Variety (August 1911)

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VARIETY "WORLDS LEAGUE OF ARTISTS" AND "COPY ACTS" P ASSED UPON The Paris International Conference of Artists' Societies May Bring Tangible Results. Mountford Nearly Loses a Meal. Paris, July 22. The Conference of artists' societies terminated Friday evening, many of the delegates leaving the following morning, while others remained a few days to visit the city. It was only by sitting until late each evening that the business under dis- cussion was terminated in time to per- mit this. As a matter of fact the Eng- lish, French and German delegates sat until midnight June 20, and the secre- tary of the Conference, C. C. Bartram, worked with a private secretary and stenographer until 4 a. m. on one oc- casion, and this, after having attended the general meeting all day. The main point decided was the creation of a permanent body to be known as the "World's League of Ar- tists' Organizations," consisting of the various societies represented by the delegates. Other professional soci- eties which may be formed among artists henceforth can be admitted later on application, but only by unani- mous vote of the four organizations attending this first international con- ference. One satisfactory solution is the vote on the question of "copy acts," whereby a member con- victed of having taken the business of any other member may be fined, suspended or expelled from any of the four organizations to which he may belong. As concerns non-members, means are found which will put a stop to this practice. Both moral and legal influence will be given to members in fighting such cases. The English delegates were insistent upon the "Copy Act" stand, and to them belongs all of the credit for pushing it through. The agreement of affiliation was gone through thoroughly, from begin- ning to end, being completely revised and strengthened. The agency question was brought up by the French delegates. Full sup- port was promised to the French so- ciety in getting a law through for the control and regulating of agencies in France. The question of mutual book- ing offices, or a system of engaging members through their own organiza- tion, was not decided on this occa- sion. There was a considerable Inter- change of information, which It is anticipated by the delegates, will bring about Important action in the re- spective territories of the affiliated so- cieties. The four societies were not unani- mous on several questions. Quite a number of drastic resolutions were de- feated or withdrawn. The delegates worked loyally and harmoniously to- gether. The fraternity spirit was par- ticularly remarkable between the Ger- man, French and English members. The French delegates expressed un- stinted admiration for the courteous attention and bearing of their Eng- lish and German colleagues through- out the whole conference. The four organizations were alottea territory as follows: V. A. F.—Great Britain and Ire- land. I. A. L.—Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and the German cantons of Switzerland. U. S. A. L.—France, Belgium, North Africa and the French cantons of Switzerland. White Rats.—United States, Can- ada and Mexico. Other countries, such as Australia, South America and South Africa, are under the joint body of the four or- ganizations. A member of one of the societies comes under the control of the terri- torial society when going abroad. It was decided that "territorial society" should refer to the society where the artist is playing, while "home society" refers to the society which the artist originally joined. A White Rat going to England will call the V. A. F. the "territorial society," although paying dues to the "home society" (White Rats). With European artists going to the United States, the case is not the same. The foreign artiste must call at the office of the White Rats upon arrival, present his card from the "home society," and he will then be given a "transfer card" in exchange. Upon leaving the States he receives his home society card again, in ex- change, and if his transfer card is fully paid up that is so marked on the original. The Rats are compelled to issue a transfer card to any member of an affiliated organization, provided the home society card is in order. White Rats abroad are amenable to the home organization, which is responsible for the legal expenses, etc., of Its mem- ber while away. While the foreign artists in the States become White Rats at once, the Rat going abroad, to England, for in- stance, does not become a V. A. F. Biit all are under the orders of the territorial society while away, and subject to orders, even unto a "call out" on strike. If a foreigner is expelled from the Rats for any reason, the expulsion does not carry with his home society, without a special decision of the home society to cancel the membership. If the Rats expel a foreigner for refus- ing to obey an order to strike, as an illustration, all the Rats can do is to forward a copy of the complaint to the offender's home society. The main office of the "World's League of Artists' Organizations" wilr be fixed at each conference. It has been fixed (until next conference) in London for the present. Each so- ciety will pay an annual subscription of $4 Into a special fund for the ex- penses of the World's League, and the general office expenses will be pooled. Each home society is to draw up a model contract for its own territory. Artists will be advised to see that all the conditions proposed by a home society are included in their contract when going to any given country. Thus artists going to Spain should be careful to have the special clauses recommended by the I. A. L. inserted in the contract, and not blindly accept that proposed by an agent in the for- eign country where they may be liv- ing, or that presented by the Spanish manager. It is the I. A. L. contract, with special clauses for Spain, that is necessary for his protection. The same applies to France. For instance, an American should have the special clauses proposed by the U. S. A. L. in- serted in his contract, frequently made in New York, before he goes to France. And so on for the other so- cieties. In a word, the contract rec- ommended by the territorial society is advised, as that society is in a position to understand local conditions. For South America, etc., a special contract form is being prepared, which will be approved by the four organi- zations, and will be issued by the "World's League of Artists' Organiza- tions" after ratification. London, July 26. With the return of some of the dele- gates to the Paris Conference came out a story about Mountford, the American representative, having re- fused to sit down to a banquet the closing evening of the meet, if Edward G. Kendrew, Variety's correspondent at Paris, were present. Mountford is reported to have said, "I have no objection to Kendrew, but it is the representative of Varietv that I object to." Mr. Kendrew had been invited by the other delegates, who wished to re- ciprocate the hospitality of the French members during the conference week. They had asked Mr. Kendrew if he would arrange for the dinner, which he did, although Kendrew immediately assured the delegates upon hearing of Mountford's statement that he would not be present, as it would be cruel to deprive Mountford of a meal he had probably figured upon. Mr. Kendrew's prompt action re- lieved the delegates from embarrass- ment. It was privately voted, how- ever, that Mountford was tactless. Outsiders who have heard of the oc- currence are saying that if Mountford displays no more sense in his adopted home than he does abroad, it is small wonder the White Rats are continually in hot water. When Mr. Mountford offered to dine privately with Mr. Kendrew, the lat- ter stated he did not care for Mount- ford's company in any capacity. Mr. Mountford may have disliked to recall Variety, while in Paris, due to Variety, shortly before Mr. Mount- ford left New York, having secured a settlement of a claim for services ren- dered, amounting to $35, against Mr. Mountford's paper. The claim was over a year old, and held by Mr. Bampton Hunt, the former Paris cor- respondent of the Player. Finding he was unable to collect the money him. self, Mr. Hunt sent the claim te Varibtt^ In a letter written to Mountford's paper about six months before, Mr. Hunt threatened to inform Variktt, of the treatment he had reoeived, unless payment was made of the undisputed account. Mr. Mountford's paper did not settle, but wrote Mr. Hunt, tht first acknowledgment he had received of the debt. That was almost as odd as was the speed with which Mr. Mountford settled the long overdut claim, when he found Variety had been empowered to sue for it, on be- half of Mr. Hunt, who is a reputable Paris newspaper man. ' O'NEIL IN VERSIONS. Within the next few weeks vaude- ville managers will be offered James O'Neil, the tragedian in condensed versions of "Julius Caesar" and "Monte Cristo." Jimmie Plunkett is handling the turn, to have its first showing the last week of the month. Mr. O'Neill appeared this week, in Yonkers, playing "The Lad From Ballyclary," with nine people. Ths piece is by Henry J. Sayers. TWO-A-DAY AT ISLAND. The "big time" may claim Hender- son's, Coney Island, as one of its very own now. The Island music hall started on the two-a-day grind this week, eliminating the "supper show," formerly the third performance down there for some of the turns. At present the daily matinee 1b starting at three, with the night show commencing at eight-fifteen. No entertainment will hereafter be provided for the restaurant diners at the supper hour. They have been ac- customed to vaudeville as a perpetual course during the meal. NOT JESSIE JAMES. Th«s Is not Jeue Jamei, but FRANK MORRELL, the great tenor, known us the "CALIFORNIA BABY." Frank has bees farming on his farm at Freeport, L. I., since May 1. As will be noticed, he did not meet a barber during that time. Some of the whis- kers near his mouth were white, probably caused by singing silver-like chords. Mr. Morrell Is to sing in the Dunlop Cafe, Atlantic City, for a month. They took hlra Into the cafe Saturday night, beard, locomo- tive Jumpers and all, and Introduced him as the man who walked from California to sing. In one minute he was a riot. The man be- side him Is Bob Daly, who owns some ma- chines outside the Astor.