Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-18
PORTLAND CHAT.
Continued from page W

only son of the late Judge William
Writ Virgin. for many years one of the
justices of the Maine supreme court.
Mr.. Virgin is a graduate of Yale. He
is popular young man. This is his
first year as the president of the Lin
coin CLUB.
Just now. and in fact for several weeks
past. il has been the case. there is amt .
Il merry war in progress between the two
theatres of the metropolis of the State
The trouble began almost at. the very
start of the amusement season this vear
and every day since it has been assum
ing sharper proportions. The greatest Of
competition mas been aroused between
the two houses and at this date it looks
as If the contest might lie prolonged un
Ill the close Of the season next sDring
IN The meantime the amusement lovers
are bein" provided with more attractions
than ever before, there having been very
lew nights thus far this season when
some kind of show has not been on the
boards either at the jefferson or at the
Portland.
For years Portland clamored for q
handsome new theatre. and after much
tttlk ana effort. that fond hope was al
last realized by the building OF the ele
CANT Jefferson at the corner of Free and
oak streets. This theatre was opened
TWO years ago last September and
lease OF five years with the privilege If
renewing Tor another term of three or
I'VE years, was awarded to the firm nf
Fay Brothers x Hosford, who have for
several years been the proprietors of the
leading amusement house at Lowell
Mass. $500
When the jefferson was buiIt every.
body in Portland believed that it would
ne the only place where performances in
the dramatic line would be held in Port
land. 1t was supposed that of course the
Ola Fort and theatre which h1
nlnS Tor the last % years in the block at
the corner Of Congress and Preble
streets. would be closed within a short
time. But it has not shut up shop Just
Yet. and the proprietor, eX -Alderman
Rounds. and his manager, NJ. j. Clarity.
say that they have no intention of doing
any such thing. Soon after the Jeffer.
son had begun business. the Portland
was devoted to vaudeville and popular
priced attractions, and this policy has
been followed, although there have hean
number of entertainments for which
higher prices have been charged Toward
the close of the season. last spring the
m hagement of the Portland rushed in
me repertoire companies with a fury
intSe rep agSreSatiOns had no trouble
in drawing full houses and they also had
ne me eject Of cutting into the business Of
the jefferson. especially whenever il han.
pened thlt only attractions of a mediocre
character would be on at the new house
There Were faint murmurings even then
that the two rival houses We're not doing
mad also begun to trOt a number of the
popular priced attractions into its house
II any attempts were made to get to.
gether. they signally failed and an no
gotiations to pursue a friendly course
when the season should begin this wear
also met with failure.
The Portland nagement announced
that they intended to follow the course
that they had set up, and during the
summer an outlay of considerable money
WAS spent in making the Portland more
nj s-Igrff "A n tIsY ~ \
worhmen was kept busy for several
weeks. the most important addition being-
an entire new set of upholstered chairs.
the same as those i'll the jefferson. The
present day theatrical patrons seem IL
prefer the popular priced rcpertolre
shows and the Jefferson managers realize
this as wei as anybody. In order, there
fore. to save themselves. they have been
literally obliged to bring these combina
tions to n" jefferson theatre. Their line
Of reasoning - that the people have been
patroniZing the Portland to such an ex-
tent that he audiences which have at
tended performances ut the jefferson
when there have been high priced shows
have been diSguStingly small. The Jeffer.
bring 4 good company to Portland ana
that 1t is necessary "a charge a high
scale Of prices, But II the patronage is
poor. what them Why. the house must
have attractions in which profits can be
realized. II is reported, this week. that
the Jefferson recently had number Of
c"lled to give way To- the popular priced
At periodical stages the report is indus
triouSly circulated that the present man
ayers Of the jefferson are abou, to witE
draw their lease and entirely retire from
the field in Portland. Then ii Is that the
newspaper men hustle about u intervie"
the directors and ask personal questions
at the box office. There has never been
In these reports and little doubt
is felt regarding the likelihood of the
Lee
Col. Arthur NJ. Soulc. the suburban 70.
porter of the Press became a benedict,
Thur-day night,
\ lobster combine to fix the rates to he I
paid to the smackmen has been made by /
the Portland dealers. this week. For |
wears the Smackmen have practically die :
tated prices in the Portland market and
now the dealers have come together for |
advantage.
probably begin next week. Manager |
Burnham is OF. the opinion that this sport
will make big nit in in P Por{Iand tn,at,o
Club will produce another opera, this |
winter. Last winter the club gave TIL
Prince of Polillo" and made Favorable |
impression. The book was written by |
Walter [. Emerson of the Advertiser. |
Not a team which it has encountered !
has been able to score against the foot
ball eleven of the Portland Athletic Club. |
represented Portland on the gridron.
Within a few weeks arrangements will
be made for the annual banquet of the |
Lincoln Club which will come off on the
evening of Feb. Il. the birthday Of the
martyr President
There has been an unusual scarcity Of
fish at this port and. Tuesday, the fish
dealers became considerably alarmed over
the situation. On Wednesday, however.
several coasting vessels arrived and the
anxiety of the dealers was somewhat re
lieved. For a number of days past there
has not been a pound of haddock brought
into the Portland market.
~ b,c haan ~ S1piuhinp here vet.