The Washington times., 1924-02-16
MINIS TERS
HEARD IN
PROTEST
Simon Called Peter" Produc-
ton Is Target-Wood De-
tends Drama.

Inc D1StT1CG commissioners this
afternoon ordered another review
Of the show, "SimOn Called
Peter" at the President Theater,
and If it is found Objectionable,
the show will be closed.
Capt. f.. w. Browne, Of the
First precinct; Mrs. Nina Van
Wrinkle, in charge Of the WOman's
Bureau Of the Police Department,
and several pOlicewOmen will re-.
view the show tonight.
The legitimate stage in Washing
ton was scathingly denounced
when representatives of the clergy
and a half dozen prominent civic
organizations protested to Com
missioner James F. Oyster against
indecent and obscene shows" now
being presented in the National
Capital.
Hearing Is Lively.
Simon Called Peter" now play
ing at the President Theater, was
the target for most Of the attack.
The speakers declared that it should
be taken off the stage. Mrs. Nina
G. Vanwinkle, Of the woman's bu-
reau, went further and declared
that every actor in the show should
be arrested.
frequent verbal QuarrelS featured
the three-hour session in Oysters
office. More than a score of men
and women, including leaders Of
civic life in Washington attended.
Leonard Wood, jr., and DR.. L. w.
Glazebrook had differences several
times and several other speakers
took objections to statements by
Mr.. Wood, producing manager of
the President Theater.
Not only was 'Simon Called
Peter" scored, but also previous
plays, including Scandals" and
also other shows which are coming
here soon. The speakers deplored
that these, and many other shows,
which Washington has or will see
are shocking the modesty Of the
young people here because they are
demoralizing in tendency" and
"glorifying the evil"
Urge Drastic Action.
Those who attended the con.
ference pleaded with Commissioner
Oyster to take drastic action to
clean up Washington's theaters.
They declared tha.c If the present
laws were not strong enough they
would aid in getting new ones.
God save us as a nation, IL
there is not some way to stop
these indecent shows" the Rev.
DR.. j. Henning helms declared.
Detts Pickett, representing the
Methodist church; DIR. w. l.. Darby,
representing the Federation of
Washington Churches; Andrew VIII
son, of the Anti-Saloon League,
and a dozen others, made long
speeches in which they declared the
time has come for drastic action
to make it impossible for shows,
such as "Simon Called Peter" to
be put on the stage here.
It was suggested by one speaker
that a board of censors be named
and that 1t be clothed with wide
powers. Others urged strengthen.
ing Of the law to give the Commits
eioners power to stop all indecent
and obscene shows Of the types re.
Gently presented here. After de-
scribing conditions in Washington,
which was compared with the the
atrical conditions in New York and
Paris, the speakers turned their
guns on the President Theater.
"Simon Called Peter" was de.
scribed in detail, especially as re-
CARDS several scenes in which &C.
tors are shown in questionable DO.
sitions. Miss King, of the Y. w,
c. A., who viewed the production,
after the police had censured It,
declared the show was so indecent
that she walked out Of the theater
with bowed head.
Called Insult to Soldiers.
DR.. Darby and L. w. Glazebrook
who saw the show, said 1t should
be taken off the stage Immediately.
Leonard Wood jr., then spoke and
declared the show gave true pic.
ture of conditions in France during
the war. DIR. Glazebrook took ex.
ception and declared Woods state.
nent was an insult to every soldier
who went to France.
Police officials then described the
play. Mrs. Van Wrinkle said It
should be taken off and the actors
arrested. Captain Brown of No.
precinct, said he personally objected
to the type Of show but that he
had no legal grounds to stop it.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Hard
read the law to those gathered.
The conference ended with Com.
missioner Oyster telling the delega.
ton that he would do everything
possible to have the Police Depart.
ment carefully watch every show in
Washington and see that nothing
indecent or obscene IL shown here.