Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-20
TICKET SPECULATION.
The Methods Of Operation at Theatres
n. Near YorI--A Recognized Eril-- What
We Pay for Our theatrical Pririlcgcs--
Why JIn0nyess Defend Their Speculative

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System.
.:Ticket, sir, ticket? First class seat in tn,
parquet-same price as at box-ofice.''
ssWhere's your profit, then?" asked the re
porter, as he fingered for moment last eve
ming at the entrance to Booths Theatre tx
learn something of the true inwardness O
ticket speculation
':Well, there isn't much tonight, at leas
just now. The weather is bad, you see, ane
good many people engage their seats il
advance, so that we have some fotlever."
'sBut can't you return them to the box
Officer"
'.Oh, no, sir not here. It's done elsewhere
but at Booths we have to take orr risks, anG
if any are left on hand it's our loss.''
''Tell me frankly, is the business paying
one?''
son, yes, in the long run, but very uneven
not half as COED as it used te be, because
the public have somehow got it into Their
heads that there are plenty of empty seats
It's only now and then, say on big stars
night or big benefit, that we make bon
ANA. When Charlotte Cushman put in her
last appearance here got $40 for gallery
seats, and went home $500 ahead, But
lightning don't strike Like that twice in the
same place"
SIS this business of ticket speculation a
regular profession"
'.Bless your soul, yes-as much as selling
stocks and bonds in Wall street. All it re-
quires is a little capital, pluck, luck, energy, a
good sensation and a pleasant night, and if
we don't make money then, why it's our own
fault. You see the theatre-goers take it for
granted that we have the best seats in a house
which by the way is true and rather than
stand in line for twenty or thirty minutes
and take their chances of getting an inditfer-
ent place, good many of them pay the
premium that we charge and walk right in
'But how about that premium-do you fix
it yourself?''
'Not always-oh, no. AS a general thing
most of the managers won't permit larger
advance than fifty cents on dollar and a
half ticket, but occasionally We buy on our
own account and charge according to circum-
stances. It is only a private sort of an auc-
ton, you know, in which prices shift accord
ing to the demand, the hour of the evening,
and the crowd"
.'But-won't you buy ticket, STRIP same
price as inside"
mo, thank you. I'm from the Heyald,.
only wanted to hear you talk
''The Herald! Now, pard, don't 90 and
print what | said-don't give us away
The reporter, taking the cue from the fore
going remarks, promptly proceeded to inter
view several of the leading managers of the
city, i'll order to ascertain to what extent, if
any, fraud is perpetrated on the public, and
why it is that these spectators are permitted
to carry on their operations in front of the
respective theatres.
One statement will answer for all, mas
much as there is a singular unanimity of
opinion among the managerial fraternity.
They recognize the ticket Spectator as a
necessary evil, not entirely harmless, and not
ordinarily hurtful or disadvantageous. His
existence they say, is due, not to themselves,
but to the public. There are a class of peo-
pie who rarely 60 to a box Office to secure
their seats, but depend for them entirely
upon these men, are their regular customers,
and are satisfied to pay the extra charge
which is imposed. The latter is not permit
ted to be exorbitant where the speculator is
under the control of the management, which
IS generally the case, and any grievous infrac-
ton Of the rules results in dissolution of
contract. In various instances large sums,
varying from $500 to $4,000 year have
been paid for the privilege of selling tickets
III front of a theatre, and for the fur
ther privilege of returning at a certain
honr during an evening whatever may
remain unsold. This, however, does not
prevent other operators from coming in as
competitors whenever they see an opportu-
nifty of turning an honest penny, though
these take their own chances IN buying seats
and if they lose money have no redress.
Certain rows are always set apart for the no.
tells, newspaper stands and legitimate specu-
lators. The advance price rarely exceeds
fifty cents on an admissions, of which, in
some cases. the theatre itself enjoys a profit
varying from ten to twenty cents each. In
short, the Spectator. although outside, is as
much an agent of the theatre as the man in
the box office, and secures a certain amount
OF patronage that might not be otherwise
obtalnable. As the man at Booths theatre
said, there are class Of people, who, rather
than take the chances Of poor seats. especial
~ late III the day. will telegraph to the spec
ulator to reserve those Of which they know
by experience lie has best in the house. II
IS true that these same people, on
entering the theatre. will frequently find
empty seats all around them which
were not disposed Of at the box office and
could have been had at regular prices; but
as one of the managers said, Your rich and
hurried individuals don't stop to count the
cost, and SO the system is perpetuated in
spite of ourselves. There is another consid-
Grafton. too he remarked. .'The presence
OF three or four of these people in front of
a house conveys an idea of lively business,
and they more or less advertise the place. If
we stop them, we must also stop the sale OF
tickets at the hotels and elsewhere and fhis
we can't afford to do. for there hundreds Of
people, transient visitors to the city and 9th
ers, who never think Of coming to the box
office. lagree with You that the institution
is bad one, but how are we going to help
it? Since the public are the chief supporters
of the Spectators and have practically made
them: since the Spectator himself can aver
age his 1915 or S10O week-and some of
them. by the way, have become rich-isn't it
better to control them by contract where you
can do SO than leave them to buy tickets and
charge exorbitant figures.
you concede, then, that there is collision
between the man outside and the authorities
in the box Officer?
Yes. to the extent that I have mentioned,
but no more. The theatre desires a slight
benefit i'll the shape of commission on the
sale of tickets, and i'll some cases a round
sum for the privilege of the sale; but l
know of no instance where the management
charges Spectator less than it charges the
public.