New-York tribune., 1902-02-02
MP. GRAU'S POSITION.

Mr. Lauterbach ard NJ Eirsch did not find
Commissioner Stu-gis ar hea dquarters. but they
had talk with the seclete-y Mr.. Leary. and
left plans of the Opera House for the Comulls-
sicners inspection. After they returned 10 the
Opera House Mr. Lauterhach had a talk with
Mr.. Gran and then made the following state
ment:
THE Metropolitan Opera House will continue
n be as safe for its patrons II always has
been. AS far the order that no one he al
lowed IN the house 10 attend the performances
except those who have seats IS concerned, It will
not be obeyea. The Metropolitan Opera House
tyin conduct its business in the future it has
IN the past. There IS no danger TO any one in
the of the standing places. and the aisles
a-e never crowded TO an extent II affect the
safety Of the visitors 70 the hou"e The cheap
accommodation is a boon to great many music
lovers, and it Will not be abolished.
IF the Fire Department has anv complaint
to make, II may make It. The Commissioner
will, suppose, as he must under the law make
his complaint TO the Corporation Counsel.
When he has made the complaint. the Corpora
ton Counsel, if he sees it will bring suit.
When he brings the suit the Metropolitan Opera
House will defend il That is about all there
is TO II. BY the way, since this talk Of danger
In crowded aisles has been started, 1t may be
well to say that the construction Of the Metro
politan Opera House is such that even when
crowded 10 the doors, it can be emptied in one
minute and a half There is an exit to every
thirty feet of wall
Suppose the 1remen should use force?"
They won't 10 that. Their orders are to re-
port any so-called violation Of the law. When
they have made their report further action is
in the discretion Of the Fire Commissioner. and
commissioner Sturgis is not at all likely to take
any unfair advantage. His only resource as l
understand il, is to appeal to the Corporation
Counsel. whose duty it t. if ne thinks the law
is being violated. to bring suit Wen cross thar
bridge when We reach it. In the mean time
there will be no change in the methods at the
opera house"
Admission tickets sold again at the
opera house last night to those who wanted
them. and it is announced that they will he
sold again tonight. AS TO what will happen
after that, announcement is not yet made
AT the Casino yesterday coupons were
given whenever admission tickets were asked
ior There is an unusually large space be-
hind the orchestra seats at that house and its
managers have always held that in selling tick
cts Tor standing room in this they were within
the law as long as they kept the aises clear
AT other theatres the new order was obeved
literally. no standing room at all being sold
This meant next to nothing at some Of the
others 1t meant good deal At some of these
there is no doubt that the standing crowds are
at times a danger At some of the theatres Il
was said that no orders had ben received from,
the Fire Department
F. F. Proctor, manager of four continuous
performance theatres in New-York, said yes
terday:
Having four theatres in this city m moro A.
Tectly Interested in Commissioner Sturris's ac,ion
than any other individual manager in NewYorItl'
1olt asoe froIn my financial interests the general
PUBLIC VIII be directly affected. Unless 7 can
PACK my theatres TO the limit Of their ca pacty AZ
Am am co9tlnuaIly doing. | cannot give such nigh
grace ana expensive entertainments as do for he
low prices charge Only by selling my seats three
t4fnes day can gain sufficient Ia carr,
OF my pan AS Tar my individual pocketbooL
Is concerned l can make money at hgh prices iIsf
as well as any other manager in New York l1ou,
tne snow business in every detail and II will he no
eHort Tor me TO change. But / shall have 10 leave
my present host Of patrons in the cold They
cant ahoro 10 pay s. seat, but Is 25 or 20 cents
is no hardship them - - - ~ GEMS
THE COMMISSIONER EXPLAINS
commissioner Sturgis yesterday set forth his
views Of the law and its enforcement IN the