The herald., 1896-06-04
And Wants a Little Pay for His
Work
FAIRBANK, PACKER OF PORK,
Finds the Development of Actresses Tn.
expectedIy Expensive
David Belasco Considerably Declines to Doc
tail All His Conversations With the
Ambitious Canned Meat Man
Associated Press Special Wire,

NEW YORK, June 3.-David Belasco
was a witness in the supreme court to-
day In his suit to recover $50 600 from N
*. Fairbank for services rendered in
fitting Mrs. Leslie Carter for the stage
Belasco testified that he first met Fair
bank in the autumn of 1889 in the apart
mentS of Mrs. Carter in this city This
also was the plaintiff witnesses first
meeting with Mrs. Carter. The meeting
was at Fairbanks request. According
to the witness he told Fairbank the cost
OF making dramatic star of Mrs. Car
ter would be $4,000 to $40, 900, which was
no more than was paid for preparing
Mary Anderson for her career. To this
information the defendant responded
placing his hand on the PLAINTIFFS s shoul-
der. My boy, you have been very frank
and would frlghten any other man, but
l have plenty of money. l lose 81 900 900
in one day and make it back the next"
Belasco further testified that he OBJ
1ected to dealing with hackers who with
held their names from the public, to
which Fairbank replied that it was for
Weighty business reasons that he did not
wish to be known as the financial spon-
sor for Mrs. Carter. Negotiations pro-
gressed SO far that Belasco retired from
his other business engagements to de-
vote his entire time to the development
of Mrs. Carters talents
Fairbank had asked the witness sew
eral times not to come to him at his ho-
tel, as witness, being a theatrical man.
his coming was apt to excite gossip. A
change of managers for Mrs. Carter was
effected at a cost of $780, which Mr.
Fairbank paid. On one occasion, ac-
cording to Belasco's testimony, Fair
bank said to him: "Belasco, what is
this 1 hear of your leaving Mrs. Carter
after she makes her debut? I cannot
spare you; 1 want you to tour with her
and write plays for her"
\ TO this Belasco says he replied:
Goodness me, cannot do that don't
want to go on tour and become the
atrical manager, as I have a wife and
srown-up daughters and can't give up
my business"
Fairbank asked how much BeIasco
made year, and when he told him that
1T was between $25,000 and $50, 900, he
said. GO with me, Belasco, and you will
make as much"
Witness finally agreed to go on a
tour and informed Fairbank it would
cost 100000 for Broadway production,
to which Fairbank replied: Consider
Mr.. Allen bank and draw on him for
money"
The witness asked to be excused from,
relating other conversations which took
place at this interview, saying he wished
to spare Fairbank as much as possible,
Belasco testified he received from Fair
banks representative in this city a
check for $4,000, which was required to be
paid to the manager of the theater at
which The Ugly Duckling had it's first
performance, November 10,' 1890, with
Mrs. Carter as the leading actress, be-
fore the curtain could be raised
Belasco said he met Fairbank couple
of nights after Mrs. Carter's appearance
and was congratulated, and as Belasco
expressed it, he virtually hugged me-"
Mr.. Belasco told of money being adj
vanced by Mr.. Willard for Mr.. Fairban<
during the latter's absence. He said he
was in Chicago in February. 1891. and
told Mr.. Allen of Mrs. Carter's success
there and urged that a tour be closed,
but Mr. Allen asked him to continue the
tour as he would have to see Fairbank
about the matter Several kilograms
from Manager Price to Mr. Allen asking
for money and telling of poor business
were introduced. Mr. Belasco said he
received no part of the money. but it
went to Mr. Price. He told of con-
ference with Mr.. Morrison. in Kansas
City. March II. 1891. when he, as pro-
prietor. and Price as manager, signed
receipt for $3.50 as payment for all
salaries due actors and actresses and ex-
penses of the tour. He said he told Nor
rison at that time that he had a claim
against Mr. Fairbank and did not want
to release that claim. Morrison assured
him, so he says, that he merely receipt
ed for the purpose embodied in the re-
ceipt. The case was adjourned until to-
morrow