Show World (October 1909)

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY AMUSEMENT WEEKLY Published at 87 South Clark Street Chicago, by The SHOWIjSORLI? Publishing Co. En,cre juneT.9orf sMa,,er Warren A.. Patrick, General D/rector MISTER IN CHANCERY FINDS FOR MRS. TAFT ONE STEP IS TAKEN IN THE SET¬ TLEMENT OP THE ASKIN-SINGER CONTROVERSY OVER THE LA SALLE THEATER. Master-in-Chancery Abbey brought in Si S t r he POr croT S ^iU S o a /’ in to f t- in the La Salle theater con- *^ e j? y McArdle, of the firm of McArdle & McArdle, attorneys for Harry Askin, In talking of the case said: “I think this practically settles the case in fa¬ vor of Mrs. Taft and Mr. Askin. i "Of course the Singers have until October 5 in which to file an objection to the report of the master, and after that it goes before a judge in chancery for final settlement. X think that it will be settled by the middle of next month. “The contention of the Singers is that they had an option on the theater for five or more years. Mrs. Taft con¬ tends that they did not. The Singers have attempted to enjoin Mrs. Taft from turning over the house to Mr. Askin. The matter as it now stands is not final, of course, but X think it is prac- ii- illv s.'tt • .1 " : Mort H. Singer was out of the city when the matter came up, but Harry Singer, who was asked in regard to the matter, said: “We are going ahead as though this report had not been made. We were prepared for anything like that, and we will appeal the case. That means that it will not be settled for a year, or at least for a full season. We will go ahead with our production of “The Flirting Princess,” and after play¬ ing it for one week in Milwaukee, will bring it to the La Salle theater.” Mr. Askin Non-commital. Harry Askin refused to discuss the matter. “My attorneys will do the talking,” he said when approached by a representative of The Show World. “When we get possession, however,” he volunteered, “we will make a first- class theater out of it. We will put in a steel cutain, place the dressing rooms on the lower floor and put the house in first-class shape. We intend to make a production there, but X do not care to “ate at this time just what it will be.” It is said that the Singers have ex- jended quite a large sum of money in mprovements on the theater since it been dark. The house has been - since the musical comedy “The iGolden Girl” moved from that theater the Princess last summer. The house s always been a big money maker, d Is in one of the best locations in —3 city. The building is owned by Mrs. Charles P. Taft, wife of the broth- of President Taft. Miss Dora Harris Alleges Breach of Contract—Seventy Suits Involv¬ ing Picture Men in Sight. NEW YORK, Sept. Harris, who says she , star and leading lady PATHE AND LUBIN ARE GREATLY DISSATISFIED Prominent Picture Firms Said to be Figuring on Break From Motion Picture Patents Company. While the National Independent Mov¬ ing Picture Alliance has been occupy¬ ing the center of the stage, with full limelight upon it, for the past two weeks, there has been an under current in the ranks of the Motion Picture Pat¬ ents Company, which found vent in per¬ sistent rumors that all was not as har¬ monious as it might be. In fact, it is said that the near future will see the secession of Pathe Freres and the Lu- bin Manufacturing Company. According to the story which was circulated in Chicago, Pathe is dissatisfied with pres¬ ent conditions. Since the formation of the Patents Company, it is said that the Pathe sales have fallen off at an alarming rate, and in Chicago alone it is estimated that the number of prints sold has dropped from fifteen to four. J. A. Berst, American representative for Pathe Freres, was in Chicago this week with the avowed purpose, it is said, of discovering why the licensed ex¬ changes had stopped buying Pathe film. This strengthened the rumor that Pathe would bolt, and form a new combina¬ tion composed of Pathe Freres, Lubin Manufacturing Company, Powers Com¬ pany and, perhaps, the New York Mo¬ tion Picture Company, and such other of the American manufacturers as would stand together. The recent granting of a license to the Bass Film Exchange, New Orleans, is additional circumstantial evidence of the reliability of the story. The Im¬ ported Film Exchange, of New Orleans, in the early summer bought out the Crawford Exchange. It is said that the Imported is controlled by Pathe, as is also the Mitchell Film Exchange of Inttle Rockland others in various parts It was said that the Patents Company was founded upon the same lines as the National Cash Register Company, of Dayton, Ohio. The latter corporation has been assailed in the Ohio courts by the attorney general of that state, and upon the decision in that case will depend the life of the picture company. While Pathe Freres are no doubt par¬ ties to a contract with the Patents Com¬ pany, they may take the stand that it is in restraint of trade, against public policy, and withdraw. OWNERSHIP OF LUNA IS NOW IN DISPUTE RUMOR HAS IT THAT FREDERIC THOMPSON IS NOW OUT OF THAT WELL-KNOWN AMUSE¬ MENT CENTER. NEW YORK, Sept. 30.—According to the New York Review, there is a rumor abroad in this city that Frederic Thompson has disposed of his interests in Luna Park. “Many persons who possess accurate knowledge of the un- -. world KINDT ATTACHES SHOW FOR CANCE LLATIONS President of Western Managers’ Association Attempts to Hold “Red Mill” for “Parsifal” Delinquencies. DAVENPORT, la.. Sept. 28.--“The Red Mill," owned by Martin & Emery of Chicago, was attached here tonight by Charles D. Kindt, president of the Western Managers’ association, for the alleged cancellation in seven towns of “Parsifal,” another show owned by the Mr. Kindt asks damages of $100 on each cancellation. The manager of the show offered adequate bonds, and the published facts of the a_„„„„„ have for several months whispered that so far as Coney Island’s great show- place was concerned, Mr. Thompson was no more,” according to the Review. “Further rumor has it that the Thomp¬ son stock in the corporation that owns Luna Park had passed into the hands of members of the theatrical syndicate— to-wit, Klaw & Erlanger. ‘‘In the same way it is understood that shares, representing a very large investment, had been merely hypothe¬ cated for a heavy loan to tide Mr. Thompson over a temporary financial embarrassment. Others professing to have inside information of the most in¬ disputable nature have all along insist¬ ed that the stock was transferred out¬ right to Klaw & Erlanger, to cover Mr. Thompson’s interest in ‘Little Nemo’ and other stage adventures. “All this had been largely a matter of conjecture until a day or so ago, at which time the acknowledged organ of the syndicate confirmed the rumors of Mr. Thompson’s abdication, while quite naturally avoiding any explanation as 4 " what had become of his former por- : Luna Park concern.” n of tl VAUDEVILLE WAR IS WAGED ON THE COAST. Temporary Restraining Order Is Is¬ sued Against Firm of Sullivan & Considine. & Emery would fight the attachment 1 the bitter end, and were ready to fur¬ nish bonds in any other case of attach¬ ment. Several such attachments have been levied here and in most cases bonds have been furnished. This procedure marks a phase of the -Miss Dora engaged as the Grand Street theater, yesterday commenced a,., action for alleged breach of contract against Jacob P. Adler and Sigmund Margulesko, owners of the theater. Assemblyman Aaron J. Levy, Miss Harris’ lawyer, declares that he expects seventy similar suits will be instituted in order to find out whether a theater manager has the right to lease his play- nouse to a moving picture company after he has entered into contract with Tegular stock company. Miss Harris alleges that she has been damaged to the amount of $2,760, and rl r - Ia Y ye r says he h °P es to Collect that amount, plus the interest, which he says s his client. WHITE RATS GO AFTER VAUDEVILLE ARTIST. Association Applies for Injunction Against Performer for Alleged Breach of Contract. ALBANY, N. Y„ Sept. 30.—William J. Cahill of New York City, a repre¬ sentative of the White Rats of Ameri¬ ca, secured an injunction here which enjoins Professor Charles Woodford, a vaudeville performer from appearing under any other company until a con¬ tract made by him for eight weeks with the Bijou Booking circuit of New York has been fulfilled. Woodford has been appearing with “The Gay Masquerad¬ ers,” a burlesque company, having en¬ tered into a contract with this company for forty weeks, after having, so it is alleged, signed a contract for eight weeks with the Bijou circuit. SPINGOLD SAID TO BE SLATED WITH MORRIS Edward Pidgeon tages’ Western States association against the Sullivan & Considine Vaude¬ ville circuit in the United States circuit court. It is alleged that Robert Carter and Daisy Taylor were under contract, dated March 23, for a ten weeks’ en¬ gagement with the plaintiff concern for a vaudeville turn at $175 per week, with the privilege of a ten weeks’ exten¬ sion at its expiration; that they jumped” the contract and signed with Sullivan & Considine. It is asked that they be restrained from carrying out this latter contract, and that Sullivan & Considine be or¬ dered to pay $3,000 damages. The re¬ straining order is a temporary one. NEW YORK, Sept. 30.—It is rumored here that Nathan Spingold is to suc¬ ceed Edward Pidgeon as general press representative for William Morris. Pid¬ geon resigned this week. Spingold was formerly connected with a Chicago news¬ paper, and was afterwards press agent “* --=- TT ~" Chicago. Texas in Fight for Licenses. Mr. Morris’ confidential _. and was sent to Europe to transact im¬ portant business for the firm.—Mac- DONALD. ‘ ,V C8 :' » e Pt. 27.—Albert Baker, t £, e „ B ? ker Theatrical company, u, Ued his wife today at the home of his son. Jealousy was the __ , Keef a Gets the Avenue. Avenue theater, in East St. Louis, hitherto been offering stock Scions, will hereafter be a vaude- W»n»-£ S< U an . <J wm be booked by the Walter F. Keefe agency e/ Chicago. THE CLOWN CONTEST. ALTHOUGH WE PROMISED OUR READERS THAT WE WOULD CLOSE THE CLOWN CONTEST DECIDING “WHO IS THE BEST CLOWN IN CIRCUSDOM” WITH THIS ISSUE, SO MANY UNEXPECTED DEVEL¬ OPMENTS HAVE ARISEN THAT WE ARE COMPELLED TO DEFER THE PINAL DECISION UNTIL NEXT WEEK. A NUMBER OP CORRESPOND¬ ENTS BELIEVE THAT THE PINAL DECISION SHOULD GO IN FAVOR OP THE CLOWN WHO WORKS IN THE RING EXCLUSIVELY, WHILE NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE. trict of Northern Texas rendered a cision in favor of the Sells-Floto Shows in an action brought by Joe Huston, who claimed an interest in the show and attached the same here last fall. Not only did the Sells-Floto people win their case, but all costs which fol¬ lowed, some $1,500, against the plaintiff. John T. Bottom, general counsel, as¬ sisted by E. R. Waldron and V. E. Hog- gatt, fought the case, while H. H. Tam- men, Otto Floto and Van Hampton helped look after their interests. Mr. Tammen left immediately for Austin, Texas, where he brings suit against Ringling Brothers in the name of the state of Texas for back licenses due the state. John Bottom left for El Paso, where the Ringlings exhibit to¬ morrow, to assist Tax Collector McDon¬ ald in the fight against the circus trust The big war between the Sells-Floto show and Ringling Brothers will now wax warm in this section of the coun¬ try ,and promises some lively doings before it is brought to a finish. -