The citizen., 1911-09-15

following officers: President Lester Wallack:
vice-president, A. VI. Palmer secretary Daniel
Frohman; treasurer Theodore Moss The board
Of trustees was: Lester Wallack Edwin Booth
Joseph Jefferson, NJ H. Mallory Lawrence Bar
rett, H. C. Miner, W. E. 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. H. Haverly. The
counsel for the fund was A. J. Dittenhoefer
The report of the secretary Tor the first year
of the funds existence showed disbursement OF
$12,349.07. Relief hao 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 tho 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, theatrical manager,
Sat in the latter Office in the Empire Theater
York:
The actors fund has at last passed resou-
tions approving my plan 70 build home for old
actors" said Aldrich. you know that | have
been agitatng 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 a success of it, if
can only get a substantial sum 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
"It will take about one hundred thousand dol
lars" was the reply.
How much DO you think ought to gve?"
"Oh, about ten thousand dollars"
We'll" replied Hayman, "Tll give you ten
thousand dollars, If the dramatic profession will
raise ninety thousand"
I'm afraid cant raise that much right
Quav ROB atd sh,,t
raise fifty thousand now, and the balance later"
All right" said Hayman Tll give you ten
thousand, If 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
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 a home
for actors, and would receive subscriptions The
response Was magic Money poured in by mail,
express telegraph and cable In twenty days
the subscription reached 6fty-iye 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
OF 1901, when a number Of benefit performances
were given in New York, Philadelphia and Chi
cago to raise additional money needed to com
piete tne Work so auspclously begun.
The committee intrusted with the selection of
site for the home purchased "Beechlawn" he
twentyacre estate of Richard Penn Smith ct
West Brighton, Staten Island The building was
finished. and on May 8. 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 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