New-York tribune., 1901-02-25
VAUDEVILLE WAR FIERCER
wHrTF RAT CHEF SAYS THE FIGH-
WILL BE TO BREAK SYNDICATF'S
DICTATORIAL POWER.

that the strike % the White Rats may not be
directed merely against the per cent commission
-bieh is the only visible issue, but against the
vaudeville Managers Association itself and that II
~ end only with the annihilation either Of The
,-sicate OF Of the Rats was brought out fo--ibI,-
ssrersa- afternoon al the Academy Of Music
George Fuller Golden ehe chief of the White
es-s made q speech 10 the audience at the benefit
oe-torraance which was given there 20 aid the IL
,-s injured G--le White Rats From behind the
zones where his fellow performers were waiting
- 20 on broke ripple OF applause and from the
cadence frequent vOi-eys or applause interrupred
hin. The chief said thar he knew the managers
rouid be- forced 70 a5roEate the commission ,1Ir
that there issue involved which was much
deeper and more far reaching. This issue was the
4,~taro-faI power that the syndicate Il allowed 10
20 on would have, a power that might enable ii 70
shur OF any vaudeville performer however tai
euted and deserving. for unjust reasons We have
been made 10 feel this power already TO a certain
extent and have been forced 10 organize 10 rre-
serve the Integrity and seIf-respect Of cur pro
fessicn." he added.
The performance al The Academy OF Music yester-
nay afternoon was not given before a crowded
house. T. was % remarkably large audience how
ever. for Sunday afternoon. and taking into con
siderauon the short time the Rats had 70 Drepare
FOR #. Mr.. Armstrong, Of the Rats. said that n
number had bought seats whom other enga-enenrs
had prevented from attending He sad that every
seat mad been sold for the evening performance
would be fully $1,000
Fancy prices were paid for many OF the seats.
Tin" Sullivan. il was said. PAID $500 for box
Several paid from s25 10 500
NJ Armstrong said that there was a break In
the Managers Association and that Wilton and
Shea, members OF the eastern circuit who control
vaudeville houses II Worcester and Springfield
Mass had agreed 10 abrogate the commission and
engage their performers through the agency OF
The White Rats M Armstrong added thar his
organization would al once sign contract for the
Brooklyn Academy OF Music Tor a term. beginning
on March q The star Theatre n PhlIadelphia had
also been offered To them from that DAY
Mr.. Armstrong declared that some one had in
6ulged IN mean trick IN an endeavor TO have rhe
performances ar the Academy OF Music stopDed
This person had gone 10 the American Sabbath
Union 20 frT 10 ger the officers Of that society 70
protest 10 The police against The performances As
result The captain OF The precinct had been in
vited 20 he present 10 for himself thar no law
was violated The strikers L was said had sent
committees 10 r1e various vaudeville houses in the
city 10 see whether the Sunday law was being vio-
lated there
Al the office OF the vaudeville managers IL WAS
said thai they We're unable TO care fOr the large
number NJ applicants Tor contracts and an-a ge-
ments. representative said thar every associa-
non theatre would have larger bill this week
than before. Il said that less than 7g5
acts had been placed the managers books
since the strike 10 replace the few dozen perform
who have Withdrawn.