New-York tribune., 1918-04-09
10000 Throng Wall St. to Hear
Movie Stars Tell I low to Win War
Charlie Chaplin Makes His First Speech and DOUGLAS
Fairbanks Cavorts in Urging All to Buy Liberty
Bonds-Several Women Faint in Crush

Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fair
banks yesterday noon told Wall
Streets thousands how to finance the
war
Though hitherto little has been
known about Mcssrs. Chaplin and Fair
banks as economic lecturers, between
10000 and 10000 persons, according to
police estimates, gathered at the juno
tion OF Broad and Wall Streets to hear
their version of the "Buy Bond" mes
sage. And to judge by the cheers the
throngs found the addresses worth
while.
II has never been scientifically cal
culatcd how many persons would turn
out to see a film in which both Chaplin
and Fairbanks appeared, but it is a
matter Of record that the largest crowd
in the history Of the financial lane
collected to watch the two perform
simultaneously on the steps of the Sub
Treasury Building. Modestlv the stars
did their stunts alongside of the
statue of George Washington, and con-
sented to share the honors of the day
with him.
The movie lecturers impressed the
crowds with the fact that they did
not appear to display the Chaplin feet
or the Fairbanks agility. but 10 cry out
the need of America for fighting dol
lars Every word the men spoke, audi
bic or inaudible, was greeted by the ap-
plausc Of thousands of clapping hands
and shouting voices.
Charlie Chaplin's First Speech
Toward the middle Of the lunch hour
Charlie took the spotlight. "Now,
listen" he began, and the thousands Of
bankers, brokers, office boys ana ste
nographcrs laughed joyfully. II never
made a speech before in my life"
Again collective cheers and communal
laughter.
"But believe can make one now"
The third outbreak of articulate joy
prevented the next few words from
reaching their destination.
"You people out there-l want you to
forget all about percentages in this
third Liberty Loan" That was easv.
because every one seemed to be think
ing about feet, and, before Charlie
could resume his sermon he responded
to the popular outcry for pedal display.
Taking up the mcgaphone once more.
could hear: "Iuman life is at stake
and no one ought to worry about what
rate of interest the bonds are going to
brlng or what he can make by purchas-
ing them.
"Moncy is needed money to support
the great army and navy of Uncle Sam.
This very minute the Germans occupv
a position Of. advantage, and we have
got to get the dollars. 1t ought to
20 over so that we can drive that old
devil, the Kaiser, out Of France"
Cheers that rcsoundcd for manv
blocks informed Charlie Of what the
crowd thought Of him as a speaker. But
Chaplin was thinking about bonds He
sprang to the centre Of things again,
and asked:
GLOW many of you mcn-how many
of you boys, out there, have bought or
are willing to buy Liberty bonds?' The
vividly the latter part OF the seventh
inning at the Polo Grounds during a
world series.
Fni xbnnks Plcases Crowd
Fairbanks next bounced into the lime
light. His leaps and bounds soon must
have convinced the skeptics that no
optical illusions or camera tricks are
responsible for the antics Of "DouG" on
the screen. Fairbanks is more used to
speaking, and it lis rumorcd his remarks
| wore cXtcmporancous.
Having climbed onto the base OF
| Wnshington's statue, Fairbanks, smil-
ing and enthusiastic. faced the crowd
and commenced his Grafton with n
series nf queries.
| Hello, everybody" he said. II used