New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-22
THE THEATRICAL SYNDICATE.
SOME OF THE RECENT EXPRESSIONS OF
OPINION AGAINST 1T.

OPINION AGAINST 1T.
"The New-York Dramatic Mirror" the leading
dramatic paper Of this country which Is wasins a
war against the so-called theatrical syndicate, p
lishes in the last Issue Of it's theatrical truS'
supplement- the following letter from "h"a"'
Winter the dramatic critic OF The Tribune:
My Dear Sir: / thank you for copies OF heath.
ea syndicate, now understood to be IN opera NV VET
obssr9 4er OF tsestrcs aars would say
mat In my judgment. deermlned opp9, ,ciye 70
the public welfare. syndicaes or trusts are %u.'
ed upon the greed of monopoly Their m nSnrf Is
70 obtain money for their me- mbers ana IN pursue
OF nat object they usually at without the
avenues Of Industry and by reason Of their button
making policy, degrading every commo1d,'S 9,,en
tg u and Il Widey successful do allow
aPy40Gy outside Of Their cF bae no The
stage exerts great influence upon sosietya,hb1y
Greater tha an that Il the see he
free from every form Of tyranny. ano 70 De Nos,
Siered not as corner sggUSery force This
understand 70 be the position YOU nave ass ton
End End practical maintenance Of fheIs Winter
New-Brightoa, Staten Island, Dec. H. 1897
Opposition to the syndicate continues 10 pe nia"-
tested in vigorous ways especially in the speeches
and interviews OF several prominent actors as the!
appear In one city Of the country after anotner'
notable instance was the speech delivered by FRAN
els Wilson at the fremont Theatre, Boston Oh
Monday night after the second act OF his perform
ance of Half King" In the course Oh 'h's
speech he said:
Theatrical art In America is In great straits anu
II depends upon you whether or NOT y sha aunn
dragged from the slough into wnich II nas @ 10
You must know that number or .3peculattois ~ ~
New-York have the theatrical PROFESSION y ,his
throat and are forcing the chef actors OF ~. NE
country either bend TO their wishes or 70 uo ve
Of two thngs-play In secondclass places or sIuSo
ment or abandon their profession but d lttie AZ Sra
Of brave men, a brave band OF niue men, u,,
to stand up and say: Thus far shalt tho 81 dies
no further" The names Of these people .aute
ard gentlemen are Richard Mansheld tapPIae9
Mrs Minnie Maddern Fiske (applause2' James o I
HerIe, James O'Neill, Robert Mantel! ana yo'Ut I,
humble servant. besides others whose naIh .i ~
might not he we'll for TO mention al TINS u,ne
Joseph jefferson. the dean OF our proleseon Si
applause has said that the theatrical rus
monopoly ard that II is inimical 70 tne or ~ ~
profession and che Of the leading criucs " o,,s
country has said that the methods OF TINS ,
are sordid and their aims mercenary IL resss W.
the public to keep It's theatres free IRON, tns 'na
agernent OF this trust, so that cass suCm &C. Ss
have ramed may be able TO appear before you .
after year II this trust succeeds IN All y. pobeed
It's purposes Il that the stars VIII De oonS -
10 surround themselves with cheaper sCto scenery
sent their plays with cheaper costumes ana n,
and cheaper accessories OF every atse' ~ linz
means n general deterioration along the "iio'o INV
Of dramatic art (ApplauseD