The times., 1899-10-29

while let US have it-shock or no shock
Il not, be good enough to keep out of 81 ght
until you get something.
1t is too badrreally too bad that the
appreciative Israel Zaugwin, who came
10 America two winters ago for the purpose
Of telling his hearers what asses were
managers, cannot prevent the producers OF
his play from proving the truth OF his
words For the Liebler Company during
the past fortnight has been engaged in
making such a pitiable spectacle OF itself
that its own employees Press Agent w NJ
Bates notably, have elected TO resign their
positions rather than be included in the
exhibition.
"Chudren OF the Ghetto" was initially
staged in Washington. and provoked con-
siderable comment Then it was taken TO
Baltimore and received in silence. for 81
lence is the most intelligent thing that
the Baltimore critics seem able TO main
tain. The discussion was renewed in Phil
adelphia Finally, Mr. ZangwilTs adapta-
tion of his own novel reached New York
fell into the hands of the very men to
whom the Liebler firm-which is George
Tyler-had frequently referred as a court
of appeal and was Immediately con
demned In this city the verdict OF
Gotham's reviewers was not unexpected
and most people thought that it marked
the end
But that verdict was only the beginning
of the end. No sooner had il been de-
livered than dramatic editors throughout
the country began receiving a sufficient
number of protests and attacks to fill sew
eral extra editions. First, there was a
pamphlet written in the worst possible
taste and English, which appeared with
the title of New York Criticism. In
this the scribes of Gotham-town were
called such delicate Eame5 as "banditu
and subjects for contempt" Several pa
pers printed this abusive little article.
Others saw, through the crying Of chilli
the design of a press agent and ignored
it. Altogether the screed was a failure.
If the Liebler Company had hoped that
the provincial reviewers would take issue
with it against their brethren on Broad
way the disappointment must have been
severe. Next came a proof sheet of an
advertisement, in which it was stated that
Children of the Ghetto would be con-
tinued throughout the season at the Herald
SqUaTe-a probable misstatement Then
there was q twO-column reply to Clement
Scott, who had condemned the piece in
the Herald" The essay was filed with
egotism and typographical errors. 1t was
the work of Israel ZangwiIl. Finally there
arrived series of personal letters. from
one of which is taken the following:
We sincerely hope that we shall never reach
that bias frame OF mind when shall open our
mouths in the complaint of the expression Of
any honest opinion, from the pen or mouth Of
any honest man, as 10 the demeFits Of any pro
ducton that conclude TO put upon the stage
no matter how uufIvorable those comments may
be. We have, however been reckless Of eNpendI-
ture Of time thought labor, and money in
the production Of Children OF the Ghetto.
We have had IJijh in its artistic excellence from
the first, and we have spared nothing that we
thought would give aid 10 the correct presenta-
tl0n, you know, ard dealing, in any degree,
fairly with us, must acknowledge. We have
been prCdipal cf expenditure in securing ex-
ceptlonai cast, AID the play has been staged
under the direction Of a 10 whom the bitter
est assail5nt Of the production has not heS;tated
TO give credit TO this work
This Pathological and rather mixed para
graph, which must have been written aftet
the departure of both MIR. Zangwill and Mr.
Bates, merits rather extended considera-
tiOn. 1t contains several truths and sew
eral untruths. 1t also contains a number
CT statements which are not decipherable.
The biased frame of mind" expression
is best described in the forceful but in
elegant language Of the streets. 1t is a
bluff" After Children Of the Ghetto"
had been produced here and commented
upon the Liebler people became sulky at
once. And sulky they remained until the
advance man of their THE Musketeers"
company reached town.
No one has denied or Will attempt to
deny that time thought, labor, and
money were put upon the presentation.
Until a fortnight ago there were few lay
men who did not deeply regret that Chill
dren of the Ghetto" was a failure. But
this pity changed generally when the Lie
blers began their attack upon the New
York critics That assault was ahsurdiy
babyish. Had the combination not had a
good opinion Of the piece the Zangwiu
play would never have been put forth
There can be no doubt that the Lieblers
thought the Offering great but nothing
more puerile than their accusation Of those
who did not agree with them could be
imagined. And the Protest was coward
ly,too for despite frequent defances, its au-
thOFs have not dared to name the scribes
whom it condemns. Every manager whose
work is not lauded thinks that those who
refused to do the lauding are either incapa-
bic or dishonest. But few are childish
enough to say so.
The charge that the writers of Gotham
entered into conspiracy to ruin the drama
is as nOnsensiCal as such a conspiracy is
impossible. 1t is impossible because sOmany
of the aforesaid writer's do not speak TO
each other that nothing like concerted ac-
tion could be arranged 1t is impossible
because there was not the slightest dis
agreement as to the merits and demerits
of the piece. 1t is impossible because,
like Caesars wife, such men as William
Winter, Clement Scott. Franklin Fyles
Edward Dithmar. Hillary Bell. Acton
Davies and Harrison Grey Fiske are
above suspicion. 1t is impossible because
lit is impossible.
II the Lieblers meant their Protest" in
earnest they have made had mistake
If they meant it as press notice they
have made a worse one. They have COM
pleted the killing of Children of the
Ghetto" The most intelligent thing they
can do now is to retract their Iibe,s before
il is too late.