The Washington times., 1902-06-22
An Anti Syndicate Movement.

I MT. fidTTlSOu NIEtH TlSht, IIlhdEtl II
Mrs. Fiske's theatrical tours. and of the
Manhattan Theater, New York, last
week made the following announcement:
AN agreement to establish what will
be known as the Independent Booking
Agency was entered into yesterday by
Maurice Campbell. James X. Hackett,
and Harrison Grey F!ske. This means
that those managers, two of whom have
pursued an independent policy in the
past, have united to form an agency
through which their own and outside at
fractions may secure bookings independ-
ent of the theatrical syndicate. The or
ganizers deny the report that 1t is their
intention to form 4 rival syndicate or to
compete with the theatrical syndicate, cr
to pursue in any way an aggres-
sive policy against existing book
ing combinations. They say they have
no desire to trespass on the privileges
OF others or to make anv oppressive COM
bination. Their purpose is simply TO
adopt the most convenient method OF
conducting their business, and OF exer-
cising their right to conduct that bust
ness independently. Furthermore, they
state that the agency is distinctly not
! formed for pecuniary gain. There will
be no fee charged for the bookings they
may receive. The agency yesterday OPEN
ed a temporary office in the Manhat-
tan Theater Building. and its facilities
will be at the disposal of any reputable
attractions.
THE independent agency will begin
operations with eight attractions on It's
books. and these are the companies con-
trolled by the organizers. Mr.. Hack
EFT, in addition to his own tour in
The Crisis has Just signed contracts
to star Isabel Irving in another COM
pany and the same play. He also will
have a special company In Don Cae-
sar's Return his last seasons play.
Mr.. Campbell manages Henrietta Cros-
man, and has also another company on
tour. Mr.. Fiske. in addition to directing
the tour of Mrs. Fiske, will produce
Captain Molly and also another new
play.
Resides these eight attractions 1t
is understood that the agency will book
routes for a number of other companies.
Notwithstanding Mr.. Fiskcs state
ment that the three-star combination
is not q movement to rival the theatrical
syndicate, there is good reason to be-
lieve that when three such avowedly
anti-syndicatc gentlemen as Messrs.
Fiske. Campbell, and Hackett get to-
gether. there is pretty certain to be
trio of stilettos concealed about their
persons.
Campbell is the husband and manager
of Henrietta Crosman-have never been
permitted to play in the syndicate back
yard, and have been. in consequence,
saying unkind things about the Hay
man n-Frohman- -Klaw G. Erlanger- Nixon &
Zimmerman combination for the past
few years. They have fought the the
atrical trust" as the managerial com
bination is frequently termed, in every
conceivable manner. and on account OF
this opposition their stars have been
accorded much more free newspaper
advertising than they could otherwise
have secured.
During the whole existence of this
theatrical feud Mr.. Fiske and Mr.. Camp
bell have taken themselves entirely too
seriously. They have imagined their
alleged wrongs at the hands of the
syndicate were matters of public in
terest. and they Rave paraded their
grievances IN the press whenever the
opportunity presented Itself.
And meanwhile the dreadful syndi-
cate has proceeded calmly on its way,
building handsome theaters in cities
where modern Dlayhouses have been
necessary; they have sent out new and
popular actors and actresses as stars.
and provided elaborate equipments OF
scenery and the like; they have given
employment TO hundreds of actors at
better salaries than the thespians ever
before dreamed of earning; they have
brought the theater into n position of
business respectability, Just as they
would a bank or any other business
proposition. for. very properly. the mat
ter of theatrical entertainment IS as
much of commercial question as the
publication OF books or the painting of
canvases.
In brief, this very. very bad theatrical
syndicate has done more for the stage
Of this country than all OF the idealists
who talk about art with a capital a
have done or ever will do.
Washingtonians will recall that two
seasons ago two or three performances
were given by the Independent theater
people. These entertainments appealed
10 so few persons that they were speedily
abandoned. and nobody who has the
welfare OF Art at heart has yet mani
tested q willingness TO give another
series of similar performances and trust
to luck TO get out of the affair without
losing a small sized fortune.
II Mr.. Fiske, Mr.. Campbell. and Mr..
Hackctt will proceed quietly on their
several professional ways and give as
good performances as are provided by
he syndicate, the public will have much
20 be thankful for; but If they keep
on telling the people that they are not
seeking trouble with the monopoly OF
Art, the public will soon have cause for
much regret.
All the American people care abou, |
the theater is TO be provided with shows |
to their liking; this the syndicate has |