Variety (May 1918)

VOL. LI, No. 1 NEW YORK CITY, FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1918 PRICE TEN CENTS INCREASED RAIL TARIFF PARA LYZES S HOW TRAVEL Actual Increases Run to 33 Per Cent. Additional of Former Rates. No Party Tickets. $50 to Chicago on "Century." Probably Cut Out One-Nighters Next Season. In Effect June 10. Vaudevillians Hardest Hit. The order this week from director of railroads McAdoo, declaring an in- crease in rates to 3 cents per mile, fol- lowing the decision to raise railroad workers' wages over $300,000,000 yearly, promises to become the most impor- tant factor in theatricals for the com- ing season. What the increase really amounts to is a raise in rates of around ^ per cent and unless theatrical interests can effect a modification of the order with- in the next three months, the increased cost of transportation may reduce the number of road-shows to the actual minimum and it may stop tours of the cantonments. The order not only raises the rate, but eliminates all party rates, and there is an extra ;i> cent per mile on all trav- eling in parlor and sleeping cars. Thus where there is attained a 2^-cent per mile rate, the increase amounts to 1 cent per mile more, which for long distances runs up surprisingly. That added to the 8 per cent, war tax makes up the advance of one-third of the old rates. Managers say that such an add- ed burden figured with the drop in patronage in towns where the draft lias been vitally felt in the theatres, practically makes it impossible to tour an attraction of any size (such as mu- sical shows) in the onc-nighlei \s. The exact tariffs arc not yet avail- able, but inquiry among railroad men verifies the enormous increases, so far as information in their possession indi- cates. The increase in the rate to Chi- cago is figured to be $12.96, a ticket from New York to Chicago costing $38.98. That is figured via the Penn- sylvania, which has the shortest mile- age between the two points. On the I \ R. K. it is 907 miles to Chicago. On the other roads the mileage runs up as high as 961 miles. As the order is per miles traveled, the other roads may charge more. From New York to Buffalo the percentage jump is even higher. Where it formerly cost $10.30 on ilie I.ehigh Valley on a party rate, it will cost $18.10 if a sleeper jump is made. That will be the regular rate, according to the 3'•'. cents per mile or- der and the rate in the N. Y. Central should even be more, since the mile- age on that road to Buffalo is 445 miles as against 425 on the Lehigh Valley. The new rates go into force June 10. At that time the cost of fare on the "Century" (X. Y. Central) to Chicago will leap from $35 to around $50. An idea of how the increases are ar- rived at is easily obtained by setting forth the data of the trip from New York to Chicago over the P. k. k. (907 miles) as against the old party rate: Regular Fare. FtTcctivc June 10. $1727 (tc. per mile.) 2.18 (war tax, 8 per cent.) 5.50 (sleeper, lower berth.) 4.03 CjC. per mile extra, Pullman.) $38.98 Present Partv kate. $19.00 (fare.) 1.52 (war tax, 8 p^r cent.) 5.50 (sleeper, lower berth.) $26.02 The regular tare is $2 more. The tables on the trip to Buffalo via the Lehigh Valley (425 miles) are: Regular Pare, Kffectivc June 10. $12.75 (3c. per mile.) 1.02 (war tax, 8 per cent.) 2.2u (sleeper, lower berth.) 2.13 (Jjc. per mile extra, Pullman.) $18.10 Present Partv kate. $7.50 (fare.) .60 (war tax, 8 per cent.) 2.20 (sleeper, lower berth.) $10.30 The regular tare is 50c. more. These figures arc based on informa- tion so far available. According to railroad men there is no reason to be- lieve that there will be any variance when the tariffs are published. To make it harder for the traveling organiza- tions the probabilities are that the number of tickets necessary to obtain a baggage car will be 25 to 30. If tin- ticket limit is thus raised in order to obtain a baggage car. it is hard to he- ll re how mad shows will negotiate the one-nighters unless they travel with trunk equipment entirely. So far as can be M-en. the vaudcvil- lian, who rarely is able to avail hinisell (Continued on page 6) CHICAGO TEMPEST. Chicago, May 29. The teapot tempest started by the Shuberts barring Charlie Collins, the Chicago Kveuing Post's dramatic critic, from their theaters, has grown into a typhoon which threatens to blow a lot ot trouble towards theatrical interests ail around. Federal agents Friday swooped down on the ticket scalping office of H. N. Waterfall in the Palmer House and demanded to see the books. The agents immediately began to investigate the accounts of the firm. In the meantime the Post started a vigorous campaign against the Shubert show "Doing ()ur Bit" at the Palace. They termed the show "salacious, ob- scene and comparable with burlesque in the halcyon days." The newspaper demanded Funkhouser make a report on the show. Funkhouser promised to send his investigators to attend a per- formance. While the matter was pend- ing Funkhouser was suspended by the chiet ot police. But the Post has taken the matter up with the city council, and it was announced that Alderman John Kost- ner would introduce a resolution this week providing for an investigation of all theaters to determine whether im- moral or improper shows are being given in violation of city ordinances. Judge Joseph David was expected to render a decision in the case of the Cort theatre versus the City of Chi- cago last week, but on the plea of the theatre's attorney the finding was post- poned 30 days to give the lawyer fur- ther opportunity to prepare a reply In the contention of the city, which is to the effect that owners and managers of bn-al theaters are working in collu- sion with ticket scalpers. BUSINESS OFF. All theatrical business has been re- ported as poor during tin' past two weeks, with the warm weather giving no promise of better conditions, fol- lov nig the -lump during the Bed ( toss di i\e. Mondav nighl of this week only a v. tv lew di the legitimate houses hold S'l.oon. NL.st of them were between $ |nn and $o(IM. "FOLLIES" OPENING DELAYED. The opening of ihe new Ziogfeld "Follies" ha. bc«n postponed from June 3 at Atlantii City to June 11 at the - a me place. It move- up the date of the show's opening at the Amsterdam, New \ ork, to June 17. _^_^_ Catch a rral funutt r— ««•«• (HAS. ALTIIOFF. DECLINE K. & E. OFFER. Chicago, May 29. Both of the legitimate syndicates arc understood to be negotiating for the bookings or leasing of the Great Northern Hippodrome, which is at present playing "pop" vaudeville. The owners were in New York last week, where they had a conference with A. L. Frlanger, who offered to play the K. & K. attractions at the house on the usual terms, permit the owners to first take their rent and then share "fifty-fifty" on the profits, the owner* having the privilege ot passing on all shows submittechbefore the bookings are consummated. This was declined. SUED FOR SLANDER William K. Saxton, now playing "Cloakes and Suits" on the Loew Cir- cuit, is mentioned as defendant in a $50,(X)0 slander and libel suit brought by Slow Brothers & K if kin, through their attorney, Kdward B. Levy. According to the complaint, Mr. Sax- ton during the time he has presented his playlet in various theatres, made reference to the concern in a comedy vein. Maurice Knapp is representing Sax- ton. MUNITION TOWNS LIGHT. Reports coming from munition and mill towns say the local theatres have been badly affected of late through the workers making so much over time they have no opportunity to visit the playhouses. BUSINESS BAD? Because they laughed off stage, five choristers in "Fancy Free" at the Ca- sino were lined $2 each last week. A new girl made a "bull" and the others giggled. SAM BERNARD ILL. ( hicago, May 29. Sam Bernard took ill this week with at n I *• rheumatism ami was rushed away to Mt. Clemens, Mich., to be boiled on), if possible, in time to be in the "Iricndlv Kncinies" east when the show comes to New N '»i k. f.ngeiie Ward, Bernard's understudy, leaped into the part until the arrival of Dick Bernard, supposed to get in this wei k to take the role. It was an- nounced that Bernard's illness would iioi inlerfere with tin- run- of the play at the Woods theatre. No notice of the change in ca-t was made in the advert iscinent s.