The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-08-27
UNIT ORCHESTRA
GIVEN A TRIAL
Theatrical Managers Associa-
t10n Interested in Brand New
Musical Invention.
SOCIETY TAKES CREDIT
FOR SURPRISING PIRACY
COnSidine & Sullivan Form Com
binatiOn With LOew for Divi-
sion of Territory.
BY JAMES GRANT THURsToN


By Leased Wire TO The Tribune.
NEW YORK, Aug. 26,-Having had
narrow escape from fight with the
White Rats, some theatrical managers
have planned a fight with the union
musicians which many colleagues think
unwise. AT a recent annual meeting
OF the National Association of The
atrical Producing Managers at the Ho,
tel Astor, the attitude of the Musicians
union and the question of play piracy
both afforded plenty of grounds for a
lively meeting.
The American Federation OF Mu-
sicians, after its convention, demanded
an increase of expenses amounting to
S4 week while on the road, as well as
sleepers on trains. The association de.
cided to fight these propositions.
The inventor Of unit orchestra, con-
sisting of from seven to sixty pieces,
all operated by one man. was present
at the meeting of the National Associa-
tion of Theatrical Producers. and ex-
planned the merits of his device, which
simply means the doing away with or
chestras in theaters. A committee con-
sisting of Henry w. Savage, Lee Schu.
bert, Andreas Dippel, Milton Aborn and
Lew Fields was appointed to investigate
the mono orchestra and report on it at a
special meeting.
The inventor offered to install an
instrument in any theater that its prac-
ticabllity might be demonstrated and
a notable New York manager offered
his playhouse The upit~orchestra will
be installed there and in readiness for
operation by September Is.
Work of Association.
The presidents annual report told
the association what it had accom-
plished during the wear Among other
things enumerated were these:
Piracy-Over thirty indictments for
the history of play production have
been obtained by this association. Con-
viction has been secured in every case
so far tried.
: Legislation-Tbe association has par
ticipated in legislative fights in twenty
one states and defeated legislation an"
tagonistic to theatrical interests in
nineteen states, losing in only two
states. The legislation involved prohi-
bition of children from the stage, cen
sorship Of plays, licensing of individual
theatrical performances as circuses are
licensed and similar laws.
Copyright Laws-The association had
secured in both England and Canada
amendments to the newly introduced
copyright bills, giving real protection
to plays. Neither of these bills em~
braced such protection until the gen
eral counsel of the association person
ally conferred with the governmental
heads in each country The Canadian
bill would already have been enacted
but for the reciprocity election. Both
bills should be in force within two OF
three months.
Moving Pictures-Tbis association
had been able to protect plays from
moving picture pirates. Every piracy
reported has been suppressed and films
amounting to 100000 have been seized,
The film companies arc rapidly running
out of material for their scenarios and
but for our organization plays would
be generally pirated by outlaw moving
picture concerns.
General Complaints-The association
has handled numerous complaints, has
settled one threatened strike of the.
atrical employees and adjusted several