The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-19

play will be in Lincoln, Neb., next
\ week at the same prices charged in
Pueblo.
Another aggravating feature of the
| unfortunate condition of things in To-
peka in this respect is that back of l.
| NJ. Crawford. with his treatment of the
ment prices and comfort and safety, is
the richest man in town, John r.
Mulvane. If Mr.. Mulvane raised
his voice and demanded that Crawford
right in the matter of prices and open
the Grand opera house in the interest
of safety the thing would be done.
The State Journal long ago criticised
adversely the Crawford opera house
management, the plays so often pro-
duced therein and the prices charged,
and extortionate methods adopted by
the theatrical management in this city.
This, of course, naturally made Craw
ford angry at this paper. but the State
Journal believes it has a duty to per-
form to the public, rather than to the
amusement syndicate. 1t is no secret
that the paper by its criticism and OBJ
jections to the Crawford methods has
incurred the i'll will of the Crawford
management. This goes without say
ing. This paper refused to give free
which it thought its readers were en-
titled, in certain announcements, par
ticularly on the Saturday dramatic
page about forthcoming attractions.
sufficient remuneration for a large
amount of free advertising and a small
amount of paid advertising.
This paper also objected to the
charge by Mr.. Crawford to the theatri-
cal companies for advertising space at
a rate rs per cent higher than the rate
Crawford paid US for the same space
and refused to quote companies such
rates to enable Crawford to make a
profit on the advertising. This paper
also published facts in advance of per-
formances that prices charged here were
higher than rates charged elsewhere
and refused to say that certain coming
attractions were first class when they
were known to be second or third class.
These beliefs on the part of the State
Journal and these expressions of its
knowledge have brought about the an
nouncements for months past on the
Crawford billboards and on the Craw-
ford theater programmes that 1--WE do
not advertise in the State Journal"
Other papers may keep silent about
the danger of the Crawford opera
house. other papers may continue to re-
frain from informing their readers that
Topeka must pay S1.50 for attractions
which are given in other cities for $1.00,
but whether Mr.. Crawford advertise in
the State Journal. or does not advertise
in the State Journal. We intend to deal
fairly with the public and also with
him; for we claim that it is not unfair
ness to the amusement syndicate to
point out its shortcomings and unjust
treatment of the public, to which it has
some obligations unfuldlled.
In December and January last follow
ing the IroquoiS tragedy the State
Journal called attention to the menace
of the Crawford opera house to the
amusement public.
An investigation by Fire Marshal
George o. Wilmarth, City Engineer ].
f. McCabe and committee of citizens
showed a deplorable state of affairs. |
in
port made to the mayor and city coun-
ell. This report stated the significant
fact that if all the changes suggested
should be made, the committee would
NOT have your honorable body con-
slider that if these improvements should |
be carried out that we then deem the
building in absolutely safe condition. |
The suggestions given are for the elimi- |
nation OF THE MOST GLARING DE-
FECTS DISCOVERED"
Think of that kind of whitewash of
a public place of amusement-the only |
open opera house in city of 10000 free |
Deoplei
What did the mayor and council do
later?
They lodged; and by resolution Jan
uary Goth, authorized the fire marshal
and city engineer to allow the opera |
house to be used whenever in their |
judgment 1t was safe
The opera house is thus in use today |
by authority of the fire marshal, who !
knows the place cannot be made safe /
complete remodeling and who {
knows that it ought to be condemned
as an opera house and turned into Of
fees or rooms wherein great crowds
could not congregate.
If there should be disaster there the
mayor and council would shift reSpon-
sibility on Wilmarth and Wilmarth
would probably say I saw that Craw-
ford carried out the committees rec
of changes-but the
reader knows what the committee said.
1t is quoted above.
All of these things have naturally
created friction between this office and L
the local theatrical syndicate and such
things will always create friction until |.
the public is treated fairly and square
Crawford Amusement syndicate over
Topeka papers is illustrated week
after week by the glowing announce
ments of inferior attractions; by the
shows that are coming, although these
same shows are sometimes ridiculed
oy the same papers after the shows
nave gone and when no effect on the
oox office is possible.
The newspaper situation is further
Illustrated by the following paragraph
which appeared in a Topeka paper a
'ew days ago: Richards & Pringle's
ninstrels played their annual engage
nent at the Crawford last night. They
nave rather better show than usual
his year. Richards & Pringle's show
S about the best of the popular price
Minstrel companies that come this
way regularly
What were the facts: In the first
place, this show did not play it's "an-
lual engagement at the Crawford last
hight" as the notice was prepared
n advance and was published before
he show was given. In the. next
place, Richards & Pringle's is not one
# the ''best of the popular priced min
trel companies coming this way"
lnless il is admitted that few good
popular priced minstrelS come to To-
,eka now under existing conditions. !
rhe show is inferior, a cheap affair !
nd one which covers what is known ;
IS the kerosene circuits.