The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-08-27

hen 500 scenic artists, 2OO snoemakers, l'ooV
musicians 200 electricians 5,O00 costumers'
dressmakers, etc. 1t is estimated that % peo-
ple on an average are employed 10 operate
big Broadway theater, and win the ACTORS
singers and choruses included, it is possibly
no exaggeraton to say that such theater en-
ploys more people and pays them better IMAM
tho largest store in town OF 10OOOO inhaDl-
tante In the season there are employed IN
New York about 5000 chorus girls, including
those who have small roles, and whom inc
showmen still regard as members OF the chol-
us, though they and their friends would prop
ably resent the imputation. the average sal
ary of these girls is SIS week Prlncipals'
of course. command large sums when they can
find work. and the few favored ones may earn
at times as much as $1,000. The oft-repeated
statement that star actors are better paid than
United States senators, supreme court JUS
tees governors or mayors is proDaply hoI III"
true in certain specific cases.
The printing bill for large cities in the case
of a big show like Ben Hur' Will call LOT
$1,000 a week. and will not drop much Delo"
that in smaller places The salary sheet' the
live stock, the orchestra, and the printing are
the fixed charges of show. These are never
changed except in case business does not come
IN to expectations, in which case the shrewd
manager, as one representative put 1t, Will In
crease his advertising-the only real methoo
of increasing his receipts.
Variable items are the railroad fares and
transfer accounts he latter being the charges
for hauling the scenery and properties TRUNKS
etc. to and from the theaters to the cars. In
a broken week the local transfer charges OF
about $500 are doubled.
The average profit of a successful season
for manager is about ten per cent
II is estimated that Charles Frohman en-
nIoys directly or indirectly, in America and
England about II, 900 persons The extent OF this
managers enterprises may be imagined from
the following letter, which was recently sent
by ALI Hayman to Hollis E. Cooley, secretary
of the National Association of Theatrical FRO
ducing Managers, in response to Mr.. Cooley
request at the time the theatrical copyright
was being Jointly sought by all the managers
for statement of Charles Frohmans gross
investments in theatrical properties:
MFR Hollis E. Cooley. Secretary, The Nation
al Association of Theatrical Producing
Managers, 1,41O-1l Times Building, City:
Dear Sir: AS requested by you. am here
with handing you statement of the gross in
vestment in theatrical properties, together
with a tabulated statement of annual expendi
tures and persons employed The statement
involves the value of the theaters both owned
and controlled by us and are as follows
Theaters ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 6,OOO,OOO
Annual salaries. performers and
theater employees ............ S.15O.OOO
Annual cost of productions (Over) 100000
Annual railroad fares....... 100000
Annual printing and advertising. 100000
Annual transfer and hauling
charges ... $4,000
The foregoing statement is as you under
stand not computed to a penny from our
books, but IT is an approximate statement and
is reasonably accurate. If can furnish you
with any further Information in the premises
please advise me. Yours sincerely,
ALT HAYMAN.