Article on a proposed new ticket-sale system for the Philharmonic Society

“The Philharmonic Society.—Of all the fashionable entertainments in the City of Churches, the Philharmonic concerts lead the van. They are so very popular that to attend to them demands of one time, energy, perseverance, muscle, and a total disregard of rents in garments—not to mention patience and a good temper. The doors are opened an hour before the performance,—the house is crowded jam full fifty-nine minutes before the performance. Despite this, hundreds of people throng about the door, and many of them swear because they can’t get in. The directors having seated their families, avail themselves of the leisure hour to lounge about the halls; there they hear the complaints of the public about insufficient accommodation, and naturally desire to allay the irritation. Having done their very best, no one doubts that, for a number of years, they appeal in despair to outsiders for suggestions. It would seem to us that the difficulty might be solved by adherence to the following rules:

          1. Ascertain the exact capacity of the house.

          2. Sell as many tickets as there are seats—no more to anybody, on any account.

          3. Adopt the rule of first come first served: open the box-office at 10 o’clock A.M. on the day before the concert, and give to each ticket-holder a reserved seat. All the tickets being sold, all the seats being taken, shut the office and let the facts be known. By these means those who have secured tickets and seats will be satisfied, and those who have not will try for better luck next time.

          4. If it be found that a very great number are by this plan kept away, the house being full, it would seem to be perfectly fair to raise the price of tickets.

          There is every probability of a successful season, and these difficulties will harass the people, vex the directors and result in serious trouble, unless some decisive action is taken in advance. The President, Mr. Luther B. Wyman, the Treasurer, Dr. A. Cooke Hull, have devoted years of labor and thought to the interests of the society, and the public look to them to solve in some way this vexatious question of supply and demand.”