Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-07-16
Uncle Samuel
AS a Snowman
by Frederic ]. Haskin

ttf government now owns ann IIbF-
ntes thirty theatres, and employs Hevernl
hundred stage artists To entertain the
men in the trimming, in addition to those
who give their services gratis Road
shows vaudeville shows and musical
stock companies are now among the sue
cossful government enterprises m the
theatrical field
One of the rules governing the nCtivi-
tics Of these organizations il TINT no
chorus girl connected with them may
speak to n soldier, and s1tI soldier rnny
speak tn chorus girl This rule applies
tn the commanding general ~ much as 10
any private. and lts violation by II member
of any of the government theatrical
companies would be sufficient ground for
tho breaking of that company enRagc-
mcnt
Another claiae in the contracts between
the government and the companies pro-
vldcs that the government may break the
engagement at any time that the show
does not come mp to the moral and ar
tistic standards set by the Commission on
Training Camp Activities This means,
in the words Of ono theatrical man on
gagged in government work, that We
have To put longer skirts on en-.
PER Is erILI. THERE, HOWEVER
IL should not be imagined however. that
the government censorship has taken tho
pep out Of musical comedy and the variety
shows 4 show to succeed at the canton
ments must have real melody and real
girls. but It must also tc clean; and rs
members of the fluffy sex when oH stage
must live up to the old-fashIoned maxim
for children ~ that they may be scen hut
not heard
Tho government theatre arc now an
rndoubted success. and no lttlo share #
tiis success IL due to the uuRTilsh 20
operntinn winch the government has had
from members of the theatrical profession.
| The commission on Training amp Activ-
itics ~ getting duly letters from actors
| md actresses offering their services gratis
| for week or more, and Euch distinguished
artists ne Maude Adams, Elsie Janis.
| Maude Powell and Nora Bayes arc now
| entertaining the soldiers for no recon
| pcnsc except mileage and the atIsfaction
! of rendering n patriotic servlre IN hd-
| dition 20 these volunteers, the ntrd
| Booking Office hae contributed gratis
two complete vaudeville shows which are
| now doing the cantonment circuit
| But il takes lot of talent 20 keep m
army of millions entertained. and the
! government by no means relies upon vol-
! fIfANAF% AA% NfltttRffH AfF ~ kfiiifth* NFt -
| business basls. and its booking office NOW
has contracts with Some twenty odd
| companies, comprising -rvera hundred
actors and actresses Although many o'
| these latter arc RIving their scrvlcea for
| less than usual most of the contracts are
profitable tn both parties as q good bugl-
ness deal should he
now Fr Is SPLIT Ur.
Thus n contract which the government
! recently made with q musical stock com
| pany which will plav throughout the sum
rner at Camp Taylor, near Louisville
| Ky, provides that the management Of the
| company shall receive 90 per cent Of the
receipts and the government 80 per cent.
| As the camp provides theatre-goIng
public of about 10000 men eager for
diversion, there IS every prospect that
both parties 20 the contract will make
money IL IL true that The government IS
undertaking TO show the soldiers the best
Broadway Successes for admissions that
range from ten to 30 cents, instead Oi
from one TO five dollars But the govern
ment has number Of advantages over
the ordinary producer. Not only are
actors IN government service accepting
low salarics, but the stage crews are de
tailed from among the soldiers by the
commanding officer, the regirncntal band
often furnishes the music no royalties
are paid TO authors on most Of the plays,
and the companies are reduced IN Size
though not in quality
All of these things make It possible for
the Commission on Training amp Activ-
tiles ~ stage a really first-class show at the
ten twenty thirty rates The chief dIs-
advantage under which the commission
labors Is that the camps are very widely
scattered, 81 that the mileage IS a heavy
item Nevertheless the government
breaks even, alter paving the upkeep Of
It's theatres, and the expenses Of "a book
ing office IN New York and an executive
office IN Washington.
The enthusiasm with which the shows
are received at the camps seems to demon
strate that amusement Of this sort Is Just
rs necessary IN time Of wsI as food and
arms The government has recognized
the theatrical profession IS an important.
If not an essential one: and the profession
appreciates the compliment This was
strlkingly illustrated when the Lambs
Club gave a performance OF It's annual
"Gambol' at Camp Upton, New \ ork
The annual Gambol of the Lambs Club
Is q very exclusive theatrical event, gwen
by the club for its members Hitherto.
even guests of the club have not been
allowed 70 witness It.
SOLDIERS COT IT THIS YEAR.
But the soldiers were this wear accord
ell the privilege which has never before
been extended To any segment OF the
general public The members of the cast
journeyed to the camp in a special car
and were entertained by the commanding /
general at the officers club The event |
was sort of formal recognition of the /
entente cordialc which exists between the /
stage folk and the government
One Is tempted to speculate as to /
whether the fact that the President him /
self seems to find the stage an indispens- /
able relaxation from the cares of war NAV /
not have something 10 do with the ex- |
tcnsive use which the government Is MAX ,
ing of Americas theatrical genius III It's /
war program.
Not only actors but authors. managers +
and musicians are offering their services 4
to the government. David Belasco has 1
presented 10 the Commission on Tram
my Camp Activities the copywright of /
Austin Strong one-act drama, The I
Drums OF Dude, and George Middleton /
has gwen similar complete rights to |
Back of the Ballot
The newest plan of the commission is 10 /
Use its liberty theatres as great dramatic |
schools, where the soldiers will stage their /!
own plays. Since numerous actors, some !
playwrights and Others connected with !
the stage are found in the ranks the army