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

The Billboard MARCH 15, 1924 PERCY HOWELL COMMENTS ON FAIRS AND CONCESSIONAIRES The National Association of Colored Fairs has done ia great work, if from no other standpoint than that ‘‘in union there is strength’ After the body was called to order, it transacted more business in less time than any Race group that I have heretofore been among. Its deliberations were instructive and beneficial to fair folks present. Those who dd not attend missed a lot of information that would benefit their fairs during the years to Many left with dope that will advance interests 100 pror cent 1 rit di } proi t Pal io sav that the park f x oO sio re and nival of our Roce ar all here to sta 1d to grey W ill factors wor in si is wus ndicated here niany opy ti vill be opened to us. Dan Michael's spot because there are too many fairs—ninety carnival cannot play every six in all. Therefore, there is room for several more, and for the carnival owners who really desire to citer o the partie r and desires of the colored fai V developments, our concess are certain of a full season's That is, if the fair officials keep the ph age to arrange systematic routing. This, with a reasonable figure for privileges, will make the season a great one for the boys. Colonel Roscoe Simmons made a corking good speech. Vesides the oratorical interest, he proved that he had been studying the subject at hand, by diseussing the advisability of, « tabli hing a fair in the neighborhood of Cuarbondale, YW. Le lsres that the population in the vicinity w ints it. The amuseinent rks, still too few in number, have developed number of new in the ranks of the concessienaires. Oscar Jenkins stressed the need of caring for these boys, and G. 5S. O'Neal, mumager of Shell Island Park, of Wilming‘on, N. C., with C. C. Collins, of Suburban Gardens, at Washington, D. C., told of progress that is highly encouraging. J. D, Gordon, of Amherst, is a fair official strongly in favor of the colored concessionaire. John White, who by the way is a jawyer, took a fall out of the merchandise wheel and yours truly was thereby prov ided with an opening to set them all right on the subject. 8S. II. Dudley, too, came to the front for the white needs h these mployment showmanh. Something About the Concessionaire Philadelphia, Chicago and Nashville seem to have become the couters for the colored outdoor showmen. Jobnu Hicks, a spindle and picture man; F. X. Puyne, Rastus Robinson Felix Hawkins all Philadelphia th: home. The tax free opportunities, the camp meetings. and picnics thereabout make it 2 desirable spot. “Rat” Wh London Themas seem to have an ‘‘ex Washington, D. C. They winter at 1634 vington street, N. W. Coy Applewhite, all the way from Chicago to attend the convention, has located at 1701 Sixth street, N. W., till the bluebirds sing. Matt who is a feature at the Lexington Fair, winters in Kansas City. “Preacher”? Freem and producing come the outdoor world, works make concessionaire at the latter tili the fairs open. His only known address *Billyb Robert Clerk, wireworker, does his taxpuying in Ri Charles Peters, if the same line, prefers a Low: 1 Norfolk. Arthur Porter, tho seldom seen on culoved fair lots, headquarters the Central Hoiel in St. He answe the roll call with a candy *““Kia’? Johnson stere their more. With stores th and with fiashes ness, the yo John Bre and wheels in Balti PERCY BOWES. , the most aggressive Negro concessionaire and pitchman in the country. He es for the group before the NAL. and made an excellent TAsJACKSONS PAGE in the Interest ot Ythe —4 Colored Actor, ShowmanEM dusician — of America Acrgt? NEVE Mey (COMMUNICATIONS TO OUR NEW YORK OFFICES) offices of The Billboard their winter address: Richard White, who owns a corn game; Grace Robi nson, hoop, la operator; Mrs. Jesse Barrett, who has a -vil’s bowling alley; Sol. Biand, prep ta 2d Shaw, the man » pond; hk. A. Barker, doll man; Yarl Conner, fruit store; Neeves Harvey, the same; Allen Reege, jewelry salesman; A. r store; Albert Forrest, ham wir desire to locate with a colored Nace cirnival company. These are not of the Race group with experience and capital in this phase of Some are real stars in the game racial considerations. Local cookhouse operators are so very ptentiful, ard are not strictly professional, so I do not mention them. They were at one time all that we had to offer our fairs, but since The Billboard's interest in our welfare became so apparent in 1920, we have had a remarkable progress in everything, from ball games to blankets We are becoming numerous fast. Just last year I encountered 35 absolutely new comers. Streetmen of our group were once rare, except for the medicine men; but gone are the days vhen wholesale novelty houses told one of rk complexion of a retail merchant. ‘Time was when a Negro showing salesmanship abil ity was looked upon with a degree of marvel, but they now show us the best and most expensive wares, confident that we know how to handle them at a profit to ourselves and our jobbers. Our people have been slow in grasping the lines other than medicine, with which many have enriched themselves and today own choice property, but Payne, “Hawkins, Applewhite an@ myself have pitched novel ines with a success that commands respect. Concessionaires are watching Secretary Cross and his plans with interest, and they are prepared to provide the novelties and fair staples with its traditional neise and salesmanship, if the poliey of the association is as expressed in the meeting of the N. A. C. F. In any event the establishment of a point of contact by the open-door policy of this year’s meeting makes certain a lot of interest in next year’s session, scheduled for Bailey’s Auditorium, Norfolk, Va., on Washington's birthday. in one-twentieth usements, thout regard to any SOME CONVENTION DATES —_—_— Pittsburg, Cleveland and Chicago Have the Big Ones The colored convention dates listed with The Billboard is far from complete due entirely to neglect on the part of the officials of the different organizations with whom rests the rgibility of previding such publicity. ebrations and conventions cannot be successfully conducted without the aid of decorators, musicians, salesmen, badgemakers and many experienced persons whose business it is to provide the features that make these affairs a go. These people depend upon The Billboard for their sources of information. Their season’s supplies and travels are based on what they learn from Not to be included in the monthl souvenir other its pages. y lists of The Billboard is to deny your organization of the rv the most efficient expert services. ices ot Besides that specific loss there is just that much general publicity lost. It is also a guide to the railway passenger traffic agents whose tition for business makes for better trans int colored gatherings listed to date Women's National Business League, Washingn, D. ¢ March 23-29, , for the Study of Negro Life and i lely Pa., April 3-4. E. Quadre al Conference, Louisville, 2] 4 i 1 fur the Advancement of Colored I e, Philadelphia, Pa., June 23-July 2 V ‘ W ‘ secy., GY Fifth avenue, New I tist da ’ 11-16; Henry; epbtr Association of Colored Teachers, Dal July S0-Aug. 1; C. J. Calloway, ex Negro Musicians, 2-241; Clarence Cameron Oberlin a) tional Asseciaticn of Colored Women, Chicago, July 27; Mrs. Ruth Steele, local secretary. Ancient Knights and Daughters of Africa, Cleveland, O., Aug. 4-8; James F. Craighead, on : a ‘ o4 these, with many others, have ex-~ RUFUS BYARS, booking and publicity manager of Wonderland Park Baltimore, Md. During the indoor season he is one of the few Negro press agents ahead of legitimate attractions. Pittsburg, Pa., August 17-22; W. S. Lewis, 518 Fourth avenue. Daughters of Isis, same as above. Interhational Conclave, Knights Templars, same as above, I, B. P. O. Elks of the World, Pittsburg, Ya., August 25-29; Chas. Gant, 518 Fourth ave: National Negro Business League _ Silver Jubilee, Chicago, August 20-22; Frank Gillespie, Liberty Life Ins. Co., Chicago. American Federation of Students, Nashville, Tenn., April 3-5. The list number of The Billboard, issued under date of the Jast Saturday of each month, contains a list of all known conventions. Secretaries are invited to send their dates to The Billboard at any of its offices for incorporation in lists. The service is entirely without cost. The Page is always at the service of Race groups and glad to furnish any information that they may require in connection with their celebrations an¢ conventions. Incidentally we hope to be among those present when Pittsburg puts on its gala attire for the four big conventions here. i PARK FOR ASBURY PARK Mossell and Suarez have purchased a property in the Springwood avenue district of Asbury Park, N. J., that cost $25,000 and are investing $15,000 more in converting the premises into an amusement park for colored people. It will be called the Smile-a-While Park. A twenty-four room hotel occupies part of the property. In the basement they will install a good orchestra and present pavilion A scenic revues, and a 80x40 feet will provide a dance floor railway and pony track have been purchased and they are negotiating for m rides, In view of the restrictions surrounding the bescb front amusements, and the big local Negro population that is auguenenuicd by the presence of a large group of. hotel cmployers as well as tourists, the proj ha every promise of success. Julius direct charge of the park, Saurez will | a NORFOLK’S THIRD FOOD SHOW annual food show conducted by Vhe Norfolk (Va.) Journal and Guide will be held Aprii 7-12 It will be held at Bailey's Park Church and Bramblieton streets, Norfo A. J. Hammonds, of Gary, Ind., in cher; the aff: announces that thirty two demonstration booths have been provided, Local 676, A, F. of M., will provide the music, witn a different band or orchestra each day. ’rizes for cooking will be a feature A uinber of awards based on lucky cards or pumbers a will be made. SURBURAN GARDENS PLANS BIG SEASON Washington's Colored Amusement Park Arranges Summer Program By C, H. WOODING The Universal Devel of Washington, D. ¢ ypment and Loan Company yperating Suburban Gar dens, has announced that it inager for the coming season is Geor A. Rebinson, Mr. Robinson will hav a issistant manager ip sarge of concess t ‘ lutics We. ews troller is Cuh ten TL. Ws ng, Who will handle in addition to other matter nances of the park The park 1 at Fifticth and Hayes streets, Nort a ling distance from the city proper, and « t peedway boulevard waiich the cit extending from its lotomac Park rhe j < now contains the folk des Coaster, merry-goround, aero swings and dodgem, addition to its for installing a ferris wheel. Conris will afford the patrons ke a arrangen cessions of various k every type of amusement needed to ma te day’s enjoymer sno lmission thru its gates, t acres, it develops ( propos ns on adjacent i daily average of 7,000 u ats the number of was de as neither a bathing beach nor ay. The < .y 1 600,000 ulation is better than 110,000, were from two to five picnics e park cach week ruout tl ason, he f wheel con ions is prohibited. Free ts, bar ri ‘ 1 other ee attractions ll be feat t > It is resting to note that the owners of t park also dev mes for Negroes. The for improvemen for this season, which opens y 15 and extends to October 15, fhvolve the éxpénditure of a td money, The booths on the prem are permanent constructions artistically | t, and the wares dis played therein will benefit. This season bigger things will be dont Much attention is being given details order that patrons may be given adequate cate. Recognized concessions and legitimate attractions will be given liberal consideration. SOME PUBLICITY FILM Lawrence E. Goldman, for years owner of the Lincoln Theater, Kansas City, and the head of the Motion Pict Exhibitors of Missouri, has produced ‘‘The Flam ", 2 film with colored actors. It is about ready for distribution, and, with the a ting methods of Mr, Goldman, likely will mark an epoch in the history of Negro fil The Alesco I’: omen is is the producing con han ever before, cern handling this film, and will have more te follow. Besides sol ng every available bit of information as to field of operations to supplement his own ve practical knowledge Mr, Goldman has vided the film with a Une of excellently designed ecial paper from the Quigley house that i les one-sheets,? threes ané stands, all in three and four-color paper. The Krause Manufa ng Company, of New York, which does the Famous work, bas made as fine iby d ay as ever came to our notice, The Flaming th this picture every support that he has t) right to expect from a film producer. ‘The Page will soon offer a review of the film by our Kansas City representative. Crisis’? will therefore have w John W. Cooper, ventriloquist, has been obliged to cancel his club dates. He ts confined to his home, 119 Wyckoff street, Brooklyn, due to a serious case of pleuro-pneumonia “I am fighting hard,"’ is the message he sends us. owner of a ten-in-one. J, H, DIXON,