The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-03
NEW" THEATRE STORY.
Story of the Old Crawford Combine
Given Out-NEay Open Grand.

The Crawford theater management
has given out big story of a merger
of the Crawford circuit of theaters and
the Chamberlain Harrington & Co. cir
cult of theaters, which includes between
the two, somewhere in the neighborhood
of 40 theaters. The Crawford manage
ment was careful not to tell when this
merger was made and intimated that
ted.
The public in Topeka has never been
acquainted with the fact that these two
circuits have heretofore been booked in
conjunction, and it looks like news to
many people However, In the theatri--
cal profession, it is no secret that these
two circuits have worked together for
several years, and the great merger"
story which has just appeared in print
does not change the situation from what
it has been.
There has been a runor current in
Topeka that Woodward & Burgess Of
the Willis Wood theater at Kansas City
intend to build a new theater in Tope-
ka. Authentic information is lacking
but indications point to a substantial
ton OF the runor.
There is evidently enough. in the ru-
NOR to have aroused the Crawford man
agement from its lethargy, and in any
event the indications are that Topeka
patrons Of the theater will benefit from
the agitation.
The Crawford story printed Sunday
attempts to create an impression that
if any other theater was opened in To-
pelza it would not be able to secure at
fractions. 1t may be stated to set at
rest any doubts in tpe matter, that If
Woodward & Burgess have decided to
build theater in Topeka or if they
should at any future time decide to
build in Topeka, they will be able to
book the attractions, for the very good
reason that the woodward & Burgess
circuit of theaters is becoming a power
full circuit, and the Woodward & Bur
CESS company have most excellent fin
ancial rating.
Woodward & Burgess have made no
announcement that they intended to
open theater in Topeka, but if they
should, they are deserving of the high
est confidence, as proven by their rec
ord in Kansas City
The theater-g going public of Topeka
has had to put up with lnconVenlenceS
and shortcomings at the Crawford the
ater for so long, and have at the same
time had to pay higher prices than the
people of other cities that a change
should be welcomed. The theater goers
of Topeka have protested long and
earnestly but the disposition of the
Crawford management has not permit
ted an Improvement of the situation.
Nov the Crawford management an
nOunceS that if the people will pay the
bills the Grand will be reopened-that
is subscribe enough money to see some
Dig attIdct!Oll " justly IN t-. !.
opening this house. If the amusement
lovers in Topeka should subscribe to a
fund to be used for any purpose of this
character, they could well afford to take
up a. subscription and build a theater
and present it free to Woodward &
Burgess for they could then rest as
sured that they would have fair dealing.
If the money which the Crawford
management has secured through
charging higher prices in Topeka than
is charged for the same attractions in
other cities could be had. there is no
doubt that it would be enough to build
as fine a theater as exists in this sec
tiOu Of the country.