Variety (March 1915)

CARNIVALS, FAIRS, PARKS AND RINKS ^c EXPOSITION'S "ZONE" 8an Francisco, March 3. Entering the "Zone ' at the Fillmore Hired entrance on the right hand Bide walking emit towards the Van Son* avenue entrance the shows line up as follows, with restaurants, candy booths and other stands between them: Uerman Village (no entrance fee, but re- freshments are high) ; "battle of Gettysburg" (50 cents) ; Joe's Alligator Farm (25 cents) ; Chinese Theatre UU centa) ; Underground Chinatown (10 cents) ; "Toyland" O-U (10 cents) ; "Submarines" (50 cents) ; "Race for Life'' '(10 cents); "From London to Bouth Pole," "Uawalan Village" (25 cents) ; "Jes- ter's Palace" (10-25 centa) ; iehuantepec Vil- lage (25 cents) ; Soman Village (25 cents) ; Evolution of Dreadnaught" (25-50 cents) ; Aeroscope (per ride, 25 cents) ; Ulassblowere, Sellg's Animals, Mysterious Orient (10 cents). A turn to the left, starting back down the "Zone," brings you to "Yellowstone Park" (25 cents) ; "Dixie Land" (lo cents) ; "Dance of All Nations" (15 cents) ; "Diving Girls" (20 cents) ; "40 Camp" (2o cents) ; Japan Beau- tiful" (no aamlsulon) ; lol Ranch (25 cents) ; Eden Musee (In course of construction, 20 cents) ; Australian Village (25 cents) ; Os- trich Farm (10 cents) ; Grand Canyon 25 cents) ; Infant incubator (25 cents) ; building to House Captain (In course of construction) ; Irish Village (10 cents) ; "Dayton Flood" (not open, 25 cents) ; "Creation (25-50 cents) , Temple of Palmlbtry (25 cents) ; •bowls of Joy" (10 cents); "Stella" (10 cents). While these are the shows now on the "Zone," the booths, cafes and other buildings devoted to free exhibits are not mentioned, although they take up considerable space. Following the trend of a remark made by a man who generally snows what he is talking about, it looks as though the San Francisco dallies are likely to get together and make a united stand regarding the "press stuff" hand- ed In by Exposition "Zone" publicists. If the stand, now alleged to be contemplated Is made, "Zone" attractions not advertising steadily will not get space gratis. Attractions using space must turn In readers with real news ele- ments In. It Is said the editors are pestered to death with people trying to "plant stuff" and the downtown theatres kicking about the amount of space given to shows not using space. While the theatres which have been consistent advertisers for the past years are Justified In making a kick, If the papers get together and fulfil the rumor press-agenting for a "Zone" attraction Is going to prove nard work with all kinds of competition to over- come. One of the "Zone" employees makes the claim the prices charged by the "Zone" restau- rants are not only high but exorbitant He declares he entered what Is supposed to be the cheapest eating house on the "Zone" and was charged 35 cts. for a plate of poor lamb stew, 5 cts. for a role and "speck" of butter, and 15 cts. for a cup of "inferior" coffee. Judging from what others say he got off cheaply. The first reorganization of any "Zone" at- traction began Friday when Director of Con- cessions Frank Burt closed the " '4') Camp" and appointed "Bill" Jossey as his personal representative to take full charge and re- frame It. This move is said to have come from the general dissatisfaction expressed by the public of the Camp's business methods. March 17 is the date for reopening. Following the opening of the "Zone" a three- day streak of bad weather prevailed causing visitors to stick downtown. The "Zone" did little or no business to speak of and accord- ing to the rumors going the rounds some of the show owners made a strong complaint. Visitors remark about the lack of ballyhoo- •ing on the "Zone" and speak highly of the attractions depending on their alluring en- trances to pull business. Without a doubt the Panama Canal Show will prove one of the best money getters on the "Zone." So far It has been doing a big business on merit alone. The cost is quoted at S3oo,0oo and at the present volume of business will pay for Itself In a very short time. A rumor prevails to the effect the Exposi- tion's share of the entire receipts for the first three dayB amounted to $500,000. This, of course, Includes the gate receipts, which prob- ably made up the bulk of the amount. On application Frederic Thompson has been granted permission to close " Toy land O-U" until March 17 that the work of completing it will not be interfered with, beginning Monday 900 men divided Into three shifts of 300 will work day and night to get the attraction finished. While many complained about the state buildings and palaces not having all the ex- hibits set up, It was generally conceded the "Zone" made a good showing opening day. Gossip along the "Zone" indicates that a game was started In one of the "40 Camp" buildings with the sky as the limit, but the authorities stepped In and put the "kibosh" on It. of a Rear Admiral and sail a miniature fleet through the canal. More trouble at "Camp 40." It Is alleged one of the "fairies" employed on the flooor of the Jlmtown Dance Hall touched a fellow for something like $28, which resulted in the au- thorities putting tho "lid" on the dance hall. "Zone" managers have formed a Conces- sionaires' Association and elected F. W. Mc- Clellan, president; James Young, vice presi- dent, and Jos. Koame, secretary and treasurer. Each time the ticket sellers tell a ticket they have to register each sale on an auto- matic device which also registers the total. Good system. Three thousand people gathered In "Old Faithful Inn," Yellowstone Park Exhibit, for the opening night banquet and dance. Will Jossey opened spieling for the Sellg animal show but after three days went over to Japan Beautiful. On account of rain the Vanderbilt cub auto- mobile races had to be postponed to March 6. Joe Miller is appearing personally with the 101 Ranch outfit. Underground Chinatown opened at 10-20 but later cut to a straight admission of 10 cents with good results. "The Panama Canal" show got top money on opening day doing, so it Is said, $6,000 gross. Puerl Wilkerson is lecturing in the "Diving Girls" show. Harry Dean, actor, is lecturing In "Crea- tion." Harry Hallan, actor, Is spieling before the "Irish Village." "Japan Beautiful" and the "Submarines" threw their doors open to the public gratis on the plea the attractions were not quite com- plete. Jim Hathaway is managing the front of 101 Show. Grauman's "Underground Chinatown" man- aged to open In the evening. It is said 'The Diving Girls" got about $1,400 on the day, but others claim the re- ceipts were far below that figure. The dance hall in "Toyland Zone" Is getting a good play. Attendance the first three days, 440,644. Benny Michaels Is managing the Chinese theatre. It is now said "Old Faithful Inn" took in $lo,000 opening day. Harlle Tyler is managing the Sellg show. Toyland O. U. got $2,700 opening day at a 10-cent admission fee. Edouard Scott is singing with the 101 Ranch Cowboy Band. "Underground Chinatown" had Its official opening this week. Estimated 7,000 people are employed on the "Zone." Al. Kaufman, ex-puglllst. Is employed by the Panama Canal Show to wear the uniform QUESTIONING PRIZES. Albany, N. Y., March 3. A decorated potato digger won a prize of $15 as an exhibit aj the Colum- bia county fair in Chatham and other state fair funds were spent carelessly in a similar manner, according to a statement by Comptroller Travis, fol- lowing a report made to him by Arthur T. Warner, special investigator and Warren L. Lee, a deputy comptroller. State funds are granted counties to increase agricultural exhibits, but, ac- cording to Travis, in 1912 the Columbia County Agricultural Society awarded $736 in premiums for a floral parade, and the next year increased it to $936. The comptroller does not charge that these practices are criminal, but he criticises such methods of appropriating funds for purposes other than those in- tended by the law. According to the statement the prize lists were passed by the State Agricultural Department without question. WAR SPECTACLE FOR WHITE CITY. Chicago, March 3. Frank Cruickshank, for years the publicity promoter and more lately the acting general manager of White City here, passed through yesterday on his way to New Orleans to sail for Cuba in advance of Pavlowa. Before start- ing south Mr. Cruickshank stated that he had secured in New York the ex- clusive rights for the gigantic war spectacle "In the Trenches/' which Charles Kiralfy is to produce at "White City." The spectacle is to be staged in the south lot and is to have as its stage the entire five acres. There will be 500 people and several hundred horses em- ployed. The show according to its present scenario will depict the stirring battle scenes of the Revolutionary, Civil, Spanish-American and the pres- ent European wars. There will be three performances a day, one in the afternoon and two at night, each run- ning a little more than an hour. Although there has been no official date set for the opening of White City Mr. Cruickshank says that the park will be ready to open about May 15. LEGISLATED OUT OF OFFICE. Syracuse, March 3. The four state fair commissioners who were legislated out of office last week by the Republicans at Albany met here a day or so later, sang their swan song, and wound up all the af- fairs of last year's fair. The four ousted from office are Charles A. Wieting, of Cobbleskill; W. Barry Murphy, of Medina; George W. Driscoll, Syracuse, and Thomas Cum- mings, of Dunkirk. All except Wieting are Democrats. Wieting will be cared for in some other place if he is not re- named on the new board. The bill has passed the Senate and Assembly and is now before the Gover- nor and there is not any question but that it will be signed. The bill empowers the Governor to appoint five commissioners. These with the Agricultural Commissioner and the Lieutenant Governor as ex- officio members, will constitute the commission. The salary of the official commissioners will be $2,000 a year. One chosen by the commission as su- perintendent of the state fair buildings will receive $5,000 annually. Wieting is mentioned for this place. John W. Stevenson of Fulton is also after the job. He is Speaker Sweet's choice. CARNIVAL MAN KILLED Montgomery, Ala., March 3. I. Benyakar, confidential agent of the Barkoot Shows, was killed and K. G. Barkoot, owner of the outfit, seriously injured, when an automobile in which they were riding collided with a street car here. FIGHTS ON EBBETS' FIELD. In all probability there will be no vaudeville at Ebbetts' Field, Brooklyn, this summer. A fight promoter has se- cured the stadium and intends to have on the average two fistic shows a week. The Loew circuit ran vaudeville eve- nings in the baseball park last summer. CHAUTAUQUA CIRCUIT. Lynchburg, Va., March 3. A seven day Chautauqua, beginning July 6 will be held in Lynchburg under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Chau- tauqua Association of Swarthmore, Pa. This city will be on a circuit ex- tending from Vermont to North Caro- lina and is one of 200 places in which this special attraction will be given. Citizens agreed to guarantee $1,400 be- fore the Chautauqua people decided to include Lynchburg in the circuit The features will be presented in a tent having a seating capacity of 2,000. Among the attractions on the pro- gram are Dunbar's Singing Orchestra, Father D. J. Cronin, lecturer; Ger- man magician; musical recital, "On the Road to Tokyo," by Mr. and Mrs. Ongawa; Arthur Hackett Trio; Vic- tor's Band; Dr. Thomas E. Green, lec- turer; McKinney Operatic Co.; Stroll- ers' Male Quartet and Hand Bell Ring- ers; Mrs. Maud Ballington Booth, lec- turer. SIX'S WATER SHOW. Harry Six, a high diver for several seasons past with Blue Ribbon Shows, has disposed of his interests and this summer will operate a big water cir- cus with the Levitt-Meyerhoff Shows, now organizing in its winter quarters at Jersey City. The Six water circus will have ac- quatic acts, log rollers, water walkers, clowns and pantomimists. May Ecclestone, the English swim- mer, will be with Six. GERMAN FAIR OPBN8. A cable to the New York Staats- Zeitung Wednesday stated that the Leipsig Fair (Leipziger Messe) opened Tuesday under good conditions, not* withstanding that Germany was in a state of war. There are 2,500 exhibi- tions at the big German exposition. Changing Cemetery Into Park. Oneida, N. Y., March 3. Plans are under way here for the transformation of the old cemetery in the rear of Elizabeth street school into a city-owned amusement park. The city has been empowered by the legis- lature to remove the bodies and part of this work has been done. Elks Lease Barnes Circus. Los Angeles, March 3. The Elks of Santa Monica, Cal., have leased Al G. Barnes circus for March 13-14. The Barnes circus winters at Venice, a short distance from Santa Monica. Brooklyn's Automobile Show. The annual Brooklyn automobile show opened Tuesday of this week. Binghamton, N. Y., Carnival. Binghamton, N. Y., March 3. Binghamton Woodmen are planning a carnival for the week of June 7 and have signed contracts with the Ferari shows. If you don't advartlM In VARIETY, don't advartiso.