The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-08
BELASCO ROASTS ERLANGER.
MOST Authorized MAN IN THE
COUNTRY, HE SAYS.

Manager Testines He Had tO Pay Half Hi
Fronts TO Charles Frohmnn for Book
Ing Mrs. Carter and Miss BAtes-NO
Theatre at All for Miss CrOSmAn
Il think Abraham H. Erlanger is the most
sbhorred man in the whole country
So spake David Belasco yesterday as
he gave evidence in his suit against Joseph
Brooks and Klsw 4 Erlanger, who. he
says, threatened TO drive him out Of the
theatrical business unless he would allow
them 10 have half Of the profits Of the play
The Auctioneer.' Belasco asserts that
Brooks was merely a dummy for klaw d
Erlanger, and that, VII IN he went to Erlan-
ger for q route, he could get one only by
sharing the profits with him half and half
The contract Of partnership had 10 be made
out in BroolIs's name, lest 'the fellows
across the street. Frohman, Hayman,
and the rest Of the theatrical syndicate
that controls the booking situation. should
get wise TO the fact that Granger was
playing a double ga me on them,
ErlAnger, Of course, denies all Belasco's
statements, but the fact remains that all
the checks for Brooks's share Of the profits
made payable TO Klav Erlanger and
not to Brooks.
Belasco Is bitter against the syndicate,
but especially against klaw Erlanger.
He showed this yesterday In his every
move, In his answers to question: in the
contemptuous curl OF his lip and In his
theatric gestioulations.
Abe Gruber, changers counsel took
Belasco In hand for cross-e1Amination,
but he failed TO shake the witness's testi-
mony.
TWitted about his memory in reference
TO his version Of the interview with Granger,
when the latter told him that he would
either get half the profits Of Belasoo's en-
terprise or drive him out Of business, Be-
lasoo replied with some heat:
i have q pretty good memory for strong
interviews when am cursed and damned
and forced TO do things don't want TO do.
Granger said 10 me then, i am q mogul,
a king. will crush you II you don't do
what want
Il replied that knew Il. and wanted a
route. ] don't care 90 much for money
az for an artistic success. | would have
struck him there and then but that was
at his mercy In the matter OF booking. l
wanted business for my star and either
had 10 20 20 him OF do without.
'ErlanRer said 20 me also; You have
been doing business with Charles Frohman.
You have had enough OF him. He has
robbed you right and left and treated you
or there1l be hell to pay
Il have had TO pay continued Beasoo
half Of my profits 70 Charles Frohman for
booking Mn. Carter and Miss Bates. When
Il came 70 booking Miss Crosman had TO
hire halls and other places wherever could,
for the syndicate would give me no route.
The same difficulties confront me In all my
present ventures, and | have now four
companies all bottled up in New York,
because ! cannot get theatres outside in
which 20 play
All questions asked Of Belasco by Samuel
Untermyer 20 show that the syndicate
controlled all the first class theatres through
out the country were disallowed by Justice
Fitzgerald, but enough was got In by the
Witnesses quick answers 20 show that a
few men are In absolute control.
Benjamin =, RoedeT, Belasoo's business
manager. gave testimony oorroborating
Belasco 10 the effect that the secret partner
ship was forced on Belasoo by ErlanEer
and that all profits were paid to KlaW A
Erlanrar direct and not 70 Brooks.
Tho trial WI continue Monday.