Variety (October 1914)

Vol. XXXVI. No. 7. NEW YORK CITY, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1914. PRICE 10 CENTS "SALARY CUTTING" SOLE TOPIC THIS WEEK IN VAUDEVILLE Big Time Managers Go Through Entire List of Available Acts, Making Salary Cuts. Percentage of Decreases Averages About 15 Per Cent, on Whole. Some Big Acts Heav- ily Sliced. Smaller Acts Get Cuts As Low As Five Dollars. Every Big Time Act Affected. Up to Wednesday it was said at the United Booking Offices that but five of the big time acts had finally refused the cuts in their accepted weekly sal- ary, imposed by the committee (of managers) appointed by all the big time managers last week to make a general decrease. "Salary Cutting" was the sole topic of this vaudeville week. The salary cutting had been complet- ed early in the week. Agents received notification from the United Booking Offices advising the price settled upon their acts. The agents notified the turns with the information the order goes into effect Oct. 26. Rejection of the amount fixed by the committee of managers amounts to a cancellation of existing U. B. O. contracts under the two week's clause. With few ex- ceptions all contracts issued by the United Booking Offices and Orpheum Circuits contain this clause. The Orpheum Circuit will regulate the future salaries on its time accord- ing to the new scale established by the committee. The Orpheum will notify agents to instruct their acts of the salary fixed and under the two week's clause the order will probably go into effect on the entire Orpheum Circuit Nov. 2, excepting that allowance will he made for some acts unavoidably laid off in the northwest through the un- expected closing there of some Or- pheum theaters. These acts will be .uiven a further time limit. The percentage of reductions taken <>n the average from reports of amounts reduced seems to be around 15 per cent., although no specified percentage has been followed. Large salaried acts have been shaved down in large sums. All ads un the United Booking Offices' books were affected by the cut. Open- ing turns and the small acts were de- creased in some instances not over five or ten dollars. Surrounding con- ditions governed the committee in most cases. The usual cut of acts around $1,000 seemed $200 or more a week. Acts around $400 and under to $300, from $75 to $25. The vaudeville artists were of the impression the reduction was tempo- rary. Following this theory Frank Fogarty, big chief of the White Rats, communicated with the United, re- questing that some statement be given out or the acts assured that when bet- ter times prevail this season or next season, the former salary scale will be restored. Up to Thursday, owing to the absence from the city of Dennis F. O'Brien, who had communicated Mr. Fogarty's request to the United, the White Rats had not received an an- swer to their proposal. A few acts have informed their agents they would not agree to a de- crease and would seek engagements elsewhere. The managers are reported to have informed the agents who told them this that the managers were per- fectly willing the acts should do so. A number of other acts advised their agents that they were agreeable to the cut if a route could he secured for the remainder of the season. On the U. B. O. books arc many routes given out, which it was said would be immediately cancelled if the acts refused to accept the present conditions, and the time given to other turns. The five acts re- fusing to finally accept the cut have had their names taken riff the U. B. O. books, it was reported. Other acts were thinking it over, according to (Continued on page 6.) The OFFICIAL NEWS of the WHITE RATS ACTORS' UNION and ASSOCIATED ACTRESSES OF AMERICA, as formerly printed exclusively in appear on page 8 of this issue. fumt LONDON SHORT NIGHTS. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) London, Oct. 16. The recent order of the war depart- ment to keep London as dark as pos- sible at night to lessen the dangers of a raid by the Zeppelins, is keeping people away from the legitimate thea- tres. Commencing next week the Wynd- ham will give but two night perform- ances, playing matinees daily. A sim- ilar policy goes into effect at His Ma- jesty's on the same date. The Alhambra starts its revue at 8 P. M. instead of nine, commencing next week, and may find it necessary to open at 7 P. M. later on. It is rumored the 11 P. M. saloon closing time may be changed to 9 P. M. for the same reason. M0R0SC0 BEHIND PATCH. Pittsburgh, Oct. 14. William Moore Patch, who last year ran the Pitt, is down, but not out. The mysterious visit to Pittsburgh of OliveT Morosco and his lawyer and secretary is now explained. It is reported that Patch and Morosco are to build a the- atre here. Meanwhile it is said the I >uqucsne wi'l be refitted and used for a repertory company by Patch. The Pitt theatre failed and was sold l»y the receiver. Patch was backed by seven millionaires. He says he is through with that kind of backing now, and has the support of Morosco. "Good Old Times" Are Here. "They always want the 'good old times' back" said a manager the other day. "Well, they have got 'cm. Wir- ing ahead to move shows again." TANGUAY SHOW CLOSING. Cincinnati, Oct. 14. Eva Tanguay will relegate "Miss To- basco" to a storehouse after the Pitts- burgh engagement next week, to return to vaudeville, possibly at the head of her own show. Miss Tanguay dis- tributed the customary two weeks' no- tice to members of the company im- mediately after the show's opening, but the Klaw & Erlanger office insisted that all outstanding contracts be ful- filled, hence the continued tour. "Miss Tobasco" was not exactly suited to the cyclonic comedienne, it being necessary to rewrite a part for her handling. "MONEY MAKERS" GOING OUT. The Selwyn & Co. production of "Money Makers" will leave the Booth theatre Oct. 24, according to report, the show having done but little busi- ness since opening there a couple of weeks ago. MUSICAL STOCK FOR BRONX. Frank Gerstcn will shortly install a musical stock company at his Prospect, Bronx. The company is being assem- bled by Matt Cirau. The opening at- traction is to be "The Red Mill." Coyne Postpones Homecoming. {Special Cubic to Varirtt.) London, Oct. 16. Jue Coyne was not able to leave Saturday according to his plan. He is scheduled to sail on the Campania this Saturday, but it is not certain that In will make it.