The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-15
OUR IOCAI, THEATFR.

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The disgraceful, shameful and dan
gerous conditions existing in this city
in connection with theatrical entertain
ments are just now especially note
worthy. An attempt viii be made next
Monday evening to present grand opera
in the Crawford upstairs theater. Think
of it, There viii doubtless be a large
audience. The hunger and appetite of
Topeka people for high grade amuse-
ment must be gratifed, even at long in
tervals. The cravings Of the stomach
will induce people to take great risks
for the necessary food. The same is
true to a certain extent In satisfying
the desire for amusement, entertain
ment and instruction. Still there are
hundreds Of people in Topeka who will
not go to the Crawford opera house.
even to hear an occasional good at
traction which is booked for that fire
trap.
The spectacle of undertaking to pre-
sent grand opera in a house with such
contracted sittings, small stage, I'M
kempt dressing rooms and uncornfort-
able and dangerous conditions generally
is one which causes Topeka to be
ashamed of itself Little towns which
we are wont to class as being on the
tank circuit have creditabIe opera IA
cilities. Topeka has no theater worthy
Of the name. Towns in southern Kan
sas and in Oklahoma have facilities
which are in keeping with the inteln
gence and patronage Of the larger cities.
Why is it that Topeka must be in
suited and the lives of our people en-
dangered by an amusement monopoly.
The local magnates have recently
shown that they are somewhat Impress
ed with the fact that they are treating
the people Of this town in a scandalous
manner. They have lately with brazen
ahrontery suggested that If the people
will contribute about $4,000 they will
fix the Grand opera house and open it.
Think of such an exhibition of gall.
The idle opera house in this city
which had the reputation of being one
of the best and safest in the whole
country is controlled by a lease in the
hands of the Crawford Syndicate which
not only does rot use the house for bus
| mess, but prevents any one else from
using it. $4,000 would put the house in
superb condition. In fact, when it was
last open a couple of years ago it was
patronized with satisfaction and a
feeling of safety and comfort. It is
now the home of bats.
The Crawford theater is assessed in
| the name of the Bank of Topeka of
which John r. NTulvane, one of the
wealthiest men in Kansas, is president.
Mr.. MuIvane has been very close to the
| Crawford management and could
| change things in a minute, If he would.
/ in respect to opera houses. Mr.. Craw-
ford, the head of the Amusement Syn
/ 70 fe do Ia
amount of money during the last year.
/ but he is spending it elsewhere, and
daily. weekly and yearly insulting the
people of this town by the way in which
he fails to cater to the amusement low
/ ing public. If the fire marshal of this
city We're not afraid to offend some
financial interests in Topeka, he would
! certainly condemn the Crawford opera
house as a place of amusement.
There is probably no city in the coun-
try where there is such an opening for
an independent opera house as there is
in Topeka today The people who
would come here to give relief to this
situation win be given warm welcome
and a tremendous patronage.
Not only are the people of Topeka
given an unsafe theater, but they are
charged excessive rates. Scores Of in
stances could be given. Take the ''at-
| traction" given at the Crawford in this
city last night, David Harum, at s1.0C
prices. Today this same company pre-
sents in d good opera house in St
Joseph under the management of this
same Crawford, the same show, at ten
cents for any seat in the house at the
| matinee and fifty cents for the highest
priced seat at the night performance.
The public must not be misled anC
think that Crawford and Kane will be
indicated in their present shameless
and scandalous course of continued in
suits to Topekans, even if a crowded
house greet the performance Monday
night. There are over 10000 people II
Topeka. Twenty thousand could stay
away and never be missed in the Craw-
ford coop. A few hundred daring peo-
pie with heavy life insurance and acct
dent policies can fill the Crawford tt
overlooking. The thousands who stay
away are in evidence only by their alb
sence.
The Savage Opera company whiel
will attempt to stage "Lohengrin" il
Topeka Monday has the sympathy 0
long suffering public and of al
companies visiting the capital city
the audience which believes it vii
have to risk it also has the sympath,
of the bigger number which win sta.
at home.
49,, e-r-rrrprr AGAIN