The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-05-23

cision Of the suit brought for the Times
against the managers This Is the first
time the courts have taken a rational
view OF the theater as a public place
since the Court Of Appeals ruled that q
theater was a managers private prop
erty. from which he had the right to
exclude any one not protected by some
popularity of race or creed. For the ex-
clusion the management was not COM
PEELED to have any higher motive or
better reason than his own whim or
caprice.
If the Times can make the present de-
cision stick. 1t deserves the gratitude Of
every newspaper. even Of those who lack
ed the backbone to put up any sort OF d
fight for their excluded critics. 1t Is a
distinct victory for honest criticism. and
throws the managers Of theaters back to
their former weapon for muzzling critics
the withdrawal of advertising patron
age from newspapers that refuse their
dictation in the expression of editorial
opinion. The use of this bludgeon Is SO
Immediately apparent. and the journals
that submit to it so quickly suffer In
prestige and public estimation. that It
Is no longer SO effective as 1t was in tho
days when 1t was used to drive William
Winter from his half-century connection
with the Tribune
The decision comes at a time OF year
when its effects will not be Immediately
apparent. The season for new produc-
tons calling for criticism is practically
over: but next fall several men who have
been unwelcome in various theaters, ow-
ing to the action Of the managers who
away as they please In almost every
case an excluded critic has lost his Job
and been driven to starve or find some
other way of making a living. With the
fear of exclusion removed, We may look
for franker and more reliable criticism.
modified only by the dependence of the
journal in which it appears or the neces-
sity for the money receipts from theat-
rical advertising, or the greed Of its con-
trollers for dead-head tickets.
Growth of Independence.
who is going to read books when
every one is writing books?" was a
query propounded at the beginning Of
the present era Of amateur novel writ
ing encouraged by the cheapening OF
printing processes. Who is going to
see acting when every one is acting?"
might be an equally appropriate Ques-
ton now with the building of little
theaters encourages enterprises like
the productions of the Washington
Square Players and those at the Neigh
borhood Theater down among the set
Elements where the young folks In the
congested districts are encouraged to
assume roles and act plays for the edu-
cational effect. Out-of-door theaters
are springing UP all over the country;
mostly in the grounds Of country
homes. and the entertainment Is sup
piled largely by home talent. In New
York there is a society active in build
ing up the minds of children by enlist
ing their interest in the performance
of plays written especially to At their
childish abilities. The activities of the
old societies of amateur actors both
here. and to q greater extent in Brook
Ign, are not so great as they used to
be. but a number Of performances arc
given every winter by these organiza-
lions. In colleges for both sexes acting
has come to be . very important in
terest.
All this interest in the playing of
plays. production of pageants and cos
tuning for tableaux and living pictures
indirectly feeds the interest in the
regular theater; but. carried to the ex-
tent shown by the Washington Square
Players. 1t presages perhaps the growth
of an independent theater entirely out
side Of the field covered by the COM
mercial and wholly professional insti-
buttons. 1t gives encouragement to
along new lines in the
way of play-writing. and permits ex-
periments not possible on the regular
stage. With the capitalization Of the
theater in few hands. there has como
q systemization which makes experi-
mental effort in new lines almost inn
possible: the cost Of failure being too
great This means a curb on the growth
Of art. for artistic development and dis
covery cannot come except by expert
ment. Therefore. the regular theater.
as we enjoy it. has by its elaboration
in material ways put strong limita-
lions upon individual effort In new
directions. The independent efforts
outside the regular theater-those on q
small scale as we'll as those more ex-
tensive in scope-give US the best hop6
for the development Of the drama and
of dramatic expression in America
efforts there may be the awakening Of
q future Shakespeare. the encourage
ment Of another Booth or Irving. From
such beginnings the drift would natuR-
ally be to the theater Of commerce.
which today is repressive rather than
Of independent accom-
plishment. There is one other hope
that some day America will produce q
sufficiently broad-minded
ment to make it independent of every
thing but artistic accomplishment.
The Washington Square Players are
going to wind up their initial season
1T the Bandbox by a weeks performances
of q program made up Of five Of the
most successful playiets included in their
former bills.
The late John Bunny. famous in pic
ture plays and long the recipient Of q
weekly salary. left an estate
Of only 5000. He was q free spender,
and. in addition. was interested In un-
successful theatrical ventures.
America scores in London by the ap-
parent success Of Tho Argyle Case"
with Mr.. Fred Terry a. the dtctograph
detective and the warm reception given
to Betty" q musical piece produced nc
Daly's, and Of which Gladys Cnger. an
American giri. 10 part author.
Charles Frohman had no contracts
With his stars. On that account Il seems
likely that Florens Ziegfeld. r.. win be
promoted from being simply the husband
Of Billie Burke to the position OF her
business manager.
The proceeds Of the Lambs pubic
sambol this year win 30 to the depleted
treasury Of the actors fund.
The war has interfersd with the pro-
poeed tours Of several American actors
In Australia, but 20 many Of our artists
have toured there or expect to whom
thinep have quieted that the big eDh-
tineat may BE- regarded almost a. out
CONTINUED on s@as ar. 81
s.,.l ~ =