The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-01
WRITER OF ONE HUNDRED SONG SUCCESSES
 REMARKABLE RECORD OF J. FRED HELP

Huh, Press Eldridge and other song numbers were speedily composed. Tom Riley, the comic opera comedian. later of "Florodora' fame also commissioned him to write songs for his wife, Emily Banker.
 Following Lew Dockstader's advice Helf came to New York. During his first year here he wrote series of sue cesses, including Please, Mir. Conductor, Don't Put Me Off the Train" "The Perjured Bride" "A Lesson Every Gen tleman Should Know" "The Fatal Rose of Red,' "A Picture No Artist, Can Paint" q Ain't Got No Happy Home to Leave" "A Woman Can't Forget the Man She Loves" Those Cruel Words, Goodbye" For Love Alone.' "Nho ! Threw Dem Chicken Feathers Round My Door?" q couldn't Spell That Word Be- cause I Love You" etc. In addition to these he composed all the songs used by Primrose & Dockstader's Mlnistrels. At this period. Joseph W. Stern & Go. made him proposition to sign with them, and a two years contract was made He began at very small sala- ry, but at the end of six months was the highest salaried man on their staff. His first song with this firm was Just What the Good Book Taught founded, on the ' rural drama, Way Down East" His second song bit with this firm was 'EV-
 
 This was followed by the child song hit, "In the House of Too Much Trou- ble," which in illustrated form was a big success. Then followed 'Ha Le, Ha Lo,' "Tobie Kind O Likes You" "A Little Empty Nest" There's Two Sides to Story" "The Emblem of the Independ- ont Coon." He's Not Coming Home With the Boys" "A Picture Without Frame" "Maizy. My Dusky Daisy "When the Irish Are on Parade, Jane, Jane, Jane," My Little Lady Bird "The Art of Picking Fowl" I'm Satis- fled With What I'm Getting Now" How About You, MT Iceman?" and Please Leave the Gate Ajar," written with Rob- ert r. Roden.
 Each of these compositions was of new and distinct order. Toward the close of Mir. Helf's contract with Stern x Co. 1t was the boast of this firm that he had received larger royalties than any of their older writer's At the end Of ms two years contract MT. Helf left Stern & Co.,, working independently, writing many successes, among them being "The Boys in the Gallery of Nine" If You Can't Be the Bell Cow. Fall in Behind and "A Bit of Blarney."
 One evening he listened to John Philip Sousa tell how he wrote his first march hit, and determined to become rival of the famous March King" Returning home he composed a medley of Indian and Irish airs. entitled "A Pipe or Peace and a Piece of Pipe" As quite num- Der of Indian numbers were on the mark ct at that time, he decided to omit the Indian portion. In It's revised form, It was introduced to the public under tho attractive title of "A Bit of Blarney,' and achieved success. As an instrument tai piece 1t was played all over the uuit- cd States and England; and,words being written to its original and catchy strains ufg It is not unlnteresting to note that It's author is the first writer of numerous song hits to compose an instrumental success.
 For the flfty-two compositions written by MT. Helf during this period or two years and nine months he received rom his publisher only s1, 400 in royalties, de- spite the fact that many of them attained widespread popularity and were high in the list of "best>sellers." Discouraged by this state of affairs. Mir Helf decided to publish his own compositions, and made his first appearance in "Tin Pan Alley in the early part of 1905. He rented small room on the third floor Of No 55 West Twenty-eghth street at $l0 per month. Although he lacked capital and was located in one dilapdated room, he soon discovered the loyalty of his friends in the singing profession, and during the first three months had for visitors Marie
 
 sisters Blanche Ring. Marie Cahll and others His first catalogue contained but two numbers. but they were remarkable for their merit; Mammals Boy" and There's a Dark Man Coming with Bundle" both of which became successes.
 At the end of the first three months, the firm of Helf & Hager was incopera- ted, MT. Helf joining hands with Fred w. Hager, the bandmaster and composer of Laughing Water and other instru- mental pieces. They hired half & floor at 48 west Twenty eighth street, and ad- ded many successes to thir catalogue. among them being'Ill Be Waiting in the Gloaming, Genevieve." Lew Dockstader's whirlwind hit; Everybody Works but Father" "The Waltz Must change to March, Marie,' Here's to Our Absent Brother" "A Sprig of shillelah." The latter was Mir. Helfs successor to Bit of Blarney." and 1t was widely popular as an instrumental piece and as song number.