The evening world., 1915-11-16
Ogden Merchants Put $685..
600 in "Town Topics" but
Refuse 100000 More.
"COLD FEET" NED SAYS.
Eccles Brothers Come Back
With Charge Producer Spent
Money Much Too Fast.

silk stockings costing Sc a pair for
gold badges on the ushers and Ned
wayburn's name painted on dozens
OF doors at a cost of several hundred
dollars spelled ruin for the big musi-
cal production, Town Topics, at the
Century Theatre. according to state
ments made to-day by Joseph NJ.
Eccles, one OF the hackers of the big
theatrical enterprise. Mr.. Eccles al
leges Town Topics" Is on the finan-
cial shoals principally because of the
extravaganza no alleges Ned Way
burn INDUCED In in his attempt to
turn tho former New Theatre into a
Continental music hall"
In answer to these charges. Mr..
wayburn, who is out OF the produc-
ton, having been requested t. re-
sign, MIR. Eccles says. comes right
back with the statement that the
failure of his plan Is due to the fact
that his hackers got cold feet when
he wanted them TO come forward
with another paitry 100000 or so.
after sl25, 900 had already been sunk
in the production. Mr.. wayburn
says he had figured to spend ut least
s25o. O00-and Mr.. Eccles and his
brother. L. r. Eccles. only provided
half that amount.
The Ecclcses arc wealthy merchants
OF Ogden, Utah. Hugo Orlove, Who
wrote the music of Town Topics" is
credited with having induced them
To come to New York and launch their
bankrolls upon the theatrical seas.
Tho Ned Wayburn production Com
pnny was organized with a capital
complete charge. Mr.. Eccles says he
and his brother were seldom con-
suited about anything.
In the beginning. Mr.. Eccles says
Mr.. Wayburn estimated the show
would cost about 100000. Mr.. Eccles
believed It would cost between 10000
and $4,000. Neither was right. BY
the time the show blazed forth on its
first night. ten weeks ago. Mr.. Eccles
says, sl25,0o0 had been spent. From
the very beginning 1t was necessary
for the Century to take in $4,000 @
week inorder to make expenses. Fol
three weeks 1t did this. Then the
show began to lose money. During
recent weeks, Mr.. Eccles says, the
weekly receipts have been about ST.
900. Lately. however. since the spill
between tho Eccleses and Wayburn
tho running expenses have been re
duced to $4,000 week. For rent o
the Century Theatre alone the com
pany must pay a minimum Of $4,000 ;
week, with a percentage on receipts
above a certain amount.
"Mr. Wayburn was asked to get on
because OF extravaganza and incom
petence," Mr.. Eccles said to-day. I'll
making the production. thousands o
dollars were wasted on nom essentials
We told Mr.. wayburn to get on
quietly and automatically or w
would use force to get him out"
Mr.. Eccles then told of the $6-a-pai
silk stockings and tho ushers' gol
badges. As one w'lks through tn
corridors of the Century Theatre
door after door meets the gaze. bear
ing painted Inscriptions such az
"Ned Wayburn-'Town Topics,
Ned wayburn-Press Department,
"Ned Wayburn-Business Office,
Med Wayburn-Private."
To paint Mr.. Wayburns name o
all these doors. Mr.. Eccles says, cos
the tidy sum Of 5000.
Mr.. wayburn says he owns 40 pc
cent. of the show and that two weeks
salary and royalties on the produc