The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1911-09-14

following officers President, Lester Walack;
vice-presdent, A. NJ. Palmer; secretary, Daniel
Frohman; treasurer, Theodore Moss The board
of trustees was: Lester Walack, Edwin Booth,
Joseph jefferson, M. H. Mallory, Lawrence Bar
rett, H. c. Miner, w. E. Sim, A. M. Palmer, Ed
ward Harrigan William Henderson, John +.
Poole, P. T. Barnum w. J. Florence William
Birch. ]. X. Emmett and J. H. Havery. The
counsel for the fund was A. j. Dittenhoefer.
The report Of the secretary for the first year
of the funds existence showed disbursement of
$12,349.O7. 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 Adrich,
an actor, and Al. Hayman, theatrical manager,
sat in the latter office in the Empire Theater,
York:
"The actors fund has at last passed resolu-
tions approving my plan to build home for old
actors,'' said Adrich. You know that | have
been aS1ta ing this scheme for years, with little
or no encouragement; nobody believes it feasible,
on account of the expense. believe now, as |
always have that can make success of it, if
can only get substantial to start my sub
scription You've made a good deal of money
out OF the theatrical business, AL give me some
thing tangible for a starter"
"How much will you require, altogether" Hay
man asked.
at will take about one hundred thousand dol
lars the reply.
Glow much do you think ought to give?'
ooh, about ten thousand dollars"
"Well,' replied Hayman, "Ill give you ten
thousand dollars, if the dramatic profession will
raise ninety thousand"
I'm afraid 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, "I'll give you ten
thousand, II you'll raise fifty thousand"
THAT'S a bargain" exclaimed Aldrich "Give
me your check and if I don't raise the fifty
thousand I'll return it,"
The check for ten thousand dollars given
to Adrich, 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
for actors, and would receive subscriptions The
"esponse was magic. Money poured in by mail,
express, telegraph and cable. In twenty days
he subscription reached fifty-five thousand dol
lars. besides the original ten thousand. and the
books were closed for the time being.
The matter allowed to rest until the spring
Of 1901 when a number of benefit performanc es
we're given in New York, Philadelphia and Chi
cago to raise additional money needed to com
| plete the work so auspiciously begun
The committee intrusted WITH the selection of
a site for the home purchased "Beechlawn," he
| twenty-acre estate of Richard Penn Smith 1T
| West Brighton, Staten Island The building was
inshed and May s, 1902. the Actors Fund
| Home was opened and dedicated with imposing
| ceremonies The address OF the day made
| by joseph Jefferson,
! In reality, the dramatic profession owes to
Louis Aldrich more than it does to any single
| person for tie possession OF this beautiful home
He talked of the scheme for wears. No one else