Evening star., 1917-01-07


and quality to support this claim. The
writer has not even a rag OF Illusion
left about the theater. The theater.
In reality. has no ideals, no sincerity of
genuine interest in dramatic art, no
moral scruples in regard to either play
wrights or actors. no plans except half
baked plans. whose sole objective is to
gent ventures as these may be made to
yield. A hundred concrete cases are
given here to prove these charges
against the theater. It Ia sordid
story. through which no single CLEAN
of encouragement shows. The writer
says Of himself: MY employers will
soon be in receipt Of my resignation.
and. unless. perchance. their eyes fall
on this and they recognize the writer.
the resignation itself will be the first
intimation Of my Intention to Withdraw
from the executive direction Of their
affairs. ] am now in a position at last
to tell the truth about the theater and
the theatrical business. The public has
not had the truth, or at most 1t has
had only a little truth, or a back
ground Of truth, never the plain truth.
The matter is more serious than the
public suspects, and / make only con-
the theater) has brought ruin to hum
dreds and misery to thousands" Then
follow definite accusations against every
phase of theatrical life. with abuh-
dance of concrete evidence In their sup
port.
CHARLES FROHMAN: Manager and
Man. By Isaac +. Marcosson and
Daniel Frohman. Illustrated with
portraits New York: Harper &
Bros.
This general appreciation opens with
a special tribute by James Barrie. 1t
closes with a group of Frohman's let
ters and complete chronological list
of the Frohman productions. Between
these two points is volume OF rec
ords and anecdotes that sketch in the
life and character Of Charles Frohman
and give. in outline. besides, the rise
Of many actor and the production
of many notable play under the ini-
tiative and inspiration of Mr. Frohman
himself. 1t is a very lovable man that
emerges from these pages. one in whom
even strangers take delight To his
host of friends this boob will be per-
sonal treasure in very special way
will this be true of those whom his en-
couragement advanced in their profess
sion. The account of Charles Froh-
mans death on the sinking LusitanIa
is a hero story, one that honors any
field of high adventure. The whole is
an exceptional tribute to an exceptional
man.
THE PHYSICAL BASIS OF SOCIETY.
By Carl Kelsey, Phi. D.. professor OF
sociology. University Of Pennsyl-
vania. New York: d. Appleton &
Co.
This sociological study separates into
two parts. The first outlines the
physical background OF life and traces
the relation of the organism to its en-
vironment. The second deals with the
evolution OF man. sketching the growth
OF this theory and defining its general
principles. II studies. briefly, the sub
ject OF heredity in its relation to So
ciety. and sums the nature and purpose
OF certain social institutions. Correla-
tlon is the mark of this writer's
method From a great number Of sub
jects and many departments of knowl-
edge he draws such facts and demon
strations serve to prove and illus
trate the various aspects of this socio-
logical Investigation. 1t ia a many
ject under consideration, a most stimu-
lating book for the general reader. 1t
is, In sum, reproduction of the
writer's lectures to his classes at the
University OF Pennsylvania, and, in
large measure. 1t par.akes o. the in
formali;y of Its original presentation,
a feature that adds much to it's value
for the use OF the unframed reader.
OCR FIRST WAR IN. MEXICO. BY
Farnham Bishop. author Of "Pana-
ma. Past and Present. etc. Illus
trated. New York: Charles Scrib-
ner's Sons. Washington: Brentaho's.
This Is a rapid and spirited survey
Of our war with Mexico. a timely con-
tribution to historical reviews. The
writer claims, and claims fairly, one
thinks. that there is place for a dispas-
sionate study of the origin and out
come of that conflict. This he gives in
n condensed and well ordered account.
The Iu,,Dl ration for iilla stiId,- ,.:,lle OH