Variety (November 1918)

"■\';;-'"i?.^ VAUDEVILLE PUBLIC CHMITYS0BS(1IPTI^^ IN CHICAG O ADVE RSELY NOTED Efforts of Volunteers in Soliciting Financial Aid in Hotels and Restaurants for "Starving Performers" Brings Less That $2,000, and Much Unfavorable Com- ment from Profession Itself. Benefit Show Plan Abandoned. * Chicago, Oct. 30. • ' Chicago, the first-line trench in the heavy grief of the epidemic panic, has been the scene for a week of many and ; various movements toward the allevi- ation of the largely discussed "starving performers" conditions. Well-meaning volunteers worked like Trojans, cre- ated a good deal of adverse comment 1 and managed, in all, to raise less than $2,000. When the reopening announcement came, immediate action was sought to get a special advance permit for the Majestic, Wednesday evening, which Mrs, Kohl offered, for a benefit per- formance, designed / to raise about $5,000. Tink Humphreys was selected to manage the event, Mort Singer was chosen treasurer and Jack Lait pub- licity representative. It was later called off. Meanwhile meetings had been held by little groups of public-spirited ar- tists, performers and managers. A giant tag-day was first advised. This met with serious opposition from those who decried the effect of public beg- ging on behalf of the profession, and while the deadlock was on regarding this question of ethics, word came from the city hall that no such affair would be countenanced, as there is a law here against tagging for any but organized charities. The disgruntled, though beneficent, group which had stood out for solicit- ing then "bolted" tbe- meeting, which was attended by a representative of the Chicago-Theatre Managers' Asso- ciation, a representative of the W. V. M. A., a Loew and a Pantages' agent and a newspaper man, and decided to go forth into the cafes and solicit indi- vidual alms. Those who undertook to make such collections were Lillian Shaw, Arthur Deagon, Elizabeth Mur- ray, Frank Clark, Thomas J. Quigley, Louise Dresser, Franklyn Ardell and Arthur Straus (a broker). For purposes of giving official mien to this Harry Ridings, for the theatre managers' organization, authorized the following heading for the subscription lists: "Owing to the closing of theatres throughout the United States on ac- count of the epidemic, a great many performers entirely dependent for their daily bread are left absolutely desti- tute and need your help. In this case of need will you please do your bit and assist these worthy people who are always ready to help others when re- quested?" J , > The spectacle was then presented of men and women going from table to table, in restaurants and hotel lobbies, and, in many cases, into stores and business offices, presenting the above and asking charity for actors. Several of the hotels even refused to permit it on their premises. These included the Planters, Morrison and Saratoga, all of which have grown rich on pro- fessional patronage; they also refused ■:---«o=-""ContrJbute^a-penny, -theiusalvcs. ■ Hotels Sherman and La Salle gave the collectors every courtesy, as well as donations. I The result of this systcnt of obtain^ ing money brought the following to- tals, reported to Sam Thall, who was asked to act as treasurer of the fund: Lillian Shaw, $407.62; Elizabeth Mur- ray, $223; Frank Clark and Arthur Straus, $450; Tom Quigley, $80. The others had not reported their gross Tuesday.. A more dignified collection was taken up in the Majestic Buihding, where about $800 was realized in checks from agents and producers. The Theatre Managers' Association did nothing be- yond lending its name, making no ef- fort to either contribute or seek funds. J. C. Matthews, gathered $234, which he offered to the Thall nest-egg, but the offer was declined as Mat- thews had already disbursed $185, for which he had taken "I. 0. U." memo- randa. Thall stated that this was.not his theory of charity, and that, while he was taking receipts for all moneys given, they were only for the records and were not intended to be ever paid back. No one seemed abje to state exactly howmuch destitution there was. Thall took care of a few chorus girls who called on him, and about $150 in hotel bills was given out. With the excep- tion of choristers in small acts tinder second-class managements no appar- ent suffering was noted here, though it was reported that in many nearby towns whole companies of fly-by- nighters, turkey burlesquers, rep play- ers, small vaudeville acts, and the like, were truly stranded. Inquiry at Chi- cago hotels showed that most, pro- . fessionals were meeting their bills, and of those who did not the better part had reasonable credit. The rather questionable flavor of some of the sincere endeavors became a public matter'when a letter was sent to the newspapers, signed by Walker Whiteside, William Hodge, and other legitimate players, "indignantly pro- testing against this uncalled-for insult to a profession which has always cheerfully and completely taken care of its own, in addition to consistently contributing to the relief of any and all others stricken by misfortune." Tliis led to discussion as to just what the legitimate end of the profession was doing for the less distinguished members of the trade who were in need, and it develoi)ed the fact that the total was nothing—beyond pro- testing and deploring. Most of the stars left town as soon as the houses were closed, and the managers' asso- ciation, after "taking up" the conditions formally, did not authorize or create any known action toward meeting Jhem. • Dr. John D. Robertson, the health commissionor who ordered the the- atres closed, sent his check for $50 to Thall. :::r^QTHEIUM3fiNT sm-LES;- Another agent, Harry J. Fitzgerald, has been called upon, through the Vaudeville Managers' Protective Asso- ciation, to contribute one-half of a week's salary to a Fitzgerald act, Dugan and Raymond, who lost that time through not playing Cleveland. / The act complained Nto E. F. Albee, who immediately directed it receive its full salary, with the V. M. P. A. / afterwards making the customary itir vestigation to determine the blame. That was equally placed between Fitz- gerald and the U; B. O. booking de- partment handling the Hippodrome (Keith's), Cleveland. . E. M. Robinson is in charge of that booking department. It also 'places the bil|s for other Keith houses in the Southwest. For Oct. 7, Keith's, Indianapolis, wanted an act then at Canton, Ohio, the latter town booked 'by Bill Delaney, of the U. B. O. ,De- laney refused to release the turn in Canton before the expiration of its engagement unless he_ was furnished • with an act to replace it. Dugan and Rajfmond were booked for the Hip, Cleveland, for Oct. 7. Mr. Fitzgerald was asked to learn if the ' turn would play Canton Oct. 5, then go into Cleveland. Tommy Dugan told his agent he would see what he could do, as he carries a stage hand. Later he informed Fitzgerald the union de- manded his stage hand receive a full week's salary ($55), though wbrking but the one day, and transportation. Mr. Dugan said he would pay the transportation if the theatre paid for the stage hand's salary. It does not appear from the accounts that Dugan and Raymond asked anything for them- '■ selves for the day in Canton, merely agreeing to oblige the booking office and their agent, as their jump in any event would have been from New York to Cleveland, although they might , have expected pro rata for themselves. Mr. Fitzgerald informed Mr. Robin- son of the situatiop, whereupon Robinson is said to have informed the agent the union -vVas attempting' an imposition to force payment of a week's salary for one day, and ordered the Dugan and Raymond act canceled for Cleveland and the remainder of the Robinson time. Mr. Fitzgerald notified Mr. Dugan Oct. 4 his time was off, including Cleve- land, whereupon Dugan called upon Mr. Albee and stated the facts. Mr. Albee decided the cancellation had been irregularly made, and ordered Mr. Dugan's salary for the Cleveland week paid in full forthwith. The other time was restored to the act. It was decided Mr. Fitzgerald should be penalized for one-half the act's salary through having accepted an ir- regular cancellation for his act. The other half was refunded to the V. M. P. A. by the theatre. TWO MORE UNITS LEAVE. Two more units have sailed for France to entertain under the aus- pices of America's Over There League. Herman Palcy also went across to join the units titled "The Dough Girls," which departed as a three-girl unit. The departures are: Annie Abbott. Mary Isreal. Gladys Scars. Doris Thayer. "Four in a Ford." Katherinc Florence and Fritz Williams, Frank G&rfield. Marian Lord. SAVING RE-ROUTING. With a gjeneral reopening of the tbfr- atres anticipated the vaudeville book- ing offices this week were endeavor- ing to save as far as possible re- routing of acts. The bookers said that when con- venient acts would go in on their pre- scribed time at the date of reopen- ing, with railroad jumps considered for their benefit, it vvould depend where the acts were laying off to some de- gree. VOLUNTEER AS NURSES. Chicago, Oct. 30. Robert" Sherman, producer, was ap- pointed by the Red Cross as theatrical .,rcpj'ftsentatiYK.,..:,tQ..^.;,enjist.,. yolw nurses during the height of the In- fluenza scare, to work among the poor. The following responded and have been doing he^vy, dangerous and disagreeable tasks for th§ afflicted, nursing and keeping house for pov- erty-stricken sufferers: Jessie Stuart, Mrs. Virgil Pritchard, Pearl Stanley, Dixie Loftin, Claudia White. ___P4iOaiABl-SHORTA<a.^^^^^^^^^-^^^^^^^^^- "The strike of the past week in tJde-^ printing plants of New York brought about a program shortage in the thea- tres Monday. Some of the houses had to go empty handed. Others \yere able to secure a slip program, such'as often used for an emergency show. The Palace did not learn it would be . without programs until nearly show time Monday, but had cards of the acts appearing painted in time to foretell their appearance at the matinee. The Palace management somehow secured its three-sheets for last week's end,. ' announcing the bill, for this week. It was about the only "^theatre in town . able to post printing in advance. Some of the smaller, printing work for the theatres, which' could be han- dled in a job department on a one- man press was taken care of. when possible by the executive department . of the printing shops. The printers • generally lent every assistance they cbuld to the theatres when listed as steady, customers. KEPT WORKING. Chicago, Oct. 30. During the shut-off of theatres many •• artists accepted work in other branches. Notice was posted in theat- rical offices that Winslow Bros., mu- nitions makers, needed girls, and the first to enter there were the Hewitt Sisters ,(Helen and Babe) and Peggy i Powersi violinist. Thornton Sisters (Babe and Dolly) then enlisted. Others who soug|it toil were: Jessie Bell, cashier in a restaurant; Mar- garet O'Neil, Mrs. J. E. Weymer, Ruth N. Fisher, restaurant work; Mme. Edna, of the Flying Venuses, Kresge's 5-10 Store; The Blackmores (man and wife), express company clerks; Leo and W. C. Ambler (Ambler Brothers),' MacFarlane and Ryan, munitions. TRIAL FOR MURDER. Atlantic City, Oct. 31. ' Especial interest is being excitied by. the trial this week end of Frank Mur- ray, alias De Carl, who is accused of slaying his pal, "Scush" Thomas, in this city last sumiher. The altercation occurred while en route to the shore in an auto with rivalry over a woman alleged to have been in vaudeville at the shore at the time. The woman's name has not figured in the case. The final scene in the case occurred on Pacific avenue, after the arrival of the two men in the resort and fol- lowing a previous scene between Ocean City and Somers Point in which Mur- ray was shot. The death blows were dealt on the head by Murray, while still painfully wounded. MATTER OF NAMES. A discussion as to the use of the name of Frisco at the N. V. A., early last season, was settled by allowing Frisco, the dancer, to spell his name that way, and Friscoe, the xylophon- ist, to use the "e" at the end of his name. Frisco, the dancer, when questioned about the'matter replied, if he-were to assume a name he certainly would not be guilty of taking that of Friscoe, when good names like Dave Warfield were around. ' AUSTRALIA BOdKED. Through Willie Edelsten, Marie La Varre and Kurylo and Laurka (dan- cers) have been booked with Hugh Mcintosh for Australia and sail about \ the end of next month. Walter Weems has also signed to return to the An- tipodes about the end of the year. Moon and Morris, the double step- pers,.Ie.ft_New„ York Tucsda^^^^ coWefrwhere ihey afb to bbifd i boat"' for Australia, booked for 20 weeks. Duffy and Inglis Dissolved. Duffy and Inglis have dissolved vaudeville partnershif*, Jimmy Duffy having gone to Washington to enlist in the army. Jack Inglis may do a "single" for the present. ^M '!iMM,^i!&ki: ^-i^sii^J^Si5!«yii^i^i^