Variety (December 1913)

VARIETY E F. ALBEE MAKES AN OFFER, BUT THERE IS A CONDITION Qeneral Manager U. B. O. Offers to Book any Act Himself at Five Per Cent Only, Which Can Prove It Is Pftying Over Ten Per Cent Commission. Some Things Albee Said In the New York World Almost any vaudeville actor playing the big time who wants E. F. Albee. general manager of the United Book- ing Offices, as his personal represen- tative can have him. Mr. Albee says so himself, or did say so in an inter- view in the New York Sunday World Magazine Nov. 30. The Gen. Mgr. also stated if he became the agent for an act it would not be charged over five per cent, commission. The condition Mr. Albee makes is very simple, for a big time actor. He merely wants proof that an act is pay- ing over ten per cent, commission; five to the U. B. O. and five to his "agent." Mr. Albee also referred to the com- mission men as "agents" (though they are "managers" and representatives.," Here may be the information License Commissioner Herman Robinson has been vainly trying to secure for three years. He gets it direct from head- quarters, where the Commissioner's office has been securing plenty of other information since "The Employment Agency Law" went into effect. The World's story had a good in- tent in its beginning, but the writer did a flop, and admitted it by the follow- ing note in full face type at the end of the story. "This article was shown to several of the leaders of the actors' organi- zations, who were offered space to set forth their charges against the U. B. O. All declined, stating that the control and power of the organi- zation were so great that they dared not antagonize it for fear of being blacklisted." It would have been interesting had the World printed the names of the organizations which would not answer Mr. Albee's statements. Nor did the World man (story is unsigned) wear out many pairs of shoes looking for a real "story." The article sounded as though it had emanated from the press department of the U. B. O., and the World had accepted it and the Sunday editor saw a "story" in it. Among the statements made by Al- bee were these: "We make their jumps as easy as possible," explained Mr. Albee, "so that for the season the actor's rail- road fares will not average more than $5 a week. And all fares are paid west of the Missouri River, which is stipulated in the contracts." "Now," he said, weighing every word, "I want to say this—if any actor can prove that he is forced to pay one penny more than the regular 10 per cent, charge—5 to the U. B. O. and 5 to the agent who handles his business—then I will promise to book him at 5 per cent, and take care of his business in this office, providing his act has merit. "I defy anyone, I don't care who it is—manager, artist or outsider- to point to one single act of ours which is a violation of what is right or decent toward the actor in any and every respect. His every right is guarded; there is not a penny of graft. "The agents have also a combinm- tion and have what they call a col- lection agency. Thus they too are sure of their money. This is de- ducted by the managers when they pay out the weekly salaries." Perhaps if Mr. Albee had furnished the World with more particulars about that "collection agency" and the "com- bination" the agents formed, the paper would have printed another tale. Or if he had referred the World man to John J. Murdock about any actor who paid over ten per cent. Mr. Murdock might have told the World to call on Albee, Weber & Evans, for expert testimony in this regard. .\t the H. B. Marinelli office, it was said no World representative had been there to inquire about the U. B. O. or the Marinelli suit for 13,000,000 against "The Vaudeville Trust." The World story mentioned the Marinelli action. ROLFE*S "PORCH PARTY'* This week at the Bushwick, Brook- lyn, B. A. Rolfe is showing the metro- politan district for the first time, his new production with 12 people, called "The Porch Party." It will not play Broadway before January. , TRAVESTY CROOK SKIT. "The Fourth Degree" is a travestied criminology piece written by Tommy Gray. It was presented at the benefit of the Comedy Club at the Casino and was greeted with much laughter and applause. The skit left such a good impression, Mr. Gray, togecher with Bart Mc- Hugh, have concluded to reproduce it for vaudeville and are now casting it. Larry Phillips has been engaged for the role of the inspector. MRS. THAW IN PITTSBURGH. Pittsburgh, Dec. 3. The locr.l show people were not just certain what would be the outcome of Evelyn Nesbit's stage appearance in the home town of her husband. Harry Thaw. It happened Monday at the Alvin, when the Thaw Show took the stage. Xo fjemonstration occurred against Mrs. Thaw, and the Alvin has been do- ing capacity business. CONCERT SOIiOIST DEBUTS. New Orleans. Dec. .V Hi'len Scholder. a refined, pleasant appearing young woman, a newcomer from the concert field, appeared Nfon- day .It the Orphetim as a cello soloist. .*^Iic disclosed rare ability as an in- -iriiTiicnta1i<:t LOBW ORDERED OUT. Philadelphia, Dec. 3. The Board of Directors of the Met- ropolitan oi>era house bat passed a resolution which revoked the agree- ment made with the Loew Circuit to play pop vaudeville. Loew retamed the variety policy at the opera house last week, and is again playing a bill there this week, which may be the last. At the Loew-S-C booking offices, it was said that while it was understood the Metropolitan boa«d had taken some action adverse to the contian- ance of Loew vaudeville at the opera house, no official notice of it had been received in New York up to the time of the interview. Philadelphia, Dec. 3. The Marcus Loew interests in this city say pop vaudeville will open at the Chestnut Street opera house Dec. 15, booked by the Loew Circuit. There is nothing contained in any lease or agreement in connection with the property to prevent this, claim the Loew p.eople, who admit that they have not been given physical possession of the opera house as yet, although hold- ing an iron-bound lease of it. DANGERS AS AOTS. Chicago, Dec. 3. Vera Maxwell and Wallace Mc- Cutcheon started an engagement of six weeks at Rector's, Chicago, Mon- day. Next week they will appear at the Palace, Chicago, as well. Mae Murray and Carlos Sebastian, dancers on the New York Roof, will add to their income next week by ap- pearing at Hammerstein's besides, do- ing their "Barcarole Dance." DICKET PRODUCING. "The Come Back," Paul Dickey's former vaudeville sketch which he has elaborated into a play, is scheduled to go into rehearsal around Dec. 20. The first performance is expected to be made arounc the first of the year. Dickey is producing this piece on his own accord. SURATT IS ANGRY. The middle name of Valeska Suratt this week has been Anger. She saw the act of Anna Held's daughter at Ham- merstein's Monday evening. From then on, the air waves around New York continued to waver. Miss Suratt says Liane Carrera has taken her white and silvered setting, and it isn't right. A little solace came with the oflFer from the Shuberts for Suratt to appear in the next Winter Garden show. But "play or pay" con- tracts with the United Booking Offices until next March are good enough for her. says Val. KANE ATTACHES MARQUARD. Chicago, Dec. 3. While Marquard anrj Seeley were appearing at the Palace here last week. their salary was attacht'd by Joe Kane, former husband of BMss'om Seeley. Kane alleges he holds an ovcrditr unpaid note of $1,000 signed hy Rnlx- Marquard and wants ••onicthiiiLr on ac ronnt MISS 0R08MAN AT PAIiAGE. Dec. 15 Henrietta Crosman will ap- pear at the Palace, New York, in a sketch. Her latest play will close this Satur- day at the West End theatre. It is named "The Tongues of Men." POWERS WANTS A SKETCH. James T. Powers wants to return to vaudeville and is seeking a sketch. He is having several authors writing and submitting material to him, but up to date has made no selection. C. C.'t OPPOSITION TICKET. An "opposition ticket" has been placed in the field for the next annual election (Dec. 3) of officers for the Vaudeville Comedy Club. The regular ticket as selected has Gene Hughes for president, George Le Maire, 1st vice-president; Al Jolson, 2d vice-president; Tommy Gray, 3d vice- president; Francis Morey, secretary, and Mannie Mainwaring, treasurer. Some members for the Board of Gov- ernors will also be voted for. The "opposition ticket" is headed by .Al Jolson for president, George Le Maire, 1st vice-president; Walter C. Kelly, 2d vice-president; Tommy Gray, 3d vice-president; Harry Denton, sec- retary, and Mannie Mainwaring, treas- urer. Mr. Denton, who has been treasurer of the Club for several years, declined a renomination for that office. At the weekly meeting of the Boarti of Governors Tuesday night, it wa# resolved to cut down the Board here- after to 12 members, seven of whoiu will be the officers of the Club. The remaining five will be E. F. Albe* Martin Beck, Mannie Mainwariv~ Ralph Edwards and Felix Adler. It la said this resolution was passed to in- sure a quorum at meetings thereaftt*. Henry Vogel is on the ballots of both sides as Chairman of the House Committee. Among the 10 proposers of the o^ position ticket were Walter Daniels, Roland West, Dr. Stern, M. M. Mar- cus, Frank Bohm and Billy Bernard. JOE JACKSON'S CRY FOR HELl* From Europe came a call for helf* from Joe Jackson, the comedy cyclist, who accuses by cable another comedy cyclist, Sam Barton, at the Fifth Ave- nue, New York, of having "copied" his act. Barton opened at the Fifth Avenue Monday. Wednesday Jenie Jacobs, representing Jackson over here, re- ceived a message from him to take any legal steps necessary to stop the "copy." The Fifth Avenue program billing for the Barton turn led many to belie/e Jackson had authorized Barton to '*.o the act, and it was not until the cable arrived that anything to the contrary became known. liarton is said to have reached New York from the west. Joe Jackson wa5 •^civen credit, when appearing in thit country, of presenting an entirely orig* inal turn. HQUAHK LKASK H(M)N OFF. Tile lease <,f the Union Square runs • •lit >li<>rtl\ I*. V. Keilli won't renew