The times., 1897-03-21

will be permanent If il does not grow too
big and fall beneath its own weight. IT is
a good thing. | believe this on the assunp-
tion that everyone connected with the syn
diCate will act perfectly honorable, and II
the names behind the syndicate are not a
guarantee of this, where Will we find
them / / CeutTaiiZes and systematiZes af-
fairs, and the result Will naturally be
economy. The thcater may obviate the
hitherto cut-throat policy of playing sim
liar attractions against each other, an
obvious benefit To both theater and attrac-
ton, and the companies Will be enabled
to arrange their routes with a nationally
economical policy This lack OF economy
is apparent in my own case in laying Off
the Creston Clarke Company last week.
Plenty of time was offered me, but it
was not SO geographically situated that 1
could reasonably take it. 1t was better
not to play. Another instance OF bad
booking which perfect syndicate organiza-
ton will regulate is the present fortnight
of "Sbamus 0'Brien,' which comes TO
the Columbia next week. They are in
Chicago this week and will be obliged to
make a jump of fourth of the way
across the continent Syndicate economy
will dispense with this doubling in travel
Instead of playingin Philadelphia, jumping
to Boston, back to baltimore, then to
Pittsburg, then to Washington, an n
stance in booking often found nowadays,
when the syndicate next season has every
thing in control they can start a company
in Boston and bring 1T successively to
Providence, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Bal
.imore, Washington, Pittsburg, and so on.
In Otb rtS Of rt,,l
have expressed themselves forcibly on the
syndicate question. Here are some of them
Daniel Frohman The syndicate cannot
but help the manager and relieve him of the
troublesome methods in the bookings. If
the manager of company is relieved OF
that, his time is at his disposal That can
be best employed by strict attention to his
business.
Duncan b. Harrison The theatrical Dusi-
ness needs careful attention. Managers can
not watch their companies too closely, and
those who make it their business to sit in
New York to do the bookings and allow
their show to go to pieces on the road are,
of course, the ones who are at fault With
any combination offering advantageous
dates, the manager is relieved of that bur
den, hence the syndicate viii work Won
ders. -F
Joseph Brooks-W H Crane will be book
ed by the syndicate all of next season. That
shows the faith have in it.
George B. McGlelan-Any scheme to aid
managers in their booking should be en-
couraged. The theory that the syndicate
will squeeze the shows is all wrong.
No theater can exist without attractions,
and instead of fighting the attractions
the syndicate will cater to them, and give
them the best to. he had. OF course it is
a good scheme. 7sO
Kit Clarke-The syndicate is nothing but
an enlarged hooking agency. When I was
with Haverly, he:booked almost that way,
only that he controlled the theaters him
self. BY having a chain of them he was
able to play a continuous circuit. That
is where the syndicate will help the pro-
fession.
j. NJ. Hill-If ever I go back to the
theatrical business, l will pay cold cash
to have the syndicate book my shows. 1t
will save my giving up good money to
half dozen booking agencies, and get
next to nothing in return.
Frank McKee-The syndicate is in no
way detrimental to a good show. The
bookings are all concentrated, and it is
much more satisfactory and agreeable
doing business with four or five than with
fifty. We don't know anything about
any one ese's troubles but we don't have
to hunt up policeman to tell ours TO.
We had worked in with Mr.. Haynlan be-
fore the syndicate was formed, and we are
simply continuing in the good old way.