Variety (October 1914)

8 VARIETY BIG MINSTREL SHOW. The annual minstrel show of the White Rats is now a thing of the past. The show held Thursday, (Jet. II, was the third minstrel show given by the Organization and it excelled by far the two others. Much credit must be given to Jo- seph 1 J . Mack, who worked hard and conscientiously for us success. Joe certainly put one over. iNut only tiie minstrel show, but the oifo that he provided following the minstrel show, was superb. The singing chorus oi the minstrel show stood out as one of the features and reflected great credit on George iiotsiord, whose painstaking rehearsal made the sing- ing harmonious and pleasing to lis- ten to. The following acts in conjunction with the minstrel show appeared: Irving Berlin, Doyle and Dixon, Pearl Brothers and Burns, Belle Baker, Wohlman and Abrahama, Six Brown Brothers and LeMaire, Inglis and Lewis. One of the real hits of the evening was the act produced by George LeMaire and acted by Mr. Le- Maire, Tom Lewis and Jack Inglis. Everyone around the Club House is talking about it. It typifies a type in show business that we meet every day and the manner in which George Le- Maire, Jack Inglis and Tom Lewis por- trayed it made it a classic. The cut-up on the ends were George Mullen, Walter Weems, Harry Fern, Harry Kelly, Bob Dailey and Matt Keefe, and these boys told some rid- dles that made the house weak with laughter. During the evening Honorable Bar- tow S. Weeks, Justice of the Supreme Court, who was the guest of honor, made a few remarks which were re- ceived in a very friendly spirit and the Judge on leaving stated that he had never enjoyed himself at any af- fair as much as at the one held that night. WILD WEST BLOWS UP. Barboursville, Ky., Oct. 28. Kit Carson's Wild West show blew up here this week, leaving 150 mem- bers, performers, riders and laborers stranded without a cent. The outfit was hurriedly loaded on the cars and pulled out without the crowd before attachment papers sued out by work- men could be served. A desperate at- tempt was made to catch the show and serve the legal notice tying it up be- fore it got over the Kentucky line. The show people have not yet learned whether the attempt has been suc- cessful. The Kit Carson outfit has been in financial difficulties for some time. The embarrassment followed the pay- ment of a large verdict for damages for the death of a Cossack and injury of another performer by a bear. The stranded company is helpless and the authorities will probably be appealed to to give them employment until they have earned money enough to get them away. The corn husking season is at its height and they may earn their transportation in that labor. MEMBERS ON THE ROAD. In order to further the good fellow- ship spirit which prevails in and around New York as evidenced by the weekly Scampers on Thursday evenings, per- mission to hold Scampers in various cities in which members may desire to do this, will be given any member in good standing upon application to the Secretary-Treasurer, Will j. Cooke. If you desire to hold a Scamper, wire us collect, when and where you desire to hold the Scamper. It is of course an important item that these Scampers be held in a place which will do credit to the Organization and also that these Scampers shall be self-supporting. Many members will undoubtedly be ;>leased to learn that this privilege will be granted upon application, inasmuch as it will assure them of many sociable and entertaining evenings which other- wise would not be possible. Be a booster and organize a Scamper wherever possible. Send in an account of the Scamper so that it may be pub- lished and if you are in a city or town where a Scamper is held, go to it. Any information regarding what the organization is doing and any items of interest will be sent you so that they may be discussed and you may know at all times just what is going on. If, while on the road you hear some- one complaining about the White Rats, HAVE YOU PAID DUES? On another page of Variety a notice appears stating that all members of the White Rats Actors' Union and Associated Actresses of America who have failed to pay their dues to April 1, 1915, are out of benefit. Have you paid your dues or are you out of benefit? If you have not paid your dues what is your excuse? If your excuse is that you are not able to, then write in to Secretary-Treas- urer Will J. Cooke and get an exten- sion until you are able to pay. If you have money, you have no excuse; so pay your dues and do not become out of benefit. When you joined this Organization you obligated yourself to pay your dues and until you resign dues are charged against you. When you work for a manager you want your salary that the manager contracted to give you. You as a member of the W. R. A. U. and A. A. A. contracted with the Organization to pay so much money a year for dues. It is up to you to live up to your contract. What you expect from the manager, live up to with your Organization. Do not argue with yourself that you do not need this Organization. Per- haps right now you may not need it, but there will come a time some day when you will need it and need it very (The matter on this page has been furnished VARIETY by the White Rats Actors* Union of America, and is vouched for by that organization. VARIETY, in its editorial policy, is not responsible for It.) write us the particulars, and we will let you have our side of the story. It may be that we can give you information that will enlighten you regarding that particular matter, and it may also be that the complainant owes money to the White Rats. TIM O'DONNELL NEUTRAL. Ching Ling Foo, piloted by Timothy O'Donnell, came into New York Sun- day on the Philadelphia, the Chinese troupe bonded for entry into the Port of New York by Pat Casey. Ching will open at Hammerstein's Nov. 9, to remain two weeks. Mr. O'Donnell went over to the oth- er side about three months ago. He watched the progress of the war, and incidentally looked after Ching. Upon liearing the Chinaman was marooned in Antwerp and the Germans were about to bombard, Timmy went over to the Helgian town, smuggled his charges out along with other refugees leaving, sail- ing with them for this side. Outside of remarking that the Kaiser seemed to be some guy, Mr. O'Donnell remained neutral in his war talk, al- though he did mention that while in Paris, several of the young women he met there told him they expected to be in New York shortly. badly. Bear in mind that this is an age of Organization. The manager in every branch of the theatrical business is organized. So is every part of the theatre employe. So is the author and the producer and so is the actor and if you do not belong to the actors" organization, the White Rats, or you are a member and you let your dues lapse, you are making a big mistake. A word to the wise is sufficient. Sincerely yours, FRANK FOGARTY. NOT A VICTORIA BID. When the 3,998 shares of the Ham- merstein Amusement Co. stock was offered at auction in the Exchange Salesroom at 39 Vesey street by Adrain H. Muller Wednesday there wasn't one bid offered. Oscar Hammerstein when seen late Wednesday afternoon and asked why he did not bid the stock in, stated: "Why should I? I have enough money in Cypress Hills and Green- wood; why invest in any other ceme- teries?" SUING JOSE COLLINS. Suit has been brought against Jose Collins, through Maurice Goodman, representing M. S. Bentham, to re- cover $500 Bentham alleges is due him tc date for managing Miss Collins, and placing her with various attractions. A. V. A. F. WRITES. AUSTRALIAN VAUDEVILLE ARTISTS' FEDERATION. Registered Trade Union No. 466. Registered under Industrial Arbitra- tion Act. 1912. Affiliated World's League of Artists' Organizations com- prising V. A. F. (England), I. A. L. (Europe), White Rats' Actors' Union (America), U. S. A. L. (France), also P. L. L. Labor Council and Australian Grand Council of Theatrical Industries. P. CLARENCE, General Secretary. 'Phone City 4964. Head Office, 200 Castlereagh Street. Melbourne Office, 189 Lonsdale Street. Sydney, August 13, 1914. In reply we quote No. 3000. To the Secretary, White Rats' Actors' Union, America. Dear Sir and Brother:—I have the honor to report that the matter of Bates vs. Brennans Amphitheatres, Ltd., when finally called upon, result- ed in the defendants offering a settle- ment and same was accepted by Bates. In another matter in which a mem- ber of yours was concerned (clipping inclosed) we were also successful as well as in a matter the same week on behalf of V. A. F. members, to wit, the Carpos Bros. The V. A. F. have given me executive power to take legal action for protecting any of its members with- out having to wait for report being sent and consent given; as this means a great saving of time to your members I will be pleased to receive authority from your organization authorizing the A. V. A. F. to proceed with any legal matter on behalf of members of the White Rats that may be deemed neces- sary and I can assure that no case will be taken in hand unless justifi- cation exists and that legal expenses will be kept down. Please forward supply of necessary material to enable this office to collect subscriptions and secure new members for your organization together with full instructions re same. As I am now acting for V. A. F., England, in that capacity, I can assist your organiza- tion similarly. Best wishes. Yours fraternally, P. CLARENCE. NOTICE. On account of Tuesday, Novem- ber 3rd, being ELECTION DAY, there will be No Meeting of the White Rets Actors' Union of America. The next regular meeting will be held Tuesday, November 17th, 1914, at 11.30 P. M. sharp. Drop In at Chicago Office. Cut this out and paste it in your book and when in Chicago call and see our rew suite of offices, 411 Tacome Buil^ng, Corner LaSslle and Madison streets.