The New York herald., 1878-01-13
AMONG THE TICKET sPECULATORs.


coaSIzED EvIL--wHAT WE PAY Fon OUR
THEATRICAL PRIVILEGES WHY MANAGERS
DEFEND THE SPECULATIVE SYSTEM.
"Tickei, sir, ticket? First class the par
quet-same price as al box olice."
"wheres your profit, thenY" asked the reporter, as
he fingered for last evening at tho entrance
TO Booths Theatre TO learn something Of the true In
wariness OF ticket speculation.
sWcll, there isn't much tonight, at least just
Tho weather is bad, you see, and good many people
engaged their seats In advance, thai have some
| left over.n
''But can't you return them to the box office ?"
'0h, no, sir; not here. I's done elsewhere but at
Booths We have take risks, and If any LETT
on hand it's our loss."
| 'rell me frankly, is the business paying one?"
'Oh, yes, in the long run, but very uncyen--not
halt good 1t used to DO, because the public have
somehow got IL into thoir heads that there always
plenty OF empty seats It's only now and then, Ray
on o big stars hrs, night or big benefit that we
mako a bonanza Whom Charlotte Cushman put In
her last appearance here got $40 tor gallery seats
aud home $500 ahead. But lightning don't
strike like that twice the place"
.Is this business Of ticket speculation q regular
profession? ?"
"Bless your SOUL yes---as much selling stocks
and bonds in Wall street. All IL requires Is little
capital, pluck, luck, energy, good sensation and
pleasant night ana II we don't make money thcn why
it's our own fault You tho theatregoers tnke 1t
for granted that have the best seats In house
which by the way Is true and rather Than stand
line Tor twenty or thirty minutes and take their
chances OF getting indifferent place, good many OF
them pay the premium that VIC charge and walk right
in -
s'But how about that prem mum--do you tx it your.
self,
mot always-oh, no. As general thing most OF
tho managers won't permit larger advance than dity
cents dollar aud half ticket but occasionally VIC
buy account aud charge according 10 cir.
cumstances. II is only private sort OF auction,
know, In hich prices shit according 10 tho de-
mand, the hour Of the evening. and the crowd"
''But-won't you buy q ticket, sir? same price
inside.''
"No, l thank you I'm from the HERALD; only
wanted to hear you talk"
''Ihe HERALD! Now, pard. don't 60 and print what
l said--don' Y give US away"
The reporter, taking the cue from the foregoing
rcmarks promptly proceeded to interview
erai OF the leading managers OF the city In order
to ascertain to what extent f any, fraud Is perpe.
ira.ed the public, ana why it that these specu
a,ors are permitted to carry on their operations In
| front OF tho respective theatres.
One statement viii answer tor oil, inasmuch as
there is q singular unanmity Of opinion among the
managerial fraternity. They recognize the ticket
specuiator MS necessary evil, not entirely harmless,
and yet not ordinarily hurtful or disadvantagcous
HIS existence, they say, s due selves but
to the public There a class people who rarely
20 70 box Office 10 secure thor seats but depepd for
them entirely upon these men, their regular
toners, and are satisfied TO pay the extra charge
(which is imposed The latter is not permitted TO DO
ex0rbtant whore tho spcculator IL under tho control
OF the management, which IS generally the case,
any grevous niracon OF the rulc results dsso.
varying from $500 to SO, 600 year, have been paid
for the privilege of selling tickets IN front OF
at certain hour during an evening Whatever may
remain unsold. This, however, does not prevent
other operators from coming in as competitors when
ever they See IN opportunity OF turning honest
penny, though these take their own chances Implying
seats and II they lose money have redress. Ger
tam rows are Always set apart tor the hoels newspa
per stands and legitimate spectators The advance
prcc rarely excesds hfty cen,s ordinary adms-
son OF which, In some cascs, the theatre itself enjoys
profit varying from teu twenty cents each In
Short The specuiator although outside, Is as uch
agent Of the theatre tho In the box once and
secures certain amount OF pa.ronass that might rot
he otherwise obtainable Az tho man at Booths The
ssrs said 'he, are class Of people, Who rahsr than
late In tho day, will telegraph 10 tho
spseuIs,or 10 reserve those Of witch they know BY
experience, he has The best in tho house. II
thai these same people ON entering tho theatre viii
frequently nnd'empty seats all around them whicn
BEEN had at regular prices; but ono oi the mana
gers said, "Y0ur rich and hurried individual don't
atcd In spite oI ourselves. There another consid-
Grafton, 100" he remarked "Thc presence OF three
those people In front OF house conveys
idea of lively business, and thoy more less adver
se the place. IL stop thcm VIC must also stop The
sale tickets At the hotels aud elsewhere, anu this
can't afford 10 do, Tor hero hundreds 0i people,
transient visitors the city and others, who
think of coming to the box office. agreo with You
that the nstitu B o bad one but going
70 hop np since the public are the chief supporters
Of the spccuators and have practically MADE them
since the speculator himself average his $75 or
500 week-and some OF them. by tho way, have be-
where y0u can than leave them buy tickets
and charge exorbitant hgures? 2"
You cJnccdc, then that therc Is c0llusion between
the outside and tho authorities the box
offcey''
"Yes TO the extent that have mentioned, but no
more The theatre dosires II slight benefit in the
shape OF commission the sale Of tickets. and In
round sum Tor the privilege Of the sale;
but know OF no instance whore tho ma nag emenI
cnargcs speculnor less than It charges the pub. I"
"ls there any way Of preventing the evil tnat you
"None II VIC refuse to soil i've, ten or fifty seats
others 10 mako tho purchase for him, aud he, un-
doubleday has much right TO trndc in tho tickets
you have IN buying ana selling barrel OF flour.
AS long the pubic support tho ibsttuion tor II
las become suchind long as there is profit In the
transaction depcud upon II that II will exist. rccog
nize the evil but 'what arc you gong 10 do about
uY'"
AN IMPRESAKIOS TROUBLES.
A LONG WAIr-MISS KELLOGG CHANCES HYR