The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-02-04
is reduced to nearer IS cents than 33

is reduced to nearer 25 cents than 33
cents.
Our seven attractions this year cost
$1,125.00 or an average of $161.OO each.
The theater costs $525.0O more. Nd
vertising takes about 100000 We
lack about 100000 of having enough to
pay the expenses of the course.
During the season we have sent out
over 1000 letters to people. in town,
an expense we had hoped to avoid.
With this nv newspaper advertising
there can be no doubt but hat the
people in the. city know about the
course. Dur experience has been
that there are many good people who
want such a course of entertainments,
but it seems as If the number is not
sufficient to make it a financial sue
cess. OF course, it is well known
his work is not a part of u duties.
that it has been carried on as a pub
lie benefit, and that there is no fund
from which a deficit may be met.
Next Friday evening DR.. Harvey w.
Wiley will fill the fifth number. We
thought a distinct service had been
rendered the public when the famous
sculptor, Larado Taft, was brought to
the city. Yet the. door receipts other
than season tickets were about half
enough to pay for the theater. We
are told that if we would bring the
right kind of attractions the people
would turn out. If we bring people
with national and international repu-
tation for 43 cents per admission with
a season ticket, and run chances Of
having a deficit, we think the COM
mittee has shown a reasonably large
public spirit.
Wiley holds a prominent place in
the, public eye, and has done so for
several years. We seized the oppOr-
tunity to add his name to the course,
and wired for him the moment we
knew he was available. From the
houses they draw, Missoula people
love the big actors. Wiley is a big
ger actor than any the city has had
in years. His stage has been a
forum. He has fought the biggest
interests in the country. His house
has been world wide, and the applause
has shaken the capitol at Washing
ton. He should draw a full house,
rain or shine, hot or cold, snow or
ice. NotilllS SHOULD prevent people
from filling the house. He should
have as large a house as DR.. Cook.
His work deserves it.
DR.. Wiley will arrive in the city
from Butte at 1870 Friday. He will
speak Friday evening. He strikes the
octopus solar plexus blows, and is
putting up a fight for the babies. the
children, the feeble adults, the strong
adults-a fight to prolong life. He
has served for 20 years at a modest
salary. We know what that means.
His fee for his lecture is not nearly
as large as that we have. paid to poll
ticians. He is entitled to 1t. Wheth-
err There Is a big house or not, he will
get it.
l hope the people will be charitable
In their criticism because of the fire.
quent reminders about the lecture
curse. It is their privilege to pa
tronize 1t or not, as they please. It
is quite natural for us, when we feel
we are pleading a good cause, to be
both optimistic and persistent. If
optimism, persistence, several thou
sand letters, dozen of newspaper stor-
les and high-class talent will not win
in the effort to make the course pay
the end has been reached
We hope the house will be packed
for DR.. Wiley.
M. J. ELROD.