Variety (May 1923)

Wednesday. May 30, 1923 VARIETY 9 33: 3E 3 CIRCUS GENERATIONS CITED • BY KELLY IN GOOD WILL CASE * a Singling Attorney Compiles Only Complete History of the Tops, Going Back to 1884—Circus Build- ing Romance iTfU* it the third installment of the brief filed vnth the U. 8. Treas- ury Department by John M. Kelly in opposing the inheritance tax on the good urtll item of the shares in the property left by ttoo deceased brother*.) The 100 Car Circus • The Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus comprise 100 extra- length special railroad cars han- dled daily by the railroads in four trains—frequently Ave trains. For a generation no other circus has built beyond the two-train class. No other person in history ever transported a circus outfit equal in size to 60 per cent, of this circus. No other men in history have ever moved an amusement enterprise even for a single day comparable in size to what the Ringlings transport and operate successfully every day in the season No peneral, or army, or govern- ment even in times of military trial or emergency, ever matched in achievement—either in the handling and movement of property equip- ment or in economy of operations— what Ringing Brothers accomplish dally with the circus. Limitations Upon the 8ize of Cir- cus Outfits. Why Have We Only i One Circus of the Ringling Class? The main entrance doora must open on time This is the keynote of circus success. Circus owners are constantly on their guard lest cumbersome equipment and over- size outfit impede transportation beyond the ability of the organiza- tion to handle on schedule time. This condition is always intensely critical to the showman, because even with the well balanced outfit, frequent damaging delays are oc- casioned through bad weather, rail- road tie-ups and a thousand mis- haps common to the circus. The grinding process of conduct- ing a circus about the country with incident losses and tremendous maintenance expense; building a tented city every morning; pulling it down and transporting it during the night; being prepared and equipped to handle, safeguard and entertain at unfamiliar places vast crowds "twice dally rain or shine"— very decisively and unmistakably determine for every circus owner Just hbw big he can build his show and profitably operate it. If it were possible for circus men personally to handle with profit big- ger outfits than are on the road now, they would be put out. It is not a question of capital or lack of ambition. It is a free field. The determining factors arc manage- ment, leadership, plua the show- man's genius and skill. Circus history reveals that show- men will successfully handle an outfit up to a given size. Beyond that ambition has led the venture- some where two titles unhappily predominate in circus history— "Seized by the Sheriff," and "SOLD AT AUCTION." * There is the proverbial straw that always "breaks the camels back." In circus history it is the added camel that has "broken" the showman's fcack. Just so big. so good. It Is a wise showman that recognizes his limitations in show buildings. One cannot grow bigger and better "day by day in every way" In the circus business. PART II List of circuses that have exhib- ited in America. No attempt is made to present a history or professional record in de- tail of the different circuses, or their owners or founders. In support of our contention that Good Will in the circus is due to the professional skill, genius and per- sonality of the showman, we offer brief statements of fact touching upon the business career, success or failure of circuses that have cov- ered the field of outdoor amuse- ments. This list Is Submitted further in support of the contention that the circus is »n extraordinary hasard and sp»M ul.it Ive, This list Includes •'! Of tin* eir- cusefl of any consequence thai hive been before the public In America. Rtngbnq Brothers The world looks upon tho circus as i holiday. The blare of the band, fh<-» antics of the clown, the feats of skill that entertain ind delight, dis- pel serious minded Impressions of what tho t ink means to those who build md mo> ■ the show. There- ittemptlng any his- tory of tl • R ■ •' m { nrothers, it is • ■ •• t| i , i. i brief refer - ence to their Intensely Interesting career as to indicate the importance of personal service, genius and in- dividuality, in the success of their circus. Ringling Brothers circus came into being in 1884. Five Ringling Brothers—Al. Alf. T.. Otto. Charles and John—on an open lot in their own home town—Baraboo, Wis.— May 19th, 1884, founded their circus and opened, the doors to Ringling entertainment. It is now on the road in its fortieth season. Every succeeding year it goes out im- proved and enlarged—a standard leader in the field of outdoor amuse- ment. On March 31st. 1911, Mr. Otto Ringling died, whereupon Mr. Henry Ringling, a brother, succeeded him in the partnership. January 1st, 1916. Mr. Al. Ringling. eldest of the brothers, died. On October 11th, 1918. Mr. Henry Ringling died. On October 21st, 1919. Mr. Alf. T. Ring- I ling died. Two brothers survive— Charles and John. A Partnership Among Brothers No person outside the family ever held an interest. Ringling boys, as they were known in 1884. founded their circus in a dream. From a dream it became an experiment— from an experiment an established institution. Scarcely any business is as promiscuous in its intercourse or dealings about the country, or so dependent for its existence upon technical mastery of detail and strict economy in operation. Yet the Ring- ling Brothers partnership began without written articles and has continued forty years in business without the scratch of a pen to de- fine agreement. It Is one of the greatest examples the world has known of the Golden Rule in busi- ness. Building a Circus The property equipment of Ring- ling Brothers when they set out in 1884 involved no imposing inven- tory. Their canvas equipment scarcely equalled what college boys now use on vacation. After being on the road three years with a wa- gon show their outfit was still so meagre that the menagerie featured the importance of an eagle, a donkey and a Shetland pony. They trav- eled eight thousand miles with a wagon show and gave over one thousand exhibitions before they had an elephant. They began without capital, credit or business prospect. No prestige in the circus came to them either through birth or association. They served no apprenticeship and the community in which they grew up was Isolated and far removed from the atmosphere of amusement life. Furthermore, the Ringlings ven- tured in the circus at a time when the field of outdoor amusement num- bered more master showmen than any other generation in history. 4 Barnum was heyday in his career. Bailey was fast approaching the top of the ladder, and in front rank were the Cole Show, the Forepaugh Show and the Sells Brothers Circus. Scarcely any venture In the world offered as little prospect of reward as the circus when the Ringlings entered the field. Yet there existed at the time, of which they were un- aware, two Important factors chiefly responsible for their success. One was the intangible assets of the fir —their good brlnglng-up, robus constitution, striking personr courage, high moral viewpoinf'and loyalty to each other. The other helpful factor was the stage of the country's development. Railroads were fast penetrating the Western country and everywhere towns and cities were In the building. Exhibi- tion grounds were easily had;«^abor and materials were cheap. Com- pared to present days, there were fewer taxes, fewer restrictions and opportunity was wider to those who risked their fortunes on the circus lot. Ringling Bros, achievement is an inspiration. Their career affords interesting contrast to the spirit of unrest now broadcast in the world. The value of apprenticeship is to- day discounted in the disturbing crass for quick returns. For prac- tically a quarter of ■ century every dollar that Ringling Bros, took from ih^ circus was put back in building up the show. The partners received no salaries; no profits were shared. During t ho first twenty*five years In business, they spent tho winter mont hs i n rented homes, wor kii": under the intensely exact Dig* HP- mands of the business In order th.it the show might Ro out the following spring "bigger .«11• 1 better than before." The Ringlings undertook the build* ii•: of their show at .i time md in i day when m^n were trilling to ac- cept !*d ' ,r, d struggle ti ' . »vere for » common r>bjeot, RAY PEREZ Stage Director for C. B. MAODOCK practice economies and endure hard- ships, that are today looked upon as impossible business standards. There were often sacrifice of means, sacrifice of comforts—but never a sacrifice of principle. The lofty plan upon which the Ringling circus was founded has never been surrendered. Ringling susfcess is a testimonial to the code of honor and honest methods that have ever pre- vailed in Ringling enterprises. If we are to measure the success of an enterprise by its return in money. It may be said that If the Ringlings at any time during the first twenty years of their career had retired, the world would have judged them failures. It has been said that the best time to "hold on" is when you reach the point where the average fellow would quit. Ring- ling Bros, in their chosen pursuit never learned how to accept de- feat. Few there are who would ac- cept the service and responsibility imposed by the circus even for a single season, regardless of its re- turn in money. The Ringling Bros, continuously building bigger and better have never let up or let go for forty years. -Their shows have traveled an equivalent of thirty times around the earth. They have given over nineteen thousand circus exhibitions with one or more of the Ringlings in personal command. Their achievement is convincing proof that there is no prospect so feeble and no line of honest endeavor open to the energies of men, but what will ultimately bring reward if there is the determination to see it through. And so the Ringlings built their show from the "ground" up. They learned where and how to buy—and how to build in harmony with their ability to operate. If the big shows that go out today were to do their building, buying and contracting along the lines commonly employed in Industry, they could not exist. They would crumble beneath the weight of overhead. Ifence. it Is that when a contract is made by the Ringling Show, whether for a sea- son's advertising, costumes for a ballet, a lot to exhibit on, or a bovalapus for the menagerie, it may be counted upon that they know what and how and where to buy. In this very essential phase of the circus (there is constant wear and constant replacement) every Ring- ling has back of him not five or ten or *ven twenty years experience— but he traces forty years of per- sonal service in proprietary circus building and operation, for compari- sons and guidanoe. It is by reason of these economies constantly effected In all the endless variety of operations, that the Ring- ling Circus in its huge proportions is able to exist. This Is why the circus becomes intensely personal to Its owner. This Is one of the rea- sons why there Is but one show of the Ringling class. , Moving a Circus. In the movement of a circus, much is expected in the service of men Many have seen a circus "put up" but few see it taken off the lot. Per- haps this one phase of circus move- ment may serve to show the ex- traordinary problems involved. Those who have seen the "pole" wagon or "canvas" wagon leave the lot on a rainy night understand somewhat of the service required. The hookrope and the goose-neck have their meaning to the showman. Likewise significant are the 38-horse teams forging ponderous wagons through a canal of mud; acres of canvas rolled on the ground by hand; the water spout as a trusty ele- phant jams head first a huge bulk of water-soaked canvas in the task of loading it in wagons. And with !, as if to add discouragement, the task comes late <»f night when the world sleeps. There Is Isolation, darkness, lack of fireside, ; tck of dry Nothing .and the comforts common imong men. It i< an extraordlnai emergency. The performance of the • i ik c ill for the be it that is i n t he trong est »r men. But ilways nW 13 f t Ri n g l ing ? u > * n t h» lut . grind. They awaken in a new town —the sun shines—the tents are dried—the wrinkles in wet clothing are smoothed out in the service of another day. The whistle blows, the bands play, new faces appear and huge crowds again jam the big tented arena. It is a big show and it moves on. By what influence are men In- duced to perform this task? How is organisation preserved under these distressing circum- stances? In the answer are found reasons why we have so many small circuses and so few big ones. This is where leadership of lite Ringlings is recognized. Ringling Leadership A circus may fall through acci- dent but no circus ever came into prominence by accident or by the miracle route. It is a slow building process of expanding little by little on the year by year plan. What Ringling Brothers have accomplished is traceable to various supporting reasons, chief among them, theli leadership. Ringling Brothers in the early days brought together a num- ber of men who, aside from being suited to the extraordinary task of the circus, proved themselves nota- bly trustworthy and loyal. The loyalty of these men to the Ring- lings, while remarkable, is neverthe- less reciprocal. It is characteristic of the Ringlings to suggest no serv- ice which they are not ready and willing and able to perform them- selves. Men of the Ringling organ- ization stick to the end. It would be impossible* to conduct this big circus through an organization col- lected from men outside the Ring- ling enterprise today, Iss"**" Tact and diplomacy—these qual- ities the Ringlings possess in a re- markable degree. With one, so with all. The value of these personal qualities is manifest In their busi- ness dealings. Its Influence is ap- parent in every phase of their per- sonal contact. Ringling circus moves by reason of Ringling organization, and Ringling orgnrization is pre- served through RinJling leadership. until the inst wagon moves off, indisposition or i headache may the desk oi >>in. e of the i bu Iness m m. IIih work can until another day But no task i-i looked upon is Impossible in th« circus Ai I > ih» caravan moves on with a thousand men of •,!.■ >| |i imic | ea oly in tiV' The foregoing details and fea- tures inseparably connected with the big circus may serve to point out the genius, skill and personal service of the Ringling Brothers responsible for the success of their enterprises. Calendar and Routes and Exhibi- tions—Ringling Circuses— 1884-1923 1884 Yankee Robinson and Ringling Bros. Great Double Shows, Circus and Caravan. Proprietors: Al. Ringling, Alf. T. Ringling, Otto .Ringling. Charles Ringling and John Ringling. Opened at Baraboo, Wis,, May 19th. Wagon show. The main tent can- vas was 45 x 90 feet: side show canvas, 30 x 45 feet. 22 horses, 11 wagons. Admission, 25 cents. No band wagon; no menagerie; no wild animals. 1885 Ringling Bros. Great Double Shows, Circus, Caravan and Trained Animal Kxposition. Opened at Baraboo, Wis.. May 18th. A band wagon was added to the parade and tho tents slightly en- larged. 1886 Ringling Bros. Great Double Shows and Congress of Wild and Trained Animals. Opened at Baraboo, Wis., May 15th. The "Big top" was enlarged to 90 feet and a 30 foot middle piece added during the summer. Side show enlarged to 75 x 45 feet. Admission, 25 cents. The outfit now consisted of 18 wagons which included band wagon, ticket wagon and two cages. The menagerie consisted of a hyena, a bear, a few monkeys and an eagle. A donkey and a Shetland pony were purchased, giving first trick act with show. 1887 Ringling Bros. United Monster Shows, Great Double Cirrus, Royal European Menagerie, Mu- seum, Caravan and Congress of Trained Animals. Opened at Baraboo, Wis., May 7th. A 70 foot menagerie was added and the outfit went out on wagons with sixty horses. The menagerie now consisted of an elk, a bear, 2 lions, a kangaroo, a hyena, a deer, 4 Shetland ponies, birds and mon- keys. A rim el added during the summer died before close of season 1888 * Ringling Bros. Stupmdou* Consol- i i ition "i Seven Monster shown Opened at Baraboo, Wis., May 5th The admission went to fifty cents The main tent canvas was enlarged to 100 x ns feet During the win- ter the first two elephants of the Ringling Cirrus were purchased. Upon their arrival -it Baraboo, John (ling who h id been with the »ir.nU,..r , A».M»« Tr ^ ar ,, | V | | (< n loft five d iys before in close and rushed h »me • » ••■ the eleph inta." isss am i severe test upon the entei prise.. Carrying tin equipment mu h enl i rged I he out fl I fgled • on • itantly f<n <ix weeks In > lin md mud. The in it not shin*' upon thr show for four v. Three ks »"t i \\- idrtlKsioii b icl{ to ?5 cents. Upon the seventh suc- ceeding stand it went back to 50 cents. The outfit stuck the season through and reached winter quarters October 14th. 1889 Ringling Bros, and Van Amburgh* United Monster Circus. Museum. Menagerie, Roman Hippodrome and Universal World's Expost - tion. Opened at Baraboo. Wis., May 4th. The name Van Amburgh. leased at a small rental, was carried for this season on'y 1890 Ringling Bros. United Monster Railroad Shows, Great Triple Circus, Museum, Menagerie. Ro- man Hippodrome and Universal World's Exposition. Opened at Baraboo. Wis., May 3rd. The first Ringling railroad show. 18 cars. It carried 2 tableaux wa- gons, 1 ticket wagon. 2 band wagons and 15 cages. It carried 107 horses, 3 elephants, 3 camels, 4 lions, 2 cubs. 2 leopards, a zebra, a cebu, a hip- popotamus. 4 kangaroos. 2 black wolves, a tapir, an antelope. 2 deer. 2 boa constrictors and a bovalapus. 1891 Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Railroad Shows, Real Roman Hippodrome, 3 Ring Circus and Elevated Stages, Millionaire Menagerie, Museum and Aqua- rium and Spectacular Tourna- ment Production of Caesar's Triumphal Entry Into Rome. Opened at Baraboo. Wis., May 2nd. Went out as a 22 car railroad show. 1892 Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows—Three Rings, One Stage, Hippodrome. Opened at Baraboo. Wis., April 30th. 28 car show. 3 advertising cars. 18 cages. The menagerie this sea- son went out minus the bovalapus but carried 6 elephants. • camels and a hippopotamus. 1893 Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows. Opened at Baraboo. Wis.. April 29th. 38 car show; 3 bands and a cal- liope in parade; 207 horses were carried; 20 cages; 7 elephants; 3 camels and the first giraffe of the show. 1894 Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows. Opened at Baraboo. Wis.. April 28th, a 43 car show. 1895 Ringling Bros Shows. Opened the 'season at Tattcrsall, Chicago, April 6th. Illuminated night parade at Chi- cago was given for 8 successive nights prior to opening. This wan the first illuminated circus night parade ever made in Chicago and the first presentation in a building in Chicago of a circus menagern* and hippodrome. The circus with two rings and one stage was con- ducted with much success. This year the Ringling Circus for I he first time exhibited in Chicago. St. Louis and Boston. It was the first extensive eastern trip. 1898 Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows. Opened a 47 car show at Taiter- sall. Chicago, April 11th. This was the year Barnum & Bidey purchased an interest in the Sells Bros, show, the combination going out as Forepaugh A Sells Bros. This season the Ringling Cir- cus played opposition to Forepaugh Ac Sells in more than 45 stands. 1897 Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows. Opened at Tattersalls, Chicago, April 10th. 53 cars; 22 elephants and .10 cages. 1898 Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows. Opened in Coliseum, St. I»uis, April 11th. The John Robinson Greatest of All American Shows. 0|>ened at Baraboo, Wis.. April 27ih. Robinson Circus property leased by Ringling Bros, and operated for this season. 24 car circus; equip- ment made up In part from Robin- son property and Ringling Bro.i. property. At close of season Robin- yr»n circus property shipped back to Cincinnati. 1899 Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows. Opened at Tattersull, Chicago, April I5th, Washington and Oregon were vis- ited for the first time. The circus put on ipecisvl features, nrnong them -• t;i horse act. Show increased isj Kjv.i' m »i hnaipess Improved. 1900 :!ing Bros World's GHre&test Show i Opened t< Wheeling, W. Va, April »th show traVeied from Atl.inlic to 'xhibded in -« stats*, 2 t*r- mtimted m r>'g*» 25> World's Greatest