Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-27

her mothers parlor. She describes
herself as 'peeping through the por-
there's of their bungalow at this group
small in number, but earnest in pur-
pose; three chairs drawn together,
three heads bent close and three ear
nest faces rejecting intense enthusi-
assn in their now enterprise"
How far their candies beam was
to throw its light within the next
few decades, none of the three fully
realized. Today the trio has in
creased to 1000 and the leagues
branches are distributed through all
parts of the United States, as well as
in Hawaii.
The purpose Of the organization, as
stated at its second meeting, attended
by II woman writer's. is Ito band
together active journalists, authors
and illustrators for mutual benefit and
the strength that comes of union.
Mrs. Burke suggested the name by
which the organization is known to-
day. She was both an author and a
painter. One Of her paintings was
purchased by the Governor of Indiana
and hung in the executive mansion of
that State for many years
Miss Burke has followed in her
for her articles contributed to promi-
nent newspapers in the country. Re
Gently her editorial on Shakespeare,
which appeared in Washington
paper, created sufficient interest in
New York to be posted on the
bulletin board of the Lambs Club
The Pearl Jubilee will bring together
in Washington noted feminine au-
thors, journalists, artists and com
posers to celebrate the founding Of
the largest literary organization of
women in the world.
=
p ECENT nationwide observance of
Drama week by the General
Federation of Women's Clubs brought
to headquarters news Of many inter
esting and worthy dramatic projects
promoted by clubwomen, but none so
ambitious as that Of the Woman's
Club of Rockford. Ill. This club Is
managing stock company of pro-
fessionals in regular performances in
its theater III the Woman's Club
house And. what Is perhaps even
more startling, it is making money.
Because Rockford has several au.
ditoriums with fiat floors and none
where theatrical performances may be
Club determined that the auditorium
of it's clubhouse should be complete
theater with stage, gridiron, raised
seats, etc, and such it is. having a
seating capacity of S55.
1.-THE building has been in use for
eight years." said Miss Jessie I. Spaf-
ford, prominent member of the club
and a trustee of the general feder-
alton, During that time we feel that
its presence and possibilities have
greatly stimulated dramatic perform.
ances. For example, the American
Legion put on a benefit running for
four days last Fall. at which enough
was earned TO finance the Legion
work for the coming year. This Is the
sixth year that the Legion has given
it's benefit in our tffeater. High
schools, Y. w. G.. A and other or
CARNATIONS have also used the theater
from time to time.
'Spasmodic rentals did not consti-
tute a sufficient return, however, so
we attempted several ventures in or.
der to make ends meet We rented
the theater to "A theatrical corpora.
ton. but they failed to pay their rent.
After several attempts of this nature
we finally took over the management
ourselves. and for the first time we
made a reasonable rental from the
occasional road shows and now and
again stock company.
This did not satisfy us entirely,
because we had no control over the
kind of plays or the actors appearing
in them. Hearing of the success OF
Mr.. Robert Henderson Of Ann Arbor
as a director we asked him to organ
iZe a company and come to us under
club management, which he did, open
ing last Fall with a clever company,
most Of whom are graduates of the
University of Michigan. They have
had training and experience in dra-
matte work.
The Woman's Club assumes all
financial responsibility. paying the
actors a minimum salary with the
understanding that profits will be di-
vided fifty-fifty after all expenses are
paid, Including rent. At the end Of
* weeks we have paid our actors
and have pad ourselves a moderate
rental As Initial expense Is always
heavy aud cur best weeks are yet TO
come. we know now that there will be
some profits To divide at the end Of
the season, and in addition we have
offered the public excellent plays well
presented.
Under the auspices Of the National
Memorial Foundation, Washington IS
first flower festival will be held on
april 8 al 3 o'clock In the afternoon.