New-York tribune., 1919-11-09

~ ERHAPS no one IS in better
~ ); i: 5;;:;;: H.: :: & 81:
u Lee Shubert. The firm OF
which he is the head contro.s d
sctre of theaters in New York. more
than any other management. seventy
i've through the country and books
about two hundred.
Still under forty, this quiet young
nan, with the smiling lips and the seri-
0us eyes, has achieved all this through
his business acumen and his dlp!o-
matic tact, with an acquired appetite
FOR hard work and for strategic plan
ning added to his natural assets.
After passing through labyrinthian
path, past information clerks and office
boys and secretaries, the directing head
ot the great theatrical organization was
found in q kidney shaped office, tar
from ornate and yet artistic, behind Il
slat desk, piled high with papers which
'ooked important.
The desk and the trimmings Of the
room are of Flemish OAK, the chairs of
dark red leather and the rug and
hangings & subdued blue and yellow
combination. On the walls are pic
tures OF stars the Shuberts have made
"A! 10 son, Julia Sanuerson, Caby Des-
lys-but In the place OF honor hang
oil paintings Of the adored mother and
he Oldest of the three brothers, Sam
). Shubert, who met an early and
'ragic end in d railroad accident, just
as the boys" were going over the
top" of success. He was the leading
spsrit of the trio and his mantle fell
gracefully upon the shoulders of Lee,
who has worn it in masterfui manner
ever aimee.
The Progress of the Theater in
America-in Prosperity" mused Mr..
shubert, with his winning smile and
his serious eyes turned full upon the
interviewer. well. it certainly has
progressed in that direction. In my
eewenty years in the theatrical field
have never seen anything to com
pare with this season. The theaters
are packed all the time and the plays
arc 50 successful that their runs can
not be stopped for the many attrac-
ti,ns ciamoring at the doors of New
York and the other large cities for
cheaters in which to show. This de-
spite the generally increased prices
TO what DO you attribute this great
iemand?"
ITO several conditions. In the first
place, the people have more money and
nore time. The hours of work are
shorter and the observance Of holl-
days IS more general Three years
ago scarcely any one remembered Co
.umbus Day except a few patriotic ltal-
ians, who went to Columbus Circle to
decorate the memorial column. Now
slmost every one observes it
Another thing is that the sensa-
tional happenings Of the great war
have made people believe in the reality,
or at least the possibility, Of the un-
Usual situat.on depicted in plays.
prohibition has something to do
With it. too. The money people spent
on wines and other drinks they have
now for other forms of amusement
They must have relaxation from the
serious side of life. Then, 1t also has
given them more time. Now. after d n
ner: they say, let's go to the theater.
Before Prohibition they would linger
over their cordials or go to their clubs
FOR highball and keep on having
them until it was too late to go to
the theater.
Then the motion picture theaters
have helped the legitimate houses. The
movie patron has been educated up
from the 10, 20 and 30-cent films
TO the 81 ones, and doesn't hesitate
now to spend . few dollars for an
svsnings entertainments. Why 1T the