Variety (June 1912)

VARIETY UNITED AGENCY TO CUT LOOSE WHEN P. Q . WILLI AMS RETIRES Many of the Plans to Increase the Income of the Agency, Balked by Williams in the Past, to Go Into Effect According to Report, Upon His Depart- ure July 1. Booking Charge to Isolated Managers Likely Largely Increased for Next Season. "Inside vaudeville" is daily talking now of the "cut loose" policy that will prevail at the United Booking Offices, following the retirement from the agency and variety field July 1 of Percy G. Williams. One of the most important moves contemplated by the agency, accord- ing to report, is the increase of the booking fee for those managers who are isolated among the circuits in the U. B. O., through having but one house, or smaller theatres composing a circuit with no influence. Of recent years theatres have been charged by the United $25 for the privilege of securing programs from its office. There have been exceptions to this weekly charge, but all acts booked in any theatre paid at least five per cent, commission, which was retained by the agency. It is now said that John J. Mur- dock, officially the "Executive Man- ager" of the United, is figuring upon increasing the income of the U. B. O- by raising the booking fee to $200 or $260 weekly. This would spell fin- ancial ruin to any number of houses booked, through the United. In fact, it is said that Montgomery Moses, o* Trenton, when Informed of the in- creased charge he would have to pay for the booking privilege, discontin- ued "big time" vaudeville bills at the Trent theatre in his town, going over to the "pop" vaudeville policy. This week the booking ante for Dave Robinson's Brighton theatre was tilted, just as much again as he has been paying. The Brighton is booked through the United in opposi- tion to the Brighton Music Hall, also booked by the same agency. The U. B. O. is reported winking at its "franchise" contracts as well. While Arthur Klein holds the "big time" "franchise" at Asbury Park, it was said early in the week that Bob Irwin, who books the Criterion there (through the United's Family Depart- ment), had been engaging practically nothing but "big time" acts for his shows, despite Klein's agreement with the agency. The "franchise" issued by the United offices in most instances ex- pires yearly. As fast as these arc renewed, it is reported, up will go the price. In pursuance of this money- making plan of Murdock's, it is said the Savoy, Atlantic City, pays $250 weekly for the privilege of playing "United acts." -Chase's, Washington, the only house P. B. Chase operates and which is booked through the United, is reported marked as a vic- tim. Other theatres alone or in groups may feel the weight of the increase hand if no "opposition" agency develops to which the op- pressed may flee. There Is an undercurrent of opin- ion sometimes finding expression that the tactics being pursued by the offi- cials of the United in the belief they are now all-powerful in "big time" vaudeville may cause an upheaval in its ranks before long that will place an opposition immediately in the field. To this will probably be added at that tinje the better grade of "small time" houses then in combina- tion. A Murdock scheme to "split" the commission in the Family Depart- ment of the United Booking Offices is said to have been foiled, partly by the argument set up against it that an agent booking a "small time" acx at $60 could not afford to divide his commission of $3 with the agency, leving him but $1.60. Another thing in connection with Mr. Williams' retirement is troubling a number of vaudeville people Will- iams was known to favor. This is the attitude that will be assumed by the United against them after Mr. Williams' departure. A great many changes are expected to occur shortly after July 1. when "P. O." officially vacates his suite in the U. B. O., and his six New York theatres pass into the control of the Keith corporation formed to receive them. The Williams houses closed their career under his direction last Satur- day. At the Orpheum, Brooklyn, Fri- day night, a specially gotten up vol- ume of "Mementos De Luxe" was presented to him by the staff. It con- tained photos and descriptions of all important happenings on the Will- lams circuit since its inception. Sunday night Nat Wills, at the con- clusion of his performance at the Or- pheum, made a laudatory speech about the retiring manager, in which he told of what Mr. Williams had done for vaudeville, and the many generous acts performed. Mr. Wills in ending his Impromptu talk said he "trusted vaudeville was merely say- ing au revoir and not good-bye to that prince of managers and good fellows, Percy G. Williams." The hope is cherished by many that Mr. Williams will return to vaudeville management in the future, although that is a slight possibility. The con- tract under which he sold his houses for $5,000,000 to the Keith people prohibits his re-engaging in the var- iety field, unless there shall be a breach of the conditions of the pur- chase. These call for the payment of $1,000,000 in cash to Williams upon the trarsfer, with mortgage bonds to secure the remainder. SLOW BOOKINGS AT UNITED. Bookings have progressed but slow- ly at the United Booking Offices the past two weeks. With the inclination on the part of the managers to cut salaries of artists for next season, and the disinclination of the artists to ac- cept the cut, the bookings commenced 'to drop off. Several small acts usually receiving from $126 to $'!00 have had Increases on their next season's route, and one or two turns that made a phenomenal success the past season while playing at a low figure were raised in salary through the acts stating that under no other condition would they con- tinue to play in vaudeville on this side. The Shi'bert vaudeville circuit has buoyed up hope in many actors' breasts of better times to come in the booking field. The offers of Shubert contracts for twenty to thirty weeks, with a "Play or Pay" clause inserted, have held several turns from agreeing to the terms submitted through the United agency. The Shuberts have been ne- gotiating with a large number of standard acts, to be placed mostly in the Winter Garden shows for next season, in and out of New York. The meeting held Wednesday it was said would be the last routing gathering called for some time to come. The United finding Itself un- able to secure acts at prices offered is reported to be the reason for aban- doning the bookings. TOLD ROOT TO WORK FASTER. Chicago, June 19. . Stage slang: hit the Republican con- vention the opening day. Elihu Root had been named temporary chairman. At 6 p. m. it was announced that Root's speech would probably last an hour. The crowd was noticeably rest- less. More than one-half of the dele- gates and spectators got to their feet. Root looked mad as a hornet. More got up and started towards the ex- its. Root became more peeved. As he was about to utter a protest against,the confusion a boy in the top galleries shouted so all could hear: "Work faster, kid, they're walking out on you!" CHEAP PHOTO REPRODUCTIONS. The Rem Studio, a recent organiza- tion, at 145 West 45th street, bids fair to upheave the photo-reproduction business in New York. The members of the new concern are Rem-Brandt, the artist and car- toonist, and Sam Howard. The former price for reproductions of photographs has been based on $6 for 100. The Rem Studios is charg- ing $4 for the same quantity, with its other prices in proportion. The difference in cost will make a large saving to the show people who use may thousands of these photos during the season. With its facilities for first class work in reproductions, something the professional people have never been too certain of here- tofore, the Rem Studios is fast gather- ing to itself a large line of trade. 8TATK RIGHTS CURRENT B'WAY SHOW, ON SALE TODAY. SEE PAGE 2. WHITE BAT TICKET The nominations for the offlceis and Board ot Directors of the White Rats at the coming election are as follows: BIO CHIEF: Junto McCree LITTLE CHIEF: George E. Delmore SECRETARY-TREASURER: W. W. Waters TRUSTEES: Joe Blrnes John P. Hill Edward Esmonde Colle Lorella Harry O. Hayes Thomas P. Russell BOARD OF DIRECTORS: William P. Burt Seymour W. Howe Joseph Callahan George Kingsbury John F. Clark Jules W. Lee Louis Chevalier James Aldrlch Llbbey W1U J. Cooke BUI Matthews Will P. Conley Tim McMahon Sydney de Qrey Sam Morton James Dolan Fred Mosart Harry Ellsworth Fred Nlblo . Edward Gar vie Frank North Geo. A. Henderson Tony Williams Chas. H. Holland At the White Rats it was said the statement last week of a resolution calling for term of office to be two years hereafter was probably misun- derstood through the desire of the lodge to have all officers remain in office for the same period of time. To accomplish this the resolution was to the effect that Trustees, who have been holding office for three years, should be elected for two years only. A report that there would be month- ly instead of weekly meetings of the Rats in New York in the future was denied. BLACKFORD OVERWORKED. U. G. Blackford, who has been act- ing as manager for B. F. Keith's Harlem Opera House for the past two years, is back at his post, though still in a very much weakened condition. Last Monday week he was found un- conscious in his office at 10 a. m., and remained almost constantly in that condition until midnight of that day. The doctors diagnosed his case as heart failure, due to a run-down condition, directly traceable to over- work. FOR PLEASURE, PURELY. Leo Feist sails June 27 on the La Provence, for a two months' tour of Europe, the avowed object being a purely pleasure trip. In further testimony whereof, the departing music publisher will not be accompanied by his family. ACTOR-MANAGER DROWNED. Atlantic City, June 19. William C. Bean, actor-manager, was drowned in sight of two com- panions, Dorie D. Hoover and Archie H. Smith, residents of May's Landing, when a small rowboat towed by a speed launch capsized in Great Egg Harbor last Saturday afternoon. Hoover and Smith made every ef- fort to rescue Bean, but in vain. They were forced to return from their fishing trip and break the sad news to the actor's wife and son. Mrs. Bean, who is an actress, was prostrat- ed by the shock. Bean had been managing with "Polly Pickle's Pets" for several seasons, his wife being one of th^ chorus. The season had closed and the Beans had come here to spend the summer at their bungalow.