New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-28
A TALK WITH ONE OF THE STOCKHOLDERS
HENRY CLEws TELLS OF THE REASONS For
BUILDING IT AND WHAT IT HAS COST.


HENRY CLEws TELLS OF THE REASONS FOR
BUILDING IT AND WHAT IT HAS COST.
Henry CLOVIS. OF the original stockholders Of
the Metropolitan Opera House, said Yesterday regard
Ing the fire there THE ostensibe reason for the
establishment, Of opera homo was based o..
dccp-.eatet feeling the part OF great many
Cp'1-g when opera had IT. homo In the Academy
VI Music, which from tlc.s facts There were
eight proSccnum boxes In the Old Academy, boxes
80 conspiCuousy locatcd on and the STAGE, 0ii
on each side that Il made these who owned them dis
ngnishei and miimiaed the rest Of the box-hOders.
II also gave them an additional importance aS leaders
Of New-iOrk society. At any rate the arrangement
was an invlditus distinction In their favor against
oil Others Gcores IIenry Warren, who a great
lover Of music was thc Champion OF q new OPERA
housc. He fund plenty Of willing followers, for they
had tho grievance 10 IN pire them that he had.
The re suit that Gxty Ave gentlemen together
and agreed f. subscribe $4,000 each. making
FD75.oOO, to put up new opera building. The
present site was finally selccted. ard the land pnr-
chased for 100000 Ccntrarts made for the
,mildi,a. and the entirr outlay nc,mding the knd,
wa. believe about s.. o3oO O0 making tho building
cost 81 $1,000 The Stockholders have been assessed
from time a. time 10 an amount which would make
the bo1c' cost probably about $4,000 apiece, In
addition however 10 annual assessments OF 5000
each on stockholders for the purpose OF running the
opera.
The apartment HORSES which are on the Broadway
front. were erected on lind leased from the opera
company by an Independent organization known be
llcvc. as the Metropolitan Apartment Company. The
apartment stockholders to receive per cent n
year the amount invested, and all the income over
and sbovc that percentage 10 go to the Metro
polan OPEN Company. Thus far the opera com
pany has received returns. nor have Me apartment
stockholders received per cent either
The Metropolitan building was Intended 10 be as
nenrly fire proof II possible 10 make II. Con
tracts for the ironwor alone involved than
900 O0O the walls made unusually thick and
strong. II has always beca source Of pride to NIL
q s who were Interested In the opera hohse. that the
house was safe against the flames. Hence always nj
the mntnecs children With their nurses were per.
mi,tcd 10 occupy the boxes In feeling OF perfect
ciry. This fire. however changes the situation very
seriously, II shows conclusivdy that neither iron
bcars nor heavy brick walls equal the task OF
graphing With lire or Keeping bnch the names when
once started
What will be- the effect Of The Are on the future
OF the opera herci7 asked.
Well. with The slight insurance." replied Mr.
Clcws which understand is not NOR than S65 900
It will entail serious loss. which the stockholders
meet. The building Will have TO be put in order
as speedily as possible. 10 meet the contracts
with Mr. Abbey for the coming opera senson. The be
ginning OF the will doubtless be delayed several
months. That will have the Metropolitan Opera
IIou.c agnin, however. does not admit Of any doubt
In my MIND"
Mr. Clews. however, might be thought TO be throw
ing out safeguard when he added THE price paid
for the land originally 5000. OOO-waS full value
nj the time. Its enhanced value. however, since that
Tine males the block owned by the company worth
today fully much rs the original cost OF the land
and the building combined that In Of the
sale OF the property the Stockholders would get back
almost II not quite. all their original Investment
II serious blunder on the part OF the directors for
which there Is no rxcus that sufficient Insurance wac
not put on the building to meet the present entire loss
petition. have been for several years low enough 10
make it desirable effect full Insurance OF such prop
pry