Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-02-27

fiiial innaelity. divorce and other
tendencies Of our present day social
order arc depicted, has called forth q
sever arraignment OF the thcator by
no less a porsonage than Archbishop
Glennon OF ST. Louis. one OF the best
known speakers on religious and
moral questions in the middle west.
while many may feel that the
archbishop Is far too sweeping IN HIS
statements. yet a brief review OF the
theatrical situation In this country
win only tend 70 create n fear that
the speaker Is only too close to the
truth.
whether II be that tho American |
taste demands the sort OF theatricais !
being furnished II al the present time
or whether 1t Is being fed class OF
performances Il does not particularly
admire. stin the fact remains that
not a single play was launched In our
great clearing housc-New York
this season that could be IN any sense
termed elevating or instructive. And
glnnce al the box office statements
win doubtless disclose the fact that
burIesque. comic opera and the ike
brought the best returns for the least
expenditure.
Hut whether or not the archbishop
was too severe In his criticisms. there
is food for grave thought in what he
has to say. as reported by the ST.
Louis papers:
Archbishop Glennon. in his LeBten
sermon at the Old Cathedral. declared
serpent hangs over every modern
playhouse today While there may
lo some good plays, he said. taking
the stage as whole, the plays are
suggestive
There Is not one theater In st.
L0nis that has not had an immoral
play on It's boards this last season."
Archbishop Gicnnon asserted. 1.-THE
soul OF the modern stage has depart
cd. and its heart is where the box
office is found. The modern stage IS
immoral and unreliglous In motive
and practice
1.-THE ambition Of those who provide
such entertainment today Is not 10
much to instruct or cdlfy, as simply
10 amuse. to give something that VIII
please. TO cater TO the ordinary pas
time, pleasure, and. perhaps. passion
OF the passing crowd. No longer does
Il claim a mission TO lead, to instruct.
or 20 reform.
''On one side Of the street recently
parents were standing in the bread
line, on the other side OF the street
their children were dropping their
nickels in the cheap theaters--thc
bread line on the one side and the
games on the other.
when an institution foFgets rs
oariy distinction. sets aside noble
mission. and falls 20 the level OF or
binary humanity, II rarely stops there.
The pressure being downward. down
1t goes. and revolution Is required
70 stay rs progress The corruption
Of the best becomes the worst and
in proportion 20 is earlier and noblei
ambitions. 90 Is measured the depth.
Of lis later degradation.
"Honoo. instead OF remaining
among the indifferent things. the
raodern stage has reached the point
where the outcry Is general aesinsi
SIS docadence And this cutlery al
times from one. and again from an
other. grows IN volume az Grows n
volume the evidences Of the evil 81
focts OF bad plays and representa-
lions while remembering an th'
time that there may be and are goo'
players and decent plays, yei the rec
ords Of police courts. juvenile court
ana criminal cases today are gencraill
interviewer with cheap theaters an'
saloons. ana the runaways. eiope
1nents and defaultinss IA the financla
and moral world are strangely asso
rlNNHW tl many ANNi"NN'" WEN "ht"
people and stage productions.
public opinion gradually loses ~
reonaosr fnlth finds little favor an'
enc imagination ~ the multitude 4
fcd upon prurient productions iha
the stage has for itg daily nuiriment
Nor "a Il necessary for one 20 be
patron OF thoaters and opera house
10 pronounce these criticisms. Il y
not necessary 10 put your hand IN th'
fire in order 20 teat iis burning quail
iiles.
various attempts have been mhdl
IA recall the stage "a its earlier char
aeier. They appear however 20 b.
IN vain. the public b. diforganlzed
tha stage h oseanizod. the eonse
ouance H. that organization succeed