Variety (January 1922)

<rica/> January 27, 1922 VAUDEVILLE REFORMERS START DRIVE FOR BLUE SUNDAY IN N. Y. STATE Albany Reform Lobby Reported Out to Repeal AH Laws Permitting Sports and Amusements First Day on Albany, X. T., Jan. 25. What i.< looked i pon as the opon- L- gun for Sunday blue laws in this State was liivd this week with the introduetion in the Legislature of bills carrying out some of t_ie pro- gram of the organizations which j have become lnown as the "In- form Lobby" group. From present indications, before the 1022 session is a month eld bills will be intro- duced making more rigi 1 the stat- utes pertaining to gambling at race tracks and other forms of gam- bling, particularly crap shooting; the- repeal of all laws permitting spirts and amusements on Sunday; the rep.-al of the boxing law and the introduction of a bill designed |t close all business places on Sun- day Vh* bills of Senators Seymour, Lovvman a ad Assemblyman John J. Richtord. ot Chemung County, known as the ••Triplets" of the Anti-Saloon League. authorizing cities, towns and villages to enact ©rdinnnces for the enforcement of the prohibition lawn, were intro- duced yesterday. At the same time Assemblyman F. W. Miller, Democrat, of Brooklyn. presented a bill repealing the Mul- lan-GaRe act. Robert O. Davey, former right- hand man of Williar \ H. Anderson, the dry czar in the days prior to prohibition, but now counsel for the Lord's Day Alliance, which is ad- vocating a puritanical Sunday, sur- prised political observers at the capitol and legislators alike when he announced that he is also in Albany in the interests of an asso- ciation which aims to bring about the repeal of thj boxing law. The organization is tnown as the "Leg- islative and Law Enforcement Com- mittee of Citizens" and interesteu in other 'moral issues." "The righteous people will stand by our efforts to bring about the repeal of the prize fight law of this State." declared Mr. Davey. "Not only will w seek to have that statute wiped off the books of the State, but we will direct our attention to bringing about an end to the gambling that is going on at race tracks. "Crap .shooting will also receive not a little attention. Many so- called billiard and pool rooms are In reality nothing but crap shooting resorts." The bill introduced, by Assembly- man Paul "Westerbeke, Republican, of Suffolk County, licensing billiard and pool rooms, has the support ! the new organization, Mr. Davey ■aid. Last year a similar bill was introduced, but failed to pass. It is reported the Westerbeke meas- ure is vastly different from last year's bill, one < * the principal •changes being the requirement that the rooms close on Sunday and ex- Pose the interior of the establish- ments as was the case with saloons. PROTEST TRUCK RATES Traveling . Salesmen Assure Con mission $1.25 Is Too Much Even in New York KEITH'S DEFENSE R«ply to Shubert's $1,000,000 Suit in Syracuse Twelve years delay of the Shsi- borts in pressing any claim or mak- ing any demands for a half interest in Keith's vaudeville interests in Syracuse is pleaded in the Keith answer to the pending $1, J.000 suit as having invalidated any pos- sible interest in the two years oper- ation of the Keith property and theatre in South Salina s'reet. Maurice (ioodman served the reply Upon William Rubin of the Shubert legal staff, it raff ths statute of limitations. Eleanor Bordman Settles » Eleanor Bordman, who wasp fast J Eddie Russell's act, "A Man of Affairs,.' has adjusted her M.950 J£h*ry elaim against Laurence ^hw.ih, producer of the act. Miss HoMman claimed she was dismissed ^justly although she held a sea- son's contract at $65 a week. She SU J'<1 In the City Court fc 30 weeks* salary, through Samuel W. Tannen- '•auni, but adjusted th? litigation throng a cash :ettlement out of court. An ordinance of Interest to pro* fessiounls coming into the me- tropolis is now being threshed out before the local Public Service Commission under the chairman- ship of Commissioner of Accounts Hirschrield. appealing from the ex- cessive transfer rates charged by the NV\v York trucking companies. The present minimum rate is $1.25 per trunk. An interrogatory mailed to over a score of cities throughout this country shows that the rate ranges f.cm GO to 75 cents per trunk with an average of 62 cents. According to this, the New York truckmen exact more than double fc r carrying a trunk from the rail- road station to a hotel even if it is but live blocks distant or even less. A traveling salesmen's organiza- tion is behind the investigation, the i\ S. C. promising action shortly. Meantime the data introduced by the road men fa being investigated. NO SONG PLUG PAY Publishers Reaffirm Pledge Not to "Salve"' Acta for Using Numbers At a meeting at the rooms of the Music Publishers' Protective Asso- ciation for three hOttrlr the pro- fessional managers of all the asso- ciation's members rep'edged their words to K. C. Mills not to assist, directly or indirectly, in prying vaudeville and musical comedy per- formers in order to "land' a num- ber with any act. Rumors to the effect that certain Influential arts and performers were looking for payment in money or gifts from the must men in ex- change for "plugging" certain num- bers have been about in "Tin Pan a*lley." HART ANSWERS WIFE Max Hart on Wednesday tiled an- swer through Townsend Scudder and George Mortion Levy to Mrs. Madge Hart's separation action ask- ing $1,000 monthly alimony, in which he generally denies all allegations, only admitting he does support Mrs. Hart but not a retinue of servants or entertains lavishly as alleged. For a second defense he states there is another action still pending in the State Supreme Court for divorce on similar grounds and asks that the complaint be dismissed. The hearing on the motion for alimony and counsel fees has been adjourned from today (Friday) to February 2. H. S. Hechhcimer, at- torney for Mrs. Hart, states this action will he tried, although sev- eral suits his client has begun were dropped. HUGO MORRIS MARRIES Hugo Morris (Morris & Feil). vaudeville agent, residing at 1G2 West 54th street, New Yorok, was married, Jan. 12, to Lillian' Char- lotte Stacy, registered trained nurse and a native of Rochester. The froOtn gave his age as 42. while the bride is 25. The marriage was performed by Deputy City Clerk Joseph McCormack in the marriage bureau of the. Municipal Building. The couple returned from their honeymoon, which . they spent at Lake wood. X. J., this week. His bride attended the agent dur- ing his convalescence recently, after h« underwent an operation for ap# pendicttls. INCORPORATES HIMSELF Ted Lewis has incorporated un- der the style and name of "I Am Ted Lewis, Inc.," for the purpose of protecting his business Identity. Lewis claims that several people have been trying to trade Ofl his name. H. S. Heehheimer, counsel for Lewis, and (ieorge A. McCor- mick are i n the directorate with Lewis. i. no CiENKVi: FLANDERS and BUTLER "A VAUDEVILLE CONCERT" Leo Flanders and Geneve Butler presented the most enjoyable, Clevel- and artistic singing and piano act seen thus far the current season. etc.—"CALGARY ALBERTAN." Orpheum Circuit. Direction BURT CORTELYOU CHORUS GmiLflfELEASED Practically Acquitted of Passing Money Order Given Her by ex- Asst. Postmsster EARLY CLOWS, SALARY CUTS LOOM SS TIMES IMPROVE Show Business Looks Hopefully to Washington to Remedy Unemployment—Regarded as Worst of Present Ills KEITH EXCH. SEEKS FAIRS Kollins. of Boston, Bids for Maine Circuit Evonts Stuart Kollins, Keith Exchange manager of Hoston. appeared last week before the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs and bid for the booking of shows. No business was done, Kollins intimating that the Keith establishment would not handle the business in association with any other agent and would not submit shows in advance. Kollins argued that his organiza- tion was better equipped to book the shows, the quality ot which would be based on the amount sf the appropriation. Mobile, Ala., Jan. '_'5. Daisy Wolfe, 22, New York choruf? girl, is back on her way to Broad- way, via New Orleans, to repent, the Cnited States Government hav- ing virtually nolle prossed a charge against her of passing a forged money order for $100. The young woman, who said she was here with C. L. Doran, ex- assistant postmaster of Harding Grove, who died a few days ago at a New Orleans hospital, stated that Doran gave her the order to cash one day when he was too ill to leave his room, and that she had no knowledge that it was a forged or- der. She said it was the first ordt r she had cashed, and she did not know that Doran had any more in his possession until their room was raided by the postal authorities at New Orleans recently, .\nd Doran charged with violating tl postal laws. She testified that Doran stated to the postal authorities at New Orleans, in the presence it witnesses, that she had no connec- tion with or knowledge of the or- ders. No charges were preferrc .1 against her at New Orleans, al- though she testified that she cashed one warrant in that city under the samo circumstances as at Mobile, when he was too ill to leave his room. Pale and suffering irom an attack of appendicitis, the young woman took the stand and persistently de- nied her guilt, answering all ques- tions without hesitation. She told of how she met Doran in New York last June at a cafe with a gay party and believed him a millionaire, and of their visits to other cities since that time. She said Doran seemed always to have plenty of cash on hand. He gave her his card, which she produced in court. She said they camo to Mobile some time ago, and stopped at the Battle House. One day when Doran was too ill to leave his room she declared he gave her a money order for $100, which was made out in his favor, and told her to cash it. He designated her as the person to whom the money was to bo paid, signing the order in tho blank pro- vided for this. She went to the postofTice, and was told that she must have someone to identify her. She returned to the Battle House and asked the clerk to cash the or- der, she testified, telling him that she had no one to identify her. The house detective then volunteered, it was brought out, to go with her to tho office, and she "was paid the monoj'. United States District Attorney Alex. D. Pitt* recommended that she be bound over to court and re- leased upon her own recognizance, and this was done by Federal Com- missioner Anstill. MUSIC MEN (Continued from Page C) music sold and delivered on a re- leasing agent agreement. Marks is acting as selling agent on four Goodman & Rose songs, the latter selling the copies to Marks and the latter distributing them to the trade. Professional exploitation occurred from both offices. Goodman & Hose claimed there was some money due them which Marks was slow in sat- isfying and began suit, Marks in- terposing a defense about fraud that did not hold. Hay Walker has decided to do ac- tive orchestra work and resigned from the Berlin professional staff. Ben Bcrman. piofe^sional mana- ger in Frisco for Jerome Uemick, b ft last week to take charge of the Los Angeles office. He was accompanied by Harry Leavitt also of the S:.n Francisco staff. • Salary CUtS ai an early closing of middlo western vaudeville houses is anticipated shortly unless li:si- ness takes an unlooked for jump. Numerous houses are wavering in the face of the decreasing attend- ance and operating at a loss in the expectancy something will be done at Washington to alleviate unem- ployment, regarded as the principal reason for the present depression. Tho I.oew circuit announces the closing of three houses in middle we.iteyn cities which will ivduoe that circuit's western time to about five weeks. Several of the Pantages houses are said to be wavering over closing, particularly the' Pantages homo in Minneapolis, where the opening of the Junior Orpheum's Hennepin has worked havoc with all of the other vaudeville theatres. The Hippodrome, Youngstown and Colonial, Krie. two Keith booked houses, are considering an early closing or asking acts to accept sal- ary cuts that will allow the houses some margin of profit. In the eastern vaudeville houses business has been snotty outside of Greater New York, but in marked contrast to the poor reports ema- nating from the central portions of the country. a picture edition of Will Cobb and Gus Bdagarda' "School Da\s" num- ber in con junction with the \V \sley Barry "School Days" picture. Bay Hibbeler. Chicag.t song writer, is in Frisco this week prior to icturning cast. He has returned from his first visit to L*■> Angeles. Fied Mayo (Fox and Mayo) has joined the Stark A Cowan profes- sional staff. G( orge Whiting and Roland EL Blab (Krnest K. Ball inverted) havo written a mock balfUd which Wit- mark Is publishing. Alex Gerber has affected a settle- ment with Leo Feist, on "Ain't Nature Grand," Gerber proving he had previously .written and copy- righted a song of that title and con- struction which was later re-written with Billy Jerome for Witsriark pub- lication. Witmark did not issue the song other than copyright copies because of Feist's current number. The settlement was arranged by Arthur F. Driscoll (O'Brien. Male- vinsky & Driscoll). B provides for a royalty interest in the Feist num- ber by Gerber although the latter is signed with Witmark. Harry Akst's $000 suit against the Aeolian Co. for not permitting him to complete a contract to record 48 word roll numbers at $25 each has been adjusted, the company agree- ing to allow him to finish the period of employment. After making 12 out of a stipulated 48 recordings the Aeolian Co. let Akst out. reissuing Bert Grant, of the Bert Grant Music Publishing Co.. underwent an operation for appendicitis at the New York Hospital (Thurdayi yesterday. Doctor Seward Efttttttftn performed the operation. MILES' FOR SALE? Report Vaudeville Manager to Dis- pone of Circuit Detroit, Jan. '_•. It is reported Charles H. Mi!< has offered to sell or rent his the- atres, now playing vaudeville. Tho Miles houses are located in this city. Cleveland and Scranton, Pa. The Shubctts are among the vaudeville operators to whom MtU I is said io have submitted his pro- posal. The music men are busy rushing out Hawaiian numbers again. It looks as if that type of t:ong is "in" again judging from the reception of th'> Hawaiian melody from "3ootl Morning, Dearie." The music publishing Industry l* developing a new type of song pub* Usher whose aim Is a quick ' t;i n ov<>r" to a bigger house. That counts for a number of now fin n that have come into existence each of which is intent on "starting" a number toward popularity with the orchestras and acts and th »■ tutll it over to the big firms for "big money'' as they have it. Th!:< f "'. came into existence when Jack Bobbins of the - Richmond company started "Tell Me," "Smites." Ln Veeda" and a number other son •>* later turning them over to Uemi k for large royalty advances. Betwln, Inc.. is another house that has ben working on that basis with Porster, and Shaplro-lJernstein. Both these firms admit it rather boastlngly for it is no easy stunt f >r a small flv*u to pick a winner and plug it suc- cessfully until the re illy S*fi Arm who can exploit it t ikes the >o.»g over. Kcndis and Brocknr n is a Bongwriting-publishing Combination that has ^probably had as nun!) suc- cess as any of them. Recognising their limitations for properly push- ing •"■ song to its Utmost they splurge big on publicity andjntei a biK lorn in their product. •i»i:u.\m> Tin: OKIGINAI/* BETTY— —PHILIP MARTIN and MOORE We found that SUCCCSS is not mcie LICK nor PULL, but the largest, hardest job we evr tackled. Hul We nre aatl.dled--.'ind BOOKED SOLIO. Direction, LEW GOLDUR TALK .V... t Alleging that Collins ft Roach, Inc.. are non-existent as a corporate combination, Sam Ward has brought suit in the Second District Municipal Court against Johnny Collins ami Irwin Itosen, individually, for $250. Ward claims that i mount lor 1L'»i weeks' royalty at $i!0 a week for having written tho Harris rind Santley act which Collins arid Rosen own. Ward is a staff writer connected with Irving Berlin, Iuc. A default judgment of SL'.oui.n was entered against Oeorg< W. Meyer, songwriter, by Harry •'• E»*itsgerald, th" agent. The action Was on a not*'. Syracuse Indictments Syracuse, X. Y.. Jan. 'J". An Onondaga County Urand Jury returned ten scattf Indictments to- «: . .'.m ;» result <»' Ita Investigation or immorality in h»< ni dance hall?.