The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-26

A CHINESE THEATER.
One of Wong Chin Foo's Schemes that May
Possibly Be Realized.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, Sept. 25-There is some talk OF
Chinese theatre in New York, and it seems more
than probable that the schemes which have been
seething in Wong Chin Foo's brain for the past
two years will be materalzed. Wong Chin Foo
is Mongoian Yankee He is the clever young
Chinaman who started the Chinese American.
He is contributor TO the New York press and
student in the office of W. E. S. Fales, the legal
lumnary who has charge of all the law business
of the Chinese residents of New York and vicin-
ity, and the only American lawyer who has
learned the mysterious language of the Mongol
There are about eight thousand Cinnamon in
New York, Brooklyn. Jersey City and the vicin-
ity, who for business or pleasure seek the classic
shades of Mott street. Wong Chin Foo has long
argued that a Chinese theatre would be
a paying investment, but as the scheme
would require the outlay of between $500
and 500 000 Chinese capitalists have not
been eager to listen to him. The Chinese
chant Is cautious fnancier, and while Vat
Sing. of Chatham square, and Wo Kee, of Mott
street. are both merchants worth about quarter
of a million apiece, Wong He Chong is an i'm
porter and two millionaire, Tom Lee, Quong
Hung Long and Tuck High are each worth over
$l00, 600, they prefer, as a general thing, small
and sure profits to larger and less certain returns
upon their investments. There are some excep-
tions TO this rule, however, an example of which
came under my observation last Nav. There
was a>aEdorful catch of mackerel, and fourteen
millions OF mackerel were thrown upon the New
York market in one day. Prices dropped from
ten cents pound to one and half cent a
pound, and then to five mackerel for a cent
Over million were not used, but we're thrown
into the river by wastefu community.
When the price becape low Chinatown was ex-
cited and changed into the busiest beehive
ever saw. A Chinese syndicate purchased about
four millions of the fish, and for a week China
canned mackerel, soused mackerel and
dried mackerel The investment, includ-
ing the hoodlums they hired, was inside
of $40, 600. and in less than sixty days the pre-
pared fish were sold for $3.50. 000 This was all
profit to Chinese investors, for so far as | know
no American took advantage of the fall in price
But to return to the theatrical scheme. Wong
Chin Foo PROPOSES to hire and remodel a build
ing on Mott street. import company of actors
from China and put on Chinese dramas in true
Celestial style. In Chinese theater there is
little cost for scenery, but the costumes
always magnificent and expensive The
company always includes number of expert
tumblers and iugglers and the play lasts from
four to ten weeks. like serial story, beginning
with the habyhood of the hero. and continuing
to his death. All these preparations cost money,
but | fancy that in New York where the people
are always on the lookout for novelties, it might
slarge Chinese patronage, but it would attract
sight seeing New Workers as WELL AT all events.
the interchangeable little Wong has succeeded in
interesting several very heavy capitalists. and we
shall probably see Chinese theater in New
York early next year. ALLAN FoRMAN