Indiana daily times., 1921-02-14

ferent. I knew absolutely nothing Of
theatrical life or its workings. I knew
little Of nothing of the central figure OF
my story and at first glance my prema-
ture plans to write the usual bosh ac-
certed as good stunf' by showmen wenl
to the wall. If I was to succeed I must
talk business with a real business man,
the man who was waiting to hear what
I had to say. l began with tact.
"Nir Leow, what do you think Of In
dianapols?"
Il know but little Of It. I have Just
arrived" Ten snort words and I was
left fat. I made a fresh start.
do you think your theater will be a
success here3" and I began coughing
for time.
"I know It wIu." he replied. leaving
me stranded for the second time. l
found myself wishing that the "old man.
had sent the dramatic editor on this
errand when a brilliant idea flashed into
my mind. 1 would confess my ignorance
Of the show business. I confessed-I
really didn't have to-he knew it.
And then while the crowd waited he
told me a lot of interesting things.
He began with his early training IN
the printing business, not unlike other
human beings. Then came the departure
from this branch OF trade and his en-
trance into the wholesale fur business
He recited many instances where he had
lost money through petty pride, which
would not permit him to admit his ig
norance in dealings where he was inan-
ctaly involved When the awakening
to this weakness came he did not merely
try to remember his mistakes but jotte
them down on paper to prevent reDetl-
tions.
After a short career in commercial
channels, he launched the first penny ar
cade proposition in the United States,
which he now looks upon as the birth OF
the largest chain Of vaudeville and photo
play theaters in the world. At that time
Mr Loew told me: Moving pictures
were in their infancy. I had great faith
in them. while the foremost figures of the
legitimate stage were declaring that their
life was only matter If a few years.
In a sense, they were right. Pictures at
that early stage could live alone. and l
Immediately conceived the cont nation
plan whereby Loew theaters began Civ
ing pictures in addition to the usual
vaudeville performances. Holding on to
both together with the fact that I en-
AetN Oicu always u put a CoiL44ci NAtti
aspect on my work, l believe to have
been the starting point to that goal Of
success 1 now enjoy" Prices for legiti-
mate productions were soaring. To make
his combination plan success, Mr.. Loew
explained that his prices must come
away down. To meet the latter condition
his theaters must always have large
capacities.
When I returned to my paper, I did
not carry a story Of theatrical variety.
7 carried an unusual lot of deeply In
Serestin- facts that I might have gath
cred from the financial district. ] had
been given Information concerning the
business end Of the world Of fringe and
tinseI that nine out Of ten people do not
know exists.
The "old man" literally "spat:" Glad
you landed something today when l
turned in this story and that's why | am
adding this as a sort Of postscript The
remark, or rather grunt.-Ivas overheard
by a goodly number Of reporters and
copy boys near the city desk and the
phrase What cha got today" threatens
to cling to me like a vine.