The morning call., 1892-09-18


managers" in this city is somewhat similar
to that Of the Philadelphia directors of
amusements. as we learn by public and
private information from the East. In the
Quaker City the managers, as they may
be called, per courtesy, are pretty much in
the same situation as the man in the Ho-
garthisn picture. who undertook TO saw off
the support Of q swinging sign, but who
worked from an inside instead of an out
side point, and when the support dropped
he fell with it and broke his neck.
Now. let US look at the theatrical man.
agerial situation in San Francisco. Here
are five men-Messrs. Bouvier, Gnttlob,
Han. WallenrOd and Stockwell-janitors.
they may be called, and not managers, who
have united to cut their own throats by de-
priving The public Of information concern
ing their business through the best local
advertising medium at command. In
this lnnk- headed quintet we consider
Ar. Loyel r. StOckwell occupies the
most unenvable place. Bouvler be-
longs to the Hayman theatrical syndi-
cate; GOttlob OF the New California is his
me, tOOI WaNenTOd is simply the busi-
ness man of Nike de Young, who, by the
way, is said 10 own q large interest in the
Baldwin Theater as well as being sole pro-
prietOT OF the AlcaZaT, where the aforesaid
NallenTod with the assistance Of that eX-
Cellent actor Mr.. George Osbourne. plays at
management; Hall is nobody, only the
locum tenens Of Michael B. Leavitt. who
Will question his stewardship by and by
Mr.. Alfred B0uvieT is in his small way tile
Machiaveli of this theatrical combine"
for although he has failed in his own per-
sOnal exertiOns, whether as a pseudo man
Gger or as q cauoW politician, he has not
failed 10 gather the other ''managers"-
they are such weak prey, you know par
tieularly Mr. Stock we'll sDugly into his
breeches pocket.
Mr.. StockwelFs position is the most uDen-
Viable Of all the quintet, and for this Tea-
son: When young Mr. Flood took him by
the hand, and treated him so munifcently
il regard to The POwell-street Theater, his
patrons thought and the community also
generally thought we were to have q new
departure In theatrical affairs; that through
I the StOckReil Iheater, and It's strong back
Ing, we could make an escape from the
Hayman- -BOuvleT syndicate that in its pride
Of place. and with its differential tariff
simply offers the San Francisco public, in a
dramatic way, HObson's ehOice-this or
none.
The spck-span new theater opened with
Mr.. Augustln Days company as a sort Of
preliminary canter TO show what the mana
ger intended his race for popularity 10 be.
What have we had since this noble band of
players left US? Echo answers from the
depths Of an empty auditorium. "What :"
The St0ckwell, instead Of being a stroGg and
masteTful opposition to the monopoly across
the street, has degenerated into q tTial-placs
for Mr.. Joseph r. Grismer's so-called new"
plays To still further cut himself of from
free and Independent action. Mr.. Stockwell
strikes hands with the Baldwin Theater
Syndioate, that young Mr.. Flood and dra-
natically tired community considered it was
his mission to oppose. He has become a
cog on the wheel Of Mr.. Hayman's machin-
cry; q portion, to change the figure, Of the
taIl Of a dImsy kite. The question may
very properly be asked young Mr.. Flood.
quoting the baby's eptaph-if Mr. Stock
well. as a manager, is so soon done for,
what on earth Was he begun for?