The New York herald., 1922-03-13
Producer Threatens to Call
/. on Mayor and Demand
Reforms.
AL. WOODS HOTLY SCORED
Actors Hear Jail Is Place for
Persons Connected With
Shady Plays.

Mayor Hylan and tie rest OF the
city administration are to blame fol
any filth or rottenness that may exis,
on the New York theatrical stage, said
William A. Brady in a speech made
last night at banquet given in the
Commodore Hotel by the Actors Order
Of Friendship in commemoration o,
the 116th anniversary Of the birth, OF
Edwin Forrest.
Pounding TIE table with his clenchec
fists Mr.. Brady declared that further
more he was going down to City Hal
on Wednesday or Thursday of this
week to tell Mayor Hylan that rotten
politics was at the bottom OF the mat
ter and that the administration could
stop TIE showing of indecent plays II
1t would do it's duty.
The speaker. who was constantly in
terrupted By enthusiastic applause. said
that AL Woods or any other manager
who produced an unclcan play should
he sent 10 Sing Sing for life. ;, He also
said that any actor or actress, no mat
ter from what organization. that would
knowingly appear In such plays should
also be sent to prison.
"I raise my voice in protest against
what Al Woods represents" said Mr.
Brady. He has no right to ride the
theater in New York State into damna-
ton. Any man who deliberately pro-
duces play Of the vile. dirty. nlthy
kind should go TO prison, whether II be
Al Woods or any other producer.
II also raise my voice In approval OF
one actress--Mina Gale Haynes-who
refused TO act in an indecent play. More
power to her kind. She deserves the
highest credit and no doubt in the long
run will rank among those who really
want the stage Kept clean.
There are all sorts of maniac min
isters who are irving TO persecutc the
actors. This kind OF men believe and
try to make others believe that the peo-
lie of the theatrical profession are rel
atives OF the devil. The Lords Day Al
lance could be put out business If we
would only organize. We are defense
less almost because OF this fact.
We no doubt need a looking into our
own family. We can take care OF our
own filth and let our enemies care for
theirs. shall tell Mayor Hylan right
TO his face just where the fault lies
about indecent plays produced in this
city. The city administration Is 70
blame because it has the power to pre-
vent such productions.
There is more Intelligence and clean
.jncss back or the real stage than in
most any other business enterprise in
this town. The whole trouble existing
to-day Hes back OF rotten politics on the
part of Mayor Hylan's administration.
lie will be told about this influence on
corrup. politics when see him."
De Wolf Hopper was toastnaster. The
other speakers were Prof. George De
O,DelI of Columbia University, tho Rev.
Martin u. Fahy. William Seymour. y.
=. Afockny. DR. Ro.la s. COPELAND. WIN.
lam r. Phillips, Charles n. Wells. How.
ard Kyle and Representative Julius II.
Kahn. chairman of the House Military
Committee About nifty old time actors
were among .he guests. a few OF whom
had played with Forrest.
Mr.. Seymour recalled that Forrest ap-
peared on the stage in Philadelphia on
April 2. 1872. when ne had a small part
Mr.. Wells told interesting experiences
he had had with the great tragedian. IL
was notable gathering OF men VINO
had done everything IN their power TO
uplift the stage and stand by traditions
dear TO their hearts.