The Billboard 1913-03-22: Vol 25 Iss 12 (1913-03-22)

MARCH 22, 1913. The Billboard 43 the atmesfere of Coney’s court is so dense ih secrecy in these early days (and nights) of season, Nineteen Hundred Ten and Three that even the rays of Luna, pierce its thickness thru, Kut we nave promist you safe conduct, nds—trail with us, then, and curse not if we ible here and there. ‘Tis well you may not too clearly, for the sights might make you nee—robust men—true sea-air and hot-air sons of the sons of the race of Islanders mble nightly around those egg-shaped Coney whose warmth has to incubate and nurture, for ages past, the x 7 wintel decorations, annua prognostications of each coming is the “greatest ever” in Coney’s history, dl a lavish predominance of real money th the accent on the ad. wed expressions, husht voices and bated nxious-eyed and wan-cheeked the Isregather and whisper of possible and hand and mind in he hermetically sealed enclosing Luna, the scene of the great trium if that seeming superhuman creator of modimusement park Fred Thompson— crait ol erl immet for the nonce transformed into an impregnable itv ot mystery Palkan war generals, desirous of attaining scare heads in biografical history as “siege resisters,” are recommended to apply to the heads that guide the park of the goddess of the moon for price lists of lessons in the skill and art of guarding the secrets of fortresses and the resisting of trategic onslaughts of friend and foe alike. Under oaths of allegiance that make those of the Black Hand fraternity appear like unto South Carolina water-wagon pledges, each unit of vast armies of men of every trade and calling has been initiated into a one-thousandth section of the 1913 plans of the Luna directorate, and dark stories are afloat of the penalties to be meted out to unwise employes who may betray their knowledge with even the mention of the word “Luna,” outside their overalls. In pursuance of The Billboard's life-endeavor to keep the world of showdom in good fellowship touch with each suceessiv ante-season’s progress of the preparations of our foremost parks, our special park commissioner, “of nerve of steel and hide of pachyderm.” finds himself faced with failure of the direst type and a battery of long. short, medium and 54 other distance varieties of quick-firing Maxims, Gardeners and Nodenfelts, in learning what the portals of Luna will lead to when Lemlein’s strains once again blast a welcome to Luna’s myriads of lovers. With grim-visaged. stalwart sentinels, four paces apart, encircling the enclosure, your aforesaid steel-nerved, pachyderm-hided, ete. commissioner, relinquishes this line of attack and seeks out Commodore Dick Geary—that literary landmark of the island of frankfurters, whose knowledge of Coney’s men and Coney’s matters has hitherto passed all understanding. With voice trembling with emotion, Coney’s one and only Dick Geary, assures our S. N. P. H.-ed paddefacer and seeker after copy, that Luna’s secrets were Luna’s own and six-lever lockt within the bosoms of Fred, of the “master mind.” and that astute financier President James J. Nelson, who, last season, so identified his wondrous versatility as being “to the manner born” in money-laden Wall street or breeze-swept Coney Isle. So on we go' The shades of night were falling fast, When thru Surf avenue there passed A sad-eyed scribe with feet of Ice, Who muttered things that were not nice With crinkled brow he cursed down deep, For well he knew that in his sleep He'd hear that voice from Cincy, 0O., “You'll get that depe or out you'll go."" But, good gentlemen, and you my editor, bear with us yet another week, and tho we have failed tonight to rouse the Luna-ticks from their sfynxlike stolidness, yet we set those upon them that will make them speak, or failing, this will tell you more wondrous tales of Luna than ever Luna's tongue could tell Aye, for we shall engage for this special work, the dauntless, the never-conquered, the star of all reporters, the irre — ) Te oT ied te I} sistible “Dame Rumor.” The one or the other, gentlemen, shall speak for you next week! On the East side ef Surf avenue, a little further down—right there where you see those colossal figures over and on the gate—that’s Steeplechase Park. Come on up to the @flices—careful you don't stumble on these narrow steps—ah, howdydoo! Gentlemen, this is Walter Cleary, godfather to a famous steeplechase horse that used to carry his mame and an_ occasional bet. There is no better fellow on earth than Walter C.—everybody says so and we are proud to furnish the echo. He’s as competent and progressiv a parkman as ever Saw a concession, and has been for many years the invaluable aid of—by the way, where is Mr. Tilyou? Out on the grounds” ©, and may we g» and find him? Thanks. AS V look around for him, gentlemen, let me say a few words about Mr. Tilyou. When jit comes to mysterious mechanical contrivance and novelty in amusement, he has no equal in the world. Dozens of managers, backt to real coin, have tried to imitate his park—but never with success. Every time an imitation of his “of the the people, for the people” helps the business or the reputation of Steeple people, by theater starts up it chase by showing up in contrast how great the latter really is. Mr. Tilyou is always out on his grounds just as you will find him now. He spends the entire winter working out new devices and adding to his incomparable program, all of which he offers to the public for a single price ticket. Here he is now. Gentlemen, Geo. C. Tilyou, genius of weird amusements, the most courteous parkman in the world. Yes, you could spend a week looking about Steeplechase—thousands of people do that every summer, but let’s jog along now and have a bite to eat—can you join us, Mr. Tilyou? No? Sorry—good-bye then, and thank you for your courtesy. Feel better gentlemen? proceed to Good! Then we'll Dreamland. Nothing new here this spring—plenty of space between the city’s beach and the avenue for a park, but nothing doing yet. Sam Gumpertz, who made the real money last year, will be back again with his Dreamland side show. Well, it ought to make money, for it is wisely conducted, has a dandy front, and is a corking good show. Fine weather, and a new record to you this summer, Mr. Gumpertz—so long. Now for Parkway Baths and for Brighton Beach. Here’s where they get the high-toned folks— the class. Brighton is under the direct guidance of Chauncy Marshall, Jr.—sorry he is not here today. Mr. Marshall is one of the real gentlemen of the game. He has done much to uplift the parkman’s profession. He has already informed me that the policy of the Prighton Beach company will include the ownership of all its own concessions, which will be operated by employes of the park. In the list are found st.ooting galleries, cane racks, Japanese booth, and in general all but a very few of the smallest concessions. Many improvements are under way at present and still others are in contemplation, including the installations of new rides, the character of which has not yet been determined. The Motordrome, which last season continued up to the last minute to augment the attendance for itself in particular, and Brighton Beach in general, is expected confidently to be a much stronger attraction this year in consequence of the hold it has obtained on the fancy of New Yorkers. In order to take care of the great crowds which they expect. and to keep them at Brighton, the management has planned to erect a garden restaurant which shall be a newer and bigger Feltman’s, constructed and conducted along similar lines. A new story is being added to the bath house, giving three hundred and fifty additional rooms with marble-tiled comfort rooms and lavatories. The old scenic coaster is coming down and in its place there should be room for several up-todate rides, which Mr. Marshall is keeping under his hat. Looks like a good season for Brighton. Here’s to it! Now, by the way of rest and variety, we wil} take a pleasazt sail to Smith’s Parks-en-Hudson é along with Captain Anning J. Smith, who operates six or seven excursion boats and barges along the Sound and Hudson, for the benefit of his different park enterprises. Point Pleasant Park, thirty-three miles up the Hudson and where he has an athletic field, a hotel, dancing pavilion, bathing beach, ete., he is engaged in the installation of several new riding devices. Roaton Point, located on the Sound about thirty-five miles from the city, he claims to have the finest clam-bake west of the Providence liver. and this is some boast. Here there are shooting galleries, dancing pavilions, bathing, carousels, an host of concessionaire attractions. Roaton Poin ias alWays een regarded as one of the best-paying parks on the Sound, and the coming season )i fair to be -ne of the best in its history. Empire Grove is situated along the East bank of the Hudson contiguous to Newberg, Poughkeepsie, etc., and has many natural advantages which have been heightened by art. In addition to the many attractions and features usual to parks, Empire Point has a thoroly well-equipt athletic field, whereon are held many of the association games of the surrounding towns. While we are sitting comfortably on the afterdeck of Capt. Smith’s good ship, let me tell you about Olympic Park, N. J. Mr. Belden and Mr. Schmidt are stiH in charge of this fine shady park, and that’s the surest guarantee that strict discipiine will be observed, that the crowds will be good orderly fun-seekers and free spenders, and that the concessionaires will receive a square deal. The features will be a glass-enclosed restaurant and dance hall and a new swimming pool, 600x200, in which all sorts of aquatic sports will be held. This pool wiil be used in #he winter as an ice pond, and it is estimated that five hundred dollars worth of the crystal commodity can be taken from its surface at a sing#e cutting. Then follows ’ Hillside Pleasure Park, N. J. Here is a real lively place with a gell-establisht following. There is something dding all the time. W. E. H. Thaller, one of the m@&st breadly experienct and able managers in tha business, continues in charge of Hillside. He has already made several improvements which c@ncern the lake, arena and general outlay of th@ park. A new eight-thousand-dollar riding devife is now in course of contruction, and a caro sel, circle swing and two other devices will be adg@ed before the opening, which is set for May 24. A fair idea of the lively patronage Le Hillside can be gathered from the fact that this js the only park in the territory which Newark cénters, that supports two roller coasters. Both of the coasters coined money last year. Have a cigar, friends —Yes, I'm coming to it now—be patient Point Breeze Park, Philadelphja. This looks to us like the most prorgising spot for investors and concessionaires opeNed within the last few years. It is under the m@nagement of Fred W. McClellan, who, as everybédy Knows, was manager of Luna Park in the oe days. An old racetrack converted into an ‘up-to-date amusement resort, open and ready for Qusiness in 45 working days, was the record establisht last season at Point Preeze. The numeroug improvements contemplated, but abandoned ‘last year, owing to the continued rainy weathes, are now under way, and include a mammoth steel music pavilion where free band concerts, Mircus and vaudevil will be presented and a large, mip-to-date dancing pavilion, picnic pavilion and gnumerous small buildings for various concessions + The insistent demands from clubs ang fraternal and athletic organizations for an athfetic field, wherein they might hold their track qvents and (Continued on page 156.) fill