New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-23
Great Is the Joy
Among Vaudeville
Artists of America

The other day when the National
Vaudeville Artists, Inc, numerically
the largest theatrical organization in
the world, held their annual meeting
and unanim ously elected Fred Stone
as their president, the comedian in his
speech of acceptance declared that he
considered the honor a fitting reward
for the many years Of hard work he
had put in as an entertainer. He also
announced that he intended to enroll
every member of the vaudeville pro-
fession as member of the organiza-
ton. If he accomplishes that-and no
one doubts but that he will--the
N. V. A. will have 10000 members. 1t
has more than half that number now
and a million-dollar clubhouse in West
Forty-sixth Street.
I Now that Fred Stone has become the
active head of the organization it's
members are looking forward to even
greater accomplishments and benefits
than have accrued during the last five
or six years. Fred Stone is map
whose eminence in the theatrical field
commands the respect and admiration
OF not only the theatergoing public. but
Of artists and managers as we'll. Under
his leadership the vaudeville artists
are hopeful of inauguratipg a COOP
erative campaign with the managerial
interests that will further tighten their
burdens and improve their working
conditions.
A great deal has already been &C.
compllshed along these lines. For in
stance, an arrangement has been per-
fected with the presidents of every
railroad in the country whereby vaude-
vile artists baggage, bearing q dis
tinctive N. v. A. stencil, is given pref
crence and goes through on the same
train with the artists, thus eliminating
the old-time nuisance of DELAYED and
missed shows on opening days, with the
resultant disappointment and loss of
money to both manager and artists.
campaign is we'll under way for
the elimination of all Objectionable
material on all vaudeville stages. An
other campaign has for its objective
the participation by the artists in
civic affairs. Scores Of Chambers of
Commerce, Rotary clubs and similar
organizations, not to mention innumer-
able country clubs and golf courses.
now extend the courtesies of their
club rooms and other accommodations
to visiting Vaudeville artists. All this
has had tendency to elevate the ar
fist in the eyes of the public and to
bring home to him realization Of his
responsibilities as a citizen.
1t is along these lines that Fred
Stone intends to work. He wants to
let the, American public know that the
artist Is a human being, like every one
else, with the same likes and dislikes
and the same kind of heart as other
people have. Fred Stone himself is
considered the exemplification Of these
things. He has the unanimous sun
port and confidence of every vaudeville
artist in the United States and Canada.
He has achieved all the fame and for
tune that any individual OF the stage
could hope for and now he intends do
ing on big scale what he has always
done on small, man-to-man scale,
namely, the elevation of vaudeville
artists in the eyes of the public.
Mr.. Stone is probably tbs only active
mead OF a theatrical organization who
mas assumed Office with the unanimous
backing and good will of both the ar
lists and the managers.