Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-01

wide-aWal<e to the growing evil which AIr. Bronson Howard of the theatrical delegation says has reached the propor- tions of an industry within the last two years. The Dramatic Mirror states that Mr Harrison Grey F'iske supplemented MT Towards statement by showing or the extent to which piracy has grown in the United States. He said a conserva- tive estimate would place the number of piratical organizations constantly on the road at 225-eoual to one-half the total number of legitimate travelling organlza- tions. These bands are organized by men without capital or reputation, chiefly in western cities. Their depredations in volve nearly the whole territory Of the United States, except the principal cities They do not employ regularly trained actors They arrange to pay their con- panies beggarly salaries. Oftener than not they pay nothing at all, stranding their employees and running away to or ganize new bands elsewhere.
 Judge Dittenhoefer, in following the discussion of stolen plays, said: "The theft of a play should be punished as is the theft of any other description of prop erty, and there can be no reasonable ob- lection to placing the stealing of plays in the category of misdemeanors." At great expense in Denver he had obtained an injunction restraining Mckee Rankin from producing "Trllby." Rankin, who was described by Judge Dittenhoefer as "a plrHte rom way Ddch, tooh DlllSti out of the jurisdiction of the judge who had granted the injunction, went into Texas and resumed his performances of the play.
 Judge Dittenhoefers arguments for the protection of dramatic property or authors and play owners were clear-cut and forceful, and it is to be hoped that the Cummings bill will become law.
 In his farewell speech the other night in St. Louis. MT. Nat Goodwin said that the receipts for a week exceeded any pre- Vious engagement of similar duration, excepting one, that he had ever played in that city, although he had been coming there twenty-one years. MT. Goodwin will be seen shortly in Birmingham.
 Marriage" the new comedy that has been running at the Empire. will be sue ceeded by Bohemia" new play by Clyde Fitch.
 "A Black Sheep at Hoyt's is likely to remain the rest of the season.
 Last night closed the engagement of "rhe Sporting Duchess at the Academy. The Damrosch Opera company begins an engagement tomorrow night at the academy. --.. --=-.~ -. z
 MT. Maurice Barrymore will star next season under the management of Mir. Brady. He will present a drama of his own composition.
 Miss Lillian Russell will not be under the management of MT. T. II. French as was announced. Miss Russell's right to change her mind is not questioned, and no one seems to be disturbed in man. agerial circles
 MT. James O'Neill contemplates repro- ducing "The Passion Play"
 
 Miss Virginia Earle is in the cast of '"The Lady Slavey," at the Casino. It seems that Mr. Dan Daly in his makeup as William Endymon Sykes in "The La dy Slavey'' bears striking resemblance to MT. John Drew MT. Daly does not intend to remind the audience of MT. and tired look" said MT Daly, but surely MT. Drew has no copyright on these characteristics"
 Madame Modieska has been compelled to cancel her engagements for the rest of the season on account of her con tinued illness.
 MT. Augustin Daily presented last week at the Grand opera house "A Midsum- mer Nights Dream" It was presented with the gorgeousness of stage settings tertainments.
 Attractions This Week. = Charles H. Yale's Greater Twelve Temptations opens at OBrien's tomor- row for an engagement of two nights and matinee. This magnificent spectac- ular production with all its wealth of beautiful scenery, dazzling costumes and fairy-like plot, twill be sure to draw splen-