The herald., 1897-11-17
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ON THE STREET
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The colossal cheek OF san tTancl6cc
musical and dramatic critics would be
annoying II 1t were not SO palpably
ridiculous. Although Puccini's delight
full opera. La Boheme," was produced
three times in Los Angeles and although
local critics Immediately discovered Its
tender beauty and prophesied it's signal
success. San Franciscans are insistent
in their presumption that they had the
honor of listening to its first presenta-
ton in this country and clutch for tn,
credit of its first proper appreciation.
1t is a small matter, perhaps, but 1t Is
significant of the callous and marrow
vision of the San Francisco critics. On the
other hand, 1t has been satisfactory t.
observe that the Impressions of the Los
Angeles critics have not been without
value to the brethren in the northern
metropolis. Our friends, the whole
souled artists of the Italian Opera COM
pany, while they have been singing to
much bigger houses than in this city.
have been playing. in poor luck. Theil
first bass, Scolari, still lies in Los An
gcles sick with typhoid fever. and thoir
best baritone, Cioni, has been suherine
from an acute attack of bronchitis. but
the complete triumph of La Boheme"
has atoned for a barrel of misfortune.
= =
Los Angeles audiences should surely
have benefited by the lesson of last
Saturday night, when Mr.. and Mrs.
Georg Henschel could not conceal their
righteous indignation at the rude inter-
ruption of the pachydermatous people,
who thrust themselves through the
doors despite the protests of the ushers
while the artists were actually singing.
Such intrusion was contrary.,o the ordi-
nary canonS of decent manners, and
such a lamentable exhibition of boor-
ish behavior should bear it's lesson to
any that retain remnant of sensibility.
The Henschels were naturally annoyed
and continued to show what they
thought until the last loiterer had found
his seat. Some people appear to think
that because they have purCh hased n seat
at concert or theater it does not matter
how much they annoy either the aud
ience or the artists. provided they can
get their own moneys worth in comfort
This observation may apply With equal
force to the high hat abomination. 1t
would be an excellent custom il all man.
ayers of concerts would introduce and
enforce q rule that the doors are closed
and kept closed during the progress of
the numbers on the program. If you
cannot contrive to be punctual. it should
be no hardship but salutary discipline
to be kept waiting for few moments
and--if one must descend to so low a
standard-to lose few cents worth of
the price of admission.
4 +
The present police commission seems
to have a reserve store of jumping
powder for the force. which, admins
tered in judicious doses. cannot fail to
have a salutary effect. Various evils
that have been exposed by The Herald
during the past few months have. ut the
subsequent instigation of the conf
riSsioners, been abated or abolished.
The very remarkable security that
Poker" Davis anC, his rascally gang of
sharpers have hitherto enjoyed and
boasted is. if the commissioners orders
are complied with, to be removed. The
existence of such an establishment as
conducted at 4311a South Spring street
by Davis & Co. has been a perpetual
disgrace and danger to the city. The
instructions of the commissioners are
explicit and we shall now be able to see
if the police are willing, anxious and able
to carry them out.
= 4 +
There are other things on Spring street
that the police. if they did their duty,
would promptly suppress. The nickel
in-the-s slot machine that pays out money
has over and over again been declared
contrary to the law. Occasional and
spasmodic crusados have been made
against this peculiarly seductive device,
but the profits of the business are so
enormous that it dies hard and after an
rises again. 1t is as well to be specific
in such charges and will give one fla
great instance that is literally ION the
street" Outside the parlors of the ton
sorial artist who trims my beard there
is a cigar stand. 1t is situated on the
| east side of Spring street between Sec
ond and Third. Throughout the day and
evening there is a constant crowd of
callow youth and some old enough to
know better, who take their pleasure in
nickeing the slot. The nickel in nine
cases out of ten is slotted and no more
seen except by the owner of the machine.
If the player happens to win the propri-
etor does not make even a pretence OF
paying him in cigars. The money is
placed coolly and fearlessly on the
counter. In fact, even a detective could
find no difficulty in gathering sufficient
evidence to convict the proprietor of
violation of the law. There are plenty
of other similarly conducted institu-
tions. Why do not the police interfere? :?
BYSTANDER.
o..