The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-01-25
STATE CENSORS' WIVES


Continued from rage One-l
the governor, viewed the picture for
Governor Capper. although the gov
Set11or personally passed on the ap-
peal.
1t is a pity all the people cannot
see such a wonderful picture" said
Mrs. Charles Sessions Il thought the
picture was simply wonderful OF
Scofirse I am a southerner and may
be prejudiced, but l thought it was
great. No it did not increase race
hatred with me, nor did l think it was
immoral. 1t was simply wonderful
picture"
1.-THE picture in itself was wonder
FIJI. No, it did not create race hatred
sT'hat was the verdict of Mrs. S. M
Brewster.
wives were guests of the Grand the
alter at the Sunday display of the war
Tim. Among them We're; Mrs W. r.
Davis, wife of w. e. Davis, state audi
TOR and Mrs. Earl AKerS, wife of Earl
Akers, state treasurer. Their hus-
bands are not members of the appeal
board Today these ladies declared
emphatically that they had enjoyed
the picture and regretted that 1t could
not be shown in Kansas.
81 thought it was the most wonder
full production l ever saw" said Mrs.
Davis ''I didn't leave with any feel
ing against the colored race and I
COuidnL see IHdl lIl6 pASLule We<9 III
moral Why, immoraH 1t wasn't
nearly as immoral as the Theda Bara
pictures, Really, l would like to see
the picture again.
1T was a grand picture" declared
Mrs. Earl Akers. ''It might create
race sentiment in some localities, but
my. it couldn't be called immoral. 1
think it was a remarkable picture and
that everyone ought to see it.
Mrs. Fosters Opinion.
Mrs Festus Foster, wife of the Rev.
Festus Foster. a member of the board
of censors, was called over the tele-
phone.
1T was a wonderful picture" said
the wife of the man who concurred
with w. D. Ross in Killing the picture:
81 think. though, it might be harmful
in Kansas"
From C. A Meek, state commander
of the G. A. r., came protest against
the war picture. The protest was sent
to Governor Capper and today drew a
column space in the administration
organ.
That was all very nice. Only Com
mander Meek, nor none of his staff,
nor none of the men who called to pro-
test against the film had seen the pic
ture. They merely based their opinion
on a statement from the attorney gem
eral of Ohio. as published in a Wash
ington paper.
mo. no, 1 didn't see the picture -
said Commander Meek today when
asked concerning his lengthy protest
But the picture should not be shown.
1t is a disgrace. 1t is insult" Then
the department commander explained
that he had based his opinion on news
paper clippings.
No Ground for Complaint.
When the picture was shown in To-
peka Sunday, Charles Mitchell, man
ager of the Crane & Co printing plant,
was among the guests. Mrs. Mitchell
also saw the picture.
1T was the greatest thing I have
ever SEEN" said Mr.. Mitchell las
for Mrs. Mitchell she thought there
was nothing that compared with it
The picture cannot be called immoral
and it did not increase race prejudice.
The negro of today is educated and
of a much higher class of people.
There could be no Just complaint
about the picture"
Before the state appeal board. H a.
Sherman, general manager of the pro-
ducing company, challenged the state
officials to leave the final decision to
an impartial and non-partisan de-
cision of theater patrons.
Il will let you select a crowd of
900 persons to view the picture, -
Sherman challenged, and if 900 OF