The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1938-10-11

4 10 produce a song that would stick
as well in the mad world OF swing
music--and had failed.
"You think, like everybody else,
that Lud Dombey wrote that
song" Harris Rogers said.
"1f Dombey didn't, then who
didp"
Rogers smiled. TITS been good
business to keep that name o secret,
and think IL still is good business.
I'm telling you that Dombey didn't
write It. It was brought to him
by q broken-down musician who
wanted Dombey TO plug 1t In his
band because he hadn't been able to
sell It. Dombey could see that with
a little fixing he might make 1t into
q big hit--with It's introduction BY
The Swingateers. He offered to buy
1t outright, but the man was Just
a little too cagey for that. 30 he did
offer to turn II over to Lud on o
royalty proposition. To the world 1t
was to be Dombey'S song--words and
music. But the real author was to
get a percentage Of any and all
types Of revenue from The Oats
Meow"
"Well, Dombey couldn't be hanged
for that, Rogers. 1t was O business
proposition - and with Dombey's
name behind II the musician prob
ably made hundreds of times what
he would have made on his own"
Eyes" answered Rogers. He
would have--if Dombey had kept
his affairs In decent shape. But
Dombey was always broke. He
let payment after payment slip.
Time and again I've had to scrape
UP enough money to keep the fell
low quiet. A thing like that would
have cracked Dombey wide open,
and this fellow began to realize
It,"
TAFT moved impatiently, and
Rogers hurried on. I'm not quite
finished. There Is the matter Of
Lud's contract with the recording
company. He was supposed to
make records for them exclusively
but he got into jam and
needed quick money. He went out
into little venture Of his own.
He began getting q few Of the
boys In the band and making
bootleg records for shipment into
the foreign market. That's not
according to his contract, I hap
pen to know that tn e recording
company Is carrying on an In
vestigation - and they'll sue"
Rogers paused O moment. "Do you
want to hear any inorep"
Make 1t snappy, them
"A lot Of women were In love
with Dombey, you know. Some OF
them knew him pretty well, And
extended investigation into his past
Is going TO kick up some things that
would wreck his reputation with the
swing fans, and thereby make The
Swingateers useless as q name to
draw the crowds. I've managed to
hold the Pacific-Plaza TO Its con-
tract--but unless things quiet down
and this business Is forgotten. they
won't renew. And II Pacific-PlaSa
doesn't renew, we couldn't get Job
In o fourth-rate beer tavern tomor.
row."
TAFT turned his hand on the
knob Of the door, opened 1t. \
appreciate your telling me this"
he said slowly.
Rogers picked UP his hat
you're going 10 forget your
curiosity them"
"T'il think II over, anyhow"
The band manager seemed I'M
satisfied. my advice Is TO do
more than that, TAFT. I'm not
going TO tell you any more than
I have - but I've on Idea that II
isn't going 10 be very healthy To
show too much interest In who
killed Ludden Dombey,"
TAFT stiffened. Listen, Rogers.
I never did like TO have guys tell
me what was healthy for me. The
way I figure II Is this -- ! may quit
trying TO play detective, and then
again ! may not But whichever
II Is. I won't worry too much
about what you think OF II, Is
that clear enough2"
Rogers expression did not change.
II never took you for fool, TAFT.
I'm sorry now that I tried to give
you q tip"
TAFT watched him down the hall
way. Then he went 10 his own front
window TO be sure that Rogers gain
cd the street and started on his way.
When he had made certain OF this,
he hurried down into the alley.
Myrna and Anne were In the car,
nervously puffing cigarets.
I'VE were Just about TO come
up" Anne confessed, her voice
heavy with relief.
TITS lucky you didn't. had a
ViAitnr.N