The New York herald., 1921-10-16

which will be OF unusual interest to all
who keep In touch with the drama In
this country. Mr.. Ford's experiences
cover large field, since they begin
with the appearance Of Kate Bateman
at the Brooklyn Academy of Music In
'The Lady Of Lyons" 4
He dwells with the deltcacy the
topic deserves on the "The Black
Crook" and the experiences here of
Lydia Thompson and her Blondes
and ranges over the years In which
the Wallack stock company played the
imported dramas of Great Britain, Au-
gustin Daily alternated between adapta-
tions from the German and Shake
speare and the Union Square with its
fine actors was concerned almost ex-
clusively with drama from France. Mr.
Ford was not only a part of these old
days in the New York theatre but he
kept step with Harrigan & Hart
through such characteristic specimens
of stage humor as the plays of Charles
Fl. II down to the burlesques Of
Weber * Fields He will tell much OF
what he saw In old fashioned min
strelsy and touch on such different
topics as the American experiences Of
Eleonora Duse and the first success of
Mrs. Leslie Carter. Mr.. Ford calls his
hook. which Is soon to appear Forty
Odd Years in the Literary Shop"
Are Salaries 20 Come Downs
There is a more or less confirmed in
tention on the part Of theatre man
ers to reduce the salaries of actors.
There has been no official proclama-
tion of such q purpose from any OF the
impresarios or their organizations, but
there have been quito unmistakeable
tx,1l l,of 10 xa1< x.Io
year has led the entrepreneurs to this
decision. OF course there has been
nothing in the experiences OF the nu-
merous players suddenly without en-
ployment through the failure of plays.
to encourage them. Their experiences
have been Just as trying as any OF the
managers could fear. Nevertheless
the producers have concluded that With
the high cost of putting a play before
the public to-day they are bearing
more than their economic share OF the
burden.
This decision Is not to be attributed
10 the failures alone. Even the dramas
that met with most success have re-
ceived SO much less than what would
have been their share Of business In
normal times that managers with real
properties In their theatres still feel
that the actors are getting more than
their share. IL Is to this conclusion
fhet the reduction OF salaries is TO be
attributed. Few among tho managers
or the players believe that the reduce
tion Will not come and como before
long.
About Noble sissle.
Noble Sissle,. who wrote the lyrics for
"Shuffie Along" which continues to be
so successful at the Sixty-third Street
Music Hall. Is regarded as the most ex-
pert writer Of this kind of verse In this
country. Then he Ia thought 10 have
done his best work in Shuttle Along"
He began to show musical talent while
he was n student of the Cleveland Cen
trail High School and was the only negro
student ever elected to be leader OF the
school glee club. While in De Paw
University he wrote verse for various
college events and won special fame
among the students by his parodes. or
course this training all helped him In his
ambition to become writer, of lyrics
1t was not until 1915. after James
Reese Europe's band had made n hit In
the East and jazz musicians were In
demand. that Sissle had q chance at
the SEVERN Hotel In indianapolis. Jim
Europe heard Of him FIRST as n member
OF the Poinciana Sextet at Palm Beach
and offered him an engagement. He ac-
ccpted and appeared FIRST in New York
at the Palace with Europe's Band. He
and the conductor became great friends
and together enlisted In the 369th Infan-
try. They organized the famous colored
band and Sissle stayed with IL until the
death of Europe. Then he went into
vaudeville with Eubie Blake, then on
into Shuttle Along"