New-York tribune., 1900-08-21
AGAINST TICKET SPECTATORS.
THE sIREs OPEN THEIR CRUSADE AND
EXCITEMENT FOLLOWS AT NEW
YORK THEATRE.

There was a lively scampering of colored men
and women out of Long Acre Square last night.
Some sought their homes in the cross streets ana
some stumbled down the nearest and blacklist LOOK
ing basement stairways they could hnd- Ihey
thought that another riot had been started
and by the looks of the multitude which was rap
idly growing In Long Acre Square they had every
reason to think So
But Il not race rtot-it was simply 'he
arrest of ticket speculator In front Of the New
York Theatre. II was simply the first decided step
in the fight which the Sire Brothers have instituted
against the SPECTATORS. and which they threaten
to continue long these men try TO operate IN
front of the New-York Theatre.
When the crowd had attained such size as TO
reach out over the cable tracks. several police
men forced their way through, using their CLUBS
as freely as a bandmaster might use his baton. II
was then seen that nght had ensued between
Frank Feitner a ticket speculator of No lS7 west
Ninety-eighth-st.. and Henry B. and Leander s.
Sire of the New-York Theatre. Feitner was hotly
arguing his side. despite all attempts 10 suppress
him
At si5 o'clock he said he sold a ticket for e.
and for Some reason the man who bought IL got
by the ticket taker without interference F1fteen
minutes later he sold two 2 tickets TO b A.
Palmer secretary Of the Edison Johnson Manu-
featuring Company. and his friend, Samuel SPELL
man. Edward G. Johnson, a member of the same
firm saw his men purchase the tickets. and agreed
to see them through any trouble. He sided with
the spectators. and declared he would spend any
amount OF money to fight the Sires on that issue
At this point Special Policeman Muller, who Is
employed by the theatre, elbowed his way through
the crowd and shouted to the gateman;
Don't take the tickets! They got EN- from
SPECTATORS Fire 'em out"
Cant take them, gentlemen" said H. B. SIRE
politely, and at the same time called on Acting
Captain Brennan to clear the lobby; Policeman
Frank Kiernan got in front of Mr.. Palmer ana
Mr.. spena and showed them into the street.
They protested but without avail
man dashed up in cab at this moment & ana q
was met by Lang, speculstor, he was apont 70
buy two 81 tickets when Special Policeman Muller
pushed his way through the crowd and warned
the purchaser that he would not be admitted The me
man needed the warning and left Lang IN the
lurch Lang was white with anger; He yelled to
Acting Captain Brennan for protection.
This man is interfering with my legitimate
business he said. ARREST him! Arrest him!
Acting Captain Brennan told a policeman to take
Miller to the station and explain the situation TO
the sergeant Muller Lang both the sires and an
a crowd of people went TO the West Forty-seVenth-
ST station. The sergeant heard both sides Of the
controversy and let Muller go.
Later in the evening Dave" Marks began an
argument with a big policeman who was ordering
him to Move along now Marks protested. e4si
then called on Herman to arrest Marks for Great
This what Herman wanted. for another crowd
was congregating He took Marks TO the station.
Mr.. Johnson at once bailed Marks out