Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-27
THE ARMY or THE THEsPIsNs.
Ncnrly 100000 Persons Employed in
the Theatres Of the United states.

the Theatres or the united states.
In the controversy ia Congress over
the adoption OF n copyright law a con-
trcvcrsy which eliminated IN the pas
sage of the Draper bin by both branch,o
OF Congress- the statement was made
that there are 500 theatres and opera
houses IN the United States, represent
3, z cost OF from $1,000 70 Sl,Co0.Oo) each.
These theatres employ 1900 persons, ex-
elusive of actors and actresses. Upward
OF 40 manuscript plays. written or own
"a by citizens Of the United States. are
played nightly. They give employment 70
from 500 10 coo actors. The cost of
producing these manuscript plays ranges
from 5000 20 $500 each, and the pur-
pose Of the new statute Is 10 give judges
of the United States courts full jurlsdic-
lion over the matter and 10 make the
penalty imposed IN one circuit operative
anywhere throughout the country for un-
authorized performances.
The number Of actors and actresses In
the United states has increased far more
rapidly than has tho population for q
number Of years past BY the Fedora.
census Of 1870 there were, at that time,
2O53 actors and actresses. BY the census
Of 1850. the number had grown TO ASP.
In 1890 IL was S.Sl5. and Il is now clearly
in excess Of 1900, though the line OF
demarcation between veritable actors and
actresses ard those connected with the
variety profession, AS So is sornetlm-S
called, f. not very clear. About % per
cent. Of the number OF persons describing
themselves as actors and actresses are
directly connected with the performance
Of standard or manuscript plays, ana the
others are employees Of variety theatres,
singers. speciality artists, gymnasts, cir
Gus performers, skaters, or comic Vcca.-
ists I'm the number Of those who are
connected Indirectly with theatrical peg
forfnances. the stage hands are TO be
considered as quite factor for though
IL il popularly considered that the stage
hands are supernumeraries, not TO be
recognized by any mel ion on the play
bills. the fact IS that they are, all OF
them. I'm the best theatres practical car
renters. IT is very difficult 10 make an
accurate and comprehensive statement OF
the number OF those who are employed
directly and indirectly In the theatres or
this country. The actors and actresses,
of course are an easily ascertainab!e
quantity, but I'm addition 10 the stage
hands. OF whom an accurate estimate may
be made. there are the supers, male and
female, the theatre orchestra players the
enplovees Of the theatre box-ofiices, the
doorkeepers. jauitors. advertising agents
and assistants; the ushers; the gas men,
and their assistants; the property men, the
scene painters and assistants, the chorus
singers male and female, and the man.
aerial star. made up of business man
ayers, advance agents. stenographers
secretaries. dramatists' helpers and
seene shifters. Il would probably be safe
TO say that the number OF those who
draw their livelihood from the theatres
and opera houses in the United States Is
nearer 10000 than 5000. and AT the pres
emf ratio of increase IL may be consider
ably more before the next national CEN