Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18
RIGHTS OF AUTHORS.
How Dramatic Pirates Will Be
Blocked.
WHEN THEATERs ARE CLOSED
Mark Twain and Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe
"A Transforming Agency-EnGagins an
Actor-Catting . Figure at the seashors
with Economy-How She Fooled Them.
of The Evening Star.

Correspondents of The Evening Star.
New YORK, July IS, 1891.
TT Is ASTONISHING AND TRUE THAT
l. last season may have been the last one for
unauthorized performances Of "Uncle Toms
Cabin" Forty-one travelling companies repre-
| sented the play last autumn, winter and spring
In tents town halls, village opera houses and
occasionally in the theaters Of the big cities
Not one Of these bands paid q cent to
Harriet Beecher Stowe for the dramatic use
OF her story, nor has she ever received
since the original stage version Of her book by
the Towards, in Troy, N. Y, any Of the great
profits made by the foot-lighted impersonation
Of the characters which she created in her
famous story Of slavery days At first she
could not have prevented the show folks from
appropriating her property. The copyright
law at that time did not defend a published
book against dramatization. Another reason
was that she sold the story outright to the pub
Usher and to him belonged any possible stage
rights. third reason was that she relig
iously condemnatory of theatricals. and, II she
could have controlled the matter at all, she
would have prohibited the performances In
stead OF drawing revenue therefrom. II Ii
less than ten years since she consented to wit
hCes shSo representation Oh SHClc
Cabin" Then her brother, Henry Ward
Beecher, induced her to do it. Her anti-theatri-
cal doctrines had been much modified by that
time, and she was pleased and entertained. Not
long after that she declined in mentality. She
lives at her old home in Hartford, in
fair physical health for SO old a woman,
but quite irrational. Her close neigh
Dor Is Mark Twain. the grounds OF whose
oddly handsome residence touch corners with
her garden. 1t is the humorist. famous for his
rt.< rrrr, ,aalr t,fA
who is resolved to secure to Mrs. Stowe and
Eer heirs all the future vaiue In "Uncle Toms
Cabin" as play. 1t should be explained, lest
his enemies construe his interest as selfish, that
he has no notion Of sharing in the income which
may result from his action Indeed, he has
sailed for Europe for year tour, leaving this
matter in the hands of New York firm Of
lawyers.
WHAT 10 EXPECTED.
A bill has been prepared for introduction in
Congress, and the substance of it is that here
after any old book Of American authorship
may-through a process Of recopyrighting-
acquire the same protection that new work
can obtain. Twain got the promise of advo-
cacy for this measure by influential Senators
and Congressman, and as there is not likely
to be- opposition enough to retard its
passage 1t may become a law in time to be
operative early next winter. This news
viii strike terror to the Uncle Tommers, as
the players of "Uncle Toms Cabin" are nick
named Twain expects that most Of them will
pay moderate royalty and 30 stick to the time
worn but still potent drama. yielding fair for
tune to Mrs. Stowe. She could not. being Of
unsound mind, make q will which could not be
broken, but the understanding is that her wish.
which is to found a memorial charity with the
money, would be carried out by her relatives.
Hardly another play than uncle Toms Cabin
would be affected by the proposed legislation,
but the Uncle Tommers will be distracted by
apprehensons of disaster in going out again
ION the road"
BAD FOR AMATEURS AND BARN sToRMERs.
One piece of good news in theatricals is bad
news for amateur dramatic societies and pro-
fessional drama stealers. A Brooklyn Judge
has decided after mature deliberation. that
the proprietor or manager Of a theater is
pecuniarily responsible whenever play is per-
formed in his house without the consent of the
plays owner. That is to say, he can be made
to pay over to the injured party all the money
received on account Of the unlawful enter
tainment.
BARN sToRMERs.
But the excitement on the Rialto does not
arise from the plight Of the amateurs. 1t Is
caused BY the managers and actors connected
with the numerous 'repertory" companies rs
they are called in the show business. These
strollers and barn stormers are not known nor
heard Of in the great cities. Their routes are
laid through towns and villages. If the woods
not full of them, at least the clearings are
frequented by them. 1t is amusing to 60 into
a low-grade dramatic agency and catch bit of
dialogue between a manager of such an enter
prise and a candidate for employment.
"Whst is your line Of business is asked.
Juveniles and light comedy" is replied by
fellow who can look romantic hero, at least,
though not able to enact him.
What Instruments"
'violin in orchestra and snare drum in the
band
Well, I give you ten and board If you'll do
What about costumes?'
"Well, you'll have to do three or four roles
but they're modern, and you'll only need to
supply dress suit good street rig and two
character coats"
'All right-Tn sign"
WHAT IT MEANS.
This actual conversation. being interpreted,
means that the good-lookins young fellow was
poor actor, and so had to accept a place in a
cross roads company; that besides acting in
several dramas constituting the repertory of
the concern he would play violin in the Or
chestral music usually given on a balcony out
side the hall or opera house before the show
and beat drum in the street parade on enter
ing each villaga; that on the stage and in
transit he would take charge Of the ''props."
or articles other than dress or furniture used
in the play, and that his remuneration should
be *l0a week and his board, the management
paying his travelling expenses.
Such cheaply contrived companies are
numerous in the business and most of them
are play pirates" They give the newest and
most famous dramas OF the day with brazen
audacity and hitherto it has been found a yery
costly and often Intellectual Job to prevent
their use Of proprietary works.
SUCCESS AT THE BRANCH.
The Juvenile actor is sometimes able to make
his professional devices valuable in summer
when his impersonation Of the dandy are done
under sunlight instead Of footlights. A hand
some but minor flash actor, whose histrionic