New-York tribune., 1922-02-13
Church Near
Riot as Brady
Defends Stage
tcentin ued from pace cae)


York : history.
II ealize I do not belong here" said
Mr. brady, HIS heels cchoing hollowly
on til, trapdoor flooring over the bap-
tisna pool. "I am perfectly willing
to me It DR.. Straton in public debate
rroyi' I'd that the subjec. is Mt re-
strict & to what Or. Straton wants to
talk / bout. This ia an argument be-
tween church and stage. DR.. Straton
wants = confne It to the stage.
18th re are black sheep in every flock
tMr 'aoy glared at DR.. Straton's) and
! do n come to this church of God to
defend the black sheep. | come to de-
fcnd decent men and women of the
theateT. II there is TO be debate. let
Il be held in neutral place. prefer
not TO meet him in his church. Maybe
J shou d wish to criticize Or. Straton.
But tn : is not the day, so far AS am
concerned, nor the place.
NJ. Anderson Speaks
Mr. Brady unclenched his fists and
retired to his place in the center Of the
church.
"Mr Brady is under rnisapprehen-
sion a $ to the question to be dis
cussed." said Mir. Anderson then, "but
| think q debate can be arranged on
neutral ground. Ever since last May
we've been trying
But the congregation hadn't come to
hear Mr.. Anderson. They got out on
the edge of their chairs the very second
DR.. Straton cleared his throat. Raising
both arms high above his head, with
forefingers extended like pistols in the
hands Of two-gun Bill Hart, he brought
hen. down smartly-and shot his cuffs.
Then he began
II arn here as the champion Of decent
mon and women on the stage. I have
been lover of the dramatic art.
confess ! have enjoyed an occasional
visit to the theater. | remember Jo
seph JeFerson'--
There were something over II 900
words In DR.. Straton's address. and not
all of it can be printed. for that would
Hn nearly two pa cs OF The Tribune,
But, after tracing the theater from
It's religious beginnings and talking
s while about the beginnings of civil
alton. he got to a point where he
said:
"Ten girls representing the Chorus
Girls Union told The New York Globe
that 1t is next to impossible for girl
% work in the chorus without leading
life of shame. 1t is altogether impos-
sible for her to work without being in
Eulted.'"
Three old men crowded on a narrow
bench just under DR.. Stratons gaze
cried out. One said: "Awful," An
cther: My gracious." snd the third:
Tut Tut"
This last remark leads me TO say
that facts now prove that the price of
promotion for many girls and women
upon the stage to-day is that they shall
surrender their virtue"
Indignation in Audience
Many persons among the congrcga-
tlon buzzed with Indignation as they
heard this.
"In fact, my friends" continued the
preacher, this condition has got
20 be standing joke in the theatrical
and movie world. recent observer
writing in The Chicago Tribune and
New York News says. There is a
lascivious mayim concerning the gate
way to success in pictures known to
every one who works in the studios.
"One of these so-called Jokes was
the case of a certain manager who was
Greatly agitated and perpexed about
what to do, when he suddenly remen
bered that he had abscn,mindedly
promised the same position to two girls
who had paid to him the personal price
Of promotion. We can we'll understand,
TOO. how one OF these managers oc-
casionallv turns up with a bullet
through his brain. We can understand
how wrecked virtue on one side and
Violated promises OF promotion on the
other would result in stealthy but sure
vengeance"
DR.. straton talked on and on about
naked (Ee pronounced il as though it
loi
York stages, and when he denounced
them he was appiauded by young and
old. The young included boys in short
trousers and girls of sixteen and
seventeen.
Then he quoted DR.. Stephen Wise,
rabbi or the Free Synagogue, that
meets just across Fifty-seventh street
from Calvary Baptist Church. in Car
neeie Hall. Dr.. Wise, he said, had
from moral leprosy. He expressed
thanks that there are prophets among
the Jews. and then proceeded TO rake
over those Jews who, he said, con-
troiled New York theaters.
HeckIer Goes Into Action
"Why don't TIE people of the stage
throw off this bondage in which they
are held by Jews -
as Mr.. Brady Jew 4 whiskereo
old man was dancing excitedly in the
carpeted space just below the pulpit
1T is amazing that any people
should have permitted such control,
and they ought to rise and cast off
that bondare,"
as Mr.. Brady Jew" The heckler
was scribbling notes on small pad
IN his hand. DR.. Straton ignored him,
but d Pompous man in a nearbv pew
rose and snote the interrupter on the
shoulder, commanding him to sit down.
DR.. Straton arraigned Charlie Chap
lin for his "sordid divorce" He spoke
OF Mary Pickford and Douglas Fair
banks. declaring: ''The Attorney
Genera of Nevada believes he can con-
vict these two Of bigamy
"Then there is Fatty Arbuckle." The
congregation roared with laughter.
he theater of to-day adds to tenn
cations and increases the number OF
divorces. not only in the indirect wavs
before mentioned but also directly by
leading married men, astray through
the display of Physical charms of WON
en- upon the stage"
Or. Straton was mopping hts brow
then and William A. Brady rose and
inouired:
doctor, may answer you now?"
You certainly may. Mr.. Brady Come
Sorwa rd."
There were no formalities this time
when the theatrical producer mounted
the pulpit. His bulging eyes glittered
but whether with tears or rage could
not be determined by observers near by.
Quotes Scriptures-in a Way