Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-30

founded by her husband and left to
her on his death a year ago.
By the deal, completion of which
was just announced in New
York, b. F. Keith has purchased the
interests of Percy G. Williams, con-
trolling eight theatres in New York,
and a working agreement has been
entered into by the different vaude-
vile powers by which there will be
no friction in the future A general
agreement has been made as to the
placing of different vaudeville acts
and the time" to be allotted per-
formers.
STOPS FIGHT OF THEATRES.
This new assignment of territory
and interests stops a new vaudeville
war started some time ago when Mar
tin Beck opened the Palace theatre
in New York and followed it by the
Palace theatre in Chicago. These
two houses were to be used in con-
junction with others, to fight the
eastern interests. By the new terms
the Chicago theatre, which now is
playing vaudeville, will change it's
policy. 1t is said the first sign of the
change will be when "A Modern Eve"
now playing at the Garrick theatre,
is transferred to the Palace theatre.
Under the new combination thous-
ands of performers are vitality inter-
ested. Mr.. Keith with E. F. Albee,
A. Paul Keith and John J. Murdoch
will control the vaudeville situation
as far west as Chicago. The situa-
ton in Chicago will be under the con-
troll of Mrs. c. E. Kohl, Max Anderson
and the Monroe Amusement COM
pany. Meyerfeld and Beck of the
Orpheum circuit will control the re-
mainder of the country for the Or
pheum circuit.
Mr.. Keith will have control of the
situation in the east, Mrs. Kohl in
Chicago, and Martin Beck for the Or
nheum circuit in all territory west of
Chicago.
BECK CAUSE OF COMBINATION.
The new combination was caused
by the announced intention of Beck
TO Invade the east and Chicago, his
new Palace theatres being his first
step in this regard Theatrical man
ayers saw ahead another theatrical
war which probably would duplicate
the efforts of Klaw & sErlanger to
break the vaudeville trust some Years
ago and the fight of William Morris
along the same lines. But before the
war was fairly advanced the align
ment or interests was accomplished.
The late Charles f. Kohl planned
more than once to bring about this
arrangement which would place the
Majestic and other large. theatres in
an association with the east" said
Lyman Glover, general manager for
the kohl-Castle theatres, last night.
lie wanted to leave the west as an
empire for the Orpheum circuit. His
widow has labored effectively in pro-
noting the agreement now reached.
The result will clear up the situation.
prevent ruinous competition, provide
better and more uniform vaudeville
bills, and simplify the business in
many ways"
From New York at night a state
ment was issued by MeyerfieId and
Beck.
1T always has been our fondest
desire" the statement said, TO bind
the east and the west together in a
more substantial way. The consum-
nation of the deal Just put through
by Mr.. Keith and ourselves is a hap
Ply solution of our difficulties and is
most satisfactory to us.
The situation, as far as territory
is concerned, is no different than il
was before, but by buying interests
with Mr.. Keith and in other ways ty-
ing our interests more closely togeth-