The San Francisco call., 1909-03-14

n ET us call them faith. hope
and charity these three hust-
ling graces OF the theater. AS
modest and as shrinking as
charity herself they stand
between the great public and
the players. To the public they
are the grsces OF invention from
whose ingenuity come such marvellous
stories as Anna Held's milk baths,
purloined pearls and elopements with
multimillionaires. They enlighten us
on the ways OF stars and explain rea-l
sonably how a chorus girl owns an au-
tomobue on SIS week. Nothing is
beyond their skill Press agenting,
am sure, has robbed the literary
world Of many a fantastic story teller.
n Dean Swift were alive today he'd
probably he busy writing fiction about
star Ike Lillian Russell instead of
wasting his energies on Gulliver's
amazing adventures, and Dumas might
not worry over the small returns
from the sale Of his Monte Cristo."
but likely enough would have his
pockets fun OF passes and his arms
fun OF Sunday stories.
. @ o 8
4 IRST, though. we must know Ger
aid l. Dillon. Though he falls
naturally in the third person of
our trinity Of graces. he will be
named first; the reason being that he
refused 10 talk for publication.
gasped when he repeated the assur-
ance OF his distinguished silence. 1t
was useless to urge the inconsistency of
a publicity man refusing publicity. He
would not talk. As the press agent
for the biggest vaudeville theater in
the west, and as publicity promoter
for the most successful musical com
edy house in the west. Mr Dillon.
press representative of the Orpheum
and the Princess. not to mention the
Chutes. held his peace.
lie would introduce me. he said. 20
any of the players at either OF the
houses; he would gather me any kind
% a story I wanted. but he himself
would have nothing TO say about him
self.
one reason viii give you a good
idea Of the seriousness with which
Mr. Dillon regards his taxing service.
II he jumped into an interview him
self, lnen the next player who did not
get desired stories would stay. Hum.
De can't set me into the newspapers.
but you bet he gets himself there"
Dire thought For one OF the horrors
Of the Job is explaining to the stars
why they did not get fun page inter
views and four column cuts in the
papers
told Mr- Dillon that he should risk
everything for the sake Of the public's
good opinion Of him. What the world
would Ike to know, I said, is what
manner Of person a veteran press agent
happens to- be. Month in and month
out he hides behind the columns of
the press. His fine italian hand is
never seen. only felt was for step
ping boldly forth and saying: Here
am 2"
No use. Mr. Dillon's chief boast is
that one night recently. when he hap
pened TO be going past Mr.. spalsbury,
who takes your tickets at the Orpheum
door. he heard himself called the head
usher. who is that man2". asked
woman Of her escort. pointing to Dill
Ions form ahead Of them. ~Oh, he's
the head usher" said her friend.
Now" said Mr.. Dillon. when I be-
come the head usher. I'll willingly
give you an interview"
At the risk Of being considered i'm
pertinent. ] am going to show you a
letter which represents the modest
Jerry's final and successful plea to
escape the rigors Of an interview:
IN thanking you for the distinction
you would confer upon me by an inter-