Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-08-04
CATHOLIC BISHOPS =
JOIN IN DENOUNCING
LONG LIST OF PLAYS
Letter ISSUED TO THEATRICAL
PRODUCERS BY FEDERATION
OF SOCIETIES
STAGE MENANCE TO NATION

STAGE MENANCE To Nation
CONDEMNS IMPORTATION OF GET
MAN AND FRENCH FARcEs
AND COMEDIES
Church Ca..ed to Aid-PubIic Urget
to Stay Away from saIacious Pro
ductions and Bill Posters Refuse t
Help Advertising
DENVER, COL, Sunday-The Ameri
can Federation of Catholic Societies
has entered vigorous protest against
a certain class of plays produced on
the American stage. The letter IL
addressed to all theatrical managers III
America and is a scathing criticism OF
the stage. 1t asks that all catholics
aid in the crusade. A copy OF 1t Was
made public here today by the Catno'
lie bishop of Denver.
The letter asserts that the Amerl
can stage is deteriorating and says
in part: -
I'VE deplore that plays have been
produced which mock at sacre~ Things
and moral principles which the chris
tan holds in the highest respect.
"There are still theatres missing
their high and noble aim and debauch'
ing the minds and the hearts OF the
theatre goers and especially our young
persons. When plays like 'Salome,
THE Blue Mouse The Soul Kiss,
the Girl from Rectors,' The Easiest
Way.' The Girl j nthe Train The
Girl in the Taxi Alma, Wo Wohnst
pu?.' and La Samaritaine,' are praised
ayers are menacing the public moral.
and heralded sattractlons we 1eel
that the theatrical producers and man
Ivy and the welfare of the nation, Tor
these plays, being based on abomln-
able sexual perversity and setting up
a standard of morality which is open
Righteousness, will gradually accus-
tom the spectators, first in thought
then in deed, to disregard and discard
all Christian modesty, 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
Passes adm similar plays exhibits
such a morbid standard of moral loose
ness that that we may justly expect
them to be denounced by sane Amer
can public.
"Our county declarations that have
sometimes requested the managers to
stop salacious plays have been qui'
eted with the excuse that the natsy
play had been expurgated, but the
subsequent facts showed what could
have been anticipated, viz: that the
moral filth and poison were lnherant
in the play.
1--WE 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, Af Americans
who are disguised with these exhibit
tons.
"The American people can expect
to continue as 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 suggestiveness be entire
" eliminated from all plays, programs,
advertisements and posters. We also
request the Bill Posters Union, in &C.
cordance with the promise made to
the American Federation of Catholic
Societies, TO take notice OF our de-
mand.
Call for Assistance.
1--WE earnestly request all the mem
bers of our affiliated societies not on
" to avoid such offensive perform
ances. but to withdraw their patron
age from any theatre that lends itseN
to offensive productions.
"Thi sopen letter will be forwarded
to all the principal theatrical mana.
gers in the name of the American Fed
Grafton of Catholic Societies.
The letter is signed by Mr.. Edward
Feeney, of BROOKLYN; Mr.. Thos. Can
non. of Chicago; the Rev. 4. Heller
mann, S. j., Toleda; Mr.. Charles Dene-
chaud, of New Orleans; Mr.. Anthony
Matre, of St. Louis, of the National
committee on public morals; the
Most Rev S. G. Messmer, D. D., Arch
bishop of Milwaukee,; the Most Rev.
William H. O'Connell, D. D.. Arch
bishop of Boston; the Most Rev. Jas.
H. Blenk, D. D.. Archbishop 4 New
Orleans, and the Right Rev. James A.
McFaul. D. D., Bishop of Trenton,
New jersey.
An attempt was made to communl'
cate with various theatrical managers
in this city last night relative to the
circular. but only Geo. H Tyler, OF
Mrs. Liebler & Co., could be reached.
He said he had read few weeks ago
of a movement on the part of the
CathoAc society to condemn certain
plays, but had not yet seen the circu-
lar.
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