The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-27
WHATACTORS MUSTN'TDO
CURIOUS RULES THAT SOME OF
THEM ARE BOUND BY.

TBEM ARE BOUND BY.
| Something About the Offenses OF
Marrying, Walking in Broadway,
and Writing to the Newspspers-A
Celebrated Trap Contract-A Few
Rules of the Circus.
From the Neto York Sun.
II would like to book you, john said
the manager, ''for there is a part in this
play just suited to you. But can depend
on your
ct haven't touched a drop in month.
! Pom honor.n
HIN. Well, I'll do IT on two condi-
tions.n
"What are thsyp
First. that you will take solemn oath
not to touch drop Of liquor under any cir
cumstances during the engagement; second e,
that you agree 20 have the drink clause
inserted 10 the contract"
The old actor hesitsied, and his face
showed that be was greatly agitated. Evil
IDENTIFY his reluctance to bind himself was
hard TO overcome. The director watched
him in silence. Prudence finally con
quered.
CAN right, will, " said the actor YEARLY.
The next day he called again, and in the
presence OF the manager and general en-
ployes took the oath OF total abstinence.
Then be sat down aud signed bis name 20
che contract. in which there was clause
setting forth that il he should take drop
Of liquor during the engagement without
| the managers consent the latter should
have the right to dismiss him instantly.
Things have changed since entered the
| profession. 3" he said as be threw down the
pen. Ten years ago no manager would
have dared to ask az actor 20 sign q con-
tract like that. or any other contract that
interfered with his personal liberty, for
that matter But then the profession was
not ovsrcrowded, and she manager wasn't
so absolute as he is now"
That is the way the average actor looks
at the subject OF theatrical contracts. The
latter have been in general use in this coun-
try only since the travelling companies re-
placed the old stock companies, and their
most stringent clauses are of even more re-
| cent date. Ordinary theatrical contracts
| are apparently very simple, but there are a
| good many catches in them which the tyro
! is apt to pass unnoticed, only TO find him
self hopelessly tied down when he attempts
to free himself. As they are usually drawn
by she managers attorney, they are pretty
sure to be favora bic to him only.
The genius Of Abe Hummel is alleged to
be responsible for a contract much favored
by some managers, although not all. This
is full of stumbling blocks for the unfort-
innate actor who is forced to sign it. He
might as we'll resign himself TO any fate
that the manager may wish to infiict upon
him, once be has signed, sealed and deliv-
cred" this terrible document. In the very
beginning the actor (or actress is caught
by this very innocent appearing phrase:
Hereby relinquishing all claim TO compen-
sation or salary If said services shall not be
rendered by said party Of the second part"
The innocent, OF course, supposes that the
meaning of that is that If he fails to do his
work he will not be paid, but that other
wise be is all right. But let the company
be caught in blizzard or a washout, or be
delayed in any other way, and he will find
that his salary is stopped because be is not
rendering the said services It is not his
fault, to be sure, but that makes no differ
ence.
The first paragraph contains provisions
which require the party of the second
par" to do what the manager may require
OF him In q manner satisfactory to the man
ager at rehearsals and nightly, land at the
matinees usual to the theater in which per-
formances take place." Here two negroes
appear behind the neatly constructed fence.
The services must be satisfactory to the
manager. II he does not like them, no
matter though they be enthusiastically sup
ported by the audiences, the contract may
be ended. The performer must appear ct
the matinees usual to the theater." II the
latter happens TO be of the Third Avenue
theater class, that means four matinees a
week. The same paragraph also prohibits
the performers appearance at any other
theeter or for any other company. That
refers to benefits and Sunday night sacred
concerts" In paragraph 3 the actor agrees
not to demand any compensation while
travelling In a long ocean voyage to Aus
tralia, or even trip to San Francisco, that
wonld seriously affect the actors income.
Paragraph contains the famous two
weeks clause" This allows the manager to
dismiss an employe without assigning any
cause after giving him two weeks notice.
The two weeks clause has usually been up
held by the courts, and is therefore favored
by managers who are dubious about the
ability OF the persons they employ, and wish
to have loophole in case they feel it advis-
able TO get rid of them. 1t has been said
that this clause was originated by William
Mecdonough, himself an actor, shortly after
the old-time stock companies were super
seeded by the travelling companies, which is
less than ten years ago. Prior to that time
season, and could not be discharged If a
manager happened to secure q poor lot he
had to suffer the consequences, but that
rarely happened, as there were
comparatively few changes in the personnel
Of stock company, and the number Of per-
formers was so limited that the character
and ability Of each was pretty we'll known.
With the travelling companies, however.
came an influx of new actresses unknown to
the managers. The latter were put to
greater expense than before, and had to
take greater chances of loss. To be saddled
withs company OF incompetent or unruly
performers meant ruin, and the managers
felt that it was imperative that they should
be protected. Hence this clause. AS Mr..
Hummell said the other day, contract
containing such clause was never for more
than two weeks, though 1t might purport to
be for ten years.
Paragraph 5 gives the managers the power
to hold back from the salary due the per-
formers the amount Of any fines inflicted
upon them for violation OF the rules and
regulations. IL also restricts the man
ayers liability for the performers railroad
expenses to transportation between the
places where the first and last performances
were given. Thus. If the manager should
conclude TO terminate his season suddenly
in some place remote from the actors home
the latter may unexpectedly find himself
stranded In q strange town. In tina uavt