The New York Clipper (October 1912)

6 THE JSFEW YCXRK OLIPP1SB. October 5 •>-* "•;":.. '•• ■•'•'-':. ';••■■■.•/. .;•;.-■ ,;^ i . •■ ,'& ' ,-v;.:'- • ••■-..' ,'■-. 1 .'.V,-..^''.' ; ':^*-. ".'•■•' HARRY EARL, Known In every newspaper office In America. He l» now promoting publicity for the Ring- ling Brother*!' Circus enterprises, and Is an Important factor In the tented field of enter- tainment. FLORIDA HOMD OF C. N. THOMPSON. C. N. Thompson is the general superintendent and legal adjuster for the Buffalo Bill Wild West and Pawnee Bill Far East Combined Shows, and has spent thousands of dollars upon his Florida estate, which is situated nt Shell Beach, near Sarasota, Fla. As Mr. Thompson expresses it, "Our front yard covers fourteen acres of green sward." The Thompson Florida home Is equipped with all of the modem conveniences. An electric light plant furnishes the Illumination for the Thompson residence. An aiteslan well provides ample water supply, and a pump system carries the water fiom the gulf for bathing purposes. Surrounding the Thompson home Is the shrubbery and landscape effects making the place a veritable para- dise. It will be recalled that Mr. Thompson for many years prior to Joining the Two Bills' Show, was general superintendent of the Sells Brothers' and the Ilagenbcck-Wallace circuses. COLONEL ("POPCORN") GEO. HALL. Col. Oeo. Hall Is perhaps the oldest living American showman, and resides at Evons- vlllo Wis., where bo conducts a large farm. At no time does the colonel get entirely nwn.v from the circus atmosphere, for he lenses animals to various aggregations now touring the country. For many years Colonel Hall was actively engaged In the circus business. CON. T. KENNEDY. As general manager of the C. W. Parker carnival enterprises, Con T. Kennedy has not only built up a large fortune for himself and Colonel Parker, hut he has made a world of friends throughout the United States and Canada, and It is no exaggeration to say that Mr. Kennedy Is ona of the mobt popu- lar managers In the carnival field. HARRY 9. NOYES. Harry S. Noyes was born of Scotch parents, In 1870, at Mason City, la. His father being the owner of a newspaper, be learned to -be a printer, and followed this line of business until 1891, when he Joined out as a side show talker and ticket seller with the Qreat Rey- nolds Snow, and from then until now each successive season has found him Identified with the white tops, carnivals and exposi- tions and similar organizations, and he has been Identified In an official capacity with the following shows: ..•■■. 1802 and 1803. the Joe McMann Circus. 1804-1808, the Sells & Rentfrow Shows. In 1807. Hummel), Hamilton & Selld. 1898, with his own organization, which traveled overland. 1800, John Robinson Ten Big Shows. 1S00, with -the Frank Smith Shows. 1001 and 1002, with Melen. Bros.' Circus. 1003, Rlngling Shows. 1004, E. J. Arnold Carnival Co./ 1005, Portland, Ore., Exposi- tion. 1000, built and managed the flrBt air- dome In Omaha. .. 1U07, Rlngling Bros.' Cir- cus. 1008-00-10-Xl and 12, general agent Great Patterson Shows, one of America's leading carnival organizations. He has made a record to be proud of, as the Patterson Shows have grown and prospered since Noyes took the helm, Noyes Is a shrewd agent, quiet aud unassuming In manner and dress. He enjoys the perfect confidence of Mr. Patterson, proprietor and owner of the Great Patterson Shows, and has the pleasure of knowing many prominent city officials, railroad men and fair secretaries throughout the United States and Canada. Noyes Is ad- mired by his opponents in his field of en- deavor for his fair dealing and shrewd busi- ness methods. HERBERT A. KLINE, Proprietor of one of America's leading car- nivals, now playing the big State Fairs. JOHN O. ROUINSON. One of the most popular men In the tented show field Is 3. G. Itoblnson, who for a num- ber of years has directed the affairs of the John Robinson Ten Big Shows. COL. VERNON C. 8EAVEH. As president and general manager of the Young Buffalo Wild West and Col. Cummins' Far East, Col. Vernon C. Seaver Is a promi- nent figure In the Held of tented amusements. He also operates a circuit of representative moving picture theatres In Chicago and other cities, and owns Al Fresco Park, at Peoria, III. AL. F. GORMAN. Al. F. Gorman Is the general agent of tho K. G. Barkoot World's Greatest Shows, a car- nival organization which occupies an enviable position In the front rank In this field of amusement endeavor. COLONEL CHARLES W. PARKER. Col. Charles W. Parker Is known to tho carnival fraternity as "America's Amuse- ment King." He occupies n premiere posi- tion In the world of amusement as a pur- veyor of entertainment to the masses. Blurt- ing In a humble way some twenty years ago, ho has steadily arisen to the top of the lad- der of amusement fame. Tho Parker factor- ies, manufacturing amusement devices, are considered the largest In the world. MR. AND MRS. RAY THOMPSON, Featured with leading circuses and Wild West shows. Now playing fain sod parks. JOHN E. OGDEN. As the munager of the aide show with the Hngenbcck-Wallaco Circus. John E. Ogden Is considered one of the best In bis field. He has been Identified for a number of years with various circus organizations, BUCKSKIN IU1 FAMOUS SHOWS. I Frank 8. Reed, manager for the Buckskin Ben Shows, writes from Greenville, Mich., as follows: "After staying in a small town for nearly two years, running an opera house, I joined Buckskin Ben's Famous Shows July 10 at Soo, Can. ■ The wanderlust got In my -blood; and the doctor said: 'Back to the white tons for me'—so I guess I am here to stay. The company has been the fea- ture attraction with the Wortbam As Allen Shows all season, until the opening of the fairs. We have been very lucky la 'plcken 'em out,' too, as out of four fairs played three of them had no other shows on the ground but oura. With all due respect to the fair board managers, it was not their in- tention to give us the exclusive, but the other shows that were booked did not show up. Ben has already commenced to frame his carnival company together for the Fall attractions. He will carry about six neat, clean shows and two riding devices. Quite a few places are already booked, and bis company will open In Illinois the week fol- lowing the Springfield fair. We are playing three of our favorite towns now—-Green- ville, Adrian and Hillsdale fairs. Notwith- standing that this Is the political year, I ran honestly say that It has been a little better than the average season." ♦ i » Notes mom Lei Lb Vant's Tent Show.—- Within Ave weeks from the close of a pleas- ant and prosperous season, a very sad acci- dent occurred In our company, In which Floyd Stephens, our piano player, was drowucd while In bathing on Lake Michigan, at Macki- naw City, where we were playing a week's engagement He was a talented musician and we all miss him greatly. This is the first cnange to take place in the roster of our com- pany snee opening on May 1. Thh Byron Spaun Wagon Show, now in the twenty-second week of Its seventeenth con- secutive season, reports fine weather and business. Storting In the Northern part of New York State, they have passed through New Jersey, and are now crossing Delaware on their way to Maryland. The show has enjoyed a prosperous season, and will stay out as long as the weather permits. Thr Columbia Phonooiiaph Co. has Suc- ceeded in getting a ruling that 25 per cent be paid on Imported wax master records. The collector had assessed them at 45 per cent * CARNIVAL SITUATION CARNIVAL MANAGERS' ASSOOA TION. CARNIVAL BUSINESS IN GCXBRi. DISCUSSED. ll * BX GEORGE LOOS. Since the Inception of the Carnival Von gers- Association of America, numerous li' qulrlcs have been made regarding t lie 0 rdT of affairs, and In response I desire t-. monti™ that the association 1b an absolum ream, und not mere idle gossip. ' The association was formed on a fonnn tlou of reason, and Irrespective u£ the » tacks which have been made aiulnsttt: i,. those Inspired with a malicious undbutk? It has stood the test solely and btilctlv „' account of its organizers fighting should,., to shoulder for the betterment of IsThS p.css In general, and for the welfare of tki entire carnival fraternity. m As was anticipated at the very berimuiw opposition arrayed itself against the urdwft un utmost determination to not only bclittk the association, but the men wire. mtSSS their time and efforts In their endeavor 5 perfect nn organization whose sole aim *J« to eliminate the many existing evils that dally confront not only the carnival main. gers, but the Independent showman and con ccssionalre as well. No one engaged In this business will deny that agreements are being violated dally SD J In which case the association supplies a'rem edy for the offenders, not through any mallei or 111 feeling, but merely on the argument that business Is business and that any man or set of men have a right to protect their Interests, and In which instance Ibis canonlj be accomplished through co-operation among the members thereof. As matters are at present any person can commit some offense or unwarranted nui- sance, leave a company without any notice and join some other company to the detri- ment of the first parties. Then, ngain, any carnival manager can go to some independent showman or concessionaire and, without sot reasonable cause, refuse to carry them to ths next town without any notice whatever. In either case this is an Injustice lo either party. In the opinion of the association con- tracts should be used exclusively so that there can In no manner be any misunder- standing In regards to terms, notice or other agreements, and make It a penalty as de- scribed by the association, which reads that no caralval manager who Is a member of the association will engage or allow to be en- gaged In any capacity whatever any person violating an agreement or making themselves otherwise objectionable. This would ba a protection to individual showmen and concessionaires who arc obliged to employ help, the same as It would protect carnival managers from unscrupulous parties who are inclined to conduct themselves and their business In an Illegitimate manner. Aj tulngs are at present any pctsoa can violate any agreement and secure employ-incut with some other company, and as long as this Is tolerated the business will see small Improve- ment. Those who have eliminated graft and the so-cnlled "girl shows" with their "special midnight performance" are to be commended, whether they are members of the association or not, , The elimination of these undesirable peo- ele and features will not only be welcomed y those who desire to be buslucss-llko In their dealings with otuers, but will ma- terially all in placing the business on a sound basis. The investigating committee Is straining every effort In an endeavor to comply with Rule IS. which reads as follows: "It Is full; understood that tho formation of this asso- ciation Is not to be cither antagonistic or dictatorial to other managers who do not desire to ufltllato themselves with Ibis hod; (provided they conduct their business la > manner so as not to cause any harm through Illegitimate business tactics to other com- panies) , hut It will be the work of the Inves- tigating committee to visit these companies, und wherever any complaint Is made in re- gards to any disorders that might be toler- ated, to secure these facts, which are to M sent to the mayors, the city and county at- torney*, the presidents of the business men I ussoclstlons. the chief of police BMj» sheriffs In tie cities this particular company might be booked, and In that manner the; will- be urged to conduct their business legitimately." • . . , „ _ The association was not founded on un- certain grounds, and merely because there is a certain element who do not coincide »ltt the rules aria by-laws'of the order, there" absolutely no reason why facts should riot bo respected, and those who denounce the association as a truBt ore either unfamlllar with the constitution or Ignorant of tuo top* m» fatMrttjr, sincerity and honesty of •urpose of the organUcrs cannot, be que* vloned. Every service performed by the on cers and directors is done without any com, PC Emyothcr branch of the »»™ e i n ° at '!! 1 J* ness Is organised—baseball, theatrical, mm mg plctures-In fact, every other■ lnrgMWW ness has profited by co-operation and ussocim tlon. Ball players and vaudevll e Performers a re to-day receiving higher »*««»■ th r B " ^l before, and are always certain of rccc'vuif their salaries when working *«' »V, ot . ncr ° association IeogueB or houses, althoughi there was a continuous talk from thesei partt • previous to the organltatlon that they wouia be at the mercy of the managers and tnat their salaries would be reduced. t , IlMa - In both Instances this has not mg™"^ but both must pay the penalty in the ever. either party violates tbeir »« rc f^ c „ n *-, d s ,,„. being &e tacts, then why Is It **«*L% reasonable for this same ruling to *ML£ the carnival Interests. Some jWJfiJjK, If It were possible, a carnival a»soclaliou would have been formed yearsi agot*»» others will mention that It Is abso ut y P£ possible to get those engaged in this neia stand together. <-' . . , . - ,,„ it If the latter remarks are a fact en only tends to show hnw weak and i no us ncss-llke and Inferior these peoP. le 1 ." t „„ tt it others engaged In the amusement line, nna Is to be regretted that we have soif » °£ of determination who have not ««"- b r lnl ambition, qualification. Inc"nation ",",„. to fight for What they think is rlgl«. '« ■npeflve of the condemnation and rrngj- tnat they may receive at the hands t too who may differ with their opinions,, si "^ haveh't the moral courage of the r « tlons to 1 express themselves accordlni, J. It must be distinctly »»Sj r # 00 i" deslit. association has but one oMe«. ou _ f and that Is to work for the.best lntl ' ]%- the manager, Independent Bhownmni ai J „ cesslonalro alike, and when their pi i° ^ accomplished, namely, the "ffiSS «?hf« "fly-by-nlghf' concern, the g»gJJL_|s ana to-day aSd gone to-morrow" shoju-ni the contract breaker, the carnlv°l c" r P nJor and those engaged therein will tun w tho good will and the confldence of -• ■ ^ lie, supplemented by greater fln »"fi ll ,.,e h»t<> Many, showmen complain •»o« n ; n > «•; times and bad business. Thero » r « "V,/ BO ala sons why business Is not as good as u he, but the fault Is mostly our own. fti ■Most of us do not seem to *««>'", lie * world Is progressing and that the p'j»">-