Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-07

tion on the floor Is not infrequent.
What with the dried sputum and
the dirt from the street being constant
ly ground up by the incessant tramp
ing and disseminated in the air (Which
is usually highly charged with carbon
dioxide from the lungs of the audience
and the exhalations from their bodies).
that element must be in a highly OBJ
jectionable condition.; in fact, totally
unfit to breathe.
OF course, in the better class Of thea
ters the conditions are not open to
these structures; but even in these the
air must necessarily be unwholesome.
Unfortunately, this class Of theaters
forms only a very small percentage
of the total number devoted to this
purpose, so that the great bulk OF the
attendants at these performances are
perforce subjected to the unsanitary
risks we have pointed out. And II the
audience suffers from these conditions,
what of the unfortunate operator ana
other employees, who have to endure
them, not only for one, but many, per-
formances?
There is yet another aspect OF this
matter to be considered, and one which
we hesitate to discuss; but 1t is even
more important than the question OF
sanitation, and that is the moral ef-
feet of these performances. or rather
given. The performances, being or
necessity given in darkened mouse,
opportunity for undue familiarity
between the sexes is afforded, and
from disclosures that have been re-
Gently made in New York city this Is
by no means infrequent, and has been
severely commented upon from the
magisterial bench.
In Greater New York the proprietors
of SHOWS
forbidden to admit girls under the age
of fifteen unless accompanied by
parent, relative or other chaperone,
but like most ordinances, 1t Is ire
quently evaded. OF course, there are
unscrupulous managers, but we be-
lieve the majority of them are honor
able and law abiding men.
The houses in which these lapses
from propriety take place are. as may
be supposed, of the lower class; but
the facilities in all are equal. Human
nature is invariably the same, and
darkness is a dangerous adjunct TO
propinquity.
What means are to be employed to
lessen the dangers that attend this
form of entertainment? From the
standpoint of health 1t would seem to
be the duty of the different municipal
tiles to instruct their health officers to
supervise these establishments closely
and to pass special ordinances, IL need
be, to insure thorough sanitation. The
granting of licenses to these places
should be carefully looked after, that
they may not be issued to irresponsible
or dssreputable persons.
The people who patronize these per-
formances should not remain more
than forty-five minutes under any CIR
cumstances, for the strain upon the
nerves is very severe and serious nerv-
GUS troubles are likely to result from
protracted sittings; and in addition
they should sit as far back from the
pictures as possible.
Parents should not allow their chill
dren, If of tender years Especially
their daughters), to attend these shows
unaccompanied by someone of mature
years, and never to enter one that is
the least doubtful in character.
There is much to be said in favor of
the moving picture shows, and in view
of the millions that attend them an
nually 1t is of the utmost Importance
to have them safeguarded against in
Jury to health or morals.
NO EXCUSE FOR RACE SUICIDE