Evening star., 1922-08-11
American Amusement 0verlords
Admittedly Are a Necessity.

Has the business of keeping the
American people amused developed
into great industry. so great. in
deed. that it needs its powerful di-
rectors and overlords just as steel
does? This is the question that forms
the chief Interest. in the editorial
mind. OF the announcement that the
Producing Managers Association. an
organization comprising practically
all the worthwhile theatrical pro-
ducers of the country, has made Au-
gustus Thomas the controlling head
of the legitimate stage.
Following as it does the creation
of a dictatorship" in base ball and
in motion pictures. this latest de-
velopment is regarded by editors as
evidence that the three principal
means by which we as a people flnd
our amusement have indeed. as the
New York Globe says. become three
Of the most important industries we
have and as such must employ me
same methods that obtain in otner
successful industries. Granting this
premise. the American press is u4eni.
the dean Of American playwrights'
to fill the position Of greatest m
f1uence in the theatrical world. For
that influence. editors are certain.
will be so strongly exerted toward
the production of thoroughly clean
drama that the movement 1 .omara ,
Official censorship Will ran 1or want
Of anything to build on. j.
What this move on the part OF
theater men means. the Sprinsnelo
Republican thinks. is that another
big-business' group has CHOSEN a
big man of high standing IN ms
profession and in the public conf
dence to coordinate its activities.
reduce it's frictions and aid 1t IN
giving public service" for. as the
lansing (Mich) State Journal says,
sit is serious business. this cater
ing to the public, as we are GIVING
constantly more .ore afisheioh ieinr. - 'Ne
II this trend toward industrial des.
potism'' which the appointment OF
Judge Lands in base ball. VIII Hays IN
the movies and Augustus Thomas IN
the theater suggests seems a denlai
Of American principles" the Cleveland
News suggests that the answer may be
in the reputation for efficiency borne by
monarchies," and further, that the die.
tators are being IAi.ed upc,h TO uirect
realms hitherto without central govern
ments of their own In a word. tne
Dayton News adds. the proposition is
in this country, where too many cooks
have invariably spoiled the broth in
various lines Of business.
In the case Of organized base ball and
the motion picture industry. however.
the man chosen for the post OF DICTATOR
had to be found outside the neid. wnlle
the theatrical producers, as the New
York Evening World points out, were
more fortunate. There was one man
and only one-for the Job. Augustus
Thomas. II any one can do what needs
doing he promises to be that one.
use of "overlord' or dictator" to ex-
press the relation of Lands, Hayes or
thomas to the work each is trying to
do in his given sphere. Particularly
with reference to Thomas, 1t believes
guide, philosopher and friend would
be better, though the order Of the words
should be reversed. Friend this new
type of executive must be, or he would
not be asked to take the post. There is
an equal need of philosophy if he is to
continue in it, The net result. it Is
hoped, will be guidance in the way
those who appoint him wish in their
hearts to 60"
Certainly 1.-The new appointee's quail
fications for the post" the Baltimore
American feels. approach as near to
the ideal as sensible human hearts could
DESIRE" since, in the words OF the Allen
town Chronicle ana news, Augustus
Thomas knows the theater inside and
out from every angle; literary, artistic,
tnterpretative and managerial. He has
served his apprenticeship as actor, play
wright, producer, manager and director"
Being a playwright" says the Union
town (Pa.) Herald, he understands
the incentive of box Office receipts as
well as does the manager" and hence
will be in tune with the productive end,
while at the same time, the Milwaukee
Sentinel asserts, ''he knows the Ameri-
can theatergoer and what that person.
age wants." and. the Fort Wayne
adds, has the COM
plete confidence Of the American public"
In view Of his eminent fitness to
control the destinies of the theater.
lis appointment, the Decatur Review
feels, will bring hope to those who
would like to see the day Of healthy,
vigorous, clean American drama re-
turn" for. as the Louisville Courier
journal. in common with many. notes.
in his own dramatic writings Thomas
"has never soiled his pen with an un
clean play; rather Ibis treatment of
his themes has been altogether whole
some"
The Utica jObserver-Dispatch has
IA ifh that sMr ThomaA will endeaVOr