Variety (Jul 1939)

W^dneeday, July 19, 1939 VAUDE—MIGHT CLUBS VARIETY 3S Rushing AGVA Drive (Continued from page 33) Members falling to do so would be lublect to suspension or fine. """'^ Ditto Equity VfluitT council was expected to vote similar action for Equity and Sonis Equity yesterday. In the case Irflhe council, it was believed that Uie members would act behind locked doors, so as to be able to «nd out instrucUons to the member- before a restraining order could be scrvcdt Such instructions to the SAG, APRA and Equity memberships are likely to have a vital bearing on the battle, since the backbone ol any performer union are the name artists. Such actors as Eddie Can- tor Edgar Bergen, Harry Rlchman, Sophie TucJcer and Rudy Vallee naturally carry the most weight in a vaude-nitery organization. Under the circumstances, all would be forced to join AGVA or virtually be barred from show business—or at least from pictures, radio and legit, where the Four A's unions have closed shop contracts. " .Thus, a suspension threat on Miss Tucker, as is reported by the Four A's would automatically force her out of 'Leave It to Me' when that musical reopens at the Imperial, N. Y, late,in August. It would also short-circuit deals she is said to have in the worlcs for radio and Holly- wood. That would leave the singer with only vaude and niteries. AFA 'Surprised' In moving so suddenly to revoke the AFA charter and set up a new lunion, the Four A's heads apparently caught the AFA leaders by sur- prise. It had been hinted that an injunction would be sought to pre- vent revocation of the charter, but the action was taken too fast Hal- prin was out of town for the week- end, while Ralph Whitehead, AFA executive-secretary, and Miss Tuck- er, at first appeared stunned but ■later said they had predicted it and added that they 'refused to rec- ognize or accept' the Four A's ac- tioA. They repeated their charge, which will form the basis for the injunction appeal, that the Four A's lacks the power to act In the case and that tiie whole procedure is a 'malicious frameup.' They added that they' will continue to conduct the union as before. Revocation of the charter was de- cided by the special Four A's board last Thursday (13), after a three-day hearhig of charges against AFA. With AFA boycotting the hearing, uncontested testimony told of al- leged mismanagement of the union's affairs, mtsu'se of charity funds, dis- regard tor the Interests of members, one-man rule, secret deals with em- ployers . and various other abuses. Board ruled AFA guilty of all but one charge. Apparently to forestall an Injunction, the parent union with- ' hdd revealing the decision until the charter had been revoked and a new union formed. CoosUtntlon PaUerned After AFBA Constitution, patterned after that of AFRA, was drawn up and printed, and copies were rushed out to affili- ate union representatives in Chicago, l|0s Angeles, San Francisco and Philadelphia. It was announced that membership drives would get under- way at once and that meetings would be held within a week. Eddie Cantor was named temporary presi- dent and Alex McKee temporary treasurer. Choice of an executive- secretary appeared in the air. Temporary governing board, to *^e until new officers and a new board could be elected froni among the membership, was set up to han- dle AGVA's affairs through the emergency* period. To insure the eooperation of all the afliliates, it was composed of the president and execuUve-secretary of each. They jnclude Ralph Morgan and Kenneth "lomson, SAG; Bert Lytell (first vice-president) and Paul DuUzell, ^iy; LyteU and Ruth Richmond, Chorus Equity; Eddie Cantor and *™ly Holt, AFRA; Lawrence Tib- oett and Leo Fischer, AGMA. and ■ Greenfield and Reuben Guskin, nebrew Actors Union. Charters were wanted Monday to the Chicago, Los «n«eles and San Francisco locals. *fl the board members dropped jneir own union's work to concen- trate on the AGVA organizing. Membership drive in New York jegan priday night Application ounks did not ask members to re- ■gn from AFA, but conUIned a «i. <lesi8nating AGVA as exclu- sive bargaining agent- Estimates of """"'•er of applications varied yesterday, but It was believed they were in the neighborhood of nearly 1,000. Chief battleground between AFA and AGVA seems likely to be the World's Fair, where the new union already claims to have the Aquacade and Little Old New York casts signed nearly 100%. It was at the Aquacade that some of the major charges against AFA originated. No Aquacade Action Although there were hints that AGVA would quickly move against Billy Rose for alleged abuses at the Aquacade, such action is not likely for some time. Fact that Rose has a contract with AFA might stymie the new union's action, as forced breach of that pact might be grounds for damage suit. For the present, however, the crux of the whole situation appears to be AFA's injunction move. If a tem- porary stay is granted it may or may not hogtie the new union com- pletely, depending on the actual wording of the writ In any case, Four A's leaders indicate they will not be in 9 hurry to push the pro- ceedings if the case g6ts to court They are convinced that the AFA was mismanaged and that revocation of the charter was the only possible solution in view of the Whitehead- Tucker attitude. So, regardless of the time it may take, they are de- termined to carry out their outster action and to push forvard the new vaude-nitery union setup. It appears likely, therefore, that if a temporary injunction is granted, a hearing will not be held for about a week. Arguments for a permanent stay would be advanced at that hear- ing, alter which briefs might be sub- mitted and judgment reserved until later. Besides the injunction, AFA will also seek a court order setting ^side the charter revocation. On the other hand, there is some legal doubt whether a court would intervene in' an internal labor union dispute. In the meantime, the AGVA In- roads on its membershii, is bound to hurt AFA. Not only will deserting members cease to pay d.ues, but many of those who lemain are like- ly to default pending settlement of the case. Since the union has ad- mittedly needed funds for some time, that will undoubtedly prove embar- rassing. AGVA, on the other hand, presumably has the huge resources of its affiliates at its disposal Saranac Lake By Happy Benway Colombns Hoss Trade Columbus, O., July 18. Possibility of the much-desired extension of Sunday morning liquor curfew is seen here in an offer by city council to change the closing hours if niteries will agree to stop selling even 3.2 beer on Sabbath, Public hearing has l>een set for next Monday (24) on an initiative petition bearing more than 4,400 sig- natures asking for a vote at the Sept. 19 primary upon extension of the curfew from midnight and 1 a.m. to 1 a.m. and 2:30 ajn., depending upon the classification of liquor per- mit Night clubs and dine and dance spots are in favor of the change. Art Wilson sold his ditty, 'Pardon My Intrusion,' to Feist for late summer publication. Anticipate that Kate Smith will visit here while vacashihg at her Camp Sunshine at Lake Placid. Jack Phillips telling the folks who are airing that they are faking and should go back to work. Robert Dodds takes time out motoring from Lake Placid to this colony and wanting to know what kind of smokes are needed. His dad is the manager of the Palace, Lake Placid. Hazel Ball, of Glens Falls, a visitor. She's a distant relative of Ernest Ball. Len Grotte, manager Loew's Pros- pect Flushing,. L. I., alwaiys trying to do the best of everything for the colony's welfare. He's an ex-airer. Frances Fiddler, -sister of Bede, who is ozoning here, never misses a chance to entertain the gang. She's now working local night spots. Teddy Stewart all hopped up over the fact that it will not be long be- fore she can resume the home rou- tine. Among those at the Rogers who are taking those opei-ations with suc- cess are Jack Edwards. Sam Put- nam, Ann Comerford, Milton Weeks, Frank Howard. Dr.'Ernest Adler, who was at the Rogers, may hang out his shingle here. Myra Blake, who saw years and years of the bed routine, lately has been perking up and going in for a vocational sewing. Roy Carman, Rose McTiernan, Ruth McTiernan, Francis Altman, RichSrd Morley, Alton Ross, ogling the Actors Colony. Write t« those who are ill. TRIPLE COST OF SODA WATER AT2ailBS Cleveland, July 18. Refusal of state liquor board to re- new licenses of Ohio Villa and Mounds Clubs, after investigators testified they saw gambling devices in them, forced two niteries to close their bars, but not their doors. Both are demanding new hearings of Frank Smith, head of local en- forcement bureau, accusing him of playing politics. In the meantime, they are getting around ban by dust- ing off the old prohibition-day slo- gan, B.Y.O.I^, (bring your own lik- ker). Although they have tripled the price of gingerale and soda- wateir, Ohio Villa, which has the largest and costliest floor shows in this area, has noticed only a slight drop in attendance. Shields' Ist Nitery Radio singer Jimmy Shields v(/>nt into the Glass Hat N. Y., last night (Tuesday) on his first nitery date. Booking was a quick one, singer be- ing signed Monday (17) and opening following night Shields recently played his first theatre date. He goes back on the air mid- August once weekly with the Enna Jettick program on NBC-Red. THANK YOU! laao UNION. SYMBOLS CLASS OF SaiVKB Till* • '"i'TS? Tekram •» ,nm. u«>l««» J dialed by • •<*»*''• ^ . -JJTt j. c. v«i-i-bvbi« .^S-^S^ ,39JUL 13 n 7 58 1;NAD175 74=EJ NE«Y0RK »Y 15 19590Uti5 MILTON BERUE* INTL CASIMO* HAS «ABE ME tHE HAPPIEST " roHIGHT. . HAVE ALWAYS <^°«S'^^^l^^^ J^'/^e „AVE e^TEBTAINEB .« THE SHOW B^J.^^ " ^ „ TO T9RH AWAY 200 GUESTS THEN THERE '« " HAS BEEN BACKED BY THE ^^ ^J^^, THE GRANDEST «AN .« THE N.GHT <=^"^^;„^^;;;;f PfRSSKAL REGARDS AHO 1 WILL ALWAYS ROOT FOR YOU ALEX FIMM. Alex Finn is mcmaging director of The Intemationcd Casino, Nevr York City. Milton Berle is under the man- agement of The William Morris Agency.