The Billboard 1917-01-27: Vol 29 Iss 4 (1917-01-27)

The Billboard JANUARY 27, 1917. ' Chicago, MOUNTFORD SAID TO HAVE MOVED QUARTERS TO CHICAGO Getting Out From Under Burden of Mortgage, Labor Troubles and Embarrassments—Is This Move Significant? — No Buyers for Bonds Held by Artists New York, Jan. 22.—According to apparently authentic reports Harry Mountford has shaken the dust of New York from his shoes and to all Purposes the headquarters of the White Rats igs now in Chicago. The move is not greatly surprising, in view of the fact that everyone could see it coming as the only possible move he could make. After embarrassing the White Rats to such an extent in New York, and after having so many of his labor bluffs called, it is perfectly logical that he and FitzPatrick should seek new pastures. Again, the members will not pay their dues, after becoming disgusted with the order and its operations, as well as its operators, and the labor leaders absolutely refuse to give their support to any movement advocated by Mountford for the White Rats. In Chicago Mountford is banking on a different state of affairs. He is not doing much worrying about the clubhouse, its furniture and the bonds which are held by severa! members of the organization. He is leaving all that behind, figuring that while both vaudevillians and labo: men in the East have set the alarm ¢elock for an early hour he may siil] have time to put over some good work while the Chicago members and labor unions are yet asleep. It will be amusing to see what evasive answer the Mountford clique will make if the White Rats are ever asked to aid the Federation in any of its strike troubles. It has been pointed out that by letting the clubhouse and furniture in New York go, leaving bondholders with scraps of paper to mourn over, and establishing inexpensive offices in enough revenue could be a Crawford Dies in Frisco ‘Was in Control of Forty Theaters in St. Louis and Chicago at One Time St Louis, Mo., Jan. 20.—Orlin T. Crawford, former owner and manager of a string of vaudeville and picture houses here and in Chicago, died in San Francisco Thursday night. According to Oscar Dane, his brother-inlaw, the body will be brought to St. Louis for burial. Mr. Crawford at one time was reputed to be worth more than a million dollars, but lost his holdings one after another and was compelled to take a position as salesman. He is eaid to have had as high as forty theaters, some of which he owned. Among them were the Novelty, Shenandoah, Arco, Montgomery, Kings, Juniata, Mikado, Cherokee and Gravois, in St. Louis, and several in Chieago. Details of Mr. Crawford’s death are not known here, but last October dispatches from San Francisco anmounced that he had been placed in a @anitarium there. His mother was with him at the time of hig death. raised to pay the fixed charges. Thus all dues, which are not many at this late hour, would be available for paying executive salaries. What more pleasing state of affairs could be desired by Mountford, FitzPatrick and the balance of the clique? Have White Rat members stopped to seriously (Continued on page 11) Clerk Scully at the City Hall T>ure@ay morning. Larry Hart acted “5 best man, and Leola Betts as bride.maid. Among those who accom panied the happy couple to the City Hall were Harry Sylvester, Frank Morrell, Harry O’Brien, John Tait, Benny Bennett, James O’Donnell, Tim Harris, Adam Tait, Jimmy Smith, Eddie Pitzpatrick, James Shevlin, Ella Judson, Jake Waters, Mae Holy, Mrs. J. Burns, Mrs. Helen Lee, Edith Burke, Mrs. Allen Clark and Mrs. J. Healey. There will be no dissolution of the team of Sylvester and Jones. B. S. Moss Holding Anniversary Week New York, Jan. 22.—B. S. Moss this week is holding anniversary week at his Prospect, Hamilton and Jefferson theaters in commemoration of his beginning in the theatrical business. Rats is now in Chicago. White Rats are concerned. New York labor men. comes. LOSE ALL. PURE RUMOR But Probable and Highly Significant A story is being carefully circulated through channels to break the | news that the purpose of Harry Mountford and James FitzPatrick in keeping within the portals of Chicago is to create a sentiment with the labor forces in that city to assist the officers of the White Rats. Conferences are being held daily, and the headquarters of the White It is contemplated to let the club go into receivership, to let the furniture and fixtures go with the mortgage practically wiping New York off the map as far as Mountford and the It is said that Mountford realizes that it is impossible for him to do any business with the Eastern labor forces, and he has decided that his only chance lies with those who are not so well posted as the This finale means that the White Rats as a force have been driven from New York, furniture in it and the organization itself. It is a question whether Samuel Gompers and the Executive Council of the A. F. of L. will allow Mountford to further use the Federation for his scheme, and the indications are that in the near future the A. F. of L. will at last jump into the fight to save the labor movement from the scandal which will otherwise ensue as soon as the smash after sacrificing the clubhouse, the If bondholders do not act now they will wake up to the fact that F the Columbia Trust Company will own all the club properties and their bonds will not be worth the paper they are printed on. BONDHOLDERS MUST DEMAND AN ACCOUNTING OR ELSE i i i ii lin i nt i tt te tt New Vaudeville Corporation Announcement has just been made of the formation of the firm of Sheedy, Mayne & Kollins, Inc., a Maine corporation, with offices at Augusta, Me., and Boston, Mass., represented by the Sheedy Vaudeville Agency, Inc., of New York City. The purpose of the corporation is to represent managers and artists in New England territory, and to engage in all forms of amusement enterprises. Lester D. Mayne will make his headquarters at the Sheedy Vaudeville Agency, Inc., New York City, while Stuart Kollins Masten will represent the circuit at Boston. ‘ Vaudeartists Marry George Jones Becomes Husband of Tila Grannon in New York New York, Jan. 20.—George Jones, of the team of Sylvester and Jones, comedians, and Ila Grannon, a singer, were married in the office of County Special programs have been provided at all three houses for the occasion. As a speeial added attraction at the Prospect and Jefferson Moss has incorporated his most recent release, The Girl Who Doesn't Know, a fivepart film in which Marie Empress has the principal role. Seattle Theater Burns Seattle, Wash., Jan. 21.—The Grand Opera House here was destroyed by fire yesterday morning. The assistant fire chief was killed, another man is missing and eight men were injured. The theater had been devoted to vaudeville and motion pictures. Nora Bayes Again New York, Jan. 21.—Nora Bayes is flirting with vaudeville again. A least that is the report on Broadway. Miss Bayes and the U. B. O. had a little trouble a few months ago, but it is said that this has been settled satisfactorily to both sides. TIST ALL THE TIME. New Vaudeville Circuit Kelly-Burns Agency of Seattle Has Many Houses in the West San Francisco, Jan. 19.—The new vaudeville circuit being routed out of San Francisco by the Kelly-Burns Agency of Seattle to take care of acu from Australia and those that have played the local time out has been developed. to forty-eight nights with but little loss of time on the tour. Maurice J. Burns, who is here under the care of a physician, is at present locking after the booking himeelf. The plans are for one bill a week, consisting of three acts. Houses already scheduled in their order are Broadway, Chico, California; Gardella, Oroville; Marysville Theater, Marysville; Opera House, Red Bluff; Dreamland, Redding; Auditorium, Dunsmuir; Antlers, Roseburg, Oregon; Eugene, Eugene; Noble, Marshfield; Globe, Albany; Majestic, Corvallis; Bligh, Salem; Star, Astoria; Grand, Centralia, Washington; Weir, Aberdeen; Empire, North Yakima; Lois, Toppenish; Alta, Pendleton, Ore.; Liberty, Walla Walla, Wash; Kettle Grand, Pomeroy; Pastime, Colfax; Miner’s Union, Burke, Id.; Grand, Wallace; Princess, Kellogg; Strand, Coeur d'Alene; Rex, Cranbrook; Grand, Fenrie; Liberty, Whitefish, Mont.; Princess, Kalispell: Orpheum, Havre; Orpheum, Glasgow; Orpheum, Williston, N. D.; Grand Opera House, Devils Lake; Lyceum, Minot. Action in Cabaret Cases New York, Jan. 20.—Arthur Hammerstein recently wrote to Commissioner of Licenses Pell protesting against restaurants being permitted to give musical entertainments and in certain instances to charge admission without a theatrical license. Commissioner Bell has replied to Mr. Hammerstein's letter, stating that he agreed with the latter’s position, and that an investigation and test case were in contemplation. Booked for South American Tour By special arrangement with Richard Pitrot Servais Le Roy will make a tour of South America with his complete show, being booked at all the principal municipal theaters under the direction of Enrique Bonelli, Carlos Seguin, R. Salvati and Pasquale Segreto. The company will consist of twenty-six people, and besides his own show Mr. Le Roy will take four other large vaudeville acts, consisting mostly of girl numbers. The tour will be directed by the American representative, Roy Chandier, and the advance agent will be Harry Clarke, formerly with Maurice F. Raymond. Mr. Clarke is now on his way to South America, and the company will leave New York February 17 on the 8. 8. Verdi. Marinelli Better New York, Jan. 20.—H. B. Martnelli, the vaudeville agent, who has been on the sick list for the past twe weeks, is almost well and expects te be at his office in a few days. His trouble is diagnosed as gall stones. Ap operation was at first thought neces sary.