The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-14
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.

George Fuller Golden. who was on the
bill at the Academy of Music last week.
stands head and shoulders above the
and dance men, acrobats, monoiosists.
musical artists, and the like, comprising
the vaudeville profession. Even the vau-
devillians themselves recognize his supe-
riority his genius. and his intelligence,
and on account of these attainments have
chosen him President of the White Rats.
an organization whose membership in
cludes several hundred Of the best-known
of native vaudeville entertainers.
The White Rats. while primarily a So
ciety whose acknowledged chief aim is
the betterment socially. mentally. and
professionally of it's members, is recog-
nized in the dramatic world as opposed
to the association of vaudeville managers,
or 1.-The Vaudeville Trust" as it is popu-
larry termed by the performers. While
the public in general knows but little and
cares good deal less about the fight be-
tween the vaudeville managers and the
players, so long as they get good enter
tainments, in the field of vaudeville it
is the all-absorbing topic at present, and
one of vital interest. The position CT Mr..
Golden as President of the White Rats
makes his views on the subject of the
vaudeville artists and their conflict with
the managers worthy OF note.
The scene is in MIR. Golden's dressing
room. at the Academy. The speaker is
Casey's Friend:
1.-The White Rats now number nearly 4O0.
We are banded together for mutual adj
yancement in our profession. We are not
fighting the vaudeville trust or anyone
else. All we ask for is fair treatment. BY
fair treatment, understand, do not mean
paying per cent of our salaries to the
trust for allowing us the privilege Of play
ing in its theatres; neither do We pro-
pose to submit to ruthless slashing Of
our salaries. We are getting on very well,
thank you, and the White Rats have as
many engagements this season as ever The
fact that there Is a syndicate of the vaude-
vile managers does not prevent our men,
| bers from playing in the trust houses.
Here's an instance you had right here in
Washington few weeks ago: Lewis and
Ryan. two of the original seven founders
of the White Rats. played in this city at
| a theatre whose manager belongs to the
| association. and the next week they were
on the programme Of house in Phila-
delphia that is in i'll favor with the syndi-
| cate. I could give you any number OF
similar instances, but what would be the
use?
THE Rats will. within the next twelve
months, have chain Of theatres Of their
own. We will have circuit, including
every city of prominence in the United
States"
DO you mean to say you hope to have
or you will have?" interrupted The Times
man.
Eve will have" replied Mr. Golden, with
much emphasis on the will" I'VE made
a call for 100000 recently, and in one toul
every cent of the sum was subscribed
You must understand We are in earnest
and are bound to succeed. Just wait and
see: that's all ask of you at present"
During the conversation Mr.. Golden had
been getting into his frock coat-he uses
no makeup at all-and a moment later
"Casey's Friend" was proving his claim
as the brightest. keenest witted, and most
intelligent monologist of native vaudeville
Mr.. and Mrs Arthur Sidman. who wert
at Chase's Grand last week, were among
the first Legitimate people to secedt
from the dramatic ranks and enter the
then much despised vaudeville field. Thi:
occurred seven years ago and their sue.
cess is a matter Of record. "a Bit Of Rea
Life" which they presented during thu
early part OF last week here, was the frs
act to be presented in vaudeville that die
not contain q song and dance. This wa