New-York tribune., 1905-07-15
AGAINST THEATRE TRUST.
Strong Combination of Independent
Companies, Led by Shubert.

An announcement OF a new combination of actors
IN America against what is known as the Theatri-
cal Trust was made yesterday by Lee shubert. The
leading companies in the new combination are those
headed by David Belasco and Mrs Minnie Mad
derp Fiske. Lea Ghubert viii manage the line
OF theatres which win be placed the disposal Of
Mr. Belasco. Mrs. Fiske and others.
The new combination VIII back fifteen companies
on the road. and such stars as Sarah Bernhardt
Ada Rehan, Jefferson De Angels Henry Miller.
Lillian Russell. David Werheld, Blanche Bates,
Bertha GaIland. Robert HiIIiard Mrs Flske Bertha
Kalch and Mrs Leslie Carter. These stars, under
the new management, expects within another week
to have sufficient number OF theatres on their
own circuit. in America and England TO play all the
year round Mr.. 6hubert announced yesterday that
his company now has fourteen playhouses under its
control. including theatres in New-York. Phiadel-
phia- Chicago St. Louis and London. England and
that he would within a week be able TO add about
half dozen theatres to his attractions, among
them house IN Boston. Besides these places, the
new combination is counting the support Of inde
pendent houses all over the country.
The break from the trust ranks caused by
the treatment received by the Shuberts from the
firm Of Elaw 8 ErIAnger in relation to a contract
made between them two years ago, by the
terms OF which the Shuberts agreed to pay to Klaw
& ErlanEer a commission Of 25 per cent of the
profits all Of the syndicate's attractions booked
at their theatres His friendlness toward David
Belasco during the last two months. he said was a
further cause OF trouble. Mr.. shubert. in explain
ing the origin Of the syndicate. said:
Two yearz ago We signed contract with the
theatrical Syndicate which is headed by Messrs.
h4ag d Erlanger, agreeing that the syndicate
could NOOK its attractions in houses for . uer
cent or the profits for period OF five years After
We mac signed this contract letter was sent to
Us BY the syndicate, asking US to amend the con-
tract by agreeing not TO add any more theatres to
our own circuit
Mr shubert says that at this point he had only
eight theatres In his own circuit and did not feel
strong enough 70 make fight against the syndi-
cate Mr. shubert continued:
When asked why this new amendment was ra
gufeas was told that our company had violated
us contrRct with the syndicate by refusing to ac-
at our houses. - W DoASN
They said that this was violation Of our CON
1sasCS sithoufSh that document contained the pro
VISION mat the syndicate attractions were at IN
times subject to our order. After this corverssti y
ne AldtleE WIS allowed to for
4sahWAlb9 the Lyric Theatre COrupanv was ev-
t.ig tSnotng us own circuit and acquiring new at
When cur company was building the GarrjcL
4nesIe IN 81 Louis the syndicate told us that We
would not be allowed to book our own attractfons
IA cur own houses II We pursued our policy And
yjt a. Elsit cenyenlence they filed their theatres
On my return from Europe last month 7 was sent
Tor Dy Mr.. Er1anEer, and had q chat with him
hD9uL patching up our difficulties He told me that
II qld not book Belasco in any Of our theatres I
booked BelaSco in Of houses the Ciarrick in
- Louis. he said that the tours of the f'EROvaI
C1eI ana or ''Eantanar" already booked. were or
Let ne say that in the present move we are not
attempting 70 fight the syndicate, but merely in
attractions. Wv"