The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-02
MAYOR ORDERS MORE
CUTS IN THE NATION.
Tells Producers Of Film Play
1t Creates Racial Prcju-
dice.
OWNERS DEFEND PICTURE

Having heard OIL Tuesday the argu-
ment of those who think the motion pic
ture play, THE Birth OF Nation.
should be stopped. or at least expur-
gated, Mayor Mitchell listened TO the
other side Of the controversy yesterday.
ID. w. Griffith producer OF the spec
tacle; his counsel. Martin w. Litteton.
and Thomas Dixon. upon whose story.
"The Clansman," the second half OF
The Birth OF Nation" is founded, de-
Tended the work against the attack
made by the National Association Tor
the Advancement of Colored People. Mr
Griffith said that although several OF
the scenes had been cut, he was notified
yesterday by the Department OF Licenses
that the theatre would be closed unless
further changes were made.
IL want to do what is right. he told
the Mayor, but | do not want TO be
persuaded by few people when know
they are wrong"
To this the Mayor replied:
"NIy mind Is quite free. ] have seen
the play II It were, as you suggest,
merely an argument against the mar
rage OF blacks and whites the question
might be different. but there are two
scenes that go further and appeal to
race prejudice. and I feel that they
ought 10 be modified The negro citizens
have certain rights that have to be OBJ
served no matter what you and think
about the matter.
He suggested that IL Mr.. Griffith and
his friends watched the pictures In the
/ Liberty Theatre with License Commits
sioner Bell and Deputy Commissioner
Kaufman a satisfactory agreement
could be reached. II was decideu 'ha'
this should be done.
Mr.. Littleton spoke harshly OF the As
sociation for the Advancement of Col
| ored People He said II purposed "a
establish social equality between whites
/ and blacks, and that II had organized
n lobby in twelve States and the Dis
trict OF Columbia TO defeat bills which
| were designed TO prevent interracial
marriage,
! Mr. Dixon defended his work as his
! torically accurate. and said h. mad Of
! fered a $4,000 reward for any proof ia
/ the contrary.
ut is not apparent what are the
grounds of the objection urged against
this drama,
THE criticism that II exhibits the
negro In an unfortunate light and that
IL is calculated to engender racial ami
mostly is fully met by the consideration
that II represents the negro. not as
he Is now at all, but as ne was "
the days when he had just had the
chains broken from him and when hs
was rioting In the deliciousness OF lib
erty."
Mrs Rosalic NJ, Jonas. suffragist, sent
"A letter to the Mayor protesting against
1.-THE Birth of a Nation as vicious anc
vulgar" The letter also was signec
by Mrs. Harriet stanton Blatch, Mrs
Carrie Chapman Gait, Mr., and Mrs
Norman de II. Whitehouse, and othel
suffrage workers.
The hearing OF charges against Harr,
Aiken and u. w. Griffith. producer
of The Birth of a Nation" was pu
over until next Thursday by Magistrate
McQuade yesterday In the Jefferson
Market police court.
The adjournment was granted at tn,
request of Reuben Peckham. representa-
tive of James w. Osborne. attorney 20
the National Association for tn
Advancement OF the Colored peopl.
Mr. Peckham told the Magistrate
that In view OF certain changes II
the play agreed to al a recent hear!nl
before Mayor Mitchell the charge woul'
fprobably be withdrawn when the cas-
Is called.