The sun., 1919-04-07
MRS. FISKE LAUDED
AS ANIMALS FRIEND
Julia Arthur Reveals New
Side at Testimonial Din
ner to Actress.
THOUSAND AT BANQUET
Courtship of David Belasco
and Charles Frohman Told
by Minnie Madden.

cattle that Mrs. Minnie Madden Fisks
n particularly to be lsnded. Julia
Arthur. actress and friend. said SO last
night as one Of the speakers in the grand
ballroom of the Hotel Biitmpre who
paid sincere and eloquent tribute to
the distinguished theatrical career Of
the star at the dinner In appreciation
OF her genius that was given by the
Society OF Arts and Sciences.
at was due to Mrs. Fisle," said Miss
Arthur. In effect revealing the actress In
this little known role of a humanitarian
that the cattle sent hero from the
West had corrals provided for them
along the route where they could be
let out for little rest and fed and
watered."
To other animals, particularly dogs.
continued Miss Arthur. kindness fire.
quently has been shown by Mrs. Fiske.
who was a member OF several organiza-
tions for the relief of dumb creatures.
Nor did Miss Arthur forget to touch
upon Mrs. Fishes unceasing mag
nanimity to the human species. Off the
II was with her in an all star cast
once for three weeks" said Miss Arthur.
I'VE used the same dressing room during
that summer-and II was one of the hot
test summers 4 have ever experienced
Yet We are still friends. I have never
known any one with such sunshiny
disposition. Il am at her feet as an
artist and admire her beyond all words,
but az woman just love her"
Janitor MilIer's Revenge.
the throng Of 1000 guests noted in the
theatre and the literary field by the
speech of Henry Miller, who was In
troduced by Otis skinner. the toast
master. as the janitor of the theatre
where Mrs Fiske is now playing. In re-
venge Mr.. Miller Immediately proceeded
to contradict a statement by POSTMASTER
Skinner that Mrs. Fiske had always
stood for the best in the theatre.
Mrs. Fiske hasn't always stood for
the best In the theatre" asserted Mr.
Miller. because she once stood for me
as her leading man.
81 played with her In Caprice" he
continued: "at that time I was Henry
J. Miller and she was Minnie, Maddern.
I remember talking with her and being
struck with tho fact that even as a
girl she was consumed with love for
her art. That deep answering sincerity
OF purpose has gone through her work
from that time on"
Norman Hapgood. who. according to
Toastmaster Skinner. was about to be
sent as Minister to Copenhagen because
President Wilson saw there was some
thing rotten In the state of Denmark,
touched upon the element of penetra-
ton, Of going deep into n character. that
pervaded Mrs Fiske's work. Her artis-
tic certainty had been shown. he said, In
that she never yet had selected a play
that did not deserve to be put on the
stage, and had made the United States
"a more interesting and lovable place
to be in"
Finds American Writers Best.
When Mrs. Fiske, following a grace
full encomium from Major-Gen. John r.
Organ, rose TO make her reply to the
heartfelt commentator of her talents
that had been uttered by every speaker
she was vociferously applauded and
cheered by the assembly, who got to
their feet to express their admiration
suitably. Mrs FYske, who had been
growing more radiant as She evening
wore on, seemed almost overcome as
she faltered her inability to return her
thanks for this greeting, which she felt
not so much to be a personal tribute as
one ito my profession, which has had so
many faithful representatives"
1T is the works OF American writer's
that have found the worthiest and most
acceptable material" she said. In this
connection she bestowed a word of
praise on three successful native dram
atists who had provided her with vehicles
London Mitchell. who dramatized
Vanity Fair; Edward Sheldon, who
wrote salvation Nell" and Philip Noel
ler who in Madame Sand" as she
phrased it, put me into trousers and
taught me to smoke large black cigars"
John Luther Long, who also had fur
nished her with material and who was
one OF the speakers, likewise had his
need of praise for her. Secret stage
history was revealed by Mrs F1ske in
her anecdotes OF two noted managers.
Romantic Young BeIaAco.
"Romance has its place in this gath
erng tonight" she said. for here Is
young Mr.. David Belasco, whom ! re-
call as one of my most devoted and en-
terprising' admirers in the long ago He
had an original idea in paying his court
one that only a man of his resourceful
mind could have hit upon. The favorite
diversion that ne Onered was an lnVi-
tatlon TO take ride The ride was al
ways taken on an elevated railway train
and consisted OF journeys back and
forth TO the terminus at either end
The romantic Mr.. Belasco had a rival
in the person of one who is not with us.
but who was universally known and
affectionately esteemed. Charles Froh-
man. He was an equally devoted cava-
Tier. One evening when l was TO ap-
pear In a new play each of these young
men separately conceived the Idea of
bringing to the stage door and leaving
for me, with a note of good wishes, a
bouquet OF flowers. Each was under
the impression that his thought was
unique. There was, therefore. mutual
dismay when the two met at the stage
door each with his telltale floral offer
ing In hand. Irritation grew into a
quarrel, the quarrel into physical
struggle. and while no visible injury re-
suited / felt like one of the old fash
toned heroines of the romantic plays In
providing the innocent cause Of "A fierce
encounter between these rival SWANS"
The star ended with eulogy of
Major-Gen, Organ. "the great soldier Of
the city, who sits with us tonight and
who led the young men Of this city
through probably tina greatest deeds OF
heroism and glory of the war"
Other speakers were John Drew. Will
lam Gillette and Patrick Francis MUIR
ply Among those present were Balm
bridge Colby, president of the Society OF
Arts and Sciences: John Il. Stanchfield
and Job h. Hedges, vice presidents :
T. a lr.I