The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-23
Hostilities of Riv a |
Camps Practically
Have Closed.
MEANS VICTORY
FOR "OPEN DOOR"
Meetings Now Being Held to
Arrange Settlement, and Def
mite Announcement Is Ex-
pected Soon-End Of Bitter
Warfare Which Has Been
Waged Since 1890.

Especial to The Times-Dispatch.1
New York, June 22.-Tne war that
has been raging in the theatrical
world Is abou, to come to an end
Peace is lowering on the outskirts OF
the opposing camps OF independents"
and the syndicate, and meetings are
being held under an armistice looking
| toward an agreement that will be a
capitulation for neither side. but
reconciliation OF personal differences
for the sake OF the general good.
| In fact, there was very definite ru-
NOR current to-day that the peace hat
already come, and that an agreement
| had been reached whereby klaw and
! Erlanger would permit syndicate pro-
ducers to book their attractions in In
| dependent theatres in towns that do
| not have syndicate houses. II was
! said that a meeting had been held this
afternoon at which such a statement
! was made to a number of managers.
but no official confirmation coul1 De
obtained. That conferences We're being
| held looking toward the establishment
| or q working agreement between syn
I dicate manage and the Theatre
( owners Association was acknowl-
/ edged. but ii was stated that the ac-
tuai agreement had net yet been made.
/ snvnge's Statement.
One syndicate mana ger, however.
Henry w Savage made a definite
statement that he would book his at
fractions in both syndicate and inde-
| pendent houses. His announcement
| said.
/ Henry Savage to-day entered into
/ contracts with the National Theatre
Owners Association and with Messrs.
1 -tas II -rla u.ht1 IA ,t1a
for a term OF years MIR Savage's pro-
duct.ous shall appear in the theatres
owned or controlled by them. Mr.
! savage's numerous productions Will
II thus be offered in every city and town
OF theatrical Importance In the United
| States. playing klaw and Erlanger
houses wherever they exist. and those
of the independent forces in the small
er cities and towns
l From the offices OF the National
Theatre Owners Association state
ment of like import was sent out. 1t
said This arrangement fulflls th.
object for which John Cort and those
affiliated with him have been lighting
that of bringing ali producing man
ayers into an agreement such as will
allow them to play their attractions
Independently.
1T does not prohibit Savage or any
others from playing their offerings in
syndicate city theatres, as that would
be a violation of the policy Of the
4 association. but 1t does allow them
to play in all .open-door' houses.
Several other syndicate managers
have declared for the independent
/ movement These men, for certain
reasons. have refraned from announc
ing their intentions, but they Will
play the territory in open door
theatres"
/ Although no official statement could
be obtained from Klaw & Erlanger to-
night 1t is understood that they are
satisfied with the arrangement made
by Colonel Savage. Joseph Brooks,
who is close TO Klaw and Erlanger.
said that peace was about to be de-
clared in the whole theatrical war.
Theatrical Peace.
Il 'It Is to be peace in the thea trical
business in the country" he said.
"conferences are being held for the
4 purpose of coming to some working
VI agreement between the syndicate and
others by which theatrical affairs can
be conducted to the best advantage OF
all concerned At present, so far a.
I know, the agreement has not been
reached. but it may come at any
time"
No one could say officially tonight
whether one OF the meetings Tor con-
ference had been held this afternoon
but it IS a fact that meeting was
held and that definite steps were
taken toward complete settlement OF
the differences. Who was present or
what was actually done could not be
learned AT the Offices of the Thea tire
Owners Association no one had heard
anything more definite than general
rumors.
If peace is brought about, and there
seems to be no reason to doubt that
Mr. Brooks's promised agreement will
be reached. If 1t has not been reached
! already, it will mean the end o. a
: war that has been waging since about
:, 1900, when Harrison Grey Fiske de-
/. cided to book his star. Mrs. Fiske. In
dependently OF the Klaw & ErlangeI
: booking agency and the theatrical syn
: dicate II has been a war of per.
: sonalities almost from the start, anc
: the sufferers have been the small
,! managers and small theatre owners