The Billboard 1918-02-16: Vol 30 Iss 7 (1918-02-16)

Copyright, 1918, by The Billboard Pub ishing Company. ‘NEW CLUBROOMS OF N.Y. BRANCH OF SHOWMEN’S LEAGUE OPENED Large Number of Members Are in Attendance Houdini Suggests Benefit in Conjunction With Magicians C. D. Captell Succeeds Louis Berni as Treasurer New York, Feb. 11.—The Showmen’s League of America, New York branch, has a home of its own. The new quarters at 817 Sixth avenue were formally invaded Saturday night, and the interest taken in the event was testified to by the fact that the largest number of members were present that have ever attended one of the There meetings. was general’ rejoicing at the satisfactory quarters which had been secured, and the evening’s session proved a most delightful one. There was a long discussion as to ways and means of raising funds, and Harry Houdini, who had dropped in for a visit, and who had been warmly greeted by Sam Gumpertz, Harry Raver and the assembly in general, suggested a mammoth benefit in conjunction with the Society of American Magicians at the New York Hippodrome. -He pledged his own personal support. Charles Willard offered his Temple of Music, and the Zancigs tendered their services. The suggestion took firm root, and it may be that it will actually be carried out in the near future. Harry Raver, the Governor, was in the chair. There were numerous speeches, and George H. Hamilton, the club’s own pet comedian, was in his best form. He combined philosophy with his humor, and his talk was enjoyed immensely. Between the speeches the Zancigs entertained the crowd with a wonderful demonstration of their telepathic powers and created & profound sensation. Victor D. Levitt announced Louis Berni's resignation as treasurer on account of a foreign trip. ©. D. Captell was elected treasurer unanimously. Chris M. Smith, Edward K. Smith, Milton Morris, Charles DB. Willard, Joseph G. Kaempfer, William Glick and John E. Wallace were called on for speeches, but let substantial donations do their talking for them. Members hit the trail with their contributions to the extent of nearly $800. The folloWing were present at the gathering: W. H. Donaldson, Harry R. Raver, Victor D. Levitt, Edward C. White, (Continued on page 13) HARRY R. POLACK Mr. Polack will this season take over ee management of the World at Home ows. MANAGEMENT Of Clyde and Polacks to Other Business Irving J. Polack To Handle the Twenty Big Shows Chicago, Feb. 10.—An announcement of great importance to the outdoor show world was made today by Messrs. James T. Clyde, Harry R. Polack and Irving J. Polack, of the amalgamation of the World at Home Shows and the Polack Brothers’ Twenty Big Shows, whereby Harry R. Polack assumes the management and control of the World at Home Shows for the scason of 1918 and Irving J. Polack cont.nues in the management of the Polack Brothers’ Twenty Bis Shows, each show traveling separately. A complete announcement, containing full plans and line-up for the two shows, will be given in the next issue of The Billboard. In a personai interview James T. Clyde made the following statement: “By reason of the growthof the World at Home Shows it required my personal attention during the past season, (Continued on page 13) HARRYR.POLACK WILL ASSUME WORLD AT HOME Amalgamation of Interests by Former Will Devote Attention —— COURT'S RULING IS HARD BLOW TO THE TICKET SPECULATORS Two Fined for Soliciting Patrons of N. Y. Hipp. Jail Sentence Promised for Second Conviction Expected This Will End Evasion of Speculators’ Law New York, Feb. 9.—Two ticket speculators were fined in the Fifty-seventh Street Court yesterday by Justice Simms for soliciting patrons in front of the Hippodrome. In pronouncing sentence the Justice said a second conviction would mean a workhouse sentence. The speculators were not actually selling tickets when arrested Thursday and Justice Simms’ ruling is believed to bring to an end the practice of evading the speculators’ law. Previously to obtain a conviction it was necessary to actually produce the seat coupons which the speculators were trying to sell on the sidewalk. To avoid conviction these ticket vendors have been engaging space in small shops near the theaters, where the tickets were actually sold, while solicitors stood near the theater entrance, directing their prospective patrons to the headquarters of their confederates. This practice has been going on at the Hippodrome all year. Thursday when a half dozen of these solicitors appeared Inspector Morris was appealed to and he detailed two dedectives from his squad, who arrested two of the speculators and lodged a charge of disorderly conduct and molesting pedestrians against them, as they were not actually selling tickets. The decision of Justice Simms was, therefore, hailed with delight by the police and theatrical managers as being a final blow to the business of ticket speculation, against which New York City has been fighting for two years. Justice Simms in his finding said: “The nuisance for which you are convicted is one which New York City must be rid of. The Commissioner of Police has made it plain that he wishes the streets cleared of this objectionable practice, and I for one will sustain him. Whether you actually sell the tickets or act as an accomplice makes no difference. You are a part of a fraternity which has no right under the law to ply your trade, and a workhouse sentence will follow a second conviction.” Will be managing director of new administrative bureau of Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAU CREATED BY THE FAMOUS PLAYERS-LASKY Executive Depariment of a New Nature Inaugurated Believed To Be Necessary to Motion Picture Industry Abrams and Schulberg at Head of Novel Undertaking New York, Feb. 9.—The creation of an executive department new to film organizations, to be known as the Administrative Bureau, was announced this week by the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation, naming Hiram Abrams as managing director and B. P. Schulberg as vice-managing director. The plans and purposes of the Administrative Bureau embrace a policy that has never before had a place within the inner construction of film companies as they are at present organized. This policy, in its most conerete form, contemplates a more efficient co-ordination of the three primary elements that constitute the industry, toward the end of effecting a stronger alignment of purpose and method among the producing, distributing and exhibiting factors. The (Continued on page 71) | The Edition of This Issue of The Billboard is 39,700 Copies