The Billboard 1904-02-20: Vol 16 Iss 8 (1904-02-20)

THE BILLBOARD ‘STREET FAIRS EXPOS ITIONS| FAIR NOTES. \ new agricultural society In Clinton County, wes Eonscuuiel with $10,000 eapital on eb. 5. The New England fair this season will likely be held at Worcester, Mass., in conjunction with the Worcester Agricultural Society. New Albany, Franklin, Bedford, Osgood, Lawrenceburg, North Vernon, Madison and Corydon compose the new Southern Indiana Falr circuit. The Kansas «uidwinter Exposition, which was held at Topeka, closed Feb. 6, and was reported to have been the best midwinter fair ever heid at that place. The Central Texas Fair Association has begun to work in earnest for the success of the coming fair, which ig to be held Oct, 18-21, and the prospects are said to be flattering. The Oklahoma State Fair and Driving Assoelation of Guthrie was recently incorporated with a capital stock of $10,000. The incorporators were Chas, E. Billingsley, William D. and L. D. Fossett. The Retail Merchants’ Association of Nashville. Tenn., is agitating the necessity of a state fair this year. Undoubtedly the state wil! have a fair of this kind this year, and it has already been spoken of as a permanent institution. It is understood that Macon, Atlanta, Savannah, Athens, Rome, Brunswick, Albany and Valdosta are all after the Georgia State Fatr. end each of the different places seems determined to have the fair, no matter how hard the work to get It. Fair associations are rapidly falling in line in the selection of the dates for their events the coming season. It is a good plan to select the dates early and place a small ad. in ‘*The rillboard’’ in time to secure the best attractlons before they are booked up solid for the season. The stockholders of the Shelby Connty (Tnd.) Joint Stock Agricultural Association have elect4 Semuel K. Stroup, president: George Kinsley, vice-president: J. Walter Elliott. secretary: John Day DePrez, treasurer, and William Pond superintendent. The treasurer reports $1,613.11 on hand with no debts. At «a meeting of the board of managers of the Washington Connty (N. Y.) Agricultural Socie ty at Sandy Hill Feb. 4 the date of the annual exhibit at Fort Fdward was changed from Ang. 20-Sept. 2 to Aug. 23-26. Previons dates conflicted with the Cambridge fair, and efforts of the State Agrienltural Soclety to effect amicable settlement were In vain. The directors of the Trumbull County (Ohfo) Agrienltural Society met recently at Warren to make arrangements for their fair to be held Ang. 20 to Sept. 1. The price of admission was 1 from iv to 20 cents per single admission or six tiekets for £1.00. There will be six races with purses amounting to $1.800. Revisions were made fn the premium list. At a largely attended meeting of the Danphin Connty (Pa.) Fair Assoelation held at the Rear! of Trade at Harrisburg recently, the following hoard of directors were elected: W. H. Moody Dr. M. O. Putt, J. H. Strock, KH. D. Koons John W. Early, Harry C. Fink. B. F. Ober, <. H. Butterworth and John E. Fox. The direc tors W.. soon elect officers and arrange for 9 special meeting to take up the question of purchasing gronnd for a fair. The Mad River and Miami! Valley Fatr Ciren!t of Ohbfo recently met at Springfield and selected the dates for the following fairs: Xenla, Auc 2-5: Urbana, Ang. 9-13: Washineton C. H.. Ang 16-19; Oakley Park, Ang. 18-19: Pellefontaine. Ang. 16-19: London, Aug. 23-27: Kenton. Anz. 28.27: Ohio State Fair .Ang. 29-Sept. 2: Darton. Sept. 5-9: Eaton, Sept. 13-17: Trey. Sept. 20-23: Marysville, Sept. 27-Oct. 3: Richwood, Oct. 4-7. It decided to expend $55 for advertising purposes for each of the fourteen fairs In the cirenit Formal announcement was made of the fact that Jackson had withdrawn from the cireuit and that Wellston has joined. The following officers were chosen for the coming rear President, C. Hl. Ganson, Urbana: vice-prestdent, W. I. Tenny. Troy: secretary, J. W. Crowl, Urbana; treasurer, W. J. Ferguson. Darton: executive committee, T. L. Calvert, Selma: ol Grieve, Xenia, and D. L. Simpson, Cincinnati. raisec WORLD'S FAIR NOTES. The Kentucky Legislature, at its January session, voted a World's Fair appropriation ef $75,000. This is In addition to a fund of $100.. pe raised by the Kentucky Exhibit Associa n A bill has been introduced in the New York Legislature appropriating an additional $100.000 for participation in the World's Fair. The state commission claims that the $300,000 already appropriated is insufficient to adequately portray the Empire State's resources. The passage of the appropriation bill is confidently predicted. A St. Louis (Mo.) business man, while visiting Cincinnati last week, gave out the following regarding the progress of the World’s Fair: ‘Fully three-fourths of the main buildings are completed, while the foreign, State and Territorial structures are practically finished. People from all parts of the world are already on the grounds with their exhibits, and a busy scene {fs thus presented every hour of every ‘dey. The Exposition commissioners are send‘ng out notices to the State and Territorial! fovernors to rush their exhibits, as the doors of the big fair will open promptly on schedule time. I was at Philadelphia in 1876 and the World’s Fair at Chicago. but in my judgment the Louisiana Purchase Exposition will surpass anything of the kind ever witnessed on the face of the earth. St. Louis is prepared to take sood care of the multitude of strangers that will be within her gates during the seven months of the fatr.’’ “The Billboard's’ correspondent for St. Louts writes ag follows: St. Louls is moving along apldly In its preparations for the big event--‘he World's Fair. As the date draws near the more busy every one seems to become. This s true mainly among the many concessioners ‘no the Pike. as they are rapidly getting towards the opening date, and must be ready on time. A majority of the palaces are finished but or the {Installing of the inhabitants, and fhese ‘re on the way or getting ready to embark. Mr. Gaston Akoun left St. Louis last week for India to bring back a troupe of genuine Nautch dancers, including the famous Prin cess Rajah. Mr. Akonn states that considerable expense was caused by making it possible for Princess Rajah to accept the call to the World's Fair, as since the coronation of Prince Dowlika she has persistently refused all offers to leave the imperiai household. The Hagenbeck Show at St. Louis will comprise open cages of a complete collection of the moukey tribes, 100 macaws, Amazon parrots, penantes, puraquetts ond other birds will be exposed along the Pike where the passing throng may enjoy their antics. In addition te the open air arena, a large covered auditorium is provided for the stage performance of the Hagenbeck trained animals, and 3,000 spectators may be accommodated. The stage will be a circular caged performing arena, extending into the auditorium far beyond the proscenium arch Encircling the seats at the reer ond extending from the boxes on one side to those on the opposite side, a broad foyer or promenide will enable the audience to inspect dens of beasts sunk beneath the rising seats end fronting on the promenade. The animals will be worked on the stage in relays, so that during the continuous performance, lasting from 9:50 a. m. until 10:30 p. m., the same animals will not be twice shown and but few of the acts repeated. Animals roaming in the open alr arena can be .conducted to the stage or from the cages to the stage through a labyrinth of corridors. Extending around almost the entire open air arena and the enclosed auditorium an animal drive or riding track will be constructed, where visitors may ride elephants, dromedaries and camels or drive teams of ostriches, zebra tandems, fast tall sheep, sheep antelopes and hybrids produced from the horse and zebra, the zebra and donkey and the trotting horse and the zebra. This new animal is known as the zebrule. The Hagenbeck exhibition will include more thin 1,500 animals, representing all the available species of the animal kingdom, and in its completeness and variety will undoubtedly be the greatest collection ever displayed. Gen, L. Victor Baughman, chairman of the Maryland Commissioners for the World's Fir paid a receut visit to the Exposition grounds at St. Louis, and is enthusiastic over what he saw. ‘“‘Hundreds of magnificent buildings are seattered all over the vast territory,’’ said Gen. Baughman “The buildings in the diplomatic section are being erected, in many eases, by laborers from foreign countries. The hulljings are upon a grander seale than at any preceding exposition. Forty state buildings, representing an expenditure of $7,100,000, have been erected. When one realizes that St. Louix has already expended $10,000,000 on grounds and buildings, some idea of the greatness of this undertaking can be formed. The sum of $5,000,000 additional contributed by the Government has been paid out by the supervisor of the Treasury. The St. Louis Exposition hes h) per cent. more roofed area and 100 per cent. more ground space than wag the case at the Chicago Columbian Expositien. During the year 1993 there wag expended by St. Louix over $3,000,000 upon pew fireproof hotels. It is claimed that before the opening of the Exposition there will be completed fifteen new apartment hotels, representing over $4,500,000 Inside of the Exposition grounds there is now being built a hotel with 2.300 rooms, costing over $500,000. The rate here is fixed by the commissioners, and will be from $1 to $5 a day for rooms. Near the grounds are other large hotels of a temporary character of from 500 to 2,000 rooms. So far there does not appear to be any excessive charges at hote!s, ang all managers have entered into agreements that no exorbitant charges will be made. The street car companies are purchasing new cars end equipping pew lines at a cost of over $1,000.000. Thus some idea can be formed of the gigantic scale upon which everything is being done. The great Chicsgo Exposition will look like a side show: the Paris Exposition woul. be lost In the spacious grounds, while the Buffalo and Charleston Expositions will be recalled to institute a comparison with this mammoth undertaking.”’ treet Fairs& Grnivalst THE STREETMEN’S ASSOCIATION PROJECT MEETS WITH WIDESPREAD APPROVAL. Considerable interest is being manifested in the project to organize an association of streetmen. Since the publication of Mr. Cunningham’s article in the recent edition of ‘The Billboard’’ the editor has received a number of letters commending the plan and giving indi vidual views of the situation. The following are a few examples. Augusta, Ga., Feb. 2, 1904. Editor of The Billboard: Dear Sir—I read the article of Mr. Cunning ham in this week's issue of ‘‘The Billboard” and beg to state that I am of his way of thinking. Above all people that need protection of the character afforded by a national association is the straight working streetman. Throughout ‘ieorgia the license fs fifty dollars, and in addition to this each city is empowered to levy an additional license of an equal amount. which practically renders the license prohibitive. I do not think that the law would hold against the concentrated efforts of an organized body of streetmen. The interstate law ordains that no state, county or city can make a law for one against another. l am for making a test case in any state and I am willing to contribute to the necessary funds as soon as the matter can be arranged. Yours truly, J. A. CONE. Another letter reads ag follows: New Orleans, La., Jan. 31, 1904. Editor Bitliboard: Dear Sir—I read with pleasure the article writteh by Mr. Cunningham in last week's issue of ‘‘The Rillboard,’’ and must say that I consider it the best written article on the suject that I have ever seen. It expresses just exactly what every streetman has been up against time and again. As to what he says as to an organization of streetmen, I hea agree with him and am willing to give my support at any time. As a means of starting the ball rolling I would suggest that contributions to the fund be sent in at once to a committee. Also that the letter by Mr, Cunningham in last week's issue of ‘‘The Billboard’’ be printed in circular form and mailed to all wholesale dealers who are niterested in the street selling business, as, for instance, N. Shure & Co., Singer Brothers and others, with the request that they have a thonsand printed and mailed to every customer on their books; or, better still, enclose a copy with every order that they ship. This will undoubtedly set large numbers of the profession to thinking on the subject, and as the present year will witness the largest fair in history and there will be thousands of the fraternity at St. Louis, I think that would be aq favorable time and place to organize. Once started, there is no reason why the Streetmen'’s Protective Assoelation should not reach a membership of 5.000 in a year’s time. I am willing to contribute five dollars at any time to the fund. Respectfully, LARRY BERNSTEIN, 638 Canal St., New Orleans, La Here is another: Pine Bluff, Ark., Feb. 2, 1904. Editor The Billboard: Dear Sir—I saw in your issue of Jan. 30 an article by Mr. Cunningham setting forth the needs of an organization for the protection of streetmen salesmen against the exorbitant and extortionate licenses they are often compelled to pay. I have followed the white tents for years, but am at present representing the Eastern Terfume Company, advertising and selling their goods from a motor vehicle. I have corresponded with municipal ollicials of cities throughout the Southern States, and find that the licenses charged even for my line, which is strictly legitimate, are usually exorbitant and often prohibitive. In Little Rock, Ark., for instance, the license for selling any one or two articles is $2.50 per day; notions not allowed at all Pine Bluff, Ark., is entirely closed to anything that requires what they term an outery. At Camden, Ark., a town of 4.000 population, the license ts $5 per day: notions not allowed I have found that it is impossible to follow close behind a notion salesman in the South, 1s they invariably cause the closing of the town against streetmen, though it is not very often their fault that such ts the cause. While conversing with the mayor of this city I was openly informed that there would never be any more street selling here while he held office, as one man had outraged the city by taking all the money out In one day. I understood from a reliable source that the man mentioned sold two hundred dollars worth of goods here in one day, but the impression was given that he did a thousand dollars’ worth of business. I feel that there must be something done and that very soon or the street selling business will be a thing of the past, especially in the South. I am prepeared now to sign for $10 to promote the Interest of an association, althouzh I profess this vocation only in the winter. Trusting that others will feel equally or even more interested In the matter, I bee to remain Yours, F. MONTGOMERY. It will be noted that all of these letters come from the South, where protection seems to be particularly needed. It ig to be hoped that the streetmen may in a very short time be brought together in a sufficient number to warrant the installation of officers for a movement which will undoubtedly multiply very rapidly in membership. Especially is it necessary to elect a treasurer who can give bond as proof of his responsibility. GASKILL-MUNDY LITIGATION ENDED. A communication to “The Billboard’ from the Gaskill-Mundy headquarters at Austin, Tex contains the following information in regard to the disposition and division of the paraphernalia used in the two shows last season: “Regarding the affairs of the Gaskill-Mundy business, beg to advise that everything seems to be ready for settlement and all papers are to be signed and the matter taken out of the hands of the receiver. The agreement is as follows: Mr. P. J. Mundy takes out of the company the small animal show, including the old animal show front, seven lions, two leopards, two hyenas, one monkey. This is the original stuff he brought in. In addition to this he gets a merry-go-round, one additional animal cage, the show Cave of the Winds, House Up-side-down, some draperies, poles and stakes: the Streets of Cairo front with the Eastern show and the picture show front from the Eastern show, and one box and three flat cars. “The Gaskill end secures the large anima! show front that was with the Western ontfit all of the animals that were with the Eastern onfit, and a part of the animals with the Western outfit, which comprises fourteen lions, two leopards, one jaguar, three pumas. one polar bear, two sun bears, camels, and the World's greatest elephant, ‘Lily the Great.’ Every wagon front that was with the Western outfit including the Crystal Maze, Loop-the-loop and the dog and pony show front from the Eastern show, Mr. Gaskill’s private Pullman car ‘“Tagus.”’ sleeping car ‘‘Kathleen.’’ one box ear and four flat cars, electric light plant and electric fountain. “In this division of property Mr. Gaskill pays Mr. Mundy the sum of twenty-one hundred and fifty dollars.” STREET FAIR NOTES. Cc. M. Parker thinks the coming spring carnival will be the largest and best Wichita, Kan., has ever held. Messrs. Logue and Steele have their new riding gallery booked with the Royal Amusement Co. this season. The Robinson Amusement Co. did good bns!iness in Pratt City under the auspices of the firemen week of Feb, 1. Ira Tonbe {gs considering an offer from a World's Fair concessionaire and also one to go on the road for a commercial house. Cc. B. Turner’s Club Room,:at 8 FE. German St. Raltimore, Md... wag completely destroyed in the fire. Buck will soon join some good carnival eompany. Capt. Flash, the high diver, who has been in the Sonth practicing a new feat, has recently returned to Cincinnati. with headquarters at Lee House, Sixth and Walnnt. The firm of Inge-Todd and Co., of St. Lents, Mo., hag been dissolved by mutual consent. the firm name becoming Shryock-Todd Notion Co., and Mr, Ed Todd continuing as manager. The Modern Woodmen of the World at Columbus, Ind., are considering the proposition to give a street fair the second week in Mey tn conjunction with their log ro..ng meeting. Mr. D. I. Lewis will be with the Royal Amusement Company for the eoming season with his moving picture show. Mr. Lewis, by the way, has oue of the finest electrical palaces on the road. Mrs. A. Sugarman, 138 Sycamore street. Petersburg, Va., wishes to communicate with her son, H. L. Sugarman, or H. L. Gildie. Any one forwarding information regarding his where abouts will confer a favor upon her. Prof. E. E. Frank's Hindoo Mystery, with J. H. West, manager, and Burkley’s Famous Electric Palace opened Saturday, Feb. 6, on the lot opposite the public square, and will remain there during the Mobile, Ala., Mardi Gras. The Central Trades Council of Marion, Ind.. is arrangine to give a free street fair from May 23 to 28 of thig year. The council states that the week's program will consist in the giving of parades by ¢>>« different unions and other attractions. Tne business men of Marion, Ohio, who took up the subject of a Fourth of July celebration, have decided that about the best thing in the way of an entertainment would be a one-day Street fair, and they have appointed a committee to secure a carnival company for that day. Col. William H. Fremont will be the general representative of H. W. Wright’s Mighty Midway and Amusement Company the coming season. The Colonel is now on the hustle and is rapidly getting things in shape in hig department. His address will be care ‘The Billboard.”’ The C. W. Parker Amusement Company arv building an-electrie fountain on a wagon patterned after the Yerkes Fountain in Chicago. They are also finishing up a very fine glass show front, nicely decorated with mirrors, and a new Alps front that constitutes a centinuous ballyhoo. Dare Devil Castellane closed with the Golden Gate Carnival Company at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., on Feb. 13 with his loop-the-loop act. He goes baek to Brooklyn to prepare his new ‘ct, which consists of Volo looping the loop. one of the most daring sensational acts that will be seen in this country this summer. Regards to friends. A. D. Olson ¢‘‘that man on wheels’’), after a three weeks’ confinement in the city hospital at Montgomery, Ala., with acute gastritis apd muscular rheumatism, is again able to be out. He is en route to the Mardi Gras festivities at Mobile, Ala. Mr. Olson ig an old timer in the medicine, street fair and show business, and his many friends sympathize with him in his trouble. J. George Loos, Jr., closed contracts Feb. 6, with Co. E, First Regiment I. N. G., of Evansville, Ind., to hold a military carnival in that city week of Feb. 22-27, 1904. Special features have been booked for this occasion, which promises to be the largest indoor carnival ever presented In the West. The large and commodious Evans Hall has been secured and the city is being billed like a circus. The Famous Robinson Amusement Company will open their regular season Monday, April 4. The following is the business staff: Charles Harkinson, official representative; Sam Joseph. general agent and director of publications; George Marquette, musical director; Ben Cook, manager advertising department, and Dan R. Robinson, general manager. Home office, Room 21 Bodman Building, 621 Main street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Harry R. Lyerla and N. B. Herrington have epened their novelty arcade in Pensacola, Fla., In a handsome, centrally located building, with shooting gallery, striking machine, ping peng, doll rack, jingle board, ete., and novelties for Mardi Gras. Steve Schrieber, H. Courtney and Mr. Al Robson, who have just come on from Chicago, are engaged. Susiness is very good. The arcade will run until after Mardi Gras and the war fleet goes, which will be about March 1. The Lees joined the Fiske shows on Nov. 3, 1903, and closed at Gulfport. Miss., Dec. 21, and joined Moore’s shows at Biloxi. They have now joined Dr. Wells’ Wonder Workers Medicine Show, tarrying an 80-foot round top, with two 30-foot middle pieces, two large sleeping tents, 16x30; one cook tent, 16x16, and one dining tent, 10x20. The show ig making one and two weeks’ stands, turning people away nightly. The weather is rainy and the ghost never fails to walk. The doctor carries ten people and two colored assistants. Pref. W. F. Crouse and family are wintering in Magee, Miss. The Professor had charge of the famous Layton Carnival Company Band last season that made a record during the whole season of thirty weeks. Not a single member of his band touched a drop of anything intoxicating. Prof. Crouse is framing up a first-class band for the coming season and is open for an engagement. He will feature his little daughter Mildred, who has already gained a big reputation as the youngest child cornet soloist on the road. Harry Lewis, of the C. W. Parker Amusement Company, was recently awarded $10,000 damages in Peoria, Ill... against the C.. P. & St L. Railway. A Santa Fe train had brought the company from Galesburg to Pekin on July 2% and they were there being transferred to the c.. P. & St. L. Lewis was getting off the train in the yards when a C.. P. & St. L. engine bumped into the car and threw him under the wheels which took off his rignt leg midway be- tween the ankle and the knee. He has since Lao in the hospital suffering with blood poison ng. The following people are engaged for the great La Belle Fatima Oriental Show: Joe Fpstein, Mgr.; La Belle Fatima. proprietress. using 60x70 top, 25x25 front. Rozalez & Malone, aerialists »nd acrobats: Toots, high diving dog, diving 60 feet: Mahommed, gun spinning Jaffee Bros., Turkish musicians and sword fight ers; Cyclo, sensational bicyclist: Nikado, queen the afr, aerialist and high swing: La Relle Fatima, queen of Oriental dancers: La Relle Fanda, whirling dervish and dancer; La Belle Asia, Algerian dancer: La Belle Sada, Damascus dancer; Miss Mamie Fleming. Scottish sword dancer and contortionist: Prof. Black Hawk. Indian magician and archer: Frank EF. Stead. ticket seller and spieler. This will be one of the most down-to-date shows ever presented with all feature acts. The editor respectfully solicits contributions for the ial Fair and Street Fair Number «f will be issued Maron “The Billboard,’’ which 15 Maroh 19, sae?