New-York tribune., 1911-02-15
HITS TICKET SPECTATORS !
Ordinance Passed by Aldermen
Prohibits All Street Sales.
CONDEMNED AS NUISANCE
Thirty Days After Mayor Signs
Il the Ordinance Becomes
Effective at All Theatres.

c,.c,,,ators in theatre tickets were hard
b,t Yesterday by an ordinance passed py
the BOARD OF Aldermen preventing the SAFE
q, tictets in the streets and prohioiung
the advertisement Of such business IN the
-.., II was passed by sixty-fve votes.
only q few Of the aldermen refraining from
voting
rha ordinance was returned to the Com
rn,,tee on Laws and Legislation at former
ueet,ne Of the board because 1t was be-
ue.,.d to he unconstitutional as then drawn.
Tb. ordinance as passed yesterday de-
clare. that no person shall conduct on or
IN any street In the city OF New York the
business Of selling or offering for sale any
t,cLet ~ admission TO any performance or
exhibition in or about the premises OF any
duly licensed theatre. concert nall or any
nlace OF public amusement for which IL
cense is not required by law. Nor shall
any nerson solicit by words. signs. circulars
or other means any person to purchase any
such ticket upon any such street
A penalty Of $40 is provided for violation
OF the ordinance.
Tn sunnort OF the ordinance Alderman
DowI,ng. Tammany leader OF the board,
ea,d tha, IN wears past ne had spoken In IA
yor OF the veteran spectators. But now
these veterans have ell gone he added
"and In their places are circus followers
and a riff-raff of humanity from all sections
Of the country, types of the worst runans
10 he found anywhere. They have no re-
spect for our women or any one else. They
insult all who refuse 10 ouy from them II
is time that this nu!sarce was done away
with"
Alderman Schloss sad he had believed
that to some extent there was collusion be-
tween ticket speculators and some OF the
theatrical managers. But believe re-
cent statement from President Burnham OF
the Theatrical Managers Association, ne
said. when he said that II the ordinance
was passed he and other managers would
keep the spectators out OF the lobbies or
their theatres"
Acting Corporation Counsel Stirling pre-
sented an opinion saying that the ordinance
as drawn was constitutional. 1t Will go 10
the Mayor for his signature and become er-
fective thirty days after such signature IS
attached.
Other theatrical matters were taken up
by the board An amendment was passed
to the ordinance providing FOR license fees
Heretofore the maximum fee has been $500
and the minimum $3.50 for year and
theatres that wanted TO run for only rev
months. such as those at the seashore. nave
been obliged TO pay for years license.
The amendment provides that license Tor
as short a time as month may be granteo'
with minimum fee OF $50.
Alderman Dowlng tried 10 get through
an amendment to the ordinance regarding
standees in theatres. The courts recently
held that the present ordinance prohibits
standees behind the seats. az well as IN
the aisles OF the theatres. The Downing
amendment would provide that six feet
back of the last row of seats be kept free.
permitting managers to fill such other space
as they might have with standees. Consid-
erable objection arising to the prccipitate
| passage OF tho ordinance, II went over untli
a public hearing could he held.
Charles Burnham, president OF the New
York Theatre Managers Association. said
last night that the members had been hght-
ing for this ordinance for two wears ana
Trey we're naturally glad that 1t mad oeen
passed.
| Mayor Gaynor. he said, had told him that
! he would sign II.
| when the law goes into effect SAID
| Mr.. Burnham, "it will rest with the ponce
whether or not the ordinance is enforced
| OF course the spectators will test the or
! dinance in the courts. but that VIII take
time and money But Boston and Pittsours
! enforce such law and / don't see why
! New York can't do So
| Lee Shubert, who is not MEMBER Oh
( the Theatre Managers Association, when
| told OF the passage Of the new ordnance
said:
/ Good, We are glad that 1t has been
! nassed we have been working for such
law for a long time