The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-18
An ANTITRUST Trust.

An Anu-Trust Trust.
NEW YORK, Dec. 1.-THE New York
Journal contains the following on the anti
trust trust that is about to be formed: An
other effort on the part of dramatic attrac-
lions to break the power of the theatrical
syndicate will shortly be added to those
which have been described from time to
time in the Journal during the last six
months. The promoters of former attempts
in this line credit their failure to prema-
ture publication of their plans, resulting in
half-hearted members of the prospective or
CARNATIONS either withdrawing voluntarily
or being influenced to do so by the syndi-
cate
The present effort is said to be managed
with extraordinary discretion, with a view
to escaping the fate of it's predecessors.
Mrs. Minnie. Madden Fiske is prominent
in the movement, and it is understood that
Francis Wilson and Richard Mansfield are
pledged to it. though Harrison Grey Fiske
said yesterday that it was determined this
time to give out no details until organiza-
ton was complete.
The Journal has already named the prin-
cipal theaters of the country that are not
in the syndicate. These houses are pre-
sumably ready to encourage all stars and
frst-class attractions in their plans to book
independently of the Hayman organization.
They constitute a fairly complete circuit
of the important cities and towns, so it will
be seen that there is room for a second
syndicate the successful operation of
which, 1t is alleged, effectually removes the
trust" disadvantage from the theatrical
field, as two trusts in the same line of BUSH
ness would be impracticabe.
For the first time since comments unfa-
vorable to the syndicate began to attract
general attention. Al Hayman, its chief
iuminary, has expressed himself on the sub
nI1lI In m liC CCin 70 (
inspired by a published statement from
Senator Morgan. in which the latter is
quoted as saying:
Much of this abuse could be remedied by
the people refusing to patronize the houses
where the plays Of this trust are put on.
If the press will keep up this agitation and
this new monopoly it can throttle it,
When man like Senator Morgan dances
into the theatrical arena with the clumsi-
ness of raw debutante.' said Mr.. Hay
man, Il am tempted to break the silence
which i have imposed on myself for the
time being. His ignorance of the actual
facts underlying this controversy shows
what q dangerous man he would be to leg
islate for the welfare of his countrynen.
He joins three or four people. against 10
per cent. of the profession and has prac-
tically put himself on record as saying that
the three or four people are right and all
the rest who are working with us are
wrong. He is a strange commentary on the
American democratic idea of the majority
rule. He tells the people to remedy the
abuse by staying away from the tneaterS
in which the trust attractions appear.
Now. that has always been a remedy at the
command of the public, and has been eX-
ercised with discretion and an absolute
disregard of our feelings to an extent that
at times has brought dismay to many a
managerial heart
With all the talk of trust conspiracy and
illegality. it looks to me as if when we do
finally get into court we shall have to APP
pear as plaintiffs, and not as defendants.
We have been waiting patiently to be sum-
moned there, and will be only too glad to
show up all of our contracts when that
times comes, as we have absolutely nothing
to hide. In the meantime, will Senator
Morgan abide his heaving soul in patience
We promise him. when our contracts are
made public. that all of them put together
will not be half as long as one of his fill
clustering senatorial speeches.