Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-08-07

the iron industry, and hence wages
are good and there are no strikes We
also find out about pay days in manu-
featuring towns. You see we have
all such matters to consider. But to
continue on our route. From Wash
ingten we go to Baltimore. Then we
strike for the southwest as follows:
Pittsburg, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and
Louisville. Kansas City comes after
Louisville"
isn't that big juupi'
Yes. It's very big jump, and one
I wouldn't make ordinarily. But this
star always does a rushing business in
Kansas City. The train for Kansas
City leaves Louisville before our peri
Torrance is over. So have arranged
with the passenger agent to mold
it. In this way we save a
days stop over in Louisville. Our
next stop is st. Louis, and then we
work south as follows: Nashville,
Memphis, New Orleans, and several
Alabama towns Then we work our
way north through Georgia, South
Carolina, and Virginia, our last
southern stop being Richmond, where
we go to New York again for our
wind up. From Augusta, Ga, we
make detour to Jacksonville. This
place is crowded with northerners
during tie winter. 1t has new thea
ter, and the manager wants this star
so much that he is willing to guaran-
tee us certain profit. We take a
special train from Augusta to Jack
sonville and from there to Savannah.
But if you have to make routes for
sixteen attractions" said the reporter.
81 should think the late corners
would be hard to satisfy"
'There are no late eomers among
my regular sixteen attractions, because
l book them all in December for the
next year. Besides the routes differ
in character Here, for instance, IS a
route for a play in which a we'll
known actor starred up to last season.
He takes another play this season, so
his old play goes on the road without
him. That route doesn't take in a
single large city. 1t is confined 10
towns which are one or two night
stands. OF course, some managers
come to me too late. They have to
take what they can get. They are
oblighed to jump all over the coun-
try, and are put to great outlay for
transportation. Then again 1t may
happen that some combination goes
to pieces. In that event these Late
corners may get 9 good route after
all"
How do you manage the advertis-
ing for your attractions while en-
route2"
''That is provided for in the con
tract. l have printed form which,
when filled out, is contract between
my attractions as party OF the first
part and the theater as party OF the
second part. The attraction agrees to
furnish the acting company, advance
printing, aud stage performance for
(usually) 20 per cent. of the gross re-
celpts. The manager agrees to fur
the theater, well lighted, warmed,
and cleaned, with scenery and equip,
ments according to plots furnished,
stage hands, ushers, property man,
and assistants; janitors, ticket sellers,
supers, ballet, calcium lights, pro-
grammes. billboards, frst>class Or
chestra, or, if impossible to secure an
orchestra, first class piano and plan
list; doorkeepers, licenses, advertising,
stage furniture, and properties"
81 suppose you consider, in making
up your routes, how the attractions
did the previous seasons9"
Yes, l have a book with the re-
ceipts of every performance"
''Are not some sections of the coun-
try better TO show in than others?"
maine and New Hampshire are
poor states, aud in Vermont there are
only three good show towns. Of
course the country is thickly p0pulat-
ed in this section, and here there are
no long jumps But the west and
south are equally amusement-loving.
and if there were as many cities and
towns in those sections as in this, they
would be as good from theatrical
point of view. But let me tell you
one thing. The west and south will
stand only first class attractions. You
can't palm off anything second class
on them. Anybody who tries /: will
be truly routed.