Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-24
BETTER THINGS
FOR LOCAL STAGE
Manager r. H. Taylor of the
Illinois Has Joyous Christ
mas Message.
FINE ATTRACTIONS BOOKED
Strained Relations Between Big Pro-
ducers Seemingly at End
January Offerings.

''I have every reason to believe that
the new year will bring better grade
of amusements for the people of Rock
Island Manager r. H. Taylor of the
Illinois theatre remarked today. 81
don't hesitate to agree that conditions
have been anything but what the pat
rons of the theatre have reason to feel
that they should be. While not wish
bility that is mine, still the patrons Of
the Illinois should not blame me per
sonally for the inferior class OF at
fractions that have been presented
here of late. 1t should be understood
that q playhouse first of all Is bust
ness institution. 1t has its fixed daily
charges to meet. Owing TO the strain
ed relations among the controlling in
terests in the theatrical business, with
which the public IS doubtless familiar,
Rock Island, along with many other
cities Of equal and greater importance,
speaking from the standpoint of pOpu-
lation, was denied bookings that in pre-
vious seasons it had enjoyed. This
was due to division of territory as
result Of the break have referred to.
Consequently we were obliged TO take
just what we were offered. Confessed
ly, have been ashamed of some of the
attractions that have drifted in here.
Many OF them came under false pre-
lenses. I believe, however, that I can
with confidence promise the patrons
of the Illinois that a change is due.
The evidence of il is the high class of
our bookings for next month, These
include the Henry W. Savage revival
of The Prince of PiIseu,' Madame X
another Of Mr.. Savage's productions;
The Niger with Guy Bates Post in
the title role. and the Aborn Grand
Opera company, with a cast of 80 peO-
pie. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?
ON MAP AGAIN.
II begins to make one feel as though
Rock Island was again on the theatri-
cal map. Personally l will guarantee
every one of these attractions. want
the people of Rock Island to see them
and back me NJ in my efforts to pet
ter the situation here. Any person
buying a ticket for either or all OF the
productions I have enumerated, if he
or She feels that the plays have not
been up to promises, will cheerfully
be refunded the price of their admis-
sion tickets at the box Office by me. l
mean every word of this. Rock Island
has been a good theatre town. don't
blame the people for having become
disguised with some of the offerings
they paid their good money to see. We
are after good things, and we are going
to get them. OF course the producer
estimates a city where he plays his
companies with both of his eyes on the
box office. If these standard prCjuC-
tons draw as they should the mana
gers will continue on our list. Other
wise, they will cut us off. The best
guide l know for the patron of the the
atre in this day is the name of the
producer. If you see that the Shu-
berts, Klaw & Erlanger, Henry W.
Savage, David BeIasco. Cohan &, Har-
r1s, John Cort, Charles Dillingham;. the
Frohmans or others of their standing
are presenting play here, you can
pay your money with the full assurance
that you are going to get just what you
are promised -