The Portland daily press., 1899-04-29
OLD DIRECTORS ELECTED
Jefferson heatresstockhelders Discus'
Popular Priced Attractions.

An adjourned meeting Of the stock
holders of the Jefferson theatre was neio
yesterday afternoon st four o'clock In the
theatre building, which was attended oy
about fifty persons. The meeting was
called to order by A. X. Wright, presi-
dent of the board Of directors, aud VIM.
g. Davis was secretary.
A COMMITTEES was appointed to nscer-
tain II the majority nf the stock was
represented and such being the case the
chairman announced that the business
before the meeting was the election of n
board Of directors for the ensuing year.
At this point communication was
read from Theodore G. Woodbury. oriticiz-
ing the management of the Jefferson
theatre for lis failure to bring to the re-
sort more first class attractions and citing
the number of cheap attractions which
had appeared on the stage Of the Jefferson
during the past season.
J O. Hsmlen endorsed the letter and
dwelt upon the fact that the management
was bad In that 1t had provided so many
popular price shows to the exclusion Of
first class attractions.
This attack on the management was
replied to by the several directors and re-
marks we're made by A. X. Wright. II.
p. Cox, w. q. Davis, Z. b. winsIow and
Ammi whitney. They pointed out the
difficulties In inducing first GLASS attrac-
tions to come to Portland on account Of
its geographical location and the expense
involved. Not many concessions were
allowed by the railroads and when a high
priced company played here they could
make the stand only for a night or so. 1t
was entirely different Ia the larger cities
where company could play u long sue
cession Of nights. Again when they
reached Portland there were few plates
beyond to visit and the distances to be
travelled TO reach these places were great.
They emphasized the fact that they
were as anxious for first class attractions
every secular night of the week ss any of
the remonstrants, but there was finan-
oial end to the proposition which must be
considered. Speaking for the manage
ment, the dire otors said that 1t was not
practicable to make tho Jefferson theatre
pay unless popular priced entertai me nts
were given.
AT the time Mr.. Fay was appointed
manager he was unknown personally to
them, and he was selected on the very
strong recommendation of the Frohmans
and other leading theatrical people. The
directors called attention to the fact that
II the stockholders We're dissatisfied a
course was open to them, that Is, II they
wished TO overlook the business end of
the proposition, by appointing ar agent
through whom they might book such at
fractions as they desired, but in this case
the losses would be sustained by the
stockholders for they would thus assume
the practical management.
Ii was called to the attention of the
stockholders that IN these days of
theatrical syndicates 1t was not an easy
matter for manager to book every at.
traction he might wish. A case was cited
where not long ago one of the leading
actors Of the country who was booked at
the Jefferson cancelled his engagement.
This is right which every company pro-
fiueo LUZ III its CuntTdCb, huu WHeu uFst
class company finds it can play to good
business in Boston II will not hesitate to
cancel dates III Maine.
These were among the suggestions
made by the directors, and 1T is safe to
say that during the discussion many of
the stockholders received an illumination
on matters thestIicai which they had
never experienced before.
Col. +. n. Dow, Charles Fobos ana
Others spoke expressing their confidence
in the ability of the directors and their
judgment and said they realized tho diff
cuIties which arose in securing at all
times attractions Of the highest standard
because of the geographical location of
Portland and the comparatively small pop
ulation to draw from
The discussion over. by rising vote the
old board of directors was reelected and
the meeting adjourned.