New-York tribune., 1918-04-24
5000 Actors Offer
To Play in Camps
On Western Front

10 bring JOY to our troops in France
three thousand members of the theatri-
cal profession volunteered yesterday
TO give up their work in this country
and play in the camps of the Western
front behind the battle lines. At a
mass meeting in the Palace Theatre
2,200 actors and actresses, many of
them stars of the stage and screen,
arose in body and proclaimed theit
desire for the uniform they must all
wear when they leave America.
The meeting was called by E. II.
Sothern, Winthrop Ames and f. F.
Albee. George M. Cohan presided. in
troduced speakers and read the piles
OF kilograms from volunteers unable
to be present. Mr.. Sothern, Mr.. Amcs,
Mr.. Cohan, Mrs. Eleanor Robson Bel
mont, mo, Sergeant Empey, Augustus
dhomas, Willard Mack and Joseph
Grlsmer were among the speakers.
The purpose of the Over There
Theatrical League is to provide about
eighty theatrical companies to give
performances in the Y. NJ C. A. huts
back of the battle lines" said Mr..
Cohan.
President Indorses Plan
General Pershing has indorscd this
plan, which was conceived by Mr.. Ames
and MI Sothern. and asked that it be
done quickly. AS far as | am con-
cerncd, anything General Pershing
asks Tor nc is going to get. This is the
biggest thing the people of the thea
!re nave ever done, and we have to do
IT IN big way. We have got to give
up our time and make sacrifices"
Mr.. Cohan then read the FOLLOWING
telegram from President Wilson:
II learn with the greatest interest
OF the work you are undertaking in
collaboration with Mr.. Sothern and Mr
Ames. 1t has my most cordial an
proval, and | wish you the best nos
s.ble success. 1t is big undertaking.
out l have no doubt you will accom-
plish it, WIZ "ooo'ii-
Mr. Sothern, who has studied condi
tlons IN the war zone and entertained
t,;t L;e soidlers eXtemporaneously, told of
ms recent visit to France.
1.-The necessity for entertainment for
soldiers becomes obvious the nonnaut ~
you land" said the actor. "It is neces. ]
s:ary to relieve the monotony, the IA
t,gue; The vehicle is in the hands of
me I. w. Z. A., which has the build
ings ready. viz '"''u-
we who play in plays will have to
give way to our friends in yaudev;Ile
! realized that l was practically use.
less when l tried to entertain the bovs
! trled to recite-something I had
never done before" ''"'
Noted Names on List
All applicants should call on Mr
Ames at the Little Theatre. whore +hau
VIII be considered immediatclv ho
measured for a uniform and cet tbo;r
vSransportatlon over and back from tho
u. M. Z. A., which will also care for
orSm while they are cover there"
uiIiorm !!,m IS a necessary measure for
Wltnout 1T 1.-THE actors would havo os
lnuch chance getting around thoso
.amPs as convict would" accord;no.
to Mr.. Ames. "0'oio'hg
Among the names of those who
by telegraph were Mo'ao WIZ
I1{ Adams, ans, Julia Marlowe, Lillian RmssaIi
W " 'Illam II Collier, Frances Starr. lava,
= \. rowers, Jane Cowl, Ruth Chatterton'
po"ald Brian, Billie Burke, Otis Skin'
rer, n, bianche Ring, Tom Wise. Mar;o
UoIo' 1Mn' Elsie Ferguson. John Barrvmoro
" eoer and Fields, Viola Allen, Graco
Orgg ana Marguerite Clarke.
= . wrsanlzatlons offering to orpanizo
nomd .on.paMles me TOR this overseas serv;ce
Croe Craenu une flayers, Lambs. Frars and
aInlf'oom Club, Stage Womcn's War
thn NJ h;ctors> Equity Association and
w;I1;n wi;IIn.'onal vaudeville Artists. ''N
I'll go to head companS or or' read:
spear Or q gun - - S"iiy d