New-York tribune., 1922-02-13
Theater Manager, Coaded
bv Pastors immortality
Charges, Mounts Pulpit
and Responds in Kind
Congregation Hoots
Attack on Society
Hecklers on Both Sides
Join In as Minister
Calls Thcatcr Corrupt
and Producer Denies 1t
By Boyden r. Sparkcs

Pounding their fists on the pulpit anC
stamping their feet on the COVERING
over the baptismal pool in Calvary
Baptist Church yesterday afternoon
the Rev. John Roach Straton and vii.
liam A. Brady took turns In tellinc
each other what they thought. rcspec-
lively, about stage people and
preachers.
At time. hecklcrs among the conore-
CATION became so obstreperous that
blue-ccatcd policemen guarding the
entrances of the cdifice poked startled
heads inside the doors. Quite as il
they were in Cooper Union or Madison
Square Garden instead of church.
the people in the pews jeered ard
Kissed and appauded the speakers
The jeers ard hisses were all for Mr.
Brady.
The meeting had been advertised BY
the church as debate on the nroposi-
ton that present conditions and tend
ences or the American stage AFRO :.
menace to sound pIblic and private
morality. Brady. once a newsbov and
late. poker expert, pri1efighter PRO
noter, theatrical producer. father os
Alice Brady and husband OF Grace
Gecrgee, declined at first to go ahead
xitn the issue confined TO such limits.
Brady Goaded to Retort
he insisted on speaking. however.
tinr re had heard Dr. St~aton declare
that the theaters are in BONDAGE 20
isTs snd taat inc price of promotion
ios most actre ses is that they surren.
dtr asir virtue.
nose we're the remarks shat brought
w. Brady belliee eerently down the aisle
declAre:
More murders are dore by church.
men tran by stage people. Why doesn't
VI. otraton tell abor the horrible de-
eeHe racies and crimes pcrpetrated bv-
miiliste ~
fAe services at Calvary BAPTIST
-nurch began Yesterday afternoon at
O'Clock. when William H. Anderson,
.,apsrintendent of the New York anti
>a!oon League, a. referee OF the de-
BATE looked out over the congregation
and asked:
rs Mr.. Brady present." Mr.. Ander-
sons watch was in his hand. There
vas no response and from the press
table It seemed that a flicker nf trj
umph passed over the faces of Dr..
Straton and Mr.. Anderson.
As Nh. Brady has not corle here to
MAINTAIN his side of the debate" con-
tnucd Mr.. Anderson. I'VE shall 90
snead. DR.. Strston will deliver his ~
sumsnts and then will give his rebuttal
all As one speech
II protest." man standing against
The wall stood forth with upraised 2aln
n the manner OF a traffic policeman.
II Mr. Brady isn't here. then you
ought TO select some other person to
represent the thoatcrs"
Then iron, the exact center of the
cong'egat ION voice doomed:
M Brady is present.
Refuses to Come Forward
1t vas Brady speaking. Both arms
we're a.imbo. His chin was up and
;orEard. He suggested Ajax defyiny
me lightning or Jack Dempsey teasing
an inferior opponent Still speaking
ID the third person, he continucd:
Mr.. Brady will not come forward
@ .0f 'ne moment. ] am not going TO
make this argument, because, ladies
and gentlemen
:. .Louder' Loudcr.' The congregation
they could hear you better from the
pulpit, advised Mr.. Anderson. YOU'D
0e.,er come to the front"
I will
a few moments later tho man who
ploouced the once great nelodrsmatic
success After Dark" was mounting
n ne pulpit steps, and lean. frock coated
.1;:, D.. straton was pumping his hand
WIN intense fervor Dr.. Straton had
oHe hand free in this preliminary
s.'ncn' however. and he used it to sig
nai a, ms congregation.
Up! up he cried. "Show your re-
o op.cs Tor MIR. Brady" Half Of them
20, to their feet.
1oen Brady and Anderson shook
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