The billboard (Dec 1917)

30 The Billboard DECEMBER 22, 4917 V. M. P. A. CONSIDERS MANY MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE Members From All Over the Country Attend Largest Meeting Organization Has Ever'Held — Strong Sentiment Expressed Against: Cancelation of Contracts at een New York, Dec. 15.—The largest meeting of the Vaudeville Managers’ Protective Association was held Jast ‘Tuesday, members from all over the country ‘being present. Among some of, the reforms suggested. was that when an artist enters inte a contract binding on both parties‘ that’ no cancelation will be tolerated and that the agent who booked the act will be held responsible. ¥ Hotels and business men thruout the country are to be asked by local managers to give members'of the National Vaudeville Artists a discount upon presentation of their card. The question of a six or seven-day contract was also taken up, and hereafter it is likely that the practice of sending an artist for. the seventh day to,some other point ‘will be abolished. \It was also decided that every act working will be. expected to Join the N,V. A. The V. M. P..A. will arrange a series of. dinners to members of the.N. V. A. annually ‘in New York, Chicago, Boston.and San Francisco. ‘The one in Boston will in all probability’ take place the first week in January. A committee was formed to enforce the rules and new resolutions and infrac -Majestic Theater at Dallas Dallas, Tex., Dec. 15.—The Majestic ‘Theater Butlding, one of the old landmarks of the city, at the corner of| Commerce and St. Paul streets, was completely destroyed by fire Wednesday evening. The fire had its origin from an undetermined source. The building and contents are a complete loss, valued. at $50,000 and insured for $40,000.. The building and furnishings were owned by the Dallas Amusement Company, which is com-~ posed of Henry Hamilton. Henry C. Coke and Col. H. R. Green Mr. Hamilton stated that he did not know | whether the building would be rebuilt, but that he hoped the walls could be used. : ‘The actors who made up the Mafestie bill rushed. into the theater to get their belongings. Chief Standing] Bear, the Sioux, Indian, who was appearing in the cast of The Race of Man, rescued Olive Briscoe, who was in a fainting condition. Most of the préperty of the actors and actresses was saved. >: "For Jewish War Relief New York, Dec. 15.—A. Paul Keith and E. F. Albee yesterday gave the entire proceeds of the Palace: Theater in Manhattan and the Bushwick Theater Jm Brooklyn, at both matinee and <night’ performances, to the Jewish War-Relief Fund. tions thereof will "meet with punish-: ment, and in all:probability bonds will be required from all members. Similar meetings:are ‘to: be held-an‘nually_ or semi-annually in addition to the regular’monthly meetings, in time for the White Rats hearing. He agked Referee’ Louis Schuldentret to grant an adjournment and the referee conferred with Attorney Myers, counsel for the Rats. ‘The'latter sald he had no objection to the adjournment, but requested that the postponement: be ‘made for two sweeks.:. The next: hearing: was, therefore, ‘set down for Friday, December 28. : “Expert accountants are now’ going over*the books of the Rats’and getting’ facts into such shape that when ‘the ‘hearings ‘are finally resumed the ‘investigation can be expedited rapidly. » Cabarets Granted Grace ‘Chicago, Dec. 15—The cabaret’ tax of ten.per cent on twenty per cent of RUINS OF MAJESTIC ‘THEATER AT DALLAS Majestic Theater at“Dallas, Tex.,"after the fre’ Wetneeday evening,’ December 12, ‘except some of tho property of the actors and actresses appearing there at the time. At Hamilton, Ont., To Be Opened New ‘Year's Eve New York, Dec. 17.—Mareus Loew's new theater in Hamilton, Ont. is-now completed and will open.on New Year's Eve. This house, one of the’ finest theaters in Canada, ts of modern con struction and equipment, with a seating capacity of 2,800. Mr. Loew will be in attendance at the opening and will be accompanied by Kitty Gordon and Jack Wilson, Mollie King; Fritzi Scheff and N. T. Granlund..* Marcus Loew has-in operation in Canada theaters In Toronto and Montreal. He is building new houses of 3,000 capacity in Ottawa and Quebec. Another Postponement White Rats’ Case Goes ‘Over Weeks ~ New York, Dec. 15.—Ttie” White Rats’ investigation. was again : postponed yesterday afternoon..and. this time the postponement was taken’ until Friday, December 28. Mr, Sa~ pinsky, attorney for the*plaintiffs, had‘ an important court case Friday, which he was afraid would not’ be concluded for Two ithe gross receipts will be figured from December 5 instead of November 2, the date originally decided upon, according to advice’ recelvéd from the head of the U.:S..Revenue Department by, the-local head of the Central District. ‘The concession was made because cabaret owners declared it would be too much trouble for them to go back over their receipts to November 2'in figuring out-Just how much fs due the Government. “Lester Fountain ‘Will Devote His Time To Establishing | ‘New Houses for Ackerman & Harris ‘Los Angeles, Cal., Dec.-15.—Lester Fountain, retiring as manager of the Hippodrome, was recipient of a beautiful loving cup at a banquet tendered to him by the employees of the theater, ,Fountain, oné of the. oldest of the ‘Ackerman’ & Harris vaudeville managers, will hereafter be in charge of the establishing and: opening of the new -vaudeville theaters being built and’ projected by the circuit, and {s now:making preparations to open ‘the new: Fresno Hip, which will be ready about ‘Christmas .week. A. L. Bern‘stein; ‘who’ Was assistant managor, is now-acting-manager, ané George Clayton -is assistant manager. New York, Dec.’17.—Several vaudeville managers that The , Billboard representative’ has talked’ with are highly indignant’at the report which appeared in a certain trade paper of the ‘dinner given’ at’ the Hotel Plaza to Pat Casey and John J. Murdock. which stated ‘that one of the speakers suggested a gigantle inerger. of all managerial interests. This report is absolutely foreign to the-.alms .and ambitions of the-Vaudeville Managers’ Protective Association. ‘The managers interviewed -resent ‘very strongly that such an intention should -have been suggested in connection with’the’assoelation, which is’ at. préseht-dolng evsrything init" power to create’ peace; happiness and contentment in’ vaudeville circles. *: aE aes William E: Hines Dies New York,’ Dec. . 17.—William : E. Hines, a charter member of Elks’ Lodge, No. 1, of New York, died at the White . Plains -Hospital. shortly after midnight yesterday morning ‘of rheumatism.. He. had been. playing in vaudeville: with’ his wife,, Pearl Remington, the team. being known as Hines and Remington... . . Besides being a charter member of Biks' Lodge, No. 1, Mr. :Hines. held memberships in many. actors’ clubs ‘and societies. ..His home was.in Halstead avenue,. Harrison, N. Y. ‘ Road Show-at Burbank Los Angeles, Dec. 15!—With the return of S. Morton Cohn, vaudeville impresario of* Portland and Los -Angeles, the announcement is made that on December 24 the~Burbank in this city will have its first. transcontinental road show, acts said to be hailing from New York, Chicago other. cities en route from-the Hast. To Tour Orpheum Circuit’. New York, Dec: 17—-Blossom Seéle: with @ quintet of boys, consisting of three vocalists and two musician: have been routed over the Orpheum Circuit, opening in Chicago Christmas week. . ‘ Ellda Morris, the singing comed!enne, is also scheduled for a tour of the Orpheum Circuit. Miss Morris has confined her attention to musical shows for the past two or three seasons..She has an entirely new..act with ‘songs and a new and attractive wardrobe. Mercedes Gets Judgment ‘Los Angeles, Dec. 15.—Joseph Mercedes and Madame Stantone were awarded a judgment by Judge Valentine in the courts here this week in a sult brought by Alexander Pantages to enjoin Mercedes from showing on & rival circuit on the ground that he was under contract to the Pantages.