The morning times., 1895-11-11
NANCY LEE" IN TROUBLE
Money Matters Nearly Caused a
Crisis in the Company.
IHREE MEMBERS HAVE QUIT
Miss Stacy Was One and She Gives
Version OF the DisturbaDce-Digby
Bell Said to Have Nearly Quit-sack
Salaries Assigned as the Principal
Cause-COmpany Goes South.

A comedy not down on the programme
was enacted behind the scenes of the Ma
tional Theater, Saturday night. soon after
the curtain fell on the last act OF Nancy
Lee"
For some lime past there has been a mis-
understanding about the terms of their con-
tract between Mr.. Digby Bell, the leading
comedian and star OF the company, and
Mr.. Tyler, the manager. Mr.. Bells con-
tract called for six performances u week
and a matinee on Saturday. Ever since
the company started out, some five weeks
ago, 1t has been their custom upon coming
TO a thcater where Wednesday matinees
were the rule, TO give an afternoon per-
formancc OIL that day
Although this custom eutailed asking from
Mr.. Bell more than his contract called for.
he has cheerfuily consented 10 1t and gone
on every Wednesday without objection.
Upon the company reaching Washington,
however, from where it has gone South
for an extended tour, Mr.. Bell called Man
agcr Tyler's attention to the clause In his
contract, which virtually prohibited Wed
nesday maJinees, and asked IL some ar
rangement could not be made whereby
he would he assured that it would not
again be broken.
1t is a well known fact that when the
opera Nancy Lee was first set on in Balti-
more IL proved to be a failure. When
this was discovered word was sent to New
York for a skilled libbrettest and the opera
was whipped into shape.
PLAY NOT A GO.
No expense was spared to make the piece
a success, and it was ba cked financially by
Mr.. knabe, the piano manufacturer, an
almost unlimited amount was at the COM
mand OF the management. Not withstand
ing all these efforts the piece has proved
TO he a good deal of a flZzle, and 1t was
said last night by a gentleman in position
to know, that it has lost money almost
from the opening night.
When the company reached Washington
they were IN state OF uncertainty and
apprehension as to what was TO be done.
The action of Mr.. Bell in bringing up the
question of niid-week matinees only pre-
cipitated the crisis On Thursday night
It was said Mr.. Bell positively refused
co go ou unless certain moneys due him,
amounting to $40, were forthcoming
As the management was unable to supply
the amount, Mr.. Rapley, the manager of the
theater, generously advanced the sum
required.
From then until the end OF the week the
affairs of the company were at strong
tension. Mr.. Knabe refused to go deeper
into his pocket On Saturday night after
the performance, Mr.. Bell again sug
gested TO Mr.. Tyler that some action should
! he taken to guarantee him against further
violations Of his contract on the coming
southern tour. In reply Mr.. Tyler sug-
gested that Mr.. Bell and his wife were
at perfect liberty to leave the company
then and there, and that it would not
be difficult to supply their places in the
cast. Mr.. Bell immediately ordered his
| luggage sent from the theater to his hotel
| aud engaged an attorney TO represent him
in the matter.
FINALLY ADJUSTED MATTERS.
Mr.. Kuabe was telegraphed to come over
| from Baltimore, aud after half the night
| had been spentin arguments and conferences
| the matter was adjusted 10 the satisfaction
of all parties concerned. This settled the
| disputed points between Mr.. Bell and the
| uIa agcment, but the financial side OF tue
question was still open TO argument
Although the chorus people had received
| their salary, and in some cases were in
| debt to Mr.. Tyler, it appeared that a
number of the principals had not been
| paid, and in several cases had two or three
| weeks salary due them
They refrsed absolutely TO leave the city
or to allow tue baggage to be removed
| from their hotels until the matter was
| settled. So uncertain was the future
| OF the company that the trunks belonging
| to Mr. and Mrs. Bell did not leave their
| hotel until after 4 O'Clock vest erday
although the train was to leave for Atlanta
| at 4:30 O'Clock.
AS it was three of the most prominent
members of the cast remained behind and
| will return to New York today. They
preferred to leave the company here rather
| than risk the perils of a series of one
\ night stands in the distant South and
| the uncertainties of an unprornising future.
Miss Della Stacey, the clever little
| soubrette OF the company, was one OF those
| who remained in the city.
MISS STACEY'S VERSION
When seen at her hotel last night she
talked quite frankly about the trouble.
\ Miss Stacey said:
~ informed Mr.. Tyler over week ago
| that should be compelled To leave the COIN
pany at Washington If salaries were not
| paid more promptly. Things have been
going from bad to worse for some time pa st.
| and they reached a climax last night, when
we were informed that our hotel bills would
| be paid, but that we would have to wait
another week for our salary"
Mr.. Bick, the personal representative of
! Mr.. Knahe. came over from Baltimore to
| try and persuade Miss Stacey to take the
| night train last evening and rejoin the cum-