The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-15
.SHUDERT ROASTS SYNDICATE.
THREATS AND BRIBES FAIL TO
BREAK BEI.A!1O DEAL.
Manager Says Erlanger Talked Of Crush
Ing Him In sixty Days-Nuecr Phases
OF Partnership Booking shut Out or
Their Theater- Herald square Lease.

Ing Hin In sixty Days-Ouecr Phasfs
Of Partnership booking shut Out OF
Their Thealrr Herald square Lease.
Lee Shubert, the theatrical manager, who
recently joined hands with David Belasco
and Harrison Grey fiske in the fight against
the theatrical syndicate. had a few things
to say yesterday about the treatment he
and his firm had received at the hands of
Klaw d Erianger, booking agents for and
driving wheel of he syndicate.
Two years ago. said Mr. Shubert, our
firm signed u contract with Klaw Il Err
LANCER, whereby that firm was to receive
% per cent. of the profits of our produce
tons in return for the bookings they gave
us. A few days later Klaw 4 Erlanger
sent us a letter saying they would like to
make ali amend to our original contract
1t was that we we're to agree not to increase
the number of our productions. nor were
we to secure the control OF additional
theaters.
Right then the trouble started, although
we had reason to fear Klaw & Erlanger
as result of experiences in the past. Our
hrm refused to agree to the amendment
and kla~ Erlanger declared their con-
tentions off. Finally the trouble broke
out again by our refusal 70 book for our
d,iction. They accused us of violating
OR contract, although it was agreed In
the original that We could refuse to book
any production that we did not think would
be profitable.
.Things were patched up satisfactorily.
and after the Iroqnois fire in Chicago we
threw open our houses to klaw d Erlanger
productions. When we built the Garrick
Theater in st. Louis Klaw Il Erlanger sur
prised us by the announcement that we
could not book our own attractions but
must accept what they thought best to send
,is in the way of shows.
1T was then that we made our first deal
with David Belasco This became known
quickly to Klaw a. Eranger and that firm
sent for lis. We we're told that all differ
would he fixed up to our satisfa ttion If we
would throw Belasco down Our firm. OF
course. refused to do any such thing, and
at this time 7 went TO Europe. Mean,
while my brother sam had gone ahead
completing arrangements with Mr. belasco.
During my stay abroad my brother Sam
met with his violent death and hurriedly
returned to this city.
AS soon a. I reached here and got on
my feet, Kaw Il Erlaneer sent for me.
They again wanted to offer me fattering
Inducements. provided, OF course, that
would cut loose from Pelasco, l refus I'd
absolutely to change the 'lans that my
brother had made previous TO his death
and during my tpip abroad. Klaw Il Erlan-
ger we're greatly wrought up. They refused
absolutely to book any of our attractions
and Erlanger said he would crush mo within
sixty days"
Mr.. Shnbert further stated that long
time ago he and his brothers had felt the
iron heel of Klaw d Eranger when they
lost little theater in Rochester. Angered
at their refusal to bow down to the syndi-
Gates rule, Shuhert said, klaw 4 Erlanger
secured the control of the theater and turned
it over to another Rochester manager.
lie also stated that klaw Il Erlanger were
responsible for their losing the Herald
Square Tleater
"Kaw 4 Erlanger forced the late Mr..
Hyde of Brooklyn to refuse to give Ills new
lease on the Herald Square Theater," he
said.
Some time ago Ice Shubert promised to
give the details of his disagreement with
Klaw Erlanger and the theatrical syndi-
cate. His statement Yesterday was made
in view of this promise Mr. Shuhert is
quite optimistic about the outlook for the
coming season and thinks that it will he
very many seasons before the opposition
succeeds in crushing him.