New-York tribune., 1907-10-09
SWARM OF SPECTATORS.
Gather about Entrance to Herald
Square Theatre.

Mr.. Lee Shubert has announced that he will
wage against ticket speculators-drive them
to the wall II he can. He will at least make an
effort disprove charges that the shubert Broth
ers and Mr.. Lew Fields, playing at the Herald
Square Theatre. in The Girl Behind the Counter
are In league with the spectators. In the pres
ence of half dozen reporters who make the
rounds of the various theatres Mr.. Shuoert was
told that the Herald Square Theatre had specula-
tors in front of the house selling choice seats at
an exorbitant price. He denied this emphatically.
denied too. that either he his firm had an un-
derstanding with the spectators, as individuals
or as a group Mr.. Shubert made this denial In the
lobby of the Herald Square Theatre after being
informed by a dozen persons of the dsgracetul
proceedings In front of his house earlier In the
night when not less than thirty speculators' gain
cred from the lowest strata of the underworld
deliberately blocked the entrance to the tneare
until the arrival of three uniformed policemen
Even when the police were on the scene tiIe
speculators showed that they had an understand
ing with some one. for they refused to De driven
to their legal limitations. They demanoeo anu
received double and in some instances treble the
box office price of seats The police played the
''shoo-fy" act with dignity. When Mr. Shuoerts
attention was called to the audacity OF the specu-
lators he said he was powerless to overcome their
influence but that he could maintain order IN
front of his house and would 90 So
SHOW me how I can drive them away ana III
do it, he said They cannot get seats at the
hoy office What do they do? They buy from
Tyson-pay him advance rate and get what
they want But I'll promise this-there will be no
more disgracefu proceedings in front of my house
But it is hard to keep Them away. Ihey s"arIn
around a show of this kind like flies
Then after listening with rare patience 20 a Ist
of accusations made against his firm and ule HeIau
Square Theatre in particular, Mr. Shubert agreed 10
make a trial OF a plan suggested 10 him by news
naper man He gave his word that IN rev weeks
that is as soon as the present advance sale mas
en1ed-he will reserve every night until the curtain
rises two of the choicest rows In the orchest'a'
which his employees in person will offer TO patrons
AZ box office rates. These employees, according 10
Mr. Shubert's agreement will stand out IN front OF
the theatre in the very face of the SPECTATORS a
offer these choice for sale TO persons "sli'h
to roe the amusement Mr. Shuoert entered lu'o
this agreement without consulting his mouse man
ager and added that the plan would not only o0
tried at the Herald Square Theatre uut AZ 'i's
Casino Theatre where conditions are niue oel'ei
This plan were II enforced, would be oooy oio"
not only To the herd of SPECTATORS but TO an agency
that appears to be in legitimate business because
nv having snug quarters It command eXoroltant
rates -
IT accent your challenge boys" Mr.. Shubert SAID
and give YOU my word of honor that the pan
shall have trial. do not say that have much
faith In IT, but I'll have II tried in order TO Slu"
YOU that the Shuberts are not in league Win tHe
specuators.' r,,,,
Later in the night u was learned that hes'hdiu
Vanderbilt paid s14 Saturday night for Two seats
g., ,ho sixth row of the orchestra. MI Shuoert so-
r,itted he had heard OF this incident.