The New York Clipper (June 1919)

THE NEW YORK CLIPPER June 4, 1919 UNIONS TO PUT TROUBLES UP TO LABOR CONVENTION Unionization of Moss Houses, Scenic Artists, Musicians and Others Will Be Considered at Atlantic City Conference Scheduled to Open Monday Several questions vitally affecting the theatrical business as relates to the em- ployment of stage hands, musicians, scenic artists, etc., and which were taken np at the convention of the I. A. T. S. E. in Ottawa last week, are to be presented be- fore the American Federation of Labor Convention which opens .in Atlantic City next Monday. This was decided at meet- ings held In New York Monday and Tues- day by members of executive committees Who bad returned from the Canadian city. Beginning Friday of this week, executive sessions will be began in Atlantic City so that everything win be in readiness when Monday arrives. One of the questions to be taken up will be the situation regarding the B. S. Moss houses, which are not now employing labor affiliated with the A. P. of L. It was stated early .this week that pressure is now going to be brought to bear to bring these houses into line, even if it necessitates the issuance of an order directing stage em- ployes in Fox and other houses to refuse to set scenery for any act that has played for Moss. The whole situation is to be laid before the convention, it is said. The problem if the scenic artists, who want the support of the I. A. T. 8. E. in their effort to get $66 per week will be handled likewise. Ottawa. Can., May 31.—After four days of business the 24th annual conven- tion of the I. A. T. S. E. closed here Thursday. The matter of the long existing differ- ences with the B. S. Moss theatres and the Keith Hippodrome in Cleveland, was referred to the executive committee with power to act as they saw fit and take whatever measures they thought proper regarding the employment of labor in these theatres. It was also decided to empower the committee to call upon the affiliated trades for their co-operation and assist- ance in these cases. The matter of Loew's New Rochelle theatre was left in abeyance, as this isr a house which employs very little help. With reference to the increase in the road scale, the executive committee will confer with the managers upon the scale for next season. It is said that $65 a week will be about the price demanded for the various heads of the mechanical depart- ments. The locals submitted a new scale of wages for the new season which will be examined by the committee and also sub- mitted to the managers. The acceptance of tips by stage crews was abolished and a drastic penalty im- posed for violation. For the first offense, a fine of $25 will be extracted from the -offender; for the second $50. The third will bring forth a suspension. However, stage hands who will be requested by per- formers to play bits will be entitled to re- muneration for their services. The local will set a price for the services of the man and at the end of the week the amount is to be* paid by the actor for services and not as a tip. The yellow road card will again be de- manded next season despite the protest of the Central Managers* Association. The necessity of having this card was sus- pended for the period of the war. A proposition to change the name of the organisation was flatly turned down by the convention. The differences between the Scenic Studios and Scenic Artists was presented to- the convention and referred to the ex- ecutive board for any action they deemed fit. The request of the Brooklyn Local to be amalgamated with New York Local No. 1 was selected. President Shay's recommendation to in- crease the length of apprenticeship in a local from two to five years before grant- ing a road card was unanimously adopted. All those who join locals or became af- filiated with the I. A. T. S. K., subse- quent to June 1 are affected by this rul- ing. An increase of 20 cents per capita head was charged each union for membership in the Alliance. The old price of 40 cents was raised to 60 cents. A special levy of 10 cents per capita was voted for a transportation fund which will defray the railroad fare of all dele- gates to the next convention. No other expense is to be extracted from this fund. President Shay's annual report and recommendations were unanimously adop- ted. These reports covered a period of twenty-seven months, as no convention has been held since the start of the war. A record was established with the speed ' and dispatch of 'the convention as the opening session was held on Monday morn- ing and at 1:30 p. m. Thursday all busi- ness was completed and the convention ad- journed. It is said this was the most harmonious convention in the history of the Alliance and that, for the first time in its history, the constitution was set aside with re- spect to the use of the Australian ballot and the officers for the ensuing year elected by acclamation. President C. E. Shay of New York was re-elected to his office and the following named men to fill the other offices: First vice-president Wm. F. Canavan, St. Louis; 2nd vice-president, Richard Green, Chicago; 3rd vice-president, S. B. New- man, Salt Lake City; 4th vice-president, F. J. Dempsey, Boston; 5th vice-president, Wm. Covert, Toronto; and secretary- treasurer, Frank LeMaster, Denver. The following delegates to the American Federation of Labor convention opening in Atlantic City on Monday will be Chan. E. Shay, L. G. DoUiver, San Francisco; J. J. Barry, Boston, and P. J. Ryan, Mon- treal. These delegates were instructed to Inform the A. F. of L., that the conven- tion had placed itself on record as being opposed to the enforcement of prohibition measures. The report of Mr. LeMaster as to the financial condition of the organization show total receipts to .be $202,669, of which $190,642 was raised by per capita tax, $42,368 was expended for salaries, $29,337 for publicity propaganda and $24,- 277 for the trade journal. The matter of the place for holding the convention next year was left in the hands of the executive board and it is said they will select a city centrally located so that railroad expenditures can be balanced. TYLER TO SUPPLY BLACKSTONE The success which has been attending the run of Patricia Collinge in "Tillie" at the Blackgtone, Chicago, baa prompted George C. Tyler, her manager, to enter, into an arrangement whereby he has guar- anteed to keep the house provided with attractions throughout all of next season. Miss Collinge has broken all records at the Blackstonc Theatre, which has here- tofore never been utilized for long en- gagements. Tyler will present George Arliss at the Blackstone at the beginning of next sea- son in a series of new plays. It is quite probable that both Emily Stevens and Lynn Fontaine will be given an oppor- tunity in that theatre later in the season. Laurette Taylor will also play a brief en- gagement at the Blackstone Theatre late next season, under the direction of Tyler. LOIS MEREDITH NAMED Lois Meredith, the ingenue and picture star, was discovered last week to have been one of the co-respondents named by Mrs. Gladys Webster Strong in a suit for divorce brought by her against Eugene Strong, the picture actor. According to the complaint in the case, prepared for Mrs. Strong by David Steinhardt, Strong and Miss Meredith were alleged to have been on a very friendly basis of friendship for a period of three months in 1917 at No. 12 West Fifty-first street. Strong is also charged with having been indiscreet with an unknown woman at No. 106 West Forty-seventh street and with another at the Hotel Empire. Mrs. Strong was granted a decree. THEATRE WATCHMAN MURDERED William Delaney, night watchman at the American, Chicago, was slain on Thursday night in a fight with burglars. The watchman had walked that post for the last twenty years, and had been the victor in many fights with burglars, having been credited with killing five thieves. The killing is sa'd by the police to bo a case of revenge. Some of the pals of the slain thieves are believed to nave killed him. Edward Johnson and William Brown, former janitors of the theatre, have been arrested as suspects. They will be held pending further investigations. COOK COMPLETES CAST With the addition- of Frances Stirling Clark to "A Regular Fellow," in the fem- inine lead, Charles Emerson Cook has com- pleted the cast. Included among the play- ers now are Ernest Glendinning, James Bradbury, Raymond Walburn, William Holden, Charles Abbott, Sidney Riggs, Dudley Clement, Albert Bushee, George "Cukor, Miriam Sears, Mrs. Charles G. Craig and May Anderson. WOOLFOLK OPENING DELAYED Boyle Woolfolk will not officially open his "Honeymoon Town" production until June 15. His failure to secure a popular prima* donna is said to have caused the delay in opening at the La Salle Opera House. Woolfolk has now come Bast in search of a principal, Florrie MUlerehlp having decided to return to vaudeville, thereby leaving the role BtUI vacant. TURN "EASIEST WAY" INTO ACT Engene Walters having turned his suc- cess of some years ago, "The Easiest Way," into a vaudeville act, it will soon be produced by David Steinhardt, of the Putnam Building, under the name of "All the Way From Denver," and with Princess Ola Hassen, formerly .known as Ola Humphrey, in the leading role. Miss Humphrey, who married the prince in 1911, is now attempting to get a di- vorce from him, she having broken with him when he wished her to follow the cus- tom of his country and become an inmate of his harem. • DATES AHEAD Friars' Annual" Meeting—June 6. '' Directors' Meeting. American Burlesque Association—June 6. Lambs' Gambol—Manhattan Opera House, June .8. "A Lonely Romeo'-'—Lew Fields—Shubert Theatre, June 10. Burlesque Club Meeting—June 10. Burlesque Club Outing—June 29. Sothern and Marlowe open in "Twelfth Night"—14th St. Theatre, October 5. "Angel Face"—George Lederer—Colonial Theatre, Chicago, June s. "Made of Money"—George Tyler—National, Washington. June 9. "A Voice In the Dark"—A. H. Woods—Bos- ton, June 9. "Follies"—Atlantic City, June 9; New Am- sterdam, New York, June 16. "Honeymoon Town"—Boyle Woolfolk—Chi- cago, June 15. "The Love Boat"—Henry W. Savage—Bos- ton, Aug. 2. Nell O'Brien's Minstrels — Poughkeepsie, Aug. 11. "A Pearl of Great Price"—A. H. Woods— Stamford, Conn., Aug. 12. Chicago Opera Company—Chicago, Nov. 18. "WHILE YOU WArT" NOT A GO New Haven, Conn., June 2.—Winnie Leightner was the particular star of the new musical-melange presented here at the Shubert Theatre last evening. With Thea Lightner and Newton Alexander, she was the laugh promoter of the evening. Bob Albright sang in splendid voice, Mae Mel- ville put over a monologue that was well received, and James Morrison raved through the role of the out author. 'While Yon Wait," as the piece is called, is bright in spots, but lacks the snap and consistency to make-good at the two dollar price. Practically any high-grade vaudeville house offers an entertainment quite on a par with' it. The stunt of opening with the enrtaip raised and the stage bare is good, but new ideas are not forthcoming during the rest of the evening. The chorus is attractive and well gowned, but has little or no opportunity to display its ability either in the dancing or singing line. It is difficult to see how, even with the work that will undoubtedly be done on the piece during the coming week, it can be whipped into shape so as to make a success. The best musical numbers are the work of Newton Alexander. He has written''one song, "Always Some One to Take Tour Place," that is chnck full of melody. A number of the others are rather reminiscent in character. The dancing team of Rose and -Gray failed, except in a rough and tumble number, to display any particular skill in their line. On tbe whole, the performance was a disappointment. WALTERS RE-WRITING PLAY The new Eugene Walters play, "Poor Little Sheep," which the Selwyns opened in Washington a few weeks ago, is being - gone over by the author with a fine tooth' comb and many parts re-written, after which both Walters and the producers feel that they are going to have a valu- able piece of property, dealing as it does with Bolshevism, the biggest topic of the hour. HOFFMAN GOING INTO COMMERCE Richard Hoffman, formerly booking manager for the family department of the Western Vaudeville Managers' Association for the Interstate Circuit, may enter com- mercial circles within the next few weeks. He took a definite layoff from duties about two months ago, and has not re- turned to the W. V. M. A. staff. "THE WHIRLWIND" OFF "The Whirlwind," a play by Porter Emerson Browne, which the Selwyns were going to produce, has been turned back for more re-writing, which Browne ia now giving it NEW SOLDIER SHOW IS GOOD Phtlamxphia, June 2.—"Who Are You?" the work of Sergeants Philip De Ivenois and Marie B. Hoppe, was pre- sented at the Walnut Street Theatre here last night by soldiers from the 28th Divi- sion and proved not only to be a riot of laughter, but a melodious piece as well. There are thirty-six in the cast and all are capable performers who can both sing and dance. The production ia really a long continuation of vaudeville acts and similar to shows that have been, put on by the Mask and Wig Club of the University of Pennsylvania, but not quite as pretentions. The authors have done well in penning the piece and have provided it with bright lines and catchy tunes. The Hebrew character.bit, that of Sen- tinel Simon Denbo, wag done in a most clever manner. Terry Sutterly sang in a strong and clear voice that drew forth applause. Corporal Miller, Charles Grop, Howard Glaesner, John Gallagher, An- drew -Mahoney and Charles Cochran proved to be a fine looking girl chorus. Wright, Meyers, Swing and James, styled the A. E. F. Quartette, registered solidly and were obliged to respond to several encores. John Surra furnished a devia- tion from the run of things when he ren- dered excellently the "Vesti La Giubba" selection from "Fagliacci." Paul Dawson did a Spanish dance in a neat- manner, and. the - finale waa a delight, the boys of- fering two good numbers in: a m a nner that got them numerous curtain calls. •