The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-05-20
NATIONAL THEATRE PLAN.
CONGRESSMAN BERRY TALKS ~ THE
BILL mr. HAS INTRODUCED.
james Pastor voorhees, Author OF Il and .
Candidate for a Place In the Government
COMPANY Congressman Kahn. who Was
an Actor. IL Also Interested In the Measure.

an Actor. IL Also Interested In the Measure.
wAsHiSGroN. d G.. May 10 Representative
Berry Of Kentucky has placed himself on record
ms favorIns the establishment in Washington
~ a subsidized Government theatre. He
believes that tho United States should have
an institution somewhat similar To the Comedis
FRANCHISE, and he wants the State theatre
located IL Washington,
He has introduced in the House Of Repre.
sontatives a bill aprropriating $500 To be- ex-
pended under the direction Of the Librarian
Of Congress, for the collection Of Information
relative 10 the management Of theatres. tho
expression 81 opinion IA to the annual ex-
pense Of such an institution by prominent
managers Of the country. and the formulating
OF a scheme for the endowment Of such a theatre
in Washington.
James Paxton voorhees,. tho son Of the late
Senator voorhees,, il the author ~ the bill. Mr..
Voorhees, has been an amateur actor. and Tor
a brief time twN years ago appeared in vsude-
vile. lie is enthusiastic over the project ana
openly expresses the hope that he will be ons
Of the first actors engaged by the Government.
lie ia willing TO act for fame, not money, For
over a year h. has been lobbying in Washing
ton 10 get his hill introduced, and In Congress-
man Berry he has found a sponsor for 1t.
' say = AliS N"illth . 'huV
we ought to have a national theatre in WASH
ington. controlled and directed by the United
States Government. for the presentation Of
the highest class Of American dramas. in the
best possible way. believe that a theatre
under such auspices would be, in no wise. dis
similar in nature Ia n college, a library. or any
other branch Of enlightened learning, sup
ported by public or private aid endowed BY
a state or the government,
since introduced this bill. II has been
pointed ont to me, by some people that a ma
tional theatre could not be hoped for at this
,ime. ibis may or may not be true ] be
lieve that IL Is possible 10 get such a bill through
Congress. providing only that the, proper
scheme Of government be- designated in the
bill. suppose the President OF the. nited
States were authorized 10 appoint a directory
Of say twelve men 10 govern, the theatre. SUCH
acter, without any salary. but the positions
would be eagerly sought after would not,
however permit pol,tlc, to enter intG the man,
that the twelve members Of the governing
board be selected from among the leading
literary and theatrical men in the country.
Charles Frohmnn. Daniel Frohmnn. George
&. Tyler, Oscar Haumerstein and Fred c.
.Whi,ney might be chosen to represen, ths
serve for the honor Of the position, ] am sure.
and As they all live in New YORK.. would be an
easy matter 10 run over TO WashinGt3n once
ncn apd playwrghts, there are Bronson
Howard. William Winter. Clyde Fitch, Augustus
Thomas, Charles Henry Melt2er, Franklin
! ! Nl'N tlIi 'F'Nl~ VI ''l' - VIZ '''ha ~ -
| capable to become members of the governing
board, would suggest then that these gov
eruors. appointed in the first place by the Presi-
dent, should elect new members from time TO
time, a. death or the expiration of their terms
caused vacancies. Tn" board could then
elect an actual director Of the theatre. 10 cor
respond with Jules Claretie, the director OF
the Theatre Francois. 10 whom could be in
trusted the actual management OF the sub
but do YOU think Washington's population
is large enough To support a flrst-class company
at a state theatre here? WOULDN'T the ex-
of the receipts"
Very possibly. but the best scheme would
he TO keep the producing Company IN wash,
the time the theatre could be closed. or elss
opened "a only a few, Of the highest grade the
Htrical attractions. while the subsidized theatre
company could make a brief tour Of the Inited
States. II could be advertised as from, the
national theatre in Washington, and | belieys
expense Of the building in Washington. and the
payment Of salaries, ,would, OF, course be ne
principal items: and ! should think that II the
year to cover any possible deficit, things could
he managed very well after the theatre was
To get Congress TO give up 100000 for the con-
~strIction Of a beautiful building here in. Wash
tqst91. By # the preliminary Investigation
tablish such a theatre. Ny bin is intended
merely as the opening wedge"
Mr. v yoor 1sT1s. hq k,bn ais. %, i9 %sIieoH'6a fI Re aSs
project Mr.. Kahn is the only actor who
now holds n seat in Congress. He. has
acted with Booth, Joseph jefferson. Salvini.
and other great PLAYERS, but retired from
the stage in 1894 10 raise cattle in CALI
fornia He was elected 10 the Fifty-sixth
Congress and ia a popular member Of the House.
"IlI vote for any such hill. he said last week.
This country needs n national theatre 70 foster
and encourage the best forms Of theatrical
art. ! know from experience that the actors
life ia not an easy one. There is no path TO
the stage except by hard work and hard knocks.
and a state theatre, with n national conserva-
tory Of dramatic ART attached 10 II, would bring
TO the stage MANY talented people who now
remain in private life, rather than endure the
hardShips of getting on the etage by means
Of N" usual rough road doubt II the scheme
can be immediately ~consumnated. buy ] VIII
vote for any measure looking 10 that end"