Variety (Jul 1930)

T^ednesday, July 2, 1930 I. EG IT I ATE VARIETY 69 LITERATI ( The Los Angeles Blanket Unwritten but strictly adhered to Is the- law among Los Angeles newspapers that anything which falls to present California as a land of perpetual sunshine and health shall . not be published. Their unaninnous devotion to this creed Is aLgaiti evidenced concerning the epidemic of infantile paralysis cur- rent In, tfOS Angeles. ' Not a line about the epidemic has 1>een published in Los Angeles, al- though word-of-mouth rumors have exaggerated the situation tremen- dously and have created an un- necessary degree of panic in certain portions of the city. Actually there "were 64 cases reported to the Com- missioner of Health this month, and tour deaths. The wire services have always re- fused to recognize the hush plea, sending imports east and getting delighted yelps for more. Recently, during an epidemic of influenza, dis- gruntled . California organizations almost passed a resolution con- demning all eastern newspapers for printing reports of the sickness. This despite the fact that if half of Los Angeles went down in flames and Mianii was visited by a slight windstorm the latter would get the lead in all L. A. dailies. Hounding the Coast papers to keep all derogatory reports away from the compo^slng room are civic organizations, tourist bureaus, plain city ballyhooers and theatres. The latter particularly fear epidemic re- ports, as even a slight scare ruins business. Los Angeles is the only large city In the country where newspapers unanimously permit civic pride to govern news. That Jake Lingle Affair Chicago is .^vitneisslng an extraor- dinary tacticial battle between the "Herald and Examiner," morning Hearst paper, and the "Tribune," as a result of the assassination of Al- fred "J^e;' Llngle," "Tribune" po- lice reporter, presumably by gang- sters. Day by day the "Examiner" is printing facts which tend to show that Lingle, a |66-a-week man, was the city's most Important flxing agent for gangs, and that his real Income was consistently over the IIOO.OOQ mark. When the "Tribune" dropped the knurder from its front page, the "Examiner" began spurt- ing on exposes, and. forced the story back to page one of the "Tribune." .'Lingle's sensational murder at noon In the Illinois Central subway, 4t Randolph. and Michigan, after having been "put on the spot," was followed by a great hue and cry from the "Tribune" and the posting of rewards totaling $56,000—$25,000 each by "Tribune" and "Examiner" and $6,000 by the "Post." As quickly as the "Tribune" cham- pioned the cause of the slain man, the "Examiner" followed, tempo- rarily. When t^e confusion had quieted the "Tribune" realized that Lingle may have been playing Jekyll and Hyde with his Job as in- fluence, and began to lose interest. It was at this point that the "Ex- aminer" undertook to get at the truth. Last week the Hearst paper had McCormick's dally in a posi- tion where the latter did not know whether to defend or betray its slain re»-orter. If repudiating him, the fTrib" admits loss of the "Simon- pure" prestige of their staff. It they do not repudiate him, they'admit hackwaterlng on the challenge to gangdom and crooked politics car- ried in a stirring editorial f ulogy Immediately following Lingle's death. The latest report is that the "Ex- aminer" is ready to add further to the "Tribune's" uncomfortable posi- tion by withdrawing its $25,000 re- ward on the grounds that Llngl.e was only "another of the mob," and not representative of the fourth estate, regardless of his 18 years of service on the "Tribune." Another paper which has stepped Into the battle for prestige, despite financial connections with the "Tribune," is the "Times," tabloid, published at the old "Journal" plant by W. S. Thomason, formerly asso- ciated with the "Tribune." The "Times" jumped ahead of the "Ex- aminer" one ^ay last week with Information which disclosed Lingle had "borrowed" sums ranging from $5,000 and up from prominent public offlcials. Lots more to the Lingle inside. Not only was he the real fixer and take fellow, but he ran the dough side of the town. They had to see him, and if opening up a Joint without noticing Jake, he would walk In on it, declaring him- self for 26 or 50%. He got it—or else. His "connections" were such that Lingle seemed able to dictate ap- pointments in circles which would do his money reign the most good. Though years on the "Trib" as a phone reporter (police), he never tipped off. his paper to anything worth while in the underworld. As a matter of fact, the only Chicago newspaper that has told all the facts it could secure on the underneath of the town is the Chicago "Daily News." Lingle was in high for about two years. No cross is reported in con- nection with his sudden death, thereby leaving but one surmise. It is possible another Chicago news- paper man may get tangled up In the Lingle affair before it dies out. Husky Mauler in Trouble When Ed . Barrow, secretary of the New York Yankees, slugged Bill Slocum, baseball reporter for the New Tork "American," he horned his way into plenty of trouble. Since the assault, Jacob Ruppert, presi- dent of the club, has apologized to the paper and Slocum. So has the portly Barrow, who even waited out- side the scribe's house until after midnight to square things. But the slugging Itself could not be squared away. The result was demotion for Bar- row, who formerly handled the press for the Tanks. George Perry, con- nected with the Yanks for some years, now Is the ofllcial contact man for the Yanks and newspaper- men. The Barrow-Slocum Incident Is being considered by the Baseball Writers' Association, but is expected to go further than that. It has been suggested that hereafter all news- papermen traveling with the ball teams should go at the expense of the various dailies. In that way the writers will be free of any obliga- tion to the ball clubs. If any does exist. It will be up to the papers. At present only the New York Qiorning "World" and "Dally News" men are said to bie traveling at the papers' expense. The front-running Brooklyn team Is carrying more sports writers than any other team, all the New York dailies and the Brooklyn papers having men In the party. Slocum Is a quiet, well liked chap, and anything but a match for a man of Barrow's size. According to reports. Barrow took umbrage at a couple of stories written by Slocum in criticism of the Yanks. He Is said to have knocked Slocum cold and to prevent any Interference had a bunch of those ball park cops present. Barrow has been doing plenty of worrying since then. The Fight Hippodrome It looks as though the only way to cleanse up the hippodrome man- agers and fighters are making of ring contests. Is for all of the dailies under an understanding to take all professional pugilistic news and comment off of the sports pages. That would remove at the same time any sports writers who may be on the fight promoters' pay rolls. Letting flghts be announced by advertisements only would swiftly knock oft the framers and perhaps restore prize fighting to a sport. Now it's the worst kind of cold commercialism. The bad name fighting again has won for itself, the only fair thing it has won of late. It is driving its readers away. Never had the wom- en and can't get the boys, while the chumps who pay and<pay to see the latest tricks in prize ring fram- ing are even growing tired. Without publicity there would be no flghts, or steaming up by the high salaried writers telling about traiiting camps where fighters don't train and the rest of the boloney. Off the sports pages would be ac- cepted as the indicator that the dailies know or believe a fight is In the bag before starting. No daily could go far wrong in making that statement. Fighting is again a racket. Faking Story Agents Reports of a re-opened market for screen originals Aas caused a large number of alleged screen story agents to establish themselves in Hollywood. In most every case the term "talking picture" is included In the agent's name, to completely Identify the enterprise. According to literature sent out by these so-callea agents to wniers the world over, gleaned from sucker lists. It's a cifich to sell an original story to any of the producers, that is, of course, if sold through this particular agent. But, of course, the story submitted isn't in the accepted form, and for a small fee the agent will put the story In form. Then it has to be re-typed in its new form, and there's a fee for that Also a fee for registering the story at the studios, etc., etc. That it's Just another racket is evi- denced by the fact that none of these alleged story agents -ever turn down any tales submitted to them. Each Is hailed as sure-fire, despite the various excuses for the nu- merous fees. About the only one reading un- solicited originals Is Warner Bros., and that from newspapermen, only. Other producers Invariably return them unopened even when from—or, especially when from—the alleged story agents who purport to sell talker originals. On the Pan Again Enjoying a Hollywood demand ex- ceeding Its publication schedule Is "Queer People," a novel concerning the picture colony written by Car- roll and Garrett Graham, former title writer and publicity men re- spectively. Story Is based upon the escapades of a one-time newspaper maA who goes pictures. Dragged into the story by the scruffs of their necks are practically all of Hollywood's celebrities. They are presented as their enemies would prefer. The Graham brothers haven't achieved a literary niche and prob- ably didn't Intend to. But they've aimed at ' the pocketbooks and reached them. Outside of Coast circles there has been little Inter- est in the book so far. In Los An- geles the Wampas Introduced a res- olution condemning the book, but dropped It In order not to attach that much Importance to It. Books Returnable There will he fewer books on the fall lists of almost every book pub- lisher this year, with the publishers candidly admitting the present pre carious state of the Industry to be the reason. Too many books being published has been a long-standing plaint by booksellers, who had to stock up on everythlhg Issued. It meant big outlays for books, and much dead matter on hand, the latter respon sible for those "publisher's rem nants," which subsequently found their way to the chain . cigar and drug stores to be sold at cut prices in competition with the retail book- seller. Not only will lists be curtailed this year, it is promised, but at least two publishers will % accept re- turns on pnsold books. Latter Is a dream of booksellers now realized at last. Always Trying Writers' summer colonies getting a rather good play this year, most- ly those In and about Provlncetown. Would-be playwrights seem to think that the Provlncetown air was re- sponsible for Eugene O'NelU's suc- cess. Those who would write for the stage are taking In the ozone up there. Also a number of writers* colonies along the'California seafront but these mostly of writers who have already sold. It's not the first summer for some of the colonists in and about Prov- lncetown. Their procedure is to save enough money at their regula- tion tasks to enable them to spend the summer learning how to write. If they click during the ensuing sea- son, they remain at writing and away from the writers' colonies. If not, they save some more money and spend another summer at It. None ever get discouraged If they fall to click. Their Instructors tell them not to. French Slander Eugene Blanc, author of a mur- der mystery book, "Did Francois Plnnet Kill Miss Branson?" based on actual events, was fined In a French court for slander. Olive Branson, English painter, was murdered In the south of France two years ago, and the manager, Francois Plnnet, of the hotel she owned, was arrested but later freed for lack of evidence. Vernon Blake, English painter, sued the author for libel for use of his name In con- nection with the case. Lait's New Contract. Jack Lait is on the coast for a visit of three weeks. Before leaving New York he renewed his Hearst contract with International News for three years. Ford and "Vanity Fair" Donald Freeman, managing editor of "Vanity Fair," states that his monthly did not nominate Henry Ford for "oblivion," but that "his agreement with 'V.inlty Fair' was purely on the question of a state- ment made in a recent article on Prohibition publitihed in 'Vanity Fair.' "On the basis of this statement the Ford Co. discontinued Us adver- tising in 'Vanity Fair," but In none of the other Nast publications, as they had no point of difference whatever with Mr. Ford or his in- terests," Mr. Freeman states. New Hollywood Papers Two new sheets showed up in Hollywood last week. "Studio Daily Digest," with first issue June 26, has A. Macarthur as publisher, George Blalsdell editor and Ray Murray associate editor. It Is run- ning four pages. "Hollywood World," eight-page tabloid form, calling itself a weekly feature newspaper, appeared June 27, announcing free distribution to Hollywood homes and a flve-cent sale price elsewhere. Charles Spee- die is listed as editor and pub- lisher. eteerlng reasons, as the evidence indicates it may have been, made a breach in the wall which criminal- ity has so long maintained about its operations here. Thnt he Is not a soldier dead in the discharge of his duty is unfortunate, consider- ing that he Is dead. It is of no con- sequence to an inquiry determined to discover why he was killed, by whom killed and with what attend- ant circumstances." Charles Rathburn, the "Trlb's" lawyer, was sworn In as a special assistant prosecutor lawyer as a member of the special "bo.ard of strategy." When Roy Vlckers has a book published In this country It bears his own name as author. In his native England, however, his books bear the name of "Sefton Kyle." Syracuse Story Denied Report, published in "The Jour- nal;" Syracuse Hearst paper, that its evening and Sunday opposition contemporary, "The Herald," was being sold to the Gannett chain, brought a denial from Mary E. Jen- kins, pi'esldent of The Hierald Com- ptiny, and its principal ownef. F, P. A's Own Story F. P. A., without Russel Crouses' help, has written a book on poker, tailed "Dealer's Choice." William Auerbach Lsvy has done the Illus- trations, said to be as funny as the text. Hollywood's Daily ExDose Hollywood Is In for another yel- lowlzatlon. Rene Fullop Miller, who got Into several editions with "Life of . Rasputin" and "Curse of Bolshevism," has arrived In the colony to write another "truth" story of the picture capitol. Book Is slated for publication by Viking Press. Burton Crane, "Variety's" corre- spondent In Tokyo, and on the Ja- pan "Advertiser," Is having his first play rewritten by Myron C. Fagan for fall production. James Weldon Johnson, the Negro composer, has written his reminis- cences of the last few years in Har- lem in "Black Manhattan." Alfred A. Knopf will publish. Out In July. lone Qulnby, of the Chicago "Post," has had her first book ac- ciepted by Covlcl-Prlede.' Title Is "Women Who Kill, or Murder for Love." Latest addition to the growing number of books on tallTers is "The Talkies," to be published shortly by Henry Holt & Co. Arthur Edwin Krows Is the author. "College Humor" offers $3,000 fq|r the best college novel submitted be- fore Oct. IS, next Authors will also get royalties from the story's publication in book form. E. P. Dutton has gathered a num> ber of .liarry T. Brundldge's ar- ticles on film people and will pub- lish them In book form, called "Twin- kle, Twinkle, Movie Star." Murray G. Tanner, legislative correspondent at Albany for the New York "Evening Post," has been appointed assistant secretary of the N. Y. State Public Service Commission at $4,600 a year. Advice to Authors Station WPCH has a new weekly feature, "Uncut Pages," during which some famoud literary person speaks. Faith Baldwin, who wrote "Office Wife," and many others, gave some very a,muslng advice to budding authors, the indirect aim being to nip -them In the bud. After More Trade Papers If negotiations now under way by a Madison avenue trade paper pub Usher materialize the end of the summer will put him In possession of a greater number of trade pub llcatlons than McGraw-Hill. Vacation Without Pay Brooklyn "EeLgie" editorial staff Is getting a month's vacation this summer, two weeks with pay and the other fortnight an enforced lay- off without pay. This is part of a retrenchment scheme for the Brooklyn rag. Real Names of Authors Pierre LotI was Julian Viaud, Beawark Is Austin J. Small, and Genevieve Taggard is Mrs. Robert L. Wolf. Hearst's " Journal - American," Syracuse, offers $100 In weekly prizes for telephoned news tips. Donald Kirkley, picture critic for the Baltimore "Sun," leaves July 6 for a month In Hollywood to do a series of observations on the West Coast lots. W. A. S. Douglas, Chicago corre- spondent of the Baltimore "Sun," Is the author of "Tony and Cleo," a satire on the love story of Anthony and Cleopatra, to be published by Doran. Jean Hersholt, reputed to be one of the most ardent book collectors In the west, is selling part of his collection at auction In Hollywood. About 3,000 volumes are being oi- fered for sale. His collection Is estimated to be worth around $300,000. With the "Tribune" admittinj; Lingle's Jckyll and Hyde proclivi- ties, it editorially stated: "The mur- der of this reporter, even for rack- Richard A. Martlnsen Is out of Fiction House and has gone to work for George T. Delacorte, Jr. Mar- tinsen's first duties will be to edit the Dell war-story mags, and he already has some slight changes In policy planned. Doris Arthur Jones has written a biography of her father, Henry Ar- thur Jones, the noted British play- wright. The book, called "Taking the Curtain Call," will be published here by the Macmlllan Co. after It Is first Issued in England. nCKET PLAN (Continued from page 63) in a better position now to grab fairly good locations than hereto- fore. They frankly say they are going to continuously dlif tlpkctd out of the box offlce,--which will be easier since the recognized agencies cannot trade or lend tickets to each rtlicr nor can they get telephone orders filled unt:i an hour before juitain time. If ,the weather over the Fourth of July (Frlda^r) remains clear and warm. It will be a severe test for the new ticket plan. With a goodly amount of tickets kept at the box office, distribution may not be easy In face of the usual out of town exodus for the week-end. The strength of "Vanities" may then be shown. If not any weakness in the new system. The show's balcony sale will be a problem because of the scale, which is $5.60 for the front rows (lower floor price Is $6.60 for front rows). Outside of the opening night there was but a mediocre demand for "Vanities" early this week. The agencies have been instructed '' to deduct one per cent of the total of each night's ticket sale, deduct*<'^i Ing it from the money paid the box office and to pay that money to Col. H. W. Savage, general manager of the League. With this collection the League expects to finance Itself ; easily. In addition each theatre is. to pay the League $25 weekly, to aid in early operation expenditure. The latter fee, however. Is Regarded as a loan and Is to be refunded by the League to the various theatrfifr*^ later In the season, or so it Is ex* Ipected.