New-York tribune., 1912-04-29

Following a conference on Saturday
night between attorneys for B. F. Keith
and representatives of the United Book
ing Offices and the Western. Far West
ern and Canadian vaudeville circuits. II
was announced last night that Mr.. Keith
had purchased the eight vaudeVliie
houses OF Percy G. Williams in Greater
New York, which. in addition to those
he already holds, will give him complete
control of the high class vaudeville sit
uation as far west as Chicago.
Besides his purchase of the Williams
chain of theatres in this city, Mr.. Keith
completed arrangements with Morris
Meyerfeld and Martin Beck. Of the Or
pheum circuit, and Mrs. c. e. Kohl. OF
Chicago. and Max Andersen. of New
York, by which the biggest combina-
ton of theatrical interests in the coun-
try has been accomplished. The deal
involves property worth millions OF dol
lars and gives Mr.. Keith and his new
business associates virtual control OF
the vaudeville business from the East
10 the Pacific Coast and in Canada
The deal made on Saturday night sets
at rest many rumors in regard to the
vaudeville situation and the final dispo-
sition of the Williams theatres in greater
New York. 1t was generally understood
{ In theatrical circles that Mr. Williams
was about to dispose Of his holdings. but
until the announcement Of last night the
name Of the actual purchaser was not
known.
Bookings To Be Done Here.
In taki1s over the New York theatres
, Mr.. Keith will be associated with Mrs.
Kohl and Mr.. Anderson. his partners In
the East, James II. Moore, Of Detroit;
NJ. Shee. IF Buffalo; Harry Davis OF
Pittsburgh, and Messrs. Diment and
DufFfeld Of the Canadian circuit, all OF
whom will be large stockholders in the
newly acquired New York holdings.
The bookings of the b. r. Keith cir
cult and the Orpheum circuit, reaching
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, will be
done in the Putnam Building, on Broad
way.
u was stated last night that an even
more liberal policy. both as to the
character OF the acts and the renunera-
tIon of the artists, will be adopted by
the combined interests, and it is prom
jsed that the effect of the pooling OF IN
ferests viii be 10 elevate the entire vau-
devile business.
The personnel of the Williams houses
will remain unchanged, it is said. when
the new management takes control
Tho lawyers engaged in the transaction
were Maurice Goodman, for the United
Booking Offices; John +. Cronan, or
Poston for Mr Keith: Studin & Som
nerbere. If No. ~ Liberty street, for
Meyerfeld & Beck. and George IL,
Freede, Of Chicago. for Mrs. Kohl.
In speaking Of the new combination
lest night. E. T. Albee. general manager
Of the Keith interests, said that Mr..
Keith and his associates and Messr5.
Neyerfeld and Beck had been trying Tor
weeks TO bring about such an arrange
,nent. Now, he said, the East and the
West will work absolutely together. haV-
ing interests In each others theatres
and with their booking Offices all on the
same floor
Keith to Hold Sway in East.
MIR Keith will hold SWAY in the East,
according 10 Mr.. Albee; Meyerfeld and
Peck will control everything west of
chicago and Mrs. Kohl will manage af-
fairs IN that city. Performers will be
able 10 sign long time contracts, and the
public, il is announced. will see the best
of vaudevjne under the plans of the new
combination.
With the lone exception of Hammer
stems Theatre, at I'D street. which
does hs booking through the Keith Of
flccs. the new amalgamation of theatti
cal interests In the vaudeville field will
Place the destiny of high class vaude-
vile in this city in the hands of MIR.
Keith and his associates
on his return from Palm Beach, about
six weeks ago. Mr.. Williams stated that
ne had rejected an offer Of $5,OO0,OOO for
his vaudeville houses. made by Martin
Beck The contracts for the deal had
already been drawn up and awaited Mr..
williams's signature, but he declined,
saving he did not consider the terms
high enough. He refused to say what
price he had fixed.
About two years ago Mr.. Keith and
y. F. Proctor, who had formed merger
under the firm name Of Keith & Proctor,
had business differences. and as result
the firm was dissolved, each partner tax
ing the theatres which they had held be-
fore they combined. The proprietorshir
of the Fifth Avenue Theatre was not de-
cided at that time and the matter Ia
still pending in the courts, although the
house Is being conducted at present by
T f. Albee, Mr.. Keith's personal rep
rpsentatire.