The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-24
BY ROBERT BURKHARDT
Written for United Press
lConvrlght. 1895. By United Press


IL session Of money meant just
two things to Will Rogers-the Sc
curity of his family and the power
to help those less fortunate in the
struggle for existence.
Probably no one will ever know
the extent of his philanthropies.
as he was as close mouthed about
his gifts as he was about his fam
lily.
Even a lump sum under the
heading of charities" on his in
come tax report would not APP
proximate the amount he gave, as
he always was digging into his
pockets for tens and twenties and
even hundreds at a time to help
some friend in need
When an intimate once protest
ed at the comedians generosity
with a man regarded as a chiseler,
Will grinned.
Well" he drawled. he proba-
bly, needs it worse than I do, any,
way"
WILL probably played more
w benefits" than any other
performer identified with theatre
Gals.
Last Christmas week, he played
at least 10 benefits in and around
Hollywood, and it can only be
guessed how many thousands of
dollars his efforts brought in for
worthy causes.
Almost invariably, in addition to
appearing in person, he'd manage
to slip a check for 500 or 5000
to the chairman before he left,
with an admonition to keep it
quiet"
Members of the Assistance
League-an organization of wives
and women relatives of produc-
ers. directors and executives to
take care of needy cases within
the movie industry-were always
certain of at least 500 every time
Will had luncheon in their cafe
near the Twentieth Century-Fox
Western-av studio.
He'd cOnspire against his
friends, too, when they lunched at
the Assistance League and always
was sticking those who could af-
ford it for the check, after first
seeing that it was literally padded
John Ford, the director. and r.
vim S. Cobb, with whom he made
his last picture, Steamboat
Round the Bend" were frequent
victims of this little gag.
GENERAL years ago when the
~ South was hard hit by floods,
Will organized a transforming
tour of four singers, hired Frank
Hawks, the famous aviator, and
toured the country, raising money
for the sufferers.
All in all he turned over $780,
900 to the Red Cross. 1t was not
generally knoTn. but Will paid all
expenses out of his I pocket
and every cent that was paid for
the concerts went to help the
needy ones. For weeks he made
one-night stands. hopping from
town to town with his troupe,
speaking two and three hours
every night in humorous vein.
Those who we're with him. said he
seldom told the same stories and
gags twice.
On a flying trip to South Amer
lea, he landed in Nicaragua just
after a devastating earthquake in
which many were killed and
thousands left homeless. He i'm
mediately halted his trip to or
ganize relief and personally do
mated $4,000 for the immediate
needs of the victims.
VXTHEN working on a picture,
w Will always would find out
in advance the number of days
allotted for its completion.
If. as often happened, the pro-
duction was finished ahead of
schedule he'd get a copy of the
pay roll from the assistant direc-
tor and pay the wages of every
one in the company. with the ex-
ception of featured players, the
director and others on high sal
airy. for the full time.
Sometimes it's a long time be-
tween pictures for these folks, y
he would explain. and they need
all they can get. I'd hate to think
by speedin' up a bit I'd cheated
anybody outa their groceries"
When a friend once spoke dis
paragingly of the Community
Chest and said that most of
those receiving help didn't de-
serve it. Will made a character
istic remark which summed up
his whole theory of giving:
What of it? he demanded
They're human. amt they? An
they gotta eat just the same as
you and me-"
THE ENnl