New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-13
DRAMATIC AUTHORSHIP.

THREE CLAIMANTS FOR ONE PLAY
ADOLPH RoGE PREPARING TO ASSERT HIS RIGHTS TO
1.-THE BANKERS DAUGHTER" IN COURT-BRoN-
son HOWARD TELLS HOW THE NEW DRAMA WAS
REVISED.
AdOph Rog6, who claims that Bronson
Towards drama, Z" The Bankers Daughter, now payeu
Union Square Theatre, is largely an adaptation Oh
his play called The Golden Calf which was onered 10
the Union Square Theatre and has been in its possession
for two years, spent considerable time yester-
day in consultation with his lawyers He de-
clares that nothing will satisfy him except
the substitution Of his piece for the one now on inc
Union Square stage Ne has written three other pays
none OF which have been produced. The following
letter from his lawyers to the manager OF the Union
Square Theatre was Mr.. ROg6's declaration OF war
This copy was obtained from ex Judge Dittenhoeier'
the managers counsel:
NEw-YoRK, Dec. 8, 1873,
DEAR SIR: Mr.. Adolph RogG, of tins city, in 1870,
Calf" for Witch he duly obtained copyright reserying
all rights author and ali other rights You are nov
edge consent play entitled " Inc B9nh H.
Daughter" which - essentially and suostanuaY Sry
thing the play Of MI ROge the plot ana very
nearly all the characters beng suDstahuaIS tno
same as wei 9s 5ne or ap9 IN Others, where
changes are made In either these changes gre "
snch character rs not 9ny bO 'n en intention
to disguise the violation Of his rights and eyade aDm
therefor Mr. ROg6 gave to Mr.. CazauTan your business
script over three years ago. and printed copy after he
got his copyright. winch has never been re,
turned 70 him, although he frequently asked
for 1t. Mr.. Rog6 Is Wiling to grant you I,ns a
you refuse take sucn license weare nsIructGa
to apply for an injunction on bis behalf 10 res l az
performance Of his play and for damages Dy reason oi
ETC. TOWNSEND & DYETT,
To Mr.. Albert NJ PALMER. No. 2l7 Broadway.
Bronson Howard was found at the Lotos Club yester
day. and when asked about the manner In
which his play Of "Tke Bankers Daughter had
been produced from his earlier play called " LlIiahs
Lost Love-" replied: 1t seems to me almost Prohess
to discuss question of this kind In the newspapers
through the medium Of ex-parte statements Inc Ony
proper place TO settle It in court OF law by reading
my play and Mr.. RogG's play, and examining circum-
stances dates Mr.. Roge does Mr. Cazauran an III
Justice IN attacking him. l am the one, II anyoou
against whom he has grievance"
"Did Mr. Cazauran rewrite the play, changing largely
the language aud cOnstruotiOnP
mr. Cazauran is the author Of one entire scene as
have publicly given him credit for it. He assisted by
making suggestions for other necessary changes Whch
were first executed by me, and IN some
parts revised paraphrased and condensed by him. "heh
Mr.. Palmer said yesterday that Mr.. Cazauran Da i
written the entire hh aGt ne mace "a @ MIMI NJ
the public. The play IS IN five acts ana SIX IaptaA.
For the convenience OF the prompter aud the scene
sulters on the stage there supposed to be ak acts
And In the carly copies OF tue plal-p't Tue ~ oR ~
~ the scenery by smistake, represented SIX acts MI
Palmer flowed this arrangement, calling the MIN acI
what I'm reality, scene second OF act lourul lhat Is
The b1mdor scene witch has already been credited by
me 10 MIR Cnzauran The actual fifth or last act differs
largely from the last act OF Llans Lost Love rug
comedy parts were brought forward from what was
Hb6nt year ago had definite contract with Mr..
Palmer that my play OF Lillian should be gwen at me
openng of the present season, but Yielded to Mother
and son. The original play was too sad to oring De
fore the New-York public IN so depressing season
and / concluded TO have Lillian live happily
Then It was suggested to have the lover die since some
%e to% 1 the husband RMS plan adopted"
How did Mr. Cazauran come 10 write the new scene
OF act fOurthI
the duel IN pathetic key. Mr. Cazauran contended
earnestly Tor another kind OF treatment or
shouId write out his idea. This he did throwing
more action and passion into the scene Az the theatre
they were willing to have Mr.. Cazauran's assistance
Kent secret But told them did not want secrecy,
and must acknowledge any valuable assistance rem
dcred" ,...,- ,u,,,,,, ,,o,w
:. Yes but she served a different purpose. Originally,
after the duel StebeioT took away hs little daughter.
That was what disturbed the mlnd OF Lttdn IN
thr original fourth act, aud led TO her death
in the NTH act. Mr. Cazauran suggested that
tLa hrtle girl be used to carry ON the cor
rrspondcnce with the father, III the fifth act, &C
copied and worked up this idea All the Situations oI
change made in the original play that the new con
cuson did not make necessary" ,,,,.
'Was the scene In tine house OF tho American Minister
In Paris III IIlan,' and also the duel scene III the
~ oniV they formed together the third act"
"With single minor exception all the simulariues
which Mr.. ROge mentions, between MS play ana the
Tntar's Daughter existed also in my original version
of Iians Lost Love-, the whole question lies be-
tween and me-
WHAT is this cxceptonp ,.--
"Nothug In the original version requires deception
OF Lillian by WeSbrODk her father, IN the first act Mr.
Rogc says very general terms that IN his drama the
what he deceiyes her for what purpose This
was entirely my idea so that even III regard To
rms exception he must look to and 70 no one else,
Snr his ssimilority' alone responsible for every
alteration which has been made"