Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-03
THE ARMY OFDEADHEADs.
Proposed Abolition of Free Passes
Opinions Pro and Con.
From tho Nego York 7eZe1gaD.


PARIS, Dec. 1.-THE ''deadhead" con-
troversy now raging here can only be
compared for virulence with that which
appears to have been stirred up across
the Channel by the new regulations with
regard to dog muzzles. For years-for
centuries-the ''deadheads" have had IL
all their own way. Managers are begin
Glng to find out that their way-the way
OF the "deadheads'-is ruinous, and a
wall of evaporation has gone up. At the
last meeting of the Society OF Dramatic
Authors and Composers speaker sol
EMMY proposed the abolition of free
passes.
WHAT THE THEATRES LOSE.
1t would be difficult to exaggerate the
c0mmotion caused by this proposal. A
large-and in its own eyes influential
section Of Paris society has been brought
up in the firm belief that It has an abso-
Lutte right to free and perpetual entertain
ment. You would very much astonish NJ
le COmte de JeDesaisquoi If YOU were to
suggest his asking for gratJltous dinners
at the Maison DOree, or q gratuit0us ride
TO his little place at lie Vasinet. But
he sees no shame in accent
ing the 10 or 20 francs represented
by his stall at the BOuffes or the Renais-
sance. Indeed, he affects to think that
by occupying the seat he is himself con-
feFring, rather than accepting, a favor.
One manager estimates that over three
quarters of million ''billets de favour"
are given away at the Paris theatres
yearly. Taking the average value of
each at i've francs we get a nominal loss
of 3, 10000 francs-a sum which would
allow every individual manager o make
handsome profit and produce half a
dozen new pieces.
WHO THE DEADHEADS ARE.
NJ. Duquesrel, the enterprising man
ager of the Porte ST. Martin, thinks the
''deadhead' a real danger to the French
stage. The wide-awake Parisians. ne
says, have given up paying as the theatre,
and, but for provincial visitors and for
eIgners, the managers might as wei close
their doors. The great "deaGbead"
brotherhood comprises various factions.
There are the actors. actresses. authors,
the actors friends, the actresses friends,
the authors friends, the composers
friends, the critits, the reporters, the
friends of the circus, the
friends of the reporters and the Po-
lice Commissioner, the Ministers, the
employees of the fine arts department, and
last, but not least, the handful of social
nOtabilities who are supposed to be i'm
peccable arbiters of taste and fashion.
REMEDIES SUGGESTED.
How can the s'deadbeads" he diminish
ed? The question is not easy to answer.
To eliminate the critics and reporters
would, Of course, be Injurious, and it
might be dangerous to offend the others
Yet something must be done or half the
theatres in Paris will be ruined, and prob
ably the solution suggested by NJ. Du-
4 H. 10. Il al 81
press have free Tickets" SAYS NJ. Duques-
mel. ''but only for the first five representa-
tions of new pieces. After That, in heavens
name, let the theatre be treated like any
other commercial undertaking. At the
utmost we might consent to issue tickets
at half-price to certain people. But as TO
the mass Of nOn-iOurnalistic deadheads,
why not ignore themY'
NJ. CarYalhO. manager OF the Opera
COmique, says the ''deadheadsv for the
most part are wealthy or well-to-do citi-
zens, and blames the weakness Of his
brethren in not resisting the onslaught
daily made on them, and he does not see
how the press can be denied free admis-
sion.
A ''MONsTRoUS' PROPOSITION.
NJ. Koning. manager Of the Gymbase
thinks iJ would be easy and sensibly LAYS
down the-tO French minds, mOnstrous-
principle that even the free premiere
should be abolished. Critics should pay
for their seats like ordinary folk. On the
other hand, managers should cease to
deluge the press with requests for ''puGs. -
or nav for them As advertisements. This
is, Of course the common sense way out
OF the difficulty, but for that very reason
there is little chance Of its being adopted.
Custom is tyra'nt, nowhere more than IN
Paris, and twenty years hence no doubt
the question will be agitated once more,
and with no more likelihood Of its being