The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-10-11
THE STAGE AND THE TARIFF.
Cleveland Times Put Actors on Their Us
pers and Tax the Benefit Funds.

pers and Tax the Benefit Funds.
There is no class of people among
our entire community upon whom is
more quickly reflected dull or pros
porous condition Of business than the
actor. There has been no business that
more fully experienced the Cleveland
panic of 1894 than did the theatrical
profession. Managers have been disap-
pointed. Many of the actors and ac-
tresses have been without work and In
dire want and necessity.
At the thirteenth annual meeting of
tho Actors Fund association, held i'll
New York last June, President Palmer
pointed out that "the terrible wave Of
business depression which has swept
over our country has brought great mis-
cry and want to many members of the
dramatic profession, and it has not only
made our task in soliciting and collect
ing money very hard, but it has largely
increased the volume of our work among
the funds beneflciaries, for, In addition
to the care of the sick, we have been
obliged to take an active part In caring
for those of our brethren and sisters
who, though not disabled by sickness,
were still helpless, lacking in most in
stances even the barest necessities of
life.'
In order to relieve the unfortunate
actors and actresses who, owing to the
Cleveland dull times, were unable to
find remunerative employment, spe-
cial fund amounting to so, 610. 55 was
raised by subscriptions and by benefit
performances given in various theaters
in New York. The expenditure of this
money was placed In tho hands of a
committee, which reported that they
had given relief to b17 actors and ac-
tresses and had paid ont $8, 155. 90. The
report stated that relief was still being
given to members Of the theatrical pro-
fession who, though in bodily health,
find themselves in most desperate straits
until the coming of the new dramatic
season, when it was hoped there would
be an improvement in the general bust
ness Of the country.
The growth of distress among sctors
and actresses was stated for 1899. In
that year relief was afforded to sol per-
sons; in 1898 relief was afforded to COS
members Of the profession, and this
year the number has increased to 9o3.
This long list of benehciaries includes
703 actors and actresses Of the dramatic,
operatio and variety stagei 50 mana
gers, business managers and agents; 10
dancers, II circus performers, 8 min
strels, 8 stage managers, . dramatists, 40
musicians. 8 magioians, 10 machinists,
81 museum performers, 8 scenic artists
and 23 Of all other classes
The American actor and the Ameri-
can actress are not protected by the tar
iff directly; therefore, according to the
free trade theory, their business should
prosper without intermission and with
out regard to passing geyentsaroundthem
The result however, which upsets the
old and wornout free trade theory we
have already shown. But it may be well
to go further and point out the fact that
where the dramatic profession Is not
protected it has been u particular victim
to free trade, because foreign managers
and foreign actors who come to this
country and make money out of tho
American people take that money out
of the country. Yet they have been al
lowed to import their costumes and ev-
erything else pertaining to their pro-
ductions free of duty. while American
managers and actors were compelled to
pay duty on everything that they I'M
ported from abroad.
Without the benefit of this concession
1t would not pay many foreign mana
gers to bring whole companies to this
country to take the bread and butter
out of the mouths of American actors,
who can do equally well, If not
good deal better, and the profits made
by the ventures of the American man.
ayers would be expended or invested in
our own country instead Of being car
ried off to Europe to increase our oat-
flow Of American gold.