The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-07-21
WILBUR-KIRNIN FEUD
REACHES A CLIMAX
Business Manager and Musical
Director Quit Company.
Observation-Disclosures
MR. BURTON OBJECTED TO SUN
DAY WORK.

There was a shake-up in the ranks
OF the Wilbur-Kirwin opera company
last night. The designations Of the mu-
steal director. the business manager.
the illustrated songster and the utfHtv
woman are all in the hands of Miss
Kirwin. 1t is difficult to learn Just
what started it, but that it had a start
is quite evident from the tropical fin
ISh one hOur before the curtain rose on
the final performance Of 'OHVette."
From the statements of all parties.
IT appears that, so far as the musical
director, Carlton :. Burton. is con-
cerneG, the sacred concert feature was
the origin of the disruption. Mr.. Bur
ton has always manifested a distinct
apathy to directing Sunday concerts.
He fatty refused to labor on Sundays
when the company came to Salt Lake.
Later. when the sacred. concert germ
took hold, he was induced to rehearse
and direct them for a stipulated cash
consideration additional TO his salary.
Miss Kirwin believed from the first
that Mr.. Burton should perform this
labor without. additional pay and Mr..
Burton believed he was following the
proper course in refusing to do so.
The climax came last evening when
the musical director visited the star
and asked what was TO be put on at
piled that she did not know and OBJ
served, parenthetically, that it was an
outrage for the musical director to ask
any additional sum for handling the
concerts. At this Mr.. Burton said
there was but one way to settle the diff
ference of opinion and that was for
him to give the customary two weeks
notice of his withdrawal from the or
ganiZation. Miss Kirwin replied warm
~ that the notice would not be neces-
HrN
had no desire ever again to look upon
Mr. BurtOn's features.
So Walter Coleman directed the or
cheStra last night and, in all probable
ity, Will continue in that capacity while
the company remains in Salt Lake.
Mr.. Burton viii leave within the next
few days tor the east.
Business Manager Quits.
w. T. Powell business manager, had
misunderstanding with Miss Kirwin,
the exact nature OF which is not made
known. Mr.. Powell has resigned,
however, and leaves this morning for
his home at Washington, D. G.
The relations between Miss Kirwin
and Ed Reader, whose Illustrated songs
have delighted the public ear these
many weeks, were brought to a focus
during last evening and Mr.. Reader
VIII no longer be connected with the
company.
Mabel Wilbur, who plays minor roles
and is prominent in the living pictures
exhibitions. viii accompany Mr.. Read
er, who is her husband. to New York.
Two of the chorus girls, il is said
viii also leave on an eastbOund train
at an early date
Another misunderstanding Of recent
date is said to have arisen between the
Salt Palace management and John
Held, the bandmaster. Since the pal
ace opened the band which plays for
the races and concerts has been sailing
under the title of salt Palace Military
( band" although it was composed
! largely of members of Held's band
] trained by Mr.. Held. The latter
+ claimed that the organization should
/ be known by the old title of Held's
/ band. The management had other
views. Mr.. Held withdrew and the band
/ has since been under the direction of
/ Mr.. Coleman.
AIr. Held, however, has secured a new
I force of musicians, and Held'S band is
[ still in business, though some changes
/ appear in its personnel