The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-06-19
ADJUSTMENTS
THAT LONG TRIP.

It is not generally known to the lay
public but the fact remains that there
is a great antipathy among theatrical
performers to the long trip that leads
west from Denver. In the east the
towns are comparatively close to-
gether, but there is dearth of cities
between Denver and the Pacific coast
with the exception of Ogden and Salt
Lake City, which afford remunera-
tive field for big theatrical ventures.
The consequences are that the railroad
Jumps are very long and tiresome.
This state of affairs has had the effect
of making the average performer
bit skittish of the far west. He be-
lieves that if he can get profitable
employment in the east he will do
away with the tiresome travel. There
fore, the first question he is asking
a manager who is anxious to obtain
his services, Is: q
"Do YOU play west of Denver"'
Nine times out Of 10 on being
answered in the affirmative, the Thes-
pian claps on his hat and walks out
to seek some eastern enterprise. rms
condition has been the direct cause OF
Lew Dockstader not having been seen
with his minstrel company further
west than Denver for the past six
years. When Mr.. Dockstader organ
lied his own show he did it on scale
that has never been approached for
magnficence and expense. He prom
ised in his advance notices that ne
would bring an entertainment that
had never been duplicated ana he
made good He found, however, that
with the high salaried people he had
engaged, he could not go to the
western coast. as they. with few ex-,
cepticns, stipulated that they would
not have to play west of Denver.
Contrary to, the methods used by
some unscruplous managers who do
not seem to care what kind of cur
tailed troupe they appear in the far
west with, Mr. Dockstader put his foot
down firmly.
NO" said he. I've organized this
entertainment, and the critics and
public everywhere are delighted with
it, I'm going to have my show the
very best and if 1 can't get these
people to go west then I will devote
myself to the east where l can be sure
of their services. The consequence
has been that for the past six years
Mr.. Dockstader and his celebrated
minstrel company has not been seen
west of Denver-every season present.
ing the same perplexing problem as
the foregoing. All during this time,
however. the minstrel was in daily re-.
ceipt of letters from western admir-
ers asking him why he persistently
refused to play in their territory. To
all these he had the same response
the truth as stated above. This sea-
son the requests for his appearance
in the far west have increased to such
an extent that the minstrel has
changed his mind. BY dint of SUBJ
stantial raise in salaries and such
thorough railroad arrangements, as
will guarantee the condition approach-
ing luxury to his company while trav-'
cling, he has induced every man to.
stand by his post and make the trim
west from Denver. The minstrel.
looks forward with much pleasure to
meeting a host of friends that he has
not been able to shake hands with
for six years, and they in turn by let
tiers and kilograms. have assured him
of their heartiest support and co-op-
GRAFTON toward making the trip as
one of the most successful ever eX-
perienced by a theatrical organiza-
ton. .s-.. -.
Mr.. Docl1stader and his company of
rs will be seen at the Keylor Grand
on June %, for two performances.
Matinee at 9. 30 n M evening mr.
Torrance at SIS sharp. q