The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-30
ERLANGER FORCED
FROM POSITION
He Is Ousted as Head Of Great
Theatre
Trust.

New York, May 29.-Ahrahanl Lin.
coin Erlanger has, been deposed az
mead OF the theatre trust. He has
handed his resignation to the mana.
gers In the syndicate. and the question
now is the choice of a successor. Thes.
facts became known early yesterday.
after the managers who compose the
syndicate, ended somewhat stormy
meeting in the New Amsterdam Thea
tire building. Erlanger went so far as
10 suggest his successor, but despite
his suggestion. it is considered likely
Henry B. Harris will take the place
formerly occupied by him.
Erlanger refused TO discuss the sit
uation. 1t was learned he really han
handed in his resignation at a meeting
on Thursday night, and though several
meetings We're held after that, Harris
has not yet accepted the position OF.
fered to him. When Er1anger was seen
after the meeting on Thursday he was
grouchy. Asked If meeting was held
he answered testify:
Yes. we had meeting and we were
attending to our own business Wo
The cause of Changers deposition
was dissatisfaction as to the methods
in handling the fight against the Shu-
berts and the theatre men who have
been lighting for independence in tho
producing field and for the open door"
policy among theatres. When the Shu-
berts began their fight little more
than a year ago Erlanser loftily told
the other members Of the syndicate to
leave the little affair" to him. He an
nounced be knew how to crush the
Shuberts and would do 1t in a few
weeks His pride was hurt by the
night on the part OF the Shuberts, and
his wrath got the better of his judg-
ment. He thought he could use his
sledSe hammer methods and crush the
men who were lighting for independ-
ence and healthy competition In the
| theatre world
10 ms amazement, however, stars
left syndicate producing managers aud
went over to the Shuberts. Producing
managers who We're weary paying tri-
butte to klaw & ErlangerNand the syn
dictate saw hope in the Shubert strug-
sic for independence and broke with
the trust. Then theatre owners, weary
OF paying excessive fees to the Klaw
& Erlanger booking agency and tired
of Changers Napoleonic manners, an.
nounced themselves in favor OF the
open door" policy. With the break
ing away of theatre managers, who
found the Shuberts and thoir allies
have five attractions to the syndicatc's
one. 1t was not long before John Cort
had gathered 1000 theatres throughout
the country into an association that
stands for the open door" policy of |
booking the shows OF any producing |
manager who asks for time and has q
good attraction.
All this time Erlanger thought he
was winning the fight by talking. This
Shubcrts Were working. Recently the
of the syndicate awoke to the
fact that 1t no longer controlled the
theatres in the country and that they
were in danger Of having for booking
purposes only the plaShouses they own.
They asked Erlanger for explanations.
Erlanger could give nothing salts
factory and the managers threatened
revolt unless tho active management
OF the syndicate's affairs was lodged
in another man. Erlanger resigned
by word of mouth, and suggested VIII
liam Harris for the office. Harris de.
clincd, and finally. at the meeting
ending early yesterday. Henry B. Har-
ris was tentatively selected. The ques-
ton VIII be decided in secret meet
ing to BIO held next Tuesday evening
If not before.
1t was said yesterday Erlanger would
give up his active work as the head !
of the syndicate almost immediately.
and that beginning September ] he'll
would have comparatively little to do
with the management of the syndicate.
AL Haynan has been fighting for more
than a year to drive Erlanger out of
the management, lie Is said to havcI
refused to have anything moro to say
the policy of the syndicate )
until Erlanger was deposed. He even !
to get out of the syndicate :
unless q change vas made. a
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