The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], May 06, 1915, Page 6, Image 6

About The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950

Image provided by: University of Alabama Libraries, Tuscaloosa, AL

                
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‘ SOCIETY AND HOME TOPICS FOR WOMEN
.... .. .—. .-. ... .
Judson Alumnae Luncheon to Be Feature of Today
Miss Bethea Entertains Informally—Wednesday Bridge Club With Mrs. Jenkins Hostess.
Mr. Milner Entertains for Miss Jenkins—Other Events of Interest.
Announcements—N otes
By JAMB SIBLEY
The Wednesday Afternoon Bridge club
met with Miss Agnes Bethea at her home
on Highland avenue and in the rooms,
where tables were arranged for a game
of auction, vases of spring flowers added
to the pleasure of the afternoon.
A dainty luncheon followed the game,
those participating being: Mrs. Hal
Dumas, Mrs. Kenneth Ilarwood. Mrs. Me
Cance, Mrs. William Berry, Mrs. Frank
Thurman. Mrs. Edward LaRoche, Miss
Nina Nicholson, Miss Louise Neville, Miss
Anna Mae Shook, Miss Lillian Hughes,
Miss Marie Rosamond and Miss Agnes
Bethea.
MRS. JENKINS INFORMAL
HOSTESS OF YESTERDAY
The weekly meeting of the Wednesday
Bridge club occurred yesterday with Mrs.
R. M. Jenkins as hostess at her home on
Cliff road. A light refreshment course
followed the game.
Those present were: Mrs. Jones Moore,
Mrs. Ha skin Williams, Mrs. W. W. Wil
liams, Mrs. C. D. Ebersole, Mrs. Sidney
Lee, Mrs. Charles B. Glenn, Mrs. Walter
Glenn and the hostess, Mrs. Jenkins.
MISS HAYLOW HOSTESS
AT BRIDGE TODAY
Miss Nellie Haylow will be an interest
ing hostess of today, entertaining mem
bers of her bridge club at her home.
IMPORTANT MEETING AT
SUFFRAGE HEADQUARTERS
The members of the Birmingham Equal
Suffrage association are urged to attend
the regular Saturday meeting to discuss
the proposed changes in the constitution
and bylaws relative to the members pay
ing dues This question deserves serious
consideration and the meeting should be
largely attended.
MRS. ABERCROMBIE IS
CLUB HOSTESS
The Norwood Forty-two club met yester
day afternoon with Mrs. W. A. Aber
crombie. Tlie apartments were made love
ly with sweet peas and roses, and after an
interesting series of games a dainty lunch
eon was enjoyed.
The members present were: Mrs. Tom
Parker. Mrs. C. 11. Krauss, Mrs. Fred
Dunlap. Mis. Hugh Ellis, Mrs. A. M.
Boyer, Mrs. C. C. Blackwell, Mrs. E. M.
Mayfield. Mrs. G. B. Tarrant, Mrs. George
Lunsford. The following extra guests were
also included in the courtesy: Mrs. Os
car Jones, Mrs. E B. Nelson and Mrs. \V.
A. Farrar.
INTERESTING MEETING
OF SANS SOICI CLUB
Quantities of pink and white sweet peas
and many handsome terns were used in
decorating the house when Mrs. E. E.
How Thin People
Can Put On Flesh
\ >cw Discover.*
Thin men and women—that big,
hearty, filling dinner you ate last night.
What became of all the fat-producing
nourishment it contained? You haven’t
gained in weight one ounce. That food
passed from your body like unburned
coal through an open grate. The mate
rial was there, but your food doesn't
work and stick, and the plain truth ts
you hardly get enough nourishment
from your meals to pay for the cost of
cooking. This is true of thin folks the
world over. Your nutritive organs, your
functions of assimilation, are sadly out
of gear and need reconstruction.
Cut out the foolish foods and funny
sawdust diets. Omit the flesh cream
rub-ons. Cut out everything but the
meals you are eating now and eat with
every one of those a single Sargol tab
let. In two weeks note the difference.
Five to eight good solid pounds of
healthy, “stay there" fat should be the
net result. Sargol charges your weak,
stagnant blood with millions of fresh,
new red blood corpuscles—gives the
blood the carrying power to deliver ev
ery ounce of fat-making material In
your food to every part of your body.
Sargol, too, mixes with your food and
prepares it for the blood In easily as
similated form. Thin people gain all the
way from 10 to 25 pounds a month while
taking Sargol. and the new flesh stays
put. Sargol tablets are a scientific com
bination of six of the best flesh-produc
ing elements known to chemistry. They
cqrne 40 tablets to a package, are pleas
ant. harmless and Inexpensive, and
Averyt’s Chain of Drug Stores, Central
Store. Collier’s Drug Co.; Ensley Store,
.Averyt's; N. Birmingham Store, Madl
/*on Pharmacy; Pratt City Store, Phll
lips-Patterson Drug Co.; M. O. Dept.,
ii 109 N. 20th St., and all other druggists
In Birmingham and vicinity sell them
-v Subject to an absolute guarantee of
weight Increase or money hack.
Smith entertained the members of the
Sans Souci club yesterday afternoon in
Norwood and a pretty piece of hand
crochet was given as trophy of the game.
A salad and ice brought the meeting to
a close.
The players included: Mrs. H. (5. Bar
clay. Mrs. J T. Hury, Mrs. M. R. Mc
Neill, Mrs. Harry Waters, Mrs. H. G.
Davis, Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. R. Massburg
and Mrs. E. E. Smith.
BACHELOR GIRLS MEET
WITH MISS WHITE
The Bachelor Girls gathered at the home
of Miss Etiole White in the Ealrmont yes
terday afternoon for their weekly game of
auction bridge. Wild honeysuckle and
dogwood made the rooms attractive where
the game was played and late in the aft
ernoon a refreshing ice was passed.
The club personnel includes: Miss Dor
sey Harris, Miss Mabel Marler, Miss Helen
Keiser, Miss Kathryn Ross. Miss Mary
Bethea. Miss Doris Moughon. Miss Ro
berta Lamb, Miss Lida Otts and Miss Ella
Louis Ward.
Jl'DSON ALUMNAE LUNCHEON
AT NEWSPAPER CLUB
More than 75 guests will attend the
luncheon at the Newspaper club today at
111:30 o’clock, which will be given by the
local alumnae chapter. On. this board are
Mrs. Walter Beasley, Mrs. John D. Ash
craft of Florence and Mrs. D. F. Elmore
o/ Demopolis.
The luncheon will be one of the most
elaborate and delightful ever given at the
press club. Arrangements have been made
by tiie officers. Mis. John R. Waters,
president; Mrs. Walter Beasley and Mrs.
D. R. Jones, and a special committee com
posed of Mrs. R. '1'. Anderson. Mrs. Jas
per Hutto, Mrs. C. P. Thomasson, Miss
Elizabeth Dickinson and Mrs. W«aller of
Bessemer. •
MR. MILNER COMPLIMENTS
MISS JENKINS Tl KSILU
Mr. H. Key Milner entertained a nurn
be»* of friends Tuesday evening compli
menting Miss Etta Jenkins of Montgom
ery, who is the attractive guest of Miss
Susie Martin. Two large motor cars car
ried the guests to their destination, a
beautiful place near Lake Purdy, where
an enjoyable time was spent and u pic
nic: supper was served
included in this happy event were: Miss
Jenkins, Miss Martin. Miss Edith Orr,
Miss Gustrlne Milner. Mr. Henry McCary.
Mr. Reese Murray, Mr. Douglas McQueen
and Air. Milner.
Bi R M INGH A M M ATRO N
IS ENTERTAINED
Airs. \Y. L. Murdoch, who is spending
jthis week In Tuscaloosa as the guest of
Mrs. Edgar B. Kay, has been honor
I guest at a number of delightful informal
courtesies. Yesterday Mis Washington
Moody v\us hostess at luncneon for Mrs.
Murdoch and in the afternoon Mrs. Alston
complimented her at a beautiful tea. Dr.
Denny has asked this talented woman to
speak at the University.
MOONLIGHT PICNIC
AT WEST LAKE
A party of young people, with .Mr. and
Mrs. A. B. McCoinmick as chaperones, en
joyed an outing at West Lake Tuesday
evening. Dancing was a feature of the
entertainment and at a late hour a picnic
supper was served, 'included in the party
"ere: Mrs. F. J. Mr Dill, Miss Sue Ella
Fanning, Aliss Maebelle Ratcliff. Miss
Katherine Yarbrough, Mr. Edward Hol
sten, Air. Walter Hunter, Air. Errick Me
Neal, Mr. Zac Embry, Mr. and Mrs. Mc
('ommiek and their little daughter, Helen
McCom mick.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A meeting of the free dispensary board
will take place this morning promptly at
11 o'clock at the Associated Charities
building on First avenue.
The woman s board of missions of the
First Christian church will meet this
morning at 10:30 o'clock at the home of
Mrs. S. J. Erwin, 830 Twentieth street,
south.
The Council of Jewish Women will meet
this afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at the Tem
ple Emanu-El.
The Woman's Missionary society of the
Ninth Street M. E. church will give a
candy pulling Friday evening on the lawn
of the church. The public is invited.
SOCIETY NOTES
Miss Gray Hawkins is resting well at
Robinson's infirmary following an opera
tion for appendicitis.
Miss Irnrn Schuessler of Asheville. N. C.,
is the guest of Mrs. Arthur Lovelace.
Mr. and Mrs. John McQuillan Carter
and their little daughter. Emily barter,
left yesterday for Philadelphia after a
visit to Airs. John W. Tomlinson.
Mrs. Oscar Hundley and Mrs. A. J.
Bowron left yesterday for an extended
jWJkUju lise iwi,, jimhur : v*.\
■ ;
la IMctlag Goods Please Unities THE AGK-HERALO
1
trip through the state in the interest of
woman's suffrage.
Mrs. E. B. Nelson of Empire is the
guest of her- daughter, Mrs. \V. A. Aber
• rombie. at her home in Norwood.
Mrs. Clara Moses of Natchez, Miss., who
has been the guest of Mrs. Morris New
held. will spend the week-end with Mrs.
Milton Fies at Sipsey.
Miss Verona Reese of Remlap, is spend
ing a few days with her sister, Mrs. F. W.
Reese.
Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Boyer have named
their little son Arthur M. Boyer. Jr.
Miss Edna Hendricks of Oneonta ,s
visiting friends in this city,
j Mr. end Mrs. Mason Dillard. Miss Dean
Dillard and Mr. Mason Dillard. Jr., will
motor to Florence., where they will re
main for several days.
Maj. and Mrs. E. M. Tutwiier have re
turned from a two weeks' stay at French
Lick.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ingalls, Mr. and
Mrs. Crawford Johnson, Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Fowlkes and Mrs. Hubert Drennen
are at home after a trip to French Lick.
Mr. and Mrs. Forney Johnston and fam
ily have moved Into their summer home
on Shades mountain.
Miss Edith Bowron is the guest of Miss
Mary Anderson in Selma
Mrs. Clyde Hunter is visiting her par
ents, Dr. and Mis. Rush, in Mobile.
Mrs. Byron E. Ball and her little son.
Byron E. Ball, Jr., are visiting relatives
in Tiffin, t).
Miss Katherine Earle is at her home
after attending the congress of the Daugh
ters of tiie American Revolution in Wash
ington.
Mrs. Sidney J. Bowie and Miss Alice
Bowie are visiting Mr. and Mrs. J. B.
j Wadsworth In Anniston.
Miss Bessie Bailey of Decatur is the
guest of Miss Lucy Lyman Rowell,
j Mrs. Mary Jones Gessner ol Montgomery
is in the city as the guest of Mrs. Robert
W. Ewing.
Mrs. A. R. Dearborn is spending this
week with Mrs. A. J. Caldwell in Annis
ton.
Miss Etta Jenkins of Montgomery is a
guest of Miss Susie Martin.
Mrs. Haskins Williams has as her guest
her brother, Dr. George R. West, a prom
inent surgeon of Chattanooga, who is at
tending the sessions of the Central of
Georgia surgeons here this week.
SOCIETY IN
GREATER BIRMINGHAM
Little Miss Alice Lyons celebrated her
seventh birthday yesterday afternoon in
I’rail City and th,e small guests played
games on the lawn, being Invited into
the prettily decorated dining loom later,
where ices and cake were served. Sixteen
i hildren were included in this merry
party.
Mrs. A. J. Jackson entertained the
Baptist Ladies' Aid society yesterday aft
j ernoon at a social at her home in Piatt
City, t'ut flowers made the rooms at
tractive and light refreshments followed
the business meeting.
Mr. Andrew Turner of Pell City is the
guest of his brother, Dr. Ulmer Turner.
Mr. and Mrs. J. M. London have named
their little son Charles .rthur London.
The Inglenook School Improvement as
sociation will hold an irrii*a'tant business
meeting this afternoon and a large at
tendance is urged.
Mrs. J. F. Cleveland of North Caro
lina, who has been the guest of Mr. and
Mrs. A. D. McKinney, has gone to El
I’a so, Tex., to visit relatives.
Mrs. Corinne Cook has been removed
ftom the McAdory infirmary to her home
in Inglenook.
Mrs. M. Langford of Fort Payne Is the
guest of her sister. Mrs. H. M. Lewis.
Mr. Elmer Finck of Atlanta is visiting
Ids parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. W. b inck.
The Hemphill School Improvement as
sociation will meet this afternoon in the
school auditorium.
Mrs. Frank Alexander of Shreveport,
l>a.. who has been the guest of relatives
in West End, will leave today for a stay
with friends in Eutaw.
Mrs. Henry Hughes has gone to Hot
Springs for the summer after spending a
few days with Mrs. M. W. Lott.
A wedding w hich will come as a surprise
to their friends was that of Miss Flor
ence McCaulley to Mr. Thomas J. Un
derwood. which took place Tuesday after
noon at 3:30 o'clock at the home of the
groom s sister, Mrs. Elba Cartledge, in
East Birmingham. The ceremony was
performed by Rev. E. E. Emerson of the
Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Under
wood will make their home with Mr. and
Mrs. John Dill.
Mrs. Charles Varin, president of the
School Improvement association, asks that
nil Interested in the quilting contest meet
this afternoon at 4 o'clock at the Cun
ningham school.
The l-adies* Aid society of the East Bir
mingham Baptist church will have an ice
cream festival in the basement of the
church Friday evening.
Mrs. Oscar Hunt was hostess to the
Wednesday Rook club at her home in
Woodawn and roses and ferns festooned
i he rooms where tables were placed for
the club game. A picture and fan were
awarded at the close of the afternoon
and a plate luncheon was served to the
members and Miss Hattie Peace and Miss
Minnie Rivers.
An interesting event was the meeting of
the Wednesday, afternoon Crochet club
wMth Mrs. W. W. Worrell as hostess in
Wood lawn.
Miss Marian Hardwick of Atlanta is
spending a short time with Miss Mary
O'Donnell. Later Miss Hardwick will go
to the exposition.
Mrs. William Douglas has returned from
a two months' stay in Florida and Geor
gia.
Mis William Coates wras hostess at an
informal party Tuesday evening in Ens
ile.v. complimenting MIbs Ada Lower of
Louisville. Ky., the guest of Mrs. J. M.
Lower. Roses and snowballs carried out
a pink and white color scheme and mu
sic and games were diversions of the
evening. Miss Myrtle Lumpkin presided
at the punch table. An ice course was
served to 20 guests.
Miss Josephine Phillips was tendered a
delightful surprise party Tuesday evening
at her home in Ensley by the Sweet Pea
Sewing club, of which she is a member.
Twenty young folks were invited and en
joyed a pleasant evening with games
and music. At a late hour a tempting ice
course was dispensed.
The following club meetings will take
place in Ensley today: The Thread of the
Story with Mrs. W. E. Turnipseed; the
Inter Se, with Mrs. C. J. Severin, and the
Phi Tau will be entertained by Mrs. Jack
Ellis in Fairfield.
Dr. T. T. Hay is spending a short time
in Columbia. S. C.
Miss Sallie T. Almon of Huffman is
visiting relatives in Fairview.
****************
* SALAMBO ?
A Gorgeous Spectacle of Costum
* ing and Acting. *
* Repeated Today. £
THE TRIANON j
Clever Vaudeville at the 4
* AMU8E-U *
****************
/
I: a\arion s
a HARLANDS X
HELPING HAND
£*Mmion H&rLznd
Disposing of Postage Stamps
‘‘Respecting an Inquiry how to dispose
of postage stamps received through the
mail. In the first place, any one dispos
ing of such in quantity must be known
to have received them in due course of
business. There have been cases where
they have been stolen by office employes
if not from postoffices. They may usually
be disposed of at from 3 to 5 per cent dis
count to any large business house, espe
cially If the seller is a purchaser from
that house. Dealers in old stamps may
buy them at a greater discount, up to 10
per cent. The discount is no more than
fair, because those using large lots always
buy them in sheets or rolls, whereby when i
bought as your correspondent offers, they j
are usually separated into pieces from
one stamp up and have to be counted
’ carefully to check up for payment.
‘•J. B."
“In response to 8. R.'s request, I will
say that stamps may be disposed of at
any old coin and stamp establishment at
a discount of 10 per cent. C. E. C.”
Meaning of Turning Cold Shoulder
"I read your question as to the mean
| ing of ‘turning the cold shoulder’ aloud,
J at the table today. Also the explanation
of the term given by a correspondent who
quoted her mother’s opinion on the sub- |
ject. or It may have been her grand
mother's. At any rate, an old minister
who is visiting us thinks ‘shoulder’ might
mean-‘back.’ in the proverb. He says the
word is the same, sometimes, in Hebrew,
as in the twenty-first psalm, twelfth verse.
It means always repulsion, or defeat, oi
something sinister. He may be mistaken,
but there seems to be sense in what he
says. A BfBJjE READING JOHN.’’
Formula for Mending Celluloid
“In reply to Mrs. A. L. McA.: Dissolve
any color or celluloid that you want in
acetone to the consistency of thick cream.
Cse this as the glue and press well to
gether until dry. <*. B. H.”
Free Bibles for the Blind
"I read in the H. H. C. of a blind wom
an who wanted to get a Bible for the
blind. 1 can tell her where she can get
one by paying transportation. The Amer
ican Bible house, Astor place, New' York,
will supply a Bible In raised letters. Braal
or New York point. Blanks will be sent
and are filled, ordained ministers signing
them. Transportaiton charges must be
paid. I have a brother who, with his wife,
is blind, and my heart aches for the af
flicted ones. I read the Corner every day
and thoroughly enjoy it.
“MRS. H. C."
Request for Music
“I think Mrs. Me. put too much sirup
in her divinity fudge. If she would use
a half cup or less of sirup it would be
more flakey. I should like to know if any
°f the many readers has music which
they would like to pass along to me. If
so, I should be most grateful. K. E. S.“
Substitute for Bread
“The term ’tortilla’ is applied in Mex- ,
ico to any sort of pancake, made of
beans, eggs, meat, or hatter. However, !
the word ‘tortilla’ is the word for the
substitute for bread. It is made from
dried corn, soaked as we do hominy, and
ground to a paste, it is then made into
thin cakes and baked on a sheet iron oven
an open fire without grease. 1 mention
this because some residents of the United
States have an idea that tortillas are a
sort of bean bread. I have heard them
spoken of as tortilla beam:.’ Having
traveled extensively in a country of which
we. as a people, are disgracefully ig
norant, I offer this crumb of information.
It is provoked by overhearing a man
say yesterday that ‘the Mexicans live
upon tVead and chili con earne and have
no knowledge of civilized cookery."
“JAMES C. C."
Thanks are due our justly indignant
correspondent for his information.
DECATUR
Decatur, May 6.— (Special.)—The fu
neral of Frank Pierce, who died Mon
day. took place this morning at 10:30
o’clock from his residence on Bank
street. The services were conducted
by the following secret orders: Ma- \
sonic, Red Men, Odd Fellows and Junior;
Order United American Mechanics, he
being a member of all of these orders. I
He leaves a widow, a son and a daugh- ;
ter. The floral offerings were many
and most beautiful.
Miss Teresa Wallen and her m >thcr
hav- Just returned to the Decaturs
after an absence of several years in
Europe and will visit friends here for
a few days.
A few days ago Miss Wallen grad
uated in music in Berlin, Germany, and
since her graduation has made quite
a reputation on the piano in a num
ber of the capitals and large cities of
Germany, France. England and other
European countries.
Miss Wallen was born at Moultou
Heights, a suburb of the Decaturs,
where she lived with her parents un
til going to Europe with her mother,
several years ago. Her father was a
noted contractor who died in New York
city several years ago.
The case of the state against Bob
Langston, charged with the killing of
Wiley Hill three years ago. was called
in the circuit court here yesterday and
continued until Thursday. Sometime
ago Langston was convicted and given
five years. The supreme court re
versed the case. l^angston has been
out on bond since.
Marion S Bingham, a well known
civil engineer of Decatur, has been
appointed road supervisor for Madison
county to succeed Walter Jones, who
resigned recently. He will devote one
^is time to the public roads
of Madison county and the rest of ills
time to the state highways.
The first district convention of wom
an s clubs convened here this morning
at 10 o clock at the First Presbyterian
church.
The meeting was called to order by
Mrs John D. Wyker. district prenident
Invocation was offered by the Rev.
W. N Sholl.
The following programme was ren
dered:
Greetings from the president, Mi's. U
J Haley.
Greetings from the corresponding
secretary, Mrs. Frances B. Clark.
The state federation, its work, past
and future, Mrs. John D. Wyker.
Attsr a general discussion Adjourn
ment was taken for lunch at the noon
hour.
The afternoon programme was taken
up by a general dlscu*Jllhn, after a song
by the Decaturs’ holed singer. Miss
Margaret Clarkson.
County Superintendent of Education
J. C. Tidwell has announced that there
will be a big educational rally in Hart
selle, this county, on May 22, and that
after this rally a campaign will be
made In the county arainst Illiteracy.
Mrs. Leonard T. Beecher Talks About the Influence of
the Drama and the Purpose of the Drama League
---- I ..... .
By DOLLY DALKVMPI.E
With Mrs. B. F. Wilkerson as president
of the Birmingham Center of the Draftia
League of America, and Mrs. Leonard T.
Beecher, member of the national organ
ization committee as a resident of this
city, as well as the other officers and
members of the local branch, there seems
to be nothing short of a most sanguine
prospect for the success of the enterprise
here.
Mrs. Wilkerson s remarkable talent and
graciousness admirably fit her for the
presidency and Mrs. Beecher, whose fame
as a reader is almost world wide, gives
her a prestige that is scarcely enjoyed by
any other woman in the south, and with
her splendid knowledge of music, art and
the drama, she makes an ideal acquisition
to the work which will be counted as un
usual. within the next few years of Bir
mingham’s growth and activity.
Mrs. Beecher will give the first pro
gramme in the early autumn for the Bir
mingham Center of the Drama league at
the Tutwiler hotel, and after the initial
recital semi-monthly meetings will be
held and the programme committee is now
arranging and obtaining talent for these
meetings.
Mrs. Wilkerson wil read a play and Dr.
and Mrs. Losey of Tuscaloosa will give a
Shakespearean recital. Lectures on the
drama by Dr. Edmonds. Rabbi Newfleld
and a talk on Irish theatre and Irish
plays by Rev. Father Coyle. Dr. Burton,
president of the Drama league of Amer
ica and editor of that excellent magazine.
"The Drama." will probably be secured
for lectures some time during the year.
Airs. W. S. Lovell and others will direct
the productions of an amateur play which
will he given by the best histrionic talent
available.
Some professional talent is available
from the Drama League of Atlanta. The
league in Atlanta has t>50 members, by the
way. and meets weekly at Georgian Ter
race.
A charming woman from that city vis
iting here recently hurried home because
she "didn’t want to miss the drama league
on Tuesday," and remarked "we never
read plays any more in Atlanta—we go
and hear them read and discussed.’’
Mrs. Beecher very charmingly and in
terestingly discussed some of the different
phases a few days ago of the drama and
Its influence, and what the Drama'
League of America" has meant to dile
tante and professional.
Mrs. Beecher said:
We have made the mistake of thinking
of the drama as something that we could
tolerate or not. according to our own
individual preferences or prejudices, as an
ornament or embroidery upon life, when
as a matter of truth the drama is not
to be detached from life. It is a flower of
which life is the seed. It is an eloquent,
poignant sign of life, and the efforts that
have been made to suppress it on account
of its abuse are about as sensible and well
directed as would be the attempt to hold
a church congress to determine that be
cause literature has been made a medium
of decoy and suggestion that therefore
we will burn up the immortal messages of
Dante and Goethe and Shakespeare: that
we will all stop speaking because men
lie and blaspheme and debase speech.
"The drama is a manifestation of
life as inevitable as speech. It is really
the oldest of the arts, preceding even
speech itself, for as an outward and visible
sign of thought, action is far more ef
fective than words, and doubtless was
used first.”
"And the attitude of the Drama league?"
I asked.
"The Drama league starts off with the
proposition that the drama Is the demo
crat of the arts." Mrs. Beecher replied. "A
fine art for the many. Did you ever think
that art is essentially aristocratic? After
all, it is the few choice, gifted and es
pecially trained spirits that really under
stand and appreciate musics It is the few
that understand the possibilities and limi
tations of painting and sculpture, but
thousands who can neither read nor write *
M
MRS. LEONARD T. BEECHER
Member of the national organization committee of the Drama League of
America.
are thrilled by the piece of life which we
call the drama! The art of the theatre is
to make human life simultaneously visible
and audible; to interpret it by tlie most
direct and universal means, the voice, the
body, appropriate costume, inevitable en
vironment, the living word. The repre
sentation reaches the mind as directly as
possible. It is not through line and color1
as in painting, not through tone and inter
val a8 in music, not as strange language
which must be mastered before the mes
sage can be understood! It is life itself re
vealed in active and tone color, a natural
language that we have never had to be
taught, and In speech which wre learned at
our mother's knee and which belongs to
every moment of our lives.'’
“The contention of the Drama league
is that the drama of today Is literally
making the minds of the people of to
day,'' Mrs. Belcher continued. “As Ber
nard Shaw says, ‘it is a huge factory of
thought; a prompter of conscience, an
eluoidator of social conduct and points of
honor, an armory against despair and
dullness, a temple of everything that
tinaly determines the destiny of a great
nation.’ ”
"My attitude to the, play?” Mrs.
Beecher repeated my question thought
fully. “Well— well, with “Alice-sit-by
the-Pire.” I can only sigh:
* "Oh. the dear, dear theatre!' The rais
ing of the curtain has ever ushered me
into a land of charm and enchantment and
there is one corner in the garden of
memory where all the flowers are immor
telles. I have always seen my happy
stars that I was ushered Into the magic
world of the theatre by Edwin Booth in
Richelieu.' I remember my uncomforta
ble realization that my friends were
amused at my wide-eyed, breathless In
terest. 1 sat clutching the seat ahead
of me as the majestic old cardinals moved
through the play. How' satisfactory he
was; this grand old prelate who stood to
my ardent young imagination for all that
was holiest in religion—virtuous, conscious
power, defending beautiful, innocent
weakness.”
“What do you think of the current prob
.em play?” I asked.
”[ can be hopeful even in the face of ^
what has been happening for the past
two or three years.” said Mrs. Beecher
optimistically. ”1 admit the current com
nerclal offering has swept over the land
ike h pestilential epidemic of indecency,
nanity and inaptitude, but there are many
signs that we are on the eve of a great
general awakening to the educational
value of the theatre. The enthusiastic
response to the Drama league is the most
significant of these signs. It is a rallying
^ry to which thousands are answering
rhey are all adding their best to the so- t
oial sum and the result is already
in educated playgoing public. I
isked a prominent educator of the mid
dle west recently what he thought tin
effect of the cheap show was upon the
vouth of today, and he grew very se
rious as he said: f
“I will answer that in 2ft years from
now. Only of one thing am I sure: it is
sickenlngly, vulgarising.” Now that is my
juarrel with the cheap show and the rag
time to which it shuffles throughout our
days. Ruskin says the chief element it
vulgarity is insensibility. Cheap shows 4
develop insensibility to the sweetest and ’
noblest elements of art. They develop in
sensibility to delicacy, and the refined
feelings of the soul. The imaginative ele
ments are lost. Henry Irving long ago
wrote:
“You may depend upon it the theatre as
a whole never falls below the average
moral sense of the time. Think of the of
ferings of the past two seasons and say
if you are willing to accept that State
ment! Wfluid we -not wince to have a
visitor from Mars drop into one of our
theatres if he expected to judge our av
erage moral sense by what he saw and
heard there? Would he not be justified'!*
(Continue** on Pag* l«e)
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