The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-27
BRYAN'S LECTURES.
New York Journals Story of the
Sudden Change of Managers.

New York Journals Story of the
Sudden Change of Managers.
New York, Dec. 27.-The Journal this
morning prints d story of William J.
Bryan's sudden change of managers in
connection with his lecture tour. 1t
runs as follows:
John Roach of this city conceived
the idea that Bryan would be a star
lecture attraction, and mentioned his
idea to Z. V. F'oote, who was formerly
a partner of Z. S. Stokes in the Hoff-
man House and Fenwick hall FOote
was greatly taken with the plan and
volunteered to get hacker for the
enterprise. He mentioned the name Of
Passenger Agent McBee of the South
ern railroad, VINO is stationed at Nor
folk, Va and McBee agreed to fur
nish the capital, being well acquainted
with Foote and Roach.
The selection of an experienced the
atrical man was necessary, and Alex
Comstock was selected. Comstock tele-
graphed an offer to Mr.. Bryan at Lin
coin, setting forth an agreement TO
pay him 81 900 lecture for a series OF
so lectures. After Mr. Bryan's guar
antee was paid the profits of the con-
Germ were to be divided as follows:
One half to McBee, who furnished the
money: one-half to ComStOck, who
contributed the experience. and one
half of Comstock's half to Roach, who
was the owner of the idea.
McRee and Comstock went TO At
lanta, Comstock travelling on money
furnished by Roach. 1t was agreed
tina. the three Roach, Comstock and
mcBee-were to meet in Lincoln to
close I'D the contract with Mr.. Bryan.
Roach had a provisional agreement
with McBee that if the plan went
through his name was to be featured
on the bills. He was very particular
about this.
McBee and Comstock arrived in Lin
coin before Roach got there. They
closed their contract with Mr.. Bryan.
and McBee deposited $4,000 in the Lin
coin National bank 10 bind the agree
ment, while Mr.. Roach was somewhere
in Illinois.
The morning after the contract was
signed Roche bought a newspaper en-
the train, and the first item that met
his eye was the story OF 1t. He saw
that Comstock had ignored him en-
tirely, and as he thought of other men
getting the benefit of his idea he grew
exceedingly angry. When he arrived
in Lincoln. a few hours later, he made
haste 20 find McBee and Comstock.
They were Just getting aboard an east
bound train, and Roche got on the
same train. After a short and heated
argument, Roche swung his right arm
and landed his fist with great force
on Con9stock's jaw. While he was get
ting his hand Strengthened out for an
other swing Comstock retreated to the
smoking car and McBee made sootli-
ing ate, mpts to mollify Roach. The
latter wanted to break up the whole
agreement right there. but he was
persuaded to wait until a satisfactory
arrangement could be made On his
the trio departed, McBee and Com
stock going to Atlanta and Roach re-
turning 20 New York.
Affairs in the direction OF satisfac-
tory agreement did not progress rap
Idly Roach insisted upon getting his
ona-half % Constock's one-half of the
profits. Down in Atlanta. Comstock
was making dates for Bryan eli over
the country. asking guarantee as high
as $500 from the managers Of opera
houses and lyceum bureaus. lie got
big guarantees, or he would not close
a date, and the more profits he saw in>
sight the less he felt like delivering
up one-half of his share to Roach.
Roa1t's anger was still shoulder
Ing. he insisted upon his share as
originally agreed upon and when Mr.
Bryan delivered his opening lecture in
Atlanta, Roach went on there. Mr..