Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-30
HOME PRODUCT
PLAY PROMISED
RICHARD BARRY'S DRAMA TO
BE PRESENTED
THEATRICAL MANAGER BECOMES
ARDENT CONVERT
Outside Towns Evincing Enthusiastic
Interest in prosperity Week."
More Than Thousand Ca
terers Receive Letter

SECRETARY Frank Virgins yesterday
extended his campaign for "home prod-
ucts-and home prt ducts only during
"Prosperiiy Week." which will be nom
November 1G 20 q, to the amusement
world when he won an agreement from
Manager John Fl. Blackwood of the
Auditorium theater to produce ma
tive" play during that period ,r,
The "home product" play is Ihe
SearchIight," by Richard Barry. 1t
was written at Monrovia and its scenes
are laid entirely in Southern Califor-
mia. Mr.. Barry, who has won fame as
a war correspondent and magazine
writer, was for several years local
newspaper man.
Blackwood announced himself as an
ardent NEW convert to home products
after a short session with Virgins, who
informed him that no person should es-
cape joining in the spirit of Pros
perity Week if he could help it.
Secretary Virgins agreed that the
"home product" play should be given
the honor of a Chamber of Com
MERGE night" when the directors and
committeeman will lend their presence
TO the occasion
In order to place the "home product"
play before the public during Pros
perity Week" Manager Blackwood was
compelled to upset all kinds of other
plans. He already had paid for the
production of the late Richard Mans
fields Beau Brummel,' which would
have been the first stock presentation
of this play since the famous actors
death, and he was confronted with the
danger that the popular "Forty-five
Minutes from Broadway" might over
run its scheduled stay. However he
consented to enter into the spirit of'the
hour.
Il am now a Southern Californian, as
much as any Native Son, said Black
wood, land therefore 1 have agreed to
do my little part toward extending
Prosperity Week and the home prod
ucts' idea to the limit.
81 believe that Los Angeles is des-
tined to be the seat of art, literature
and culture in this country, and that
all of us should do everything in our
power to encourage 1t and hasten the
day.
Mr.. Barry's play is indeed in every
respect home product. He is a Los
Angeles man, his scenes are laid here
and it was written here.
1.-The Searchlight,' ! believe to be a
great play, and one that will make a
big impression in this country. We had
contracted to produce it, but had not
expected to put it ahead of dates al
ready paid and provided for Why we
have brought all the costumes for Beau
BrummeP and have paid the entire
royalty.
Secretary Virgins is certainly the
champion booster 1 never fell under
his spell before. He has me absolutely
convinced. If the people generally give
him the proper support in the cam
paign for 'patronizng home industry
I know they will feel the prosperity
very SOON"
Outside Towns Interested
That Prosperity Week will be an
all-Southern California affair is as
sured by the interest that has greeted
the movement in outside cities and
towns. San Diego and Long Beach yes
terday came to the front
Secretary John S. Mills of the San
Diego county chamber of commerce
wrote Secretary Virgins that the bay
county is interested and will cooper
ate in buying and boosting home
products" and Secretary James A.
Miller of the Long Beach chamber of
commerce sends a letter to the same
effect.
Secretary N. Davenport of the Cotton
chamber of commerce has sent a re-
quest for a reservation in the parade
for five floats.
Secretary G.. w. Brown of the Santa
called upon Secretary Virgins and re-
ported that the seaside cities of Santa
Monica, Ocean Park and Venice will
join heartily in the buying and boost
ing"
The idea is that outside places shall
hold simultaneous observances of
prosperity Week" at home, patron
izing their own merchants. but several
neighboring communities have insisted
upon being represented in the Los An
gees events.
Secretary Virgins has a formidable
list of politicians" on his list who are
boosting" in their campaign speeches.
The factory visiting committee met
yesterday and issued general appeal
to automobile owners to donate the use
of their machines for transporting Wis
1tors to the manufacturing district
Thursday, November 10.
Secretary Virgins yesterday turned
his attack upon the eating houses. send
ing circular letter to more than a
thousand proprietors of hotels, restau-
rants and cafes.