The Billboard 1924-03-22: Vol 36 Iss 12 (1924-03-22)

OD AnT MARCH 22, 1924 | N.A_A.P OR many years amusement park enF terprises were somewhat like a ship without a rudder, each one for itself —co-operation an undiscovered asset. Among the very many capable, high-class men engaged in the business few there were who ever enjoyed an exchange of views or were offered co-operation to meet, combat and improve conditions confronting them In numerous localities the reputations of good and progressive parks were injured by ill-conducted ones elsewhere. in many places the disgust of the community with occa sional disreputable carnivals was transf rred te the small amusement park because a few of the carnival attractions were reproduced, and people opposed to parks and all manner of amusements quickly designated the park as a perm inent carnival. Investments in park enterprises were rapidly increasing, and business men of standing were learning that the outdoors was offering tunities for good investments. With that foresight natural to successful men, it was «quickly discerned that in this, as in all other lines operation was a necessity, and thus was born the National Association of Amusement Parks. It was a lusty child of business from its birth and its growth has been and continues wonderful. oppor CO The aims and purposes of the Nation:! Association of Amusement Parks were so lucidly expressed by our now lamented and much-beloved president, A. S. McSwigan, that a repetition here is pertinent: “It is the aim of the association to bring into close and helpful contact the amusement park interests of the country by friendly meetings such as this, where all phases of the park business are freely discussed, and by which we seek to educate the park manager in the various branches of the business so that he will be enabled to put into his individual park or business practices which some ether park manager has found to be profitable. ‘Thru such bonds of unity it aims to unite the park into one powerful body for protection improper legislation and abuses, such as burdensome, obnoxious and unnecessary taxaticn and such vicious things as the fanatical, frenzied Sunday Blue Laws, which now threaten the peace, recreation and well being of the American peo The association aims to elevate our branch of the outdoor amusement field, and, by a proper standardizing of management and conduct, demonstrate to the public that an amusement park so ducted is not a “catch-penny device, but a mate operated on legitimate lines and filing a legitimate and useful field in the munity in which it operates. It aims at cleanliness, decency and good business morals not in the relations between puirk operator and the public, but between the park owner, the amusement device builder and the concessionaire.” Mr. Lincoln had said: “Public sentiment is everything. With it nothing can fail; against it nothing can succeed.” .No one more keenly appreciated Mr. Lincoln’s words than the men who conceived and made possible the National Association of Amusement Parks, now so useful and so necessary to the interests and welfare of amusement parks everywhere. interests against con business, com only A glance at the roster of the association membership discloses such names as D. S. Humphrey, of Cleveland, O.; John W. Davies, of Philadelphia; R. C. Strehlow, of California; Frank W. Darling, New York City, and more than a hundred others of equal character and repute, space only preventing the naming of all—men whose advent into the outdoor amusement world was the deathknell of practices against honesty, decency and healthful amusement. Men who insure to every parent that wherever their names appear in connection with amusement parks will be enterprises 80 conducted that women and children are as well cared for and as well protected from deleterious influences and practices as on their own home grounds, It is not an exaggeration to state that, as a result of the hearty co-operation on the part of the many forceful and reputable men comprising this association, the reputation of amusement parks is now as well established as that of any other reputable Line of business enterprise. In this connection it should be noted that the labors and influence of The Billboard were of great value in aiding this association to eradicate by public Sentiment and other influences impreperly conducted parks that were at one time a menace to the welfare of the public and the outdoor amusement fleld. Furthermore, it is well to state that while the association will endeavor to attend strictly to its own business, tt will aways take up arms against persons, practices and t conditions The Biliboara By Judge Charles A. Wilson which in any manner reflect upon or are injurious to the amusement field. Not the least to win the displeasure of the association is that class of dishonest men pretending to manufacture deices and sell them to the unwary who have been misled by attractive that in as dangerous in construction in morals. Men who secure advances and are unable or never had any idea of outdoor advertising—devices man \ nstances ire is ineir vendors are living up to their representations. Today there is little excuse for a member of the association to be misied, for the reason that the reputation of every person engaged in the manufacture of devices or conducting any other business related to the amusement park field is well known to the association. Likewise the fraudulent advertiser and dishonest manufacturer or vendor of park equipments are well known to the association, and that knowledge is for the benefit of its mem bership. As further evidence of the standards demanded by the association, the following resolution, unanimously adopted. is here quoted: “Resolved, " pst, That certain practices which, in the have been accredited to some outdoor amuse Judge Charles A. Wilson ments, are condemned by this association and that this association go on record as absolutely opposed to the following in any parks associated with this organization: “1. Gambling for money in any form. “2. Wheels or other apparatus with crooked or unfair attachments. “3. Hoochie Koochie dance shows. “4. Forty-nine Camps, where hired dance with patrons. “5. <Any blowoff or behind-the-curtain show for men. “6. Any hibition. “7. Any unsafe or improperly constructed ride or apparatus, “8. Unclean, immoral or disreputable ployees in any exhibition or on the grounds. “9. That the members of this association pledge themselves by a rising vote not to allow any of the aforesaid to exist in their amusement parks and to use their efforts to stop the continued existence of these evils elsewhere. women obscene or suggestive shows or ex em “That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this association. “That a copy be sent to The Billboard PubNshitng Company for peblication, with the suggestion to The Billboard that it can help in this campaign for better and cleaner amusements in the outdoor show world by further restricting both its news and its advertising columns and by the elimination from The Billboard of everything whatsoever pertaining to the shows, concessions and apparatus herein condemned.” fact was stressed that the annual meetings were to be strictly business affairs and not for the purpose of offering joy outings to its members. In order to carry out this pupose it was decided that luncheons and dinners be furnished by the association to its members and guests in or immediately adjacent to the convention hall Members of this association come from the Far West, East, North, South, England and Canada— men whose time is valuable—demanding prompt and persistent attention to the business in hand. It was also recognized that when men are away from home and have to separate to secure their meals it is hard to secure a prompt return to business sessions. Friends want them to visit their homes or clubs for lunch and the time thus occupied prevents that prompt return necessary to the dispatch of business at the opening of the succeeding session. Besides, funseeking or social entertainment and business wil] not mix. Adhering to the above practice enables this association to dispatch its business with greater alacrity than is usual in similiar meetings. Then Chicago, the association’s meeting place, is another advantage to the conduct of business. It is the most central place for its members to go and better than running from one part of this great country to another, incurring traveling expenses not so easily borne by a vast majority. Hotels are ample and exhibition spaces adjacent to the place of meeting are not to be secured in any other city. As a further inducement to attendance upon the business meetings no evening sessions are held, thus giving its members the evenings to examine the numerous exhibits of new devices and other interesting features of the display. N T THE first meeting of the association the hibits of devices and supplies for amusement parks on three or four ordinary kitchen tables in a small room adjoining the association meeting place at the Auditorium Hotel. The idea struck home and the following year there were forty regular booths containing models and exhibits such as had never been assembled at one place before. So popular, so practical were these exhibits that long before the announcement of the next convention space had been allotted for sixty booths at the 1922 meeting. These booths were located in the Elizabethan Room at the Congress Hotel and in a smaller room surrounding the Florentine Room of the Congress Hotel, in which room was held the convention. At the meeting held at the Drake Hotel last December there were ninety booths. The exhibitors were so well pleased with the results of the meeting that space is now being rapidly applied for for the’next convention, and it is safe to predict that the number of exhibits will reach not less than 100 and possibly 125. The benefit of these exhibits to park men thruout the country has been proven by the many purchases and orders for new devices. The enthusiasm over the results of the meeting and exhibits was noticeable and felt by every one present. If this organization did no other work than afford its members an opportunity to view and examine the many devices at these meetings its usefulness would be established beyond question—but it performs and gives even greater benefits. | as years ago the association started its ex sociation is a monthly bulletin issued from the office of and by Secretary A. R. Hodge. Like all things done by Mr. Hodge the bulletin is truly worth while. It keeps the members informed of those happenings particularly of interest to park enterprises, not the least of which is information concerning many articles and devices for sale or exchange by brother park men. The bulletin is a most useful and valuable association privilege. The details of each annual meeting of the association are published in full, including the many papers prepared and read by experienced park men. The papers cover every topic of park interest. Information unobtainable elsewhere is furnished in these many essays. They are the result of study and careful preparation by men whose better endeavors are in the field of amusement parks. These papers come to the members only and become dependable as amusement park textbooks. \ NOTHER benefit to the members of this as (Continued on page aaa, | — ae ee ibe 1 w