The Billboard 1909-01-16: Vol 21 Iss 3 (1909-01-16)

4 The Billboard JANUARY 164, 1909. "SEVERAL OF THE BIG SHOWS REPUDIATE POSTING SCALE Consternation Among Officials of Alliance Agreement Considered Unfair by Barnum and Bailey, Ringling Bros., Buffalo Exhibition, and Robinson Bill’s and Pawnee Bill’s Shows. OUR circuses have not signed the InternaF tional Alliance Billposters and Billers of America agreement for next season. They are Barpum and Bailey, Ringling Brothers, Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show, and the Robinson Show. This information has just leaked out and is caasing some concern among the New York interests. It is said that the billposters’ demands of increased sal ary is responsible for the contracts remaining unsigned Louis E. Cooke admits that the interests which he represents have not signed. He says: “We cannot sign contracts until the demands are modified. The wage scale has been jumped from $25 to $40 a month, with a _ ten-dollar hold back and no intermediary point. We think this a pretty stiff jump and cannot sign up at these figures. We have always stood by the Union and I expect everything will be settled amicably.’’ The agreement adopted by the Alliance at their recent convention is as follows: “Bection 1.—The parties of the first part agree to employ none but members of The International Alliance Billposters and Billers of America, but if others be employed, the said men are to be notified by agents or managers of the undersigned circuses, that they must become members of a Local of The International Alliance Billposters and Billers of America. After he has beeu employed by the show thirty (30) days, his application must be signed by the Boss Billposter and Steward of car or a he is employed with, and that he is a Billposter and Biller, before he can become a member of a local of the International Alliance Billposters and Billers of America. “Section 2.—Parties of the first part also agree to have all contracts with men signed in triplicate, one copy to be retained by the employer, one copy to be retained by the employe, and one copy to be sent to the Secretary of The International Alliance Billposters and -Billers of America. ‘Section 3.—The scale employed to be twenty-five dollars ($25) per month with ten dollars ($10) additional hold ap per_gonth for first season men; all other men haVing more than one year’s experience with circuses to receive forty dollars ($40) per month and ten dollars ($10) per month additional hold back per month, and forty-five dollars ($45) per month with ten dollars ($10) per month additional hold back per month; also board and lodging; men to be allowed thirty-tive cents for meals and fifty cents for lodgings on routes; circus managers to use their own judgment in the application of this scale, but in no ease is the hold back to exceed the total amount of one month’s salary. It is hereby expressly agreed that said hold back is a part of the salary of the employe, and is to be paid to him at the termination of the season, providing said employe remajns with said employers the entire season and faithfully observes the covenants of this contract. “Section 4.—The International Alliance Billposters and Billers of America, on its part further agrees that all Circuses, Wild est and other traveling shows in this class, other than those represented in this evmtract, shall abide by and work under the conditions herein set forth, and failing to do so, they will be denied recognition by this organization. “Section 5.—That the members in good standing on each circus car elect a Steward on opening day of season; that the Steward be compelled to make monthly repoms to the Internatéonal Secretary as to the standing ef each member; also notify the International Secretary if any applications for membership are on said car. Failing to do this he will be fined two dollars for first offense, five dollars for second offense, and ten dollars for tbird of of salaries for men fense. “Section 6.—It is agreed that the agents, managers or owners representing the wundersigned circuses have the right to discharge men for violation of contract, disobedience, incompetency, mis-representation, gambling and intoxication. However sixty (60) days of continuous employment shall be regarded as evidence of competency. It is agregd that men shall not be required to go back ‘to the show to be id off. but shall be paid on the adver tising Car. If any man is not satisfied with reasons given for his dismissal he may demand in writing that car manager send the Secretary of Alliance a statement of cause for dismissal. “Section 7.—It is also agreed that unnecessary manual labor or advertising shall not be performed on Sundays, Labor Day, July 4, or any legal holiday. It is also agreed that emogee may draw the full amount of their weekiy salary every Saturday night if they so desire. “Section 8.—It is also agreed that any man signing more than one contract with one or more circuses at the same time, upon proof of same, shull be fined twenty-five dollars ($25) for the first offense, and the undersigned agents, Managers and owners agree not to give employment to the man until such fine is paid. When such fine is paid, it must be ferwarded to the International Secretary. For the second offense he shall be expelled from The International Alliance Billposters and Billers of America, and his card taken up. “Section 9.—-It is agreed and is the sincere desire of the International Alliance Billposters and Billers of America to furnish the undersigned circus representatives with competent billposters and billers to further advance the — feeling between employer and emplore. “Section 10.—All contracts made prior to this agreement shall be void. “Section 11.—This agreement shall go into effect the first day of January, 1909, and shall end on the——— “Section 12.—That all circus managers shall return men from where the show closes to where said show started from, at the termination of the circus season. “Section 13.—Thirty days’ notice shall be given by either party before the expiration of this agreement, should a removal or any alteration be desired.’’ ENCOUNTER WITH SAVAGE APE. Fred E. Wilson, formerly with Norris and Rowe’s Cjrcus in the animal department, had a very narrow escape from death, at Fruitvale, Cal., December 31. Wilson is employed by Don Carlos, tog take care of a collection of apes and monkeys.” The big ape, ‘‘Kid Carlos,’’ which Professor gDon Carlos keeps locked in an ironbarred cage, managed in some manner to open the door of the cage and make its way from the barn. It wandered around the grounds, and frightened the neighbors nearly into hysterics. e a finally climbed a tree, where it was discovered by Mrs. Carlos. She called Wilson and told him the ape was loose. Wil NEW $2,000,000 THEATRE. A new $2,000,000 vaudeville theatre to be erected and opened by the first of next November is the latest addition to the numerous theatre schemes for Chicago. The new theatre is to be opened by William Morris, incorporated, the vaudeville company which operates the American Music Hall, Lincoln Square Theatre and the Broadway Theatre, in New York, and is taking a conspicuous part in vaudeville houses in Brooklyn, Boston, Newark, Washington, Buffalo, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Chc ago. William Morris, president of the company, gives out the news of the new theatre. The financing has been guaranteed by Felix Isman, a wealthy Philadelphia real estate dealer, a group of Chicago real estate men whose names for the present are withheld and one Chicago attorney. The theatre is to have a frontage of 1% feet and will rent for $65,000 a year. It will seat 2.200 and smoking will be allowed all over the house, which is the policy of the American Music Hall in New York. PITTSBURG LODGE T. M. A. BENEFIT PERFORMANCE. The first annual performance for the benefit of the sick fund was given New Year's Eve at the Gayety Theatre, Pittsburg, Pa., by Pittsburg Lodge No. 37, T. M. A. A large and en thusiastic audience was present and greeted the performers in a deserving manner. The whole affair was a grand success. Among those who appeared were Stella Tracey and Barney Ber nard, of The Soul Kiss Co.; Mike Donlin and Mabel Hite sang My Big Brudda Sylvest, and were one of the hits of the show. The Rossow Midgets, in acrobatics, were well received, and The Nichols Sisters kept the crowd laughing all the time they were on the stage. The Three Drummonds, of Clark's Runaways, played several good selections on the mandolin, guitar and violin, and their singing was great. The Bowery Comedy Four, of Clarke’s Runaways, sang several good songs. Taylor Holmes of David Warfield’s Co., told several good stories and kept the crowd in a continuous uproar. TWO EMINENT LONDON ACTRESSES. ; LILY ELSIE EVELYN MILLARD son ordered the ape to come down from the tree, and when it refused to obey, threw rocks at it, unmindful of the warning of Mrs. Carlos, who knew the ferocious temper of the big brute. The ape suddenly dropped from the tree and made a rush for Mrs. Carlos. Wilson intercepted it before it could reach her. The ape turned on Wilson, sprang on his chest and made several attempts to bite his throat. Wilson threw his right arm in front of him, which was seized by t enraged animal and bitten several times, the long teeth sinking to the bone. Wilson began to drag the animal toward the stable, the ape still biting him about the body. Mra. Carlos ran into the house and re turned with a revolver, intending to kill the ape, but Wilson, knowing its value, begged her not to shoot as he thought he conld conquer it. As they reached the cage, Wilson fainted from loss of blood, and Mrs. Carlos approached the beast with leveled revolver ready to shoot if he attempted to spring on her, and dragged the body of Wilson from the cage, the showing his teeth but not attacking her. Mr. Carlos. who had been absent, reached home at this time. He locked the ape up in its cage and carried the insensible man into the house. There was hardly an inch of Wilson’s body above the waist that was not scratched or bitten. In several places the arms were biften to the bone, while the chest and back were a mass ef cuts and gashes. Had it not been for the bravery of Mrs. Carlos, in dragging him from the cage, the ape would undoubtedly have killed him. Carlos declares the ape would not have attacked Wilson had he not thrown at it, and said he had no trouble whatever in subduing it. NAT GOODWIN’S DEED OF TRUST. By a deed of trust, filed tn e County Recorder’s office, at Los Angeles, @al., December 29. Nat C. Goo#Mwin conveyed to T. H. Dudley, Mayor of Ocean Park, all his stocks, bonds and Calitornia real estate inclnding the LaFayette apartment house in San Francisco. The total value of the property is $231,000. The deed is filed in compliagce with a con tract, signed in London, August 14. of this year, in which he conveyed to Dudley, as trustee, all the properties enumerated in the deed. specifically directing that the profits and earnings from them were to be for the joint and equal use of himself and Edna Goodrich, who ts now Goodwin's wife. This contract was signed about three months before the marriage took place. The big scream of the evening lay in Dave Marion ,of the Dreamland Burlesquers. He first appeared in Scotch kilts, and with the as sistance of Fred Ireland and the large Dreamland chorus, rendered several pretty songs. Mr. Marion also sang a geod Irish song, with the assistance of five of his company. Later he sanz Walk, Walk, Walk, and the stage was filled with people walking as if crazy. The crowd could not get enough of Marion, and he was forced to make a speech, in which he thanked the audience in behalf of his company, and wished every one a happy and prosperous New Year. The large crowd greatly appreciated such a grand array of talent on one stage, and everybody expressed best wishes for Pittsburg Lodge No. 37, and will await with interest their next benefit. A NOVEL ACT. —_— Out in Denver last week, at the Orpheum, there appeared a new act called Mack and Marcus, who bill themselves ‘‘reformed newspaper artists."" Tom Mack was formerly an Illustrator on a Salt Lake City newspaper, and the other member of the team, Meyer Marcus, was a cartoonist on the Philadelphia Ledger, until recently. They term their offering, Evolution, and it is pronounced a clever novelty. One of the artists draws a serious picture and the other in turn distorts and converts it into a comedy or caricature creation. The act has been given a number of weeks by Martin Beck. NEW LIBRARY ee CORRY, The New Library Theatre, Corry, Pa., opened for the first time, Monday, January 4, with a performance of The Lion and the Monse. Standing room only was available to late comers. The theatre is a very complete and artistic playhouse and is under the management of Harvey W. Parker. THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE CLOSES. The run of The World and His Wife, at Daly’s Theatre, closed January 9. It will be followed by The Barber of New Orleans, in which William Faversham will continue bis season. ARTHUR AISTON Explains Conditions That Caused Him to Change His Plans About a New Show He was to Put Out. HEN Arthur C. Aiston sent out At the Ole W Cross Roads early in August this season. which started its eighth tour, he intended to continue it until his new play, As the Sup Went Down, was ready to open late in Novem ber or early in December. The theatrical conditions, in existence this season, made him decide later, however, to postpone the production of the new play until next season, so as the ter ritory for Cross Roads has been exhausted he wiil close the company, after an eighteen weeks’ tour, at Belleville, Ill, on January 10. As Cross Roads has” been seen in all the big cities five or six times, and on all the promi nent circuits four or five times, Mr. Aiston feels that it has played the country enough, and that there is no territory left after so many visits that could be profitably played. Late this month Manager Aiston will start on a trip to be gone between eight to ten weeks, which before his return will take bim to all of the principal Pacific Coast cities. He is on business bent, but refrains from telling his exact plans at the present time. On his return he will start immediately to get things ready for As the Sun Went Down. by George D. Baker, which will open by the middle of August. It will be a high-class production, and the company will be picked with special care. NOTES, LOCAL NO. 50, MINNEAPOLIS LODGE, T. M. A. which have been which House The date of the benefit performance will be given at the Metropolitan Opera has been changed to February 5. During Christmas week the lodge did consid eruble work assisting needy families around the town. A team was loaned by tke Mattison Bus and Transfer Company, and carried twenty baskets of provisions to such homes as were destitute. President Landon, of the lodge, aided materially in making a success of this work. Joseph Hodgman, formerly electrician at the Orpheum Theatre, is stage manager at the New Miles Theatre. Jack McGinnis is now working at the Orpheum Theatre and his place at the Metropolitan hae been filled by Martin Emquist. Willie Howard, who appeared at the Orpheum Theatre in last week's bill, was elected to mem bership in this local while in town. Committees have already been appointed by President Lang don, to take care of the details in connection with the T. M. A. Benefit program. Bob Hyman, who appeared at the Family Theatre last week in a vaudeville sketch, and Ernest Keck and Arthur Cross, of the American Poster Company, have joined this local. Will Jossey, an honorary member of this local, is now managing his own company at Fort Wayne, Ind. LEASES SIOUX CITY PLAYHOUSE. Maurice W. Jencks, of Sioux Falls, 8. D.. who is now the controlling manager of the new theatres in Sioux Falls and Yankton. Gale Theatre in Mitchell, S. D., and the theatre in Norfolk, Neb., has secured the lease of the New Grand Theatre in Sioux City, Ia., to gether with all the Klaw & Erlanger bookings He will take charge of the theatre in August, and there is no doubt but that the patrons of the theatre in Sioux City will take kindly to Mr. Jencks’ management as he has succeeded in satisfying his patrons in all of the theatres under his management. only in the Mr. Jencks though practically has made wonderful head business five years, way in his chosen line of business and the future has great prospects in store for him These four large cities in connection with the Northwestern Affiliated Circuit of which he is the owner, give him nearly 360 towns to book for and it is only a question of a few years when the whole country will know who Mr Maurice W. Jencks Is. PLAN NEW THEATRE FOR OMAHA Negotiations have been opened with Barnett. Hayne & Barnett, of Chicago and St. Louls for the construction of the new Brandeis $500. 000 theatre building to be erected in Omaha It is likely that this firm, who built the Colum bia in St. Louds, and other notable structures in that city and Chicago, will be the architects of the new Omaha house. The lobby of the Brandeis is to be sixty feet in length. It is to bave a seating capacity of 1,800 and the stage will be 75 feet wide bys about 50 deep. It is planned to give this thea tre to aha as a New Year's gift by opening it New Year's night, 1910. HOPE BOOTH RESTING. Miss Hope Booth, the popular comedienne who has been touring vaudeville in the West in The Little Blonde Lady, has returned to New York for a rest, having cancelled all her imme diate time. Miss Bodsth’s contracts included eight weeks more in the Orpheum houses and as many more in the Middle West theatres, but, upon the advice of her physician she concluded not to leave New York again for some weeks to come. She is suffering from a severe cold and an attack of nerves. REMOVAL NOTES. The Southern Film Exchange, of wh Cc. & Lindall is manager, has moved its of from 100 Granby Street, Norfolk, Va., to larger and more commodious quarters at 245 Main Street. Norfolk. ~~ oe We Iw