New-York tribune., 1922-12-10
London Way With Tickets
Suggestions for Dealing With the
Specializing Evil
. the Editor Of Tho Tribunc.


To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir. Your editorial in to-day's issue
on the ticket speculation evil suggests
the thought that the trouble could Be
curbed. II not absolutely stamped out
II the system that prevailed in London
some years ago. and doubilers does
still. were with some notifications
adopted here
In London, although tickets arc sold
at the box ofiee, no tickets leave there
for the agencies. II you wish to see a
show you apply at an agency 10 learn
what is TO be had. The agency then
telephones around 70 the theatcr sc.
lected to sec what is available. You
decide upon the play, she agency con-
firms the sale to the theater and issues
IN order on the box Office. This order
Is made out on a triplieate card. One
section Is detached as a vo7eher FOR
the agency. The other two you present
on the night Of the performance. One
Of these the ticket taker retains and
the other you show 70 the usher who
takes you 70 your scat.
In batchcs t,-kcts never leave the
box Office. Although there arc box Of
fee sales, these consist, o. rule, Of
few seats at time, and then gen
orally on the evening Of the perform
ance. The rate that used TO be charged
"a premium Of one shilling was 80
moderate and the service so excellent
that mostly all sales Of seats in first
class theaters were made by agencies.
II may be that q new generation Of
theatcrgoers has changed at this, but
IL is certain that before the war every
good hotel was an agency for one frm
that transacted practically the whole
Of the ticket selling business.
Years ago Daily tried in this city to
abolish the sidewalk speoulator by
keeping all tickets in the box Office and
merely selling orders which we're ex-
rhaneeable for tickets on the night Of
the performance. That might have
abated the sidewalk nuisance Of that
day, but would be powcrless TO reach
speculative agencies Of this day. For
popular show they never seem TO
have tickets. but at a price always
know where 70 procure them.
In the managers plan outlined in
yesterdays papers the agencies are 20
stipulate TO sell tickets without dis
elimination at an advance Of not more
than so cents a seat, the theaters
are to redeem all unsold tickets and
agents violating the agreement are TO
be deprived Of the right 70 sell. This
will not cure the evil. lt may put the
cut-rate bureaus out Of business. but
even that is doubtful 10 nav take
away some Of the temptation to cupid
ity, but there will always be some who
BY devious ucthods viii be able TO sup
ply favorites and extract large profits
from the public.
They certainly ordered these things
better in London With one qualifca-
tion. that system should be tried here.
Orders for tickets in advance Of per
formances should not be honored at
the box Office unless By post from re-
sponsible persons. and then not in
blocks without adequate explanation.
The aim should be TO eonfne box Office
sales largely to persons presenting
themselves at the time Of the per
formancc. In addition, in order the
better TO serve the convenience Of thea
ter patrons, well known clubs should
be recognized ne agencies licensed TO
issue orders on box Offices, in the same
way as the other and professional
agencies would upon the introduction
Of such a system. B. T.
New York, Dec Z, 1922.