Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-13
ATHLETIC CLUB
TO GIVE SHOW
BIG MINSTREL PERFORMANCE
PLANNED
MUCH AVAILABLE TALENT FOUND
AMONG MEMBERS
Committee of Members Is Appointed
to Arrange Details of Big Exhi-
bltion TO Be Held in Local
Theater

The members of the committee in
charge of the minstrel show which is
to be given under the auspices of the
Los Angeles Athletic club some time
in February recently sent out cir
cular letter to all the members Of the
club in an effort to ascertain what sup
port they would receive from the
members.
At the first meeting held by the men,
hers and when the minstrel show
proposition was taken up a committee
of twelve was appointed, and this
committee in turn appointed a COM
mittee of three members to take gem
eral charge of the production.
1t has been unquestionably demon
strated by the latter committee that
no better men could be found in the
club to handle such a show as the club
will give. The committee is composed
Of DIR. Thomas Ottoway Treen, a
prominent Los Angeles dentist, with
offices in the Grant building; George
l.. McKeeby, prominent Los Angeles
lawyer and formerly assistant United
States district attorney, and Captain
c. j. Jorgstorff.
One of the first steps taken by the
committee to arouse enthusiasm among
the members regarding the show was
to issue a circular letter among the
members with a request that each re-
cipient of the letter endeayor to sell at
least six tickets for the performance
which will be given in a local theater.
That the plan was considered good
one is made evident by the fact that
the majority of the members pledged
themselves to sell the tickets. The pro-
ceeds of the show will be used to es-
tablish an athletic fund, which will
be used to foster amateur athletics
not only in the club and in Southern
California, but throughout the entire
country.
Following is a copy of the circular
letter sent out by the committee to
all the members, and which is self
explanatory:
regarding the minstrel show pro-
posed to be held in the near future to
establish and maintain an athletic
fund to further foster and promote
amateur athletics in the country, we
wish to ascertain what support we can
expect from our members in making
this entertainment a success.
I'm getting UP an entertainment such
as we propose to give a great amount
of expense and work is involved, and
naturally, before pledging ourselves
too deeply, we wish to ascertain the
attitude of the club members as to the
advisability of taking this step. We
also wish to give few reasons why
we believe this movement should re-
ceive the support of every loyal mem
Der.
Good Material
In the first place there is in this
club material which we feel certain
cannot be excelled in any athletic or
ganization in the country. Our boxers,
wrestlers, fencers, oarsmen and run
ners have been uniformly successful
heretofore, but with the clubs linn
tied income they are unable to receive
quite the support that they deserve.
1T is a well proven principle that
the development of winning athletes Is
a benefit to the great body of members
as we'll as to the men directly en-
gagged in these various sports.
I'VE believe that this athletic fund
also will give a better opportunity to
all of our members, young and old, for
athletic sports not only in the gym
nasium, but also out of doors. We
3 have been informed that in connec-
ton with the Yukon exposition to be
held in Seattle next year there will be
a great athletic carnival and 1t is our
desire to enter our athletes in num-
Der OF events to be contested, and we
feel certain that they will give an ac-
count of themselves that will prove not
only a credit to the club, but to every
resident of Los Angeles.
"It is our wish, and we believe the
wish of every member of the club, to
make the Los Angeles Athletic club
the greatest amateur athletic organi-
cation in the community, and we feel
that this is a step in the right direction
and that the result will be far reach
ing.
lust now our whole athletic depart
ment is under the cloud of the defeat
suffered by our crew Thanksgiving day.
Our oarsmen have won before, we
have oarsmen who can win again. We
feel certain that every citizen in this
region would do everything possible
to aid the development of a crew that
will wipe out this stigma of defeat, So
called. The steps to be taken for the
maintenance of our boats for this end
also will add to the pleasure Of all
the members who enjoy boating and
fishing. This too, is one of the OBJ
jects of the athletic fund.
at is proposed to give the minstrel
performance all the care and expert
work necessary to make it not only
equal to, but to excel In magnitude
the great shows given by the Elks.
Shriners, bank clerks and others in
this city. From the plans now formed
and the talent now enlisted we can
guarantee that this will be by far the
greatest show of any kind ever pre-
scented in Los Angeles.
1--WE want each individual member
to be a booster and special advertising
agent for this show. We also want
each member to sell not less than four
tickets to non-members. We are put
ting you down now for six one-dollar
tickets and unless we hear from you
to the contrary we will assume that
YOU will take, to use or sell for us at
least that number, and will charge
same to you on your monthly bill. If
YOU can take more, notify us early
and they will be reserved for you.
Signed by George l.. MeKeeby. DR.. T.
o. Treen and C. w. Jorgstorff, mem
hers of committed"
Immediately after this circular was
sent to the members a chorus was
formed, composed of about thirty
members, which will hold regular
weekly rehearsals.