The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-14
ROUTES FREE, SAYS ERLANGER
EVEN ron BELiSCO- BROOKSS
$4,000 GIFT 4 SURPRISE.

Abraham L. ErlAnger, head Of the syndi-
cate that controls practically all the first
class theatres throughout the country,
was again the star performer yesterday
In the trial before Supreme Court Justice
Fitzgerald Of the suits between David
Belasoo and Joseph Brooks over the profits
Of The Auctioneer. His cross examlna-
ton by Samuel Untermyer. Belasoo's ooun-
rel. was continued He admitted that Klaw
a Erlanger got $4,000 Of these profits and
Mr.. UntermYer qulzzed him about this
$4,000. The witness had stated that his
interest in the production was very slight.
too slight even to buy chewing gum WITH
he said.
You consider $4,000 a slight matterl'
asked the lawyer.
Yes responded Erlanger blandly, "a
mere tnhe"
But one could buy quite little chewing
gum with thatY" pursued MIR. Untermyer.
sYes. quite some; a whole lot Of IT, ad-
mitted Granger smiling.
Frlanger appeared in court without floral
decorations MIR. Untermyer had resumed
his usual carnation. The crush in the court
room was unprecedented. There was a
shrinking Of femininity in the audience
for the first time.
Col. Abe Gruber, who represents Granger
and Brooks, kept up constant stream Of
objections 10 Mr.. Untermyer's questions.
MIR. Gruber Is the most pestiferous, per-
son know exclaimed Mr.. Untermyer
dlsgustedly. IF his plan is to break up
my cross e Gamination he will find II in
eiectual.'
Grlber retalated with the remark that
Mr.. Untermyer was 'the smartest and most
oeaginous friend he had.
Changers testimony dealt first with his
version Of his interview with Belasoo, when
the latter asked him TO help him book Dave
Warfeld as a star in The Auctioneer.'
Granger said that booking was not men
toned at the interview.
Any one who has a good attraction can
get route he said.
But if you don't consider the attraction
good what will 10 do2' Mr.. Untemyer
quered.
I don't know replied Erlanger. 4
didn't care to take risk on Warfeld. We
had contract with him before that and
paid him money to let US out OF it,
Blu, you were willing tfat your friend
and partner, BROOKS, should take risk
in Il and afterward gite you two-thirds
OF his profits, weren't your
Yes, but Brooks could have got a route
without coming TO US
you knew that Belasco's contract with
Charles Frohman in connection with Mrs.
Carter and Blanche Bates had expiredl'
Yes
And you thought he had made a good
deal Of money out Of that combination
I had reason 10 believe replied En-
LANCER, that Belasco was not very pros
porous
'Oh, so you thought the syndicate had
about busted him, was that it?'
Mr.. Gruber objected, and the question
was not allowed.
We'll could Belasco get a route any
where except through your
He certainly could, and from US also,
on certain conditions.
Whatever might be agreed ON before
hand
sCan you name any theatres for which
you book and which are not syndicate
theatresl'
Certainly. There's the Lyric, in New
York; the GarTick in Chicago, and the Ma
jes'ic in Boston"
Erlanger spent some time thinking out
this trio. He admitted that both the Lyric
and the Garrick are owned by the ShubeTt
Brothers, with whom Klaw a ErlAnger
have an understan ding
But it's not a matter Of money he
fastened 70 explain; they book through
VS. Just through friendship.
The Majestic, Granger said, was owned
by Stair 4 Havlin, with which the syndicate
also has an agreement. ETlanRer could
think Of no moro theatres except two In
Boston which have not some kind Of agree
ment with the syndicate.
when did you first know that your
firm was TO get two-thirds OF BrookB's
halfi'
Just before he left for Europe, In Janu-
cry, 1902, a year after the Brooks-Belasoo
partnership had been formed
Didn't you expect any compen sation
before that, though you had already booked
the play and done great deal OF work in
that connection2'
NO. replied Granger, 'snd,. besides,
we don't charge for booking
Come now, Mr.. Erlanger,- said Inter
myer do YOU mean 20 stick TO that state
mentl Didn't you charge James X. Hackett
5per cent. Of his gross receipts for booking
The Crisis?"
That was not for booking; we managed
'Oh, see, said the lawyer smiling, "and
pray what did you do besides bookin himl"
We'll, we booked him and wrote letters
70 him and placed a manager with him,
and advised him where TO 90, and so on
Who paid the manager7'
Mr., Hackett-"
isn't It a fact that, besides that 5 per cent,
you drew down az a member Of the syndi-
cate your share Of the profits made by the
allowed us, or allow anybody TO playp'
1t is' admitted Granger. "We get our
share at the end Of the year"
did you not charge Fisher a Ryley Is
per cent. Of their profits for booking 'Floro-
DORA
-No, sir we never got a cent OF money
from Florodora answered Erlanger, holly.
TELL me- said Mr. Untermyer, what
part Of your Office IL an eleemosynary insti-
tuition; where does this charitable depart
ment hang out7-
Justice Fitzgerald raped for order and
refused TO allow the question. Even En-
LANCER had 10 laugh at the suggestion.
And before Brooks came and told you
that because he was going 70 Europe, and
wanted to show his regard for your firm
by giving you two-thirds OF his share Of
The Auctioneer' profits, you never thought
you were TO get any return for your trouble!'
Exactly. said Erlanger; that was my
impression"
'Now, Brooks had no more facilities for
booking the play than BelRsco himself,
had helT
Not the slightest, except that he Is
clevereT at that sort Of thing"
But he could only exhibit his cleverness
III yOu Chpaa IN Inv hfun9s