The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-05
THAT OPERA COMPANY.
Editor OF The Tribune:

Editor OF The Tribune:
Dear Sir: As several versions have
appeared concerning the untimeiy rate
of the Laurel Hin Park Opera company.
which was organized from New YORK.
perhaps YOU will be Kind enough to
publish our story. Some three months
ago Mr. Laine came on to Now YORK
to engage an opera company In the
name of the Scranton Traction COM
psny. When engaging us he told us
that they were backing him. but that
they had to remain in the back ground
asb by their charter they were not allowed
to engage in any theatrical venture.
otherwise their charter might be re-
voked. We all had 10 sign three con-
tracts. and upon asking Mr.. Laine why
he wanted 4 third contract. he told us
1t was for the president OF the Traction
company, Mr.. Clarke. of Philadelphia.
Upon our arrival here we heard sew
eral unsatisfactory reports about Mr..
Lalne. and upon being questioned by
several OF our members he again rep
resented to us that the Traction COM
pany would see us through. The first
night of the Vaudeville per-
rormance Mr.. Beetem, the gen.
eral manager OF the Traction
company. was ordered off the stage by
the stage manager. and he turned
around and said to the bystanders that
he had just as much right there as Mr..
Laine. as he had just as much interest
at stake as he" Mr. Beetem was also
on the stage nearly the whole evening,
when we opened with The Bohemian
Girl" and again on Monday night,
when we played "Amorita." Besides
these facts we have letters in our pos
session in which Mr.. Laine directly
states that the Traction company are at
the back of him. Another significant
fast Is that Mr.. Hiestand, the treasurer
of the Traction company. handled all
moneys and made up the accounts every
night until some ten days ago, when
Mr. Gallagher another Traction COM
pany man, has been appointed in his
place. and there has hardly been
night that there has not been from two
to four officials of the Traction COM
pany on the grounds.
Our salaries became due Saturday
night but there was no money forth
coming so on Tuesday last We refused
TO play before we received our salaries
for the previous week. Mr.. Beetem
came upon the stage and offered to
give us his personal check for the indi-
vidual amounts due US. and after some
delibera ton we decided to accept. Mr..
Adams and myself then went down to
the office to get statement of what
was due to us and Mr.. Laine absolutely
refused TO accept Mr.. Beetem's money
to pay us with. consequently our people
are stranded here. and are absolutely
penniless as they have already been
obliged to live here three and four
weeks without practically receiving any
money. beyond a few dollars. We all
signed from eight to twelve weeks con-
tracts for the park, and there Is no
possibility whatever oil the majority Of
our people getting anything to do be-
fore September as all companies are
already filled up. and consequently by
the unheard of action of your Traction
company we are literally left here to
starve in the streets. I trust that the
inhabitants of Scranton will come to
our rescue, and will help US to recover
our money from the Traction company.
this is not an extremely difficult mat
ter with the evidence in our possession,
and IL we are supported by your city
three or four of our members will re-
main here until We have proved that
the Traction company are directly re-
sponsible for our misfortunes. Thank
you for the past kindnesses,
Thanking you for the past kindnesses,
Faithfully yours.
Harry Scarborough.
Scranton, July 4.