The Washington herald., 1921-10-09
Vox Populi Speaks
BY EARLE DORSEY.

ward awaiting IOnshera American cultural
aesthetic.
controversy mentioned began with ferociou verbal blast
the editor calling the high godsa und-to
from these columns such paodes criticism appeared
too frequently, and aang the old familiar writing
fellow whose maunderings constantly odds
suburban thought matters vocabulary particular
outlying education and who needed
critical incompetence would be found utterly
great American drama much theory physician
of pernicous anema
This scholarly ehad Immediately by chorus of
epstoary shouts and geculatOns from another and
faction who went far in the opposite direction
socaed critic under fire. by headng abroad only ability
write the great American drama itself but by proclang sweeping
fashion, his unqueioned brlance Judge
mentor of all things dramatic Eventually of course
died down IN parting whisper or two from each side but while
lasted proved what might be called illuminating selnaysis
the local public mind the question of heater reviewing
II be that inbortauec ,ezuney
this TEMPEST teapot Perhaps after o bearing gen-
e'al QHes" of A"eron literary consciousness
that of grafs Perhaps Thing
true culture hteroey, here elsee the
peahh.
fact the whole discussion viewed from the stand
limited in the nevertheless revealed for the first
time in memory that there is element of the native POpu
on that only has attained of critical appreciation
is willing to defend it against all
MAY be proportion audby expressed
this matter fails proportion of those who think
either side of the but The
point best doubtful while the other hand
fact that the blast challenged
the birth OF perhaps feeble but quite genuine
where the republic uncertain New York with its poPuls
support projects
has prompt and gid shoulder
the arts Chicago while maintaining certain tone with its great
population, nevertheless still saddlng Clothes while
of wilderness still enrone the medicine show and the ehsu
coming winter the upft Washington
profound No foreign delegates
will be presen-men who by of old world environment regard
natural the fine and discard the
in the theater, the gallery the hall
These \deIegotts greatly mistake constitute
hdps is not too much that WdhnEr eventually,
occupy cultural e0e as high not higher than that of ~
CITY,
The immediate effect of higher literary attainment Washing
particularly application theater, would be thoroughly
beneficial well as fascinating If Washington can reverse IN months
to come its cruel and Grass repudaton OF uch plays as Eugene
ONes Beyond Horizon" Washington eventually establish
reputation will hiher similar the best works
Hopkins school, plays THE Jest" Barry
mores
the drama is not wholly that OF the sophomore some indication that
the population of the includes element wholly
navey merest of the
py willing to run with the mob and share the mobs low nthu
Short willing cherish and the prod
uets of such men as Benel' oNeiI and MOInaF.
MUST not inferred steady
theatrical diet On the there delightful
found bette Ziegield Dillingham;, and cOhan
the musical side Then there and acceptable
morse from such fellows the Slyns Belasco Wgenhs and
Kemper, Harris and half dozen Others
All offer, time diversions thoroughly
when all said
ton to such offerings as these that constitutes the true measure of
tys intelligence
dramatic proundi of such ON Monar Beneh and the
best of other European transons Such bring
of the paygoers Plays like these instincts
appreciation the intelligent The assault the mental
uneducated like the
worthy outrage the intellectual virgity of soda ker This
that be before community large small
a true n the aesthetic
perhaps this attention Perhaps
ovaed this ethical along the Potomac when all
is said and DONE rising appreciation of criticism criticism
pacced here prdous mental feat Judged by the absolute
standard of critical ethics local shockngy and
critical The best criticism available under the Of mob
ethics thing species showing
dramatic offerings of merely comparatively sound workman
ship and content.
1t is clearly impossible the republic to keep most criticism
within cold hard scientific lines 1t take OF creed
conduct morals production co-hngs that criticism should
Absolute criticism clearly impossible
conditions for the simple that classic drama
the very foundation of absolute criticisms lacking.
At best criticism here only hope TO take ufh those
factors clearly sloldfe the established rules