New-York tribune., 1907-07-18
THEATRE TRUST Il FACT.
But Not Merger of Existing Or
gaaizatiOns, Says Mr. ErEanger.

The International theatrical corporation now in
process Of formation has. for the present only one
OBJECT in view-the cornering. as it were, OF the
worldwide vaudeville market If the corporation
becomes fact, and Mr.. ErlarGer who returned to
town yesterday, said Il would, the vaudeville
houses outside Of New York likely 20 be forced
to close their doors have an understanding with
the corporation. The majority Of these houses are
controlled either by Percy Williams. Keith & Proc
tor or the Association Of Vaudeville Managers, Of
which they members.
Here in New York it is not thought that. even
with the New York Theatre the home OF ''ad-
vanced vaudeville" the new corporation wholly
force to the wall such houses as the Colonial and
Alhambra and those of the Keith & Proctor cir
cult, but independent houses outside Of New York
VIII find il difficult to compete with such FOR
midabIe opposition. It has already gathered to-
gether the of vaudeville entertainers abroad
and is daily adding 70 its bookings
In Pittsburg. for instance, where one manager
harry Davis-made snug fortune by continuous
vaudeville and a stock company, the existing cor
poratiOn has bought what undoubtedly the
best paving theatrical property in that city the
Bjou Theatre. This theatre, the home OF cheap
i4etouEanla MADE fortune Ior Iullch oN NC
Nulty and Bennett before them Several years
ago it was enlarged and it is in every way adapted
for vaudeville audience. With such house and
the quality of entertainment Messrs. Klaw & En-
LANCER purpose giving. it IS hardly likely that Mr..
Daviss little house keep open long What Is
New York.
AS soon as Mr.. Erlanger reached town he die
tated a statement confirming the report published
IN yesterdays Tribune. but modified il somewhat
by saying that the corporation was not to take
the existing American corporations but was
10 be entirely separate The new. however. Will be
subject TO the old What European managers have
consented To enter the corporation has not been
made known. Mr.. Erlangers statement follows:
The SlO0OGO.0OO corporation which IS being
formed. and in connection with which Levy Mayer.
counsel sailed for Europe on Tuesday, is en-
tirely separate from the United States Amusement
Company and from the so-caIed Theatrical Syndi-
cate, and will be IN sense a merger Of existing
theatrical organizations. 1t has wholly distinct
9F+ ofrF>o oil
the world. We have been offered a great many
theatres in different parts Of Europe. and. II the
terms can be agreed upon, shall purchase the
properties outright and conduct these theatres on
the American system. Our principal object Is the
purchase of big vaudeville theatres
No one excepting the parties connected with our
negotiations IS IN confidence. and. it is hardly
not the way that big plans formulated and
carried
The vaudeville theatres that are purchased will
be operated by the United States Amusement Com
pany and the legitimate theatres that acquired
will be conducted in conjunction with the Theatri-
cal Syndicate. I desire II 70 be clearly and en-
phatcaIly understood that the corporation will
be institution entirely separate from the United
States Amusement Company and the syndicate. but
1t will work in harmony with and prove beneficial
10 both.
Mr.. Mayer before sailing for Europe. had prac-
tcaly arranged for the capital. He will be the
legal adviser and the executive business VIII be
placed in my charge"
Mr.. Belasco is said TO have been much disturbed
that he could believe that Mr. Edwardes and
other European managers Of similar taste would
associate themselves with such project. II has
not been announced yet that they would.