The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-09-09
A Great ENTERPRISE

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4 few weeks ago a member Of The
News Sctmitar staff was In st Louis
and witnessed the final performance
OF the municipal open-air theater, II
was tho close Of an eight weeks season.
Upon his return TO Memphis he wrote
piece for the paper praising 1t and
advocating similar institution for
Memphis.
The 81. Louis Globe Democrat OF
last Sunday printed a report showing
100000 persons attended the S perform
ances given during the eight weeks
season. The total receipts amounted
to Sl3e, 1880. representing l57,s03 paid
admissions. In addition to the paid
admissions there were approximately
$4,000 more persons who enjoyed the
opera from the free seats.
The cost OF this seasons production
amounted to $3.50 which was I'M
derwritten by number of public
spirited citizens. Thus there was a
profit to the association OF about $50,
600.
Mayor Kiel president of the opera
association. made the following state
ment concerning the benefit that ac-
crued to the city of st, LOUIS as a re-
suit OF tho opera:
"The opera afforded exceptional OPP
portunity to fifty young men and
women for training in professional ca
reers, and sixteen talented children
were given an opportunity TO make
professional appearance: eighty me-
chanics were given employment In stage
craft and instruction in modern seem
cry building by masters; fifty profess
sional st. Louis musicians were given
employment and composed an orchestra
second to none in the United States;
the Boy and Girl Scouts rendered
gratis, efficient and courteous service,
eighty OF them each night. in ushering
and policing the amphitheater; the
park police and attaches gave splendid
service. In addition to this, the cos
tunes were supplied by st. Louis cos
tuners, and over $4,000 was spent in
st. Louis for materials for construct
ing scenery.
''If education for democracy must be
universal, understanding based on com
mon training and personal relationship,
then municipal opera TO community
Is a most vital factor. No other one
force has the welding power of Great
ing a perfect oneness. Democracy finds
it's first and freest expression in the
will Of a people.
LAS chief executive of st. Louis and
as president OF the Municipal Theater
association. I want to express my APP
probation and thanks to all who had
part in making our great play ven
ture' a success, and to the thousands
who showed their appreciation by at
tending the performances.
at has been Of inestimable value to
our city as straight business propo-
sition. From the standpoint Of adver-
Using the city alone II is worth mil
lion dollars. II an advertising fund OF
$1,000, 900 was subscribed and expended
with the utmost skill and understanding
Il would not secure for st. Louis as
much In the way of actual publicity
as does the fact that municipal opera
is an institution with St, Louis. Visit
tors from every state. from Canada,
Mexico. Central and South America.
England and France. have visited our
municipal opera, and marvel at the
beauty Of our open-air theater. the
high standard OF production, the large
attendance, and wonder at our ability
to put 1t over in such a big way mu-
nicipally. and with such splendid spirit
of cooperation
II the opera was worth 81 900 900 to
st. Louis as an advertisement, 1t must
have been worth intellectually more to
the people 81 ST. Louis who were for
tunate in having the privilege OF at
tending the performances by paying
their admission or occupying free seats
as guests of the association.
We are informed that the chairman
Of the ticket committee has already 70.
ceiyed more than 500 advance oraers
for season seats for next year. These
orders range from two seats to six
boxes OF thirty-six seats The pro-
motors OF the enterprise stated that II
they were willing to do SO, every avail
able seat could be sold a year in sd-
vance.
Mayor Kiel is vitaily interested in
this institution lie has given freely
of his time, and perhaps is more re-
sponsible than any other individual Tor
its success.
This institution had a modest begin
ming but It's growth was rapid because
1t filled a public want \ similar thing
could be Inauguratcd in Memphis at
a reasonable expense. There are sites
in oNerton and Riverside parks lust
as alluring as the location Forest
park in st, Louis.
The Chamber OF Commerce. the mayor
and the park commissioners should m.
Yestigate this enterprise with tho ,trS
TO providing similar form of enter.
tanment for the people oC Mcmr..
and the surrounding territory
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