The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-08-02
DENouNcE IMMORAL PLAYS
Give List Of Dramas to be Avoided
as Being immoral

D''6 ~
The American Federation of Cath
Ollie societies has entered a vigorous
protest against a certain class of
plays produced on the American
stage. The letter is addressed to all
theatrical managers in America and
is a scathing criticism of the stage.
1t asks that all Catholics aid in the
crusade. copy of it has been made
public by the Catholic Bishop of Den
YER.
The letter asserts that the A.meri.
can stage is deteriorating and Gays in
part
I'VE deplore that plays have been
produced which mock at sacred
things and moral principles which
the Christian holds in the highest
respect.
There are still theatres missing
their high and noble aim and de-
bauching the minds and hearts of the
theatregoers and especially our
young persons Then plays like Sal
ONE The Blue Mouse The Soul
Kiss, The Girl from Rectors The
Easiest Way The Girl in the Train,
The Girl in the Taxi Alma. Wo
Wohnst DUP and La Samarjtaine
are praised and heralded as attrac-
tons, we feel that the theatrical pro-
ducers and managers are menacing
the public morality and the welfare
of the nation, for these plays, being
based on abominable sexual peryer-
sity and setting up standard of NOR
atty which is open RIGHTEOUSNESS,
will gradually accustom the specta-
tors, first in thought. then in deed. 10
disregard and discard ali Christian
modesty and will thus prove the
grave OF the nation.
THE importation of risky German
and French farces and comedies like
The Foolish Virgin, The Woman
Passes and similar plays exhibits
such morbid standard OF moral
looseness that we may justly expect
them TO be denounced by a sane Am
erican public.
Our county declarations that have
sometimes requested the managers TO
stop salacious plays have been quiet.
ed with the excuse that the nasty
play had heeh expurgated, but the
subsequent facts showed what could
have been anticipated, viz tina. the
moral filth and poison were inherent
in the Dlav.
1--WE are aware that many times
the excuse is given The people want
these plays Give Che people what
they want We most earnestly pro-
test against this allegation. There
are thousands, nay millions. of Amer
leans who are disguised With these
putrid exhibitions.
"The American people can expect
to continue as a happy and thrifty
nation only on the sound principle Of
Christian morality. We therefore de-
mand Of the theatrical producers and
managers that vulgarity, indecency
and immoral suggestiyeness be en-
tirely eliminated from all plays pro-
grammes, advertisements and post
ers We also request the Bill Post
ers' Union. in accordance with the
promise made to the American Fed
GRAFTON Of Catholic societies, to take
notice OF our demand.
I'VE earnestly request all the mem
bers OF our affiliated societies not
only to avoid such offensive perfor.
mances, but to withdraw their catron
age from any theatre which lends VI
self TO offensive productions.
This open letter will be forwarded
to all the principal theatrical manag-
ers In the name OF American Fedora
ton of Catholic societies"
The letter is signed by Mr.. Edward
Feeney of Brookln; Thomas Cannon
of Chicago; the Rev. +. Heiermann,
S. J., Toledo; Charles Denechaud OF
New Orleans; Anthony Matre OF St
Louis of the National Committee on
Public Morals; the Most Rev. s. G.
Messner, ID. d.. Archbishop of Mil
waukee; the Most Rev. William II
O'Connell. d. d.. Archbishop of Bos'
ton; the Most Rev. James H. Blenk
ID. D., Archbishop OF New Orleans
and the Right Rev. James A. McFaul
ID. d., Bishop OF Trenton, n. ].