New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-22
Convention Hears Plea to
Enforce Decency in
Screen Plays.
WILSON ASSAILED
FOR CARRANZA AID
Jess Willard and Anthony
Comstock Praised by
Speaker.

stock, was read yesterday by the dele
gates TO the fifteenth annual conven-
ton of the American Federation OF
Catholic Societies. Even Jess Willard,
the heavyweight champion, was com
mended for his views on marital fe-
LEFTY.
1t was the third day of the conven-
ton. 1t began with memorial mass
at st. Patrick's Cathedral and ended
after midnight, when groups OF dele
gates met Informally after the Social
Service Conference at Carnegie Hall.
For the last few days committees had
been preparing attacks upon the i'm
moral features of the stage and the
motion picture screen; against the ad-
ministration, for its recognition Of
Carranza, and against the circulation Of
ansrchistic and anti-Catholic literature
through the mails. These were made
public yesterday.
While these reports may be modifed
before acted upon by the federation
proper, it is generally understood that
efforts will be made to purify the thea
tire and motion picture performances
and to secure legislation that will make
divorce less easy.
Mexican Situation Discussed.
The Mexican situation was taken up
in the report of Anthony Matre, OF
Chicago, secretary of the fedel alton,
which reviewed the steps taken by the
various Catholic organizations TO pre-
vent the recognition of Carranza and
protests that had been made against
the indignities heaped upon church
men and lay members Of the chuIch.
he cited correspondence that had
passed between the federation and the
White House, and read the reply OF
the chairman OF the federauon's spe-
cial committee on Mexican affairs IN
reply TO Secretary Tumulty's defence
Of the administration Mexican policy
The letter was sent soon after Senior
Arredondo, Carranza's representative
in Washington, made public Carran-
zas promise of respect for life, Id
erty. property and religious belief
without limitations.
Reply Sent to Tumuiy.
The reply TO Mr.. Tumulty from the
federation said:
"Tbis promise Of Carranza becomes
a tactical mistake in view of the fact
that the spoliation of converts and
churches and the persecution OF
priests and sisters have been merrily
going on. Not since the French rev
olution has the world witnessed such
an orgy of murder, lust and general
defiance Of rights, human and divine.
Those Catholics who have come TO
the jelly-dsh state Of mind that for
bids them 10 say a word in protest
against the oUtrages committed IN
/ Mexico serve notice on our enemies
in this country that they may now do
the like TO us.
Edward Feeney, Of Brooklyn, knight
Of St. Gregory and chairman Of the
national committee on public morals, in
his address said: I'VE are not pessl-
mistic. American decency is still in
the ascendant, but we have with Us
variety of peIniclOus cults and phllOso-
phies. From the mysterious East Ind
ian, in Oriental robes, mystic gewgavs
and a perfumed atmosphere, cultiyating
a cult designed chiefly TO lure female
patrons with more money than brains,
down the line 10 the ordinary radical
who wants TO smash things generally,
insidious or open assaults are made
( upon public morality in America
He cited the beneficial effects OF
1 public protests against indecency on
: the screen in various communities
and recalled how st. Louis had sup
/ pressed THE Artists Affair" IN which
n nude woman pOscd
Attack Made on Movies.
"Tho District Attorney Of Kings
| County" he said, recently proceeded
/ against theatre that exhibited
/ Where Are My Children" a birth
/ control photo play that outranks IN
| bald indeccncy the worst that pre-
I coded it." The speaker urged imme-
| date action in providing strict moral
censorship bill
Mr.. Feeney referred to the readiness
with which certain features Of Marie
/ Odile" were removed when Mayor
/ Curley Of Boston suppressed the
performance, and cited the protest Of
/ a Protestant minister against The
/ Eternal Magdalene" as sample OF
what folk Of other Christian faiths
thought Of this type Of play.
THAT the general public wants clean
plays" said Mr. Feeney, "is best exem-
plfed in the long runs of the delight
tul comedies, such as Peg o Ny Heart
and Daddy Long-Legs
/ Mr.. Feeney recommended a concerted
attack upon the 100 bur!esque theatres
/ in the United States.
Praise for Jess Willard.
In discussing the subject OF divorce
/ Jess Willard was cited as the "hstc
champion who gave divorce stih
I'm view Of the fact that the courts
Of this country have granted over one
million divorces in the last ten years, ,
said Mr.. Feeney, I'VE were impressed
bv the homely admonitlon from Jess
Willard. What DO you want your little
Girls 10 do" he was asked. To get
married after they are educated. There
4 is nothing in il for men and women but
"a get married and stay married There
is a whole volume IN twenty-three
words" .-.L.o.
Afrer reviewing a variety OF tributes
+ to tho Catholics from well known Prot
ss+snts including the Rev. DR.. ).
! Parkes Cadman and the Rev. l. W.
I Southerton. of Brooklyn, Mr.. teeney
had this to say Of the late Anthony
The Society for the Suppression Of
Vice lost in the death Of Anthony Com
stock brave and unselhsh fighter
sgainst impurity. In a battle OF forty
years against this vice he destroyed
;ore of Nile literature and had sent 10
prison many offenders
Billy Sunday Lauded.
The speaker referred TO a recent ap-
neal made By the Rev. Homer {.
STUNT. a missionary bishop OF the
Nbrrch