Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-15
Chabas' Picture Not BroyIss' Idea
of PrOpriety, But It Is Within
the Law, He Says.
POLICE ACTION is HALTED
Display of u Shivering Maids,
Clad Only in MatutinaI Mists,
Is Still Undisturbed.


day looked upon the shivering lass
in NJ. Paul Chabas' September
Morn" which the police had planned
to exile from the window of the Cole
Book Company, and opined that she
was not an undesirable person and
that the picture is neither obscene
nor vulgar within the meaning of the
city statutes.
And so the lass, frowned upon In
New York and censured in Chicago,
may SILVER on unclad here, and will
not be forced to take her baths in
hooks more secluded than a show
window in full view OF whitehall
Street.
An imposing case was being made
out by Assistant Police Chief Jett
against H. S. Cole, proprietor Of the
store in whose window are displayed
a dazzling array of September
Morns." He privately had called
number Of prominent Atlantans, whom
he knew to be connoisseurs of art.
with the request that they appear be-
fore the Recorder Monday to fur
nish expert testimony as to the exact
status Of the young damsel in the
realms OF art. September Morn"
was going to be another Phryne be-
fore the judges.
Having arrayed his experts. Chief
Jett sent out Policeman Ed Arthur
with the authority to arrest Mr.. Cole.
OF the book store. The policeman met
Recorder Broyles on whitehall Street
and confided his mission.
Recorder Takes a Lock.
Let's take q look" said the Re-
corder. IF the case Is going to be
tried before me. we may save some
trouble"
They looked.
In the window Of the Cole Book
Store they saw 81 maidens, all alike,
all timldly shiverlng as they stood
ankle deep in a blue silver lake, all
arrayed in Natures own garments.
HMM" said Recorder Broyies, in
meditation. Policeman Arthur dis
creetly said nothing.
The Recorder bethought himself of
the law in the case. and gave It final
ly as his opinion that the picture was
not obscene. vulgar or licentious,"
within the meaning Of the law.
However, he told the policeman
that the opinion thus vouchsafed was
unofficial, and that II case were
made against the book store man and
brought before him he would consid-
er carefully every bit OF evidence. But
the policeman went back to Chief
Jett without arresting Mr.. Cole.
Recorder Broyles later discussed !
his verdict.
Not an Art Critic.
II was merely considering the APP
plication Of the city law TO the pic |
ture." he said. Il would not want to |
pass upon its artistic merits. There |
are some things about It do not like: |
personally. l don't approve OF the
nude in art: l don't approve OF this
September Morn picture altogether. |
But I can't see where it violates the
city ordinance"
After this verdict, Chief Jett was /
not sure last night that he would per |
sist in arresting the exhibitor Of the |
picture in controversy.
we will further investigate IT,, he
said. probably thinking Of the art /
critics" whom he had enlisted as
witnesses earlier in the day.
The woman whose shocked voice 4
informed Chief Jett over the tele-
phone Saturday morning that the pic
ture was really very, very vulgar has 4
not been Identified. The policeman
who caugb. her call asked her about
herself
But her protesting voice. which had
begun its story at high nervous pitch,
had gradually receded, and at the last
mad dwindled TO an awestruck wills
per.
And what did you say your name
is?'' the officer asked.
Only a Throaty Gurgle.
At the other end resounded only a
throaty gurgle. Il may have been
horror, il may have been propriety,
but something plainly had over
whelrned the lady. Then 1t was that
the Chief sent Detective Shaw TO the
scene.
Detective Shaw was sure the IN
known informant wac right and that
the picture should be removed The
book store man protested vigorously,
and talked TO the policeman OF art
high and low, art natural and art fu-
turist the why's and the wherefores
Of art. But Detective Shaw was ada
mant.
Things happened in a hurry then.
While the lass stood shivering In the
AXE. Mr.. Cole appealed 20 Chief Jet.
The Chief appealed 20 Willis Ever
EFT. chairman Of the Carnegie Library
trustees. and there were frenzied dis
russions But the lass In the picture
seemed doomed 70 a trip 10 the dress
makers until Recorder Broyles ar
rived on the scene with his opinion
hat the city law had its limits so
r. az september Morn" y eoResTaed. !