The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1912-05-31
FRIDAY, MAY 81, 1912.
Amusements in Nashville.

For many years the Negroes OF this
city have complained that they we're
not provided with ample amusements.
One of the complaints was that they
had no parks to which they could
90 for recreation. Rev. Preston Tay-
lor, our public-spirited citizen, was
the first to answer this plea in the
establishment of Greenwood Park, a
place of amusement equal to any in
the South, and the people are show
ing their unstinted appreciation. The
CITY officials, led by Mayor Howse
and the Board of Park Commission
ers. decided that the Negro citizens
of Nashville were entitled to a city
park where those who want to spend
a quiet hour could so and sit in the
cool shades and read book or maya
zine. or while away the time as they
might see fit. Consequently a large
tract of land, consisting of "a acres,
has been purchased by the city and
Nashville Negroes are satisfied along
that line.
But there are others who seek
pleasures and amusements of a diff
ferent character. They like to go to
theaters and enjoy the plays. Mr.
A. n Johnson, one of our leading
citizens, has responded to that de-
mand with the Majestic Theater.
Since it's completion only two of the
best amusement organization con-
trolled by Negroes have been staged
at that house; but it is with regret
that the statement must be made
that Nashville Negroes have not
shown their appreciation Of such
shows. Their complaint is that the
prices are too high. They never
stop to count up the cost attached to
such organizations as troupe OF
dancers and rag-time singers, but il
is different proposition when one
sets about to organize high-class
theatrical company 1t costs thou
sands of dollars to equip and main
tain troupe of professional per
formers. Actors of class cannot be
found on the street corners, Theil
services are in demand, for there are
sections of the country where theil
services are appreciated; and if Nash
vile desires to have such shows sh'
must make up her mind to pay thu
price.
Negroes have for years visite'
white theaters where they are CON
PEELED to go and take the "jim crow
service, entering through alleys an
side-doors. They. have complaine
of the treatment, but on many occ;
sions these same people have pal
as high as $1.0O and sometimes SIS
to stroll through a muddy alley c
through some side door and max
their way to the last story in tn
house, and their strain their eyes an
ears to see and hear a Performance
But they throw up their hands as
Mortified when they are asked to pc
less money for choice seats in
theater of their own. They say tn
the same shows are put on in larg
cities for much less money, but tn
get that in those cities which a
several times the size Of Nashvil
a hundred to one persons attend eve
show. Again, they forget that sho'
are organized in these cities and tn
the matter Of travelling does not
ter into the expense. The VIII
shows that come to the Vendome
Nashville do not charge the sar
price in New York and Chicago tn
do here, for the same reasons stat
above, and those who have be
close observers have noticed that t
daily papers in this city have fou
cause to complain that white sho
are not patronized here as freely
they must be if the best are to
secured So, if the Negroes
Nashville desire high-class anu
ments they must make up their mir
to pay high-class prices.
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