The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-11-03
The Theatrical War.

There has been mighty little change in
the general theatrical situation for the
past ten years. In spite Of a few flashes
Of independence here and there and the
fine Efforts of Mr.. Harrison J. Fiske and
his talented wife, Mr.. David Belasco. and,
occasionally, one or two others, the con-
troll Of the American theater has been
practically vested in the hands of a few
men, popularity known as the Syndicate.
It has been Cor the Theatrical Syndicate a
most profitable business. It has controlled
bookings. controlled plays. controlled local
managers. and controlled players. Whether
this form Of central control has been good
for plays and players is a question that
need not be discussed here. The hide
pendents declare that the Syndicate is
subversive of the best interests of the
drama the Syndicate maintains that its
methods are the most modern and up
to-date and that it furnishes the people
with the sort of amusement they desire.
At any rate, the Syndicate has for years
been so uniformly successful in the field
OF the regular drama that it was, per-
haps. only natural that the men in con-
troll should turn their eyes longingly 70
the profitable field Of vaudeville. Messrs-
Klaw and Granger plunged in estab-
lished a chain Of theaters, and they are
daily getting more. and in these early
days Of the strife they have been beat
ing out some Of the elder vaudeville
houses by giving more expensive and
elaborate bills
1t was not TO be wor 5ered at that the
vaudeville managers should strike back
Instead Of trying 10 compete with Klaw
and changers advanced vaudeville BY
making their shows bigger or better. the
vaudeville managers have decided TO enter
the legitimate field next season and thus
take Immediate issue with klaW and Er-
LANCER. For some weeks now the vaude-
vile managers have been discussing the
project among themselves and quietly.
according 10 Mr. Percy Williams. they
have secured thirty theaters in thirty o.
The principal cities of the country from
New England to California. They have
also formed alliances with several pro-
5ucing managers and, Mr. Williams SAYS
tA.'lN VIII hC q us ouA "a A-C " lAElA AAtt-
get ready TO announce the names Of their
allies and some OF the stars who viii
be enrolled under the new banner.
Tn the night against Klaw and ErlangeT
aIe many OF the more prominent vaude-
vile managers Of the country, including
Air. P. B. Chase Of this city: Moore and
Higgins. of Detroit; B. F. Keith. E. F.
Alice, William Hammerstein. Percy G.
Williams, Michael Shea, Of Buffalo; Mar
IN Beck, Of the Orpheum circuit, and
Kohl and Castle. Of Chicago. a feature
~ the fight that is 10 be made win be
,aat there will be only pooling Of
strength, no community of interests.
There viii be no common fund in the
lrgsuization. Each manager will stand
lis individual losses and gains and Will
10 entirely responsible for his own thea
Ter and his own productions
How this competitive struggle VIII turn
out no one can. OF course. predict But
rs a general proposition it would seem
that ia any case the theater-going public
WIN De the gamer It should help the
players also, by widening the field for
them and making a greater demand for
.lelr services.