The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1938-09-15
BY L. l.. STEVENSON

axe III lllOi kitIii osVNS 49, "
and visitors to New York are pro-
vided with costly entertainment
without having to pay admission
fees. For these free shows stars OF
stage, screen, and radio are en-
ployed, some at five-fgure fees. Ex-
pensive studios are maintained and
theaters leased. Radio is the host.
All the public has to do, or as much
of the public as can be accommo-
dated, is to obtain tickets. For a
number of programs, the demand
is SO heavy ticket requests have to
be made at least three weeks IN
advance. That has brought new
kind of ticket scalping. Spectators,
through various forms of chiseling,
obtain ducats and peddle them at
from rs cents to dollar each.
True, the tickets bear warning
against sale, but that makes no diff
ference For the less popular pro-
grams, tickets are distributed here
and there. Since they are free,
there are always takers.
In the not so far-off days, studio
audiences were limited indeed. Usu-
ally chairs were provided only for
sponsors and their friends. Occa-
sional visitors, to whom 1t was de-
sired to show special courtesy. were
admitted. For the general public,
there were barriers. Instead of being
invited to come in and see the show
from a comfortable seat, the public
was invited to stay out. Radio lis
teners set eyes on their favorites
only when they broadcast in public.
Sometimes radio performers were
used to lure trade. It seems but
only short while ago that one of
the earlier teams filled a big res
taurant on the nights they broadcast
from there. But despite lack of
accommodation and other draw
backs, studio audiences started to
grow. Then came the accommoda-
tons.
In its quarters in the RCA Build
ing, the National Broadcasting COM
pany has 10 studios each capable
of seating from a few hundred to
! 1,500-and $500 seats are far more
! than the total in many Broadway
theater. Pages and ushers= are nee
essary to direct ticket holders to
! the proper studios and to keep them
in line. Also to keep them from
smoking. During 1887, the total
number of show attendants was
! 781, 037. The number. of course,
would have been greater, but even
with repeat shows, 1t was impos-
sible to take care of all who wished
to attend. The repeat shows, most
of which 60 on late in the evening,
attract as many as do the earlier
shows.
The Columbia Broadcasting com.
pany leases three theaters and
maintains studios for audiences In
the Barbizon Plaza and on the New
Amsterdam roof. Audiences during
the past year totalled approximate
ly 1000, 900 persons. In 1895, the
total was 636, 1896 and in 1896, 79l ,687
That accounts for about 10000 more
year. Also, there are the variou:
independent stations with their stu
dos.
Meanderings and meditations: 4
long string of barges slipping slow
ly down the Hudson With (
little tug putting Importantly aheac
and another nudging the mid
die barge like collie dog herdint
sheep A barefooted girl skip
ping rope on the broad deck of ;
scow Wash Tapping in tn,
wind on the deck of the last in lin,
I envy barge people their lif'
Sliding through waterway
from the Great Lakes down to tn
sea No hurry I. No fus
Only an occasional worry !.
Homes travelling right along wit
them - A living earned wit
II plenty of time for meditation
Reading Or to turn out tina
novel !. and ever changing seen
: cry big white excaf slol
steamer hurrying up the river
Flags flying gaily . An orches
ira playing dance music Al
decks crowded City prisoner
out for day of freedom Wit
tired homecoming.