The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-03-17
BOWES' JOB is
HARD WORK, He
| TELLS WRITER
Financial Affairs Are His
Own Concern, Scribe
Told in New York.

NEW YORK, March 17.-Maj
Edward Doves, radios No. 1 at
traction, came briskly out of his
super elegant bathroom today,
bowed genially and said he was
ready FOR the interview.
He had, he said, just finished four
long distance telephone calls as he
sat in his steam cabinet. While he
was being shaved in his own barber
chair he had dictated three letters.
His bathroom, he claimed with
some pride Us he opened the door
for an inspection, was one of the
most complete in the world.
The green steam cabinet and the
green barber chair matched the tile
of the tub and the shower. The
frame holding the special shaving
mirror-and he never shaves him.
self-the scales and the bottles
holding the imported toilet waters
also were in green.
What to Talk About
"And now" the Major said in the
kindly voice known to millions of
radio listeners. what shall we talk
about?"
1t was suggested that the Major
talk on the manner in which he
shot by radio to fame, hard work,
and riches in less than a year.
Il consider my financial affairs
to be my own concern" he said. II
can tell you that estimates that I'm
making more than a million year
are gross exaggerations.
ITS no picnic, this job of mine.
A producer who could juggle five
road shows used to be considered
good. Why, have IA units on the
road now. And what's more they
are all amateurs. They are a bunch
OF young mustangs that don't
understand the show business. It's
hard enough to handle experienced
actors and actresses. Keeping IA in
experienced units working on sched-
ule is one of the greatest theatrical
enterprises in history.
Only Small Part of Work
"But that's only a small part Of
what I do. I give 600 additions a
week. 1 have to prepare my Sunday
morning broadcast. I have to put
on the Sunday night amateur hour.
1 get 1900 letters day. I've start
ed a new radio magazine. Sold
$4,000 copies of the first month.
I'm having 100000 printed for the
next number"
The Major claimed he never paid
any attention to criticism but the
contrary was evident.
Il get criticised on all kinds of
false charges" he went on. II think
that just shows how popular 1 am.
One person says 1 put only Jews
on the air and another will say 1
take only Italians or Philippians. It's
a case of a lot OF people wishing to
tear me down. People talk about
the money l made on road shows
and claim I don't pay the amateurs
enough. Well, I don't make much
money and the shows and the anna
teurs wouldn't have any work if it
wasn't for me-"
Residence Is His Office
The Majors residence is his office
He lives and conducts his business
IN the Capitol Theater Building on
Broadway. He is managing director
Of the theater.
He came to the amusement world
from the real estate field. He owned
extensive real estate in San Fran
cisco before the earthquake and
fire Of 1906. He came east first as
manager of his wife, the late Mar
garet Ellington, one time star of the
stage.
He built the Capitol in 1918. be-
came a vice president of M-G-M.
and through it was made radio di-
rector of WIN.
he presented family hour there
and later an amateur hour but it
remained pretty much of local af
lair until last March when his ANA
teur hour was taken over by cof-
Zee company for national hookup.
He's 62 and Overweight
He purportedly received $500
weekly from the coffee company.
Maj. Bowes is about 81. His hair
Is craving, his face florid. He is
overweight. He wears dark suits
set of with a bright tie. He ducks
interviews, but is most pleasant
when cornered. He speaks with his
genial radio voice except when sub
Jects unpleasant are mentioned