Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-06-05
MUST GO.
Decree Against
transformers.
- .~@
Theatre Managers In
Convention Here
Forming Protective and
Fraternal League.

If transformers have ever regarded
Ohio as gullible and fertile field. they
are now about to witness the setting
of the sun on their last day, Good
plays must be played good, and moth
ing but substantial good" In either
case will be considered.
Managers of Ohio theatres. outside
of Cleveland and Cincinnati, con-
vcned here at > o'clock this afternoon,
in the Grand Opera house, for the
purpose of effccting an organization
to protect themselves from the wiles
of the travelling manager, TO secure
only the best attractions Obtainable
for one-night stands, and to merit and
maintain the confidence OF patrons.
BY means of the organization the peo-
pie will be spared fro mthe imposi-
tlons of the professional puff" writer's
attached to the aggregations, who onf
paper cause show Of the most in
ferior quality TO overshadow Shake
also insure fairer treatment to good
shows that have not the advantage of
many years before the public. If up.
on first trial it is shown that the at
traction is full of merit. II will be
taken up and given the stamp Of
approval. If, however bad show
has accidentally crept into the en-
gagoment of date, 1t gets no further.
Other theater managers are notified 10
cancel the date the company may
have with them.
There are many problems to solve.
For instance the managers object to
the inequality Of the war tax burden
placed upon Them Small and large
theaters nike must pay a, tax of
500, This is believed unjust. and an
attempt will be made to have the
tax distributed among the play houses
according to their ability to bear it.
Prominent attractions that book for
six months ahead, and then cut out
dates according to their own conven.
ience are to receive due consideration.
Plans are to be formed to compel theln
to live up to their contracts.
1t has been suggested that book
ing agency he established In Ohio,
with headquarters located centrally
possibly at Columbus--for the purpose
Of investigating shows and supplying
the various theaters of the state with
attractions that have proven them
selves first-class. Booking done here
tofore through Klaw e. Erlanger, OF
New York, has proven so satisfactory,
as to suggest the advisability Of an
Ohio agency.
A complete code of bylaws and rules
will be adopted during the convention.
If the organization is completed as
planned, it will be the result of ef-
forts on the part of Mr.. T. X. AL
baugh, manager Of the Grand Opero
house, this city. 1t was he who sug-
gested and started the movement, and
he has received letters from all Of the
l25 managers In the state, commend
ing the plan and encouraging the Or
ganization. OF the 125 managers. only
have written or telegraphed that
they can't attend the convention, but
their best wishes have been sent.
Headquarters for delegates have
been arranged at the Empire house.
There are 20 managers Of theaters
present at the meeting. Todays work
being merely of preliminary char
acter, it was not expected that the at
tendance would be large. However.
there is a great deal of Of enthusiasm
among those who are here and 1t ia
believed the attendance tomorrow will
be large.
Promptly at 145 o'colck Managep
4. X. Albaugh called the meeting to
order. and was unanimously chosen
president of the convention. He out
lined the objects of the meeting ana
read number of letters from mana
gers who could not be present, but
who stated they were willing to Join
the organization and do their best to
materialize its plans. Expressions
were obtained from the Managers
present, all of whom believed perma.
ncnt organization is needed.
With reference to the war tax of $1O0
on theaters, il was stated that the tax
Is imposed only upon such theaters
as are in towns whose population ex,
ceeds 25,000.
After outlining the object of tha
meeting and discussing 1t briefly. the
managers enjoyed an outing to Silver
Lake. This outing was suggested by
alr. Chas. F. Collins, of Tiffin. O., who
Is manager OF the Noble Opera house
at 1iffiu, and the Wilbur opera house.
at shelby.
"ln 1894" said Mr.. Collins. "I taught
"a swimming class at Silver lake, and
during my stay there, I had as one of
my pupils, Eta Reed, daughter of
the late Judge Reed. OF Rsvenna. She
is now the wife Of Corse Payton, a
theatrical manager of Boston. I
taught her to swim her first mile, and
she was very timid about making the
attempt"
Mr.. Collins has been in 81 SWIM
ming pDntnato mud vintn, Ia, ,,o,,.i..