Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-06
ACTORS EXTEND
THANKS FOR BIG
Benefit FUND
Daniel Frohman, President of
Theatrical Body, Issues
Statement on Close of
Campaign.

New York. Dec. s.-(Special Tele-
grain. i'm recognition OF the Ma
tional Actors Memorial day, which
was observed Friday with matinees
in s. New York theaters, and other
benefits throughout the country.
Daniel Frohman. president of the
actors fund, issued the following
statement following campaign
which raised more than 100000 un-
der the direction of w. Ward Smith
in the Greater New York district:
II can with difficulty express to
this audience the gratitude of the
theatrical profession for this won
derful tribute, here and in all parts
of the country, to the people of the
stage for their share in the war
work. When our people were called
upon to help Uncle Sam we had no
thought of recognition or reward.
We went in to help. We neglected
our own charity, the actors fund,
because we felt that Uncle Sam had
to come FIRST. We had but one
thought-the same thought that
stirred everybody in this country
to same civilization from the bloody
grasp of the war lord. and, thank
God, Uncle Sam won.
Worked as Patriots.
1--WE entered into this conflict, not
as professionals, not as actors or
actresses, but as patriots and citi'
zens. We raised $300,000,000 during
the war loans. We appeared at ben
ehts constantly. We sent nearly
500 artists abroad to entertain the
soldiers at the front. We were
bound by the common ties of hui
tie that united us all dur
ing the war and one that we hope
will always unite us, and now today
we are honored. -
1--WE are grateful to the American
public for this appreciation. Our
own fund has been in existence for
SO years, carrying on its great work
of charity. The business men in
New York, knowing that the fund
was in great financial need, organ
lied this national campaign day as
an appreciation.
Care for Needy.
"The actors fund spends over
$4,000 a year in relieving the sick |
and destitute in this profession,
among whom there are thousands |
the public never hear of, but who
do their duty to entertain honestly
and faithfully in all pats of the
country. 1t nourishes back to
health, and cares for the sick; it |
extends the helping hand of charity |
to the needy; it buries the unfor-
tunate dead, and cares for the aged
and infirn1, for whom splendid
home has been founded Shake
speare said the actor is the abstract
and brief chronicler of his time.
"The actor expresses the emo
lions of humanity, its passions and
aspirations, its strivings and its
struggles, through all the channels
Of centuries. Customs may change,
social conditions may alter, life may
De lived from new and varied angles,
but the elemental human being
never alters, and this is the actors
art; his profession to reveal all that
IS best in humanity, by making vice
odious, and virtue always triumph
ant, because happiness can only be
secured by well ordered living.
Can Only Act.
"And so, when distress and desti-
tuition came to him, and business
isfortune, he is helpless as he can
only act. So we, who are the serv-
ants of the public, want to care for
him. The theater is the most I'M
portant of the arts. 1t is not alto
yether llxury[but a necessity, we
are told, and so we who thus con-
tribute to the public morale are
grateful for its sympathy and appre-
:iation.
All the work OF administration
Ind management are carried on by
/ board of managers and actors in
New York, without pay, all service
oeing free. | have spent over so
Jears of my life in serving this
,ause as an officer and as the presi-
lent, and | especially desire to rem
Ter a tribute of thanks for this great
lay IN the funds history"