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NATIONAL VAUDEVILLE ARTISTS ONE YEAR OLDOrganization That Began with Only a Few Members This Time Last Year, Is Now Greatest Club of Kind in theWorld, Numbering 6,450 SupportersThe National Vaudeville Artists, Inc., celebrates its iirst birthday today and, from all evidences, seems to be a healthy youngster* as its membership has in-creased from a mere handful to 6,450 during the last twelve months.In February of last year Eddie Leonard, George McKay, Bob Albright and Henry Chesterfield met at a luncheon in one of the Broadway hotels. During the conversation, one of them suggested that it was an opportune time to start a vaudeville association, run along different lines than the White Rats. They called upon E. F. Albee and asked him if he would be in favor of an organization of artists and performers where the question of the “closed” shop was left out.Mr. Albee informed them that he was and that lie would lend them every assistance possible. This word spurred the men on, and in April they applied to the secretary of state for a charter under the name of the American Vaudeville Artists. Later they were notified that they could not obtain a charter under this name, and a meeting was held at which it was decided to change the name of the organization to the National Vaudeville Artists. A new application was then made and the charter was quickly granted. That was just a year ago today. The incorporators were Henry Chesterfield, Bert Fitzgibbons, Bob Albright, George McKay, Eddie Leonard, Harry Carroll and Oscar Lorraine.On May 25 a meeting of the organization was held in the Hotel Biltmore, at which only the incorporators were 'present. They elected temporary officers of the organization. Eddie Leonard was president; Oscar Lorraine, 1st vice-president; Hugh Herbert, 2nd vice-president; Bob Albright, 3rd vice-president; Harry Carroll, 4th vice-president; George McKay, treasurer, and Henry Chesterfield, secretary.After this meeting the members began to scurry around and, by June 14, when another meeting was held, 200 members had joined the organization.On July 25 the first election of officers t«ok place, and Willard Mack was named president; Hugh Herbert, 1st vice-president; Bob Albright, 2nd vice-president; Oscar Lorraine, 3rd vice-president; George McKay, 4th vice-president; May Irwin, treasurer, and Henry Chesterfield, secretary. At this meeting, the membership had increased to 300. It was decided at that time to waive the payment of $25 initiation fee during the recruiting campaign for new members. This order is and will be in effect until June 1, when it will again be restored.At that time the committee on club rooms reported that they had selected three floors in the American Theatre building. This report was accepted by the members. But, at a later meeting, the committee reported that the location was a bit off Broadway and that it would be more advisable to get a place on that thoroughfare. They Inter selected andleased the present site of the club at 1587 Broadway.At this meeting the following board of directors was appointed: Clms.Ahearn, Ilarry Carroll, Grace Dernar, Gus. Edwards, Fred Hallen, Mrs. Gene Hughes, Geo. McKay, Ray Samuels, April Young, Bob. Albright, J. B. Curson, Emmet De-voy, Kate Elinore, Ixmey Haskell, Eddie Leonard, Willa llolt Wakefield, Ben Welsh, Lou Anger, Ilcnry Chesterfield, Bert Fitzgibbons, Oscar Lorraine, Willard Mack and Jack Wyatt.The advisory board chosen was May Irwin, Eddie Foy, Lillian Russell, Joe Weber, Lew Fields, Lew Dockstader, Irene Franklin, James McIntyre, Julia Nash, Bessie Clayton, Cecil Lean, Burton Green. The arbitration board appointed was composed of Henry Chesterfield, Hugh Herbert, Bob Albright, April Young and Marshall Montgomery.The membership board was composed of Willa H. Wakefield, Hugh Herbert, Eddie Leonard, Doc O’Neil and Henry Chesterfield.The entertainment board appointed was • Eddie Leonard, Stan Stanley, Geo. Moore, Ben Welsh and Una Clayton.The treasury board was composed of May Irwin, Jack Wyatt, Percy Weinrich, Will Oakland and Noel Travers.The finance hoard has as members, Lou Anger, Henry Bergman, Monroe Hopkins, Mabel Russell and J. K. Emmett.The hoard of relief is composed of Clara Morton, Doc O’Neil, Jules Romer, Joe Cook and J. F. Dooley.On the pension board are Lou Hall, Dave Nowlin, Will Oakland and GraceCarlisle.The life insurance board has as members Oscar Lorraine, Frank Frabito, Ed. Lynn, W. A. Grew and Eleanor Fisher.On the legislation board are F. F. Bent, Frank Shean, Eddie Carr, Hale Norcross and W. H. Wakefield.The following board for the protection of material was appointed, Loney Haskell, Ed. Morton, Bert Lamont and Wm. Burns.After this meeting the membership began to increase by leaps and bounds. At the beginning of September there were 1,000 members in good standing. Oct. 1, had 1,500 members in the organization. A month later there were 2,200 members, and Dec. 1, saw 3,000 members. The work kept on, and on Jan. 1, 1917, there were 3,750 members.On Jan. 20, the club rooms of the organization . were formally opened and more than 2,500 persons visited the premises during the day.The club occupies an entire floor at 1587 Broadway, which is divided in such a manner as to jirovide for a large lounging room, ladies* parlor, billiard and cardroom, restaurant and executive offices. The furnishings of the club were selected by E. F. Albee, and it is said to be the finest equipped club of its kind in New York. The furnishings are estimated to be worth $7,500!
Newspaper Details
New York Clipper
New York, New York, US
Wed, May 09, 1917
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 24 Jun 2020
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