New-York tribune., 1922-07-27
Reform Stage?
Wen,IHopeNot!
Says Thorn a $
New Boss of Theater Throws
Up Hands in Dismay at
Idea He's To Be Censor
and Blue Nose Puritan
Unnecessary, He Explains
Guide, Philosopher er and
Friend TO All, His Role;
Is to Aid American PLAYS

1t Is benign dictatorship that Au-
gustus Thomas proposes to exercise
over the American theater--the dicta-
torship of reason rather than veto, of
gentle suasion before insistence.
Gear. overIord, dictator! What do
they mean by calling me all these
names ?"
The new head of the Producing Man
ayers Association, affable and smiling,
was unburdening himself of second
thoughts on his novel position when
seen yesterday at his home, so East
Fifty-sixth Street. He promptly con-
fessed that he rather liked being called
a car, since czars are out of fashion,
and that is the way he likes to be. Be-
fore he left the subject of czars he said
with the undercurrent of mirth that be-
lies his facial gravity:
Il am going TO go as far as they will
let me. | shall have the power that
COOS with the Craftsmanship of com
mittee. The extent of that power de-
pends on how good a politician one is
and how far one dominates. But, then,
l have lovely Christian spirit!"
Won't Be Play Censor
He would not admit that his position
is quite analogous to that of Will Hays
or that he will have the arbitrary
power delegated to the head of the mo-
ton picture world. But he said he
thought The tendency to concentrate
forces under one man a splendid thing
and, in his own case, an excellent op-
portunity. On one point he was quite
positive. He will never bring undue
their choice of plays. This, he says, is
their field.
Il am not going to foster any par
tcular kind of play" said Mr.. Thomas.
81 shall be very careful not to lean un-
duly in any one direction or try to
standaI die the theater. have always
felt that the theater lives by an excess
of indi7idualism. The death Of the
drama, like the death of any art, is
an rttempt to make it conform 10
rules.
Il am for the American playwright
and the conditions that will develop
him. But never at the expense of
merit AS a matter of fact, we are
having an increasingly fine variety of
plays here. Perhaps in no place in
the world is there as much diversity
In theme, subject, treatment and scenic
effects as in New York. Plays are
steadily improving in quality and the
American theater is in fine condition
but, like everything else, it is capable
of much development"
MIR. Thomas pointed out that he
would have nothing to do with the Sc
lection or production of plays, except
in case of dispute. His official posi-
tion does not make his Office a clear
ing house for all theatrical troubles.
He will deal largely with such ques-
tions as come before the Producing
Managers Association, and will take q
hand in helping to arbitrate when diff
ficulties arise between managers and
actors.
No Puritanism for Him
Horrifed at the suggestion that he
might encourage ultra -puritanical ele-
ments in the theater, Mr.. Thomas threw
up his hands and said:
Now, tell me, do | look like it7
IL feel with all the producing man.
ayers taht we must keep the theater
clean, and l was much interested in
the scheme for voluntary censorship
because l thought it better than it's
terrible alternative, official censorship
As matter Of fact, our theater is yer,
clean. We will continue just as WE
are, l have been here thirty-twe
years and / have read Of the police ir
connection with the theater on onl,
two or three occasions. Theaters cal
Tor less police supervision than almost
any other organized institution. But
there is so much fuss about it wher
there is a Slip
Discussing tempcramental diffcultie.
which ne is likely to encounter in his
new capacity, the genial Mr.. Thomas
Temarked
I'VE are regarded as Temperament.
tai end rather difficult group.
"Of course, actors and producers ar,
temperamental. II the people of tn,
theater were not their productions
would scarcely be worth seeing. Yo,
can't have temperament eight hours {
day and then turn it off when the show
is over"
MIR. Thomas will still be playwright
George NJ. Cohan is shortly to produce
play which he has written in con.
Junction with John Taintor Foote.
AfteT August he will be guide. phil
osopher and friend to all who need his
offices at the headquarters of the Pro
ducing Managers Association. The con
ciliatory efforts of Mr. Thomas and tn,
success that attended them during tht