Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-07
PROF. MooRE.s EXPERIENCE.
His Participation in a Fake Societ,
Formed Years Axo.

1AAb A6TtlClputlO0 IN n rake Society
Formed Years Ago.
Prof. Willis Moore of the weather bureau
was once connected with a newspaper in
the state OF New York. 1t was while he
held this position that he had an amusing
experience, in which the late cartoonist,
Thomas Mast, figured.
The paper With which Mr. Moore was
connected had a spite against a certain fire
company in the town which desired to hold
an entertainment to raise funds for the
purchase of a new hose carriage or some
thing Of the sort. 1t was learned that the
company intended to secure the services of
Mr.. Mast for the entertainment which
was TO be held in the town hall 1t was
thought that by advertising the lannon's
cartoonist and charging a moderate price
OF admission the hall would be packed and
a large sum secured Tor the desired pur-
pose. In order to forestau the company a
committee was formed, including Mr. Moore
ana several others. They constituted them
selves body known as the Phi Delta Phi
society. What it was they did not know
themselves; they simply wished to make a
biun about the whole business
A letter was written to Mr.. Mast saving
mat 1t was desired to fit up a reading room
Tor the benefit of the pseudo Phi Delta Phi
society, asking what he would charge to
appear for its benefit. 1t was though that
the sum he named would be entirely too
NM
pany from securing him in some manner
Much to the surprise of the COMMITTEES of
the society Mr.. Mast replied stating a 70
markabiy small sum for which he would
VISIT the town and deliver his lecture. The
cartoonist was of a remarkably henauolant
disposition, and 1t was his custom To an
pear 1or the benefit of churches and other
deserving institutions for little or nothing.
When ne would not accept ENGAGEMENTS Of
professional character for large amounts
Inc committee was somewhat nonpIussed
at his acceptance, but saw no other wav
IMAM TO make the best of it. The members
went TO work. had hand bills printed and
distributed and advertisements inserted in
the paper with which Mr. Moore was con.
rected. In addition to this on the front
page and under big head there were pub
,asne .e chpplngs OF the notices Mr.. Mast had
received in the different cities he had visit.
ed In the capacity of lecturer This was
continued daily until the cartoonist arrived
ana was big advertisement for the enter
sentatives of the hose company were great
y exercised over the matter They could
lot understand what the Phi Delta Phi
society consisted Of as it had sprung so
suddenly into existence. Their EFFORTS tn
find out did not avail them very much
1t was known that Mr.. Mast would desire
10 see the reading room which the socjet q
engaging him had stated 1t wished to fit
mittee in charge decided to rent room
from enc of the local societies Of the town
as sort of steer -
The night of the lecture the hall was
crowded beyond expectation, and a COM
mfttee from the alleged Phi Delta Phi So
ciety had white elephant of large di-
mensions on their hands, Visions of OBJ
tanning money under false pretenses stared
them IN the face. When the box receipts
were divided. after all their expenses were
deducted. 1t was found that there was a
IA !arse sum OF money. so large, In fact, that
their consciences would not approve Of n
division among the committee
Inc matter was finally settled by a large
portion OF the receipts being turned over
10 the nre company, after which the pro-
moters Of the lecture, the formers Of the
Phi Delta Phi Society. breathed easier.