Variety (June 1918)

VAUDEVILLE ; PROFESSIONALS IN THE DARK AS TO NEW D RAFT ORDER Men in Amusement Branches Now on "Deferred Classifica- tion" List Not Sure Whether They Are Included in "Work or Fight" Ruling. Stage and Picture Industry Await "Official Interpre- tation" as to Status on ' Late Order. v~m> No official interpretation as to the specific meaning and application of General Crowder's "Useful Occupation" order in its relation to the theatrical profession has as yet been given out either in Washington or New York. Marshal McCarthy, whose province of duties will include the enforcement of the order in New York, declines to give a personal opinion until he re- ceives word from Washington as to how the order is to be understood and applied. While the theatrical profession has been placed in the "essential" class, it is held by some authorities who have gone into the subject that there are certain persons engaged in the amuse- ment field who might be classed as "non-essentials." Exactly who these persons are and in what branches of the business they are engaged is not officially explained, but it has been argued that box office employees and ushers could be replaced by women. It is the general impression among officials who have been in any way in touch with the details of the theat- rical business that stage hands in their relation to the successful production of a play are essential and could not be replaced by women through the arduous and physical work called upon to perform, and the same might be said of those engaged in the routing and road handling of companies. One official, who refused to be quoted, said that on account of the intricate nature of the theatrical busi- ness and the need for quick decision and technical knowledge of the busi- ness end of it, it would be necessary to permit men to continue in that branch as women could not learn these details quickly enough to allow busi- ness to proceed without interruption, which interruption would spell untold hardships and losses to producers and actors alike. It is not the intention of the Wash- ington authorities to harrass or em- barrass the producers, rather they want to facilitate matters for them as all Washington feejs grateful for the hearty and willing support the pro- fession has given the government. While it cannot be said with any degree of official endorsement, it is generally understood that but few changes in the operation of theatrical enterprises will be suggested by Gen- eral Crowder or others with official interest in the "Useful Occupation" or- Returning film men from Washington this week declared that the new ruling by Provost Marshal Crowder that all men of draft age must "work or nght will undoubtedly take in the males ot the picture companies that are in the deferred classification and assign them to labor on this side of the Atlantic that must be done to help along the war progress. One of the returning picture men learned also from channels that seemed authentic that the interpretation from Washington will be that the work now being done by drafted men exempted since registering who are connected with the film industry can just as well be done by older men beyond the dratt Numerous inquiries have poured into McCarthy's office regarding the bear- ing the ruling has on the film and stage players, but notwithstanding that no official explanation had been made at Washington the feeling is prevalent that the "deferred classified" males will be subject to whatever govern- mental work may be assigned on the new ruling. DANCING ACT WITH EFFECTS. A dancing act calling for two peo- ple, with cartloads ox effects in a woodland scene, has been worked out by Langdon McCormack, who is noted for his stage novelties. The act will be booked through H. B. Marinelli. - WINE BUYER PINCHED. Chicago, June 5. Frank Donia, a principal in the big- time "Reckless Eve" company, laying off in Chicago this week prior to a jump to Buffalo, decided to spend some of his season's earnings buying wine for a party. He forgot the ordinance which prohibits the sale of liquor af- ter one o'clock, and the party, con- sisting of Frank and a young woman, were hauled into the police station, as well as the proprietor. Frank had just enough money on him to furnish cash bail for the girl. While waiting in the cell for some good Samaritan to deliver him, Frank, still warmed by the cheering fluid, be- gan to carol some vagrant melodies at the top of his robust tenor voice. In a little while all the inmates of the adjoining cells, the detective sergeants, the desk sergeant, the cops in the squadroom and a couple of police re- porters in front had gathered around the cell and were listening. When Frank quit the desk sergeant had him brought out. "You've • sung your way out of a mean fine, young fellow," he said. "But keep sober." Frank thanked him affectionately, left) got his lady, then taxied to Co- lisimo's and began to buy wine. Ray Dooley Engaged to V. ed. Ray Dooley, of the Dooley Family, is engaged to wed Eddie Dowling, the "single" in vaudeville, according to a member of the Dooley family. Miss Dooley is now with the new Raymond Hitchcock show. FITZPATRICK GIVEN $750. The second libel action of James W. Fitzpatrick against the "Billboard" re- sulted in the complainant receiving a verdict for $750. The suit was lor $100,000. The verdict does not carry with it court costs, since in Supreme Court actions no costs are added to awards of less than $1,000. The first libel action by and against the same parties, which resulted in a disagreement, was begun on retrial be- fore Justice Newburger Wednesday. Tobias Keppler, the "Billboard's" at- torney, succeeded in obtaining a chance to amend the form of defense which will be "by justification." This allows the introduction of a number of wit- nesses whose testimony was not heard last week. POLICE CALLED IN. Elmira, N. Y., June 5. It took the police to settle an argu- ment at the Majestic late Saturday night. Following the performance, dancing girls in the "Variete De Dance," playing a three-day engage- ment, were told by their manager that they would receive no pay until an engagement one week hence was fin- ished at Binghamton. The girls failed to see the reason of this arrangement. They had no engagement to fill in the first half of this week and wished to be given their money and transportation to New York. The manager evidently feared that if the girls were given this they would not return to Binghamton. Eventually the police were called to settle the difficulty. In the end { the girls were given their three days pay, but no transportation to Broad- way. MARRYING ON COAST. San Francisco, June 5r Joe Kennedy, of La France and Ken- nedy, playing the Pantages Circuit, and Marie Cullen, professionally known as one of the De Ross Sisters, of Chal- oner and De Ross Sisters, also on the Pan time, announce that they will be married at Los Angeles next week. The romance started in Winnipeg, where Joe presented the bride-to-be with a diamond ring. PEARL LOWEREE MISSING. San Francisco, June 5. Pearl Loweree, who with her brother Edward (now at Camp Upton) appeared in vaudeville, has myster- iously disappeared from her home here. Information in the hands ot the police is believed to indicate that Miss Loweree is being held prisoner by a gang of white slavers somewhere near San Francisco. Sell mt a odd brick—RUBE CHA8. ALTHOFF. GABOR BAGI of SINCIKH'S MIDGETS t „i™i. in iho nhnvc nrc ftAHOll IIAGI (Nip Mlflgrt of Singer's Midgets), boxing » T, n^v\ 1 p P irONARD light weigh I : < ninpinn WILUK IUTC1IIE. acting i,s referro. The^iShot^H. taken durhlg the Soldier*' Community Fund Benefit, held recently with The snapshot ---- ■- at the Civic Auditorium, San I rancisco. LIVELY AT CONVENTION. According to activities within the lines, the forthcoming meeting of the American Federation of Labor, which will be held in St Paul, June 1Q, will devote some lively period to the part that the different representatives of theatrical labor organizations will play in the Minnesota gathering. James Fitzpatrick and Harry Mount- ford will be on the scene personally, it is said, and carry a bitter convention fight against Harry DeVeaux, James Barry and other officers of Acton' International Union No. 1, New York; the report now current that the union heads were verbally berated during a recent committee meeting of Federa- tion officials. Just what angle may break is hard to conjectirre, but it is believed by those who know the tactics of Fitzpatrick and Mountford that they will endeavor to have De Veaux or whoever repre- sents the union personally at the St. Paul meeting placed in a bad light with the Federation. Harry DeVeaux has been very active in the reference proceedings of the White Rats' Actors' Union. There is no question but that either Mountford or Fitzpatrick will obtain floor permission of the Federation and take the liberty of telling the assem- bled delegates just what they want done as an affiliated and recognized representation of "organized labor." Tis also believed along the street that Mountford and Fitzpatrick may bring open charges against No. 1, al- leging that the De Veaux-Barry office is being conducted solely to book acts and frame shows on the employment agency basis, using the actors' union connection as a foil. No matter what may be officially transacted at the executive session of the executive board of the Interna- tional Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and M. P. Operators of the United States and Canada, which will be held in St.-Paul a* the same time the American Federation of Labor meets there, the Alliance is going to place itself squarely on record as being out to fight to keep the show business thriving. The Alliance executives realize that continued legislative mat- ters, if put through, may kill the show business, so the Alliance is to lend its undivided support in opposing all measures or activities tended to kiU the show business. 'Tis pointed out br executive members of the I. A. T. S. S that such measures adopted or becom ing effective not only slams the man agers and theatre owners, but also rips a gap in the Alliance. The Alliance has been fighting to be sure and President Charles C Shay practically single handed has killed a number of proposed measures at Tren- ton, Harrisburg and in Albany that if passed would have worked an untold hardship on the employees as well at the managers. President Shay returned to New York the first of the week from a flying trip to Chicago, Detroit and other points west, but starts for the St. Paul convention ahead of the delegates and executive members, having several stopovers to make on the way. A number of big changes have be- come effective in the Alliance ranks of late. Charles C. Crickmore, assistant International President, located at the New York quarters, has resigned and his work assumed by Lcs Dolliver, San Francisco, who has come east for the new assignment. Crickmore resigns to devote more time to other interests, although he will become a deputy organizer next fall, planning to take a good rest this summer at his home in Seattle. Oscar Sheck, of the executive board and a deputy organizer who has had charge of the stagehand troubles in Cleveland, has resigned, to devote his entire attention to his lathing business.