Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-10-04

reputable New York newspaper that
shows the tendency in one direction Of
the commercial influence that controls
the theater In this country.
That the trust has its defenders
among the newspapers OF New York
and other cities is well known, al
though the influences that inspire its
defense in many of those newspapers
are unknown to the general public.
The profession OF the theater under
stands the significance OF every article
published by at least one newspaper in
New York that regularly colors the
news" of the theater in the interest OF
members OF the trust N against the
interests OF all not associated with that
combination. The newhpaper in Ques-
ton is the Sun, and there are others OF
its iik in this metropolis. No doubt
there are persons ignorant Of the con-
ditions that prevail that believe to be
sound all the opinions expressed and all
the alleged facts recorded in the dra-
matte department of the Sun, simply
because that journal repeats from day
to day IN its first page a legend assert
ing Its invariable truthfulness and in
~fallibility-a legend which originally
was humorous and which now from day
TO day excites mo- mirth among the
knowing thar all rhe deliberate at
tempts at humor in journalism. In the
dramatic department OF the Sun the
other day the writer of its habitual mis-
information as to theater matters, or
some person under him. rushed to the
defense of the trust against the state
ment of Bryan. and asserted that
every n in stageland knows" things
asserted in that defense that on the o n
trary every one in stageland knows to
be untrue. If the person that is called
the dramatic critic OF the Sun wrote
this particular defense of the trust
with knowledge in the premises can
almost see the Sun writer's satisfac-
tlon-a satisfaction, perhaps, not un-
mixed with gratitude for favors, II 1t
would not be a misuse of the word
"favors" in this phrase. the satisfaction
being that which any person must feel
when he is in the act OF delivering a
quid pro quo-in a submission OF this
defense of the theatrical trust before
publication to those whose selection OF
champions perhaps is based OF their
p~re-dramatic experiences and the bar
gains-this use of the word bargain"
does not mean n contract or agreement
for which they were used to chatter.
In spite of the clumsy attempt OF the
Sun writer TO confuse the unwary read
er by a statement about "the dozen or
more trusts that control much of the
theatrical business of this country
and his members of any OF the various
trusts" the fact remains that there Is
but one theatrical trust related to the
business about which the Sun man
writes. Ii Is the same organization
whose members have produced at least
one play written by the Sun mana
play with a brief and inglorious career.
by the way-and at least one play In
which the Sun man figured as CO..
author. the latter play being successful
for a reason by no means occult. X
there were "a dozen or more trusts in
the theater business. or even two In
the same line OF business, there would
be no need of an apology for them or
any or either OF them, because the re-
suits Of consequent competition would
re-establish the doings OF the theater
upon a normal foundation.
II is 0 necessary to point out the
falsities in the apology OF the SUM-. All
who have knowledge in the premises
see them. 1t Is necessary only. for the
benefit of the few that do not know, to
Identify the writer OF that apology and
let the few draw their own conclusions.