Variety (March 1910)

VARIETY WHITE RATS INTRODUCE NEW AGENCY MEASURE IN ALBANY Calls for Repeal of Present Law, Opens Agency's Books and Doubles License Fee and Bond. Development Confuses Issue. Declining to support the Green-Wagner amended Employment Agency Bill spon- sored by the Actors' Union, the White Rats of America on Friday last caused to be introduced in the New York State Senate Bill No. 445, which in effect, re- peals the existing Employment Agency Law and substitutes an entirely different procedure. The bill is a prolix document comprising close upon 10,000 words, and covers the administration of the whole employment agency business of the State. The White Rats claim that while the (Jreen-Wagner bill is supported by the Actors' Union alone, its (the White Rats) measure has the support of all the other artists' organizations. On their side the Inion peolpe show that they have the support of the city, national and State organized labor bodies as well as the city administration. The latter factor is all but pleadged to the Green-Wawner bill, and it would appear that the License Bureau officials as well as the Mayor will scarcely shift their allegience to the new bill in the construction of which they were not consulted. To this may be added the fact that Harry Mountford twice ap- pointed conferences with the License Com- missioner and failed to put in an ap- pearance, telephoning at the last minute he was ill. Bill No. 445 is introduced by Senator Col>b and covers the operation all over the State of 800 employment agencies, of which 240 are theatrical booking offices. Tlic original bill was intended to correct such evils as the employment of con- tract labor, employment of girls in "in- telligence offices" for improper purposes mid such, and had the backing of the whole State labor organization. When the text of the bill came to the hands of the managers and agents, Sec- tion 180 aroused their startled surprise. It reads: Every licensed person conducting a theatri- cal employment agency, before making a the- atrical engagement, excepting an emergency engagement (one to be played within twenty- four hours), for any person, with any appli- cant for services in any such engagement, shall require the applicant to provide a written, verified statement signed by such applicant or his autborlted agent, setting forth how long he has been engaged In the theatrical business. If such applicant Is a corporation, such statement shall set forth I he names of Its officers and length of tlmje such corporation and Its officers have been engaged In the theatrical business, and the amount of Its paid-up capital stock, the statement of any such applicant shall state whether or not he has failed to pay salaries «r left any company they have been finan- cially Interested in starting, and shall con- tain the names of at least two persons as references. Such statement and the result of such Investigation and Inquiry shall be kept on file In such agency for the benefit of any person whose services are sought by any >uch applicant as employer. In effect this makes it possible for any artist to examine the books of any agency or manager. In addition the bill provides that the license fee paid by agents shall be $50 a year ami the bond filed as surety shall be $2,000, in both cases double the amount now exacted. It also provides that an a^ent shall pay damages to an artist arising through a misstatement, the damages being recovered from the surety. Harry DeVeaux when he learned of the introduction of Bill No. 445 declared: "We have powerful influences behind our measure and there is every prospect that it will go through. It covers the situation adequately. While it does not impose unreasonable exactions on the agents, it provides for a flat five per cent, commis- sion, and proper safeguard over contract forms. Any effort to introduce other legislation can only confuse the issue and result in the miscarriage of the whole movement, if indeed, it has not been done for that purpose." Albany, N. Y., March 2. Following upon the introduction of the Cobb Bill in the Senate, President Harry DeVeaux, of the Actors' Union was in conference here a few days ago with Assemblyman Green. Together they went over the Green-Wagner Bill and according to Mr. DeVeaux, Mr. Green declared himself satisfied with its strength. During the talk it was decided to invite the different interests to a general talk in Mr. Green's law office, 44 Court Street, Brooklyn at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon (March 5). Mr. Green said he would notify the United Booking Offices, White Rats of America, Comedy Club, American Magicians As- sociation and Actor's Union to be rep- resented. The two rival bills are now before the house and the committees to which they have been assigned will decide which shall be reported out. "CONSUL" CLOSING LONG SEASON. "Consul," the "Morris monk," will close its long run on the Morris Circuit March 10, when the chimpanzee passes to the management of B. A. Myers, the agent, who will place the "monk" for further time. "Consul" was last summer's sensation in New York. William Morris brought the animal over for a run of twenty weeks, and has retained it ever since, playing several return dates. It has proven one of the cheapest acts for Morris he ever imported. STORY FROM "ARABIAN NIGHTS." W. Crosbie Gill, the scenic artist, is preparing the settings for a spectacular and sensational production taken from the "Arabian Nights" for vaudeville. Mr. Gill, at his studios in Wallack's Theatre Building, New York, said he is not at libertv to give the name of the producer. PANTOMIMISTS' NEW ACT. La (Jay and St. FJia, the latter a for- mer member of (J. Molasso's pantomimic dance, "Paris by Night." have framed up a new offering. II has cost $.'l,f>00 and employs 15 persons. It will be called "La Carnival des Roses" when it is produced March 7. I. B. A. TAKES IN COX. The Executive Board of the Independent Booking Agency met Tuesday to go over routine matters. At the meeting Harold Cox was received into affiliation with the I. B. A., taking his acts from that agency's lists to supply parks and fairs. A new house has been accepted under a booking agreement in Uazleton, Pa. This will split the week with the Marcus Loew theatre (The Nesbitt) in Wilkes-Barre. Jos. Schenck, of the Loew Enterprises, said that the working agreement indicated by the Hazleton-Wilkes-Barre arrange- ment did not extend beyond those two towns. NEARLY OWNED IT. Comes to the surface an interesting story of how a monolog actor nearly owned a half interest in The Rialto, one of Broadway's all night cafes. In the first place he liked the looks of things and found a "man with money" to join him, which also helped. The price was all agreed, the morning was designated when the purchase price was to be passed over and so near completion did the deal look that the actor sat himself down for a meal on the eve of the day he was to become owner. He was joyful in the thought that at last he had a place of his own on Broadway; the visions which he had conjured for many years, while in vaudeville and musical comedy, looked as though they were coming true. He ate heartily and tipped the waiter, but, he said, as long as the place was practically his he would just sign the tab. And he did The cafe still runs all night and day under the old management and the 75 cent "tab" is still on file, unpaid. SWITCHES TO "POP." Indianapolis, March 2. Between the Saturday night perform- ance of "St. Elmo," by the Forepsaigh Stock Co. and the Monday matinee, An- derson & Ziegler switched the style of performance at the Majestic to ''pop vaude" and pictures at 10 cents admis- sion. Bert Young, formerly at the New York Hippodrome, is in charge of the house. Good business marked the in- itiation of the new policy. WEEK ENDS PROFITABLY. Dave Posner, manager of the recently opened Liberty, in East New York is try- ing to figure out a scheme for making as much money the rest of the week and let Friday, Saturday and Sunday take cure of themselves. The most densely settled Hebrew district in Greater New York is Brownsville, hard by the Liberty. 1 he last of the week being observance days for those of that faith they flock in holiday crowds until the house can never hold them; but during the first half of (lie week there are seats more than enough to hold the throngs which are turned away later. If the first half could only he built up, the house would be a perfect mint, it is said. WASHINGTON AGAINST ."SUNDAY." Washington, March L\ There is a bill l>efore Congress to close all places of entertainment in the District of Columbia on Sunday. It appears to have a good chance of passing. The pic- ture people urc fighting it the hardest. NEW ONE FOR HARRISBUJtG. Harrisburg, March 2. Nathan Appel plans to build a new vaudeville theatre on Walnut Street, the drawings having already been prepared by a New York architect. The new plfiy- iiouse will be located on the site of the garden of the Hotel Rife, two doors from the Majestic, which is conducted by Reic & Appel. In summer the garden is used as a drinking place, run in connection with the hotel. The house will be' booked in- dependent, in opposition to Pub's. ARTIST HAS THEATRE. IOddie DeNoyer, formerly of the dan- cing and singing act of Eddie DeNoyer and the Danie Sisters, has taken a lease upon the Grand, Williamsport, Pa., and commencing next Monday will operate it as a popular priced vaudeville theatre. The United Family Department will handle the bookings. Walter Plimmer of that department has brought in two other houses within the last ten days. They pre the Bradford Opera House, Bradford, Pa., and the Family, Sharon, Pa. Les- ter Mayne, Plimmer's assistant in the booking establishment, has drawn in sev- eral houses down east. The Family Department took up its new quarters on the fifth floor of the Long Acre Building on Thursday, occupy- ing the entire south end of the building. The rooms were formerly tenanted by the Tidewater Co. D. F. Hennessy is still acting as general supervisor of the de- partment, in connection with other duties in the main office of the U. B. O., but does p.-* handle actual bookings in the Family . 'epartment. 3-A-DAY AT HAYMARKET. Chicago, March 2. The Hayinarket will change its policy on , March 20 from two-a-day vaudeville to three-a-day and pictures, booked through the New York office for some time, C. E. Kohl, Jr., adding extra acts needed weekly. The Haymarket reigned supreme on the West Side until the many "pop" houses sprang up. Each has done its share to pull away the Kohl & Castle patrons. Along with this the Star and Garter has been offering big extra attractions with the burlesque shows each week, and this may have hurt a lot. William Newkirk will remain as the Haymarket manager. CIRCUIT IN BETTER SHAPE. (Jeorge Nicholai, general manager of the Stair & Hnvlin Circuit will sail for Lon- don March 20. He will Hpend only about six weeks on the other side. K. D. Stair, who has heen spending a vacation in the Orient is expected back about May 1. On Kroadwny it is reported that the S. & II. circuit is in better shape than it has been for a long time. A number of cheap houses have been disposed of, which formerly represented a loss on the con- cern's hooks. It ,1k hoped to boil the circuit down to J." of the $1 houses, playing such attrac- tions as "Checkers" nnd the like. It is iimlersiond tlnit even now this string of houses returns a profit. Haw son and (lare, with "The Hon Tons" have signed to start upon the Sulli- van-Considine Circuit May 23.