The times., 1897-03-21
DISCUSSING THE GREAT
THEATRICAL SYNDICATE

The public Of WashingtOss take the largest
possible interest in the theatrical syndicate
which has ronopolize the leading theaters
and principal attractions of this country.
This is not alone because the growth and
mastery of this organization 5 one Of the
most interesting studies In business econ
omy, because this city seems by virtue of
many circumst ances to have been all alun z
the storm center; in fact, the cave of the
winds from which the breezes of gossip
blew.
The National Theater, one Of the Oldest
theatrical institutions In this coun try, was
firm In its refusal OF overtures from the
syndicate. For years the Rapleys and the
Frohmans were hand in glove, but business
was business, andthe Napoleons' attractions
were Withdrawn from the scene of their
years of success.
In maintaining their independent stand
the Messrs. Rapley were promised the sup
port OF many old and alleged Independent
clients. The feeling was very deep, but
theinterest to commercial values was vital
One by one tile syndicate added to its
'chain" the best houses and almost all
the houses in the land. At last the eyes
Of the country were focused on the Ma
tionaI in its stand against the combine.
Then the promised support began to give
way. The old clients, who for years
played at the National, wrote regretful
letters, saying that they We're sorry but
they could not play the National and play
in first-class theaters elsewhere. Thus
one by one they fell away, and the only
sound and logical policy left for the Messrs
Rapley was the one that, OF course, sug-
gested itself-the accepted the stin-eX-
tended hand of the syndicate. Then came
the revelation of last week that surprised
the whole theatrical world There was a
suggestion OF treachery, not proved, yet,
in the last of the would-be faithful at
fractions, for whom the National had made
its stand.
There is something noble and almost
heroic in this affair. The syndicate, with
the backing of the greatest possible chain
of theaters, and the cream of the attrac-
tions was too strong for one single theater;
but the surrender was not made until no
other feasible and national policy sUg-
gested itself. By going into the chain of
theaters, the Messrs Rapley place their
theater in a position to again compete
with the best theaters in the country, al
belt they will obtain their bookings through
the syndicate.
These facts are well known. Said Mr.
W. w. Rapley yesterday:
Il do not believe the syndicate will Geal
unjustly with thea ters or attractions. The
men at its back are wise men ofeXperience
and tact. This is manifest in the details
of the growth Of their wonderful trust ss
it now stands. There is every reason to
expect a continuance of policy which
tistie, of the profession. Some companies
will not be able to get big terms ON the
old basis But the old basis was not equita-
bic. Now they will be obliged to accept a
sliding scale. If they are the valuable
money makers they claim to be, then tley
can afford scale in which the theater
takes its expenses at the same time as
the attraction, and shares the profits in
lesser degree later
Manager Frank MetZcrott is a syndicate
man first, last and all the time. 81 have
been with the syndicate from the first
said the manager OF the Columbia. 81
cannot see how the Columbia could possibly
have been the success it is without the
assistance OF the syndicate Good at
fractions are the desirable thing-the only
thing. Theaters out Of the syndicate can
not get them"
Mr. Geisenberger, manager for Creston
Clarke. had this to say: 1.-THE syndicate