is interested, which is the next pest
thing, and may be fruitful VI ISoulIS'
The undertaking campaign of recent
times was not waged in vain Thanks
to its revelations, our fiction writers
on the one hand whether novelists or
dramatsts, or both. and their public
on the other, are enlightened to point
where they can react mutually to their
common advantage.
1.-THE Dollar Mark" is a good play.
1t is interesting and stimulating, and
in no mean degree provocative of
thought. If it's economic and social
philosophy is often lacking in pro-
fundity and consistency it's superb
ciality is not invariable 1t has true
insight-in streaks.
This meets with moderate adequacy
the needs of an audience whose appre-
hension of the problems at issue is
similarly displayed-in streaks. Mr..
Broadhurst may l think, be counted on
to fill out his shades more surely and
solidly and to find his true philosophic
bearings in a future essay. He is on
the right road. A little more economic
study on scientific lines, and he in no
way lacks the ability and the dramatic
perspicacity and resource to turn it to
due account.
Once more, the dollar Mark is a
fine play. 1t is compact, 1t is crisp