Pueblo chieftain., 1921-07-27

Washington, d, c., July 24.-High in
the list of typical american institu-
tons, together with election day and
the Ziegfield Follies, is the increas-
lngly popular form of entertainment
known as the Chautauqua, which has
been termed the Intellectual Circus of
America. Chautauqua authorities say
that last year approximately one-third
of the population of the United States
-S5, $50 people-attended Chautau-
qua performances. 1t has been pre-
dicted that this year the number en-
joying this form of educational enter
tainment and its sister type. the
| lyceum program, will reach the fifty
million mark.
Every state in TIL, Union has COM
tauqua, but the Great Chautauqua
Belt, as the trade term has 1t. lies in
the middle western states including
especially: Iowa, which has 1876: Illi-
nois, S52; Ohio. Sl7. and Pennsylvania.
Nebraska. Kansas, Missouri, Wiscon-
20l separate Chautauquas aside from
the great organization at Lake Chau-
| tauGua Last year s,Ssl towns granted
! their Inhabitants and those of neigh
boring communities the privilege of
fChautauqua prosrams.
The movement is growing beyond
the bounds of this country and at pres
ent two continents including four
countries have Chautauquas in their
midst. In North America the United
States. Canada, and Alaska are fav-
ored with the presence of these organ
cations. In Australia, Chautauqua
programs ire given in New Zealand.
Chinese students in this country are
said to he eager to carry the Chau-
| tauqua movement to their home coun-
try and Lloyd George. prime minister
of England. has been quoted as Civ
ing the Chautauqua his heartiest ap-
prevail
There seem to be four prime factors
in the psychological basis which lie
beneath the marvellous success of this
institution. They are the getting away
Of the members of the audience from
their mere community interests: the
getting together of a large body of
people under the cover of one OF these
khaki-covered colleges: the formal dis
cussion of big problems: and the de-
cidedly Informal atmosphere of the
place where the program IA given.
These factors when set down in in
flexible type look extremely para
doNical yet they are not. And. above
all. one should not forget. in this con-
nection. what Gilbert X Chcsterton,
king of paradoxists or such word
may be permitted has stated. namely.
that the American people have a
positively heroic capacity for giving
and receiving lectures.
ysder the brown Top
Come inside the big brown tent for
a minute and stand with others) be-
hind one Of the poles which support
the great brown top" Every folding
chair in the place is filed with solid
men. nervous women. blinking chill
dren. A young lady in n foulard dresa
sits with folded hands before the rent
ed upright piano. row OF perspiring
but earnest speakers and town offic-
ials rest their hands on their knees as
they sit in n semi-circle on the little
platform, the architectural crudeness
Of which is hidden beneath gay red.
white and blue draperies. Tiny flies
polka dot the suffering electric
| lights. The impatient honS OF the horn
on one OF the flock OF automobiles out
side is sounded occasionally. At length
| the gentleman standing by the rickety
| little cherry-varnished stand support
| ing the proverhial pitcher of ice-water.
has ceased speaking. a swarming
buzz of discussion gradually arises
| after the first timidly volunteered
questions. straGslinS groups wait TO