Variety (September 1922)

Friday, September 1, 1922 OUTDOOR AMUSEMENTS m A1LANTIC CITY NOT "BROKE"; LOTS OF $100,000 BANKROLLS . . /, "Bad Season Crying" Not Uncommon at World's Greatest Resort—Seaside's Problem, Deflation— Ocean City Growing Atlantic City, Aug. 30. There is a difference of opinion as regards the summer season at the greatest of seashore resorts. Re- ports that many merchants along the Boardwalk will supply plenty of business for the local attorneys next month because of financial difflcul- t o date. The venture was originally ties is taken with a grain of salt The "bad season" cry has bean heard before and often, and because of the record breaking rainfall of the summer, the totals for this sum- mer may spell losses for many. From insiders, however, the state- ment is made that if Atlantic City has a problem it is that of deflation. Hotels, apartment house owners and tenants who .sub-lease, and mer- chants have been so used to "heavy money" for the last three yens, that this season when the visitors balked or stayed away and lesser profits were visioned, the cry of dis- aster was raised. It is stated with authority that the banks show there are more persons with $100,000 or over to their credit now than At any time in the history of the resort. That may mean that fewer peopte one admission, a regulation which does not affect the original exten- sion into the sea. Rendezvous Park, an amusement venture fronting the Jioardwalk at Mississippi avenue and extending through th* entire block to Pacific avenue, appears a complete bloomer started by Baltimore people aa. a stock selling enterprise. This sea- son the management attempted general amusement features, but when the orchestra was let out the dance hall feature stopped. The several rides have done only fairly. Fewer excursions probably hurt the park, which is entirely enclosed, but inability to comrete with the piers is the real reason why the venture did not draw. Whatever the final results of the scusoh may be Atlantic City stands no chance of losing its standing as the finest resort on cither side of the ocean. The new hotels and the modern additions to the older lead- ing hostelries give the playground the greatest guest facility of any similar city in the world. The wonderful beach front line is fed by Atz LEVITT-BROWN SHOW LOOKING FOR $15,000 Carnival Sues "Auspices" at Seattle-rShow Closed by Police Seattle, Aug. 30. An action for $15,000 has been filed here by the Levitt-Brown - Huggins carnival against the Vet- erans of the Foreign Wars of Seattle, under whose auspices the carnival was to have appeared here for seven days. After showing three days the carnival was closed by the local police. The showmen say their reputa- tion was damaged $6,000 worth, their loss of profit was another $6,000, and the expense of coming in here from Clresham, Oregon, was $3,000. Fraudulent representations by I* C. Lester of the Arena and Hippo- drome, are alleged in the complain*. It states Lester said he was author- ized to act for the War Veterans and had made necessary arrange- ments with officials for permit i The complaint denies the carnival stood for raffling or gambling games and alleges that games oper- ated by Lester were made to appear a part of the carnival. Lester says there are no grounds for the charges by the carnival con- cerning his connection an* that he 1 was duly authorized. RiMING'S "SPUE FENCE" AROUSES SELLS-FLOWS IRE Imminent Battle in Frisco Last Week Prevented by Police—S-F Elephant Tears Hole in Fence Which Cut Off Market Street Entrance have piled up the proflta or it may no less than three boulevards across mean that some of the "crying" is Just noise. Within the last few season some pretty raw stuff has been pulled off by certain hotels, principally the raising of rates after a guest has registered and his trunk has been brought to his room. Some of the apartment lessees paying $500 on the year have l>eeit able to sublet for as high as $2,500 for the season. Expecta- tion that such stunts will continue Indefinitely has little basis now. There is plenty building and new apartments and houses are going up even now with the chances that a more normal conception of values will be soon reached. There has been complaint among the bathhouse people that takings Are far under other seasons. Weath- er conditions partly account for that, but the fact is bathers have spread out more. Chelsea has usurped in a measure the popularity that attained for the beach near the Steel Pier. The Ritz-Carltan and Ambassador hotels have dong, much to effect that. It is said that these splendid hostelries have been get- ting capacity only over week ends. The rates are constant the year around. It is an open secret that the build- ers of the Ambassador induced the J*itz to build across the way in Chel- sea by investing in the hotel. Orig- inally the Ritz was to go up on the ©Id Windsor site, which is opposite the Traymore and is-still an empty lot. The Ritz is a $5,500,000 invest- ment and $3,500,000 was supposed to have been put in by the Ambassador backers. So far as the bathhouse business generally this season goes, there is no doubt that the excursions from nearby states and from the central west were considerably cut down because of the coal strike and rail- road trouble. The Imthing estab- lishments, however, have not been backward in jumping prices far In excess of former times. The piers appear to have no complaint.' The Million Dollar Pier has been charging 50 cents at ni^ht and getting a wonderful play. The admission includes a vaudeville show, which pulled capacity often during the month, while the dance fioor was in continuous action by means of two orchestras. It costs a nickel less for Steepler base, which continues in popularity, while the Steel Pier's night rate is 40 cents. The Garden Pier with its stores, theatre and dance hall does not count «* on admission enterprise. Young's Old Pier is coming to life. but too late for this season. The front has been entirely rebuilt with ■tUCCO and concrete and the owners count on making it (I convention pier. Which may be its new name. Some of the store spaces have already been rented, one corner the meadows from the mainland. The motor approach to the city is incomparable and is one feature counting heavily with the Steady Increase of automobile traffic. Across the bay at Ocean City growth there har, been steady. New land washed off the ,tip of Long- port has provided room for plentiful building of bungalows. Thf beach front is to have two new hotels there next season, one to cost $1,- 000,000. Ocean City has hjeen aided much by the southern boulevard route into Atlantic City. This roadway extends into Somers Point and from there to Longport. The road from the point to Ocean City Is now free to all traffic, toll charges having been removed early this month. MURPHY SHOWS CANT 11072 Portland, Jnd.. Aug. 30. The J. F. Murphy Shows will re- main here for another week, owing to their inability to secure railroad transportation. This oarniva) has been compelled to- cancel a number of good fair contracts, and was forced to remain In Louisville for several weeks, where it played to poor business. The show holds con- tracts for the Wheeling (W, Va.l fair, but it is doubtful if railroad facilities will be available. The railroad trouble has caused a big loss to J. F. Murphy. Ean Francisco, Aug. 30. Rivalry that has existed Between the sells Fioto and the Rlngllng P.ros.-Parnum & l.ailey circuses came to trouble here last week when the Sells Fl do "big top" ar- rived for four days. It discovered the lllngling outfit had beaten them to the punch by securing a piece of ground on Mar- ket street, erecting a big tent and building a spife fence across the property. The lo?s of the Market street entrance mean the Iota of hundreds if not thousands of dol- lars to Sells Floto and they were boiling ginad. A report got about town trouble was brewing and a squad of police H is rushed to the circus lot. One of the elephant trainers led "Mom." the Hercules of the herd to the 'spite" fence and allowed her to follow the dictates of her fancy. 'Mom'* waded through the fence, j tearing a gap 20 feet wide. The crash of the Umbers brought a < uple of deputy sheriffs from out of the Rlngllng Hros.-Uarnum & Bailey tent. Had not the police stepped in a Tight of no mean pro- portions would have ensued. The Sells Floto bunch were hot for turn- in*? loose the entire elepharit herd on the spite fjCnce and tent. Ben Krausc is up and doing with an event in New York city this time. .This is Ren's first lay-off season for 15 years. Cooler bends pr vailed and quiet reigned. En the interim carpenter.! were summoned ami ths hole In the fence repaired. Manager Terrill of the Sella Floto show gave out a statement the op- position show had pulled a similar trick in Newark, N. J., a year ago. and since then had peristentiy sought by various methods to put his show out of business. The in- cident got front page space in all of the papers and attracted huge crowds to the circus lot. The Sells-Floto's four days' show- ing here, ending Sunday, did not draw the expected business which was looked upon as very light. Casual people said they were wait- ing for the Barnum-Railey Circus that opens here Friday. Eabt. States Amuse. Co. Bankrupt The Eastern .States Amusement Co.. Inc., 245 West 47th street, New York, filed a voluntary schedule in bankruptcy this week, admitting liabilities ** $8,200 and a^-iet* of "about $10 on deposit In the Na- tional City P.ank." The corpora- tion's business is carnivals and out- door amusements at amusement parks, in United States and Canada. The debts are for goods sold and delivered such as Indian blankets, etc. SPOETS DOMINION GOVERNMENT ASKED TO KEEP OUT ALL CARNIVALS Two Motions Presented in Canada—Other for Pro- hibitive Tax—Montreal Emulating Brantford, Ontario Montreal, Aug. 30. Montreal is about to emulate Brantford, Ontario, in the matter of carnivals and traveling fairs. Brantford has had enough of traveling shows and carnivals. On the order paper to the Ontario Government are two strongly word- ed motions. One asks the government to inf- pose a prohibitive tax; the other that the Dominion Government be asked to forbid carnivals and trav- eling fairs in Canada. Tho first order asks the federal authorities: ". . . to take the necessary action to forbid the showing in Canada of questionable amusements, Orgies and carnivals of inaninity and vice, of which the Dominion has a surfeit and which created immense pollutive influence from the United Slates, such being focussed upon and intensified in Canadian communities." The blame fr carnivals does not lie with the United States in any greater degree than Canada. A num- ber of traveling fairs and carnivals are started in Montreal and other Canadian cities. • American conces- sionaires sometimes join these eh nvs bul the money behind them none; .dii annualW. The deed ! in the lir.u place ;. Canadian. The to the old pier is actually worth movement on foot Is to tix__carnr- inore than the property Itself, sin <• it is free ot price regulations \\ I | EQUITY AND MUSICIAN (Continued from page 1) amount of rent for a side street theatre of the 48th Street's size it could have given the musical mat- ter of five men in the pit a Second flash before allowing the impres- sion to go forth Equity as a man- ager does not need musicians. Stage hamUi are also considering the subject, as It appears at pres- ent to be laid out. The stage hands and musicians reiterate at fr e qu ent intervals that were It for them Equity would not have been suc- ceasful in its 1919 strike. A eOuple of Equity's couneilni n have been quoted as remarking in private conversation that casting out the musicians from the 48tH Street looked like a bad error In judgment. ITp to this week none of the musicians had heard Equity had undergone any alteration in its in- tention and that the proposal to eut the 48th Street's STChestra to five men had l»t en rejected along with the rest. Former Congressman Joseph L. Rhinock purchased a yearling from the stable of Mrs. Viaux at Sar- atoga, but he has no intention of again having a stable. The buy was more a matter of sentiment. The youngster is the get of "Tea Bis- cuit" and Pirfd by "Omar Kahyam." The latter was sired by the great •'Dick Welles,•' which was Jointly owned by Bbinoek and Jerome Res- press. Not only was "Dick Welles" a wonderful stallion, but he rated as one of the best of native sires. The station held the oval track record at a mile for three years. Only an unfortunate accident caused his retirement to stud when less than five vrars. He injured the delicate heekbene when jumping over the closed lower half door of his stall and went lame when galloped. Rome Respress, a figure in rac- ing several years ago, recalls the uncertainty of. the pony game. Hi- owned what be considered the greatest, two-year-old ever bred. Arrangements were made to bet $20,000 with Now York books on his first start, and he let it be known frankly that it was wise money. He proposed the money bet layed at a limit of six to one, regardless of what the odds might be at the track. Chicago was covered as well as New fork, but tin- horse never started. He was injured during training and had to be turned to pasture. J American -Baseball Association wilt have a new home when the 1923 season opens. President Much! >- bach of the local team anmuncct this week that he had been unab o to release the present ball plant from Ceorge Tebeau, who wants to I ell, and that the tesm owners we: o ready to build a new park. WiVn Mr. Tebeau was here a few weeks SfO be stated that if the owners of the Kansas City baseball franch'ne did not purchase his park he would secure a franchise in a third major leaatM and give the association team opposition. This was th.» first that had been heard here rela- tive to a third league and the ;«h"i- elation people believe he was bluffing. However, Tebeau p..-i- tiveiy refuses to release the park and the Kansas City franchise own- ers are planning for a new pq i with a modern steel and Conor • •• stand, with a capacity of 20.00.1 » New Haven has virtually won tl I pennant In the Eastern Leagu •. With the pace of four weeks f-> go the club has a lead of thirtc i games and is turning in victor.. ■» with the regularity of a clock. Waterbury is its Closest contend- New Haven has the pitchers an I the batters, its men leading in both classes. The batting average of the nine is .304, with five men in the 100 circle, fighting for the swat • ting honors of the circuit. "Wild lull" Donovan, former Yankee man- r, is pilot of New Haven, known as "the Baltimore of the Eastern Kid McCoy was refused a license to wed for the ninth time Tuesday In Los Angeles. Efts bride-to-be la|k ea * u ' ,, lt |3 much too strong for Mrs. Jacqueline A. McDowell of govern the more reccnl piers such LIS the Million Dollar and Steel vals, whether Canadian or Ameri- can, so heavih thai they Will not be In a p >sit Ion to survive ihe l. •,. . blow of fade • I control and t John Farry, manager of the If it.] .\a\ ,i i rl\ Mew York, h;is been in- formed by Staunton. Ya., officials th.it (fti i. . > I: if M( Kcnnri, a v a u de\ li<- pi mis!.-, has met with en Baltimore. The licensing authority of the coast Wanted to see the future Mrs. McCoy before issuing the pei mil. McCoy said he would have her come west. The Kid has been playing putty frequently in pictures of late seasons and mak- ing good, his intelligence aiding in taking roles adapted to hia name and lame. Besides his marrying ad- ventures, the Kid is continuously receiving publicity in tike sporting pn s of the dailies, as bis remark- aide boxing prowess and extraor- dinary career In the ring during ins I prime an- former being referred to the other clubs, u fact which n causing several managers and many fans to urge a change in its line-u ■ next year. Carrying the heave Mary list in the league, (hi club cannot possibly be keeping within the limit fixed by the circuit. automobile ;; cident there would like to get in touch with her relative or friends. Miss McKi dopped iii the Navarre wliih« In "Snooks" Dowd, professional bas- ketball star, who started the hase- hall season with Kansas City, was shipped to Albany and was recent- ly suspended from organized ball after jumping the Senators twice, is now playing with a semi-profes- sional team representing Fltchburg, .Mass. When the Kitehburg Bast- ern League franchise was shift.- 1 ders. The latter may charge but lion New York. Otherwise no homi 1 dre*« is a\ ailable* to Worcester, tin- . baseball pro- by sport writers, . he jcid has had moteri in Fltchbvrf organised as the worlds championship ai i mid- , nd „^,,, Mlt e!u0 nnd ilJCIMHl w . * ht to '"" "-c«»t and he mayt„ r .,| f „ ;in ,. r K ,, H( ,. rn clrrutt pillvrr<t . anotner woi-urs champ a j j> mv ,i'« contract with Kansas City. take,, over by Albany, was said I » '■■•!l for > ilnry of $2.?00 a-y U<- did not s. t the Eastern Le kg - 11 '"'• , ' 1 -" '" ;l " ■ r»rtuinty .,..,, with his work on the diamond, that the Kansas CUy Blue* yi iln^DuwU lives m Springfield. yeT gain '•• It IS til i an.