New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-24
MORE OF "SAPHO."
THE CASE AGAINST MISS OLGA NEITHER
SOLE AND OTHERS CONTINUED
TTTFS0AY
TILL TUESDAY.

TILL TUESDAY
The prisoners who stand charged with producing
immoral play called "sapho" at waIlack's
Theatre appeared yesterday before Magistrate
Mott, in the Centre-st court, and their case
was laid over till Tuesday morning. There was
therefore. another undisturbed performance Of the
play last night. and there will De
day and one on Monday night. There seems TO
have been curious omission in the Fst of arrests
The star. her manager. her leading man and the
manager OF the theatre were all in court yester-
day, Dut nothing has been heard OF any
srrest or OF any attempt the arrest OF
clyde Fitch, who made the stage arrange
Uent OF Daudet's novel which all the others
are charged with acting and producing. And while
the District Attorney. the Police Department and
the Magistrate ara spending much energy in the
search for violations OF the laws OF morality and
decency. have any OF them given a thought to the
violation OF the fire law through the crowding OF
the standing space in the theatre? What
would happen 70 the mass OF people who go just
from curiosity II a little alarm OF IRE should he
started some night?
Magistrate Mott. to the disappointment OF the
crowd which assembled IN the courtroom yes
terday morning ruled that the examination
should be- absolutely private The Magistrate
determined that person not directly in
terested IN the should attend the hearing
and only the principals the witnesses, the counsel
and those directly affected. such as court clerks
ETC. were IN Magistrate Motifs private room during
the examination into the question as 20 whether
"Sapho" is or is not immoral play.
II II o'clock when Miss olga NethersOle, who
has had so much free advertising walked into the
Centre-st. courtroom, accompanied by her maid
and her manager Marcus Mayer. Just behind her
came her leading man. Hamilton Revelle and her
brother Louis Nethersole Then came Theodore
Moss. the lessee Of WalIack's Theatre, who was
not in court Wednesday because OF sickness.
He carried in a sling.
In the courtroom then were District Attorney
Gardiner, Chief Devery, Inspector Thompson and
Assistant District Attorney O'Reily who is taking
charge Of the case for the prosecution Miss
Nethsrsole talked with her brother and Mr.. Re
velIe for time. and then slipped into the private
room hack OF the Magistrates bench. There
large number Of people in court 70 listen TO the
proceedings, and all eyes were turned toward the
actress while she remained in the courtroom.
Major Gardiner held whispered conversation
with Magistrate Mott What said neither
would say. There q short interval. while the
Magistrate disposed OF some cases Then Major
Gardiner stepped 20 the bench again TO begin the
regular proceedings OF the hearing
The District Attorney said he had information
that the play of "SaPho' was an indecent per-
Torrance and detrimental 10 the good morals OF
the community. The Grand Jury had taken up the
matter for consideration without any suggestion
from the District Attorneys Office. lie said that
he understood that Of the members OF the
Grand Jury had suggested considering it. He him
self had no animUs II the whatever. He said
had sTbpeanaed bF Devsrv bo haG SOL me
performance and was IN charge OF the police force
or the city, which was directly responsible for the
welfare OF the city. Major Gardiner said that he
had read no newspaper criticisms OF the play one
way or another. and therefore had prejudice IN
lion Closing bv asking ie ne x,1 1of me I 1liaa
be here OF in Your HonOr's private room"
Magistrate Mott responded; The examination
will De IN my private room and no one will be
allowed in there except those directly interested
There was general rush for the private room be-
Guiding goodly number OF women succeeded IN
enscor cling themselves in favorable positions
the room The police at once turned them all out
The Magistrate walked in with Major Gardner
NetherSoIe ana me others also went in. as did
Chier DeVery and Inspector Thompson. Some OF
the witnesses were taken into the room, but there
were OtHef witnesses outside IN another room.
In side room were several well dressed women
OF refined appearance, who complained that they
hau Deen summoned as witnesses, They refused
their names but said they had been dragged into
The first witness called was Robert Mackay a
reporter. He was not allowed TO express any opiu-
ion as 10 the morality or immortality Of the play
The usual questions were asked his pedigree
business, etc. Mr.. Hummel IN his cross-examina-
ton had Miss Nethersole read a passage from the
last The passage read was that where she
her child Mr.. Hummel attempted to bring from
the witness his opinion "a 10 The morality ~ 80
Mackay II he had heard that part Of the perform
ance read and If ne thought II immoral. Mackay
and did not think II immoral. He then excused
The next witness called the Rev. Phebe A
with the part OF the play where Fannie Legrand Is
carried upstairs by Jean Gaussin- She denounced
adjourned The reason for the adjournment until
Tuesday next was the convenience OF all connected
with the Miss Nethers0le Immediately left
The courtroom and the building.
"SAPHO" MAY BE STOPPED IN SCRANTON
Scranton Penn. Feb. 23-Mavor NOR threatens