Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-04

easily become a formidable institution If the
absolute cooperation of members, VINO now
number 1t5. and include some OF the best
people in the business, can be secured An
official announcement makes the following
statements, among others:
The Society of Vaudeville Stars, lately or
ganized in New York city. called THE
White Rats of America" wish it understood
by all to whom it may concern, that said
society Is a social order founded on the
same principles of brotheIly love as THE
Water Rats Of London. England, and com
posed of vaudeville players who combine
such excellence in their art public en-
tertaners. with such stable heart qualities
"a men, and such high standing as good
fellows. that they may Justly be called stars
from all points of view, rats" being the
word star spelled backwards.
We believe that there is now high order
of intelligence perVadtng the vaudeville pro-
fession. and, rs the spirit of manhood and
morality exists in the hearts of many of
the members of said profession. it is pos
sihle, by unceasing and earnest effort, to
make calling dignified one: and We
believe that the time is now ripe for the or
aniza ton of a social order which. by the
well-directsd efforts and high aims of its
members. individually and collectively. will
incur not only tn" admiration OF the public
for our talents, but the highest esteem of
the world for our worth as men. And one
OF our constant aims shall be to incucate
in the hearts of our brothers such senti-
mentS as shall tend to make US noble and
true. and those principles which We deem
most conducive to moral and mental
elevation, and to discuss and advocate in
open lodge all such measures as shall mill
tate against our retrOEreSSiOn. further our
advancement, and make us financially indie
pendent free and estimably respected In the
eyes of our professional brothers and the
world. Though We may move slowly at
first. We shall exert our utmost endeaVors
to ultimately gain representation in Con-
gress. and have measures passed for the
benefit of our profession: which, though
now representing q considerable number of
the deniZenS of the United 5 ates of Amer
lea. and who, though subject to all laws
passed, have no voice in the making. We
believe that laws should be passed for the
protection of original material in our pro-
fesson.
Those mental unfortunates vulgarIy
known to the public as knockers and
srafters. will not he tolerated by White
Rats in any way: though avenues of es-
CAPE from the fury of their own heart
poison VIII he pointed out to them by mag
unanimous Rats" Knocking and scandal
must he unknown IN 'RatIand," and when
any member Of the profession seeks cheap
advertisement by the publica ton of his per-
s0nal domestic affairs. he will not be eligible
to become White Rat" neither will he be
eligible if he is lacking in any of the quail
ties stated in the first clause of this pros
pectus; and when any member of Ratland
shall prove unworthy of our trust and
6rOtherly love. he shall be asked to resign;
failing in which, he shall be expelled re-
sarClesS or MS professional or financial
standing. 1t cannot be too strongly i'm
pressed that we are not in any sense or
sanized to fight or seriously consider any
combination of capital or form ourselves
into trust of any kind for the purpose
OF mourning the eEmity displeasure of
any person CT persons connected with our
profession or any other calling. Still we
recognize the truth contained in the words
of Mark Twain. that Some people worship
power. some worship rank. some worship
trlr n hi,
And as artists the world over are less in
clfned TO mammcn worship. less thrifty less
saving than any class of all the intelligent
sons of men, we. the White Rats shall
deem it our bounden duty to place our order
on financial footing. we may feel and
know that we have passed that point where
our welfare. happiness or honest ambition
can possibly he injuriously affected by any
circumstance whatsoever. short Of being dis
possessed OF our God given talents by the
Giver of all Good.
y big benefit Is to he given in New York
al an early date in the interests of the as
sOCiatiun.