The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-22
AMERICAN DRAMATIC AUTHORS.

FORMATION OF A SOCIETY TO PROTECT THEIR
RIGHTS AND TO FOSTER NATIVE TALENT.
The literary gentlemen who have been active In the
effort to establish a society OF American dramatic
authors met yesterday afternoon In psrlor OF tho
Union Place Hotel to effect an organization The at
tendance not large had been an tic patcd,
many OF those to whom invitations had been be-
ing out OF the city, while others pleaded ''prior
gagoments In Tor not assisting ut the birth of
institution for whose welfare they expressed u
heartfelt anxiety. The follow ing Is list Of those who
took part in tho proceedings -Mcssrs Julian Mag NUS
Hart Jackson, Leonard Grover. LOUIS Weller Stephen
FisKe, Frederick Clark, OF New York; A.C Guuthsr
and Clay N. Green author OF ..Siruck On'' aud
'h'liss') Of san Francisco; Harry Watkins aud Mrs
LATTE Jonnson, Of Philad slphia.
Mr. stephen Fiske was elected chairman aud Mr..
Julian Magnus, secretary pro tenn. Mr.. Magnus
stated that letters had been received from several
authors rcgretting their inability attend the meet
ing and assuring the association of their cordial n
tsrest in ITS aims. and also signify their eutire
eonnaouce in those who had undertaken TO give IL
vitality. Among tneso correspondents were Mr.
James RunSon, OF The Chicago Trtbuns; Mr.. Wiii d.
Of TIC Boston Trareier; j. Cneeser Gooawin, OF Bos
ton; A. f. Lancaster, Bronson Howard and Archibald
ID. GORDON, OF New York.
Mr. Leouard Grover moved that the meeting re.
solve itself int the American Dramatic Authors
Society. The motion, being seconded by Mr. Hart
Jackson, was put AID carried unanimously.
Mr.. Jackson then moved tue appointment OF a CON-
mties to craft constitution and bylaws Tor the gov
following members wore desS mated 10 :Leonard
Grover, Bronson Howard, FREDERICK Clark Harry Wat
kins, Mrs. l. johnson. Hart Jackson, ,ecreiary, and
&c otlc,o, Messra Stephen kiske and j. Aagnur. 1t
decided that three OF tho regular committee should
constitute quorum ana that the Committee should
convene imniediatey after the adjournment OF tue
meeting
There being further business before the meeting
the memoers INDUCED briefly In interchange Of
as 10 The utiiity and scope of The new association
Mr. stephen Fiske drsw attention 10 tho SUCCESS
that had attended similar societies Ia England,
France aud Germany, Gno gave Instances from his
experience In London illustrating Inc practical work.
ing Of The system oil mutual protection TO be inau-
guratco Tho general iaca. as presented by the pro
moiers OF the society, Is 70 protect the rights OF
urarnattsis enjoying copyright privileges undsr he
United States laws. IL Is hoped That ~ due time
legislation eau be effected constituting the surrept.
tous production OF u play a felony. punishable by
Imprisonment The penalty for Infringing upon an
nuthor's rights ID at present nominal hne oil $780,
which can rarely DO collected, The cuiprils being
sponsible nomadic managers working on remote cr-
cubs.
Mr. Grover claims that had such a society been es.
taDlshed forty years ago the pr sperity the Aine
can drama would have beeu ioug since assured, and
theatres wsuid have been greater than ", Wy rca.
con OF the alleged TACT tina; our public In reality
fer the domestic TO the imported drama
Mr.. Hart jackson concufred In these views aud fur
Their asserted mat the dramaiists would have had
more money 10 ther pockets tnan they nov have
Mr.. Fiske remarked thai he thought that the move
haa been preJudiced IN The estimation Of some
press conccrnipg the qualifications Tor membership
and Tho purposes OF the ass oc!aiiun.
The meeting adjourned, subject TO tho call Of the
committee.