The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-01-26
Pithy Paragraphs on Very
Interesting Subjects.
FHE NEW LICENSE LAW
Theatrical Agents Protest Against the $50
Fee-County Treasurer Dechsrt Hssita IS
in Euforclng It-Early Candidates Out
For the Fail Campaign.
Special HERALD correspondence.

Special HERALD correspondence.
PorTsvIbLE Jan. 25-There is consider.
able discussion in progress here over the new
theatrical license law, which requires each
travelling company to pay an annual license
fee of $50 for each county in the state
Theatrical advance men who have visited
this town denounce the law in unmistakable
terms and declare that if it is enforced it
will practically close tho theatres outside the
large cities, or counties where there are
several large towns. Companies that msy
wish to comply with the law will be obliged
to squeezs eight or ten days into each county
in order to make the average fee for each
performance somewhere near reasonable or g
and any one with the slightest knowledge of
the theatrical business must know that it
will be almost impossible to do that. The
booking Of companies does not depend
entirely upon the manager Of the company,
that is the arrangement Of dates. He may
have two weeks OF empty dates on his hands
when arranging his tour and to fill them be
obliged TO make two or three for Schuylkiu
county, then Jump into New Jersey for two
or three days, then go into Lackawauna
county and then jump to New York, He
must go wherever he can secure theatre.
Now it might happen that these few dates
would be all a manager would need to FIJI
the season and it is not probable that he
would willingly give 800 for the privilege,
| 1t is much more likely that he would decide
to hold of and watch for accidental openings.
In this way Pennsylvania would lose many
attractions.
On the other hand some people think the
law is a good one, in that it will drive
"barn- stormers" out of the field and leave it
to the legitimate companies
County Treasurer Dechert was asked the
other day if he proposed to enforce the law.
He said he had been advised by his counsel
not to do so until he can learn the result OF
the test cases in Berks, Lancaster and York
counties, where the authorities have at
tempted to enforce the law, but the theatrical
companies refuse to pay up The hitch is on
the question of how the collection of the
license is to be made and the Attorney
Generals decision ON that point has not been
rendered
Although several months must elapse before
the nominations for the fall election can he
made, politics are beginn ug TO boom. Among
the early birds looking for the worms is Hon
Elias Davis He has declared himself a
candidate for Sheriff and he has met with
great encouragement from all parts OF the
county. Davis is a good natured fellow and
cannot help making new friends daily.
Major S, A. Losch is seeking nomination
for State office. Should he fail in that he
will ask to be returned from the Fourth rep.
resentative district. He may be disappointed
in both, as there are a number of men in his
district who want a chance at the shinny,
among them Earl Whitman, Of Schuylkill
Haven, the Majors home; Seth Orme, Of st.
Clair is also candidate for the Legislature.
Ex District Attorney Whitehouse has the
Congressional bee in his bonnet and expects
to start for Kline township in few days to
see how many will stand by him.
Major Fnneys candidacy for Senator in
the Both district means more than shows on
the surface, If he can get the nomination
his election will be assured 1t is a big un-
dertaking, but many here believe it is i'm the
little fellows bones to get there" BUB