The Story of The Friars.
and
The History of the Clubhouse

The Press Agents' Association, out of which grew the present Friars' Club, was organized in the autumn of 1904, and its initial purpose was to identify and eliminate the "free pass" frauds who persistently, and by means of many ingenious devices, endeavored to secure "complimentary" admission to the New York theatres.
The first meeting was held at Browne's Chop House, in response to a call issued by Charles Emerson Cook, press representative for David Belasco; Channing Pollock, representing the Shuberts; and John S. Flaherty, since deceased, who was manager and press representative for the Majestic Theatre. Those who attended the inaugural meeting, and assisted in organizing the Press Agents' Association, were: John W. Rumsey, Charles Emerson Cook, Channing Pollock, Philip Mindil, Mason Peters, William Raymond Sill, Burton Emmett, Bronson Douglas, Harry C. Schwab, and John S. Flaherty. Channing Pollock was elected President; John W. Rumsey, Treasurer; and John S. Flaherty, Secretary.

Meetings were subsequently held each Friday, and from the reports received from the members a black list was prepared, and kept up-to-date, giving the names of those fraudulently soliciting favors from the theatres. In this way the practice was so thoroughly broken up that the purpose of the Association seemed fulfilled, and interest waned. There was a 'lapse in the meetings, and probably the organization would have died from inanition, had it not been revived by two enthusiastic members.

In the autumn of 1906 they issued a call for a meeting of press agents at Keene's Chop House. The response was general, the membership was broadened to include all press agents throughout the country, instead of those connected solely with the New York theatres, and the scope of the organization was enlarged. These officers were elected: Charles Emerson Cook, President; Frank J. Wristwatch, Vice-President; John W. Rumsey, Treasurer; Wells Hawks, Secretary. Weekly meetings were held at Keene's, and the interest was most pronounced.
Shortly after this time the long series of dinners to noted men, principally in the theatrical profession, for which the club has become justly famous began. The first guest of honor was Clyde Fitch, and the dinner was held at the Cafe des Beaux Arts, which for a time became the meeting place of the organization. In the same year, dinners were given to Marc Klaw, Henry Miller and Victor Herbert. It was at the last dinner that the famous Friars' Song, with words by Charles Emerson Cook and music by Victor Herbert was heard for the first time. In the meantime there had been a new election, resulting in the selection of Wells Hawks as President; John W. Rumsey, Treasurer. The Board of Governors included Charles Emerson Cook, Frank J. Wilstaeh and Samuel McLeary Weller. The name of "Friars" had been adopted as more simple and expressive than the old title. The honor of naming the club belongs to Frederick F. Schrader.
In June, 1907 a new constitution was adopted, and on the 29th of that month was held the ever memorable pilgrimage to Belmar, New Jersey, during which members voted for the officers to serve the ensuing year: The result of the election was as follows: Wells Hawks, Abbot; Charles Emerson Cook, Dean; Philip Mindil, Corresponding Secretary; Clinton W. Moffett, Recording Secretary; John W. Rumsey, Treasurer. The Board of Governors included Harry G. Sommers, Frank C. Payne, George W. Sammis, W. G. Smyth, Bruce Edwards, Marcus R. Mayer, A. Toxen Worm, Wallace Munro, Willard D. Coxey, and W. M. Hull.
At this time the club was holding its weekly Friday night meetings at the Hotel Hermitage, but the progressive men of the club felt that the organization should have a home of its own. After long consideration, and many necessary delays, the property, No. 107 West Forty-Fifth Street, was secured, the entire interior reconstructed and decorated and the rooms furnished to meet the needs of the growing and flourishing organization. The Club House was formally opened on May 9, 1908. Much of the money needed for the enterprise was secured through the First Annual Festival held at the New York Theatre the same month, through the courtesy of Mr. A. L. Erlanger.
At the election held in the new club house, which was henceforth to be known as The Monastery, Charles Emerson Cook was elected Abbot, Harry G. Sommers, Dean; Burton Emmett, Corresponding Secretary; Willard D. Coxey, Recording Secretary; and John W. Rumsey, Treasurer.
The first year in The Monastery was notable for the development along many lines, but the business of conducting a club was new and untried to the officers, and it was found impossible to make the revenues meet the expenses. In the Spring of 1909 the financial affairs of the club had reached a condition that called for serious consideration. At the annual meeting and election in June, John W. Rumsey was elected the Abbot, Chas. T. K. Miller, the Dean; Channing Pollock, Corresponding Secretary; Edward Everett Pidgeon, Recording Secretary; and Harry G. Sommers, Treasurer. The newly elected Governors were: George W. Sammis, Willard D. Coxey, E. V. Giroux, Rennold Wolf, Frederick Edward McKay, W. G. Smyth, Louis F. Werba, Wallace Munro, Louis Nethersole and S. Good friend. The retiring Abbot, Charles Emerson Cook, was the guest of honor and presented with a loving cup at a banquet held at the Hotel Astor, June 18, 1909.

The financial conditions facing the club were disheartening. An indebtedness of $18,000 stared the club in the face, and, instead of decreasing, was constantly increasing. Abbot Rumsey and those associated with him in the directorate had, however, learned much from their experience in the club, and plans were formulated by which it was hoped to place the club on a firm financial basis. An issue of bonds was authorized, and a committee of fifty, under the chairmanship of Friar Attorney A. L. Jacobs, was appointed by the Abbot to take up the question of the club's finances, and the chairman, with the aid of Jerome Siegel, Edward T. Moriarity and Daniel A. McCann, who were appointed a sub-committee on finance, devised stringent economy in the club's business management. Good results were immediately apparent. Although in October, 1909, the club's indebtedness had reached the alarming proportions of over $22,000, at the annual meeting, June 3, 1910, the welcome announcement was made that the club's indebtedness had not only been discharged, but that there was a balance to its credit of over $8,000. Such a record was probably without precedent among New York clubs at that time.
It was fitting that John W. Rumsey, who had contributed so greatly to this happy result, should be unanimously re-elected, and it was equally fitting that the club, on the night of June 23, 1910, should honor the Abbot at its great Jubilee Dinner at the Hotel Astor by making him its guest of honor and presenting him with a silver loving cup.

The first Frolic was held in 1907 but there is no official record of the proceeds. The second Frolic was held in 1909 and the sum of $6,445.85 was realized. In 1910 the Third Festival or Frolic took place and a benefit of $6,129.38 was realized.
In June, 1911, the Fourth Frolic was given and the sum of $40,825.56 was realized. This money was used to purchase the site of the new Monastery, Nos. 106-108-110 West 48th Street.
In 1912 another Frolic took place which included performances in New York, Atlantic City and Philadelphia, and the sum of $14,255.09 was realized.
The Club continued to occupy the old quarters, 107 West 45th Street, during all this time, paying the carrying charges for the new site on 48th Street. It was determined to remodel the old buildings for club purposes, and accordingly plans and specifications were drawn at an estimated cost of $30,000. George M. Cohan, who had been elected Abbot, issued a call for a meeting for the purpose of raising this $30,000. It was a representative gathering on that eventful Sunday night, and instead of remodeling the old buildings, it was enthusiastically and unanimously decided to build an entirely new club house and in less than half an hour nearly $100,000 of second mortgage bonds was subscribed.
This having been accomplished, the rest was easy. The architect, Harry Allan Jacobs, was authorized to make plans and specifications for the new Monastery, and it was a monument to his architectural genius.
The first contract was authorized April 15, 1915. The corner stone was laid October 21, 1915, with impressive ceremony. The program consisted of a gathering at the old Monastery where a trans-continental telephone was installed and a conversation held with the officials of San Francisco. A characteristically pleasant half hour was passed.
The Friars then marched in a body to the site of the new Monastery and the corner stone was laid. Abbot George M. Cohan broke a bottle of sparkling American wine on the stone saying, "I dedicate this Club to Art, Literature and Good Fellowship."

Rev. J. J. Delaney invoked the blessings of God upon the Institution and its members. Daniel Frohman and others made short addresses, after which the members returned to the old Monastery where a repast was served and the usual good time was had.
The new Monastery was opened May 22, 1916. Abbot George M. Cohan led the procession from the old Monastery and upon entering the new Monastery, threw the key of the front door into the street to symbolize that the building would never be closed.
The opening banquet was served to over five hundred Friars and a program rendered by the stars of the stage, and concluded a never to be forgotten day.
On May 29, 1916, the Sixth Annual Frolic was given, opening that night at the New Amsterdam Theatre and playing in the principal cities as far as St. Louis, returning over a route to Boston and other New England cities to New York, June 10, 1916, after the most successful Frolic the club ever had. On the same night, a performance was given at the New York Hippodrome for the benefit of the Actors' Fund and the sum of $7,496.32 was realized. The success of this Frolic was in the main due to the characteristic ability of our Abbot, George M. Cohan, ably assisted by his associate, Sam H. Harris, as general manager, and about one hundred and fifty loyal Friars. The tour covered fifteen different cities, nineteen performances, and brought to the Club a net gain of $55,311.25. Friar Fred Block took care of the publicity work and his indefatigable efforts contributed largely to its pecuniary success.
The land of the new Monastery cost $125,000. Carrying charges brought this amount to $143,527.85. The cost of construction was $236,865.22, which included everything from the digging of the foundation. Contracts were made when labor and material were lowest. The furnishing and equipment amounted to $45,834.93, so that with the cost of the ground and building, the grand total amounted to $426,228.
Many improvements were required and devised to meet the constant growth of the Club. On May 1, 1916, the roster showed there were: Active, 658; Lay, 292; Nonresident, 258; Navy, 3; or a total of 1,211 members. On May 1, 1917, there were: Active, 787; Lay, 376; Non-Resident, 326; Army and Navy, 4; or a total membership of 1,493, showing an increase for the one year in all classes of 282.
The Club had adopted a policy of wholesome entertainment, including a series of Frolics given in the Big Hall of the Monastery which was always taxed to its capacity. During the year, the first of these were under the guidance of Friar John J. Gleason, the second under Friar Frank Tinney and the third under Friar James Montgomery. They demonstrated the versatility of the members and proved that the membership of the Club contained authors, actors and stage managers, all of exceptional talent, versatility and Friarly spirit.
The Friars had come to stay. Its membership was now over 1,500 and constantly increasing. It had given five successful festivals or frolics and interested itself in the work of the Actors' Fund, Red Cross and other charities, and was always foremost in patriotism, such as was shown by the large contingent that journeyed to Fort Meyer to entertain the recruits of the officers' reserve.
It had given successful dinners, since the initial dinner at the Cafe des Beaux Arts, to A. L. Erlanger, John Drews, Col. Henry Watterson, Lee Shubert, Oscar Hammerstein, Augustus Thomas, George M. Cohan, David Belasco, Al. Hayman, Wm. Harris, De Wolf Hopper, Sam H. Harris, David Warfield, Jerry J. Cohan, Mayor John Purroy Mitchell, Irving Berlin, John Ringling, Wm. A. Brady, Enrico Caruso, and no other club in New York had been more successful in gathering together at

FORMER FRIARS CLUBHOUSE OPENED MAY 1908