New Britain herald., 1928-04-07

arose amid great handclapping
 Ladies and Gentlemen" he began
 meanwhile vending his way toward
 the side of the stage. Not unlike the
 magazine advertisements of the man
 who learned to play the piano over-
 night or his magazine brother who spoke Spanish fiuently to the amaze
 ment of his friends, the speaker in q series of choppy but intelligent
 phrases plunged into the issues of the campaign. He discussed one problem after another apparently having very deep background for everything he said-it afterwards developed that he had. For about five minutes he went along smooth ly. Then there was an interruption. Again he began, but lasted only long enough to utter a few words, leav- ing sentence far from complete. Another try and another failure. Finally turning his head toward the wings he shouted: ITO H. with your paper, I'll make my own speech.' The "campaigner' strode to the midd of the stage and when the laughter died down, took up the campaign issues in his own fashion, leaving the prompter standing in the wings with a half completed manuscript.
 This was a laugh that was not on the program and the candidate per- haps did not get the full enjoyment out of the situation. The present day plan is to insure an abundance of laughs by furnishing full fedg- cd entertainment and the modern campaigner has come to realize that an audience in a happy mood is more receptive to his arguments than is the group of analytical "sa- viors of the government which once sat, chin in hand, absorbing every argument and detecting every flaw in what was said and done.
 1 Welfare of the widows and or phans of our countrys eN-service men is an important feature in the plans now under way for the seventh consecutive Poppy Sale which the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States will observe nationally again this year during the week ,of Memorial Day, through the allot- ment of a portion of the proceeds to the funds for the maintenance of the V. F. w. National Home at Ea- ton Rapids. Michigan.
 A similar allotment of poppy money" from the 1927 sale enabled the home to enlarge it's facilities to accommodate a number of addition al children and mothers, and furth- CT expansion along these lines is called for during the coming year.
 The development of the Home. which Was inaugurated three years ago for widows and orphans of cx- service men. is planned on basis of state units of cottages, each de- signed to house a matron and six children. Each state department Of the Veterans of Foreign Wars builds it's own units. and the buildings, as they are added, are all of uniform architectural type and Of the latest improved construction and equip- ment.
 Other proceeds of the sale of the Buddy Topples. all of which arc made by disabled and needy ex- service men, will be used for relief and welfare work among veterans and their dependents to meet con- di'ions of distress occasioned by sickness or unemployment.
 There is hope for the drama, which has been kicked around until 1t resembles q lean houn' dog.
 Like all movements which prom ise success the renaissance is con- ing from the inside Producers, au- thors. managers. actors, in fact all connected with the craft. are going through period of awakening. They have realized for years that the legitimate stage has been dying. Ianaceas have been suggested and discarded. New ideas in production have been carried out and. after a short life, have expired. From all sides has come the complaint that the road isn't what it used to be-" "The road,' in the parlance of the theater, is anywhere outside of the bright light district of New York city. It includes communities where shows are offered for one night or for three months. It may be only mile from Broadway, but it's '.the road just the same.
 North, south, east and west, legiti- mate drama has experienced q slump. Nearly anyone connected with the thcatcr. from the program boy up. can explain just what caused the condition. It has been claimed that the movies which offer entertainment at prices within reach of the public, have dispos- sessed the drama in the hearts of theatergoers. John Doe can take his whole family to motion picture thcater at the cost of one orchestra seat for a first class show. The movie" theaters are ornate and at tractive. Legitimate theaters. except tiiOllS AN'" ol h IldNt Dt- come mlisty. Producers have taken too literally the line "The plays the thing" They have concentrated their attention on one side of the foot lights.
 Another reason for the recession 1 of the legitimate stage from public favor is the practice, all too general, l of sending out second rate com- pany with show that has burned | yokels on ''the road" were gullible | enough to stand for it and grin But ! the yokcls have become more blase