The New York herald., 1921-03-07
NEGRO IS GREETED
BY DRAMA LEAGUE
Gilpin, Star of sThe Emperor
JONES' Has an Honor Place
at the Table.
GETS MOST APPLAUSE
White Artists Join in Giving
Ovation to Leader of His
Race on Stage.
GETS MOST APPLAUSE

Charles IT. Gilpin. negro star OF The
Emperor Jones'" was the guest OF
honor most highly applauded last
night at the annual dinner Of the
Drama League, at the Hotel McAlpin,
despite the fact that bitter discussion
ragged for a time as to whether he
should be invited.
When his turn came to speak he
was greeted with a storm of hand
clapping and some cheering, which
quite eclipsed that accorded Dudley
Digges. Gilda varesi, Lionel Atwill,
Margaret Severn and others who had
preceded him. And the artists who
had spoken first did their best to make
bis greeting the most hearty
Although Mr.. Gilpin had expressed
doubt that ne would be able TO attend
The dllner. owing TO other engage
nle nts, ne had announced that he would
certainly drop around to the dinner tc
thank personally those who like David
Bclasco and Jacob Ben-Ami hao
praised his work on the stage. He was
able. however. 10 reach the McAlpir
with the other guests and remain dur
ing the entire evening. HIS place was
prominent one. several seats to the
right OF Kenneth MacGowan. the chair
map. between Gilda Veresi. star OF
Enter Madame" and Mrs. Rollir
Kirby director Of the League. The
others present of the ten artists selected
as those who had done most for the
art Of the theatre during the last yeai
were Dudley Digges. director OF Heart
break House." Miss varesi, Lionel At.
will. star of "Deburau." Lee Simonson
designer OF the settings used in Heart.
break House." Margaret Severn, a
dancer who introduced the use OF masks
in the Greenwich Village Follies" and
Jacob Ben-Ami
Miss Varesi was one OF the stanchest
defenders OF Mr.. Gilpin as an artis,
entitled TO receive recognition. She had
telegraphed the league during the dis
cussion that she would be proud to SIT
| next to him and deplored doing Amer
lean art a wrong by excluding him.
In his brief remarks Mr.. Gilpin. intro
iuced By Mr.. MacGowan as the great
eet artist Of his race" said jokingly
that in the Oriental lore the dead were
supposed TO be compelled TO cross a
bridge OF red hot iron before entering
Paradise. Speaking to an audience un-
separated from him BY foouights was
similar experience.
Really am as nervous as cat" ne
said, hut must here thank you all and
the public and press for the kind treat
ment given my efforts and for calling
me artist The word artist is some
thing | always thought OF as away off
yonder, but not something l could ever
attain. My ambition is TO make my
work stand out II / have succeeded IN
giving any OF you an evening OF pleasure
/ am very happy"
The dinner Of the Drama League
ecllpsed the expectations of the dinner
committee 70 such an extent that its
emotions were somewhere between hap
pness and despair. Although about $50
was the number IL was thought some
days ago would come. fully 600 made
their appearance. and as a result the
ballroom OF the McAlpin was jammed.
and many other guests dined in another
room and came into the ballroom 10
the addresses after tables had been
moved out Fred Stone. David Belasco
and Eugene o'Nelll. the latter author OF
"The Emperor Jones'" were unable 20 be
present 10 receive the tribute 20 their
art