The Washington times., 1914-06-14

The old philosopher who first dis
covered the Importance of the unexpec-
ted happening was undoubtedly a pre-
Alstorlc Snowman. 1t is the unexpected
tnat Is always happening in the busi-
ness OF providing amusement for people.
When Cosmo Hamilton wrote the story
or The Blindness of Virtue" he did
IL In the spirit of a tired reformer who
was anxious to get a very big idea
before the public, but despaired of get
ting a public hearing for it. He wrote
the story in desperation. Then came
ITS surprising success in novel form that
led TO the demand for a dramatization
of II. When the play was made it was
feared that the great public-the public
that pays the expenses of the amuse-
ment business-would not appreciate it.
The stern middle class morals of the
greater part of our Anglo-SaXon civili-
cation would never stand for the pre-
ssntation of facts in the bald way ii
would be necessary to present them in
such a play. AS a consequence effort
was made TO get the most authoritative
Endorsements for the piece-indorse-
ments from the clergy, from the edi-
tors of the regular press, from the men
whose duty it is to uphold or foster the
spiritual welfare OF the race The in
Qorsements were obtained without more
difficulty than the labor and expense
involved in asking for them, because
''The Blindness of Virtue has the
unique distinction of being one play
that has never had an adverse criticism
Rs q play.
1t has remained for pure chance to
bring about what is perhaps the great
est Endorsement the play has ever been
Given-a chance that grew out of
clever advertising scheme which con-
templated no eventuality. At the Poll
Theater last week the management dis
tributed postcards among the people in
the various audiences requesting the
recipient to write his or her individual
opinion Of the play and address it to
some friend who might want to spend
an evening in the theater during the
week The sole idea OF the manage
ment was to increase the business of
the house. The postcards were gath
cred up by an usher after they were
written. and were mailed Immediately
after the show to the various addresses.
Practically every postcard opinion in
dorsed the show, and every one of those
written were faithfully mailed, whether
they contained Endorsement or not.
That Is, all the cards were mailed but
one. This card was so out Of the ordi-
nary that ii was not sent-and, besides,
the writer had not compiled with the
requirements and signed her name.
The card WAS addressed to woman in
Virginia, and it read:
I saw the blindness of Virtue this
week, and l think it is hne. Suppose
you go; it might be an eye-opener, |
since you have not seemed 20 think it
advisable to teach to your daughter the |
lessen it teaches. Sufficient until the |
day
YOUR DAUGHTER"
There isn't anything much that a per-
son could add TO that. If you saw
the "Blidness of Virtue" you recognize |
the suggestion of the tragedy in those |
lew words. And you also see in II |
the greatest Endorsement ever written |
FOR the play. If you Gid not sec 1t, you |
missed the best play Of its peculiar |
type that has ever been produced here,
and the chances are it will not be pro- ,
oUoed again in this city.