The Washington times., 1914-11-08
SOME LEFT-OVERS FOR THE
THEATER OILERS
BY GARDNER MACK.


While it has been a pet theory of
mine, after close study of the subject
IN several sections OF the universe.
that old Mother Nature in a fit of un-
wonted extravaganza, and their own
combination of common sense and eX-
traordnary lovability, was responsible
Tor the supremacy of American women
over every other kind in all points OF
Womanhood. il appears that the great
American plumber has had something
TO do with 1t. At least. that is the
conclusion reached by Mile. Chapine.
the sprightly French woman, who is
doing so well most of the plain and
fancy p-ima donna-ing for the Shu-
berts in The Whirl of the World,
which comes to the Belasco this week.
While Mile. Chapine is patriot of
strongest sort, she has, nevertheless,
a very deep admiration for the Amer1-
can woman. This admiration has been
growing ever since the fair lady was
a child and was struck by the fineness
of the types Of American woman she
saw in Paris. She claims that the best
dressed and best gowned woman In
Paris is an American, who never for
gets the fact and never tries to ape
French manners or customs or dress.
She declares that are many OF this
type in Paris and they are a joy to
look upon. AS a girl, she wondered
what the secret of their beauty and
their carriage was. Now she says she
knows. 1t Is the American bath tub.
And, therefore, she declares American
girls have the American plumber to
thank for q great part of their beauty.
Il might be said, In passing. that Mile
Chapine has not overlooked the Amerf-
can men in her study OF our people
She thinks the bath tub has much to
do with making them tall and straight
and broad-shouldered and handsome.
Mile. Chapine's observations regarding
the way American women should dress
are quite pointed. be 1t said. To be the
best dressed women in the world. she
do is to retain their individuality. They i
should always remember they are
Americans. They should not try 10
appear Frenchy. Any American Wom-
but she does so at the expense Of being
we'll dressed.
Harvey O'Higgins and Harriet Ford
can congratulate themselves that tney
accomplished one thing In their presen-
tatfon of "Polygamy' in Washington
last week. They have lined up some OF
the ministers in favor OF their very
plain spoken propaganda play. WINE
we are not altogether convinced thdt
the theater is the place for the pre-
sentation or airing Of public grievances
for which corrective measures nave al
ready been adopted by the authorities'
at the same time there is no reason
why II should not be IL the public wants
II And it would certainly seem that IL
public conscience is to be stirred. the
theater can do 1t as effectively as a
magazine article on the same subject
or at least the average magazine ar
ticle the recollection Of the actlV1tles OF
Ida NJ. Tarbell and Mr. Lawson, OF Bos-
ton. rising up at this point and requir-
ing a reasonable amount Of mental res
ervatton with that statement. The au-
thors Of ''Polygamy" We're skillful
enough to get dramatic story from
their material, a story that was well
told and with due respect to the rough
ness of a first performance. very we'll
presented. The only question. there
fore. seems to be the place chosen for
its presentation.
If the ministers OF Washington think
the subject is well chosen for produc-
tion in dramatic form, K would seem
that the authors have gained a great
deal No less an authority than the
Rev. DR.. Wallace Radcliffe, pastor OF
The historic New York Avenue Presby-
terian Church, has taken occasion to
praise the play to me In most un-
Unstable way He expressed regret that
it's production here should have taken
place in the absence OF Congress, and
stated that he hoped 1t would be shown
here again so that every member Of
the House and Senate could see 1t. He
characterized it as bringing home a big
lesson and preaching a great moral. AS
Dr. Radcliffe is rather conservative In
his consideration Of theatrical entertain
ments, his praise of ''Polygamy" might +
be even termed enthusiastic. While no
other Washington ministers have made
the play the subject of discourse In my
hearing, ] am given to understand that
several of them saw IL and were as IA
vorably impressed as their colleague.
One item Of news Of old and trusted ,
friends of Washington theatergoers
that comes rushing hitherward this
week concerns the activities Of George ,
Barber and Carrie Thatcher at the !
American Theater in Philadelphia and
announces the assumption Of manager
ial duties by Barber In connection
with the stock company at that temple ]
OF momus. The BARRIERS have been IA {
ADJUSTMENTS