january 30, 1909.

T HE SHO W WOR LD

RAY COMSTOCK IS NOT COURT IS ASKED TO
ACTING FOR SHUBERTS                       SET THE LEASE ASIDE
Denies that He Represents that Important Firm But Admits That He Samuel F. Nixon, Samuel H. Harris and Lesser Lights With Two
is After Detroit House.              Companies Made Defendants in Suit.

Cleveland, 0., lan. 26.
TieColonial theater has been leased for
a period of fourteen years toF  Rayo
sosckof New York, F. 0. Miller, whohas.
eoconnetedt various times with the
ben gliogand Forepaugh circuses will be
r-esident manager of the house.
Comstok will take harge ofthre Coo-
Idl i ~Feb. 1, opening withbotraight dol-
larattactios. No seats will be held over
tlattp icei ing the season. The opening
show will be "The Gay Musician," with
:aelia Stolle and Joseph Miron as chief
isr heocast.  Other high grade indepen-
dnta ittrations will be continued during
the season.
F. Ray Comstock began his theatrical
carer at Buffalo, where he was treasurer
of tie Star thater. Whten Charles Hoyt
playedthere some years ago be became
imlriesscl withl the  ability  shown  by
young Comstock and not long after start-
ed him out in  lsiness. Later Comstock
becameu associated with, Charles Froiman,
and then became his own manager and
producer.
Mlr'. Comstock has plans for securing a
theater at Detroit. He denies represent-
ing the Shuberts, who recently were cred-
itd with having gained control of the
Colonial. Ti says that he is acting en-
tirely for himself.
"We propose to make the Colonial one
of the most popular theaters west of New
york City," said Mir. Comstock. "It's lo-
ation is ideal in every respect and we
firmly believe that the theater patrons of
Cleveland will appreciate our efforts to
present the very best offerings at a scale
,f prices that will suit every purse.
ENCOURAGING OUTLOOK
IN ONE NIGHT STANDS.
Oklahoma Theater Managers Hold Im-
portant Session at Guthrie and Say
Business is Bright.
Hannibal, Mo., Jan. 28.
There is no falling off in theater at-
lendaice hie. Every first class produc-
ion whici has -isited the city has pros-
pieti. Thisis really one oftfirebest years
thautlei tiel rte ht ha     1 .-VEISIN-
IlrRcGER.
Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 27.
-Trio iiistlttritorrs ownied by tire Acirre
Aiusrnet comipany of which  F.   M.
trinan is president and manager and F.
h. Bradstcet, assistant, are doing an
normourrs hinolress. The Majestic, under
let managmenlrrt of this company, gives
a- Matinee every day which shows the
rTpoularity of the Orpleum acts. The Ly-
ric is selling out twice a day also. Worn-
derland, also managed by this company,
is doing well.-GERSPACHER.
Lake Charles, La., Jan. 26.
J. M. Stout, manager for W. B. Patton,
when here Jan. 20, said: "Business has
been good with us in the south. Lai ge
ind appreciative audiences have been the
rile rather than the exception.-LUEIM.
Oklahoma City, Okla., Jan. 28.
Ed. Ovet-Iolser, marnager of tire Over-
hoiser theater, aidmG. m. Jorde, mana-
g eoof the Metropolitan theater tand Au-
rourium, attended the meeting  of the
theatrical managers held in Gutbrie last
wreek. Nobriiness ofany great import-
aince Was transacted, the meeting being
called simply to discuss busines pros-
tects. All of the managers expresed
themrselves as being highly pleased with
the business of the past year and the
uiity of shows miTking this territory.
Several matters of interest co the man-
. Igers were discussed, but their nature is
held sceret for tre present.-NASH.
Houston, Texas, Jan. 27.
"\%e are now ot out way East after a
tril thoutgh the West extending tis far
silteias S-tl 1," said Arthur Warde, who
ts itute i Ai -Fignuin, in The Sub-
vrinty, tral the 1usines So far has been
tory graifying  This  great   W\estern
-  Otatttip  a country that produtces, has
been an escl tilY profitable one to the-
trical attraCtions this season. The high
lass attraction have done exceedingly
itch and even the little ones have been
irli  successful."
Two Houses Would Make One.
Bloomington, Ind., Jan. 27.
q  S i I I1.ihihbert, inc., presented
Girls at theliarri Grand Janr. 23, mai-
inlilli The two tridiences made
goxdhouse, bt tteperformance was
f eipretrated, as was demonstrated
son atii "   urtain calls. Donald Rob-
SSit ieompatry    layed return date
The o nd 22 to rther strall audiences.
Tieotniy canie under the auspices of
Ioverilih department of the Indiana
eiit f  'lihe Wolf iis the next attrac-
-FLTuI mi theO-pheu ristock com-
-ETU'S.

"All the leading musical and dramatic
attractions will be prcsited at the Colo-
ital in the future, tatd the highest price
I be charged for ti, hest seats will be
$1. Onulyi in raec instances will this policy
he departed from, siuh exceptions occur-
ing when attirtirns holding previous
iontracts are offered, it xwhich time the
Irices will be Slightly highr. We deeply
regret tie necessity of this, but it will not
Occur to exceed five or six times during
the season.
"Our policy at all other times will be
best seats for $1. Throughout the United
States there has been an undercurrent of
dissatisfaction over the prevailing high
prices charged for theatrical entertain-
rnent, with a iresultant decrease in patron-
agc, and wherever the more sensible scale
of $1 prices has been established it has
met with enthusiastic reception."-FRYE.
It was printed in these columns recently
that Ray Comstock was believed to be
acting for the Shuberts in securing the
Colonial in Cleveland and that in the event
of his securing a Detroit house it would
tlso be turned over to that firm. Mr.
Comstotk is likely to deny such a story
even if it were tire. If Mr. Comstock is
acting for the Shuberts attractions could
not well appear at the Colonial where
prices exceeding one dollar were charged,
w itlhot violting an existing agreement
with Klaw and Erlanger.
The Colonial is a comparatively new
theater. At times it has been the home.
of stock companies. headed by Vaughan
Glaser aid Leo Ditricistein, and at other
times "combinations" have played there.
-EDITOR.
Benefit for Sufferers.
Spokane. Wash., Jan. 23.
A   ni-iefit matinee Was given for the
Italian sufferers at the Spokane theater
Jan. 15, and was the meanrs of increasing
the fund $260. Those who took part were
.Jessi' Sriirlex and fixe of her corpany
in A Virginit Romance; the Farrell-Tay-
lor comipany, the Asiaires; Mantling-Ford;
Cullent-Smrtitil: L1,0n  T. Rog,,e; Daly's
CIniti  Chai, atnd P. L'. Lynwood.----
Changes Thick and Fast.
Butte, Mont., Jan. 23.
Just as Butte had become accustomed
to John F. Cordray's absence from    the
Orphuni theater, back goes his successor,
E. J. Porella i, to his former Vancouver
imnagerial position. Ite is succeeded by
1irles N. Sutton, late of Portland, Ore.,
tind who will probably represent the Or-
phun interests ret, for soire time to
..n.i .  - 111TINGS.

It has frequentl  been assertedi tiar
high finaice metteswere employed in ithe
r-nirzation of the Nixon & Zimmerman,
Coian & Harris, Edward   Moore, Law-
rnte and Edgar Frank circuit around
Pittsburg and when Atty. M. A. Norris,
acting for the minority stockholders of
the Fark theater at Young .xwn, Ohio,
asked for a dissolution of the the People's
Atromusirentt Company, Jan. 21, color was
given to these rumors.
An accounting is demanded and it is
tlaiend that by being connected with oth-
i companies the majority stockholders
have cut all the melons without regard to
the wishes or rights of the minority.
In ithe petition request is made that the
lease between the Eastern Ohio people
and the Peoples' Amusement Co., by
which the Park theater is at present op-
erated, be set aside.   Both the above
named companies together with Samuel F.
Nixon, Lawrence W. Frank, Samuel H.
Itarris,  andall Montgomery, Gus A.
D-ioeright, John T. Harrington and James
P. Wilson are specifically named as de-
fendants.
it is declared in tie petition that the
Peoples Amusement Co. was incorporated
undir the laws of Ohio with a capitaliza-
tion of $100,000. About $86,000 of this
aiount was issued and is now outstand-
ing. The minority stockholders control
$11,800, the trmainder being in the con-
trol of Messr. Nixon, Frank, Harris and

Fair Business Reported.
Trenton, N. J., Jan. 25.
The attendance was very good at all
ulist-s last xweek, taking the inclement
wxather into consideration. At the State
Strett thorter, Montana plensed fair audi-
ences, Jan. 1S-20. David Higgins in Cap-
int Cltt ai of Missouri delighted a small
but atppitlciilve housT, Jan. 21. Married for
Money dii the largest business of the
w-e--, Jai. 22-22.--STEVENSON.
Mrs. Blaney Wins Divorce.
New York, Jan. 26.
Mrs. Elizabeth M. Blaney has been
granted the final decree in her divorce
proceedings against Charles E. Blaney.
She xvas granted the interlocutory decree
several tionthis ago. There is no provi-
Sion for alimony. Mrs. Blaney has the
custody of the two children, but Blaney
iay ee them at intervals.-WALTER.

PITHY PERSONALITIES

Chas. A. Stedman lls joined the cen-
t-rn  The Alan of tire Hour companry.
Henry Miller wii take The Great Di-
title toIoorin tis sing.
Clara Morris es about recovered from
hror r,-cit illtress.
William  Collier heads a movement to
free the theater and the lives of the act-
ors of all charitable benefits.
Emma Calve was under the care of a
tinoat specialist at Savannah, Ga., for
tr cats recently.
Ramsey Wallace has joined Villiard
lack's company. Tie had been with The
D)evil, which closed at Ogden, Utah.
John C. Slavin will appear in a new
musical coiredv inn lareh, under  the
management of Frank McKee.
George C. Hazelton will play Edgar
Allen Poe in The Rbtsven succeeding Henry
Ilcdlowe.
Claire Fuller is playing the title role in
ont of Brodhurst and Currio's production
if 'fxas.
Dakota Reich, of Ai Internationtal Mar-
ritge, has been elected a member of the
Actors' Society.
Sig Torri is fequently taken for Carus-
suo. The resemblance is said to be strik-
Ing
Laura FrankenfEld, a graduate of the
l'nix'ersitp' of M~innestar, in xxithr Louis
Jamres in Peer Gytrt.
Violet Hoik,lois- with The Raven, is
fromn Knoxville, Tctnin.. no the papers in
that region are giving her many boosts.
She is said to deserve them.
Kyrie Bellew dit-cussed his experiences
in Central Africa with President Roose-
velt the other day, having spent several
months in the precise region in which
the President intends to lutnt.
Dore Davidson has purchrsed the Eng-

lih light s to TIe Alan ott the Box from
John Cort. He will tour the English
provinces withte p)rodutio aattheaclose
uof Iris enrgagemnrt wvithr Wagenthals &
Kemper.
Minna Gale has a reason for returning
to the stage. "Everybody knows that my
hLuSband has had reverses,' she says,
and I believe strongly that in such an
event a wife should put her shoulder to
the wheel.'
Gertrude Hoffman taet with a painful
accident at Cincinnati last week. When
throwing herself upon the stage at the
conclusion of her Salome dance she fell
on her face and split her nose. Although
suffering auch pin she gave her imper-
sonations as usual.
Doris Keane met iwith an accident dur-
ing a rehearsal during the rehearsal of
The Happy Marriage in New York. She
junmls over the back of the sofa, in dis-
plaYing the buillition of the young wife
'Inher i  hinistn. rcturn5, sd her shoe
cauighut this time. Sine xxas urnconscioums
for more than an hour.
Belle Gold is the latest addition to In
New York which is now rehearsing in
Philadelphia. The cast now    inclu"des:
The Four Mortons, Cliff Gordon, Julia
Frnry, Nellie Beaumont, Adele Osvald,
Doris Cameron, Irene Franklin, Ethel
Pennington Ema Morey, Ponothy Me-
LelItand, Me jor Doyle, Reid Sisters , P.
Gianinni and -McDevitt & Kelly.,
Lillian Mortimer for several years the
central figure of sundry vigorous melo-
dramas, has decided to say good-bye to
"the thrillers," for good and will go into
vaudeville now that "Poor White Trash"
is ihit. She announes that she will here-
aftir not only plan the vaudeville circuits
but will write sundry sketches and will
hrunch a nurmber of new acts upon the
field.

Doeight. Frank who is the secretary of
the amusement company is said to be the
lrigest stockholder. Mlessr. Montgomery,
Wilson and Harington aire declared to be
not financially interested, personally, but
merely acting as directors in the interest
of the majority holders.
That the above group organized and
control the Eastern Ohio Treater com-
pany, in which tie minority have no rep-
resentation, and that the defendants en-
tered into a contract with themselves as
the Eastern Ohio Theater company and
thus diverted to themselves all the profits
ricruing from the lease of the Park the-
ater and the ioneys from rents, etc., is
the contention of the plaintiffs.
The Park theater has not for a long
time and is not now paying dividends to
the Peoples' Amusement company, due
claim the plaintiffs to the lease entered
into by the majority stockbolders. The
majority stockhtoltiers, however, are rc-
cused  of receiving  arrounts  totalling
many thousands of dollars which they are
now asked to account for.
No recovery for damages would be pos-
sible from the Eastern Ohio theater peo-
ple as a company because the nominal
capitalization of this concern which is an
Ohio incorporation is only $1,000. For this
ri-tson a receiver in demanded to conduct
the business and on final order sell the
same.
The Park theater is the same one which
which has been fighting the Musicians'
l'nion this season, reference to which has
frequently been made in these columns.
Last week this paper printed that Edgar
Frank, a brother of Lawrence Frank, no
longer managed the theater.

T   I
-h i
he
i--i :it
1-tat-

6

A CRUSADE AGAINST
SUNDAY PERFORMANCES.
Civic Federation Busy at Minneapolis
While Iowans Seek Legislative
Action.
Minneapolis, Minn., Jan. 28.
The officials of the Civic Federation an-
nounce a reform   crusade  in which an
effort will be made to stop Sunday per-
forunances. No  Sctive steps have been
tiatent as yet.-BARNES.
Webster City, Iowa, Jan. 28.
T1e DescMoines MilnisteialuAssociation
aurd other churchr rind religious organiza-
tions of lowa are preparing to make an
assault upon the state legislature. They
wiill ask the passage of a sweeping anti-
Sunday amuserrent law. No senator or
represents Live  has yet been found to
father the proposed legislation, but the
movement has gained some favor, having
been started last fall, and it is expected
that within a short time a law upon the
subject will be introduced.-TUCKER.
Austin, Texas, Jan. 27.
The whole country will watch with in-
lorest the progress of a bill just intro-
duced into the Texas legislature. It pro-
hibits Sunday baseball, theaters and all
forms of paid amusements. Representa-
tive Bowles is the father of the proposed
reasure. Texan witr suis blue laws as
thin and its practical prohibition of cir-
cuses bids fair to continue in the lime-
light for some time.
Zimmerman Enters Nickelodia.
Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 20.
The truth is out at last. It is not Rich-
ard W. McFarland, formerly manager of
the two Shubert houses here-the Lyric
and Adelphi-who is    the  sole moving
spirit behind the Liberty, the new theato-
Iiuma now being erected in Columbia ave-
nue west of Broad, and which will be
opened, according to the present plans
about Feb. 1. For some time it has been
publicly announced that McFarland was
the prospective proprietor, manager, etc.
But since the house has begun to take
form ndspromises to beoneof the finest
as axelI an one of the largest inthe city,
MeFarland erstwhile secret partner, has
stepped inrto the limelight and  shared
somie of the McFarland glory. He is none
other than J. Fred Zimmerman, partner
in tie Nixon & Zinmerman enterprises
(some of them, at least), and chief rogul
at the Chestnut Street opera house. It is
tot rumored that J. Fred intends to aban-
don plays for pictures exclusively, but it
is said that lie desires to maintain his
high position as the public's friend-when
it comes to amusement. The Liberty will
seat 1,000. lut it is not likely to lie up
to its title so far as its conduct is con-
cerned.
Trio of Friars.
Minneapolis, Minn., Jan. 27.
Three members of The Friars were in
town last week. They were: J. Frank
Glibons. ahead  of Mort Singer's The
I-ineynicton Trail; Harry Luther, in ad-
arniet of The Girl at the -TiTo, and Wal-
litce  Munro, advance represontatiae of
Lunis .Tmnos iln P-rni-nt  BARNES.

HONE CO.
RNIANAG