The billboard (Dec 1917)

THE BILLBOARD IN taht, 1917, by The INDISPENSABLE TO THE PROFESSIONAL ENTERTAINER AND ALLIED INTERESTS. Comet board Publithing Company. ZA A.F. OF L. GIVES! TO WHITE RATS RIGHT TO HOLD ON TO CHARTER FitzPatrick’s Oratory Carries Buffalo Convention Recommendation of Adjustment Committee Rejected Investigation Before Referee Again Adjourned Buffalo, Nov. 24.—After many investigations in conferences and conventions covering a period of seven years the White Rats case was finally decided at the convention of the ‘American Federation of Labor held in this city, when that body voted to allow the White Rats to retain their charter, as against a resolution introduced by Robert P. Brindell as delegate of the New York Central Federated Union asking for the revocation of the charter and for a complete reorganization. ‘This verdict was against the recommendation of a subcommittee of the Executive Council, A. F. of L, and also of.the Adjustment Committee of the convention, whose recommendaWon after a thoro investigation was that conditions were deplorable and a complete reorganization was the only solution. The totally unexpected" reversal of this recommendation was due alone to the splendid oratorical <ffort of James William FitzPatrick, who, however, made no attempt to furnish any evidence to prove that the organization was not out of business, was not bankrupt, had. not lost its clubhouse or that its affairs were not under investigation by the Supreme Court of the State of New York. He made’ personal attacks on Harry De Veaux, who not being a seated delegate was not allowed to take the floor in self-defense, so that FitzPattick had easy going and took every advantage of his opportunity. He also attacked members of the New York Central Federated Union and practically defied the A. F. of L. when he said:. “Charter or no charter, federation or no federation, I AM fighting for the life of my organization and I won't stand for the recommendation of thé committee being adopted.” Mountford: first took the floor and appealed to the delegates not to revoke the charter and said: “If the committee's repott is accepted it rings the death knell of the White Rats, and one of the basic principles and laws of the A. F. of L. is that any trades, crafts or professions wishing to affill (Continued on page 71) OSCAR C. JURNEY Who give up the management of Luna Park, Coney Island, to handle a new park in Detroit next year. OSCAR JURNEY LEAVING LUNA PARK, NEW YORK, ON JANUARY 1 Goes to Detroit To Construct and Operate New Park Intends To Introduce Many of the High-Class Ideas Which Have Been Successful at Coney Island Resort New York, Nov. 26.—Oscar C. Jurney, for four years manager of Luna Park, will end his labors there January 1 and will go to Detroit to engage in a park enterprise of great magnitude. He will superintend the construction of a park on Jefferson avenue, at the entrance to the bridge which leads over to Belle Isle, and when it is done he will personally operate it. It is his intention to develop and operate this property along highclass lines and will endeavor to make it one of the most unique resorts in the country. He will install there much. that bas helped make Luna Park a popular amusement point, and his mind is busy planning other details which will be innovations. At this writing only the mere announcement of Mr. Jurney’s plans was obtain (Continued on poge 67) GREATEST WAR RELIEF BAZAAR YET ATTEMPTED IS HERO LAND Thousands at Opening in Grand Central Palace, New York Will Continue for Nineteen Days and Nights More Than One Hundred Organizations Join Hands New York, Nov. 25.—Hero Land, the greatest war relief bazaar ever at tempted" anywhere, opened at Grand Central Palace last night and will continue nineteen days and nights. More than one hundred organizations engaged in war relief work have joined hands tomake it a success, and its magnitude and spectacular wonders fairly staggered the thousands who were present to start the affair on a successful career. Last night Hero Land was above ali else the rallying point for the society people of New York, for the big business men, the artists, the actors, the of the stage, in short attended by a large representation of the prominent people of the city. Among the distin‘guished guests were. Governor Whitman and Mrs. Whitman. They were present all the evening, spending most of their time at the booth of the Committee for Men Blinded in Battle. of which Mrs. Peter Cooper Hewitt is chairman. Z Of the many wonders at the bazaar none attracted more attention than the British tank. Everyone had read of the wonderful work these tanks have recently done and everyone wanted to see. the great army terror and see how it works. The tank is shown in a realistic way and the stage has been set for it so that several times each day it will be exhibited ploughing over trees and buildings just as it might on @ real -battlefleld. Canadian soldiers of actual war experience are on hand to explain everything to the spectators. . Last night the crowa was immensely interested in the fancy skating in the big ballroom, many of the world’s greatest skaters performing for thelr entertainment; the dancing by Mme. ‘Thamara Swirskaya and assistants in the big hall, the singing of patriotic songs of the allied nations by Mary Jordan; Eleanor Cessaris, Florence Perini and others with a chorus of 1,000 voices. Harriet Ware, the famous conductor, directs this feature. ‘The Star-Spangled Banner is sung by (Continued on page 67) FRANCIS WILSON Mr. Wilson acted as toastmaster at the managers-actors’ banquet at Hotel Astor, New York, Sunday night. CO-OPERATIVE PLAN ADVOCATED BY WEBER 10 OFFSET SLUMP Actors Would Share in Business and Assume Risks Many Managers in Accord With the Suggestion True S. James States Actors Are Favorably Inclined New York, Nov. 26.—A statement was. issued today by L. Lawrence ‘Weber, one of the owners of the Longacre Theater, advocating a co-operative plan under which actors would share’ in theatrical successes and also assume part of the risk. ‘This. plan he offers to help offset the slump in theater business. “Weber believes actors should be paid nominal salaries at this time, but that they should also be given a share in such productions as prove successes. Under present conditions he believes that many shows will have to-go out of business, throwing their people out of work. These. he argues, could be kept running on the profit-sharing plan, Mr. Weber says that many members of the Un:ted Managers’ Pratactive Association and the Actors’ Equity Association are in (Continued on ‘page 71) The Edition of This Issue of The Billboard is 39,500 Copies