The Washington herald., 1908-08-15

With war declared between the so
called theatrical trust and its competitors.
both sides are marshaling their forces
ready 10 take UP the battle at any minute.
The fight promises 10 be a hard one. and
viii probably involve theatrical interests
in all sections of the country.
W. F. Thomas. manager Of the Adj
torium Amusement Company. formed to
erect a new Washington playhouse. who
figures prominently in the role Of David
against the giant alleged theatrical com
bine, has announced his intention of
fighting 10 the death. and gives promise
of adding glory to the role which he fills
He declares Washi1ston Viii have a new
vaudeville hous as soon as a building
can be erected. despite any effort that
may be made 10 prevent him fulfilling his
purpose
Cast the First stone.
Mr.. Thomas cast the pebble from his
sling at the giant yesterday. when he
called on Acting Attorney General Charles
W Russell and made the charge that the
new theatrical combine proposed 70 pre-
vent any competition in Washington The
Acting Attorney General said if proper
facts were furnished To show that the
Klaw & Erlanser combination had made
the slightest definite move TO prevent
the erection Of new theater in Wash
ington. official action would be taken i'm
medistely- Il was explained that the
Attorney Generals Office must wait for
legal evidence
When he learned Of the attitude Of the
Acting Attorney General Mr. Thomas
was greatly encouraged. He said the
building Of the new theater would not be
prevented without a hght. al least. and
asserted his allies were prepared 10 meet
any advance and take The case through
the highest courts.
The published report that Acting At
torney General Russell has instructed V
II Roadsrrom. Of the Attorney Generals
Office. 10 investigate the terms and pur-
poses OF the combination. with a view 70
aScertainiuE whether il is not intended
20 be a monopoly or organization formed
IN restraint OF competition, was denied
by AIr- Thomas I6st night He said the
Acting Attorney General had referred him
20 Mr.. Roadstrom. but no investigation
had been ordered Had this action been
taken by the Acting Attorney General
8Ir. Thomas said he would have felt as
though an important victory had been
gained in the battle
There is no reason why Washington
should not Aavs more than one vaUde-
VILE house said AIr. Thomas Every
other city east OF the Mississippi River
with more than I1101l inhabitants sup
ports Two OF more Of this popular style
Of amusement. and Washington. with
more than @l1pia persons living here. mas
only one The fight 20 prevent the eTec-
tion Of the new theater began the minute
Z announced the formation Of company
and II has been going on since IN The
company are the best business men iu
Washington. together VITA about L-s
stockholders. nearly all OF them residents
Of this city In the company are men like
Samuel Ross EidridEe E Jordan. presi-
dent OF the Merchants and Mechanics
Savings Bank. and Edmund K Fox Of
the \ r Fox Company With these uer
% back me- feel confident Of vinn5uE
out and I VIII meet them on their OWE
ground
Alleged Fake Dispatches
N-- Thomas made a charge IN the Of
f fee Of District Attorney Baker yesterday
afternoon that members iof the so-caue6
theatrical trust are causing dispatches
10 be sent from New York with a view
OF creating public Impression that The
new 1hea-er cannot be built here 1Ir
Thomas exhibited newspaper clippings
containing the articles He further
charged that the trust has caused 10 b
printed in the newspapers that ever
though the new theater IS built. It's man
sger would be unable 70 obtain booking,
or talent. thereby tending 10 discredi
{ il IN advance
Mr.. Thomas asserts he has cou0Ietey
a CONTRACT with a reputable and We
known man. who has agreed 10 supply
( high-cIass acts for ten years If necessary
7 know this man VIII bs as good a.
. his word" continued Mr.. Thomas. and
therefore, It viii be impossible for IN.
. trust 10 compel me 10 close Up becaus,
/ Of lack OF talent"
Il IS understood the promoter Of II,
I Washington enterprise is William Nor
I MS Of New York who was fOruerI-
I booking agent for the Keith circuit an,
afterward for the Klaw & E-liuge
I vaudeville circuits.
[ Mr.. Morris had been left outside Of IN,
! breastworks when the last theatrical com
/ bination was made. and IL IS said b,
I started in 70 have constructed a chail
+ Of theaters in different cities in whicl
/ he was 20 establish a vaudeville circui
/ Of his own
! Felix Isman. Of Philadelphia. IS sup
posed to have been interested with AIr
| Norris in this ambition. and Washington
/ was one Of the first cities TO respond [,
( representation
Did Not Expect Trouble,
| Ar- Isman controls a theater in New
York. and II was not expected he woul,
/ have any difficulty in controlling nor
| than one theater in Philadelphia. an,
with these three cities the first leg O
I the circuit was assured. All this va
without reckoning that Klaw & Erlinger
I the Shuberts. the Keith interests. an,
I the other theatrical men and owner O
theaters generally were going TO get 10
I sether.
Nj Thomas communicated with Mr.
I Morris by long distance telephone. an,
word was received last evening that Mr.
I Morris had made an appointment TO NEE