The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-09
WELLS WINS BATTLE
FOR REAL OPEN DOOR
Independents Agree on Peace Terms, Which
Means That Richmond Will Secure Best At
fractions From All Producers.

his heart. and assisted by every news
paper in Richmond, because they were
also deceived by the oratorical flights
OF the independents. he won. the
owners of the Academy of Music de-
clared for the open door"-that is.
they announced that they would boole
all good attractions offered. whether
produced by the independents or by
the syndicate.
Syndicate Broke Down.
Many theatres all over the country
followed the same course, and finally
the syndicate. realizing the strength
of the independents, broke down. and
through Abe Erlanger himself said.
in effect. to the Independents, You
have won. We Will rescind and re-
woke our law to the theatre owners,
They may book your attractions. and
we will continue to play their houses
This was exactly what Jake Wells
had been working for and he was
elated. He saw the Academy OF Music
lighted night after night with the
productions OF klaw & Erlanger.
Charles and Daniel Frohman. the
shubert.. Henry W. Savage. Liebler &
Co. and scores OF others: he saw the
dollars rolling in: he saw his public
contented and happy with the won
derful run of shows that he was go
ing to book; and he knew that he
had had large part In the work OF
bringing about peace.
Took Breath Away.
Then came shock that took away
the breath OF those who had heard
the talk of the leaders OF the inde-
pendcnts, who had read the burning
1,.t Iaf,- ~ Harr
and who had exulted in spirit with
them In their brave fight against and
glorious victory over the forces OF
wrong and oppression.
Led, 1t IS stated. by the Shuberts
themselves, tie Independents suddenly
announced. in effect. Now, We have
won; we have beat Klaw & Erlanger
at their own game and all their asso-
ciates with them. They have surrend-
cred, horse, foot and dragons. Mo-.
we Will be sone trust ourselves; We
VIII not show ia any theatre that books
the attractions of any one allied with
the syndicate" md this they stuck
to. After all their bowling and raw
ing about the open door they fatty
refused 20 play in any theatre that per-
sisted In the wicked effort TO foster
the "open door. BY booking attractions
other than theirs
Between Two Horns.
Another deadlock. The Academy OF
Music was Just where 1t was before
Jake Wells had to choose between the
syndicate and the Independents. he
couldn't hav. both, and he chose the
| faction that has notopenly broken
faith with MIN and his supporters: he
continued to book through the SYM
cate while the Independents continued
! tc refuse to play his house. and tha
public continued to suffer for want OF
plays.
| Now. however. this cruel war Is over;
| the independents have come to the con-
c,usion that this business OF being a
theatrical trust may be overworked.
and they have graciously agreed that
| the open door shall be reality. not
| dream upon which to hang plausi-
tlc argument. In short. they have cons
scented to play in the same houses with
| the syndicate's attractions.
| If carried into effect, this agreemeneN
should mean that the dark nights at.
/ the Academy OF Music Will be very
much less frequent than ever before.
for the reason that the house will be
able to draw from every manager who
regardless OF his aftiliation with tha
sends his productions into this section,
/ syndicate or with the independents
\ BRYAN Shannon Dead.