The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-26
Missives of Politicians Con-
demning Film Made Public.
Capper Declared "Birth of Ma
tom Unfair to Negroes.
SESSIONS COULDN'T BELIEVE IT
Mrs. Prentis Said She Heard
Southern Women Dragging.
Producers Answer State in SUI
preme Court Today.

Contents of letters sent 10 the stdte
censor board by Governor Capper'
Charles H. Sessions his private secre-
tary and Mrs. Caroline Prentis' prom
inent Kansas club woman, are made
public today in an answer before the
supreme court in the Birth OF Ma
ton" suit The letters are quoted by
ATTORNEYS for the producers IN an Ell
fort to establish the fact that politi-
cal influences are being used to par
the picture from Kansas.
When the war picture was brought
to Topeka under an approval by the
censor board, the state sought a writ
of mandamus from the supreme
court. They asked the court to direct
the producers to return the picture
for further review. In an answer to
dav the producers declare that the
eensor board-at least two of the
three members-desire a review for
the purpose of killing the film They
do not intend to review the picture
on its merits, it is asserted
Pressure for Recall.
It was after the picture was APP
proved by the state board that letters
were sent from the governors office.
4 In these letters, it is asserted, pres
sure was brought to bear on the CEN
sors-all women-to recall the PIC
ture and prevent it's display in Kan
sas towns. The producers today as
serted that the picture was not only
approved with certain eliminauons,
but that the state board provided
fifteen foot film announcing It's APP
prevail Not until after letters were
received from the state house in To
peka was review of the picture de-
manded, it is urged. Attorneys Tor
the producers deny the claim that
race prejudice will be aroused thru
a display of the film and point to the
recent Topeka exhibitions
Mrs. Prentis Wrote.
Mrs Caroline p. Prentis, well
known Topeka club woman, sent Mrs
]. NJ. Miller, chairman of the board,
this following sweet and endearing
letter concerning the war picture:
My Blessed Friend
Lust heard that you had passed
the birth of a Nation" RECALL 1T.
If you value the esteem of the loyal
people of Kansas, do this. 1t is an
insult to the old soldiers and to every
loyal person in this state. 1t is an
outrage / heard southern women in
California Dragging that at last they
had been able to get their side of the
controversy presented to the people:
Am attending a meeting of the council
of defense here in the governors Of
fee so no time to write real letter.
With love and every good wish
CAROLINE PRENTIS."
In a postscript Mrs. Prentis added;
Aside from any other argument
against it, this is not time to be stir
ring up feelings which that picture
Will. STIR up.
The same day Mrs. Prentis wrote to
Mrs. Miller, a letter was also sent by
Charles H. Sessions, secretary to Gov
ernor Cappear and chairman of the
III Republican state committee. In his
letter Sessions said:
Sessions Didn't Believe 1t.
There is a rumor here that the
censor board has passed The Birth
of a Nation 1 cannot believe it
That's why l am writing. That pic
hr
north. 1t gIorifies the worst gang OF
cut throats that ever infested America
the Ku Klux Khan. 1t also pictures
our Union officers and soldiers as the
rag tag of creation. 1t also perverts
history. That a board of loyal Kansas
women would pass such a picture is
inconceivable to me and l shall MOI
believe it until I hear from you per
sonany that such is the case"
The acknowledgements.
May .. the following day. Governor
Capper sent this letter to Mrs. B. L
Short a member of the state censor
board
i greatly appreciate your kind let
ter of May 7. 1 am so busy here on
account of the additional duties
brought on by the war situation thai
! viii not be able to give much at
tention to the senatorship, but viii
depend upon my friends. Anything
you can do will be appreciated very
much.
Il am sorry to learn that the
board passed favorably upon THE
Birth of a Nation / cannot helI
but feel that It will be a serious mis-
take to let this picture be shown in
Kansas at this time. 1t is certain tC
nj arouse prejudice and create bad feel
AZ ing in cities like Kansas City, To-
pel1a and wichita which have large
colored population The picture is
= unfair to the colored people 1t has
been turned down in a great many
cities on that account and Kansas
which has always stood for an equa
opportunity regardless of race OF
creed, ought not to take a backward
step"
Very respectfully.
"ARTHUR CAPTER Governor