The Washington herald., 1907-10-27
Mr.. Frohman-Press Agent.

II is always advisable that one who
employs a number Of men should. at a
pinch. be able to turn in and DO the work
Of any one OF them. and it is probably
IN support Of such a theory that Mr..
Charles FrOhman. who has never object
ed 70 the title The Napoleon Of the
American Drama" took occasion during
his recent visit TO Washington 70 show
his bright young men how press agentry
may be wrought Until Mr.. Frohman
pulled" that story about producing plays
at the White House. there had been
many who had been inclined TO credit his
able assistant AIr. Welles Hawks, with
the creation Of that other beautiful story
about the establishment of Frohman
theaters on board the Atlantic liners, but
since this White House story which Mr.
Frohman conceived and produced all By
himself why drag in AIr Hawks?
II is rather ingenious Of Mr.. Frohman
when he refers TO his wish 10 produce
plays at the White House, TO call in a
reference to the times when ne has been
privileged to have one OF another of his
companies play az BalmOral or some
other OF the royal palaces, before the
King and the court Mr.. Frohman quite
forgot TO mention that when such per-
formauces are Commanded" -" as the Eng
lish phrase goes. they are always com
pensated out Of the royal purse, and the
fact that such performances are requisi-
TONED is aoJ used for press purposes
Il would be interesting 10 know whether
AIr. Frohman would expect his companies
appearing az the White House to be paid,
and. if so, where does he expect the
money is 10 come from2
The gentleman who occupies the White
House just at present has done a good
deal AZ various times for his literary
friends. for by public praise Of their books
he has helped their sale greatly. For the
most part too, il must be confessed that
Mr.. Roosevelts judgment in literary mat
ters is 20 Dee relied on. Undoubtedly il
new play were presented before him and a
select circle of his friends the White
House verdict would help OF hinder 10
SOME extent the career Of the play. II
IS, perhaps. from the chances of q ia
vorahle verdict on his production that Mr.
Frohmaa would look for compensation.
Bur behind Nj Frohman's idea there
Is glezm of real suggestion for the
'etJe.ment Of the American stage. IN
luubtedly Mr Frohmau has done much
tcT the stsEe and perhaps the years
nave taught him that after all a New
iork verdict does not necessarily carry
"ith it the verdict of the country at
large. somehow Mr.. Frohman's sugges-
zion, whatever prompted it. seems some
Eo,y 10 fash forward a hope OF a time
when there viii really be a National thea
Ter IL the city of Washington. theater
that VIII stand for the highest ideals Of
dramatic art and which fostering the
best plays and the worthiest players.
may send them forth into the country
with the stamp Of approval Of the Ma
rions Capital
Indeed. IL Is 20 be hoped that Mr.. Froh-
man viii carry out that part Of his plan
which contemQIates sending all Of his
New York companies and productions
over 20 Washington, # only for one spe-
cial performance. Such a venture would
in "a money sense. be most probably a los
ing one, but Washington would be the
large saiAer and it must not be taken as
esotLsn Il it is pointed out that Mr
FIohman by getting the verdict Of COS
mopoItan WaShington-the best people
from many States. and noted visitors
from other lands than ours-woud be
gamer too. II would enable him 10 see
his new productions with a perspective
which seems 70 be entirely lacking in
New York