New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-28
THE PASSION PLAY.
WHO ,spAyrNe FOR IT'S PRODUCTION.

WHO is PAIlNG run INObONihS-'
MR. rAyEs. TIE CosTUMER. AND TWO CALIFORNIA
MEN ASSOCIATED WITH MR.. MORSE
Those who have watched thu attractive and COM
pleteIy ouiopsd theatre IN West fwenty-third-st.
which is known as Nor els Hail. gradually evolved
from an armory. have taken it for granted that
men of capital and great deal Of it were assocl-
ated with him in his Undertaking. No dehhi o bg-
ures can be obtained but 1t is safe
TO say that nearly 100000 has been
expended IN putting the boase INTO its pres
ent shape, in supplying the large stock oi
excellent scenery, and IN providing the properties
and costumes Tor the production OF the Passion.
And he bills for all hese expenditures, 1t wouio
appear have been promptly met. Who the persons
were WHO have rendered MIR. Morse 'iiIS
financial assistance has been matter TOT inuch
curious ami eager speculation. Henry H. Aooey
has perhaps been most frequently mentioned
as the man. 1t was well known that
Dir. Abbey believed thoroughly in the play
when he was arranging for us former
production here and only gave it no IN the face OF
the bitter opposition which he gathering against
g. Additional color was given to the suppositioh
by the presence of one If Mr.. Ahbeys former leu
tenants as treasurer of the new house The door
keeper of the burned Park Theatre stood
at the entrance gate to Morses Hall
on last Saturday evening AID TOOK
in the invitations TO the private dress rehearsal.
But Mr.. Abbey has strenuOuslv denied mat ne had
any pecun interest whatever in the revival OF
the Passion Play. Thomas Mcguire the California
manager who was cated in IFS production IN
San Francisco. has also been mentioned as a proba-
bic partner; and so have a number of Roman
Catholic clergymen whose nam's were not men
toned. These reports have been found, one after
In connection with the transfer of the lease of
the building made last week by Mr. Morse 70
his stags manager, Converse l.: HrayeS' me
facts in the case have accidentally come
to light. There have been some disagreements
between Mr.. Morse aud Alder J. Edves, one Of his
associates and the transfer OF the lease having been
entire concurrence 1t was taken to be sgnlhcant OF
a hostile purpose. There was a NEE ing last even
Mr. Eayes and Me.srs. Severance and Ferri-,
the other persons interested were pres n, aud the
result of an extended conference was that THESE
transferred for the purpose of legal accommoda-
ton and not for the purpose OF defraudng them
They DECLARED themselves TO be Mr.. Morse's only
Nj Esves is q costumer in the city and
furnished the costumes for the Pas-
sion when MIR. Abbey Intended bringing 1T for
ward. He admired the production and when the
Abbey scheme fell through. favora6l' entertainei
the idea of assisting in the matter. He dld nothng
immediately, but about year ago hf approached
Mr. Morse who was living quie ly in the city, and
after time concluded purchase from III OF one
quarter OF the copyright OF the Passion. This is, Of
course, registered at Washington. AZ the same
time be entered into a contract with the aulnor 70
produce It at the first favorable opportunity he
paid IS, 900 for this quarter share III the Work;
burr the summer while Mr. Eaves WAS still
hunting for q CAPITALIST who would as
sist IN furnishing the amount Of money re-
quired to start the scheme properly, Mr.. Morse was
approached oy Mr.. Ferris. whom ne hid known IN
San Francisco. Mr.. Ferns interest d an old a.
sociate in business and a brother Cali ornian named
Severance; the of the present building was
secured and the preparations Tor the Passion were
imme liza ely begu0.
Mall Street man of well-known weIlth named
Roberts has bsen mentioned in connection With
the scheme; but II is stated that he has simply adj
yanced money to Messrs. Severance and Ferns on
security and on their personal credi, aud has no
Immediate interest whatever. MIR. Severance and
Mr. Ferris il is SAID. were some years
ago mn of enormous wealth and sub
stantia BUSINESS position in San Francisco but they
have OF lac years bren upfor innate IN their ven
lures The true explanation of he transfer OF the
lease wonld seem to be that Mr.. Morse knew that II
be were absolutely refused license for the
building on the score OF the Passion he could not
hope 10 secure II anv other representa-
tion of intention. He therefore transferred the
building to Mr.. Graves. who would be able to OBJ
taip LICENSE Tor house devoted 10 ordinary theat-
real attractions. The stipulation IN the eas" that
Mi Graves should pay $500 week IN advance,
aud should produce nothing without the consent 81
MIR Morse projects the Interests. pecuniary ana
otLerwise of every body concerned.