The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-21
PRESS AGENTS ROUND TABLE.

Charles F. Towle, the business manager
OF the Klaw & Erlanger opera Com
pany. which will present De Koven ami
Smiths new comic opera. Foxy CUTLER.
at the Columbia tomorrow. is for er
Washington correspondent. ha,irg repre-
scented the Boston Traveller" here for
many years. This is his sixth season
with Klaw and Erlanger. Speaking Of
newspaper men in the theatrical business.
he says:
There have been great changes in thu
business department of the theatre.
well-as behind the footligl,s Gu ing r.
cent years. You seldom see the clG-i.ne
advance agent, with his frilled sh.rt AID
blazing diamonds. 1 do not r ell N r
than one or two who are active in the
business. Now, the success u heat c..
producer looks to the newspa,ie. offices
for his advance men, not because CT he
fact that they are trained witt rs If pr
else. concise, and correct En- slisi, al
though this is absolutely niece ssa y; no.
because they are familiar with tie inner
workings of newspaper office, although
that is valuable; but because they are
fertile in expedients, active, clever
prompt. and know how to do things. Mr.
-
paper man. formerly connected Win the
Louisville Courier Journal and there
are scores of others who never f irly get
over the fascination of the smell # INK
and paper and the scurrying Of the roach
across the half-finishcd copy.
''Kirke La Shelle. the manager of Frank
Daniel. Princess Chic Arizona, and 9TH
er plays came from the Chicago press.
Wilbur NJ. Bates, of the Klaw & Erlanger
foT nd of fho and iys,f
est minds in the business was for years
the star reporter of the Boston Her
add Francis O'Neil. Charles Froh-
mans general representative. Charles
Miller, of the Adventure of Francis
Company and Willard Holcomb are all
former Washington newspaper men. Joe
Langdon. of the Willie Collier Company,
Is an old New York Sun man, as is also
Charles B. Dillingham;, the manager of
Julia Marlowe. Bruce Edwards, manager
of the Kelcey-Shanncn Company, was the
best city editor that Hartford ever had,
end l could go on almost indefinitely, SO
l think We may fairly assume that, as far
as the business department of the thea
tire is concerned, the newspaper man has
arrived.
ITO sum 1t up. the qualities which at
tract the theatrical manager are the
newspaper mans adroitness. his sang
froid. his experience with all sorts of
conditions of men, his ability to work quiz
city and accurately, and above all his 10y
atty, which no one outside of the craft
will ever appreciate or understand"
Thomas Namack, who is in the city max
ing known the coming of Hearts are
Trumps" 10 the National Theatre tomor-
row night tells OF an experience he had
some years ago in a small town in Indi-
ana-another hotel episode. The town is
known to students Of geography as Valpa-
raise and Mr.. Namack was called to the
town on account of the fact that the COM
pany he was plotting that season to sue
cess was due to commence its season in
the Hoosier village. In Valparaiso. there is
but one hotel. Having had experience
with country hotels before, the manager
enQuired how late the hotel was kept open.
we close at midnight" replied the pro-
prietor, but a man stays In the Office all
night and will open the door whenever YOU
ring the bell.''
After the performance, Mr.. Namack and
the author OF the piece went to a restau-
rant where they discussed the play till
after o'clock. Then they returned to the
hotel They rang the bell. No response.
They kicked upon the door and still no
signs of an answer. They rang and kick
ed and shouted, but all in vain. Finally.
Mr.. Namack tried window and found IL
open. Through it he and the dramatist
entered and went into the Office, where
they found man sound asleep in a chair.
Mr.. Namack shook him roughly.
What's up" said the man, still only
half awake. whats the natter"
Matter" replied Mr. Namack. Every
thing is the matter. Why didn't you an
swer that belly"
We'll. why in thunder should 1?'' was
the reply. I'm not the clerk I'm wait
ing Tor him. He's gone upstairs"
Frank C. Bancroft, well known LEGALLY
as the manager Of the Cincinnati Baseball
Club. and at present here as the business
representative of the Ramblsrs' Bur-
lesquers. Manager Kernan's attra ton
for this week. was once the advance gent
OF small circus, and tells an amusing
experience he had In a small town in
Arkansas. He had arrived at the town of
Lonoko. and at once repaired to the
Lonoko House, which was situated on
the outskirts of the town, near the rail-
road station and en- the bank CT stream
After registering and imprinting the
name Of his circus after his name Mr.
Bancroft sought to impress the hotel
proprietor with his Importance, and in
cidentally to curry favor he wrote pass
for the hotel proprietor and his family
for the show. After dinner, which con-
sisted principally of side meat and corn
bread. the hotel man, wishing to recip-
rocate Mr.. Bancroft's favor, said:
Stranger, is thar anything we uns kin |
do fob you-all?"
Thinking to confound his host. the |
Snowman answered: |
wal. yes, come TO think CT 1t: I'd like |
to have a BATH |
The proprietor let his feet drop from |
the railing upon which he had hoisted |
them, went into the house, and returned \
in a moment with huge tin cup full of 1
soft soap. a rough towel, and PICK and /
shovel. which he offered to his gu ST.
Whats the pick and shovel for?"
asked the circus agent.
= We'll. stranger" answered the land /
lord. 9TH watuh's low and you-all II |
hev to dam up the creek
nnry,r,v