New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-01
BroatIw av Ticket
ScaIpers Missing;
Old Haunts Vacant
'lhcatrcgoers in Search of
Holiday Pasteboards Con-
vinced New Law Has Now
Put End TO Speculation

Broadway was practically free Of
ticket spectators last night for the
Nrst time since it became the Great
White Way. The woud-be ticket pur-
chaser vhc sought to pay any exhor-
bitanc price asked Of him for admis-
sion to New Years Eve performances
found the usual haunts Of scalpers
vacant. Nor was it possible to find
1hat shadowy figure who stands OH the
curb and bargains in whispers with
those disappointed al the box Office.
All cf tho scalpcrs whose prices ad-
vanced III proportion to their custom
ers' cagcrnesS TO obtain tickets we're
virtually put out of business by the
new ordinance which fees Il maximum
profit on ali amusement tickets sold by
spectators.
The new law went into effect al
o'clock Yesterday. Under its pro-
visions speculator may charge not
more than 90 cents above the price
printed on the ticket. Tho penalty
is $500 line OF 6 months in jail or
both.
Agencies Obeying Law
Heads Of the regularly established
ticket agcncles said yesterday that
they wero strictly conforming to the
provisions Of the law and that they
had heard Of only a few instances
where wildcat spectators were work
ing on The streets. The ticket agencies
announced that they hereafter would
be considered as "brokers' as distin-
Guished from spectators, because the
90 cents a ticket allowed Them
mounted simply 20 commission.
Formerly about 500 persons made
their living by scalping. Most OF these
had no Office other than the curb or
d darkened doorway adjacent to q
theatre. Their prices were unlimited
end scared in proportion TO vne popu-
lslity Of the particular play Tor which
they had ticnets.
Theatre mana GERS declared thst tn.
new law would have wholesome er-
feet on the theatre business
II am sure IL the theatres vail
welcome it, said Mark billiard, man
aOer. Of the Selwyn Theatre. The
regular brokers who charged fixed
premium for their worl. in maintaining
sort of clearing house arc a helr to
the business, but the wildcat specula-
tors have always been harmful. They
tended to bring the whole business
INTO disrepute because the public
naturally thought wa were working
with them.
Many Theatres Sold Out
Il believe the law Is being gene rally
ohsyed because the scalpers arc pretty
we'll frightened. At any rate, New
Years Eve is a poor night to deter-
mine whether there are any violations,
because most OF the theatres have ad-
vanced their prices because Of The III
creased demand, and many of tao
houses we're sold out two weeks ago.
The sca lpers, anticipating the new law
going into effect, got rid Of their
tickets boforehand.7
William McBride's agency, 1897 Broad
ray, said his concern never had been
N She habit Of charging more than
Afty cents premium. IT am confident
that the new law will put the un-
scrupulous scalpers out OK business
for good, and they realize it," he said.
weeks to find few stalpers doing
business on the sly, but that will soon
stop, and tho theatre-gcing public, for
the first time, can be assured that it
IS not being robbed"
Proposes Club Service
Leo Newman, 1928 Broadway, said
'e was Charging ohiN inc n1ty cents
premium as provided by law. But"
no sal id, 81 am going to start a CLUB
and charge members $40 a month for
s.grvice in rescrving good seats. +
don't think that will be violation Of
the law. We do big business in
Philadelphia and New York, largely
charge accounts, and | don't think our
customers viii object to paying a club
fee"
Il. Il. Lewis. Of the Metropolitan
Opera House, said he believed there
was practically no speculation in opera
tickets. There WINS no performance last
night. Tho box Office reported il had
plenty Of tickets on sale for tho re-
mninder of tho week.
.