AROUND THE WORLD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 57

AROUND THE WORLD.

Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. America,

June 24, 1902.

Dear Pasqum,— l again tako great pleasure in writing a few lines, after neglecting to do so for many weeks. Not that you are forgotten, however; far from that. Never a day passes but I think of M-aoriland and its many associations, and wonder how long it will be ere I ieach those shores a=*ain. The "Old Reliable" comes to hand regularly, and I greedily read its columns for news of old associates. Doubtless I shall find many changes on my return, which I look forward to m a few weeks now. Amusements in this country are particularly quiet for this time of the year, owing to tho very unusually cold weather which is prevalent throughout the States. Last week heavy snow=t-oims were experienced m the noith ar.d "north-vicsterii States, and frosts were the order of the day throughout) Indiana and as fur souih. as Kentucky, Georgia, &Jid F'orida. This, of course, is more than unu^ua-1: it is remarkable.

I msntion these facts by the way, as it has a tendency to crippie all the open-air attractions. Last week we had Wallace's Circus in town, ar.d it seemed ridiculous to see people attending a circus in heavy wraps in Jui.c. Circuses only remain in town one day — two performances, matines and evening. That seems strange in a city of 200,000 inhabitants.

Companies like Bonry Irvi&g's remain,only for two or three performances-. This goes to prove the Americans are not so much amusementloving a people as the British. Kyrle Bellew gave one performance here la^t week. It is out of the theatrical season, but the weather vas so cool that he had a good attendance. Some weeks ago G-eorge Titheradge was in tho city with Mrs Patrick Campbell Co. I learn they proceed tc Australia the latter part of this year.

Doubtless yon are fully acquainted with the numerous trusts in this country. Amongst •others there was, and still is, a Theatrical Trust. It was worked entirely against the interests of the artists, inasmuch as the artist had to pay "booking agents" a heavy fee (as none were accepted except through agents), and then the manager charged a commission on the salaries besides. That would not have been the wor3t, but it was discovered that the booking agents and managers were part and parcl of each other. "When tins fact was assured the "pros." rose up m revolt nnd aaked m a reasonable manner that things should be remedied. They were simp'y laughed at for their pains. However, the "pro 3." made v. demand for a. remedy, threatening retaliation if not acceded to by a limited tinte. This was not done. At the expiration of the limit every member of the various companies m New York City and New Yoik State refused to appear, and thus cancelled their contracts. During the ensuing week funds wore raised, theaiies were rented, and on the foUowing Sunday performances were held for funds to benefit the striking pros , who banded together and callec? thcmßelves the "White R'tts." The benefit performances were a d-ecidcd success, seats lx'ng sod by auction; some brought as high a= 500dol, and very few scat? were eol;l for less than ldo! 'With the funds thus mi c rr! ciicujts iinve bet r> opened a"» far west .is Chicago by th" independents, and I am pl-eased to state they are ho.dmg their own against the "Octopus" Vaudeville Trust.

Apropos stukes lcminda me of the nio=t BucceT>ful strike recorded in the Stui.es— tJ'C strike of the San Francisco street-car rues. They hud a grievance, ami requested an adjustrvrt The company deded the n;on staling ti,c> cou!d replace them with othei j The cii men gave n hmit tune Tor coir=idt-rat'on of the inaUer, but no att?ntion \va<» paid to them, so without further wnrninß the m?n continued at Ih<>ir po=--t<» for epreral days, until the fo'lowmg Saturday, when, at a given signal, at C p.m. ever) duver i*nd coiiductoi stepned eff Jus car. Thus tl'e v.hole service v.-ai lied up. Neither the liLvvspapsrs noi the pu!< 'c lrnev ai ythmg of the impending strike w> to that moment, bia as soou as it bcjanie kno-.rii, everyone expiessed sympathy with the jiwt demands of the men. Buiiu- *s men and merchants contributed funds to tho car men, and placed cards m their stores requesting the puVir to nfrani from using the cars should they b • run by non-union m«n. These efforts r! d the forming- of temporary transports — v.n-2^ 0 -, 'buses, etc. — scoa brought the Cur Tiust up to time, :uid exactly o: p week from the btait of the stukc the men were rcrrstatod and th» ■ctrcct cars were pgam on the track. In justice to Ihe men, I must state they piotect^d the property of the company against the raids of the gangb of toughs who started "mashing the g'as.s a J firing '-hots at tbe cars. 1 fear I have prolonged my letter, and must no.v draw to a e'ese. "With kiod regards and best wish-es to my many friends in. New Zealp::d, rot fo-tettjif- jcui&elf, — Yorrs truly, George V. Beck. [GlaJ to hear iroin you again, after a long