Variety (June 1907)

10 VARIETY Last Sunday around New York was the culmination of the horrible park weather which lias made itself evident since the early days of May. Decoration Day beamed fair, and the wet season was thought to have been passed for awhile, but commencing Saturday night 9 o'clock it rained steadily until Monday afternoon. Sunday gave a drifting storm, and people were contented to ha\ a a home to remain in during the day. The parks and all outdoor resorts were completely deserted The city theatres in the evening were thronged, however. A similar condition has prvailed over the country. It is the worst summer park season so far in years. Some of the gross receipts if printed would not be credited. In one large modern park, where a band is playing on a per- centage, the highest amount received by the organization for any one day's busi- ness last week was $22.13. The lowest was $7.02. When the salaries of from forty to fifty musicians at the union scale of wages have been paid, and the income for the week figured at less than $100 gross, it requires, beside a good conductor, a lively bank account also to keep the band intact. SUMMER PARKS The latest summer park amusement de- vice is a cycle boat, invented and pat . ented by Harry Mitchell, formerly a mem- ber of the New York Hippodrome stage . crew. The "cycle boat" is a triangular frame, built up on three small boats. The ruler propels forward in the customary bicycle fashion, and a chain connected to the boat's propeller in the rear furnishes the motive power. It is so constructed that there is no danger, it being impos- sible to tip the contrivance over. A safety belt to prevent the person falling off is attached to the front wheel. The boat has been designed for parks having lagoons and small ponds of water. It will be particularly attractive to children. Tan- dems and motor cycle boats will also be built. Arthur Hopkins, of Ingersoll & Hopkins, is in control of the rights, which will be sold. Coney Island, Cincinnati. (Jregpry's gorgeous spectacle, "Moscow," is properly described as a mammoth living picture of a fete day in Moscow. The scenery occupies a space of something like 400 feet which shows the old architec- ture of the city. There are 375 people employed and the show runs about l]/ 2 hours. The spectacle works out the jubilation of the Moscovites over the Czar's proclamation of extended personal liberties and there is rejoicing throughout the city. The Russian citizens are seen massed in the great squares clustering about the statues of their eminent soldiers to pay homage to their memories. Spe- cialties are introduced by the Zaretzky Troupe of Russian dancers consisting of seven persons who do some marvelous whirlwind work; Biffonette and Newman a head and hand balancing act; The Al- dines, Australian bar performers; Eddie Marvelle, contortionist, and Glass Brothers, acrobats, are all big features which are presented on a specially constructed stage. As the fete is nearing its climax, rum- blings of discontent are heard. Cor the Czar has repudiated his promise. A demonstration by the students and popu- lace who are charged upon by the Cossacks is realistic. A riot follows and ends in the complete destruction of the miniature city. Then follows the Gregory fireworks which are made up of some rare set pieces. As an absolute novelty "Moscow" com- mends itself. H. Hess. The opening of Electric Park at Water- loo, la., is being hampered on account of a legal tangle. Johnson & Nichols, managers of the place, have expended several thousand dollars in equipping a park adjacent to the city on land incor- porated within the city limits three years ago and recently set outside the limits through a procedure of court. Waterloo fought the last action and although a decision was rendered adverse to the city, a motion was filed for a new trial. City Attorney 6wisher claims the property was set outside in order to allow amuse- ment parks to operate contrary to city ordinances which permit no Sunday amuse- ments. The Woman's Christian Temper- ance Union is also fighting the park propo- sition, but the managers have little fear that they will be prohibited from run- ning and have announced the opening date for June Id New Orleans, La., May 29. Toe ownership of West End Park at New Orleans is decided at last. The city has been given control of the Lake Pont- chartrain resort. Hie money accruing from the rental of the park for the past few years which has been kept intact awaiting the decision of the courts, will be used in remodeling and beautifying the place. The city is now in a position to lease the place for a term of years, and there is a fortune in store for whoever can get in on the ground floor. An aver- age of 50,000 persons visit the park week- ly. The local traction people leased the park for the current season. The Orpheum Circuit Company is furnishing the attrac- tions. At a meeting of the Stark County Fair Association it was decided to hold the Wyoming (111.) Fair during the week of August 19 and the Kewanee (111.) exhi- bition a week later, so as not to conflict with one another. Racing will be one of the features. The turf dates for the summer in Illinois have been arranged as follows: Kewanee, Jane 25-28; LaSalle, July 2-5; Men- dota. July 9-12; Aurora and Liberty, June 10-10; Ottawa and Qulncy. July 23-26; SCreator, Qrlggs- ville and Decatur, July 30-Ang. 2; BushneU, Pekin and Clinton. Aug. 6-9; Macomb, Qalesbnrg, Monti- cello, LeRoy and Robinson, Ana*. 13-16; Lewlston and Saybrook, Aug. 20-22; Knoxvllle and Delavan, Aug. 27-30; Belrldere, Llbertyrllle and Pah-bury, first week September; Kankakee and Farmer City, Sept. 10-14. Besides the list racing is scheduled at the fairs of Kewanee. Princeton, Sand- wich, Dixon, Rochelle, Bockford, El Paso, Cambridge, Woodstock, Champaign, Paris, Vandalia, Avon, Galena and Springfield, lue latter during State Fair week, Sep- tember 27-October 5. The Boer War enclosure at Brighton Beach is still unoccupied and waiting for a concessionaire. the State of Ohio. Gov. Harris of Ohio has had his attention called to the fact that the Buckeye State has not received the deed to its state building erected in the Jamestown exposition grounds at a cost of $75,000, and that the exposition people show no disposition to make godd their pledge in this regard. While the last Ohio legislature was in session a lobby was active in securing the appropriation for the Ohio building and exhibit, and distinctly pledged that a deed would be delivered. Up to date State Auditor Gilbert's office has nothing to show for the state's $75,000 but a permit to build, and a good deal of adverse criticism of the exposition managers is heard on every hand at Columbus. No measures have yet been taken to. force the Vir- ginia company to fulfil its engagement, but action will be commenced shortly. Newark, la., will have a fair this fall. The official list of county fairs to be held in Kansas this year has been pre- pared by F. D. Coburn, secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, and is as fol- low!: Allen (Frank E. Smltb, secretary), Iola; Aug. 27-30. Barton (W. P. Feder), Great Bend; Sept. 10-13. Brown (J. D. Welemer), Hiawatha; Sept. 3-6. Butler (W. F. Benson), El Dorado; Aug. 27-81. Butler (C. B. Alger). Douglass; Sept. 12-14. Chautauqua (W. M. Jones), Cedarrllle. Clay (Walter Puckey). Clay Center; Sept. 3-6. C)ay (Wakefield Agricultural Society, Eugene Blkfns), Wakefield; Oct. 2-4. Cloud <W. L. ICcCarty). Concordia; Sept. 24-27. Coffey (8. D. Wearer), Burlington; Sept. 9-13. Cowley (Frank W. 81dle). Wlnfleld; Oct. 1-4. Cowley (Eastern, W. A. Bowden), Burden. Dickinson (H. C. Wann), Abilene; Oct. 2-4. FJk (B. B. P|ac«). Orenola; Sept. 26-27. Finney (A. H. Warner), Garden City. Ford (Nicholas Mayrath). Dodge City; Sept. 4-7. Franklin (Carey M. Porter), Ottawa; Sept. 8-7. Greenwood (0. B. Welser), Eureka; Aug. 20-23. Harper (L. G. Jennings), Anthony; Aug. 8-0. Harrey (J. C. Mack), Newton; Sept. 24-27. Jefferson (Frank Leach), Oakaloosa. Linn (P. 8. Thome), Mound City; Oct. 1-4. Marshall (B. W. Hemphill). Maryarille; Oct. 1-4. MePberseo (fl. A. Rowland). McPherson; Sept. 2-7; Miami (Geo. R. Reynolds), Paola; Oct. 1-4. Mitchell (Ira N. Tice), Belolt; Oct. 2-5. Montgomery (A. B. Holloway), OoffeyrlUe; Aug. 18-18. Nemaha (C. H. Herold), Seneca; Sept. 11-13. Neosha (A. B. Tlmpane). Chanute; Aug. 20-24. Nest (Thomas Blneley), Ness City; Sept. 11-13. Norton (M. F. Garrity). Norton; Aug. 27-30. Ness (R. C. Webster, Jr.), Utlca. Osage (F. B. Burke), Burllngame; Sept. 8-8. Reno (A. L. Sponsler), Hutchinson; Sept. 18-21. BepubUc (W. B. Wells). Bellerllle; Sept. 10-18. Rice (F. L. Goodson), Sterling; Sept. 10-14. Books (B. L. Williams), Stockton. Sallna (B. B. Stlmmel, Jr.), Sallna; Sept. 27-80. Shawnee (B. T. Krelpe), Tbpeka; Sept. 0-14. Sheridan (Miles Gray) Hoxie; Sept. 8-6. Smith (H. 0. Smith), Smith Center; Aug. 20-23. Sftaffold (O. W. Grand/), St. John; Aug. 28-80. Wilson (V. L. Poison). Fredonla; Aug. 6-0. Sans Souci Park at Wilkes-Barre, Pa,, opened Decoration Day, and is doing a thriving business. G. W. Englebreth, who attends to the bookings for Cincinnati's "Coney Island," is engaging some of the largest vaudeville acts for his park. Bryant's Minstrels, an organization belonging,to Mr. Englebreth, will take to the road playing in the West- ern parks. The first of what promises to be a series of squabbles has arisen between the Jamestown Exposition Company and Boise, Idaho, is having a carnival this week. Attractions were furnished by Nat Reiss, who also will provide the amuse- ments for the Spokane Interstate Fair. The principal features of the Reias shows are circus acts. Coffeyville. Kan., will have a new amusement park this summer. The Clyde Amusement Park Company, controlling the resort, say it will open about July 1. The Brainig Construction Company of In- dianapolis has the contract for the erec- tion of the concessions, which will include a "figure eight" coaster, band shell, skat- ing rink and "merry-go-round." The trac- tion company will furnish the light and power free. The park is located six miles from the city and about 12 miles from In- dependence. R. K. Long is president and H. L. Barnes secretary. The Cole, Younger & Nicholas Amuse- ment Company will give a carnival at Hubbard City, Tex., week June 10. A street carnival will be held at Minot, N. D., July 2-fl. Jamestown, N. D., will have a fair July 16-19. The Bay City Industrial Carnival Com- pany, a local organization, will give a carnival at the Fair Grounds in Bay City, Mich., week July 1. Windonont Park, Kewanee, 111., con- trolled by the street car company, opened June 3. Vaudeville will be given in the theatre by E. Wilworth. Chas. G. Kilpatrick, the one-legged trick cyclist, is in Chicago, arranging several sensational acts for parks this summer. His brother, E. J. Kilpatrick, is the man- ager of "Wonderland" Park, Sydney, Australia. The Baldwin Wonderland Amusement Company opened "Wonderland" at Quincy, HI. The concessions were built and installed by Samuel Schwartz and C. L. Thome of Chicago. The new park now being built in Denver by the Lakeside Realty and Amusement Co. will be one of the most stupendous in the west. Many new and novel attractions will be installed. It will be known as "Heidqlber's Garden," Riverside Park, Montreal, is being torn down to make place for a manufacturing plant. The "Figure 8" has been sold to a Verdun (P. Q., Can.) man, and is now being moved to a new park in that place "White City," Duluth, has been im- proved considerably since last summer by Manager Silberstein. Many new attrac- tions will be seen there during the sum- mer months. Youngstowri Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles, will hold a carnival during the week of June 10. The entertainment fea- tures will be furnished by the Parker Amusement Company. '•Luna" Park, Cleveland's best resort, opened its gates May 16. In "The Far East" Ed Anthony, manager of the Lyric Theatre, has an up-to-date Oriental show; "The Rainbow Dip," a new device, com- bines the sensations of the "Chute the Chutes," a Scenic Railway and the "Bump the Bumps." "The Rainbow Dip" is likely to be popular among that class of people always on the alert for new thrills.