Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-31
AMERICAN LETTERS, 1920

DRlLE awards are invariably proyoca-
tive of criticism and dissent and there
will, of course. be voices raised TO dispute
the findings Of Columbia University iuries
regarding the best native accomplishments
of 1920 in various fields. including those of
art music, journalism. economics and
literature.
The last named is in particular province
concerning which most persons Of average
education entertain fairly definite opinions.
Individualism runs high The ordinary
reader of novel is usually assured Of his
competence to pass upon It's merits and the
ordinary spectator of his fitness to appraise
a play.
OF more than academic interest, there
fore. is the announcement that prize honors
from Columbia have gone to Edward w.
Box for intimate. stimulating and breezy
autobiography THE America nization Of
Edward Box: to Edith Wharton for her
novel, The Age of Innocence; to Iona
Gale for her play. Miss Lulu Bett." and
to Admiral Sims for his contribution to
world war history. THE Victory at Sea-
While it is inevitable that sins of omis-
sion will be promptly pointed out by numer-
Gus self constituted judges, even these, If
they are at all reasonable, can scarcely deny
the absolute merits of this list.
Mr. Bok's performance. although imita-
tive of Henry Adams In the adoption of the
Caessrian style Of speaking in the third per
son. is not otherwise a competitor with the
now famous Education and its rarefed
intellectually. He has told a fascinating
life story with much skill and easy charm.
Admiral Sims has not only displayed ad
mirablc qualities as a chronicler. but he
has lucidly revealed page Of history in
which most Americans thus far are not
deeply versed.
Omnvorous novel readers, and even the
less exhaustive absorbers Of current fiction,
may wonder at the neglect Of that bulky
and much discussed volume. Main Street
We're it necessary for the Columbia prize
jury TO justify itself. however, its answers
would probably be that while Sinclair
Lewis volumnous tale is Photographic and
in a sense elaborately true, it is one sided
picture savoring of special insistence upon
Il special point
The Age of Innocence is notably a
balanced performance. vivid. clear and en-
tertaining without the least surrender TO
fashionable gloom or tawdry sensational
ism. Barring some anachronlsms that are
surprising one of the most eminent of
American writer's has faithfully and with
| fine spiritual sincerity depicted the native
manners and customs of the seventies and
| the reactions of these conditions upon her
| well drawn characters.
If there is much less delicacy Of art in
! Miss Gales achievement. Miss Lulu Bett.
the little comedy adapted from the tale OF
the same title e1ceis in emphasis of por-
traiture and in a truly remarkable grasp
| of American character values. informed by
| keen sense of humor and satire which ts
| no less trenchant in being kept within the
bounds Of moderation.
Perhaps its most formidable rival upon
| the New York stage this season was The
First Year" Frank Craven's realistically
farctcal prescntatio of marital pioneers.
II is encouraging to observe that none OF
the four works selected for special laurels
is so vanly pretentous that it lacks the
vital spark Of interest and that the tone ot
all without the least trace Of the saccharine
is wholesome and sane. The quartet is un
uuestionabIy n credit to American letters.