The Billboard 1901-04-20: Vol 13 Iss 16 (1901-04-20)

a 4 THE BILLBOARD. Published Weekly at 127 East Eighth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. Address all communications For the editorial or business departments to THE BILLBOARD PUBLISHING CO, Subscription, $4.00 a year ; 6 mos., $2.00; 3 mos., $1.00, in advance. ADVERTISING RATES: Advertisements will be published at the uniform rate of ten cents per agate line; no discount for time or space. Copy for advertisements must reach us before noon on Saturday previous to week of issue. Our terms are cash. The Billboard ts so'din London at Low's Exchange, 57 Charing Cross, and at American Advertising Newspaper Agency, Trafaigar RBuridings, Northumberiand Ave.,W.C. In Paris.at Brentano s,37 Ave.del’ Opera. The trade sup plied by the American News Co.and tts branches. Remittance shouid be made by post office or ex press money order, orre gist red letter add) essea and made payable to the Billboard Pub Co. The editor can not undertake toreturn unsolictied manuscript; correspondents should kee poopy. When itis necessaryto wire us theinstructions and copy for advertisements, great saving inthe matter of telegraph tolls may be had by recourse to tne Dona!dson Cipher Code. Entered as Second-Class Matter at Post Office at Cincinnati, Ohio. Saturday, April 20th, 1901. There is one thing that tent show people can not regulate, and that is the weather. If there was any process by which they could have sunshine every day during the season, every showman, from the fellow with the one wagon to the sixty-car show, would be rich in six months. * * * It has been estimated that not less than from 7,000 to 10,000 vaudeville performers who work the theaters in the winter are engaged in parks and at fairs during the summer months. A good performer of this kind is) employed nearly the year round, and he is, in consequence, the most independent showman in the world. He retains his individuality and is not lost like the theatrical stock performer who is supposed to be only a part of a vast machine operated by the moguls of the Theatrical Trust. The vaudeville performer owns himself, and is not subject to the caprices or behest of a Frohman or a -Liebler. A good specialty artist ought to be well satistied with himself and the world in which he is a unit, and not an insignificant part of an amusement-making machine. * * * The immense success of the Buffalo Biil Show in New York, and the Ringling Show in Chicago, seems auspicious for the circus season generally. More tent shows will be on the road this year than ever before bidding for publie favor. Many of the larger circuses will invade the East almost at the outset of the season, and the result will be a merry war. It will demonstrate in all probability the truth of the old theory of the “survival of the fittest.” “The Billboard,” as the only representative circus man’s paper in America, Vishes unbounded success to all the shows. We hope that when the leaves begin to fall and they return to winter quarters that their coffers will be filled to overflowing with good American dollars. We shall publish the news of ali shows with absolute impartiality. We shall carefully guard against coloring an accident or an incident, but present only the facts in a plain, straightforward way. As we have said on seyeral occasions, we believe that we are entitled to the cordial support of every showman in the country. We shall strive to deserve it. With the aid of our circus friends, “The Billboard” can be made to fairly bristle with news from various parts of the country. We intend to keep the showmen posted about each other, not, however, in the sense of injuring their business or telling private matters which can work only injury to some one and can really benefit no one. The amiability and good) nature of “The Billboard” has several times been severely tried, but we have managed to keep our temper. We want it fairly understood that we are not the organ or mouthpiece of any show or showman. All will be treated alike. The show which sends the news will get the notices. Many of them are doing very well in that direction now, but, before the dog days, we think that all will be in line for “The Billboard,” and give an even greater impetus to this paper, which is growing faster than any class publication in America. “Boys, here's to good weather and good business.” * * * The meeting of the Amalgamation Committees of the different bill posters associations in Chicago this week, is the most important in the history of the organization. There was a time when bill posters were an irresponsible, disorganized craft, but, in keeping with the progress of this wonderful age, they have now become a compact, influential and financially strong body of men. The present marks the crisis in the affairs of the Associated Bill Posters of the United States. The problem of amalgamation on equitable and sensible lines is a serious one, which we earnestly hope may be met and satisfactorily solved. The situation is so involved, conflicting interests are so persistent and determined that, to bring harmony and success, is almost like restoring order out of chaos. “The Billboard” will be at Chicago, not as a meddler or an arbitrator. The big men Who are controlling the destinies of the association are able to manage their own affairs. We shall be there simply to report the news and give the facts as they are developed to thousands of bill poster readers everywhere. We do not claim to speak ofticially for any bill poster organization, but, as the friend of all members of that useful occupation, we feel it our duty to keep them fully informed as to what is being done. They can judge for themselves whether or not their interests are being conserved and = pro tected. Even the most bitter enemy of “The Billboard” must concede that this paper has been the most potent factor in bringing about unification of bill posting interests in this country. That the meeting in Chicago will be, to say the least, highly interesting, there ean be no doubt. That entire harmony will prevail, and the four’ interests sought to be amalgamated will come together, is gravely uneertain. By the time “The Billboard” goes to press again the crisis will have been passed for weal or woe. GETTING OUT THE PROBLEM. Through the weary watches of the night the dramatist npored over the volume. “Writing a problem play is not such an easy task,’’ he murmured, with a_ longdrawn sigh. But with dogged persistence he resumed his dramatization of Ray's Elementary Arithmetic,—Baltimore American. THE BILLBOARD Carl Hagenbeck. Carl Hagenback, the dean and high priest of the wild beast industry, who has agen cies in every part of the world where in teresting animals are found, and through whose hands pass nearly all of the wild creatures on exhibition in the whole world, is a remarkable man. The collecting and buying of wild beasts has been handed down to him through three generations, which makes his establishment the oldest, as well as the largest, wild beast cmpo rium in the world. As a boy Hagenback received a present of a pair ot seals, whieh he trained and exhibited, and at the pres ent time he maintains in’ the principal towns and cities of Europe the largest wild beast shows that have ever been organized Since Mr. Hagenback’s triumphant career at the Wor'd's Fair he has not been asso ciated with any amusement enterprises on this side of the Atlantic, notwithstanding the fact that various unscrupulous persons have used his trade-mark in an effort) to benefit their mediocre performances. Rut his attention on the other side has been divided continually between his training quarters, his zoological gardens and the show that bears his name. Mr. Hagenback enjoys many distinetions. THe was the first man who ever secured any polar bears for exhibition purposes, and when he forged into the interior of Africa and secured some magnificent full-grown elephants his for tune was made. Black, brown, yellow and white men work for him, and they have made his name kuewn to dusky, greasy po tentates from the frozen Aretic regions to the torrid zone. and to many barbaric races the name of Hagenback is familiar. some of whom have never heard of Edward VIL. the Kaiser, or the President of the United States, Hagenback’s South African headquarters, which is his principal vlace for collecting specimens of anima'ts that are brought from the rivers and forests of the almost impenetrable wilderness, are about twenty miles nerth of Cane Town. His buildings cover thirty acres of ground, and are sur reunded by a stockade some twenty feet high. Here the animals become accus tomed to confinement befere they are shipped to Europe. Their prisons are enor mously strong and partienlarly well kept. All the native animals of South and Central Africa are to be found in this corral, and at times, when a fresh lot of captives have been brought in. ther make the air fairly reek with their hideous noises. Wild beast taming and handling is, perliaps, the most dangerous eccupation in the world, but Mr. Hagenback has become so attached to his vocation that he considers the calling ne more havardous than one in an ordinary walk of life. Manw interesting anecdotes are told by bim. and as he is an undisputed asuthoritv. what be has te sav on the sub ject carries with it the benefit: of observa tions made through a life study in his pre fession, Mr. Hagenback will arrive in: America on the steamer Deutschland and will be met at the pier by his American representative, Mr. Ek. DP. Colvin, with whom he will make a short tour of all the vrineipal cities, es tablishinge headanuarters while in this conn try at the Cincinnati (0.) Zoological Gar dens. Comments. For several years vast Treasurer Reall of the Associated Bill Posters, has dabbled in base ball dea's and other outdeer sum mer sports at Sioux City, with varying sat isfaction and suecess. Brown, at Pureell, 1. ‘TL. has a good plant lots of paper in paner room. and a good deal of distributing on hand. Say. Bre. Brown, try 8 man once. Keep up to vour contract: don’t use bers. THe has now on hand to distribute Pe-ru-na and Dr. ‘s song books. Probably Charlie ternard and = Tarry Stoops could relate some interesting stories sbout the dancer which surrounded Brother Doolew of At'tante not many teens age, when his bill posting plant came very near slipping (surreptitiousiv» out of the hands of the tall, sandy-haired Georgian. That dark-eved, strawberry blonde. whe traveled all the way from Atlanta. Ga. te Atlantic Citw last summer to become ae quainted with a lot of jolly bill pesters, is now said te have a nost offiee address in Denver, Col, Does voune “Polvh Stahl brodt know why this show be ius? The Commercial Bill Posting and Distrib uting Company, of Anderson, Ind... has sev eral loeat jobs for merchants, some cireus posting and a six months’ contract for Wet mores Tobacea, GOO sheets exch month for the plants in Andersen and Kokomo, Busi ness promises to be better than it has ever been. The Sentinel, Milwaukee’s only morning Enelish newsnaper, whieh has reeently come vader the control of Milllonsires Ptis ter snd Payvne the latter a Nattonal Re publican Committeeman, whose Interests it formerly refused to supnert has shown more pregressive spirit since the shift of management. by endeavoring to widen its pitrona¢ce and influence thronch the me dium ef bill hoards eed efrenhard'stribut ine, Frank Fitzgerald will handle and place the work. Col, John DD. Hopkins. of the Hopkins Amusement Compony. now stands in econ tempt of court, On Mareh 28 he was or dered by Judge Dunne. of Chicago, ta pay S790 alimony to his wife, Mrs. Rosetta Rk, Ilopkins, and ten days were allowed in which he could make the payment. The ten days expired April S, when Attorney Alfred 8. Austrian, counsel for Mrs. Hopkins, in formed the court that the order had) not been complied with. Judge Dunne then signed an order holding Mr. Hopkins in econ tempt of court: .and issued a mittimus of committal for him, Frank Chamberlin, the well-known lowa DIL poster, recently paid a visit te Frank Zchrung, of Lincoln, Neb. Gossips say that the two Franks enjoyed themselves fan mensely and indulged in a variety of sport But when the day came that Chamberlin intended to go home he was navolidally delayed, and his sojourn in Nebraska Ww ix protracted nearly a month longer, Mean While he was the flattered recipient “a much epistolary and postaleard advice and seodwill from a host of fellow billstickers in many neighboring tow ns, Lincoln is the home of the “people's apostle.” but for all that it is not sueh ao slow place Is it Frank? Either one may answer, _ Colonel Burr Robbins is busy these telling his friends about the great had on his recent eight weeks’ trip throng! the far West. This was the colonels ane ond winter sojourn along the Pacific slope and he is now more enthusiastic than ae over the marvels of scenery and tl . warmth of hospitality. that greeted hin it the balmy clime beyond the Rockies, Ey on in the Rockies themselyes he observed that the femberature was only occasionally frigid, ax he spent most of his time ther. with genial Jim Curran, whose hot-air ma chine was Woerking at high pressure Yer in spite of al! the sport of junketing, : : the colonel was mighty ghid to ket back to Chi cago, days thie he The Value of a * Billboard” Ad. ee Editor of “The Billboard: Enclosed please tind check for 317.50, coy ering your invoice of April 1 for ad in your April issue alse enclose copy” fu three-ineh double-column nd... te appear od the next issue of “The Billboard.” In thie connection let me say that our wdvertisxe ments in “The Billbourd’ have always brought solendid returns, and | have fre quently wondered why it was that other fair associations did not patronize your col umus mere liberally. All fair associations have information That your readers are anxious to have, and as the promulgation of this information means many dollars to the fair promoters, I have been astonished that they were so backward in the use of yeur particular brand of printing ink. With an exverience of several years in the work of securing the attention of the men whe contro! attractions whe have money to invest in privileges, and whe Want to know the conditions, traditions and possibilities of the various fairs and carni vals throughout the country TL think | am ina position to speak With seme degree of certainty regarding the best mediums through which to accomplish the ambition of the wide-awake secretary. have tried them all, bet have come to the conclusion that the desired end may be gained through the columns of “The Billboard” alone. as well as through the use of several nediums. Believing this, and believing, too. that con sistency is a virtue, I have for some time past depended entirely upon the columus of “The Bi" board” to reach the audience that I sought to interest, Your columns now contatn information regarding the several departments of the Southern lnterstate Fair te be held im At lanta October & te 26. and To am in daily receipt of various inquiries regarding at tractions and privileges. All of these are Valuable, and To have already closed uiany important contracts. We claim to have the best selling fair in the country, and f be lieve that all privilege men whe have at tended our fairs will bear me out in this statement. We have an attendance run ning from 125.000 to 150.000, Qur gates are open eighteen days, and T am pleased to say that prospects are bright for ‘The Great Fair of the Sontheastern States.” T. H. MARTIN, Secretary. Atlanta, Ga., Avril 8, 1001, ATI Se, PII LETTER BOX & MS CY OOM Our readers and subscribers tnall lines ave intited to avail themselves of “ The Billboards acw mail scheme, We have an experienced clerk in charge of this department. He keeps track of people and forwards their mail wherever possible, the moment it ts received, thus aveiding delay. Letters are only advertised when we do not know the whereabouts of the persons to whom thry are addressed. Letters advertised for four weeks and uncalled for will be returned to the post-office, Circulars, postal cards and newspapers €x¢ liuded, Letters are forwarded without capense. ADVERTISED LETLER LIST. J. A. Anderson. A. Leiss (2). Vietor BF. Cody. iL. Oppenheimer, Mat. J. Flynn. Jotn Pay Dalmer, The Great Gaupier. Led Hainey. W. J. Howell (&). J. M. J. Kane. Mr. Lockhart Captain Hi, Wallace. John W. Mdwards (18). Prop. Winterwringer Bloom Co, Robinson & Stickney’s Dog & Pony Show, fain W. Hoke, 255 Sth av., N, Y Reese Bros, (2). The Rettares, Prof. Sam Stricklin, arson Tayler. OO Be