The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-18
Former Providence Managers S
Prominence In Vaudeville.
WESTERN MEN SEEKING PEACE.
White Rats Plan to Invats Europa and Join
Hands With Others Across
the Sea.


Efforts are being made by the faction
which Is attempting to control the West.
srn Vaudeville Managers association 20
patch UP a peace which shall be perma-
nent. Kohl and Castle of Chicago have Of
feTed 10 rercind the obnoxious clause IN
their contract which prevents vaudeville
performers from appearing in any other
theatre in Chicago prior to playing in
their houses When c. T. Kohi made
this proposition 10 Colonel John ID. Hop
kins, formerly proprietor and manager of
the old Theatre comiaue NJ this city, he
was met with the fenly that the clause
cat absolutely no figure with the book
ings Of the Hopkins circuit and thls lat
Ter chain of theatres did not care for the
acts which played the Kohl Castle circuit.
Mr. Kohl then. "a In said on excellent au.
lhority, went step further aud ofrerered
the Haymarket theatre I'm Chicago 10 col.
onel Hopkins Mi. Kohl 3. reported TO
nave said that he was going to St Louis
at once and would see what could be done
regarding the turning over OF the Grand
Opera House in hat city 10 Colonel Hop.
Ains and promised to let the manager
know on his return,
On the face OF a. this looks like al arge
size peace Offering. IL Is a matter of com
man report that the Haymarket theatre
hsd been losing proposition ever since
~ came into control of Messrs. Kohl and
tastel. The Grand opera House IN St
louis has been playing combinations and
afsa Is said TO be losing money.
+. HOPKINS HOLDS THE KEY.
Should Col Horhins decide to put stock
companies I'm both OF these theatres il
would throw the burden OF the deal on lis
shoulders NJ the venture proved unfortu-
nate he would he the heavy loser On the
other hand, should IL prove winner. Kohl
and Castle would be rid OF two drains ON
their treasury.and their bank account would
be increased proportionstely by the profits
OF the. houses. So, whichever way the
proposition should end, II would be
money making deal Tor the men who sug-
gested it,
The Western Vaudeville Managers as
sociation was organized IN June. 1900
Each member WAS assessed SIS week for
theatre controlled BY him. The arbi-
trarN manner I'm which the old Chicago
Vaudeville agency WAS run was followed
by the new association and caused fric-
ton which was almost the cause OF dis
solution
IN to three or four years ago. n waa
customary for the old agency "a charge
the performer per cent for booking him
and 20 charge the manager the same
commission for furnishing the act. The
second year j j. Murdoch managed the
Masonic Temple Roof Garden. he an
rounced hstfooted that he no longer
would pay the 3 per cent commission de-
rnanded OF the managers That was the
shrr a.
ed SO much in the last few months that
II is considered doubtful ~ the associa-
ton can survive.
" Is certain the clique realizes that IL
has encountered unoompromising opposi-
tion hv the various efforts II Is making
20 have peace. u will have TO GO 10 great
ct lengths 20 acccmrlish this than n has
ever dreamed. Unless n does so there
VIII he war and no man can prevent II.
WHITE RATS INVASION.
Let London, Parts ana Berlin beware.
Let the variety managers and vaude-
Vile producers have care. bar the sports
or appeal 20 parliament, senate and reich
stag Invasion is threatened which. IL IL
take them unprepared. may mean havoc
20 the peace % mind. ~ not depletion OF
their bank accounts and wreckage of their
business interests. The attacking force
Will come from America he pointediy
1hirty-fryt street and Broadway
The spot Is the present headquarters of
the White Rates. IL Is they who are plan
ming onsla ught upon the strongholds from
which come the majority OF the perform
ers with whom they are compelled 10
compete IN this country
James 7 Powers. the acrobat and gen
eral manager and booking agent of the
Rats. Is booked 10 sail for Europe I'm the
near future for the purpose OF establish
ine branches OF the society In the cities
mentioned and IN any others where II may
seem advisable. The exact date Of
his sailing has not been decided or II
II is, thc secret vet is In keeping OF those
In charge of affairs
This movement has been under consid-
GRAFTON among the chiefs OF the rodents of
several months and vas decided upon as a
necessity In the spriua during the period
when defeetions from the ranks were nu-
merous and often. I; Is taken 20 be re-
suit of the realization that the Rats what
ever their conceit and In spite Of tho as
surauCe ~ their chiefs do not hone 10
control the vaudeville situation in Amer
ics without at the same time having a
masterly grin unon that abroad.