The Portland daily press., 1898-02-21
THE HOUSE PARTY.
Mr.. Whitehouse Explains the Terms of Its
Production.

The publication of report that dis
satisfaction was felt over the amount
received by the Invalids Home from
the proceeds of the production OF the
House Party, has lead Mr.. Robert L.
Whitehouse to make the following expla-
nation to a reporter. Mr.. Whitehouse
said that the piece having been twice
played for oharity's sake, once at SPUR
rel Island and again at Augusta, he dld
not feel that he could spare the time from
his business to again participate IN lts
performance. To the ladies of the lnva-
lids Home he presented business pro-
position which they accepted. The pro-
position was this: That out of the pro-
ceeds general expenses should first be
paid; that IS per cent, Of the remainder
should be paid the authors as royalty;
500 each were then to be paid to the
members of the cast who desired re-
Enumeration fol- the services, and after
these various sums had been paid, the bal
ance of the proceeds was to be given to
tho Invalids' Home.
1t is understood that the royalty paid
Mr.. and Mrs. Whitehouse amounted to
$40. In line with the explanation made
by Mr.. Whitehouse is the following state
1nent from the officers of the Invalids'
Home:
To Mr.. and MRS. Robert Treat White
house:
''It is our duty and privilege in view
OF the report which has been circulated
in Portland, and published in the Lew
iston Journal purporting that the man
ayers of the sInyalid's Home were dissat-
ished and disappointed with the result OF
the House Party to state that this is
false. The directors understood perfectly
upon what terms they could obtain the
play for the benefit of our institution and
they considered they were most fortunate
in securing it, as you had been offered
larger royalty by another charity in our
city. The acceptance was unanimous and
recorded. A committee was appointed
with power to carry out all further tran
saotions and details necessary to make 1t
a success. The second agreement for
third night. whereby other members of the
cast might receive some compensation
which the gentlemen felt their time AID
attention deserved, was embodied In
written contract as follows: Terms on
which the House Party is to be given for
three nights
81. Out of proceeds general expenses
are to be paid first.
"2. 25 per cent Of balance to be paid
authors as royalty.
's3. Twenty dollars to each member
of the cast (who desires it).
a. Entire balance of proceeds to In
valid's Home.
stThis was deemed reasonable by the
President of the Home and the chairman
of the committee and your signature was
Oft an To nd If dnnns1f6d with
us, and the entire matter was agreed upon
and settled before any work required for
the production of the play was entered
upon, only one meeting having been held
previous to this, at which the duties We're
assigned to the different members aof the
committee.
"You carried out this contract to the
letter and at thcEmeeting of the board on
January 18th your report of expenses
given in detail and the amount due the
Home was read, the tsalne having been
given in all our daily papers, which was
most satisfactory and grateful vote OF
thanks extended to you and all others in
the cost for such generous gift. BY
your efforts we secured funds for two free
beds for ore year, and $685. is now de.
posted In the bank for that purpose. The
directors also fully appreciate this fact,
that the whole affair was q very hand
some advertisement for our home, as this
had been a financial and artistic success.
s'We regret that the public have not
shown confidence in the official statement
published in our newspapers Ii any one
in whom we have had implicit confidence
has SO far forgotten her duty as to give a
personal opinion detrimental and false to
YOU who have aided us so generously, we
as board, are not responsible.
eve trust that this candid statement
will convince the public of tho falsity OF
| ,oxyir1 10
concerned.
'tMrs. Geo. G. Frye. President,
MRS. Henry Taylor, Vice President,
"Mrs. Jennie e, West, Secretary,
'Mrs. w. j. Knowlton, Treasurer.