Show World (July 1909)

July 31 , 1909 . THE SHOW WORLD 7 WE ARE IN THE RIGHT SAYS NEW YORK LOCAL President Barry, of Stage Employes, Contradicts Himself in Correspondence In an interview with Philip Kelly, business agent of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Em¬ ployes, of New York, Mr. Kelly said that their organization had not been ousted at the meeting held at Spring- field, Ohio, July 12, but were suspend¬ ed due to their refusal to be seated under the conditions offered by the executive board. Mr. Kelly stated in an interview to the Show World that: “The trouble with the alliance has been brewing for three years, and originated when Daniel Frohman sent a play on the road called ‘The Spoil¬ ers.’ It seems Mr. Frohman had en¬ gaged William Devarna, a member of New York Local No. 1, as a property man. Devarna canceled twenty-four hours before the show started on tour. A man named Corklan, a mem¬ ber of Columbus local, was secured to succeed Devarna. Corklan was to¬ tally unfamiliar with the prop lists and cues, and the working of the show, as he had had no opportunity to attend rehearsals or familiarize himself with the several duties coin¬ cident with his position. William Campf, chief property man for Froh¬ man, deemed it advisable to send as an assistant to Corklan, until he could familiarize himself with the work, a young man named McLoughlin, who was thoroughly versed in every de¬ partment of the production of the show, as he had helped to build the props; McLoughlin to remain until Corklan could familiarize himself enough with his work to handle it without any fear of a falldown. McLoughlin an Apprentice. “McLoughlin being an apprentice, had no union card, and Washington Local, No. 22, preferred charges against the entire crew of ‘The Spoil¬ ers’ company, and the alliance im¬ posed a fine of $25 on each one with¬ out having notified them of the charges or giving them a hearing. Contention of the New York local was to the effect that as McLoughlin was sent to protect Frohman’s interests and insure correct production of the piece, and as Local No. 1 has always maintained to the managers who em¬ ployed them, that they endeavored in every way possible to protect their interests, at the fifteenth annual con¬ vention held in Norfolk, W. Va., in 1907, the New York delegation de¬ manded that the fine imposed on the working crew of ‘The Spoilers’ com¬ pany should be remitted. After a four hour debate it was decided that Local No. 1 was justified in doing anything in their power to promote the success of the production. A motion was carried under protest of the ex¬ ecutive board. The next difference with the executive board of the alli¬ ance was immediately following the convention at Minneapolis in 1908. The cause of the outbreak this time was because the New York local in¬ sisted that their laws be enforced in reference to Locals No. 35 and No. 27, as these organizations had been chartered as calcium and moving pic¬ ture operators. This invoked a con¬ troversy, owing to the fact that mem¬ bers of the Operators’ Union persist¬ ed iff traveling with road companies, representing themselves as duly quali¬ fied ejectricians. The law is very plain m this matter, and President Barry was appealed to. Barry’s Letter. “The local' received the followin Au™tT ati ° n fr ° m Mr ' Barry ’ date f :;^ er date of August 7, 1908, tl loiiowing coiamunication was receive from Pmident Barry: “ ‘Boston, Mass., August 7, 1908. “‘Jos. L. Meeker, Secretary Local No. 1, New York City: “ ‘Dear Sir and Brother—Your sev¬ eral communications duly at hand, and I have very carefully gone over them. In my communication to Local No. 35 I was of the belief that it was thor¬ oughly understood when I wrote it No. 35 or No. 37 men can go on the road in the electrical department un¬ der the rights granted them by their charter. True, I did not write in the full title of No. 35 and No. 37, and to be candid, I did not think it was necessary, as I was of the belief that everybody knew their title, but I in no way or manner ever intimated that No. 35 or No. 37 men could or would be permitted to go on the road as electricians, for I am not permitted by our laws to do so. I have not the power to annul a law passed and au¬ thorized by a majority vote of the delegates to the last convention, and as I do not make the laws, but am supposed to see them obeyed, it would U. J. O’MALLON, President of the Theatrical Protective Union No. 1 of New York City. be absurd for me to try and assume power that I do not possess. I have said No. 35 or No. 37 men are not to go on the road as electricians, and that, I think, is or ought to be thor¬ oughly understood. It was so under¬ stood by the delegates to the last convention, and is so understood to¬ day. My letter does not say No. 35 or No. 37 men can go on the road as electricians. I don’t want it to be misconstrued as such, for it does not mean any such thing. Why, how long would the I. A. T. S. E. executive board stand for such a ruling as that. Not long, I think. I certainly did say I was sorry that a feeling of harmony did not or does not prevail in New York City. I also strongly advised and suggested a meeting to promote such a feeling, and I certainly still hope to see harmony there.- Now, I want to be thoroughly understood, not alone in this matter, but in any and all matters pertaining to the office the convention saw fit to elect me to. I am not in this office to make or break laws, but to see to it that the laws as enacted by the convention are lived up to, and, with the help of the Lord, I intend to do so, at least as long as I am in this office. I took oath to that, and nothing will make me stul¬ tify myself by swerving from my duty and the obligation that I took. I want to be of some value to my fel¬ low man, as far as lies in my power, at least. Now, in conclusion, I want to distinctly reiterate that, according to the laws enacted at the Minneapolis convention, Locals No. 35 and No. '37 men are allowed to go out on tour in the electrical department under the rights granted them by their charter, and their charter reads as “Calcium and Electro-Calcium Lamp Opera¬ tors,” and “Moving Picture and Pro¬ jecting Machine Operators,” and are not allowed to go out as electricians. That is the law enacted by the last convention. I sincerely trust that all members of our I. A. T. S. E. will en¬ deavor to obey all laws of our I. A. T. S. E., and it will promote a far better feeling, not alone among our¬ selves, but a feeling of respect from our employers. Trusting that this ex¬ planation is thoroughly clear, with best wishes. I remain, “ ‘Yours fraternally, “ ‘JOHN J. BARRY, “ ‘President.” Barry Contradicts Himself. “After receiving the above, the New York local was under the impression that everything had been satisfactorily settled, and were greatly surprised at receiving another communication from Boston, dated August 20, which com¬ pletely contradicts the foregoing de¬ cision of Mr. Barry: “Under date of August 20, the fol¬ lowing letter was received from Presi¬ dent Barry, reversing his decision of August 7: “ ‘Boston, Mass., August 20, 1908. “‘To All Locals of the I. A. T. S. E.; “ ‘Gentlemen and Brothers—The last convention, held in the city of Minneapolis, Minn., from July 13 to July 18, 1908, enacted much good leg¬ islation for the benefit of our I. A. T. S. E. One law, however, while it may be a good law, I don’t think would be for the best interests of our I. A. T. S. E. that it should become operative at this time, for many rea¬ sons. I refer to the law relating to Locals No. 35 and No. 37, Calcium and Electro-Calcium Moving Picture and Projecting Machine Operators. After much careful thought and considera¬ tion, I find that as many of the mem¬ bers of Locals No. 35 and No. 37 have been out on tour for years in the elec¬ trical departments with traveling com¬ panies, and in many instances have, previous to our last convention, en¬ tered into and signed contracts for the season of 1908 and 1909, and some of said men have worked for said managers the present summer, and said managers have invested large sums of money preparing for the sea¬ son of 1908 and 1909, to enforce law at this -time would be a very grave in¬ jury to the whole I. A. T. S. E. “‘Our I. A. T. S. E. holds con¬ tracts sacred, and penalizes any of its members severely for violating con¬ tracts., yet were this law to be imme¬ diately put into operation it would mean innumerable broken contracts, and we, our I. A. T. S. E., -would not be consistent. At the recent confer¬ ence held in the city of New York between representatives of Locals No. 1 and No. 35 Secretary-Treasurer Hart and myself, both parties signified their willingness to await a decision from me as president of the I. A. T. S. E., as the matter was of grave im¬ portance, and required much careful thought and consideration, which I assure you I have given to it. I can only arrive at the following conclu¬ sion, that while the law stands, that for the best interests of ourselves and our managers, it does not become op¬ erative until July, 1909, and all mem¬ bers of our I. A. T. S. E. can govern themselves accordingly. Brothers, I want to say, in conclusion, that I have no personal or ulterior motive—my only motive being to safeguard our whole I. A. T. S. E., and for its ad¬ vancement and progress, as I firmly believe in endeavoring to do good for each and every local of our I. A. T. S. E. “ ‘I. thetefore, do decide that for the best interests of our I. A. T. S. E., that the law nertaining to Locals No. 35 and No. 37 be not put into opera¬ tion until July, 1909, and that mem¬ bers of Locals No. 35 and No. 37 be and are permitted to go on tour in the electrical departments or road shows, as formerly. “ ‘Trusting that the reasons given by me will be sufficient explanation as to why, as president of our I. A. T. S. E., I so decide, and that my decision will meet with favorable ap¬ proval by every local of our I. A. T. S. E. “ ‘I remain, your fraternally, “‘JOHN BARRY, “‘Attest: ‘“President. “ ‘LEE M. HART, “ ‘General Secretary-Treas- Member Sues Local. “Local No. 1 refused on several oc¬ casion to work with members of Lo¬ cals No. 35 and No. 37, and one mem¬ ber, who had been discriminated against, sued Local No. 1 for $1,500. The case is still pending. The execu¬ tive board fined the New York local $250 for failure to comply with the letter from President Barry, dated August 20, 1908, which was a complete revision of his own decision, rendered August 7. New York local claims that Barry’s letter of August 20 is a direct violation of their by-laws, as the laws cannot be changed, except by a con¬ vention vote or a referendum vote of all the members of the alliance. At the regular meeting of Local No. 1 on July 25 it was unanimously agreed that the New York local would not pay the fine imposed, for the payment of said fine directly or indirectly would be an admission of guilt on their part. Senator Wagner, who was counsel for the New York local, had so advised them, and explained to the committee which waited on him that after a careful consideration of all the facts in the case, he was sure the New York local was acting within their rights, and felt confident that the courts would uphold them in their present attitudes.” MORRIS ATTRACTIONS FOR THE COMING SEASON “Independent” Vaudeville Magnate Announces Long List of Head¬ liners for His Growing Circuit. NEW YORK, July 29.—Follow¬ ing is a list of some of the acts Wil¬ liam Morris has booked for the com¬ ing season: Terry Corney, Friend & Downing, Nelson Jackson, Kara, Fred Karno, London Pantomime Co., Lombards, Herbert Floyd & Co., Barry, Lupino, Geo. Lashwood, S. Loftus, Paul’s six juggling girls, R. A. Roberts, Tambo and Tambo, Nellie Wallace, Bransby Williams, Harry Lauder, Paul Conchas, Sengali’s Musical Thought Transference Act, not to be confused with the hypnotists known as the Seven Svengalis; Devine Mura, Clark Hamilton, Seven Perezoffs, who are said to be exceptionally clev¬ er jugglers and who during the course of the atit prepare, cook, serve and eat a meal while juggling the utensils; Arthur Prince, Ida Renee, Great Severin, Marie Loftus. Mr. Deimling, formerly manager of the Deimling theater at Rockaway, has given up the management of the Deimling theater at Rockaway on ac¬ count of ill health and persuaded William Morris to assume the man¬ agement of his theater. Nate Spin- gold and Hugh Morris represent the interests of Mr. Morris out there. Selig Off for Europe. President W. N. Selig of the Selig Polyscope Company and Mrs. Selig will sail from New York Aug. 4 on the Mauretania for an extended European tour. While abroad Mr. Selig will visit all of the more impor¬ tant film centers, and while he has not given out any announcements as to his business plans on the other side, it is rumored that the Selig Company will shortly inaugurate a number of European offices for the handling of their product. Maennerchor Entertained. Wednesday night 500 members of the Germania Maennerchor were en¬ tertained at Bismarck garden at a special club night programme ar¬ ranged by Ballman’s band and the Irish Choral society.