The Washington times., 1930-03-21
DC. THEATERS
REFUTE A
LIBEL
BY ANDREW r. KELLEY


the Washington theaters gave
anything to the Community
Chest File this information
for future use."
Mr.. O'Connor conducted a
school of expression here, has
been heard frequently over the
radio, is q theatergoer and Is
now located in New York. Mr..
Street is director of Washing
tons Community Chest.
Since this is the first time 1
have ever heard the organized
theater accused Of tagging in any
charitable enterprise. I spent a
few moments to investigate the
truth in this charge of civic
slackerisn. It took only few
moments to prove that Mr..
O'Connor was grossly misin.
formed and that his implied in.
dictment could be readily dis
credited.
In the name of the Stanley.
Crandall organization and the
Warner Brothers theaters, $1,000
was contributed to the chest. In
addition every employe Of the or
ganization subscribed. In the
Loew theaterS, House Manager
Orangelo Ratio as Community
Chest captain, personally super
viSed the collection of funds from
all affiliated with these theaters.
The Fox and all the other down.
town amusement houses will be
found represented on the books
of the Community Chest, or so
this department is informed by
those I am certain testify truth
fully. Thus is one libel scor ;hed.
The theaters have persistently
refused to yield their stages for
direct pleas to audiences while
performances were in progress.
It was demonstrated in war
times, when the country was
saturated with patriotic fervor,
that theater audiences resented
such Interruptions in their en-
tertainment. They proved it by
walking out in droves on the
Liberty Loan four minute
speakers. It taught theater
managers lesson and they have
been firm in withholding per
mission for distractions from the
regular program. In following
this policy the only exception
has been the annual appeal for
the National Vaudeville Artists
sick and benefit fund, an or
ganization which provides for
the i'll and distressed performer.
My personal belief Is that this
exception is a mistake and that
personal solicitation within the
theater. except from the screen,
is an imposition upon the pay
ing public unless there Is an ad-
vance understanding it is a bene-
fit performance.
Having said this, it is hardly
necessary to come to the defense
of the organized theater and its
attitude on calls in time of dis
aster, calamity or distress. The
record is golden. Before Mr.
O'Connor undertakes to besmirch
those who are always first to cor
tribute of time, talent and money
when the caus" is worthy, he
might we'll examine the record.
The sudden passing of Walter
Brownley was a great shock to
the washington Theater world.
Wednesday night he enjoyed the
stage show from a box at Loew's
Palace Theater and he was be-
lieved to be definitely on the road
to recovery after a prolonged ILL
ness.
Although a man of wealth Mr..
Brownley lived unostentatiously
and while his benefactionS we're
numerous he preferred nothing be
said of his charity. I found him
the most devoted friend of the
City'S orphans end on the half
dozen or more occasions when
this writer conducted Washing.
ton Times theater parties for the
little unfortunates it was always
Walter BroWnley who gave the
500 to 1000 boxes of candy re.
quired to make the show COM
plete. The German Home for
the Aged was another of his pet
benefactions.
Mr.. Brownley owned rs per cent
of the Washington holdings of
the Loew enterprises, including
the Palace and Columbia
Theaters. He was the largest
individual stockholder here and
executives of the Loew Theaters
will come down from New York
for the funeral.
While he was devoted to the
movies, for years he never
missed a new show at the Ma
tional Theater and was accus-
toned to take occasional visits to
Broadway to see the new plays.
The theater has lost a genuine
friend.
To Alice Hutchins Drake:-
ParaphraSing Jean BaptiSte
Camille Corot-"You are mistress
of the sky" AS for me, hence
forth my motto for radio is
Michael Angeles "Recollect that
trifles make perfection and per-
lection Is no trifle."
France is evidently in no mood
to stand belittlin' from American
sources If we accept the court
news which trickles across the
cables from Paris.
Variety" the Broadway Bae.
decker, has just been fined 1000
francs and ordered to pay $4,000
"a Z