Great Falls tribune., 1922-03-12
The HQski,1 Letter
By FRED DERICK
J. HASklN
THE STAGE DOOR INN.

, This is because they are actresses,
according to Miss Hilda Spong, presi-
dent Of the National Stage Woman's
exchange. They can wait better than
Mattresses" she says, because, in the
first place, they have the artistic in
stinct to do everything beautifully and,
In the second place, they have been
trained professionally to handle their
own personalities harmoniously and
efficiently"
With the exception of the cooking
and the laundering Of the table linen,
all OF the work in connection with the
inn Is done by actresses. Upstairs, in
the room above the tea room, char
acter woman, who has just returned
from long engagement in London,
may be found hemming napkins and
tablecloths at sewing machine, while
in another corner is Miss Madge Cor
coran, once popular in the companies
working on the Brady decoration con-
tract. The room in the rear of the
second floor, which at present contains
nothing but clothesline usually strung
with napkins, and ironing apparatus, is
presided over by. another actress, Elsie
Cohn, who was recently located by the
exchange when she was i'll and out Of
work.
Another pathetic case narrated by
Mrs. Hesse was that Of young actor
who came to the Inn the other night
and asked for work. He was a war
veteran. who had been in q hospital
for several months. Since then, he
had not been able to secure a job of
any sort, although he was willing to
perform any task that would pay the
price Of q room and board. i
"As he stood in the hall telling me
was waited through the door, and
saw him turn pale and grip the arm
OF the divan. The man had probably
not had food for days. So I invited
him In to dinner. and later sent him
to- see an ex-army officer who might
help him"
What tho Exchange Handles
In the Exchange itself. which is in
the basement, various products are on
sale. There are chic little hats, some
OF which are made by very clever mil
Liner, who is also a member of the
"Sally" company here in New York
dainty, ds han hand made baby clothes: Jelly,
hand made handkerchiefs, mems neck
ties and party favors. Already the
exchange has been slightly embar-
rassed BY hurry order from one So
ciety matron for 81 different varieties |
Of flower favors-"the making Of
which," said the Titan haired actress
in charge of the exchange, will GER
tainly tax my knowledge Of botany.
"The exchange" she explained, will
act as clearing house for all those in
the profession. Those who sew, mend
or darn, will find an outlet for their
labor through our bureau. Members of
the profession who do fancy work,
beading, crocheting, knitting. interior
decorating, painting, lamp p-shade max
ing, fancy dress costumes, children's
dresses, underwear and art novelties
will find our services valuable In cre-
ating demand for their work.
There is also a big demand for
kitchenette specialties, such as meat
pies. plain and fancy baking. bread.
mullins, pies. pastry, candies, pre-
serves, pickles and jams. and salted
auts. These little Jars of jam at As
,ents jar are going faster than any
hing else we have on hand.
Arrangements can also be made
through our bureau for work outside
he profession, such as dancing, read
ng, professional shopping, for elocu-
ionists, pageant and theatrical coach
ng. Margaret Allen, treasurer of the
organization, hires herself out as a So
'ial guide for shopping and sightseeing.
md as companion for theaters and
linners"
The Stage Door inn is already turn
ng guests away by the hundred: the
easement headquarters Of the exchange
3 crowded, and it will doubtless not be
ong before the manicuring parIor is
oing a large business. If it keeps I'D
his phenomenal growth, the enterprise ,
hould eventually prove a great aid to
be profession.