Evening star., 1923-01-19
THEATERS HERDED
into BIG COMBINE
Most of Legitimate Houses
in Country in Trust to War
on ''Gougers."
CAPITAL is $50,0OO,O00
Erlanger, Shuberts and Others
Foremost in Realm Reported
Soon to Sign Up.

News reports bring the interesting
gigantic theatrical trust affecting
theatrical properties and through
them the greater part of all plays in
this country. 1t is reported that the
biggest theater combine ever at
tempted in the United States has
been virtually completed and now
awaits little more than the signing
Of the formal papers whereby a vast
majority of the theaters in New York
and throughout the country, includ-
ing Washington. will pass under one
control, thereby creating something
like a monopoly of houses in which
legitimate theatrical enterprises can
find lodgment.
A. l.. Erlanger, formerly of the well
known firm of Klaw & Erlanger, is
quoted as virtually admitting that
the principal factors of this combine
VIII be the Shuberts and himself and
that Charles B. Dillingham;, with his
three big New York theaters, the
Hippodrome, the Gaiety and the
the merger. Later reports indicate
that Arch Selwyn, Sam II. Harris and
other independent theatrical produc-
erS have expressed cagerness 10 join
ed OF as a S50,000,000 corporation.
ExactiOns I'm Other Cities.
The reason for this action is al
legged to be the eX5ctiOnS of theater
owners in New York and other large
cities, into whose pockets too large 4
share of the revenues have gone as
the result of a gouging process. This,
together with higher salaries, in
creased freight rates and big wages
20 stage hands, is the underlying
cause of the proposed combine.
The new plan has two outstanding
features, it is explained. FIRST the
great innovation of letting the public
in on the deal in the matter OF sub
scriptiOns to stock. Both Mr.. Erlang-
er and Lee Shubert are said 10 have
admitted that the public would he in
Vited 10 invest freely. The second
feature is that New York is TO be IN
cluded. something that heretofore has
been found impossible. The result
of this. II is explained. viii be thal
independent producers viii not be
able TO bargain between two booking
offices. but Will be Obliged 10 ac-
cept the best terms Vouchsafed them
by the single agency
Some Independent Owners.
There are now said TO be fifty three
theaterS in New York oHerlnS leEltl-
rn.tr attractions. There are few
indenend,nt owners and operators.
such AS A foods. the SelWNnS ana
H. II Fraze". hut some of the New
York houses Of such men already are
in close alliance with one or the other
marry 10 the combine now under way.
The Shuberts and ErlRnger, II Is esti-
mated now control about four-hithS
Of the available houses. ana, accord
ing 10 the best information obtain
. It. .acrfs D. o. h
out the country in about the same
proportion.
The following New York theaters
are listed in the present Erlanger
combination. few of which, however,
are independently owned or operated: !:
The Empire Lyceum, Globe, Henry
NiIler's, Earl Carroll, Sam II. Harris.
Belasco. Days Sixty third street.
Box. Eltinge, Gaiety, Cort, Forty
eighth Street, Elaw. Liberty, George
NJ. Cohan. Vanderbilt, knickcrbocker,
New Amsterdam Theater and Roof
Shubert's Combination.
The theaters listed in the Shuberts'
combination. 10 which some excep-
tions as to ownership or operation
also apply, are: Broadhurst. Winter
Garden. Ambas assador. Shubert. Bayes,
Central Astor, Apollo, Times Square,
Selwyn, Booth, Longacre, Morosco,
Princess. FraZee, Garrlck, MAXINE FL
liott's, Ritz, Republic, Bijou, Little.
Century Theater and Roof. Jolson's 5
Fifty-ninth Street, Comedy. Forty
ninth Street. Casino. Forty-fourth n
Street, Playhouse. National and Bel
mont.
The names of many other theatrical
owners and managers are given as
fayoring the deal, and the list of
theaters mentioned as being among
those 10 be swallowed up in the big
combine includes the National Theater
in washington. The Shuberts already
own or virtually control the Belasco.
the Garrick and Poli's here and about
$50 theaters throughout the country
for which they book the attractions.
1t is understood that A. l.. Erlanger
is to he the president of the new
combine. or corporation: but the
mower delegated TO Lee Shubert as
the actual manager has been the
bone of contention. This came up
when the Shuberts and Mr.. Erlanger
were about to sign articles of incor-
poration last year.