The New York Clipper (February 1903)

tm \ (Tents, and for the pait few yea.rs dm given /summaries only of Important happenings. I When "vaudeville" began to be evolved from / the old time "variety" performance, It bad no ' Jonrnallstlc organ. Previous to this time It bad been a form of entertainment that did not appeal to the better aort of theatregoers The proprietor of Tb> Clippbb, foreseeing a great future for this class of amusement, took op the cause of vaudeville. Through his Journal he materially aided In the advance and de- velopment of this branch of the theatrical busi- ness, which has since grown to such Immense/ proportions, and whose people, which were fori . merly among the cheapest of performers, art / , dow the highest salaried specialty actors. [/ Through The Clipper's exploitation of/ vaudeville, circus and minstrel people and theli Interests It has become their representative Journal throughout the entire amusement world] The accuracy of Its news, and the generoui treatment universally accorded Kb patrons, woi for It the sobriquets, "The Old Reliable" ant "The Showman's Bible," both of which have adj hered to It up to the present time, Among the' 1 ' largest patrons of The Clipfeb are the music\'J, publishers, whose business has grown to enor- mous proportions with the development of vaudeville. They find The Clipper the only medium that reaches this class of performers In all parts of the world. Of late years The Clipper has devoted more at- tention and space than formerly to the dramatic branch of the theatrical profession. Its just and Impartial reviews of all New York productions are carefully written by competent critics, the accredited value of which is proved by the fre- quency with which out of town newspaper re- print these reviews and criticisms. Moreover, they are, to a large extent, Influential among local maoagers of theatres In the smaller cities and towns, In booking attractions wblch have proved successful In the great metropolis. Tub New York Cuppib was first published at 1E0 Fulton Street. Its next borne wbb lo- cated, In 1884, at 86 Ann Street, whence It was a few weeks later removed to 102 Nassau Street. In 1863 It wss removed to 22 Spruce Street, where It remained until May 1, 1809, upon wblch date it was removed to the new "Clipper Building," at the Southeast corner of Centre and Leonard Streets. On May 1, 100O, "The Old Reliable" took up Its present head- quarters, at 47 West 28th Street. The first issue of The New Yobk Clipper was a four-page paper, Its dimensions being 14)4 by 10% Inches, with six columns to the page, and selling at two cents per copy. A change In size was made in July, 18G3, the dimensions then being 16% by 21%, with eight columns to the page, and selling' at three cents per copy. This was changed in April, 1866, to an eight- ■ page paper, 11 by 17 Inches, four columns- to the page, and selling at four cents for a time, with a final Increase to eight cents, which price was held until March, 1863, when the shape of the paper was again remodeled. This time the dimensions were 18% by 10% inches, with five columns on each of the eight pages, the price being raised in 1864 to ten cents, the price at which It has ever since been sold. In August, 18C4, the size was Increased to 16% by 22 Inches, with six columns to each of the eight pages. In April, 1868, It was 16 by 23 Inches, wltb seven columns to the page. In April, 1873, It was composed of 16 pages of four columns each, with dimensions 10% by 15% Inches, In March, 1881, another change was made to a five column page, which It remains up to the present time. In 181)0 the Issue contained 20 pages, and In 1000. 24 pages. After the death of its founder, Frank Queen, which occurred on Oct. 18, 1882, his heirs formed a stock company, which was Incor- porated March 2, 1883, under the name of "The Frank Queen Publishing Company (Limited), " The Incorporators were: John A. Queen, James F. Queen, henrietta q. andrews, Horatio Peters, Hubert C. Pbjterh, Philip 8. Hobtz, Samuel F. Flood. The first Board of Directors elected were: Philip S. Hobtz, President. Robert c. Peters, Secretary. James F. Queen, Treasurer, now deceased. John A. Queen, " •• Henrietta Q. Andrews, " •• IIobatio Peters, " •• Samuel F. Flood, " " The names of subsequent officers and di- rectors are as follows: Thomas Fitzbimmons, now deceased. John J. Andrews, Emma Queen, Samuel B. Hobtz, now deceased. William II. Hobtz, Elected President Jan. 28, 1808. Wesley Williams, Elected Secretary Jan. 11, 1901. Elizabeth Q. Sueatz, Rebecca II. Queen, now deceased. John Evans, " " George W. Keil, " " John O. Shbatz, Elected Treasurer Jan. 11. 1000. James F. Q. Davis, Alibbd B. Blown, Frank B. Evans, Henbt A. Himmblman. y The Editorial Staff of The New York Clip «ib. from the date of Incorporation, was as fol Hows: / On the formation of the Frank Queen Pub llahlng Company, March 2, 188S, John Evans was elected General Manager. He resigned on July 10, 1884, bis resignation taking affect Aug. 1, 1884. On the same daj. July 10,1884, Benjamin Oarno was elected Managing Editor, and George W. Kell was elected Cashier and Business Manager. Benjamin Oarno resigned April 14, 1887, and J. Austin Fynes was given charge of the Editorial department, under Manager George W. Kell. Upon the resignation of J. Austin Fynes, on July 13, Dr. William F. Hartley (recently de- ceased) was placed In charge of the Editorial department. On Jan. 28, 1808, P. 8. Horti was elected Assistant Manager and confidential adviser to the Manager. At the death of George W. Kell, in April. 1809, John Evans and Philip S. Horts were ap pointed temporary managers of the business. At a meeting of the Board of Directors, on July 13, 1899, Albert J. Borle was elected Edi- torial and Business Manager, a position which be holds at the present time. ■ The last removal of Tub Clippib offices, blch was Into the very centre of the dramatic, vaudeville and musical headquarters of Greater New York, was greatly Influenced by the gen- | eral up town trend of the theatres and places of amusement. The present home of The Clipper Is a four story bssement structure of Imposing design, located at 47 West 28th St., in the midst of business houses devoted principally to profes- sional purposes. It is situated In the block be tween Broadway and Sixth Avenue, within n few doors of America's greatest thoroughfare, and of direct and easy access *o all ports of the city. ■Jt^The Business Office Is In the front part of the first floor of the. building. In this Is In- cluded the Postal Department, which has grown to be.a very Important factor in the business of the.concern. Hundreds'of letters for profes- sional people are dally received, and forwarded or personally delivered. Besides these, this de- partment handles dally a heavy mall from the hundreds of regular correspondents, professional friends and business patrons of The Clipfeb. The rapid Increase of postal business has re- cently necessitated an extentlon of facilities for the prompt handling of mall. Letters are advertised but once, the list occupying several columns of The Clipper, and upon the receipt of jstamped envelopes, these are prompty mailed to those to whom they belong, to all parts of the world. , The offices are all handsomely fitted In black walnut, and every facility Is afforded for the speedy transaction of the local business wblcli flows In dally, while a corps of experienced and affable clerks attend to the wants of The Clip- per's friends and patrons. Back of the Business Department, and ad Joining It, Is the private office of General Man- ager.. Albert J. Boric. This Is a spacious and elegantly fitted room, where the manager la al- ways to be found ready, either for a consulta- tion upon business matters, or a chat of ■ more friendly nature. Back of the.Manager's office are writing rooms for ladles and gentlemen. These are fit- ted with every comfort and convenience for correspondence or consultation. The second floor of the building contains the Editorial rooms. The genlemen composing The Clipper staff, are well qualified by ability, care- ful training and long experience In their several departments to fill their positions—a statement Incontestably proved by the quality of the columns of the paper, and Its phenomenal suc- cess. The Composing Room—the mechanical depart- ment of Tub Clipfeb —occupies the third floor. This Is presided over by II. S. Van Fleet, who has acted In a similar capacity during almost the entire existence of the paper, while soma of his employes have assisted In getting out the paper for more than a score of years. In addi- tion to a large force of hand compositors, s number of the latest improved typesetting ma- chines are In use. The Introduction of these greatly facilitates the work of putting Into read- able shape the large quantity of matter con- tained In each Issue of the paper, with the re- sult that Tub Clippeb Is now placed within reach of Its readers, much earlier In the week than formerly. The Press Room is located In tbe basement of the building, and Is fitted with every require- ment for printing The Clipper. A handsome two-revolution Mlehle press prints the Illus- trated sheets, while tbe rest of the paper la disposed of by a Cox Duplex Press, which Is a marvel of simplicity and speed. Tbe Editorial and Business department at the present time consists of tbe following com- petent staff: Ernest C Wiiitton Dramatic Editor. Henri Olt Editorial Assistant. II. P. 'Butler Editorial Assistant. C. M. COLVIN Editorial Assistant. W. M. Rankin Editorial Assistant. A. II. Wbioiit Editorial Assistant. Miiio.n Hazxltine Chess Editor. Albert J. De Freest Checkers Editor. Johepiiine Oro "Miss Clipper." Ill