New-York tribune., 1918-07-21

Its logical conclusion, larger and larg-
er theatres would be required in which
would be corralled all the leading stars,
receiving exorbitant salaries, until
finally there would be but one theatre,
with all the stars under Mr.. Ziegfeld's
management. The other theatres would
be closed, and the public would have
but one place to attend. In modified
degree this is taking place now, as
some theatres are undoubtedly closed
or are suffering in patronage because
OF the bargain Mr. Ziegfeld is Offering.
But if he were charging a proper
price for it, there would be no ineuual-
lty. The spectators in asking pre-
rlums for seats to such shows GRO work
ing on sound economic principles, in
that, if the public has to pay a fair
price: it is not prejudced against at
fractions offering normal values for
the standard box office price. They,
and not Mr.. Ziegfeld, are in the right
in this view
THE spectators are in the wrong,
however, in not acceding to Mr.. Zeg-
teld's demands for higher premiums, if
tect of speculation is at that point,
that the theatre does not receive
enough of the premium demanded Of
the public for the extraordinary attrac-
ton. Speculation, if it is to be regu-
lated by law, should be so regulated
that the spectators would receive only
fair share of the premium. Then the
producer would receive the value he is
really giving the public.
SIT is urged that managers should
change their box Office prices directly
to agree with the merit Of the attrac-
ton. This, however, is not practicable,
as the merit cannot be known in ad-
vance, and if the price is reduced after
opening the public is given notice the
attraction is poor one and refrains
entirely from patronizing it, while if
the price is raised the public feels i'm
posed upon. A standard price is thus
a necessity. Speculation seems to be
the only method of getting at the true
value of seats.
ITO attempt to stop it by law would
be only partially successful With a
large part of the public still anxious
to pay excess prices for certain seats,
large Illicit traffic would spring up.
class of individuals called by M Mr. Mr.
Ziegfeld 'diggers' would purchase
seats and pcddle them among selected
list of patrons, while box Office en-
ployes would be subject to great
temptations to supply hotel clerks and
other hotel employees with choice seats
to be sold to transients wanting good
seats at the last moment
"Theatres are criticised for permit
ting their seats to get into the hands
of the spectators, but they could not
prevent it. The slight premium they
receive is nqonsiderable, the real ne
cesslty lying in the fact that the spec
ulators sell seats in so many choice To-
cations, and thus increase patronage.
Spectators sometimes pay as high as
$4,000 year rental for their loca
tlons, which absorbs a large part of
the premiums the public pays.
&"If spe :ulators were driven out Of
business ne public would be greatly
inconvenienced, since long lines would
be formed at the box offices at theatre
time, with inconvenience to patrons.
who would miss the opening portions
OF the plays. If they came earlier thew
would lose that much time, or if thew
called at the box Office or sent for tbyir
seats the expense and loss of time
would be greater than the small
premium asked by the speculator.
The speculator is accordingly saving
the public great deal of time and ex
pense, and the institution is thus a
iabor-savlng device. 1t irritates a Ger.
tam part OF the public because its real
junction Is not we'll understood, and
because of the bad name it has gained
through charging the limit the traffir
VIII bear on special occasions. If ticket
speculation were given another name
catieo ticket distribution or something