The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-07
OTHER SIDE OF THE BENEFIT PERFORMANCE
Does Not Always Help the Object for With 1t Is Gven-I
Profitable to Some Agents, Managers and Promoters.

Of ohildren's home had 70 60 to wori
TO get up a second benefit 10 pay theii
losses on the first. The loss on a large
scheme Of this kind at the Metropolitan
| Opera House several years ago mounted
up into the thousands.
! Some benefits Of course make money,
! and in some cases the gain Is substantial
! Al an open air performance two years ago
| more than $4,000 was the result for the
charity, and a concert given during that
same winter for = blind asylum yielded
more than 5000.
But in both cases the artists who APP
| peared received no compensation and the
women In charge had long lists Of wealthy
| and influential names back Of them. And
| they labored heroically in advance.
II usually happens that this preliminary
work falls on the shoulders Of one or two
| Of the committee. The trouble Is worth
while, however, when there is any such
profit as In the case Of these two benefits.
Some performances given for charity
| net the agents and managers OF the artists
much more than the institution for which
they are given. One concert given during
the past winter is said to be wonderful
example Of this kind.
The two artists who appeared received
twice as much as they usually get Tor
concert appearance. This money did not
Of course 20 70 them. More than H,7oo
went 10 their managers and agents and
this sum was more than the charity re-
ceived in spite Of the trouble and expense
to which all the women OF the committee
were put.
They had to pay for the hire Of ball
elaborate advertising, additional musicians
and the numerous expenses that surround
such an entertainment. And all the trouble
and outlay Of money did more 70 enrioh
the managers and agents than II accom-
plished for the charity.
In the case OF another recent concert
-.
an iste who appeared got much more than
they customarily Teceive-at least their
manager did. -,
He got for one singer two and half
times as much as he ordinarily receives
and for the prima donna half as much
again as her usual fee. He made In his
way 90 600, while the charity, In spite OF all
the risk and outlay and worry OF getting
nd Of the tickets, did not receive nearly
as much. But the lady who got up the
performance had the pleasure OF coming
into contact with the singers, and her pet
charity may have benefited.
Many women n New York are called upon 80
often TO act as pat ronesses az charity Dement'S
that they have made Il fixed rule under
no circumstances TO figure in that capacity,
and they break the rule for nobody. They
rarely have occasion 20 regret this deter
nnination. IL the women invited 70 be
patruneases are ambitious for social recog-
milton they find this an easy way 20
acquire u. suCn NoIleh aIN away " aAii'o1
on as liberal givers 10 charity Affairs and
are appealed to first,
One instance Of the kind Of traps laid
for them Is the method adopted recent y
by a committee Of women who wanted
Everything else. They took half the boxes
In the first tier Of the ballroom at the
waldorf and offered them 10 the smart est
women they knew. In every case the
box was sent 10 a friend by one Of the
women on the committee and was intended
10 be a gift from her.
Most Of the women accepted. Then the
LIST Of these boxholders was sent around
10 ali the persons with whom II was thought
thew would have influence. The result
Vas that most OF the boxes were eJfd 20
women who wanted 10 be included In such
q list.
Theater managers have grown very
l,sth 10 dive the use Of their theators 70
81