The National tribune., 1883-09-27

4 strange coincidence of that evening was that
my return ! found an application for charter
from Phil Sheridan Post, San jose, Cal. And so
the work goes bravely on.
Yours, In r, c. aud L., SARAH Il. FULLER,
National Secretary, w. Il. G.
POPULAR @. A. r. gENBFIT.
As the season approaches for social entertain
ments for the benefit Of Post relief funds in
uuiries reach us from various quarters asking
for information as to the best course to pursue
in securing substantial financial as well as So
cial results. At the risk of repeating some in
formation already advanced IN these columns,
and as information concerning the last annual
entertainment for the benefit of Forsyth Post
relief fund is particularly called for, we have
secured letter from Miss Emma Sibley, of
Toledo. Ohio, prominent worker IN the Re-
lief Corps connected with that Post, containing
many suggestions of practical value. As For
syth Post has annually expended for years past
more money in relief work than all other Posts
in the Department combined, and as its entire
source of revenue for such expenditure is de-
rived from this annual entertainment, the plan
of work followed successfully for six years is
worth the consideration of the Posts generally.
It seems better, for many reasons, for Post to
appear but once a year before the public, and
then, through q combined and well-matured
effort to reap such harvest as will keep the
storehouse full until the next return of the
season. good programme, promptly carried
out, coupon IlckcEs, as uGccFlUSu III tue l6btSi,
and a canvass beforehand, with judieious ad-
vertising are the secrets of success.
TOLEDO OHIO, September H. 1883.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE
In reply to the many inquiries which you have for
warded TO me relative to the form of work adopted
by the management of the last c.. A. Il. benefit of
this city, / would submit the following sketch,
without effort TO particularlze any OF the various
attractions feartures of the entertainments. For
syth Post has tried military lawn fetes reiicrooms
and bazaars and seeks each year for something
that will strike the popular taste
The laid-f1ay carnival OF 1888, constituted an
opera house entertainments OF SIX nights and a
Saturday matinee. The rule in Forsyth Post Aux
iliary is, as entertainment is over,
for the members to take note of everything new
that they read hear OF that may aid them IN pro-
viding a novelty for the coming year. Their prepa-
rations always begin several months in advance
at the February meeting the President asked the
ladies to take the matter into special consideration
and report at the monthly meeting ia March. A
resolution was at the same time passed ASKING %
conference committee entertainment from the
| Post. This committee met n like committee from
! the Auxiliary, according to appointment ana TO-
gether they constituted general committee OF ar
engagements The Commander of the Post and
| President Of the Auxiliary were ex-officio MEM
beTs of the joint committee. Its first work was to
organize with president, secretary and treasurer,
who constituted the chiefs of organization for the
| entertainment. Weekly meetings Were held rtgu-
larly thereafter until the carnival week, extending
! over q period of three months. This committee
was deemed the head and front of all business per-
tanning to the carnival and is generally acknowl-
| of workers necessarily engaged. Vested with au-
thority to appoint all subcommittee, which We're
made up in all cases OF ladies and gentlemen, the
question OF the respective duties OF these suboom-
nlittees first thoroughly discussed and decided
by vote and all such decisions were then accepted
as official 10y every individual interested; thus
| avoiding any hindrances to success that might
arise from differences among the several commit
| tees.
Perhaps the first work that presented itself to the
! conference committee, the negotiating for an
| opera house suitable hall for the entertainment
| and accordingly committee on halls was APP
pointed and a report submitted at the next meet
ing, giving terms. sc. An estimate was then made
| of other necessary expenditures, and the work OF
| organizing a finance and other committees was
| begun
| Further duties of the conference committee con-
sisted in fixing the prices OF tickets and IN the
| rangement of complete carnival programme. II
was considered not the least important attraction
to place the price of admission within the reach o
{. all, and with this object in view, the following
were the prices agreed upon: Coupon tickets .
admitting to six evening entertainments, good for
any evening, a coupon detached for each person
admitted. General admission, so cents. Matinee
prices: Admission, 5cent5; children under twelve
years Is cents.
The printing of the tickets was then given into
the hands OF o printing and advertising committee
! and as soon as printed, delivered to the finance
committee who proceeded to dispose of the coupon
tickets principally by canyassing aided In thS by
efficient 60 workers both in and out of the organ
ization Single ticket. sold only at the door. We
| would heartily recommend this coupon ticket
| system. the management not only by this
barrsssaent by the gathering in OF advance
funds, but il affords IN this positive In
dueement TO the purchaser in the saving of one
dollar and thus has a tendency to popularize the
G.. A Il. while returning to the public at low prices
as full compensation in amusement and soeia
pleasure can be offered by professionals. And
right here 1t may not DE ili-timed to express as
hearty condemnation of any OF the numerou:
"clap-trap" schemes common at fairs or siiniia
entertainments, whereby the fund is only sweIlee
at the disgust of the entrapped public. public
thus treated will not be as likely to come again
The duties OF the printing and advertising commit
tee were many and varied, aud to them is certainly
accredited bountifu share In the financial success
ofthe entertainment. A general announcement pro
gramme was prepared by the conference commit
tee and then given to this committee for Printin;
and distribution. and the making up of press no
tices and . dodgers" Among the most effective
modes of advertising was neatly gotten-up, four
! page prospectus, perfected some time before th'
carnival, and designed not only FOR city circulation
but to be mailed to neighboring cities and towns
Then there dodgers posters, hand-bills, &c.
| and conspicuous items in daily papers for severa
days. Programmes for each evening were pre-
pared in this manner: The cast of the characters
with synopsis other notes furnished by th
general stage manager through the managers O
the musical dramatic committees the cas-
might be, and printed under the direction of tn
advertising committee A committee on railroad
) was frequently brought into conference with tn
advertising committee. We would emphasize tn
ADVANTAGE derived from this railroad committee
for Il was through them we were furnished excui
sions; and the sale of single tickets was large
increased such nights-in fact the largest ai
standing request that each member, from week
week would devoteas much thoughtto TO the carnivl
features as possible, and unheSatngly present h
ideas at the meetings. All such suggestions wer
! then recognized and carefully discussed and,
thought practicable, made part of the carniva
? IL was in this way the programme was develope
and carried out, and il viii be observed that IN til
: acceptance of suggestions from many source
/ original or otherwise. the management was give
the benefit of different tastes, and therefore I'll
better able to satisfy public of all tastes and
ages; that Is as far the demands We're limited
q carnival of mirth and beauty throughout. 5
lin the language of the Toledo Journal " thel
e was provided the light opera. sparkling coined
{ spectacular fairy plays, in which the little DO.
u and girls were marves OF life and loviinesS fanC
, drills and many incidental attractions OF simi;
= character" From the same journal: " The pr
gramme varied and new each evening, al
. after it was over came of social dancing
81 while the lemonade booths and ice tabl
invited hundreds to linger for pleasant chat or
listen to the inspiring strains OF Wolff Orchesr
and in the comfortable seats of dress circle b
. cony wonder AT the glowing vivacity of the Win
u ing dancers in the parquette below"
'e Besides the objects aimed at, viz, to produ
features novel and attractive, promptness was TO
~ ciby recommended 10 the managers of all depaI
- mente and particularly of the stage enterlainmet
; at time allowing the interInsSion to exceed Il
- minutes. When change of scenery might deli
~ the rising of the curtain, solos choruscs or 9th
at acceptable musical numbers were promptly fill,
| in. Herein, opine, lies much of the success
u amateur entertainment or yca versa. An aud
ence, wearied with set scene or drop curtain +
H. unreasonable length of time will but feeb
appreciate the efforts OF tired workers ami
III tious performers whose hearts beat loudly d
ie vainly for applause. however admirable the pc
&c formance may be- part of the duties of the sta
70 manager consisted in tho performance OF this
of promptDeSS. To him given the sta