Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-08-11

THE STAGE AND THE TARIFF.
Cleveland Times Put Actors on Their I'll
psrs and Tax the Benefit Funds.

Cleveland Times Put Actors on Their Up
pers and Tax the Benefit Funds.
There is no class of people among
our entire community upon whom is
more quickly reflected dull or a pros
porous condition Of business than the
actor. There has been no business that
more fully experienced the Cleveland
panic Of $685. than did tho theatrical
profession Managers have been disap-
pointed. Many Of the actors and &C
tresses have been without work and in
dire want and necessity.
at the thirteenth annual meeting of
the Actors Fund association, held in
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. bat it has largely
increased thevolnme of our work among
the funds benefciaries, 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. y
In order to relieve the unfortunate
actors and actresses who, owing to the
Cleveland duh times, were unable to
find remnnerative employment, spc-
cial fund amounting to so, 6l0. so was
raised by subscriptions and by benefit
performances given in various theaters
in New York. The expenditure Of this
money was placed in the hands Of
committee, which reported that they
had given relief to 5lT actors and ac-
tresses and had paid ont So, 1896. The
report stated THAT relief was still being
given to members of the theatrical pro-
fession who, though i'll bodily health.
find themselves i'll most desperate straits
until the coming of the new dramatic
season, when it was hoped there would
be an improvement i'll the general bust
ness of the country.
The growth of distress among actors
and actresses was stated for 1892. In
that year relief was afforded to sol per-
sons; i'll, 1898 relief was afforded to Cos
members Of the profession, and this
year the number has increased TO 903.
This long list of benefeiaaics includes
703 actors and actresses of tho dramatic,
operate and variety stage; So mana
gers, business managers and agents; 16
dancers, II circus performers, s min.
strels, stage managers, 2 dranatists, 40
musicians, magicians, 10 nachinists,
81 museum performers, scenic artists
ard 23 Of all other classes.
Tho American actor and the Ameri-
can actress nre not protected by the tar
if directly; therefore, according to the
FREQ trade theory, their business should
prosper without intermission and with
ont regard to passing eventsaround them.
The result, however. which upscts the
old and weTnout free trade theory we
have already shown. Butt may bowell
TO go further and point out tho fact that
where the dramatic profession is not
protected it has been q particular victim
to free trade, because foreign managers
and foreign actors who come to this
country and make money out Of the
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-