The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-01-15
MARC kLAW SETS OUT
STAGE CHiLD'S CLAIM

At the annual banquet of the Asso-
citation OF Theatre Managers of Great
er New York, held on January 5th, at
the Hotel Plaza, Charles Burnham,
president of the association, called
attention to the unjust laws in force
in several states against the appear
ance of children on the stage and
urged the Importance of holding a
mass meeting of all those who are
interested in the upbringing of the
infantile player that may enlighten
his own and future generation.
Mr.. Burnha.m's opinions received
the hearty endorsement of Marc KlaW,
who in an interview said yesterday:
This matter is of a danger now
very imminent. l refer to the efforts
of certain misguided persons to mar
row the big work Of the American
drama by practically eliminating
therefrom all stage children. The So
called National Child Labor Commit
tee Of this country, with misdirected
zeal, has been enabled to have laws
placed on the statute books Of Illi-
nois, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Kan
sas and the Province of Ontario. pro-
hibiting children under fourteen years
of age appearing on the stage at all.
Mr.. Francis Wilson, Mr.. Robert Hill
lard, Mrs. Minnie Madden Fiske and
other of our most reputable artists
can testify to the handicap this has
been to them in presenting some Of
the very best products of American
authors. Already under the operation
Of this law the states mentioned can
not enjoy such plays as King John,
A Midsummer Nights Dream Mae
terlinck's Blue Bird RIP Van Win
kle' and many other dramatic class
les.
I'VE have sat idly by while bigotry
has run riot in this direction, and
while the men and women compos-
ing this child labor committee may
be most reputable, they are going
about their work with fanatacism,
an indiscretion and a mercilessness
worthy of the Salem witch burners.
1.-THE stage child of this country
has been neglected all too long. There
has always been too much or too lit
tie done for il, both operating to the
disadvantage of the child. There
turks suspicion that back of this
Child Labor Committee there are
many people who are simply using
| ty and to serve personal ends. 1t
! reminds me Of the story of Diony-
sius, the tyrant, who robbed the sta
| tue Of the Olympian Jupiter of its
| mantle of gold and replaced It with
| wooden cloak, saying that the gold
covering was too cold in Winter and
| too heavy in Summer, and we must
| look after Jupiter
We have struck a safe, sane and
happy medium in the operation of the
Gerry Law. which governs the con
duct of the Society for the Prevention
| of Cruelty to Children in New York
state. ard for the purpose of meeting
! the unjust demands of this National
| Child. Labor Committee, there has
| been formed in New York a National
alliance for the protection of stage
| children.
This organization, of which Mr.
| Augustus Thomas is the chairman,
and whose general Commitree in
| cludes Mr.. John ". Alexander Of the
| National Academy of Design; Rev
P. S. Grant. pastor of the Church OF
| the Ascension; Mrs. Kate Douglas
| Higgin, the author OF the 'Rebecca'
| books: Prof. William Lyons Phelps OF
/ Yale. Miss Julia MarIowe. Mr.. Famlin
| Garland the Res. Thomas r. Slicer
Mrs. Edith Ellis Furniss, Miss Nora
| Westover Alden Of the Sunshine So
ciety and Mr.. Hamilton Mabie Of Tme
| Outlook, We believe can successfully
combat these unjust demands This
| alliance PROPOSES an honest, sincere