The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-08-01
Federation of Catholic Societies Condemns a
 Certain Glass of Plays

Denver, Col, August 1.-The Ameri l can Federation of Catholic Societies 1 has entered vigorous protest agains
 certain class of plays produced oI
 the American stage. The letter ii | addressed to all theatrical managers in America and is a scathing criticism | of the stage. It asks that all Cath | olics aid in the crusade. A copy O. | it was made public here to-day by | the Catholic Bishop of Denver.
 The letter asserts that the Ameri
 can stage is deteriorating and say:
 in part:
 1 '.We deplore that plays have beer | produced which mock at sacred thing: l and moral principles which the Chris. 1 tian holds in the highest respect.
 There are still theatres missing | their high and noble aim and debauch- l ing the minds and hearts of the the I atregoers and especially our young persons. When plays like 'Salome, l The Blue Mouse, The Soul Kiss 'The Girl from Rectors,' The Easiest Way. | The Girl in the Train The Girl ir | the Taxi Alma, Wo Wohnst du :? | and La Samaritaine' are praised and l heralded as attractions we feel that the theatrical producers and managers are menacing the public morality and the welfare of the nation, for these | plays, being based on abominable ble sexual perversity and setting up a standard of morality which is open licentiousness, will gradually accus- tim the spectators, first in thought then in deed, to disregard and discard all Christian Y1nodesty, and will thus prove the grave. of the nation. French Stage Condemned.
 ''The importation of. risky German and French farceS and comedies like The Foolish Virgin The Woman Pas ses' and similar plays exhibits such a morbid standard of moral looseness that we may justly expect them to be lie.
 Our county federations that have some times requested the managers to stop salacious plays have been quieted with the excuse that the nasty play had been -expurgated, but the subsequent facts showed what could have been anticipated, viz.-that the moral filth and poison were inherent in the play.
 'tWe are aware that many times the excuse is given The people want these plays. Give the people what they want We most earnestly protest against this allegation. There are thousands, nay millions Of Americans who are disgusted with these putrid exhibitions.
 '.The American people can expect to continue as a happy and thrifty na- tion only on the sound principle of Christian morality. We therefore de- mand of the theatrical producers and managers that vulgarity, indecency and immoral suggestiveness be en- tirely eliminated from all plays, pro- grammes advertisements and posters. We also request the Bill Posters Un- ion, in accordance with the promise made to the American Federation of Catholic Societies, to take notice of our demand.
 Call for Assistance.
 ''We earnestly request all the mem bers of our affiliated societies not only to avoid such offensive performances but to withdraw their patronage from any theatre which lends itself to of- fensive productions.
 "This open letter will be forwarded to all the principal theatrical mana gers in the name of American Fedora tion of Catholic societies.
 The letter is signed by MT. Edward Feeney, of Brooklyn; MT. Thomas Cannon, of Chicago; the Rev. F. Heier- mann, s. J., Toledo; MT. Charles Denechaud, of New Orleans; MT. Am thony Matre, of St. Louis of the Ma tional Committee on Public Morals; the. Most Rev. $. G. Messmer, DID,, Archbishop of Milwaukee; the Most Rev. William H. O'Connell, D. D., Archbishop of Boston; the Most Rev.