The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-12-05
DECIDED BY BALLOT
Theatre Performances to Be-
gin at 8 O'clock in Future.
A PERPLEXING QUESTION
Disposed of in Novel Manner
by Opera House Patrons.

The theater-going people Of Wichita de-
clded by a vote of 40 to ia that the cur
lain shall rise at O'Clock instead Of at
BIS as has been the custom heretofore
and in future all performances viii begin
Promptly at that hour.
This novel manner Of disposing OF a
perpIexng question by a vote of the audi
enos was finally determined upon by Mr..
Martung, OF the Crawford opera house.
Only one-haf OF the audience present
voted, the total number being 5l4.
A few days ago Jack Shields circu-
lated the following petition addressed to
Commodore Nelson Of the street car
company;
I'VE. the undersigned citizens Of Wich-
tia, regular patrons Of your street rail-
way and also patrons of the theater in
Wichita, realizing the difficulties of at
tending theatrical performances without
means Of re-conveyance to our homes
after the show. do hereby respectfully
petition you to provide permanent re-
liable car facilities fof performances for
the benefit Of the theater-going public
This document was signed by about 10
prominent residents Of Wichita and then
presented to Nlr. Nelson. The latter
Stated that he would be willing to comply
with any reasonable request Of the pub
lie. put that in this instance he could not
reasonably expect his men to submit to
longer hours. According to the present
schedule the men work eleven hours
each
Commodore Nelson then suggested that
the theater management arrange to be-
gin the performances at o'clock sharp
and that he would then have cars in
waiting for the theat er-goers.
How to satisfy his patrons in this mat
ter was a perplexing proposition for Mr.
Martling., His experience in the the
atrical business taught him that most
theater-goers claim that 1t is impossible
for them to get to a shaw before SIS.
lis desire was TO please his patrons.
Finally he decided upon this novel plan
Of ascertainlng the sentiment of the peo-
pie in the matter. Mr.. Martling had bal
lots printed and placed one in each seat.
When the show was fairly under way
the ushers collected the cards and they
were then counted.
one side Of the ballot read: kindly
MI out and hand to the usher. the hour
you wish performances to begin" on
the opposite was the following addressed:
ITO My Patrons" and signed "E. L.
Martllng":
"A committee representing 200 promi-
nent citizens an dtheater-gcers this week
presented a petition to the management
Of the street railway company requesting
that oompa-y to hold their cars until az
ter performances at this theater. The
stree railway company agreed with the
committee to hold their cars until after
the play, hereafter. provided that per-
formances would begin PROMPTLY at 8
o'clock instead of S:l5 as has been the
custom. The above committee called on
me with reference to this matter and as
this theater is run for the convenience Of
Ats patrons, It is my wish TO ascertain
their preference in this direction. That I
may be informed Of their lshes, you are
requested TO indicate the hour on the re-
verse side OF this card over your sigma
ture, whether o'clock or SIS that you
wish the performances hereafter to be-
gin"
After the result was made known Mr.
Maruing remarked: Wen, that settles
q. You may announce that in future and
beginning with the performance Wednes-
day night. the curtain viii so up prompt
ly at o'clock"