The New York herald., 1879-01-06
MANAGERIAL CONFLICT.

THE DIFFICULTY BETWEEN MEssRs. FIsKE AND
HARKINs, OF THE FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE
PRESENT ASPECT OF THE CASE.
In reference to the difficulty between Messrs Fiske
and Harkins about the management of the Fifth
Avenue Theatre, the former last night made tho fol-
lowing additional statement to HERALD reporter
..In his statement in the HERALD OF Saturday, Mr..
Harkins has continued the policy OF su9gestio
talsi et sppressio veri OF which accused him in my
affidavit before Judge Donohue He states to
the HERALD reporter that the audiences at ths
Fifth Avenue Theatre have been larger since
he commenced his extraordinary legal proceedings.
AS matter OF fact the returns for each performance
have been sent to me by Judge Bedford and show q
large falling off from the returns before my illness.
This is very natural, since the public have not been
able to tell whether the theatre would be open not
and many OF those who wished to Mr.. Jefferson
have been deferred by Mr.. Harkins' threats, pub
lished in the papers, Of personal combas and eject
mens Besides this the advertisements of the thea
tire have been very badly managed-the Saturday ad-
vertisements for example, not calling attention
to the fact that matinee would be given on that
day, although Mr. Jetfersons matnees have gen.
orally been the most prof table performances"
..You fancy there has been much mismanaecment
OF the the business affairs then p asked the reporter
II certainly do said Mr.. Fske, "but hope under
the receivers orders that all this will be changed by
Tuesday" c 4.Hua4
..Has anything further Of interest transpired in
connection with the theatre p
'.During Friday last Judge Bedford a. receiver
Mr.. Harkins aud myself were served with sum-
monses for dispossess proceedings the
part of the Messrs Gilsey These summonses
are returnable tomorrow morning before Judge
Kelly at hsfpast nine o'clock and will be opposed by
Messrs. Seward, B.atchfOrd, G-iswold and DE Costa
on the part OF Judge Bedford and Messrs. Howe and
Hummel my part. Whoever Is responsible for
the service OF tins dspossess summons will probably
find that his ignorance Of the precise legal position Of
receiver has brought him into unexpected diiiicu-
ties. My own defence. on the contrary. will be
upon the merits of the case" .N
SUCCESS POSSIBLE. .-
"Do you believe the theatre can be kept open ?"
E ''Unquestionably Mr.. Jefferson has behaved in
the most maSnanimous manner. continuing to give
his performances in spite OF these legal disturbances
and his reduced emoluments and he has generously
consented 20 go on for another week at least
possess proccedngs?'
"None that know Of In fact. the rent for the
Christmas week ought to have been paid out of the
receipts by Mr.. Harkins l wrote him to draw
check for the money and informed Messrs Glsey or
the fact The rent tor that week was not due until
the day after Christmas and the receipts Christmas
night $500. Nevertheless rent paid
trcy'
tractod TO the theatre by the publicity of thase
cecdings the personal popularity OF Judge Bedford
receiver backed by Mr.. Jeherson's artistic per-
fornances, ought to crowd the house soon IL is
theatre will be open every night and rcady for busi
ness; and this ought to be thoroughly understood
theatre to- and take charge OF the front of the
house under his direction. Mr.. Hnrkins already has
charge of the stage under the ORDERS and there
ought to be reasonable doubt about the of
the entertainment. At any rate. shall make every
possible effort to keep the theatre opou If only for
the sake OF the ladies' and gentlemen or the company,
the orchestra and the other faithful employees. who
have been strangely overlooked except by the
ceiver. during this unfortunate squabble."