Variety (June 1908)

±L VARIETY EMPIRE EXECUTIVES IN SESSION. The Directors and Executive Board of the Empire Circuit Company (Western Burlesque Wheel) have been in almost con- stant session in New York this week, but the heads of the concern refused to make known the purpose or result of their con- ferences until the deliberations were en- tirely over. An important meeting was called for Wednesday morning, but at half past ten, after an hour's sitting, the meeting was adjourned until Thursday morning. The officials were together all day Thursday. There was a report in circulation that the date of the drawings had been changed and that they would be held yesterday if not before. No confirmation of this rumor could be secured. GUSS HILL SELLS. Charles E. Barton, for several years general manager for the Gus Hill attrac- tions, has taken over the popular priced plays of that manager and will operate them himself, beginning next season. The plays are "The Smart Set," "McFadden's Flats," "Gay New York and "The Shoe- maker.'* For the purpose of administering this enterprise Barton has incorporated "The Charles E. Barton Amusement Oo." for $26,000. The officers of the concern are Louis C. Wiswel!, of the Stair & Havlin office; Mr. Barton and M. A. Shea. The company will also own and operate the Orange Theatre, Orange, N. J., playing—Columbia Amusement Company claiming DISCHARGED SCRIBNER. Sam A. Scribner, general manager of the Columbia Amusement Company, ap- peared in Jefferson Market Police Court Tuesday morning in response to a sum- mons secured by James Tabor Harley, on the charge that Scribner had conspired to have him discharged from the employ of the Columbia Amusement Company. Har- ley was for several years bookkeeper and accountant for that concern. The magistrate in Jefferson Market lis- tened to only part of the testimony, then threw the case out of court, holding that the complainant had no cause for action. Jiarley has an action pending against the OFF FOR COAST. W. H. Lytell and the company which is to produce stock burlesques for the Or- pheum Circuit in the Grand, Los Angeles, beginning June 20, left New York Tuesday morning for the Pacific Coast. There were more than a score in the party. In Chicago the organisation planned to pick up twelve more girls and a male quartet, completing the company in Los Angeles. Those who were recruited from New York were Libby Blondell, comedienne; Harriet Trainer, contralto; Edna Sydney, prima donna; Ethel Schuyler, soubrette; Harry Wardell, Charles Gyblin, comedians; Harry Haverly, characters; Amberg Car, tenor; C. Crawford, baritone, and the "Eight Orpheum Girls." The opening bill will be a new show with book by Mr. Lytell. The house is to be run in as nearly as possible the same style that the former Weber & Fields Music Hall was conducted. There is a probability that if the venture at the Grand is a srf|^ cess, a burlesque wheel will be organised on the Coast. popular priced attractions. Air. Hill dis- posed of his properties to the new con- cern on the basis of royalty payments. As Hill will probably retire from the position of treasurer of the Columbia Amusement Co., his theatrical interests are confined to the conduct of two East- ern Wheel Burlesque shows, "Vanity Fair" and 'The Maqqueraders." Mr. Hill recently announced his inten- tion of organising a number of travelling vaudeville companies modeled on the p?an of the old variety shows, for which he de- clared he had been offered good vaudeville dates by E. F. Albee. It is presumed that he will devote his entire time to this en- terprise. $1,000 damages under a broken contract. PERMIT GRANTED IN LOUISVILLE. Louisville, June 11. A permit was granted by the municipal authorities this week for the erection of a theatre, which will be devoted to the attractions of the Eastern Burlesque Wheel. R. K. Hynicka, of Cincinnati, was here this week, secured the permit and ar- ranged the other necessary details. BUYS "SAM T. JACK'S 1 * NAME. From Mabel Hazleton, widow of Sam T. Jack, Tom Miner has purchased the pro- prietary rights to the late burlesque man- ager's name, and will send out the former "Lady Birds" next season over the West- ern Burlesque Wheel as "Sam T. Jack's Home Burlesquers." This will be the Miner show in which George W. Rife is interested, and make the Miners' quintet of burlesque produc- tions. The others are "Bohemians," "Americans," "Dreamlands" and "Merry Makers." "The Miners" include the Henry C. Miner estate, Edward Miner and Tom Miner. "BEHMAN SHOW" BIGGEST WINNER. The Columbia Amusement Company is compiling a list of the shows playing its circuit last season with a view to grading them according to total gross business for the forty weeks. It is reported "The Behman Show" heads the list with Fred Irwin's "Big Show" in second place. MANCHESTER'S AWFUL LOSS. $28 RKWARD.—Lost coming to New York from Philadelphia, manancrlnt book of "8«r«-- to*a Belle*." Return to Billy Hart. White Rata of America. This startling item appeared in the New York morning papers Tuesday. Beneath its mild exterior there lies a distinct men- ace to the well-being of burlesque. The lurlesque managers are wondering whether Bob Manchester will be able to get a show out next season. For a gen- eration or more Manchester annually promised to put out an epoch-making bur- lesque production. When the time came around, it has been the yearly rule for "The Saratoga Belles," in one guise or another, to form his vehicle. When Bob started for Ms home in Pains- ville, O., two weeks ago he left the precious manuscript in the hands of Billy Hart, his principal comedian, and the latter lost it coming to New York from Philadelphia. What the consequences of its non-recovery will be is a matter of lively conjecture. LA PETITE ADELAIDE AND CO. On September 7, La Petite Adelaide, the toe-whirler, now playing in a Chicago production, will enter vaudeville with 'The Four Dainty Dancers" for assistants. The act will have 25 weeks, according to M. S. Bentham. "HOTEL CLERK" QUITS. Philadelphia, June 11. The Alfred E. Aaron's piece "The Hotel Clerk" resigned as an attraction In this city last Saturday n'ght. The Shuberts and Klaw & Erlanger were said to have received very favorable reports on the show, but if a New York hearing was in view, it has been dropped. The show will resume in August next, opening at Atlantic City, playing the Klaw ft Erlanger time during the coming sesson. SETTLES WITH HARLEY. The following statement was issued by the Columbia Amusements Company on Thursday: To whom It mar concern: This la to certlfj that James T. Harley, who was formerly oar bookkeeper, Is no longer con- nected with ns and that we have discharged any Indebtedness that we owed him and that we parteJ upon friendly terms. COLUMBIA AMUSBMBNT CO., (Signed) Qua Hill, treasurer. EASTERN DRAWS JUNE 17. The drawings in the Eastern Burlesque Wheel for next season will take place next Wednesday (June 17) at the office of Hyde & Behman, in Brooklyn. Thirty- six shows will be represented. The day following, the Columbia Amuse- ment Co. will tender an outing in the form of a clambake at Witzel's Point, L. I., to the managers of the Eastern WTieel and their guests. The steamer "Commodore" will leave foot of West 21st Street (North River), st 9 A. M. An all around good tine is looked forward to. TWO HOUSES QUIT STOCK. To-night at the Drew & Campbell The- atre in Detroit the burlesque stock season will end. Next Saturday stock will also cease at the firm's Cleveland house. Warm weather and poor business. HARRY FISHER'S LONG CONTRACT. Harry Fisher, the comedian, has entered into a five years' contract with Alfred E. Aarons, who will star Mr. Fisher in a new production next season. IRWIN HITS THE BULLS-EYE. Philadelphia, June 11. Fred Irwia, the Eastern Wheel bur- lesque manager, hit the bulls-eye of sum- mer stock burlesque plumb in the center this week at the Casino, with his double bill, composed of a eoafciaatio* of his burlesque productions, Irwin's "Big Show" and "Majesties." In addition to the full complement of the "Big Show," about, twenty members from "The Majesties" have been added, and H is one of the best musical pieces presented in Philadelphia for a very long time, sustaining Mr. Irwin's reputation as a leader among the productive burlesque managers. CLINT, WILSON LEAVES KANSAS CITY. The directors of the Columbia Amuse- ment Company this week appointed Thomas Hodgeman, resident manager of the Majestic Theatre, Kansas City, re placing Clinton Wilson in that post. Hodgeman was last season in the employ of the Liebler Company and travelled as advance agent for "The Bishop's Car- riage." Nothing is known in New York of Wilson's plans for the future. He was formerly in the agency business here, and went to the Missouri town two years ago. He is said to hold a political position there, and this may have had something to do with his retirement from the man- agement of the Majestic. AFTER ILLICIT AGENTS. Several vaudeville agents have this week received visits from young men bearing cards from a big New York daily news- paper. The reporters stated that their pa- per was organizing a cruside against cer- tain booking agents, who, they had learned, were conducting business in violation of the Employment Agency law, by requiring ad- vance 7ees and by sending girls to improper resorts. The reporters made a circuit of the reputable agencies in search of infor- mation. The License Bureau denies that there are any theatrical agencies in New York operating outside its jurisdiction. Licenses have been issued since May 1 to 124 agencies, and in no case was an applica- tion held up or refused. The Bureau has no knowledge of the existence of illegal booking concerns, such as the reporters are stalking. EDWARD F. ALBEE. The latefft photograph of the United Booking pfflcen' General l£spager. COMPLAINS AGAINST DENVER MANAGER. Axtell, Pollard and Heinie have com- plained to the White Rats of America against an injustice perpetrated upon the act while at the Majestic, Denver, a Sulli- van-Considine house, managed by D. S. Mc- Coy. TTie act was billed to appear at the Novelty in that city, also a S.-C. theatre, but the Majestic bill running short, it was shifted to the latter, opening on Sunday, losing one day. It was verbally agreed, according to re- port, that full salary should be paid Axtell. Pollard and Heinie, the loss of the day'* work arising through no fault of their own. When payment was made, one day's salary was deducted, although commission oh the full amount of the contract price was charged.