The weekly news. [volume] (Anacostia [i.e. Washington] D.C.) 1909-19??, 1909-11-13

totally eliminated in Chicago, will
say that after further looking into
the matter it is found that some
such places do exist, but that the
general tendency Of the people who
are cndeavoring to uplift humanity
is to totally eliminate them, and
this can only be done gradually.
Then, the writer goes on to try
and use the ministers of the gospel
as a great point in his favor. 1t is
true that a committee is appointed
to pass on the deccncy Of the films,
but this committee is appointed by
the makers of such films, and it
hardly seems possible that any true
minister Of the gospel could sane
ton some of the films that are
shown. OF course, there will always
be arguments advanced by the
makers of these films to Justify
themselves, as is the case with the
liquor dealers, but this is written
TO those who wish to better a com
munity morally, and not TO those
who can only see one side.
The next paragraph in regard to
Sunday performances, is indeed a
very poor excuse, and if the writer
of that letter was true Christian
himself, he would never argue i'm
that way. First let me state, that
if the churches of any community
are to be supplanted by the five
cent theatre, woe be unto any such
community. In regard to the uni
versal practice, ! viii ask why it is
that men of today are mp in arms
against so many universal practices
that are detrimental to the welfare
of the youthl The argument that
because it is done i'm another place
it should be done everywhere (to
the possible dehiment of the COM
ing generation) is the most Aimsy
argument that could be presented,
and certainly not in accordance
with the idea of true citizenship.
The writer states that it is really
helpful TO the young people Well,
he will say that unquestionably, be-
cause it means money in his pocket,
but, as a lady said to me the other
day (the mother of several chill
dren), certainly was glad to see
that someone had taken up this
question and especially ON Sunday,
as it made the children think too
much of amusement and not
enough of beneficial instruction. /
have heard several such remarks,
and am sure that everyone viii
agree; that is, everyone who appre-
ciatcs the future of the community.
In regard to the last paragraph.
| think that without a doubt this
was written with only one thought
in mind, that of monetary consid-
Grafton. If / am right in my as
sumption that the proprietor Of the
present theatre wrote the letter in
question (although it appears that
the writer did not have politeness
enough TO sign his name, which is
common etiquette), ! will ask what
interest has be in the improving
and undermining of this com
munity, except to swell his personal
income. ltappears from this para
graph that anything should be per-
mitted TO exist that would help I'M
dcyiduals financially.
Perhaps some Of the pictures
shown are very good, and l have
seen some good ones, but it matters
not if the best obtainabIe were
shown on Sunday, the principle is
not the one of good Christian spirit
and ! will say here that no good
Christian viii attend a Sunday
| performance at these places. In
regard to discouraging those who
wish TO improve conditions, ] wish
to state that ! am not one who viii
discourage anything that viii benc-
fit, and ! would not discourage this
place six days of the week, but
when it comes to being a deuiment
TO the community, any man with
| good common sense will fight
against it.
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