The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-09-15

following officers: President Lester Wallack:
Vicepresident. A.. M. Palmer; secretary Daniel
Frohman; treasurer Theodore Moss. The board
of trustees was: Lester Wallack Edwin Booth,
Joseph Jefferson. M. H. Mallory, Lawrence Bar
Eett, II. G. Miner, w. E. Sim. A. M. Palmer, Ed
ward Harrigan, William Henderson, John E.
Poole, P. T. Barnum, w. ]. Florence William
Birch, ]. X. Emmett and j. H. Haverly The
counsel for the fund A. j. Dittenhoefer.
The report of the secretary for the first year
Of the funds existence showed disbursement Of
$12, S4907. Relief had been given to over four
hundred actors in different parts Of the Union.
and thirty-two had been buried in California,
Texas and other parts of the country. Thus the
fund had prevented the sick and needy from
seeking charity. and had given respectable inter-
ment to those who would otherwise have been
buried In pauper's graves
One day in the spring of 1900 Louis Aldrich,
an actor. and AL. Hayman, a theatrical manager,
sat In the latter Office in the Empire Theater
rev York 81
The actors fund has at last passed resolu-
hons approving my plan to build home for old
actors" said Aldrich. you know that 1 have
been agitating. this scheme for years. with little
or no encouragement; nobody believes it feasible,
On account OF the expense. believe now, as
always have. that make success Of 1t, If
can only get a substantial sum to start my sub
ecription. You've made good deal Of money
out OF the theatrical business AL; give me some
thing tangible for starter"
How much will you require altogether?" Hay-
man asked
1T viii take about one hundred thousand dol
lars" was the reply
How much do you think ought to give?"
"Oh, about ten thousand dollars"
Well" replied Hayman, sri give you ten
thousand dollars If the dramatic profession will
raise ninety thousand"
TN afraid we can't raise that much right
away" Aldrich said; "but believe we could
raise fifty thousand now, and the balance later"
All right" said Hayman. It'll give you ten
thousand. II you'll raise fifty thousand"
That's bargain" exclaimed Aldrich give
me your check and If don't raise the fifty
thousand, I'll return it,"
The check for ten thousand dollars was given
70 Aldrich. and he took it to the editor of the
New York Herald, who agreed to hold the money
and receive further donations The next day
the Herald announced that it had ten thousand
dollars as a nucleus for fund to build home
Tor actors. and would receive subscriptions The
response was magic Money poured in by mail
express telegraph and cable. In twenty days
the subscription reached ffty-hve thousand dol
lars. besides the original ten thousand, and the
books were closed for the time being.
The matter was allowed to rest until the spring
og 1901, when number of benefit performances
were given In New York Philadelphia and Chi
cage to raise additional money needed tor com
plete the work SO auspciously begun
The committee ntrusted with the selection Of
site for the home purchased "Beechlawn," he
twenty-acre estate Of Richard Penn Smith ct
West Brighton, Staten Island The building was
snished, and on May s, 1902 the Actors Fund
ceremonies. The address of the day was made
by Joseph Jefferson.
In reality. the dramatic profession owes to
Louis Aldrich more than It does to any single
person for the possession Of this beautiful home
he talked Of the scheme for years. No one else