The times., 1897-09-26

Chinese story, '.The Cat and the Cherub."
And thereby hangs a tale.
Last spring in San Francisco was pro
duced Il play called 'The First Born by
Francis Powers II was a play of Chinese
life, withEo other characters than Chinese.
It's originality createda a sensation. Charles
Frohmah boughtit at once for New York.
Meantime. as noted above, Hammerstein
seeks to take tie wind out of Frohmans
sails by producing another Chinese play.
lie las periectright to. But he stepped
on Charles FrohTaan's toe, which is big
toe and has vicious recalcitrant yigor.
Last Wednesday, the police of New York
began crusade OF the music halls which
threatens tn close them all. Hamnerstein
was arrested charged with giving theat-
Titdl performances while his and ali music
nah licenses under W hich liquors are sold
restrict t'Is entertainment to vocal and
Instrumental concerts only" 1t seems at
present as If every music hall in New
York might be closed IL even a dance.
an aeroba tie t1rn or the most simple sketch
dialogue is given.
Primarily, Charles FrohmaR's desire for
revenge against II Haumerstein on accountof
the Chinese play S the cause OF the move
0utthere is another and a more coInmenda hle
reason: 1t is that the music haH is en-
trenchne on the theater in its form of Ell
tertainment. 1t is notable that some in.-
portant actors find appreciation and re
Enumeration in giving one-act plays in the
music halls The legitimate and respectable
theaters are suffering in their combat with
drama and liguor united.
Mr.. Frohman being keenly diplomatic
puts this view on his movements:
am not fighting music halls; but I am
trying TO obtain for theaters the privileges
winch music halls enjoy, " hile the law is
sltlCI5 enforced against tnedters. II a
nan at theat ter now Wan t. to drink glass
OF wine between the acts OF O play, he has
To turn up his coat collar and run across the
street To the nearestsaloon. II lady wants
cup OF coffee or q glass of wine, she can't
nave ~, according 10 the tbeater Hcehse.
when want TO fit upin one ofny tbeaters
respectable smokingand refrestment room,
Where man can smoke and drink in com
Tort, or where lady can have cup of tea
or c0Ifee or glass OF Wine, | am met with
TINS law which is strictly enforced against
theaters, While the music halls have full
swing, though they have no right to sell
Deer or give plays or any kind OF a theatrical
performance. Why should theaters be dis
CrtH:lnatCd against? | wish to ca ter to the
best part of the public. ! would not eX pect
10 make cent Of profit on of the smoking
room or cafe, which would attach to any
patrons comfort in view. But wneu l want
to do what the music halls are doing am
held down to the strict letter OF the law.
Now, say this law should be equally con-
strued for all.
Yet Il would break his heart if the law
makers took him at his word and gave
him the permit il ts the most palpab re.
ti0n in the world 10 assume that he
wants.
JOY streamed on her young face the joy
or mind vivid and lucid. By the manner
In which her look and her smile were
aSselubled, rhytulaic, united as IA yefSta
that firm and Sonorous rhyme attaches.
one OWNED in her the dancer Her face
was animated, livid, was indignant, ca
reSsed, threatened, irritated, aGored, with
marvellous eXact1esS.
This is not a quotation from one Of Miss
Laura Jean Lihbey's1 masterpieces, SAYS
the Mirror, nor Is il Symphonic exhibit