The morning call., 1893-06-09

variety show people. He discusses the
subject daintily and philosopbically.
II very seldom go near the theater in
the daytime, anyhow.
I'm down at my pretty little farm near
Mayfed. That's where all the high-toned
people llve-down that way in Menlo Park
and Maytield. OF course, | know all the
variety theater men, but L amt exactly
one of them. My educatio hasn't fitted
me for il.
I've run the Bella Union for seven
years, and Eve run it well. Ask Chief
Crowley If l haven't. It's got a world
wide reputation. Close it down after all
these years? The Bella Union closed
Heaven forbid! Pll run it; run it BY law
and order. | never kick at ordinances.
Ask the Chief If l have. I'll simply tear
everything up, increase the size of the
floor, keep my bar in there. employ only
men walters, bill such plays as the Wig
wan and OrpEeum people do, cater to a
stag crowd, and comply to the letter with
the law. My big money-ma aking days are
over; but there's an old saying If YOU
can't hold down thiriy-doliar job take a
filteen-dollar job I'll go into it for all
it's worth. and see If / can't make a
several people to look after. and do lot of
big charity work, on the side. that nobody
knows anything about. | was the only
man in this business that contributed any
thing to the Actors Relief Society fund.
Mrs. Grover Cleveland and Mrs. a. M.
Palmer are the heads of it. | have
these two ladies' letters. l am recognized
by them as one of the leading theatrical
men IN the country.
"Of course / shan't attempt to attract
women audiences. AS l said before, IN
cater to a stag audience. | know very
we'll that the name of the Bella Union will
keep women out.
aip
Makes considerable changes in things''
Foster lighted twO-bit cigar and smoked
meditativeiy, and in that condition of mind
which is superinduced by the soothing
weed, he continued his analysis of the situ-
alton.
II might take the bull by the horns, like
some OF the people are trying to do" and
Mr.. Foster cooked one eye contemplatvely
of the propriety of taking that liberty with
the animal men toned.
But, no. When a mans In Rome he
oughter do the same as the Romans. Pm
aw-abiding cilizen-ask Crowley if |
ain't-and I'll obey the law, but | can't
make living outside of the theatrical
business. Fancy me climbing step-,add er
carrying hod to the top of the Mills
building; besides. my early trainings $
against il. / can't saw wood because NV
education don't admit of it.
II never had to produce twelve property
owners, as the other people did, simply be-
cause l never kept a disorderly house.
Ask Father Montgomery. He went to
Chief Crowley at my request and asked
him about me. The Chief said he had had
less trouble with the Bella Union Theater
than any other theater in San Francisco.
with the exception OF couple of Niger
comedians and one speciality man FL have
ali new people. I've imported those Hula
dancers from Honolulu. They're under
contract to play six months at 5000 week
Here's all the correspondence. OF course.
they'll have to draw it mild. My, couldn't
they make 1t a corker if they wanted to-?
But law and orders my motto. Ask Chief
Crowley.
''Of course I've known it was coming for
long time.
Quite awhile ago the Chief said to me
one day, Ned he says-calls me Ned
Ned says he. are you aware that your
duration of life in that line of business is
exceedingly short :?
"'fes. Chiei.' says. I am. know it's
only question of time
Yes he repeated, it's only question
OF time before you'll have 10 close down
on this woman business
1t will be hard on the women at first.
Two hundred and four were supported from
my place. Some of the women can't paw
their board and their baggage is held. But
they'll all have to get different kind of
work, and gradually thingsll be readjusted
again, suppose.
MY education never fitted me for such
business, but it was more remuneratiye
than anything else [ struck, so went in
1t. However, among my highly respect