Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1913-08-09
 ADJUSTMENTS
THE THEATRICAL SITUATIOy
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THE THEATRICAL SITUATION
 Standing upon the threshold of the season of 1913-14, he would be a seer, indeed, who could prognosticate what the coming months are to bring to the theatre. Certain prominent man agers are more optimistic, others more pessimistic, than they have been in several years, and arguments of equal worth seemingly are advanced in support of their contention. To an unprejudiced observer neither the en- thusiasm of the one DOT the lugu- briOusness of the other would seem to be quite justified by the outlook as we can now encompass it. The recent readjustment of the long-strained re- lations between the two leading fac- tions in the business of the theatre will undoubtedly have clarifying effect, but on the other hand, there are many who are placing upon it greater responsibility than it can or should be asked to bear. It will not be found the universal penasea that many expect The warfare carried on with such bitterness was to blame for many of the ills of the theatre, but not for all. To it has been generally ascribed the indiscriminate building of theatres that developed into prac- tically a financial crime, but there have been new theatres erected in non competitive cities. where local pride or the ambition of some illustrious citizen has found its outlet in that form of monument" Many of these monuments to the owners have turned out to be mausoleums for the managers. With the "overproduction" in the matter of playhouses has gone an under der-consumption" of the wares they have offered, but these are only two of the factors in the sleeping sickness that has overtaken the American theatre.
 Another, and a most significant one.
 
 has been the moving picture. This has grown to an extent almost in credible, and whether the regular the- atre managers will admit it or no that growth has been legitimate. Com paratiyely, the moving picture inter- ests have outstripped the majority of lor thoo cause they have kept constantly ahead of their business. How much longer they will be able to do so is a mooted question. The game" is growing harder day after day. but if there should develop ratrograde move ment. the regular theatres will in- dubitably profit very greatly by req son or the taste for amusement that the moving picture theatre has creat- ed
 The automobile has also been an invention of the enemy in so far as the theatre is concerned. for outside of the original cost, many a punctur- ed tire has been repaired or a spark plug replaced at the expense of an evenings negotiation with the box office. Again, there is the growing tendency to outdoor life that is ner- meating our American scheme of things. Many matinee is depleted Z because husbands are on the golf links and wives and daughters on the country club verandas.
 The foregoing conditions are prsc. tically staple and, therefore, have been discounted to an extent; but the coming season the theatre faces an unmistakable business unrest which certainly cannot help it, even though those there be who claim that it will not be felt. The entire country is torn up over the tariff, currency Iegisla. tion, the income tax, the situation ir Mexico, and various other matters o national moment: but, on the othel hand, the harvests are bountiful be- yopd all precedent. Taken all in all 1t would seem that whether the com;