New-York tribune., 1918-01-19
Theatre Holiday
May Be Changed,
Declares Lackaye
Actor Says Wilson May
Give Public Amusement
in Enforced Idleness
Managers Are Silent
Producers Prepare to Comply
With Closing Order
on Monday
Managers Are Silent

Broadway's sublime faith in the band
Of infallblcs it sent to Washington
to reason with Woodrow Wilson about
the fuel conservation measure was at
the breaking point yesterday.
No one had doubted for minute that
and that "Showless Monday" notion
abandoned when Marc
Klaw said he was against it and George
Cohan backed him up. and David Be-
iasco and Ad Zukor and the rest shook
their heads. What, Broadway had
sked, was just one single President
against all this array?
Vet there were the champions back
at their own desks, the iunket over. the
final word spoken, and there the OBJ
noxious order still stood, unchanged in
as much as thought.
Managers Nom -Committal
What magic the single handed Presi-
dent had worked remained a mystery
through most of the day None Of the
magnates would discuss what had trans
pired at the brief and decisive inter-
view in the White House. A mystery
it still would be if Wilton Lackaye
hadn't gone along to represent the Ac-
tors Equity Association. He had heard
all that was said and didn't mind re-
reating it.
"ln the. first place." he explained
we didn't intend to plead for any spe-
f.Io II
been arranged several days beforehand,
and we were already IN washington
when announcement of the general in
dustrial suspension was made. That
naturally made a difference We were
no longer a class singled out. The
axe was falling everywhere
The President had consented TO give
us five minutes. Instead he gave US
fifteen. Marc Klaw. our spokesman,
made several points. He told Mr.. Will
son he thought the closing Of the thea
tres would have bad psychological
effect. and reminded him. too. of all
further Liberty Bond sales and Red
Cross subscriptions.
"further, he pointed out the saving
of light and Of heat which would other.
wise be used in the homes, and remind
ed the President that the theatres use
practically no light except from S to
$3.50. When it was evident the order
would stand, Mr. Klaw suggested that
the showless night be changed TO any
ether, so that the public would not be
without amusements on its enforced
he lidays. The Pres dent admitted lie
hadn't thought Of that. and there still
remains possibility, think. that the
suggestion VIII be followed"
Operas Held Over a Day
The Metropolitan Opera House an
nounced it has solved its complicated
subscription problem by eliminating
Philadelphia engagements and holding
over the regular Monday night per-
formanccs scheduled for New York
until the following night.
A ma ajorit< OF the theatre managers
OF New IC/i doubt that the coal saw
ing III cr.n the largest houses will
exceed a few shovelfuls Even if il
were possible to shut down the heat
ing plants altogether over the blue
Mondays, The cost per ton to the gov
eminent OF coal conserved must be
staggering.
For example, the average Monday
night performance OF Jack o. Lantern
at the Gloge pays the government
more than 5000. Mostly this sum rep.
rcscnts the war tax which patrons paw
through the box Office.
Aside from the seat tax there is the
income tax to be considered. With
salaries of principals and house staff
cut, as they will have to be to take
up the slack. Uncle Sam will lose out
there, too