Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-01

ever tried.
A writer in the Denver Republican,
predicAting his remarks on the statement
by Mr.. Al Hayman that during the last
season SIS, 900, 600 was spent by the Ameri-
can public on theater-going, half Of it in
New York, complains that the west has not
had its share OF the good things. and
blRmes the syndicate" for the existing
conditions. 1t may be THAI in some meas
ure the so-csf1ed theatrical trust lie to
blame. but the main difficulty seems TO
lie in the fact that the west" is really too
far west. Around New York the world OF
the stage ~revolves. We may cavil and sheer
If we like. snort II we wish and swear IL
we want TO. but the stubborn fact remains
that in New York the stars can find ample
opportunity for the display Of their talent
and liberal support during sll the time
they care TO remain on the stage each sen
son. Long tours are no longer required.
A circle with Chicago in the west, st. Louis
In the south and Biston in the east will
cover the larger cities Of the country, and
the great stsrs OF the theatrical world can
easily find therein employment for years
without ever thinking Of the real west.
much less visiting It II is not pleasant
10 think Of this condition. much less admit
that 1t is true. but true it is. Western
people have humbled themselves to the e1-
tent Of holding out their dollars to tempt
the stars, and without avail. Eastern
money lie just as good as western. and so
long as It can be had without the exertion
needed to corral the western cash. so long we
will have to put up with what we are now
having. Omaha has no especial occasion for
complaint on this score. for during the last
season we had the greatest Of the English
-
musicians. with many OF the better grade
OF modern plRys and players. We have had
q decided advantage OF Denver'tn this re-
gard. And while our local theatrical
"bookings" are still the result Of the ap-
'portionment made by the New York syndi-
cate We have the best that have come west
Manager Burgess Is assured by his New
York agents that the next season viii not
be behind the last in point OF %brtlliGney.
Many a time and oft has the syndicate
been rallied against because. forSooth, II
has measured art from the box once stand
point. n why shouldn't it? Hath not
Art all the material needs OF q corporal
bodyf Must not Art be fed and clothed.
and housed, and even be trieked out in raj
msnt Appropriate TO its appearance in pub
licf And where. pray. ehAn Art find the
v~herewithal TO procure all OF this that IL
necessary for its sustenRnce and adorn-
ment. II II be not from the box once? We
may be told that true Art, like Charity. 10
not pulled up. Co to; yea. go three and
take a jump at thyself, on, foolish one!
Not pulled up. sAyest thoug And prithee.
what did you call Il when Edwin Booth re-
eeiTed $1,000 for each performance, long
before the theatrical trust wa dreamed up.
And what Of Joe Jefferson. and Billy
- 81
that long list? Did they not measure art
with q golden yard stick? And why
shouldn't theyi They were all in immedi-
ate and constant need Of all the things that
money viii buy. and their only way Of get
ting the money was through the box onnces
To-Day. more than ever. is money needed e
carry on the presentation Of a play. MorS
people are employed. as high IL not higher
salaries are paid. while the scenic invest.
ture Is sumptuous beyond the most am.
bilious EFFORT made in the days prior TO The
syndicate" Even second and third rat
plays are nowadays staged with an elab.
orateness and fidelity 10 detail a few year
ago ~unthought Of. All this costs money
n unless this money can Be secured
through the box once It is not forthcoming
Therefore the box once measurement o.
art Is not altogether indefensible; in fac
II appeals rather foreibly to the business
instinct IL Is all very well 20 AFFECT mo-
% notice the sOrdid details in the presenta,
uon Of a play. but the butcher. the bake
and the eandlesuek maker must be settle,
with by the syndicate just the same as b!
ordinary people. Box once" merely meani
business management. which is Absolutell
essential 10 success In these oommereia
days.
COminE Events.