The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1911-09-16

following officers: President. Lester wallack;
vice-president A. NJ. Palmer; secretary Daniel
Frohnan: treasurer. Theodore Moss. The board
of trustees Lester Wallack. Edwin Booth
Joseph Jefferson. NJ. H. Mallory. Lawrence Bar
rett. II. c. Miner. w f. Sim A NJ Palmer Ed.
ward Harrigan, William Henderson, John F.
Poole. p. T. Barnum. w. J. Florence. William
Birch, j. X. Emmett and J. II. Haverly. The
counsel for the fund A. ]. Dittenhoefer
The report Of the secretary the first year
of the funds existence showed a disbursement of
S12349.o7 Relief had been given 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,
actor. and Al. Hayman. a theatrical manager.
sat In the latter Office in the Empire Theater.
I've York:
The actors fund has at last passed resoIu-
lions approving my plan to build home for old
actors.- said Aldrich. You know that | have
been agftating this scheme for years, with little
or no encouragement nobody believes 1t feasible
on account OF the expense. l believe now, I
always have, that can make a success of it. II l
can only get a substantial to start my sub
scription You've made 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
1t Will take about one hundred thousand dol
lars" the reply
How much do you think ought to give@"
"Oh. about ten thousand dollars"
Well" replied Hayman. I'll give you ten
thousand dollars. II the dramatic profession will
raise ninety thousand
I'm afraid can't raise that much right
away. Aldrch said: but I believe We could
false fifty thousand now, and the balance later"
All right" said Hayman. I'll give you ten
Thousand. If you'll raise fifty thousand"
--ThAta a
your check, and II | don't raise the fifty
thousand I'll return It"
The check for thousand dollars was given
to 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 1t had ten thousa nd
dollars 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
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 performances
were given in New York. Philadelphia and CL.
cago to raise additional money needed to COM
plete the work auspiciousiy begun
The committee intrusted with the selection OF
. site for the home purchased "Beechlawn." he
twentyacre estate Of Richard Penn Smith ct
finished and on May s. 1909, the Actors Fund
Home was opened and dedicated with imposing
ceremonies The address OF the day was made
By Joseph Jefferson
In reality the dramatic profession to
louis A!drich more than It does to any single
person for the possession OF this beautiful home
He talked Of the scheme for years No else