Gilpin observer., 1909-08-26

man 900 scenic artists 200 shoemakers 1000
musicians, 200 electricians. 5000 costumers,
dressmakers etc. 1t is estimated that 90 peo-
pie on an average are employed to operate
big Broadway theater and with the actors,
singers and choruses included, 1t is possibly
no exaggeration TO say that such theater en-
ploys more people and pays them better than
the largest store in town OF 100000 inhabl-
tants. In the season there are employed IN
New York about 5000 chorus girls, including
those who have small roles. and whom the
showmen still regard members of the Choir
u.s. though they and their friends would prob
ably resent the mputaton. The average sal
airy of these girls is SIS week. Principals,
of course command large sums when they can
find work, and the few favored ones may earn
at times as much as 1000. The oftrepeated
statement that star actors are better paid than
United States senators. supreme court JUS
tices, governors or mayors, Is probably not un-
true in certain specific cases.
The printing bill for large cities in the case
of a big show like Ben Hur" will call for
$1,000 a week and will not drop much below
that in smaller places. The salary sheet, the
live stock the orchestra and the printing are
the fixed charges of a show. These are never
changed except in case business does not come
up to expectations, in which case the shrewd
manager, as one representative put 1t, will In
crease his advertising only real method
of increasing his receipts.
Variable items are the railroad fares and
transfer accounts the 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-.
ploys, directly indirectly in America and
England about 10000 persons. The extent of this
managers enterprises may be imagined from
fha foil nufn fnu 1ptt
by ALI Hayman to Hollis E. Cooley. secretary
of the National Association of Theatrical Pro.
ducng Managers in response to Mr.. Cooley's
request. at the time the theatrical copyright
was being Jointly sought by all the managers.
for a statement of Charles Frohman's gross
investments in theatrical properties
Mr. Hollis f. Cooley. Secretary, The Nation
al Association OF Theatrical Producing
Managers 1i1O.1l Times Building. City:
Dear Sir: AS requested by you. am here
with handing you a statement of the gross in
vestment in theatrical properties, together
with tabulated statement of annual expendi-
lures and persons employed. The statement
involves the value of the theaters both owned
and controlled by us and are as follows:
Theaters Observation-Disclosures. $6,OOO,00O
Annual salaries, performers and
theater employees ............ 3,750.000
Annual cost of productions (over) 100000
Annual railroad fares. 100000
Annual printing and advertising. 100000
Annual transfer and hauling
charges Observation-Disclosures. 10000
The foregoing statement is, as you under.
stand, not computed to penny from our
books. but 1t is an approximate statement and
is reasonably accurate II can furnish you
with any further information in the premises
please advise me. Yours sincerely.
ALE HAYMAN.