Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-10
The Cost Of Entertainment.

and strain of our active, nerve wear
ing business activities creates. de-
mand for certain amount of relaxa-
ton and recreation. Indeed such re-
spite is an absolute necessity. 1t is
not always within the power, even
when it may be within the means. of
busy man charged with responsible
tiles, and. obliged perhaps to meet
with keen and aggressive competition.
to get entirely away from his cares.
1t is important. however. that ne
should not think of them all the time'
and. especially so that he should not
carry them to bed with him. The re-
pose of restful home may go far to
supply the needed change from life
of ceaseless business activity, but this
is not ALL A change of thought is
often imperative, and the tonic effects
that come from a hearty laugh based
upon temporary forgetfulness of all
earthly cares is frequently of more
value than all the medicines of the
schools Out of this need in our rest
less, active, ambitious life, has grown
an enormous demand for that class of
entertainment that combines, in an
attractive form, the qualities of amuse-
ment The play of the hour may if it
choose, point moral or adorn tale"
but il it be lacking in the qualities of
broad human interest and genuine
humor it is foredoomed to failure.
The day of tragedy is passing away.
same time discriminating public will
not be slow to mark the broad distinc
lions between comedy and farce. There
are tears enough in our brief journey
between the two eternities, without
seeking them in a play house. 1t is
not surprising that the American peo-
pie have said to the tragedian, go,
to, we have troubles of our own."
1t is doubtful if many people have
a very clear idea of the enormous hold
which this passion for amusement has
upon the American people. The New
York Herald, the best authority in the
country upon this question. declares
that the theatres of the country took
no less than 10000, 900 during the dra-
matte season of 1S9S-99. 1t is probable
that the Heralds figures are too con-
sentative, and that large as the
amount is the actual figures will be
considerable in excess of it, In GER
tain large cities the amount has been
obtained with substantial accuracy
Fifteen of them make the following
showing:
Greater New York during the pc
Rod from September to May
next will have paid to it's thea
about $500, 900
The city of Chicago, which is
neither impeeunious nor penu-,
/ rious, but does not pay out more
than 81 to New YOrk'S 50, is
dropping into the theatrical slot !
about 100000
Boston, Notwithstanding its devo-
ton to the lecture room ana
study OF the dead languages, is
paying into the theatres, 100000
Philadelphia during its 4 waking
moments is opening it's pocket
book to the extent of 100000
GA glance at the foregoing fig
ures shows that Greater New.
FORK is paying more for its
| amusements than Philadelphia,
Boston and Chicago combined)
Washington congressman, their
wives, daughters, country rela-
tons and hangers-on are spenu-
ing as much in amusementS as
a congressman would consider
necessary to abstract from the
| River and Harbor bill to open s.
up some back country creek.
In other words, they are indi-
theatres about 100000
totalling up 45O, 900
If Cleveland suffers from a scar
| city of two-dollar bills it is in a
measure due to the fact that
| actors who are SWOOping
through that city are sweeping
1t is some comfort to the house,
holder who has to pay a high
| price for coal to know that the
| Pittsburg barons are surrender
| ing some of their gains to the
| theatres. Pittsburg is giving up 100000
| st. Louis is patronlZing her dra-
| matte houses in the sum total
of 100000
Cincinnati comes along with $4,000
| San Francisco likes to lead In
any statement of big figures.
| but in this list she has to figure
alongside of Pittsburg with 600
| New Orleans is not entirely
| populated by millionnaires who
| spend their evenings in the
| theatres, and some travelling
companies fight shy of the
| Southern city. Nevertheless
New Orleans contributes the
| sum of $50 600
Providence, r.. J., which shares
with New Haven the honor of
being the dog on which
theatrical pieces are tried, pays
for the honor and the amuse-
ment to the tune of 4O0,O 900
Newark, N. j.. is not such very
large place. but she Is spending
at her theatres this season, 800, O0C
Buffalo gets its fair share of
4 first-class attractions from New
York and she contributes in re-
turn the sum of 900. OO(
Total for fifteen cities, SIG, $50, O0(
I Here is more than three fourths OF
} the $2O.0O0,000 in only fifteen cities, II
Is entirely safe to say. that the money
paid for theatrical entertainments in
'cther places throughout the various