New-York tribune., 1908-08-15
THEATRE TRUST CASE
Federal ACTION ASKED:
Washington Manager Complains, but
GoUerument Wants More EUidence.
fBy Telegraph to The Tribune J


fBy Telegraph % The Tribune
washington Aug 14-For the first time IN
the history of the American stage the So
called theatrical trust came under the scrutiny
os the limited States government to-day, when
complaint was made to Acting Attorney Gen-
eral Russell of the Department of Justice tna0
the leading theatrical managers OF the couh'is
had formed a combination in restraint OF uaue
and monopolizing the amusement DUST
ness. The complainant was W. f. Ihonas'
manager of a company formed to build large
theatre in Washington. He asserted that large
New York theatrical interests, including kiaW
& Erlanger Charles Frohman B. F. Keith and
others. had formed a combination which in
cluded practically all the theatres In the couh-
try. and that the object OF this combination
was to stihe competition and make it impos-
sible for an independent theatre to operate or
a nev one to open without restraint. The I'M
mediate cause of Mr. Thomass visit TO Mr-
Russell grew out of his discovery, he said, that
the New York combination was trying to pre-
vent him from opening new vaudeville tneatre
in Washington.
Mr.. Russell told Mr.. Thomas that the De-
nartnoent of Justice could not begin proceeoines
until further evidence had been presented he
stated. however that If sufficient evioence WAS
presented the government would immeolateiy
AS all the trust busters are out or the
cifv Mr. Russell recommended that the COM
plainant Immediately seek conference Win
V NJ Roadstorm of the Attorney Generals
office who would hear Mr.. Thomas's COM
plant and. if he discovered sufficient reason
investigate Mr. Roadstorm is at the Imperial
Hotel, in New York. and Mr.. Thomas lmme-
diateIy teIephoned TO William Morris, New
York theatrical agent, to see the agent or the
Department of Justice at once Mr. Morris
promised to do so. but up to late hour to-
night no word had been received from MIN as
to the result of the conference
Mr. Thomas alleges that the theatrlcal
trust is sending out word through various
newspapers that the theatre which ne
purposes to erect cannot get bookings 1or
actors and that If such actors should appear
on his circuit they would be blacklfsted Mr..
Russell said he could take no official cog
nizance of the matter until he had mad re-
port from Mr.. Roadstorm. or until evidence
was presented to him which showed that the
trust was really violating the provisions OF
the Sherman act.
Mem bers of the so-called theatrical syndicate
showed no signs of alarm last night when the
information reached them that there was pos
sibilitv of the government investigating their
organization Marc Klaw, of Klaw & Erlanger,
received the first intimation from The Tribune
at his home in New Rochelle. He rose from
bed to hear the news, and received 1t with
much the same composure as when, earlier IN
the day he allowed barber to remove his
Nhiskers.
az don't know this Washington manager;
never heard of his plans or his theatre" he
said ''Iu say this: It's trife early to in
vestigate an organization that does not exist
as vet There is no such organization this
manager has in mind. The preliminary meet
ing of eatrical managers held recently was
to form a permanent organization for the pur-
pose made public at that time L don't know
that that organization has been as yet per-
fected This investigation talk Is all twaddle.
It is especially silly the eve of political
campaign"
William Morris, head of the independent
vaudeville organization that bears his name,
said last night that he would undoubtedly join
with Mr.. Thomas of Washington. in any ac-
ton looking to a rigid investigation of the
vaudeville section of the so-called theatrical
trust" He also said that his grievance and
that of Mr. Thomas not with the legiti-
mate managers and that he felt sure ABE
Erlanger would not try to prevent him from
finding bookings for his attractions.
IT'S the United Booking offices [ am after,
he added. 'I to have seen V. NJ Road
storm a United States attorney. this evening
at the Imperial. but both OF US had other en-
gagements I expect to see him tomorrow. L
have cable message from my London offices
showing one of the numerous tricks OF the
United Offices
Mr. Morris then read a message that was said
to have been sent to Harry Lauder. offering
him an exorbitant sum to cancel his contract
with Norris That message was said by Mr..
Morris to have emanated from the United
Offices At midnight all Of the members of the
theatrical combination" were enjoying needed
repose and not of them could see in his
dreams vision of investigation of his Sc
crets AS for Mr. Roadstorrn, he was not at
his hotel yesterday, and when he arrived there
last night he left orders that he was not to be
disturbed.