The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-06-04

L
was witness in the supreme court to-
day in his suit to recover $4,000 from
N K Fairbanks for services rendered
in fitting Mrs Leslie Carter for the
stage.
Belasco testified that he first met
Fairbanks in the autumn of 1889, in
the apartments of Mrs. Garter in this
city. This also was the plaintiff-wit-
ness first meeting with Mrs. Garter.
The meeting was at Fairbanks re-
quest. According to the witness, he
told Fairbanks the cost of making
dramatic star Of Mrs. Carter would be
$4,000 to $4,000, which was no more
than was paid for preparing Mary
Anderson for her career. To this in
formation .he defendant responded,
placing his hand on the plaintiff S
shoulder:
MY boy, you have been very frank
and would brighten any other man, but
I have plenty of me ney. 1 lose $1,000
900 IN one day and make it back the
next
Belasco further testified that he OBJ
jected to
DEALING WITH hackers
who withheld their names from the
public. to which Fairbanks replied that
it was for weighty business reasons
that he did not wish to be known as
the financial sponsor for Mrs Carter
Negotiations progressed so far that
Belasco retired from his other business
engagements to devote his entire time
to the development of Mrs. Carriers
talents.
Fairbanks had asked the witness
several times not to come to him dc his
hotel, as witness, being a theatrical
man, his coming was apt to excite
gossip. A change of managers for Mrs.
Carter was effected at cost of $500,
which Fairbanks paid On one occasion
according to Belasco's testimony, Fair
cans said to him: .'Belasco, what is
this I hear of your leaving Mrs.
Carter after she makes her debut? l
cannot spare you; L want you to tour
with her and write her plays for her.
GOODNESS" SAYS BELAsCo.
To this Belasco says he replied
Goodness me, I cannot do that;
don't want to go on tour and become
theatrical manager as | have wife
and grown up daughters and canno
give I'D my business"
Fairbanks asked how much Belasct
that it was between $4,000 and 100000
he said: GO with me. Belasco, and
you will make as much"
Witness finally agreed to go on {
tour and informed Fairbanks it would
cost $4,000 for Broadway production
to which Fairbanks replied: Con
slider Mr.. Allen a bank and draw OF
him for money!
The witness asked to be excused from
relating other conversation which tool
place at this interview, saying h,
wished to spare Fairbanks as much a!
possible. Belasco testified he received
from Fairbanks representative in this
city a check for $4,000 which was re
quired to be paid to the man
ager of the theater at which
1.-THE Ugly Duckling" had it
first performance, November 10, 1890
with Mrs. Carter as the leadins
actress, before the curtain could b.
raised.
RUGGED BY FAIRBANKS.
couple of nights after Mrs Carter
appearance and was congratulated, ant
as Belasco expressed it. he virtual,
Rugged me-"
Mr.. Belasco told of money being ad
vanced by Mr.. Willard for Mr. Fair
banks during the latter's absence. H
said he was in Chicago in February
1891, and told Mr.. Allen of Mrs. Carter
success there, and urged that the tou
be closed, but Mr.. Allen asked him t
continue the tour as he would have t
see Fairbanks about the matter
Several kilograms from Manage
Price to Mr.. Allen, asking for none,
and telling of poor business, were in
troduced. Mr.. Belasco said he receive,
no part of the money, but it went t.
Mr.. Price. He told of a conference witt
Mr.. Morrison, in Kansas City, Marcl
IA, 1891, when he, as proprietor, am,
Price as manager, signed a receipt TO
$780, as payment of all salaries du
actors and actresses and expenses O
the tour. He said he told Morrison a
that time that he had a claim agains
Mr.. Fairbanks and did not want t
release that claim. Morrison assures
him. so he says, that he merely re
ceipted for the purpose embodied il
4 the receipt.
The case was adjourned until to
morrow.