The evening times., 1899-05-19
THE DEWEY TESTIMONIAL.
EinbOrate Flans for n Novel nm
Patriotic Entertainments,

Elaborate Flans for a Novel and
Patriotic Entertainment.
The grand Dewey testimonial which is
to be given in Washington about the mid
die Of June for the purpose of augmenting
the fund for the home to be presented to
the hero of Manila. promises to bring in .
large sum Of money. The idea of man.
moth entertainment was originated by ].
Edwin Browne. a patriot, actor, and man
ager, who is now busily working to perfect
an elaborate plan. He already has the CO.
operation of about three hundred promi-
nent persons and has secured the sanction
of the National Committee; of the Dewey
Home Fund.
MIR. Browne held an extended conference
with Assistant Secretary Vanderlip yester-
day afternoon. during which he acquaint-
ed him with the outline OF his idea for
national performance. Mr.. Vanderlip. af-
ter a consultation with the other members
of the National Committee. suggested that
all purchasers OF tickets be regarded as
subscribers to the fund and be presented
with souvenir receipt such as Is given
to the regular contributors to the sub
scriptiOn list. 1t has been agreed that all
buyers of tickets prior to the night Of the
performance shall be treated as subscrib-
ers. their names and addresses taken and
turned over to Treasurer Roberts. who
will send them each a copy of the beauti-
full receipt. This Is rather an inducement
for patrons to secure their admission card
before the day of the entertainment, as
after the doors are opened. it will not be
practical to record the name and address
of each person in the throng which is ox-
npCt ad n attend the Testimonial The ;c-
tors and other participants will give their
services in compliment to the cause and
the performance as whole will be put
on with very little expense. All money
taken in at the box Office on the night. of
the occasion will also be turned over to
the subscription list after the expenses
have been paid. There are many other (;
features now under contemplation, all OF
which will be worthy Of investment. which /
will add materially to the offering.
Mr.. Browne is now devoting all his time
as chairman of the Peace Jubilee commit
tee on stage pageants for the revelries ball
to be held in Convention Hall. and conse-
quently has few leisure moments to devote
to the plans for the testimonial. He has.
however. many original ideas. worthy of
testimonial to Admiral Dewey. From an
outline OF the yaf3bjas acts, 1t can readily
be seen that the performance will consist
OF number of unique features such as
have never been presented to Washing
ton audience.
Mr. Browne does not care at the present
time to divulge his plans in full. One of
his ideas. however. is to have the music
for the occasion by a ladies' or
chestra. each performer to represent a
State CT the Union. The forty y-ive partici-
pants will be elaborately dressed at the
expense Of the management. Mr.. Browne
is now securing talent for this feature. but
has not completed the orchestra. He is
anxious that the best musi-
clans in Washington. who care to give
their services for 4his patriotic cause, COM
with him at s3i Thirteenth Street
northwest in order that he may have an
to select the most efficient
performers. 1t is also necessary that re-
hearsals begin at once. A competent lead
er will be secured to direct the orchestra
and even the soloists will be much bene-
fited by his instructions. The persons al
ready secured are soloists in their respect
i've lines and Mr.. Browne does not care to
go below this standard.