Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-12-24

claimed that he could not see the per-
Torrance on the stage owing to the oo-
struction of two immense hats in 'front.'
of him. The gentleman's suit was TO
get back the purchase price OF MS
tickets. A dozen or more OF Dir PARK
er's ingeniously worded articles pertain
ing to the theater and its people have
in their order been the sensation OF the
period through the country. All'these,
which have been hearlded and recou-
riered across the country by means OF
the Associated Press and other medl-
INNS, have in some form or other
mentioned the name of the thedter at
which Mr.. Parker was engaged. The
great fuss and feathers about a year
ago between Lillian Russell and Miss
Ada Rehan regarding the model for the
silver statue of Justice for the Montana
exhibit at the Worlds Fair was instltu-
ted by this virle writer.
Mr.. Parker's superiority as a press
agent lies in the fact that besides MS
other qualifications he has, as maDag-
ing editor might say, "a great nose Ior
news" He goes on the principle that
a press agent is not writer employed
as too many have misconstructed the
title, 'to work the papers," but to act
as newsgatherer for the papers, sta
toned at some particular theater. 10
offer the papers matter written not
only in consistent language but matter
that will be OF interest TO readers. Fol-
lowing this policy ne has probably
gained a position second to no theatrl-
cal press agent in America-and press
agent, in these days when everything
is drawn to a fine science, is most I'M
portant and effective adjunct in running
a modern theater.
In addition to his other duties Mr..
Parker does the newspaper work for
the Haymarket theater and is constant
ly supplying some dozen advance
agents with their seasons press notices.
II is hardly possible to comprehend
the widespread effect of Mr.. Parker's
work. In closing this article regarding
a vocation for writer's that had never
known existed until last summer In
Chicago,I will cite little instance that
happend in our party after we mad re-
turned to New York. We had all
boarded the Lain of the Norddeutsch-
er LLOYD line some two hours before
departure time from pier preparatory
to returning to England and were seat
ed in the cabin chatting of the sights
of the summer.
Suddenly one OF the ladies startled
the entire company by loudly exclaim-
ing: "What do you think? Lillian
Russell whom we saw at the Columbia
theater, Chicago, is going to marry
Sandow, the strong man."
Then ensued perfect fusilade OF
comments by every lady present during
which the Columbia theater, Chicago,
and Lillian Russell, were mentioned
again and again-all advertising for
both institution and singer picked
up the copy Of the New York daily
which the lady had laid down. Sure
enough, there it was, column in length
with these interesting headlines:
"RUSSELL AND SANDOW."
1.-THE most beautiful lOonlGn on the
stage to marry the most perfect man.
That's all right" ladies, thought l,
with q knowing wink to myself as |
felt the movement OF the big ship pull
ing out to sea. you have not investi-
gated the workings of the theatrical
press agent; much less the one at the
Columbia theater, Chicago" But |
bought nearly all the copies Of the New
York paper / could get, just the ssme.
So did dearly everyone in the party.