Variety (December 1913)

8 VARIETY BILLPOSTERS FAIL TO STOP CIRCUS SY STEM O F HOLDBACK Brashmen Present Demands to Lieutenants of Big Top Magnates at Bitters* Convention, But Ttiey ^'Pass Ttie Buclc'* to Men Higtier Up. Chicago, I>ec. 10. The 12th '.iiiiual convention of the International Billposters and Billers of America concluded its sessions at the Briggs hotel Friday night. The convention was well attended and the chief matter of business was to get the difficulties between the billers and the circus men adjusted. The circus men had a committee in town, and this committee received an agreement from the billers demanding among other things the abolishment of the "hold-back," a straight salary of $60 per month to be paid weekly, and a uniform price of 50 cents for meals and 75 cents for lodging. The billers pointed out circuses held back $10 per month for each man as a sort of chain to hold the men until the end of the season, but they averred, on the other hand, that many circuses discharged their billers from two to three weeks before the season was over, and thus the men lost their "hold-backs." It was also stated that members of the International had lost more than $5,000 last season by reason of the breaking up of the Buffalo Bill show. The men comprising the circus com- mittee, which consisted of the general managers of the Ringling Brothers, the Barnum & Bailey, the Wallace- Hagenbeck antl the Sells-Floto shows KTOuld not agree to sign the agree- ment. They intimated they did not have the power to sign, and would consult with men higher up. Chicago Local entertained the dele- gates at a banquet at King's restau- rant, where "Sport" Hermann and Thomas Shea were the chief speak- ers. Practically all officers were re- elected. The next meeting will .be held at Scranton, Pa., Dec. 1, 1914. Chicago, Dec. 10. There is a possibility of criminal ac- :ion under the Sherman law against ihe ofHcials of the Associated Bill- )osters of the United States and Janada. A conference was held last Saturday between District Attorney Wilkerson and Stanley J. Montgom- ery, special assistant to the attorney general of Washington, who came on for the civil case against the bill- posters which is pending in Judge Landis' court. The latter case will be heard in January. In the civil case the billposters are cliarRcd by the government with boy- cotting, blacklisting and price-fixing in violation of the anti-trust law. Five bill posters from the John Cort Hippodrome and Columbia forces, ar- rested at the behest of the Fifth Avenue Developing Co., which is out to "beautify the city" on the charge of defacing property in front of the Mc- Alpin Hotel and at 37th and Broadway, have had their cases postponed again. Three times the men have had their trials adjourned through the failure of the complaining witnesses to be in court. It looks as though the men will now be discharged as the hotel people refuse to prosecute. The billers in question covered bar- ricades where building was in prog- ress. They protest that the "beautify- ing folks" overstepped the limit in causing their arrest. Posters arrested on a previous charge of a similar na- ture were fined $2. TIMBERO SHOW STOPS. The Herman Timberg show "Davy's Melody," under the direction of Stair &. Havlin, closes its season at Akron, Ohio, Saturday night. SHOWED AUTHOR ^'NOTICES.** On the opening night of the two new sketches at the Princess last week there occurred a wordy but bloodless battle between Morris Gest and George Jean Nathan, of the Smart Set maga- zine. It seems Nathan has handed Gest a series of "roasts" in the Smart Set since the Princess took off Nathan's playlet "The Eternal Mystery." After calling Nathan a series of names in which "pinhead" held headline position, Gest led the journalist to his den and showed him the newspaper re- views of "The Eternal Mystery," which was given for one performance in Pittsburgh. When they came down Nathan walked one way and Gest the ether. AUNT LOU*S XMAS SALE. Mrs. Louise Blitz (Aunt Lou), well known to the profession through years of long association with the managerial end and whose husband was Frank Blitz, a well known manager (now de- ceased) is trying to support herself by the sale of Christmas and holiday novelties at her home. No. 107 West 16th street. New York. Aunt Lou, now well advanced in years, is not seeking charity but would appreciate any purchases the show folks might make from her stock of pin cushions, slipper bags or anything in the fancy lines. She also dresses dolls, makes underwear, darns hosiery and the like and is doing the sewing stunt to make both ends meet. The venerable woman is without money and not able to do any hard work. Any immediate service would he greatly appreciated. .AGAINST "SUNDAYS." Cincinnati, Dec. 10. The Bavarian Mutual Aid Society has started a movement to enforce the "blue laws" relating to the closing of theatres, hall parks, etc., on Sundays. It is believed the apitation will have the effect of repealintr the present Sun- day saloon closing law. **SEBK£R8** IN PATENT SUIT. O'Brien, Malevinsky & Driscoll, on behalf of Fred Mozart, the dancer, have made application in the United States District Court here for an injunction restraining Marcus Loew from further using in "The Pleasure Seekers" at the Winter Garden a stage effect in- volving a dance by 12 girls on snow shoes and skis. Mozart bases his suit on letters pat- ent issued by the U. S. Patent Office covering the use as an "adaptation to artistic uses" of foot coverings larger than the base of the foot and extend- ing beyond the heel and the toe. Ap- plication for this patent has been in the hands of the Patent Office since 1910, declares Mozart, but the letters patent were issued only recently. Mozart asks the court to order an accounting of the profits of the Winter Garden show and demands damages, besides asking for a restraining order POLICE GET ACTIVE. The "Sunday shows" in Inspector Dwyer's district were looked over by men detailed from the Inspector's of- fice, last Sunday. Word was passed around Times Square early in the day that "the Inspector was out." FLOATING OVER TEXAS. Kansas City, Dec. 10. Duginski Brothers' No. 4 company of "The Price She Paid" is surrounded by water in Texas. The company was playing Marble Falls when the rivers began their tear and had to close. They floated into Austin but the situation there was no better for they couldn't get out of the Texas capital except to go back to Marble Falls. The show's agent, Tom West is missing, probably marooned some- where between Marble Falls and Aus- tin. New Orleans, Dec. 10. The floods in Texas have forced can- cellations and delays all over the south. Several interstate houses have been dark the past few days, as a con- sequence. BIG WEEK IN CINSY. Cincinnati, Dec. 10. Theatre managers say last week was a record breaker. It is estimated that the receipts for that period were $15,- 000 more than for any previous week in the history of the city. For instance, it is reported, the Lyric did $13,000 with Lew Fields and Gaby Deslys (in a split week engagement). Gaby start- ed with a rush, but fell ofT perceptibly by Saturday matinee. Over at the Grand, Ziegfeld's "Fol- lies," with a poor start, pulled down $12,000, and it is said Keith's had its banner week, $10,000. with the 12-act (anniversary) show. Pavlowa, in one night at Music Hall, is declared to have drawn between $3,200 and $3,300. Pavlowa's top price was $2.50, the "Follies," $2, and Gaby's, $2.50. A reaction has set in, which will last until Christmas week, when "Oh, Oh Delphinc" comes to the Grand and "Vcf^ O' My Heart" to the Lyric. ACTORS* FUND REPORT. The 32nd annual report of the Ac- tors' Fund of America from May 1, 1912, to May 1, 1913, has been issued from the offices of the Fund in the Longacre building. The financial statement shows the membership dues for the past year (1912-1913) $2,902, a decrease of $232; life memberships, $950, an increase of $750; Ten Cent Tax stamps, $1,226.40, a decrease of $1,425.49; general dona- tions, $1,446.07, increase of $407.47; subscriptions to- Home, $1,421; in- crease of $166; Interest Account, $8,- 424.21, increase of $1,145.25. Disbursments for the past year were: General relief to destitute, $17,435.60, an increase of $2,491; hos- pital and other cases illness, $16,794.50, increase of $1,055.30; clothing for des- titute, $44.30, decrease of $4.67; doc- tors and medicine, $835.37, increase of $237.19; transportation for patients, $14.78, decrease of $87.58; cemetery account, $2,831.84, decrease of $492.90; maintenance of Home, $16,722.81, in- crease of $2,475.74. The additional cost of the Home is due to general repairs, refurnishings, etc., and \> the increase of the price of food products. The following amounts have been bequeathed to the Fund: Richard Hyde, $25,000 due about January, 1914; Henry B. Harris, $5,000 due about May, 1913; Lillian Gaites (Marie Stuart), $5,000 due about May, 1913; Belle V. S. Wren, $3,800 due about May, 1913; Thomas F. Bardon, $500 due about May, 1913; Loudon McCor- mack, $700 due about May, 1914, mak- ing the total bequests $40,000. Ger- ber is now the Fund's counsel, re- placing Judge A. J. Dittenhoeffer, who represented it for more than 20 years. Treasurer Harris announces the bank balance May 1, 1912, $8,841.53 and the balance May 1 this year, $5,- 040.81 (cash in office safe, $50). The Fund's assets are listed as real estate, $140,600; bonds, $195,325; Henry Howard Paul Fund, $6,000; liabilities, loans, $40,000. The report gives a list of the offi- cers (Daniel Frohman, president), the board of trustees, standing commit- tees, honorary members, life members, physicians here and in other cities, corresponding secretaries, office staff and the counsel, in addition to a de- tailed report of the Hudson theatre meeting May 13 last and a complete list of the Fund's finances. Fred Walton has been engaged for p lendinp comedy role in "The LauKh- ing Husband." 6 "MUTT AND JEFFS." Gus Hill claims that his six "Mutt and Jeff' shows are playing to more business on their return dates this sea- son (third for the show) than at any time before. While this candid admission might have been expected from such an ex- perienced showman as Mr. Hill, there seems to be little doubt but htat the "Mutt and Jeff' companies are doing business once again, with Bud Fisher drawing down a regular weekly royalty check that would sadden the heart of a song writer. "Mutt and Jeff" has played Chicago 32 weeks during the time the repro- duced cartoon piece has been on the boards. If yon don't sdvertlM In VARIBTY, dun't MlTertlHe nt nil.