The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-01
BEST SHOWS FOR
LOCAL PLAYG0ERs
Manager Wise Says Action of
Theatrical Trust Will Not
Effect Richmond.
TRUST WOULD BAR WELLS
.Bnou and Lcath Companies Arc
Named In Letter as ''Unfriend-
ly" to Syndicate.
TRUST WOULD BAR WELLS

There need be no fear that Rich
mond will not have the beg. attra actions
on the road next season. declared Leo
Wise. manager of the Academy of
Music, who was seen Wednesday with
reference to the action of klaw and
Erlanger, the theatrical syndicate. in
giving notice that they have taken
charge OF The theatrical situation in
the United States and Canada and
will book their stars and productions
only in theaters affiliated with their
interests. The Academy CT Music
here Is said TO he barred because Jake
Wells has openly declared that he is
not In sympathy with the trust and
wants TO throw down the bars of the
local playhouse to all attractions.
Mr.. Wells, general manager of the
BiJou Company and Leath Theatrical
Company. is now In New York, along
with W. Greanor Neal, treasurer of the
company. and who has two votes. being
the executor OF the estate of the late
Thomas q. Ieatf.
Provokss Laughter.
The Historically proclaimed boycott
started against Mr.. Wells, and the
Academy. because Of his open door
policy, is the subject of laughter among
theatrical authorities.
II is pointed ont that since me
Leath Circuit is on most friendly
terms with the so called "Theatrieai
Trust" and since the I.aath Circuit
OWNS the Academy OF Music employ
ing Mr.. Wells merely In the capacity
Of manager. IL Is highly improual,ie
that war would be proclaimed between
these two powerful interests merely
as result of one of them L. dis
lodge Mr. Wells from this managerial
berth.
tSh f.
open door policy. which allows the
sting of independent attractions.
T. favorittsm means nothing one
wa. the otner so far as the Trust"
is col rned.
Owns No stock.
Mr.. We owns no stock in the
Academy OF Music or any other the
atre, or, indee :. any business OF any
sort in Nirg,ni, II he aoes Sheriff
Herbert Mercer = not aware of the
fact. Judgments to the extent of
against Mr.. Wells In the City Hail
ANY stock that he might own would
speedily be attached bY the State an-
thorities to meet these judgments.
II was reported "Wednesday that Mr..
Wells If ousted from his position as
manager for the Leath circuit. would
take possession of the new theatre
now being planned for erection at
Third and Broad streets. where he
will operate until n bigger house can
be built In Richmond. MIR. Wells
might take control of this new the
atre, which. thus far exists only on
paper, but II is authoritatireiy stated
that 1t will be impossible to- list first
class attractions therein because the
house Is too small.
1t IS declared there will he no war.
at least so far as Richmond is con-
cerned. and that things are more
than apt 10 drift along just as here
tofore.
In New York papers Monday a no.
tlce was published to the ,essces and
owners OF theatres by prominent theat-
xricaL producers.
Take Bit in Teeth"
lSlaw ind Ersanger. rs booking
agents foi this group of a.ana gers.
have announced that they will not
book any OF the shows to any houses
which are not friendly tn them. The
managers who have taken the bit In
their teeth" are:
David Belasco, Charles Frohman.
Henry b. Harris, Frederic Thompson.
Charles Dillingham;, Henry w. Savage
Conan & Harris. Joseph Brooks, Al.
Woods. Joseph NJ. Gates Augustus
Pitou, Kiaw 4 Erlanger. Florenx Zieg-
field. Jr: Daniel Frohman, Henry MIL
Ter, Harry Mitenthal. 4. s. Stern Il
Co. Maurice Campbell. George w. Led"
erer, Joe" Weber. the Kirke La Sheile
company. Wagenhals & kemper. Will
liam Harris and Jesse l.. Lacky.
The Letter.
The following letter has been sent
broadcast throughout the country