Variety (November 1911)

VARIETY NOTHING AGAINST AGENCY LAW FOR MASSACHUSETTS Hearing Htld Monday at Boston. Attorneys Dennis P. O'Brien, J. A. Brackett and Others Address the Commission. Boston, Nov. 1. Thirty persons who were most in- terested, gathered in room 439 of the State House Monday and told what they had on their minds, both for and against the Massachusetts Theatrical Agency Bill, that was being consid- ered for recommendation to the next legislature by the Commission created to give hearings on such matters. The truth was undoubtedly told. Some of the things said in that room were unfit for polite society. Commis- sioner Harold Brown heard all the troubles. Nobody came to object to the bill and the only dissenting voices were those who thought the bill should be less or more strenuous than the one now existing in New York. Quite an array of legal talent man- aged to have a say. Attorney Dennis F. O'Brien of New York City, repre- senting the White Rats Actors' Un- ion, was the first to address the com- mission. Mr. O'Brien went right to the point. He urged a law that was fair alike to agents, actors and all parties concerned. He claimed that many evils arose under the present conditions and cited the New York Agency act. Mr. O'Brien claimed that many of the New York agents were found in the person of theatrical managers who, acting as agents, exacted a fee and got the artist coming and going. In addition to this, stated Mr. O'Brien, the agent and the manager, too, got their "bit." He also claimed that many of the agents were the cause of the evils ex- isting today in the contract system. Agents desirous of getting all the money possible accepted applicants for positions without first investigating the moral character of the actor. In New York, he stated, agents evaded the law by assuming the title of "per- sonal representative," "producer," and other fancy and euphonious titles. Mr. O'Brien pleaded that the Massachu- setts law be framed to make such a condition of affairs impossible in this state. He also said that he was in accord with the present Child Labor law, as it existed here, as he thought it unfair that a child of tender years should be a party to a contract with- out the consent of parents or guar- dian. He cited cases of children who came over here from Europe as mem- bers of acts and told of the difficulties that they met with. Mr. O'Brien's strong plea was for a law that would give magistrates trying violations the right to impose punishment by prison sentences, in addition to fines, claim- ing that a man who made considerable money in the theatrical business, and violated the law, did not mind the payment of a fine, and would be a constant violator. Former Judge J. A. Brackett, also representing the W. R. A. U., urged a law that would oblige an agent to bind his principal in contract so that when an actor was defrauded in any way, the actor or his representative would know whom to prosecute and how to secure damages. He claimed condi- tions as they exist at the present time are terrible. W. J. Cooke, business representa- tive of the Rats, said he had been in the show business for fifteen years. He stated that he was in accord with the previous speakers and prayed that the commission would recommend strict laws to prevent impecunious agents from violating them. Frank W. Mead, an agent in Bos- ton for twenty years, asked for a law that would be a protection to the agent as well as the actor. He admit- ted the weak points in the New York bill. He claimed that actors and mu- sicians were the most unsatisfactory people in the world to do business with. William H. Barter, representing the Church Booking Offices, Inc., favored fair legislation. The hearing lasted two full hours. The commission, created by the legis- lature two years ago, has the power to recommend legislation, favorable to all conditions connected with agen- cies conducted for the purpose of em- ployment. BREED BOOKING NEXT SEASON. It's hard on Dave Robinson but facts is facts and they is stubborn cusses. Doc Breed is around already^ asking agents to submit acts for the Brighton Beach. Music Hall next summer. Mr. Breed managed the Music Hall last vacation time, in opposition to Mr. Robinson's Brighton theatre. During the competition spell, it was printed Breed had been given a five- years' contract by the music hall own- ers to conduct the house annually for that length of time. Dave said "Press stuff," as he turned over for the second snooze, after his wife woke him up at 10.30 one morning to tell him the good news before breakfast. But here is Doc on the job again, and Dave with another one of those seasons ahead of him. "INDISPOSITION"—NO AOT. One of the features of the Fifth Avenue program did not give a show Monday afternoon. The absent act was Dlgby Bell and Co., who were obliged to remain inactive through the "indisposition" of Alexander Kearney, of the company. The "wait" in the running of the bill was filled in by an overture. At the evening perfor- mance, Mr. Bell had bis entire com- pany in fairly good health. HARRia LOSES INJUNCTION. The Ted Snyder Music Publishing Co. received a decision in its favor this week in the case concerning the publishing rights to the score of "The Girl From Havana," sung in "The Never Homes." Chas. K. Harris had secured an injunction against the Snyder company publishing the song. Chicago, Nov. 1. Joe Harris has left the Chicago office of Chas. K. Harris, and the em- ploy of his brother, with whom he has been associated in business for some eight years. Joe has theatrical Interests outside the music publishing business. Upon a question of salary arising, accord- ing to the story, Joe promptly sent in his resignation, when his terms were not met. Meyer Cohen, Harris' general man- ager, is expected here tomorrow to take charge of the Chicago branch. Mr. Cohen may remain in Chicago for several weeks. He is one of the best known men in the music trades. 4 PRINCIPALS IN "CALIFORNIA." "California," the operetta for vau- deville (book by Cecil De Mille, music by Robert Hood Bowers and lyrics by Grant Stewart), will be given its pre- miere Nov. 20, at Springfield, Mass. Jesse L. Lasky is producing the piece. He has engaged P. O'Malley Jennings, Harry L. Griffith, Leslie Leigh and Templar Saxe for the prin- cipal roles. PICKS OUT YOUNG6TOWN. Youngstown, O., Nov. 1. It is reported a site has been se- cured in the central part of the city for the erection of a theatre, to be devoted to vaudeville. No definite In- formation is obtainable as to the pro- moters. Two theatres here now, Park and Princess, are playing vaudeville. BALL PLAYERS RECEPTION. Philadelphia, Nov. 1. A reception was tendered to the victorious Athletics tonight, when the entire champion team appeared at Keith's, as the guests of Lillian Rus- sell and the management. COHAN SHOWS FOR BACK. Martin Beck has bought the vaude- ville production rights to all the old plays of George M. Cohan and pro- poses to send them out in condensed form over the Orpheum Circuit. The pieces include "The Governor's Son," "Running for Office," "Little Johnny Jones" and "Forty-five Min- utes from Broadway." STOCK OPERATIC COMPANY. Boston, Nov. 1. The comic opera company now en- gaged in presenting "Pinafore" around the Keith New England vaudeville circuit, will be recalled to Boston by R. G. Larson, to rehearse "The Chimes of Normandy." The latter revival will be presented at the National Nov. 13. Mr. Larson may decide the com- pany is to become a permanent oper- atic stock group for his house, to open at the National or Keith's Boston, playing around the circuit of the five N. B. towns he books for, then re- turning to the starting point in an- other piece. GERSTBN'S JUDGMENT HOLDS. Frank Gersten, one of the owners of the Prospect theatre, Bronx, has won his suit against Hurtig ft Sea- mon, receiving a judgment of $2,200. Hurtig ft Seamon carried the case to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, which affirmed the decision of the lower court in Gersten's favor. The suit was based on the claim of Gersten that he had been employed under an annual contract as manager of the H. ft S. enterprises, and was in actual charge of the Yorkvllle theatre when his employers sold the house to Marcus Loew. After the property had been transferred the firm had no further employment for Gersten and discharged him. He in- stituted suit and recovered Judg- ment. COMEDY CLUB TICKET. The ticket named by the nominat- ing committee appointed by the board of control of the Vaudeville Comedy Club to be voted on at the annual election in December, is as follows: Officers.—Bert Leslie, president; Geo. M. Cohan, first vice-president; William Collier, second vice-president; Robert Matthews, third vice-president; Gene Hughes, secretary; Harry M. Denton, treasurer; Frank Tannehlll, Jr., chairman of the house commit- tee. For Board of Control?—Sam H. Harris, Sam McKee, Joseph M. Schenck, Augustus Dreyer, Charles H. Smith, Ren Shields, Frank Otto, Frank LAior, Roland West. The constitution provides that in addition to the names thus selected, tickets suggested by any ten members will also be placed on a ballot. The formal opening and house- warming of the new clubhouse will take place Nov. 25. MLLE. LOUISE LA GAI In the latest Parisian Pantomime, "THE TRAGIC REHEARSAL." SOME DIFFERENCE, YES! New Orleans, Nov. 1. According to Tom Campbell, man- ager of the Tulane and Crescent thea- tres, there is a vast difference between the personal note in criticism and the personal note of the critic. Got something to say? Vm YARIKY.