New-York tribune., 1911-11-20
Dimes; HEARS OWN PAST
Sam H. Harris, Theatrical Man.
ager, Guest of Friars Club.
HIS CAREER "RAKED OVER"
Says He Made His Partner, G. M.
Cohan, a Success, by Sug-
gesting Flag Waving.

To he a guest of honor at a dinner Of
The Friars is not altogether pleasant. II
YOU have a past you and the thousand
other diners will hear it raked over when
the Frlars Club decides TO honor YOU. IL
YOU haven't any past suitable for the oc-
cason one will he created for you.
The most recent man with or without a
past TO learn these truths was Sam II.
Harris, Of the theatrical firm of Cohan &
Harris He was the guest Of The Friars
last night at the Hotel AstOr in the pres
ence Of every luminary in the theatrical
world. from Marc Klaw down to the young
est chorus girl-and there were scores OF
these I'm the boxes-not TO mention Police
Commissioner Waldo. Mr. Cohan and Mr.
Harriss immediate family, friends and
near relations few judges. and others
too numerous TO mention.
First Abbot John w. Rumsey paid a few
compliments 10 Mr. Harris. Then he called
upon Rennold Wolf. the official skeleton
rattler Of the club. who. I'm addition acted
as advance agent for the guest of the even
ing.
Sam IT. Harris" said Mr.. Wolf, Us a
theatrical manager on his wife's side, hav-
ing married George NJ. Cohan's sister-in-
law. Il may be said Of him that he is mar
rcd to his art Also that his art Is in his
wife's name Cohan keeps Harris in busi-
ness only for family pride. The Conan
family is e9i2 per cent pure The other y
per cent is Harris.
IN the earlier days he furnished soap
and towels to the theatres. Thus he be-
came an advocate of a clean stage early
in his career. He Is now theatrical man
ager. To be one it is only necessary TO
buy a roll top desk and get into fgh,
with Arnold DAILY A big diamond stud
helms. but il IS not necessary. 1t is essen
tial. however. TO denounce the public and
curse all authors.
Before entering the theatrical profess
sion Sam Harris managed the greatest
featherweight champion that ever lived
Terry McGovern. Now Harris is the fore
most featherweight producer Of plays In
the country
When Mr.. Harris arose there was rouhu
Of applause that kept him silent for some
minutes. lie sought TO turn the tables on
the other speakers.
Il expected this" said Mr. Harris. Il We
been at these dinners before I've seen
Erlanger and the rest get their paintings ana
| enjoyed them. You all know Mr.. Wolf is
a great author. lie wrote the burlesque
i'm the FoIies Bergere that was responsible
for putting that magnificent enterprise Oh
the bum. He helped Claiming Pollock
write The Red widow lie wrote the
lyrics for seven songs. After the first night
we cut out those seven songs. He also
suggested the utle. We are now being sued
bv man i'm Philadelphia who says the
title is his"
Mr.. Harris then admitted he was respon-
sible for George NJ. Cohans success, say
Ing he suggested the writing of patriotic
songs and the mad waving Of the Stars
and Stripes.
BY getting a lot Of boosters TO work and
sending pictures of all the pretty chorus
girls to Diamond Jim Brady" said Harris,
''I was made the guest Of honor tonight
Other speakers, including Mr.. klaw, Au-
gustus Thomas, Mr. Cohan and Assembly
man Al Smith told OF Harris's rise from
an East Side newsboy TO his present posi-
ton of power in the theatrical world.
4 long entertainment. to which Raymond
Hitchcock. Gertie Vanderbilt, Emma Carus'
Josephine Whittell and others contributed,
rounded out the evening.
Among those present were Daniel From
man. John Drew, Samuel A. Scribner VIII
lam \. Brady. Judge Edward swami
MAGISTRATE John ]. Freschi, Harrison
Fisher. Edward W. Dunn, Fire Commits
sicner Johnson, Percy q. Williams and +.
Ray Comstock.
In the boxes we're Mrs. Harris, Mrs Joe
Weber, Mrs. Al II. Woods, Mrs II. Clay
Miner Mrs Jerry Cohan. Anna Held ana
scores of others more or less prominent in
theatrical life