The New York Clipper (February 1917)

16 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER February 28, 1917 USE OF FLAG FORBIDDEN ON MUSIC TITLE PAGES Law bnpotet Heavy Penalty for Sale or Display of Any Article of Merchan- dise Bearing Flag Representation. According to the provisions of a law re- cently enacted by Congress any person within the District of Colombia, exposing for aale, giving away or having in his pos- session any article of merchandise to which is attached, appended or affixed an Ameri- can flag, standard, colors or ensign, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Reduced to every day parlance, the new net warns, under penalty of fine and im- prsonment, merchants of the National Capital and all others within the district against exposing for sale any article of mer- chandise bearing a representation of the flag. Hereafter no canned goods bearing a flag may be used to beautify a show win- dow. No postcard on which a flag is printed or painted ma; be offered for sale, and sheet music, even of patriotic songs, may no longer carry the star spangled ban- ner and be sold or placed on display. As no publisher wishes to issue a song, the sale of which is barred within the lim- its of the District of Colombia, the actual affect of the law will be in future to bar from all title pages any representation of the national flag or emblem. The object of the new law, according to United States Attorney Leakey, is to pre- vent the desecration and improper use of the flag of the United States. While the use of the flag upon certain forma of merchandise might be termed desecration, it is indeed difficult to see how the lawmakers could from any angle con- sider its use upon the title page of a sheet of music improper. Could there be anything more inspiring than the sight of the American flag printed in colors upon the frontispage of a patri- otic song, or could its effect be for any- thing but good? And further is not a text- book merchandise, and if so is it not a violation of the law to print a representa- tion of the flag within its covers? In these days when the great minds of the country are urging the importance of teaching patriotism in the schools through- out the land, it seems as though the law- makers hare taken a long step in the wrong direction. NEW PATRIOTIC SONG The extraordinary way in which "The Story of Old Glory, the Flag We Love," by J. Will Callahan and Ernest R. Ball, is forging ahead is one of the wonderful features of a wonderful season. To strike a new theme or idea in the composition of a popular patriotic song is about as easy as sleigh riding up Broadway on Inde- pendence Day, but the writers of this in- teresting and distinctly creditable song seem to have accomplished the almost im- possible. For this feat, of course, great credit must be given to Mr. Callahan, whose lyric possesses so much that is fanciful, poetic and novel, albeit thorough- ly in keeping with the dignity of the theme. Mr. Ball's music is thoroughly worthy of the lyric—melodious, virile and possessed of all the elements that ensures wide popu- larity. "The Story of Old Glory, the Flag We Love" is being sung extensively, ana pa- triotic organizations, schools, and indeed, every one interested in a red-blooded ballad that stirs the pulses and feeds en- thusiasm, has been quick to see and make use of its wonderful possibilities. A PEACE BALLAD Louis Pasduti, the New Rochelle com- poser and publisher, is exploiting a new peace ballad entitled "Mr. Wilson, United We Stand to Make Old Glory Wave for Peace All O'er the Land." WARD WIRES WITMARK From Savannah, Ga., Will J. Ward and his Matinee Girls send word about the riotous success of "I've Got the Sweetest Girl in Maryland," the big new infectious hit by Walter Donaldson, which, with its wonderful patter added, is the best thing in Southern ditties ever. M. Witmark & Sons, the publishers, received this tele- graphic message from Savannah the other morning: '"In Maryland' is the biggest hit I have sung in years. Song is won- derful. Taking encores every show. Best wishes. Will J. Ward." This isn't the only Witmark hit Ward and his lively girls are putting over. Two others are *- 'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream" and "Would You Take Back the Love You Gave Me?" JOSEPH S. NATHAN DEAD Joseph S. Nathan, known throughout the music world as "Joe" Nathan, died on Wednesday at the People's Hospital following an operation for kidney trouble. He was connected with the Feist bouse for eight years, during which time he wrote "Senora," "My Cavalier," "Pal of Mine" and "Fare Thee Well My Old Ken- tucky." He leaves a widow, known on the stage as Dorothy Dahl, a sister of Katharine Dahl (Mrs. AH T. Wilton). He was 52 years of age. MACK AT THE FIFTH AVENUE Andrew Mack, featured last week at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, demonstrated to all that he retains all his popularity, and pos- sesses all his old-time charm of manner and personal magnetism. His voice is clear and true and he sings like a boy of twenty. In his repertoire of songs, which were enthusiastically received at every per- formance, Harry Von Tiller's "Lonesome" scored a decided Mt. McKINLEY PROF. OFFICES William McKinley, head of the McKinley Music Co., of Chicago, spent several days in New York last week looking over the theatrical district with a view to opening professional offices. The McKinley com- pany has business offices on lower Fifth avenue, far from the theatrical district, and Mr. McKinley believes that uptown professional offices could advantageously be opened. A HIGH CLASS BALLAD One of the best semi-high class ballads heard this season is "Calling Me Home," an exceptional number in the catalogue of Boosey & Co. Scores of singers of the better grade songs are finding it a wonder- ful applause getter. Big and small time audiences are receiving it with much en- thusiasm. ORIGINALITY IN TITLES In these days of so many conflicting song titles, the palm must be accorded Fisher & McCarthy for the selection of a song title that is positively startling in its originality. Here it is: "Pull the Cork out of Erin, and Let the River Shannon Flow." BUYS ERDMAN NUMBER Forster Music Pub., Inc., has purchased the rights to Ernie Erdman's "Saxophone Moans," an instrumental number which proved a big Victor record favorite long before the transfer took place. A WINTER GARDEN SONG Howard and Howard, in the new Win- ter Garden production, are singing James Brockman's new song, "The Ghost of the Ukelele." The number is one of the fea- tures of these boys' clever act. CHICAGO WRITER IN TOWN George A. Little, the Chicago song writer, arrived in New York this week and plans to make this city his home in the future. STERN NOVELTY NUMBERS Two novelty songs utterly unlike in every way, save that each possesses bit qualities, are "Good Morning Glory" and "Somewhere in Delaware," both the work of Will J. Harris and Harry I. Robinson, two talented young writers who recently reunited to turn out some more songs. Jos. W. Stern & Co. are publishing these numbers as well as their comedy song called, "When Abraham Lincoln Freed the Slaves He Forgot the Married Men." GILBERTS NEW IRISH SONG There is another Irish song out. That is, of course, nothing new, but this one called, "I'm Hearin' from Erin," possesses qualities that are distinctly those that go to make a hit. It establishes a prompt and easily perceptible communication be- tween Ireland and America, even during these times of stress when such communi- cation is difficult. It is the work of L. Wolfe Gilbert and Anatol Friedland, and is easily one of the most charming num- bers these gifted writers have yet pro- duced. THE "UNIVERSE" SONG In a letter to the publishers, M. Wit- mark & Sons, their agents in Melbourne, Australia, state that the vogue of "Turn Back the Universe and Give Me Yester- day" in the antipodes is as great as it was in America. Its popularity there is largely due to that captivating little Chinese singer, Lady Sen Mai, who has repeated the success in the "Universe" song that got her so talked about in this country. ANITA OWEN MARRIED Anita Owen, writer of "Daisies Won't Tell" and other well-known songs, was married on Monday to Dr. A. C. Jones, of Bridgeport, Conn. Miss Owen's marriage is the culmination of a rapid romance in which she was met on Thursday, wooed on Friday, proposed to on Saturday and married on Monday. MORSE AGAIN WRITING Teddy Morse, who since his "Mother" song hit, has been taking a vacation from his composing work, is again writing. He has just completed and placed with the Feist house a semi-high class ballad en- titled, "Love's Lullaby." Big things are expected from the new number. NEW STASNY MANAGER Robert F. Winningham has been ap- pointed manager of the Boston office of the A. J. Stasny Music Co. Mr. Winningham was formerly a road representative for the company and his excellent work in that capacity won him the promotion. A NEW DIXIE SONG The Broadway Music Corp. have in "When the Sun Goes Down in Dixie," one of the best "Dixie" songs written in years. It is by Albert Von Tilzer and Chas. Mc- Carron, who have in this number turned out a real gem. A GOODWIN-MONACO BALLAD Joe Goodwin and Jimmy Monaco have placed with the Feist house a new ballad with the attractive title of "Won't You Give Me a Chance to Love You?" Joe says that it's another "Need You." GEO. FRIEDMAN RETURNS George Friedman, after a three weeks* Cuban trip, is back at his desk in the Broadway Music Corp. offices. Mr. Fried- man, who had for some time been in poor health, is much improved. T. LAWRENCE SEIBERT DEAD Lob Angeles, Feb. 28.—T. Lawrence Seibert, comic song writer, died here last week while being taken to a hospital for an operation. His best known song was "Casey Jones." FEATURES HARRIS SONG Van and Schenck, whose act continues to be one of the bright spots in the big Cen- tury Theatre production, are still success- fully featuring the clever Harris song, "if s a Long, Long Time Since I've Been Home." MILLS WITH BROADWAY CO. Jack Mills, who has for some time been representing the Broadway Music Corpora- tion in Philadelphia, is now connected with the New York office, and began his duties on Monday. , SHIVERICK WITH GUMBLE "Eddie" Shiverick has joined Mose Gam- ble's professional staff with the Remick house. SHARPS AND FLATS By TEDDY MORSE. Clare Kummer wrote some beautiful songs. But, like all the clever ones, found playwriting more lucrative. "Good Gracious, Annabelle," and "A Successful Calamity" are two of this season's hits by Miss Kummer. Dorothy Terries is a new writer of songs of the heart. This lady fair has just upset the Feist establishment by placing a wonderful song with them, en- titled "Sing Me Love's Lullaby." Kathryn Joyce is the manageress of the professional copy department of the Leo Feist offices. And it is being whispered that Miss J. has a hankerin' for a cer- tain somebody who hankers, too. Dorothy Herman enjoys wedded bliss with Harry Ruby. Harry quoted Plato on a subway platform recently. Some- thing about being unlucky to be childless. A new Ruby is on the way. Fleta Jan Brown keeps Herbert Spencer supplied with lyrics, and together they turned "Underneath the Stars" into a hit. They own a happy home in Leonia, N. J., bought with royalties. Dolly Jardon is Mrs. Ed Madden. He has as tough a time convincing his wife she should sing such-and-such a song as any other writer. Mrs. Ed. is a good business woman. Hortense Wayne is the little charmer that greets you in the Chas. K. Harris of- fices. This is the attractive young lady' that created such a furore when she was a song booster. Dolly Connolly is Percy Wenrich's bet- ter half. And Percy willingly steps out of the spotlight, for Mrs. Wenrich is one of the cleverest women 'in vaudeville. Belle Dixon was a clever single singing act until Archie Gottler told her about all his royalties, and now she's busy with a fine home and a big bank account. Flo Jacobson has shaken the dust of Chicago from her furs, and camped in the great metropolis. The Feist Co. is her headquarters at present. Edna Leider is Mrs. Howard Johnson, and is known as the "Queen of the Caba- ret" along Broadway. Howard says she's a wonderful cook, too. Mrs. Harry Kranz gives you the best manicure in New York. Her office is in the Strand building, handy to the W. B. & S. rooms. Mrs. Lew Leslie is playing the big time, and doing very well. She's working under the name of Belle Baker. Flo Handman is one of the cutest little singers in cabaret..