The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-24
no ERECT A STAGE.
Some Of the Best Talent in
Gotham Will Be Present.
, Hay % to May % Are the Dates
Selected for Engagement.

Salina. Kan, April 24.-Salina is pre-
pairing to have a week Of most unique
entertainments which have ever
been given in the west, and from the
present indications, nearly every section
Of the state of Kansas viii be repre-
scented in the large audiences before
which the attractions will be given.
There are two objects in giving this en-
tertainment during the entire week OF
May %, one of them being to let the
world at large know that Salina is fast
becoming a place of Importance on the
map. and the other being to secure
funds to use IN erecting a large con-
Vention hall.
The project has been taken in charge
by the Sunhower Council, United Com
mercial Travellers, and these hustlers
have gone at the work seemingly with
double the energy which the ordinarily
put into selling goods to their custom
ers. The whole plan is not only unique
so far as Kansas is concerned, but it is
believed that nothing of the kind has
ever been attempted in this country
and certainly few cities would have the
courage to undertake an enterprise
planned on such a large scale, and be
ing carried out with so little regard as
to the expense incurred. When the
United Commercial Travellers who
make their headquarters at Salina, de-
termined to give their amusement les
tival, as the monster entertainment is
to be called, they sought the assistance
of some of the leading theatrical man
ayers of the country and laid their plan
before them. The result was that the
association which brings to America
more foreign novelties than any other
managers in this country agreed to un-
dertake the task of getting together
collection of artists who could furnish
an entertainment that could hardly be
duplicated in New York The bookings
for the amusement festival have been
going on for several months, and now
this part of the work has been practi-
cally completed. A number or the ar
fists who win appear are European i'm
portations, and have never been seen in
this country while others will come di-
rect from New York to Salina espec-
tally to fill this engagement. One of the
features of the festival will be splen-
did orchestra, an organization OF super
Tor musicians. under the direction Of
Sfgnor BIicheline Lenge, who is rated
as one of the most gifted conductors in
America.
AS SaIina does not at present boast
of an auditorium which would accom-
mOdate the crowds which are expected
to gather during the amusement festi-
val it has been arranged to give The
entertainment in a huge tent, which is
now being manufactured especially fer
this purpose. This tent is to be pro-
vided by the largest canvas company
in the United States and will be similar
in many respects to the tents used by
the great circuses. A complete stage
will be erected which viii be equipped
with modern and appropriate scenery
and the auditorium will be provided
with numbered seats, the entire seating
capacity being about 5000. The amuse-
ment festival viii begin Monday night,
May ., and there will be an entertain
ment each afternoon and evening for
the remainder Of the week, the festival
closing Saturday night, May q.
The railroads have taken such in
terest in the project that they have ar
ranged to make rate of one fare fer
the round trip. from any point in Kan
sas to Salina that week, and this is
expected to draw thousands of visitors
to the festival. The Commercial Travel
ers have been advertising the festival
far and wide, and the Salina CONNER
cial club, 200 strong, will make a trip
through portions of the state on a spec
ial train for the express purpose Of
erousing interest in the coming event.
Salina is situated near the center of
the state of Kansas. She is the natural
distributing point for a territory over
% 600 square miles in area, a section
that produced over Sc. 900 900 of farm
products and live stock. tt is proposed
to make Salina the play ground of that
territory.
Preparations will be made to take
care of the thousands of visitors which
the festival viii bring, and these viii
not only be entertained in the big can
vas auditorium. but they viii be looked
upon as the eity's guests for the week.