Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-18
Editors Declare Producers
Are Failures at Censorship

Police raids on New York theaters
because of the production of plays
which are declared to be immoral have
interested the country as a whole, and
comments on the situation indicate
dlHerences of opinion az to the best
way of solving the problem. Many
believe that the producers themselves
should deal with the situation. but
there is prevalent opinion that the
producers have failed in their duty
The question of censorship. which has
been considered by the State Legisla
ture. has some support, although OBJ
jected to in principle. Some editors
hold the people themselves chiefly re-
sponsible for the existing conditions
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle feels that
the action of the police so far offers
plenty of evidence of the absurdity of
police censorship of the drama. 1t
will be noticed that the theaters so
far raided were staging plays. instead
of revues. musical comedies. farces or
burlesQues. The implication Is that
sex becomes indecent on the stage
when 1t In presented in serious dia-
logue." "All the blame for what is
going on does not lie at the door of
the producers asserts the Newark
Evening News. The theatrical pro-
fessiOn as q class is willing, even
anxious, to censor its productions. Is
the public willing to censor itself? On
the answer to that question rests the
whole problem of cleaning the stage
OF its impurities.
Directing attention to the fact that
1.-The play jury experiment has failed"
the Canton Daily News suggests that
legal prosecution of indecent plays
merely advertises them. If anybody
l. no 70 ma L q aOtsah In, vxyrF
censorship would he coming sure "a
the world. As it Is. a censorship bill
is receiving much support. The pro-
ducers are bringing 1t on themselves.
X u
New legal machinery is held by the
Santa Barbara News to he unneces-
sary, and that paper contends that
much Of the laxity must he laid TO
the failure Of those in authority to
make full use of the powers placed in
their hands," The Lincoln State Jour
nal. however. feels that the New York
effort will be "spasmodic and ineffec-
tive" and because Broadway is the
fountain head of the whole American
theatrical system. a few thousand
Summers poison the amusements OF
continent" The Port Huron Times
Herald Is convinced that the great
mass of people are interested in and
for the most part will patronage. and
patronize profitably. the clean, human
plays" The Harrisburg Telegraph in
sists that there are many opportuni-
ties for clean, bright entertainment
on the stage"
after a WHILE predicts the Char
lotte Observer, IAN outraged public is
sure to get the better OF the obscene
literature and dirty plays. The revolt
against conditions that have developed
is in progress" The Pittsburgh Ga
zette-Times holds that now that the
police have acted. it Will be for the
courts to determine whether or not
the plays attacked may go on or shall
be closed. If the defendants are con
victed the several branches Of the
theatrical profession will have been
given notice In some degree of what
they must avoid. But no permanent
good will result il the police are not
to be constantly watchful and active"
I'm any event contends the
Charleston Daily Mail. the threat of
censorship will, for time at least.
make the purveyors Of the prurient
more careful. 1t is a favOrite trick OF
some to parade bald indecency under
the g,ise OF art. but they know we'll
enough themselves what they are
about, even though censors and juries
NAV be i'm doubt" The Memphis Com
suggests that the