The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-04

Charles B. Hanford in Topeka and 81
prices for the same actor at his
theater at st. Joseph. Hanford
played many of the small towns on
the southern Kansas kerosene circuit
at 81 prices, but he got $3.50 prices at
Topeka.
Attendance at the Crawford theater
during the past several weeks has
been falling off. Is it any wonder?
It would seem that the explanation of
this fact is that the people are be-
coming tired of paying extortionate
prices for mediocre productions.
Topeka seems to be listed in the
kerosene circuit. Practically ali of
the attractions booked into Topeka
play the kerosene circuit. The State
Journal has shown its readers that the
small towns seem to be able to get
Crawford charges for them in To-
peka.
Topeka theatergoers have been hop
ing and hoping year after year that
the theatrical situation would improve
in Topeka. After each season they
say: well, perhaps it will be better
next season. But times seem never
high prices and inferior shows pre-
scented with the aid of inferior facili-
ties, continues to be the programme.
through the manipulations of the So
called theatrical trust which controls
the booking situation all over the coun-
try, and the Crawford management
which controls circuit of theaters
throughout this section of the country,
competition in Topeka is impossible.
Topeka theatergoers saw the ex-
pertinent of opening the Grand thea
ter in opposition to the Crawford
theater~ tried in Topeka They saw it
fail. They know that Mr.. Crawford
will not allow a company to play in
any of the theaters which he controls
if the company plays in an opposition
house in any city in which Mr.. CraW-
ford has a theater.
Topeka people know that Mr.. Craw-
ford's circuit extends from st. Louis
to Ell Paso and from Lincoln on the
north to Little Rock on the south
towns in that vast territory the only
theater in the town is controlled by
Crawford Travelling companies which
want to play throughout the great
southwest must come to Mr.. CraW-
fOrd's terms.
Travelling companies cannot be
blamed because they are forced to
play at the Crawford theater in To-
peka. Any manager, if he tells tn e
truth, will say that he would rather
play at the Grand than at the Craw-
ford theater in Topeka But he could
not play at the Grand theater even If
it was not managed by Crawford, be-
cause if he did. Mr.. Crawford would
cancel the engagements of that show
at the other towns. Topeka people
will remember one instance of that
kind here this winter. Crawford can
ceIled "Everyman" upon less than a
weeks notice at Topeka because the
show was given at St. Joseph at a hall
other than Mr.. Crawford's theater,
the Lyceum-
A manager would be afraid to play
the Grand in Topeka even if it were
der those circumstances And Mr..
Crawford, who controls the lease held
on the Grand theater by his partner,
Mr.. Arthur Kane. seems to think it
more profitable to pay the rental on
the building annually and keep it
closed.
The committee appointed by the city
council refused to take the responsible
ity Of saying to the citizens of Topeka
that they thought the Crawford the
alter would be in an absolutely safe con-
dition even after the improvements
suggested were made
Fire Chief Wilmarth says that the
committee suggested to the Crawfords
orally that the main entrance to the
theater in front should be widened.
To do that would require the closing
of one Of the store rooms on the street
level and the attendant loss of monthly
revenue in rentals.
Up to date that change has not been
made. and no indications point in that
direction.
The theatergoers of Topeka who
crave amusement have no alternative