The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-13
DIGNITY VS. NUDITY
Or Lillian Russell VS.. Edna
Wallace Hopper
TRIED IN PHILADELPHIA
CoIIege-Student JurorS--Ver-
dict a Foregone Conclusion.
TRIED IN PHILADELPHIA
New York, April 12-The Journal says:

New York, April 12-The Journal says:
OF course its nobody's fault.
Edna Wallace Hopper isn't to blame
! because the wicked playwright made her
| wear costumes that were so inconsider-
! able.
Lillian Russell isn't to blame because
! her part didn't call for a bathing suit
just like Miss Hopper's. Probably it is
better that Miss Russell didn't have to
very small little conf copera queen with
| one very, very small costume you might
imagine what frightful things we might
| now have TO be telling if the generous
figure of Lillian Russell had also burst
upon the troubled scene in a futteding
| bath robe.
| Before narrating the exact facts in this
behind-the-scenes comic opera in real life
| We will relate the climax here: The Lii
! Ian Russel-Edna Wallace Hopper Opera
Company abruptly closed its career in
| Washington last night. The curtain was
| sorrowfully rung down on la Belle
Helene" finally and forever. The ramain-
ing six weeks itinerary of Edna Wallace
| Hopper and her bathing suit were cam
eelled by Miss Russell. So up went the
! managers notice on the bulletin board
and King Agamemnon and King Meme
lause and the Orocle and the chorus and
the trunks are coming home
Lillian Russell has resigned her part
as La Belle Helene in the comic opera of
that name. 1t was largely a case of
| quality has won a victory.
Miss Russell represented dignity and
Mrs. Edna Wallace Hopper nudity. Mrs
| Hopper would also have us believe that
1t case which a frivolous public pre-
ferred youth to maturity, but that is too
delicate a subject for the pen Of critic
There had long been an acknowledged
riva,ry between the two stars of comic
opera It eliminated in Philadelphia last
Monday night after a tribuent and in
decorous ovation to Edna Wallace Hop
per From the University of Pennsylvania
students. That was two much for Lillian
Russell. She decided to resign at the end
of the week
The proportions of Edna Wallace Hop
per to Lillian Russell are somewhat like
those Of a wasp to fine humble bees. In
other respects their relations have not
dissimilar. We all know that the wasp
usually gets the best of the bee because
the former has an unlimited capacity for
singing.
The audience that caused the trougble
| was made up principally Of studentst from
the University of Pennsylvania. noted for
its sporting proclivities. They had heard
of the interesting costumes worn by Mrs.
Hopper and went to the theatre preju-
diced in her favor, full of enthusiasm
and perhaps something stronger.
When Lillian Russell appeared they
showed Impotence and impoliteness.
"How did you win that foot race with
Venus?" asked one of them who had a
very hazy recollection of the contest UNI
pred by Paris. - p 81
'Ce a move on. Show US your speed,
cried several.
Miss Russell naturally left tHe stage in
a stat of just indignation. It was to be
heightened very much in the course of
a few minutes.
As soon as Edna Wallace Hopper ap-
peared she was greeted with a storm Of
cheers. howls and more or less encourage
lcre yell. All the classical learning at
ing remarks intermingled with the col
the command OF the students together
with a great many topical and personal
illusions, was showered upon her.
When she first came on he costume
seemed os slight as the conventions of
the stage permit. But further revelations
were in store.
whats the matter with Edna?" cried
voice.
"She's all right" answered the chorus
punctuated by the college yell.
What do We think of her dress?"
q s-r1,t
again with the college yell.
1t required several pointed and forcible
remarks from Edna before she could 90
on with her performance.
You deserved to be spanked" was her
concluding observation.
Having agreed that she was all right
and fully vented their feelings, the stu
dents allowed her TO act in peace, but ap-
point
one studious and Chivalrous young man
took up the case of the beautiful Lillian.
He described Helens dress from manu-
script which he held in his hand. While
he read others told the details of Lillian
Russel-s costume and makeup. The
reader yelled: Her eyes were heightened.
as were her brows. by a blue line. Her
pale and warm complexion was intoxi-
catnEly youthful.
"On her forehead her hair in short curls
formed a straight line. Two tresses.
brushed behind the ears. fell toreward on
/ her breast. She wore a diadem of pale
geld and electrum, In the middle of il
I radjated the mysterious swats.ka. which
is the sacred signs of the Aryan rules
! on both sides of the 5jaCem were long.
terminating in triangular plates.