The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-04
PROTECTION FOR PATRONS
A Campaign Against Speculation in
Theatre Tickets.
The Arrest of Man Alleged to BE
Engaged I'm the Business the Out
Sellers and n Mnnngcr-Chargest to
BE Investigated in the Police Court.

Frank Sehweitzer said to be theatre
ticket Spectator. was arrested in front
OF the Grand Opera House last night on
charge of obstructing the sidewalk. In
No. / precinct station he deposited So
collateral for his appearance IN the Police
| Court Monday morning Major Sylvester,
| Chief of Police, in person ordered Police
man Downs to make the arrest.
The arrest, 1t is said, is the result of
desire on the part OF the management
of the Grand to stop the practice of ticket
selling, at an advance in price. by men
| stationed in front of the theatre. Owing
to the increased patronage of the house
the Standing room only sign has been
called into frequent use, and this fact
the management states, has led a number
OF persons to buy large quantities OF
tickets in advance of the performance and
| offer them to the patrons of the theatre
as they enter the house. The price asked
is said TO vary according to the demand
for seats
Manager p B. Chase. in attempting to
break up the practice and permit the thea
tre-goer to buy his seat at the box Office at
| the price advertised. first refused to sell
| tickets in any considerable number to one
| person. Failing in this, owing, ii is said
TO the Spectator employing a number of
persons to buy tickets. Mr. Chase ordered
the men TO desist from the practice, with
the threat that IL they refused he would
call upon the law to assist him Mr.
Chase at the same time pasted notice
upon the front door of the playhouse. to
the effect that tickets purchased from
spectators would not be accepted at the
! door.
His efforts are said to have been futile;
the ticket sellers replying that they would
| counter his move with a damage suit
should he refuse to honor tickets purchased
from them. Upon several occasions, 1t is
said, the spectators, 10. enforce their
threat, accompanied their customers to the
ticket taker at the door and demanded
admission.
One evening last week Mr. Chase, 1t is
said, stood in front Of the theatre and TO
each person approached by the spectators
he offered admission free. This move was
circumvented by the spectators, II is
said. by increasing their number. render
Ing 1t impossible for the manager to make
HIS offer to everyone.
Interest in the next move was becoming
general when the spectators, on Friday
night, 1t is said, announced their intention
OF placing fifty men in front of the theatre
to sell tickets. Last evening Major Syl-
yester, with his wife and daughter, APP
proached the entrance to the theatre and
was accosted by a ticket seller. Major
Sylvester revealed his identity to the man
and ordered him away. The man and
those engaged with him refused to leave.
Major Sylvester entered the theatre and
asked Mr.. Chase il the men were there
with his knowledge and permission. Mr..
Chase related the circumstances to Major
Sylvester, who ordered Policeman Downs
to arrest Schweitzer, who, 1t is said was
pointed out by some one connected with
the theatre as being the most active of the
spectators. 1t is claimed that the men
engaged in ticket speculation are amenable
to charges OF interrupting the free passage
OF the sidewalk, conducting a brokerage
business, and crying their wares on the
streets without a license.