The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-20
100000 OPPOSE
THEATRE TAX JUMP
That Number of Signatures
Obtained for Protests, Man.
ayers Estimate.
OUTSIDE OF STAGE FOLK
Proposed Levy Will Wipe Out
TwO-thirds of Business,
Says Gcst.

"Sixtv per cent Of the theatrical busi-
ness will he wiped out II the Govern
ment's tax'is increased IN per cent. as
planned" Morris Gest. chairman OF the
Theatrical Managers Protest Committee,
said Yesterday after meeting of the
managers In the Century Theatre. And
more than that" he continued, lone
billion dollars in salaries yearly to pro-
fessionals and attaches of theatres will
he lost and million men. women and
children will be thrown out of employ
ment.
IT'S the little towns which will suffer
most. The theatres in the big cities will
not go out of business, but in the little
towns the people cannot AFFORD to nay
the increased prices. The patron In New
York who ran afford to go to the theatre
can usually afford to pay the price;
what's n half dollar more or less to
him."
More than thousand pretty girls
from the choruses of popular musical
shows will he let loose on New York this
week TO get signatures to petitions pro-
testing against the contemplated increase
Of the tax. Four or Ave thousand SOL
diers and sailors, the guests OF Mr.. Gest
at the Manhattan Opera House yester-
day afternoon, signed petitions Of protest.
They seemed to take a whole hearted
interert in behalf Of the theatres
william A. Brady and George Gordon
Battle we're applauded heartily whe
each added his personal protest. Mr.
Brady said: ut Is proposed in Washing
ton to increase the theatre tax from 10
ner cent. to 20 per cent. ! say boys, this
Is an outrage, because they do not pro-
nose to do this In regard to any other
industry i'm the United States.
you will remember that all during
the war when We we're offering you the
atre tickets you we're obliged to pay a
tax Of 10 per cent. Should this Increase
IN taxation become a law. where YOU
now pay sl.10 for ticket YOU will have
have to pay sl.20 and where you paw
SEQ YOU will he forced to pay S2.40.
In the opinion Of the theatrical managers
II VIII put the theatre out of business.
AFTER the war was over and the
armistice signed the Senate cut down all
the taxes on chewing gum, ice cream to-
hacco, Sc, hut now before the confer
ence committee Claude Kitchin insists
| that the theatre tax shal be 20 per
| cent"
After the service men applauded Mr.
Brady's address Miss Ruth Ryan SANG
TO them and cast the candied CONNECTIONS
into the audience. Then George Gordon
| Battle was announced.
Mr. Battle said that he wished to add
| his protest against the contemplated
action OF Congress. He said the pro-
posed tax was unfair the theatres and
patrons alike. and he briefly reviewed
the colossal war work that the theatrical
| profession has done FOR the Government
| In drives and entertainments.
| II is estimated by returns a 'adv
! tabulated since the campaign began
Thursday night that 5000, 900 persons
| Throughout the United States had writ
ten their names In protest against tn.
/ additional tax In addition 2bo 400 col
I diers and 81 ilors have signed. IS, 600 OF
I these being wounded men in hospitals
/ The sirners are patrons only: not a
one is from members OF the profession
Mark A. Luescher OF the Hpnodrome
said As an indication of the popularity
20. the protest the sCrubwomen of the
/ theatres who number about 1000 IN New
York city alone, are getting together Ia
circulate petitions among their grocers
/ butchers and others.
| Omaha Is the first town to protest
openly by staying away from the theatre
This Is not deemed wise. however. by the
managers who think the petitions with
their millions OF names will have more
effect than any other demonstration.
| The theatrical managers emphasize the
many phases bearing directly upon the
! situation II the additional tax becomes
effective. Millions OF dollars the man.
ayers estimate. that are now going into
the Golfers Of the railroads for theatrical
transportation will not be expended
when the road companies are recalled.
The protest committee is composed Of
Norris Gest, chairman William A
Brady, advisory chairman John L
Golden, Mark A. Luescher, Arthur Ham
merstein Edward Zeigler. Sam Scribner
J. ]. Murdoch, Pat Casey, Lawrence An
halt. Frank Gilmore. Actors Equity AS.
ISOLATION: Joseph n. Weber, American
Federation OF Musicians: Charles c
Shay, International Alliance OF Theatri'
cal stage EMPLOYEES.