The Washington herald., 1912-02-25
SYLVESTER URGED
| TO GUST seen"
Called Insult to Public De-
cency by Aloysius Truth
Society.
COMPLAINS OF "FoLLIEs"
Committee, Headed by Rev. A. G.
Dusrte, win Confer with po.
lice Chief This Morning.
COMPLAINS OF "FoLLIEs'

Convinced that the public morality and
civic welfare OF the nations Capital
will be menaced by a theatrical produc-
tion which Loasts Of "a rampage OF
song. dance, beauty. high kicking. &c"
committee representing the Aloysius
Truth Society. which has conducted a
successful crusade against indecent
plays in washington this season, will
hold a conference with Maj. Richard
sylvester. superintendent Of police, this
morning at the District Building TO urge
him to order the elimination Of the dis
graceful scene, "New Years Eve on the
Barbary Coast" from the Ziegfeld's
"Follies Of 1si1." which begins weeks
engagement at the National Theater to-
morrow night.
James o'DonneI Bennett, dramatic
editor of the Chicago Record-Herald.
IN condemning the scene. wrote:
There were dances that included
some Of those british posturings and
evolutions that are a slander TO the
beautiful art OF dancing. Taken from
the dives of big cities. they are an tn
suit to decency and a frightful bore to
an audience"
Percy Hammond, dramatic editor Of
the Chicago Tribune. said:
'1dr. Ziegfeld's ballet depicting a wild
evening with the turkey trot on San
Franctsco's Barbary Coast has been
classified by experts as q material
heshly, and sensual thing"
Indorsed by Leaders.
Rev. Augustus ]. Duarte. S. J.. presi-
dent Of the Aloysius Truth Society. last
night issued the following statement:
'It is well-known fact that the cru
SADIE against indecency in theatricals has
been warmly indorsed by theatrical lead
ers. When our open letter to the man
ayers was published a few months ago,
three Of the leading Washington man
ayers pledged their hearty support of the
movement against immoral and sugges-
tive productions. and one OF these man
ayers has been most helpful TO US In
matters pertaining 10 the stage. It
should be clear. therefore. that on the
whole the theater leaders are in hearty
the stage and to eliminate indecen:
shows.
I'VE have no sympathy with those per-
sons who voice their condemnation |
against the theater IN general declsr-
ing Il to be an invention of Satan and a |
corrupter of morals. These persons fail |
to see that the -thester is an institu- |
ton the existence Of which is coeral |
with civilization. and that even the |
lions In setting forth the sublimest !
truths Granted that corruptions have /
crept in, granted that the theater Is the |
last place in which religious-mlnded |
person would wish to spend his time-it |
will exist, people will go 20 II, and. for |
good or evil, there seems as little HkelL
hood Of its destruction az there is a de-
sire for II.
"PoIson" in Plays.
That which Is poisonous as associat-
cd with plays should be sought out and
eradicated. The drama itself is not per-
II Is the circumstances which
gather around Il that foster an evil. Let
managers feel their duty not only TO
society, but to their companies. Let the
public discountenance every insinuation
and innuendo against decency and moral
ty,' and a state of things will soon be
Is anxiously desired. Teach actors to re-
gard themselves with respect, to feel
the responsibility which their profess
sion places upon them. The author. ac-
Tor, or manager who would place before
his audience a foul play should be held
Up to the public odium. Such man in
ticts upon society a wound which time
aggravates into q moral leprosy."
The, following committee, Of which
fNOScd LONhlh6f SEohiudu VI buc H.
committee of the society. is to be spokes-
nan, will call on Mai. Sylvester:
Rev. Augustus J. Duarte. s. j., presi-
lent; Francis de Sales Ryan. NJ. Joseph
Ryan. John II. Berger. and Joseph C.
stack, executive committee: Rev. Eugene
4. Hannah. st. Martins Holy Name So
,iety: Rev. Ignatius Fealy. st. Joseph's
Holy Name Society; Charles Specht st.
dary's Holy Name Society; Joseph Zego-
Titz, the windthorst Club. inc, and Jo-
ieph E. Cotton. the Catholic Convert
League.
Officers of Society.
Officers Of the Truth Society are:
President. the Rev. Augustus ]. Duerte. I
]. J.; honorary vice presidents. the Kt
Rev. Mgr. Thomas ]. shahan, d. D.; Rt.
Rev. Mgr. William T. Russell. D. D.,
RI. Rev. Mgr. James +. Mackin, Rev
eugene Del Mcdonnell s. j.. Rev. John
Handy. c. s.. p, Hon Ben johnson, OF !
kentucky; vice president, Francis de ,
'ales Ryan; secretary, n. Joseph Ryan;
John H. Berger. H.