New-York tribune., 1922-12-15
Will Combine to Fight
Producers Move to Es-
tablish One Agency to
Sell Seats at I0c Extra
Ask Modification
OF Managers Plan
Dealers Hint at Legal Bat.
tie if the New Project
Harms Their Business

br0dQWuy Hd1 NNN NHi kNtHtfu
the Producing Managers Association
and the theater ticket brokers and
spectators IL tho managers persist
in their announced intention TO cstab-
lish their own consolidated Office for
advance seat sales at a premium Of
10 cents.
Leading agents, some Of whom have
numerous branches and have been
recognized for many years by the man
ayers, arc planning a campaign 70
save their business lives, recognizing
th-t the putting into effect Of the 10
cent scheme against their standard
charge Of 80 cents a scat would ruin
most Of them.
The nature OF tho brokers' strategy
was not indicated expressly. but il was
understood they may first combine in
an effort to persuade members Of the
producers' association to modify their
program. II that fails there Is talk Of
legal action on contracts with man
ayers.
May Buy Choicest Seats
II was also indicated that the more
powerful brokers might continue In
competition with the central Office.
buying the choicest seats for their
customers, many Of whom have had
accounts with them for long periods.
The spectators, whose "diggcrs'
buy a pair or tive Of seats at a time.
r.fI - "a tft 49, csrah lsf Tho fauu-
ayers announcement and confident
that they can as easily circumvcnt the
new plan as they have former attempts
10 suppress them.
"MOrc tickets would be bootlcggcd
under tho managers arrangement than
Is the case now" said one reputable
broker. "The legitimate agencies arc
tie best protection OF theatcrgoers.
especially those from out OF town. This
scheme will damage the thcatcr busi-
ness rather than help IT,"
Meanwhile. Brock Pomberton, speak
ing for the managers, said the central
ohice plan had been irrevocsbly adopted
and that the board Of directors. IN
whose hands Il now Is. would only
work out tho details and not alter
&he substance. A. tho produeing man
ayers Office Il was said no board meet
ing had been called and II was not
known whether or not the consolidated
Office could be opened within a month.
Joseph LEBLANC, who confucts a highly
prosperous cut-rate ticket business
and who is mentioned for manager Of
the new venture, was out OF the city
for the day.
Seek 10 Smash Cut-Rate Plan
IL was intimated in both managerial
and agency circles that the extern 10
which Leblsng's business has grown
is an embarrassment TO the theater
owners and that their action was
prompted In measure by n desire 20
get rid Of the cut-rate problem.
One Of the brokers pointed out that
by eliminating box Office advance sales
and compelling purchasers to pay the
additional 10 cents seat At the cen
tral Office the cost Of going to the play
would be increased for the four-ffths
Of theatergoers who now pstronize the
box Offices. TIE managers plan does
away with box Office sales except for
the night or afternoon Of the perform
ance, but IL provides that tickets may
be bought at list prices BY holders Of
a season card costing 81.
None OF the brokers would discuss
their programs for publication yester-
day. giving Rs their reason that they
bad not had time 10 determine them.
Several promised statements later. and
one or two indicated they would have
some warm comments to make on the
scheme.
Tyson Maintains IS Branches
In the case Of some Of the larger
brokers, such as the Tyson Company
and McBrides, the loss would be con-
siderable II they were forced TO close
their doors. The former has eighteen
branch Offices, principally in hotels,
and the second six. They pay high
rentals for some Of their stands in
the vicinity Of Times Square.
Between $50 and 400 Of our patrons
have called US to-day wanting TO know
II they could do anything TO help US
stay on" John Mcbride, Of McBride's
agency, said. His firm was established
by his father May /, 1879, and has
many thousands Of customers here
and In other cities.
twenty-five agencies with more than
100 stands are affected.