New-York tribune., 1918-01-14
Managers Fight
Theatre Closiing;
Retain Jerome
Broadway Playhouse Men tc
Submit Petition to State
Fuel Chief To-day

The big theatrical interests in New
York City will sub-':t petition to
State Fuel Administrator Alfred H.
"lggln this morning protesting against
any plan to close the theatres in New
York City for purposes of fuel con-
serVatlon. William Travers Jerome,
former District Attorney, who has been
retained by the managers to take
charge of fight against any curtail
ment of their fuel supplies, made this
known last night.
The petition, according to Mr.. Je-
rome, will point out that closing down
OF the theatres here for three nights a
week, such as has been suggested as a
possibility by the Federal fuel admins
traitors would really force the theatri-
cal houses out Of business altogether,
throw thousands of actors and en-
ploycs out of work, lose the government
thousands Of dollars in war taxes, and
would save only a comparatively small
amount Of coal
Urge Plea on Congress
kilograms calling attention to these
facts were sent last night to Federal
Fuel Administrators Garfield and to all
Senators and Congressman from the
greater city. These messages request
that, before any action shutting down
the theatres is taken, a thorough in
vestlgatlon OF the managers conten-
tlons be made at their expense. A
wire to Secretary of the Treasury Nc
Adoo was also dispatched last night. 1t
calls his attention to the loss in rev.
enuc any curtalment of theatrical
privileges here would bring to the Fed
cral government.
"We want to be reasonable in this
matter, said Mr.. Jerome last night.
! ''Thc .shrbuft theatres, the Loew, Keith,
Proctor, Klaw e. Erlanger, Sclwyn'
Moss and William A. Brady interests
and the National Association Of the
Moving Picture Industry have retained
me to represent them.
ut has been apparent to the man
ayers froE the beginning that little
would be gained by shutting down the
theatres. In order to ascertain the
actual facts and figures thoroughly
they have carefully investigated the
question of coal consumption for light
and heat in the theatres in the city.
"They find that the saving in coal
for all the principal theatres. vaude-
vile houses and movie establishments
in the city would be neglible.
Say Saving is Negligible
Owe investigated 1l8 theatres, in
Guiding the biggest houses, and this is
what we found:
"The saving in coal for each day
these 118 houses were closed would be
1863 tons. The loss to the government
in taxes upon admissions alone would
exceed S11,8OO for each day At least
10000 employees and about $4,000 actors
and actresses would be thrown out of
work entirely or reduced to half pay.
"And am informed by the man
ayers that if they are closed dowr
three days a. week they'll probably have
to go out Of business altogether. Will
it pay? We will put the matter up to
Mr.. Wiggin in petition tomorrow
The messages to Mr. Garfield and to
Secretary McAdoo are for the personal
information of these officials.
"The petitioners feel confident tha,
Mr.. Wiggin will not act hastily in sc
serious a matter. If it is decided tc
take any such action we want an in
vestigation of the facts made The
managers will gladly pay to have the
whole question looked into by compe
tent heating and lighting engineers
The investigation would take no more
/ than daV"