New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-20
NOTES OF THE STAGE.
James K. Hackett Explains Why He Joins
the Syndicate

letter has been received by this department.
from James X. Hackett in which that gentleman.
late director of the Independent Booking Agency.
tells why he has gone back under the syndicate
wing The letter is as follows:
So many Incorrect statements have from time to
time appeared in print regarding my attitude tow
ard the so-called theatrical syndicate that in JUS
quest the publication Of the following facts. that
my position may be fully understood and that my
integrity man may not be impeached.
l willing to make the following statement
ton of the Independent Booking Agency. The bad
theatrical season was the principal cause OF the
fr"iIad Inv. the IatteT arm Following mis- coalition
came the failure OF the attractions sent out by
Weber & Fields; which very naturally weakened
possible 10 induce managers TO keep their theatres
Following this Weber & Fields disposed of their
theatres the West End; in Harlem; the Globe. in
five years contract with the Independent Booking
inent regarding the other houses. Following Close
upon the heels Of this, Nj Campbell because he
his desire 10 sever his connection with the hide
FORM an alliance with Mir Beiasco. but for rea-
sons which dare say We're quite cogent to him
Without a coalition OF the Independent forces tho
fight seemed 10 to be absolutely hopeless This
could be of very little weight in helping Mr.. F'ske
better than one and after many consultations with
7.
strongest personal regard we agreed that the hide
pendent Booking Agency had outlived its usefulness
and therefore the time ripe for its dissolution
which will probably take place formally ueXt week
| have devoted two years, and two of the best
years of my life. TO the independent cause have
spent much time and much money and an enor-
nous amount of energy. l resigned from the syn
dicnte ranks of my volition. and shall return
and play syndicate houses next season. 1 do not
believe any moro to-day than l aid few years
ago that syndicate control OF theatrical affairs
is beneficial to the artistic growth and development
the drama In any country. but | must say that
the syndcates attitude toward a defeated foe. In
my case, least. has been very generous and fair
1t not be supposed that the Independent
Booking Agency has labored in vain. Ii has had
am sorry say that l discovered that the very
men who would have benefited by the sue
cess of the Independent cause and who would
naturally have been supposed to ally themselves
with ii after the pioneer work had been done. have
utilized il for their selfish ends while giving
1t no substantial encouragement. In other words,
they have benefited by IL without helping IL, or
even approaching its aims
This is n very vanished tale regarding the con-
ditions against which Mr. Fiske and have had to
licaton OF the absolutely plain facts. which would
not reflect credit upon many men who have been
more or loss intimately associated with us. We
have nothing to be ashamed OF. and nothing to re-
greet except the lack of cooperation and OF good
faith on the part OF the men from whom we had
not only reason, nut rlSnt, TO expect loyalty and
honesty.
I sincerely hope that the few people who have
been kind enough to interest themselves In pro-
REASONABLY and in my personal career will appre-
ciate the reasons why am compelled to accept
the Inevitable and give me the same respect that
anv man should receive who has struggled honestly
and who has been defeated through fault of his