Variety (October 1914)

8 VARIETY THE OUTLOOK The outlook for the White Rats Actors' Union of America is indeed encouraging. Everyone is filled with the right spirit, which spells "success." You might ask "what has been accomplished?" First of all let me inform you that we have cemented love in the hearts of the great majority. We are proving daily to the average man that we are conducting this organization in a decent, honorable and business-like way. We have thrown open the doors to our members. We are tell- ing truths. We are hiding nothing, be- cause we are honest, and, therefore, we we have no fear. Our books are open to all the members, and I, as your presi- dent, can be seen any day. The door of my office is open. Everyone is welcome and attention is given to each individual. No matter how small in station the artist may be, he or she is given the same at- tention as a headliner. Every letter writ- ton me has been answered by me per- sonally, and I might say that I have turned out 50 to 100 letters daily. Now what has all of this done? In twe months it has brought back in the neighborhood of 100 members, who were in arrears for dues. It has encouraged others to take out life memberships. We have at present 53 life members. Twenty of these have become life members within less than two months. Within the next two months I feel sure that this organi- zation will have over 100 life members. The day will come and it is not far off when the life membership fee will be raised. It is too good an offer, so I would advise those of you who can af- ford a life card, which will cost you $100, providing you are paid up in dues, to take one out now, because later on the price of life membership will surely be raised, as it is in all organizations. We have a weekly good fellowship "scamper" every Thursday night in the rathskeller, and in fact I might say to you that there is a "scamper" every night in the rathskeller. You cannot realize the spirit that is in this organization at the present time, unless you are here to see for yourself. We are also having big "scampers" once a month, and are hold- ing same in the gymnasium. Last Thurs- day night we had a "scamper" for the profession only. The gymnasium, reading and writing rooms, rathskeller and pool- room were filled to their capacity. We are making all kinds of improvements for the best, both in the organization and in the club. If you doubt this, ask any member who has been here. We are holding weekly meetings of the Ways and Means Committee, of which every member of our organization is a member. We are having weekly meet- ings of the House Committee, and I can also say that the Board of Directors meets here every Friday at 12 sharp, an dthat docs not moan one o'clock and half past one. I mention these things to show you that we are not idle. We are working hard, and trying hard to please everyone. I would indeed love to see the day (and I feel sure that I will see the day) when this order can build a club in every large city for the boys and girls of our organi- zation. I want to do the right thing by all of you. All I ask in return is your support. I am for you. I am getting support, but I want the collective sup- port of this great order. Some people might say, "What is Fogarty going to get out of this?" Well, I will tell you: If you will support this organization as it should be supported, I will get your love and best wishes. That is all I ask for, that is all I want, but that is worth more than gold to me. I would rather have the love, respect and confidence of the boys and girls of this profession than all the money in the world. It is not a pretty speech, meant to sound pretty, but it is a truthful expression, because I am not looking for anything for myself, but I am looking for the best in the world for my fellow men, and surely if you can get the best this world can give, I can at least enjoy the happiness with you. And now, girls, let me say something to you. Join the A. A. A's. if you are not already members, become active, form a Ways and Means Committee, and meet here at the club, either in the A. A. A. room, or the Board of Directors' room, and if you want me to sit in council I will be more than pleased to do so. Start something, girls, for the good, and I will be with you. Your membership com- pared with the boys is very small. Please do not say, "Well, if we had the club- house the boys have we would have as many members." You are getting the same fraternal benefits as the boys, and you have the use of part of the club. We will gladly set aside hours for you in the gymnasium and swimming pool, and in fact there is nothing we will not do for you, if you will only show us some co-operation, and when the days comes, which I hope will be soon, for you girls to have a clubhouse of your own, you will then realize what wonderful good you have done for your profession. The clubhouse would mean a decent home for our girls, and it would be the mean* of helping many a girl in a dozen dif- ferent ways. It would be their home and that would mean so much to the girls, who never knew what home meant, and let me tell you girls, "home, sweet home was never written in a Pullman car." I am here to help you girls. Please do not let the opportunity slip by. Get busy, build up the A. A. A. membership, and I will promise you good results. Alice Lloyd became a life member of the A. A. A. Monday, and her husband, Tom McNaughton, became a life member of the White Rats Actors' Union of America on the same day. Woman has been the guiding star in this world. Women have been the means of making us men realize what home really is. We love you, girls, we want to help you, because you are our great help-mates; so I beg of you to orgairze and build up the A. A. A. Work in harmony and work hard for this orgin- ization that is working hard for you Be loyal and by being loyal you will give the interest we need to enjoy success and happiness. If we made mistakes in the past we have only done what every- one in life has done. We have all made mistakes, but let us benefit by the expe- rience. So many men and women in the world look only one way; the way thit will benefit one's self. Please throw that feeling aside, if any of you have such a feeling, and think of others that need protection and help, "the great multitude." Do not be selfish; help those who have been less fortunate than you, because every time one does a kind act in thi, world the good comes back to him or her, if only in the knowledge that thev have helped to make a heart lighter. The outlook is indeed encouraging. Give me the support 1 am asking for and the outlook will turn into a reality, and that reality will be peace, happiness and success to all. Talk White Rats wherever you go. Do not be ashamed to advertise something that spells good. You are not going to stop the good work, are you. and you will help, won't you? I am sincerely and fraternally yours. FRANK FOGARTY, President. HOLD ROAD SCAMPERS. Members of the White Rats Actors' Union are earnestly requested to pro- mote the spirit of good fellowship and fraternalism on the road by holding "scampers" in cities where White Rats are assembled. Permission to hold these "scampers" DENNIS O'BRIEN'S OPINION. Th able attorney for the White Rats, Dennis O'Brien (O'Brien,' Malevinsky & Driscoll) wrote the following letter, not for publication, but since Mr. O'Brien's efforts in behalf of the Rats have been most earnest, thoughtful and beneficial to that order, and his stand- ing in the legal fraternity is so eminent, his opinion on the present progress of the organization is most valuable and deserves circulation, as the expression of a layman to the profession: Editor Variety: —Kindly accept my sincere congratulations and apprecia- tion of the splendid articles written by Frank Fogarty and published by you in Variety pertaining to the White Rats Actors' Union of America. On account of the intimate knowl- edge of the affairs of the organization which I have through my position as attorney for it, and of the actor and actress towards the organization, I be- lieve that Mr. Fogarty has hit upon the real principle upon which the future of this organization must be founded; that is. the unselfish spirit of the actor and actress as against the selfish spirit. Good Fellowship Scamper held at the WHITE RATS CjLUB HOUSE EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT. All rtiembers of the organization earnestly requested to attend. may be obtained by wiring the Secre- tary-Treasurer. We will pay for the wire; send it collect. BE A LIFE MEMBER. We again call your attention to Life Memberships. Each week they are in- creasing. Get in while you can buy a Life Membership for $100. Have your name appear in next week's Variety among the Life Mem- bers of the organization. This selfish spirit had been ap- pealed to by the earlier policy of the organization and the members encour- aged to believe that he ought to meas- ure daily the benefits that he person- ally would derive from the organiza- tion, because of the money he paid to it rather than the general principle of Imilding up and preserving the orga- nization founded upon high ideals, which must permeate the atmosphere of benefit to the members of the pro- Women Look Over Clubhouse. Winifred De Witt, the one time man- ageress of Chase's theater, Washington, accompanied by Mrs. Pat Rooney, recently paid a visit to the clubhouse. Miss De Witt and Mrs. Rooney were escorted through the building by the Big Chief. Frank Fogarty, and Bert Levy. With true woman's instinct the ladies paid particular attention to the house linen and furnishings, and after their tour of inspection expressed their astonish- ment at the perfection of the clubhouse, with its modern and well kept home com- forts. As an evidence of the far-reaching in- fluence of the present campaign to place the order on the highest pinnacle of club- dom Frank Fogarty recently received a letter from the far west, and the writer is evidently a kindly character who has never struck the great east as yet, for his cowboy language savors of the breezy plains, and the intimacy of the campfires. "I want to join this 'ere White Rats outfit," the letter ran, "so send a note and tell mc how much I must kick in." Fogarty treasures the letter as an ex- ample of the widespread interest now being taken in the order. fession as a whole and to the managers with whom these members did business and to the weaker members of the pro- fession who must benefit thereby. I trust the good work begun will be continued, and that from time to time the profession, as a %hole, may benefit »>y the doctrine that is now being printed by Mr. Fogarty. DENNIS O'BRIEN. Meeting of WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE on Tuesday, Oct 6th, 1914, at 12 Noon sharp, in the Board of Directors' Room at the White Rats Club. James F. Dolan, Chairman. GARDEN SHOW ON OCT. 10. The opening date for "Dancing Around," the new Winter Garden re- vue, has been changed to Oct. 10.