I return to writing after cleaning up after a flood and attending to other responsibilities.
Joseph S. Sosman was a successful business man. Fame visited him early in his career and his partnership with Landis flourished, growing into a theatrical supply dynasty by the twentieth century. By 1909, Sosman was nearing retirement and he began redirecting his focus on his family. At first, he sought solace at his summer
Maybe it didn’t matter for Sosman, as he was well established with ample revenue from multiple business ventures that supported his retirement. Maybe he was trying to make up for all of the time spent away from his wife early in his career, when he was traveling the country and painting one stock scene after another. Mrs. And Mrs. Sosman began to travel in earnest during 1910. There were no longer children to consider, as their son Arthur, married in 1906 and was currently living in New York. Mrs. Joseph Sosman visited the young couple for an extended stay during 1909, possibly signaling that she was going to start vacationing, with or without her husband (Inter Ocean, 30 Jan. 1909, page 7). Regardless, Sosman’s absence was acutely felt by Sosman & Landis employees as the business began to shift focus and become subject to infighting.
In 1910, Moses wrote, “Mr. Sosman went to Europe on January 30th for an extended trip. It lasted fifteen weeks. He simply informed me that he was going, just a few days before he went. Never took the trouble to inform me of any of the details that I should know. He had a good bookkeeper, and I depended on him a great deal. I did some hustling while he was away.”
On February 6, the “Chicago Tribune” noted, “Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sosman, 1628 Washington boulevard, have sailed for a trip down the Mediterranean and to points in Europe. They will be absent for four months” (6 Feb, 1910, page 23). By April 30, the London “Times” reported that Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Sosman of Chicago recently arrived at the Waldorf Hotel (Arrivals and Departures, page 1). On May 21, the couple was again listed as one of the recent arrivals at the Hotel Waldorf in London (Americans in London, Philadelphia Inquirer, 22 May 1910, page 2).
In appreciation for Moses hard work during his absence, Sosman presented him with “a fine ‘scarab’ that he bought in Egypt.” Moses had the scarab turned into a stick pin.”
Yet Sosman’s absence for fifteen weeks in 1909 was a difficult period for Moses, as he did not command the same respect without his friend and colleague. This was a period of intense productivity too. Moses remembered, “I had my own troubles with the stenographer, and old crank that wanted to do everything as Mr. Sosman did it. She would write Sosman a lot of worry stuff that I had been keeping from him. We were going along allright, making a little money.” The stenographer was just one of the obstacle that Moses encountered during Sosman’s absence. Athough Moses had control over the aesthetic and production arm of the company, David H. Hunt retained control over the administrative offices and expenses.
In his 1910 memoirs, Moses wrote, “Mr. Hunt was secretary and treasurer, and expected to run the business, but I wouldn’t allow it. Mr. Hunt kept on the road most of the time.” And this is where the downfall of Sosman & Landis commences; Sosman steps out of the daily running of the company, leaving it to others. Keep in mind that Sosman was a scenic artist; Hunt was not. The additional problem was that each of Sosman’s staff has a different focus, or endgame, for the company. In some ways, Moses and Hunt are diametrically opposed, each with a specific goals; Moses focusing on the artistic product and Hunt focussing on the profits.
Keep in mind that Moses returned to Sosman & Landis studio in 1904. This was his final return to the company after striking out on his own several times with various business partners. The terms for his return in 1904 specified that Moses gain complete control over the design, construction and installation of all projects. In other words, he was in charge of the shops and labor. By 1910, Moses had functioned in this capacity for six years and the company was producing an amazing amount of product.
Hunt had remained a thorn in Moses’ side for many years, as his treatment of many of good artists prompted them to leave the studio. This group included the extremely talented John H. Young, who went on to domnate the Broadway scene as a well known designer. Hunt had been with the company since the early 1890s and wormed his way into both Sosman & Landis’ confidence. In 1894, Hunt convinced Sosman & Landis to establish, the theatrical management firm of Sosman, Landis & Hunt. This was a secondary business venture; a company that leased theaters and founded touring companies in Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Detroit. The firm kept Hunt busy as the primary manager for the endeavor, yet much of the necessary work was completed by the Sosman & Landis studio staff from Chicago. Moses’ diaries suggest that Hunt did not treat the artistic staff well; Artists were swapped and directed to various projects like pawns on a chessboard, ready to be sacrificed at any point. Hunt had remained on the administrative end of the studio for his entire career, yet always found his way into the spotlight and newspaper articles.
By 1910, Hunt also talked Sosman into investing in a new business venture – New York Studios. That year, Moses wrote, “Hunt had started a New York studio in New York City and he expected us to do a great deal of work, as he had Sosman invest a small amount.” New York Studios listed Adelaide A. Hunt as the President, Edward A. Morange as the vice president, and David H. Hunt, as the Treasurer. The company’s starting capital was $40,000, and listed the following directors: Edward A. Morange, Adelaide A. and David H. Hunt, with offices located at 325 W 29th Street, New York. Business listings noted that theatrical equipment was the primary product produced by the company. Now there were two scenic studios to consider, on only one Moses.
Around the end of May, Sosman returned to Chicago an assessed the state of affairs at the studio. Moses returned about the same time, after completing several New York projects that month. Moses recalled, “I heard some reports as to what Hunt had reported to Sosman about my treatment towards him. I got mad and wanted to quit. Sosman wouldn’t listen to me. I finally got cooled… I arrived June 25th. Sosman had his doubts as to my coming back.
Later Moses added, “Hunt remained away from the studio for some time, before going back home.” Hunt’s home was in New York.
To be continued…
