The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-12-28
ORGANIZATION
 FOR UPLIFTING
 C|RCUS FORMED

New York, Dec. 28-The Outdoor Showmen of the World, consisting for the most part of circus makers circus performers, circus lovers, with here and there celebrities in the ami mai and theatrical business, was or ;ganized last night at a dinner at the Hotel Astor: The aim of the new organization, as explained to the d1n. CTS by Frank P. Spellman, tried ano seasoned veteran of the circus ousl- ness as we'll as toastmaster, Is to es- tablish the outdoor show calling on g plane which will command more re- spect from those who have acquired the habit of speaking slightingly o1 the morals and standing of the per formers and promoters.
 sWe are the last of the great call ings that have not organized and de- Inanded the respect from the world that should be ours" said MT. Spell man in his best show manner, and by the grace of heaven that will be corrected now"
 There were five hundred guests al the dinner, and few of the notables who have helped to charm and en- slave the animal and sawdust loving youth from coast to coast, were ab- sent. As an added. attraction there was introduced Les Darcy, the Cham pion Middleweight of Australia and letters were read from Billy Sun days secretary, Buffalo Bill. Nellie Revelle, the oldest living woman press agent, and politicians, states men and performers who were there in spirit" however, much they re- gretted being absent in the flesh.
 Billy Sunday had been invited by MT. Spellman as the greatest show man God ever made" and his reply as forwarded by his secretary and read by MT. Spellman to an highly ap. preciative and demonstrative audience last night was characteristic.
 Those fellows could go some for God, if they would,'' MT. Sunday had told his secretary, land I would at tend their dinner if I weren't kept in Boston by the Tabernacle meetings" :" When MT. Spellman read this part of the letter there was howl of enjoy- ment from the diners
 From the description of the speak CTS who were versed in circus lore and literature, last night was a "dry lot'' occasion, with the sun shining brightly, and a full attendance. There was a long entertainment, and Fire Commissioner Adamson, one of the speakers, helped to keep up the at mosphere by admitting that his early ambition, as boy in Georgia, was to be the proprietor of a circus, and be able to frown on the clown and the ringmaster.,j "A capricious providence, he said, had sidetracked him from his goal, and his greatest consolation was that, in winning his present position, he was enabled to welcome to the city the outdoor show owners of America.
 And yet it seems needless to well come to this city such. men -as Al and John Ringing, who take possession of the city when their circus arrives. and who already are known to all of the youth, young and old, of the com munity,''' he, said. and again there were hearty and enthusiastically sincere cheers.
 The president of the Outdoor Show men of the, World, William H. Don aldson, received g.. gavel 1n honor of his long service in the show business. George H: Bell, license commissioner. also spoke, and expressed the hope that the members of the new organ ization would select New York city for every one of their conventions Mayor Mitchell had been invited, but sent MT. Adamson to act as the tity's representative in his stead.
 Following the speaking there was "a long entertainment, in which Carl John. Mile. Dazie. and Mcintyre and Heath assisted. This morning at ii o'clock the showmen will meet in the Hotel McAlpin and complete the de- tails of the new organization.