New-York tribune., 1909-03-21
CIRCUS At THE GARDEN.
Ringing Brothers Shoe VII Be
Opened on Thursday Night.

Ringing Brothers Circus. which when Barnum
and Bailey alive, rated the second
best tent show In the world. In fun posses
sion Of Madison Square Garden. and all the Ring
Uugs are mighty glad Of It. They have long wished
bring their own aggregation 10 New York d
wish that deferred al the pleasure Of the late
giants of the tent. Barnum and Bailey. These
showmen would tolerate competitor in the East,
that Is a competitor Of any prctention. They
controlled all OF the tented theatres worth having,
except that Of the Ringlings They limited the
activities Of the Ringngs to the larger western
cities. Now the Ringl!nEs occupy the same posi-
tion in the show world that Barnum and Bailey did.
They own the Baruum and Bailey aggregation.
This year they have changed things around. The
older organization has been sent West and the
RuEling Broth hers greatest show earth" begins
. season the Madison Square Garden next
Thursday night. The circus arrived in town last
week from winter quarters in the Far West It is
now At home IN the Garden. and rehearsals are
II, progress twice a day for the opening perform
ance. There a number OF startling novelties
in this show. and the parade is SAID to be more
slitterugly gorgeous than any heretofore seen
3 the ssWdust arena. There are TO be plenty Of
clowns performing elephants bareback riders, etc
Dr. keaIey. the trainer OF the herd Of elephants.
has been in the show business fourteen years
While he rohearsing class the other day,
he said this Of elephants and elephant training
u may say that ! have that certain way with
animals which for lack OF something better serves
to describe the noTson VINO makes success ar ami
NAL training. Without that interest and attach
men for the creatures of the w!lds it is doubtful
II person ever Is drawn successfully to the work
II Is not business that would appeal 10 a person
so had no other attractions for It than the mere
desire do something.
Fourteen wears experience with the Indian ee-
phant has left me with q lot OF things which
cannot explain. and which may be in contradiction
what ;cr the part is accepted regarding the
elephant in general. As a fact the intelligence of
the elephant is ov verestimated. There individual
elephants which among the keenest OF Great
ures. there are dToves OF them that stupid
beyond all popular belief
In the present Ringing nero forty elephants,
with twenty OF them schoOed 10 ring tricks These
animals range from Babe and Alice which weigh
I2.0g0 pounds each. down The baby of the herd.
+ only one of these g. African elephant. which is
kept only showing the difference in the species.
This African specimen always has been inclined
1 10 balk a entering and leaving cars when are
on the road On one occasion. when were In
! an especial hurry, and the creature mad decided
not TO leave the car. threw big chain over him
and called big Babe over for a little heip Babe
took one long pull strong pull. and pull all to-
geiher. and his African cousin out of that
Car straight on his head into the cinders OF the
/ railroad ward Dense the African was he
learned a lesson At cdd times now he gets surly
and refuses 10 move, but the moment ! call .or
Babe he gets busy