The New York Clipper (December 1914)

Copyright 1814, toy ths Frank Queen Publishing Company (Limited.). Founded by FRANK QUEEN, 1853. NEW YORK, DECEMBER 5, 1914. VOLUME LXII-No. 43. Price, 10 Cents. XMAS AUTHORITIES HOLDJILM COMPANIES THIRTY-TWO TENANTS OF WORLD'S TOWER BUILDING INVOLVED. CHARGED WITH SIORIBG IBFLAHHABLES ON PREMISES. Thirty-two film companies located In tbe World's Tower Building, on Fortieth Street, East of Broadway, caught In the drag-net put out some time ogo by Fire Commissioner Adsrison, were held for trial last week before Magistrate Barlow in tbe Yorkvllle Court, charged with violation of the law relative to tbe storing of films. Tbe representatives of the companies Involved who were In court were paroled. The Fire Department, for months, has been making investigations In response to com- plaints from various sources that many film distributing companies in New York were storing unlimited amounts of Dims without the permits to do so. It was charged in these complaints that these films were Btorea !r. non-fireproof compartments, in some In- «* stances merely piled away on wooden shelves, in closets, which had no other fire protection from tbe outer offices than wooden doors. The present action was perdpltated by the recent fire in the Forty-fifth Street Exchange Building, where several floors were burned, with a loss amounting to over $30,000. Films were stored in that building, also. Commissioner Adamson states that he will have tbe World's Tower Building vacated unless the law is compiled with in accordance with tbe instructions of Inspector Oscar J. Mendel, of the Fire Prevention Bureau, upon whose complaint the offending companies were summoned to court. Inspector Mendel stated tbat rrhlle the World's Tower Building Is a supposedly fire- proof structure, the presence of films made it unsafe. 25 YEARS AGO. Third were two Primrose Quartettes. Richard Pitbot was in London, England. The Actors' Fund had a benefit at the Broadway, New York, Dec. 8. P. Harris started booking his popular Srlced circuit, with houses in Washington, oulsvllle, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Bt Paul and Minneapolis. Th» Ledger Job Print offered a 1500 prise for an original design for the 1802 World's Fair. Ward and Yokes were with Harry Ker- nel's Co. W. D. Haoab was side show manager for the Birnum ft Bailey Shows. Chabxds H. Yale was manager of W. J. Gilmore's "Twelve Temptations.'* Bsteixe Wellington was with Charles McCarthy's "One of the Bravest" Co. Ross and Finton made New York City debuts In drama at New Park Theatre. MANAGERS AND ARTISTS MAKE TRUCE AGREEMENT REACHED TO LAST TWELVE WEEKS. THREE CLASSIFICATIONS MADE. IMPORTANT LEGAL DECISION." The Appellate Term of the Supreme Court, In New York City, on Tuesday, Nov. 24, affirmed a Judgment of the City Court, which allowed damages In excess CI $150 for In- jury done to baggage in course of transit. The suit was brought by Lucy Harding Dazey ecalnst the New York Central Railroad for damage her bagagge suffered from the rain. It was contended that no more than $150 could be collected, but Judge Ransom ruled that she could recover the full vaSne of the damaged property. The case will be appealed by tbe company. ««» NEW HANOVER STREET HOUSE LEASE ANNOUNCED. Tbe unnamed theatre on Hanover Street, Manchester. N. H. built and owned by Vic- tor Chares, has been leased to the Man- chester Amusement Co., and W. H. O'Neill, well known In that city as personal repre- sentative of Rose King last year, wtU act as general manager. The policy of the new honse has not been fully derided as yet, but will probably be de- voted to high class vaudeville, intermixed with road attractions. It Is expected now by Contractor Marcra- pol that the new building will be ready for the grand opening by Fen. 1. 1015. Work Is being rushed on the structure to Ineure Its completion upon schedule time. Fvery available minute Is being utilized, ard It 4s the plan of the contractor to put on a night shift soon. Including th e orchestra, balcony and bal- cony logos, the house wll scat thirteen hun- dred. There will be no sores on the or- chestra floor, and no obstructing posts or columns In tbe pit or balcony. The orches- tra chairs are to be of the latest design and upholstering will be In pan p'ush and leather. With a stage 81x79x60 room will be pro- vided for the largest attractions. The stage will be equipped with the latest devices, and there will be twelve large dressing rooms, * chorus room, and a green room for the com- fort of the actors. The main entrance will be from the lobby on Hanover Street, and the balcony entrance wIK be separate and direct from the lobby and also from the rear of tbe orchestra floor. Both entrances to tte balcony are reached from a short flight of steps to the ttraszanine floor, and thence by an inclined walk to the centre of the balcony. The exits from the balcony will be through the centre of the Athens Building to Hanover Street, and there witl be two Ore eiits open- ing into Londonderry Lane. The Interior decorating and lighting will be In keeping with the treatments used in modern metropolitan theatres. • »» "BIG IDEA" TO CLOSE. Because of their conviction that New York's piny market is at present overcrowded, Cohan 4 Harris announce that tbey have decided to close the run of 'The Big Idea" at the TTudson Theatre, New York, and its engagement at that playhouse will be brought to a clore on Saturday night, Dec. 5. It la the Intention of the management to lay the piny off vntll Spring, when they plan to present It in Chicago. "The Big Idea" has bait the distinction of being unnnlmonsly praised by the dramatic reviewers of New York, every one of whom commended it for its originality and freshness. ♦ «» THE YOUNGEST ELK. Philip M. Thurbcr, son of Phil H. Thurber, celebrated his twenty-first birthday Nov. 27. His father has made him a half owner In the act, and presented him with a life member- ship in New York Lodge of Elks, in which he was initiated Nov. ». « i » OLBN SMITH SUICIDE. Glen Smith, reported to be an actor, com- mitted solclde In mldoccan by jumping from the steamer 8t. Paul, on Its Inst trip. The Amerlcai Line. 9 Broadway, New York, 1* trying to locate his relatives. 4 a » DESERTS VAUDEVILLE. Blossom Secley has deserted vaudeville, signed a two year contract, last week, with ghnberts. to be one of the stars in tbe new Wlnt»r Garden, Now York, Show. *■ » GOHPERS RE-ELECTED. Samuel P. Oompers wss re-elected ores! pent of the American Federation of Laboi last w-ek In Horticultural Hall. Philadelphia, *a., by an almost unanimous vote. ANDY MILLER HEAT). Fred D. GUIs, the former well known ad- vance agent and now connected with The Brooklyn Dally Eagle, Brooklyn. N. Y., noti- fies us of the recent death from tuberculosis of Andy Miller, who was lor oeveral years assistant treasurer of Hyde ft Bchman's The- atre. Brooklyn. Mr. Miller was a popular figure in show business, end had been employed In other Brooklyn theatres during his career In the- atricals besides a season or so on the road. His widow survives him. A truce has been declared between artists and managers in London, Bug. it is to last twelve weeks, and its terms are duly agreed uton in minute detail. Halls that choose to stand outside the agreement altogether and to guarantee exact salaries to artinis aro at liberty to do sc-, and quite a number of halls liavo taken this course throughout. Other- wise there is a set of conditions applying, (1) to provincial louses, (2) to London In- dependent balls, (8) to the London Tlientrci of Varieties, Limited—tho old Olbbona Cir- cuit. Generally speaking, the idea is that tho receipts, as before, shall be divided into equal shares, one half to go to tho management. *»» for its expenses, the other half to bo de- voted to the payment of salaries pro rata. But there Is this Important difference: The small salaried people are to be paid In full, with a guarantco from tho management, up to $20, In tho country, and up to $56 Id Lonaon. Larger salaried people are to bo guaran- teed not loss than a percentago of their sal- aries—this varies according to the amount of the salary, but, for instance, a $200 must carry a guarnntoe of not less than sixty-fire per cent., and the very big salaried people must bo guaranteed fifty per cent., with a minimum of *129, so as to put them level with the minimum of tho $200 folk, anyhow. The Champion Henvyweliclit Crew, JOHN MURRAY, RUBE McWHINNEY. TOM MURPHY, Of the Gayety, South Chicago. 111. Com- bined weight, 000 lbs. All three merbers of I. A. V. S. E., 2. ADELE KATZ. Adele Katz. a young; pianist, gave a re- cital Nov. 28. at Aeolian Hall. New York. Miss Katz Is a talented planlvt, and has proved her skill at previous recitals. She gave a program which included selections from Bach-Satot-Saens, Haydn, Schumann, Brahams, Tschalkowsky, Chopin, MaoDowell. Regcr, Schubert and Llzst. ED. ALBERTO IN MOBILE. Edwin A. Calkins, known In the profession as "Edwin Alberto." Is In Mobile, Ala., for an Indefinite period. He has been a reader of Tub Old Reliable for twenty-eight years, and has the record of having ippeared before the footlights for tbe same length of time. Mr. Alberto Is well known In theatrical circles throughout tbe country, and was, at various times with Tom Jefferson, in Rip Van Winkle;" M. A. nunt Stock Co., Gar- rlck Theatre 8tock Co., M. K. Manton's "Two Johns," "Get-Blch Quick Walllngford" and others. His last engagement was with the Julia Neville Stock Co. 4 a t> DROUGHT IN AUSTRALIA. The disastrous drought extending through- out tho most part of Australia is reported to be affecting business conditions in every line. A large number of horses, cattle and sheep ore dying of starvation. The government has been compelled to organize relief committees to assist the farmers, whose crops have polished for want of rain, The government is also transporting sheep and cattle to the coast, with hope of saving as many as posslbte AL. G. FIELD NOTES. Since Aug. S, the opening of our season, the buslncs of this company has averaged up to seasons when general conditions wero brighter. Many theatrical prophets predicted lessen- ing of our receipts following David War- field through the South. Through the book- ings, Warlfcld left the theatre as we entered, with the exception of one single Instance Forth Worth. Tex. At that city we were one night ahead of him. Why this was per- mitted Is a mystery. Notwithstanding War field's big take and high prices, our receipt* were as great as last season, which was a high water mark to guage by. In many in- stances we broke all our previous records, namely, Nashville, Montgomery, Momblle, New Orleans. Galveston, Austin, Fort Wortn. Following Warileld since Oct. 18, our routes parted at Dallas, Warfleld going West, we headed North. General business conditions are not nearly so bad South as reported, and they are brightening dally. The price of cotton has steadily advanced the past month with not one set back. Pessimists, speculators and politicians would make the world believe the cotton sections are In dire distress. It Is true, with an unusually large crop, con- ditions caused by the European wnr has not moved tbe crop as In other years. I only wish ail Ibis country was In as good condi- tion as the South, with Its abundance of cotton and a sure market for It In the near future. The condition of the railroad work- ers and the factory people of tho North should give us much more concern. How- ever, with Congress adjourned, the middle man and the politician silenced for a time, business will have an opportunity to right Itself, and that we are on tho eve of an era of prosperity is the opinion of all save a few speculators and bankers. AI. G. Field Conard has been w'th us on a two weeks' visit. The only thing we missed through Texas was tbe game the boss usually brought down. Only one hunt so far, and then only a few quail and fewer ducks. How- ever, the guns and dogs are ready for this week, and we hope to feast until the Thanks- giving gobbler Is laid before us. Wo donned our Winter parade toggery In Austin, Tex., and shipped tho Summer suits home. The weather has again turned very hot, and we sweat It out daily. "FAIL TO BREAK WILL. RATHAPFBL TO PRODUCE VAUDE- VILLE ACTS. Samuel Bathapfel, managing director of the Strand Theatre. New York Is going to jcln the list of vaudeville producers, giving most of his attention to musical acts of a high order. He has already signed Fmdln, the violinist, who has been a Ecnsatlonal success In New York for several weeks. Only performers of talent will ije handled by Mr. Ratbapfel. *-»-•> LANE LOSES FATHER. Dave Lane, of Lane and O'Donnelt com- edy acrobats, mourns the loss of bis father, John Lane, who died at his home. Bridge- port, Conn., Nov. 25. Dave left »he bill at Shea's, Toronto, to come home for the funeral. His partner remained, doing a single for balance of the week. Mr. Lane has lost his mother and father within the last three weeks. 4 ■ » THE PHILLIPS PLAYHOUSE. The New York Play Actors bave taken over the Adolph Phillips playhouse. New York, and renamed It the Band Box Theatre. A new play will be presented each month, opening with Jerome's comedy, "Poor Little Thing," adapted from the French. Douglas J. Wood will direct. 4 » » •'THE SLAVE SHIP." An elaborate and massive production is being built for Ned Waybum's '"Slave Ship." which will open at Hammersteln's. New York. Dec. 7. 4 > » "CHIN CHIN" IN "FRISCO, Montgomery and Stone and their company will be a feature during the exposition at Ban Francisco next Summer. 4) » » _^^^^ "ROLLING STONES." This play will open at the Apollo, Atlan- tic Cliy, N. J., Dec. 8. • i> r .'iO.iPKvLi'.rfiv.AK**?.:.- CLARA (JU1SON, Soubrottt with the Prizewinners. ALL FOR CLAUDE AND FANNIE. A theatre party, one hundred and thirty- five In number, went from Mllfotd, Mass., to Boston, on Tuesday evening, Nov. 24, and at- tended Keith's Theatre, in honor of Claude and Fannie Usher, who live, when "at borne," In Mendon, a suburb of Mllford. 4 ■ » "TO-NIOHT'S THE NIGHT." This new Shubert production will be seen shortly In New York, with Emmy Whelan, George Groasmlth and Maurice Faroka. ♦ * » "DAMAGED GOODS." This play will have another Broadway run, beginning Dec. 7, at the Hudson, New York. ARDELL SWITCHES. Kranklyn Ardell and company have left the United tkne and are now on the Loew time this week opening at ibe Seventh Ave- nue Theatre, on a forty week contract, "play or pay." «»♦ HENRY MILLER, IN "DADDY LONG-LEGS." Henry Miller will star In tbe Webster Slay, opening in San Francisco Jan. 4, under Irectlon of Frank Morse 4 I » VAUDEVILLE TO BE POLICY. The International Theatre, Niagara Falls. N. Y., will present vaudeville, opening about the first of tho new year. The Jury In the trial of the will contest of Mrs. Ruth Lonlsn Bailey, widow of Junes A. Italtey. brought In a verdict fur the defendant, Nov. 2,1. This was the second attempt of Mrs. Hutcliln- son, of Bridgeport, Oonn., to brenk the will of her sister. Mrs. Ilalley died two years ago, leav< In* her property largely to her brothers, Joseph T. and Theodore MeCaddon. Mn. Hutchinson Is cut oft with an annuity of $10,000, and her sons, diaries and Frederick, receive nothing. Mrs. Ilutchliiaon may appeal from the verdict. Mrs. Hutchinson was a witness. Bhe admitted that she signed the waivers on Msreh 28. She admitted that Joseph MoCadilon, ono of lb* cieculors read the will to her at the time, but she did not recall any ot tho provisions because, she says, she was taking mnrphln* dally at the time, as she snrfcred from rlieiuiistlam. She Is seventy years old. ♦ i» HAL CASTLE HONEYMOONS IN HONOLULU. nal Castle, who will bo remembered' as lending man and mnnngcr of his own com- pany, the Csstlo Plnyors, In Hamilton, O., and other cities of the Central West, and who has also boon seen as a stock leading man In some of tho moat successful com- panics In the Knst, was married to Helen Wright, a native of California, In Sacra- mento, Nov. 15. Tho llov. n. V. Moore officiated. Mr. Cnstlo was granted a divorce from Ma fr.rmer wife, Elsie Walton, Oct. 80, 1018, In the Supreme Court at Now York City. Mr. and Mrs. Castle opened with tho Players All Star Stock Co.. under manage- ment of George Webb, on Thanksgiving Day, In Honolulu, tho opening bill being "Maggie repper." to bo followed by "Heady Money" and "Bought snd Paid For." After tho close of the Reason Mr. Castle will spend the Summer on his father's ranch near Sncramcnto, snd in the Fall plans to bring his beautiful bride East and iutroduce her to "Tho Orcat White Wa7." 4«» CHANGE IN BROADWAY. Jules K. Aaronson, manager of the Broad- way, New York, has replaced M. S. Schleslnr- er, who stepped out, In lnylng out the bill of Ihn house. This week's bill Is tho first put on by Mr. Aaronson. Vaudeville. TIIB Order of Owls In Provldsne* tendered s surprls* to tii* brother members of th* ord*r In tho Stsr and Oartvr company. Nov, IS. at the Grand Theatre. The brother O-vIs of the qiur- tftte received tho biggest l-citnu»t of dowers ever given our rho footlights. After tho show the whole company wss siren s bannnet at the Bond Hotel, and a swell time followed until the wee hour* of tbe morning. Mr. Ferdinand, the trnnd sill rem* vice-president of Ih* Order of Owls, wsa toast-msalur. and he certainly sprsad himself. The momliers of the company voted s card of thtinks to the Owls. MANOLITA BTKTflON and Olid flub** SI* meeting with west ourceaa on the Coast, In their sliurln*. talking and dancing set nDDIH FOLKY. who Is brttiK featured In "The Dairy Maids," which t* the Drat onoact muslna comedy produced by Roland West, has made swHi a success In tho part tbat Mr. Weal has sinned him for Hire* jean. nOYO AND OARNCTT recently purchseod en act from riaixy Gray, the Philadelphia author, entitled "A Nlsht In th* fMlar," snd wilt produce It ehm-tlr in th* middle West. THR opentns, of Keith vaudeville bill at the Nixon, Atlantic Olty, N. J„ Nov. no. Included: Onaln, Iran* West and her Hawallans, the Ma- jestic Trio, and Willis and Anita. JOHN* ORIRVW Mnslcal Comedy Company U meeting with great success throush the New Kiitr- land Btsten. This week. Nov. 23, snd all week at Opera Hnnac. Wealerly, It. I. The company's roller, beaded by Rlva Grieves, embrace* John flrterea, Dob Aleitnder. principal eomadlan; ItiWi Rogers, the Italian elnslng comedian; Louis Combs, tenor; Win. Fisher, baritone i LoulM Orowtll. sonrano: Trlile Powers, Hat* Cooney. OarUston Beal, baaao: Ttutb flernstroan, Ada Flaber and the Wbeatnn Rlatera. B. P. Orleves, pronrlctnr: Joe Anderson, rspmenla- tlve, and John Grieve*, manager. The company chanpes program dally, baring a routine of four- teen enmedto*. FRANK WI1ITK la now with th* Orpheutn Cir- cuit Do"klng Department. LA ItKI.LR OIRDA (Mme. TTamder Ben) Is rTodnciig a novelty r>v!eiital snsk* dance on tks »aude»llle circuit. Hurler direction of Dnc Bteima. NRD NFXRON Is with Van and Oarrl* Avsry. In their net. "Making the Movies," booked solid over United Time, CAPTAIN !/>nifl IvOROHO celebrated his natal day. In Altoona. Pa., Var. 3d. wall* play- ing th* Orphenm. fie was presented with a Mint loving mp by his manager of th* company dnrtng the performance In behalf of th» company. It waa bis forty-ninth birthday anniversary.