The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1944-04-01

NEW YORK, N. Y.-The thea
ter is a recognized factor in
interpreting life in its most real
istic form. In spite Of its desire
to entertain, yet the opportunity
TO present problems affecting
human beings remains undimin-
ished. At times these tense and
controversial issues may be plac-
ed under a ban by producers who
are chiefly interested in til e
financial considerations involved
and naturally must not hurt the
feelings of patrons. But every
so often, a producer rises above
the materialistic gains and dareS
to offend the good taste of his
audience by tackling some evil
situation that is apparent to all
thinking people,
Such is my estimation Of the
current production on Broadway
written by Edward Chodorov and
presented by Edward Choate.
The appropriate title is "Deci-
SION, a word very much pointed
towards leading statesmen and
government officials of the world
to-day. Simple in design, this
arresting production compels at
tention and invokes thought on
the fate Of the common man.
Because a liberal-minded high
school principal, DESTROYS Of
helping his community. dares to
organize a committee Of citizens
representing a cross-section Of
his town, the political potentates
with the assistance OF the local
press attempt to muzzle his
efforts to improve the lot of Mr..
Average American. The educa-
tor refuses to remain in an ivory
tower, divorced from the prob
lens Of his city. He is big
hearted enough to include all
types of citizens not leaving out
the organized black man.
In substance an attempt Is
made to make democracy work
tor all. The vile attack upon the
character of the school official
comes at a time when his son
has returned home on a furlough
from the battlefieldS of Italy.
Even after being arrested on a
false charge, after the vicious
editor has spread filthy lies
across the front pages of the
local sheet and after he has
suffered social oStraciSm, the
steadfaSt lover of humanity
sticks to his guns. His decision
has been made in the interest
of all mankind, Although the
insults drive him to destroy his
life, yet the influence of his firm
principles remain to anchor his
son and his associates in their
determination to achieve a vic
tory for the common people.
In our struggles to win the
war, to right the wrongs that
have been inflicted upon inno-
cent people, to gain equality un-
der the laws of our land and to
insure full participation in the
new world which we hope will
come, many persons must make
decisions and not be afraid to
Agnt ana die, If necessary, for
them. Down in Washington at
this very hour important deci-
SionS are in the making. Will
Bllbo succeed in poisoning the
mind OF America and set I'D a
plan OF white supremacy? Will
Rankin stretch his empire of
nigots outside the confines of his
native heath? Will stimson de-
eide the fate Of the colored SOL
der by RELOCATING him to the
rank Of chief stevedore and
ditch digger? Will the fate of
the F. E. P. C. rest with the
southern burbons in Washington
who are anxious to DESTROY ito
You, too, as Americans. have
part to play in this stirring
drama as 1t unfolds daily on the
stage of our nation. Your men
and pencil, your public protest
your demand for a hearing and
your ballot can help in arriving