Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-02-24
One Manuscript Written on Bo th Sides OF the Paper, Another
Not Typewriter. Third Uses Popular Song.

Already three stories have been SUBJ
contest and 1t is apparent from all OF
them that the young writer's nave not
given sufficient time and thought to
their writing. What Is your hurry?
The prize is not necessarily going to
be awarded to the one that gets his
manuscript here first. This Is not a
race, it's a contest that closes April
G, II until that time all manuscripts
submitted will be given consideration.
In each instance the authors OF the
three stories received have failed to
follow the rules of the contest. We
have already stated that in a contest
of this kind ii will be necessary for
the judges, as we'll as the pupils, to
adhere strictly to the rules governing
the contest. 1t will not be fair to
these who are abiding faithfully by the
rules to consider the plays of n
writers who disregard the rules by
Which the contest will be solely guidec
and governed.
The first manuscript received by The
star was written on both sides of tho
paper. This Is a palpable violation Of
the rules. Nothing must be written on
the hack of the pages, whether 1t be
dialogue or other matter
In another manuscript the writer
has Used a pen and. of course. this is
u violation of the rules also. Even &c
the manuscript were plainly written,
which In this case 1t is not, 1t would
have to be placed in the "non-ccp
tostant' class.
Another play has been received with
this note attached. 1.-The act winds up
by the ----- sisters singing Soprano;
Charlie, alto, and Mr.. Burns jigging
the song, "oh, You Beautiful DOLL
This play is received as the work of
L, T., of the - school. and II. T..
writes; Please let me know If you
want this play to be acted. 1t takes
fifteen minutes"
We have nothing to say. in the first
place. about whether we wan a play
acted" or moi. That Is entirely to
the judges. But the play cannot be
considered because the songs interpo-
lated are not original.
Contestants must remember that II
n are to be a part of the sketch
they must be the original work of the
writer. If the author finds 1t expedi-
n in a comedy to write a parody
using the music OF a popular song 1t
is possible that this would be permits
sible, but each song will AVE to be
judged on its own merits and It's value
IN the sketch.
Let II not be understood tina the
rules governing the contest are severe
or unnecessary. On the contrary, the
rules have beer made as simple and
easy as possible, and every encourage
ment has been promised to the young
writer in his efforts to follow the rules
and have his play in proper form. For
this reason we have stated frequently
that all questions win be cheerfully
answered by the Contest Editor.
There are about twenty bona f1de con-
testants who are registered officially
and who are working to win the $3.50
prize. In the near future this list will
be made public. The list represents
pupils from the three counties and
from the public. parochiai and evening
schools.
The winning play will be produced
without cost to the author at Proctor's
Broad Street Theatre, Elizabeth, the
week of April 20. and at Proctor's Park
Place Theatre, this city. the week be-
ginning May s, The costumes and
scenery will be furnished by the STAR.