Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-06-12
NIGHT CLUB


Transfers Union" in q drive to
organize employees of clubs in
New Orleans.
More and more, she said, the
union opens its ranks to un-
talented "strippers," and as a
result the legitimate enter
tainer "if she does not conform
to house ruleS-that is, mix
with the customers and solicit
drinks-she is not carrying her
weight and they do not want
her."
She called this a sort of
vicious circle, drawing more
and more .so-called exotic
dancers into the union" to the
point they now constitute the
bulk Of its membership.
Mine out of 10 clubs, for
example, in the Los Angeles
area are so-called strip clubs
where they employ on an aver
age of 10 girls, as compared
to one club which may require
four or five legitimate enter
tainers," Miss Singleton said.
Appeals for U. S. Help
Declaring she has 40 years
behind her in my honorable
theatrical profession" Miss
Singleton voiced this plea:
II appeal to this committee
and I appeal to the Govern
ment for legislation which
would allow the Government to
examine into not only the
sweetheart contracts Favor
able to employers but sweet
heart enforcement of con-
tracts.
THE membership of AGVA
is at the mercy of the paid ad-
ministrator and the union Of
ficials, some of whom are dedi-
Gated and sincere men, but who
apparently are dominated by
the small clique which runs the
lunion."
Miss Singleton said that
unionists who protest against
the situation are subjected to
phony union trials" on
trumped up charges which may
cost them membership and
access to jobs.
Union Suspended Her
She said she had been sus-
pended by the union last month
for speaking out against its
abuses"
Miss Singleton also charged
there is widespread tax eva
sion in the night club business.
She said entertainers re-
quired to act as "B-girls"-a
term for girls who urge Gus
toners to buy them drinks
often earn more in tips and
otherwise than their salaries,
but are given no income tax
! Withholding forms supposed to
be filed by employers.
That, she said, would nelp
Internal Revenue Service agents
to check on sales volume.
No Social Security
! Hence, she said, the employ
ers also don't pay social secu-
rity taxes for the girls, because
this would invite questions
about the lack of Withholding
, forms.
That means, she went on,
denial Of old age and other So
cial security benefits.
Well placed sources said later
testimony may air some stories
of prostitution, although the
investigation is beamed mainly
at exploring how the union en-
forces contracts supposed to
protect entertainers from ex-
ploitation.
Many AGVA memberS-pop-
ular, widely known singers,
dancers and comics-are re-
ported bitterly resentful Of the
treatment of less fortunately
placed colleagues in the enter
tainment world.
Senator Mcclellan and Sub
, committee Counsel Jerome Ad-
, lerman have been reticent about
details of the inquiry.
Senator Mcclellan announced
he expects to hear between 81
r and so witnesses in the eight tt
Y 10 days of hearings, and vino
E up the inquiry in time Il
i launch public hearings on TIT
i Billie Sol Estes case June 81.
Senator Mcclellan has LISTED
t Philadelphia, Chicago, New
York, Baltimore, Miami anC
o Tampa as among cities in which
v the unions operations arr
n under scrutiny.
c He said the inquiry 'woulC
e deal with contractural arrange
= ments between the union ant
:, entertainment places. He hai
e reported receiving information
e that some OF these places "arI
controlled by racketeers anC
S hoodlumS."