The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-04-23
ADMINISTRATION
 WOULD CENSOR SPERRY'S DRAMA
But Local Playwright Refuses to Let
 Police See It
Says Tom Lawson and Others Gan Muck Rake = Why
 Can't He Do II?

Is the forthcoming production at the Park theatre. written and man aged by Robert M. Sperry to be stop ped by municipal injunction because it may contain matter detrimental to the administration? That Is the ques- ton which is perplexing both politi- clans, policemen, and friends of the author. today.
 It was learned by The Farmer to- day that MT. Sperry had called at the mayors office on Monday last in an sWer to alleged intimations that un- less inJudicious references to recent police appointments and certain other differences between the playwright and the police officials were eliminat- ed the curtain would not be permitted to rise on the performance.
 When asked if it were true that the matter had been discussed with the Mayor or that he had been ordered to expunge certain lines, the producer admitted that he had been advised to submit the manuscript to the superin- tendent of Police.
 He stated: -I was recently inform ed by a prominent clergyman of this city, whose name should deprecate bringing before the public, that he had been informed on reliable au- thority by the police that the play was to be stopped. I immediately WSIlI lO MayOT w l1SOn ana 1rankly asked him if he thought, knowing me from boyhood days, would write anything childish Vindictive against individual members of the force or administration. He said, T do not know to which replied that the only play the authorities had the privilege of stopping was one that was obscene or affecting the morals of the city, and not for the reason that any one or more persons in the city or audience did not like it. Iftf1en of- fered to read him the manuscript to which the replied: You'd had better take it up with the superintendent of police
 -I did not see why I should be com pe1led to submit my manuscript to the chief of police, and indicating what believe to be my rights, I left to visit my attorney, George E. Hill, who has since advised me of my legal status in the controversy.
 ''I shall proceed with my rehearsals, irrespective Of what seems a childish attitude for a big administrative ganization to take against an individ- uaI. have secured the promise of several well known pIaywrights of na- tfona1 fame to be present at the first performance, and in the event of of ficia1 interference shall seek redress in the courts.
 Although I do not propose to men tion any person by name, and have purposely laid my scenes far from this city, my production may be termed a municipal play and feel within my rights when such topics as may be inirnica1 to certain interests are brought forth. They have in other cities been much more prominently Haunted than I propose, in such plays as the z+Conspiracy', and in magazine articles like the Hearst Standard Oil exposures, the Thomas W. Lawson se- ries on 'Frenzied Finance, and the Autobiography of a Chief of Police, recently appearing in the Saturday Evening Post, where names were free Iy used"
 Mayor Wilson when asked if it were true that the administration proposed to prevent the production upon the ru- mored grounds denied that he fad sent. for MT. Sperry, or that official action had been taken