New-York tribune., 1919-11-12
The Rev. DR.. ]. III. Straton
Calls Stage Aid to Evil,
but Ministers and Rabbis
Laud Its Good Work
Plays Preaching Praised
Tributes Paid in Church at
Armisticc Day Celebra-
ton for Actors Fund

Members of his own calling last
night disagreed with the Rev. DR.. John
Roach Straton, pastor of Cavalry Bap-
tist Church, in his attack upon the
ideals of the modern theater. DR..
Straton's letter to Daniel Frohman de-
clining to participate in an Armisticc
Day celebration at the Church Of the
Heavenly Rest, in behalf OF the Actors
Memorial Fund, was answered at the
celebration by four clcrgymcn and W. I
Ward Smith, associate chairman Of
the Business Mems Organization OF
Greater New York, which is backing
the drive. DR.. Straton wrote:
"Rcplying to your telegram of tho
seventh instant, | am writing now to
say | regret exceedingly that ] can
not accept your invitation to speak at
tho meeting in the Church Of the
Heavenly Rest. in celebration OF the
work done during the war by theater
people.
"While, as an American citizen, I
appreciate the part that actors and
other citizens played in connection
with the war activities, and rejoice in
their patriotism, nevertheless have
such pronounced views on the subject
OF the modern thcater as it now exists
that have. with great regret and
most respectfully, to decline your in
vitation.
Some Shining Exceptions
Il do not agree with what you say
IN Your telegram that the stage, under
It's present leadership and methodf is
calculated to elevate the lives of the
people. On the other hand. though
nave been student and devotee Of
the dramatic art all my life never
thelesa feel, with Ny William Winter
day, that the modern theater has pros
tltutcd art on the affairs of CONNER
cialism, that its main and primary
motive is neither art nor the elevation
of the people, but dividends, aud that,
consistently with those low ideals OF
money making by any means and at
any cost. it Will put upon the boards
the most salacious absurd and even
indecent productions, If only thereby
the box Office receipts are increased.
"Furthermorc, while I gladly
acknowledge that there arc some shin
ing exceptions to the general rule
Judging merely by the criticisms Of
those from withn the ranks OF the
theater people of to-day, the moral life
OF actors and actresses is deplorably
low.
UNLESS the fathers of daughters to-
day are willing to allow their own
daughters to make such display OF
Their persons as the girls and women
upon the stage are expected to make,
then they have no right either to
sanction or to encourage such an in
stitution as the modern theatcr"
Disagree With DR.. Straton
"As minister am glad to have this
meeting held in a church, said the
Rev. Herbert Shipman, pastor of thh
church, in opening the meeting "As
pastor Of this church am glad TO have
1t held here. want TO testify 10 the
! splendid selfGacriiice and work Of tho
thoatrical profession toward he ping
the American EXpeditionary Forces ia
the God-foraaken mud holes OF France
There is great hope for a growing
understanding and sympathy between
the theatrical profession ard the
church The church has at last seen
the light, and realizes that lesser con-
stollations as we'll as greater help to
The church will stand by the stage.
which is itself an outgrowth of the
church, declared Rabbi Joseph Silver
man. Rabbi Nathan Krass declared
that such plays as ''Thc Miracle Man"
alone had preached to thousands that
the church could not reach.
"Whle the stage may have its evils
and the church its shortcomings" he
said, both are 10 be commended for
their great worth rather than abused
Cor their faults
Rabbi II. Pe.cira Mendcs, of the
Portuguese Synagogue, said that "ac
tors arc more than actors. They are
sons OF Cod
Similar tributes were paid by Major
General Robert L. Bulard and Police
Commissioner Enright. kilograms of
praise were read from General Leon
ard Wood, who lauded the theatrical
profession for Its patriotic efforts in
combating dangerous and unsound
propaganda: A. Mitchell Palmer. At
torney General; Secretary Of the Navy
Daniels, Assistant Secretary of the
Navy franklin y. Roosevelt, Cover
Mors John J. Cornwell Of West Viz
glnia and James N. Cox Of Ohio:
Carter Glass, Secretary OF the Treas
uiy. and Senators Lodge, Borah and
Mccormick.
Mr. Smith ended his statement on
DR.. Straton's attack with Evil be TO
him who evil thinks''
The Actors Memorial Fund now
totals S317,2S6, it was announced at
the meeting.