The billboard (Dec 1917)

The Bi llboard DECEMBER 22, 1917. MORE FAIR IRREGULARITIES ‘BROUGHT TO THE SURFACE American Ambulance in Russia Now Und Investigation by District Attorney—C. D. 2 Fox Would Enlist To Escape Punishment .. NewYork, Dec. 15.—District Attorhey. Swann this: week continued. his sweeping investigation into the conduet of war relief fairs‘and more eviences of frregularities were brought to the surface. His inquiry this week was especially directed toward the American Ambulance in Russia, whose activities were called. to an abrupt halt last week by the official. <The books and records of this organization are now being gone over with a-fine tooth comb. A letter was found Which the organization sent out in October appealing for funds. This létter stated that for two years the ambulance had been saving lives in Russia, that ‘thirty ambulances had been sent to -and that forty more were'on the. way. The letter ‘said $300,000 was needed to complete and equip a field hospital. ~ ‘Papers were found showing the record of many sums of money paid to Philip Newton, chief surgeon. There were éxpenses for trips to Washington and‘Russia. . These papers showed his shlary to be $216-a month with all expenses paid. In a-period of a little over one year his expenses were found to have been $3.834.46. “John Offat, one of those interested in\Hero Land, will be questioned by district attorney the first of next ek in this connection, €..D. Fox, one of. the promoters of | the recent Army and Navy Bazaar, ‘which proved-more of a benefit to the ~advertising solicitors than to the sol“dies and sailors, pleaded before Judge Crain in the Court of General Sessions Thursday. His plea was guilty: to charges of petit. larceny and forgery inthe second degree. ‘The court was informed that Fox tad applied for enlistment in the Ordance Department of the United States army. His attorney said that unless the.felony indictment was disposed of Parisian Ticket System New York, Dec. 15.—The Theatre ei Vieux Colombier, in addition to its fegniar subscription series, issues a Movel subscription ticket good for any twelve performances at the price of| ten. This ticket may be used at the new French theater as de sired in any way from seats for a party of twelve at one performance to seats for an individual -at twelve performances. The only restriction is that it must not be used on Tuesdays, the regular subscription night. This peculiar form of cutrate subscription ticket is a custom imported trom Paris by. Copeau’s Players. : Leo-Donnelly 4 Fox could not carry out his desire to enlist. The court consented to_nolle this charge, but continued Fox's. bail until December 21. On that date, if Fox is able to. show a certificate of enlistment, sentence will be suspended ‘on the misdemeanor charges. was filed for probate December 11:‘ It was executed. February 26,1915. The one-time musical comedy favorite also received a specific bequest of $125,000. She! was the ‘sole legatee of the estate, but her husband requested that she pay from her’ bequest $500 to each servant who was in their employ. for ler|two years. ‘There was only one em/) Ployes ‘to méet this condition. ‘Mrs. Lewisohn will receive the income for life of the residue. She is given the power of disposing of the estate in her will as she may see fit. ‘The bequests to her are made “in leu of dower,” Her Soldier Boy Retreats ‘The Shubert production, Her Soldier Boy, closed its tour at the Lyric The ter, Cincinnati, last Saturday “night. Suit Against Shuberts Wants To Place Them Under Unusuat Restraint. + New York, Dec. 15—A suit which has been instituted against the Shuberts is, perhaps, one of the most remarkable ever filed against a theatrical-concern inasmuch es it seeks to restrain them from using the time of day in a titular way. Over The Top at the Fortyfourth St. Theater Roof Theater is. a 9 o'clock show, and the promoters have made much of this “9 o'clock feature.” The Shuberts were informed this week by A. Jocelyn Mac~ Grath, a lawyer of 31 Nassau street, actirig on behalf of Helen Freeman, ‘that he would bring injunction proceedings if the words,.“9 o'clock theater,” were not dropped instantly from the a.d vertisements of Over the Top. ‘The © Shuberts referred. the communication to their attorney, Wm. Klein, ‘and Mr. MacGrath has been notified that he can proceed with his legal action at his early convenience. Miss Freeman, the plaintiff, is an actTess who a year ago made an unsuccessful attempt to conduct a 9 o'clock theater in West Fifty-ninth street. She was prevented by the fire authorities from carrying out her plans. ‘The'9 o'clock feature of Over the Top has proved an ‘important factor in that production’s success. The New York theatergoers have found the hour a convenient one, for it enables them to go to the theater and to return home from {t without mixing with the heavy traffic which is ‘encountered by those who seek amusement at the usual hour, when the theater crowds swarm thru the theatTical district. Edna May Receives Nearly All of Her Husband's Estate New York, Dec. 15.—The entire estate of Oscar Lewisohn, who died in Mount Sinat Hospital on December 3, following an operation, variously estimated at from $5,000,000 to $6,000,000, goes In trust to his widow, Edna May ‘Lewisohn, former-stage star, with the exception of minor bequests." His will BERTHA MANN The company returned to New York. Seek New Providence House The Shuberts’ Negotiating ‘With 3in Providence, R. L, Dec. 15.—During the past two weeks negotiations have been under way with the Shuberts and the management of the Majestic Theater, the most beautiful house in this city, but as yet neither --have come to an understanding regarding the former taking a lease of it. ‘The Majestic is owned by the. Emery Brothers, who have been considerably hit! by the war tax, but they will Not let the theater out of thelr hands unless there is a big. proposal made. The managers of the house are taking the loss cause they assume the war has affected this country as‘ it aid in England. ‘They are lookAng for brighter “things the near future, and believe the theatrical business will be again what it was when the house first opened. ‘The Shuberts are said to be anxious to'get a new theater in this city and have shown. considerable activity since a Tepresentative of Klaw & Erlanger has, been here. At the present time the Shuberts are said to have an interest in the Providence Opera House, which, as a theater, is about twentyfive years back of the times in its construction. The lease of it expires about the middle of the coming year. and tumors have it that the Narragansett Hotel, which owns the property, will use the theater as an annex. ‘Chicago Producers Stopping Many ‘One-Night Stand Attractions Chicago, Dee. 17.—Wires are flashIng from Chicago producing concernr controlling. the. one-night stand circuits, ordering shows to stop and come back until er the holiday season, the slump of which is especially feared this year because of the pressure of the war. Despite this producers like Lorin J. Howard and Frank A. P. Gazzolo are exceedingly enthusiastic and are calmly working on new productions os it indications pointed to one of the best ‘Chicago Theaters Close Several Imitate New York in Rush to Oblivion Preceding Holiday Season Chicago, Dec. 17,—Four theaters— the Blackstone, Playhouse and Olymplein the Loop’and the National in the outlying district—are dark this week, mute testimony to the fear with which managements are instilled. because of the approach of the holiday season, on top of the poor business ready experienced. Considering the relative number of theaters, the Chi cago situation is -as grave as thst Precjpitated by the closing of six houges in New York a few weeks ago, with others on the brink. Only one theater,’ The Colonial, @ares to present a new play, at which Meude Fulton appears in. the title role of her own play, The Brat. “The English Opera Stock Company at the Strand is presenting Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Perizance. Cohan Revue, 1918 ‘To Have Premiere New Year's Evo New-York, Dec. 16.—It has been announced by Cohan & Harris that the Cohan Revue, 1918, the book of which is by: George M. Cohan: and the music by Mr..Cohan and Irving Berlin, will have its premiere at the New Amsterdam Theater New Year's Eve. _Chariés Winninger, Dainty Marie and Flennigan and Edwards are late additions to the cast. Revival of The Love Mill New York, Dec. 16.—The Love Mill, Andreas Dippel's musical comedy, which was produced outside of -New York last February and withdrawn after engagements in Boston and -Chicago, will be presented in-this city shortly after January 1. Alfred Francis is credited with the music of the Piece and Earl Carroll with the book and lyrics. Going Up for Broadway pee aatcet Comey Coens it Liberty ‘Theater Christmas Night New York, Dec. 16.—Going Up, 2 musical comedy based upon James Montgomery's farce, The Aviator, will have @ metropolitan hearing at the Liberty Theater Christmas night, following a short stay In Hartford, Conn. "The production has already had a tryout in Washington, Atlantic City and other cities. ‘The principal comedy role wiH-be in the hands of Frank Craven. ‘The supporting cast wij] comprise Edith Day, Marion Sunshine, Grace Peters, Ruth Donnelly, Evelyn Cavanaugh, Frank Otto, Richard Dore and Arthur Stuart Hull. With Going ‘Up at the Lib‘erty and the Cohan’ “Revue 1918, at the New Amsterdam, ‘Messrs. Cohan & Harris will have four attractions in the Broadway district, the other two being A. Tailor Made ‘Man at the Cohan & Harris and The King, atthe Cohan, ~