Variety (November 1914)

14 VARIETY The familiar adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," applies with peculiar force in the pres- ent conditions surrounding the thea- trical business. There are certain in- dustries that from time immemorial have profited tremendously by the pat- ronage,of theatrical people. The great- er numbers of people that travel over the country, the greater the patronage that is given those industries. Thus, early in the present season scores of shows have closed for the single rea- son receipts fell below expenses, and these will be very materially added to before the holiday unless condi- tions quickly change. In their ef- forts to meet this weekly deficit and keep going managers have studied the problem of retrenchment, and their first move was the reduction of the salaries or the decrease of the number of their players, or both. Be- yond this, it has been impossible for them to curtail expenses because they have been confronted with the fact thit this is the only direction in which they can act arbitrarily. They cannot cut the salaries of their working crews because of the unions. They cannot reduce the cost of transporta- tion because individual passenger de- partments are unable to grant conces- sions of any kind owing to the ex- istence of Trunk Line agreements. They cannot secure a reduction in the cost of printing because many weeks before the conditions arose that have brought about poor business they had contracted for sufficient printing to cover the entire season and at a stipu- lated price. Managers of traveling companies cannot justly contend for an increase of percentages of gross receipts, be- cause managers of theatres are in the same position that they themselves are in. Their rents have not been reduced, practically all of their employees are shielded by union regulations, the cost of bill posting remains unchanged, the price of coal and gas and electric light is maintained at the same high figures and newspaper advertising ratts have not been deviated from. In view of all this, it becomes mani- fest that the only relief managers can command is the reduction of perform- ers' salaries or the decimation of their organizations, thus weakening them and lessening their attractiveness. The amount of money saved in this way is not sufficient to bring the expenses down to the receipts. This is the vital point to be considered by the managers. Another view they must take of it is that cutting a player's salary endangers the quality of the shows because it is only natural that they will be discouraged, especially the women who, in addition to being obliged to stand the same cost of liv- ing as in former seasons must con- tinue to meet their weekly payments to the managers for costumes and money advanced during rehearsals. BY FREDERICK M.MSCLOY Wherefore, other measures must be adopted for the prolongation of the life of the present theatrical companies and for the resumption of the activ- ities of the organizations that have closed, as well as for encouragement to producers to send out additional companies. And these measures are entirely at the command of those in control of the industries that will de- rive direct benefit from this return to normal condition. For example, the closing of the 60 shows of various kinds that are known to have closed within the past month, has thrown out of employment approximately 300 members of the International Asso- ciation of Theatrical Stage Employees. The governing body of that associa- tion could contribute materially to the restoration to work of those men and help avert the loss of employment by many others of their members by or- dering a reduction of the scale now in force. The railroads, through the recommendation of their Trunk Line commissioners, could very likely secure the approval of the Interstate Com- merce Commission of a reduction of their rates on theatrical business. It might not be easy to accomplish such a concession, but with the many valid reasons that exist, in fact, for a de- crease, the chances are largely in favor of the acquiescence of the Interstate Commerce Commission in a request of this kind from the Trunk Lines com- missioners. The railroads operating in New England could be of material as- sistance in the general movement by modifying their exaction of the pur- chase of 50 tickets to secure one bag- gage car free. Other railroads call for only 25 tickets. Surely if the rail- roads operating elsewhere can afford to make 25 fares the minimum for a free baggage car, those in New Eng- land can reasonably do likewise. And this would be a great saving to 75 per cent, of the companies playing that territory. The printing and lithographing houses might see it to their advantage to gratuitously offer a discount on their bills from now on, regardless of the contract price. The condition of their accounts probably indicates the force of this contention. Slow pay- ments by the going companies and no payments at all by managements whose companies are closed, should be an in- centive to the printers to welcome and assist any movement designed to over- conic the conditions that compel tardy remittances at best. Owners of theatre buildings who are receiving the same high rentals as in times of prosperity face the alternative of reducing their rents or having their lessees close their houses which would mean litigation in an effort to force collections, and which in the end would he more costly than taking a lower rental for a specified number of months at least. The recently organized United Man- agers' Protective Association of the Amusement Interests of the United States and Canada could undoubtedly influence the adoption of most of these suggestions by the various interests named. And they could do so diplo- matically. It is the only force that is behind the whole show business, and through its prompt and vigorous action only may any effective relief come to the individual managements that are struggling for existence against very much the severest odds with which they have ever been as- sailed. Of smaller moment, and in the in- terests of the players whose salaries have been reduced, it may be taken as a timely suggestion that the first hotel keepers throughout the country that announce' a reduction of 20 per cent, in their professional rates will expe- rience an increase of patronage that will more than offset the difference in their receipts brought about by the lower scale. "BEHMAN SHOW." Next week Jack Singer will bring Lew Kelly and "The Behman Show" to the Columbia, New York, with a practically new book and an entirely new scenic and costume equipment. The appearance of "The Behman Show" is an annual event to the pa- trons of the Broadway burlesque theatre. BOYS' THEATRE GUARDIAN. Cincinnati, Nov. 11. Morris Lewis has been appointed a probation officer of the Juvenile Court by Judge Gorman, and stationed as a ticket taker at the Standard (bur- lesque) to prevent boys under age from entering. The Standard runs the old style bur- lesque shows and quite some "raw stuff" is pulled. Women social workers complained to the Juvenile Court last year about certain lines in burlettas. CHANGE IN ROUTE. "The Ginger Girls" will come to the Columbia from Boston for week of Nov. 30. The date at the Columbia was to have been played by the Bert Baker "Bon Ton Girls," but that show will go to Paterson instead, playing Worcester and Bridgeport Thanksgiv- ing week. "Cracker Jacks" Five House Records. Harry Cooper is very justly elated over the fact that "The Cracker Jacks," of which he is the featured comedian, has broken five house records this season, including that of the Star, Rrooklyn. Mr. Cooper and his asso- ciates in the cast have brought this show to a condition of merit that places it among the best on either cir- cuit. MOLLIE WILLIAMS FEATURED. Mollie Williams has been specially engaged by Maurice Jacobs as the fea- tured member of "The Cherry Blos- soms." Miss Williams will open with the show at the Murray Hill Nov. 30. "DAFFYDILLS" OFF. The Sam Rice "Daffydills" show having failed to meet the requirements of the Columbia Amusement Co., was closed in Cincinnati last Saturday night. The Scanlon and Moore "Garden of Girls" has taken up its route. GOING ON EXTENDED. Worcester and Bridgeport will be- come Extended Circuit stands com- mencing Nov. 30. This will bring the shows direct from Boston to the Co- lumbia, New York, the same as last season. It has been decided to con- tinue Atlantic City on the Extended. Business at the seaside city has proven satisfactory up to the present time, although any idea of making it a week stand has been abandoned. ORPHEUM ON MAIN CIRCUIT. Commencing Nov. 23 with Dave Marion's own company, the Orpheum, Paterson, will be restored to the Main Circuit. This house has done unusually good business all season with both the Main and Extended shows. WON'T STAND CUT. Manager Campbell, of the Rose Sy- cell show, has notified the members of his company a reduction of salaries will be made forthwith. In consequence, Billy Burke, the Irish comedian, and Chauncey and Kathleen Jesson, the straight and the soubret, will withdraw from the or- ganization this Saturday night. FRANK BURT JOINING. Frank Burt, early in the season with The Gay White Way," has gone to Chicago to take the position of prin- cipal comedian with Hughey Bernard's "French Models." FOLLY'S OPENING SET. The opening of the Folly, Chicago, has been postponed to Nov. 28. This house was to have been ready for oc- cupancy Thanksgiving week, but it was found impossible to complete the extensive alterations. The opening attraction will be Rube Bernstein's "Follies of Pleasure." Principals Leaving Trocaderos. Sam J. Adams will retire from "The Trocaderos" Saturday. He will be re- placed by George Banks, who made a strong hit last season with "The American Beauties." Florence Bennett also withdraws from this company and her place will be taken by Grace Ady, who was in the original cast of "Bringing Up Father." v