Wise Joins Hayes in Movement to Rid Theatre of Obscenity

The movement started by New York Catholics under the auspices of Cardinal Hayes to rid the New York theatres of obscenity has the approval of Rabbi Stephen S. Wise as well as of Bishop William T. Manning, New York Protestant leader. In a statement which he issued from his summer home in Lake Placid, N. Y., on Monday, Dr. Wise stated:

“I am deeply interested in every undertaking to make the theatre what it has almost ceased to be—clean and decent and worthwhile. I have long noted with admiration the ‘white list’ plan of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. Here is a field in which the churches ought to make themselves felt. And I believe that it is our business to give encouragment and support to those leaders of the theatre world who are not satisfied to be garbage distributors.

“I am sure that I speak for the best intelligence and the high standards of my people in pledging earnest and even enthusiastic support to any movement which will again make of the theatre a place of enchantment and beauty rather than a cesspool. It is only fair to add that in the last year or two we have had a number of notable and even noble plays, including the ‘Green Pastures’ and ‘Journey’s End’ and not a few others.”