The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-02-09
To Work for a
Better st. JOhnSbury
(Cotniued from Page "

GNU CiieS Vi 81. JOllllSDuIy HllSHl
well unite in a service comment
lucrative of the most notable ac-
chievement of the century.
The object Of this organization
is to create good atmosphere as
as we'll as destroy a bad atmos-
where and it is the purpose of our
commission to investigate the con-
ditions hostile to the moral and
religious life of the community.
The speaker said that perhaps
we have thus far concentrated
our efforts too much on the movies
yet it was well to remember that
it was the third largest industry
in the United States. and intrench-
ed so strongly commercially that
it was difficult to control it at the
source He referred to the honor
arium which the eX-Postmaster
General would receive and his
great opportunity for elcvatlng
the movie stage. He then refer
red to the statements sent out by
the National Reform bureau in
Washington in which it was al
legged that the selection of Mr..
Hays was a political move and
that with Mr.. Tumulty as his as
sociate these two political leaders
tremendous influence could be
eXerted to prevent any censorship
bills being passed by future state
legislatures. or oppose candidates
for Office that might not support
the movie managers in any fight
for state censorship This infu-
ence could also be exel'ted in
creasing OF Withholding advertis-
ing in the press, by pictures on
the screen and by other propag-
anda. This WASHINGTON renolt
also called attention to the fact
that Congress now had a bill be-
fore it to investigate the movies.
Touching upon conditions loo
ally Mr.. Richards praised the Wo-
mans club for their active work
in encouraging the production Of
good plays at the local theaters
and said that the council could as
sist in bringing the best plays to
st. Johnsbury.
The speaker said anything cheaD
vicious or morally impure should
be substituted for high class pro-
ductions which did not offend our
moral sensibilities. The education
of the public taste is difficult be-
cause of our almost insensible
loss of moral Judgment.
Referring to the billboards he
said that no promoter of amuse-
mentS had any right TO exhibit for
our children to see plctureS as
have often been placed on the bill
boards.
He then spoke of the growth of
among our youth and
praised the Catholic church for
their organization known as the
Hot Name society which seeks to
discourage profanity. He thought
that the formation of an anti-pro-
family club among the boys of St.
JohnSbuly would be most desir-
able
Referring to dance halls he cal
led attention to the fact that in
the cities dance halls were licensed
and when undesirable conditions
were reported such places were
closed. He said the cities all had
police matrons and that such an
officer might find work to do in
our town. He also touched upon
the manufacture of home brew
and its influence upon any COM
Coming to the question of sup
crViscd summer Fairgrounds he
wished that we might have one or
more in st. Johnsbury as there is
much that can be done in vaca-
tons to interest children who
have little or nothing to do. He
spoke of the Bible vacation schools
that are being conducted in some
of the cities and said that such
a school could be prohtably con-
Quoted here.
The speaker said the Sunday
comic supplements had no uplift
and that its presence in the homo
was undesirable.
At the conclusion of his re-
marks Rev. Dr.. A. p. Glint said
he believed he expressed the SEN
timents of all present in thanking
Mr.. Richards for outlining such
an Illuminating program. He said
all the items presented were SDlen-
did and also well pu+ before the
council.
Speaking for the census COM
Mr.. Brown said that he
believed his associates would agree
with him that it would be most
desirable to take a religious CEN
'u5 of the town at the proper
line.
The closing address of the even
nf was made by Chairman Wilson.
He said the formation of this OIL
ganization was one of the most i'm
1ortant steps which the churches
If st. Johnsbury have taken. The
council intends to cooperate so as
o reach everybody. As a word of
warning he hoped it would create
great moral and spiritual noun
aims and not mere sand piles. He
that the council do one
hing at time and do that we'll |
The council should decide what is
If the greatest immediate impor-
ance and what can be most easily |
ACCOMPLISHED Our ultimate ~oal |
hould always be kept in mind.
Every church in St. Johnsbury |
Idmits the need Of a teacher
raining class in its Sunday school. |
There should also be some week |
lay religious instruction, either in |
he schools or the churches. An
boys, conference and an
.nnual girls conference could be
,rofi+9 hlv hold in st John shul,v |