The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-04-09
BIG THEATRICAL WAR
ABOUT TO COMMENCE
Shuberts Withdraw From New York Local Association
and Prepare to Fight Trust Treaty Elk
pires on May l-f1ostities Due in Fall

NEW YORK. April 9.-After several
weeks of rumors and denials. events
have shaped up in the theatrical world
today so as TO make prediction OF an
attack on the trust something more than
mere guess. In the announcement to-
day OF the withdrawal OF the Shuberts
from the Theatrical Managers Asso-
citation. those possessed Of inside in
formation of doings along the Rialto
heretofore Swallowed an open break De
tween Klaw & Erlanger. the heads Of
the syndicate. and the Shuberts, their
most powerful rivals.
Several weeks ago the Shuberts with
drew from the National Association OF
Theatrical Producing Managers. an or
ganizatioa enrolling all the managers in
the good graces OF the syndicate.
Now comes the announcement of their
withdrawal from the local organization.
Late this afternoon Abe Erlanger, the
generalissimo OF the trust, returns from
Europe oi la Provence. Next week ].
J. Shubert returns from the Pacific
coast, where he has been endeavoring
to extend the chain of theaters con-
trolled by the Shuberts.
Agreement Ends May I.
on May 1 a working agreement en-
tered into about "A year ago between
the Shuberts and the syndicate-an
agreement which was virtually a truce
ending the last war between the rivals
will expire. After that It certainly
looks like a fight.
Emphatic denials were made at the
offices of Klaw & Granger and the
Shuberts today of any impending trou-
bic, and unless Abe Erlanger, reused
by the il-conceaied activity of the
Shuberts, should cast diplomacy aside
and make an open fight on his rapidly
growing rival. no formal announcement
or declaration Of war is likely before
next fall. The Shuberts are known to
be working desperately to strengthen
their lines and increase their chain OF
theaters. and nothing is 30 be gained
by them at this time by open hostili les.
On the other hand, with a maintenance
Of outward appearances of peace. they
hope to complete their plans, so that
by the time the new season opens. they
will have contracted for theaters to fill
the wide gap between Kansas City and
the Coast, territory out OF which they
have been barred heretofore by the
syndicate
New Alliance Reported
As an indication Of the efforts being
made BY the Shuberts to ally all the
anti-syndicate interests, IL is now re-
ported that their firm has united with
Harrison Grey Fiske TO provide attrac-
tions for the Hsckett Theater next sea-
son.
Along the same line it is fact worth
noting that the Shuberts on Monday
night ~ill supply the attraction-a
farce entitled Going Home 10 MI IN
the time for the remainder Of the sea-
son at the Belasco Theater, theater
usually filed by Mr.. Belasco's own
productions.
report that Stair & Haviin. owners
of lOw-priced houses. have promised an
allegiance with the Shuberts which will
give the latter theaters in many of the
most important Western cities.
Another factor which is not to be
overlooked in the coming fight is the
fact that recently number Of metro
pOlitan magazines and newspapers,
notably Golfers. Life, and Success, have
lnaugurated publicity fights on the
Theatrical trust and the present day
condition OF the stage, for which the
syndicate Is held responsible. It is be-
heved that the feeling that the public
viii lend its general support to any
fight directed against the syndicate is
no small factor in the present situation
Telegraph Fights Shuberts
While all efforts 70 draw any boIIi-
cose statements from members or rep
resentatives OF the syndicate have
failed, IT IS a fact worthy Of note that
the New York Morning Telegraph,
generally regarded as the personal
organ OF the syndicate, has for sew
eral weeks back been fighting the Shu-
berts and all Shubert enterprises An
other incident which has occasioned
considerable comment has been the re-
cent efforts of the syndicate to follow