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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (July 26, 1914)
TIIE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, JULY 26, 1914. 14 THEATRICAL WISEACRES SEE COMING OF REVIVAL OF ROMANTIC DRAMA "Kismet" and "Omar, the Tentmaker" Are Proclaimed as Worthy Companion-Pieces of "Ben Hur" and 'If I Were King" Departure From Present Sordid, Grim Realisms of Life Removes Theatergoer From Woes. AiTnterejtnj? Scene rom Omar the Tent Maker THEATRICAL, wiseacres who note the sljrns of the times firmly be lieve that we are on the verse of a tremendous revival of Interest in the the first elaborate romantic drama to attain conspicuous success since "Ben Hur" and "If I Were King." This de sire for big. pulsant romances was heeded further during the past season romantic drama. During the last sea- by the proiuction of "Evangeline" and son or two mere nas neen a ueciuru leaning toward plays of grim realism. many of which have been frankly un healthy in their appeal. Since only clean, buoyant plays can have a per manent place In the American theater. it only Is natural that a reaction in fa vor of romantic pieces should set In. Plays such as "Cyrano de BergeraC and "If I Were King" invariably achieve greater and more lasting suc cess than sensational muckraking and sex concoctions, and it Is entirely right that they should. Laying particular stress upon the idealistic and adventurous phases of human existence, the play of romance weeps its audience out of the slough of their petty, human existence; It stimulates the imagination, feeds the fancy, stirs the red blood. It only Is natural that plays of this kind should outstrip in permanence those grim plays of realism that dwell with over emphasis upon the woes of earthly ex istence. People have enough cares and worries in real life, and, entering a playhouse, they like to cast away mun dane thoughts and let their minds travel in the channels of everlasting and youthful romance. The returning seal of public approval upon romantic plays in this country may be said to have been stamped with the production of "Kismet." which was "A Thousand 1 ears Ago," neither ot which, however, contained the popular elements that make for universal suc cess. In fact. It remained for an American playwright to produce the successor to "Kismet," and Richard Walton Tully succeeded in presenting a play, "Omar the Tentmaker." which attained even greater metropolitan tri umphs than any romantic play seen for a decade. A public surfeited with the storm and stress of sex discussions rallied with a vim to a play that led them Into the dreamlike atmosphere of love In rose-bowered gardens under "that 1 verted bowl they call the sky." Mr. Tully based his play upon the life times and Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, the beloved Persian poet and mystic of the eleventh century, and he took par ticular pains to enhance the romantic episodes in Omar's career and to em phasize the romantic trend of the man's nature. Ith such a theme, Mr. Tully, of course, was privileged to deck his work in a glowing atmosphere or Oriental color and charm. How com pletely he succeeded in his task will be seen when Guy Bates Post appears In "Omar the Tentmaker," at the Heillg Theater. Broadway at Taylor street, for seven days, commencing Sunday night. August 2. All lovers of the best that our stage has to offer firmly trust that Edward Knoblauch, with "Kismet," and Rich ard Walton Tully, with "Omar the Tentmaker," have paved the way for a brilliant succession of romantic plays. AS Omar "fAe TentTfaker COUNTRY LURE WINS EASTERNERS TO GOLDEN AND GROWING WEST Scholars, Business and Professional Men of Every Line Drawn by Appeal of Outdoor Life and Prospects of Own Homes. BY A. B. COULTER. ON THE trip from Hood River to Cloud Cap Inn our attention was repeatedly called to the class of people who had located in the valley. Here was a Pittsburg attorney, there a New York banker, yonder a Minneap olis merchant and many others, gradu ates, some of them, from Harvard, Princeton and other Eeats of learning In the East. In the country the elixir of life courses and rushes through his veins and he experiences what is known as Spring fever, only another way of ex pressing his longing for the country and all growing things. It is Nature's call to life and he cannot resist it. Sunday morning comes and he sees Na ture in a playful mood, in her holiday attire, and she weaves a spell about him that binds him to her for a day. Many Reason Are Given. But the country as a playground and the country as a workshop are vastly different; and something more than a desire for a day's recreation Impels a man deliberately to forsake "the flesh pots of Egypt.'.' the city with its pleas ures, its luxuries, its life of compara tive ease, Its artificialities, for the country, with its hard, rough, out-door manual labor. What is the Impelling motive that brought and is bringing the young man Into the Hood River Valley? Is it am bition propelling his ship of success to its destination? Is it the same un quenchable thirst for gold that for ever makes far-off fields appear green, that led men through hardships and privations In the early days to the California gold fields and later to the Klondike? Is It a quest for health? Verily, all these had their place, but above and beyond all, that which stirred his heart and fired his brain was and always will be the lure of the country the same call that comes to the suburbanite and the apartment dweller In early Springtime. It Is true some men located here to Improve their health, and let it be said in all truth, that In almost every case they were not disappointed, the higher altitude, clear air, pure water, health ful exercise, outdoor life and" the closer touch with Nature combining to make the Upper Valley no mean health re sort. According to the homesteaders, most of the newcomers were failures in their previous life and. with evident satis faction, the homesteader adds: "They are failures still." But these reasons. Inspired as they are In part by motives not the purest, all miss the mark. These Easterners were successful from a financial standpoint in their former business or profession. They were attracted by the lure of the coun try. Beauty in art never has surpassed and never will that In nature, for art Is but a copy, nature the original. And this city dweller coming to the coun try sees the original. Then, too, the newcomer finds a community spirit In this country dif ferent from that in the city; different, in fact, from that In most rural sec tions. No alien is here; none is wanted. The new element that Is developing the valley consists of bright, up-to-date men. They meet at the grange, at church socials, at home dinners, exchange Ideas, discuss orchard management, the latest theory in spraying, the best cover crop, and each profits by the xperlence of the other. He finds a public library, modest In its beginnings, but big with possibili ties. He finds a non-sectarian church whose pastor is a typical skypilot. working on his ranch, clearing land, going in and out among his people in a manner that wins more friends for himself and the cause he represents than the deepest doctrinal sermon could do,, yet with learning and eloquence that would grace any pulpit in the East. Farm Life Diversified. In farm life, more so than in almost any other sphere of action, there is diversity of thought and work. From the opening of Spring until the closing days of Fall, there is continued activity pruning, spraying, irrigating, culti vating, thinning of apples. Summer pruning and then the harvesting and marketing of the crop. And in the meantime there is work in the garden, in the hayfleld, with the stock and chickens. Do not. however, even for one mo ment, get the impression that life on the farm is all sunshine and roses. On the contrary, there Is hard work, often seemingly without reward. I dare not stop without giving one more reason for the settling of this valley, a most potent factor. This is pre-eminently the young man's coun try. The rough pioneering has been done; now the country awaits the set tler and the Investor, but never the speculator. Opportunities abound for young men to invest in raw land or young orchards; prices are normal after a period of inflated values; the possi bilities and the future of the valley as an apple-growing district are assured; the climate is ideal, the scenery, with Mount Hood as the central figure, Is inspiring; the people energetic, edu cated, refined the equal of any sim ilar class in the city. All this and more the young man will realize as he responds to the old clarion call: "Go West, young man, go West, and grow up with the country." PERSONAL MENTION. E. C. Wilson, of Nyssa, is at the Eaton. E. E. Wilson, of Corvallls, is at the Seward. John C. Holste, of London, is at the Perkins. Will E. Purdy, of Newberg, is at the Cornelius. O. J. Oswald, of Mount Angel, is at the Carlton. Colonel B. K. Lawson, superintendent of the State Penitentiary, is registered ot t Vi 3wprri from Salem. W. M. Dickerson, of Hood River, is at the Seward. C. M. Sharpstein, of Wasco, is at the Multnomah. William Tyler Smith, of Salem, Is at the Imperial. t r Rnwen is registered at the Washington, H. L. Gill, of Woodburn, is registered at the Eaton. Miss Estella Hammond is registered at the Eaton. O. W. Hellgrave, of Huntington, is at the Cornelius. innn ft Yountr. Astoria milliner, is at the Multnomah. Mr. and Mrs. G. J. Miller, of Centralia, are at the Carlton. C. H. Rathray. of Seattle, is regis tered at the Carlton. Mrs. H. Clay Levy, of Cascade Locks, is at the Multnomah. J. F. Tates is registered at the Im perial from Corvallls. J. A. Hann, of Seaside, registered at the Carlton yesterday. W. H. Bell, a Seattle interior decora tor. Is at the Imperial. E. J. Stanley is registered at the Ore gon from Walla Walla. Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Caruthers, of Den ver, are at the Cornelius. Sidney V. Wood, of Goldendale, is registered at the Cornelius. Mr.- and Mrs. F. T. Donivan. of Eu gene, are at the Washington. H. Nerdrum, of Marshfleld, registered at the Multnomah yesterday. Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Rediske, of La Crosse, are at the Washington. E. Lutyens registered at the Wash ington yesterday from London. Mr. and Mrs. D. P. McDonald, of Van couver. B. C, are at the Perkins. R. R. Graves, of CorvaHis, is regis tered at the Seward with Mrs. Graves. h-red M. Coleman is in the city from Boise, and is registered at the Oregon. M. T. Griddal and W. A. Cartwright and mother, "of Calgary, are at the Per kins. Mr, and Mrs. Morris Belts and daugh ter, Dorothy, of Brooklyn, are at the Oregon. W. J. Kerr, of Corvallls, president of the Oregon Agricultural College, is at the Imperial. T. F. Rice, of New York, with a party of 40, "seeing America first," are regis tered at the Oregon. City Attorney LaRoche left yester day for a two weeks' vacation at Ya chats, a Summer resort 26 miles south of Newport. Mr an.i Mrs. Charles Hirstel leave for San Francisco this morning on th steamer Beaver, taking their first va cation trip for 45 years. Mrs. Frederick Townsend, who has been confined to her home in Irvingtoji for the past month by an attack of nervous Drostration. is improving In health. Stanley H. Brett, Mrs. M. Wolff, Miss Emma Wolff. Miss Martha Spmglor Clara L. Daymen! and G. F. Sullivan are Chicago people who are registered at the Perkins. Mrs. George M. Hyland. Miss Crystal and Miss Constance, George M-, Jr., ana Master Donald arrived home on the Beaver Tuesday, after a four months stay in Southern California. They will pass the remainder of the bummer at their country home on tne laKe snore in Clarke County. DENVER FAILS TO MEASURE UP TO PORTLAND'S IDEA OF ELKfiT FROLIC Colorado City Beautifully Decorated and Lighted, Parade Is Brilliant but Short and Many of Biggest Lodges Fail to Participate in Any Events California Wins Many Skillful Maneuvers. GOODMAN'S PLAY CHOSEN Otis Skinner to Star in Drama by Son of Portland Woman. Jules Eckert Goodman, the play wright, whose mother and sisters live in Portland, at the Nortonia Hotel, has Just achieved a new distinction to crown his. success which became per manent a few years ago with his "Mother." Mr. Goodman has written a play In which Otis Skinner, of "Kismet fame and held to be the toremost ro mantio actor on the American stage. will be starred by Charles Frohman this Fall. It is "The Candle of Faith,' and It has been so recently finished that little is known of the story. It is understood to be the most preten tious Mr. Goodman has attempted, how ever. The premier will be given in October. Mr. Goodman, who is still a young man, has had a tremendously busy year. His "The Trap" met with instant sue cess on presentation a few weeks ago, and now he is whipping into shape dramatized version of Will Payne's "The Memorandum Book," in which Ed ward Abies will play. CLEWS TO ROBBERS FOUND Sheriff Word Puts All Deputies on Trail of Safe Blowers. Finding traces of the robbers who blew ODen the safe In the store of Aaron Fox early Friday morning, Sher iff Word, who was conducting the hunt In person, yesterday sent to his office for all the available deputies, and Kul per. Ford, Rogers, Larfield and Lums den responded. At the same time E. A. Perry, guard at Kelly Butte quarry, was sent for and took the bloodhounds to the scene of the hunt. Sheriff Word was accompanied on the man hunt by City Detective Cole man. After searching all day the quest was given up temporarily at night. FAMOUS ACTOR IN "THE MAN ON THE BOX" AT THE PEOPLE'S THEATER TODAY. SCENE FROM "THE 31 AX OX THE BOX." "The Man on the Box," by Harold MacGrath. is now a motion picture, with Max Flgman and Lolita Robertson in the leading roles. "The Man on the Box." which as a novel enjoyed wide vogue and as a play was most popular, is now a Lasky screen production. The play is in five parts and is said to be one of the most vividly interesting and potently attractive productions ever created. I ewe or vvrM, II D city. SHAD O. KRANTZ. ENVER, Colo., July 25. (Special.) Portland maintains its su premacy as an Elks' convention While Denver dispensed hospitality this year in true Western fashion, the record set by Portland two years ago was not even approached. Old-time convention fans who have attended every Elks' reunion for the last quarter of a century declare that there is no comparison between the en tertainment provided by Portland and that furnished by Denver or that fur nished by any other of the other con ventions, either before the Portland reunion or since. In every department. though, the Denver convention was one of the most successful ever held. The grand lodge transacted a large volume of business and the lay members had an abundanct of pleasure and fun. Good weather prevailed. While the sun did a steady business early in the week, a cool mountain breeze got busy Thursday morning and made condi tions for the big parade Ideal. The parade was a brilliant spectacle but it was only about half as long as that in Portland. It was composed principally of Colorado lodges. About 6000 participated. The decorated floats of the various Colorado cities were one of the principal features. They were of an industrial nature and advertised the principal resources of the par ticular community that they respec tively represented. Attendance of grand lodge members, as well as that of lay members and the public in general was far short of that Portland attendance. That ac counts for the lack of numbers in the parade. None of the big Eastern lodges was represented. New York City. which had nearly 100 men In line at Portland, was not In evidence at all in Chis year's procession, cnicagu. Omaha, Jersey City and other lodges that made big showings at Portland and which are comparatively near to Denver did not enter. California lodgs turned out, headed hv San Francisco's drill team, and celebrated the victory of Los Angeles In securing next year s convention. Denver Gaily Uecorated. Denver was dressed in fitting fash ion to entertain tne antier wearers this year. Not even Portland exceuea In this department. The streets were beautifully illuminated at night. The Portland Idea of a "court oi nonor wab adopted here. However, msteaa oi hRvlns- the court form a rectangle. in Portland, it was built along Champa street, one of Denver's principal thoroughfares. At the head of t.nampa street ana i the intersection of Eighteenth street. on which corner stands Denver s new $1,500,000 Federal building, a huge image of an elk was erected. It was 66 feet high and 48 feet wide across the base. By night this figure was attrac tively lighted. At the far end of the court or nonor. anu uuctm i. - Denver's big municipal auauorium, in which the grand lodge sessions were held, was a great "welcome" arch. This, likewise, was emblazoned with ngnis. The court was outlined wnn aecu- i-atod nosts surmounted tyy tne cms clock with the hands pointing to the mystical hour of 11. Although disappointed over their failure to win the 1915 meeting. Seattle Tnius tlisnlaved their good sportsman ship by turning out for the parade and by keeping open house In the Brown Palace Hotel throughout the week. It appears now that heattie lost we 1915 meeting when she consented to hold the Shriners- convention uieie during the second week in July the week fixed by custom as mai ueiung lng to the Elks. California took advantage oi tins . ttion and came here with secret plans to capture next year s meeting. trick was turned when a resolution was put through the grand lodge fix ing the second week In July as tne Ime for holding next years iueeuiis-. Seattle objected to this, but before her delegates could offer much serious pro test, the resolution nao oeen passeu. Seattle then tried to convince the grand lodge that she could handle the Shrin ers and the Elks in the same week, but the delegates would listen to no such plan. It was easy then for Los Angeles to win. It Is certain, though, that fully 90 per cent of the Elks in attendance here this year preferred to go to Seattle next year, as they were in Los Angeles onlv five years ago. However, they did not" want to shift the dates of their meeting from the week in which they have been accustomed to hold it, and thus punished Seattle for giving t.ie Elks' week away. It is hinted, even, that the action of fixing the Shriners' dates for the second week in July was a cleverly maneuvered plot originated In California for the very purpose of winning the meeting. Seattle Elks say they will start right away to land the convention of 1S20. In spite of the fact that they are to convene In the South, thousands of Elks will visit Portland on their trip to the Coast next year. That Is an other reason for the small crowd this year they are waiting for the chance to come to the Coast next year. California's Victories Many. California is particularly proud of the week's work. In addition to land ing next year's meeting, she also Is the home of the new grand exalted ruler Raymond Benjamin, of Napa. Mr. Benjamin, who is Assistant Attorney General of California, doubtless will be one of the most popular and most succe'ssful grand lodge officials ever chosen by the Elks. He has served his apprenticeship as chairman of the judiciary committee and has been active in the affairs of the grand lodge for many years. He was one of the prominent figures at the Portland con vention two years ago. T hope to pay a visit to Portland early In my term," he said on the day after he was elected. "I consider the Portland convention one of the best we ever held and It will give me a lot of pleasure to get back there." Now that this year's elections are over, aspirants for next year's honors are coming Into the field. It Is pre dicted that James R. Nicholson, of Springfield, Mass., will be elected grand exalted ruler at Los Angeles. Mr. Nicholson was grand esquire at the Portland reunion and handled the big parade there. At present he Is a mem ber of the board of grand trustees. Probably the principal legislation enacted this year was the provision made for appointment of a ritual com mission to succeed the present ritual committee and to serve for a term of two years, at the end of which time a new ritual Is to be reported. Mean while, no change Is to be made In the ritual. Through the efforts of the mii.i1; town lodges, the "goat" was re stored to the initiation proceedings at this year's meeting. The "goat" was eliminated at Portland two years ago. There Is a determination among- th Elks to quit tampering with the ritual after a new one Is permanently adopted. Acting on the recommendation of Ed ward Leach, retiring grand exalted ruler, the grand lodge this year again fixed the minimum population neces sary for a city seeking a charter for a subordinate lodge at G0M. This Is the figure at which It had been until last year when It was ralaed to 10.no. As a result, no new lodge were organised while this rule was In effect Advocates of the state Elks' associa tion persisted In their efforts this year to secure formal recognition from the grand lodge for those organisations. It seems that the movement ! that direc tion Is gaining strength annually. Ulti mately It Is expected to win. Then, It Is believed, the state reunions will re place the National reunions, which on account of the growing membership of the Elks, are becoming unwieldy. ZUMWALT FAMILY MEETS Ircomlnnt of lrl IMonrer It. -union nt M.iwlen V llrlclgc. In EUGENE. Or.. July (Special.) Mori- than 150 descendants of Solomon and Nancy Zumwalt. ljine County pio neers, gathered from all parts of the county, today closed a two days' re union at Hayden's bridge, right mites from Eugene. They came yesterday nd pitched their camps on the hunks of the McKenzie River. Six children of th- two pioneers, all of whom crossed the plains with their parents In US0, were present A. J. Zumwmlt. C W Zumwalt. Mrs. Mary Conrad. Mrs. Ardella Walker, Mra. Francis Hamltt and M tllda Warren Tomorrow the annur reunion of the family of Alexander and Sarah Sea vey. also pioneers of the early '50s. will be held at the original Seavey home ranch on the McKenale. HEILIG FILMS FOR WEEK SHOW PARIS GANG LIFE Story of Underworld of French Capital, Its Thrilling Happenings and Climax Mixed With Love and Adventure Told by Screen Pictures Mmna ii,.. u i - niifrr,, Dl IV SSSSBnal SMMB1 A SAI.SB 111. PIRII" t . . , e, trj a mi . . .., . . - - - . , THE story In brief of "The Stran gles of Paris," a film to be shown at the Heillg this week and dramatized by David Belasco, fol lows : In a rose-covered cottage in a village of France lived Simmonet. his wife and their little daughter, Mathllde. Their happiness was complete but short-lived, as his wife died after a short Illness. Simmonet. nearly insane with grief, takes to drink, neglects his business and sinks to the depths of an outcast of society. He takes his child to Paris, where she grows to womanhood Ignorant of her father's double life. Simmonet as sumes the name of Jagon. He soon drifts into the underworld of Paris, becomes the leader of the dreaded gang known as "The Stranglers of Paris." Claude Guerln is attracted by Mi- thilde's beauty, and asks her hand In marriage. Jagon makes a tool of Ma thllde and compels her to accept, pro vided Guorln makes a will In her favor. This he does, and Is strangled by Jagon and found dead before the wedding day. For this crime, Hlanchard, an Innocent man. Is convicted on circum stantial evidence.- Later. Captain Guerln, a brother of the murdered man, contests the will and obtains a verdict In favor aj his daughter, Jeanne. The day the money Is paid to him by the court he Is fol lowed to his home by Jagon and hia accomplice. Lorenz. That night Cap tain Guerln is strangled by Jagon and the money stolen. After a number of thrilling altua tlona, Lorenz, the accomplice. Is stran gled and Jagon dies, but not until after he clears Blanchard of the crimes. 7