The Washington herald., 1911-01-29
'THRILLERS' ON SHOW
Dime Novel Exhibit Given
in Berlin.
THOUSAND CURDIERs VIEWED
German Govcrnm mt. in n n Endenvor
to Impress Upon the People the
Harm Done by Cheap Literature.
Gives Interesting Exposition in
the ReichstaS Building.

Berlin. jan Za-AH ehpoSltioi w pioo'
curdlers in the shape of dime novelettes
has been opened in hall of the Reichs-
tag building, in Berlin. Its purpose is
to show the German citizen the undesira-
bic character of the literature indulged in
by children.
On display are many thousands of book
lets with CORY titles and still more CORY
Illustrations. About loo of them are
translations of American and English
shockers An examination of the books
shows that German boys are not eager to
read red Indian stories or sea horrors.
but are particularly fond of inqulsItlon
terrors and also of modern crime. espe-
cially of burglary. This probably ac-
counts for the fact that nearly all Ger
man youthful offenders explain their de-
linUucncieS by overindulgenCe in the
cheap shocker.
The German boy writes a critic of
the exposition likes his horrors crude.
violent, and brief and has not the love
OF suspense which characterizes the
American or English youth. Moreover.
the German does not believe in the tri
umph Of virtue. In his favorite type of
novelette, the criminal always gets the
better of the honest man. That is why
in Germany this literature has such in
furious Effects
Senator's Get Uniforms.
The latest manifestation Of the Ger
man passion for uniforms is the decision
of the Kaiser TO provide special robes of
honor for the senators OF the new Kaiser
Wilhelm Foundation for the Promotion
of Scientific Research. which came into
existence last week as the result of an en-
dowment OF $2.jC0.GnN raised upon the En-
peror's personal initiative. Its admins
tration rests with Il senate composed
partly of elected members and partly of
others appointed by the Kaiser.
The first appointment was made by the
Emperor the other day at ball at the
palace 1t was Count EulenburG, chief
marshal to the imperial court who re-
ceived the distinction. To Herr Won
Dircksen. retired diplomat whom the
Kaiser also made senator. the Kaiser
remarked that he had designed a uniform
for the senators. consisting of green cloth
with rich gold embroidery and red velvet
facingS
Membership of the foundation and the
possibility of becoming a senator can
he obtained by payment of an entrance
fee of $500 and an annual subscription
Of $50.
Germany is great place for iubilees
OF all kinds. but none more quaint has
ever been celebrated than that which
Berlin has just placed to its credit. 1t is
exactly 100 years since the German capital
granted the privilege of Christian burial
to actors.
Barred from. Church Rites.
Previously the actors were classed with
rope and wire dancers clowns, conjurors,
gypsies. and vagabonds in general, and as
such were not entitled to the last rites
of the church. They were the subject
Of innumerable prohibitory and minatory
ordinances and rescripts, and respectable
citizens were repeatedly warned by official
decrees not to lend money to them be-
cause no process for recovery of debts
against actors would be entertained by
the courts. Under these circumstances
ii resulted that actors came to be buried
in the unconsecrated ground set aside for
sui des and executed criminals.
At last in I'LL Berlin, to its honor, broke
with the practice, for in that year an
actor named Jacob Scheller, a popular
comedian of his time. was buried in the
churchyard of the Nicolai Kirche. Even
he was not allowed burial in the church.
yard without protest from the clergy
and his body was lowered into a grave
dug on the very edge of the sacred in
closure.
1t may be added that the edict against
lending money to actors was reissued as
late as 1854 There are doubtless some who
think such an ordinance might not be out
OF date In the present year Of grace.