The evening times., 1897-03-13

The going over Of the National Theater
TO the managerial syndicate has disclosed
state oil affairs which has proved. the
biggest sensation OF the year in the pro-
Iesslon As matters stand it is impossible
TO draw deductions, for the principals to
the discussion tell conflicting stories, but
This much is certain: Francis Wilson and
tbe syndicate are ON opposite sides OF q
yawning chasm
The trouble is best told in the words
OF the two men Intimately in terested in
the discussion, AL sCanby, manager for
Francis Wilson, and All HaynIan. of the
syndicate. l4
Said Mr.. Bayman, on behalf of the
combine:
MT Candy came to US last August and
asked Us to hold time for him in our cir
cult OF theaters for next season. that of
1898. We did as he desired, and
among other places we booked him at the
Academy OF Music, in Baltimore, and at
the Lafayette Square, in Washington. He
LAD been accustomed to play in Baltimore
at Fords and in Washington at the Ma.
tional, but those houses were not then in
our circuit, so, OF course, we could not
book bin in them He closed with US at
our Academy in Baltimore and Lafayette in
Washington.
Recently, however, Ford's and the Ma
tinnal CAME into ourco ntrol and on examin-
ing their books we found that Mr.. Candy,
while processing to have closed with US, had
without our kno wlcdge held time at both
the other houses. We considered this
gross breach of faith o n his part, double
dealing that is not conntenanced in any
other business, which should be stamped
out in theatrical circles for the benefit OF
all thcaterS and which we mean to stamp
out In every theater within our control.
1T is unfair, unjust, wrong in every
way, and We won't have IL ia any OF our
houses. MI. Wilson said he would play
IN the theaters he Lad selected and throw
over the others, and we Informed him that
We would carry out every actual contract
we had made, but as we did not wish
to do any more business with him we would
cancel every booking made for Him in our
theaters that had not been actually closed
by contract"
Francis Wilson is In indianapolis this
week. Mr. Candy was interviewed at the
Hoosier Capital, and said:
"Our present disagreement with the
NCAAAeAAArNsANh
to control absolutely the theatrical busi-
ness in this countryis the result of their ar
roEant and coersive policy. Last summer,
when / arranged MI wilson's route they
were very persuasive and most conciliatory
with promises, and they urged us TO play
our engagements next season in Baltimore
at the Academy and in Washington at the
Lafay yette Square Theater, tie houses con-
trolled by the syndicate, instead OF at
Ford's opera House and the National The
ater. in which we have been appearing
successfully for eight years.
"They had just assumed charge of the
Aca DENY and Lafayette Square, and
the results of their management We're
problematical. We declined to consent
to this, and an agreement was made be-
tween us that unless their houses proved
to be the best IN each city we should
continue at FOrd's and the National, as
it was our wish sand our policy to play |
in whichever we, in our judgment, con- |
sidered the best theater in each city
Il had considerable difficulty in getting |
my contracts signed for Philadelphia this |
year on account OF. our aversion TO chang |
ing to their houses. and as they controlled /
every important theateT in Philadelphia ii /
was very evident that they would menace |
all attractions with a refusal to play them
in that city unless they consented to go |
TO their Baltimore and Washington houses
also. In fact, our Philadelphia dates were
actually Cancelled at that time for insist
ing upon our rights an business independ-
encc hut afterward this decision was
revoked.
''Well, when they became convinced that
we would not permit them to control us,
a compromise was reached, which, as /
pave said, made our changing dependent |