New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-14
OPERA IN DANGER.
SMALL HOPE OF SAVING THE METROPOI.
TAN
A rosTPONEMENT OF TIE AUCTION SALE RE.
FUSED-IT WILL TAKE PLACE TODAY

FCsED-IT WILL TAKE PLACE TO-DAY.
The cast OF the die that is TO determine the fate
or the Metropolitan Opera House will made today
inc hope OF saving the big theatre for future produc
IONS OF opera seems less distinct than at any previous
time In the last two weeks, and II is much TO be
feared that unless help comes from some quarter
whence there Is as yet positive reason to expect
1t the house must be sacrificed to other uses. The
property OF the Metropolitan Opera House Company
and OF the Metropolitan Improvement Company, in
Guiding tn" whole Of the space and building bounded
by Broadway, Sevcnthave, Thirty nintll-st. and
fortcthst. is to be sold by auction today at nOon
at the salesroom Of the Real Estate Exchange under
foreclosure Of the mortgage held by the Iowery Saw
ings Bank. An effort was made yesterday TO have
the sale postponed for two weeks I'm order that the
committee which has been trying to form a company
TO buy the house for the continuance OF opera might
have moro time to gain subscribers but it was I'M
successful and the sale will go on as advertised
For two weeks Henry Clcws, J. Picrpont Morgan
and Charles Lanier have been working to organize the
new company. They wanted thlry-four subscribers
at $4,000 each Up TO a week ago George Henry
Warren was also making efforts to secure Il company
OF twenty stockholders at $4,000 each. week
ago he withdrew his plan unsuccessful. I'm order
that Mr. Clews and his committee might have the
field TO themselves. Mr.. Cews yesterday announced
the following list Of subscribers To his company
Henry Clcws. George Peabody wctmorc George Henry
Warren. J. Hood Wright George Bowdon, J. Picrpont
Morgan, Levi T. Morton, George Bliss, Il. T. Wilson,
william ID. sloane, Edward Cooper, J. c. Parrish,
William X. Vanderbilt Cornelius Vanderbilt, John
Jacob Aston. William c. Whitney H. Mex. Twomby,
C. p. Huntington, Mrs. Anna Woerishoner and W.
seward Webb.
These Of course would not be sufficient for carry
ing out the plan as IL was originally arranged and
agreed upon. There We're few more subscribers who
not members of the old company, and these
invited last week TO join the forces for the protection
OF opera but Mr. Clews found yesterday that by tho
terms of his plan originally set before the stock
holders he could not accept subscriptions from out
side the old company. so they will not be counted.
Feeling that the gaining Of a little time would be of
great importance 10 his scheme Mr.. Clcws yesterday
sent following letter to the attorneys OF the Opera
House Company:
February 10, 1893.
Messrs DIN & Eivcs. attorneys for the Metropolitan
Opera House Company. also for the Metropolitan
Opera House second mor,slce bondhodcrs
Dear Sirs Please let me have the decision in answer
t. the stockholders reorganization committees application
rospoemcn Of two weeks o: the sale OF the Metro
polsn Opera House Company and the Metropolitan I'm.
proycmcnt Company properties Yours Wy truly,
HENRY CLEWS. Chairman.
y. b. 1t is quite important 10 have postponcmcnt
admit Of hearing from large num Of stockholders
travelling Europe, told your Mr. Hlyes satur-
day.
To this Mr. C1ows received the following reply
Mr.. Henry Clcws. chairman. etc.
Dear Sir: In reply 10 the request of your committee
potponcmn Of the foreclosure sale Of the popcrtc,
OF Metropolitan Opera House Company and Of the
Met opotan Improvement Company. beg 70 inform YOU
that otter taking all the interests Involved
decided that the sale shall take place as az
plCs arranged for. OLlN * KlNfS, Attorneys.
A similar request was made to James 4. Roosevelt,
president OF the Metropolitan Opera House Company.
In the following letter:
Ncw.York Feb H. 1909.
lame 4
Dear Sir The appointed at the stockholders
meeting held January 80 last for the purpose OF securing
hirtvour stockholders at $50 900 each to purchase the
METROPOLITAN Opera House property at the auction s'!e
have progressed 10 such an to encourage their
belief in final success but require additional time t" OBJ
tain answers considerable number OF stockholders
who are absent from the city travelling In view OF the
fact that should the sale take place tomorrow as adNc
sed the stoc khoders certainly borne their
hao OF expense the past are liable 70 lose all '
rights and the property We therefore asH you 70
have the postponed for say two weeks believing na
within that period thrtyfour ttockhoder- az required oy
| the resolution. can be secured. Repeatedly your
| HENRY CLEWS,
! j. PIERPONT MORGAN,
CHARLES LANlER
| Committee.
The answer TO This letter was equally di'conrasihs
| and follows
MesSrs. Henry Cews. J. Piepont Morgan Charles
| Ianier. Committee.
| Gentlemen: Much as 7 would desire forward any
scheme for continuing opera IN It's old residence. am
advised consulting counsel that the consent o' AZ
the lien holders proposition for odjourhh9 inc
sale should first be- obtained s trustee for the s"ck-
holders with desire realize the largest pSiDe
amount for them certainly think tina. any postponrme'
~ YOUR scheme should fall through would greouy endanRef
their interests. Reerettlng that cannot comply win
| your request am Sincerely yours.
j. A. ROOSEVELT, President
There U.s. Of course still gmmer OF hope for those
| who desire to hear opera at the Metropolitan again
| The committee may get mora subscriptions by noon
| today as 1t may possibly decide 10 make bio Tor
the property with the subscribers II has possbihy
surcestd some days ago Is that the Metropolitan I'M
| proy ement Company. which has the second Hen on
the property may buy 1t ard continue 70 control 'he
apartments in the broadway front OF the p"''"'He'
| while IL rents the rest for the purpose oi opera'
| There is the chance the other hand TINT tne
purchase may be made by some independent person
| Or company real estate speculation, avn ,"ei
Is always the chance that the house may BE- so,a lo
| some purpose not yet counted upon AT AL. Wneh
everything considered, the chance that the Me'ro
| noitsn Opera Honsc will be- restored TO It's former
| uses seems more than dubious