Salt Lake Tribune | 1919-07-27 | Page 48 | Prohibition and the Theatre

Prohibition and the 1 heatre OIIIEATRE managers are not com-plaining com-plaining over the passagei of the prohibition pro-hibition amendment to the constitution of the United States, according to J. J. Shubert, who, with bis brother Lee, controls more theatrical enterprises in the United States than any other management. man-agement. '"Two billions and a half were spent for liquor every year, according to the latest government reports," says Mr. Shubert. "A great portion of that expenditure ex-penditure is going to be spent to see theatrical productions in the future, because be-cause the people who spent that money will xei-ave entertainment aud they will find it in the theatre. "While many lines of business may bewail the passing of liquor in the United States, the theatrical owners, looking at the matter from a purely business standpoint, have reason for rejoicing. re-joicing. They see in it vastly larger audiences. They are not altogether selfish sel-fish in their viewpoint, either, for if you persuade people to visit the theatre you are persuading them to obtain the recreation that means greater productive power in their hours of work and you also will elevate their minds and guard their morals if they see the right sort of productions. "I am not a prohibitionist, but I believe that prohibition will help the theatre. Of course, it may injure tie cabaret performances, but the theatre proper will be helped. When a large part of the tide of dollars ceases to flow into alcoholic channels it will go into some other form of amusement rather than into the savings banks, although al-though they also must profit; but the habit of a nation for enjoyment is too strong to suppose the bulk of this vast sum will be set aside for necessities. The theatre, being the most appealing and interesting form of entertainment, will in all probability reap a greater benefit as the result of prohibition than any other form of amusement. '"In the pioneer days of the drama the drunken aud dissolute actor was I common, a recognized type. Such a condition is today unheard of in any legitimate theatre. I will even go so far as to say that prohibition will undoubtedly un-doubtedly bring out a greater number of good plays. "So it seems to me that from every standpoint the theatre will be directly and vitally benefited by prohibition."