The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1916-10-05
Speaker at Congregational
Church Makes Hearers
Think on Subject
of Drama.
CALLS IT TEACHING FORCE

Seventy men sat down to delicious
supper, prepared by the women of the
Congregational parish and served by
older boys of the Sunday school in the
social rooms of the Congregational
Church last evening. The decorations
were bouquets Of flowers from many
gardens of the parish.
On motion of G.. N. Tremper, tempo
rary officers Of an organized men IS
club were selected w. j. Mainland
was made president; Herbert Curtis,
secretary; and committee was elected
Ito serve with these in completing the
organization, consisting of the Messrs.
John Perkins, G. N. Tremper and I'll. E..
IRemer. A paper was circulated and a
large proportion of those present signed
las charter members.
The club then adjourned to the au-
sditorium OF the church where an audi
tence had already assembled to hear the
lecture Of the evening democracy and
the stage" by Harry Foster Burns.
lMr. Burns has a fine presence and de-
bightful voice for public speaking.
For an hour he held his audience as
Rhe talked. He showed in each the
Bmethod by which the writer had at
tempted to take up some social prob.
Hem, and solve it from the viewpoint
Fof modern democracy, whether in in
'dustry, the administration of justice,
Tor personal morality and honor.
Simply and without effort Mr.. Burns
won't on, covering the salient fields of
dramatic endeavor. Not one in the
audience but received from this enter
tanning address a new conception of
the important part the drama is play
ing in forming the ideals of the present
age.
"Most people," said Mr.. Burns.
still think of the theatre as a funny
place where funny people do funny
things. But a more serious purpose
controls the best writer's, especially of
the literary drama. Ibsen, a prophet
of the modern drama, says it is one Of
the most effective means of stirring the
consciences of the people to social re-
form GalsWorthy gleofully chuckles
at the effect his plays will have on peo-
pie seeking only amusement, for his
purpose is to reach the conscience.
bring conviction and at last, social ac-
ton making right the wrong. The
drama is an X-ray searching the cause
of ills in social life.
"The democratic spirit, finding ex-
preston in the life of Rousseau the
Halter of kings, which came to power
IN the French revolution, to voice in
German philosophy and in the novels
OF Dickens, came at last upon the
stage First in the plays of Hendrix
1bsen who in Brand gave a new sense
OF the value of the Individual and call
ed upon men to stand up with all their
might for the right.
Democracy in the home is the nrob-
lem OF Mazda" by Sudermann who
Portrays a young woman Of strong per
sonalty IN irrepressible conflict with
the tyrannlcles German paternal spirit
ancarnate in Col. Schwartz.
Democracy in industry is the nrob-
aem of 1.-THE Weavers" by Hauptman
and of Strife by Galsworthy. This
feeling for the individual comes 70
strong expression in Justice in which
John Galsworthy, Poet Of Democracy
makes one feel the stupidity of svs-
TEN of justice which brushes the viola.
Tor OF low; for Mr.. Galsworthv would
nave us see him not as criminal bnt
as patient.
The modern drama is serious drama
for LIES sake. An old English marion
sald hope we shall have no more Of
these problem plays; I like a nice little
loVe story where all ends happily, IT
"a. James leading writer Of PLAYS ask.
ed IN reply, My dear woman did vo,,
ever read your Billet To be real and
vital the drama must deal with nroh.
1ems' For feeling something wrong
recognizing the problem and fndino +be
'solution-that is life.