The Washington times., 1922-11-26

and at the next station left the train, saw
where the man was standing, and ap-
preached close to him to see if he wishe,
to talk to me. He saw me but made no
effort to approach or converse with me-.
This man was very tall man with
long, loose gray Overcoat and a closely
cropped moustache. | would recognize
him if ] saw him again.
al proceeded to the Waldorf Astoria
where l occupied room. A man called
at the hotel to see an
employe of the hotel,
and stated that he was
q detective employed
by the Flynn Detec-
tive Agency and he .#%s#sM
made inquiry about
me. This man an
swered the description of the person who
followed me on the train.
"The only object that my motion pic
ture employers could have for sending q
detective to Foxlair Camp was to attempt
to secure or claim that they had secured
some evidence at Foxlair Camp, which
would he a crime under the New York
State laws, and then by threats and per
suasiOn to secure my continued employ
n1ent by tn" company"
Is it any wonder then, that ROdOlph
Valentino should end his affidavit thus:
81 cannot work for this motion picture
corporation. cannot endure the
tyranny, the broken promises, the ar
rogance or the system of production.
cannot forgive the cruelty of the COM
pany to Mrs. Valentino. ! cannot look
forward to a sure eclipse of what promises
to be lasting career of great success,
provided that | am permitted to make
productions consistent with my drawing
power"
Mrs. Valentino adds her affidavit to
her husbands accusations. She tells of
her distress because of the lower berth
incident, and Of the unsympathetic treat
ment which she says the motion picture
company officials accorded her.
"When first arrived" Mrs. Valentino
sayS, "and at my first interview with the
president of the company, he seemed to
work himself into a rage and asked me
how we could have been such fools as to
have done such thing and that the COM
pany would lose millions by our action;
and that Mr.. Valentino was ruined and
that his pictures were already being
stopoed in various cities; that Mr.. Val
entiho would get ten years in prison;
that so far as the company was con-
cerned he was ruined for them, and that
they were through with him.
"The general manager of productions
frequently told me that | was foolish to
remain at home and worry and that |
should 20 out and enjoy myself. On sew
ersl occasions. he said in effect:
a. You are great fool to sit and worry
about Valentino BECAUSE the girls were all
crazy about him and he is having good
time out there and his love for you will
not last. He is an actor.
INV distress and agitation were ex-
treme. frequently wept after retiring at
night and turned out the lights with re-
,uctance because in the dark, fears and
self.reproach could not be banished."
Mrs. Valentino, too, speaks Of hound
inc bv detectives. But she, like her hus-
: hand. leaves the telling of the vivid
details TO their faithful friend, Douglas
Gerard.
Mr. Gerard Is an actor and motion pic
ture director and he makes q very good
affidavit.
After relating in some detail his educa,;
tior and professional career, Mr., Gerard
makes a place for himself in history by
dating his friendship for Valentino from
the time five years ago when Valentino
repaid loan Of twenty-five dollars. This
extraordinary experience-thef finding Of
an actor who promptly repaid a loan
80 affected Mr.. Gerard that he swore
eternal friendship for Valentino.
Says MIR. Gerard, B. A. Dublin.
Trinity Coll.):
II first met Rodolph Valentino at the
and If the wear 1917 when he was then
Unknown in Los Angeles. ! sympathiSed