Waterbury Democrat., 1901-05-25

for $25, 900 damages for libel against the Morning Telegraph of New York.
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 George c. Boldt, proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria, has secured a judg- ment against the Earl of Yarmouth, professionally known as Eric Hope, for $10619, that it is alleged the earl owes for board and lodging.
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 A unique musical novelty is said to have been inaugurated at Wichita, Kan, by Franklin l.. Payne, an in- genious young non-professional. His idea is that of playing an accompani- ment to vocal or instrumental selec- tion upon an electrical switchboard. It is said that the Scottish Rite cathedral there has a fine stage. About a thou. sand lights upon the stage, beside the house lights. are all controlled by large switchboard and set of dinners, one for each set of lights. MT Payne plays upon the board, which has some sixty switches arranged for combina- ton lighting on a new system. The lights flash out the different notes, dim for soft passages, bright for loud, green for pathos, red for sentiment, white for brillianey, and combinations of colors said to be wonderfully beau
 
 make the stage dazzling for a grand ' finale. MT -Payne's idea might become popular if adopted, but, unfortunate. ly. the stage he has charge of is never open to the public.
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 < The succession by the Rev John 0. q Adams. recently of Brooklyn, of the { Rev Dr Skinner at the church of the Redeemer at Hartford, recalls the fact that Dr Skinner is one of the best known of clergymen among the the atrica1 profession. He is the father of 1 Otis Skinner and of Charles M. Skin- 7 ner of the Brooklyn Eagle, and during \ his pastorate in Hartford came to be known lovingly by many members of 3 the profession. William Gillette was | a sort of protege of Dr Skinner and an attendant at his church, his father, ex- | Governor Gillette, and Dr Skinner being strong personal friends as well as neighbors. Eugene O. Jepson was one of Dr Skinner's favorites. For several years he was tenor soloist in the choir of the church, and studied theology for a time under pr Skinners direction. Lew Dockstader was also :. an attendant at the church of the Re f deemer in the days when he was : known by his real name of Lewis Clapp, and was clerk in his fathers drug store, almost opposite the church. . It was at this church also that Marie ' Bissell, a fayorably known church choir singer, first sang in public. : Fl:
 Hearing was had before United States Commissioner Romaine in Jer- sey< City last week in the suit brought by Carl Hermann against the St Michaeps Players, an amateur organ ization composed of members of St Michaeps church, Jersey City, for al- leged violation of the copyright law. As told last week, MT Hermann as- serts that play presented by St Mich aePs Players in Jersey City, March 1921, under the title of Home Com forts," was in reality "All the Com forts of Home" the rights to which he controls, and that the presentations were made without his authorization. At the hearing Rev James A. Kelly, acting pastor of the church, and several of his parishioners, who are said to = have appeared in the play, were wit nesses. They declined to answer most of the questions put by MT Herrmann's counsel, Louis Steckler, seemingly re- garding the proceedings as persecution and not realizing the gravity of their onense. Mir Hermann stated on the witness stand that he had no desire to prosecute the church, but wished to es- tablish beyond question his rights in the play, even though he did not re ceive cent royalty on the presenta- ti0ns in question. The case will go on trial in the United States circuit court at Newark, N. J., June7.
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 The Rev Father William A. Me Laughlin of St Stephens church, Ger mantown, Philadelphia, has gone to Atlantic City to recuperate after a long illness that 1t was believed at one time would result fatally. Father Nc LaughHn Is known as the actor-priest, having been at one time an actor He has always retained his interest in the profession and is beloved by scores of players, who have received at his hands fhe warmest hospitality Father William as he is affectfon- ately known among his friends, counts as his personal friends Andrew Mack, Robert B. Mantell, James O'Neill and a host of others, who will learn with pleasure of his recovery. It was in St Stephens church that the funeral of the late Edward Marble, a lifelong friend of Father William, took place last August. On the upper floor of the convent that adjoins the church is a tiny stage with every modern im-
 
 delights to put on plays, staging them himself with a cast which he selects carefully from the dramatic associa- tion connected with his church. Some time since the Mother Superior suggested mildly that as the convent rooms were becoming crowded il would be we'll for Father Mclaughlin 10 tear down the stage, turning the space into another room. The priests reply was characteristic: Take all else that I have, but not while I live will consent to give up my little theatre"
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 Peter Finley Dunne, who wrote s.Dooley, is the latest one to come iI for roasting. There is a series of ru mors out about him-now, alleging all sorts of crimes, from reversing his cuffs to having big head. Which re minds the people of anothtr ru nor about him. It has been written and is admitted by the author that the famous Hennessy is modelled from g real character, a somewhat eccentric old Irishman whose conversation was So philosophical and witty that many