Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-11
IMMORAL PLAYS
CATHOLIC TARGET

New YORK, NOV. 1l-The national
Catholic theatre movement is rapidly
taking definite shape. With the per-
sonal Endorsement of Cardinal Farley
and in accordance with the papal bull
Of Plus y. to the daughters of the
faith, Miss Eliza OBJ. Lummis, the
founder of the movement, will send
cut tomorrow to the hierarchy of the
United States and Canada an outline
of the plan of organization.
Active cooperation upon the part
of cardinals, archbishops and bishops
with the laity of their respective do
oeses is asked in this concerted eff
fort to bring all classes, irrespective
of creed, into a national union for the
eradication of immoral drama from
the America stage.
Cardinal Gibbons, Baltimore; Car
djnal O'Connell, Boston; Archbishop
Riordan, San Francisco; the bishops
of Newark, Sioux City, Iowa, Rich
mond and Bismarck, n. D., have as
sured the cardinal of New York of
Il cir readiness TO further the project
Cardinal Farley upon his return
next week from the Pacific coast is
expected to announce the personnel
o. the national and local committees.
National Catholic influence" de-
clsres the official plan of organiza-
ton, must be concentrated upon
practical demonstration in New York,
while foundation is being laid at the
same time in every city for local sup
port of reputable plays. Success in
New York will be repeated in every
other city; plays denounced in New
York will find no audience elsewhere
The plan of organization, as Official
! ~ outlined, provides that a national
committee shall invite the formation
| in each city of a Catholic civic COM
niittee under the supervision Of its
! bishop. The civic committee in each
| city shall form subcommittee in each
parish.
The subcommittee, each supervised
| By its pastor, shall cover a special
| field, calling social meetings for dis
cussion among their own people and
! gaining the cooperation of all classes
III their district. Each parish shall
thus have individual representation
/ through its civic committee in the ma
tional committee in New York and
shall be credited with the sum of all
financial offerings from its people.
The opening of a theatre under
Catholic supervision, the clergy is
! likewise informed, does not indicate
the immediate erection of a theatre
/ building Managers will find IL to
| their financial profit TO present ap.
proved plays if Endorsement and sup
port are warranted.
Nor is the undertaking wholly de
pendent on financial support II Is
advisable, however. that each city
should offer its assistance to the ma
| tional committee.
Cardinal Gibbons assures the cardi
nal of New York that in trying TO up
lift the moral tone of our plays he has
his hearty support.
Among the women vitality interested
are Mrs. Mary Anderson Navarro and
Miss Elizabeth Marbury. Mary An
derson wrote:
'If a Catholic theatre could be
made practical it would be beautiful
thing and do great good. But where
procure plays? Would it reproduce
mysteries? If would take a lot OF
money. Where is the money to be
found?"
Independent of the movement Miss
Narbury contemplates the production
il London this season OF Miss Lum
mis- drama, The Dear st. Elizabeth,
| Dublished last gDrinR