The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-18
Abolition Of the Party
Rate Affects Thea
trical Season Here.
by %. n,,ucn cnnsrE,,nIAx.


The decision of the southeastern Tar
Ire Association OF the railroads. under
which what In known az the party
rate" is abolished, will materially af-
foct the theatrical business in the
Eouthern territory, and already many
companies that had booked time on
this side OF Mason and Dixon's line
are cancellng these dates. Heretofore,
theatrical companies have travelled
under twO-cent rate, which has APP
piled exclusively to sucll organizations.
Under decisions of the courts, however.
1t was held that thc railroads would
have to make the same rate to any
party OF ten or more. just as they did
for theatrical companies This seemed
tn be logical construction OF the law,
and Theatrical people do not UNDER
stand why the railroads should have
objected to complying with such pro-
vision. Be that az II may, the rail-
road companies. through the tariff as
ISOLATION, after these decisions, abol-
ishcd the party rate and now theat-
ritnl company, even though 1t numbers
hundred people. will have to pay a
Hat three-cent rate. The jumps in the
South are long. and transportation
figures as big part OF the expenses
Hence many companies, and some OF
them trst-cIass productions, are ar
ranging. other routeH and are cancel
Ing Southern time. Mr.. Jake Wells
said yesterday that many theatres in
the South would be affected by this
condition OF affairs, and that the can
cellation of contracts were coming In
thick and fast. This Is not "A very
bright prospect for the season Jus:
about to open. but IL is fact never
theless.
VIII Open Monday.
Decorators were at work at the Acad-
envy all of last week. and much has
been done TO add to the attractiveness
of the interior of the house. The
lobby has been newly papered, and will
present quite pretty appearance
when the lights are on the opening
night. The carpets are down and all
the furnishing has been completed.
The house opens Monday week with
The Roilicking Girl" This will be
followed on the 2eth by the Devils
Auction" which will bring Mr.. Moses
Wlse The manager, on brief visit to
his home city, Human Hearts" is the
Labor Day attraction. after which the
liouse Will be dark until September
"a i. Il.
fleld's Minstrels play an engagement
The Bijou also opens Monday week
with "a Child OF tho Regiment one
OF Blaney's plays that made quite a
hit at the popular price house last
season. The smell of pain. is still
thick in the ncighborhood of the
Broad Street playhouse, bat the at
mosphere is clearing little. and one
may now approach the office OF
Charles 1. Mckee without offending the
olfactory nerves 1t Is promised that
there will be very liberal sprinkling
OF musical productions among the
bookings at the BIjou this season.
Plays i'm New York.
SO much for the Richmond end OF It.
The season In the big cities may now
he said TO be under way. Grace George.
fresh from her laurels in London,
where she conquered the stout British
heart. opened at the Lyceun last
Thursday in "Divorcons." Miss George
has not returned empty handed in re-
gard to plays. She has new piece,
by Jerome X. Jerome. called sylvia OF
the Letters which she will produce
IN December. Frank Worthing remains
with Miss Georges company. and will