New-York tribune., 1918-01-21
Ignore Klaw Telegram to
Wilson Announcing Af-
ternoon Closing
To Renew Old Fight
Will Run Theatres Without
Regard to Syndicate,
They Declare

Every New York theatre that oper-
atcs under Shubert control will give
an extra special holiday matinee this
afternoon, along with the vaudeville
burlesque and movie houses, fact
which may or may not cause Marc
Kaw to repent the telegram he sent
to President Wilson Saturday assuring
him that Monday matinecs announced
for this week were all off
Announcement Of the Shubert policy
was made in q half-page advertisement
yesterday, and Lee Shubert followed it
up with statement that was tanta-
mount to an outright declaration Of
war on the "syndcatc"
"Henceforth," said he, borrowing for
the occasion a line that Corse Payton
mas spoken many hundreds of times
put never more earnestly. che can go
his way. and Ill 60 mine"
The "hc' referred to was Mr. Klaw,
who also was the they" of another
meaning remark that Mr.. Shubert let
drop moment later.
,"Thcy are simply impossible to get
.|iO"S Nlti' ~ - no use Trying. III
through"
The Klaw-to- Wilson telegram was
sent on its way following what was
described in the message as one of the
largest and most enthusiastic meetings
that the United Managers Protective
Association ever held. Mr.. Shubert
says he contributed nothing to the
gathering. either to swell the crowd or
heightcn the enthusiasm He wasn't
there
1t seemed to be common knowledge
along Broadway Friday that the man
ayers We're to meet at O'Clock Satur-
day afternoon, but Mr. Shubert says he
got no notice until noon. His only rep
rcsentativc at the meeting, conse-
quently, was Joseph Jacobs, of his
financial staff.
81 had absolutely no way of knowing
that any matters OF importance were to
come up" Mr.. Shubert went on "Mr.
Jacobs was not authorized to go into
any such agreement as was proposed by
Mr. klaw. If | had been there / should
have made a vigorous protest. Mr.
Kaw is we'll qualified to speak for
himself and his own interests, but not
for me and mine.
"Canceling Monday matinees this
week is unnecessary. I don't think the
President expected it. Mr.. Joseph Rhi-
mock represented the ShuDert interests
at the conference in the White House,
and in his report it was plain that Mr.
Wilson was in favor OF permitting the
public every possible amusement on
their enforced holidays. That is enough
for me-"
Mr.. Shubert was asked if he expected
that any punitive action would be un-
dertaken against him by the managers
association.
We'll" he said, 81 don't anticipate
trouble from that quarter. I'm the as
sociation. control it,
Mr.. Klaw could not be located. Prob
ably he spent the day resting up for
the coming battle. George NJ. Cohan
and Sam II. Harris, his leading allies,
also were out Of reach. David Belasco
was another unfindab1e one.
The hatchet has been buried in
theatredom for many months past. with
the Shuberts and the "syndicate' work
ing along amicably to their mutual
profit. A few weeks ago litigation was
begun in Philadelphia to dissolve
working arrangement which the two
interests have there. This gave rise TO
stories that the war was on again, but
subsequent reports were that a truce
had been patched up and that peace
was in playland to stay.
Now, however, Lee Shubert says that
litigation will be pressed through to
break the contracts obtaining in Phi'a-
dclphia. Chicago, Boston and st. Louis.
by virtue of which Shubert attractions
have been playing in Syndicate"
houses and "syndicate" shows in Shu-
bert houses.