The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-10
BACK TO TRUST.
Crawford Abandons the Open
Door Policy.
Makes a Long Contract With the
Syndicate.
DIDN'T HAVE SHOWS.
Reason Given for F0rsaking the
Shuberts.
Expect to Have More Attrac-
lions in Topeka.

booked by the Shuberts following their
declaration for the "open door, policy,
the Crawfords who control 81 houses in
their circuit, have declared their return
to Klaw & Erlanger, or the so called
trust. who have a contract for the ex-
elusive bookings for several years. This
is with the exception of the houses at
Wichita and Coffeyville, where the
"open door" policy still prevails.
Roy Crawford, manager of the Grand
theater here, and identified with the
Crawford circuit controlled by L. NJ. &
Roy Crawford, said this morning that
the K. & E. people have three-fourths
of the shows on their side, and there is
no use in letting the people suffer be-
cause of the inability of the Shuberts to
deliver the goods.
when it is taken into consideration
that only II shows have been produced
in Topeka since the declaration for the
open door policy, while on the other
hand the K & E. people would in most
cases book that number during one
month. it becomes polite to give the
people what they want, which is some
thing that the Shuberts cannot deliver.
THE Shubert shows have been good
what we have had of Them he con-
tinued, but that does not satisfy.
There have not been enough of them
We are in need of more shows than
they can and do give. The public is
d
financial question with the circuit man
ayers.
There is no question but the Klaw &
Erlanger people can give both the pub
lie and ourselves what we want. We
are giving up more booking fees than
heretofore, and bearing in mind the
large number of shows which have been
produced in the south during late
months, every producer is anxious tol
get through here because of the states
good condition. Consequently we will
get the better class of shows.
1T is possible that during the winter
season we will be able to produce here
the attraction in which Mrs F'iske is
now starring. She has been identified
with the K1aw & Erlanger people.
master may also be one of the Topeka
attractions during the winter. He was
formerly identified with the Shuberts
when the break came. but has returned
to the so called trust.
1.-THE January bookings will be in
some time during the latter part of the
month. They will include many good
shows and among others which will
come here during the season will be
Polly of the Cireus,' way Down East
the big scenic production which viii
be shown here Christmas week, The
Travelling Salesman The Third De-
gree
1.-THE latter was to have played here
berlfof the Frohman shows booked, also
productions of Savage. and Brady.
While we realize that the right to book
Under the open door policy is just
one, on the other hand it has been
found necessary to go back to the
Klaw & Erlanger. They are able to
DELIVER what is needed
Other Circuits, Too.
Not only have the Crawfords desert
ed the ranks of the Shuberts, but also
the Chambe rlain-E Harrington circuit with !
the exception of the Burgess opera |
house at Davenport, Iowa. the Chat
terton at Springfield. Ill, and the OPP
era house at Urbana- Ill.
1t was announced last week from the
offices CT the Messrs. Shubert that the |
Western Managers association in ses-
sion at Chicago to withdraw from the |
agreement entered into some time ago
to book their attractions direct.
lowing to the number of attractions
which the Shuberts have been playing |
IN New York said a Shubert repre-
sentative, land considering it unwise |
to move any of them for the time be-
ing since nearly all have been very |
profitable. the firm has found itself |
unable to send such stars and plays |
on tour il: answer to the demands
from the managers of the Overnight |
stands in the smaller western towns
1.-The Shuberts. therefore, hereafter
Will not Pray their dllIdCliOLo III lily |
one-night stands in Iowa, Illinois and |
Indiana, but will send their produc-
lions to the larger western cities Only |
where they can play to receipts IN
proper proportion with the expense in |
volved and where the Shuberts have |
theaters of their own. The firm, how
ever, agrees to release the stock rights
of it's smaller productions, Garls, Inc |
wolf etc. to the managers of the one |
night stands in order that they may |
produce such attractions on scale be-
fitting the size and capacity of the
theaters in those towns
Aside from their own productions !
the Shuberts are not producing any
other attractions except those OF 7
Liebler & Co., and runlors are now
current that the theatrical world would
rot be surprised to hear soon OF
between them.