Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-08-13
NO CIRCUS
PARADE. WHY?
MEMBER OF THE BUSINESS
STAFF OF BARNUM G. BAILEY
ANSWERS THE QUESTION
SAYS SHOW Is TOO BIG
That Street Parade 50 Indispensable
to tho Small Boy on Circus Day
ie no Longer Valuable as an Adver.
tising Medlum-Here August "a

What is the real reason for elimin-
ating the parade?" a Courier reporter
asked w. ID. Coxey, one Of the business
staff Of the Barnum & Bailey circus at
the Ballingall this morning.
There are many reasons was the
reply. Probably the most important
one Is the fact that the show is literally
too big to give parade. If we could
be absolutely sure Of arriving in town
by daylight, day after day, it might be
possible to give the parade simply as
free Offering to the public; but with
our five long trains of cars, this is too
much to expect of the railroad COM
panies In many instances 1t Is 8 or 8
o'clock before the last section arrives,
and 10 O'clock before 1t is unloaded
and the paraphernalia transferred to
sufficient time to erect the big tents
and prepare for the afternoon per-
Torrance. To take several hundred
men away from the show grounds at
the most critical time in the morning,
In order to give a parade, would mean
delay In opening, and consequent dis
comfort to the public. To compel thou
the entrance In the hot sun sor rain.
because the giving of the parade has
delayed the opening for an hour or
more, is positively cruel; but there is
frequently no help for 1t when parades
are given. BY eliminating the parade
the public is also saved a long and Oft
en- uncomfortable wait on the streets
pending the always more or less de-
layed procession, which at best has
nothing new to offer, to say nothing Of
the interference with public traffic and
the business of the city's merchants.
Many municipal governments have
recognized the latter fact by either re-
fusing to give licenses for parades or
by making the law so high to be pro-
hlbitive.
There was a time when the parade
standpoint. This is no longer the
case. Barnum & Bailey do not need
the parade as a means of advertising
the show or attracting the public to
the circus grounds. The Barnum &
Bailey name, it's great reputation. and
the fact that the public Is absolutely
assured Of superb performance. are
the questionable aid Of street dis
play. A parade Is undoubtedly a good
advertisement for show that needs
1t. Barnum & Bailey do not need 1t.
Who ever heard Of an Irving. a Soth-
ern or Marlowe giving street parede7
In the dramatic world parades are con-
hned to repertoire shows, minstrel and
circus can afford to be grouped in such
class and a circus that cannot crowd
Its tents without street parade has
something wrong with its performance
and reputation.
THE elimination Of the great parade
means very much better perform
ance In every way. The horses and
elephants. instead Of being worn out
by several hours marching through the
streets are rested. fresh and full OF life
and ginger. the performers, not being
overworked, give their acts with
dash, and go that is refreshing. and
even the animals in the menagerie, IN
stead Of being sleepy and indolent
from their tour through the streets are
wide awake, and for this reason, doubly
attractive.
"At first there was considerable
skepticism on the part of the press as
to the wisdom of the new departure,
but criticism from this source has en-
tirel-' ceased. Day after day, in cities
where the show has exhibited. the
management Is commended for their
good sense and foresight"
The absence Of the parade Is, accord
inu to all reports. more than compen-
stated for by this years arenio acts and
"thrillers" There art a number Of
big sensations, and the structural steel
| used In these startling acts alone util-
Ices the carrying capacity of several
railroad cars. Incidentally, 1t is an
nounced that splendid free show will
be given on the exhibition grounds
daily at IL and 5 o'clock, by Prince
Youturyey. remarkable performer, on
an elevated wirecable
The date In this city is Saturday.
August "a.