The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-07-21
Statement by Vaudeville Magnates

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 Much has been said on the outside and false stories given to the newspapers with the direct purpose of injuring the 1 business interests of Mir. Jake Wells, one of the pioneers in building beautiful the atres in the south devoted to high class operatic, dramatic, vaudeville and other classes of entertainment. It has not only been intimated but positively asserted that MT. Wells has turned his theatres over to a man named Karl Hoblitzelle, president of the Interstate Amusement company, who claims to have the backing of the United Booking Offices of America. the Western Vaudeville Managers associ- ation, MT. Morris Meyerfeld and MT. Mar tin Beck of the Orpheum circuit ana Mrs. Charles E. Kohl who are In control of the Western Vaudeville Managers assocla- tion. These articles contain the further statement that MT. Wells theatrical ex- ploits were halted by Mrs. Kohl, and that Mrs Kohl's position had made 1t impos- sIbe for MT. Wells to continue his plans of expansion in the south. The under signed wish 1t understood that these pub lshed rumors, reports and statements are absolutely untrue and without foundation in fact MT. Wells is strongly entranched in the southern field by reason of his contract with the United Booking Of- fees of America and It's affiliations, in- cluding the Western Vaudeville Managers association, Mrs. Charles E. Kohl, MT. Meyerfeld and MT. Beck. Neither Of the said institutions or individuals nor MT. B. F. Keith, have severad their business re- lations with MT. Wells, nor have they any intention of doing so, nor have they given nor do they intend to give MT. Hozltzelle any aid or support in the southern cities ,.,bor fir NNe1la has hnpn and COntem- plates operating unless it shall be MT. Wells desire that they should do so.
 Grateful to Wells
 "The south has much to be grateful to Mir Wells for in his activity in inn proving theatrical conditions in the south. from the point of view of both the im- provement in the condition of theatres as well as the character of the enter tafnment presented.
 .sThe United Booking Offices of America, after business association of over II years, has found Mir Wells one of the ablest and fairest men in the theatrical business. We are pleased at the oppor- tunity to pay tribute to MT. Wells, and to stand back of him in his efforts at expansion and improvement of the theat- ricals in the south Neither MT. Hob Iitzelie, nor any other individual. firm or corporation, have any theatrical affil- iation or connection whatsoever with tho undersigned in the southern cities where MT. Wells is and has been located, and it is hoped that the statement will tend, for the present. and all future time, to put an end to the rumors and newspaper stories emana ting from MT. Wells com petitors in an effort to injure and dis credit him and mislead the public as to his true position and utilization with the ea;d tnetff,1tion and with Mir B. F. Keith Mrs. Charles F. Kohl. MT. Morris Meyer field and MT Martin Beck.
 (Signed):
 B. F. Keith, President United Booking Onices of America;
 Mrs. Charles E. Kohl, Charles E. Kohl, Managing Director Western Vaudeville Managers association:
 Morris Meyerfeld and Martin Beck of the Orpheum Circuit